HomLuv.com: Building Your Home Made Easier

Sponsored by HomLuv

As an interior designer and current home owner, my dream is to someday build a house.  With that in mind, I am always looking for inspiration. The home building process can be so exciting, but can also be overwhelming and confusing as well, especially if you don't know exactly what you want. The problem with most inspiration sites is that they usually don't represent a single, cohesive home that actually exists in real life. These inspirations photos might be of a farmhouse style kitchen in Texas, a mid-century modern living room in California, and a coastal bathroom in Connecticut. These images are usually also not representative of realistic homes on a budget either.  HomLuv.com is a new website that just launched June 14th, that allows homebuyers to be at the center of the experience. You can browse inspiring and realistic photos of new homes, rooms, and exteriors all in one site. It's a place to keep all of your ideas in one place and collaborate with your co-buyer, regardless of design style preferences. 

The process starts with location. This means HomLuv won't show you beachfront homes if you live in Idaho. It also pulls up photos from builders in your area. You can set your preferences to be as broad or specific as you want. As a home buyer, you can choose what you love in a home and HomLuv will help you articulate your design style and preferences, making it easy to find a builder who will actually build you a  perfect home.

Everyone has a different idea of what makes a house a home. We host quite a lot in our home, so I love an open kitchen/living room floor concept that is perfect for entertaining. Whether your idea of a perfect home is an open floor plan, a space with a lot of natural light, a fireplace in your living room, or an outdoor patio oasis, let HomLuv help you find it! Building new is a fresh start to a home that you will not only like, but love. When shopping for a home, it can be challenging to find the right fit for you, especially with often times limited amount of existing homes for sale in your community. In our area, the market is so hot that existing homes are flying off the market so fast that only the less desirable homes with less desirable features are available. This makes it hard to find your "perfect" home. This is where HomLuv comes in with inspiration that fit your exact style and preferences!

HomLuv is not just one-sided. It's building for him and for her. From man caves, to cook's kitchens, to craft rooms, couples can manage all of the amazing upgrades that builders offer, makes smart decisions, and stay on a budget. The site has a ton of great images that helps you choose your design style and home that is right for you. With their visual search, buyers can easily discover inspiring design options they love, pin them to boards, and share with a co-buyer. HomeLuv.com offers selections from 100,000 homes and plans across the country. Their technology tailors results that are specific to your design style and budget, with overlap between you and your co-buyers likes.

If you're looking to build a house and to have a gratifying experience during the process, jump on HomLuv for some incredible inspiration! It will make you feel empowered and confident as a home buyer, which makes the best home for your family fun and inspiring. I know I'll be using it when we go through the home building process in the future, so start designing your dream home on HomLuv now!

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Sponsored by HomLuv

Greetabl: The Awesome New Way to Send Greeting Cards

As an Interior Designer and Home Stager, I love sending my clients personalized thank you cards gifts them to enjoy after I've wrapped up a project. I've sent cards and cookies, but couldn't come up with anything that totally unique, but also quick and easy to send.

Then I found out about Greetabl. This website creates not only personalized greetings, but also a personalized gift. You choose everything from the print on the box, the message, the personalized photos inside, and the gift included. With so many options, this is such a great go-to gift for clients, and really anyone else in your life!

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The Greetabl came in a packaged box, with the sweetest note inside. I loved seeing this note the second I opened the box.

I also loved being able to pick the pattern of the Greetabl greeting box! There are SO many fun designs and patterns to choose from; you will not be disappointed! I actually had a hard time choosing just one, because I liked so many of them.

The box even has instructions on how to open it the right way! Once you peel the sides, it opens so perfectly to reveal the gift inside.

Not only do you get to write your own personanlized message inside, but you also get to choose 3 images to include in the box! You can either upload your own images from Instagram or your computer, or Greetabl has some pre-loaded images and quotes you can use right from their site. It honestly doesn't get easier than that! I chose some fun inspirational quotes for my client. 

