It’s finally spring and that means lots of rainfall to make our gardens grow lush and green again! As the old saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers!” While that is exciting for gardeners, all that rain could mean potential problems around the house. Roof leaks and basement leaks could result from heavy rains, leaving behind a costly and potentially dangerous situation. Right now is the time to take some preventive measures to keep your home dry this spring. *This post contains affiliate links.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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!
Happy Summer everyone! I can’t believe how fast most of summer is flying by. I have been using nearly ALL of my summer free time to do some serious cleaning and de-cluttering of items that have been here, there and everywhere since moving here last September.. We have been working on several projects around the house and everything has been messy and cluttered, causing me to have a cluttered mind as well! Lately I have really started thinking about making some drastic changes to my decor, which is right in line with clearing the clutter.*This post contains affiliate links.Read more
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
