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    How to Dye Fabric Decor Items

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    Do you remember how my living room was decorated for fall last year? I used neutral tans and brown with an accent of green on my sofa. I also bought 2 new Pottery Barn throw pillow covers in cream, tan and rust.

    I was into the new pillow covers last fall, but when I got them out this year they didn’t thrill me anymore. This fall I am craving more deeper colors in the room.

    BEFORE: Pillow Covers

    The covers were expensive and I felt like I needed to use them. After some thought I got the idea to dye them blue.

    I was a bit hesitant to dye them at first as I have never dyed anything before and wasn’t sure the tapestry style and woven fabrics could be dyed successfully.

    After doing some “how to dye fabric” research online I began to feel confident I should at least try it as I like to experiment and learn new ways of changing what I already own.

    I am so glad I dyed them! The pillow covers are now a blue color that will go with the cozy, moody, yet cheery fall look I want to create in the living room.

    How I Dyed My Fabric Pillow Covers

    After doing how to dye fabric research, I chose to use Rit All-Purpose dye. (This is not a sponsored post)

    Rit sells a few different formulas to dye all sorts of fabric as well as many other items in any color you can possibly imagine. I was surprised to find out just how many things can be dyed.

    Their dyes come in liquid and powder formulas in both their All-Purpose dye and their newer DyeMore dyes made for synthetic fabrics.

    If you can’t find the color you want in their line of colors, they even have a Rit Dye Custom Color Formula Page where you will find charts showing what colors of dye to mix to get pretty much any or the exact color you want.

    Select Your Method

    I learned so much about the process of dying fabric and feel like a pro now. If you are thinking about dying an item you first you have to choose your color, then you need to figure out the method of dying that will be the best for the item.

    -For general dye projects, use the sink, bucket or large plastic bin method with very hot or boiling water. I used a large plastic bin.

    -If you are looking to achieve as vibrant a color as possible (or dyeing nylon), use the stovetop method and double the amount of dye. This is where you find the largest pot you own and use it to dye your item(s).

    -If you want to dye large items or are looking for the easiest dye method, then use the washing machine method.

    supplies needed:

    Rit All-Purpose Dye in color you desire or mix a custom color. I used the liquid dye in the bottle in the color Denim Blue

    A bottle of Rit ColorStay Dye Setter

    Bucket, large pot or plastic bin

    Rubber gloves

    Tongs

    1 cup salt

    1 tsp dish detergent

    Where to Find Rit Dye Custom Color Mixing Charts

    I followed the directions on the Rit Dye website. They are so well written: How to Dye with Rit All-Purpose Dye. I also watched the video (shown below) to become familiar with the fabric dying process.

    [embedded content]

    I had fabulous results. So much so that I went on to dye two pieces of white clothing in a brown color to wear now that fall will soon be here.

    For a few dollars a bottle, dying fabric decor items like changing the color of pillow covers, drapes, towels, napkins and more is totally worth the effort.

    How To Set Dye In Fabric

    One question I have gotten after dying the pillow covers is how do you make sure the color won’t run or be blotchy? The answer is that you use salt or vinegar depending on the fabric and a teaspoon of dish detergent in the dye bath. These help the color dye evenly on the fabric.

    Once I liked the deepness of the blue dye on my pillow covers, I emptied the dye bath and items from the plastic bin I used to dye the covers.

    Then I filled the bin up again with warm water and added ColorStay Dye Fixative to the water and placed the items back into the mix for 20 minutes. The dye fixative is an easy-to-use solution designed to lock in color, keeping the fabric looking its best and brightest for the long run.

    Taking the extra step in the dye process reduces bleeding, fading and even enhances the color of your project.

    Once the items were done with the dying process, I placed the pillow covers in the washer with warm water and mild detergent to clean.

    After washing, I hung the pillow covers to dry. Once dry, I pressed them with a warm iron and placed them back over the pillows on my sofa.

    How to Dye Polyester

    To dye polyester and synthetic fabrics you need to use the formula called, Rit DyeMore. It is a dye specially made for synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, acetate, plus blends that contain those fibers.

    What I Would Not Dye?

    Dying fabric on the stove, in a bucket or in your washing machine isn’t hard when dying small items like a pillow cover, shirt, a pair of sneakers, etc.

    If you want to dye something larger like a comforter or duvet, it may take more effort and be a bit messier since there is a lot of fabric to dye.

    After having great results with the pillow covers, I decided to dye a white dress I never wear to a cocoa brown. It came out fine, but I wasn’t expecting the thread on the hems and button holes to stay white.

    The dress is cotton, but the thread must be a polyester blend that would need the DyeMore formula to change the color. The dress actually looks OK and I have gotten compliments on the dress, so even though the thread is still white, it kind of adds a stylish detail to the dress.

    So if you think you want to try to dye something made of decorative fabric or a piece of clothing, be prepared for something like this to happen. Before dying, you can do a test on the fabric if you can find an inconspicuous area on the item to see how the dye will take.

    If you are not happy with the way an item came out after the fabric is dry, I did learn that you can re-dye to darken colors and even use Rit dye color remover if you are not quite happy with the results.

    Where to Buy Rit Dyes

    I bought my dye on Amazon since they had a wide variety of all the colors to choose from. Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Target, grocery and crafts stores sell the dye as well. Buying it at one of these stores is very inexpensive, but I could only find a limited amount of colors at these stores. To find a store near you, see the Rit Dye Store Locator.

    For More Fabric Dying Inspiration

    For more fabric dying inspiration be sure to check out the Rit Dye website where you can learn a whole lot more.

    You may not only find yourself surprised about what can be dyed and how to do it, but also inspired to change a decorative fabric item in your home.

    More Budget Friendly Home Decorating Ideas

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      Not Yet Ready to Decorate for Fall? Try Doing This Instead

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      It’s mid-August and hot outside. I bet if you are like me you are spending more time indoors out of the heat and perhaps even thinking ahead to the cozy days of fall.

