love my simple home

How To Cover A Bookcase With Curtains

April 29, 2024, in before & after

Curtains aren't just for windows! I've used them to conceal the contents in the built-ins in our dining area and now I am using them on a bookcase in our sitting room. This room also serves as a home office.

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I decided to cover the bookcase simply because the shelves get messy and when I'm hanging out in this room I can't help but notice the distraction. Covering a bookcase with curtains is an easy solution to hide the clutter and create a neat and organized look in your home.

Sometimes it's a little messy, and sometimes a little tidier. They are Mostly messy but for today and for you they are tidy.😀 I am terrible about putting things back in their usual spot and I tend to just shove them on any shelf. Especially when in a rush.

It's a space we use often so these shelves are quite functional, but there is also some interest here. The curtains allow easy access to the shelf contents when they are opened and hide the mess when closed.

Here is a simple and quick step method you can try:

Full coverage: Use curtains that fit the width and length of the bookcase. I purchased ready-made curtains from Amazon that measure 52x84 inches and fit the bookcase perfectly. The curtains have grommets but you can use tab-back curtains or hang the curtains with curtain clips. Here is the link for similar curtains.

Partial coverage is another idea if your curtains do not fit the full length of your bookcase. You can cover only the bottom part of the bookcase with curtains. This is a method I used in our dining area.

Slide the curtains through a spring tension rod and install it across the width of the bookcase.

Can you believe that's all you need, to do to hide a messy bookcase? It really is that simple.

Here is the link for the complete makeover of this room: SITTING ROOM BEFORE & AFTER

Sitting Room Before & After

March 22, 2024, in before & after, Decorating, portfolio

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I love this sitting room because of its location at the front of the house and the abundant sunlight it gets in the morning. When we first purchased our house we used this room as the guest bedroom but over time we felt that it didn't really feel right and needed to be used in, the right way. As I mentioned the two things I love about this room are the location and sunlight. When I realized what this space should be I redesigned it to be a sitting room.

Hello and welcome, today, I'm sharing the before and after photographs of our completed sitting room that my husband and I worked on together.

Let's take a look at the before pictures. This photograph shows the first makeover we did years ago when we changed this room from a guest bedroom to a sitting room. We painted the walls a pale yellow and installed a wall-to-wall carpet. The navy blue curtains have a beautiful stripe fabric trim that was an easy no-sew project. I created a small gallery wall with a painting and a print I purchased at a yard sale.

Fast forward to today, we emptied the room, of everything.

BEFORE

Then we stripped the room of the carpet and trim. We painted the walls, ceiling, and all the trim work the same color. We plan on using the desk so we left it in the room. The desk was a quick and easy DIY project mentioned later in the post.

AFTER

And now what a difference! The walls, ceiling, and trim are painted with the color Pure White by the Sherwin Williams Infinity collection in a flat finish and the new plank laminate floor is from the Home Depot. After all the work was complete it was time to place the furniture and decorate the room.

Decorating a room is the fun part for me! However before any furniture or decor is placed in the room I think about the layout, color, and how the space will be used. The next step is to look at the room to see what fits. The size and shape of the room will determine what furniture pieces will fit the best. I like to shop around our home before purchasing any new items. Something in one room is now going to be in this room and used in a completely different way. About 90 percent of the furniture and items in our home I bought second-hand, found on the side of the road, or were given to us.

Moving all the pieces to different rooms and putting them where I know where to use them is a great way of figuring out how to utilize them as best as possible in their new space.

I shopped around our home and asked my husband to move the two bookcases in my workroom into this room. I decided to separate the bookcases and flank them opposite each other against the wall between the two windows. This created a cozy space with enough room for two chairs and a comfortable spot for two people to converse with each other. I then designed the two bookcases, one for books and one for office supplies and photography equipment. My favorite chair to lounge in is the second-hand tufted floral chair that I slipcovered to cover a small rip in the upholstery. As you can see it's also B's favorite. Lucky for me there is another comfortable chair.

