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Build a backyard Firepit from Belgard Stone

Our fireplace is done! Nearly five months ago we started a backyard overhaul which added some covered space and a more permanent firepit. Our concept was to integrate the firepit area into the retaining wall and use the stone to develop a bench feature–see How to Add a Unique Backyard Firepit. Part of the challenge with this design was finding ways to soften the hardscape. While a stone bench is a thing of beauty, it’s not overly comfortable for hours....

Black Friday Decor Items Under $20

I’ve been shopping online since last night, scoping out deals for updates to our front living room. I have my new console table lamp, though I am still shopping around and may return it because it was much littler than I thought. Lesson learned to really look at the description on sizes to make sure it’s the base alone vs. base and lamp shade. There are great decor items on Black Friday deals. Here are a few things I’ve found...

Update your Art for $3

We finished painting our main living and hall area last week. It’s just the start of several changes we’re making in #missionbrightenlivingroomcommenced. I have a new entry rug, which you can see here, and we’re making some furniture changes, and another few rugs on the way. Upstairs, the walls looked so bright with the paint refresh! But that also meant my art that worked well on a darker grey wall didn’t quite work here. I have loved my Babies Wall...

Inspiration for Our DIY Black Cabinet

The planning is on! Ryan and I are working on our plans for our next DIY furniture build. One thing we’ve learned is that the right tools are SO IMPORTANT. So is the right workspace for building level furniture pieces. With that in mind, we’re doing some more prep to start building some bigger furniture pieces for our formal living room. I’ve been researching options online. It’s shown me that what I want is a pair of custom cabinets. While...

Holiday Has Come to Our Entry

I’m so excited to have our living room paint refresh done. I’ve been waiting to get the walls done so we can start putting things back — and even more importantly decorating with holiday cheer! While we are planning some more woodworking projects for the coming weeks (including some custom furniture for our living room), we are using the time to decorate! Tonight our tree goes up. Today the front entry was started. I’m loving how it is coming together....

5 Modern Console Table Lamps For Under $75

I am in the market for a new table lamp for our console table Ryan built. We are painting the living room lighter, and that creates lots of options for lamp base colors. I’m looking for something that’s around 20 inches tall, to offset the tall vase I have there. Here are a few I’m loving for under $75 (though almost all are under $40 at press time!). Opalhouse Lamp Target just does so many value decor deals the right...

10 Holiday Decoration Finds for Under $25

Ryan and I have been married for over 16 years now (our marriage is old enough to drive in the US!). We’ve accumulated most of our holiday decorations little by little. I do admire some of the social media posts where everything looks pristine and new, but I love some of our older, more beat up decorations that have survived the many moves and years with us. Of course I do love a good holiday decor find, and each year...

Build a Learning Tower

Learning towers are a fantastic way to have your kids help and provide a stable platform that can be adjusted to their height. It’s a pretty fantastic thing when you’re getting ready to do something in the kitchen and here comes your toddler pushing their learning tower. I highly recommend the felt pads and depending on where you store it, some side pads won’t hurt – it tends to get bounced off walls a wee bit. We built a learning...

Neutral Rugs to Brighten Any Room

It’s no secret: I’m on a mission to brighten several rooms in our house from the darker and mid-darker grey pallet we currently have.  I’ve talked about some of my favorite whites here.  We’re in the process of lightening up our formal living space and upstairs stairway and hallway.  The upstairs space has no natural light, and the key to brightening this space up will be light paint.   Our formal living room is only occasionally a place we chill in and most often...

How to DIY Wood Wrapped Canvas Art for under $100

Landscape canvas large form prints have a huge impact in any room. Many designers are using these as focal pieces in dining and living rooms, and I’ve seen some gorgeous wood floating framed canvas prints that I would love to have for my home. McGee and Co. has some beauties, including this landscape piece in a floating frame for about $1,478 for a 72×48 inch print: And for around $600 and at a size of 26×37, this piece is another...