Bathroom Decorating Ideas (Spring Refresh!)

This post contains affiliate links.

I'm not one to change my bathroom decor often, but ever since I redecorated it for Christmas I have the urge to do so. And why not, right? It's just another area to decorate and have fun with. I do have to admit though, once I took all the decor from Christmas down in here, it was in shambles for weeks...or maybe a couple of months :) It just got neglected, so having it refreshed is ...well...refreshing! 

White ruffle curtains: Link

 There have been just a few updates in here since I put these shelves in (tutorial). First, being the new sign on the shelf. I found this at Michaels a couple of weeks back and new it would be perfect in here. 

Floating Shelves Tutorial Click Here 

I mean, seriously....how cute is this?! It was the perfect thing to add a little height to the shelf. I also moved some things around, and edited out a couple of things that were on here for years. 

Another addition, was this little wood caddie. It is simply a 1x8 cut about 10 inches wider than my bathtub. I stained it with Dark Walnut from Minwax. That's it! Added a book for reading and candles for relaxing. 

The shelves used to be my favorite part of my bathroom, but now it has tough competition with this side. I shared a little bit of this side of the tub a few months ago when I posted the tutorial on my faux shiplap wall (tutorial). 

 I had originally painted a motif with a stencil in between the molding years ago in order to break up the beige on my wall. It was busy and I always hated it. I wanted to add some shiplap for awhile just to give it a pop and some added texture. I never did simply because of laziness. I didn't want to have to re-cut some molding to fit around the shiplap. I know, I know. Dumb. But it totally happens more than not! 

 So, instead of having to cut all the extra wood, I used a marker :) You can see the full tutorial about how to do this on this post (click here). It was super quick and made a great impact in just minutes! 

 Another great addition that I'll share more about in an upcoming post is this pendant light. I've been wanting some sort of hanging light in here for years, and found this one for a steal. I initially had it in my kitchen, but my husband wasn't a fan. Then I found a new one that I loved even more for the kitchen, and moved this in here. It fits like it belonged all along! 

Pendant Light: Link

Isn't it great how a few small changes can help freshen up a space? I have always said it and will continue to say it...if you stop cleaning a space and pretty much ignore it for too long, it's time for a refresh! Trust me...it'll keep you wanting to keep it nice and clean...at least for a little bit :) This may just be from laziness...or the craziness of my life,but I let spaces go to the dogs too often. The minute I redecorate, I keep them looking good! It gives me motivation :) 


Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Kitchen Decor and Updates (Embracing What I Have)

This post contains affiliate links. See full disclosure below.

Sometimes you have to embrace things, and not change things. My kitchen is one of those tales. I rarely show it on my blog, mainly because it's not my aesthetic and it's the one area in my house I'm not necessarily proud of. It's the one area that I truthfully don't feel good putting my stamp on it either. I don't know why, it just makes me sick to think about painting these beautiful cabinets. Yes, I would love a kitchen full of white beautiful cabinets and amazing quartz counter tops. But, would I paint these to achieve that look? Well, if the answer was yes, that would have happened years ago. Believe me, it's a thought that has crossed my mind on way too many occasions to count. I just can't do it. 

There was a time in my home that I wanted to paint all the knotty alder. Every. Single. Piece. I hated it. Luckily, I didn't. I have come to love my banister and my mantel along with my doors. I'm just still not sold on the cabinets :) 

So, I'm going to share with you today how I'm embracing what I have and not changing something beautiful into something more my style. I'm also going to share with you at the bottom of the post some concepts on what I'm thinking about doing to update my kitchen without painting the cabinets. 

See, since I'm not a big fan of my kitchen, I have not spent much thought on decorating it. I mean...it's a kitchen. What's there to decorate? And, I think that was my biggest mistake. I just used it. I was in and out. Cleaned it and left it. Hated it. I never put my mark on it. I realized this of course 10 years into living here. I know! I seriously have lived with it for that long :) ha! So, without any big changes (like the ones I'm thinking about below), I made steps in the right direction to start loving this area. 

