dwell: at home in love

Dwell: to live as a resident, reside. to exist in a given place or state.

Hi, I'm Aileen from At Home in Love and I'm super excited to share some photos of my kitchen here today. I'm all about creative and budget-friendly decorating ideas, and I really love simple DIY projects--especially since my reality doesn't quite match my Pinterest dreams, if you know what I mean. If I had my own house and an unlimited budget, my kitchen would have open shelving, a big island with butcher block counters, a deep farmhouse sink, and a SMEG fridge. But my husband and I live in a rental, so we're pretty much stuck with the kitchen we have. 

One thing that always annoyed me about our kitchen was the fridge. It's in the line of sight when you walk in our front door--and it's rather ugly. I was going to use removable wallpaper to cover it, but once I calculated how much we'd need to buy, but I couldn't quite justify the cost. So then, I had the idea to cover it with polka dots!  I used a small circle punch and gold contact paper. It was super easy and under $15--and it made our fridge so much less of an eyesore! In fact, I think it's actually pretty cute now. I wrote a post about the project here if you'd like to see more.

I've done a few other DIY projects to spice up our kitchen as well--like the kraft paper roll which I use for grocery lists, menu planning, and reminders. It's a $3 roll of painter's masking paper (you can get them at your local hardware store), hung from rope and eyelet hooks screwed into the wall. It was less than $10 for the whole project!  I also made all the magnets on our fridge (below)--see my tutorial for the concrete stars here.

Our dining room is right next to the kitchen, where we have a collection of mismatched chairs and meaningful decor items.  My favorite thing in this room is our hugging salt and pepper shakers, which we found at an antique mall. The sweetgrass flowers in the milk bottle are from our recent trip to Charleston, and the dining room light is another DIY--a curvy, thrifted lampshade that I stripped bare and wrapped with fabric.  Thanks for visiting!

Aileen from At Home In Love: blog //  instagram // pinterest // facebook 

Do you have an inspiring space?  Email blog@justlove.ly to submit it for consideration to be featured & don't forget you can check out previous Dwell posts here! xo

dwell: the crafty woman

Dwell: to live as a resident, reside. to exist in a given place or state.

Hi, I'm Christine and I blog over at The Crafty Woman, today I want to share my kitchen with you.  Our house is a brand-spankin'-new cookie cutter. I have a never ending list of DIY craziness to make it more custom and more our home. Many of these projects involve time, money, and planning.

I am in love with my pantry door! It is a great pop of color (Martha Stewart-Duck Egg). The pantry door was done on a whim. I had a sample of paint and I hate to waste anything. And that door just bored me to tears! Plus I was itching to do something, anything! After I painted it and hung up the wreath I realized that sometimes the quick/simple projects can have a large impact!

Another addition to our kitchen was adding in knobs and pulls to our cabinets as a decor element, it made a huge difference.  I was afraid hardware would be too pricey to do for awhile.  The style I wanted was around $5 a piece at most stores. I lucked out on a google search and found mine for half that!  For all my knobs and pulls, shipped, I only spent $50.  Found them (and tons more) on GoingKnobs.com.  

Here is my kitchen right before move in:

(Plain wood cabinets, no pendants, no fridge/hood, all white walls.)

Kitchen after "Stage 1" just one month after move in:

Forgive the Xmas decor that was out.  As you can see we had just started the overhaul.  There is still work to do and a new table/chandelier in the future! And a back splash. And faucet. And new chairs. And crown molding... and you get the picture, its never ending!

Christine at The Crafty Woman:  blog // facebook // pinterest 

Do you have an inspiring space?  Email blog@justlove.ly to submit it for consideration to be featured & don't forget you can check out previous Dwell posts here! xo

dwell: antlers & roses

Dwell: to live as a resident, reside.  to exist in a given place or state.

Hi I'm Heidi from Antlers & Roses, and today I am sharing my little ones room.

I wanted this space to feel fun and inviting by using a mixture of both old and new items. I am creative by nature, so having items that I did myself (tent, wall art, hanging decor) helped tie it all together. My favorite pieces in the room are the 2 clocks which are stopped at the exact times both of my munchkins were born at, a Mother's Day gift from my mom. 