      It is also around this time each year that many home decorating bloggers start sharing fall decor ideas with their readers which is fondly becoming known as “Augtober“. I enjoy these posts, but am not quite ready to decorate my house for fall yet.

      I am not letting the time slip away though while staying cool in the house. Instead I am finding small ways to make some of the items I use on a daily basis in my house be functional and easily accessible, but pretty at the same time.

      I learned the importance of doing this back when I came across the book, Living a Beautiful Life by Alexandra Stoddard. When I first read the book back in 1986 it changed my life. If you do the math, that was 38 years ago.

      Fast forward to 2024 and this book still holds inspiration for me.

      If you have ever read the book you know what a great book it was and still is. She taught us not only to find beauty in the everyday and joy as we go about our daily rituals, even our chores and of course how to master the art of puttering around the house to show it a little love.

      I still have a signed copy of the book that I have re-read many times, although the last time I read it I took notice of how it can seem dated since there is no use of technology mentioned. Even with this shortcoming, it doesn’t take away from the forever rereadable decor ideas and lifestyle inspiration.

      While I am not ready to decorate full-on fall yet, I have taken Alexandra’s advice to putter around the house looking for new ways to add simple touches that will elevate ordinary stuff that are used on a daily basis.

      It is the things we do and items we use everyday that involve eating, sleeping, bathing, and chores that we should focus on, yet few of us stop to consider how we perform the routines that occupy 95 percent of our lives.

      What inspired me most though in the book was where she taught us to:

      Swap the ugly for the pretty.

      Use color in unexpected places to delight our senses.

      Add small embellishments to items using ribbon.

      Flowers everywhere even if it is a one stem/bloom in a small vase on your desk.

      None of the ideas are DIY projects that need a tutorial. Instead the ideas are more about taking the time to putter about the house to tidy and pretty up so every detail not only looks more cohesive in a room, but you feel better in it.

      Below are a few ideas to get you started

      Small Embellishments Around the House

      I am sure over the years you have done many of these ideas yourself, but as you are waiting to decorate for fall, take a second look.

      Perhaps there is a new way that you can make something look better by reusing something you already own in a new way or adding a touch of color to it using ribbon, paper or some kind of embellishment that fits your style.

      Using Pretty Containers

      This blue and white pump jar of ordinary cream that I like to keep handy on my bathroom counter was what inspired to write this post. I like the cream, but not the container, so I went in search to find a pretty pump jar.

      I finally found one at HomeGoods.

      So much better, right? Take a look around your house and replace the containers and bottles the items you use come in with pretty jars and dispensers.

      To make my swap work, I needed to also swap out the tube end on the blue and white pumper and place it on my new pretty white pumper. This was easy to do as the tube just pulls out easily from each.

      If you can’t find a wide nozzled pumper for cream like the one I bought at HomeGoods, consider getting a plastic container with a pump dispenser or one of these Airless Pump Jars that are white and have no labels.

      Before throwing away a wine or liquor bottle take note of its shape. If you like it, fill it with a dish detergent in a fun fall color and add a clear pour spout to the opening. It will look nice by your sink and turn doing the dishes into a more joyful experience.

      Here is another pretty use of an empty liquor bottle.

      Always Eat Off The Good Dishes

      Life is too short to eat off worn, chipped or ugly dishes. Always eat on the pretty dishes and use pretty napkins everytime you eat. Why have them if you are not enjoying them and you don’t need expensive china, just what you find pretty.

      Mix and match pretty dishes that fit your style. I like many sets of dishes that I see when out browsing in stores or online, but instead of buying a whole expensive set, I buy just one or two.

      Doing this allows for Ed and I to mix and match with the plates I already own like I did here pairing a purple handmade plate found at the thrift store with a new Adele side plate from McGee & Co.

      Using Color to Spark Joy in Every Room

      Here are a few more takeaways from the book that you can ponder before decorating for fall begins in earnest.

      Add cheerful pops of your favorite colors in every room to create a happy vibe.

      Line the inside of drawers with colorful paper where you least expect to see a pretty pattern to delight your eyes.

      Make It As Luxurious Feeling As You Can

      Sleeping is all about comfort. See what you can find that will make your bed feel special. Try to sleep on the most luxurious sheets and bedding that you can afford. Buy it a color that will quiet your mind to endure a great night sleep.

      If you have a duvet cover, consider placing more than one comforter inside to make it extra full and cozy. This is what Pottery Barn and bedding catalogs do to make their bedding look super comfy in the photos.

      Don’t Settle for the Wrong Type of Lightbulb

      The type and color cast from a lightbulb can make or break all your decorating efforts. It is worth the time to find out what color of bulb not only looks best for your rooms, but one that also makes you feel good in it.

      Lightbulbs have come a long way and are constantly getting better so much so that now they are made where on bulb’s color cast can be changed without having to remove it. Alexandra must love these!

      Household Chores

      Not many of us place cleaning the house high on our list of favorite things to do, but it has to be done. To make it a more pleasant experience, don’t use smelly old cleaning tools.

      Instead, opt for brooms, mops and dusters with fun colored handles that will engage your senses into action. Not sure doing this will have you wanting to clean every day, but it may help. 🙂

      See & Feel The Results of Your Small Changes

      The results of the small changes you make don’t have to be time consuming or expensive, they don’t even have to be permanent! What matters is that you took the time to be present in your home and show it a little love without really decorating at all.

      With the shift in season coming and as new daily fall rhythms begin taking the time to pretty up the small things and tidy up now is a good thing so every room in your home is ready when you do feel inspired to start adding fall decor around the house.

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      Wallpaper in the Guest Room

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      If you want to add a bit of color and style to a room, but don’t want it to be overwhelming, consider adding an accent wall using easy to install wallpaper from Love vs Design. By adding a color and pattern to a wall can take a room from boring to stylish in an afternoon and will provide more interest than simply painting a wall in a solid color.

      And if you are thinking you don’t like wallpaper since it can be hard to remove, no worries with Love vs Design wallpapers. Once the wallpaper is up, it is just as easy to remove when you want to change the decor of the room in the future.

