Houzz Ideabook- Meant to be, by the Sea: Coastal-Inspired Design Ideas

Some day, Kevin and I would love to live in a sleepy, little Southern town, that's only a bike rides distance from the sea.

It doesn't have to be fancy, or full of square feet...



Its just gotta have a little character- and floors that squeak beneath our feet!


(Photo: Coastal Living)

Hey, a couple can dream, can't they?



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To see more dreamy, seaside-inspired photos, head on over to Houzz and check out my new Ideabook- "Meant to be, by the Sea: Coastal-Inspired Design Ideas"

Meant to be, by the Sea: Coastal-Inspired Design Ideas

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Hope you enjoy it!



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Houzz Ideabook- The Soothing Effect of Symmetry

We interrupt this regularly scheduled "Mantel Mania" with a fresh, new Houzz Ideabook!

Click on the badge below to head over to Houzz to read my latest article: "The Soothing Effect of Symmetry".
I'm all about the visual calm, so I've rounded up a group of spectacular photos showcasing some brilliantly balanced rooms!

The Soothing Effect of Symmetry

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Houzz Ideabook- Building Built-Ins: They're Really Just A Bunch of Boxes

Ahhh, built-in cabinetry.
We all love it.
We all want it.
And ya know what?
I'm here to tell you- we can all build it too!

Case in point- the built-ins we made in our guest bathroom...



Neither Kevin, nor I, had never attempted to build built-ins before, but I knew we could do it if we put our thinking caps on tight enough and found a great inspiration photo to work from.

This was the photo we ended up using...



Seeing it was just the motivation we needed to get the party started, so we made a quick trip the home improvement store to get some wood and some trim, and we just sort of figured things out as we went. (Which meant lots more trips to the home improvement store!) It was a lot like putting together a big, three-dimensional, wooden puzzle for big kids, and not having all the pieces in front of you at one time.

Here's a couple of videos we shot while working on them...





(Don't worry, we finally figured out how to properly use a caulk gun!) :-)

Sure, they might be far from perfect, and we may have had to use about 17 tubes of caulk to conceal all of our imperfections, but the important thing is that we somehow managed to make them look alright, and that we built them without any professional woodworking training, or a set of instructions to follow.
It just took a little determination and a lot of elbow grease!

:-)

So if you're comfortable using a saw, and prepared to have to take things apart if they're not working (we did this a number of times), I'm tellin' ya- you can build yourself some built-ins too!

This week, my Ideabook over at Houzz is all about building built-ins. You'll see some spectacular photos of a variety of different built-ins, as well as tips on how to achieve the look in your home. So if you're up for customizing some bookcases or building a window seat this weekend, click on the badge below to be inspired!

Building Built-Ins: They're Really Just A Bunch of Boxes

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Contemporary Kitchen · Contemporary Bathroom · Contemporary Living Room · Traditional Bedroom · Tropical Dining Room · Modern Homes · Modern Patio · Mediterranean Landscaping ·

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New York Architect · Chicago Interior Designer · Chicago Contractor · San Francisco Landscaping ·

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Houzz Ideabook- Mantel Mania: Sprucing The Space Above Your Fireplace

On Monday, March 15th, I'm going to blog about decorating ideas for your mantel. I've searched the internet for ideas many-a-time, and it just seems like there aren't a whole lot of them out there, or they won't work for my particular mantel. My mantel is like eight feet long, and it's been quite challenging to create a nice, well-balanced look that mimics the peacefulness of the fireplace below.

This week my Houzz Ideabook is all about fancying up your fireplace, so click on the badge below to head over there for a looksie!

Mantel Mania: Sprucing The Space Above Your Fireplace

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Decorating Ideas and Photos:

Kitchen Design · Bathroom Design · Living Room Design · Bedroom Design · Dining Room Design · Patio Design · Landscaping Design ·

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San Francisco Architect · San Francisco Interior Designer · New York Contractor · Los Angeles Landscaping ·

Houzz Ideabook: Creating Wall Groupings That Wow

This week's Ideabook is all about adding some vibrancy to your vertical space.
Wall groupings add a lot of pizazz, but getting them "right" can be a daunting task. What should you use? How should you arrange it all? There are lots of things to consider. So I've outlined some helpful tips, and featured ten fabulous photos as inspiration that will hopefully alleviate some of the anxiety associated with creating walls that wow.
To check it all out, just click on the badge below!

Creating Wall Groupings That Wow

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Houzz Ideabook: Pillow Talk

Since buying our beloved fixer-upper back in 2007, we've pretty much been working on all the background stuff. Walls, ceilings, painting, re-painting, flooring, etc. But one day (over the rainbow) I look very forward to reeeeally decorating this happy little house too.

At the tippity-top of my decorating to-do list is throw pillows.

We got our sofa and chair-and-a-half at Total Liquidators in Montgomery, Alabama, and we've really enjoyed them for the past couple of years. The fabric looks and feels a lot like velvet, so they're super comfortable. The throw pillows that came with them are nice and plump, but they're not the most exciting pillows you've ever seen, and I'd love to hide them inside some more colorful covers at some point.

