Since we moved into our 1930's Colonial nearly a year ago, I have slowly but surely started sharing more and more photos of our home on Instagram, but the one area I have waited to share is our entryway.  The 1980's wallpaper and flush mounted boob light fixture (forgot to take photos of it but trust me it was bad) were just not internet worthy if ya know what I mean.  I knew when we bought this house that we would eventually switch out the wallpaper but it was not a top priority.  Not only is wallpaper pricey, but I had such a hard time choosing what to put in there.  I can't even tell you how many wallpaper books I brought home from Sherwin Williams before deciding on one.  I wanted something colorful and crazy but then changed my mind because I got cold feet and figured something timeless would be better.  I mean, you can always add color in other ways, right?  Which is exactly what I did. 

I ended up settling on a neutral but fun geometric pattern from Thibaut and I loveee it!  It is classic yet funky and perfectly neutral.  I am so happy with how much it has brightened up this little space!

Instead of buying a new chest, I used some leftover dark teal paint I had and spray painted the hardware.  Now as I look through these photos I am realizing how bad my paint job is and YES I will be fixing it, but I just couldn't wait to get these photos up.

(I don't know the exact paint color but it is VERY similar to Benjamin Moore's "Dark Teal". )
​

Add some wall art and fun accessories and wah-lah- a completely new space!  Speaking of fun accessories... have you seen my mini Turkish rug from Krazy For Rugs?  I am OBSESSED.  The colors and quality are SO. GOOD. and her selection is insane.  If you are in the market for a show stopping rug go check out her website!

Now for everyone's favorite part:  the before and after photos!  Let me know what you think, and be sure to check out the product links at the end if you like what you see.

BEFORE

AFTER

This light fixture is e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g!

I mean...

Chandelier linked here.

My exact wallpaper can be found here.

A similar teal chest can be found here.

Swivel brass hook can be found here.

Galvanized wall planter can be found here.

Mini Turkish rug can be found here.

So, that's it guys.  Short and sweet filled with photos- the kind of blog posts that I like and I'm sure you do too.  If you liked this transformation let me know in the comments and be sure to follow along on Instagram for more daily inspo.  

Hey guys!  If you are anything like me, quarantine has your head spinning and thinking of all the things you want to get done around the house...  Truth be told, my hubby and I are not the handiest people (about average I would say) and sometimes he gets a little annoyed with my millions of ideas, but he almost always ends up jumping on board and loving what we are doing in the end.  These projects were no different.  

I was pretty impulsive when tackling the wall behind our bed, as I often am.  I mentioned what I was picturing a few times, and then after skimming a few blog posts one morning, I came home with all of the lumber and products needed.  

If you are looking at this post and thinking that it looks cool but there's no way you could do it yourself, I promise you can.  After learning a few tips throughout the process I believe I could even tackle this on my own now if I HAD to.  If you can use a paint brush, pull a trigger, and know how to use a tape measurer you can figure this out.

1. Primed MDF boards of your preferred size
2. Brad nailer (& compressor)
3. 2 inch brad nails
4. Caulk
5. Wood filler
6. Miter saw
7. Tape measure
8. Level (the longer the better)
9. Paint supplies

(all sources listed at end of the post)

A few things:  We went for MDF because it is much more cost effective, and we knew we would be painting the wall white anyway so that fact that they are already primed is fantastic.  However you can use real wood instead if you choose!

For our bedroom wall we used 1" x 3" x 8' boards, and for the living room wall we used 1" x 4" x 8'.  

What I did not know... 

1"x3" is just the common name but in actuality the board is .75" x 2.5" and the 1"x4" is actually .75" x 3.5" so keep that in mind when doing your measuring!

BUT before you fill your shopping cart you need to do a few things... Draw up a plan.  Skim the internet, brainstorm, whatever- but you need to determine what design you want and then draw it up/do the math (the hard part for me, lol).  For our bedroom, I knew I wanted just vertical planks but because of my impulsivity, my actual plan changed more times than I can count.  

You will want to measure the entire length of the wall, and then decide how far apart you want your boards to be to decide how many you will need to purchase, etc.  I went ahead and bought a few extra boards just incase and I am glad I did, because when we were all said and done we ended up placing the vertical boards much closer together than I had originally envisioned.  With our master bedroom project I purchased 19 boards at less than $2 a piece and we did not use them all.  

