A Welcoming Front Door

Adding an extra touch to your front door can set the tone for the rest of your home. It can also make a guest feel at home the minute they pull up! Here are some tips to help you bring your front door to life:


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Make sure your house number is legible. There's nothing worse than having that uncertain feeling on whether you are walking up to the right house or not! Also be sure that it's visible throughout the entire day and going into the night. Outdoor lighting can be a great problem solver in this case.


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Keep it simple! Leave enough room for your guests to be at the front door and not feel overwhelmed or cramped while they are waiting for you to answer. The extra breathing space is comforting and relaxing.


via architectureartdesigns

Add a friendly sign. Nothing says you're welcome more than a welcome sign! Adding a little touch to remind them you are happy they are coming puts a smile on everyone's face.


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Get creative! Adding an extra touch like window decor is stunning. It gives everyone a little eye candy which is great for small doorways where you might not have enough room for planters or decorations.


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Show some personality! Don't be afraid to bring out things you love to to decorate your front door. It'll help your door stand out from others and can also be great conversation starters!

Indoor Outdoor Space

I can't wait until it warms up enough to open up the house and use our outdoor space! I saw a few great ideas for including your outdoor space into your home that I love and will be using as inspiration this spring:


via dustjacket-attic


via brightboldbeautiful

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Small laundry room inspiration

When did it finally sink in that I was a homeowner?  It wasn't when I was carrying boxes in to our living room or kitchen, it was when I walked past our laundry room for the first time.  I know it sounds silly, but I have never had my own laundry room - I either had to go to a laundromat or down the hall to the residents' laundry room. However, since this space isn't usually seen by guests it tends to be put on the back burner for any updates. I like to remember how grateful I am to finally have my own laundry room by keeping it functional and organized.  Below are some dream laundry rooms for inspiration

Even if you only have a laundry nook, make it feel more luxe with an updated lighting fixture, and sleek shelving with organized supplies.
via BHG

Love this Stain kit idea!
via BHG

You can still make a small laundry space work for you and be pretty too. Making the most of the room you do have may take a little creativity and narrowing down your items to just necessities, but making it functional will really help you enjoy this space.

via fourgenerations

Don't forget about the accessories! Have fun with them and mix them up since there are a lot of different small items that get put in the laundry room. Baskets and clear jars keep smaller items from creating visual clutter.

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Giving your laundry room a makeover doesn't need to be pricey. A few cabinets and a table top to fold your clothes can really make a difference in the room. Also adding a touch of color with some paint can make it feel more like a homey space than a commercial laundry.

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If you laundry room has plenty of space you might consider a wash tub or sink, and some hang up space for those items that need to hang dry.  I think laundry room slop sinks are a must.  We don't have one yet, but it's on my registry! A rug can also add a little comfort to this space to keep it from being to stiff and cold. 

Vanity Eye Candy!

Every Monday could use some eye candy to start us off, right?! Lately I've been scoping out ideas for bathroom vanities.  Ours is soooorrrryyyy. It's chipping and cheap looking and I hate. Vanities are one of those things that should look great, because they are such a focal point of a bathroom, but also be functional because most of us need all the storage we can get in our bathrooms.

HELLO beautiful backsplash!

2 above via BHG

Finding the perfect vanity for your space is more than just picking out the style. Measure out how much space you have and find something that looks amazing but also fits in well with the rest of the room.  Consider what you will need to store in the vanity, and what you will be using it for.  Modern Bathroom is a great resource for finding a vanity that suits your needs.

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Love the dark walls contrasting with the white and seriously considering this for our master or guest bath.

A little character in your choice is good! Even though most vanities come in white, brown, or black, mixing it up with a nice color can make any bathroom have a little more personality. A toned down color like the one below really makes this bathroom clean and crisp but also adds a little something extra to the space.

