Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss

String Light Love

2013-05-20T10:31:00.000-04:00

I figured I haven't blabbed enough about my new screened porch yet, so I'd show you what we added this weekend...

Our can lights have always been a little overpowering in this space at night, so we decided to go with the string lights, and they're just right. I found them for a great deal here.

Here are a few more inspiring photos of great spaces with string lighting. Pin away and don't forget to pin from original sources when available!

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Win a Trip to Brazil! #CB2NovogratzBrasilSweepstakes

2013-05-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

This post brought to you by CB2. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you like to keep up with the latest in the world of home decor, you've probably already heard about the fabulous new partnership between husband and wife design team Robert and Cortney Novogratz and CB2. And maybe you've even taken a look at some of the fabulous pieces in the CB2 and Novogratz Collection.

But, the best news is, you and 3 of your friends could win the trip of a lifetime for a week-long stay in the Novogratz's very own vacation home in beautiful Trancoso, Brazil!

From now through June 3rd, just visit this CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes page to enter. And then, share the news with friends to have even more chances to win!

Ten other lucky winners will win a $100 CB2 giftcard and a personally signed copy of the book, "Home by Novogratz".

I'm loving the colorful, whimsical, eclectic feel of the pieces in the CB2 and Novogratz Collection, and I'm sure you will, too.

Imagine being able to decorate your home with some of the same pieces found in the designers' own home! And even getting the chance to spend a week there! I've already entered and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Now you all do the same! Good luck!

Screened Porch Makeover Reveal

2013-05-15T08:47:00.000-04:00

I'm really excited about our latest room update because we've waited a while for this and it's finally done! Maybe a few of you remember how it was when we first moved in and we re-vamped my parents' old furniture.

Well, it served us well for the past 3 years, but after saving and searching for just the right pieces, we finally found some new furniture this year.

I've always been inspired by Ballard Designs' Amalfi Collection, especially with the black awning stripe fabric. But, it just wasn't in my budget to buy. And then, this year, I was able to find some pieces that were very similar for less. My favorite ones may be the awning stripe chairs, which actually came with bare cushions from HomeDepot.com. These are the Hampton Bay Edington Patio Lounge chairs which come in a pair.

The striped fabric is by Premier Prints and I bought it from fabric.com (it's currently out of stock there, but check around for it). And I just sewed simple slipcovers with a velcro closure. The solid green throw pillows were from Bed Bath and Beyond.

The sofa and chair set is the Kent Patio Conversation Set from Target.com. I love the metal frame and beige cushions because they will go great with so many colors of pillows. I kept the black print pillows from my old set and the pillow in the center came from Marshall's a while back.

The backs of the sofa and chairs have a great design as well...

And although I was taking a chance by ordering pieces from 2 different places, the styles compliment each other very well and the metal finishes from the two sets match almost perfectly.

The Target set required a little assembly, but the Home Depot chairs came fully assembled. Both sets are very sturdy with comfy cushions.

I made the green striped pillows with my easy zippered pillow method in this fabric.

Although the sofa and chairs set came with a table, I still love my metal-top coffee table I made 3 years ago and it's still holding up very well. Click here to see that retro re-do.

And the painted rug in deep coral just kind-of ties it all together. Click here to see how to make this rug for less than $25!

I hope you all like the re-do. It's already our new favorite room! If you're in the market for new patio furniture, don't forget to save even more by using Ebates. I saved an extra 5% off of all of this furniture just by clicking through! Sign up here to save on all your purchases at over 1,600 stores!

Sharing this room with a few of these friends. Check them out!