Category Archives: Home Decor

Jul11

Welcome To My Crib: New Curio Cabinets Edition

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Welcome To My Crib: New Curio Cabinets Edition

Hi everyone! While working at one of my client’s homes a few weeks ago, I noticed some gorgeous curio cabinets that they had in their kitchen, which were moved from the living room that they are renovating. I never even knew that they existed and I complimented them because they looked like something that my grandma would have had at the funeral home. And, we all know that my decor style is “funeral home chic”, for sure!

My client’s mom told me that they were getting rid of them and the only reason why they were still there and not at Goodwill was to hold their vacation supplies for their beach trip. I asked her how much she wanted for them, because I knew that I wanted the cabinets for my apartment and she was having none of that. She told me to consider it as my housewarming gift and her and the family dropped them off at my apartment this past weekend.

I recently had time to move some of my knick knacks and treasures from my desk in my office onto the cabinets. And, now, I can see them every day during living room hangs! Check it out:

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My cabinets include a lot of things on them that I love like gifts from my clients and their families, decorations that they helped me pick out during work, and trinkets from my grandma’s funeral home. All of these things are treasured so dearly by me and I’m so happy to have them displayed somewhere that I can appreciate them, because I don’t use my office very often.

The cabinets made a great addition in my living room and filled up one of the blank walls nicely. It is also my tallest piece of furniture in the room, which looks really good with my vaulted ceilings. It adds levels of height to my furniture now, instead of everything being on the same plane and it definitely makes the room more interesting to look at.

My new curio cabinets are already so well loved after just a week of being in my apartment and I am so thankful to the amazing families I work with for their generosity as well as the honor to provide care for their children! ❤

Where do you keep your treasures at at home? How do you add visual interest to a room? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul8

Improvements That Could Increase The Value Of Your Home

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Improvements That Could Increase The Value Of Your Home

Are you looking for ways to improve your home, but aren’t sure where to start? Making improvements to your home can be extremely satisfying and you can customize it all to your liking. If you are on a limited budget, it can be hard to know which parts of your home should be prioritized when carrying out a renovation. If you are looking for improvements that will help to add some extra value to your home and, potentially make it more appealing to future buyers, these ideas should help:

Replace Your Windows and Doors:

Your home’s windows and doors are one of the first things that people will notice about your house; as they are one of the most prominent features on your home’s exterior. Over time, windows and doors are subjected to the elements and have to withstand everything from heavy snowstorms to the hot sun beating down onto them. It’s little wonder that every now and again it is a good idea to get your windows and doors replaced. As windows and doors are such an integral part of your home and perform such an important role, it is vital to choose replacement windows and doors which are well-made and of the highest quality. Mr. Rogers Windows and Doors offers a fantastic range of replacement windows and doors, which are sure to improve the appearance of any home.

The installation team you choose for your windows will have a range of different options to pick from. They might have windows from an aluminium windows trade supplier, for example, for a secure yet aesthetically pleasing result. Aluminum windows can be especially sleek for a modern home but also offer a classic, timeless aesthetic for older properties. Your installation team will work with you to determine the best style for your home.

It might not seem like it, but changing your front door can really make a big difference. You will want to make sure what you choose is something that you are going to be completely happy with. Look through ideas on Pinterest or pop on HGTV. Then, enter a search for “discount doors houston” or your local area to see your vision come to life.

Convert Your Loft:

Your loft is a part of the house that has enormous potential. If your attic is currently being used as a storage area, then why not bring it to life and get some real use out of it? Your loft offers endless opportunities for use as an extra living space in your home. Using your loft space to add extra bedrooms and bathrooms can really increase the value of your home, and make it all the more appealing to potential buyers. If you have no immediate plans to sell your home, a loft conversion still has its benefits. All the extra living space that you create makes a perfect place for guests to stay and is ideal if your family is still growing.

Update Your Kitchen:

Changing your kitchen can be a large project to undertake, but it is totally worth it when complete. The kitchen is the heart of the home, so making it a space that is as attractive as it is functional is important. Kitchen renovations can be super expensive, but you can adjust your makeover plans to suit your budget, and still make a big difference to the way your kitchen looks. If you are on a tight budget but still want to change things up, why not simply change the doors and worktops, instead? Replacing the doors and worktops may be cost-effective but can still make a dramatic difference to the overall look of the room.