I absolutely love the gifts you can choose from on the Greetabl site. There is everything from candy, to jewelry, to socks, to candles! With such a variety of gift options, you can choose from something from a small thank you treat, to a birthday surprise for a loved one. I chose a candle, and it smells so delicious!

If you want to create your own Greetabl, I have a special treat for you! Simply go to www.greetabl.com and use the promo code: MINTANDPINE for 15% off your purchase! I know I'll be buying more of these for my clients!

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Sponsored by Greetabl

The Easy Way To Decorate Your Office Shelves

Let's be honest, these shelves are totally and utterly decorative. We had this giant wall above the floating desk that I wanted to fill in, so naturally I made my husband build floating shelves above it, because shelves are MY LOVE LANGUAGE. I think these shelves add so much character to the space, and you can make them as functional or decorative as you want! Keep reading to see how I started and ending styling these shelves!

P.S. We have gotten new office chairs since these photos were taken. Bar stools definitely do not make comfortable office chairs, we just used them for the pictures.

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 Also, if you want a tutorial of how to make either the floating desk or the floating shelves, go HERE to Mr. Buildit's website and search "floating desk" or "JUMBO floating shelves".

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First, I added a calendar to fill in the space on the other side of the desktop. Since we only have one desktop computer and one laptop, the other side of the desk needed something to balance everything out. If you have the same issue, get a giant calendar to fill in the space! They are inexpensive, functional, and totally cute! You can purchase a similar ones to mine BELOW:

Simple Desktop Calendar

Cursive Desktop Calendar

Wood Hanging Calendar

Dry Erase Calendar

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Next I sporadically added decorative pieces throughout the shelves. I like to do this so the shelves don't start out looking too cluttered. I like to add smaller art frames, books with a decorative pieces on top, and of course plants and greenery. Just a little PSA: I find books at thrift stores that have really pretty colors underneath the covers and buy in bulk! They make beautiful decorative pieces and you don't have to break the bank to buy books that you use only as decor! I also added a little wooden calendar to the desk space that I found at Home Goods. You can never have too many calendars, right? You can purchase a similar small desk calendar HERE and HERE.

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Next, I added more books, and some vases to the shelves and desk. Tall vases will get you everywhere. They fill in large gaps so well and there are SO many gorgeous vases out there, from Thrift Stores, to Target, to Home Goods, to World Market, to many other retailers! I find most of mine at Home Goods and Target because the prices are usually pretty affordable.

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After I spread out a few decorative pieces on each shelf, I then like to go one shelf at a time and add fillers. This can be more books, plants, clocks, and random trinkets & decorative sculptures. I usually don't style one shelf at a time right away because I feel I usually have a harder time making the shelves look like a cohesive unit. If you spread out a couple of larger decor items throughout all of the shelves first, it's easier to go through and add the smaller items and finishing touches. I also like doing it this way to create rhythm and variety to the sizes of objects on the shelves. You don't want all of the decor to be the same height on the shelves.

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Make sure everything looks balanced and even on the shelves. You don't want two large vases next to each other, or books in the exact same spot on two different shelves, or a couple of same sized plants next to one another. You want to create movement so that everything flows well together. 

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Lastly, add the finishing touches to the shelves to make them look PERFECT. These are usually items like candles, miniature plants, and other smaller-scale items that create that finished look. Now, stand back and enjoy your perfectly styled shelves!

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Like everyone else, I have a lot of go to decorative pieces when it comes to styling shelves. Here are some of my favorite items that I love to style with!

Click on the image to directly shop the item!

The Fowler Project

We recently had the opportunity to stage 2 beautiful apartment units in the heart of downtown Boise. The Fowler is a historical building built in 1894 that has recently been transformed into an urban mid-rise apartment community, and is walking distance from a ton of local shops and restaurants. These units are modern, stylish, and have a beautiful view of the Boise foothills. Here is the final product of what they look like!

