Best Posts In January!

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Here are some of our most read posts in January:

Chicly unique eclectic spaces

Why I love plantation shutters

How do you stay organized?

Must see mother of all diy abandoned

Our favorite DIYs

Inspiration for modern but traditional

Penny Tile Inspiration

Which one is your favorite?

Our favorite DIY projects - I guarantee these will inspire

FREE IMAGES I've spent a while gathering up my favorite DIY projects for around the home.  Some are quick and easy, some are more involved.  The winter is a great time to tackle a lot of these since you are stuck in the house anyway.  Just make sure that if you do any requiring paint, chemicals, etc., that you have proper ventilation - and have fun!

Curtains aren't cheap, and if you like to change them up frequently, your wallet can really take a hit.  I wanted ikat curtains but didn't want to cough up the bucks, so I eventually found a great deal on fabric and sewed them.  Another great option is to buy some cheap curtains (or twin flat sheets from walmart) and paint them.  I love the ones above.  See how to do it here.

See how to do it here.

via Buzzfeed via Apartment Therapy

Hide your unsightly router in decorative boxes or cut out an old book.  I love this idea because I hate my router being in plain site.  I would make the ventilation holes in the back of the boxes larger though, and make sure that in the beginning you check the router frequently to make sure it's not overheating.

 I also hate a clutter of devices on my desk or counter charging.  Creating a charging drawer is such a clever idea.  Learn how here.

You can use the same concept for a printer, though it may be harder to find a drawer large enough.  Can you tell I don't like electrical clutter?  Learn how here.

Since we just opened up up living room and dining room into one open space, we are going to have to paint.  Our ceilings are quite low, and I've heard that half-painting a wall or leaving white stripe at the top gives the illusion of higher ceilings.  Thoughts? via At Home In Love

Old, ugly doors? Tell me about it - my house is full of them.  I've been looking for some ways to spruce them up.  See how here.

This is a great one.  Make a tiled mirror like one seen in Pottery Barn for $10 with supplies from the dollar store.  See how here. 

Paint those old vinyl floors?  I have to admit, the results look amazing, but this one is obviously more involved, and you would want to research how durable it is before taking on all the work.  Learn how here.

What do you think?  Interested in trying any of these out?

Not Your Traditional Nightstands!

FREE IMAGES Sometimes using an item that's not originally for it's intend can be a great surprise and fun feature to your room! I've found a few alternatives to use for your nightstand that you might find inspiring. Take a look around your home now, I bet you could find a few pieces you already own that would make a great nightstand:

via apartmenttherapy

Wooden crates are not something new, but I love how they incorporated a light in it and made the boxes able to turn. This piece is definitely makes a statement!

via thecraftingchicks

A trash can turned upside down. Simple and Genius.

via apartmenttherapy

Reusing cinder blocks to create a nightstand is pretty brilliant!

via paperblog

Making your own nightsand out of something you might have lying around the house. This is seriously creative and a great way to hide clutter in the suitcase itself!!

via apartmenttherapy

Who would have thought to use a barrel as a nightstand? I love the spray painted black, you could do so many things with a barrel. 

via apartmenttherapy

Cutting a table in half? It's the perfect way to make an interesting nightstand out of something that you may already have. 

Must see- the mother of all DIY, an abandoned French Chateau from the 1700s

FREE IMAGES This story is amazing.  In the Midi-Pyrenees an 18th century neoclassical French chateau had been left to crumble until it was discovered by an Australian couple who more or less bought it on the spot have been lovingly and painstakingly renovating it.  Talk about a DIY project!

Below are just a few photos of how they found the fairytale home and the progress made thus far.  Be sure to check out the Chateau de Gudanes's website - where you can read the history and see all of the amazing photos!

Those doors!

That staircase!

Quite the patch job.

All images from Chateau de Gudanes and Wimp

I think it's wonderful that the place isn't being left to decay and be lost forever, but there is something magical about seeing it how it is now.

Reactions?

Christmas Home Tours

FREE IMAGES Some great Christmas Home Tours you won't want to miss, they have brilliant ideas, easy crafts, and interesting decor I've never seen before!

Four Generations Under One Roof

Fern Creek Cottage

Pretty Handy Girl

Yellow Bliss Road

Beneath My Heart

Thanksgiving decorating ideas that you haven't seen a million times

FREE IMAGES It's quite a challenge to find unique decorating ideas for the holidays.  Especially with so many people entertaining over Thanksgiving, you want some decor that makes your home a little more memorable.  Here are some ideas that I hope are new to you!

Choose an appropriate but non-traditional color palette.  Orange and brown is a classic for Thanksgiving, but how about white and brown.  It definitely lends your home a fresher look.  Click here to get these free Thanksgiving printables!

via Pinterest via The Tom Kat Studio

I love this handmade garland with a palette straight from nature. A little metallic paint and you can create a custom message. Learn how here

via Pinerest via Love Paper Paint



The pastel color palette on this table definitely makes it memorable.
via Pinterest via Decorating Your Small Space



And yet another example of how unexpected color freshens up Thanksgiving decor.  I love the addition of the pink mums!  Without them it would be a pretty, but rather ho-hum porch.

via Making it in the mountains

Bringing back the beadboard!

FREE IMAGES If you are on a tight budget but need a major makeover, a cheap solution might be right in front of you! Check out some awesome ways to use beadboard, and make it look expensive:

via iheartnaptime

via homewithbaxter


via houzz


via 11magnolialane


via thistlewoodfarms