The ottoman I purchased online a few years ago. Amazon has a nice selection of ottomans for the home.

Trifted Vintage objects find new use in the sitting room like this nightstand pulled from one of the bedrooms. Just because a piece of furniture is meant for a specific room doesn't mean you have to exclusively use it in, that room. This small nightstand is the perfect storage solution to hold books and other items. The basket and drawer are storage for things I, don't want to see like maybe B's stuff.☺

Although I find it challenging to find the right size shade for my lamps I also find it fun to see what I can find. This beautiful crystal lamp came with a large empire shade that was too big for this space so I changed it to a woven seagrass shade. Later in this post, you'll see that I changed the seagrass shade to a beautiful silk shade making the lamp look even more elegant.

I like to give each area of a room a purpose by setting up different zones. Setting up different zones makes the room feel bigger. I used the middle of the room as the sitting area. The round jute rug between the chairs creates a specific zone for reading and conversation. The rug I purchased years ago for my living room makeover. You can read about my living room makeover here. I plan on purchasing a new rug for this space and have my eye on this one from Amazon.

I used the walls in this room as a second zone for office space by placing one of the bookcases in the far right corner. This bookcase holds office supplies and my photography equipment so it made sense to place the desk against the wall, tucked between the window and bookcase. Now I have a nice view out the window and easy access to the items on the bookcase.

Can, you guess that the desk was once a coffee table? It became a desk after thinking it was too long a coffee table when we would walk around it and bump into the edge. Changing out the legs was an easy fix to give it a new life as a desk.

One of my photographs of a moody ocean scene hangs above the desk. I love gazing up from whatever I'm working on, taking a moment to stare at this photograph giving my soul and eyes a place to rest.

Leaning on top of, a DIY desk is an oversized picture frame I covered in burlap. I was, thinking of using it as an inspiration board or to style my photographs inside the frame. A small lamp and plant are just enough for this desk. Keeping the desk minimally styled allows the freedom to use it when needed for projects. If you want to use a small lamp in your home Amazon has a nice selection with many colors to, choose from.

Striping this room down to a blank canvas was hard work but the right decision. I had fun piecing this room together like a puzzle, opening my eyes to see what it could be, and putting on my thinking cap to create a cozy sitting room using the things around our home.

Thank you for the visit

FOR MORE OF MY MAKEOVERS CLICK THE LINKS BELOW

Creating A Serene Outdoor Living Space

Creating Your Dream Workspace

Coastal Style Living Room Reveal

Guest Bedroom Reveal

DIY Inspiration Board

7 Easy Ways To Brighten Up Your Home For Spring

March 13, 2023, in Decorating

Ah, spring is almost here at least that's what the calendar says. We still have the winter chill here in New York so I won't be spending time in the garden just yet, but I can have fun now sprucing up the inside of my home. Here are my 7 easy ways to brighten up your home for spring:

1. Have fun with bright accessories, from colorful coffee table books to stylish objects and things found in nature to create beautiful accents around your home. Not sure how to style up a coffee table read my post about HOW TO STYLE A COFFEE TABLE IN 4 EASY STEPS.

2. Bring in flowers! Think tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and even branches of leaves or forsythia in a mix of vases on your window sill or around your home. The color, the scent it's spring in a vase! You can create a beautiful bunch to display just by placing your tallest flower in the center of the vase and work your way out. If you want to add texture just add in some greenery.

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SWEET MINI DAFFODILS

3. Ok, next up is the simplest of them all, it's free and you might already be doing this. Open your curtains, drapes, blinds, shades, or whatever you have that is covering your windows! Tea towels are a fun way to dress your windows for the spring. I know in the winter we want our homes to be insulated warm and cozy so we tend to have our window treatments closed. Spring is the time to let the natural light in. Letting natural light into your home will instantly brighten it up and give it a mood boost and maybe boost your mood too. I also like to open my windows on nice days to let fresh air and the sound of life in. Hearing the birds chirping outside makes me smile.

