2015-11-08 ~ Everything Home Magazine

Nov 10, 2015

Benjamin Moore: 2016 Color of the Year

6:52 PM Collette Osuna 2 comments

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...

How to Make "White" Warm & Cozy

5:57 PM Red Brick on the Lake 2 comments

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...

Subtle Touches of Fall

2:27 PM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

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...

DIY Pumpkin Plate Chargers

1:54 PM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

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...

Candy Corn & White Chocolate Cookies!

1:43 PM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

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...

Free Printable!

1:40 PM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

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. ...

Bedroom Makeover!

1:32 PM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

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....

Nursery Makeover!

1:25 PM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

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...

Block Island Organics!

1:07 PM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

~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...

DIY Thanks Pillow

9:43 AM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

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!...

Best Ever Apple Crisp

9:33 AM Red Brick on the Lake 1 comment

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...

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

2:05 AM Collette Osuna 1 comment

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. ...

Outdoor Fireplace

1:58 AM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

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 transformati...

Furniture Redo: Four Drawer Side Table

1:32 AM Red Brick on the Lake 1 comment

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 ...

Fresh Lavender Lemonade

1:09 AM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

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...

Peppermint Mocha Coffee

12:42 AM Red Brick on the Lake No comments

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...

DIY Reindeer Games Sign

11:48 PM Collette Osuna No comments

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...

November Fall Printable

6:50 PM Collette Osuna No comments

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 fo...

Pork & Beans & Wieners

4:26 PM Collette Osuna No comments

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...

Happy Fall Friends!

3:31 AM Collette Osuna No comments

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...