Fun Family Room Ideas

So here in Texas we don't have basements, instead homes are built with upstairs game/ family rooms. So for our upstairs game/family room, we wanted a cozy space for our family of seven. I decided early on that this was mostly going to be a kid/teen room, so I really didn't want to spend much money on decor - or even add much decor. But I wanted a place where we can all hang out watching movies together, or a comfortable space that my kids could hangout with their friends. 

So my husband Justin and I got to work and started planing! First, I drew up what kind of board and batten I wanted, then he started doing the measurements and bought the supplies. He also added a shelf lip to board and batten wall so that any picture frames wouldn't fall off. Then he built custom photo frames from scratch,  using chair rail molding at Lowes, and took the pics of everyone in our family. Taking the photos was the fun part as we smashed our faces onto the glass! (We wanted silly photos to show off our kid's personalities!) 

Now for the room layout, furniture and decor. The Ikea sectional faces a large wall with a tv on it and console table that is directly under the TV and the table holds the Xbox - because of that this room is the hot spot with the kids! The pillows also came from Ikea, with the exception of the bicycle pillow which came from Target. The table decor is wire apothecary jars that I already had.  And I bought a basket at At Home to place the decor in. The throw blankets I already has as well. 

This photo was taken a few days later when I went to Costco and bought these beautiful fresh flowers. The clock from Stein Mart. (In case you didn't know, Stein Mart has a great home decor section!)

Now I'm going to share my inspiration photo from taken from Ikea.
I found it on Pinterest a few years ago. My room space is much smaller than this Ikea photo, and I needed to keep walk way open to get to the bedrooms, so my family room has way less furniture and decor.

Hope that gives you a little inspiration on your next family room!

Design Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Tablescape

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, lots of folks are already thinking about decorating their Thanksgiving table. Putting together a tablescape is one of my favorite things! But first, what is a "tablescape" and how is it different than just setting the table? The term tablescaping has developed in recent years with people decorating their tables, particularly for holidays, more and more elaborately to create an experience for their guests. 

"Tablescaping is the act of creatively arranging a tabletop so that it conveys a specific theme, mood, or experience. It's a thought process of being creative and planning to design a table top with a specific theme or mood." 

So it's different than just setting the table with forks, knives, plates etc. Most tablscapes have been methodically thought out and planned, shopped for and set to be perfect for one's guests. One drawback is the clean-up afterwards, especially with all the extra dishes!  

But If you don't have time to do all that - here's some quick tips for your Thanksgiving dinner;

1. First place a simple, neutral table runner down the middle of your table. You can also opt for buying placemats if you want. They don't have to match the table runner. These can be found at your Home Goods or Target stores. 

2. Add pillar candles  at several different height for your centerpieces. You don't have to use candle holders - but it would look great to add height to your centerpiece. You can also place a few vases of fresh flowers as well. 

3. Adding chargers can also be a nice touch. A charger is a large plate that sit under the dinner plate. If you want to skip that charger, go ahead! Also, If you want the look of formal china without the cleanup - buy these amazing plates at you local grocery store. They're plastic, sturdier than paper, and  have a silver accent to look like china.

4. Sprinkle real or artificial leaves or foliage down the center of the table runner.

5. Add your silverware and glassware and if you have cloth or paper napkins place them in the glasses for a fun festive look. And that's it!

It's all About the Neutrals for Fall

So when people think fall colors, they tend to think of: orange, brown, reds and golds. I know that's what I think of-the colors of changing tree leaves. Well this fall the stores, decorators, and Instagram  homes are filled with a new, different set of fall colors! Creams, whites, mints, sage greens are being displayed everywhere- thus creating a new refreshing look and a take off off the modern farmhouse home decor trends.

My the color scheme in my home is already set in those colors- so I couldn't wait to try out this new fall color pallet! And you know what? I LOVE IT!! So here's a look of my new fall coffee table decor. (I can't wait to decorate the rest of my home in theses colors!)

How To Get the Look:

I used faux lamb's ear and natural looking mint green foliage, and intermingled it with a large sage green pumpkin, cream plastic pumpkin, and small off white and mint porcelain pumpkins. The small pumpkins I found at the dollar spot at Target!! It was a great find! Then a incorporated sprigs of faux white wild flowers for a little more interest and depth.

I'm mixed this new fall decor with my everyday ZGallerie alligator coffee table tray and silver Home Hoods candle sticks. I'm still decorating other spaces in my home- here's another photo.

Easy, Classy Fall Decor

This fall has been super crazy! With my five children each in all different stages of life, (one in high school, one in middle school, elementary school, preschool, and a nine month baby at home), this fall has been the busiest ever!

So this year fall decorating needed to be fast and simple! So that's what I did! 

 I already had the three metallic vases, but knew I needed a couple more. (Remember, when displaying lots of accessories, look best when grouped in odd numbers.) I then found two matching metallic candlesticks at At Home store.

Next, I found these wonderful, white pumpkins from Target. (I loved that they were white because it brightened up the room- instead of normal dark fall decor.) The greenery, gold pumpkin and fall garland pieces I've had from prior years.  I put them all together and-voila!

Easy fall home decor with only a few pieces! So simple!

DIY Dining Room

One of the first projects we did when we moved into our home six years ago was to paint and add a half wall of trim work to our dinging room. The paint color I used was Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage. (As you can see from photos it looks different in different light.) Sunlight bring out the blue color and the warm chandelier light’s bring out the green hues.