Organizing My Home Office

So I have to admit that I'm a pretty organized person when I'm at work, but my home office is another story. Here's a few well organized offices I'm jealous of:

pink loves brown studio

you can count on me

house to home

house to home

I would love to get some things from seejanework.com to help me get started (hint hint to my husband - who needs flowers on Valentine's day when you could get some beautiful file folders instead!)


Organizing my Office - by dutchgirldesigns on Polyvore.com

Monochromatic Bedroom

I really like this bedroom I found on HGTV's rate my space. What I also love is that the accessories for the room are super affordable for the average homeowner.




(The artwork is from IKEA. Lamps are from Lowes. Circle pillow from Target. Throws from Marshalls. Circle bed sheets from TJMaxx. The paint color is "smoked oyster" from Valspar.)

However, this room is just a tad too monochromatic for me. The good thing is that since everything is so neutral, it would be very easy to add a pop of color. It would even be easy to change the accent color every season. Here's what I might add to the room:

For a splash of orange, you could add in some orange pillows and a little jewelry box. I'd also add a little potted plant on one of the nightstands (I tend to go with succulents since I'm not very good at remembering to water plants)

Rate My Space Redo - Small Family Room

I came across this living room today on HGTV's rate my space.

I think this family room has great potential - I love the shades and fireplace. However, it comes off very dark and the TV is a little too overpowering. Here are some suggestions I thought might help improve this family room:

It seems clear to me that this homeowner loves the color red. In order to lighten the room up a little, I'd suggest painting the walls a lighter neutral color and instead, bring in some red through curtains and accents throughout the room.

I love this area rug for the room. It has a touch of the red that she clearly loves and also has several other colors that she could easily pull out for a paint color.


I like the wooden shades that are already in the room and would keep those in place. Since we'd be going with a lighter wall color, she can afford a darker curtain with a little more substance than the white frilly ones currently in place.

The room is very dark and could use some additional lighting. Two of these affordable floor lamps (only $40) on both sides of the couch should do the trick.
As for the television, it's a little large to put above the fireplace. I'd recommend moving it to the wall on a low console table where the couch currently is. The couch could be easily moved across from it in front of the window or put parallel to the fireplace. In its place, I'd recommend a mirror for above the fireplace and some vases for the mantle.




Next, in order to break up the abundance of red and black that's currently in the room, I'd recommend introducing some blue (1, 2) and tan pillows or throws with the red.








Last, I'd recommend a few baskets or storage ottomans. This will help add some extra storage (and who doesn't always need more?), but will also add texture and will tie in to the wooden blinds already in place.







What do you think?

In my next house. . . .

Most of the paint colors in my house right now are pretty neutral: tans, greens, and some light blues. When I picked them out, I wasn't sure how soon we might be moving again and didn't want to have to paint all over again if we had to put our house up for sale. Nevertheless, in my next house, I'd like to have some bolder paint colors - that is, if my husband will go for it. What do you think of these?

All photos above can be found at house to home. They have lots
of galleries to browse if you're looking for some inspiration.

Geometry Notebooks

I know I'm a math nerd, but you have to admit that these geometry notebooks are just plain cute.

Accessories for Family Room

I just bought some new leaning bookshelves for my family room and have been on the lookout for some new accessories to put on them. Here are some of my favorites:


Braided Baskets
(free shipping!)

Metal Globe
Only $9.99

Wooden Boxes
Get 3 wooden boxes for only $9.95! That's a much better deal than
buying the flimsy cardboard ones at IKEA. A great way to add color and storage to a room.

Purple Vases

My mother's favorite color is purple - she would love these.
Enter promo code C10 at checkout to get 10% off.

Tealight Holder
On sale for $14.99 - I'm thinking about getting one to put on my coffee table.

Pier 1 Favorites

Here's some of my favorite finds from Pier 1:

Mesh Vases: $26 and $35

Floral Applique Oblong Pillow: $16.48

This pillow wouldn't go in my bedroom at all, but now I'm wishing it would . . .

Iron Metal Scroll Basket: $9.98

Fill it up with some green apples to brighten your kitchen.

Capiz Inlay Table Lamp: $49.98

I like this lamp but would probably switch out the shade for a lighter one.

Pagoda 4 Tier Shelf: $79.98
A great deal for a shelf this size.

Copper Lamp: $69.98

Berry Wreath: $9.98

At this price, why not buy it for next year?

Great Deals from Walmart

Here's some cute things you can find at your local Wamart. And the good thing is if even if they don't carry it, you can sign up for their new "site to store express" so you don't have to pay for shipping!Glass and Metal Candle Holder Sconces: $14.97
Wouldn't these be adorable for a nursery or toddler's room? Simply peel and stick these Wallies Wallcandy wherever you want (on sale for $19). Plus, they're easily removable for when your kid grows out of them. They also have dots, triangles, or even farm animals if you'd rather.

Peace, Joy, and Hope metal word set: $21.88
Need some affordable art for your home? Check out their Black and White Archway Framed Art: $30 They have many other black and white prints that are also nice.

Canopy Embroidered Wave Pillow: $14.88
It's pretty hard to beat the price for this Metal Armillary (only 9.97) that'd look great on a coffee table or bookshelf. I'm thinking about getting one for myself. . .

Great Deals from JCPenney

Check out this leaning bookshelf from jcpenney.com Originally $200, it's now on sale for only $79.00! I also love this sectional that is also on sale for $999. If you love the look of Pottery Barn, JCPenney often has pieces that are similar in style without the high price tags.

Solution to the Winter Blahs?

Maybe some live plants in a little terrarium would help me get over my winter blahs. I don't exactly have a green thumb, so I can only handle the kind that doesn't require much watering. . .

ex.libris at flikr

made by mavis at etsy.com
Aren't those little ceramic mushrooms cute? by craftsty at etsty.com