#home-decorating

With Some Wood And Epoxy, They Created A Stunning Statement Piece For Their Home

If you’ve ever browsed through home decor magazines or walked up and down the aisles at Pier 1, you know how expensive tables and lamps and rugs can be. They’re so insanely overpriced, in fact, that people the world over have channelled their inner crafters and started recreating these coveted pieces for a fraction of the cost. And that’s exactly what Redditor callosciurini did. After coming…

By Betsy Goldberg

Serene and hardworking: Really, what more could you want in a family home? Lilli Lee’s is a treasure chest of smart storage and soothing style. Take the tour and grab some tips for your own place.

Darken Your Doors

A sunny kitchen can handle moody blue cabinets and still be cheery, especially with gleaming white counters that bounce light around. The house, designed by Maria von Hartz and Annie Fitzgerald, is ultrapractical in places (the beverage refrigerator in the island, durable oak floors) and personality-packed in other spots (herringbone tile on the walls, vintage pendants hanging from the ceiling).

  More from RealSimple.com: 40 Living Room Decorating Ideas

Mix Patterns, Not Colors

In navy and neutrals, the Lees’ living room sings, thanks to lively prints that spill out onto the patio. A simple palette makes pattern mixing foolproof. With soft, roomy seating, a generous rug, and flea-market touches (stools, side tables), the space is crisp enough for guests but casual enough for the boys: Mason (left), 10; Vincent (right), 5; and Spencer (with Dad outside), 8. Three related prints in one frame. Not expensive, but looks it!

Try a Paint Trick

In a light-filled space, like Mason’s bedroom (above), a dark ceiling turns up the cozy factor. (This one is painted Indi Go-Go by Benjamin Moore.) With a wide-striped rug, stark white curtains, and a batik-style throw, most of the decor is modern; the antique bed brings a comfortable, lived-in vibe. Carrying the home’s blue-and-white theme through makes the whole place feel connected; bright yellow and orange touches add spunk to this kid zone.

  More from RealSimple.com: 12 Laundry Mistakes You’re Probably Making

Choose Kid-Size Furniture (That’s Not Kiddie)

Children-specific pieces can be an eyesore, so the designers balanced the playroom’s dark gray draw-on wall (right, painted in a mix of Deep Space by Benjamin Moore and chalkboard paint) with some sophisticated but just-right-size accents. The Ikea coffee table and the West Elm poufs are ideal for board games and art projects.

Set Up a Secret Clubhouse

The four-by-eight-foot area under the stairs (opposite) was originally earmarked as storage space for luggage and other bulky items. But designers Fitzgerald and von Hartz coaxed the Lees into creating a Harry Potter–style hideaway for the boys. All it takes is some drywall and, if the floor in that space isn’t finished, easy-to-install laminate flooring. If you don’t have the same kind of stair space, you can adapt the idea by taking the door off a closet and propping it as a play nook.

More from RealSimple.com: 16 Decorator Tricks for Small Living Rooms

Put a Window to Work

The ultimate in pass-throughs: Instead of going from kitchen to dining room, this one connects the kitchen and the patio. To rig up a version under your own large window (at least four feet wide), use industrial-steel shelf brackets and a shelf-size common-board counter (at least 12 inches deep); paint the counter with a protective marine coating. The Lees’ setup goes all out, with sliding glass that opens automatically, so passing the potato salad (and keeping out bugs) is extra easy.

Use the Pantry as a Cook Space

A spacious pantry can do more than store food. The Lees keep (and use) their toaster and microwave in here and consider this spot their command center for entertaining. It holds all their serving pieces, spare beverages, and baking supplies. Even with limited space, replacing some lower shelves with drawers lets you keep table linens neatly tucked away.

  More from RealSimple.com:

15 Quick Fixes to Make Around Your House

Creative Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces

Makeovers that you can complete in a weekend? Genius.

Feels like a good weekend for a project. And we’ve rounded up some of the best-ever projects from around the web. Ready to be inspired? Take a look. 

photography by CUCKOO 4 DESIGN

horizontal striped curtain diy project

Like stripes? We do, too (especially to dress a window). These started with basic neutral-toned IKEA curtains and were transformed into stylish room décor. Get the how-tos at cuckoo4design.blogspot.com 

photography by LOVELY INDEED

diy painted woodcut platter

Tabletop transformations are some of our favorites. Especially when you can show them off at your next dinner party. A handsome slat of wood gets a brand new life with some surprising touches.   Get the how-tos at lovelyindeed.com 

photography by FUNKY TIME

neon toe flats

Makeovers come in so many creative forms and fashions. Ballet flats get some spirit with hot pink and fluorescent yellow.   Get the how-tos at fun.kyti.me

photography by THE DIY PLAYBOOK

ikea hemnes dresser hack

Confession: We love IKEA hacks of all shapes and sizes. Since Hemnes already feels like a member of our family, it was inevitable for us not to go wild for this charming makeover.    Get the how-tos at thediyplaybook.com