Once you have decided what look you are going for and have purchased all of the necessary products, the first step is framing out the wall.  What this means is securing the 2 horizontal trim boards first, and then the 2 vertical boards- essentially building a "frame" around the wall.  This is where my impulsivity got me into a dilemma.  When initially measuring my bedroom wall, I completely ignored the fact that our 1930's plaster walls and ceilings are NOT square and are curved at the top.  I also did not realize that if we were to frame out the wall all the way to the top like the photo above, we would then have to mount our curtain rods into the MDF board and I was not loving that idea.  

Now, for a seasoned carpenter the curving of the wall would be no problem, but we are amateurs, remember?  Anyhow, I had a solution.  I decided we would lay the top horizontal board in line with our window trim, instead of the crown molding.  This in turn was much easier and I actually like the fact that there is a gap up top now that it is all said and done!

Once all 4 framing boards are up, you are ready to start measuring and cutting the vertical boards.  Be sure to measure each and every spot that you will be placing a vertical board because no wall is exactly level or square so there will be slight variances.  (If there are minor gaps it is okay because you will be caulking later.)

I had my husband cut me a few boards to start with and then before actually securing them onto the wall, I played around with their spacing to see what looked best (remember the whole 'not good at math thing'... ha!  With that being said, each and every board is not the exact same distance from the other,  but they are all within an inch or less of difference and it is not noticeable to the naked eye.  (They ended up being around 9" apart.)

Once you are happy with your spacing, you are ready to fire up that brad nailer (I had way too much fun with this tool!).  Be sure to check, and then double check that each board is level before you actually start nailing.

 In our experience, using 2 inch brad nails and caulking the edges was enough to be sure that the boards are secure and not going anywhere.  However, if you can make it work, it is always better to secure the boards to studs using a stud finder and/or use some sort of adhesive to attach the boards to your wall before nailing.  I personally did not want to use adhesive out of fear that we would mess up and need to remove the boards which would create a much bigger problem.  I DID plan to add a few spots of caulk to the back of each board however, and forgot. (I. AM. TOO. IMPULSIVE.)  With that being said, caulking each and every board's seam will also help keep them secure.  Do what you think is best!

Once all of the cutting is done, and the boards are all secured, it is time to start filling your nail holes.  Take a small amount of wood filler on your finger tip and cover each little brad hole.  This dries quickly.  You can then run a piece of sandpaper over each spot to smooth it out.

Once that is complete, it is time to caulk.  I found this part fun and therapeutic but also very time consuming.  Put on some good music and zone out.  You will want to run a small bead of caulk along each and every edge of each board and then with a finger, smooth out the caulk.  Tip: keep a wet rag or two nearby for easy clean up.

Once your caulk is dry, all that is left to do it paint.  We used "Pure White" by Sherwin Williams. 

The living room project was more of the same. The only difference was that we had square walls this time, larger boards, and added horizontal pieces in between to make squares.  The only dilemma we ran into, is that we had to configure a small puzzle piece look on one edge because of the way our molding stuck out.  This was no big deal since it is not obvious once caulked and painted.

Once again, we played around with the boards and spacing and they are not perfect.  In fact, instead of an exact square, the top two rows are 23" x 24" and the bottom row of squares are 23" x 25".  I bet you couldn't tell though, right?

In this space we ended up using only 15 of the 1"x4" boards which are under $5 a piece.

So, what do you guys think?  Would you believe me if I told you that the bedroom wall was around $40 in lumber and the living room around $75?  YUP.  A pretty big impact for a pretty small price tag if you ask me!  

Thanks for stopping by, and if you enjoyed this blog post let me know in the comments below!  You can find all products used below and all of my home decor items listed here.  Happy shopping!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more inspiration!

Hey you!  It has been a minute since I have sat down and delivered a blog post, but I am happy to be back at it!  If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably know we have relocated back to Michigan, and I have been on a mission to make our 1930's Colonial "our" home.  And like many of you, going on month two of quarantine has my head spinning.  I am constantly throwing ideas around in my head of what we can or should do in each room of our house but am often left feeling defeated because well, money.  ​

(Oh, and if you aren't following me on the 'ol IG then you should be! Click Here)  

As many of you are aware, wallpaper has made a huge comeback since the 90's and is such an awesome way to make a bold statement in a space, but it can be e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e!  Not only is it pricey, but I for one am not ready to attempt installing said wallpaper unless it is on a straight, blank, windowless wall and then maybe, just maybeee I will think about it. 

