Category: Home Decor

Home Decor

Weekend Basement Renovation

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Weekend Basement Renovation

Hello Friends! It has been a while since I’ve done an at home DIY project, and I am so excited to share with you all our basement renovation! When I took my business Details and Swirls full time back in May, our basement quickly became our workshop for packing orders. Each week and month we added more and more to our packing station, and before we knew it we were spending about 15 hours a week in our dark, dingy, old basement working! With the upcoming Christmas season, I wanted to create a clean, organized, and enjoyable workshop space we wouldn’t dread working in! Since we do not have a lot of free time, I knew this project had to be done over the course of one weekend. We split the project up into three main steps: CLEAN, Paint Walls, Paint Floor. I am so happy with how everything turned out!


Step One: Clean

Our basement was a disaster. It is the storage unit for all of my Details and Swirls rental pieces, our workshop, and our place to store all of our household junk (for lack of a better term). The first step was to fully clean and organize the space. This meant throwing away LOTS of uneeded junk, organizing my business products, and throughly cleaning the area. I’m talking vacuuming each and every corner of the space (including the ceiling). We bought a Bagster from Lowe’s, which is basically a mini dumpster you can pop up on your driveway (best decision ever)! After we fully cleared and cleaned the basement it already looked and felt so much better!

Step Two: Paint Walls

Next we decided to paint all of the walls and shelves! Since this is a quick fix project we were not too concern with primer, etc. We painted 2 coats of Benjamin Moore Winds Breath and it brightened up the space SO much! Instantly the basement went from scary and dark to fresh and clean. Now our walls are very old and weathered, so we couldn’t even paint to the bottom of the wall without having wall debris flaking. We did not have time to sand down the walls, but it is probably a smart idea to sand the walls down to obtain a smoother finish!

Step Three: Paint Floor

Now if there is one thing we did that COMPLETELY transformed this space, it was painting the floors. We used this exact epoxy linked here and I cannot say enough amazing things about it! We fully mopped the floor down, and then painted two coats of the epoxy on the floors. The outcome was completely incredible, and it truly made all of the difference in the world! I decorated the space with some of my Details and Swirls pieces, baskets, and a rug, and I cannot believe it is the same basement!

Links for Decor:

Rug

Room Divider

Set of Baskets

Home Decor

Mantel Styling Tips

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Mantel Styling Tips

Hi loves! Today I am sharing some of my favorite styling tips for your mantel! I just recently decorated my mantel for fall, and I figured it would be the perfect time to share some of my tips.

Focal Piece

Whether I am decorating for a season, or just decorating in general, I always like to have a focal piece on my mantel. During non-seasonal months I have a mirror as my focal point, but during seasonal months I have a large sign (of course!). Your focal point can either be one larger piece, or a set of pieces! I personally love the look of layered focal pieces whether it is mix-matched mirrors, photo frames, or more!

Bookends

On either side of your focal piece, you will want to have two bookends. I personally like when my bookends match, but again they do not have to! If you are mix-matching your bookends, try to keep them around the same height and depth. I also like to add some filler decor between my bookends and focal piece. These can be smaller pieces of decor, or even a garland like I have in my fall mantel!

Sets of Three

Lastly, I like to stick to the set of three rule. This means that if I am grouping pieces of decor together, I generally like to have three pieces in a group. For instance if I decided to do a set of pieces for my focal point, I would likely group them in a set of three with varying heights.

Let me know if these tips help and if you use any of the tips to re-design your mantel!

Home Decor

Peel & Stick Wallpaper Tips!

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Peel & Stick Wallpaper Tips!

Hello friends! We finally put up our peel and stick wallpaper yesterday and I am so in love with the finished result! The exact wallpaper I picked out can be found here, and my full round up of favorite wallpapers I was deciding between can be found here!

If I’m being honest, the process of putting the wallpaper up was a bit stressful and more difficult than I anticipated. The specific wallpaper I bought did not come with the best instructions, so we just took it upon ourselves to figure out the best approach! Our specific wallpaper is patterned and came in 4 separate vertical panels, so lining up the panels exactly to match the pattern on the wall presented a bit of a challenge! I will leave my top tips below that helped us during the process!

Tip #1 – Ensure the top of your wallpaper is level

This is the MOST important tip I have for installing your peel and stick wallpaper. We definitely ran into some issues because our panels were not perfectly level at the top of our wall. If the top of the panel is not level, as you continue to peel and stick the wallpaper down the wall it will ever so slightly veer diagonally. This will result in creasing, and will also make it more difficult to line up the pattern for the next panels.

Tip #2 – Squeegee

To prevent and erase any bubbles use a squeegee to really press the paper down as you peel it. It definitely helps to have two people working on each panel. As one person peels and sticks the paper down, the other person runs the squeegee over the paper to evenly press through any bubbles!

