Sister Vintage Home Decor Blog

A Dozen Kid Bakers Bring Big Skills In The New Year On The New Season Of Kids Baking Championship

2017-12-09T16:25:00.004-08:00

By: PRNEWSWIRE LIVE FEED

NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Food Network celebrates the New Year in a big way as Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman challenge the skills of a dozen young bakers with major talent on a new season of Kids Baking Championship, premiering on Monday, January 1^st at 9pm ET/PT. Over the course of ten episodes, the contestants (ranging in age from 10 to 13) compete in decadent dessert challenges designed to find the most impressive and creative kid baker in the country. To make it to the top tier of the competition, their baking skills and originality must measure up, as they whip up sweet treats such as cookies, ice cream, and doughnuts. Only one will take the cake and the sweet grand prize of $25,000, a feature in Food Network Magazine, and the title of Kids Baking Champion!

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8179956-food-network-kids-baking-championship/

"The return of family-favorite Kids Baking Championship is the perfect sweet note to start the new year with creative confections and delicious desserts from extraordinary young bakers showing off their remarkable talents that will awe and inspire audiences," said Courtney White, Senior Vice President Programming, Scripps Networks Interactive.

Throughout the ten-episode season, the kid contestants must tackle new confectionary challenges, from sweet dessert pizzas using traditional savory pizza toppings, to out-of-this-world desserts with freeze-dried astronaut approved ingredients, and to a new twist on the popular imposter dessert challenge featuring lunchbox favorites. On the premiere, the bakers must conquer cookie cakes, but when Duff and Valerie throw them a crazy curveball, one competitor melts under the pressure. On Monday, March 5^th at 9pm ET/PT, the championship culminates as one talented baker will rise to the top in the grand finale.

Kids Baking Championship contestants include: Gareth Bennett (Gaithersburg, MD; age 10), Julia Betz (Key Biscayne, FL; age 12), Alex Czajka (Edmonton, AB; age 12), Beverly Hepler (Foster City, CA; age 10), Grady Holloway (Chesterfield, MO; age 11), Luke Jonsson (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; age 13), Linsey Lam (Closter, NJ; age 13), Abby Martin (Franklin, WI; age 13), Bryn Montgomery (South Hill, VA; age 11), Aditya Pillutla (Cary, NC; age 12), Michael Platt (Bowie, MD; age 11) and Soleil Thomas (Livingston, NJ; age 12).

Fans can join the baking banter on Twitter using #BakingChampionship, and can relive the most dramatic, creative, and adorable moments with video and photo highlights, at FoodNetwork.com/KidsBakingChampionship. They can also go behind the scenes with Duff and Valerie, and discover more baking tips.

FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers' best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to nearly 100 million U.S. households and draws over 46 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine's rate base has grown 13 times and is the #2 best-selling monthly magazine on the newsstand, with 13.9 million readers. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24-hour networks in the United Kingdom, Asia, and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Scripps Networks Interactive (NASDAQ: SNI), which also owns and operates Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com) and Great American Country (www.gactv.com), is the manager and general partner.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-dozen-kid-bakers-bring-big-skills-in-the-new-year-on-the-new-season-of-kids-baking-championship-300563797.html

SOURCE Food Network

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Gift Guide: Ethical Alternatives to Joanna Gaines' Hearth & Hand Collection

2017-11-30T17:29:00.000-08:00

Source: StyleWise.com, Leah

I was compensated for my time writing this post by Ten Thousand Villages, a company I've been supporting for over ten years.

Oh, Joanna. Who can know what combination of charm, good looks, doofy husband's antics, and business savvy led thousands of her show's - and now product empire's - loyal fans to trade out their perfectly reasonable drywall for splinter-risking Shiplap?

No matter how you feel about the Fixer Upper star's design aesthetic, there's something to be said for its distinctiveness. While I don't really do shabby chic, I appreciate that her precise combo of new and antique lends a certain homeyness to every house she redesigns. And, let's be honest, a huge part of the show's success has to do with the sweet, southern lifestyle she and her family portray. It's the lifestyle we're after.

Joanna and Chip Gaines' design brand, Magnolia Home, recently partnered with Target on Hearth & Hand*, a collection of artisan and antique-inspired home decor that would fit right into any Fixer Upper home makeover.

