Greetings friends! I’ve arrived safely in Nashville, y’all!! I love this place, they have rocking chairs in the airport while you wait for your luggage. Well that’s just down home southern hospitality if you ask me. The BBQ here is divine, and I can’t wait to head downtown to hear some live music later this week!
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So I had this great post for yesterday answering a reader’s question, “Should You Start a Blog?” and I worked on it for two hours and then. . . dun dun dun. . it disappeared into thin air. It’s lost somewhere in the stratosphere between the Grand Canyon and Dallas. Grrrr. It was the perfectly timed question given I’m at a blog conference this week, the same one I was at last year. I’ll do my best to recreate it later today. Pinky swear.
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Meanwhile, ooohhh goody goody, look who’s here today! Only one of my new favorites! Please welcome Ms. Shelley from House of Smiths. Take it away lovely lady.
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“Hello, my fellow Centsational readers,
Shelley here, from House of Smiths!
Let me introduce myself :
I’m a proud Mom to three adorable girls, and am lucky enough to have a hubby who is as passionate about life, DIY’ing and making our “house” a HOME, as I am!
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I’m so happy that Kate asked me to do a little guest post for her, while she’s away!
House of Smiths is a collaboration of home diy, crafting, family, and all the humor that we find in it, along the way!
I thought it would be fun to share with you fabulous readers, a top 5 round up of some of our most favorite projects that we’ve worked on this past year, around the house!
First I have to ask you… have you ever said to your house…
“House?… do you think it would be possible to change our style, completely?”
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wait… you don’t “talk” to your house…hmm… lol…
Well, I’m here to tell you, you CAN! And it won’t break the bank!
Here are a few ways that we took OUR home from a dark “Tuscan-type look” with reds, blacks, and browns…
To a fresh, bright, airier feeling home, that we enjoy being in everyday!
Or big “kickoff” started with the Laundry Room.
It was dark, cluttered, and well… probably a lot like every other laundry room in America. ha!
With the help of a little paint, trim, and repainted thrift store chandelier…
Our Laundry Room space has turned into a place we don’t dread, anymore!
Next we moved onto our 3 girls’s bathroom.
Again, it was a dark, small space that needed some brightening up!
Nothing was wrong with it, before, but just not the “look” we were going for, anymore.
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Along with a fresh coat of paint, we added a fun wall treatment…
and an instant room enlargen-ing (I know, not a world…lol) framed out beadboard trimmed ceiling!
And a simple, custom chunky frame to the mirror!
Just outside our (now bright) bathroom, was our hallway and entryway.
So onto that, we started!
Simplifying the layout with three large frames, new track lighting from IKEA,
a thirfty table re-do, and a new spray painted chandelier.
Next, we moved onto the kitchen.
Our first “plan of action” was to get the pantry in order.
That thing looked like a bomb went off in it, and I KNEW I had to get it under control.
Cue: Orgnization OVERHAUL…ha!
It’s been SO nice to actually be able to FIND what we need, when we need it, now!
Lastly…
One of our simplest projects that we tackled were our kitchen shelves.
Not a “House of Smiths original” by any means, but the space that it provides us for decorating throughout the year, due to the lack of a fireplace mantel, REALLY makes them one of my most favorite projects to date! :)
We are SO excited to start in on some more projects in 2011!
We have a Master bathroom redo, and a garage makeover in the works, along with lots of other small projects to check off, on our list of “things to do”.
so much to do, so little time. ha!
Thank you SO MUCH Kate for having us! We love your blog, and find inspiration in it, daily :)
And a big thank you to all of you, “centsational” readers, for letting me pop in and say Hi!
We hope you find yourselves in our neck of the woods, sometime soon, and if you are…
Feel free to stop by the house and say hi!
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Isn’t she marvelous? Could you die looking at her pantry? I saw it last year as did many of you, but I never get tired of looking at it. Mental note: must makeover my own pantry Shelley style! I adore House of Smiths and I know you will too !
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I’ll be back soon if I can piece that other post together. Now I’m off to attend some workshops, have a fabulous day friends, see you tomorrow !!
