Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Can you believe it’s already the middle of September?  It is truly flying by!  I’ve been having fun adding fall accents and natural elements around our home for more autumn vibes this week.  I love the simplicity and ease of fall decor.  Before I get ahead of myself, though…

I hope you enjoy the Notes From Our Nest this week!

Around Our Nest:

  • #1 reason to pay attention in school: You may need to help your own children study for math and science.  I’m not saying that they don’t need to learn these things and that there isn’t value.  Obviously, we choose the education for our kids.  At the same time, I’m just saying that I have not ONCE in my adult life needed to know about ATP and glycolysis.  Haha!
  • We started making plans for a fun and quick little trip later this month.  Stay tuned for more about that; I am so excited!
  • The weather is refusing to cool down here in South Florida.  Someone posted this week about needing a light sweater.  I won’t lie…I got a tad jealous!!!
  • Otherwise, it’s just been regular routine over here.  And I don’t mind that.  We are so blessed!

Around the ‘Gram This Week:

  • It’s been all about fall decorating over on Instagram this week!  If you’ve followed in stories, you’re seeing more and more fall elements appearing here and there!
  • I’ve also been working on answering some decor questions in my blog posts and on IG too.  Hopefully this is helpful to you!
  • On THIS IG video, you can see several ideas for decorating a side table/end table for fall.  I just used some favorite decorating accents I had on hand and hopefully it gives you some ideas too!
  • On THIS IG reel, I shared our back living room space.  It feels so cozy and I am really enjoying the simplicity of it all!
  • Last, but not least, you can see my cozy fall bedroom HERE!  Again, I didn’t purchase anything for this room this season but it does feel so cozy and is a wonderful place to land at the end of the day!
wooden side table styled with golden candlesticks, a cozy candle, and a vintage gold horse trophy under a glass cloche

Around the Blog This Week:

  • It’s been a busy week on the blog!   On THIS post, you can see many more ideas, details, and specific tips for decorating accent tables in a living room.  Even though these tables usually don’t need a lot of decor, using the RIGHT decor makes all the difference!
  • You can see even more ideas for accent furniture on THIS blog post.  It is all about how to style a nightstand!  Again, a super important space.  After all, this is one of the first things you see in the morning and last things you see at night!  I had fun putting this post together and hope you find it helpful.
  • Friday Favorites this week is all about natural elements for fall decorating!  I have all of these items, or similar pieces, and love using them.  I think you will too!  You can shop these curated natural elements for decorating HERE!
Coverpage for the Vintage Hunting on the World's Longest Yard Sale Blog post
Coverpage for the Vintage Hunting on the World's Longest Yard Sale Blog post

Around the Storefront This Week:

Here are some of the top sellers over on my storefront this week:

  1. This candle warmer lamp has been a big hit at my house & is my top-ordered item two weeks runningYou’ll love it, too!
  2. These faux cedar balls are gorgeous!
  3. Have I mentioned I love pampas florals?  These are beautiful!
  4. And what about this antler wreath?  It’s perfect for the holidays!
  5. And finally, I”m so glad this book made the weekly list.  It’s amazing!

You can check this list on my storefront.  I update it daily with favorite deals that I think you’ll love too!

Coming Up This Week Around the Nest:

September is flying by and I have so many things I hope to share soon!  Here are a few things coming up this week:

  1.  How I added just a few elements to make my mantel look even more fall-ish; quick and easy!
  2.  A “new” favorite “old” collection and easy ways to style it
  3.  Ideas for decorating vintage-style in a kitchen
  4.  Easy ways to decorate a vintage scale in your home
  5.  Mixing patterns and texture for a curated look…without being cluttered!

 

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

As always, I love to share some inspiration from some of my favorites!  Check out these posts for more inspiration for YOUR nest!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Follow along with Kim at Shiplap and Shells for using thrifted vintage treasures  in her beautiful home.  You will be inspired!

Check everything out here!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

I just love this DYI!  Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home shares a fun and easy craft for the holidays.  Her photography alone will inspire you to add her DIY to your home!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Renae at Peacock Ridge is so sweet.  You will love her ideas to add French country flair to her fall mantel!

Thanks for being here!  I always say, I’m so blessed with such a wonderful community here at Robyn’s French Nest.  I appreciate each of you so much!

I hope you have a really great week and I can’t wait to see you around the nest this week for all the fun coming up!

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

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Best Ideas to Style Nightstands or a Small Bedside Table

Best Ideas to Style Nightstands or a Small Bedside Table

Best Ideas to Style Nightstands or a Small Bedside Table

Get your bedroom reset for the next season by adding function and beauty with even a small bedside table or a perfect nightstand for your space.  Find easy decor tips + what to put on a bedside table.

Maybe I should be really honest right at the very beginning.  Coming up with ideas to decorate nightstands or even a small bedside table are a lot of effort for me!  Maybe that seems odd since I love to decorate so much, but it is just the truth!  In thinking through and planning this blog post, it occurred to me that styling a small bedside table can feel challenging because it is one of the last things we see before we go to sleep.

At the same time, it’s one of the first things we see in the morning.  Plus, it needs to function really well for us!  Even if you have a really pretty bedside table or nightstand you love, chances are it gets to feeling cluttered sometimes.

Today, we are going to tackle the big problem:  How to style nightstands or a small bedside table in a way that both functions well for the long term AND looks beautiful!  Plus, we will chat about how to even choose the right bedside tables for your space.

White nightstand styled with two white concrete vases with dried leaves and a small candle

What do you put on a bedside nightstand?

Really, isn’t that what we all want to know?  I mean, if someone wants to take the challenge away and just give me a list of what I should put on my small bedside table, that would be awesome, right?

Since we all have different needs for bedside solutions as well as different sizes at the side of the bed, there isn’t one formula that works for everyone.  That being said, there are some basics that you can almost always fall back on!  Later in this post, we will chat about some tips and ideas of how to actually to use them when you decorate your ideal nightstand.

Here is a list of basics you can get started with:

White vintage books, a small white clock, and a candle warmer sitting on a round wooden stool

How can I make my nightstand look nice?

To make the top of a nightstand look curated and styled, focus on these five tips:

  1. Choose the right nightstand for your own space.
  2. Take the “less is more” approach.
  3. Consider function first.
  4. Creatively find ways to combine function with style.
  5. Stick to one vignette on a nightstand (one larger statement piece or a grouping of 3 items with different heights.)
  6. Take a moment to tidy your nightstand each day.  Along with a habit of making your bed daily, your room will feel inviting and restful every day!

In this post, we are going to dive more deeply into each of these points.  You’ll be able to confidently style your nightstand for function, beauty, and daily maintenance!

Best Ideas to Style Nightstands or a Small Bedside Table

vignette styled with two white textured vases holding dried leaves, and a cozy candle on a wooden base

How to choose the right nightstands or small bedside table

If choosing the ideal nightstand is so important, especially in a small room, then we had better start with that!  No matter how pretty or unique or wonderful an end table may be, it must fit well in the space at the side of the bed that you have.

While there are many beautiful bedside table ideas, the most beautiful one will be the one that functions the best for you.  A functional piece of furniture is always my priority!

In fact, I am currently on the hunt for nightstand ideas for my husband’s side of the bed that have small shelves.  A bedside cabinet would be a more ideal nightstand than the traditional bedside table with drawers that he currently has.

When choosing your ideal nightstand, think through these important elements:

  • Size of the space you have at the side of the bed
  • Necessary function
  • Style of furniture
  • Budget
two small clocks styled in a vignette alongside a crock holding dried stems on top of a wooden board

How small can a bedside table be?

A bedside table can be as large or as small as you need it to be to fit the square footage of your room.  A small space can feel a bit more challenging.  However, there are a lot of creative options available for small bedside solutions!

If you have smaller spaces to work with that require a small nightstand, you can definitely find a narrow bedside table to fit at the side of your bed.  At the same time, there are so many clever storage solutions available for small bedroom design!

Here are a few ideas to consider:

  • Floating nightstand to fit a tight space
  • Floating bedside table attached or detached from bed frame (this is the perfect addition for a modern bedside table)
  • Narrow bedside table with slim legs (this takes less visual space as well as physical space and is perfect for a tight space)
  • Unconventional piece of furniture (we will chat about some “non-nightstand” nightstand ideas in this post too!)

What size is a narrow nightstand?

A typical narrow bedside table is going to be about 12-18″.  It could be a rectangle, square, or even a round nightstand.  Even in a narrow space, you can incorporate a lot of function.

In fact, with just the right nightstand, you may end up with as much function as a tradition bedside table with as much space for a beautiful look too!  Tiny space don’t have to be impractical and they can even be really beautiful!

Pair of sunglasses in a white bowl on a wooden stool

What should I put on my bedside table?

Before we get to the “pretty” stuff, let’s make sure we leave ample space for all of the necessities.  It can be helpful to really think through what you use and need on your bedside table.

While I do not keep all of these items on my own side of the bed, here are a few things to get you thinking through those functional items.  Also, keep in mind that there are actually some really pretty options available so that even the necessary items still have visual appeal too!

small rectangular baskets stacked on top of each other on a nightstand

How can I use my nightstand for clever storage solutions?

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to where everything goes in and on my nightstand, I am super particular.  After all, if you need chapstick in the night, you’ve got to be able to find it immediately without turning on the lights.  Right?!

Whether you have a larger traditional bedside table with ample storage space or a narrow bedside table with a single drawer or open storage with a shelf, you can come up with some creative storage solutions.  Your nightstand can be a helpful part of your morning and nighttime routines!

How to Use Drawer Space:

Having a large drawer is definitely a win for my own nightstand.  My bedside table drawers are not tall.  However, they are wide and provide plenty of storage space.  Even if you have a small nightstand, you can make the most of drawer space with some great organizers.

First of all, lay out the things that you’d ideally like to keep in your nightstand drawer.  Next, take careful measurements of the drawer itself, as well as an idea of the items you want to store.  This will help you know what kind of organizers to get.

Then, head to the storage container section of the store or shop some favorite organizers HERE!  The organizers that you’d typically get for home offices can work really well for a bedside table drawer too!  Even a small drawer that is well organized can have enough space for at least most of your essentials.

Most traditional bedside table options do not have open storage.  However, a more modern nightstand may have a shelf for open storage.  A basket can be a perfect solution to making that open storage both pretty AND functional.

If you have a beside table that has no drawer or shelf, you can still make it functional and add plenty of room for essentials!  Nesting boxes, like THESE, look gorgeous and can provide plenty of storage space.  An open area under even a small nightstand can be a great spot for a basket to help keep essential items within arm’s reach.

close up of woven baskets stacked on top of each other on a wooden board

What is a good alternative to a small bedside table?

​If you have a little room that simply just does not have enough room for a nightstand, that is okay too!  There are great alternatives that can be incorporated into any interior design and still work for tiny spaces!

First of all, a night table doesn’t have to be a table actually designed to go at the side of the bed.  Any kind of small piece of furniture can become a bedside table.  If you have limited space, try to think outside the box for small items with simple design that can still be functional and beautiful.

For example, a primitive stool is definitely a small piece of furniture!  However, it still has plenty of space to set a glass of water, a small vase of flowers, and even a favorite book or pair of reading glasses.

Stacked baskets are a great way to provide both enough space for storage and to put functional or pretty things beside the bed too.  Baskets are a great opportunity to add texture and character in smaller spaces.  At the same time, you still have easy access to items such as extra bedding, shoes, sweaters,  or other items that you need to store away.  The best part is they can truly become a design statement in your space!

round wooden stool with a vintage white book and ironstone bowl on top

What can you have instead of a bedside table?

Here are some other ideas you could use as inspiration to come up with a great piece for a creative nightstand:

overhead view of two textures vases holding dried stems styled alongside a cozy candle on a wooden base

Where can you find a small bedside table that makes a design statement?

Now that your brain is getting creative with ideas for the right bedside tables, the hunt begins!  There are actually so many great “new” options available online.  Over on my storefront, I rounded up some beautiful pieces and ideas that can hopefully be helpful.  You can shop that list HERE.

As we’ve discussed, however, there are so many bedside solutions besides the traditional night stands.  For example, in my girls room, a stack of baskets we gathered at the flea market and vintage shop make clever storage solutions.  Plus, the best part is they can still use the top of it to rest a book or decorative accessory.

Since they have a small bedroom design, the stack of baskets allows double duty.  Actually, we could consider it triple duty if you include the fact that they look so pretty!

Thrift stores, Facebook marketplace, antique shops, consignment stores, antique malls, vintage markets, and boutiques are all great places to keep an eye out for just the right bedside tables too!

Large baskets stacked on top of each other with smiley face slippers and a large pillow next to it

What kind of small bedside table do you need for a guest room?

While we are on the subject of bedrooms, don’t forget about the guest room!  A simple bedside table that offers function, storage, and looks pretty is a good choice for guest room furniture.

If you find a piece with a drawer or two for extra storage, that could be helpful to your guests, especially if there is limited closet space.  A table with an open shelf is perfect for a basket to hold extra essentials for items a guest may have forgotten.

Even if a room is on the smaller side, try to work in at least a simple bedside table for guests’ convenience.  Plus, a spot for a cozy lamp makes the entire room more inviting!

overhead view of small stacked baskets on a side table with a small white clock and golden candlesticks

How do you decorate and style a nightstand?

When it comes to what goes on top of that bedside table, you cannot go wrong with a “less is more” approach.  Even if you are decorating a gigantic nightstand, there is just only so much decor that can go on that much space without feeling overwhelming and looking cluttered.  I try to think about styling a nightstand from both a personal and interior design viewpoint.

Tip: Typically, for a nightstand, I will decorate with a vignette of 3 items with different heights OR a single item as a statement piece.

Personally, I want this space to be uncluttered and simple.  It feels great to have at least this one space that can be tidied up in no time.  At the same time, I want it to have a warm and inviting decor style with a simple color palette.  For me, I find that if I have more than about 3 things on my bedside table, it starts feeling like too much.  I’ve found the best formula to include these items:

  1. Lamp or lighting
  2. Plant or flowers
  3. Candle or diffuser
  4. Book
  5. Picture frame
  6. Basket or container to hold small, personal items (though I like to keep these in a drawer since my bedside table has that option.)

Once you’ve chose the decor items, you can focus on creating a single vignette.

For example, on this nightstand, I included a set of matching pottery in different sizes.  One holds seasonal stems and the other holds spare change.  Beside them is a wood base with my favorite candle.  Even though my nightstand is a little larger size, anymore than this one vignette would just be cluttered and overwhelming to the space.

Over on my husband’s nightstand, I still have just one vignette.  Some large vintage books from the thrift store make a great base for a pretty ironstone compote and plant.  I centered this vignette on the night table and it still allows space for a small leather dish for keys and change tucked at the side.

view of a nightstand styled with two white vases holding dried stems and a candle on a wooden base
White nightstand styled with a large neutral colored book with an ironstone piece holding a plant on top

Putting it all together in your space….

As you choose, decorate, style, and enjoy your bedroom nightstand, I hope it helps your room become a space that is a peaceful and restful haven to start and end each day!

Good for you for making the effort (and it does require effort) to choose the right piece.

Then, as you think through the function, create a landing spot that doesn’t just look pretty but also helps you.

Lastly, you’ve created a simple, pretty view to see when you wake up and before you go to sleep.  As odd as it may sound, I think that is a blessing to have!  Enjoy!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

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Friday Favorites-Natural Elements for Fall Decorating

Friday Favorites-Natural Elements for Fall Decorating

Friday Favorites-Natural Elements for Fall Decorating

Hello Friends!

I am loving this look for fall! The rustic look is so trendy right now! Let me know what you love most about this weeks line up!

Neutral Colored Cowhide Rug

This rug is so cool! The perfect rustic accent look! 

Find it here on Amazon!

Pampas Grass Wreath

I just had to add my favorite fall wreath again! Grab this for your home! 

This is available here

 

Dried Gourds

Dried gourds are my favorite natural element to use for fall! Perfect to style for tablescapes or little vignette

Find them here!

Dried Seed Pods

These  are a great alternative to greenery for fall! You could use them year after year! They could also be mixed into fresh or faux floral arrangements or style on their own! 

Find them here!

Feathers

I love adding these little feathers to table scapes or vases for an extra autumn feel!

This is a great find from Amazon! 

Neutral Artichokes

These make a great natural-looking filler!

Here they are from Amazon! 

 

 Dried Flowers

These are perfect in a stoneware vase or ironstone pitcher! I love the look of these for fall!

Find them here from Amazon

Natural Wood Spheres

These fir sphere is perfect for shelf styling or tucking into a vignette on a side table

Find it here from Amazon

Beautiful Dried Stems

These beautiful dried stems are under $10! They work great to add to fresh greenery or dried branches or put in a vase on their own.

Find it here

 

 

Realistic Pumpkins

I love these realistic pumpkins in gorgeous rich tones! Add some drama to decor, style together or spread out throughout your living spaces for more simple, subtle fall touches.

It’s available here

If you really want to make things easy, just shop the entire list of rustic neutral favorites here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)
Best Tips for How to Decorate Side and Accent Table Ideas

Best Tips for How to Decorate Side and Accent Table Ideas

Best Tips for How to Decorate Side and Accent Table Ideas

Looking for the best end table decor ideas and how to decorate a side and accent table?  Find an easy way with this step-by-step tutorial and my favorite decorative accents.  Whether you’re decorating a small space or a large living room, end table decor ideas and coffee table styling  are the perfect way to elevate your home’s own personal style!

One of the most common decorating questions that I get is how to create coffee table decor and end table decor ideas.  It is a great question and one that I love to chat about.

In any living space, you can give your room a quick and budget-friendly refresh simply by giving an accent table a quick decor update!  I love playing around with favorite items in decorating.  When it comes time to decorate side and accent table ideas, the most important thing is to make it your own.  Even if your own personal style differs from mine or you’re working with different sizes of tables, these basic principles are always a great idea to get started.

How do you spruce up a side table?

When you want to know how to decorate side and accent table ideas, these decorating basics will take you a long way toward not only visual appeal, but a functional space that can become the focal point of your living room.

  1. Choose the correct size, scale, and style.
  2. Focus on function as the priority.
  3. Add visual appeal with decorative items.
  4. Pay attention to the height of your items and the number of items you’re using to decorate
  5. Style a vignette.
  6. Add a personal touch.
  7. Use natural elements like fresh flowers or faux flowers.
Living room coffee table styled with large dough bowl with an antler inside

What to decorate side tables with?

There are so many different sizes and kinds of decorative pieces you can use for coffee table styling or to decorate even a small table in a sitting room.  I like to focus on some general basics that can carry me from season to season.  In other words, I enjoy investing in decorative pieces that I can use year round.  Then, I can easily change small decorative objects and seasonal decor without having to redecorate the entire table and rest of the room.

​Here are some basics I keep on hand to decorate the perfect side table:

Once these large items are in place, you can quickly and easily swap out smaller items for different seasons or just for a fresh look.  Keep reading for my favorite tips on how to decorate side and accent table ideas!

 

unique vintage golden horse trophy underneath a glass cloche on a chippy wooden base

Best Tips for How to Decorate Side and Accent Table Ideas

How to Choose the Perfect Side Table

When it comes to end table decor ideas, you want to first be sure that you have chosen the best accent table to go with the rest of the room.  Consider room layout, style, scale, material, and color  for a perfect side table.

Whether you’re choosing a small side table or even something as specific as a white oak side table, set your budget.  Then, do your research.  Lastly, have fun choosing the piece that is the best thing for you.  Once you find a perfect spot for your new accent table, you’ll be so glad you were patient and found just the perfect side table!

Here are some good questions to consider when choosing the perfect side table:

  1. What function does my table need to have everyday for myself and my family?
  2. What style, shape, and color works best with the rest of the room?
  3. Do I have a specific budget?
  4. Am I looking for a fun project or a piece that is ready to style with my favorite items?
  5. Can this piece be used in multiple places around my home?  As a small bedside table, in a family room, in a sitting area perhaps?
  6. What kinds of decorative objects am I imagining?  Will this be a minimalist side table or a space to add personal touches and a cup of coffee in the morning?
  7. Should I plan for a table lamp, depending on the location of the side table in the room?
wooden side table styled with golden candlesticks, a cozy candle, and a vintage gold horse trophy under a glass cloche

​How to Choose the Right Coffee Table

A coffee table is a big decision because it’s almost always a focal point in your living room.  Especially if you have a smaller space, like a small apartment or even a small living room, your coffee table needs to be multi-functional as well as hold your favorite decorative elements.

Good news: Coffee table decor and side table decor, also, can be functional and have visual appeal too!

As you choose your coffee table, it is important to consider these questions:

  1. Do you like to change furniture often?  If so, a coffee table can be a perfect opportunity for a budget-friendly swap.
  2. Would you rather make a big investment on a permanent piece?  (If so, can you still save some money by finding a similar coffee table?  There are a lot of great options out there, including a DIY or even refinishing a thrifted piece!)
  3. Will a round coffee table or rectangle shape fit the best in your space?
  4. What material goes best with the rest of your room?  Is a wooden table a good option or would a glass coffee table be a good idea to break up the space and add a varied material?
  5. What style suits your home the best?  Something traditional or a more modern coffee table?
  6. In your space, is this going to be the center table of the room?  What will you use it for besides decor?
coffee table vignette styled with candlesticks, a candle, and a glass cloche above a mortar and pestle filled with faux artichokes

Ideas to Decorate a Side and Accent Table

When you start styling any accent table, like a coffee table, there are a few basic “rules” interior designers like to use.  However, when you are decorating with your own personal style, it is a good idea to start with some basic rules and then throw them out the window!  I definitely do not always (or even nearly always) follow rules of interior designers.  I have a lot more fun creating my own personal style.