If you fancy going all-out on redesigning your new kitchen, then you may decide to gut it entirely and start again from scratch. Going back to basics means that you are able to utilize the space better and get the kitchen exactly how you would like it. If you are planning on a full on renovation, search for a kitchen remodeler in Tampa, FL or your local area to get started. The experts will be able to walk you through the merits of additions such as high-end integrated appliances, attractive tiles, and kitchen islands that can really help to add value to your home.

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Naomi Hébert on Unsplash

Renovate Your Bathroom:

Alongside the kitchen, the bathroom is the other room in your home that usually costs the most to improve. Due to the costs involved, a beautiful bathroom can have a really positive impact on your home’s value along with how much it appeals to potential buyers. If you have a small bathroom, you may look for ways to redesign it so that it appears bigger and less cramped. This can be achieved by installing a corner bath and corner sink so that less of the floor space is taken up, and every part of the room is utilized.

Be mindful of your budget, make a plan, and soon your house will be feeling brand new with an increased property value, to boot!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul3

New Glass Letter Box

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New Glass Letter Box

Hi! I absolutely love receiving things in the mail, especially handwritten letters and birthday or holiday cards. I think that letter writing is a lost art and nothing makes me happier than seeing that someone took the time to sit down and write something just for me. I save all of my cards and letters from my loved ones but, sadly, have had nowhere to put them other than shoved in a drawer of my desk. But, that changed during my shopping session at the craft store, PatCatan’s! Check it out:

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When my client who I was shopping with pointed out how nice this would look in my apartment, I couldn’t agree more and instantly added it to my cart. Right away, it reminded me of the donation box that my grandparents had at the funeral home that they owned and operated. I remember spending many a times dropping made up “airplane tickets” into the box and then going to explore the magnificent property.

Although I won’t be dropping any travel tickets into my new treasure box any time soon, it sure will be perfect for putting my letters in it. I love that I will be able to still see everything in it. All of the signatures, colors, and handwriting will be on display which is just what I wanted but didn’t know how to achieve until finding this little beauty. It is definitely a nod to my funeral home chic aesthetic in my apartment and I can’t wait to fill it up with my card collection!

Do you save your mail from your loved ones? How do you store it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun24

Crystal Collection

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Crystal Collection

Hi! When moving into my new apartment, my family and the families of the clients that I work with were so generous in the different ways that they helped. From moving furniture, helping me select apartment necessities, and words of encouragement, my move was definitely a group effort. And, some donations of goods that were no longer needed to the Lil Red Foundation certainly helped, too!

While a client’s family was cleaning through their garage, they offered me all of the crystal glassware that I will ever need. From wine glasses to mugs and drinking cups as well as the gorgeous pieces below, I think that I am all set! Check it out:

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I love my job so much because I have become extremely close with quite a few of the families that I work with. And, being considered part of the family as opposed to the provider for their son or daughter with special needs is an honor that I don’t take lightly. Because of this family mindset that has formed thanks to the over year and a half that I have been working with some of them, an eagerness to help out from my families was displayed.

Of course, their services were something that I would never ask for but were insisted upon me and that kindness meant so much. I am so in love with all of the pieces in my crystal collection but, mainly, am enamored with the huge punch bowl with hanging glasses! I am so excited to create some type of tasty sangria to fill it with and serve at my next get together. The bowl set feels vintage and oh so chic and I am really looking forward to using it.

And, the set of four chunky crystal pieces are beautiful, too. And, once I get the lovely pair of curio cabinets that one of my client’s families was going to tote off to the Goodwill, I will be displaying them on one of the shelves. Can’t wait!

