Sep
2023

A Soft Place to Land: our stair landing refresh

categories: Decorating

curtain rod (tension room divider) / bench cushion (used two) / sconces / window paint / plaid wallpaper / mirror (similar) / curtains (similar)

Life motto: Don’t tell the thrift store what you want, let the thrift store tell you what you need.

I recently found a pair of dreamy lattice mirrors, for $9.99 each. This set off a little refresh of our landing, just at the top of the main stairs.

I’ve long wanted to add drapes, but the space for curtain hardware was limited– the original balloon shade was hung high and wide. I found a tension room divider on Amazon, which perfectly solved the issue. I stole the curtains from our dining room and mixed in a fresh, striped bench cushion . I bought two cushions and used a little sharpie on the piping where they meet. The two cushions now visually reads as one.

It took me a couple tries to find the right color for the mirrors that started it all, but I ended up giving them a glossy coat of Rust-Oleum Hunter Green. This deeper shade feels more at home than the brighter shade I first tried.

I shopped our house for all the other pillows and goodies. I especially love having the rattan, drum table in this space. It’s the perfect place to lose my coffee cup, during the morning, before school frenzy.


Aug
2023

Tale of Two Bedskirts: Emmeline’s Preteen Bedroom is Complete

categories: Decorating, DIY

Canopy Top & Bed Skirt / Canopy Curtains / Wallpaper / Paint: Clare, Wing It & Avocado Toast / Bedding: Red Land Cotton / Bean Bag that turns into bed / Rug / Chunky Blanket / Peel & Stick French Door Blind / Window Blind / Raffia Floor Lamp / Brass Sconces / Three Light Sconces

We started working on Emmeline’s bedroom in the spring. I’d wanted to add a fabric canopy top, but never found anything with the right look and price. I even considered sewing.

Sometime this summer, after I stepped away from the project, I thought about using bed skirts to affordably create the look. I found these scalloped numbers at Ballard Designs. They totally compliments the canopy curtains we already hung.

Her room finally feels finished… At least for a couple years until her goth stage. See the room reveal!

The cornflower blue pairs perfectly with all her layers of Redland Cotton Bedding. Can I just say- I’m super jealous of her bedding.

When we bought our home, this room was tired and a little sad. But what little kid wouldn’t love French doors leading to a charming balcony. Pulling up the carpets and adding fresh Roommates wallpaper really helped cheer things up. With the original floors exposed, we added a squishy rug with a great pattern.

I found the most perfect, vintage art at a cute, little online shop- Curated Home Decor. It’s a reproduction with a fantastic guilded frame. I like how it tied together our unique color pallet, and the girl even reminded me of Emmeline!

I painted the ceiling in Clare Wing It and the trim in their Avocado Green. I wanted the ceiling to be a little more interesting, without adding in another color. And Emmeline was set on having poppy, green trim.

My kids love the bean bag, I picked up locally at Homemakers Furniture, that converts to a bed. It’s the perfect addition for sleepovers. And the cutest chunky knit blanket of every preteen’s dreams, handmade by Lynks, is a snuggly addition.

I also added blinds this summer. Em’s room is the hottest/coolest depending on the season. These fabric shades are so affordable and seriously dropped her room temp by ten degrees! The French door blinds don’t even require hardware- they are peel and stick!

*affiliate links included. I may earn a commission on products purchased.


May
2021

Perfect Combo of Beauty & Strength: My Charles P. Rogers Bed Review

categories: Product Testing, Shopping

I was totally unaware, but Charles P. Rogers beds have been around for 166 years! They are the longest continuously operating bedding manufacturing and retail company in the United States. And they asked ME to product test one of their beds!

When I was in sixth grade I listed my two potential career paths as product tester and artist, and here I am… Although at 12, I believe I was aspiring to be an ice cream taste tester.

The Mr. and I ADORE this bed. It is stunning and the frame and foundation are worlds above our previous. I selected the Boston bed. The original “gaslight” style is one of Charles P. Rogers oldest iron & brass bed designs. The decorative accents are cast by hand directly onto the iron framework. Turned spindles are solid brass castings.

Their beds are heavier and more durable than other beds because they are hand-crafted with traditional techniques. On the left is our old frame that came with our bed from Wayfair. The new frame, on the right, was SO much heavier and thicker. Besides how pretty our new bed is, we have really noticed and appreciated how much sturdier it is now. When our kiddos launch themselves from a running start on the bed, it doesn’t move an inch!

The foundation came folded in half which made transporting to the second floor and going around tricky, old house corners easy.

We had been looking for a new bed for a bit. I had ruled out a footboard because I didn’t want to block our cozy, fireplace view. That was until I saw this peekaboo, brass option that frames rather than blocking the warm glow.

Charles P. Rogers is now known as America’s “secret source” for superior beds and mattresses. I’m excited that they are beginning to work with bloggers and home accounts to bring their heirloom quality beds to new audiences.

The open iron and brass frame keeps my treasured, vintage, chinoiserie screen in full view, too.

Right now, our Boston bed is on sale and is an extra twenty percent off with code “SPRING.”

*Bed gifted by Charles P. Rogers.


Apr
2021

Guest blogging for Field Bouquet

categories: Shopping

Recently Field Bouquet asked me to guest blog over on their website. Since their arrangements last SO LONG, I thought it would be fun to share how I refresh and rearrange bouquets. You can pop over there to see all the ways I get every last day out of their beautiful blooms.

Bonus: if you haven’t already found the perfect gift for mom, there is still time to ship her one of their impressive arrangements. Use code MOM10 for $10 off.