But you know what I found surprising? A lot of it - I mean, basically all of it - looks like something you could find on the fair trade market, and specifically at Ten Thousand Villages.

Ten Thousand Villages, above all, is known for their handcrafted decor items. The sorts of things that balance nostalgia with modern design - recalling the warmth of the hearth, but made by fairly paid hands.

Here are my picks for ethically sourced, artisan-first items that closely approximate the Hearth & Home look without the questionable sourcing...

Instead of the House Bud Vase

Clean House Ceramic Box, $18.99

Instead of the Galvanized Container Candle
Bottle Beehive Wine Rack, $59.99

Instead of the Pressed Glass Photo Frame
Small Floating Frame, $24.99

Instead of the Carved Wood Decorative Bowl
Mango Wood Serving Board, $34.99

Instead of the Sugared Birch Pillar Candle

Warm Honey Candle, $12.99

Instead of the Merry & Bright Framed Wall Art
Gather Cut Metal Wall Art, $29.99

Instead of the Embroidered Throw Blanket
Homespun Table Runner, $39.99

Instead of the Embroidered X Pattern Throw Pillow
Love Lives Here Pillow, $39.99

Our society, as of late, has been obsessed with seeking out the simple things.

But simple things aren't simple: they require effort, attention to detail, and labor. For only a few more dollars per item, we can choose fair trade. It may not feed your Target addiction, but it'll certainly have more meaning. That simple, sweet lifestyle is available to you, but only when you choose to add a little extra care to your shopping this season.

*I posted the Target link so you can do a style comparison, not to tempt you!

All photos via Ten Thousand Villages, used with permission.

Think Big: 7 Home Staging Secrets to Make a Small Living Room Look Huge

2017-11-30T17:22:00.000-08:00

By Holly Amaya | Nov 29, 2017

When it comes to home staging, there's really one golden rule: Make your space look bigger to would-be buyers. And perhaps nowhere is that concept more vitally important than in the living room—the place where homeowners tend to spend most of their time entertaining and relaxing, and where potential buyers will be placing extra scrutiny.

But you don't have to knock down walls or spend a small fortune to make things look big. Fortunately, there are a few quick and relatively affordable ways to maximize your living room's first impression, even when the square footage is lacking.

1. Don't leave your living room empty

This one might seem counterintuitive, but it's worth considering: "An empty room gives buyers no point of reference for size," says designer Kristie Barnett.

"I have seen many buyers walk away from a vacant home because they falsely believe their own furniture will not fit in the master bedroom or that the living room will not provide enough seating for entertaining," she adds. "Staging rooms helps establish the room's size and helps a buyer visualize how they can arrange their own furniture."

But don't just shove some furniture in the living room and call it a day. There's actually a science to arranging your stuff in a way that makes the room feel bigger.

Most buyers scan a room from left to right upon entry, "just like the way we read," Barnett explains. If you place the tallest piece of furniture in the far left corner, the room will appear larger than if that same piece of furniture is closer to the entry. Placing a large or tall piece of furniture near an entryway or door tricks the eye into thinking a space is smaller than it is, so keep taller items in corners or eliminate them altogether.

2. Carefully consider your seating scheme

Photo by Natalie Fuglestveit Interior Design

Choose a focal point—a fireplace or windows with a view are the usual suspects, but maybe yours is a great piece of art or a family heirloom—and position your seating arrangement around it. And remember: You want prospective buyers to imagine themselves actually living in and using your space, so your seating concept should be functional.

“A well-staged room has a singular definable purpose and a focal point,” says interior designer Susan Anthony of Susan Anthony Interiors. “The purpose of a living room is to socialize, so the seating should encourage sitting and talking.”

That means carefully considering how your room flows.
“You never want a buyer to walk into a room that's blocked or overloaded with heavy furniture,” says Caryn Benoit, co-owner of Nicole Jocelyn Staging & Design in Boston. “Make sure you’re not walking into the back of a large sofa, no chairs are in your way, and there aren’t other pieces of furniture in walking paths.”

3. Scale down your furniture

This should come as no surprise, but you never want to fill your small space with a truckload of huge stuff; you'll dwarf the space, naturally.

“Instead of a sectional or large sofa, use a love seat, a wedge sofa, or a semicircular sofa that curves inward,” says Michelle Ellis, owner of e-commerce retailer Cottage & Bungalow. “Using smaller furniture leaves more white space, which will make the room seem larger.”