That being said, there are some basics that can help you get started.  Over on THIS post, you can find my easy 4-step, fail-proof formula for decorating a coffee table which is part of my simple decor series!

​The best way to get started with a coffee table arrangement is with a large tray.  Next, you’ll add decorative objects.  Usually, I like to use odd numbers.  Equally important is using different sizes.  For example, I may use a vase of flowers and two candle sticks.  However, I would make sure that each of the three items were different sizes from one another.  We will chat more about the height of items in this post!

I also have some favorite coffee table books that I enjoy using.  Most of mine are vintage, thrifted books.  They are perfect to use as a short stack of books to give my decorative objects different heights!

Over on my storefront, you can shop my favorite NEW coffee table books too!

THIS blog post gives a lot more detail and specific ideas for styling fall coffee tables too!

overhead view of a coffee table vignette styled with vintage books, gourds, and a glass cloche

Consider Function First to Decorate a Side and Accent Table

As much as I love pretty home decorations, function comes first for me.  Even if you also love a beautiful home, you won’t be able to create a restful, cozy space if it isn’t functional first.  An accent table, even if it is just a small side table, is the perfect place to add necessary function to your living space.

When I am considering my end table decor ideas, I want to first think about how I need this table to function for our family room.  For example, what do we do in this room?  Are there necessary things that we use on a regular basis that we need easy access to?

Most likely, you also have things like remote controls that need a spot to hide.  At the same time, they are easily accessible.

Perhaps your family room doesn’t have a lot of natural light.  Do you need a tall lamp or surface space to add a cozy table lamp?

What should you display on a side table?

Here are a few more questions to consider when thinking about what you are going to display on a side table.

Is this a room where the scent really matters?  If you want it to be a cozy space, the scents definitely are a priority!  Then, a pretty scented candle or essential oil diffusers are a priority.  You will need a surface area included in your end table decor ideas that allows for these necessary items.

​Do you have a seating area in the dining room with a small side table?  What function does it need to serve?  Maybe it is just a pretty spot and that is okay!  However, if you need storage in your dining room, an accent table with drawers could be a great place to store table linens and napkin rings, for example!

As you can see, the function of a room plays a huge role in your decorative elements.  Once you have identified the functional needs, then you can figure out how to try and work them in with your pretty decorative pieces.

Here are a few simple ideas that I like to use:

view of living room styled with cowhide pillows, a chess set, and a large architectural window.

Use Visual Appeal to Decorate a Side and Accent Table

Of course!  At the end of the day, you also want your accent table to have visual appeal that also ties in with the rest of the room!  There are two key components to decorate a side and accent table that are almost always true for me when I’m decorating.  However, notice that I say “almost always”.  Even if these components are always a good idea for decorating, you’re allowed to break the rules and create whatever style you want for your own home!

First of all, it is a good idea to consider the height of your items.  Interior designers often refer to the decor triangle.  Over on THIS POST, I go into detail about that with some visual aides.  Basically, though, a decor triangle just means styling your decorative objects in a group of three (or odd numbers) and having 3 different heights for the items also.  This creates a triangle effect that typically holds a curated visual appeal.

Tip: Usually, my small item is a seasonal accent!

THIS blog post is really detailed about how to do that.  I even include lists of decorative items that are perfect for large items and smaller items too.  It is always helpful to have basic decor pieces on hand that you can work with year round, no matter the season.

How to decorate a side table in a living room?

Secondly, if if the height of your items is NOT different, it is the perfect opportunity to layer your decor.  My go-to way to make my favorite items have different sizes is to use stacks of books.  A short stack of books can be the perfect way to give decorative objects enough height variation.  At the same time, it is a great idea to add more texture and character to your own personal style.

Over on THIS blog post, I share over 21 ways to style thrifted and vintage books.  A lot of these suggestions involve accent tables, including a console table and coffee table styling.  I even have some ideas there for using vintage books on a dining table!  Hopefully that will be a really helpful resource and inspiration guide for you also.

What can you put on an accent table?

Thirdly, it’s often a good idea to use an odd number of items when you create a vignette.  That triangle kind of pattern allows each object to be seen.  At the same time, however, the decorative items can really work together as a singular focal point of your living room.

Also, odd numbers are a great way to create a kind of “imperfect”, lived-in decor style.  When nothing is buttoned up too tightly or too perfect in a living room space, family and guests can feel more relaxed and at ease.  There is something psychological about asymmetry that helps create that casual, inviting look.  Working with odd numbers is a great way to focus on a relaxed style of decorating.

On my mantel, for example, I used a short stack of books and odd numbers of brass candlesticks.  While it feels simple and easy, the stacked items give more variation to the height of your items.  At the same time, using three candlesticks on one side and two on the other provides some asymmetry that feels more curated and a little less “decorated.”

neutral fall mantel styled with vintage gold and wooden frames, candlesticks, and vintage books

Use Decorative Objects to Style a Side and Accent Table

How can I decorate my side table?

The second key component that I think is usually very helpful when styling an accent table is to start with a base.  Even if you’re decorating a small table, a base can really help you get started and create a cohesive vignette.

I like to start with a large tray.  This could be a rectangular or round tray, depending on the size and shape of your table.  A square tray can also work for a round table.

For example, on the round table in our living room, I started with a large, square architectural salvage piece as a base.  Next, I added decorative items from my favorite collection of vintage mortar and pestles.  Lastly, I finished the simple look with a large glass cloche.

Even though this isn’t a typical decor triangle like interior designers may suggest, I still have key components:

  1. Base (architectural salvage)
  2. Cohesive color scheme (wood and white)
  3. Odd numbers of decorative items (base + large mortar and pestle + cloche)

At the same time, featuring a collection of a grouping of items really turns it into a fun piece of art with a personal touch too!

What should you display on a side table?

On the small side table in the family room, I had a perfect opportunity to stack items with an architectural salvage piece again.  Even though it is styled completely differently and is in a different room of our home, details like this add a flow and cohesive feeling to the living spaces of a home.

Again, I have the salvage piece as a base.  Next, the the vintage horse trophy makes a great sculptural object.  Lastly, the glass cloche helps it become a statement piece.

Also styled on the table is another grouping of an odd number of items.  I love having my favorite scented candle burning in this room.  However, I wanted it to feel more part of a vignette.  So, I added two thrifted brass candlesticks.  These have a leaf shape, making them perfect for a little fall accent.  There is still plenty of room for a coffee cup and space to put my feet up and…write a blog post!  Haha!

Tip: You have permission to have more than one vignette on your accent table if that makes sense for the space!  

Here are some other small items that are great decorative pieces for an accent table vignette:

round wooden side table styled with a mortar filled with small pestles under a glass cloche on a white chippy base

Use Natural Items to Decorate a Side and Accent Table

Natural items are a beautiful way to decorate any accent table, console table, or dining table.  You may consider using one or more of the following kinds of natural items as one of the decorative objects in your number of odd items that you use to create a vignette.  Natural items can really soften an entire room and also make the space feel fresh and alive.

Here are some favorite natural items that I frequently use in my decorating:

entryway cabinet with brown basket holding dried leaves, styled alongside a white concrete bust and white crocks

Now You Are Ready to Decorate!

Even though my fall decor has a limited color palette, this cozy living room is a favorite place in our home.  The end table decor and coffee table decorating really makes the details that help this room feel welcoming.

At the same time, paying attention to the details helps it be cohesive with our dining rooms, kitchen, and music room.  The only thing missing now is a good movie and time to get cozy on a Friday night!

I hope this gives you lot of inspiration as well as practical ideas and tips you can use to decorate your end table, side table, console table, and coffee table for the fall season!

vignette styled with a wooden bread board and a mortar and pestle filled with artichokes under a glass cloche
wooden side table styled with golden candlesticks, a cozy candle, and a vintage gold horse trophy under a glass cloche
I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)
Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Short weeks are definitely great because we get to the weekend more quickly!  However, between all the catch up and never feeling quite certain what day it was, it made for an interesting week!

I hope you enjoy the Notes From Our Nest this week!

 

Around Our Nest:

  • We are enjoying our little guy’s basketball games!  Such a fun season and he is playing great.  There are moments that slightly resemble a football game more than basketball.  Haha!  However, they boys are learning and they take it so seriously!
  • I am still surviving studying 7th grade science with my sweet girl.  #winning
  • The pumpkin flavors are officially in full force and I am loving all of them.  This is definitely the season where I am 500% guilty of drinking all of my calories. ????
  • I had fun setting up for a little birthday party at our home this weekend for a friend!  THESE were the inspiration for the party decor!  Can’t beat under $13 and about 10 minutes for 5 centerpieces!
  • One of my adorable 3-year-old students wanted to learn how to spell “armpit” this week.  I’ve been laughing all week about it! ???? Nothing like preschoolers to make every day such an adventure!

Around the ‘Gram This Week:

  • It was Fall Home Tour this week and I enjoyed sharing a detailed look at my first fall tablescape for the 2023 season over on THIS Instagram video!
  • My early fall home tour can be found HERE.  One person thought the music was a little haunting and I get it.  But honestly, can you beat this soundtrack?!  It’s just so gorgeous and makes me want to curl up in a cozy blanket!  I hope you enjoy my video tour!

Around the Blog This Week:

  • I joined over 25 other home decorating bloggers this week to help provide you with all the inspiration you’ll need (and MORE!) for your decorating this fall!  Each tour was just stunning and so inspiring.  You can see detailed pictures, close up images, and read about my own early fall decor in my tour on THIS POST.  From there, you can you start the tours and circle through each beautiful home.  It’s the perfect time to grab a cup of coffee, a cozy blanket, and enjoy pages of what is basically a “digital magazine” with so many gorgeous fall decorating ideas!
  • JOIN THE TOUR HERE!

Around the Storefront This Week:

It’s been a fun week around the storefront.  There are some amazing deals going on as well as just some really budget-friendly options that I am using in our home right now too.  Every day in my Instagram stories, I share some of my favorite deals.  You can catch those anytime HERE and follow me on Amazon too!

Here are some of the top sellers over on my storefront this week:

  1. This candle warmer lamp has been a big hit at my house & is my top-ordered item this week.  You’ll love it, too!
  2. I’m also loving this pampas grass.  It’s the perfect texture and feel for early fall!
  3. These eucalyptus stems are always a favorite.  So easy to use and so versatile!
  4. I just love these dried gourds!  They’re the perfect blend of outside flavor & fall color!
  5. And last but not least, this amazing faux cedar greenery is almost 50% off!

 

You can check this list on my storefront.  I update it daily with favorite deals that I think you’ll love too!

Coming Up This Week Around the Nest:

September is already  such a fun month and I have so many things I hope to share soon!  Here are a few things coming up this week:

  1. Tips and ideas to decorate a side table or end table for fall
  2. A fun look at a “new” favorite vintage collection and how I’m decorating with them this fall
  3. My cozy “early” fall bedroom and how I reused my previous bedding and decorations
  4. Inspiration for styling nightstands and what to put on them

 

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

As always, I love to share some inspiration from some of my favorites!  Check out these posts for more inspiration for YOUR nest!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Follow along with Kim at Shiplap and Shells for some amazing neutral decorating tips.  Now that’s speaking my love language!

You will love her beautiful home.  Be inspired here!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home. has really outdone herself this week.  Her cozy decorating ideas are perfectly captured on this post.  Don’t miss her beautiful inspiration!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Renae over at Peackock Ridge has a really great post this week about finger knitting!  I would love to try this sometime.  And the cozy blanket she makes is soooo cozy!  Check it all out here!

Thanks for being here!  I always say, I’m so blessed with such a wonderful community here at Robyn’s French Nest.  I appreciate each of you so much!

I hope you have a really great week (maybe a little less crazy than ours will be) and I can’t wait to see you around the nest this week for all the fun coming up!

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Gallery

7 Rustic Interior Ideas and Western Style Wall Decor

7 Rustic Interior Ideas and Western Style Wall Decor

7 Rustic Interior Ideas and Western Style Wall Decor

Ready to embrace the rustic trend with some simple western style wall decor without feeling too much like a western theme?  Check out this easy way to bring the western touch with vintage style.

Have you been following along during my transition from summer to early fall decorating this year?  If so, you’ve heard about how we fell in love with the American West on our road trips of the past two summers.  This past summer, in particular, we (truly we, not just me!) got so excited about the western styles we saw.  We decided to take our inspiration and have some fun.  So, we incorporated it into our existing  early fall decor with rustic interior ideas and western style wall decor.

In order to embrace this rustic trend, I knew I needed to find an inexpensive way to make our space feel the warmth of the western design style.  At the same time, I started realizing that I already had some perfect pieces to use for western home decor throughout our main living space.

There are a lot of ways to incorporate the western style.  In this post, we will chat about some simple design ideas you can take to make a big statement in your space with western style wall decor and rustic elements.

I quickly found that there is an easy way to make it come together and it has been SO FUN!

concrete bowl filled with antlers, vintage cloth, and pine needles

​What is western decorating style?

For the most part, western decor is really all about using essential elements of the American West.  This certainly varies depending on exactly what your own experiences may be of the American West.  However, there are some basic elements that you’ll find in most western-style decor ideas.

Rustic elements, including furnishings and natural materials are definitely popular in a western theme living space.  You’ll often find a color palette made of earth tones with some dark brown colors.  Rich textures can also help define rustic western designs.

While you may be tempted to feel like you cannot truly embrace the rustic trend if you don’t have stone walls, leather couches, and large windows framing pine trees or “big sky” views, that actually isn’t true at all!  I had a lot of fun using simple design ideas with rustic elements mixed with my existing decor!

If you’re ready to mix up your styles a bit and have some fun with the rustic charm found in interior design in recent years, keep reading!  I’ll show you some perfect pieces you can use.  Plus, you’ll see an easy way to think about using a western touch in your own living space.

view of large grey buffet table styled with large woven baskets and a large wooden window

7 Rustic Interior Ideas and Western Style Wall Decor

close up of a large concrete bowl filled with antlers and pine needles

1. How to style western wall decor with rustic ideas

How can I decorate my interior walls?

Do you look at a big blank space on a wall and panic?  Or does it seem like an exciting blank canvas?  Admittedly, I’ve felt both ways.  However, after doing a lot of gallery walls, wall hangings, and experimenting with so many wall decor ideas for my large family room wall, I’ve come to love that big blank space!  It is such a fun decor opportunity to make a big statement with a focal point.

When you’re considering western home decor, there are so many great options.  However, I think the first thing is to consider the following:

  1. How much of a western theme do you want?
  2. Are you inspired by the western landscapes of the great American West?
  3. Do you want to use bright colors with more southwestern wall art and Native American art?

The two are not to be confused!  At the same time, you can either go all in on the western-style decor or you can use western touches with a warm color palette and rich textures for cozy spaces.

white steer skull hung above chippy white mantel

How can I make my house look western?

I wanted to bring some rustic elements into our living space without a full-blown western theme.  After all, remember I was looking for an inexpensive way to have some fun with existing decor too!

For my gallery wall decor ideas, I knew I wanted to incorporate my vintage style and a more elegant look.  At the same time, I want a casual, cozy look for the whole family to enjoy.  For this gallery wall, I only added one new piece with the steer skull.  I found it on the 127 sale this past summer.  (You can find a similar one here.)

Otherwise, I combined a collection of art from framed vintage fabric with different sizes of frames.  Then, I added a huge mirror with a chippy gold frame.  I love the combination of the white, gold, and wood tones.  It feels like an elevated vintage style with a touch of the western look.

On the mantel, I added brass candlesticks.  Then, my favorite flameless taper candles add a cozy glow throughout the whole living space.  It’s a great way to make any room feel cozy!

I had some other ideas I wanted to use too.  However, the wall is only so big, right?!  If you want to try a western touch, look for this type of art also:

fall living room featuring cozy throw pillows and blankets, a white mantel styled with candlesticks and vintage books, and a large dough bowl

2. How to use wooden furniture to style western decor with rustic ideas

I have always loved using wood tones in my decorating.  The warm colors make any space feel more inviting.  Almost any kind of interior design is going to incorporate wooden furniture of some kind.

In my dining room, I have a favorite antique piece of furniture.  It definitely adds the warm colors and can be styled in numerous ways.  It is just one of those perfect pieces that I got really lucky to find for our dining room!  I found it totally by chance at an estate sale many years ago.  Now, it is a focal point for our dining room space.  I do love the gorgeous wood and vintage style with a simple design.

When trying to incorporate some rustic western designs, or at least a western touch to the dining room, our table and chairs create the perfect wooden accents and rich textures needed for the western design style.

Over in our family room area, I swapped out my side tables to include this small vintage pine piece.  It adds the perfect warm colors for my fall decorating and adds to the western design style.  At the same time, the drawers and storage underneath provide great function!

​I have other wooden furniture pieces all throughout the spaces.  Most of them have chippy paint, which I love.  However, even the warm tones showing through on painted or chippy wooden furniture helps to add to that western touch.  At the same time, each piece is unique and helps create our own home story.

Tip: Let unique pieces of wooden furniture become a focal point throughout your home.  Look for pieces that you can refinish, strip, or just enjoy as is!

 

gold and wooden horse trophy underneath glass cloche on unique wooden base

3. How to use natural materials to style western wall decor with rustic ideas

On my open shelving in the dining room, I concentrated on bringing in natural materials with stoneware.  Even though our home doesn’t have a big stone wall for that western wall decor, I can still bring the stone material into my decorating with these natural materials.  At the same time, the vintage stoneware and crocks have those gorgeous earth tones that mix perfectly into western decor ideas.  Of course, it’s an inexpensive way to decorate too since I already had this existing decor.

Tip: When thinking of art for your home, put favorites together as a collection of art.  Wall decor ideas don’t always have to be actually hanging on the wall!

Over on my storefront, I have some favorite stoneware and pottery pieces rounded up for your convenience.  You can shop them HERE!

Also, keep an eye out at thrift stores, vintage markets, and antique malls.  They are the best places to find the “real” deal and start putting together your own collection of art!

How do I make my room look western?

Natural materials are a really important part of the western-style decor.  Even if your other existing decor doesn’t have as much of that western design style, you can bring in some great natural materials to make the space feel more rustic.  In a western theme, look to include a western touch with these kinds of natural materials:

different sizes of crocks and mortar and pestles styled on apothecary shelves
pampas wreath hanging on wooden oven hood

4. How to use a western color palette to style rustic ideas

What are some western colors?

In western decor ideas, there can be numerous ways to use a lot of different color palettes.  Ranging from the vibrant colors of Native American art to the earth tones of more common western color schemes, one thing is always consistent.  Warm colors are a must-have!

If you want to use some Southwestern wall art and Native American art as a focal point, consider using these bright colors as accents rather than the main color palette.  This will help your western-style decor feel more authentically curated rather than gathered off of one aisle at a big box store!

For your larger furniture, consider light, neutral fabrics and wooden furniture for accent tables.  On the other hand, you could lean into those dark brown colors and incorporate natural materials with leather couches.  In that case, bring in plenty of light colors and textures to soften the western look so it is still cozy.

With western decor ideas, you can’t go wrong with muted, earthy, warm tones.  For example, shades of brown and tan, rust, terra cotta, blush, sunset colors, mossy greens, and golden hues are always a win!

THESE vintage style gallery wall art pieces are perfectly curated with gorgeous western colors.  You can style them all in one space or mix them throughout to make a space feel warm and curated.

side view of living room styled with woven French pouf, large chippy coffee table with large dough bowl, and cozy white couch

5. How to use animal artifacts to style western wall decor 

How to make western decor?

​One of the best ways to truly incorporate western-style decor is with animal artifacts.  One big interior design trend that has been around for many years is the use of cow skulls or mounted longhorn skulls.  Large animal artifacts like these can make a big statement and create a focal point to make any space feel like it has a great western touch!

In our living room this year, I added a large steer skull to my gallery wall.  Since it is all white, it blends perfectly with the earth tones I’m using for fall.  At the same time, it makes a big statement in the space with a definite nod to western-style decor!

On the coffee table, I added a large elk antler to my antique trencher.  Even though the trencher isn’t technically wooden furniture, it’s certainly big enough and heavy enough!  I love that it adds the warm colors of both western-style decor and the fall season too!

Related items, such as an old saddle, horse shoes, old horse tack, antlers, or cowboy hats are perfect to add to a western touch to a living room.  At the same time, they would make amazing western art too!  Thrift stores and flea markets are great places to find these items.  You can also shop my favorite “new” rustic accents, carefully curated HERE!

large elk antler in a wooden dough bowl on a chippy wooden coffee table
side view of steer skull hung above chippy white mantel styled for fall

6. How to use rich textures to style rustic home decor ideas

No matter what style of home decor you are enjoying, using texture is always an easy way to create a cozy space.  Especially if you want a western touch if your home decor, look for really rich textures that draw you into the space.

When I think of true western design style, buttery soft leather sofas and oversized chairs facing a stone accent wall fireplace come to mind.  Of course, there are large candle sconces flanking a western landscape painting and wooden accent tables with an antique chess board ready to play by the fire too.

Can’t you picture it?!  However, my Florida ranch style home just is not those things.  Even if it were, I really do love a light, bright space.  Likewise, I feel the most relaxed and peaceful in neutral, soft spaces.  Since I don’t live in a western ranch lodge, how can I add rich textures to make my space feel like it has that rustic charm?

All of those same rustic elements can be used in numerous ways, even if you don’t have a big lodge style home nestled on a Montana ranch!  Focus on simple design elements for an easy way to add that western design style and rustic charm.

Here are a few favorites:

vintage demijohns styled on gray-blue buffet table

7. How to use throw pillows for western-style decor

Speaking of adding textures and a western touch with accents, let’s chat a bit more about throw pillows!  If you’re reading my blog post, there’s a pretty good chance that you love throw pillows like I do.  They are an inexpensive way to refresh a space.  Equally important, pillow covers are easy to organize and don’t take up a lot of extra storage space.

