Happy August, friends! With school starting back and the anticipation of fall’s official arrival in just a little over a month, I have started transitioning our home from late summer to fall with subtle touches. I really like to savor all that each season has to offer, (so no pumpkins around here yet) but sunny sunflowers and autumnal tones are giving some of those cozy in-between-season vibes that I actually enjoy. Today I am sharing how I started making seasonal changes in our foyer with my late summer/early fall flower arrangement inspired by our recent summer trip to Scotland.
Happy almost summer friends! Over Mother’s Day weekend I had a chance to start playing around with the planters and pots on our front porch. Our school greenhouse has a wonderful selection of affordable flowers. and this year I fell in love with their dark bronze leaf white begonias and interesting coleus varieties.
Welcome friends, and welcome fall! Today I am excited to be joining my friend Marty of A Stroll Through Life and 30 talented bloggers for the annual Fall Home Tours! If you are coming over from Savvy Snowbirds or if you just happened to stop by, I am very pleased to have you here! *This post contains affiliate links.
Happy fall my friends! Don’t y0u just love decorating for this beautiful and cozy season? It is certainly my favorite time to decorate although my “methods and materials” for fall decorating has changed over the years. Instead of using a lot of cutesy store bought fall items, I have been using more natural items or things I can find around the house with fall themes. Dried hydrangeas are one of my must-haves in fall decorating, although I love using them year round too.
It’s the time of year once again when we start thinking about cozying up our homes for fall, but it’s still 100 degrees and sunny outside! If you are unsure how to decorate during August and September, think “Simple Sunflowers!” They are the quintessential transitional flower that will brighten up any area indoors or out from now through Thanksgiving!
Hello friends! I hope you are enjoying the beauty of late August wherever you are! Summer is winding down and fall is just around the corner. Sunflowers are putting on a lovely show right now in Kentucky, they and will be in bloom for a few more weeks as we slowly transition into autumn. I have always loved how these bright and cheerful flowers take us from summer-to-fall in the garden and home decor. With that in mind, today I am sharing some beautiful ideas for summer-to fall decorating with sunflowers. *This post contains affiliate links.
Welcome friends! Today I am excited to be joining my friend Marty of A Stroll Thru Life for the 2019 Fall Home Tours! This week thirty creative bloggers are sharing all kinds of beautiful fall decorating inspiration. You can find links to each of the tours via the links at the end of my post. This post contains affiliate links.
Hello friends! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Labor Day has come and gone, so that means fall is here, right? Well, not exactly, but it’s certainly okay to start transitioning our home decor from summer to fall. If you struggle with decorating between summer and fall then you’ve come to the right place! *This post contains affiliate links.
Of all the rooms in your house, the kitchen is the one that receives the most use. After all, the kitchen isn’t just another room; it’s the hub of your home. This is a place where you cook, enjoy cups of coffee with friends, catch up on your day with your family, and the first place people flock when you’re hosting a party. *This post contains affiliate links.
A survey by This Old House revealed that nearly 50% of US homeowners are planning to revamp their abodes in 2025. Remodeling has several benefits, but there are also risks. For many people, updating and modifying their homes can be stressful. Here are some essential dos and don’ts to help you navigate the process with minimal hassle. *This post contains affliate links.
Home remodel dos
When you renovate your home, it’s natural to want to achieve fantastic results without any stress. These guidelines are designed to help you achieve this goal. Here are some steps to follow:
Set a budget
Setting a budget is critical, no matter how big or small the project. If you’re modernizing or altering your home in any way, you should be aware of costs from the outset. The cost of home renovations can vary enormously, from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Before you start making plans, hiring contractors, or buying products, figure out how much you want to spend.
The best way to get an accurate idea of how much projects cost is to compare multiple quotes and explore different ideas and options. If you have a figure in mind, you can adapt and adjust plans in line with your budget, or explore alternatives.
When you think about your budget, consider adding value as well as sticking to a spending limit. You don’t want to spend more than you’re adding, especially if you plan to sell the property in the near future.
Hire the best local businesses and contractors
It can be daunting to put your trust in people you don’t know, particularly with an investment as important and financially significant as your home. One way to reduce risks and achieve peace of mind is to hire the best local businesses and contractors.
Whether you’re updating your bathroom, creating new living spaces, revamping the kitchen, or converting your attic, it’s wise to take your time to research extensively, get recommendations from others, and compare service providers and quotes. The Internet is an incredibly valuable tool for finding the best bathroom remodel contractors, local building companies, kitchen designers and fitters, and top architects. You can use websites that connect you with highly rated local professionals, read verified reviews and testimonials, and view virtual tours, galleries, and portfolios.
If you’re moving to a new area or you don’t know anyone who could recommend local contractors, explore social media groups in your neighborhood. They are often brilliant resources for referrals and recommendations.
Before you hire a contractor, get a full, written quote, check insurance, accreditation, and licenses, and ask about payment options. It’s best to avoid paying anything apart from a down payment until you’re happy with the work and the job has been completed. Red flags to be wary of include negative reviews and feedback, no reviews, no company information online, and reports of unfinished jobs, poor communication and customer service, and low-quality workmanship.
Get a clear picture of what’s ahead
There are many different types of renovation projects, with varying timescales and tasks. It’s beneficial to get a clear picture of what’s ahead if you’re revamping your home. Depending on the nature and scale of your project, you may need to take time off to manage the build, move out of your home temporarily, or figure out how you’re going to navigate not having a bathroom or kitchen for a few days or weeks. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can start making plans to ensure the renovation period runs as smoothly as possible.
Home remodel don’ts
Just as there are several steps you can take to maximize the success of a remodel, there are also things you can do to avoid stress and eliminate risks. Here are some essential don’ts:
Opt for the lowest quote automatically
We all want to save money, but the lowest quote doesn’t always offer the best value. Before you accept the cheapest offer, compare all the quotes you have, analyze each one, and see what you’re getting for your money. Limit your options to reputable, trustworthy companies with an excellent track record and high review scores, and weigh up the pros and cons based on your needs and preferences. You might find that paying slightly more speeds up the process or enables you to access better-quality materials or a higher level of expertise, for example.
Follow trends that don’t suit your taste or requirements
It’s very easy to get carried away with interior design and home remodel trends in the age of Instagram and Pinterest. The trouble is that what suits one person may not suit another. When you’re conjuring up plans and ideas, think about what you like, what you need, and what you want. Open-plan living is a great example. Some people love open spaces and they transform the way they use their homes. For other people, they simply don’t make sense for their lifestyles or suit their aesthetic preferences.
Underestimate costs
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when renovating your home is to underestimate costs. When you’re budgeting and making calculations, ensure you incorporate everything and always round up, rather than down. Check every quote, invoice, and bill, ask for itemized breakdowns, and make sure you add any extras, such as taxes or charges that aren’t included in the quote. If you miss expenses, forget to add taxes, or round down, the final figure could be far higher than you anticipated. If you have any doubts, it’s always best to overestimate and double-check costs before you place any orders or make payments.
Image courtesy of https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-counting-cash-money-4475525/
Renovating your home can help you create living spaces you love and add value to your property, but there are pitfalls to avoid. If you’re eager to start planning, it’s beneficial to set a budget, search for the best contractors and companies, and get a clear idea of what the project entails and how long it will take. Avoid underestimating costs, opting for the lowest quote automatically, and following trends that don’t cater to your preferences and requirements or suit your lifestyle.