4. Spring is the perfect time to give your bedroom a mini-makeover with new bedding. It's an inexpensive way to freshen up your bedroom and give it a new feel. I love a mix of bright whites with soothing blue accents. Shop on AMAZON for bedding.

5. Brighten up your entryway with a new accent rug. These small rugs are life savers and are easy to keep clean. Our entryway gets a lot of abuse, especially during the spring when the ground is still muddy. When the rug gets dirty I can shake it out or pop it in the wash. Shop Amazon for area rugs.

6. Get something growing! Even though I'm ready to get out in the garden and grow fresh herbs and vegetables I can't quite do that yet so I like to get something growing inside. An easy way to do this is to purchase herb plants at the grocery store and place them in the kitchen or dining area in a basket, planter, or vase where it gets light. Read my post about DIY herb planters in up-cycled cans for a fun alternative.

7. Add bright pillows. Pillows make any space extra cozy and inviting so swap out your winter textiles for more cheerful colorful ones. I am a fan of pillows and have them everywhere in our home. They are an easy way to lighten up the space and instantly add a pop of color.

xx,

Julie

Thank you for reading to the end!

If you're craving more click on the links below!

Home decor ideas that brighten up the gloomy days of spring

Flip Your Rug

Painting And Styling A Bookcase

diy fabric flower planters- mother's day gift

diy fabric jewelry gift box mother's day gift idea

Small Lamps For Kitchen Countertops

January 19, 2023, in Decorating, Shop, Thrifting

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One reason why I love home decor so much is, that you can recreate any atmosphere anywhere you like, simply by mixing vintage pieces, and lighting. Hello and welcome! I wanted to bring a bit of warmth to our white quartz countertops with a small table lamp, it's my favorite kitchen accessory trend for this year. This timeless trend of displaying a tabletop lamp on the kitchen counter is easy to do and will add character and warmth to your kitchen for the winter months and throughout the year.

I purchased a small vintage lamp years ago at a consignment store and recently placed it on our kitchen countertop to recreate the cozy aesthetic that we have in our living spaces.

The space between our countertops and upper cabinets is about 17 inches so this 8-inch lamp works beautifully. Beyond offering texture and color It's just so cozy! I like to keep the overhead kitchen lights off and just have a soft glow of light in the evening. This has become my favorite time of day because I love the cozy aesthetic the lamp brings to our kitchen.

Here are images from my archives of other lamps that I used on our previous kitchen countertop

SIMPLE NO SEW CAFE CURTAINS

SUMMER HOME TOUR

It's time for a cozy atmosphere and to open a nice bottle of wine. I put together a round-up with an assortment of pretty lamps that will fit most kitchen countertops without taking up too much counter space.

Small Lamps For Kitchen Countertops:

What do you think?

xx,

Julie

The Easiest Interior Design Trends To Follow For 2023

January 11, 2023, in Decorating, Thrifting

Hello friends, I've been meaning to write a post for a while now, but sometimes you just don't get around to things. Let's just say that I am happy to start a new year. With each new year, I like to find out what is trending in the interior design world, and thought it would be fun to talk about the interior design trends for 2023.

I find that the one thing that's really interesting with interior design trends is there is a bit of a slow incoming so we start to see it over time. You start to see things in design magazines, or online then you start seeing it more in the mainstream like in retail and corporate spaces or on tv then it whines down where it actually gets into our homes.

Because trends come and go I like to avoid trends that are way too trendy and instead focus on the trends that are simple to do, long-lasting, and work with my style. There are a lot of trends in the world of interiors and it would be impossible for me to cover all of them so I put together three that are easy to do and will get you excited to decorate your house this year. I hope this sounds fun to you because I know I definitely love to chat about decorating so let's jump right in.