      I recently shared a post about how I was sampling different wallpaper to create an accent wall in what I call my pretty guest room.

      In that post I shared a selection of 6 wallpaper patterns and colors from Love vs Design. Since that post I have sampled a few more wallpapers and came up with a winner.

      The company makes the process of choosing the right pattern and color of wallpaper for your room fun and easy right on your computer or phone using their wallpaper picker. You can even upload a photo of your room to get a general idea on how the repeat of the patterns you consider will look on the wall.

      Once you find a paper and color combo you like you can get their custom oversized samples mailed to you so you can hang them on your wall to see how a pattern and color actually look in your room to help you make the right decision.

      The wallpaper pattern I chose for the wall is called Vine Thread. After lots of experimenting with color combinations, I chose the color combo of white and wheat.

      I wanted whatever wallpaper I chose to be neutral in color so that it would not only go with the chartreuse and purple decor accents I use in the warmer months of the year, but also the barn red plaid I use in the colder months.

      Wall BEFORE:

      Here is a photo of how the bed wall in the guest room looked before installing the Love vs Design wallpaper.

      Wall AFTER:

      I have hung a good amount of wallpaper in my life and this wallpaper by far was the easiest. I had the wall covered in just under 2 hours.

      I love how it looks with the bold purple and chartreuse – two of my favorite colors.

      Since this is a guest room, I didn’t want to clutter the table tops with decor so guests have room to place their belongings on them when they stay with us.

      I did however, cover a few white books with scrapbook paper that I use as a riser to make the lamp higher.

      On the other side of the bed, I still need to find a small nightstand or table. Until I find the right piece, I use this metal stool with the tray attached with Velcro on top.

      Why I Loved Using Love vs Design Wallpaper

      As I mentioned earlier, wallpapering the wall was one of the fastest wallpaper installations I have ever done and here are the reasons that made the process easier than I expected:

      Instead of selling the wallpaper in rolls, Love vs Design sends you pre-cut panels so there is no having to cut every piece to the height of the wall that you normally have to do with wallpaper that is sold by the roll. No need to have to cut each length of wallpaper to the room height saved so much time.

      All you have to do is spray the wall to wet it before placing the wallpaper on the wall. With traditional wallpaper that comes on a roll you have to “book” and wait for the adhesive to activate before placing the paper on the wall.

      Being able to easily slide each panel of wallpaper into place made all the difference along with the soft fabric sided squeegee to smooth the paper on and then push out air pockets without tearing the paper.

      How to Install Love vs Design Glissade Wallpaper

      Love vs Design wallpapers are all available in 3 different types of wallpaper – Peel & Stick, Woven which is a peel & stick with a soft fabric finish and Glissade which is a traditional style of wallpaper.

      I chose to use the Glissade as there is no paper backing that has to be removed as peel & stick wallpaper has.

      supplies needed:

      Wallpaper in the amount needed to cover your wall area

      Love vs Design squeegee – included with your wallpaper order

      Spray bottle filled with water

      70% isopropyl alcohol

      Craft knife

      Large pair of scissors

      Bubble level

      Pencil

      Soft cloth or sponge

      Step-stool or ladder

      Step 1

      Let paint dry on wall for 30 days prior to installing wallpaper to prevent peeling or bubbling. To test unknown paint, install one panel and wait two weeks before finishing the rest to make sure the paper adheres.

      Step 2

      Clean the wall with 70% isopropyl alcohol mixed with 30% water. Wipe on with a soft cloth or sponge. Let the wall dry, and then repeat up to 3 times.

      Step 3

      Put the wallpaper panels in order. Some wallpaper designs need to go up in a certain order. Check your panels for numbers at the bottom. Be sure to start with panel one. (The Vine Thread pattern I used all were the same so I could add them in any order. I did have to still match up the design with the previous hung panel when installing.)

      Step 4

      Use a level to draw a vertical line 24 inches in from the left side of your wall. Doing this will ensure your pattern is level.

      Step 5

      Remove outlet and vent covers as needed.

      Handy Tip: After removing outlet covers on wall, make sure to cover with plastic wrap secured with painter’s tape to keep the sprayed water you will need to spray on the wall to install the wallpaper away from the outlets.

      Step 6

      Spray and saturate the first section of the wall with water. Apply your first panel along the vertical line you placed on the wall. Leave a 1-inch overlap where the wall meets the ceiling and also where the wall meets the baseboard or floor.

      Step 7

      Slide each panel over the wet wall to align. Panels do not overlap. Smooth the wallpaper downwards with the squeegee that comes with your wallpaper.

      Apply more water as needed to make sliding the paper over the wall easier. If you find an air bubble under a section, you can peel the paper off and spray more water on the wall, then place the paper back on and smooth.

      Step 8

      Trim off excess paper along ceiling and baseboard/flooring with a sharp knife and a ruler.

      All Done!

      After installing the Love vs Design Glissade wallpaper I don’t think I would ever go back to using wallpaper that comes on a roll.

      I highly recommend using Love vs Design papers, not only for ease of installation, but also for the wide range of color and pattern choices along with being able to upload a photo of your room to see patterns/color combos and then order oversized samples to hang on your wall before making a decision.

      To Permanently Remove the Wallpaper

      Spray the paper until wet with water and slowly peel each panel off.

      See all the Wallpaper Colors and Patterns

      Love vs Design sells hundreds of wallpaper patterns and color options for you to choose from. You can see all of them on their website: Love vs Design.

      You can also see how many of the patterns are used in real homes.

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      Decorating for Spring in My Kitchen

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      Now that we are well into spring, I have gotten around to showing you how I added a few old and new decorative items to my kitchen to infuse new springtime energy into the room.

      You know I like to decorate with white, not only because it is cheery and bright, but also so I can accent a room with seasonal pops of color and not worry that the colors won’t coordinate.

      For spring this is easy to do since spring is blooming with so many vibrant and happy colors. I chose to decorate using my favorite colors… blue, pink, purple and green in the kitchen.

      Bye-bye fall and winter accent colors. See ya again in the fall.