Lighting: Table Lamps

Lighting is so important in a home. Not only the kind of lighting, but also the way it looks! Since I can go on for days about my favorite kinds of lighting and lamps, I am going to break it up in several parts. This part will focus only on table lamps. There are a million different kinds of lighting and probably a million different kinds that I love, but here are just some of the ones that I think are awesome, yet affordable.

Ceramic Table Lamp

I just recently purchased this table lamp for staging, and I am so over the moon about it! It has the prettiest shades of blue on it, and I really like that it's tall. Get it HERE.

Geneva Glass Globe Lamp

I think this lamp would work well as both a table lamp and a desk lamp. The gold finish is so pretty, and the marble base just adds that extra glam. You can find it HERE.

Etched Glass Table Lamp

This table lamp is so simple, yet has so much character to it. Gold is in on everything right now, but I feel like silver is a classic. If you're looking for something to pair well with white, this is it! You can find it HERE.

Pink Ceramic Table Lamp

I had to throw in something pink and girly in this post, because blush tones make me swoon. This lamp is the PERFECT blush pink without being too pink or too yellow. I actually bought this lamp for a recent project and I think I might buy it for myself. You can buy it HERE.

Classic White Table Lamp

If you're looking for a simple white table lamp, this is it. The design is lovely, and of course you can't beat a clean white look. I need like 5 of these around my home in various places. You can find it HERE.

Blue Green Table Lamp

This lamp is a bit more expensive, but MAN is it pretty. I'm a sucker for navy blue + white, and this has the colors and the prettiest details. If you want to invest in a pricier lamp, this one gives me all of the heart eyes. Find it HERE. 

Blue + Gray Table Lamp

I love this two-toned lamp! It's big and beefy, which is also a plus in my book. If you want to snag it, you can get it HERE.

Rose Gold Globe Lamp

Here is another fun table lamp that could double as a desk lamp. I love how different the structure is, and the rose gold just speaks to my heart. You can find it HERE if you like it too!

Shell Creme Table Lamp

This lamp has a really soft look to it, which I also really like. The shell look has that pearly color that would probably look great anywhere! Find it HERE.

Black Metal Table Lamp

I love the contrast of black and white in this lamp. It looks like a timeless piece because black and white are the classics! I also love how tall this lamp is because sometimes you need something a little more substantial on your desk or table. This comes in a set of two and is currently on sale! Snag it HERE if you like it!

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That's it for my table lamp selections! There are so many more lamps I love, but some of them are SO expensive, and I am honestly not willing to spend $250-$300 on one lamp so I didn't include them. Tune in for my favorite Floor Lamp selections, coming soon!

Deck the Halls...And Everything Else

I'm pretty sure Christmas time is just about every person's favorite time of year, and I am no exception. December is also my birthday month, so naturally I'm super biased towards this time of year. I kept the holiday decor pretty simple this year, and we still have yet to get our tree, but this is how I added some merriness to my home for under $50!

This is where it all started! I bought these cedar garlands from our local Home Depot, but I think they sell them just about anywhere! I bought two 20 foot garlands for $30.

Of course, I had a very enthusiastic little helper. Also, this beautiful ribbon is from the Hearth & Hand collection at Target, and it's such a perfect contrast against the green.

Kid's Bedroom Makeover

This kid's bedroom makeover was such a fun project. I wanted to do something a little different, and love the way everything came together! Check it out!

First of all, this wallpaper. Am I right? It's from Rocky Mountain Decals and it is gorgeous! The most of amazing thing about this wallpaper (besides the design, of course) is that it is removable! It is peel-and-stick, which is a game changer if you are renting or don't want to ruin your walls. It is pretty simple to install, although I would use a friend to help, especially if you have taller ceilings. This one is called "Cactus Wallpaper" and you can click HERE for the link to it. 