 I love this little space for them, and love hearing all the laughter that comes from it. I catch myself hanging out in the hallway as my daughter reads stories to all her little stuffed friends in her tent (diy here), while my son is on a crazy ride on the motorcycle. It's places like these that make a house a home."

Heidi at Antlers & Roses:  blog // instagram // pinterest 

Do you have an inspiring space?  Email blog@justlove.ly to submit it for consideration to be featured & don't forget you can check out previous Dwell posts here! xo

dwell: newlymynted

Dwell: to live as a resident, reside.  to exist in a given place or state.

Hi there! I'm Stephanie and I blog over at NewlyMynted.  A big portion of what you'll find on my blog is me styling my home. I recently moved into an apartment in a small town in North Carolina, after packing up only what I could fit in a trailer, and departing Colorado. This was a life changing event for me and I have so much fun sharing this blessed journey I'm on. 

This new apartment, and the bare essentials I own, basically gives me a blank slate to do as I please. It isn't much, but I started with this small nook to make an area in my home that was truly me. This spot in my home reflects the kind of colorful, eclectic person I am, it displays my favorite things, my hopes and dreams, and it is full of sweet memories!

I love that I can display my favorite prints front and center. I'm a mother of three, and adore this one that's up right now. In some way, shape, or form my role as a mom or photos of my kids will be displayed right up front.

Nearly everything displayed here was either free or came from a thrift store. This vintage dresser is actually an old Gimbel Brothers dresser that was put out by the dumpster at my apartment complex. The potential it has makes me beam with delight, so I rescued this gem in no time flat!

I picked this up at the Goodwill right after I moved to this new little town. It's perfect for me. I love vintage things and I love to write. I long dream of one day becoming a published author. 

I re-purposed this wine bottle by using it for a vase. It's full of wonderful memories that I longed to hold dear in my heart. I needed to keep it. This bottle is from a date my honey and I had when we had no babysitter, only each other, this bottle of wine and a platter of cheesecake. If I could find a way to bottle his laugh in there, I would!

Tarnished silver and bright pink flowers become my hearts delight. I smile ear to ear just looking at these precious photos. White walls are no hindrance to me. It gives me a great excuse to splash color all over my house.  I'm Still working on my photography skills, but it's a dream and I dare to do it! Thank you so much, Heather, for having me on your blog and allowing me to share my little bliss. Thank you, Lovely readers, for delighting in my blissful nook with me.

Find more about Stephanie and NewlyMynted: Blog // Facebook // Pinterest // Instagram

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Camera print: Design Editor // Mom Poster: MoodKids //Ashland bouquet: Michaels  // Wallpaper Projects Book: 50 Craft and Design Ideas for Your Home // Lamp: Home Depot // Frame: painted La Fonda Mirage  // Wine bottle: Mod Podge & Glitter // Mason jar: painted Looking Glass Mirror // Thrifted: large frame, teacups, Instamatic, candlestick, goblet, tray, & typewriter

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Do you have an inspiring space?  Email blog@justlove.ly to submit it for consideration to be featured & don't forget you can check out previous Dwell posts here! xo

dwell: small fry

Dwell: to live as a resident, reside.  to exist in a given place or state.

image source

Today the ladies from Small Fry are joining in on the Dwell series!  Each of them is sharing a space in their home and telling a little bit about why they love it.  If you aren't familiar with SF you should be, its a childrens lifestyle blog- and although I don't have kiddos yet, I still love it!  They share all things cool for little people, happy stories and family friendly businesses.  Make sure to vist them and say hi =)

Emily:

Our living spaces have a pretty open floor plan, so the kitchen spills into the dining room, which spills into the family room. It used to drive me crazy, it seemed that all the clutter ended up in this space, but I've learned to love it. Whether we're eating a meal, watching a movie, working on a project, or coloring at the table, we're all together. 