      Spring Decor for the Dining Table

      Let’s start with the dining table. My kitchen is small with the meal prep and dining areas separated by a peninsula counter.

      I have had this kitchen table for years. The original top was smaller. Since we don’t have a dining room in the house with a large table we needed a larger kitchen table.

      My husband and I made a larger round kitchen table top to replace the old one. We placed it on the original metal base. The larger wood plank top makes a huge difference on the amount of serving dishes and items we can place on the table and how many people can fit around it.

      After adding the new blue and white area rug in the living room last week I wanted to carry the blue color to the table. I found a blue and white cotton throw for $10!

      I love it not only for the price, but it is reversible so when I want to see a new color – presto-chango!

      I always like to have a throw blanket by the table since I work here most of the time on my computer and like to feel comfy cozy, even in the summer when the AC is on.

      Here is what the throw looks like up close. It is very nicely made and quite the deal.

      I created the centerpiece for the table by removing faux blossoms from their stems and placed them around a large candle in a wood bowl.

      Decorating the Open Shelves in the Kitchen

      Next up is how I styled the open shelves I created in the kitchen when we first moved into the house. When standing in front of the cabinet doors, they swung out too far which made you have to back up. Not good for the user experience and daily function, so I removed them.

      I have always kept the plates and bowls we use everyday on the lower shelves and part of my collection of white pitchers on the upper shelves.

      This spring, after cleaning out my kitchen cabinets and discarding items we no longer need or use, I had empty cabinets to fill so I moved the everyday dishes to the closed cabinets which left the open shelves empty.

      Now I am decorating the shelves as if they were a china hutch or cabinet where I display decorative items – no stacks of plates or bowls anymore. I used a few white ceramic pitchers and blue and white plates that I collect.

      I have gathered the collection of blue and white plates and pitchers over the last 30 years. The pieces are from Walmart, HomeGoods, TJMaxx and thrift stores.

      To add instant sunniness, I added a dash of yellow in the way of bunch of wildflowers.

      Open Kitchen Shelf Styling Tips

      Start with a blank slate. Set everything aside and clean the shelves.

      Leave space between items so the shelves don’t look cluttered.

      Instead of lining up all of your objects in a row, try creating depth. You can do this by placing some items deeper into the shelves and other closer to the front.

      If using cookbooks, stack them horizontally and vertically. Place items on the stacked books for added interest.

      After you have the items on the shelves, take a step back to make sure if you have distributed color throughout the shelves. For instance, make sure if you have a blue item on the upper right side top shelf, that there is another item on a lower shelf that is blue and on the left side. Doing this helps everything look cohesive.

      Stand back and edit and move as well as remove items as needed until you like what you see.

      Simple Spring Decorating Ideas for Kitchen Counters

      I like to add pink, purple, or yellow flowers to low vases on the counter. Seeing the vivid colors against the white makes me so happy.

      Even when I don’t have a big bunch of flowers, I often clip a smaller amount and use and place in a small glass under the window by the sink. They look especially nice in the morning when the sun shines into this side of the kitchen.

      When I don’t have flowers to place by the sink, a pot of herbs is my second choice.

      I bought my first waffle weave dishtowel a few years ago and will never use another type. Their texture adds interest which I like to see.

      I have found blue, green and yellow at HomeGoods. For other colors, check out the all the waffle weave dish towel colors Etsy sells.

      Display Spring Color in Unexpected Ways

      And lastly, adding spring color to any room doesn’t only mean it has to be a decorative item. I displayed the spring issue of my favorite decorating magazine on the step stool I keep handy in the kitchen.

      Why hide all the pretty spring colors on the cover when they can add to the springtime vibe I created in the kitchen.

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      Decorating With Area Rugs in My Living Room

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      There is a new color underfoot at my house, not only in my living room, but also. in my kitchen.

      One good thing that came about while being sick last week was that I spent most of the week snuggled under a warm throw on one of the comfy recliners in my living room. In this state, I daily had my sights on the living room into the dining area.

      Not to be totally unproductive, I visually played around with a few ideas each day on how I could update the room decor for spring and the warmer weather months ahead.

      Living Room in 2019

      Of all the rooms in my house, the living room is the room that I have changed the decor multiple times over the years in both major and minor ways. I like everything I have done to the room.

      The only reason I have made so many changes is that I have too many ideas I want to try. The living room is the place where I do just that – try out and experiment with ideas.

      All through the dozens of changes to the room, the seagrass area rug has always stayed. It is such a durable “go with anything rug” that we brought with us from our previous home.

      The only change I had made to this rug is when I did a color tweak after I started using more blue in the room. The rug border used to be green, so I painted the area rug border beige.

      If you remember back in the fall I added a patterned area rug over the existing seagrass area rug in my living room to cozy up the space for the cold months of the year.

      After the holidays, I added blue accents and a new X side table. I liked this look very much.

      Back in 2019 after we had the hardwood floors refinished was the only time I removed the area rug. Since it was summer and the floors looked perfect, I liked the simplicity and enjoyed the floor for a while without the area rug.

      Fast forward to this past week. I wanted to lighten things up again since spring is here and summer soon behind. When I was finally feeling better, the first thing I did was to roll up and store the dark area rug until next fall.

      After some online shopping I found this very affordable Tommy Bahama Marlin Transitional Indoor/Outdoor Rug to layer over the seagrass for a Modern Coastal look.

      Normally when I am looking for a color change in a room, I do it with paint – but a gallon of paint these days is so darn expensive! I am finding area rugs can be a less expensive option depending on what the rug is made of and the size.

      My new blue rug (7′-10″ x 10′- 2″)is slightly smaller than the seagrass (9′ x 12′)so layering was easy.

      I unrolled it and centered it right over the seagrass. As you can see the rug hasn’t flattened completely yet, but this photo was taken right after I unrolled it. It has flattened since.

      The new rug is just what I was envisioning – a little coastal, a little modern.

      I have been leaning to using blues in the room and really like the mix patterns of the large pillows I covered the no-sew way with the blue texture print fabric. They give the sofa a modern coastal vibe.