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What a great guest post! I love how you made everything “prettier” in your house! I love it!
Off to go check out your blog :)
Wow, some great transformations. I like her style and she seems so friendly!
First off… I’m envious of anyone that has a pantry, but dang, I’d give my little toe to have a beauty like yours Shelley!! Everything looks great!
What a great idea to decorate behind the canned goods in the pantry! Lovely style you have!
Oh, so YOU”RE the pantry girl :) I’ve seen that beautiful space on lots of blogs lately. Enjoyed seeing the rest of your pretty home.
Emily
I have been reading Shelley’s blog for a long time and let me just tell you how fabulous she is! If you haven’t already been to her page… GO NOW! :)
Great feature. :) I like Shelley’s blog a lot–she’s funny and has great style. I enjoyed this post b/c it’s been in the back of my mind, nagging me, but I really do think my house is ready to change it’s style! I feel like I’ve been in limbo for a long time, trying to decide what I even like. Little by little I am figuring it out, and I’m ready for some changes. :)
Two of my favorite blogger in one post??? What a way to start my day!!! Thanks to both Kate and Shelley. Shelley, it’s so funny that your post is about changing your palette from Tuscan-inspired to more light and airy…I’ve been trying to achieve that in my house, but my husband is very resistant. You’re lucky that your hubby is on board with you! I also have 3 daughters, twins then a singleton. You are so lucky!!! My twins are now 20 y/o and at college, and my “baby” is 14 and a freshman in high school…time flies! Enjoy your babies, and take lots of pictures! Thanks for the post :)
Wow, everything is so gorgeous. I love the pantry!!!!
Shelley…..Wonderful!! love the befores and afters, the changes are good AND PRETTY:) I think your pantry is probably famous by now….it’s everywhere. I am copying your bird window….it is cute!
Kate, Waaiiittting for the “lost in space” post about starting a blog! I swear some of my favorite bloggers have been in my head this week :)
I love the style in both blogs. Thanks for the guest post!
6:45 am in Cali and filled with inspiration! You know how you have that one talented friend that can do just about anything? With the blessing of blogging now you have even more friends to inspire you! Thx CG an House of Smiths!
Love Shelley and ALL of her AMAZING projects!! Can’t pick a favorite, cause I love them all!
What a beautiful family and Oh my..the blog….I love the shelves decorated for Christmas and halloween and that bathroom!!!…..Im going to be addicted!
I stopped what I was doing at work to comment on this post. I LOVE everything! You’re adorable family and your beautiful house. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I’m going right now to follow House of Smith’s blog!
I stopped what I was doing at work to comment on this post. I LOVE everything! You’re adorable family and your beautiful house. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I’m going right now to follow House of Smith’s blog!
Love your blog…and this post is fantastic. I love the changes you’ve made! So fun to see all of your clever touches. I’d love to move in! :)
A great guest post and I’ll definitely be checking out her blog right now!
Oh my goodness…I love her pantry. I’m heading over to her blog to check out more. Thanks to Shelley for a great guest post and thanks Kate for sharing her with all of us. You both are fantastic!
I adore Shelley’s blog! She has some fantastic ideas and great sense of style!
I love your home. So inviting …. I also love how you showed us the different seasons for your shelves. Thanks for sharing…
great projects! i love her pantry!!!
Great guest post, love her!!
I love House of Smiths! She seems like the “it” girl to me because her house is so organized and super cute to add on to that.
I hope you’re having fun here in Nashville! I love it so much I don’t think I could ever leave.
OMG – Will you PLEASE come to Iowa and do that to my house…I’m drooling just looking at all. AWESOME!!!!
Lovely!
And I so agree that it is possible to completely change the style of a house. Ours had quite strange choice of colors and wood all over the place (reall ALL OVER) and had a real boring feeling about it, but it’s turned out quite nicely and looks like a completely different house. Feel free to have a look at my blog.
I love Shelly’s blog too. In fact I think it was through her I found this one…it seems that all the blogs I read are connected. I’m very interested to read the blog you lost about writing a blog. I just started one and I’ sometimes wonder if I’m just writing in an already saturated market. Can’t wait to read more from both of these wonderful bloggers!