Another alternative: Choose a piece that looks airy in a material like wicker or rattan (both of which are typically in high supply at retailers such as HomeGoods and Marshalls).

Beware, though, not to go overboard with the tiny pieces. Too many can make a room look cluttered and, therefore, smaller. Less is more here, folks.

4. Build around your largest piece—and edit ruthlessly

“Making the most of a small place can be difficult,” says Nicola Croughan, lead interior designer for Roman Blinds Direct. “You need to weigh up functionality with style.”

Her advice? Assess the room for your largest piece (likely your sofa), and judge every other item in the room against it.

“Think, ‘Does this serve a purpose, either functional or decorative?’” Croughan says. “If you can’t come up with an answer immediately, it’s not worth keeping.”

While you're at it, ditch bold, busy pieces of artwork for more neutral, unobtrusive prints, and get rid of the clunky family photos on the mantel. Remember: The goal is for your space—not your trinkets—to do the talking.

Pro stagers also nearly universally recommend ditching TV sets, which occupy a lot of visual real estate. The only exception? A wall-mounted, flat-screen TV that's appropriately sized to the room (that's the kicker).

5. Balance color

Photo by A Goode Start Decorating/Home Staging

You don't need to slather your walls in an uninspiring, institution-evoking white. You can have some fun with it. But you'll need to follow some basic rules to avoid overwhelming the space.
First, and perhaps the most obvious, you'll want to nix dark or bold paint colors, which make cramped spaces feel tighter—or at least use them sparingly.

"You can definitely do an accent wall in a bolder color, but all four walls in navy blue will be oppressive," says Bee Heinemann, an interior design expert at Vant Wall Panels.

"Brighter colors need to be repeated to be balanced well—especially in a smaller space," adds Anthony. "If the rug is red and everything else in the room is various shades of neutral, add red to the pillows and accessories."

When it comes to ceiling colors, choose a shade that's lighter than your walls to give the impression of openness, Heinemann advises. And for extra credit, match your wall color to larger (lighter-hued) pieces of furniture, which Heinemann says makes the latter blend in and seem smaller.

6. Use the right materials

Photo by ZR-architects

"When it comes to furnishings, materials like glass and metal, which reflect light and feel more airy, give a greater sense of space than dark, heavy wood pieces," Heinemann says.

Avoid heavy bookshelves and try floating shelves instead (like these from Ikea). Then, embrace your inner Marie Kondo and declutter their contents by at least 60%.

7. Lighten up

An abundance of natural light tricks the eye into thinking a space is larger. To maximize light, keep your window treatments minimal with a simple roller shade, Croughan says.

If you must have curtains, choose a lightweight, airy fabric such as voile or linen and mount the rod as close to the ceiling as possible to create the illusion of height. For darker rooms, hang mirrors to reflect the light you have.

The cottage Prince Harry & Meghan Markle will call home

2017-11-30T14:24:00.002-08:00

A first look at Nottingham Cottage, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will live, and who we think should decorate it for them

This morning Clarence House announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry in Spring 2018, with the couple set to live in Nottingham Cottage, the idyllic Christopher Wren designed house in the grounds of Kensington Palace that has been Prince Harry's bachelor pad since it was vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, for whom it also served as a first marital home.

Camera Press / Snowdon Archive

Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace. Where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will live.

Historic Royal Palaces

Kensington Palace

But the big question is, of the wealth of wonderful interior designers currently working in the UK, who is the best person to decorate it for them? Judging by an earlier piece we published on Meghan Markle's Toronto apartment, her tastes are contemporary and she likes comfortable, neutral spaces.

So in honour of their engagement and her imminent move to the UK, these are the interior designers who we think would best fit the bill. The ones with a certain cool, who know how to balance the old and the new with style and flair.

Who should decorate Nottingham Cottage?

Rose Uniacke

The queen of refined, sophisticated interiors, Rose Uniacke's serene colour palette and exquisite eye for antiques may appeal. She is also the interior designer of choice for that other branch of British royalty, the Beckhams.

See inside Rose Unicke's London home

Christopher Howe
If you want a decorator whose work typifys the moment in British decorating, Christopher Howe is your man. The respected antiques dealer and furniture designer only recently began to branch in to interior design. We'd love to see how this worked out.
Take a look at more of this tiny barn decorated by Christopher Howe

Paul Massey

Harriet Anstruther

Harriet Anstruther's style is old school English with a laid back attitude and a subdued colour palette. Her interiors have a certain prettiness that has echoes of Megan's Toronto apartment.