photography by FOR THE MAKERS

beau hanging planter

If you don’t look up, you’ll risk missing out on the most beautiful accents. These high-flying dip-dyed planters will add an unexpected burst of cheer to an office or corner of your home. Plus, we   Get the how-tos at forthemakers.com

photography by I SPY DIY

reupholstered print chair

A good reupholstery project will always have a special place in our decorating hearts. For a modern approach, choose a bold fabric, like graphic black and white, to instantly update plain seats.   Get the how-tos at ispydiy.com

photography by YELLOW BRICK HOME

painting the painting table

Bet you wouldn’t believe that this desk was originally black. Yep, really. Tackled by one of our favorite designing duo, this project is a must-try. Admit it, the home office is worth it.   Get the how-tos at yellowbrickhome.com

photography by MANHATTAN NEST

how to create floating desk and shelves

Smart and creative ways of updating a space makes us oh-so-happy. Please direct your attention to this unbelievably clever project, which carves a work area into your home. Clean, modern, and functional.   Get the how-tos at manhattan-nest.com

photography by MER MAG BLOG

eraser stamp rainbow

This piece of art was made especially for St. Patty’s Day, but we love the unexpected tool and technique (pencil eraser as “brush”) that created such a cheery masterpiece. This piece of art will invigorate a space all year long.    Get the how-tos at mermagblog.com

photography by TWO TWENTY ONE

diy gold striped vases

By Lindsay Jackman, Zillow

Preparing for your child’s arrival is one of the joys of pregnancy, and a large part of the process is putting together a nursery. A common problem among nursery designs is they focus solely on the baby years, which means your child will likely outgrow it — and during a time when you’re too busy to even think about redecorating.

Here are three simple steps for designing a room your little one will not only love, but also enjoy for years to come.

1. Pick an inspiration piece

Give your nursery planning some direction by choosing one main item that will influence the rest of the design. Make sure this is an item that is timeless and doesn’t appeal to a certain theme.

In this nursery, the inspiration item is the floral curtains. They’re perfect for a little girl’s room, but they’re an item that girls of any age would love. 

Use the item you choose to inspire the color scheme and the rest of the decor. By making this versatile item a focal point in the room, you’re already well on your way to designing a room for your child at any age.

2. Choose sophisticated, versatile furniture

For your furniture pieces and larger items, ask yourself the question, “Would I use this anywhere else in my house?” If the answer is no, don’t buy it. This is a great test that will steer you away from overly juvenile furniture that your child will outgrow.

For example, choose a glider and end tables that you wouldn’t mind using in your living room later.

Next, select a dresser that could go in any room, and use it for the changing table. Once your child outgrows the need for the changing pad on top, it converts to storage space that will work at any age.

3. Bring in baby-specific items in small doses

Complement your inspiration piece and stylish furniture choices with accessories that reflect the room’s purpose. Low-cost accent pieces, textiles and artwork are the perfect way to add charm and make the room feel ready for your baby.

In this little girl’s nursery, a vintage baby dress and copper baby shoe hang on the wall. In several years, those items can be easily changed for more age-appropriate artwork.

Another great way to make the room feel personal is by setting out some of your child's accessories as decor, like this pair of baby shoes.

Corral their hair bows or bow-ties in a bowl for easy access and display.

Bring in a basket to hold stuffed animals, and display some toys in a vintage doll’s highchair.

Now, you have a room that is sweet and special for your new little addition, but can also be easily tweaked as your child grows. 

See more nursery design inspiration.

Photos by The White Buffalo Styling Co.

Related:

Nurseries Fit for a Royal Baby

Room of the Week: Fresh, Modern Kids’ Room

Pro Tips for Selecting Furniture With Timeless Style

Text by: Katy Byrne

So, you see this bathroom on Pinterest and you love it. “Too bad it’s not real life,” you think. Think again. Let’s break it down.

The key element here is finding the perfect gray-blue. I’m recommending Sherwin Williams 2819 Downing Slate from the Exterior Preservation palate.

From there you need a standard shaker door cabinet painted this color, topped with Carrera Marble (or my favorite lower maintenance option: Misty Carrina from Caesarstone).

Next, apply a 3″ x 6″ white subway tile in a running bond pattern up the walls with a dark gray grout. Add a micro-subway tile to the floor with a lighter gray grout.

Top everything off with a pretty mini-pendant and silver hardware. Pretty simple right? This scheme would make for the perfect master bath.

Sourcing: Pendant, Hand Towel Ring, Mini Subway Tile, 3x6 Subway Tile, Cabinet Pull, Faucet

For The Bathroom

ICE VANITY TRAY Kosta Boda Buy Now

CYPRUS BONE INLAY MIRROR Serena & Lily Buy Now

ICE LOTION DISPENSER Kosta Boda Buy Now

COLLEGIATE VASE Go Home Buy Now

PERNELL PENDANT Arteriors Buy Now

FLUTED SOAP DISH HomArt Buy Now