DIY Topiary

I have heard several people wanting to know how to make a topiary. There are lots of ways, but here is how I made mine.  

This topiary started off like this 👇

I got this at the Thrift store just like this minus the chalk paint. 

As you can see, this twig ball was put on some long straight twigs with hot glue. 

When I brought it home, I added some Kilz chalk paint to the pot by just dry brushing a light coat. 

Then I added this garland...

I cut up some of the garland then wrapped and tucked pieces of the garland to completely cover this twig ball. The twigs made it easy to tuck pieces in. 

Its really that simple! 

Fall Living room ideas on a BUDGET

Hi there friends! I decided to start decorating for Fall early this year in hopes of giving you some inspiration. Fall is my most favorite time of year so I won't tire of it easily. Besides, if you know me, I'm changing my decor around on a daily basis almost. 

On Instagram, I put a poll up to help me decide which room to decorate for Fall first. 75% voted for the living room so here it is. Never fear, the breakfast nook will be next week! 

In the photo above, I took wheat, dried grasses, things you find in nature and tied them together to hang upside down for added cozy texture. Decorating doesn't have to be expensive. Actually, my most favorite decor comes from nature. 

Last year, I found this old rusty Folgers coffee can at a thrift antique booth. I believe it was 2 dollars. I love using rusted old tins for vases. The wheat inside, I picked up at our local farmers market for a few dollars. I love to support our farmers whenever I can. 

One thing to really cozy up a room is to use textured pillows. Shop your home. Maybe you have that one pillow in another room that you never thought about being on your sofa before. 

Acorns. Take a walk outside in your neighborhood or in a park. You are for sure to find these gems all around! 

I bought this old scoop a month ago for $5. Scoops are fun to put pinecones in also for this fall and winter. Look outside for some fallen branches. Those are super cute in a container. 

If you have an Instagram account, please follow me @lambertcottage 

DIY Kitchen Island

It all started with my love for woods and whites. My husband loves that combination as well so we set out to look for a piece of furniture to use as an island. I know I wanted a wood top or butcher block. The more we saw the higher prices, the more we thought we could do this ourselves and save tons of money! 

Our current kitchen island has a granite counter. We didn't want to remove it in case we wanted to sell the house someday and we knew we could never match the granite on our other countertops if we did get rid of the island or top. So....the next solution was to make a top to rest on top of the granite with a skirt lip around the sides to keep it from sliding and cover all edges of the granite. 

So, we decided to use some 2"x6" boards and 1"x3" boards for the edge skirt. 

We measured then placed the boards on top to see how much we wanted to go outward to allow for the skirt edge. 

We used 2"x4" boards on each end so we could screw screws in going both directions shown in the photo. This would keep from any movement. 

Before we put the skirting on, we took this whole piece outside to sand.

Now for the skirt edges. Remember how I said we are creating like a box top lid? In this picture, we have the side skirt left to put on then on to danding everything. 

Here is the stain we use on almost everything in our home. 

Tada!!!

Isn't she pretty?!  We will now put rubber pads under the wood to protect the granite and to keep it from shootings since we left some room around the edges to keep it from being too tight of a fit. 

If you would like to see more of this kitchen island, follow me on Instagram @lambertcottage 

Fall decor Ideas

Hi friends! 

As Fall approaches, I thought I would share some Fall inspiration for you here. I will start putting put Fall decor out soon to hopefully inspire and give you ideas. Below are some photos of some cozy Autumn rooms I have put together for you. 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @lambertcottage for more inspiration. 

Lots of love! 

Melissa

Decorating with books and repurpose reuse

I have had these shelves for quite some time. I got them at a Restore place and have been meaning to paint them for awhile now. I decided it was time. They were too dark. My home has dark floors, darkish gray walls and dark furniture which is why I like to decorate with white. 🤍

These are small little shelf ends. I am using them for book ends because I love to read and needed my books up on my end table. I always see things for what they aren't purposed for. 🤷‍♀️ I have ways been that way. So, these shelf ends are now bookends. For now. 😂

I painted them with white creamy chalk paint then used a sander to distress the natural places where they would be worn. 

They almost look chippy white don't  they? I love how they turned out! 

Now my little reading area is complete. I hope I inspired you to shop your home, use a little bit of paint, and repurpose something. It will give you the brand new item in your home feel 😉

Pillow Talk

I once was asked if I collected anything. Oh, I have collected things over the years but lately, when asked that question, I couldnt think of a thing I collected. When I posted on Instagram today, I realized something. I collect PILLOWS. Yes, throw pillows.  You could have hit me in the head with a pillow when I realized this. I don't like to buy 2 of the same. I like a variety of textures, sizes and shades of whites or neutrals. So, now, I am prepared for that question again. 🙃😉

Bow, I haven't counted them. Kinda scared too 😂 they do fill my linen closets and closets....but I bought another one.  Picture below...more on this one later! 

Linen closet organization

My master bath linen closet is wide open. You see it when you walk in. Anyone who knows me, knows I love a clean kept home. Our other linen closet was full. Very full, where this one had empty shelves so I got a brilliant idea. Move everything from the stuffed linen closet that I use a lot to this one. Much easier on the laundry being put away now because it's all in one spot. A win/WIN! 

As you can see, if you have an open linen area....

1.  Keep it monochromatic. It makes it much more pleasing to the eye and helps the look of organization. 

2.  Look up videos on ways to fold sheets and towels. I have learned so much through the art of hotel folding that I love and keeps my OCD at bay 😂

3. I use white. This way, I can bleach stains and feel more sanitary since these are our sheets and towels. 

Laundry Room Makeover

It all started with a thought of "I need to clean this laundry room and just make it cute. I'm tired of this style and want a change."

Ok. It was cute for a little while. But it had been a year so it was time to redo the decor. 

so, it gets to this stage then my husband comes up with the brilliant idea to SHIPLAP 😳😲

and then wanted to make a wooden countertop 😍

Tada!!! Now, let me show you what it looked like when we moved in 🤢

3 ways to style your coffee table for Summer

Do you ever get bored of staring at the same coffee table day in and day out? Well, just shop your own home, walk from room to room and see what all you have to change up your decor! 

Here are 3 ideas to get you started. 

I love adding throws on a coffee table to soften and cozy up the look. Notice the decor is all odd numbers of something. It is more pleasing to the eye to decorate in 3's, 5's, etc.