This week, I’ve been fully committed to getting up to speed with blogging and finally cleaning up our home from Christmas.  It has been a blast, but after I was just trying to mentally get back in the game last week, I feel like there’s so many tangible pieces to clean up that I find it slightly overwhelming.  (Also, if you guys have any suggested methods for organizing emails, please send my way.  This blogging email thing is getting crazy!)

Since I’m at a good point to be re-organizing, and I’m in the middle of reading Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up book, I’m using pictures as inspiration to get me where I want to go.  Check out my models of perfection and tips galore below.

In this series, I highlight some of my favorite finds from across the week.  Whether they’re informational links, awesome new products, or fun pictures, I hope you enjoy!  If you’re interested in seeing other Top Five posts, check out past posts here.

I’m not thinking that we’ll be getting new furniture at this point, so this infograpic has some fantastic ideas that can be created using the furniture we already have.  Where can we move the couch to open up our space?  How can we incorporate mirrors to increase the look and feel of our square footage?  These are simple suggestions that can make a significant difference.

This article, by Jenna Sue Design, highlights where you should be spending and where you should be saving across a kitchen re-do.  We’re not updating our rental kitchen, but I love the clean lines and fresh light across this space.  It’s the perfect way to inspire some tidying up and purging of unnecessary items when that’s close to last on my list of things I want to fit in my schedule.

I’m AMAZED by this re-do on dearlillieblog, and that may be the under-statement of the year!  This family purchased a 1970’s home and updated almost every corner.  The pictures on the site very clearly show the difference that can be made with cans of paint and strategically placed furniture.  But seriously, those beams and that fireplace… swoon.

This blog post, by live love diy, makes me think that I have the potential to become a DIYer!  Painting tile and changing out faucet handles sounds simple enough that it might even be in my consideration set!  Some ideas may be out of my realm of thinking (if I’m pulling up tile, I guarantee the fix will be more expensive than whatever we started with), but the simplification of most of the steps is just my cup of tea.

I saw this image years ago, and have tried to remember these mantras across my past few homes.  I’m in love with our bedding, have at least one plant living at all times (currently two, but we’ll see if that sticks), and keep our luxurious faux fur throw within an arms reach of where we regularly relax on the couch.  I have found it interesting that what we had in bling in Chicago, we’ve made up for in antlers and reclaimed wood in Denver.  Does that mean we belong?  (I’m ignoring the clutter idea until we have time to clean up this weekend… phew!)

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What are your favorite home tips that you’ve learned over the years?

Do you have any “mantras” that you live by when decorating your home?

Create a great life!