Here is the way before of my kitchen. Before I touched a thing. The cabinets, wall color and tile were all in the same hue....I called it a peach bomb. Serious, with the lights on at night, it looked like a huge peach bomb blew up in my kitchen. 

Years ago, I realized that the knotty alder looks great against white, so I painted all the walls and ceiling white. This helped tame the peach bomb a tad....just a tad.

I then updated the island last year to help break up the peach. That helped a lot and let me put my stamp on this kitchen without painting all the cabinets. 

I have lived with it like that ever since. Didn't really decorate. I mean, I did in odd little random ways. Like, oh, this needs a place. Let's put it in my kitchen. Other things had just been on my counters for years so I just left them there. No rhyme or reason. 

My first step was to change out the curtains for something lighter and frilly...you know, to match the rest of the ruffles in my house :) I also switched out the light. This was a big step in the right direction. (sorry, the light is killing the view of my frills :) )

White ruffle cafe curtain: Link              Pendant Light: Similar

Next, clearing off my counters and starting from scratch. I added new things and old things and moved them around until they worked for me. 

 I got this sign as a gift from a sweet friend. I added my favorite little plant stand stool with a napkin draped over it along with some dipping bowls. I had to add some green with this faux potted plant. I then used two cutting boards out of my hoard....I mean collection....to finish it off :)

 In this corner, I cleaned up the space by corralling all my wood utensils into two Rae Dunn canisters. I use this two tiered stand for fruits and veggies, but decided to decorate it a bit too with some faux greens.

 I've been playing around with the placement of the stuff on my island. It usually sits in the middle, but I wanted to see how it would look on the corner, and I think I like it. It's great to have all that space on the island back. And it doesn't look too cluttered in the corner. 

 This little vignette is a collection of items on a tray. 

I also added these amazing architectural piece I found from Hobby Lobby to the side of my cabinet by the sink. I think it adds a lot of character to the area.

In addition to this area of my kitchen, I have updated my only blank wall. We are in desperate need of a pantry...thank goodness my family is pretty small and we don't need that much room...yet. So, I bought this hutch to act as an extra little area for storage of food in the bottom and my collection on top. 

 It's my little mix of Rae Dunn and Hearth and Hand by Magnolia. 

 I love this view looking out of my kitchen into my living room.

Okay. Now are your ready for my ideas? And I would like you to weigh in with your opinion! I have three thoughts. 

Here's my first idea. The simplest. What do you think about adding subway tile to this entire wall? ...oh, and look! You can totally see my curtains better with the mockup :) This curtain is totally a mockup too, but it's really what it looks like!

White ruffle cafe curtain: Link              Pendant Light: Similar

My second idea. Keep the subway tile, take out a cabinet, and add these floating shelves. These shelves would then house my white dishes. 

 Third option, ditch the subway tile and use faux white brick. 

In my opinion....I would like the 2nd option. My husband loathes subway tile...like seriously can't stand it. So, yeah. That's an uphill battle. He loves the brick idea, but don't you think cleaning brick would be a nightmare? Especially in the kitchen with all the grease, etc. And of course, the first one is so easy and would be quick to do with big impact! I am torn. Ha! What do you all like the best? Let me know in the comments below :) 


Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Easy Spring Living Room Decor (Tour 2019)

This post contains affiliate links. See bottom of post for full disclosure.

Welcome to the best time of year! ....that is for me at least, when the weather gets warmer and I get to open the windows and let a fresh breeze flow in. Another good part? That its getting darker later. Yep! I don't have to close the blinds at 4:30 anymore :) In honor of such a great time, I'll be sharing with you my living room all decorated for spring! This tour is one of many tours going on this week hosted by Marty from A Stroll Thru Life. If you are joining along the tour hop, welcome from Hymns & Verses!. You can find all the links for this weeks tours at the bottom of the post.

 Spring decor to me is adding pops of greens, and this year, pink! I don't get rid of layers for spring...well, first, because I love layering and love all my pillows and blankets. Second, even though it's technically the first day of spring (yay!), we still get snow around here until May, if not June .... so yeah, blankets are still needed for sure!

