Ready to Make Your House Feel Like YOUR Home?

Finding your inner decorator doesn't take a lot of talent. Instead, it takes an inspiration, a vision, and the drive to continue going when you feel stuck. Luckily, none of these factors are something that you have to be born with. I'm here to encourage you to develop those traits so that you can easily turn your house into your home.

I have found over the years that one of the best ways to hone a creative vision is to not follow any real decorating "rules." Generally, I go along with just about any crazy idea that pops into my mind. No, they don't always work out, but the ability to make your home uniquely you will give you a new energy when you walk through its doors after a long day.

If you are ready to change your decorating mindset, start here:

From Nursery to an {Almost} Big Girl Room

by Lindsay Ballard on May 15, 2013 5 Comments

My Emma is getting to be such a big girl. It seems like just yesterday that I showed you this.

And then this.

Believe it or not, it’s been nearly 3 years since then. That darling, squishy baby has turned into a vibrant, curly headed, blue-eyed girl that I can’t remember my life without.

As she’s grown, her pretty little nursery has transitioned, too. And while I’m not quite ready to let go of the sweet serenity of this room in favor of my more brightly colored style, I needed to make a few changes so that we can use and enjoy the space. Plus, it was feeling kind to stale to me.

My Search for the Perfect Bathroom Light

by Lindsay Ballard on May 1, 2013 10 Comments

I’ve long had a personal aversion to the bathroom lights that the builder installed above the mirrors in our bathrooms. For starters, they are very traditionally styled with white frosted glass shades. Interesting light fixtures are one of my favorite parts of a room, so these just really bum me out. Plus, they cast the light downward, so all I see are bags under my eyes when I look in the mirror. Obviously, these fixtures’ days are numbered.

I’m working on redoing my kids’ shared bathroom right now, so I set out to replace one of these builders grade bathroom lights. Turns out, I actually dislike most reasonably priced vanity fixtures that are available! Most of them are way too traditional for my taste (and again with the downlight that ages me 20 years each time I look in the mirror).

Filed Under: Decorate Your Home 10 Comments

Using Modern Art Quilts to Decorate Your Home

by Lindsay Ballard on April 29, 2013 3 Comments

Back in February, my friend Kristi and I went to a huge show featuring art quilts here in Austin. Neither of us know the first thing about quilts, other than having some family heirlooms, but we thought it would be a fun thing to do together. Y’all, we were completely blown away. QuiltCon was a conference for modern quliters, and the quilts that were on display were true works of art. Not only were the designs and color choices amazing, but the actual quilting on each piece was extraordinary.

Filed Under: Decorate Your Home 3 Comments

Make Every Day a Fiesta

by Lindsay Ballard on April 15, 2013 21 Comments

When Tom and I got married, we combined two households like most couples do these days. We actually did pretty well with furniture as we had plenty of room in our first apartment, but the kitchen was another story – two toasters, more frying pans than we needed and two sets of dishes and glassware.

Because I was in that honeymoon phase of our relationship, I agreed to get rid of my fun, colorful Crate & Barrel dishes for his plain, white dishes. We’ve eaten off of those dishes for 9 years now. The simple white dishes are perfect for every occasion, but I really wanted to see more color when I sat down at the dinner table. I know that must surprise you, right?

Filed Under: Decorate Your Home, Uncategorized 21 Comments

Closet Crushin’

by Lindsay Ballard on April 5, 2013 6 Comments

I’m going to publicly admit that the big project of 2013 has been put on hold for a bit. I’m sad – super sad, y’all – but I’ve decided that I want to put new flooring in the entire downstairs instead of just some of it. That means I need to save more money so that we can get started. I’m being a grown up about it and waiting until I have enough money to get what I really want. This is progress, people!

So while I wait, I’m going to move on to a much more inexpensive room – our master closet! In all actuality, our closet functions perfectly fine. We have plenty of hanging space and plenty of shelving, so I don’t need to reinvent the wheel. But, it’s very basic – and very builder’s grade. It definitely lacks the personality and oompf of the rest of the house.

I’ve been pinning some dream closets that have features I’d like to have in my own closet. I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you.

This is how I organize my closet now – like garments hung together and sorted by color. I think it’s a sickness, but I have to have my closet organized from light to dark. And you people who throw your clothes on the floor? Does not compute. I had a college roommate who would hang her clothes inside out on the hangers if if that’s how they came out of the dryer. Before seeing that, it had never occurred to me that someone might do that. GASP! College was a learning experience.

Filed Under: Decorate Your Home 6 Comments

Can Quirk Go Too Far?

by Lindsay Ballard on April 1, 2013 19 Comments

This past weekend, my friend Kristi and I made the trek to the Round Top Antique Market. I adore going to the market to sift through the miles and miles (literally) of antiques, vintage wares and junk. Kristi was a virgin Round Topper, but she was a super trooper and we shopped until we dropped (almost literally).

At the end of the trip, I thought that this Spring’s market felt very different than in years past. There were fewer shoppers, the prices were higher and there wasn’t much that was really unique. If I see another reproduced “vintage” metal letter made in Mexico, I may scream. Where was the originality? Where was the quirk?

There were a few amazing pieces, though. Kristi picked up a two cast iron skillets and a really cool set of drinking glasses. I found myself another wooden bowl and this really unique sculpture. I’m thinking of putting it in the playroom since the kids really love it.

Isn’t it fun? Or, have I taken the quest for my home to be unique a bit too far? I’m leaning towards fun, but I can understand if it seems a bit creepy to some of you. To each his own, right?