Benjamin Moore: 2016 Color of the Year

 

I'm not sure about you, but I was "over the moon" when I heard the news that the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year for 2016 is "Simply White".

 2015 was the year that I turned my home from "builder beige" into a white wonderland. I had my home built and never really gave the paint color a second thought until I realized that dark beige gets old.......fast. It doesn't really lend itself well to a more neutral decor color palette. I spent a good part of the year rolling up my sleeves, grabbing my white paint can and transforming a few rooms, one by one. I was able to re-paint my entire kitchen, Great Room and main entry hallway a beautiful shade of soft white.

Many people ask if I get tired of the color being so white, and honestly, the answer is a definite "no". It is the perfect neutral background for all decor types and allows you to add "pops of color" with your accessories and window treatments. It's always easier (and way less work) to change out accessories then dragging out the paint ladder and re-painting an entire space. Besides, it's way more fun!

  All photos via Benjamin Moore

I'm going to be painting additional rooms in my home white this upcoming year and will definitely be adding Benjamin Moore Simply White to my list of "go to" paint colors.

What is your current favorite paint color and why? I'd love to hear in the comments below!

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How to Make "White" Warm & Cozy

 

 

 

 

One comment I get all the time from people who come by the Shady Grove is “With white walls, white floors, white furniture, white cabinets, white ceilings… it still feels so warm and cozy!”

I’m not a professional decorator but I just know if something “feels” right…you know what I mean?  I love a clean and clutter free house but I want it to feel like a home.  I try to keep all the big ticket items in my home as neutral as possible because I tend to get tired of things quickly.  How can I change things up easily and on a budget?  I have found that fabric is the key!  I have tried to incorporate soft pillows, quilts and curtains in my decor to help add some softness and personality.
Let’s look at some of the areas of the Shady Grove where pillows have not only added some pops of color but some much needed softness.

Let’s look at some of the areas of the Shady Grove where pillows have not only added some pops of color but some much needed softness.

Pillows on an all white sofa are great for adding your personality and giving people something soft to snuggle with while they are watching their favorite show or taking a little afternoon nap.  I try to use only feather pillows because they are soft, they don’t get lumpy and they fluff nicely.

*Blog post courtesy of Wendy at Life on the Shady Grove. Head on over to her blog to continue reading this post and for more home decor inspiration.

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Subtle Touches of Fall

Fall is here and this week has been an adjustment.  The weather is changing, school is starting and so it has been fun to slowly introduce subtle touches of fall decor into our home.

We sent our son to Kindergarten this week and it has been such a change for the entire family.  One to get used to for all of us. He is loving it and I am happy for him, but it is bitter sweet because time goes so fast and he sure is growing up.  His sister is missing her buddy to play with and so I spent the other morning keeping her busy with some fruit painting. We had some Dollar Tree pears and we took Non Toxic Acrylic paint to give them a fresh new color. She had a great time and enjoyed the distraction.  Plus this was an inexpensive way to make some Autumn Decor. We hung a newly made wreath with some changing leaves too.



As the weather cools down I also love to layer on the blankets and textures. This is such an easy way to make spots in our house more cozy and ready for fall. I have to share this new addition to our house too from Painted Fox Treasures (link in sidebar), a pouf and a globe in one! I mean it is the perfect combination and I am not joking when I say it is one of the most comfortable things to sit on. It is cushy and firm, but sinks in just the right amount too!  It has become a favorite around our household.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend as fall rolls around the corner with warm drinks, football, smelly candles and lots of blankets. Time for a new season! Thanks for stopping by~

*Blog post courtesy of Annie at Zevy Joy. Visit Annie's blog for more home decor inspiration!

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DIY Pumpkin Plate Chargers

Today I am sharing these easy, wood DIY Pumpkin Plate Chargers! A few weeks ago when I posted my Farmhouse Fall Home Tour, my dining room table was missing a good fall table scape setting. What better way to celebrate this beautiful season than to add some natural elements to our farmhouse table…in the shape of pumpkins!
Supplies Needed:

• 2 21/32in x 16in x 6ft Paint Graded Panel
• Pencil
• Kraft Paper
• Circular Saw
• Jig Saw
• Hand Sander or Sand Block
• Wood Stain
• Wood Shims
• Wood Glue
• Fall Embellishments

Since our farmhouse table is stained dark, I wanted to find a really pretty wood that I could use a lighter stain on to really bring out the natural grain. I found these gorgeous paint graded panels that I knew would work great for the look I wanted.
First, I used my circular saw (or jigsaw) to cut 6 square pieces to 13 inches in length for each plate setting. Then, I cut a piece of Kraft paper I pulled from my wrapping paper stash to each squares exact measurements. I traced one of my plates upside-down in the middle of the paper to use as a guide when determining what measurement each charger needed to be.