Rug: Link

 I don't tend to do big changes in my decor between seasons, besides Christmas. The changes that happen are through pillows, and the blankets usually play musical chairs throughout the house. I also update my mantel.

 This little corner here gets the most action in the house. Seriously. It's where movies are watched, hair is done, conversations are had, and the craziest gymnastics and tumbling tricks are made. It's amazing this chair is still standing :) 

Rug: Link      Chair: Link         Lamp: Link

I added this cute little dough bowl with some beaded garland to update this side table. That timer is actually perfect to time timeouts (mom tip!). :)

I throw my favorite random decor pieces up on these shelves. These shelves were the best decision I made for this space a couple of years back along with this media cabinet. You can see the tutorial for that here.

Shiplap: Tutorial     Media Console: Tutorial      Builtin shelves: Tutorial

 I am still a little obsessed with the wood in these built-ins. I have no plans in the near future to move them out. I feel like if I move these off, the shelves are going to look too busy quickly. I like the simplicity and impact of the wood.

Wreath: Tutorial      Candle Sticks:Link

 As for my mantel, I decided to go full on eucalyptus with it. This wreath was a project from last year (tutorial here). I also kept the birch branch from Christmas and hung some eucalyptus garland from it. I finished off the look with my go-to accessories: candles and books!

 I realized the other day how often I find myself sitting on the floor. Then I also realized how much it hurts my butt and back....so, I found this awesome little floor pillow and my butt/back have been saved! Plus, it functions as a dog bed too...apparently :)

 This tray was also updated with some faux greens and eucalyptus stems in a vase.

Here's my living room looking towards our dining room. I love those faux beams! I think I need to chunk them this year.

Faux Beam: Tutorial

 As you can see, my layering has not changed for spring! Still lots of pillows and blankets, but the use of lighter colors and the pink helps the transition to spring decor.

Rug: Link     Clock: Tutorial     Ruffle Pillows: Link  

 Earlier this year, I moved my faux apothecary cabinet to this corner to house the kids toys. That gave me another little tabletop to decorate! It's been fun playing around with this area....it totally changes weekly!

Candle Stick: Link      Wood Letter Board: Link

 And yes, even though it's spring...I still want summer! 90 degree temps is what my body needs :) For the space, I used this cute wood letter board for the saying and then added spring elements with the faux garland and painted terracotta pots.

 I always like to see the entirety of a space, so here are some wider angle views of this room :)

Thank you for joining me on this tour! If you are following the hop, the next in line is 11 Magnolia Lane. To see the other tours of my room, check them out below :)
DINING ROOM

FRONT LIVING ROOM

 ENTRY WAY

 MASTER BEDROOM

Sources and affiliate links to items in my living room:

Shiplap: Tutorial     
Media Console: Tutorial 
Builtin shelves: Tutorial   
Wreath: Tutorial    
Rug    
Clock: Tutorial 
Ruffle Pillows  
Faux Beam: Tutorial      
Chair         
Lamps
Candle Holders on mantel
White washed candle stick

Check out the rest of the tours below!

Monday March 18

A Stroll Thru Life, Setting For Four, Cuckoo4Design,  Pink Peppermint Design,Southern Hospitality,  Nesting With Grace

Tuesday March 19

Inspiration For Moms , Decor To Adore,  House By Hoff ,  ZDesign At Home ,  Duke Manor Farm, Remodelando La Casa

Wednesday, March 20

Our Southern Home , The Chronicles Of Home,  Monica Wants It,   Follow The Yellow Brick Home , Hymns & Verses , Thrifty & Chic

Thursday, March 21

 11 Magnolia Lane , Thistlewood Farms ,  Clean & Scentsible,  Seeking Lavender Lane Sincerely Marie Designs,  Haneens Haven 

Friday, March 22 

Our Fifth House, Decorating Delirium, White Arrow Homes, Life On Cedar Lane, Modern Glam, Far Above Rubies

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”