Well, here we are friends, in a new year!  With the flip of the calendar comes a new set of interior design trends. There's something about a new year that makes the idea of a fresh look for my home so appealing. While I do not believe in following trends from year to year or change my style to what seems to be "in" I do like to use trends in my home that work with my style.  If you're ready to start a new project in your home and are curious about what's trending consider the following interior design trends for 2018.
  
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If you're dreaming of a home makeover or moving into a new home, trends are a great way to see what is new and discover something you didn't know existed.  Here are a few interior design trends that caught my eye for 2018:

KITCHENS

The trend this year in kitchen design is a shift to warm tones and bold colors. You will see lots of natural wood and richer hues like wood stained cabinets and painted cabinets in navy, dark gray and black. This trend I struggle with because I like bright and airy spaces.  One way to embrace the look of a dark kitchen is with two tone cabinets. Use white or natural wood for the upper cabinets and shelving with dark or colorful lower cabinets to ground the space.



MATTE BLACK 

This one I really like.  If you're looking to make a statement with your home decor matte black is where it's at.  Use this finish in bathrooms and kitchens with light fixtures and hardware.



FLORALS AND GEOMETRICS

Gorgeous, bold large graphic floral and geometric prints in high-contrast colors can be seen on upholstery, drapery, wallpaper, area rugs, throw blankets, throw pillows, dishware, and artwork.



CURVY FURNITURE

Furniture is taking a turn from sharp edges to a more modern feminine form with curves that hug around you.




HANDMADE AND HANDPAINTED ITEMS

In home decor, we are seeing handmade or handpainted items like pottery and textured linens, which offer an organic aesthetic. 

SHOP THE LOOK



INTENSE COLORS

The Pantone color of the year is UltraViolet.  Other intense colors that are trending are green, bright blue and fuchsia.  Whether or not you are a fan of these bold colors it's an opportunity to discover something new and perhaps discover something that you didn't even know you liked.




DECORATIVE PATTERNED FLOORS

Herringbone parquet flooring is a high-end look that brings Old World European charm to your home. It's a great way to make a statement in a small room or entry.  To run it through an entire home could be expensive and even look too busy, keep this trend in one room.




FLOATING BATHROOM VANITIES

A floating vanity is the type of vanity that has the plumbing components tucked under a skirt made of stone, wood or another material.  It visually simplifies the entire counter and vanity area and frees up floor space which makes a bathroom feel more open. Styles can range from traditional to modern.




The design decisions that we make should represent who we are and not someone else.  Interior design trends are simply a way of giving us options to discover what is new on the market. Using interior design trends in your home doesn't have to be expensive.  You can pick one trend, add a few new accessories and change the paint color.  This way your home gets a new look at a low cost.

Tell me what's big on your design list this year?  Do you have a favorite trend that you want to try next?
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Hi, friends here are a few minimal Christmas and winter decorating ideas for you to use in your home. This year I've gone for a minimalist Christmas decor style using greenery, pine cones, baskets, and handmade treasures. We have a traditional Christmas tree but I kept everything else pared-back and fuss-free.




This year I wrapped presents in the simplest way by using white boxes, craft paper, and greenery.  I started by wrapping white cotton twine in a zig-zag pattern around the box, then I tucked a clipping of greenery between the twine.  Simple and pretty.



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These gifts were wrapped using brown craft paper, ribbon, and a personalized tag. You can purchase white gift boxes and Kraft paper on Amazon 


I went with a limited color scheme of green, black, and white and styled the console table in the entryway two different ways. In this picture, a metal tray filled with pine cones sits in the middle of the table, and a vintage Christmas tree and a black vase filled with greenery flank the ends.


In this photograph, I replaced the Christmas tree and vase with two mini faux spruce trees that I can leave up after Christmas and throughout the winter.


I filled a large basket with greenery and placed it on the floor next to the entry bench. This is an incredibly easy way to decorate for Christmas and winter.  I can replace any leaves that shrivel up as they dry out.  In keeping with the understated aesthetic, I used one fluffy white pillow on the bench.





Our Christmas tree is simply decorated with vintage and handmade Christmas ornaments. 


If you haven't finished wrapping presents and decorating your home I hope you use some of my simple decorating ideas.




Merry Christmas sweet friends!

Easy Jammy Sugar Cookies

December 19, 2017, in ,
Hi friends!  We are less than a week away from Christmas day and I am in baking mode!  One of my favorite Christmas traditions is baking cookies!  The scent of cookies baking in the oven always makes it feel like Christmas in our home.  One of the first cookies on my list to bake are these easy jam-filled sugar cookies.  This recipe includes ingredients that most of us already have on hand and is quick and easy to make.

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Ingredients:

  • One log of store-bought sugar cookie dough
  • 1/2 - 1 cup walnuts or pecans
  • Blueberry or raspberry jam

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Directions:

Unwrap refrigerated cookie dough and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. While the cookie dough is sitting, chop the nuts into small to fine pieces, or if you have a coffee grinder use that and save yourself some time.

Slice the cookie dough and roll it into 1/2 in. balls. You can use less dough if you want smaller cookies.

Then roll the balls into finely chopped walnuts or pecans and place them on a large cookie sheet, two inches apart.  With the end of a wooden spoon handle, make a deep indentation in each ball.  You can also use a clean wine cork or your thumb.

Fill the indentations with the jam and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes.  Let the cookies cool before removing them from the cookie sheet.

The cookies have crispy edges and are soft and gooey in the middle, they make a delicious treat with your morning or afternoon coffee. 

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Hello Friends, It's that magical time of year again...Time to deck the halls, wrap the presents, and trim the trees!  On Christmas morning, after all the gifts are unwrapped, my family & I gather around the table for a leisurely Christmas breakfast.  I serve pancakes with fresh fruit, warm maple syrup, freshly
squeezed orange juice, and hot coffee.  I savor this moment every year!  This simple pleasure of slowing down and spending time with the ones I love is what matters to me the most at Christmas.

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WELCOME
Come on in and I'll show you around our rustic dining room decorated for Christmas.

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PRE-LIT ARTIFICIAL PORCH CHRISTMAS TREES

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I placed pine cones on top of Tartan Plaid Napkins.  The delicate white plates were a gift from my mom.  My tabletop tree is adorned with vintage lights and ornaments handed down to me by my parents. The tree sits inside a vintage Dewar's Liquor box placed on top of a vintage sewing table.
Chippy antique shutters with pine cone garland lean against the wall.

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When it comes to decorating a holiday table, I take my cue from mother nature.  I used branches and pine cones collected from my yard for a rustic centerpiece. The cranberries in hurricane jars add a festive pop of red. 



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I clipped winter evergreen branches from my yard to make sprays to hang on the shutters.

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Here is a close-up of my little Christmas tree adorned with vintage lights and ornaments.

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On the opposite side of the room sits my favorite find.  A stainless steel medical cabinet.  This is where I keep our everyday dishes along with other items that we use for special occasions.  Next to the cabinet are two bookshelves that I painted and added casters to. Dishes, bowls, and platters are stacked on the shelves.

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A couple of sweater pillows keep the wicker loveseat warm and cozy.  I used red, green and navy this year.....Here's a little secret..... The pillows are slipcovered with wool sweaters and the cushions are covered with a tartan plaid scarf.

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I made the driftwood sailboat, the leaf garland, and wreaths.  A French tea towel hangs from the door with a silver bell on top.
  







             
          Cotton Stems placed in glass soda bottles sit on top of my favorite painted chest.




I hope I inspired you to decorate your dining room for Christmas. Please visit my Amazon Storefront to shop for Christmas decor. 
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