When you’re looking to switch up your decor style a little bit while still using much of your existing decor, throw pillows are the perfect pieces!  There are so many gorgeous options out there in quite a range of prices too.  You can easily incorporate rustic western designs with earth tones and warm colors for throw pillows. Adding a touch of leather or fur with a throw pillow is also a great way to bring in those rich textures and natural elements.

When I add pillows to my sofa, I like to thing of them as either a pair or a trio.  For example, here are some favorite ways I layer my throw pillows:

  • One square pillow with a round pillow layered in front
  • Two square pillows layered, one solid and one patterned
  • Mixing three sizes, like square, round, and lumbar
  • Typically symmetrical with same or similar pillows at each end and an accent pillow in the center

​The kilim style throw pillows that have become popular in recent years are a great addition to any vintage style living room.  While they are specifically western at all, they do blend beautifully with rustic western designs.  Vintage style pillow prints and fabrics are another great way to bring in rich texture to make a space feel curated and cozy.

Here are a few throw pillow ideas to consider, including the same or similar to my own living room:

cozy tan lamb fur pillow styled alongside other cozy fall prints

Thinking about adding some western style wall decor or rustic elements?

Maybe it’s the fact that I was born in Oklahoma and my great-grandpa was a true cowboy.  Or it could be the incredible memories we made as a family this summer.  And would you believe that my favorite view in all the world is atop cemetery hill in the little tiny, almost ghost town where my grandparents used to live?  There is just something about the western design style that feels so inviting.

Even though I love our Florida home, I have fun challenging myself to figure out how to mix some of those western touches and rustic elements with my existing decor.  I am enjoying the textures, the soft colors, the playful touches, and most of all, the feeling of home as we start into the fall season!

​At the same time, the stage is perfectly set to start adding some dried gourds and a pumpkin or two as we move into fall.  Stay tuned!

If you want to take the challenge and add some rustic elements to your own space, you can shop over 50 of my favorites curated on my storefront.  The full list is ready for you HERE!

Thanks for joining me today.  I’ve been having so much fun with this early fall decor and now I’m excited to start adding a bit more fall-specific styling into these spaces!

large concrete horse bust styled on white apothecary

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)
Friday Favorites-Favorites from the Home Tour

Friday Favorites-Favorites from the Home Tour

Friday Favorites-Favorites from the Home Tour

Hello Friends!

I am loving this look for fall! The rustic look is so trendy right now! Let me know what you love most about this weeks line up!

Neutral Colored Cowhide Rug

This is a gorgeous neutral cowhide rug that goes with almost any decor style from modern to vintage to farmhouse to coastal! 

Find it here on Amazon!

 Fuzzy Lamb Throw Pillows 

 This is available at a fraction of the price of boutiques and high-end designer stores but looks exactly the same! I love these!

This is a great find from Amazon! 

Vintage Style Horse Head

This large statement piece is perfect for a mantel, shelf, or console/sofa table. I love this so much and have enjoyed styling it around my house.

Here it is!

 

Vintage Horse Trophy

 These vintage horse trophies are great for the western look. I styled mine under a cloche and love the look of it. 

Find them here

Small Horse Print

 This is perfect for shelf styling or layering on a mantel or gallery wall! 

Find it here from Amazon

Vintage Style Pillow Cover

 This is very similar to the one on my sectional that I get frequent questions about. This would give the exact same look! 

Find it here

 

 

Stoneware Bottles

They all look vintage! And this is a great price for the set of 3! 

It’s available here

Brass Candlesticks

Brass candlesticks are a must for fall decorating!

They are available here

 

Gingham Table Runner

This is the $10 table runner that I used for my home tour tablescape. It can be used year-round and is so easy to style even for simple, everyday kitchen table styling.

This is available here

 

Vintage Style Pillow Cover

I love this vintage style pillow cover with the same color palette that I’m enjoying this fall!

Find them here!

Mirror

This looks just like high-end mirrors but at a much better price! The gold accents are perfect for decorating year-round and especially for fall and winter. It’s a similar look to the gold mirror I’m using on my mantel this fall.

Find them here!

If you really want to make things easy, just shop the entire list of rustic neutral favorites here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)
Design Ideas to Create a Rustic Neutral Living Room for Fall

Design Ideas to Create a Rustic Neutral Living Room for Fall

Design Ideas to Create a Rustic Neutral Living Room for Fall

The fall season is arriving!  Check out these ideas for a rustic neutral living room for fall and cozy living spaces for simple home decor!  I’ll show you the best way to get a rustic look in your living space with natural textures, a neutral palette, and decor accessories with a rustic touch.  Plus, join me in touring over 30 other fall home tours for the best fall home decor inspiration of 2023!

Welcome to my Fall Home Tour of 2023!  This past summer, some of you joined me in Instagram stories as our family took an RV road trip through 7 states, including North and South Dakota.  Now, I was born in Oklahoma, so a rustic room always holds some appeal for me.  However, this summer I was so inspired by some of the National Parks we visited, as well as the roaming buffalo.  My kids even thought it would be fun to add some elements for a rustic neutral living room for fall, along with our other main living areas!

Our running joke for the trip was from a souvenir shirt we bought for Robb that says “Don’t Pet the Fluffy Cow”.  Keep that in mind when we get to the throw pillow section of this post and all the cozy ways to decorate for the fall season!

If you’re hopping over from Heida at  Eleanor Rose Home for this Fall Home Tour, welcome!  I loved her tour and gorgeous fall design elements.  I also want to say a big thank you to my friend Kelly from The Tattered Pew for hosting these incredible home tours each season.  It is a great way for YOU to be your own interior designer, pick and choose all of your favorite decor ideas.  You can also curate ideas for your own home for the season!

tablescape featuring checkered table runner, gold candlesticks, and lots of woven texture

What is a rustic living room?

When I think of a rustic living room, I immediately envision a massive stone fireplace and high ceilings.  Of course, there are some brick walls or stone walls, ceiling beams, and natural light streaming through large windows.  The aged natural materials are perfection.  Basically, none of the things I have in our Florida ranch style home.  Haha!

However, there are a lot of rustic interior design elements that I can incorporate into any space to give it a rustic feel.  A neutral color palette combined with warmer tones is a good place to start.

Textures such as warm leather, fur rugs, and the natural beauty of organic materials add warmth to the entire room.

You don’t have to have a log cabin in order to incorporate gorgeous warm tones with wood.  Consider a coffee table, side table, or even wood plank walls as a focal point to bring in some wood tones to your rustic living room design.

entryway styled with white concrete bust, woven basket with dried greenery, and white crocks

Design Ideas to Create a Rustic Neutral Living Room for Fall Decor

Cozy Fall Home Tour with Rustic Home Decor 2023

How to Use Rustic Decor for Fall Decorating

​A rustic feel and the fall season just seem to go hand in hand.  Also, many of the colors of autumn are already straying away from the bright color scheme of spring and summer and transitioning into the more moody earth tones and neutral colors.

Since I don’t want to make any permanent changes and only wanted to add some touches of those rustic elements, I decided to stick with some safe rustic living room ideas that I could spread throughout our main living spaces.  In our open concept home, this includes the family room, kitchen, dining room, music room, and entryway.

​It helps that most of my decor is already in neutral hues.  If you enjoy switching your decor around, I highly recommend sticking with neutral colors for your large pieces.  Then, you can add any pops of color or design elements, no matter the season.

Here are a few things I purchased to add to my existing decor for some rustic touches in the fall season:

White steer skull hung above vintage books and gold candlesticks styled on a chippy white mantel.

​Color Palette to Create a Rustic Neutral Living Room or Space

The current popular design styles definitely lend to the earthy, muted, neutral hues, though a bright color scheme always has a place and is definitely making a comeback.

Since many of you are probably already starting with somewhat neutral colors, adding some rustic elements will not be too difficult.  Plus, I think a lot of vintage and vintage-inspired pieces also blend beautifully with a neutral palette.

For a rustic space, I concentrated on adding warmer tones to my white walls and white living room idea.  Going with my love for vintage decor, I incorporated stoneware and crocks in an earthy color palette.

At the same time, the stone and pottery blend perfectly with natural elements like dried branches and stems.  I also added throw blankets and throw pillows  in a neutral color palette.

However, to keep adding layers of texture, I used a mixture of square, round, and lumbar pillow shapes.  At the same time, I mixed different textures like vintage linen, soft, gauzy cotton, wool, and fur.

Even though the colors are very neutral, these living spaces don’t feel blah to me.  There is definitely a full sensory experience of touch and at the same time, the colors feel soothing and peaceful for home!

Close up of neutral colored crocks on a white apothecary

Natural Elements to Create a Rustic Neutral Living Room or Space

Believe it or not, when it comes to fall decorating, I don’t have a ton of fall decorations.  I love using a lot of natural elements.  Over on THIS post, you can see details about some of my favorite FREE decor to use in the fall.  In the music room, I added one huge dried palm stem.  It feels perfect for a Florida fall!

Woven basket with dried palm fronds next to a large tan architectural piece

Natural elements are perfect for fall decorating.  They can add a lot of natural textures, earthy, warm tones, and beautiful character to any cozy living room.

Here are some of my favorites that I am using around our home:

Neutral Living Room Ideas to Create a Rustic Space

​A white living room idea may not seem like a natural choice for rustic style.  While it worked great for our coastal summer decor, transitioning a white living room idea into fall decor that uses warmer tones requires a lot of layers.

I still want to add more fall decorations as we move into the autumn season, specifically with dried gourds and a pumpkin or two.  However, I’ve had a lot of fun switching from our coastal summer decor into a soft color palette with rustic neutral living room decor ideas.

Admittedly, these are pretty safe rustic living room ideas.  That being said, I don’t want to make permanent changes and tried to use mostly what I already have on hand.

Here are just a few ways you can add some fall touches to vintage or modern living room ideas:

Fall living room styled with cozy pillows, white steer skull, and vintage frames.

1. Create a Focal Point

​The natural focal point in our family room is this long gallery wall.  A vintage mantel, flanked with a pair of chippy white architectural salvage doors, is a simple base for switching out seasonal decor and gallery wall decor accents.

I love that almost everything on this wall was thrifted, including the steer skull and antlers that I bought on the World’s Longest Yard Sale.  I wanted to balance out the rustic look of the steer head.  So, I wanted to add some elegant vintage decor that would blend with my somewhat European – cottage – traditional – vintage – flea market style.

(Obviously, I have a bit of a decor identity crisis!  What can I say?!  I love what I love!)

On the opposite of the room, our Samsung Frame TV makes a great secondary focal point.  I chose THIS gorgeous vintage inspired art.  Also, I love how it adds beautiful warm tones and a fun nod to our “don’t pet the fluffy cow” joke from the summer too.

It’s those little details that I think make every home unique and special!

I love using the Frame TV as a way to be functional for a family movie night or stream our favorite music channels.  At the same time, it’s gorgeous art that I can inexpensively change each season too!

Beautiful white mantel styled with vintage books and frames, gold candlesticks, and a white steer skull

2.  Use Rustic Touches for Accent Tables

Our coffee table and side tables are a great way to add some easy decor that makes the entire room look intentional.  Then, on the coffee table, I used this large, antique European trencher.  It is one of my favorite large pieces of decor.  You can find a gorgeous large wooden dough bowl for your own coffee table HERE!

For fall, I especially love the warmer tones.  Since I don’t have amazing wooden beams (don’t we all wish?!) in this living space, I can at least enjoy wood tones in large pieces like this.  While it’s not my dream living room with high ceiling beams taking center stage, I still get the warm wood tones in a way that works for my space and I love that!

I also love a mix of textures so I added a vintage grain sack and one large elk antler that I also purchased on the World’s Longest Yard Sale.  The mix of textures: wood, fabric, and aged natural materials creates a simple look here that I am enjoying this season.

Next, I swapped out my side tables for this small natural pine table.  It is another find from the World’s Longest Yard Sale!  It brings in the warmer tones that blend so perfectly with the fall colors.

Lastly, I wanted to keep the decor really simple.  So, I added an architectural salvage wooden base and a glass cloche.  Then, I added a vintage horse trophy that I picked up inexpensively at an antique mall.

My favorite candle and a pair of thrifted brass candlesticks combine my favorite design elements.  It also repeats the mix of color palette from the coffee table: wood and white decor, with some soft gold added.

Over on THIS post, you can get my favorite tips for decorating a coffee table for the fall season!

Vintage brass horse trophy under glass cloche with wooden base

3. Add Cozy Elements

Our sectional isn’t fancy but it is definitely a comfortable sofa that we can use and love!  I love that the slipcover can be washed (and bleached!) a couple times a year to keep it fresh. (Speaking of, it’s due for a good washing soon!)

Throw pillows and throw blankets (this is my personal favorite) add the perfect cozy elements that soften an entire room.  I used a mixture of square, round, and lumbar size pillows for variety.

At the same time, I mixed the colors with a gingham pattern, solid light tan (this set is perfect for layering).  Of course, our favorite “fluffy cow” throw pillows add a cozy element too!

They actually aren’t cows or buffalos at all.  However, they are the softest ever and available HERE!  I first saw them at a boutique for about $200 each, which was definitely NOT in my budget.  THESE are still not cheap, but they are a fraction of the price and really take center stage in this room.  Plus, my kids can’t get enough of them.  I think they’ll be staying around for the Christmas and winter seasons too!

Even though our space isn’t really huge, we love our cozy living room.  Best of all, it’s a space that everyone can enjoy.

Nothing is too precious for all of us to just live and relax and enjoy the space.  I think that is really, really important in a home!

Fuzzy brown pillow on a white couch with a brown checkered pillow and a round pillow

How do you arrange a spacious living room?

If you are working with a large living room, you’ll want to get creative with your furniture arrangements to create a really cozy living room space.

In a lot of ways, a smaller living room can be a little easier to work with.  However, most modern living room ideas are working with larger spaces.  If you have a large living room, here are a few tips:

  • Put furniture in smaller seating arrangements, maybe creating even two or three conversation areas
  • Consider some seating that can be flexible to move around in smaller conversation areas or be combined into one large area for big gatherings
  • Add an area rug (consider a fur rug for a modern rustic living room ideas!)
  • You may consider more than one area rug to help define the conversation areas
  • Create at least one focal point and possibly two, depending on how you lay out the room
  • Add lighting at varied levels

Cozy living room featuring a cozy white couch and a chippy wooden coffee table with a large dough bowl holding an elk antler

How to Style Open Shelving to Create a Rustic Neutral Living Room or Space

While I don’t have shelves in our rustic neutral living room, the open shelves in our dining room are visible from the living spaces too.  Even though each room has its own personality, I want these open concept spaces to flow smoothly.

Again, while amazing wooden beams would be a dream, it’s not in the plan right now for our home.  Instead, I bring in the warm tones of wood with this gorgeous English harvest table I found years ago at a thrift store.

The apothecary was a labor of love and it adds so much character.  Long before the oven cleaner method became popular on social media, we used it on this piece.  You literally won’t believe the before and after.  You can find all of the details over on THIS post from a few years ago!

On the open shelves, I used my tried and true method for shelf styling, found on THIS post in my simple decor series.

First, I stick to repetition in the color palette (white decor, wood, grey/tan mixture of stoneware).

Secondly, for a mix of textures, I still stick with just a few kinds, using wood, stoneware/crocks, and glass.

Even though these open shelves hold a lot of objects, the repetition of color and texture helps it feel curated rather than cluttered.

For a rustic touch, I used velcro command strips to hang two sets of mounted antlers.  I love how this ties into the family room decorations and adds depth to the open shelving as well.

Fall living room styled with cozy pillows, white steer skull, and vintage frames.

Use Architectural Salvage to Create a Rustic Neutral Living Room or Space

Our music room is such a fun space to style.  It is really like a secondary conversation area or an extension of our living room.  Even though the chairs aren’t sat in super often, it’s a busy room with all of the music that happens around here!

I love creating a focal point with large pieces in this space.  The basics stay the same here year round: apothecary where I store all of my small decor items, large mirror made of architectural salvage, DIY vintage scones (tutorial HERE), and vintage chairs.

For some drama and honestly, just for some fun, with my rustic neutral living room space here, I added one of the largest architectural salvage pieces I own!

This giant corbel is the perfect addition to my warm tones for fall.  A vintage French grape harvesting basket and a gigantic dried palm branch (yay for free decor!) add some natural elements in this space that feel perfect for a Florida fall.

​A few simple rustic touches here help add to the overall decor story I wanted to tell with my fall decorating this year!  I added a concrete horse head (find a similar one HERE) and this vintage-inspired horse print (find it HERE).

Just those two simple rustic elements add just the right look that I wanted in this space.

The other focal point in the music room is this cowhide area rug that I bought…you guessed it…on the World’s Longest Yard Sale.  You can find a similar one HERE.

Cowhide rugs are really trending for modern rustic design.  It is so soft and I love that there are so many styles and colors you can choose from for your own space!  I’ve wanted one for a long time and I’m so glad I got this one.  It’s made a beautiful and unique addition to our home!

When the sun shines through these large windows across the piano in the mornings, it just makes me smile.  I can pretend…until I open the front door…that there is actually a hint of crisp fall air out there.

Sigh.  Now if it would just ever make its way to Florida, right?!  Maybe by January!!!

Large tan corbel styled on top of a white apothecary
White concrete horse head styled next to a brown woven basket with dried greenery

Commonly Asked Question About Rustic Designs + My Two Cents

How can I make my living room look rustic?

Especially in the fall season, adding rustic touches is a great way to add warm tones to any living space.  I wanted to add some rustic accents without making any major changes.  So, I focused on a mixture of textures, warm woods tones, and neutral hues.

Adding these to the white walls and white living room spaces really warmed everything up.  Starting from a base of neutral colors allows me to easily transition seasons and experiment with fun decor!

A white or grey living room is a perfect neutral base that you can easily switch up with a decorative accent or two.  Then, just add a few simple rustic elements.  We will chat in more detail about some easy ones to add to any rustic space.

Reading above, you can see how I added simple elements to mix and match for a rustic touch throughout our main living space.  I was able to mostly use things I had on hand!

Close up of artwork of a horse in a small black frame

What is modern rustic design?

You’ll hear and see these design trends of modern rustic style popping up across the design world.  Modern rustic design combines the earthy neutral tones and natural, rustic elements with the clean, simple lines of modern furniture.  Also, you will see modern elements like metal (consider mixing in some gold to level the rustic look up a bit!) mixed with organic materials, like raw wood.

At the same time, if you may want to use a few pieces of rustic furniture or accessories into living spaces that are otherwise decorated in a more modern style.  So, look for vintage-inspired details to help it keep from looking too thematic or “country”.

However, some people may already live in rustic homes with log cabin vibes and want to add a more modern look.  Then, you can add modern elements like clean lines, sleek metal, glass for a bit of shine, and some white colors to give it more of a modern rustic design.

Cow hide rug underneath two arm chairs and a coffee table, all styled in front of a white apothecary

Bloggers’ Best Fall Home Tours

This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best Fall Home Tours. Thirty talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each Fall home tour by clicking the links below.

Monday’s Tours

Bloggers' Best Fall Tour 23

The Tattered Pew // StoneGable // My Wee Abode

Cottage On Bunker Hill // Bricks n’ Blooms // My Thrift Store Addiction

Tuesday’s Tours

Tuesday Tour Collage 23

She Gave It A Go // Midwest Life and Style // Open Doors Open Hearts

Peacock Ridge Farm // Cottage In The Mitten

Wednesday’s Tours

Wednesday Fall Tours 23

White Lilac Farmhouse // Shiplap and Shells //  The Ponds Farmhouse

WM Design House //  DIY Beautify // This Is Simplicite

Thursday’s Tours

Thursday's Fall  Tours 23

Eleanor Rose Home // Robyn’s French Nest // Worthing Court

Southern Home and Hospitality //  Amy Sadler Designs // Our Crafty Mom

Friday’s Tours

Friday Fall Tours 23

White Arrows Home // A Life Unfolding // County Road 407

Thistle Key Lane // Pasha Is Home // My Family Thyme

​What is a rustic living room?

Well, I suppose there are a lot of different answers to that question!  I hope this post has given you some ideas of what rustic style can look like combined with your unique style in your own home!

However, thanks for coming and touring our rustic neutral living room with a European vintage cottage twist.  How’s that for a style?!

As you can see, I was able to use many things that I already had to decorate our home for early fall.  However, just a few additions of some rustic elements were all it took to give a subtle and fun rustic feel to these living spaces!

I hope you’ve had fun touring our fall home today!  I’ll be adding a lot more fall decor in the coming weeks, so stay tuned over on my Instagram and on the blog too!

Next, you can shop a full list of similar items and things I recommend for rustic neutral living room and cozy spaces, conveniently curated on my storefront HERE!

In closing, I want you to click on over to Suzy at Worthing Court for some amazing fall inspiration.  You’re going to love what she is sharing and I know you’ll get great ideas as you prepare your own home for fall!

close up of antlers in a large concrete bowl
Close up of a fall place setting with gold flatware and candlesticks, woven chargers and freshly baked rolls

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)
Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Who out there is currently going through the trauma of middle school science?  Or you’ve been there, done that, and can give me hope for survival?!  Thank goodness for patient teachers…and a three day weekend! Haha!  However, our week definitely ended on a fun note….

I hope you enjoy the Notes From Our Nest this week!

