Here in Texas, while on lockdown and quarantined due to a "Corona hangover"...errr - Covid 19 pandemic, we are all looking for ways to stay safe but also keep our sanity. Amongst the loads of google classroom docs we are all trying to stay on top of, plus trying to work from home and keep our kids happy & entertained....err - out of our hair - we also need to find a little sunshine out of all of this proverbial rain. So, just a thought to ease your cabin fever: Get outside and find a project! One of my personal favorite projects to tackle is redesigning outdoor living spaces. Updating your backyard, porch, patio or deck can be a quick way to liven up your space and also get your family outside and involved. Call it a field trip if you must! But, take advantage of this time and create a space that will in turn, create fun memories for years to come!

My dream backyard would consist of a healthy array of colorful vegetables in a raised garden alongside a mix of large succulents and  big, beautiful, showy flowers (such as roses), pavers and black crushed granite lining the back of my home. I love a gorgeous dewy grass to contrast the black details in the granite and colorful flower accents. But, I also think so much can be accomplished with a few affordable changes that pack a big punch when it comes to design! Easy to manage colorful perennials and climbing or wandering plants can really make a difference and can help save on budget too (buy a wandering or climbing plant and watch it grow and expand beyond measure! Or plant those perennials once and keep them coming back year after year!) Pop up a trellis along your fence line and plant some climbers! Crossvines are wonderful in the Texas region as they bloom pretty orange, trumpet flowers during the spring and summer. And in the fall and winter, their leaves turn purple and maintain through the cold season, keeping everything lively and lovely! Any pop color to your yard, front or back, is going to add a special design element to your outdoor appeal! And, I find gardening to be quite the stress reliever - so double win, especially in these times. 

For more tips and tricks on how to design your space, follow me on FB or Instagram!

Are you intimidated by reaching out to a designer, home decorator, home stylist, or whatever coined term is the new trend?
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I get that. I think sometimes it can be a strange thing to invite someone in to your home to pick apart your space and decide on a look that is going to best encompass your lifestyle, your vibe, your mood - all for your personal comfort zone. Sometimes people say, "Oh she hired a designer. *insert eye roll, sarcasm, etc.". And you think, "Thats just over the top."

Am I right?!

What do you do next? 

*Hops online and searches, "How to make my room look like a model home on a budget." No. "DIY Home Updates for Less." No. "Top Luxury Homes (via Houzz or Pinterest)."  
*Creates a few inspiration boards. 

Now you're sucked in to the never ending black hole of GORGEOUS, well thought out, designer homes. *Insert envious feeling.

I get it. 

*2 hours later.  

*Personal voice says, "Forget it. Everything that I want is going to be too expensive."

*Opens bottle of wine. 

*Repeats the next day. 

I GET YOU. I love the look of beautiful things. But I refuse to pay what it would cost to buy a whole car to design and decorate my living room. Beautiful things can come together on a budget. Beautiful things can be found at places other than the big box retailers or high end custom design stores. Beautiful things happen when textures and colors come together to be cohesive in a space where it makes you feel at peace.

That's the goal - right?

I work with people every day on styling their spaces. On updating their looks. On modernizing their style. 

And, let me just say, I am that girl who shops and designs for clients how I would shop and design for myself. I like a deal. I like to comparison shop. And I like to negotiate. Whether the budget is $500 or $50,000. I am not above a good deal. In fact, it's the challenge that I am truly after - if we're being honest. ;)

And, if I am spending money on anything, I want my dollar to go far. I want products and pieces that will last and stand up to the 9 and 5 year old in my house. And, I want to look at pretty things that are interesting to me for my space. Things that I might consider "functional art."

With that said, I have hand picked a few items that look like the high-end pieces that you see in some of the gorgeous storefront and designer homes that sometimes only feel like a dream. But don't fret!
​You can get the look for less without sacrificing quality!

Check out my finds below and let me know what you think!

​Also - check out this Elm Tree Home style board for inspiration on how to get the look: ​

​Dining Table: World Market

Black Cane and Elm Wood Dining Chairs: Overstock

Dinnerware: Kohls

Rug: Rugs USA

You guys, check out this king size bed next. While beautiful, it is priced at $1700 and available at one of my favorite upscale-contemporary, "just take my money" retail storefronts (Starts with a Z and ends with a Gallerie but will remain unnamed). Stunning in its handsome upholstery with button tufted details, I imagine it is a show stopper in any room where the magic happens. 

However, this very similar piece with an even more grandiose headboard with style and height to add that luxurious feel to any master retreat, is available at Wayfair for under $800 (as of the date of this posting.) You're significant other will likely appreciate the savings on this one and will still be happy to mix up the magic or slumber peacefully in this dreamy king bed. 


Stop what you're doing and just click "buy."  Find it now at Wayfair!

If you know me at all, or follow me, or have ever checked out my work - then you know I'm a lover of lights. They can make or break a home in my humble opinion -  and just a change in lights can create a whole new look and feel in a room. Lights are my favorite pieces in well designed homes and I have even been known to sacrifice other things in the budget to accommodate a beautiful piece of functional art such as lighting. But I will tell you, this light right here - It will cost you a pretty penny at a beautiful online store that even has the word Gold in it (Peri, a lover of taking your gold - get my drift? P***gold). Priced at over $1500, this will set you back a bit on your budget. But yes -  It. Is. Stunning with a capital S. 

Now, check it y'all. This chandelier, which is actually larger in size (which I love, especially if it's a statement piece), is still an 8 light wagon-wheel chandelier, very similar in look and style - and costs 57% less than the aforementioned piece. And you can buy it now for $638.40 at Bellacor (one of my favorites!) plus get an additional 20% off if you sign up for their email. That is a solid deal if I've seen one. Happy Light Shopping!