This beautiful and cozy rug is from Lorena Canals Rugs, and you guys... it is not only so stinkin' cute, but also SO comfy. The minute I stepped on it, I thought, "wow this is impressively cozy and my toes love it". This rug is also machine-washable and fits into a standard washer and dryer. That alone is enough for me to get a rug for a kid's room because, well...KIDS. This rug is also naturally dyed, designed in Spain, and handmade in India. This particular rug is called the "Bereber Beige Rug" and I've linked it HERE.

Dresser: Large White Wood Brewton Dresser

Ladder Shelf: Loring 5 Shelf Ladder Bookcase (Similar one, the one I have isn't on the website for some reason)

House Shelf: House Cubby Wall Shelf, White

Wall Hanging: Wall Tapestry Sum Total

 I received product compliments of "Lorena Canals Rugs"

All About Those Rugs

Rugs. We all want them and need them in our houses, but can never quite find the perfect ones. And by perfect ones, I means ones that we love but don't cost us our first born children. Rugs can get EXPENSIVE. Especially nice, quality ones. I've put together a roundup of some of my favorite neutral rugs that won't break the bank!

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This rug is probably the most popular rug on the internet and social media right now. I have seen it in almost every Instagram account I follow. There's a reason it's so popular though; it's the perfect blend of gray and ivory, and the design is just enough to be different but not too overwhelming. Also, this rug isn't too plush, but enough to where it isn't just like a mat on the ground. Also, in the photos this rug looks pretty light, but the white in it is more of a tan-ish/ivory color, which is great if you have messy kiddos, like me! The best part about this rug, though? You can buy an 8x10 size for about $200! That's a steal of a deal if you ask me. 

Here is the link to it: Olga Gray Area Rug

P. S. If you're looking for something darker, here is the same rug but in a darker gray color: Dark Gray Area Rug

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I love this rug, because it has fun geometric shapes, but the colors are still neutral enough that you can put it anywhere. I would probably put this rug under a dining table or as a bedroom accent rug. The 8x10 size is a little pricey, but the 5x7 and 4x6 sizes are definitely more reasonable! 

Check it out here: Madero Hand-Tufted Charcoal/Ivory Area Rug

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If you are looking for a white rug, this is it. The color is so pretty and it has just the right amount of pattern in it to be fun and unique. I would put this in my house in a heartbeat if I didn't have children. The reviews are excellent and the 8x10 size is only $240 and the 5x7 is $130! 

P.S. Rugs USA always has sales going on, so I bet you could score this for even less!

Here is the link: Snowpeak Double Diamond Lattice Shag Rug

Here another rug that is just as pretty: Apex Moroccan High-Low Texture Striped Rug

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This is another Bohemian style that I just love! I think this pattern adds so much character to a room, and I bet it can also cover up a lot of crumbs and things! The material seems thin, but I think a rug pad would help to add some needed softness if you have hardwood or tile in your space. Because this rug is thinner, I think it would look great in a bedroom!

Find it here: Old Town Hand Woven Gray Area Rug

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If you're looking for a simple, solid gray rug, this one is beautiful! I love the cozy knit look, and gray is a staple color for rugs. The only thing I would worry about with this one is children and pets pulling the weaves out.  I think I would put this rug under a bed to soften a room and make it look cozier.

Get it here: Touchstone Woolen Cable Hand-Woven Gray Area Rug

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For those of you looking for something with a little more color, this is it. I absolutely love the colors and designs in this rug. It's just the right mix of modern and boho, and works as a perfect accent if you have a lot of gray or brown furniture. The 8x10 in this is a little expensive, but the 5x8 and the 2x7 are totally reasonable! I think this rug would be so awesome as a runner!

Check out this beauty here: Colca Wool Rug

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This gray rug is perfect if you're looking for something that is not too light! With small kiddos, these are the kinds of rugs I gravitate towards because white or off-white ones would last all of 2.3 seconds. This is another one that is priced pretty decently, especially for such a large size! 