Around Our Nest:

  • It was a big test week for all the kids’ classes this week, so we’ve had our noses in the books, working hard!  I know I probably sound like I brag on my kids too much but I’m super proud of them.  School isn’t always easy but they are working hard and it makes my mom heart proud!  (Even if tired sometimes too.  Haha!)
  • We thankfully avoided any hurricane affect in our part of the state.  Our thoughts have been with those who had to deal with that this week and have a recovery road ahead.  Robb was on storm duty through the week so it’s been a really long week for him also!
  • Needless to say, our whole family is super thankful for the 3-day weekend and we will be laboring as little as possible.  Hopefully, we won’t even have to get out of pjs or leave the house!!!
  • We did end the week with some fun at the rodeo!  I shared a little of it in my Instagram stories.  We had a blast!  Florida is such a mix…we have Key West style homes and Lilly Pulitzer, surfboards, and yachts by us.  An hour west, it’s ranches, cows, and rodeos!

 

Around the ‘Gram This Week:

  • Even though it was a hectic week, I still had a lot of fun sharing more of my early fall home decorating over in Instagram this week!
  • On THIS Instagram post, I shared my dining room shelves.  In stories that day, I shared some shelf styling tips.  If you missed that, you can find my “shelf 101 styling guide” HERE!
  • Also on THIS Instagram post I shared one of my very favorite poems.  It was a good reminder in the middle of the hectic week.  Maybe you need this gentle reminder also…
  • On THIS Instagram post, I shared a look at my early fall mantel.  I am just having so much fun with these little touches of rustic western style.  Next week, I plan to change the look by adding in some dried gourds.  Since all of this decor already lends itself to fall, it will be quick and easy to tuck in those natural elements and decor accents!
  • On THIS Instagram post, I shared some of our “Wild West” rodeo fun… and what it made me think of in our home.  Just a fun little post and I couldn’t help myself!  It made me smile!

Around the Blog This Week:

  • THIS blog post goes into detail about how to add layers, texture, style, and centerpieces to your early fall tablescapes.  I can’t wait to share my first early fall tablescape with you on Tuesday!  You can get some fun and easy ideas for styling your fall table from THIS blog post!
  • On my Friday Favorites, I rounded up some favorite accents to give a hint of that rustic western style to your home decor.  Now, our home is far from a western style.  However, these little accents and accessories have been so fun to use.  Plus, it’s all very neutral so I can easily mix and match decor!
Coverpage for the Vintage Hunting on the World's Longest Yard Sale Blog post

Around the Storefront This Week:

It’s been a fun week around the storefront.  I started sharing and showing more of my new finds this past week in my early fall decorating.  Even though a lot of my pieces are vintage or thrifted, I searched high and low to help you get the “look” for your own home too.  Of course, just a few, super subtle hints of early fall too.

Don’t worry.  Fall-specific decor is coming soon.  Haha!  Honestly, the stage is set and now I just need to get my bags of dried gourds out of the attic! ????????

Here are some of the top sellers over on my storefront this week:

  1. This pampas grass was by far the best seller this week.  It’s so versatile for fall!
  2. If the grass doesn’t inspire you,  this wreath just might.  I just love it!
  3. This throw blanket is so so soft!
  4. Here’s one of my favorites.  This wooden pear is perfect for the season!
  5.  And last but not least, my favorite candles are always a good choice!

You can check this list on my storefront.  I update it daily with favorite deals that I think you’ll love too!

Coming Up This Week Around the Nest:

September is going to be such a fun month and I have so many things I hope to share soon!  Here are a few things coming up this week:

  1. Great Labor Day sales!  Find my Favorite Daily Deals curated shopping list HERE!
  2. I’m putting together my first early fall tablescape!  It’s been awhile since I’ve done a full tablescape, so I’m excited about this.  I was working on it the other day and my daughter was confused.  She wondered if I was starting to decorate for Thanksgiving. ???? She did say she liked it, so that was a win!  Stay tuned, I guess???? ????
  3. It’s Fall Home Tour week!  I am joining with over 30 bloggers to tour you through our homes.  Watch my Instagram stories each day to see what amazing homes you get to tour!  This is really an early fall home tour for me and I’ll be sharing a lot more fall-specific decor as September goes along.  My early fall home tour is Thursday, so make sure to visit the blog and Instagram for that!
  4. I’m rounding up some ideas and inspiration for creating some simple and subtle rustic western decor looks that you can incorporate into your home.  This is going to be so fun!

 

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

As always, I love to share some inspiration from some of my favorites! There are some amazing fall ideas for you in these posts.  Check out these posts for more inspiration for YOUR nest!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Follow along with Kim at Shiplap and Shells for the best plants for fall planters.  I’m always inspired by her skills!

Her post is definitely worth your time!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Heidi over at Eleanor Rose Home always inspires me with her gorgeous photography!  Her easy (and no sew!) diy for kitchen towels is just stunning.  You will enjoy her ideas so much!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Renae at Peacock Ridge shares some beautiful ideas for a fall tablescape.  I just love her sweet spirit and creativity.  Check out her fall inspiration HERE!

Thanks for being here!  I always say, I’m so blessed with such a wonderful community here at Robyn’s French Nest.  I appreciate each of you so much!

I hope you have a really great week (maybe a little less crazy than ours will be) and I can’t wait to see you around the nest this week for all the fun coming up!

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Gallery

Friday Favorites- Rustic Fall Decor

Friday Favorites- Rustic Fall Decor

Friday Favorites- Rustic Fall Decor

Hello Friends!

I am loving this look for fall! The rustic look is so trendy right now! Let me know what you love most about this weeks line up!

Neutral Colored Cowhide Rug

This rug is so cool! The perfect rustic accent look! 

Find it here on Amazon!

Rustic Vintage Style Large Mirror

his mirror could be hung vertically or horizontally. It definitely a year round piece, but the pretty frame has a rustic feel to it that I love for fall. 

This is a great find from Amazon! 

Vintage Pottery

This is so trendy right now! The earthy tones and pottery mix together really well! I like this vintage style pottery.

Here it is from Amazon! 

 

Vintage Style Pillow

Another earthy tones piece with an elevated western feel!  I think these might be my favorite stye right now.  They are so so fun!

Find them here from Amazon

Black Taper Candle Holders

This is a simple modern style that blends perfectly with a vintage western look! 

Find it here from Amazon

Stunning Artwork

These look like real paintings! So perfect to switch out for a fall gallery wall! 

Find it here

 

 

Stoneware Bottles

They all look vintage! And this is a great price for the set of 3! 

It’s available here

Wood Dough Bowl

Use this beautiful bowl to bring in wood tones! This would be so easy to style for fall!

They are available here

 

Pampas Grass Wreath

I just had to add my favorite fall wreath again! Grab this for your home! 

This is available here

 

Dried Gourds

Dried gourds are my favorite natural element to use for fall! Perfect to style for tablescapes or little vignette

Find them here!

Dried Seed Pods

These  are a great alternative to greenery for fall! You could use them year after year! They could also be mixed into fresh or faux floral arrangements or style on their own! 

Find them here!

If you really want to make things easy, just shop the entire list of rustic neutral favorites here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Best Vintage Table Decoration Ideas for Fall Centerpieces

Best Vintage Table Decoration Ideas for Fall Centerpieces

Best Vintage Table Decoration Ideas for Fall Centerpieces

Using vintage table decoration ideas for fall is are unique ways to make beautiful settings for this time of year!  Check out these 3 ways to layer your table setting during this early fall season.  Plus, I’m sharing the simple things you need to pull together a beautiful centerpiece in an easy way.

It can be easy to look at those pretty magazine pictures of the perfectly styled dining room tables with beautiful floral arrangements, a table centerpiece, and place settings and just think that can’t be real life.  I get that.  And I definitely don’t know anyone who actually uses a dining room table like that every day.  At the same time, you’ll often find one or the other of our tables styled on a regular basis or at least a pretty table centerpiece!  Of course, the fact that I love vintage table decoration ideas makes it really fun for me to come up with a creative way to decorate!

Why?  Not because we are fancy dining people.  However, there is something so fresh and put together about a lovely dining table and it can make your entire home feel thoughtful and inviting.

In other words, don’t save the “pretty stuff” only for guests.  

Let’s chat about some simple ways to create a beautiful setting for your fall table during this season…just for you and your family!

Best Vintage Table Decoration Ideas for Fall Centerpieces

How to decorate a table for autumn?

6 Best Table Decorations for Vintage Table Decoration Ideas

Do you have to have these exact items?  Definitely not!  These are just my favorites and are all very budget-friendly.

Fun fact:  My everyday white dishes were a clearance find before I got married.  I think I paid less than $8 for a full service set of 6!  I’m really glad I got several sets.

My baskets and bowls are all thrift store finds.  Also, you can even find great ironstone at flea markets and thrift stores too!

For me, the key to setting my fall wooden table with ease is having favorite items close at hand.  I’ll show you 3 different tables where I used a mixture of these items.

What if I don’t have these same items for vintage table decoration ideas?

No table feels the same, yet there are several familiar elements in each.  I am also including some favorite vintage items.  You may not have these exact pieces, but you can look for similar pieces to complete your fall dining area.

You don’t have to have all new things to create new and fresh looks.  Have fun mixing, matching, and reimagining what you have on hand!  Then maybe add a few staple pieces as you can to really help you get the overall look you want!

Don’t forget to frequent your thrift stores and even estate sales for budget-friendly ways to beautiful table decorations!

Seasonal Items and Natural Elements for Your Vintage Table Decoration Ideas:

Your local grocery store is the perfect way to find seasonal, natural elements to use in your home decor.  Without a lot of extra cost, you can create a natural look and beautiful settings with fresh flowers.  Seasonal, natural elements are also a great way to add pops of color to your centerpiece idea or even place settings too.  Especially if you are working with large tables, like dinner parties, for example, your grocery store can provide a better way to create a beautiful setting without the extra cost of buying home decor in bulk.

How do you make a fall tablescape?

Here are some of my favorite seasonal and natural elements to use for table decorations:

Tip: Use decor for double duty!

Other than the sunflowers, these are all things you can use in fall recipes, so enjoy it as decor for a bit and then eat it too!  One of my favorite ways to decorate any table or even an event is to use the pretty foods as part of my decor.

Using and enjoying fresh items in your decor also means that you have less decor to store away at the end of the season!  That is a big win in my book.

And while it may seem like you’re buying more, you’re likely spending less in the long run.  These are all fairly inexpensive and things that can play double duty for your budget as well!  Win win!

And while it may seem like you’re buying more, you’re likely spending less in the long run.  These are all fairly inexpensive and things that can play double duty for your budget as well!  You can enjoy both without the extra cost.  Win win!  Plus, any of these fall table decor ideas can work for both a rectangular or round table.

Notice pumpkins aren’t on the list?  

Because this is for your early fall table!  The real pumpkins don’t arrive in Florida, at least, until late September.  So I love to use other fun and seasonal items and that keeps me from getting weary of the pumpkins!

Do you have other seasonal items that you love using on your table?  Leave your ideas in the comments for all of us to enjoy!

How to Add Layers to Your Fall Table

 

An easy formula for styling your table with ease:

Sunflower Fall Table Place Setting with Vintage Table Decoration Ideas:

Enjoy!  This is a perfect look for those last weeks of August and I love sunflowers for a slow transition from summer to fall decor!  It is also a great idea to include a fun pop of color that really only comes around seasonally once a year!

Plus when the warm weather doesn’t allow it to feel much like fall, the sunflowers give that hint of fall while still acknowledging that summer months are lingering around!  I really love this beautiful table setting idea on a round table too!

Artichoke Fall Table Place Setting for Vintage Table Decoration Ideas:

How do you elegantly decorate for fall?

Pro Tip: For this table, I use these adorable black plaid dishes from Bico Ceramics.  I only had 4 place settings, so I mixed them with my vintage ironstone to get 8 place settings!  Mix and match to make your dishes stretch a little further!  You can shop them HERE.  For a more soft color palette, simple white dishes work perfectly too!

 

How do you make a table centerpiece for fall?

Centerpiece: trade out the delicate flowers from spring centerpieces for fresh eucalyptus stems and some brass candlesticks; you could also add glass bottles or a vintage vase filled with water for the fresh eucalyptus if you want it to last longer.  The greenery really is its own color scheme and gives such a natural look to this beautiful setting,

This table is so easy to put together with those staple pieces on hand!  The only extra cost are the artichokes and fresh eucalpytus! I love the bright and fresh look, yet with a hint of those warmer tones and soft colors that I like to bring in for fall table decorations.

The greenery and vintage candle holders with taper candles give this casual table a more elegant look for the fall.

Where do I get the best eucalyptus?

If you want to purchase some amazingly realistic faux eucalyptus, THESE stems are amazing and look so real!  I like to mix them with faux or fresh flowers for a more full looking flower arrangement.

THESE eucalyptus garlands are also so gorgeous.  I have several and use them year round.  In fact, I hardly have the extra cost of fresh eucalyptus (or the gas cost to drive 30 minutes to Trader Joe’s!)  They look incredibly realistic.

I have also used them in both indoor and outdoor wedding decor on reception tables and even with simple wedding centerpieces.  Not only do they look gorgeous for fall and winter decor, but they are perfect for spring centerpieces and spring table decor too!  Literally, they are my very favorite simple greenery to use.

Fresh Bread Fall Table Place Setting With Vintage Table Decoration Ideas:

This table gives me all the warm and cozy vibes.  Is there anything more comforting on a crisp, early fall evening than a delicious bowl of soup and some fresh bread?

Bread and soup are ALWAYS a good idea for a fall day!  Take a few extra moments to make this rustic theme table feel even more inviting!

Here’s what you need to create this look:

Pro Tip: When using real taper candles, keep candles that are partially used.  The different heights look make for a beautiful centerpiece!  You can also use real or flameless pillar candles and set them atop the rustic style beam.

Either kind of candle looks beautiful for this rustic theme centerpiece idea!  Also, if you want to use a specific color scheme, you could get candles that are the perfect match to your theme, especially if you use real candles.

How do you make a simple fall centerpiece?

This rustic style beam is a great DIY and easy focal point for any table setting, whether small or large tables.

Here is a quick and easy tutorial for a rustic style centerpiece idea:

  1. Find the right piece of wood. It needs to be sturdy enough to drill a decent-sized hole in, but not too overwhelming for the table.
  2. Do math.  Just kidding!  Sort of….You need to figure out how many candles you want in your beam/wood piece.  And decide ahead of time how much space you want on the ends.
  3. Use a pencil to mark the spots on the board where you want your candles.
  4. Using a forstner bit the size of your candle diameter, drill a hole 1 inch to 1 1/2 deep.
  5. Place your wax candles in the holes & enjoy the coziness!

How do you decorate a table for cheap?

Hint: that gorgeous rustic style beam is a great start for budget-friendly ways to decorate a table for any season!

I hope this post has inspired you with several budget-friendly ways that you can create a pretty table setting or beautiful centerpiece for your fall home decor.  Here is the good news:

When my table looks pretty, none of us tend to “dump stuff” on it!  That’s always an added benefit and easy way of keeping the table pretty!  Everyone finds a different drop zone!  Ha!

I hope this post inspires you to have some fun with creating simple and thoughtful tables to enjoy with your family this fall!

You can shop my Amazon storefront HERE for a curated collection of favorite fall decorating finds!

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Notes from the Nest

Notes from the Nest

Notes from the Nest

I think I finally see a little light at the end of the tunnel as far as getting back into the school routine.  Whew; it’s tough!  However, my early fall home decor is coming together and a new little corner feels more cozy every day.  I’ve had a lot of fun starting to share my inspiration and ideas with you and there is a lot more to come!

I hope you enjoy the Notes From Our Nest this week!

Around Our Nest:

  • We started rehearsals this week for a very large, local Christmas production that our family is involved in each year.  Seem early?  Well, there’s only about 16 (or so?) rehearsals between now and the performance weekend.  Maybe just a little insight as to why some of us start thinking about Christmas so early!  Haha!
  • I’m adding some warmer tones for early fall here and there…even though the temps outside just aren’t giving up.  It’s SO HOT!  Then again, that is pretty normal for South Florida in August.  I guess I should just stop complaining about it, right?  Right!
  • My huge arched window from the World’s Longest Yard Sale is hung and looking gorgeous!  Some of you caught a peek of it a few times in my Instagram stories.  It was fun that you noticed it!  I’ll try to share more about that soon.
  • Honestly, the days have flown by this week.  They seem filled to the brim with teaching all day, coming home and helping our own kids, keeping up with home, and all the activities.  At the end of the day, though, I know I am so blessed.  I have been going to bed earlier and that is helping a little, I think!

Around the ‘Gram This Week:

  • I shared my number one tip for transitioning seasons…switching out your greenery and florals!  Did you catch that Instagram post?  I’m still just loving my free decor!  Go check it out HERE if you missed it!
  • My music room FINALLY is how I like it.  It took a lot of tries over several days.  You can see the process on THIS Instagram post.  However, I love how it ended up coming together!
  • You just can’t beat vintage home decor in my book.  However, mixing some new with the old can be incredibly helpful and create an extra cozy and curated look.  On THIS Instagram post, I shared my top 10 favorites from Amazon that I’m using this season.  I think you’ll love these too!

Around the Blog This Week:

  • THIS blog post was fun to put together, sharing my top 15 tips for transition from summer to fall home decor.  As I said in my post, I’m moving very slowly over here, enjoying some “in between” and early fall decorating.  No pumpkins or gourds out here yet.  However, the warmer tones and cozy layers are coming together and it will be easy to add in some of those really autumn-specific details as the season progresses.  And maybe as the temps drop a tad???
  • On this post, I shared the best Amazon fall decor finds of the season.  Some of them are maybe a bit unexpected but I’m loving them all!  I really love the top 10 that I shared on my Instagram post but there were just too many more I loved also!  Find them all HERE!
  • Friday Favorites this week was all about my early fall decorating favorites.  Honestly, the collage is just so gorgeous and gives me all the cozy, good feelings!  You can shop these early fall decor favorites easily from THIS post!

Around the Storefront This Week:

It’s been a fun week around the storefront.  I haven’t gotten around to sharing all of my new finds yet, but I’ve ordered some FUN stuff this week!  It’s getting me excited to start transitioning our home from the summer coastal look to a more everyday style.  Of course, as I said, I’m loving the cozy, early fall feelings that are appearing daily around here too!

Don’t worry.  There won’t be a pumpkin explosion here for quite awhile still!  Haha!

Here are some of the top sellers over on my storefront this week:

  1. THIS pampas grass wreath was a favorite from my Instagram stories this week.  I haven’t traditionally used a lot of pampas grass because I don’t like keeping up with the mess.  However, this is faux pampas and it is AMAZING!  I’m all about using what you have on hand to decorate but trust me, you NEED this wreath for some gorgeous texture and earthy tones.  I absolutely love it and may just end up ordering a second one!
  2. This amazing wood pear is also one my favorites!  It’s the perfect fruit for the season, and at a great price point!
  3. I love this reclaimed wood riser.…and so did so many of you!  It’s so versatile and pretty at the same time!
  4. Speaking of pampas grass, these arrangements look absolutely beautiful!  And right now they’re on sale, just in time for fall.  Hop on over & check them out!
  5. Last not least, these gorgeouse rustic candlestick holders are a big hit.  They fit so many occasions perfectly & you will love them, too!

You can check this list on my storefront.  I update it daily with favorite deals that I think you’ll love too!

Coming Up This Week Around the Nest:

We are going to finish August off with some great inspiration, I hope!  Here are a few things coming up this week:

  1. How to layer your table centerpieces and place settings for early fall
  2. Favorite shelf styling tips for fall
  3. Full reveal of my early fall mantel
  4. Rustic elements and accents that work well with vintage decor for fall home decorating

 

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

As always, I love to share some inspiration from some of my favorites!  Check out these posts for more inspiration for YOUR nest!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Kim over Shiplap and Shells never cease to amaze.  She shares this week about preparing your garden for the transition to fall. 

Her post is full of great tips & beautiful photography.  Check it out here!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

I have to try this idea out from Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home.  I just love all her great tips & suggestions about throwing an outdoor potluck party!

Fall is coming & cooler temps with it….and I’m ready for some outdoor get-togethers.  Her post is the perfect place to start!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Renae from Peacock Ridge is such a beautiful person inside and out.  It’s no wonder her home is so inspiring!  This week she shares about adding cottage elements to her decor.  You’ve got to check it out!

Thanks for being here!  I always say, I’m so blessed with such a wonderful community here at Robyn’s French Nest.  I appreciate each of you so much!

I hope you have a really great week (maybe a little less crazy than ours will be) and I can’t wait to see you around the nest this week for all the fun coming up!

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Gallery

Best Fall Home Decor Ideas From Amazon 2023 Under $50

Best Fall Home Decor Ideas From Amazon 2023 Under $50

Best Fall Home Decor Ideas From Amazon 2023 Under $50

Today, I thought it would be fun to share with you my fall home decor finds from Amazon, all under $50.  Each one is a great option to help you bring a little easy and fun fall decor into the new season.

Is anyone else having to pretend that they are sipping on pumpkin spice lattes, enjoying the crisp air, and drinking in the warm hues of the fall season?  Yep, me too.  It’s still crazy hot down here in Florida!  However, that isn’t stopping me from prepping my home for the fall season.  I’ve ordered several new fall decor pieces from these fall home decor finds from Amazon.  I think you’ll love them too!

Best Fall Home Decor Ideas From Amazon 2023 Under $50

Let’s take a look at some of my favorite decor for one of my very favorite seasons: Fall!  These are all an affordable way to enjoy the little things about the harvest season that make it so cozy for the whole family!  These fall home decor ideas from Amazon are some of my favorites that I’m enjoying right now!

Favorite Amazon Fall Decor Finds for the Living Room

When I start decorating in our living room and family room spaces, I almost always start with the fireplace mantle.  Now, we don’t actually have a fireplace (because we live in Florida, remember?!). However, I love decorating the chippy white fireplace mantle behind our family room sectional.  It really becomes the focal point for the entire room.