Although I may not be up for installing the paper myself, I am constantly looking at different patterns and ideas because I just love the impact it makes.  Luckily being on lockdown got my creative juices flowing and I thought to myself, "I could just paint that".  So that's what I did.  I hand painted faux wallpaper onto our tiny bathroom walls. The entire process took me about 2.5 hours to do and get this- I did it for under THREE dollars. Take that, wallpaper.

(all source and paint colors listed at the end of this post.)

What I used:

1. Foam paintbrushes (3 inch, 2 inch & 1 inch) I bought these at our local hardware store because they were offering curbside pickup due to the Coronavirus but I often see packs of these at the dollar store!  I mainly used the 3 inch once.
2. Paint of your choice (I used a leftover can that my sister had laying around)
3. A paper plate (this is what I put the paint on and dipped my brush into)
4. A pack of baby wipes (or wet rag)
5. A few q-tips (for small mistakes between the lines)
6. A step stool (depending on your space)
7. Some loud jams and a bit of patience!

If you are thinking to yourself, "This sounds super intimidating." then well, you are right.  It SOUNDS super intimidating but I promise you it is easier than it looks.  First things first, you need to practice the design you are going to do.  I drew out a couple of ideas with a sharpie on a piece of paper, and then used a big piece of cardboard to practice on with the foam paint brush.  That's it.  5 minutes later I took the brush to the wall and winged it.  I wasn't scared because I knew if I hated it that it was JUST PAINT after all, and if worse came to worst I could always paint back over it.  I will admit, I did about 2 rows of the design and didn't like how the lines turned out so I hurriedly grabbed a baby wipe and wiped the paint away.  I ended up using many baby wipes throughout the process when I didn't like how the technique turned out, and I found it very reassuring knowing that was an option.  

By the way, I am totally kicking myself for not videotaping or documenting the actual process of this!  My impulsivity was on overdrive and I was thinking way too far ahead but I PROMISE that there will be photo or video proof next time!  

The design I chose here is pretty self explanatory but I will tell you what tips I have and what worked for me...

1. You need to have a good amount of paint on the sponge.  Not so much that it is dripping off and going to make a sloppy mess on your wall, but enough that it is saturated and will leave a solid line instead of a spongey look.  However, if you make this mistake don't worry!  Add more paint to the sponge and dab back over it to thicken the line.
2. Press the sponge into the wall rather than brushing or swiping it.  This is the mistake I made at first which led me to wiping it all off and starting over.  When pressing it into the wall, make sure you are pressing with the same pressure evenly throughout the brush to get an even line.
3. Similar to the comment above, make sure the amount of paint on the sponge is pretty evenly distributed and not heavier on one side because this will lead to a line that will be thicker on one end and spongey and skinny on the other.  I have plenty of lines that are uneven and I think it looks cool and unique, but you will want the majority of them uniform.  Remember, it is hand painted and will never look perfect!
4. I found it helped to start at the bottom and do an entire horizontal row first, and then go above and do another horizontal row and so on. Otherwise it would be easier to start making vertically crooked or angled lines.
5. There will occasionally be narrow areas when you come to the end of a row that will not completely fit another full line etc. so this is where I used the 2 inch or 1 inch brush to make smaller lines.

That's it!  Use your imagination and remember it's just paint.  I cannot tell you how many people thought this was actual wallpaper in our bathroom and when I tell them that I hand painted it they were left speechless.  The first thing I always say?  "It was easier than it looks!".  Oh, and "It was less than $3 to create!".  Have fun and if this inspires you to create your own faux wallpaper, please be sure to share with me.  I am already thinking of my next wall to tackle.  Happy painting, friends!

Original paint color: Benjamin Moore "Classic Grey" 
Unfortunately I do not know the exact name of the accent paint I used on the walls & shelf but it is VERY similar to Benjamin Moore's "Dark Teal" or "Deep Sea Green".

Be sure to follow me on social media for more inspiration and updates!