Do you have a crystal or China collection? How do you store or display your glassware? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May16

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Final Few Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Final Few Edition

Howdy! For the final viewing of Lil Red’s Art Gallery, we are going to take a look at two of the biggest pictures and one of the smallest ones that I purchased from Goodwill. The two large ones honestly have me stumped on why I bought them other than the fact that I just thought they looked cool. The poster sized images feature wild berries and plants of Alaska, a state which I have literally no ties to. But, I don’t know, the colors were unique and I liked that it looked like something out of a textbook so into the cart it went! Take a closer look:

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And, as for the other little painting that I purchased, I loved what the women were wearing more than anything. The flowing dresses, huge sun hat, parasol in hand – I wish that us ladies still dressed like that! The colors in the painting also spoke to me. I like how soft the palette is and how it almost looks like it’s going to rain. You can also see the signs of a heavy wind from the ribbons adorning their ensemble blowing about. And, of course, this picture also reminds me of something that would be in the funeral home too, so there’s that! #funeralhomechic

What is your favorite art museum to visit? Who is your favorite artist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May15

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Favorites Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Favorites Edition

Hi everyone! So, when my grandma sold her funeral home in Cleveland and opted to live closer to family (like mine) in Akron, obviously, a lot of the furniture and decor couldn’t come with. So, when my grandma downsized, she brought only her favorites. One of which included a painting of a girl looking forlorn while wearing a huge sun hat and holding a bouquet of flowers displayed in an ornate gold frame.

I can recall one of my cousins wondering out loud why, out of all of the gorgeous art work in the funeral home, this picture was chosen. And, sadly, I never asked this question for myself. However, it is now hanging in my family home. The painting of the little boy holding a bunch of flowers seen below reminds me of the picture that my grandma apparently loved a lot so I consider it my version of that!

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My mom commented on my little boy blue giving off serious Little Prince vibes and I can definitely see it! I don’t know what it is about this picture but, as soon as I saw it, I fell in love. It’s such a sweet image to me and it makes me happy to think of the little girl or boy he’s going to give his flowers to. Or, maybe, he’s about to run into his mom’s arms and surprise her with it. It just makes me smile and I hope to some day hang up my grandma’s painting side by side with it.

And, of course, the Asian inspired embroidered cloth was a must, too. The colors, the subject, the craftsmanship – WOOF, I love this picture so much. The bamboo style frame is a nice touch and my only hope is that the words on there are something really random like “swimming pool” or “blow torch” and no one will know any better. But, if you do have any idea of what those characters are, let a Lil Red know!

If you could only bring a few things from your belongings to a new place, what would you take? Which of your belongings holds a lot of significance to you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May14

Things To Do After The Attic Renovation

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Things To Do After The Attic Renovation

Attic renovations are now one of the most common. Whether you intend to use your attic as a bedroom or a place to chill out, chances are that you’ll go down all the usual routes, including contracting builders and seeking permissions. You’ll also need to ensure the flooring can support this change and that you have proper insulation. Within a few weeks, though, you could have a seemingly functional room in your hands.

Sadly, many home owners do renovations for attics only to find that they never spend any time there. That can lead to a lot of wasted time and effort, not to mention wasting a fair amount of cash. And, more often than not, neglect here is down to the fact that we give up on our renovations too soon. Instead of expecting a space you love straight after renovation, then, consider the following crucial steps you should take after your attic conversion.

Take care of your roofing:

First, consider roofing. Failure to do so could leave your conversion cold and damp in no time. Metal roofing could even increase noise levels. If you can’t seem to settle, then, seek a roof inspection. If your clanging metal roof is keeping you up or keeping you cold at night, consider options for ensuring that metal roofs and high winds don’t cause any more problems. And, of course, make sure there are no leaks which stand to waste the money you spent on your renovation in the first place. The faster you act on getting a Roofing Installation expert in, the quicker your renovation can, at last, become the living space you desire.

Remember that the roofing and flooring are the most important parts of your attic transformation. While it is always a great thing to be able to cut costs with DIY, these are tasks to leave to the professionals to ensure everyone’s safety once the renovation is complete. Start by searching online, getting recommendations from friends, or checking out this Aurora roofing company in Colorado if you’re in the area for optimum success.

Flooring:

A renovated attic should feel cozy and like a space you want to spend time in so rough flooring has got to go. You could consider installing carpet or you might want to take a more stylish approach. Sanding down the floors with a professional team can leave a sleek finish. Then, you can enhance the room with plush, luxurious area rugs to add texture and color. To find a team that specializes in sanding, simply enter a search for “Floor Sanding Manchester” (or your local area). This will tie your newly renovated attic together from floor to ceiling.

