bedroom in shades of whites 🤍🤎

Shades of whites in this bedroom has completely taken over me! 🤍🤎

The stick hanging on ropes to hang clothes...what a cool concept 🤎🤍

The Dutch door

The elm benches

The wood beams

I could go on and on. 🤎🤍

decorating with white jack-o-lanterns

As you know, I love decorating with white for any season. When I find white jack-o-lanterns, I will get it, or paint it with chalk paint. This Jack Skellington pumpkin was a random find last year at a gas station. 

This is Walter. Each year I bring him out with a different base. Last year I used a large candle stick. This year it's a planter.  Walter was a regular cheap orange pumpkin that I got at Walmart with a light kit that needs replacing by the way. I painted him white with chalk paint and he's a family and friends favorite. 

Throwing A Throw (blanket)

Have you ever wondered how the designers throw a blanket and make it look amazing? You try and try and it looks like someone sat on it or pulled it from the trash 😂 🙋‍♀️ 

For years I have studied off and on the art of styling a throw. Lately I have realized that its actually quite simple. 

1. What is it's purpose? For guests? To cushion your seat? For display only? 

2. What is the style of your throw? 

Is it textured differently in the middle, edges, etc all over the throw or is the texture consistent throughout the blanket? 

These are the questions you must conclude first. 

Now, I am no expert, however, I am showing how this has helped me to not be so fussy with it. 

In the picture above, this particular throw is different throughout.  It has ribbed edging, different knitted textures on the sides and middle. I threw it casually then moved around sides of it I wanted to show off. This is a very casual look made for display or to grab and cozy up with. 

This throw is a consistent pattern all over. These are great folded, tucked or thrown. In this photo above, I pinched the middle making a point and threw it into the corner. Add a throw pillow on top and now it's ready for the guest you know will need one when visiting. 😂

This photo above is a great way to use your sherpa throws. Sherpa is like a faux super soft wool. Its texture is consistent all over. When you have a leather chair and you don't want your legs to stick or freeze, you can use these as make shift slip covers. Or maybe you just don't like the look of your chair. Voila. Instant camouflage.  

Another way I love to use throws is for extra cushion on hard seats. No seat cushions? Use a folded throw. They also look cute propped up on a stool to grab and cozy up to. 

For fringed throws or throws with tassles, you want to show off that part of the blanket. When you walk into the room, look and see if you see the fringe or tassles right away. In this photo, I have it laying on the back of my bench since that's the first thing you see when walking into my dining room. 

Bedroom throws are GREAT for layering. A bed looks fluffier and cozy when using layers. This is a great way to achieve that look. 

Finally, I want to show you a special blanket my mother crocheted for me years ago. It has a unique edge to it. In the photo below, is an antique chair that my husband and my babies were rocked in. I wanted my mothers throw on this chair. I pleated the throw to show off not only the edging but the gorgeous texture of it throughout.  

I hope you have been inspired to throw a throw now! Keep trying, you'll get the hang of it. Just realize what its use will be and you got it! 

Autumn entryway. Ways to cozy up and make an inviting entryway.

Have you ever thought about encorporating cozy spaces into all areas of your home? I think one of the most important spaces is your entryway. This is where you welcome your guests and family. This is the first space they see and the first impression they get of your home other than the drive up curb appeal. The impression I want to leave is

1. Welcoming. 

2. Cozy.

3. Stress free. 

4. Fun. 

5. Real. 

1 thru 4 is self explanatory but 5, I will go into more detail here. 

When I say "real", I mean just that. I want my guests to know I live here so if it's there, use it. My antiques, my fine China, my painted coffee table, all of that is meant to be loved and used. So, kick your feet up on my table, and make yourself at home here! 

Also, we live in a smaller home. We budget, we thrift, we make a lot of our things. If we want something and its not in the budget, we look up how to make it ourselves. 

So many of my things we made or thrifted for a few dollars. Some things are hand me downs. Some things are curb side pick ups. 

Our entryway is very long and narrow. It has been my nemesis trying to decorate since we have been here. However, I am getting accustomed to this little entry and growing to love it. After all, it invites so many dear people into my home. 🤎

Fall Breakfast room on a budget

Hi friends! It is almost September and no better time than to give you more Fall inspo on a budget one room at a time. 

First, let me show you this adorable pumpkin I made last year from an old Henley tee, a target dollar spot pumpkin and a twig from outside. The ribbons I had laying around. All I did was wrap the cut up tee around the pumpkin, hot glue in the stem and tie it on top with ribbons. 

I folded down the top of the shirt after tying just to add a leaf effect. The next several photos are step by step showing the process...

Next is the breakfast room. 

I have an old Pyrex amber color bottle. I have never really used it until I styled it today. It has a very narrow opening so I never really thought of it as a vase. I have these twigs I bought at Hobby Lobby last year so I decided to cut them up since the stems were narrow and shove as many as I could into this narrow opening. I love the look. 

I added some acorns and these you can find around your neighborhood or a nearby park. Collect them on your walk because there are so many cute things you can do with them! Add them to a bowl, etc. My Fall living room ideas on a buget  post shows them coming out of a scoop I had. 

As I was taking photos, one of the candles I had burned down all the way. I thought hmmmm this would be the perfect opportunity to show another cute way to decorate a tablescape. 

Do you see anything different? 

I added some silverware. I bought these on Amazon 2 years ago and have loved them! The straw pumpkins came from Hobby Lobby and the wicker tray from a friend who was throwing it away 😱 

The stained glass window I have had for 30 years and the window door hanging in the patio door (see pictures above) came from Kirklands last year. So, as you can see, shop your home. I haven't bought a single thing for Fall this year in this room. Look around your home and your Fall bins in storage. Maybe you want a different look this year. You can always transform what you have with chalk paint or cover it up with an old tee-shirt in your new fall colors. Thrift stores have them for a dollar or 2 and they are so much cheaper then buying fabric at the store. Repurpose! 

Have a beautiful day my friends! 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @lambertcottage I post on stories there daily. 🙂