I love creating gallery walls with vintage finds, thrifted home decor, and always mix in some favorite new pieces too, like these fall home decor ideas from Amazon.  Then, on the fireplace mantle, I like to add texture and warmth with seasonal accents, vintage books, and brass candle holders.

Since I don’t want to have any open flames on the fireplace mantle, flameless candles are a better way to get that cozy glow!  I have several different flameless candles that look SO realistic and add the perfect cozy fall vibe to the whole room.  I just can’t have fall decorating without some cozy candles!

Even though flameless candles work perfectly for the fireplace mantle, I do love to actually light candles too.  The best fall candles are definitely a personal opinion.  However, I always love good pumpkin-scented candles.  THIS one smells amazing and the jar is so pretty sitting out on a coffee table or end table too!

Of course, a neutral fireplace mantle also gives you a great place to hang party decor too, such as a happy fall burlap banner for a pumpkin carving contest!

More Favorite Amazon Fall Decor Finds for the Living Room

Whether or not you have a fireplace mantle, there are a lot of other spaces to add fall decorations in a living room!  A really quick and easy way to start adding a fall vibes is with throw pillows and throw blankets.  These can add so much texture to a space.  If you love color, they can even add tons of colors for the fall season too!

If you’re like me and prefer a more subtle way of decor styles, adding texture and pattern is one of the easiest ways to switch up your space.  Throw pillows (or pillow covers) and throw blankets are the perfect addition to any cozy room!  You can use different color combinations to create interest.  At the same time, mixing patterns such as a stripe or buffalo check, is the perfect way to bring in some fun fall decor ideas too.

You an even toss a cozy throw blanket over the arm of a sofa or chair to add warm colors to your fall decorations.

How to Create a Living Room Centerpiece

Over on THIS post, I share my favorite ways to create simple living room centerpieces on a coffee table or end table.  No matter the season, the first thing you always need for coffee table decorating is a base.  A decorative tray, large bowl, or basket are the perfect addition.

In my living room, a glass cloche and base is a staple decor favorite for my end table.  It is so fun to decorate with a lot of different kinds of seasonal decor. Of course, when pumpkin season gets here, you can’t go wrong with some faux pumpkins under a cloche or tossed in a big dough bowl on the coffee table too!

Fall home decor ideas from Amazon for the coffee table:

Don’t forget about what goes under the coffee table too!  This year, I added some new fall decor with this rug.  I’ve had my eye on it for a long time and grabbed it on sale this summer.  The warm colors blend perfectly with my fall decorating and a new rug was a great way to welcome a new season too!  I layered it over the jute rug that I’ve had for many years.

Stacking rugs is another great way to refresh a space with a smaller budget.  You can simply purchase the smaller size and layer over a large neutral rug that stays out year round.  A jute rug is a great option for that neutral base.

Best Amazon Finds for Natural Elements in Fall Decorating

No matter the season, I love using natural elements in my decorating.  Natural textures and elements are the best way to bring in seasonal decor to your own home.  During this time of year, I do enjoy fresh flowers.  Some of my favorite seasonal flowers are mums, sunflowers, and branches or berry stems.

However, I also love using faux flowers.  I am really picky about my faux flowers and greenery, but I will link a few here that I can definitely recommend!

A dried bouquet and even pampas grass bouquets are more great ways to bring in natural textures and warm colors.  They are easy to quickly stick in a favorite vessel and enjoy!  I also love using woven elements to hold a pampas grass bouquet, like THIS wall basket.

Of course, free branches from the yard are also great for adding natural textures.  Unfortunately, I don’t have any pretty maple leaves with tons of colors like some of you probably do!  However, THESE faux leaves and branches  do a pretty great job of adding harvest season decor styles to our home!

Amazon fall decor finds for the dining room

To be honest,  dining room just deserves an entire post of its own, right?!  Fall and harvest season tablescapes are so beautiful, not to mention fun to create!  However, I’ll just list a few of my “must-haves”.  If you follow along in Instagram stories, you’ll definitely be seeing a lot of all of these table decor pieces from September through November!  The best part is that some of them can be used past the fall season and into Christmas and winter as well.  I love investing in pieces that I can use in lots of ways.

These velvet pumpkins are stunning and add so much texture and elegance to table decor and centerpieces.  I love that they come in tons of colors and you can combine different colors to create your own unique table decor.

I also love these two different table runners.  THIS one is under $10 and is perfect for every day table decor.  I often have it under a centerpiece on my dining table and use it year round.

THIS one is so gorgeous and I actually love layering it with the buffalo check.  You can dress it up or down depending on your own home style.  It also comes in quite a few different colors and is so easy to style!

For flatware, I love using this matte gold finish.  It blends perfectly with my fall decor ideas.  One of the best places I’ve found to buy it is right here on Amazon and I love mine!

Don’t forget about kitchen towels!  Especially if your dining room is open to the kitchen like mine is, you’ll want to refresh those kitchen towels for the new season.  I love THESE!

Amazon fall decor finds for the bedroom

We are huge fans of creating a cozy bedroom space for the fall season.  I should clarify…I am a huge fun.  Bless my husband for tolerating the extra throw pillows and even an extra cozy throw blanket that needs tossed “just so” at the foot of the bed!

When it comes to decorating a fall bedroom, adding layers is a great way to get a really cozy look.  Pillow covers, throw pillows, and cozy knits are the easiest ways to add these touches for a new season.

If you really want a refresh, a duvet cover is also a great option.  I added THIS duvet cover in the summer and plan to keep it out for fall too.  It is so soft and gorgeous!  Plus, it is available in different colors too.

Otherwise, I usually use my existing bedding and add a little to it.

Amazon fall decor finds for the front porch

Well, I’ll have to be honest.  We aren’t huge fans of the upcoming spooky season.  For me, I really prefer the more welcoming vibes of the new season with more of harvest season decor styles.  However, whatever is fun and welcoming for your family is the best for your own home!

On my front door, I like to add fall wreaths for a quick seasonal refresh.  Then, it’s always a great time to update the door mat too.  I like to add a fun doormat and maybe even layer fall doormats with a buffalo check or stripe and then something fun and cute on top!

Since it is so hot here in Florida, real pumpkins simply are NOT an option!  However, there are faux pumpkins that make a great option for our hot fall season.  If you’re enjoying crisp air for the new season, by all means, add some real pumpkins!!!

I also like to add corn stalks to the posts for some simple decoration that makes a big statement!

Lastly, I love to add weather-proof flameless candles.  They create such a cozy glow and welcoming vibes in a more subtle wa

Here are some front porch favorites available on Amazon:

How to decorate for the fall season?

I hope this post and these fall home decor ideas from Amazon have given you a lot of ideas for both new fall decor and Amazon fall decor finds.  At the same time, I hope you’re inspired to mix the old with the new and use what you have in a different way.  Adding just one or two new decor pieces is a fun way to refresh your favorites from the past!

I am definitely enjoying these favorite fall home decor ideas from Amazon around our own home.  If you are on Instagram, make sure to check out my new post to see how I am using 10 of these Amazon fall decor finds around our home this year.

You can shop these top 10 favorites conveniently at THIS storefront link.

Spoiler: some of them are not just fall; you can use them year round too!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Early Fall Decorating

Friday Favorites-Early Fall Decorating

Friday Favorites-Early Fall Decorating

Hello Friends!

Fall is on it’s way! It doesn’t seem like it here in South Florida, but I do like to decorate with the seasons and I know many of you do as well. Here are some of my favorite finds for this fall season. I hope you enjoy them and add some to your home this year! 

Fur Pillows

They are must-haves for me this year but honestly, my kids can’t get enough of them either! Plus, they layer perfectly with the pillows I already have and add so much texture for fall. Bonus: I can use them all winter too!

Find them here on Amazon!

Decorative Candlesticks

 These have a gorgeous texture and style that can blend with lots of decor looks! I just love these pretty candlesticks!
This is a great find from Amazon! 

Gorgeous Rug

 I layered mine over my old jute rug and it adds so much texture and interest; colors are a perfect base for the warm autumn touches to come later on

Here it is from Amazon! 

 

Gorgeous Stems

These sell out every year! So, order early! These stems mix well with greenery or with fall stems and flowers too!

Find them here from Amazon

Wood Riser

This wood riser can be used for so many things! It’s such a pretty wood tone too.

Find it here from Amazon

Stunning Artwork

This is just stunning artwork that you can frame with thrifted frames (they are basic sizes). They look like real paintings and are so pretty. Bonus: They are under $16!!

Find it here

 

 

Longhorn Skull

 This is trending this fall and adds so much texture and interest! It adds to a gallery wall or over a fireplace.

It’s available here

Wood Pear

 This wood pear is just the cutest; great shelf accessory or add to a vignette when you’re not ready for pumpkins yet!

They are available here

 

Pampas Grass Wreath

This faux pampas wreath doesn’t shed and it fluffs out so nice and big! Hanging mine in the kitchen for some texture and early fall vibes.

This is available here

 

Artichoke Bowl Filler

August and September are great seasons for artichokes and these white-washed ones make the perfect filler for a dough bowl, under a glass cloche, in a vase, or even filling a pretty dish on the kitchen island. Great way to bring in season-appropriate natural elements in a subtle and soft way. Also adds great texture to your styling!

Find it here!

Vintage Giant Chess Piece

Such a great piece to add interest and character and on major sale!

Find it here!

Pillows

I love these gorgeous pillows for pattern and coziness!

Find it here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

15 Easy Ways How to Transition from Summer to Fall Home Decor

15 Easy Ways How to Transition from Summer to Fall Home Decor

15 Easy Ways How to Transition from Summer to Fall Home Decor

It may sound overwhelming to transition your home decor from summer to fall, but it shouldn’t be! Start getting cozy now with 15 easy steps!

When should I start putting up fall decor?

It’s asked every year and every year my answer is the same!  You can start decorating anytime you want!  Trust me, if I lived up north and the air was starting to get that little tinge of fall feeling, you’d better believe I’d be pulling out all the bins and starting to transition from summer to fall home decor!

Can I decorate for fall at the end of August?

Some people prefer to wait until after the Labor Day holiday break, which is also understandable.  This is particularly true for those who don’t begin the school year until after Labor Day!  Trust me, I like to enjoy summer break to the very last drop too!

Framed print of two pears on shelves with ironstone & breadboards.

Can I decorate for fall in July?

My general answer to this is mid August or early September.  However, as I said before, it’s totally up to you!  I usually try to have all of my fall decor pretty much done by the beginning of September so I can enjoy it for the next couple of months!

For me, I especially enjoy a S L O W transition from fall to summer with my home decor.  To be honest, I don’t like to start until after the kids are back in school.  I like to keep our “summer home” (see my summer home decor story HERE) for as long as possible.

But once we’ve started back to school, I’m ready for cozy evenings, earlier bed times, and filling my senses with a soft, calm, cozy atmosphere in the evenings!

 

How do I make my house feel cozy for the fall?

I’m so glad you asked!  Let’s jump in because today I’m going to give you 15 simple and easy ideas to kick off your fall decor.

Whether you put the pumpkins out in August, September, or wait until October, there are plenty of things you can do to transition your home decor from summer to fall and start getting those cozy vibes whenever you’re ready!

 

Vintage chippy white wooden swan on farm table with white cubby in the background.

15 Simple Ways How to Transition from Summer to Fall Home Decor

How do I transition my house for fall?

#1: Transition your home decor from summer to fall by removing summer decor.

I like to wait until we’ve started school for this first step and enjoy the “beach cottage” feel of our home as long as possible.  However, once school has started, it’s game on!

The first thing to do to transition your home decor from summer to fall is to pack up any summer-specific decor.  I collect all the shells, floppy straw hats, chippy blue architectural salvage, vintage seascape art, etc. and pack it all up!

These totes are our favorite for seasonal decor!  We’ve collected them over time and now all of our seasonal decor stacks so neatly.  My husband especially loves the durability and that they don’t slide around!

I also love using THESE fabric organizers to store and organize all of my throw pillows.  Even though I love to use pillow covers, I do have a variety of pillows without removable covers.  I highly recommend THESE bins for extra throw pillows and bedding too!

#2: Transition your home decor from summer to fall by adding wood tones.

I always love pretty wood tones and when I transition my home decor from summer to fall, you’ll find me pulling out more of my dough bowls, bread boards, wooden candlesticks, and wooden risers.  

These favorite pieces create the backdrop for all of my fall vignettes and the wood colors instantly warm up decor.  This is true even if you’re going slowly, like me, and leaving a basic, every day vignette that isn’t necessarily fall.  Remember, we are slowly transitioning from one season to the next.  Creating a neutral palette allows for adding season specific decor as you’re ready!

Vintage tablesetting with fresh flowers and white chippy cubby in the background

#3: Transition from summer to fall decor by switching up your greenery.

When I start transitioning my home decor for the fall season, I leave my live plants.  For faux plants, however, I pull out the brighter greens and begin replacing them with dried or preserved branches and sparse branches cut from my yard.

Fall is really a season that feels especially natural and organic and I try to bring that inside by following the cues of nature.

(Well, for up north, at least.  Our grass stays bright and green down here all year! ????)

Over on my fall decor storefront, you can find my favorite faux greenery options to start swapping out for the seasons.  Shop it HERE!

I especially love these gorgeous stems that have a softer green and just the hints of the autumn months.  They blend perfectly with both seasons!

Two pots with freshly cut greenery from trees in yard

#4: Transition from summer to fall decor by changing your florals.

Whether fresh or faux, florals are a perfect seasonal transition.  You can transition your home decor from summer to fall by adding seasonal florals here and there throughout your home.

I don’t use a lot of floral patterns in my home, but I do love having a simple vase of sunflowers, faux pear stems, or deep-toned mums sitting in my kitchen or dining room!

If you’re looking for great faux florals for fall, I highly recommend these:

Round white vessel holding fall arrangement of eucalyptus & orange flowers

#5: Transition from summer to fall decor by swapping out throw pillows!

Throw pillows are a really budget-friendly way to get a fresh look without having to change out furniture! Transition your home decor from summer to fall by storing away summer-colored pillows and swapping them with neutral pillows that have a lot of texture, such as chunky knit fabric, soft linen, light velvet, and fringe or pom pom detail.

I suggest starting the transition with neutral pillows and once you’re ready to go all in on fall decor, layer a few fall-specific colors and patterns with your neutral pillows.

I’m loving these pillows this year:

  • These classic pillows with a pattern that will blend with most things!
  • These burnt orange aren’t neutral, but I had to include them because I love pulling them out as I start adding some fall touches!  Plus, they are only $14 for the pair!
  • These vintage grain sacks make the perfect oversized pillows for a sofa or bed and they are super cozy!
  • I love the color and texture of these pillows!  Definitely my favorites this season!
  • This neutral pillow has great detail and the size and shape makes it perfect for layering!

Pro Tip: mix, match, and layer a few of these together for a curated, designer look!  Plus, you’ll be adding a lot of texture, color, and pattern for interest.

Comfy white couch with assorted white cushions and throw

#6: Transition your home decor from summer to fall by adding a few throw blankets.

No matter the season, I seem to have a few out to soften up our spaces.  However, the fall and winter seasons are definitely when they get used the most!  You can add throw blankets to a basket under the coffee table or simply toss them over the arm of a chair.

Wherever you place them, make sure they are easily accessible and inviting your family to get cozy!

Here are a couple of favorites this year:

#7: Transition the seasons with art!

To me, you don’t need a lot of seasonal art.  However, just switching a couple of pieces can instantly refresh a room and add a touch of the fall season.  I recently purchased this vintage pear painting from my friend Deb over at Seeking Lavender Lane.  She has an online vintage shop with a lot of great vintage art options!

You can find a similar pear art piece HERE for a great price!  Perfect for a seasonal touch or use year round too!

This pheasant print is similar to one of my favorite thrifted art finds and I’ll pull it out a little later in the season!  Can’t beat vintage-inspired art for under $15!

I am also obsessed with these curated collections that arrive ready to frame.  They are under $20 or even less and look SO much like real paintings.  I can’t get over them!  You can find some fall inspirations HERE on my storefront!

Close up shot of vintage hand-painted pear art.

#8: Add woven texture to transition your home decor from summer to fall!

Admittedly, I love woven texture and use baskets all year long.  I think they get overlooked a little in the fall though.

I loved adding these wall baskets with dried gourds to my gallery wall last year.  The woven texture adds those warm, wood-like tones but in a little softer way.  And they definitely add texture too!

You can get a similar look this year with:

Cozy living room with white sectional and chippy white coffee table

#9: This should probably be #1…

Don’t underestimate the power of deep cleaning your home to help transition your home decor from summer to fall!

A clean, organized, decluttered home is one of the best feelings and definitely makes physical and emotional space to add all of the cozy favorites for the upcoming seasons!

#10: Bring the cozy factor to your transitional decor with taper candles!

That being said, I have younger kiddos myself and taper candles on the mantel are just unsafe in every possible way!  I love to pull out my set (okay, several sets) of favorite battery-operated taper candles and add to my vintage brass candlestick collection!  Brass candlesticks are one of my favorite thrifted things to collect!

You can find 6 other things I recommend thrifting for the fall season over on THIS POST!

You can find my favorite battery-operated taper candles in white or ivory HERE!  Trust me…they are so good!  You can find all of my favorite cozy flameless candles that I use throughout our home HERE on my storefront!

Deconstructed books under brass candlesticks with pottery and white sign.

#11: Transition into fall decor by adding mixed metals.

I might be the odd one out on this, but in my summer decor, I realized I don’t actually have a lot of metal other than a few zinc buckets and wire baskets.

For me, one way to quickly add a touch of that fall vibe is to add some metal texture and colors.

You can transition your home decor from summer to fall by adding a mixture of vintage brass, silver, and copper.

And yes!  You can even mix the three!  Of course, my preference is for metal finishes that have some tarnish but you can always polish them up a bit if you’d like!

#12: Transition your home from summer to fall with amber bottles.

Old amber bottles are a great way to bring in those warm fall hues.  If you’re looking to add a bit of a transitional look, but don’t want to add all the pumpkins, scarecrows, and orange colors, amber bottles can be a great compromise!

Of course, then you can just leave them out with your fall decor too!

Amber bottles can look great on their own, gathered in a collection, used with taper candles, or holding flower or greenery stems!

Flea markets and antique malls are great places to find old amber bottles.  But if you want some right away, these are some great vintage-inspired options:

Vignette styled using amber bottles, vintage books, and candles.

#13: Use vintage books to help with seasonal decor transitions.

You all know how much I love vintage books.  In fact, you can find a whole post with ideas for using vintage books in your home decor HERE.

Transitioning your home decor from summer to fall is a perfect time to use some budget-friendly decor and old, thrifted books are my first go-to!

You can use vintage books in warm fall colors, such as neutrals, browns, rust, and gold tones.  Just swap a stack of lighter, summery colored books in any vignette with your fall-toned books and ta-da!  Quick and easy transition!

I always hit up the book section in any thrift store.  You can find great deals and use them for all the seasons!  I also like to look for titles that could relate to the particular season.  It’s a small detail, but one I take great delight in finding!

Cloche covering small vintage books & remote controlled white candle

#14: One of the most simple ways to transition is starting with a neutral base!

This may seem basic, but to transition my home decor from any season to another, I peel back the layers of seasonal color and texture.  Take my home back to the basics, so to speak!

At that point, I can slowly start adding as much or as little, as subtle or as bold seasonal accents.

I always recommend investing in large pieces that you love and have a neutral base.  This allows you to play around and experiment with your decor in more budget-friendly ways!

This would include sofas, chairs, larger tables, cabinets, and wall colors (though that can be a fun way to accent for a season if you love to paint!)

Over on my storefront, I have an entire section dedicated to neutral colors that are perfect to use year round!  Shop my favorites HERE!

White sectional with neutral throw pillows and chippy white mantel

#15: Fill your home with the scents of the season!  

Nothing says cozy like a great candle and a favorite fall scent, right?!  In fact, when I want to start transitioning my home from summer to fall decor, I usually pull out one of my favorite candles to help me get in the mood.

There are a lot of great options out there but these are definitely my personal favorites:

Are you ready to transition your home now?

It’s totally okay if you’re not!

Save these pins and ideas for whenever you’re ready.  That’s the beauty of our own homes…we can just do what works for us and enjoy it!

I do hope that these 15 favorite ideas have given you some inspiration, sparked a creative or new idea, and help you to love and enjoy your home even more in the coming season!

Music room with grand piano & large french basket full of trimmings from yard trees

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

From the Nest

From the Nest

From the Nest

We survived the first full week back to school!  Of course, we decided to top it off with a yard sale…what was I thinking?!  However, it does feel good to get the clutter cleared out from all of our summer cleaning and organizing.

I hope you enjoy the Notes From Our Nest this week!

Around Our Nest:

  • I’m a big stickler for keeping things cleaned out…or at least trying to…so it was great to get a big yard sale behind us this weekend!
  • The kids are getting into a rhythm with their school work, activities, chores, music lessons, and alllll the things.  I always miss the easier summer months but the routine is nice too!
  • I have the cutest class and they are just so fun.  What a blessing!  I won’t lie, though, there is no tired like a teacher at the end of the first week. ????????
  • I about have all of my transition decor done and the stage is almost set to begin adding fall decor in a couple of weeks.  However, I am loving the simple styling!  Stay tuned around Instagram this week to start seeing a lot more of what I’ve been up to, decor-wise!

Around the ‘Gram This Week:

  • It’s been a busy week around Instagram this week.  It does feel good to be getting back into the swing of sharing things there with my community!  You all are just the best!
  • Over on THIS post, I shared my favorite kitchen organizers.  I’ve been using all of these for several months, so I can safely say they are not only working well, but actually making a real difference in helping us keep our kitchen organized on a daily basis!  You can SHOP them over on this shoppable Amazon post on my storefront too!
  • On this post, I shared a few of my favorite vintage finds from the 127 World’s Longest Yard Sale and how I’m styling them around our home!
  • I think my favorite post is THIS one, sharing how just the simple decor touches make such a big impact around our homes.  It’s a good reminder in this social media driven decor world that you don’t have to renovate your house, have the perfectly remodeled or new home, or even paint an entire room.  Creating a home is all in the details!