 *Blog post courtesy of Ashley at Little Glass Jar. Head on over to take a peek at this DIY with full instructions!

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Candy Corn & White Chocolate Cookies!

Candy Corn and White Chocolate soft baked cookies

Cooler weather, changing leaves, and pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks are all signs that fall is coming. Add candy corn hitting store shelves to that list. I know people either love it or hate it, but candy corn has been a favorite of mine since I was little. I knew I had to make something that included one of my favorite Fall treats.



*Blog post courtesy of Amber at Boxwood Cottage. Head on over to her blog to see the full recipe and instructions!

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Free Printable!

Friday Eve Freebie!

Happy Friday Eve! 
I don’t know about you guys, but this week has flown by. Here is your Friday Eve Freebie, I hope you love it! Stay tuned for a super sweet fall treat to be added tomorrow
.

Click to download. The image will print as an 8″ x 10″

*Blog post courtesy of Amber at Boxwood Cottage. 

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Bedroom Makeover!

Spare Bedroom Makeover

A few weeks ago I decided to go antiquing on a whim. A favorite past time of mine. :) I came across the most beautiful vintage iron bed for only fifty bucks! Score! It was exactly what I had in mind for this room, but I'd never been able to find one at the right price. I guess it was my lucky day!

When we first moved into the farmhouse we had Baker's nursery temporarily set up in this room. And by "temporarily set up" I mean he had a crib and changing table surrounded by piles of boxes and other random things. And we nailed up some cheap black-out curtains from Walmart over the windows. Yes - nailed. It wasn't pretty. But, we transformed one of the upstairs bedrooms into a really cool nursery and once we moved Baker in I was able to slowly clear out the room and get a clean-slate vision for the space. 

We wanted to make the room feel both comfortable and inviting for our guests by incorporating soft, casual textures and authentic farmhouse style. We were able to complete the room on a tight budget, as well, by recycling pieces we already owned and scouting out the local trade pages. I found a beautiful antique armoire for only $85 and the bed linens were purchased from Ikea and Target. We also made our own curtain rods and hardware and used drop cloths as curtains. All very accessible and affordable if you're feeling inspired! 

Want to come visit? Come check in at The Inn at Stillwater Farm :)

 

*Blog post courtesy of Lauren at Little White House Blog. To see this amazing room makeover, head on over to her blog! 

 

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Nursery Makeover!

Nursery Makeover

 

We knew we wanted to create a fun new room for Baker when we moved and I immediately started brainstorming design ideas that could transition with him as he grows, but also stay true to the farmhouse style of our home. I wanted the bones to be timeless. A space that maybe even by the time he's old enough to move out (cue the waterworks!!!) we could use as an office or something for ourselves. Kid's rooms and play rooms are SO fun! I feel like I can push my own boundaries a little and step outside my comfort zone. I could dream up spaces for children all day long! (Anyone remember Trading Spaces - Kids Edition?!)

So, he's been in his new room for several months, but it took quite a while to find the perfect finishing touches. For me interior design is all about the details and I'll probably tweak this room over and over and over just like I do the rest of our house. We partnered with the adorable East Plum shop who provided some of the cutest accessories. You absolutely have to check them out! If I had to describe the look of the new nursery I would call it industrial farmhouse chic with a touch of vintage school house flair. Is that a thing? Bahaha! Well, I say it is. So, it is.

Do you guys remember looking through the second level before photos? No? Well, here you go. HOLY GREEN CARPET FOR DAYS. Not to mention, this small bedroom had THREE doors and a window crammed in there. Hello, claustrophobia. 

 

 *Blog post courtesy of Lauren at Little White House Blog. Head on over to her blog to see the complete nursery transformation!

 

 

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Block Island Organics!

~Block Island Organics: My New Summer Best Friend~

Living in Michigan, sunny days are far, few and in between. When the sun does actually pop out, you better believe that I'm outside soaking up every minute of it!

Truth be told, I've never been "loyal" to one sunscreen, simply because I don't have the opportunity to use it enough in our short Summer months. The one thing I do know about sunscreens I've used in the past, they are heavy and greasy, and that's a big "no-no" in my book.

I recently tried Block Island Organics sunscreen and night cream and I couldn't be happier with both! There's nothing worse than tackling a hard to open bottle of sunscreen (and good luck shutting it with greasy, slick hands) Awesome news......no grease!
The formula is unscented (no unwanted attracted insects) and soaks into your skin instantly. I can see this bottle lasting all Summer because you only need to apply a very small amount...a little goes a long way!

The Revitalizing Night Cream dispenses from an easy to use pump and is fragrance free as well. It was the perfect light facial cream after a long day in the drying sun.