Tip #3 – Pattern Alignment

The hardest part for us when putting the wallpaper up was aligning the pattern for each panel. Similar to the squeegee, it is helpful if one person focuses on peeling and sticking the wallpaper and the other person focuses on aligning the pattern. Since our panels were not perfectly level (tip #1), it was nearly impossible to get the pattern to line up exactly. I intentionally creased some areas of the wallpaper if the pattern was not lining up as we continued peeling down the panel. While we were applying the wallpaper I thought it was not matching up great and there were quite a few creases, but to my surprise when I stepped back you could not see any imperfections!

Although applying the patterned wallpaper was a bit tricky, I highly recommend a busy pattern because it camouflages any imperfections, and the pattern really does blend together even if it is not lined up perfectly!

Home Decor

Neutral Farmhouse Peel & Stick Wallpaper!

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Neutral Farmhouse Peel & Stick Wallpaper!

Hi loves! We are in the process of doing a cosmetic renovation to our bedroom and I could not be more excited. I am creating a cozy corner in our room with an egg chair, adorable pillows, fluffy rug, and an accent wall! I started my search for our accent wall first. I knew I wanted some type of muted patterned wallpaper and came across the new trend of peel and stick wallpaper! I have no idea which pattern I want to go with, but I wanted to share some of the patterns I am deciding between. I’ve discovered some amazing brands during this search, and I cannot wait to try them out! Even if you are in the market for a bolder pattern, there is no shortage of adorable prints and colors to bring your walls to life!

  1. Magnolia Home – I had NO idea Joanna Gaines had her own peel and stick wallpaper line, but are we surprised at how gorgeous it is?! This pattern may be a bit too bright for what I’m personally going for, but I feel like I need to find a space in my home to put it because it’s just too pretty!
  2. RoomMates – I am SO happy I discovered this brand! This specific pattern I think would look really cute in a bathroom, but they also have so many other adorable patterns like this blue tiled pattern, which if you know me you know I am just obsessed!
  3. Loomwell – Barlow – This brand is seriously out of a magazine! I fell in love with all of their patterns, especially their adorable floral nursery designs! Seriously saving them in my back pocket for nursery decor one day! My other two favorites from this brand for my bedroom space are the Oakley and Ivy.
  4. Etsy – WatercolourWorkshop – This is a top contender for our bedroom accent wall! I am in love with the muted colors and the herringbone pattern.
  5. Etsy – TimberleaMinimal – Another gorgeous tile-like pattern! It may be slightly busy for the large area we need, but I still think I am going to order a sample to test it out!
  6. Etsy – IPInteriors – I am seriously kicking myself for not discovering this before finishing my office! This is definitely too feminine for our bedroom, but I am in love with the floral pattern and gold tones, it would have been absolutely perfect for my office!
  7. Etsy – artlinkwallpaper – Similar to #2, I think this pattern would look great in a bathroom behind a mirror! I am loving this trend, and now I am seriously thinking of adding some wallpaper like this to our downstairs bath!
  8. Etsy – AccentuWall – In love with this pattern, and this company has many other beautiful prints!

I will be deciding on a wallpaper over the next few days, let me know which one is your favorite!

Home Decor

Choosing The Perfect Paint Colors!

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Choosing The Perfect Paint Colors!

Hi friends! We are finally, FINALLY nearing the end of our big home renovations (YAY)! While we did not professionally renovate every room in our house, we did redo the interiors of each room to match my style and interior design vision. This cosmetic renovation came along with painting each room in our home to attain a cohesive look! Simply painting the walls and trim in our home made the biggest difference in making the space look fresh and new!

The two colors we used throughout our entire home are Benjamin Moore Collingwood and Sherwin William Oyster Bay. We used Oyster Bay for our kitchen and dining areas, and Collingwood for the living space, stairwell, bathrooms, and office. Both colors can be seen below!

While I absolutely LOVE these colors for our home, it is so tricky to pick out paint colors based upon someone else’s photos because every single home is different! The way paint looks in once space can look completely different in another based upon the lighting, wall surface area, shadows, and more! I am listing my top three tips when it comes to choosing a wall color, I hope is is helpful in your decision making process!

Tip #1 – Decide Yellow or Blue

Now I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t want yellow or blue on my walls…”! Deciding between “yellow” or “blue” is just deciding the undertone of your wall color. Do you want a warm undertone (yellow) or a cool undertone (blue)? Even the most similar of colors can look SO incredibly different in a room if the undertones are different. The undertones can sometimes be difficult to identify, so I put some examples below to help!