Around the Blog This Week:

  • THIS blog post was a fun way to share more details about how I’ve been playing around with some of my finds from the World’s Longest Yard Sale.  Plus, there are some styling ideas you can use when decorating with vintage items in your own home!
  • Over on THIS blog post, I shared the first official fall post for the season with some tips for styling a coffee table and living room centerpieces!  Again, you don’t have to redecorate the whole room.  However, refreshing key pieces with intentionality can make your decorating fun and simple too!
Coverpage for the Vintage Hunting on the World's Longest Yard Sale Blog post

Around the Storefront This Week:

It’s been a fun week around the storefront.  I ordered some really fun things for our own home and I am loving how they are helping me transition from summer to fall decor!

Here are the top 5 sellers over on my storefront this week:

  1. Real Touch Norfolk Pine Branches.  These are just the best.  Get them now before they sell out!
  2. White Artichoke Leaves.  I love using these around my house!
  3. This gauzy table runner is also on my favorites.  So pretty and so versatile!
  4. These buffalo check pillows are so gorgeous….AND on sale!
  5. I have two of these pillows on my sectional, and love them so much!  You will too!

You can check this list on my storefront.  I update it daily with favorite deals that I think you’ll love too!

Coming Up This Week Around the Nest:

  1. 15 easy ways to transition from summer to fall decor in your home
  2. What to do when you get stuck with decorating and just isn’t “coming together”
  3. Early fall decor styling in one of my very favorite spots to decorate: our music room!
  4. Early fall decor ideas and how I’m styling them around our home
  5. The best Amazon fall decor finds of 2023

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

As always, I love to share some inspiration from some of my favorites!  Check out these posts for more inspiration for YOUR nest!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Follow along with Kim at Shiplap and Shells for an amazing post about transitioning to fall decor.  It’s full of great inspiration and practical tips!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home speaks my language this week with her minimalist fall decor.  Her eucalyptus styling is beyond gorgeous!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Renae at Peacock & Ridge is sharing some amazing board and batten ideas.  So inspiring! 

Thanks for being here!  I always say, I’m so blessed with such a wonderful community here at Robyn’s French Nest.  I appreciate each of you so much!

I hope you have a really great week (maybe a little less crazy than ours will be) and I can’t wait to see you around the nest this week for all the fun coming up!

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Gallery

Friday Favorites- Basic Decor Accessories

Friday Favorites- Basic Decor Accessories

Friday Favorites- Basic Decor Accessories

Hello Friends!

I wanted to share some items that are perfect for all-year-round decor. Grab these staple items that are perfect to keep all the time as you change seasonal items. 

Off-White Artichokes

These off-white artichokes work as a vase or bowl filler. I will use them to replace sea shells even though I am not ready for fall elements yet.

Find them here on Amazon!

Fig Leaf Stems

These are gorgeous stems. They sell out every year, so order early! This fig leaf mixes well with greenery or with fall stems and flowers too!
This is a great find from Amazon! 

Dough Bowls

This nesting set gives you lots of options to use throughout your home! So pretty and so versatile.

Here they are from Amazon! 

 

Brass Candlesticks

Brass candlesticks can be used year-round! I’m definitely pulling out more of mine as I start to transition to fall decor soon though.

Find them here from Amazon

Stoneware Vases

These are a great set of vases to use year-round! It would be so pretty with a flower, branch, or greenery stem, or just on their own. I love the vintage style and look of this stoneware.

Find it here from Amazon

Hanging Wall Basket

This is a gorgeous hanging wall basket! Just swap your seasonal flowers for a quick refresh anywhere in your home.

Find it here

 

 

Wooden Riser

A must have for me! I can’t seem to decorate for any season without this pretty riser!

It’s available here

Throw Pillow

Pretty throw pillows that can help create cozy layers for any season. The stripes add some subtle pattern that you can layer with most any other pattern!

They are available here

 

Favorite White Chairs

These are my favorite white chairs! They look pretty for any season! I love the vintage style and comfy look of these but with a clean, streamlined style that blends with any decor!

This is available here

 

Table Runner

I share this table runner all the time but it’s truly a favorite because I can use it year round and it is easy to layer with a lot of different seasonal decor, dishes, florals, and centerpieces

Find it here!

Vintage Mirrors

This is an absolutely stunning mirror and an awesome price point for an heirloom piece!

Here is another one that’s a little bit cheaper and featured in the collage this week.

Find it here!

TV Art

Gorgeous art for your TV with just a hint of fall hues.

Find it here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Simple Ideas for Decorating Fall Living Room Centerpieces

Simple Ideas for Decorating Fall Living Room Centerpieces

Simple Ideas for Decorating Fall Living Room Centerpieces

Decorating occasional tables is an easy way to bring a fall style to your living room! Keep reading for my favorite five tips for easy fall coffee table decorating!

Decorating occasional tables is an easy way to bring a fall style and focal point to your living room! Keep reading for my favorite five tips for easy fall coffee table decorating!

You probably recognize by now that there isn’t a season that I don’t love decorating for.  However, fall has to be one of my top four! (wink, wink!)  

Speaking of decorating for fall, if you’re hopping over from Southern Crush at Home, thanks for joining me today!  I am loving all of the early fall inspiration in this tour and I love the pumpkin-themed ideas that Melanie shared!

Fall coffee table decorating is a perfect way to bring those “feel good” vibes of the fall season to your living space.  Plus,  you’re creating a focal point that instantly makes family and friends feel at home.  At the same time, one of the questions I get the most often is:

How do you style a coffee table in the fall?

If you’ve also asked this question, you are not alone!  Even though I love decorating our home for the season, fall coffee table decorating can feel challenging.

However, it doesn’t need to take a lot of time, energy, money, or effort to give your coffee table a quick refresh for the fall season with a beautiful centerpiece and intentional focal point.  In fact, natural elements (like free branches or pinecones from my yard) are a great way to creative budget-friendly decor for a coffee table or dining table.

Keep reading for five really easy tips for effortless coffee table styling!  The living room is one of my favorite places to decorate because it can make our whole home feel fresh and everyone gets to enjoy it, spending time together, in their free time too!

Here are a few of my favorite tips for fall coffee table decorating:

Cozy fall living room styled with unique gourds, vintage mirrors and artwork, and cozy fall pillows

Simple Ideas for Decorating Fall Living Room Centerpieces

Five Tips for Easy Fall Coffee Table Decorating

#1: Base: What do you decorate a coffee table with?

First things first.  One coffee table or dining table decorating essential, no matter the season, is a base.  Whether you use a large tray, basket, bowl, crate, old bread board, your fall coffee table arrangement will be so much easier with this constraint.  Choosing the base is a great way to get started with styling your coffee table or even a dining table!  It is the first step in creating a living room focal point.

The best way is to think of it is the frame for your simple coffee table decor!  Actually, this tip is also perfect for dining room table centerpieces, a kitchen table, dining table, or even something to take center stage on a kitchen island!

You can choose how rustic or elegant, how modern or traditional, or how old or new your base (aka, frame or focal point) will be.  Actually, it sets the tone for the entire look of your coffee table decor.  You will want to invest in a piece that you really love and can use year-round for simple and easy coffee table vignette refreshes.  First of all, make sure you consider your coffee table design when choosing accent pieces.  Of course, this is all up to your personal style!

Here are a few pieces in varying styles that I recommend:

Overhead view of coffee table centerpiece styled with a vintage books, a glass cloche, and fall gourds

#2 Arrangement: How do you arrange things on a coffee table?

If I start struggling with arranging a vignette on my coffee table or trying to figure out some fall coffee table decorating ideas, I try to go back to the basics for beautiful centerpieces.  These are great for the centerpiece and focal point of any living room:

  1. Base
  2. Tall item
  3. Medium item
  4. Short item, usually a smaller seasonal accent
  5. Incorporate a plant, faux flowers, or simple greenery

*If you’re hosting a dinner party or your coffee table is near the kitchen, consider even fruit bowls for bright colors and simple decorations.

Tip: Stacks of books are a great option to give different sizes!

I almost always start my decorating with an odd number of items.  For coffee table styling, three (plus your base) seems to be a pretty magical number.  Interior designers often refer to it as the decorating triangle.

However, I actually typically gather more than three decorative items.  Then, I play around with them until I get an arrangement of three items, usually with different materials, that I love on my base.  Often, I stack items for more layers and interest too.  Basically, coffee tables are the perfect place to just have fun and get creative as you make a special focal point for the living room space.

Here are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind for fall coffee table decorating ideas:

(Or any season, for that matter!)

  • Varied height
  • Create a decor triangle with odd numbers
  • Soften the edges with a plant or floral arrangements, whether faux flowers or fresh flowers
  • Incorporate an unexpected element, such as a small seasonal accent or natural elements
  • Repetition of a color scheme, pattern, texture, and style throughout the room (meaning, the 3 items don’t have to be the same but they should usually repeat some kind of color, pattern, texture, or style displayed elsewhere in the room for a cohesive look

In this fall coffee table styling, you can see how I used a large bread board as the base for my focal point. Next, I added a vintage zinc vessel with a mixture of fall faux stems and florals.  Then, I added a grouping of books for my middle height.  Lastly, I added a glass cloche with a vintage quail statue.  The quail brings an unexpected touch while also having a subtle nod to the season and use of natural elements..

The colors, texture, and style in this vignette are mirrored in the room.  This helps the overall feel of your living room to be cohesive.  Next, the zinc bucket accents the zinc table top.  At the same time, the vintage leather books (which make great coffee table books) match the color of the stacked items used for a side table.  Then, the glass cloche connects with a grouping of cloches and dried gourds on the cabinet I use as a sofa table.

Shop this look:

 

Coffee table centerpiece vignette styled for fall, displaying the typical designer's triangle as shared above

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule!  

Since it is your home and your decor, you get to choose what you love and then just enjoy it.  For example, this swan and trencher don’t really fit the rules of 3 items and odd numbers  like I discussed above.

However, I love how the swan looks in the trencher.  At the same time, the wood coloring of the trencher and the chippy white patina of the swan closely mirror other tones and patinas in our family room.  Even though it is certainly an “out of the box” coffee table styling, it doesn’t feel out of place in this room.  This is a great example of how you make the “decor rules” work for you.  The good news is, you don’t have to follow the rules at all!  You can just decorate however you love!

These rules only exist to help you get your creativity wheels spinning!  After that, the most important thing is just to have fun with your decor and create something that you love.  Some of my favorite coffee table decor ideas have definitely broken a few decorating rules over the years!

 large white wooden swan placed in a large vintage dough bowl on a coffee table

#3 Functional: How do you style a coffee table tray?

Even though I absolutely love home decor and enjoy trying to make our home look pretty, it’s much more important that our home functions well for my family.  Since this coffee table is often used for games and puzzles, I keep two things in mind when trying to come up with just the right centerpiece and focal point for the room.

First of all, I only place one vignette at the end.  Since our coffee table is oversized, it allows me to keep one end “pretty” and the other end open for games and activities.

Secondly, I always keep my fall coffee table decorating ideas limited to something that fits on a base.  As I said at the beginning, a base allows you to easily move your coffee table decor.  In this space, I used a large bread board as my tray.  Then, I created a decor triangle with a cloche, a stack of books, and a large candle.

Tip: Your tray should usually take a similar shape as your table.  For example, with a round table you may want to try a round tray for the center of your table.

For a touch of the unexpected, I tucked in some old ledger pages.  They offer some extra texture and interest between the hard lines of the glass and the books.

If you feel a little stuck when styling your fall coffee table tray, try this easy combination:

  1. Large Tray
  2. Plant or vase of faux or fresh flowers
  3. Trio (or odd number) of candlesticks with battery-operated taper candles (THESE are my favorite!)
  4. Small dried gourd or pumpkin decorative objects or natural elements.
Coffee table styled with a glass cloche, vintage books, fall gourds and a cozy fall candle

I think the most important thing is that your coffee table decor works around your family’s lifestyle, rather than trying to always work around the decor.

For example, if you know that your family will want to rest their feet on the coffee table when getting cozy for a movie night, make sure your coffee table decor is clear on the sides.

Since I know that the decor on this fall coffee table is going to need to be moved a lot for games, I style it on a tray at one end.  It’s easy to move if we need more space.

Homes are not for show!  They need to be functional, accessible, and comfortable for everyone.  Planning your coffee table styling and decor accessories with those in mind first can help eliminate frustration later on!  (Trust me.  I speak from experience here!)

How do you customize a coffee table?

Even though our back living room is a small space, we knew we wanted an oversized coffee table to be the focal point.  Since this is the main place where we gather for games and activities, it was important to have a piece that met those needs and will function well for our family.

We came across this antique 6 foot library table at an auction.  Since it is narrow and long, it fits the space perfectly.  However, it was way too tall.  So, we cut the legs off to make it the perfect coffee table height.

Some may say that we ruined a beautiful piece of furniture.  However, we feel like we took a gorgeous piece and made it something that can be used and enjoyed by our family on a daily basis!  It is literally the focal point of the entire room!

You can easily customize a table and turn it into your coffee table: How tall should I make my coffee table?

16-18 inches is considered standard height.  We really like the 18 inch height, especially for this table, since we play games here a lot.  16 inches would feel like we were bending down more.  Funny what two inches can do, right?!

Beautiful view of sitting room styled for fall with cozy pillows, a cute coffee table and a wooden trough full of gourds

#4 Plants and Flowers: Incorporate seasonal stems into your fall coffee table decorating ideas

Almost always…not every time, but almost…my fall coffee table styling ideas will include some seasonal plants, flowers, stems, or branches.  Actually, no matter the season, I typically have some kind of fresh or faux greenery or flowers on my coffee table.

I love how green plants or even a clear glass vase of flowers bring some life and movement to a vignette.  Also, vines from plants can soften the otherwise hard or straight lines of the items used in your coffee table decor, such as books and candlesticks.  Coffee tables are a great place to add fresh elements that make a whole room feel so special and intentional!  I don’t have a green thumb, so I really count on quality faux greenery and flowers, especially for a pop of color.

You can find several ideas for decorating with fall flowers on a budget over on THIS POST.

Over on THIS POST, I share some ideas for thrifted and vintage vessels to make even inexpensive grocery store flowers look special!  Even on a small table or in a small apartment, a simple bouquet is a wonderful way to add a seasonal touch and pop of color.

Here are some great options to try for fall coffee table decorating:

White vintage apothecary, large mirror, and sitting chairs styled for fall with rust tones, vintage frames, and fresh flowers

#5 Accessories: What do you put on a display coffee table?

Figuring out exactly what to display on your fall coffee table can be a challenge.  For me, there are often TOO many things that I want to display, so I have to narrow down my choices.

However, it can really be helpful to stick with that formula from #2!  Even though there are so many pretty fall accessories, you really only need one or maybe two, at the most, to give your coffee table decorating a great look for fall.  Just using a single item, like a clear vase of flowers, for your center table can also give a more modern look to your living room space.

I am not a minimalist in my decorating.  Can you tell?  Haha!  However, especially for a high-traffic area like a coffee table, less is usually more.  Plus, you can allow one or two favorite seasonal items to really become the focal point and avoid a cluttered vignette.

Here are a few favorite accessories for fall coffee table styling with a more neutral color palette:

two gourds on top of a stack of books, styled alongside a chippy white concrete planter and a vintage mortar and pestle

It’s time to refresh your fall coffee table decorating!

I hope these favorite tips and tricks have sparked some creativity for you.  As always, I hope it gives you some inspiration to love your home and have fun making it special and cozy for your family too.

Remember:

  • Less is more.
  • When in doubt, stick to the decor triangle.  It’s always a great idea.
  • You can’t go wrong with the most popular centerpiece: A tray, plant, candle holders, and a pumpkin.  And of course, a cup of coffee and a fall scented candle will finish off any creative living room centerpiece ideas perfectly!

Now, have fun decorating and happy fall!

view of a cozy coffee table styled with a glass cloche, vintage books, large gourds and a cozy candle

Now it’s time to visit the next amazing blogger in today’s hop, Kim over at Shiplap & Shells.  She has one of my FAVORITE gardens anywhere!

For even more early fall inspiration, check out all the amazing ideas below!

Early Fall Inspiration From Fellow Bloggers

Easy First Touches of Fall Decor // White Arrows Home

Neutral and Natural Fall Home Tour // Willow Bloom Home Blog

Simple and Charming Minimalist Fall Decor Ideas // Eleanor Rose Home

Fall Decorating on a Budget: Easy Ideas for a Cozy Home // Cottage on Bunker Hill

25 Creative Fall Decoration Table Ideas for Your Home // The Ponds Farmhouse

How to Create a Festive Fall Table Setting // Cottage in the Mitten

6 Easy and Affordable Fall Centerpieces That You Can Make Yourself // White Lilac Farmhouse

How to Make a Stunning DIY Faux Fall Tree That Looks Real // WM Design House

How To Make A Fall Book Page Leaf Garland // Midwest Life and Style

5 Ways To Cozy Up Your Kitchen This Fall // She Gave It A Go

Favorite Faux Fall Stems for Your Home this Year // Pasha is Home

Easy Fall Flower Arrangement // Sand Dollar Lane

Easy Fall Pumpkin Pillow Cover DIY Using A Vintage Chenille Bedspread // Southern Crush at Home

Simple Ideas for Decorating Fall Living Room Centerpieces // Robyn’s French Nest

19 Easy Ways to Transition Your Home Decor From Summer To Fall // Shiplap and Shells

Early Fall Decorating // Paint Me Pink Blog

Transition Summer To Fall With Simple Changes // A Stroll Through Life

Easy Fall Wreath For Your Front Door // Amy Sadler

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)
Best Fall Primitive Decor Ideas: Decorating Vintage Finds

Best Fall Primitive Decor Ideas: Decorating Vintage Finds

Best Fall Primitive Decor Ideas: Decorating Vintage Finds

Ready to start planning some fall decor ideas?  Take a peek at some of my favorite ways I am using vintage treasures to inspire beauty in our home for the fall season! Plus, keep reading for even more fall decorating inspiration from the Thrifting with the Gals!

If you were following along on The World’s Longest Yard Sale 2023, you couldn’t help but notice what I kept finding.  There were just a little bit of primitive, natural elements, and rustic objects that I was drawn to while we hunted up and down the 127 corridor!  I’m excited to be using some of them in my primitive fall decor ideas this year!

Even though the weather tells a different story, the autumn months will be here before we know it.  At the same time, with school resuming, it’s just a lot easier to go back to school if we pretend it’s fall and not still summer, right?!

While I haven’t pulled out any white pumpkins yet (and probably won’t for awhile yet), I am definitely starting to creating my decorating look for this cozy and beautiful time of year!  For me, creating a base of neutral decor with natural elements is the perfect way to set the stage for fall decorations to come.  The good news is you don’t have to go all out on fall to get started.

Today, I want to share some easy ways that you can start using some of your vintage treasures to create your own neutral decorating look.  Then, when the autumn months arrive, or whenever you’re ready, you can start adding those orange pumpkins and having fun with the actual fall decorations!

Thrifting With The Gals

First, though, let me introduce you to the Thrifting with the Gals!  Each month, we get together and share some of our thrifting finds, tips for easy crafts and DIY projects, styling ideas for our favorite rustic objects, and even ideas for where to find your own vintage treasures.  I love seeing what each friend finds throughout the month and then how they use their finds in their own homes to go with their decorating look.

There is loads of inspiration on these blogs and you’ll love the intentional decorating styles, especially with the thrifted and vintage treasures!

What is the earliest you should decorate for fall?

I get the same question about Christmas decor.  My answer is always the same: You decorate whenever you want to decorate!

For me, a lot of my decorating falls around our school schedule since I am both a mom and a teacher at the private school where my children attend.  As I said, it’s hard to go back to school when it feels like it should still be summer break!  For us, the back to school season is the best time of year to start easing into some subtle fall decor.

Traditionally, most people start decorating for fall around the first of September.  However, I know the fall season is an absolute favorite for so many people.  It makes total sense why a lot of people like to get a head start on all things cozy around their homes!

Ready for a sneak peek of my World’s Longest Yard Sale favorites?

Since I brought back so many great primitive pieces and rustic objects from the 127 yard sale, I thought it would be fun today to give you just a sneak peek of how I’ve started playing with them in our home.

I don’t even know if they will stay in these spaces!  However, I’ve had fun taking a few moments here and there to start getting some decorating ideas for these vintage treasures!

Best Fall Primitive Decor Ideas: Decorating Vintage Finds

Primitive Fall Decorating Ideas for the Front Door

A great place to kick off some fall decorating is by adding some fall hues to your porch and front door.  You can see my fall porch from past years over on THIS post for ideas of how to decorate a front porch or front door with fall colors.  Since I want to use a more subtle fall touch right now, I started with inspiration from the 127 yard sale!

I picked up these gorgeous, handmade corn husk wreaths from a vendor.  Can’t you just picture them with bales of hay on the front steps, a primitive pumpkin, and twinkle lights for some cozy front porch decor in the fall season?!

However, since I don’t know how well they will hold up in our still-very-hot and still-very-humid South Florida weather, I decided to hang this fall wreath inside instead.  Instead, I found THESE similar ones.  I love how they create a subtle fall focal point while blending with the primitive fall decor I want to add to our front porch decor a little later in the season.