So, tell me - what other pieces can I comparison shop for, for you? Even better, if you'd like me to save you the time, money and stress of finding your perfect pieces - definitely reach out! Quality pieces at great prices are my jam and I would love to help you! Keep in mind that I pass along my commercial trade pricing to all of my clients -- so you end up saving even more! Woo woo!

Thanks for the read. And Cheers! It's National Wine Day, friends!

Truth is, we all want our homes to look like a million bucks. And it's not easy at times when your budget - well - isn't a million bucks. But lucky for you, I've compiled a list of the best farmhouse inspired pieces that I found on the cheap, that look WAY more expensive! Who doesn't love a great deal? Now, pull up your Joanna Gaines inspired boots and get to shopping!

​Check out this set of 4 - YES 4 - farmhouse inspired gunmetal dining chairs! These beautiful, yet practical chairs sell on luxury sites for over $100 each but you can get your 4 set on Amazon all for $99! With almost 400 top rated reviews, this item is a best seller on Amazon.  They are rust and water resistant making them the perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor dining. 

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​Buy 1, 4-pack of chairs for $99.
​(Affiliate Link)

​The linen fabric blend on these elegant drapes create an airy and luxurious feel adding a point of interest to any farm-house styled home. They come in multiple sizes all the way up to 120" and come in a pair! Curtain panels can cost hundreds of dollars each at times and can really set you back on your budget. STOP SEARCHING! I've found the perfect pair for you and these can be styled with any dreamy accent color, textile, or pattern that you wish!

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Buy on Amazon. 1 pair of curtain panels starts
$36.99!  
​(Affiliate Link)

Just like a warm embrace, this cable knit throw blanket will bring you comfort and happiness as you sit by the fire on a crisp night. It's made of 100% natural cotton and is both fade, shrink and pill resistant! And additionally, it comes with a laundering bag and instructions to help you properly care for your cozy, new accessory. It's both stylish and well-made and will keep you warm for years to come! Toss it over a chair or sofa for an inviting look in your farmhouse styled living room. And priced at under $30 - this would also make the perfect gift! 
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Check it out here and get yours today for $29.99!
​(Affiliate Link)

Where can you find an over-sized metal wall clock for under $100? Right HERE! This large, 40" oil rubbed bronze wall clock is the perfect addition to any farmhouse living or dining room. Nothing ties a room together better than an interesting clock, in my opinion. And this choice reflects a classic and timeless style with a beautifully crafted design and farmhouse appeal. Look elsewhere and you will spend a few hundred dollars on this eye-catching accessory. But for the budget-savvy shoppers with quality and design being top of mind, this is the perfect choice. 

Find this clock on Amazon today for $95.66!
​(Affiliate Link)

I have personally purchased these white-washed pine floating shelves and love the look! At 36" in length each and sold as a pair, you can really add a beautifully crafted design to any space. Hang at eye level in a living room or office to add a personal appeal to the room. Customize the design with your favorite hardback books, photo frames of beloved family members & friends, and small potted succulents. Or, add to a bathroom to store toiletries, towels and more! Another stunning option is to hang these in a dining room or kitchen to display your favorite dishes. The sky is the limit with these beauties! Find them on luxury or hand-crafted sites and spend well over a $60 a shelf. Get these today for less!

Purchase a pair for under $40, today!
​(Affiliate Link)

Hey friends! Did you know that you can update your space with a few simple tips and tricks and do it all for under $500? Any style, any living space, any season - we all can feel stuck on design at times. But, I can help! Check out a few simple styling techniques that will easily update your look, brighten your space and save on budget! 

​ 1. Creamy, white throw pillows can brighten up even the darkest of furniture! And guess what? You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to get some nice pillows. One trick that I always use, is to purchase textured throw pillow covers from either Etsy or Amazon. Choose a size of at least 20x20 and fill with down feather inserts that are one size bigger (i.e. Buy a 20x20 cover, fill with a 22x22 insert). This will give you that full, fluffy look that you see in model homes and will, at the same time, quickly brighten up your space. Make sure and give it that "karate chop" down the center for an even more professionally designed and styled look! Get this look now for $49.98 (set of 2 covers and inserts!) on Amazon by following the links!

2. Use Mirrored or Metal Pieces to Accent! No matter your style - silver, gold and brass can liven up any space. I typically choose a muted version of mixed metals or a pretty mercury glass piece and love to accent with trays, candle holders, mirrors and photo frames! Just a little pop of interest can really sophisticate your look and can draw the eye to polish off your space.  Add this bronze tray with 4 mercury glass candle holders (included) to a coffee table to really lighten your space. Today's price is $39.99  - plus save 20% when you subscribe to their emails!

​(Some of the below pieces sell for double or more on luxury sites (verified!) - click on each pic to find out where you can get these exact items and save BIG while keeping the quality in tact!)

3. Did you know that lighting changes the entire look and feel of a home? Updating your pendants and chandeliers from the builder grade choices can significantly upgrade your look. Not only will new lighting literally brighten a room, but it will also add spectacular appeal and even become a topic of conversation as guests enjoy the warm, welcoming feel of your home with extra customized features. I love popping in a muted brass lighting fixture to amp up the glam in a room.  And another big tip on this same topic - make sure that all of your bulb hues match, as well as the wattage throughout the home. This will keep your eye focused on the right focal points and architectural details throughout the space. Get this 3 light pendant on sale today for $342.40!  Or check out the below beauties starting at only $69.99!