Let's go to class: Shelf Styling 101

Today we are going to class,  shelf styling class.  Now while I am not saying I'm the best, I have learned the basics to styling a Pinterest worthy shelf.  It's actually pretty simple and you probably have most of what you need.

I have a single shelf that my husband and I built from a simple common board.  I knew I wanted a shelf to display art and decorative accents.  Now whether you have a built in, a single shelf, or anything in between, we all feel the need to fill it up with things.  Today, I will list 7 styling elements and based off this you will be able to tackle any shelf with confidence.

1. Varying heights

You want your shelf to have items that are not all the same height.  You don't want everything on the same level.  Utilize a tall vase or ceramic piece.  If you need to add height and create character as well, use a stack of books. Utilize books you may already own or pick up some hardback books from the thrift store.

2. Texture

Give your shelf dimension by incorporating texture.  Jute, wood beaded garland, baskets, and even greenery are great options.

3. Greenery/Natural elements

Greenery makes everything look better.  Ok, that's just my opinion, but I really think it does.  Look for greenery that accents your space. Garland is a great bang for your buck option.  You can use it all as one piece, and let it drape over the side of your shelf, or cut it and place it within different areas. Also, think about the season.  For Fall, incorporate wheat and pampas stems, for Christmas, pine stems, and for Spring think florals.  

4. Statement piece/art

This is where your eye will automatically gravitate to.  It doesn't mean it's necessarily the biggest piece but the most important.  This can be a family picture, a piece of art, an award. etc.


5. Glass element

I like to incorporate glass when styling a shelf because it allows you to layer more items without visually taking up a lot of space.

6. Contrast

You need a little ying and yang to everything.  Use tall with short. Dark with light.  

7. Character

Bring in pieces that speak to who you are or what brings you joy  -- Channel your inner Marie Kondo
Vintage reading glasses, a map of a place you've been or want to go, candles , and personal/family pictures tell a great story.

Personally, I try to stay away from telling people what to put up because I think design should be personal and reflect you.  I can't tell you how to be you, only you can do that.  But what I can do is give you a basic blue print that you can use as a guide to bring out your personal style.

BUT....

Just in case you need some ideas, I have composed a list below (See, I'm always thinking about y'all.)

Styling accessory ideas
books
candles
frames
orbs
baskets
clock
cookbooks or cutting boards (if the shelf is in a kitchen)
eucalyptus
pine stems
pumpkins
vases
terracotta
wood beaded garland
bowls
tile

DIY Blanket Ladder

I've been working on my family room redo for a little over a month now.  Although it's coming along great, I wanted to add a piece that was somewhat tall and drew your eye upward.  I've been seeing blanket ladders for a while now.  They can be found at Pottery Barn, Kirklands, Hobby Lobby, and countless other retailers.  The problem for me was the price.  These can get pretty expensive ranging from $50 upwards to $200!  I decided after scouring Pinterest and watching videos on YouTube to make my own.  I am by no means a craftsman.  I am a novice at best, so when taking on a project that involves building, I make sure it's something that's fairly simple and doesn't require many power tools.  Today, I am going to show you how I was able to make my very own blanket ladder for less than $20!

Supplies
- 3 Furring strips
- Wood screws or nails (2 1/2 inches)
- Sanding block
- Level
- Stain or paint
- drill or hammer
- Pencil


First step was to take a trip to my local home improvement store.  I picked up  furring strips which can be found by fencing and decking.  They were .98 each.  I also picked up wood glue and some nails or wood screws depending on your preference.  I purchased both just so I could weigh my options.  Home Depot will make all the cuts you need for free, just make sure you have all of your measurements ahead of time.  My completed blanket ladder will be 6 feet tall so I had two pieces cut to 72 inches and the third piece was cut down into 5-18 inch pieces. I already had stain at home so on to the checkout I went.

Once I got home, I sanded each piece and wiped it down.  I then laid out my pieces to construct the ladder.  Use a level to make sure everything is straight.  Place wood glue on the rung.  If you're using a drill, make sure to drill pilot holes.  You can't skip this step or your wood will strip and you will have to take another trip to Home Depot like someone I know :-)  If you're using nails, this is not necessary to do, but it does help.  


Side note:  I was becoming slightly frustrated with my drill, so I ended up just using nails and wood glue.  See, that's why I got both.  I know me lol.

I nailed all the rungs on one side of my ladder, before nailing them in the other side, making sure to use my level each time.  Once you have done this, all you have to do is paint or stain your ladder, and you're all done.  I used the stain Early American by Varathane.  All in all it took me about an hour to complete this project.

Finally, you simply lean it against your wall and add your blankets.