See inside Harriet Anstruther's idyllic cottage

Ngoc Minh Mgo

Rita Konig

Having worked between London and New York for most of her career our columnist Rita Konig treads the balance between north American comfort and English wit. We think this could be an interesting match.

Take a look at the work of Rita Konig | Read all Rita Konig's decorating columns

Paul Massey

Stephan Eicker

Stephan Eicker's work is uplifting, comfortable and atmospheric. 'I am inspired by classicism but always like to give a modern edge to a space, without making it overpowering.' We love pretty much everything he does.

Rachel Whiting

Beata Heuman

If they want something a little more creative and playful, Swedish-born UK-based Beata Heuman is one of the coolest young decorators working in the UK right now. Scandinavian attention to detail coupled with English whimsy. Imaginative, lovely interiors.

An artists's house decorated by Beata Heuman

Rachel Whiting

Emma Burns of Sybil Colefax & John Fowler
If we were in the market for a quintessentially English cottage Emma Burns of legendary British decorating institution Sybil Colefax & John Fowler is the woman we would want to decorate it. Take her own house (below) as a case in point.
Inside Emma Burns' converted stable block | Emma Burns' dream reading room

Paul Massey

Robert Kime

Robert Kime is one of the country's most eminent decorators and has worked on homes for numerous members of the Royal family including Prince Charles. Known for his eclectic schemes that make formal rooms livable and inviting, his signature look couples significant antiques with traditional textiles.

Tessa Traeger

Ben Pentreath

Renowned for creating a distinctive, playful style that draws inspiration from historical interiors of every period and infuses them with a fresh modern sensibility, the architect and designer Ben Pentreath has worked on homes for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Could Harry and Meghan be next?

Ben Pentreath's Parsonage in Dorset | Ben Pentreath's Bloomsbury flat

Simon Bevan

Adam Bray

Adam Bray's work is luxurious, eclectic, unpretentious and based on a deep interest in comfort and practicality that we think could appeal to the stylish young couple.

A London flat by Adam Bray

Chris Tubbs

'Fixer Upper': What to know before watching Joanna, Chip Gaines' final season

2017-11-27T19:56:00.001-08:00

'Fixer Upper' stars Joanna and Chip Gaines (Photo: HGTV)

Source: Erin Jensen, USA Today

It's not goodbye, it's shiplap ya' later.

The fifth and final season of Fixer Upper premieres Tuesday (9 p.m. ET/PT), more than four years after HGTV first introduced us to dream home team Chip and Joanna Gaines. The husband-wife duohas partnered for an impressive 77 redesigns in the Waco, Texas area, with Chip heading up construction (and his beloved demo day) and Joanna in charge of design.

The couple, who have four children, shattered mercury glass-hearts everywhere when they announced in September that they would push pause on their reality program.

"We have poured our blood, sweat and tears into this show. We would be foolish to think we can go and go and fire on all cylinders and never stop to pause," the Gaines wrote in a blog post of their experience.

The post continued: "This is just us recognizing that we need to catch our breath for a moment. Our plan is to take this time to shore up and strengthen the spots that are weak, rest the places that are tired and give lots of love and attention to both our family and our businesses."

Following their final Fixer Upper reveal, filmed in early November, Chip and Joanna devoted some time to the rest they spoke of in Italy. "We both slept for 15 hours and missed breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon of shopping with friends, but that rest felt good!" she captioned an Instagram of the two in Florence.

Fans of the series will be satisfied with the premiere episode, which features a couple leaving Austin to purchase their first home in Waco. Viewers will swoon at the touches Joanna puts on the home with a “Parisian eclectic” vibe — raw pecan shelves, a tiled fireplace and framed original blueprints of the house.

Whether people watch for Joanna's relaxed, farmhouse chic aesthetic or Chip's unpredictable antics, or a balance of the two, the farewell season offers 19, one-hour episodes to look forward to. Famous faces, like former first lady Laura Bush and athlete Tim Tebow, will also appear.

While the Gaineses are exiting Fixer Upper, they will appear in a half-hour spin-off called Fixer Upper: Behind the Design beginning in May. The new series will pull back the sliding barn door on Joanna's design process.