Ruthie


Jan
2021

Happy Galentine’s Day from Field Bouquet

categories: Paid Partnership, Shopping

There may not be the usual Galentine’s brunches, full of hugs, heart shaped waffles and mimosas this February 13, but we can still celebrate the bonds of female friendship with flowers delivered.

Un Parc à Paris Bouquet, arrangements include vase

In honor of Galentine’s Day, Field Bouquet sent me flowers and let me share an arrangement with my bestie, Jackie. Her friendship has been a treasured essential, during what can only be undersold as a rough year. Having met at a mom’s club when our oldest were babies, we’ve laughed our way through the happy times and the disasters for the last seven years.

Un Parc à Paris Bouquet in Jackie’s dining room.

Our bouquets arrived in cute boxes at my front door. After unboxing, I gave them a fresh cut, and added water and the provided floral food.

Securely packaged and shipped direct

I selected Amour d’Amour bouquet for myself and wowza, it is stunning! As they say, it brings the feeling of wild nature home with a range of picked flowers from the field.

Flowers arrive cut at the perfect variety of lengths for a floral artist, quality look.

Field Bouquet offers a subscription program, if you want to show your love all year round (starting at $39). They are Rainforest Alliance Certified™ which means they protect the environment, pay employees above-average wages, provide access to education and healthcare, and provide good working conditions.

Amour d’Amour bouquet

Each day the blooms have grown more beautiful and the lillies are just opening on day four. Fresh flowers are one of my favorite luxuries and were as much a delight to give as receive. Use promo code RUTHIE10 for arrangements starting at $44. Snag one for yourself and send one to your best gal pal and they’ll ship for free.

*Paid partnership with Field Bouquet


Oct
2020

It’s a Colorful Life Fall Tour

categories: Decorating

See our fall front porch included in Martha Stewart’s 16 Beautiful Fall Porches to Inspire Your Own.

Hello! And welcome if you are coming my way from BD Interior Design on the tour! I’m Ruthie and this is my barely blog. I use it when, on the rare, I want to share a little more info than I can sling on my insta.

I didn’t have fall decorating plans until Jennifer and Jewel asked me to join up on this tour. Flattered by the queens of color’s invitation and worn down by my children who craved some festive decor, I added a bit of autumnal joy inside and out.

Everett and I put together a fall table during a break from his online kindergarten class. We gathered leaves, flowers, and pinecones from the yard. Grabbed some apples from the fridge and the rest from the recesses of our sideboard. It’s all thrifted, overtime, except Grammy’s dishes.

Emmeline, after finishing her virtual school for the day, wasn’t sure about the pink. But, I think it works once mixed with other natural, fall goodies.

The total smoke show was the best part.

I kept things simple in the entry, too. I ordered the wreath and garland, on fall doorbusters sale, for curbside pickup at JoAnn Fabrics. (Unavailable online, but limited stock at some stores.) Added a gaggle of pumpkins from Walmart and some lanterns we had hanging around.

I usually keep seasonal decorating fast and easy… and budget friendly since the shelf life is short.

We are smack in the middle of fall here in Iowa and it’s raining colorful leaves. Basically free, fall decor.

Thanks for checking out my fall festivus. Up next on the tour! Mimosa Lane

 
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FRIDAY:
Join us on Instagram by following #ItsAColorfulLifeTour
 

Jun
2020

Everett’s Bedroom Details

categories: DIY

PB Kids Blinds / $14 Gingham Sheets/ $70 Room Dividers Rod / $44 Blackout curtains / $13 for two Tartan Pillows

Why hello there! Here are a few details you all said you were interested in about Everett’s cozy, new bedroom. Let me know if I missed any details of interest.

Tone on tone wall paint:

I used the same paint color head to toe in this room, just mixed in different sheens. I’m kinda into this whole dipped look at the moment and it’s perfect for Everett’s pint sized bedroom. At only seven feet wide, the one color gives a more expansive look, making the walls visually recede.

I mixed the wall paint from leftovers in the basement.– part satin, part chalk paint. I think the sheen ended up somewhere near matte. I brought in a paint stick to Ace Hardware and had it color matched in flat for the ceiling and eggshell for the trim.

The plaster was crumbling on this side of the house. A result of water damage from a leaky, original 1935 slate roof. I fixed all the plaster myself and you know what? There are some flaws. Shocking I know. The less perfect the walls the lower the sheen I go. It’s a balance, though, because little boy, bedroom walls need to be wipeable.

Creating the bed nook:

I used room dividers available in a number of finishes and sizes. We installed with anchors in the ceiling. A month in, things still look secure.

*Contains affiliate links. Anything you buy after clicking a link above, I receive a commission. Thank you!!


Jun
2020

Three tips: kiddo approved counter stools

categories: Shopping

Hello! I’ve learned a few things about buying kitchen stools with kids. 1. Recommended materials: leather, wood, metal, plastic. What do they have in common? Sturdy and easy to clean.

Gifted: Homemakers Steve Silver Counter Stool (back in stock this fall!)
$77 White IN STOCK

2. I look for stringers on all four sides. Small tots can climb up on their own. If your kids are a little older, a front and back connector will do. (The stringers are the connecting pieces at the bottom of the stool.) This is something I missed when I first bought stools for this house. You’d be surprised how many times you have to take your tot on and off the stool, sans those handy climbing rungs. Not fast enough? They’ll make the flying attempt on their own.

3. Lastly, a wider base than seat. This makes it less likely when your kiddos are climbing up and down that everything will go tipsy.

Here are a few more stool gems from Homemakers. All clocking in under $100.

Such a great RH lookalike at $88! Ashley Odium Counter Stool
Similar vibe to West Elm’s Slope Stool: Ashley Centiar Gray Counter Stool $58
Such a cute metal/wood combo for $56: Ashley Showdell Brown Counter Stool