Here is the link for this one: Rundell Gray Area Rug

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If you're looking for something a little darker, I would recommend this charcoal rug. It's a dark gray instead of a black, so you won't be able to see as much white lint on it and other things. The design on this rug is also fun!

Check it out here: Laflin Charcoal Rug

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This is another tribal print rug, that has the prettiest neutrals, that can complement really any couch! The 5x7 is on sale, and it looks like it's already running out of stock, so hurry and get it if you like it! 

Link here: Zita Beige Area Rug

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And last but not least, I love gray rug because of its classy simplicity and soft color. It can sometimes be kind of hard to find that perfect light gray rug, and I think this one looks like the perfect soft gray, without being too cold. 

You can find it here: Nico Classic Gray Solid Area Rug

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That's it for my rug roundup! I hope you enjoyed looking at some of these, especially if you are on the hunt for that perfect rug! 

Let me know if there is anything else you guys would love to see me post about, or if there is something in particular that you are interested in! Thanks!

Every Little Detail

Personally, I think what really makes a house a home are the attentive and considerate details that create a warm and welcoming space. You can have a fancy couch, a unique coffee table, and a beautifully crafted dining table, but nothing completes a home like the pretty accessories and carefully thought out details. I'm talking about those beautiful throw pillows you notice when you walk into your friend's house, or that stunning plant in the corner, or all of the pretty little knick-knacks on shelves that surely catch your eye. These are the things that attract us to a particular house, and these are the things that make beautiful furniture look even more beautiful. Here are a few of my favorite accessories to stage with at the moment, and where they are from if you need a little inspiration!

The desk and the chair in the photo above are great pieces, but doesn't that cute little lemon tree make the whole space come together? When I saw that plant at Home Goods, I knew it was a keeper. Although, now I kind of wish I would have grabbed the other one that I saw too! The Aztec print pillow and throw are from Target, and so is the desk lamp and rug. Without these accessories, the room would look incomplete, or cold. The warmth of these details makes spaces feel cozy and welcome.

Aren't cute, fake potted plants the real MVP's of home decor and styling though? I feel like stores have really upped their fake plant game recently, because I've been so impressed with what I have been finding! I found most of my fake plants at Home Goods/Marshall's at such an affordable price! Top Shelf from left to right: candlesticks from World Market, plant from Marshall's, spiky plant from Hobby Lobby, turquoise vase from Hobby Lobby, tall white vase from Hobby Lobby, greenery in vases from Target dollar spot. Bottom Shelf from left to right: fake snake plant from Marshall's, white potted plant from IKEA, pink vase from Hobby Lobby. All of the books are from thrift stores. 

Modern plant stands are such a brilliant way to fill up a random empty space in a corner. Plants look good just about anywhere, and a plant in a gorgeous plant stand is even better. The plant stand was made by my husband, and he actually has a DIY tutorial for it over on his blog at www.mr-buildit.com. I was also really impressed with the rug selection at Marshall's/Home Goods. They have a lot of bohemian style rugs in the prettiest colors! And of course, at a price that won't make you want to faint.

Another easy tip for finding pots for living plants: use baskets! They are much cheaper then ceramic pots and look just as good! I bought that white and gray one from Target for like $7 I think! Basically almost every accessory you see on these shelves is either from Target, Home Goods, Marshall's, Hobby Lobby, or Ikea. I usually try to wait for a sale at these stores to score some sweet trinkets, because if you buy them all at once it can get pretty spendy!

Now let's talk throw pillows. First of all, why is one stinkin' throw pillow $20-$35? I can't wrap my head around it, because it seems crazy. But we still buy them! I feel like the good ones very rarely go on sale, and I've never found any worthwhile ones at thrift stores or consignment shops. So basically I had to just suck it up and purchase some throw pillows as an investment. I've found some pretty ones at Target, World Market, Marshall's, and Home Goods. That pretty emerald one is from World Market and it is one of my favorites! The gray throw blanket is from Target and its also a perfect accessory for a bed.