      New Kitchen Mat

      While I was changing the area rug in the living room, I also wanted to replace the green GelPro mat I had in front of the kitchen sink with a blue one.

      I have been using anti-fatigue mats instead of a small decorative throw rug to stand on when I am in front of my kitchen sink for years. They are the best and worth every penny! I have had a few different brands.

      I like my GelPro ones the best. I have a green one for the fall/winter and bright blue check for the summer. Since I rotate them seasonally, they last for years.

      Now I have this Lucky Brand Anti-Fatigue Wellness Mat that I found at HomeGoods, (also sold on Amazon). It is thinner than the GelPro brand, but for $15.00 it was worth a try.

      Anti-fatigue mats make standing less tiring, promote better posture, circulation and muscle conditioning, plus they are skid resistant and so very easy to clean.

      Seeing new color around the house for spring is making me feel cheery and ready for the warmer weather.

      Over the last few years I have embraced the slow living method to life and that includes decorating. I love to decorate and make things look pretty and updated, but I do it now at a much slower pace. I still have a few more spring tweaks for both the kitchen and living room that I will share with you in my next few posts.

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      How to Decorate Bathroom Towels

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      Did you know that one of the most overlooked items when it comes to home decor are the towels hanging in a bathroom? When decorating a bathroom, shower curtains, bath mats, and other bath accessories get all the attention, but no more. It is time to give your plain bath towels a colorful and stylish detail.

      Table of Contents

      I will show you how to decorate plain bathroom towels that will easily add a punch of color and style where there was none before. All that you need is ribbon, scrap pieces of fabric and maybe even a pretty button or two to give your hand and bath towels the attention they deserve.

      Adding pretty ribbon or fabric trim to your bath towels and more is the one way to use unused ribbon and fabric scraps you may have stashed in a drawer in your home.

      When I started Spring cleaning the 3 bathrooms in my house last week, I took notice that the hand towels I have on the towel rings by the sinks were looking old and dingy. It was time to get a few new ones.

      I went in search for a few at HomeGoods, Target and Walmart. There wasn’t much of a selection at any of the stores so I came home empty handed.

      When this happens, I know it’s time to put on my “designer hat” to create what I envision myself using what I already own.

      With a few pieces of ribbon from my ribbon stash and leftover fabric from previous projects I was able to add some color and pattern to the hand towels I use in my home.

      Here is a plain bath towel I had with striped grosgrain ribbon added.

      I used both wired ribbon and grosgrain to embellish these two towels.

      I didn’t think the wired lavender check ribbon would work, but it worked great- even better than other ribbons I used on the bath towels.

      How to Decorate Bathroom Towels

      supplies needed:

      Ribbon or fabric – any style, even wired ribbon works. The length needed will be determined by how wide the towel is.

      Thread to match towel or ribbon/fabric

      Sewing machine or fabric glue

      Measuring tape

      Scissors

      Straight pins

      Before You Get Started

      Before beginning to embellish your bath towels with colorful ribbon and fabric make sure to wash and dry the fabric first. If the towel is new, then also wash it before proceeding. Doing this allows for shrinkage.

      What you don’t want to happen is to sew fabric onto a towel and then wash it in hot water. The fabric will shrink and look puckered. Better to wash the fabric and a new towel before adding to a towel.

      Should You Sew or Glue Fabric/Ribbon Onto Bath Towels

      There are a few options when it comes to attaching ribbon and fabric to bath towels.

      I found 6 yards of the vintage purple flower ribbon shown above at a thrift store for $1.00. At the time I didn’t know what I was going to do with it, but it was too cute to pass up. It looks perfect as a decorative springtime detail for a bath towel.

      Sewing the flower ribbon on to the hand towel would have been difficult, so I opted to attach it to the towel using fabric glue. If you are not familiar with fabric glue, it works very well and can even be laundered with no problems.

      If you own a sewing machine, you can pin and sew on the ribbon and fabric embellishments to a towel.

      Fabric Glue I Recommend

      No matter if you use glue or sew the embellishment on to your bath towels, you will need the same length of ribbon or fabric. If using fabric, you get to decide how wide you want the fabric to be.

      On this towel, I cut a scrap piece of fabric to 3-inches x the width of the towel.

      I turned the edges of the fabric under and pressed them with a steam iron. Once pressed, I centered and pinned the fabric on the towel 2″ above the bottom edge of the towel.

      When using towels that have the same color as the towel woven design near the bottom edges as many do, I attached the ribbon in the center of the woven section.

      How To Finish the Ends of the Ribbon or Fabric on a Bath Towel

      I finished the ends of the attached ribbon using two different methods.

      Hem Finish – The first method was to fold the end of the ribbon under the top ribbon on top of the towel to line up with the front edge of the towel and press it to hold the fold in place. Then sew a vertical seam down the length.

      Wrap Around – The second method was to wrap about an inch of ribbon around to the back of the towel, fold the raw end under, press and sew it down.

      As another ribbon/fabric end finished option, you could add the ribbon to the back as well as the front using one long piece of ribbon. Wrap the ribbon around the entire front and back of the towel and bring the two ends of the ribbon to one back edge and sew a vertical line of stitches to finish the ends.

      What to Avoid Doing When Adding Ribbon to a Bath Towel

      Most of the ribbon and fabric I used were easy to attach to the towels. I did have a problem with this plaid ribbon though. It had a bit of stretch to it. When I sewed it on, the plaid pattern got skewed.

      The best way to avoid this from happening is to make sure to use heavier ribbon like grosgrain or even wired ribbon.

      I ended up ripping the skewed ribbon off. Since I really liked the ribbon, I decided to glue 3 lengths of it on to the white towel to add more design interest.

      5 More Bathroom Towel Decorating Ideas

      You can add the same style of detail I showed with my bath towels to other soft furnishings in your home.

      Bed pillowcase trimmed with ribbon.

      These ideas can be used on any towel, but also could be added to embellish pillows, drapery panels, a bed skirt, bed pillowcases and even to decorate your bookshelves.

