Hello everyone! I am back again for another post in my interior decor and styling series. As summer creeps closer and closer, the old kitchen countertops we have now will soon be a thing of thing of the past. The only problem is that I still haven’t decided exactly what type of countertops to use, because I like so many different ones! While looking through Pinterest I found a lot of pretty French Country kitchens with a variety of countertops. While they all are beautiful, durability and price are big factors. For this post I decided to look into five popular countertop choices for French Country kitchens.

1. Marble

Marble is 100% natural stone. These countertops are stunning, but they are also considered “high maintenance,”  because they will require a sealant every few years. They also chip and stain easily. Even a few drops of wine or other acidic liquid can etch the surface, while a piece of metal jewelry can scratch the surface. With proper care however they will last and will definitely increase the property value of a home. Price: $100-150 per square foot

Petite Haus

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2. Slate

Slate countertops are very durable. Th non-porous surface makes them easy to clean and slate requires less maintenance than other natural countertop choices. Slate does not easily harbor bacteria which is great choice. $50-$65 per square foot for tile; $100+ per square foot for slab

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3. Granite

Granite countertops are made from a naturally occurring composite of quartz, mica, and feldspar. They are durable, but they can also crack or chip if something is dropped on them, and it is very difficult to repair a chip. They also require a sealant every six months or so.  Price: $60 to $100 per square foot.

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Savvy Southern Style

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4. Butcher Block

Wood countertops give a beautiful warmth to the kitchen, but they are also high maintenance. They need to be resealed every six month to avoid mold and bacteria growth. Butcher block counters do not typically increase resale value because of the problems that come along with maintenance. however there are now gorgeous faux wood laminate countertops that can give a kitchen the same look with minimal upkeep. Price: $45 to $100 per square foot

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4. Concrete

Natural concrete countertops are super popular thanks to Joanna Gaines, but they have to be custom poured and take time to cure. They are extremely durable, and cracks and chips can be easily fixed. Like other natural countertops, they will need to be resealed every few months. Price: $65 to $130 per square foot

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HGTV

When you’re busy scrolling through Pinterest and looking for kitchen inspiration, you will likely find other options that suit your decor preferences. The infographic below will you a few more ideas too.

Infographic Design By Econ Granite

Today I shared five choices for French Country kitchens. Of course there are many other beautiful options for farmhouse and cottage kitchens too like corian, quartz, soapstone, and high end Formica.

Do you have a favorite countertop preference or experience with any of these materials? Let’s talk countertops!

Have a great weekend!

Pier One

The sun is shining, the weather has finally warmed up and that happy spring feeling is in the air! There is just something about spring that energizes us and makes us want to “nest” around our homes. It’s a great time to do some deep cleaning and to update the decor. The great news is that there are a few simple and inexpensive ways to create a whole new look for spring, and it’s especially easy in a living room. Here are three inexpensive ways to refresh your living room for spring.

Making Home Base

Embrace The Sunshine

Switch out heavy winter drapes or curtains with dark colors or patterns for light weight sheers or neutral, natural fabrics. You can also simply remove blinds and curtains altogether if privacy isn’t a concern. The goal is to let in as much natural light  as possible.

Amber Interior Design

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Rearrange The Furniture

This time of year it’s also nice to change things around a bit by trying out a new furniture arrangement. There are different ways to arrange just about any room, and if your living room is feeling a bit “tired” you can move furniture around to create a whole new look and feel…for free!

Swanson Homes | Photo: PK/Schneiderman’s

To save time (and your back!) practice drawing out different arrangements, using precise measurements when possible. This way you are not wearing yourself out or scratching up your floors moving things back and forth trying to see what fits where.

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Change Up The Decorative Accents

Use inexpensive pillow covers in light neutrals or bright, springy colors to refresh your living room for spring.

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Along with trendy farmhouse or boho chic style covers, there are also many beautiful spring themed covers.

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  Bicycle Flower Vintage Spring Home Decorative Throw Pillow Cover 

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In addition to pillows, using a new (or different) area rug can make a space look brand new. If a new rug is not in your budget, you can purchase a gently used rug from a clean consignment shop and have it professionally cleaned by a carpet cleaning company, or simply buy or rent a carpet cleaner to DIY.  In most cases this will be a lot cheaper than purchasing a new rug. Still there are many inexpensive options online.

Farmhouse Made

If you are looking for other decorative accent pieces but don’t want to spend a fortune, then it’s time to treat yourself to a day of junkin! Search for old artwork with floral graphics or botanical prints, pretty baskets, or vintage dishes with spring colors or floral patterns. You can also use some free printables online and frame them for your mantel or to hang as wall art.

Refresh Living

Enjoy Spring Flowers 

Don’t forget to refresh the living room with some spring flowers or branches, fresh or faux!

House Beautiful

Dogwood Stem Hearth & Hand With Magnolia 

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Today I have shared some simple and inexpensive ways to refresh a living room for spring. I am trying all of these ideas out this week and hopefully I will be sharing my spring living room refresh post soon and I would love to have you back for a visit to see what I have come up with.

How is your spring decorating coming along? I love to hear from you my friends!

Enjoy the sunshine!

Amber

Hello dear readers! Today I am exploring some neutral gray paints for our bedroom and possibly for the bathroom. I have stumbled across a couple of beautiful gray/grey paints that would be amazing for a  whole house paint scheme as well. Let’s take a look at a couple of beautiful neutral gray paints.

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Last year we finally found the perfect neutral, off white color for the downstairs of our house, so I am not looking to repaint it at this time. However, I was browsing Pinterest for serene gray paints that will work well in our bedroom and upstairs bathroom. I love the color in the living room pictured below.

While I am unsure of the exact color, it might be something similar to Edgecomb Grey by Benjamin Moore. Revere Pewter, one of Benjamin Moore’s most popular colors, is close, but a bit darker.

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Edgecomb Gray Benjamin Moore

I really like Edgecomb Gray.  It seems to be a great whole house neutral paint color.

I really like Edgecomb Gray. It seems to be a great whole house neutral paint color. The kitchen pictured above has a beautiful designer look, but it doesn’t “feel” cold to look at.  It seems to be a great whole house neutral paint color. To me is almost a creamy gray, and would be beautiful in a kitchen since it is not too dark.

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I absolutely love this living room painted in Edgecomb Gray.

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It is gorgeous in a bright and airy foyer as well.

Here the gray wall color is barely noticeable, almost passable for white. It is a very classic color!

Nina Hendrick

Source Rowe Spurling Paint CO.

I really think this color would be beautiful in our bedroom, even though we have dark woodwork. The Edgecomb gray would contrast nicely. I think it would be very tranquil and promote sleep. Now I just have to find the right mattress!

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I stumbled upon Rowe Sturling Paint Company online. They share a lot of gorgeous design inspiration, including a round up of beautiful bedroom paint colors.

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The Edgecomb Gray or even Revere Pewter seem like tranquil neutral grays for our bedroom. I am definitely wanting to create a bedroom that promotes rest and relaxation. Now to find the perfect mattress! Finding the perfect mattress is a lot trickier than finding the perfect paint, so I will definitely be checking out mattress reviews here at https://dormreports.com/.