I'm always looking for new places I can score some pretty little details, so if you have any suggestions or know of any must have items, let me know! I'd love to hear them!

Retro Modern Fireplace Makeover

It's our first makeover reveal, guys! My husband just recently finished remodeling the fireplace and it turned out incredible! The only thing I'm still slightly undecided on is the color of the metal fireplace cover. I had this idea to paint it white instead of black to match the rest of the white, but I also didn't want it all just to blend in together and be a big white blob. My husband painted it white to try it out and really liked the look of it, but I was still gravitating towards black to add some contrast. After a week or so of looking at it though, I think I might want it to stay white after all. Since the fireplace isn't going to be the focal point of the living room, we don't want it to stand out too much anyway, so keeping it simple and clean is the look we are going for. I just hope I don't change my mind about it in the next few weeks!

Here is the BEFORE of the fireplace. Ah, the glory of the 90's bright gold border!

This is the fireplace IN-PROGRESS. I was looking for some white brick to put in instead of tile, but we could not find any! I was kind of bummed at first, but then we found some subway tile that doesn't have straight edges, which gives it a more "stone" look than regular subway tile. I think the tile also makes it look a little more modern than brick would have, and our house is definitely going towards the modern direction.

Here are the columns being finished and put on. I love the simple pattern of them.

This is the pretty little thing after Alex painted it white and installed the beam. Can you believe that stain is just coffee grounds? It looks amazing, and is the perfect color against the white.

And here she is! The finished product. I love how giant the beam is, especially with the window in the background, and my undying love for white is fulfilled with the rest of the fireplace.

Also, if you want some inspiration to build something like this, my husband did an entire tutorial on this exact fireplace on his blog! You can check it out at www.mr-buildit.com. Let me know what you think about all of the white, and if you think black would add the right amount of contrast instead!

DIY Yarn Tapestry

Yarn Tapestries are the new trendy wall art, and they look beautiful just about anywhere!  I am not even ashamed to admit that I have at least 5 hanging in random areas of my house--and guess what? I made them all! When I first stumbled upon these babies, I was so intimidated to make one because they look so intricate. Once I started one though, I realized that they are not that complicated to make and require minimal materials. But they do still require a bit of time because of all the measuring and cutting. I like to make them while watching a few episodes of Gilmore Girls after putting the kiddos to bed. Here are the steps to making your own darling yarn tapestry.

Supplies:

• Yarn (I like to use at least 3 different colors for variety)

• Wooden Dowel (I used a 24 inch one)

• Scissors

Step 1: Cut a long string and tie it around your dowel so you can hang it up. This makes it easier to loop the yarn through the dowel without tangling all of the yarn.

Step 2: Cut your strings. I cut each string about 60 inches long to leave some extra room to trim later. I like to cut about 6-8 strings per bunch, but it depends on the thickness of your yarn. I used pretty thick yarn this time, so I only cut about 6 pieces per bunch. 

Step 3: Tie your string. After cutting your 6 strings, fold the bunch of strings in half and then loop it around your dowel to create a knot. Repeat cutting the strings, bunching it up, and tying it to the dowel about 2 or 3 more times, depending on how much of that color you want. I started with three bunches of the turquoise color, and then added a fourth later.

Step 4: Repeat Step 3 with the rest of the colors. This is where it gets fun! You can add whatever colors of yarn you want and make whatever pattern you want! I tend to stick with neutrals and add a pop of color. Remember, keep your strings long enough so you have some room to trim the string.

Step 5: Trim your tapestry. You can get creative with this part too. I trimmed the yarn in steps and by color, but you can trim it anyway you want! Sometimes I like to create a V with the string, and sometimes I like the more abrupt edges.