Here are some other ideas for fall porch ideas that I will incorporate for a finishing touch in the autumn months:

Primitive Fall Decor DIY Idea

If you’re up for a little DIY, dried corn husks are perfect for a primitive crafts or a DIY project!  I think this wreath would be an especially gorgeous DIY wreath.  Unfortunately, I don’t have corn husks down here but some of you may be able to get them where you live!

What I do have are dried banana leaves, though!  If you want to see the finished product and how I used dried banana leaves and other stuff from my yard in my fall decorating,  check out THIS post.  Best part?  It was all FREE!

For more fall porch decor ideas,  check out THIS post where I share some easy ways to style front porch decor for the autumn months.  There are so many beautiful ways to use primitive fall decor ideas in your front porch decor!

Primitive Fall Decorating Ideas for the Living Room

 

What are some fall decorating ideas?

You all know how much I love my wood tones and woven textures!  On my coffee table, I combined my huge dough bowl for wood tones with a bit of a rustic, western style.  This large elk antler was another fun find on the 127 sale.  Even though the majority of my Instagram story community voted against the antlers, I just couldn’t refuse them.

Maybe it’s the fact that the western decorating look is trending again in interior design.  However, I think it is really due to how inspired I was from our RV road trip out west over the past two summers!

I loved the buffalo, elk, and other wildlife we saw.  Of course, the gorgeous terrain and laid back living adds to the overall feeling of west too!

Steer skull hung on white wall styled along with gold vintage frame and vintage books

As we get further into the season, I think I’ll add a plaid blanket under the elk antler in the large dough bowl.  I love adding fabrics for quick and easy seasonal decorating touches!

Some white pumpkins or earth-toned dried gourds added around the antler will give a more full look to the dough bowl for the harvest season style.

Also, they will add even more seasonal decor for the autumn seasons!  Plus, it blends perfectly with primitive fall decor ideas!

If you want even more dough bowl decor ideas for the fall season, check out THIS post!  I share some really easy ways to use primitive fall decor with a dough bowl as a base.

How to Use Primitive Fall Decorating Ideas in the Dining Room

 

How do you decorate subtly for fall?

One of the best ways to decorate subtly for fall is to mix neutrals, earth-tones, texture, and natural elements.  Wood tones are wonderful to add some depth and character too.

While this looks beautiful for the “in-between” time to decorate in August, between summer and fall, it also creates a perfect base to add more fall touches throughout the autumn months.

As I said before, I haven’t added the pumpkins…yet.  However, the dining room is a perfect way to feature my favorite Halloween crafts of all time!  I’ll go ahead and mention them in this post because you might want to get a start on your Halloween crafts!  Actually, I don’t really decorate for Halloween other than some cute jack-o-lanterns.

This DIY concrete pumpkin candle holder is still a favorite and I love pulling them out each year.  They blend perfectly with my natural elements for the fall season.  Of course, they are also cute mixed with a primitive pumpkin, mini pumpkins, or even orange pumpkins or dried gourds if you want more fall colors!  You can find all of the details for these Halloween crafts HERE!

Tip:  Mix and match primitive fall decor with straight lines and smooth finishes of new pieces as well!

So far, I’ve used some of my 127 yard sale finds on the dining room shelves.  A mixture of antlers, woven textures, and patina of stoneware are working together to create a decorating look for primitive fall decor that I just LOVE!

How can I make my house look autumnal?

Tip:  Creating a neutral decorating look like this sets the stage to add more seasonal specific decor, such as corn husks, mini pumpkins, white pumpkins, or even orange pumpkins in the autumn months!

Using primitive fall decor ideas on my dining room table, I will add a place setting at each seat along with handmade name tags for the fall holidays.  However, for our busy, everyday lives during the autumn months, I filled this huge bowl with a quick and easy DIY, mixed with some more of my 127 sale finds!

How to Make a Primitive Fall Decor Centerpiece

First, I filled the bottom with crumpled brown kraft paper.  It’s an easy filler and the paper blends in with my next layer.  No one knows my bowl isn’t actually full of beautiful, natural elements!

I got this bowl from a boutique vintage shop.  However, there are some great bowls online.  A wooden dough bowl like THIS would be beautiful for a dining room table centerpiece!

Secondly, I added a bed of pine needles.  Using natural elements is a great way to bring in budget-friendly or even FREE decor for fall decorating!

Once I added the pine needles and finished my centerpiece, it just wasn’t doing it for me.  I went back to step two and added in a vintage grain sack.  I like this look a lot better!

Third, I added a bunch of antlers that I collected throughout the 127 sale trip.  I knew I wanted to try and create a fun centerpiece with them so I was definitely on the lookout for them!  If you live up north, you may even be able to find antler sheds for free in the woods!

You can also buy naturally shed antlers by the pound HERE!

Final verdict?

Well, this centerpiece is still causing a discussion around our home.  However, I’ll leave it for just a little while because we all know centerpieces get switched often around here!  If nothing else, it was a creative experiment for sure!  Haha!

More Fall Decorating Inspiration

Before you head off to start creating your own decorating looks for the season, check out this inspiration.  Make sure and visit these bloggers for more vintage and primitive fall decor inspiration and ideas!

Michele, from Vintage Home Designs

Kristin from White Arrows Home

Are you getting excited for fall decorating?

Thanks for visiting stopping by today!  If it is as hot where you live as it is here, hopefully this post has given you a glimmer of hope for some cooler days during the autumn months!  May they come sooner rather than later.  Haha!

I have so many more vintage treasures to share from the World’s Longest Yard Sale.  However, I haven’t even gotten them all out yet.  So stay tuned!  Lots and LOTS more vintage and thrifted fall decorations to come this season!

I have started adding my favorites over on my storefront, so keep an eye on THIS LIST too!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Happy Sunday!

When I say this week was a whirlwind, I actually mean it.  I really look forward to a Notes From the Nest post soon that doesn’t start with “what a crazy week.” Haha!  It will happen…soon.  We are getting ready to start our first regular week of school with typical routines and schedules.  Even though summer is wonderful, getting back into a regular swing of things sounds pretty good right now too!

Random notes from our nest:

  • The 2023 school year has begun!  Our oldest is in 10th grade, our middle daughter is in 7th grade, and my “baby” is in 4th grade!  I am starting my 19th year in the classroom…time flies!  Everyone had a great first day, even though we are missing sleeping in on the summer mornings!  Haha!
  • If you see me decorating for fall anytime soon, know I am just channeling or wishing some cooler weather.  We’ve had extreme heat advisories this week.  When those roll around for Florida, you know it’s bad!  Yikes!
  • Actually, I haven’t had time for decorating with back to school this week.  However, the coastal elements are packed up and the house is pretty clean.  That’s a win enough for me this week!
  • I have the most adorable little class at school this year.  They are so little and sweet and I can already tell it’s going to be a super cute school year.  Such a blessing!

Around the blog this week:

Over on the blog this week, I shared the final reveal of our drop zone area for the kids’ backpacks and school items.  Not only is it a “how to” post, but I also tried to share some tips and thoughts for how you can take underutilized spaces in your home and turn them into functional and even beautiful organization and storage.

You can read all of the details HERE!

I also shared our family’s favorite EASY crockpot family recipes on THIS blog post!  These are items I keep on hand for quick, easy, simple, and delicious family dinners!

Around the ‘gram this week:

Instagram was a little quiet this week due to our back to school schedule and trying to get back into routine.  However, I had fun sharing when I could!

  • Tour of my classroom in Instagram stories
  • Some of my favorite organizational and storage items I am enjoying around our home
  • Final reveal of our new drop zone area for the kids’ backpacks and school items.  I am SO excited with how it all turned out and the kids are doing a great job of using it well.  Hopefully THIS reel gives you some organizational inspiration too!

Around my storefront this week:

There have been some awesome deals!  Hopefully you follow along on my storefront.  Everyday, I update my “Favorite Daily Deals” idea list with some of my favorite deals.  Many of these are ones that are not really pushed out on the main deals pages, so you’ll want to check each day for those!  You can find them HERE!

Here are the top favorites and sellers from this week:

  1. This table runner is one of my very favorites and I have it in a couple of colors now.  It’s so easy to style and looks pretty on its own or even layered with other table linens.  You can’t beat the price and it comes in several different colors!  Shop it HERE!
  2. This gorgeous and SUPER realistic greenery stem is in the top sellers for the 3rd week in a row!  I love using mine for late fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and through the winter also.  It is so easy to style and decorate.  Just stick 3 in a pretty vessel together and you’ll have people touching it in person to see if it’s real or not!  Shop it HERE!
  3. These stunning and really high-end looking pillow covers are going to be ALL over our nest this fall and winter.  I absolutely love them and my kids can’t stop petting them.  Haha!  Seriously, they are just amazing.  After seeing some similar ones in a boutique for $200 each, I started researching.  I’m happy to have found THESE for a fraction of the cost and they are just as amazing!
  4. This spinning organizer is wonderful.  My girls have one in their bathroom and it works perfectly for keeping toiletries, makeup, and supplies organized and easy to access.  It would also be awesome in an office space for organizing supplies!  It’s been on sale for a great price this week too.  Shop it HERE!
  5. My favorite blanket has been on sale and it was a big hit again with you all this week.  It’s not the first time this has been on the top seller list and for good reason.  It is the coziest!  The gauzy cotton is breathable, super soft, and so comfy.  It is also available in quite a few colors!  Shop it HERE!

Coming up soon from the nest:

It’s going to be a fun week around Robyn’s French Nest, including hopefully getting back into regular content sharing.  Thanks for your patience with me!  Here are few things I’m excited about:

  • How I’m using some of my vintage finds from the World’s Longest Yard Sale around our home
  • 5 ideas for decorating a coffee table for fall
  • What is inspiring my early fall home decor this year
  • Refreshing a bathroom on a budget
  • My fail-proof formula for styling a coffee table
  • Favorite accessories to help transition from summer to fall around your home

 

Inspiration from around the nest this week:

Check out these blogging friends to see what they’ve been up to.  I think you’ll see why they are inspiring me this week too!

Amazing Vanilla Extract Recipe!

Friends!  This post from Heidi over at Eleanor Rose Home shares all the details for the perfect vanilla extract recipe.  You will appreciate her clear simple instructions!

Check THIS OUT!

I Love Tablescapes!

My friend Renae, over at Peacock Ridge Home, shares a topic near and dear to my heart this week.  Her summer tablecape will inspire you to refresh your own!

Check out Renae’s post simple instructions for a beatiful summer tablescape HERE!

How to Dry One of My Favorite Flowers!

Kim over at Shiplap and Shells has amazing gardening skills!  Her pictures are just amazing. 

Here she shares how to dry & preserve one of my favorite variety of flowers.  I definitely need to try this myself! 

Thanks for being part of our week here around the nest!  I know a lot of you are going through the same back to school transitions, so I’m joining you in extra coffee, lots of grace, and extra patience!

Those of you who are out of that season of life, the rest of us appreciate your prayers and blessings!  Haha!

Have a great week!  I look forward to seeing you around the nest this week!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Gallery

How to Create and Organize a Drop Zone for Kids Backpacks

How to Create and Organize a Drop Zone for Kids Backpacks

How to Create and Organize a Drop Zone for Kids Backpacks

Beat the back to school chaos with a drop zone! See how we used a closet to create and organize a drop zone for kids backpacks to use before and after school!  We are already loving how it keeps everyone’s things accessible and easy to find each day!

Well, the school year has begun!  I can’t say that everything is running perfectly smoothly yet.  However, our efforts to organize a drop zone for the kids backpacks are already paying off big time!  I feel so much better not having backpacks and lunch boxes strewn across the back entryway.  The kids are more efficient in the mornings…so far at least!  Having their things in one place, easy to access, is so helpful!

You might think, well, how  can this post help me?  I’m out of the “back to school” season of life!    I imagine, however, that you still have bags, umbrellas, jackets, rain boots, or shoes that tend to want to live inside the back door.  Am I right?

No matter who lives in your house or what season of life you’re in, it can be super helpful to organize a drop zone for kids backpacks…or adult stuff too!

What is the drop zone concept?

A drop zone is the same idea as a mudroom or entryway.  However, I think of a drop zone as maybe a little smaller space, specifically designed to “drop” those things we bring in when we come home from work or school.

A drop zone may consist of hooks, shelves, hanging space, drawers, baskets, or other ways to organize things that you need quick, easy access to most days.

For us, the drop zone is ideal to organize kids’ backpacks and school items.  However, a drop zone would also be perfect for:

  • Keys,
  • Purses,
  • Work tote bags or briefcases,
  • Frequently used gardening supplies,
  • Appropriate gear for your weather, and
  • Outdoor shoes or boots…

Just to name a few things!

What is the difference between a mudroom and a drop zone?

Really, the two rooms serve the ultimate same purpose and homes may interchange the verbage.  However, to me, a mudroom is more of an actual room.  On the other hand, a drop zone is a specific organizational spot.  The drop zone could even be inside the mudroom!

Ultimately, no matter what you call it, having a space to organize a drop zone for kids backpacks or essentials you use frequently when coming and going from home is incredibly helpful!

Does this organization sound great to you?!  It definitely did to me!  You don’t have to have a fancy or large room to designate as a drop zone.  In fact, we used a small hot water closet!  If you’re looking to create a drop zone space, here is what you need to do:

How do you make a drop zone at home?

  1. Identify a space.
  2. Make a priority list of needs.
  3. Measure carefully.
  4. Shop and research options.
  5. Install the drop zone system.
  6. Organize a drop zone.
  7. Teach kids how to use the drop zone.
  8. Make a weekly plan to tidy up the drop zone space.

How to Create and Organize a Drop Zone for Kids Backpacks at Home

Identify a Space to Organize a Drop Zone and Mudroom

Perhaps you are lucky enough to have a designated, built-in space that is designed for a mudroom.  It could also be called an entryway.  For my purposes, I am trying to organize a drop zone that is specifically for the kids’ backpacks and school-related things.

If you are like me, you might need to think outside the box in order to create a specific drop zone or mudroom space.  However, it is worth the extra effort!

We took the extra space in the hot water heater closet and made it over into our drop zone.  Previously, we had shelving in there but it really wasn’t being utilized to it’s best potential.  I’m all about every inch of real estate in our homing meeting it’s full potential!  Right?!

Here are some other outside-the-box ideas to consider:

Make a Priority List of Needs to Organize a Drop Zone

What do you need in a drop zone?

Your list of needs will differ from mine.  However, maybe this list will help you get started with thinking through your own prioritized list to create and set up your mudroom entryway space.

  1. Heavy hooks to hold backpacks
  2. Designated space for school shoes
  3. Hanging space for school jackets and rain jackets
  4. Storage for kids’ instruments
  5. Extra hooks to hold lunch boxes and music bags
  6. Shelves for bins to hold each child’s papers and space for extra school supplies
  7. Spot for other items that I still need a little bit of the closet for: gift wrap, bin of table cloths that I need to keep but aren’t used often, extra paper goods, like paper towels (utilizing height in the closet allowed for these extras that we don’t need to get to often)
  8. TOP PRIORITY: Easy for the kids to use, accessible, and looks streamlined and clean.

Your needs will be different than mine.  However, listing everything you want to use the space for will help you choose the best organizing solution, furniture, or system for your specific needs.

 

Take measurements first before trying to organize a drop zone for kids backpacks.

This step is extremely important in order to maximize the space.  We took really detailed measurements before heading out to get inspiration for our drop zone.  Our measurements had to take into consideration access to the hot water heater, the electrical breaker box, and a pipe that sticks out a bit from the wall.

By taking detailed measurements, we were able to use every single inch of available space!

Tip: Take into account baseboards and door openings too!

Shop and Research Options to Organize a Drop Zone or Entryway Space

A recent trip to The Container Store had given me some inspiration and new ideas for how we might better use and repurpose the hot water heater closet!  So, we headed there with our measurements and a tape measure in hand.

Much to our delight, a professional organizer was able to put our detailed measurements and wish list right into the computer to generate a plan using the Elfa system.  Since we had some unique needs with the breaker box, hot water heater access, and pipe, having some professional help that knew the product so well was extremely helpful!

If you do not have a Container Store nearby, THIS SYSTEM is almost exactly the same.  I love the versatility and that we can rearrange the shelves, tracks, hooks, and rods to meet our needs as time goes on.

For your sake, hopefully your situation is a lot more simple!  You may be able to just order a great piece online that fits your space.  Easy breezy!

I have linked several great options in my Storage and Organization Storefront, found HERE!

 

It’s time to install your drop zone for kids backpacks or mudroom entryway!

You’ve already done the hardest part of prioritizing the needs, designating a space, getting detailed measurements, and researching the best option for your space.

Next, it is time to install your drop zone or mudroom entryway!  Our system took Robb a few hours.  You’ll want to read instructions carefully before purchasing to see what the assembly time and level of difficulty will be, if that is a factor in your decision!

How to organize a drop zone for kids backpacks:

Now your drop zone is ready to be filled up and organized!  Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  1. Put items within easy and convenient reach of the people who need to use them.
  2. Use hard to reach spaces for “extras” or things that you do not need to access often.  It’s great to maximize this storage, though, so don’t discount the high shelves!
  3. Include a variety of organizational items such as bins with lids, baskets, shelves, and hanging space.  You may also choose to include a small command center to leave notes or important reminders.
  4. Invest in containers and organizers that all blend and look nice together.  It just helps the entire space feel more cohesive, even when adding in everyone’s different personalities…aka…backpack styles!  Haha!
  5. Come back and tweak the things that just aren’t working.  I don’t usually nail organization perfectly the first time around!  It’s okay to try something and rearrange if needed!

Teach kids how to use the drop zone you’ve created.

Guess what?  Kids are able to organize and keep things tidy!!!  It’s true!  However, it won’t come naturally to most of them.  Your newly organized drop zone is a perfect teachable lesson in simple organization.  At the same time, kids can learn responsibility for their things.  They can also take pride in helping your family unit operate more smoothly and efficiently

However, kids may need you to show them (more than once) how to use the space you’ve created.  I know I will need to have patience as we all get used to the new system!

Here are a few tips from a mom and teacher:

  1. Repetition is key; showing them one time probably isn’t enough.
  2. Involve kids in setting up the drop zone so they feel ownership of this new, pretty space.
  3. Experiment with different ways for organization to see what works best for them.
  4. Have patience and grace!
  5. Make the drop zone part of their daily chores and or routines to help keep it tidy.

Create a weekly plan to keep the new drop zone organized.

Guess what else?!  I know our drop zone is going to get really messy sometimes.  It’s just the nature of busy family life with three kids and all of their things.  I am scheduling a time into my weekly routine to take a few minutes and freshen it up.  At the same time, I will involve my kids in the process so we are working together as a team.  This is just another way to help them build organizational skills too!

Scheduling a time to do this each will helps me keep on top of it.  Otherwise, it would build up until it was driving my crazy  and then I would be soooo frustrated!  So, I’m going to try and work ahead of that and stay on top of it.

Disclaimer: If you come to my house, don’t look too closely, please.  I know it won’t be a perfect system!

Are you inspired to do some organizing?!

I’ll be honest, once again, and say that our home is not a picture of perfect organization.  However, any effort is better than nothing at all.  For me, the efforts to create a tidy and organized home are well worth it.  I feel so much more restful and peaceful in a tidy space and I want my family to be able to have that same experience!

I hope our little hot water heater closet…turned drop zone…offers some inspiration for you to think outside the box and inspiration to make even a small space in. your home work more efficiently for your family!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Functional Favorites

Friday Favorites- Functional Favorites

Friday Favorites- Functional Favorites

Hello Friends!

This week, I wanted to share some of my favorite functional finds! Several of these items have helped me organize my life and I use them every day! 

Bamboo Drawer Dividers

These come in two sizes so great for cabinet pull outs and deep drawers too!

Find them here on Amazon!

Holder for Water Bottles

This is perfect to keep them corralled and fits perfectly in my cabinet pull out drawer
This is a great find from Amazon! 

Closet System

This closet system similar to our drop zone area; versatile, flexible, and super functional.

Here it is from Amazon

 

Over the Door Hooks

These  pretty over the door hooks are perfect for space saving and great function!

Find them here from Amazon

Label Maker

This is my favorite label maker! It works easily straight from my phone and is so convenient 

Find it here from Amazon

Coat Rack

 I love everything I’ve gotten from this brand! easy assembly, great organization, perfect for a simple drop zone or mudroom area! And, it’s only $75

Find it here

 

 

Cute Basket Organizer

This pretty basket divided into 3 sections. It is great for organizing and storing supplies and still looking pretty!

It’s available here

Entryway Set

 This is almost 50% off! It is perfect for a mudroom or just extra storage space for shared spaces, bedrooms, or office. Grab it now at this amazing sale price!

This is available here

 

Favorite School Snack Containers

  I save so much money on the kids’ school snacks by using these instead of individually wrapped snacks, plus easy to pack fruit and I can pack them all ahead for the week.

These are available here

 

The Best Planner Ever!

This is the BEST planner and literally my brain! I especially love the vertical layout I’ve used this planner for several years now and after trying many different ones. I can confidently say this is the very best one! Worth a little extra investment for the level of flexibility and organization it offers.

Find it here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Make the Best Affordable and Simple Crock Pot Meals for the Whole Family

How to Make the Best Affordable and Simple Crock Pot Meals for the Whole Family

How to Make the Best Affordable and Simple Crock Pot Meals for the Whole Family

Simple crock pot meals can be easy and affordable, not to mention healthy and tasty! Find our favorite budget friendly, simple crock pot meals here to save time this school year! Bonus: they are great for the whole family!

Meal planning in the summer months just seems more challenging.  But then, when the start of school rolls around, a whole new crazy hits too!  Am I the only one?  Simple crock pot meals to the rescue!!!

I like to have a lot of flexibility so we can have some spontaneity.  And if possible, time for some extra fun and relaxation too!  Easy and simple crock pot meals are this mom’s best friend!