Chip and Joanna will also stay busy tending to, among other projects, the Magnolia Market at the Silos where guests can shop, play games and dine, in addition to a real estate business, Magnolia Table restaurant and their quarterly Magnolia Journal magazine.

Need more of Chip and Joanna in your home? Just think Target. The couple's line with retailer, Hearth & Hand, offers home decor, kitchen and dining items, holiday decor, stationery and gifts.

Though Fixer Upper is done, luckily for fans Chip and Joanna are far from it. "Jo and I are entrepreneurs at heart," Chip told USA TODAY in August. "We love having our hands in a lot of different things, and we are always thinking up new projects."

5 Best DIYs to get the Fixer Upper Look

2017-11-24T09:43:00.002-08:00

Source: Making Joy & Pretty Things

Hi everyone!! My ~~obsession~~ love of Fixer Upper and Farmhouse styles is still going strong. If you scour Pinterest daily, like me, you can be overwhelmed with the amount of DIYs and Fixer Upper knock offs that seem to be everywhere. I know I am! I find myself wanting to do every single DIY with barely any time to go to the bathroom without little footsteps behind me 🙂

For this post, I came up with a list of 5 essential elements of a “Fixer Upper” styled home. I am, of course, no expert on this; it’s just kind of what I picked up from binge watching the show after the kids are asleep.

I made this list with the busy mama in mind. We don’t have time to build a headboard from reclaimed wood. { But gosh, wouldn’t you love to!! } These are all fairly simple DIYs that can be accomplished during nap time or after those kiddos are asleep. I’m pretty much obsessed with these bloggers, too!!

{ I also threw in a few extra Fixer Upper DIYs at the bottom of the post }

Fixer Upper Element #1 : Mason Jars

I’m pretty sure having mason jars as an essential Fixer Upper element is not a shock to anyone. I LOVE mason jars and there are really an unending number of mason jar projects and crafts you can find on Pinterest.

This DIY Rustic Farmhouse Mason Jar Planter is so cute, so easy, and SO Fixer Upper style. Her blog {Making it in the Mountains} is actually one of my favorite blogs to follow. Her style is amazing!

Fixer Upper Element #2 : Rustic Sign

On Fixer Upper, they have tons of cute rustic signs. Some are wooden, some are metal. You can even purchase a few on the website for their store, for a pretty penny.

Katie from Little House of Four made this DIY Vintage “Market” Sign that would look perfect in the kitchen {like she did} or as a focal point in the dining room. Plus, it’s a super simple DIY that really screams Fixer Upper to me.

Fixer Upper Element #3 : Unique Picture Display

On the show, you will never find a regular ole’ picture frame hanging on the wall. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course. I really do love the idea of thinking outside the box and coming up with a unique ways to display your family pictures.

For this Fixer Upper Element, I’m going back to Making it in the Mountains blog (I told you I was obsessed!!). You guys, I can’t even deal with how stinkin’ cute this 10 Minute DIY Photo Display is. It has everything going for it: easy, fast, inexpensive, and most importantly, ADORABLE and oozing with Fixer Upper style.

Fixer Upper Element #4 : Planter

One of my personal favorite aspects of Fixer Upper style { it’s so hard to pick just one!! } is how Joanna always uses greenery. Whether that’s plants, bushes, wreathes, whatever there’s always a ton of greenery in her rooms. I love bringing nature into my home and I think it adds that homey, warm feeling. Just keep it on shelves or in pots away from tiny fingers who will most definitely try to eat it 😉

As far as what type of greenery, I think that’s up to your personal taste. I’m currently loving boxwood! The succulent trend is also still going strong {also loving succulents 🙂 }. Once you have your greenery of choice, you need an awesome distressed pot or planter.

I LOVE this Splotchy Paint Technique Flower Pot from Hawthorne and Main. There are a ton of whitewashed or plain white distressed planters you can find on Pinterest. I love that this planter adds a splash of color and would look great planted with a succulent!

Fixer Upper Element #5 : Interesting Wall Art / Hanging

One thing I’ve noticed from the show is that there are very few flat elements in Joanna’s style when she’s decorating walls. There aren’t any flat picture frames against the wall and there aren’t many times when she has a flat art piece, either. Everything always has some dimension.

I see this trend a lot with gallery walls. It’s not about just setting out different frames, it’s about adding depth and dimension.