      Below are 5 more embellishment ideas to inspire you that are made using ribbon and buttons.

      1. How to Make Decorative Ribbon Loop Trim

      This decorative ribbon trim is simply made by folding 4-inch or pieces of ribbon in half.

      Then pinning and sewing each loop onto a long length of ribbon to create decorative trim inexpensively. No hoity-toity passementerie needed.

      1.  Cut 4” lengths from ribbon. Fold each in half. Line them up on a long piece of ribbon that is cut to desired length needed for your project and pin the loops to the ribbon. You can stitch or use fabric glue to attach the loops to the length of ribbon.  Space evenly or overlap the loops for different looks.

      Use fabric glue or sew the looped ribbon to the edge of your project.

      Variation: Use cord and add buttons for a fun and whimsical style.

      2. How to Make Pleated Trim Using Ribbon

      This pleated ribbon trim works well on the bottom edge of a bath towel, a tablecloth, lampshade or pillow.

      1. Measure the length of trim you need for your project. Multiply that measurement by 3 and cut a piece of ribbon to that measurement.

      2. Using your hands, pleat and pin the ribbon as shown in the illustration above.  Once pinned, sew along the top edge of the ribbon on a sewing machine to hold pleats in place.

      3. Once you have the pleats sewn into place, sew or glue it to your project. You can leave the pleated trim plain or stitch or glue a little bead above each pleat. (see illustration above)

      3. How to Make Fabric Yo Yo Rosette Trim

      Fabric yo-yo rosettes add a touch of pretty when added to a length of ribbon or when sewn on separately.

      1. Cut a 3” diameter circle from fabric.

      2. Thread a needle with matching thread and knot the end. Sew around the outer edge of the circle as shown in the illustration above and then pull the thread tight. This will make the fabric bunch up and form the yo-yo. Secure the thread by making a few knots and cut the excess thread.

      3. Glue a button to the center of the gathered side of the yo-yo.

      4. Glue a yo-yo Rosette every few inches along a length of ribbon.

      5. Sew or glue the length of ribbon onto your project.

      Variation: Use wide ribbon instead of a circle of fabric to make a rosette instead of a yo-yo. Sew a line of stitches along bottom edge of ribbon. Pull taut and keep pulling until the rosette is formed. Knot thread to secure. Hot glue a button to the center.

      4. How to Make Stacked Button Tassel Trim

      You can thread a stack of buttons on thread with a knotted end at the bottom to hold the buttons on or use jewelry making endpins to create these cute little button and bead tassels.

      If using thread – leave enough thread at the top of each stack to sew onto the edge of your project.

      If using an jewelry making endpin. Create a loop with the excess wire on the top of the stack of buttons. Use thread to sew the tassel to your project.

      5. How to Make Button Ribbon Trim 

      1.  Hot glue a collection of buttons along a length of ribbon or sew each on individually spaced. Hot glue the trim to your project.

      How Would You Decorate Towels for Your Bathroom?

      The ideas in this post are only a few ways that I could think of to bring my plain bathroom towels back to life. I am sure you can think of a few other ways to easily and inexpensively decorate your bathroom towels. Let me know in the comments and I will add them to this post.

      More Bath Towel Decorating Ideas

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      Home Decorating Ideas Using Old Jewelry

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      Did you know that jewelry, especially old jewelry is not just meant to be worn, it can also be used to add a touch of your personality to your home décor. Crafting with old jewelry pieces hidden away in your jewelry box repurposed into pretty home decor accents is a great way to show off your decorating style.

      That’s what I am sharing with you today, creative ways to upcycle your old jewelry and breathe new life into your existing home decor. From statement pieces to accents, get ready to instantly transform plain items with these pretty and colorful home decorating ideas.

      My latest decorating DIY all started when I brought the yellow daffodils that are blooming in my yard inside my house. I didn’t want to miss out on the cheery Spring color so I clipped a few stems and placed them in a glass vase from the dollar store on a side table in my living room.

      Then I had an idea…

      I like to see new things around my house to enliven my senses, but I also like to save money and don’t want to buy new decor as I don’t need a thing. At the same time though, I enjoy seeing something fresh and new to look at.

      I am not fussy when it comes to flower arranging. I just want to see the colorful flowers in my house and one vase filled with them wasn’t enough.

      I had a few blooms that still looked nice from a Valentine arrangement that Ed had given me. I pulled out the lavender blooms and placed them in an empty liquor bottle that I saved to repurpose into a flower vase because I liked the shape.

      Alone the flowers in these glass vessels make me happy, but was craving more color. So I headed to my craft stash to find some colorful vintage or old jewelry made with colorful beads. In less than 10 minutes I decorated my glass vases with spring color.

      Home Decor Crafting With Old Jewelry Ideas

      I used to make and sell bracelets using old jewelry, beads and buttons. But since I haven’t made them in a long time, I don’t need my stash for that purpose anymore.

      Now I like to find creative ways to re-purpose my collection of beads, old necklaces and vintage clip-on earrings so I can still enjoy all the pretty colors.

      Where to Find Old Jewelry or Strands of Beads

      I know that most of you may not have a stash of colorful old jewels laying around like I do, but craft stores sell beaded trim by the roll in the fabric/ribbon aisle. For strands of beads, head to the jewelry making aisle and don’t forget to use the stores coupon for a discount.

      Thrift stores and retirement homes that have resident shops on the premises are some of the best places to find old jewelry for a few dollars. They are where I found most of my collection.

      How to Wrap a Vase with a Beaded Necklace or Strand of Beads

      When using a beaded necklaces or strands of beads to wrap around a vase, lamp or any item that you would like to add color and texture, any size and shape bead works. The style is all up to the look you like. Big bold beads would look more modern, while smaller beads more traditional.

      There are two ways to wrap and attach a necklace to a vase. The first is to use hot glue or glue dots. The second is thin florist’s type wire.

      Once you have chosen the necklace or strand of beads you want to attach, wrap it around the vase to see if the ends will meet up in line or closely in line with each other on the vase.