Find ways to add light:

Once your renovation is complete, you might find that your attic space is pretty dark. No one likes to spend time in a dark room so this alone could leave you unsatisfied. Make sure it doesn’t by considering ways to add more light afterwards. Painting with bright colors is always a good bet, as are mirrors and well-placed lights. When you install these after your attic renovation, it will be a part of the house that you enjoy at last.

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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/777785798121645027/

Think about keeping it fresh:

Even after completing roof repairs, you may notice your conversion getting stuffy and damp. In many ways, this is impossible to avoid here. But, there is action you can take. A shop bought dehumidifier is a sure way to keep that air fresh, for instance. Even installing a ceiling fan could bring that breath of fresh air you need to make the room more pleasant to use.

Whatever you do, don’t give up on your attic renovation the moment it’s complete. As you can see, this is an ongoing addition which can take adjustments to get right. You just have to keep going until it becomes as much a part of your home as any other room!

Featured Image By: Flickr

May14

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Floral Galore Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Floral Galore Edition

Hello hello! During the initial process of getting everything squared away for my apartment, I was a nervous wreck. But, the more I shopped, the more excited I felt about my big move. Retail therapy at its finest! I had the most fun shopping for my larger pieces of furniture and it felt good to check all of the big purchases off of my list. The extra stuff like things from the wall art seen below to hand soap were just the cherry on top of the moving sundae!

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Now, normally I am not a huge floral girl when it comes to wall art. But, the pictures above spoke to me for some reason and for eight dollars total at Goodwill, I figured “why not?”. Since we established that my decor style is apparently funeral home chic, these pictures will fit right in! I love the lace on the rose picture and the more ornate frame on the smaller one. I feel like someone loved these pictures a lot or maybe they belonged to one of their loved ones and I like feeling like I’ve given both of them a beautiful new home to be showcased in. :*)

Are you a floral decor fan or nah? What is your favorite thing to shop for when it comes to home goods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May13

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Ovals, Anyone? Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Ovals, Anyone? Edition

Hiii everyone! When wall art shopping for my apartment, I didn’t really have a specific theme in mind for the pieces that I wanted. I more or less just picked what I liked and went with it. Despite all of the artwork not necessarily “going together”, I think that once all of them are hung up it’s going to look super nice. Especially because even if the pictures are all different, the color palette is similar enough on all of them that it will still look like they belong together. I have a vision! Lol.

I went hard at the Goodwill, buying at least ten framed pictures in total, including these cool oval shaped ones below:

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My sister told me that all of the pictures I picked out are old ladyish and, be that as it may, I like them. In fact, a lot of the artwork that I purchased reminds me of the paintings that my grandma had hung up in the amazing funeral home that she operated. So, I guess you can call my taste in décor “funeral home chic”? Lol, regardless, of if the pieces that I bought are dated, I like that classic, vintage feel and I think that once my art wall is complete, it’s going to compliment the furniture in my living room really well. So put that in your pipe and smoke it, sis! 😀

Where do you get inspiration for home décor? Do you have a more modern or classic taste in decorating? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May11

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Van Gogh Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Van Gogh Edition

Hi hi! It seems like I end up at a Goodwill at least once a week when I’m working and, I’m so not mad about it, because I have found so much cool apartment stuff from there. You can’t beat the value of secondhand shopping and the thrill of a real life treasure hunt at your local thrift store.

It’s funny, because I’m a pretty major germophobe and, several years ago, I would have preferred that you cut my hands off than look through a store of other people’s old belongings. But, now, I thrift shop like the best of them (As long as I have Purell on deck, of course!) and it’s a small victory but that’s progress, baby.

During my last trip to the thrift, I found a beautiful framed copy of Van Gogh’s sunflower painting for FIVE BUCKS and I was (AND STILL AM!) excited! Take a look:

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Ninety percent of the wall art that I got for my apartment is from the thrift and my only qualm is that they write the prices on the glass of the frame and I have no idea how to get it off! So any suggestions for that would be greatly appreciated. But, I guess that’s a small price to pay for paying a small price for some new decor.

I have always loved this painting and was so happy to have found it. It will make a great centerpiece for the art wall I want to make in my living room so I’m looking forward to getting everything hung up ASAP. Now, if only I can find me a copy of Starry Night at Goodwill next!

What is your favorite painting? Who is your favorite artist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah