2 Just Sold: 1305 Tupelo

A giant congratulations to Chip & Brooke (and their little guy Tripp) on the sale of their home!

 
Can’t wait to see the new place!

Read more...

12 Quick Question: Hardwood Housekeeping

I know that I’m not alone in my never-ending love affair with hardwood floors. Honey stained strips, espresso planks—all are fabulous in my book. What’s not so fabulous is the struggle to keep them clean. In this neck of the woods, with four little ones parading around the house, tumbleweeds lurk around every corner.

Needless to say, the dust buster has become this zoo keeper’s partner in cleaning crime.

Alright fellow hardwood worshipers, spill your cleaning guts. Muddy feet from the kiddos making you want to pull your hair out? 

Dust bunnies uniting under the sofa? How do you keep your floors spotless?

Read more...

2 Feeling the Love

A big virtual snuggle to all of the amazingly wonderful bloggers that have linked up to Live the Home Life. Be sure and pay them a visit. You’ll be entertained and inspired. I can just feel it!


A Touch of Arkansas
AJW Design Co
At Home in Arkansas
Bellatina Creations
Brixton Nole
Bubbles and Money
Building Moxie
Casa Sugar
Custard By Design
Details Weddings & Events
Home Decor News
Keeping Up with the Joneses
Live the Life You Love
Lovely Tonight
Oh The Place I Want To Go
Rambles with Reese
Take Life with a Grain of Chocolate
Tearing Up Houses
The Buies
The Cape on the Corner
The Dooses
The Divine Mrs. EM
The Flipping Couple
Two Poms and a House
UAMesSing It Up

As always, if you’ve linked LTHL to your blog and you’re not mentioned above, don’t be shy. Click here to let me know! You are well over due for a high five and thank you from yours truly.

Read more...

4 Furniture Flipping: Cara Beth’s Dresser

When Cara Beth sent the photo of her soon-to-be flipped dresser, I was super pumped! Not only did this guy have tons of potential, but I already had an idea in mind that I have been dying to try on a dresser just like this one…

This was in my husband's childhood bedroom (maybe even his nursery) growing up so we definitely want to keep it around. It is currently in our master bedroom but it definitely lacks style. We actually painted our bedroom a mocha brown color but the accent colors our aquas and greens - kinda eclectic I guess. I'm not really a matchy-matchy type of gal.  Help us update this piece to 2010 while still keeping it somewhat traditional!

 
No worries, Cara Beth. I’m on it! Let’s move on to the game plan shall we?

This masterpiece has been haunting my dreams ever since I stumbled upon its gloriously rehabbed self a few months ago. I was left drooling over the haphazardly whitewashed finish. And the branch drawer pulls?—forget it. I was a smitten kitten.

Pairing the same touches with a few ideas floating around my own noggin, I knew Cara Beth’s dresser would be in for a treat…



First, a little reworking. By removing all of the center drawers to create shelves for books and baskets, we’ll add a bit more interest…

Next up, a solid coat of Kilz primer and a coat or two of off-white paint should do the trick. But let’s take it easy on the paint, now. I still want a smidge of the original wood to show through to give that cottage chic feel I just can’t get enough of.

For the branch drawer pulls, just head outdoors and find a few scraps of wood. Make sure the wood is pretty dry and cut to fit the drawer fronts. From the inside of the drawer, use a couple of screws to secure your new pulls.

Finally, let’s settle on hardware. I love these from Etsy, but a few coats of textured spray paint similar to what I used on my dining room light fixture would easily (and inexpensively!) give the original pulls an instant face lift.

Another furniture flip down and one more in the works! Check back soon to see how the plan for Amy’s dresser is shaping up…

Read more...

8 After Party: Windows Turned Wall Art

When I stumbled across this fine trio of old windows at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore last week, they had to be mine. $10 later I was cruising home with my new best friends in tow…

Clearly hanging these guys would require more than a nail or two so the proper hardware was a must. Opting for hooks and hinges that would allow the windows to be easily tilted/removed for cleaning was high on my list. More time consuming to install but ultimately worth the hassle…
 

Fabulously earth friendly & just the sort of cottage chic feeling this wall was craving…

Finally my dining room is starting to feel just a smidge more complete. Anyone for takeout?

Read more...

4 Window Hanging Sneak Peek

One down. Two to go!

Check back tomorrow to catch all three in action!

Read more...

1 Just Listed: 2422 Gaines Street

A must see in historic downtown! This fantastic 2 bedroom/2 bath home sits on two lots and boasts beautiful hardwoods and tall ceilings. Enjoy the formal dining room and separate den which is open to the newly updated kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances. A large mudroom and approximately 500 square feet of usable unfinished space upstairs offer plenty of valuable storage space! Don't miss the gorgeous French doors leading to the backyard and spacious deck!

Price: $175,000

Click here for more photos and information on this fabulous home and to schedule a time to check it out for yourself!

Read more...

9 Thrifty Find: Windows

Judging from my master bedroom set up, it wouldn’t take a Mensa member to figure out that I am smitten with old windows.


So my heart could not fathom the thought of turning away these three window finds from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore—especially with a $10.00 price tag…total!

 

These guys were in need of a home and I have just the spot in mind. Cue the massive, vacant dining room wall!


Check back next week to see how my three amigos settled into their new space. Happy weekend!

Read more...

4 Let’s Make A Deal: Wall Mount Mirror

Restoration Hardware: $199.00	Bed Bath & Beyond: $39.99

I have to send a high five Dana’s way for her stellar find…

I just saw your post and HAD to send you this link. It’s ’identical to the one at Bed Bath and Beyond, but it's only $4.99!

 
That’s almost 1/40th the price of Restoration Hardware’s version. Nice save!

Read more...

9 Quick Question: Worst chore ever?

Let’s face it. Certain around-the-house chores are what nightmares are made of. For me, it’s cleaning kitty litter. As much as I love these perfect paws—or should I say, purr-fect? I know. Take it easy, Cara—scooping their leftovers scrapes the bottom of my want-to-do list.

Picture my misery this morning while giving the litter boxes their weekly tidy up. Stinky smells…Gritty litter…This less than happy kitty mom was contemplating opening the front door and looking the other way while her furry felines shimmy into suburban wilderness. Don’t judge. Take a scoop or two from a littler box frequented by a cat named Tooty and let me know your initial thoughts.

Now it’s your turn to vent. What’s your least favorite chore? Don’t skimp on me people! I want all of the terribly icky, germ filled details.

Read more...