Great guest post! You and Kate make me want to paint everything white!! :)
Wow! That’s amazing! So inspiring. I am SO going to clean out my pantry now!!
Love this post with before and afters. I will admit…I have the Tuscan Style home Shelley got rid of it. I love her new style – so clean looking, but I still love my Tuscan style…and colors, which are warm and inviting.
Just goes to show, color palettes may differ in our homes, but I think what Shelley does best is show how we need to create our homes for ourselves and our families. Our homes should be our safe haven…and should reflect our personality and the personalities of those that live there.
Great post and now, a new blog to add to my list of daily reads!
Thanks!!
~a
Love this post with before and afters. I will admit…I have the Tuscan Style home Shelley got rid of it. I love her new style – so clean looking, but I still love my Tuscan style…and colors, which are warm and inviting.
Just goes to show, color palettes may differ in our homes, but I think what Shelley does best is show how we need to create our homes for ourselves and our families. Our homes should be our safe haven…and should reflect our personality and the personalities of those that live there.
Great post and now, a new blog to add to my list of daily reads!
Thanks!!
~a
That is the FREAKING CUTEST pantry I’ve ever seen. Such an unexpected place to decorate but I la la love it!
Wow, I am amazed….I dont have a crafty bone in my body!
I heart Shelley’s blog! I actually started there and came on over to visit and read her guest post. I am excited to look around and see centsational girls blog. I love making new blogland friends. You both are fabulous!
Yay! I love Shelley’s blog! Her blog is a cheery, happy place I like to visit :) Her pantry is so ridiculously beautiful and organized – I never get tired of looking at it either!
The house and redos are lovely! Great job!
I’ve seen a lot of home decor going the way of everything white white WHITE. Which is great – I think it looks airy and quaint. But the Tuscan look is beautiful too… where do you strike a balance? And what does one do when they want to refresh a space with lighter paint / decor BUT have dark heavy furniture (I’m talking about myself here)? Can’t replace a sofa, table, and bar stools. Just cannot help but think all that dark wood furniture would look ridiculous in a room full of white trimmings.
Thoughts?
Wow, great re-do’s.
Welcome to Nashvegas Ms. Centsational Girl! Are you the one who brought all the snow with you? I hope you have a great time here. Stay warm!
Gotta love a girl who puts a chandelier in her laundry room!
Love the pantry! I never thought of decorating mine, but now I will!
She’s awesome! I follow her blog… I just wanted to let you know I named you as one of my favorite stylish blogs over at my design blog! CHEERS!
I love Shelley! Not only is her blog super amazing, but she is totally cute and fun in real life. It is great to see her over here. Hope you’re having a great time in Nashville!
Shelley I was wondering if your pantry still looks as good today as it does in the after image?
Love all your vinyl too !!
Fabulous! Thanks for stopping by :-). I’m hopping over to your blog now.
I’m a big Shelley fan too! She is a sweetie who took the time to answer lots of questions when I was starting my blog. AND I love the way those shelves of hers look great for every holiday. Thanks for spotlighting her & have fun on your trip!
Warmly, Michelle
I LOVE Shelley’s blog! She’s awesome, but I must admit that I get a complex every time I open my pantry b/c I have visions of hers! Mine is on my to-do list this year for sure! Can’t wait to read your post about blogging Censational Girl!
Is there a way to receive email alerts on your blog?
thanks for the introduction to House of Smiths…a fun blog. Will be curious to see your answer on whether it is a good idea to start a blog. Pretty simple answer if you ask me…do you like to work 10-12 hours a day? Are you passionate about your topic (interior design)? Can you take constructive criticism without having to take to your bed for a week? Is your head spinning with topic ideas just waiting to be put on paper (or computer)? the list goes on and on but I would also be sure to mention the rewards of positive feedback, new friends, inspirational ideas and the feeling that goes along with doing something you love and doing it well. have fun and stay out of trouble up there in Nashville, girls.
Looks fantastic. Great work.
Love the House of Smiths. The Valentine’s decorations are great. She is so sweet you just want her for your best friend but then think I could never keep up with her. Talk about spunky.