Tip #2 – Bottom of the Color Wheel

If you are having trouble identifying the undertone of the paint color, grab a color wheel from your local paint shop and start flipping through. I find it challenging to identify undertones of very light colors, so once I spot a color I like I trace the color all the way down the strip to the darkest variation of the color. From here it is much easier to see the true root of the color. I find this especially helpful when looking at grey paint colors. When you trace a grey paint color down the wheel it could actually be very blue or very yellow!

Top #3 – Big swatches!

My final tip is to narrow down your options to around 3 colors and paint big swatches on all different sides of the room you are painting! It is absolutely impossible to pick a paint color based upon the tiny paper sample you find in the color wheel or store. The best way to see how the color will look in your room is to manually paint a swatch on the wall and see how it looks with the light and structure of your room!

I hope these tips help, if you use any of them when choosing your paint colors be sure to let me know!

Home Decor

Finding Ornate Gold Mirrors!

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Finding Ornate Gold Mirrors!

Hello loves! Today I am writing a much long overdue post! When I began my wedding sign rental business Details and Swirls, I fell in love with ornate gold mirrors. I started collecting beautiful mirrors to add to my rental collection, and this obsession grew and quickly took over the decor in our home. Along the way I’ve picked up many tips and tricks on where to search for these pieces, and how to find them for the best price! Today I am walking you through exactly how and where I find all of my beautiful mirrors!

Facebook Marketplace

This is my NUMBER ONE secret when it comes to finding vintage gold mirrors! Believe it or not, there is an overwhelming number of mirrors on facebook marketplace. Now, this approach definitely takes some time and effort. If you are on the hunt for mirrors I suggest checking facebook marketplace around 3 times a day consistently, and reach out immediately when you see something you are interested in. These pieces go very quickly, and I am still kicking myself on some mirrors that I missed! Browsing facebook marketplace definitely takes some imagination. Many times the photos are poor, but you have to picture how the piece would look once it is cleaned and in a well lit space! Half of my mirrors (especially my really big ones) are all from facebook for a fraction of the price! I once found a $1,000 mirror I was eyeing for months online for just under $300 on marketplace (coming to my rental collection soon!), just keep checking consistently and they will appear!

Antique Stores

The next place I shop for my mirrors are antique and vintage stores. I have purchased 3-4 of my mirrors from antique shops and there are pros and cons. The pros are the quality and history. All of my antique store mirrors are my best quality pieces, and they most often come with a story of how old the piece is and the origination. The main con is the price. Unfortunately many mirrors at antique stores are quite expensive, so while you may be able to barter, you probably will not get the cheapest mirror at a vintage store.

Online

While I absolutely love searching marketplace and antique stores for mirrors, sometimes I do not have months to wait for the perfect piece to magically appear. Luckily after lots and lots and lots of digging, I’ve found numerous beautiful mirrors online (many of which I own)! Some are more expensive than others, and I will list them below based upon price!

$20 Amazon – Small Gold Mirror
$40 Target – Makes a beautiful small mantel mirror!

$75 – Kirkland’s

$80 – Kirkland’s (store pick up only) I’ve been eyeing this mirror for MONTHS! I wish I had a Kirkland’s by me!
$199 – Amazon – This mirror is gorgeous! While I do not own it personally, a bride sent me this piece to write on and I was blown away by the quality!
$218 – Amazon – I own this mirror in two different finishes and just adore it! I currently have it hanging it my office, it is one of my favorites and amazing quality!
$299 – Pottery Barn – This is the mirror I purchased for our mantel and it is stunning. While it is expensive, wait for Pottery Barn to have a sale and you will be able to get it for a discount!
$364 – Kohl’s – This Uttermost mirror is my favorite. I currently have this piece hanging in our family room and the muted gold tones are gorgeous!
Home Decor

Egg Chair Round Up!

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Egg Chair Round Up!

Hi friends! I am dying to get my hands on an egg chair, I feel like they have been everywhere lately! I have the most perfect corner in my bedroom, but I am having trouble pulling the trigger on spending $300+ on a chair mostly for decoration…so I decided to take a deep dive to see if I could find anything cheaper! Unfortunately in terms of “egg chairs” they are all around the same $300 price tag. Even though I could not find many specific egg chairs under $300, I did find many alternatives that have the same style and aesthetic for a fraction of the price! I will definitely be purchasing #6 to put in my bedroom corner, I think it will give off the same overall vibe, I am so excited!

1) Wayfair $314

2) Big Lots $370 – I have been tracking this and is seems to go on sale often, so keep tabs on it!

3) Overstock $315

4) Walmart $297 – Currently out of stock, but sign up for updates!

5) Serena & Lily $198 – Not necessarily an egg chair, but same exact design details, materials, and coloring!

6) World Market $230 – This is my TOP pick! I am so happy I came across this find! This is the best egg chair dupe I could find under $300, and I think this is the one I am going to order for my bedroom! It is less bulkier and has all of the same design details as the traditional egg chair!