Jenna:

We love to play in my oldest son Quinn's room. It's a playful, light, sunny room where we read books on the bed or play games on the floor. I love the storage in this room & how easily things can be picked up, put away & the room looks good as new! The rest of my house is more muted tones with greys, blues & browns and so i love to be in this room for it's bright, bold & fun energy. What I love most of all about this room is it feels as happy as my little boy Quinn is, it's just a joyous place to dwell!

Nicole: 

This photo of our dining area represents perfectly where we Dwell. So much of our time is spent around this table (or if im being completely honest, around tables at restaurants), but a table none the less.Surrounded by family, and friends, great conversations and of course, delicious food.  For us, a Dwelling spot is where we are comfortable, happy and together. 

You can check out Small Fry yourself or follow the ladies on instagram (links on their names above).
blog / facebook / twitter / pinterest

dwell: the blue eyed owl

Dwell: to live as a resident, reside.  to exist in a given place or state.

Hello! I'm Liz, author of The Blue Eyed Owl. 

The heart of our home is the kitchen and family room. They are the only two rooms that are "done" and decorated and we spend about 90% of our time here. It's a small space but perfect for our family of 3 humans and 2 fur babies.

As you can see, our style is vintage eclectic. Emphasis on the eclectic! Most wouldn't pair curvy French with sleek mid-century, put hairpin legs on a chippy farmhouse door, or put a modern dining table with a shabby chic hutch, but we march to the beat of our own drum over here. Our favorite part of this space is our beloved vintage globe collection. I have over twenty at this point and see no reason to stop. They bring so much color and character to every room!

This room took awhile to come together because we collected things that we love over time. Anybody can go to Target and Home Goods and fill a room. This space is carefully curated to reflect our family. Vintage copies of our favorite books, unique flea market finds, my great grandmother's quilts, a sofa from a family friend, and kilim pillows make this space one of a kind. I can guarantee nobody else has a room just like this. It's our special place.

You can catch a post Liz shared here for tips on how to thrift vintage and don't forget to follow her blog.  If you are in her area make sure to stay up to date on places where she sells or markets she attends! 

dwell: casey leigh

Although I tend to focus on indie business & the handmade community here, I still have many interests.  Most include home decor, music, thrifting, coffee, good books & lip gloss.  I have been wanting to start this project for a while in sharing my love for home decor and am excited to introduce Dwell to the blog today.

Dwell: to live as a resident, reside.  to exist in a given place or state.

Our homes are our hearts.  They are a reflection of our style.  The place we build and keep memories, dreams, love, struggles.. you name it.  They are the spaces and places that make up a home and I've invited some friends to share this part of their lives with us.  This weekly feature kicks off today with my beautiful friend Casey, enjoy!

Hi! My name is Casey Wiegand and I blog over at CaseyLeigh

My favorite spots in our home are the spots created for my little ones. Their rooms hold so much heart. So many beautiful memories are made in these spaces and so much of my soul is in these corners of our home. Today I am sharing bits and pieces of their spaces. 

I have three little ones and these spots are created for them. These are beautiful spaces where they can play, imagine, dream and dwell. 

To find out more about Casey check her out here: blog: instagram: facebook

Do you have a beautiful & unique home, room or even spot in your house that you would like to share?
Email: blog@justlove.ly (subject: dwell) to be considered. xo

farm life

I mentioned before that I needed to create better habits as the new year approaches as opposed to making resolutions next year I will probably end up breaking.  One thing I wanted to make sure I do for myself is still allowing time to pursue hobbies, like taking more photos.  Since we will be moving to a new city in a few months (and are staying here until then), I want to make sure I enjoy this time out in the country, in the quiet, and on the farm.  Between feeding all the animals-collecting eggs-stepping in poo (yep!) and no longer being surprised by finding bits of straw in my hair, I took in the scenery.

We moved to Oregon from Southern California in '93 and lived on an old chicken farm next door before my parents split the property, sold the other place and built a new house when I was a freshman in high school.  It was the first brand new home I ever lived in and my parents are still here today.  I love how all the additions to make it a farm are collected, recycled, used and loved.  Everything here has been built and taken care of by both of my parents- the gates, the fences, the chicken coop, the gardens.. all lots of love, all lots of work. 

Are you a city dweller, a country folk.. or can you do both?