Summer Showcase of Homes - My House Tour

There have been some beautiful home tours this week on the 2013 Summer Showcase of Homes!  Have you seen them yet?  If not, I put together a full list of all the home tours through yesterday HERE.  Today is the last day of the tours and I'm happy to be included among such talented women.

Rug Shopping Tips on a Budget

One of my blogging goals this year was to get a budget decor series completed that shares some of the tips and tricks I've learned over the years that has helped me save thousands when decorating my homes.  Depending on the size, etc of my rooms, I normally spend only $500-$1,000 top-to-bottom for furniture, accessories, window treatments, etc and my kid's rooms are even less. While part of that is due to using re-furbished, secondhand furniture, there are always items that need to be purchased new and I'd thought I'd share my shopping tips with you starting with rugs.

My Fall Mantels of 2012

Alright, I'm a little crazy...at least my family probably thinks so when they watch me shuffle decor around the house and changing things out here and there.  You see... I have a lot of "props", or home decor accessories, that I've accumulated over the years of antiquing and vintage shopping and selling at shows and shops.  Thank goodness for some big china hutches and a house with quite a bit of storage.  It's nice to be able to "shop" around the house for things to put new vignettes together, which is what I did for my fall mantels this year.

The first mantel I put together is one my favorite styles...mixing soothing neutrals with silver accents adds a little bit sophistication to the normal fall color palette...

A Cozy Rustic Fireplace

Remember that evolving great room that we have in our new house?  I've been slowly adding elements to the room as inspiration comes and I find just the right pieces.  I really concentrated on the fireplace wall this last weekend, filling in some of the large wall space around the stone.  Since this is our main family room and where our television is placed, I want it to feel cozy and homey.

An Antique Media Center and an Evolving Great Room

Almost all of my furniture is a mix of antiques, reproductions, and various pieces that have been found and re-habbed.  Not only do I love the uniqueness this provides for my home as well as it's cost-effectiveness, but there are always those items for the modern household where it is a bit more difficult to achieve. For example, it is a challenge finding an antique queen bed.  They just didn't have beds that big back then...  Media centers are another example.  You wouldn't find anyone sitting around fifty years ago watching big flat-screen TV's with DVR's, Blu-Rays, Wii consoles, or satelitte boxes attached to them.  This poses a challenge for all of us out there who desire a unique, stylish way to house our televisions and all their trappings without paying an arm and a leg.