7) Wayfair $240

8) IKEA $130 – Cushion not included!

Home Decor

Designing My Backyard Bungalow

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Designing My Backyard Bungalow

Hello friends! I am back today with another home makeover post! One of my favorite parts of owning my first home is designing every room from the ground up. I’ve completed the design for almost every room inside our home, and I thought it was about time to begin on the design plans for our patio! Now we do not have the largest patio space, but it is such a cute and cozy area to relax in. I imagine drinking coffee in the mornings, and lounging under the stars in the evenings and I am just too excited!

With every room design I’ve done for our house, I always create a design plan. My design plans include colors for the space, patterns, and the pieces of furniture or decor I want to incorporate. I partnered up with Wayfair to create the design plans for my backyard bungalow, and I am seriously obsessed! As you all know, I am in love with the Moroccan tile design and all things neutral and grey. The decor in our home is greatly influenced by these design aspects, and I wanted our outdoor space to follow! I decided to stay with the main design element of grey Moroccan pattern, but also incorporate navy blue for a flare of color. I love how everything is coming together, and I already have some of these pieces on the way! I think it is important to keep a consistent decor theme throughout your home including the outdoor space! If you are planning to redesign a new room or outdoor space in your home, I highly encourage you to start with a design plan! This will help you ensure all of your pieces coordinate and fit into the aesthetic you are envisioning! Below are links to all of my top picks for my backyard design, happy patio season!

Home Decor

Garage Door Makeover

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Garage Door Makeover

Hello friends! I am coming to you today with the EASIEST DIY tutorial! I love the look of farmhouse garage doors, I think they make a huge difference in the curb appeal of a home. While new garage doors are definitely not on the top of our home renovation list, I found the easiest way to mimic the look with magnetic hardware! I wasn’t quite sure how easy or nice this project would turn out, but I am SO happy with the outcome! Everything you need can be found on Amazon prime, and it took me 15 minutes to do!

Everything you will need:
Sponge
Cleaner
Painter’s Tape (1 inch)
Window Magnets
Hardware Magnets

Step 1: Clean Garage Doors
First thing first, clean! This is not necessary, but I wanted to make sure we were putting the magnets on a clean surface, so I simply took a sponge with some household cleaner and wiped down the areas I would be working on.

Step 2: Add Windows
Time to add our “windows”! Using painter’s tape, measure out a + on each of your garage door squares. Ensure that the horizontal line on each square is at the same height so all of your windows line up! You can use a measuring tape to assist with this, but I found that eyeballing it worked perfectly fine! Once your tape + is up, stick on the magnetic square to each quadrant. Peel away the tape and you have your windows! I am really impressed with the quality of these magnetics, the suction is extremely strong! Repeat this step for all “windows”.

Step 3: Add Hardware
Once the windows are up, it is time to add the hardware! Again these magnets are extremely strong, so they basically flew out of my hand and attached to the door! You can place the hardware anywhere you like, but I chose to place one of mine below the first row of the door and one above the last row of the door. I popped the handles in the middle and that is it! A completely new set of doors in under 15 minutes!

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links – We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Home Decor

11 Amazon Home Finds!

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11 Amazon Home Finds!

Hi friends! I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Today I am sharing my favorite Amazon home finds! Given the current global situation, my routine trips to HomeGoods and Hobby Lobby have been cut short, but luckily Amazon is still in full swing, so I’ve rounded up some of my favorite pieces I’ve found for our home!

1) Mercury Glass Curtain Rods – we currently have these on all of our living room windows and they are BEAUTIFUL!

2) Cathedral Mirrors – I have two of these on either side of a canvas in our dining room and I am in love. They are such a steal for the price and the detailing is gorgeous!

3) Blue and White Terracotta Vases – I wanted to bring some Mediterranean flair into our decor, and these three vases do just that! I currently have them displayed on our dining room table.

4) Tin Bread Box – Not much to explain here, I have this our on our kitchen counter and it is a cute way to hide away all of our bread!

5) Treat Jar – Such a cute jar to keep all of Luana’s treats in!

6) Eucalyptus Leaves – Hands down my favorite leaves! I use these to fill my pitcher vase!

7) Mercury Glass Vases – I think these are my favorite find! I have them mixed with the terracotta vases on the dining room table, and they reflect the light in the most beautiful way!

8) Cotton Stems – I also use these to fill my pitchers and vases!

9) Wooden Ladder – A ladder is a perfect way to fill a corner in a room! Simply drape a few pretty throw blankets over and it is an instant makeover!

10) Boxwood Wreath – We have one of these on our door to the basement and it adds a little touch of color and life!

11) Grey Plaid Runner – I currently have this on our dining room table, and I love how it ties in the grey colors of our home, and also makes the display look a little more casual!

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links – We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.