      If it doesn’t and you are using a strand of beads, simply remove or add a few more beads so the beginning and end will be on the same side that you can call the back. If using a necklace you don’t want to break apart, try wrapping it around another section of the item to see if it fits better.

      Longer necklaces work better to wrap around a vase or bottle, but don’t let a shorter one stop you from experimenting to come up with decorative ways to use it.

      This strand of wood beads was pre-strung on string that I found in the aisle where rolls of ribbon are at Hobby Lobby. To attach the strand of beads to the vase, I simply wrapped it around and then used hot glue to adhere the first and last bead on the back of the vase.

      To attach the various sized purple beads on the neck of the bottle, I strung the beads on thin wire that you can buy at the craft store.

      I left extra wire at each end and once all the beads were wrapped around the neck of the bottle, I pulled the two wires together and twisted them together. Then once it was secure, I cut the excess wire and pushed the ends under the beads to hide it.

      When displayed on a table, no one will see how the necklace or strand of beads is attached. Seeing the cheery Spring color on my big wicker basket side table makes me smile.

      What To Do With Old Clip-On Earrings

      I have a hard time passing up vintage clip-on earrings when I see them at thrift stores. Each one is the perfect little piece of stylish art that has its own story and appeal.

      In my mind, they are just too cute and pretty to be hidden away in a drawer.

      Here are several ideas on how you can use vintage clip-on earrings to accent your decor or furnishings.

      To add cheerful color to lamp, clip a few vintage clip-on earrings on the bottom of a lampshade. When you want to wear them or tire of the look, just unclip – no damage done.

      If you use your refrigerator as a memo board you can make pretty magnets using old jewelry or clip-on earrings to hold up reminder notes and photos.

      Tip: Attaching Earrings or Buttons to Magnets

      To get the clip off of an earring to you can attach it to a magnet, use a pair of pliers to pull it off so the back is flat. Doing this will allow the earring to fit nicely and be glued on to a round black magnet.

      Embellish a gift by simply clipping a clip-on earring one over the knot on the tied ribbon.

      Use a strong bonding glue like Gorilla Glue to attach a clip-on earring that has the clip removed to the front of plain drawer knobs.

      You can also use vintage clip-on earrings to hold the soft drape of a fabric window valance in place.

      How to Use With Brooches and Pins When Decorating

      If you have a collection of pretty brooches or decorative pins, pin them to a throw pillow to create a accent that can easily be changed.

      Over the next few weeks when you start Spring cleaning or decluttering your home take a few minutes to see if you have any old jewelry in the way of beaded necklaces or bracelets that you haven’t worn in a long time.

      Instead of getting rid of them, reimagine them. If you don’t have any and like the colorful look crafting with old jewelry can do to transformf items, head to your local thrift store where you should find lots of colorful beaded necklaces and vintage clip-on earrings.

      If you strike out, you can also use colorful ribbon to add cheery color to your existing decor.

      It’s fun and inexpensive way to add accents of your personal style around your home.

      More Decorating With Jewelry Ideas

      More Easy Decorating Ideas You May Like

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      What to Put in Your Flower Vase This Winter

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      Don’t know what type or color of flowers to use in a vase or table centerpiece during the winter months? Consider adding the simplicity of winter white flowers mixed with green foliage clipped from your yard into a favorite vase.

      Doing so can create a cheery, yet coordinated accent in any room in your home against the cold or snowy landscape outside.

      I created a winter white floral arrangement specifically to place on my kitchen counter and it is not just to look pretty or to enhance the serenity of winter. 

      There is another more important reason I placed the arrangement in this corner that I have been keeping a secret for many years. Keep reading to find out the reason.

      I collect white ceramic vases. I use and display them in all the rooms in my home. This one is my favorite. I bought it at HomeGoods years ago. It is a classic and will never go out of style.

      I like the height, shape and the fact that the opening is not too wide so I don’t need a ton of flowers to make it look filled. The spout and curved edges around the top helps to make any flower, real or faux I use in the vase, drape over the top in a visually pleasing way.

      But the #1 reason why I love this vase is because it is the perfect size and color to hide an ugly element in my kitchen.

      Now my secret that I never have shown or written about before is out.

      When we updated the kitchen and got a new double wall oven, the new oven had different wiring than the previous one from the early 1970’s. The installers told us they couldn’t rewire the new ovens through the existing electrical panel behind the wall ovens. :-(. They would have to rip the wall out and more.

      Instead they brought the electrical wiring through the upper cabinet and into the outlet on the backsplash. At the time, I was quite upset. Over time though, I have come to terms with it, knowing that someday we will gut the kitchen.

      The saying… “first world problems” – I think of the exposed cord as one of those.

      I don’t stress about it anymore, instead I just hide it with the white pitcher filled with seasonal flowers so it is less noticeable.

      I change the floral arrangement in the vase seasonally. Fall flowers in the fall, yellow tulips in the spring and real flowers from my yard all summer long.

      Choosing what to place in the pitcher after Christmas always takes a bit more thought as I don’t want the arrangement to look like holiday greenery while at the same time, not wanting it to look too spring-like.

      I found that white flowers and greenery always works. I arrange the mix differently every year.

      In my kitchen, the height between the countertop and the bottom of the upper cabinets is 20-inches.

      When filling the vase when the season changes, I sometimes make the arrangements in the vase lower and less full, it all depends on the flowers and cuttings. As long as the outlet and most of the cord is hidden, I am happy.

      Design Tips for Arranging Winter White Flowers

      For my winter floral arrangement, I chose to use faux white hydrangeas. I like the way their large, showy blooms look when mixed with real cuttings from evergreens from my yard.

      1. Experiment with Different White Flower Varieties

      Don’t be afraid to mix and match different types of white flowers to create a visually interesting arrangement. Combining flowers with different shapes, sizes, and textures can add depth and dimension to your winter floral arrangement.

      If you have them, consider adding smaller white flowers or fillers like baby’s breath to fill in any gaps or spaces in your arrangement. This will help create a fuller and more cohesive look.