Move your cursor back and forth over the photo below to see what I mean...



Boy what a difference a few, fun throw pillows makes, huh?

For more throw pillow inspiration, check out my latest Houzz Ideabook.
It's called "Pillow Talk", and you can find it by clicking on the badge below!

Pillow Talk

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Hope you're having a great week!

Layla

:-)

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Houzz Ideabook- Fine Lines: Decorating with Stripes

This weeks Ideabook is all about the splendor of stripes. I definitely have a thing for them, so I put together a cool collection of pretty pics, and included some handy dandy tips on decorating with stripes too. Click on the badge below to be redirected to my article over at Houzz and thanks for taking the time to visit me today!

Fine Lines: Decorating with Stripes

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Houzz Ideabook: Textural Touches on a Teeny Tiny Budget

Don't you just love how adding texture can instantly take a space from "ho-hum" to "holy cow!"? My Ideabook over at Houzz this week is all about ways you can add a textural touches for less. Click on the badge below for lots of inspiring links to projects you will LOVE, and a collection of fantastic photos submitted by Houzz users who have decorated with texture throughout their beautiful homes!

Textural Touches on a Teeny Tiny Budget

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Houzz Ideabook- Beyond the Bed: Decorating the Wall Behind Your Headboard

This weeks Ideabook is all about the wall beyond your bed.
Click on the badge below to check out how some fellow Houzz members made their headboard walls look even happier!

Beyond the Bed: Decorating The Wall Behind Your Headboard

Houzz- Kitchen Design, Bathroom Design and More»

Browse by Space and Style- For Example:

Traditional Kitchen · Contemporary Bathroom · Mediterranean Living Room · Traditional Bedroom · Modern Dining Room · Modern Homes · Modern Patio · Modern Landscaping ·

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Los Angeles Architect · Los Angeles Interior Designer · Los Angeles Contractor · San Francisco Landscaping ·

Don't have a headboard yet? Not to worry- My ideabook also contains links to some great tutorials that will teach you how to build one!

Houzz Ideabook- The Fifth Element

This weeks Ideabook is all about that big ol' space you stare up at every time you can't sleep. The one that acts as a floor to your attic, and a roof to your rooms.
It's all about the "fifth wall", a.k.a your ceiling!

Click on the badge below to read my article and to check out the sensational ceilings I found while browsin' the Houzz...

The Fifth Element

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Houzz Ideabook- Tossed and Found

I was so sick yesterday I completely forgot to publish my Ideabook over at Houzz.com!
I'm still under the weather today, but I did manage to put together an Ideabook that will appeal to all the "junkers" in da Houzz. :-)
The inspiration for this weeks article came from Theresa and Craig Smith's double-wide mobile home, featured in Country Living a few years back. They've decorated their double-wide with salvaged materials and antiques, and it is simply divine. Here's a video which showcases their magnificent kitchen:

Wanna see more spectacular salvage?
Click on the badge below to visit me over at Houzz for this weeks Ideabook:
"Tossed and Found":

Tossed and Found

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Houzz Ideabook- Here comes the Sun

Today, my Ideabook is all about the splendor of well-lit spaces.
So swing by my "Houzz" for a visit- you'll find some sweet sunny shots, and tips on how to create a lighter, brighter atmosphere in your home!

Here Comes the Sun

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Houzz Ideabook- Decorating with Roy G. Biv

This week, my Ideabook is all about coloring your world with the hues that best suit you!

Click on the badge below to head over to Houzz:

Decorating with Roy G. Biv

Houzz-Kitchens, and bathrooms,and bedrooms, oh my!

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Houzz Ideabook- 8 Inspiring Ingredients to Create a Come-Hither Kitchen

Houzz.com has invited me to become a part of their terrific team, so each Thursday I'll be contributing an article to their wonderful website. Writing and design are my passions, and writing about design is my favorite thing to do, so I'm thrilled about this opportunity!

When deciding what my first Ideabook should be themed around, I thought about the room that tends to get more traffic this time of year than ever. The kitchen.

At Christmastime, there's nothing like an inspired atmosphere, a warm stove, a simmering pot and the sounds of the season while you bake and cook!

Click on the badge below to read my first article: "8 Inspiring Ingredients to Create a Come-Hither Kitchen"

And by the way, I disagree with Phyllis Diller.
Going out to eat is not the best way to get rid of kitchen odors.
:-)

Happy Holidays from my Houzz to yours!

Layla

PS...Tomorrows post is about our $5.00 Christmas tree and a handful of other beautiful, budget-friendly Christmas craft ideas I had fun creating this year- so if haven't already decorated, can't stop decorating, or don't think you can afford to decorate this year- make sure you check out tomorrows post. It's all about stretchin' that Christmas cash!

8 Inspiring Ingredients to Create a Come-Hither Kitchen

Houzz-Kitchens, and bathrooms,and bedrooms, oh my!

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"A Beach Cottage" was recently featured on Houzz.
Click here to see the fantastic tour!