Shopping the House | Five Things You Already Have

Do you kind of hate it when people tell you to shop your house? You're like, "Really? You're telling me I'm going to find some awesome piece of awesomeness that I've forgotten about? Yeah right."  If you're like me, I'm using pretty much everything…no new discoveries, just like there is nothing new in my pantry--regardless of how many times I open and shut it. (Yet, I continue to do it.) I am willing to bet, however, that you have most of these items in your home, so get them out and use them!

1 | Sticks: Yes, I may have a slight obsession with sticks, everyone knows it. The other day, my three year old gifted me a stick, because "Mommy loves sticks." Sticks are cheap…free to be exact, and they add a natural element, height, and texture. 

image from Kat Teutsch Styling

image from Lantliv

2 | Blankets & Throws: Blankets and throws add a sense of warmth and add texture, color, and print to a space. Whether they're thrown over a chair, sofa, or bed or folded up on a shelf, basket, or piece of furniture--they're an easy addition.

image from Apartment Therapy

image from West Elm

3 | Dishes: Plates, bowls, and other serving pieces are a great way to fill open shelving or other areas in the kitchen or dining room. Stacking items gives a sense of collection and character.

image source unknown

image from House & Home

4 | Frames: Creating an eclectic gallery wall is a great way to add personality to a space.  Frames of all different sizes, colors, and textures can come together to make a major statement.

image from Desert Domicile

image from Style Me Pretty

5 | Books & Magazines: Books and magazines are a great way to add interest to a room. Stack books forward, backwards, sideways, or upright. Magazines can be stacked, collected in bowls, baskets, or trays, or even thrown over hangers or ladders.

image from Stylizmo

image from Todd Waterbury

Dipped

I hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend. We had lots of fun family time at the pool and BBQing with friends. The hubs had to work on Memorial Day, but I got lots of cleaning and organizing done around that house, which quite frankly, is on my list of top ten things I enjoy doing. I know. I'm crazy like that. Our real vacation starts tomorrow, and then on Wednesday, we are heading to Chi-Town and then Milwaukee on Thursday. I can't wait!

In the meantime, I am LOVING dipped furniture (and baskets). I'm thinking I need to dip Stella's table and chairs. What do you think about dipped furniture? You likey?

image from Martha Stewart

image from House and Home

image from Serena and Lily

Bins, Baskets, and Containers

Oh, how I love bins, baskets, and containers. I love the way they look, and I love the way they hide dirty, little secrets! I have tons--of bins, baskets, and containers, that is--not dirty, little secrets (sorry to disappoint, I'm just not that exciting). I just don't think you can ever have enough. The hubs and I have differing opinions on this. He thinks we have enough. Clearly, there's no such thing. In fact, I just ordered some great wire baskets. That's what he gets for being on call so much this month. I've got to occupy myself somehow after Stella goes to bed. 

image from The Decorista 

image from Better Home & Gardens

image from Centsational Girl

image from Decorology

image from Simply Seleta via Pinterest

Finding Your Style--With Kids

There's this story that I was told involving Jeremy, his mother's coffee table, and a screwdriver. I think you can figure out the end. There's another story about a girl who spilled fingernail polish remover on her mother's formal dining room table. (Yup, fastest way to take off a finish...er, so I'm told.) There are countless other stories involving markers, Mod Podge (Jeremy again--this time on my area rug), and whatever else kids get their hands on to destroy furniture. It happens, but I am still a firm believer that you can have both a nice house AND kids. Do you honestly think I would wait until my kids are 18 to have nice things? Didn't think so. Now, if I can just figure out how to husband proof my house...Here are my tips for finding your style with kids:

image from Pottery Barn

(1) Get Organized: I personally think it's fun to organize. I may be weird, but I do. I love containers: bins, baskets, totes, I love them all! Find containers that you like, and keep your kids' toys in them. For many of us, it's unrealistic to keep all toys in the bedroom. I need toys in the living room--because that's where I live! Really, it's just another excuse to purchase a great basket!

(2) Be Practical: Though there are hundreds of beautiful fabrics I would just LOVE to have in my home, it's not going to happen (at least not with a one-year old). On the flip side, there are tons of beautiful fabrics that are kid proof. If you are purchasing a sofa, consider micro-suede. I swear to you, this is a miracle fabric. How do I know? Not because of Stella, because of my other child, my husband. He spilled red enchilada sauce on our white couch the day we bought it. It came right out with a little soap and water. Another great tip? Look at outdoor or indoor/outdoor rugs. They can literally be sprayed off if needed.

image from Pottery Barn

image from Decor Pad

image from HGTV

(3) Be Safe: Try to restrain yourself from buying that glass end table you love or the coffee table with extra sharp corners. Instead, opt for a leather or upholstered ottoman. In our house, the ottoman is the center of most of Stella's activities. I get a little extra piece of mind knowing she's not going to gouge an eye while cruising around. (Even if she did, it would wipe right off of the micro-suede couch and indoor/outdoor rug! Ok, that wasn't funny. I hope that never happens.)

(4) Don't Lose Your Style: Your space needs to work for everyone. While your living room shouldn't look like a daycare, it also doesn't need to look like a museum. It's okay if there are signs of children, they live there, too! If you are looking to purchase your child a table and chair set, buy one that matches the style of your home--not everything has to be pastel with Disney characters (unless that's your decor, I'm not here to judge)! There are so many wonderful, contemporary-looking toys and baby equipment. Paint the tables and chairs, find a fun, retro mini-kitchen. There are even modern baby swings! If you have to have it out, make it work! (So in love with this highchair!)

image from Monolo Home