Hey there, and welcome back!  If you are a fan of "Before and Afters", then you are in for a treat.  Do you follow me on Instagram?  If so, you may remember me sharing this bedroom design board a few weeks back:

My client, Kassi, is a busy single mom who custom built her dream home and although her house is already gorgeous, she needed a little help giving her master suite the "wow" factor it was looking for.  Kassi was a dream to work with from the get-go.  She tends to lean more towards modern design, but isn't afraid of a pop of color while still keeping it warm and cozy with natural wood tones.  I knew right away that this was going to be a fun project.  See below for some of the "BEFORE" photos:

When Kassi and I met for our initial consultation, she mentioned that she was open to a fun wallpaper (yay!) and that a seating area was a must-have.  Other than that, she gave me free range to design her new space.  These are the initial design boards that I presented her with: 

Kassi being the rockstar that she is, made little to no revisions on the design boards and we were rocking and rolling within a few weeks!  See below for the AFTER photos!

What do you guys think?  Quite the transformation, eh?  Thoughts on the design board vs. end result?  Kassi's bedroom is right off the front entrance of her home, so she wanted to be sure it made a statement when guests walked in, and I think we accomplished that!  The fun geometric wallpaper mixed with brass accents make me fall more in love with this space every time I look at it.  Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.  And as always, thanks for stopping by!

XO, 
Paige

Interested in shopping any of the sources seen in this post?  You're in luck!  I have linked each and every item for you below!  Happy shopping, friends!

Kassi's bedroom set was purchased at Ashley Furniture.

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram!

For design services check out my website.

Hey you, happy Monday!  I don't know about you, but since becoming a stay at home mom a little over 2 years ago, I have practically been living in the "mom uniform".  You know, the slobber stained yoga pants, baggy tee shirt and messy bun?  Yup, that's me.  

But lately I have been trying to take a few extra minutes in the morning for some self care- and trust me, it's long overdue!  I have found that if I put on a bit of mascara, spray in some dry shampoo, and throw on a few timeless accessories, that I feel like a completely different person.  

It seems like a no brainer, but just reminding myself to take an extra 20 minutes in the day for those few things can really make me feel better.  Now let's be honest... I'm not busting out the spanx and stilettos for a target run but something as simple as throwing on a real pair of pants and a new cool watch can really change my attitude on the day.  Which is why I am so excited to share my new favorite accessory with you- my Jord watch.

Why am I obsessed with Jord?  It goes with anything!

Jord offers so many versatile and timeless pieces that it was hard to choose just one.  I immediately fell in love with their unique wooden bands and knew it would be the perfect everyday accessory.  I chose the "Frankie" series Zebrawood and Champagne watch and I couldn't be more obsessed.  I love how neutral it is, and that I can pair this timeless piece with just about anything.  Leggings and a baseball cap, sure.  Booties and a chunky sweater?  Yup!  You can dress this watch up and you can dress it down, and what mom doesn't love versatility?  ​

"Native to West Africa, zebrawood offers a striking grain contrast and exceptional finish. Although the growth rings are very pronounced, the wood occurs naturally with both large grain and fine grain patterns. Zebrawood is considered a luxury hardwood and is most commonly used in veneer application. JORD uses only whole wood stock to create our Zebrawood watches."

Check out the entire women's collection here

orange cardigan linked here

Great gift idea!  You can personalize it!

One of my favorite things about Jord watches is that you can personalize them.  That's right- Jord offers personalized engraving on their watches AND their one of a kind cedar boxes.  How cool is that?  Talk about a perfect gift idea!  With the holidays quickly approaching, I have a feeling my next Jord will be one of the men's series for my hubby- the real watch fanatic in this house!  

I am thinking something along the lines of "Our love is timeless" or "Every second I love you more".  You know, something sweet that will prove that I still love him even when I'm nagging because he forgot to put the toilet seat down or put his laundry away- ha!

Unique simplistic design- Truly one of a kind!

Since receiving my Jord watch in the mail, I have gotten so many compliments on it.  Everyone that sees my new timepiece can't get over how beautiful and different the design is.  It's very simplistic and like nothing they have ever seen- and I love that!

Do you want to win $100 towards a new Jord watch?  Or 10% off your next order?  Fill out the entry form to enter our GIVEAWAY here!- It only takes a minute!

The contest will close 11/04/2018 at 11:59pm CST. Both the $100 and the 10% off codes will expire on 12/02/2018.