This gorgeous weathered piece adds character and beauty.
via BHG

via houzz.com

Carrying a material throughout, like on the vanity top and floor as seen below, always adds a luxe and elegant look in my opinion.

via Elle Decor

via House Beautiful
LOVE that mirror!

this post is in partnership with modernbathroom.com

Setting up Shop

Whether you are working from home or have your own shop as your business location, the fact is that your working hours are being spent in an environment that you can organize and decorate as you see fit! Of course, if you are trying to welcome customers, there should be a bit of science and study behind how you arrange and present your goods and wares. A friend of my just recently opened up a shop and I was shocked at how much is involved in a successful shop opening.  They ended up gutting and remodeling the entire space!

As passersby a store only has a few seconds to get our attention and convince us to take a peek inside, so more or less everything falls on the window or store front to get us in the door.

Here's a few enticing storefronts:

via Flickr

via Fabulously Broke

Want to feel like your shopping in a French flea market? (albeit a very $$$$ one), Anthropologie has your number!

via Apartment Therapy

A whimsical Hermes display
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However, if you have a shop that is open to the public there are lots more things to take into consideration than purely decor or interior design issues. Here are a few things to think about:
When setting up shop you need to consider the location very carefully. You want as many potential shoppers as you can find so make sure you are easy to see and in a great walking path! Being tucked in an alley way might not be a great spot if you need to catch your shoppers eye.


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Parking is also a great advantage! Having dedicated spots for your clients makes it a more pleasant experience getting into your shop. In some places, like cities, there isn't parking available for many of the shops but there is local transportation! Make sure people can get to you - there have been many instances where I don't shop a certain spot because I know I won't be able to park.



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If your business is primarily online than it may be better off for you to find a cheaper space in the alley way where you can still be seen but don't need the foot traffic. 

Another thing to look for before finding your space is the local competition as well as your neighbors! You don't want to be competing with a larger store that sells similar items as you but you also do want to be near neighbors that don't fit in with your typical buyer!


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It's a good idea to find out what kind of clientele you have and figure out where they would go shopping! That's where you need be!

Sometimes it's better off to have the right kind of help when you are looking for that perfect space. Fenn Wright are specialists in finding retail premises in Suffolk and having that type of local knowledge an experience that they provide can really make a difference in finding the perfect space for your shop.


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Make sure you have room to grow! Your location can be a big part of the success of your business and changing your location can make it really hard on your customers as well as you! Think about the space and place where you'd want items to go. Then try to think about your space when you expand. If you have options for both, then the space might just be the perfect one!

this post is in partnership with fenwright.co.uk

Bedroom Storage

You all know how much I love light and beautiful bedrooms. Today I wanted to share with you what I think can be a tough obstacle for a bedroom - storage space.

I feel like every time I move, the amount of possessions I have to find space for doubles.  It's important to me that I have a way to tuck some of these things away and hide them so my bedroom can stay clean and serene.

If you're like me, and can't afford built-ins, a clever way to "fake" it is to find a piece of furniture that can mimic a built in.  The white credenza in this room sits under the window and is white, just like a built in would be if it existed in this room.

You can also find a lot of storage solutions that double as decor, like old trunks.
2 above via Covet Garden

One space you never want lacking in storage is the closet! I love built in style closets because they feel so luxe and it makes it really easy to store and find items. Not having enough storage space in a closet results in random boxes on the floor or above where you can't reach them or end up not using the contents because it's such a pain to get to them!

via Finsahome.co.uk via Pinterest

When everything has a spot your less likely to keep things you don't need and it's going to save so much time in your day not having to "find" all those missing things!

via House Beautiful

Keep it simple - sometimes, all you need is a few beautiful baskets to create the storage you need.  A guest room may only need a few extra pillows and blankets and baskets can be a beautiful and functional way to fill that need.

Another options is to a bed with built in storage in it! Something like a double storage bed is a great option if you are having trouble finding space to create storage in your room or you just need that extra space. 

The built in storage under the bed gives it a more flush and clean look - I personally don't like to put things under the bed, so it's a great option if you are like me.. There are plenty of different styles of double storage beds that you can choose from. Some have a similar look to multiple drawers or cubbies you can put fabric bins like under the window seat.
The most important factor is not only that the storage is functional, but that you like it, so sometimes it takes a bit of hunting to find a storage solution you like. You want your bedroom to be relaxing and clutter is the last thing that's going to achieve that! Find a storage solution that doesn't distract your eye or take away from much needed rest!