NUMBER ONE

SHOP VINTAGE AND THRIFTED ITEMS

Vintage and thrifted items can bring personality and character to any space whether it be modern or traditional. They also have the added benefit of being readily available so you don't have to worry about a long wait to have your items shipped. To achieve this trend you can visit your local consignment, antique, or thrift shops for unique pieces. This is something that I've been doing for years and find it fun to mix the old with the new. Finding a piece of furniture that blends beautifully with the newer pieces in my home brings character. I also like thrifting small things like lamps, vases, and dishware.

the-easiest-interior-design-trends-to-follow-for-2023-love-my-simple-home

HOW TOR REFINISH A COFFEE TABLE

TWO

WOOD FURNITURE

Dark wood furniture is making a comeback. We are moving to deep and medium wood tones. One of the simplest ways to hop on this trend is to opt for natural furniture pieces in a dark wood tone. Think of rich walnut side tables or chestnut bookshelves. Also, think of the smaller touches of wood like chairs and sofas with dark wood-toned legs. Add a statement piece of furniture such as a dark walnut coffee table. Keep it balanced by having different wood tones throughout the design and avoid matching sets. Matching sets can look outdated in your design. Instead, choose lighter wood to compliment the dark wood furniture. Look for Wood furniture that has warmth and coziness like vintage and antique pieces.

THREE

SMALL KITCHEN COUNTERTOP LAMPS

Make your kitchen an extension of your home by creating a cozy feeling that you would get as if you were sitting in your living room or other areas in your home. Think about that warm and cozy spot in your living room or when you are at a restaurant that has a warm ambiance. One way to create that cozy feeling in your kitchen is with a small lamp. You can find small tabletop lamps just about anywhere. They will bring character to your kitchen and elevate it to that designer look. It's also the easiest way to be on trend in 2023. I have one on our kitchen countertop and I love the warm glow and character it brings to our kitchen. You can also place one on the kitchen island.

Julie

Simple Thanksgiving Decor Ideas

November 14, 2022,

I'm so happy it's autumn because I get to share with you a few simple Thanksgiving decor ideas. If you are hosting Thanksgiving this year and are scared to take design risks use this holiday to get creative with dressing your table and shelves with pretty decor. They're only going to be out for a little bit of time so get creative and have fun. These simple Thanksgiving decor ideas can work for a large dinner party or even just for two. Be fearless and just try it. You can't go wrong because it's your home and there is no right or wrong.

simple-thanksgiving-decor-ideas-love-my-simple-home

I love to make a seasonal bouquet of something😀 It could be faux or real and it's easy to do. Every year I come up with something different. One year I made an arrangement with dried leaves in a DIY tin can vase. As an alternative, I like to use fruit centerpieces. They are pretty and edible and what's not to love about that!

DIY Tin Can Vase

It's so much fun to explore putting branches, plants, candles, and food, in the middle of the table. You're going to have to set your table so why not have fun with the items you are selecting. Start playing by getting a tablecloth in a pretty pattern or one with texture. Buy beautiful dishware and glassware and actually use them. Or bring out those inherited pieces which I think are always the best.

Make your shelves festive by creating small arrangements with things found in nature. Look for pine cones, branches, and acorns, and have fun displaying them to make your home warm and cozy. Stack dishware and have fun styling up a pretty drink station.

This autumn has been unusually warm and the oregano is still growing in our garden. I like to display fresh herbs on the kitchen counter because for me, this makes cooking for Thanksgiving so much more fun.

Place settings made by hand represent love and are a simple way to add that decorative touch to the dining table.

NATURE INSPIRED THANKSGIVING PLACE SETTINGS

During the holidays I remember when I was a child my parents would display pistachio nuts in a pretty container on the coffee table. They were red back then and the red dye would get on my fingers and I just thought that was so much fun. Now I use this simple decor idea in my own home but without the red dye.

Thank you for the visit.

Julie

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How To Cover A Bookcase With Curtains

Sitting Room Before & After

7 Easy Ways To Brighten Up Your Home For Spring

Small Lamps For Kitchen Countertops

The Easiest Interior Design Trends To Follow For 2023

Simple Thanksgiving Decor Ideas

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