For this element, I chose this Simple Pallet Photo Display which fits in PERFECTLY with the idea of a dimensional wall art or hanging. You can still hang your family photos on the wall { because who doesn’t want to look at those cute babies all day } and still have Fixer Upper style.

So, that’s it!! Easy, right? I know it’s hard to find a spare moment to do ANYTHING with kiddos. For example, I’ve been working on this blog post for over a week, ahh!! I hope that these cute, simple and most definitely Fixer Upper style DIYs are the perfect project for your spare minute!

Keep in mind the 5 simple elements of Fixer Upper style (in my opinion) when you’re looking for your next project: mason jars, rustic sign, unique picture display, planter and interesting wall art or hanging.

I couldn’t pick just 5 examples. I’ve thrown in a couple others that I’m dying to make myself.

6 Low Budget Home Decor Tips You Should Know

2017-11-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

Source: Written by Ryanholman

Have you bought a new house? congratulations!!!

We can understand how happy and excited you would be shifting into this house. Your state of euphoria is totally understood and is much obvious. It's time to convert that apartment into a home with mind-blowing decor ideas.

You have already spent on your house a lot and its time to save money. But then, you still need to shop a lot for your house. You are advised to opt for the coupon providing sites like Couponobox that would not only help you add more stuff to your cart but is also pocket-friendly that would assist you to save a lot.

We have brought here some of the most pocket-friendly home decor ideas that you must go through to make your home the most stylish and astonishing one.

Go For Canvas: When you want to design your home, choosing painting is the shortcut. You will not require thinking a lot to decorate your walls and rooms. Design the theme of your house and get an appropriate canvas to suit your walls. You can either try out some of the legendary paintings or go for the canvas of the contemporary painters.

Side Tables: One cannot clutter the house stuff all the time. One will have to manage it in a way that it looks beautiful and organized. The best way to make it happen is through the side tables. They are very much in trend and quite a decent choice you should give a thought to. You can set your books, magazines and such other things that would depict your classy choice.

Also, make sure to make your side table more appealing by setting an attractive lamp, showpiece or a vase with the real flowers of your choice every day.

Hand Plates: The hand plates are pretty much demanded. Decorating your walls with the hand plates is a cheaper option than canvas. The bright and beautiful colors that contrast to your walls will make it look unusual and unique. Whether your home has the ethnic theme or the modern contemporary one, the plates will enhance the beauty of your home extraordinarily.

Use Of Wicker: If you haven’t designed your furniture yet then think about the wickers. Though these chairs are used for the outdoors, putting it in the sunny area of your room will give a refreshing look in the morning. The wickers go perfectly in the home where the morning sunlight brightens the hall or the room through glass or windows. If you also have the same kind of design, you should get the most comfortable wicker for you.

Bring In Nature: You love nature but cannot afford to live under the shades of mother nature all the time. However, you can surely keep yourself surrounded by nature. Opt for the beautiful shells and other beach bounties to decorate your side tables or such other areas. If you have a garden, you can make a small pond using artificial waterfall, sand, and such other articles.

If you love flowers, then get the real ones that would give a delighting feel and a mesmerizing fragrance every day. Above all, the researchers show that the more you keep yourself closer to nature, the more are the chances to stay rejuvenated and calm.

Give Personalized Effects: It is your house and has to be enriched with your sweet memories. You are going to cultivate your dreams with the pleasing memories here, then why not to give the same surrounding to it?

The personalized articles such as a frame of collage, black and white pictures of the wedding, the photographic journey of life and such other customized articles, the glance of which would make you feel happy and excited all the time is probably the perfect option for your home sweet home.

The above given are some of the ideas you should try for your home decor. However, the list is not exhaustive as the scopes of creativity are endless. So, what are you waiting for? Get the best decor for your home today.

Oak Farm

2017-11-24T08:58:00.002-08:00

Source: By Charlie McEnery

At the end of April we had the opportunity to do a photo shoot in a beautifully converted farm house in the Leicestershire countryside, only 15 minutes away from our Cotes Mill offices and showroom.

We squeezed all the props, accessories and camera equipment we could into Sophie, our marketing manager’s little car (her 3 door hatchback is quite the tardis) and off we went. Once we had arrived at Oak Farm we were greeted by three happy dogs, two cats, the lovely homeowner and a cup of tea, what more could we ask for!?