Block Island Organics is a family owned company who uses only natural ingredients in their products. Their products contain no chemicals, dyes or parabens. I have very sensitive skin and both products have left my skin clean and clear.

Block Island Organics also carries an Organic Purifying Facial Cleanser that I can't wait to get my hands on. A simple skin care routine is right up my alley!

When I see a company who promotes animal friendly products that are never tested on animals, they instantly have me "at hello". The prices are very fair, and the product results are pretty amazing!

The sweet people at Block Island Organics are offering my friends 15% off your total purchase now through July 16th by using the code: collette at checkout.
*please note the code cannot be combined with other codes.

Head on over to their website to take a peek at their full product line and follow along on Block Island Organics Instagram for their latest updates and sales.

My daughter Chloe recently took the sunscreen to a pool party. If you can find a sunscreen that kids love and will actually use? You're definitely winning!

*Blog post courtesy of Collette at Spindle & Rye. Head on over to her blog for more inspiration and products!

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DIY Thanks Pillow

I love adding seasonal touches around the house and I love even more when I can do that by putting together some things I already have at home. I am still trying very hard to stick to our craft budget and it makes getting creative more of a necessity.
I have seen/been inspired by adorable pillows with sweet messages and considering I have so many pillows lying around, I decided to give a message pillow a try.

*Blog post courtesy of Annie at Zevy Joy. Head on over to her blog to see her step-by-step instructions on how to make this pillow!

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Best Ever Apple Crisp

 

I knew when my son walked through the door carrying these red treasures from apple picking, that I'd make pretty darn good use of them!

If you live in Michigan, you know that Fall not only is knocking on the front door, but it's come in out of the cold and poured itself a cup of coffee. It's been raining all day with a high temperature of 45 degrees......the perfect day to fire up the oven and get the Apple Crisp party started!

This recipe is not only super quick and easy, but you probably already have most of the ingredients on hand in your pantry. Now that's my kind of baking!

Your entire house will be wafting with the sweet smell of Fall apples and cinnamon in no time at all. 

*Blog post courtesy of Collette at Spindle & Rye. Head on over to her blog for the full recipe with step by step instructions!

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Why Keeping up With The Joneses and The Smiths isn't Working For You

Ah, the Joneses.
The next door neighbors who knocked down their single family home and built a mansion upon those very ashes.  Constantly exuding a certain air of ‘fake’ humbleness and seemingly, the epitome of the All American Dream.  Something about them made you feel like the laziest son of a gun, despite the fact that you were already working 80 hours a week to try and match their lifestyle.  That is, until 2006 when the market crashed and no one was able to keep up.  Not even them.

Those who made irrational decisions based on the idea that having more would bring social acceptance became financially crumbled.  The extent of the shortcomings went far beyond foreclosure, a bad credit report, and filing Chapter 7.  Many of us were brought up to believe that material possessions weren't everything but the inability to duplicate the Joneses' way of life robbed us of much happiness. More than being in the red, was the sense of dissatisfaction that tagged along.  Nevertheless, we kind of, sort of picked ourselves back up and restructured our lives until the next neighbors came along.


**Blog post courtesy of Keila at Society Letters Blog. Head on over to finish reading this article and take a peek at more of intriguing posts by Keila!

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Outdoor Fireplace

Hi everyone!  I've had several messages asking for details on our outdoor fireplace we had installed two years ago. When we bought the house 4 years ago, it was a brand new home that was just built. We loved everything about the house except the back yard! It was nothing but a big hill!



*Blog post courtesy of Jill at Jillify It. Head on over to take a peek at this amazing backyard transformation!

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Furniture Redo: Four Drawer Side Table

Four Drawer Side Table

You have seen this wall in my office decorated many times on previous posts, but I think I finally got it right this time. I could not be more excited about the progress I’ve made in this room, and I am so excited to share it soon. It is such a collection of all of my favorite flea market finds and DIY projects. Not much of what is in my office was bought new, which is why I just love it so much. It just goes to show what you can do with things that are repurposed.
I have had this little four drawer chest for a very long time that my aunt had given to me for free. I sanded it, stained it dark, and bought some new silver pulls for it, but it just didn’t look it’s best to me. I decided I would put it in the basement until I came up with another idea for it. It’s a unique piece, in my opinion, so recently I thought I would give it another go. I stripped it, which was a huge mess, it got rained on, then it sat in our garage for a few months. I was over it and on the verge of just sending it off to Goodwill or something.

 *Blog post courtesy of Ashley at Little Glass Jar. Head on over to take a peek at how she transformed a 4 drawer chest into this beautiful side table!