      2. Create Contrast

      To enhance white flowers so they stand out in a winter floral arrangement, incorporating winter greens like pine branches, eucalyptus, holly or any stem that still has green leaves in your yard adds a touch of freshness and texture to the arrangement while evoking the feeling of the winter season creating a lush and wintery look.

      Each type of greenery you choose will bring its own unique charm to the arrangement, so don’t hesitate to try clippings from your yard and see what you can come up with as a filler to create a nice contrast against the white flowers.

      3. Play with Heights

      Vary the height of the flowers and greens in your vase. Higher stems in the center and shorter stems around the edge of the vase creates a visually appealing look.

      Where To Display Your Winter Arrangement

      A winter white floral arrangement can be displayed in any room in various and creative ways.

      1. Dining Table Centerpiece: Place your winter white floral arrangement in the center of your dining table to create a cheery ambiance.

      2. Mantel – Adorn your mantel with a winter white floral arrangement to add an eye-pleasing display in your living room.

      For this winter white look, I only added greenery in a trio of my white pitchers. Paired with candles and rustic wood slices adds a cozy and festive winter look.

      3. Entryway – Welcome guests into your home with a large winter white floral arrangement placed in the entryway. This will create a stunning focal point and set the tone for the rest of the decor in your home.

      Step-by-Step DIY: Winter White Floral Arrangement

      1. Gather Your Materials – Start by gathering all the necessary materials, including a container or vase, gardening snips, white flowers and greens of your choice.

      2. Prepare the Vase – Fill your vase with water and if you have it, add floral preservative to help prolong the life of the greenery clipped from your yard.

      3. Trim the Stems – Trim the stems of your flowers and greenery to the height you want for the vase. Cut each stem at an angle, removing any excess leaves or thorns on the bottom sections of the stems.

      Doing this will ensure that the flowers can absorb water properly and stay fresh for longer. If you are using faux flowers, just cut the stem to the desired length.

      4. Add the White Flowers – When adding large blooms like hydrangeas to your vase, odd numbers often look better when flower arranging. Depending on the size of your vase, start with 3 or 5 flowers at first, then add more as needed.

      Place the flowers at different angles and heights to create a visually interesting composition.

      5. Add the Greens – Next arrange the winter greens in your vase creating a contrast with the white flowers. Place the greens at varying heights to add depth and dimension to your arrangement.

      6. Fill in the Gaps – If you have them, use smaller white flowers or fillers like baby’s breath to fill in any gaps or spaces in your arrangement. This will help create a fuller and more cohesive look.

      7. Trim and Adjust – Step back and take a look at your arrangement from different angles. Trim any stems that are too long or adjust the placement of the flowers and greens as needed until you like what you see.

      Caring For a Winter White Floral Arrangement

      To ensure that your arrangement stays fresh for as long as possible, here are some tips to help you maintain your arrangement:

      1. Change the Water Regularly – Every few days, change the water in your container or vase to prevent bacteria from forming and to keep the flowers hydrated.

      2. Trim the Stems – Trim the stems of your white flowers (if real) and greenery every few days to ensure they can continue to absorb water effectively.

      3. Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat – Keep your floral arrangement away from direct sunlight, as this can cause the flowers to wilt prematurely. Also, avoid placing them near heat sources such as heaters or fireplaces.

      With a little care, your winter white floral arrangement will continue to brighten your home until the first signs of spring arrive.

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      Decorating For Winter The Easy Way

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      Now that the holidays are over and I removed and stored all my Christmas decorations until next year, it was time for me to figure out how to give some new energy to my living room and kitchen for the winter months.

      Back in November, I went in search for blue fabric.

      I wanted it to make pillow covers for the sofa that would pick up the blue accents in the area rug in my living room.

      I forgot all about my plan for the fabric over the holidays. Then last week I read about Benjamin Moore’s color of the year and remembered that I bought the fabric.

      I am not one to jump on the bandwagon when the tastemakers of color forecasting tell us each year what colors will dominate design.

      I rarely like any of the color picks, but this year I was happy to find out that a pretty color of blue by Benjamin Moore, called Blue Nova is one of the 2024 colors forecasted.

      Blue in general is a color that I can get behind. My bedroom is blue and white and blue and green is the color scheme in one of the guest rooms. Then there is the hallway that I refer to as the “Hallway of Darkness” where blue is a dominant color.

      In the past I have used blue in my living room and kitchen, but usually only in the summer.

      Changing the color accent in a room is fairly easy when the basic color scheme is neutral. This is one reason, I like to keep the color scheme of living room and kitchen neutral so I can change the look up seasonally or on a whim with whatever color I want so it never gets stale.

      To cozy up the color for winter that runs more on the cool side, I added lots of candles and fur throws and pillows. At night the living room is very cozy, just how I like it.

      Once I got the no-sew pillow covers made and put them in place, I shopped my house and gathered up anything that I could find that was blue. I didn’t have a lot, but just enough to make a difference.

      I had fun placing and moving the items in the rooms until I liked what I saw. I even found one item, a small blue ceramic planter that I have had forever as an exact match to the Benjamin Moore Blue Nova color.

      I mixed in a few brown accents on the open shelves in the kitchen to warm the overall feel of the shelves.

      When at HomeGoods over the holidays I bought this X-Side table as a Christmas gift from me to me. Everything else I used to add new energy into the spaces, I already owned. If it was blue, I used it.

      For the rest of the kitchen, I placed blue and white plates in the plate wall and hung blue dish towels on the towel bar.

      The blue accents were subtle, but an effective way to update the rooms. I didn’t even have to pick up a paint brush to make the changes.

      If you are looking to re-energize a room in your home, consider choosing a favorite color or a trending one and add touches of it around a room to add new energy when a room starts looking stale to your eyes.

      Adding an accent color to a room is also one way to make a change that doesn’t require a long-term color commitment.

      Lastly, if using a favorite color, you may find that you already have decorative items in the color that you can gather and use in new ways in your home. Shopping your house for the items to add a new accent color to a room won’t cost you a thing.

      Decor Resources

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