The farmhouse was quite long but still very wide. The house had once been neglected farm buildings that have been lovingly converted to a stunning family home. I know that some farmhouses can be a little dark and gloomy but this was quite the opposite, it was very spacious with big windows and high ceilings making it very light and airy.

We felt quite overwhelmed at first as we had three rooms to photograph and we didn’t quite know where to start. We decided on the kitchen, it was the biggest room and most definitely the heart of the home, it was a huge open plan space, with the kitchen area on one side with a snug/living room leading off to the side, at the other end was the family dining area and leading off from that was a beautiful utility room and pantry.

This is their beautiful utility room.

They decided on our Aged Oak Wood Effect Porcelain throughout this whole space! It looks like real wood with the practicalities of porcelain, perfect for busy family life. You can spill pretty much anything on it without the worry of it staining. We also noticed that she had decided on underfloor heating, it was very cosy underfoot. The kitchen was a stunning deVOL Shaker Kitchen in deVOL’s

Mushroom paint for the main part of the kitchen and the island was painted in deVOL’s Lead colour.

The whole house had been filled with lots of beautiful accessories and artwork, making the whole property feel very homely and welcoming. They have managed to achieve a very practical space without compromising on style.

This is Winnie the cutest little model in the form of a Cockapoo who seems very pleased with the owner’s decision to go with underfloor heating.

Winnie was understandably very excited about her new career in modelling and did have a little accident, thankfully it was on the Aged Oak Porcelain so it wiped straight up as if nothing had happened, pheww!

Moving onto the living room, this room definitely had more of a formal feel and was filled with lots of character and charm. They had decided on the Umbrian Limestone for this room, as it looks as though it’s been laid for years and years and really adds to the grandeur of the room.

They used the Umbrian Limestone as the fire hearth as well which looks amazing with the herringbone style bricks and the wood burning stove.

Last but not least our Dove House Handmade Ceramic Tiles have been laid in the customer’s downstairs cloakroom, as a sink splashback and it looks very pretty! The simplicity of the white speckled tiles really works well in this cute little space.

We know that it can be a tough decision when it comes to flooring and tiles, so we hope that this beautiful farmhouse has given you some inspiration. If you are interested in any of these tiles you can find them on our website at www.floorsofstone.com or if you need some help with your current or up coming project then feel free to contact one of our flooring experts on 01509 234000 or email us at enquiries@floorsofstone.com .

If you are interested in a deVOL kitchen then you can find our sister company at https://www.devolkitchens.co.uk/.

Should Put Barn Doors in Your Home

2017-11-24T08:40:00.000-08:00

Source: New Home & Ideas Blog -

Shared by Allan Feinstein

Barn doors seem to be becoming more and more popular. We’re seeing lots of builders include them in their upgrade options. Renovators and sprucing up their interiors with barn doors, too. Not only are they rustic and comforting, but they save tons of space in your home. If you’re worried about your home not being a farmhouse style, these specialty doors are completely versatile. Whether your style is eclectic, classic, modern, or midcentury, there are barn doors for you.

Barn doors are a great space-saver. Used as a pantry door, they keep the clutter out of your kitchen. With no door swinging back and forth, there’s not only more space in the kitchen, but no marks on the walls! If you live in a home with small children, you know the dangers of slamming a finger in a door. There’s no worries about that when choosing a barn door.

“I think they are perfect for areas where you want the flexibility to close off from public view,” says Courtney Rogers, a design expert for Edward Andrews Homes. “They do require additional wall space on either side of the opening, so confirming that there is ample space for the door is key.”

Other things to consider when thinking about adding a barn door, is the sound transfer when shutting the door. It may be a little louder than a traditional door, so make sure they go in a place where you don’t mind hearing the slide. Barn doors are often seen as entrances to entertainment rooms, pantries, closets, and even bedrooms and bathrooms.

“The barn door style is perfect for a farmhouse, a contemporary house or (my favorite) the contemporary farmhouse,” adds Tracy Kay Griffin, a design expert with Express Homebuyers, a company that purchases homes in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. “But quite frankly, it is so versatile it can go in any type of house.” It all comes down to picking the material, finish, and hardware. Choose a material that will reflect the style of your home, like metal for a modern style, or distressed or natural wood for a rustic style. The finish and color, if you choose a wooden door, can also change the look of your barn doors.