I wish this last step would have turned out exactly how I typed it but it did not. My entire ladder did not lean against my wall.  I came to realize after making a second one with leftover pieces, and it doing the same thing, that this is because furring trips are so lightweight, therefore aren't heavy enough to weigh down if the wood is slightly wonky.  I was able to rectify this by hot gluing the back of a thumbtack, to the back of my ladder, and pushing it into the wall.  It instantly fixed my problem.  Now if you don't want to do this I would suggest going with a wood that is slightly heavier like 2x2's or 2x3's.  This would also cost a little more, I believe it was between $1.98-$2.98.  I will go with the heavier wood  next time because my mother now wants me to make her one.  Sometimes DIY's don't always come out the way we envision or want but I was able to find a solution and learn what to do next time.  It's all trial and error but so rewarding.    

DIY Mudcloth Napkins

I wanted to share a really quick DIY I recently did.  Now I'm sure if you've been following along, you'd know I've have raved about my love for Mudcloth.  As I transition from Summer décor to Fall, I've been thinking of ways I can incorporate this print into my tablescape.  Napkins seemed the way to go.  I went to Hobby Lobby and grabbed 1/2 yard of duck cloth fabric.  I'm sure a black calico cotton fabric would work but I wanted my napkins to have more weight and texture. I also picked up a white paint marker using a 40% coupon. In total this project cost me around $5 to make 4 napkins!   Now let me say, these are for decorative purposes only.  I can't attest to how they will hold up once washed with the paint marker but you are welcome to try.

Supplies

- 1/2-1yd solid fabric of your choice (Duck cloth, linen, cotton etc.)

-Paint marker

-Paper

-Pen

-Sewing machine (optional--- for a  no sew option use hemming tape)

First, I cut my fabric slightly larger than the desired size.  I cut a 18 inch square for about a 17 inch napkin. If sewing, iron the hem and sew all sides.  The same concept applies for hemming tape, just follow the directions on the packaging.  Next, I drew some designs on a piece of paper so I would have a basic idea of what my napkins would look like. You can find designs on Pinterest or by simply searching Google.

Decide if you want all the napkins to have the same look or each one to have a different pattern.  Once you have your design, simply take your paint marker and apply to the fabric.  I found the paint marker gave me a worn look which at first I wasn't sure about but ended up loving.

 
You don't' have to wait for the print to dry because it pretty much dries instantly.  Finally, simply fold and iron the napkins for a clean look. Now, feel free to style your table. The completed napkins give any tablescape a Boho feel. You can create this look for a fraction of what a retailer would sell these for.  I love making napkins because I'm all about saving coins.  Is this something you would make?  If you do, please share with me via email or Instagram.  I would love to see it.

Later homies.

Getting back into the routine

Once August hits, Summer is over.   I see Back to School items in every store as well as Summer clearance.  Two of my girls have already started school.  As much as I love the laid back feel of Summer, Fall and Winter is when I feel most creative, organized, and driven.  I think the kids going back to school and having a daily routine aids in that.  As a full time employee, a mom, wife, and blogger. routines keep me sane.  I'm embracing the change in season and all it brings.  As a blogger, I'm trying to stay consistent, all while running a household and another job.  We were made for this!  Women and mothers are true superheroes.  I'm using this time to simplify and take inventory of what is needed both personally and within my home.  Last week, I took down all the Summer décor.  I packed up all my lemon items and simplified my space. Back to school represents a fresh start, a new beginning, and that's exactly what I'm looking for.

One way to obtain a fresh start is to organize.  I do this by having dedicated drop zones for the girls to place their shoes and backpacks.  I don't have a mudroom so I do this with baskets and wall hooks.  I also plan the outfits out for the girls for a whole week, which really helps cut down on time especially in the morning :-)  I have a printable from Etsy that I use to organize clothes by the days of the week.

  I am also in the process of creating a daily task sheet for the girls using Canva.

 I stay organized in the kitchen by meal planning for the week ahead.  This allows me to be creative and to try new recipes as well as some tried and true favorites.  Sidenote:  I NEVER cook on Fridays or Saturdays... just no lol.

Finally, I'm using this time to plan.  When I was in college, I worked for Old Navy and they would always have their clothes a season ahead.  I asked my manager one day and they informed me that retailers always try to stay three months ahead.  As a blogger I also plan ahead.  Right now I am planning for fall décor, DIY's, activities, and recipes to share.  As a mom, I try and plan activities for the kids such as visiting the pumpkin patch, apple picking, and more so that my husband and I can budget accordingly.  I have learned to take a lot of the stress off of me just by proper planning.  I would encourage anyone that is struggling with getting into a routine to take a deep breath, organize, plan, and execute.  You got this!  Let's embrace change, routine, and all that life brings us.