Week One: Living Room Refresh

Once upon a time, we bought a farm with a small ranch-style house. It needed cleaning and paint and some updating - which we've been steadily doing for the past 6 years, getting it ready for the some day move there full-time day. In the meantime, we enjoy getting away on weekends and occasionally a week at a time.

 One space I've struggled with is the living room - it's tiny...11x14' tiny... with a huge angled fireplace that eats up lots of space.

I call it cozy and I've done my best using second hand finds to make it comfortable BUT the decor has never felt quite right. I rearranged the furniture several times and finally hit upon what I feel was the best layout.

And yet it still felt off. So I enlisted the help of my friend KariAnne of Thistlewood Farms. She's brilliant. We talked and discussed my likes and all and she came up with a wonderful plan.

Use red. Lots of it. With wood accents. And a bigger rug. With a touch of blue. Here's the mood board she put together for me.

I ran with it. The rug is ordered and on it's way. (I found one I think will be perfect).

I made new pillows. All of them with red.

I have material to turn the miniblinds into a roman shade - And it has red too. My color- loving heart is very happy!

And we're taking the beast from the art room and turning it into an entertainment center for the tv. Bruce will have to do some modification on it then I'm going to paint it to refresh it. (Right now it's pretty ugly but the size is perfect for the space).

Sorry about the poor quality picture. It. seems this is the only photo I have of the beast.

I'm excited. It's going to finally looked pulled together using furniture we already have.

And that fireplace that takes up one whole wall? It's possibly getting a makeover too. I can't wait.

*If you need help with your spaces, you can find KariAnne over at her wonderful blog Thistlewood Farms. But if you want to jump right into decorating, may I recommend her super cute, super helpful DIY Home Planner book?

It's like having KariAnne with you each step of your decorating journey plus it helps you keep track of all your decisions as you go. (I have one and I've been busy putting samples and fabric swatches in it, sketching floor plans out, and so on. I wasn't asked to mention her book, but I really do find it extremely useful when planning your home decorating. And did I mention cute?).

Next week, I'll be talking about the rug and pillows. Be sure to hop back over to see what I ended up with.

A Better Decorating Workbook

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago...

(Isn't that how all great stories begin?)

We bought our house in the city.

It had decor stuck in the 80's. I was determined to make it ours.

So I started changing things up - painting, rewallpapering, etc.

To keep up with paint samples and all, I got this notebook, added paper to it and started a Home Decor book.

I added envelopes to hold wallpaper samples, pictures, paint chips.

Later I got a black folder, added black construction paper and again used it to hold paint chips and samples.

They were simple at best, plain at the worse but the best I could come up with those many years ago.

Today, there's a new book on the horizon. This one from KariAnne Wood of Thistlewood.

It's cute.

It has worksheets.

It has projects and how to's along with loads of tips

And pockets for samples...everything you need to decorate your home and help make it uniquely yours.

I sure wish it had been available all those years ago.

But I'm using it now for the farmhouse. Putting in paint colors

measuring my rooms and playing with furniture layouts

putting samples in the inside pockets

And playing with patterns and fabric samples.

It's great fun and so easy. Makes me feel like a design rock star.

Ready to get your design rock star on? Preorder this book today and you get access to free videos. But there's more! Are you ready? You can enter to win a one-on-one decorating consultation giveaway with KariAnne.  I know, right?

So what are you waiting for? Go http://thediyhomeplanner.com: to order your copy today.


*although I was given a copy of this wonderful book to review and use, all opinions are my own.

When Dreams Need Help

Our farmhouse is not where I want it to be...yet.

But it's come a long way from where it started.

However, I still struggle with where it is and the dreams I have for it.

I look at rooms and know amazing is just waiting to happen.

I know that day is coming.

There's a long list of things we want to get done before we move there.

We're far from done but getting closer with each and every project we do.

I know some day it will all come together.

I'm trying to wait well. Make things look the best they can.

I have lots of dreams and reality doesn't quite match them yet.

But truthfully? I'm happy. Happy with our progress.

Happy with our journey.

This place tugs at my heart. It's our happy place. Our lifelong dream.

So here's to dreams and seeing what can be; and to reality and knowing the journey is just as wonderful.

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To help me on my journey of making dreams come true is this wonderful little home planner from KariAnne Wood of Thistlewood Farms.

 It's just the cutest thing ever and you know what? It is full of lessons and how to's for planning your space; all with wonderful, easy to follow worksheets, practical advice and great projects.

There's pockets to keep samples in, graph paper to sketch your floor plans on, places to put paint swatches, and so much more!

She reminds us our homes are one of a kind (like us!). Loved. A reflection of who we are. And it's ok there's imperfection.

So if you're like me, and you're trying to make your dreams become a reality but need a little help, why don't you grab one of these planners? It's like having your BFF along, who is there to give you good advice and help, while cheering you on.

*(While I received a DIY Home Planner, all opinions are my own.)