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Fresh Lavender Lemonade

Fresh Lavender Lemonade

15 ice cubes

¼ cup dried lavender (or 2 Tbsp of fresh lavender flowers)

2 cups boiling water

¾ cup white sugar

8 lemons

5 cups cold water

Place ice cubes into a 2 quart pitcher. Place the lavender into a bowl, and pour boiling water over it. Allow to steep for about 10 minutes, then strain out the lavender and discard. (I actually save a little as a garnish for my lemon slice on the rim of each glass.....because that's how I roll)

Mix the sugar into the hot lavender water, then pour into the pitcher with the ice.

Squeeze the juice from the lemons into the pitcher, getting as much juice as you can. Once you squeeze the lemon juice into the pitcher, you will see the pretty pink color appear. Top off the pitcher with cold water, and stir. Give it a taste, and adjust sugar or lemon juice as needed.

 

*Blog post courtesy of Collette at Spindle & Rye. Head on over to her blog to see more amazing recipes & food photos!

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Peppermint Mocha Coffee

Yesterday I was craving a Peppermint Mocha but I didn’t want to spend $5.00 on this treat. So I made my own and I thought it tasted pretty good!

Here is what you will need –

– 1 cup of coffee
– 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract
– 1 1/2 – 2 Tablespoons of Hot Cocoa Mix or Cocoa
– 1 teaspoon of sugar (or more according to your taste)
– Cream (I just pour my normal coffee amount – so again it can vary)
– Whip for topping (optional)

Directions –

Make a cup of coffee and pour these ingredients in. Then stir! So easy.
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week friends!

*Blog post courtesy of Annie at Zevy Joy. Head on over to her blog to see more amazing recipes & food photos!

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DIY Reindeer Games Sign

This year for Christmas, I plan on decorating a little more fun for my girls! Instead of making every piece of decor a "no-touch" zone, I have been slowly planning a few things to make it a little more relaxed around the house. This little DIY sign is just the start to my Christmas decorating! My girls thought it was cute and even asked "what games are there going to be?" Well, maybe I will come up with a few fun games with them and just pretend they are games reindeer would play at the North Pole! This "Reindeer Games" sign is super easy and takes no serious time or money to complete!

*Blog post courtesy of Daraka at Farmhouse for Five Blog. Head on over to take a peek at how to make these fun signs just in time for Christmas gift giving!

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November Fall Printable

Did you get a chance to check out this super cute Fall Printable on page 45 of our November Premiere Issue?
Amber of Boxwood Cottage creates a new free printable for Everything Home Magazine readers in each of our monthly issues!

Printables are a fun and inexpensive way to add to your decor! You can print them out and display in a frame or incorporate a new printable each month to your gallery wall.

Thanks so much Amber! Click here to print in PDF form.

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Pork & Beans & Wieners

While I was giving my father a hug as I was leaving to go home a few weeks ago, he said:

“You know what you should make for your blog sometime, Pru?” 
“What’s that?” I asked him. 
“Pork & Beans and Wieners” he replied. I laughed, because at the time, I guess I didn’t think that pork and beans and wieners was blog worthy.
But the more I thought about it, the more it became important to me, because he is important to me.

First of all…This is my father’s all time favorite meal. I bet you that he’d eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner 24/7. I know he would. So, how could I deny him his blog request?

Secondly… let’s face it. This is a meal that I grew up on, and I’m sure that many of you have grown up on, too.

I love this meal. For me, it’s comfort. And isn’t that what my blog is really all about? Comfort?

Simple? Rustic? Delish?

So, this one is for you Pa. Your most favorite meal ever.

Oh, and I’ll be at your house around 1pm today to drop it off. 
I love you.

*Blog post courtesy of Prudy at Butter Basil & Breadcrumbs. Head on over to her blog to see more amazing recipes & food photos!

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Happy Fall Friends!

Happy November friends!

I don't know about you, but these cooler fall days have me getting into hibernation mode. You know what I mean......snuggling by a fire at night under a warm throw, lighting some of your favorite scented candles and heading to bed earlier. In honor of my candle addiction, I'm officially declaring this week "National Candle Week"!

Candles not only smell amazing, they feel like a warm hug on a cool night. They set the tone for a cozy welcoming room. This time of year I literally go "candle crazy" and pretty much have a candle lit in every room of my home. 

I'm always on the lookout for new products to try and I cannot tell you how happy I am that I recently discovered Sparklefly Candles. If you follow me on Instagram and are familiar with the story of my son Alex, you already know that I have a love for dragonflies. The minute I saw the Sparklefly Candles logo featuring a dragonfly, I just knew I would love everything about these candles, and I was right!

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November Printable

We are so excited to bring you this free printable just in time for fall gallery wall framing!

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