 

Who’s ready for some easy slow cooker ideas?!

While I could enjoy a delicious summer salad (find some of my favorites HERE) for my dinner, my kiddos are always famished after a day at the beach or swimming in the pool and playing outside.  And if it happens to be a rainy summer day, like we get here in Florida, they are ready for a hearty, hot meal.

Mom, over here, is ready for a simple recipe that I can get started in the morning…so it’s ready no matter what we end up doing for the day!  Simple crock pot meals for the win!

steamy carrots with seasoning on top of chicken inside the crock pot, ready to start cooking

Simple Crock Pot Meals to the RESCUE!!!

I don’t even have a fancy, pretty crockpot to show you in this post.  I am still using the one we received for a wedding gift…20 years ago now, believe it or not!

Good news?  These simple recipe meals taste amazing in our 20-year-old crockpot and are family favorites for all 5 of us!

 

Simple crock pot meals are perfect for just tossing everything in!

Before sharing these super simple crockpot recipes with you, I should add a disclaimer.  I don’t like recipes where I have to measure or be too precise.  Also, I just use what I have on hand!  I consider myself more of a cook than a baker, which means I like to experiment, toss in a little of this and that, and see what happens!

This is especially true with easy slow cooker recipes.  It makes for some really simple crock pot meals when you can just toss in some favorites and know they will be great together!

However, after experimenting with these easy slow cooker recipes over the years, plus knowing they are sure to be loved by our whole family, I do keep certain ingredients on hand!

What cooks well in a slow cooker?

That being said, feel free to use what you have on hand, add and take away flavorings that you know your family loves.  Most of all, just get some inspiration to grab your crockpot and enjoy a simple dinner! Use that extra time to do something fun instead!

Meat, vegetables, potatoes, and beans are my staples to mix and match.  At the same time, you can just toss them in with some seasoning for a guaranteed win!

With school starting soon, it is so helpful to toss the ingredients into my crockpot in the morning and have dinner ready to put on the table when we get home!

How to Make the Best Affordable and Simple Crock Pot Meals for the Whole Family

Simple Crock Pot Meals with Chicken: Easy Slow Cooker Taco Chicken

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Black beans
  • Taco seasoning
  • Garlic powder
  • Garlic salt
  • Minced onion
  • Tortilla chips or flour tortilla shells
  • Shredded cheese
  • Optional: Rotel
Ingredients for a delicious crock pot meal including black beans, rotel, and different seasonings

Crockpot Tip:

I always spray my crockpot with a little bit of cooking spray before adding all of my ingredients.  It helps with the clean up and I don’t worry about stirring throughout the day to keep things from sticking on the sides!  Time saving elements like this are key to simple and easy meals, both the cooking AND the clean up!

Seasoning:

I add two packets of the mild taco seasoning.  You can add more or less for the amount of chicken and beans you are cooking.  I generously cover the chicken with garlic powder and garlic salt.

If I have minced onion, I usually add a little of that for flavoring.  We also like the Rotel sauce.  My kids prefer the mild so that it isn’t too hot for anyone, however, if you don’t mind a little kick, I personally love the medium!  One can is great for some extra flavor.

I let the chicken taco dinner slow cook through the day.  Eight hours is my preferred time for any crockpot recipe, whenever possible.  At the same time, I often use the four or six hour time and it always turns out great!

Delicious chicken with seasoning simmering in the crock pot
A plate of a tasty Mexican meal including tortilla chips and black and refried beans

The chicken will really fall apart, which I love.  Typically, we shred it and layer it with the rest of our meal.  We enjoy the chicken served over the beans, with a side of tortilla chips or flour shells.  You can add a variety of toppings.  My kiddos like it more simple, so I sprinkle the top with shredded cheese and if I have tomatoes, add a few of those.

It is a reasonably healthy, low-calorie, easy crockpot meal that tastes wonderful!  I also love that it uses simple ingredients that are easy to keep on hand.  It warms up really well for leftovers, so I love that too.  Time saving elements, remember?!

Easy Slow Cooker Taco Chicken

An easy, healthy Mexican meal favorite!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 5

Equipment

  • Crockpot

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken Breasts
  • 3 Cans Black Beans
  • 2 Packs Mild Taco Seasoning
  • Garlic Powder
  • Garlic Salt
  • Minced Onion
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Tortilla Chips/Soft Shells
  • 1 Can Rotel Optional

Instructions
 

  • Spray crock pot with cooking spray
  • Cover chicken with water
  • Add two packets of Mild Taco Seasoning
  • Sprinkle generous amounts of garlic powder, garlic salt & minced onion (to taste)
  • Add rotel, cover, and let cook for 8 hours
  • Once plated, add shredded cheese, and tortilla chips/shells as desired.
Keyword Crockpot, Healthy, Mexican
Yummy crock pot dinner dished up and ready to be served!

Simple Crock Pot Meals: Zesty Italian Chicken

 

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts or tenderloins
  • Baby carrots
  • Zesty Italian dressing
  • Garlic powder
  • Minced onion
  • Lemon pepper
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Carrots, seasonings, and other ingredients ready to be put in the crock pot

As with all of my crockpot recipes, I start by spraying the crockpot with cooking spray.  For this recipe, I fill my crockpot about 1/5 of the way with water and then add my chicken.  This recipe works great with chicken breasts and sometimes I like to use the chicken tenderloins as well.  They are a nice size for our kids, especially.  I always make extra of this because it is so delicious and makes great leftovers too!

Seasoning:

I season the chicken before adding the carrots, as I want the seasonings to really soak in on the chicken!  That technique works great no matter what meat you are using for your easy slow cooker recipe.  Then, I use one bottle of zesty Italian dressing over the chicken, followed by generous amounts of the garlic powder and lemon pepper.  Next, I add a little bit of minced onion.

Seasoned carrots simmering in the crock pot

Lastly, I add the baby carrots and sprinkle them with regular salt and pepper.  All the flavorings really soak in, but I do like to give those a dash as they begin cooking.

If possible, I let this slow cook for 8 hours.  Our whole home smells AMAZING within a few hours.  It’s a great way to get everyone excited for family dinner!

Zesty Italian chicken, carrots, and pasta dished onto a plate

Leftovers?

We really love this simple crock pot meal served with some rice or pasta, though sometimes we just add a second vegetable (which is a lot healthier anyway!). 

Any chicken that is left, I like to shred and refrigerate.  It is great to add to some chicken pasta for lunches or even a refreshing dinner!  You can find my favorite chicken pasta recipe HERE.  It is SO yummy and makes great lunches for the rest of the week!

Zesty Italian Chicken

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Course Main Course
Servings 5

Equipment

  • Crockpot

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken Breasts
  • 1 Lg Bag Baby Carrots
  • 1 Zesty Italian Dressing
  • Garlic Powder
  • Minced Onion
  • Lemon Pepper
  • Salt & Pepper

Instructions
 

  • Spray crockpot with cooking spray, add chicken and cover chicken with water
  • Pour one bottle of zesty Italian dressing over chicken
  • Season chicken with garlic powder, lemon pepper, and minced onion
  • Add carrots and sprinkle salt & pepper over all
  • Let cook for 8 hrs, and serve with past of your choosing

Zesty Italian chicken meal in a table setting

Simple Crock Pot Meals: Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

 

Clearly, we eat a lot of chicken around here!  But, it’s relatively inexpensive, healthy, and easy to keep on hand!  These days, I’m all about finding affordable, filling, and healthy meal ideas that our whole family will enjoy!  Can I get an amen?!

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts or tenderloins
  • Baked beans
  • BBQ sauce (we like the honey BBQ, but you can substitute this with your favorite BBQ flavoring)
  • Garlic powder
  • Lemon pepper
  • Minced onion (or finely chop up a fresh onion if you have one on hand)
Barbecue chicken ingredients including barbecue sauce, chicken, and seasonings

First thing I do?  You got it!

After spraying my crockpot with cooking spray, I add the baked beans.  I prefer the Bush’s brand, but that is just personal preference.  Really, there are enough seasonings in this easy slow cooker meal to make the inexpensive store brand taste just as great!  Next, I add the chicken breasts or tenderloins and BBQ sauce.  Usually, I use a whole bottle for the amount of chicken and beans I am cooking.

Add the finishing touch to this easy slow cooker meal!

I generously top it all with garlic powder, a little lemon pepper, and a bit of minced onion.  After a couple of hours, your whole family will be asking “How long until dinner?!”  It literally smells sooooo good and fills our home with an inviting smell.  These days, however, I can’t seem to get food on the table fast enough for our kids!

Or if we are gone for the day, I always look forward to being greeted with that welcoming aroma of dinner cooking!

Barbecue chicken, corn, and baked beans served on plate

We enjoy this dinner served with steam fresh sweet corn or fresh corn on the cob.

Again, a healthy meal choice that is filling!  Shredding the leftover chicken and using it for BBQ chicken sandwiches for lunches or a second dinner is another win for a busy day!

Barbecue chicken, corn, and baked beans, ready for a delicious dinner

I know these are all extremely simple and you’ll notice repeated ingredients.  This is actually super intentional in my meal planning because it saves me time, effort, and money.  My preference is  to not keep a huge stock of food and ingredients.  In addition, since I know these are my go-to flavorings, it keeps me from having a lot of stuff that gets wasted! 

You won’t find gourmet cooking going on around here, but at the end of the day, a simple recipe that our whole family enjoys is always a win!. I’d rather spend that time around the table or playing a game after dinner than working quite so hard in the kitchen.  Who’s with me on that?!

 

Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 5

Equipment

  • Crockpot

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken Breasts or Tenderloins
  • 2 Cans Baked Beans
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Garlic Powder
  • Lemon Pepper
  • Minced Onion

Instructions
 

  • Spray crockpot with cooking spray and add baked beans
  • Add chicken breasts or tenderloins
  • Pour bottle of BBQ sauce over chicken
  • Sprinkle generously with garlic powder, followed by a bit of lemon pepper & minced onion
  • Cook for 8 hours & serve with fresh corn or other vegetable of your choosing
Keyword BBQ, Crockpot

 

Looking for more delicious crock pot recipes?

I’m linking up some more crock pot inspiration from some of my blogging friends!  There are so many mouth-watering, easy, slow cooker recipes here.  You’ll definitely get some great ideas here for a huge variety of simple crock pot meals.  It can save you a lot of time and effort.  With school starting soon, I’m all about any time-saving things I can do to help not only myself, but my family too!

I am really excited to keep this list close at hand and try a few new ones each month during this school year!  All the work of figuring out what to fix for dinner is done for you!

What to cook for dinner when you have no idea what to make?

These simple crockpot meals are winners!

Well, hopefully this post helps!  Be sure to save it and then enjoy!

I hope these ideas will be helpful to you as you serve your family in the coming months.  I love that you can create the portions you need, easily plan your meals, and save a lot of time and even money with some simple crock pot meals.  And most of all, I hope by falling back on an easy crockpot recipe, you’ll have a little extra time to spend with the people you love the most!

That is definitely the best part of all to me!

What is the best crockpot for simple crock pot meals?

There are so many great options out there.  However, as I mentioned, my crockpot is 20 years old and going strong!  I think I can safely say that even with frequent use, it is a super high quality that will last you for many years.  You can find the updated version of my crockpot HERE!

Over on my storefront, I have a whole list of my favorite kitchen items, tableware, decor, and organization.  You can conveniently browse for your own kitchen HERE!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Wow, what a week!  To be honest, I’m recovering a bit from whiplash.  Haha!  Between wrapping up the Haven conference, spending a few days hunting for and loading up great vintage finds on the World’s Longest Yard Sale, and coming home to set up my classroom for the year, it’s been a lot.  However, all great things and such a fun way to wrap up the summer break!

I hope you enjoy the Notes From Our Nest this week!

Around Our Nest:

  • I’ll be sorting through and cleaning our finds from the World’s Longest Yard Sale for awhile.  However, I got so much inspiration and can’t wait to start showing you some ideas I have to start transitioning from summer into early fall decorating around our nest.
  • Local friends, stay tuned!  I’ll be doing a vintage pop up sale here at “our nest” pretty soon!
  • Teacher work days start tomorrow for me…hard to believe.  Summer flew by.  At the same time, we did a LOT this summer and we are so thankful for all of the fun memories and opportunities we had!
  • The kids start back to school on Wednesday!  Backpacks are ready, uniforms hanging, and clean new school shoes are lined up.  Here we go!  Mixed feelings, for sure, but overall, our kids enjoy school and I’m so thankful it isn’t a battle to get going with the year!

Around the ‘Gram This Week:

  • I had so much fun sharing our World’s Longest Yard Sale, aka 127 Sale, in my Instagram stories this week.  The best part was chatting with you all in DMs and hearing your favorite things too!  I saved it all in my highlights if you missed it!
  • Over on THIS post, I shared my favorite finds.  You can definitely watch for these being used around our own home this fall!
  • Then, as we are gearing up for the start of the school year, I love to spend some time just getting our home feeling settled and ready for the big transition from summer into the school year.  On THIS post, you can find 5 things I think are important for creating an intentional home environment for my family!

Around the Blog This Week:

  • THIS blog post goes into detail about 5 things I enjoy doing around our home in order to try and create a really welcoming, calm, and happy home environment for my family.  Of course, there are many more things that could be added, but this is a good list to get started with.   Hopefully it provides some inspiration for you as well!
  • Even though the World’s Longest Yard Sale 2023 has ended, save THIS blog post for details and start making plans now to go next year!  It is SO MUCH FUN!
Coverpage for the Vintage Hunting on the World's Longest Yard Sale Blog post

Around the Storefront This Week:

It’s been a fun week around the storefront.  I haven’t gotten around to sharing all of my new finds yet, but I’ve ordered some FUN stuff this week!  It’s getting me excited to start transitioning our home from the summer coastal look to a more everyday style.  Of course, just a few, super subtle hints of early fall too.

Don’t worry.  There won’t be a pumpkin explosion here for quite awhile still!  Haha!

Here are some of the top sellers over on my storefront this week:

  1. Okay, I’m the top purchaser of these throw pillow covers.  Haha!  But I’m obsessed with them!  Talk about cozy!  I just had to go ahead and share them with you.
  2. This gauzy table runner was one of my top 10 sellers from 2022 and it was again this week too.  For $10, you can see why!  I used this table runner for almost every fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and winter tablescape.  It is gorgeous and looks amazing layered as well.  Also, it comes in different colors.  I ordered the “nude” color for a little darker option this fall!
  3. You all are continuing to stock up on this super realistic, 36″ Norfolk pine branch.  You are SO SMART!  It is almost half the price HERE and I can almost guarantee the price will start to increase once we get into fall.  Stick a few of these in a great vessel and you’ll have people touching it to see if it’s real this fall and winter!  Promise!
  4. My kids literally thanked me out loud this week for using THIS label maker.  What?!?!  No more making fun of Mom for labeling everything.  Instead, it’s so quick and easy to put things away and find them again.  It’s been a big win for me!  Plus, it’s ON SALE!
  5. Keep all the water bottles tidy and organized with this ORGANIZER!  It was on sale this week (remember to watch for my daily deal updates!).  We love ours and it works hard for us, especially during the school year.  Under $15 and works so well!

You can check this list on my storefront.  I update it daily with favorite deals that I think you’ll love too!

Coming Up This Week Around the Nest:

August is going to be such a fun month and I have so many things I hope to share soon!  Here are a few things coming up this week:

  1. Favorite, EASY crockpot meals that our whole family loves
  2. How to create a “drop zone” area for all that school stuff (or your own bags, jackets, umbrellas, etc. too)
  3. Tips for making the back to school transition a little bit easier for everyone
  4. Tour of my classroom…it’s so adorable and I can’t wait to share!
  5. First day of school 2023!

 

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

As always, I love to share some inspiration from some of my favorites!  Check out these posts for more inspiration for YOUR nest!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Follow along with Kim at Shiplap and Shells for master gardening tips!  Someday, SOMEDAY, I will have a garden, and when I do, I want Kim’s help!

Her flowers & photography are gorgeous.  Check them out here!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

Then, for a post I may just bookmark & save for the whole year, check out Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home.  Her Anthropologie dupes are golden!

Inspiration Around the Nest This Week:

It was so fun meeting Renae at Haven this year.  Her ideas to add vintage charm to your living room will inspire you!

Thanks for being here!  I always say, I’m so blessed with such a wonderful community here at Robyn’s French Nest.  I appreciate each of you so much!

I hope you have a really great week (maybe a little less crazy than ours will be) and I can’t wait to see you around the nest this week for all the fun coming up!

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Gallery

5 Simple Ways to Create an Intentional Home

5 Simple Ways to Create an Intentional Home

5 Simple Ways to Create an Intentional Home

Home.  If you’re craving a restful haven, check out these 5 things you can do to create a more intentional home for you and your family!

The very title would suggest that I think I actually have the answers.  However, may I suggest that even the smallest tweaks and adjustments around our homes can have a big impact?  These are just a few things we have been intentionally doing for awhile now and I can honestly say they are working well for our family.

Not perfect.  This is a “grace upon grace” and “progress over perfection” situation!

Kid's game room featuring black and white striped bean bags, old large chalkboard, and reversible ping pong/pool table

How do you make a calming house?

We live in a busy community and, by our own choices, have various family members involved in a lot of different things.  Most of all, I am keenly aware that we are just in a busy season of life.  Our children are not so tiny anymore and they have their own interests, school work, church groups, friends, hobbies, and activities.  While we have never approached family scheduling with the idea that our lives revolve around our children, we are very much in a season where intentionality is the only reason we can even sit down together to dinner most evenings!

However, while it is a busy season, it is also a deeply rewarding season.  I also am increasingly aware that seasons don’t last forever.  That helps me “roll with it” a lot better and even lean into the season…good and bad.

No matter the season of life, however, I think our homes require intentionality.  Even looking down the road 15 years to an empty nest, I hope that I will still be very intentional about “home”, even though it will look a lot different than the current season.

Let’s chat about a few simple and easy things we’ve been doing around here.  I think being purposeful often shows up in the seemingly mundane, everyday, small, “insignificant” things that all add up to an intentional home.

entryway with vintage straw hats hung on the wall and a chippy white bench in front of old wooden cubbies styled with pieces of coral

5 Simple Ways to Create an Intentional Home

1. An Intentional Home Begins with An Intentional Heart, Mind, and Body

How do I make my house feel like a retreat?

I’ll be the first to admit that I am not the best at this but I think it is foundational to an intentional home.  As our children get older and more and more opportunities become available for anyone and everyone in the family, I take my position as gatekeeper very seriously.  Rest…not just sleep, but rest…is essential and I think any home functions and thrives when it is well-rested.  Even in busy seasons, it is important to safeguard times of rest and recharge.

For me, personally, rest right now looks like a lot of “no’s”.  No to this dinner or that outing.  No to financial opportunities.  Sometimes, even no to even things that would be fun to do.  No…because I’m saying “yes” to making sure everyone in our home has some white space in the calendar each week.  I’m also saying “yes” to making sure our family all has some white space at the same time, several times each week.

Faith is foundational to our family and many things in our schedule are built around that.  Second to that, I make sure to carve out time that just the 5 of us are together several times a week, whether it is for our evening meals, some Sunday afternoon pool time, or a little day trip on a Saturday, just making sure we are soaking up this season…together.

Action Tip #1: Electronics

No matter who still lives in your home, make sure there are intentional times when everyone puts away the electronics…at the same time…it’s life-changing.  Turn off notifications (seriously, I have zero notifications set on my phone and it was truly life-changing.  I don’t need to know exactly when my best friend puts up a new post…that “ding ding” is damaging), delete an app for the weekend, silence your phone, leave it in your bag when you’re out to dinner…make intentional and purposeful decisions about what controls your time and attention.  This is important for ages 0-100!

Action Tip #2: Calendar

Look carefully at your calendar.  Even though a nice invitation out for your family for dinner could be fun, will it prevent your family from having white space on the calendar together?  Be intentional about setting aside time just for your immediate family and also for your spouse.  Guard your calendar fiercely!  It is 200% okay to say no.

 

 

summer bedroom styled with a wooden dresser with old gray sign and coral pieces, a big woven basket at the foot of metal bed frame styled with vintage hat
cute white dresser styled with fresh flowers in woven vase and a lamp made out of salvaged wood, next to a side chair with cute throw blanket and pillow

If you’re looking for a little help for sleep at night, I highly recommend the Hatch Restore.  There is also a version for kids.  It works really well at helping set aside wind down time and a gentle wake up time in the mornings.  The sound machine affects are also wonderful!

2. Create an Intentional Home with a Cozy Environment

What makes a home look cozy?

Home should be your favorite place to be.  Whatever that looks like for you, make purposeful choices with your time and budget to turn your spaces into places that feel peaceful and recharge your soul.

For me, neutral colors are calming.  At the same time, I like textures and layers that help our home feel like it’s been here a long time.  Our whole family loves soft, cozy textures and I enjoy creating spaces throughout our home that invite us to get comfortable and rest.

However, it isn’t about a certain color or style or budget.  It is all about creating an environment that feels restful and there isn’t a magic formula because no person or family is exactly the same!  Spend some time asking the people who live in your home, as well as yourself, how your home could better serve them as a place to rest and recharge.

Make it your favorite place to be.

coastal living room styled with fresh summer greenery, old coastal signs and coral pieces, and vintage throw pillows on a white couch
white dresser drawers styled with large mirror with chippy white frame, fresh greenery, coral pieces, and vintage woven suitcases

3. Create an Intentional Home with Purposeful Beauty

How can I make my house cozy on a budget?

I get it.  Most of us are spending more than ever at the grocery store.  The flower section at my main grocery store is at the end of my typical route and just the other day, I stopped to get flowers.  Then I looked at my cart and just kept moving.

Sometimes that is just necessary and it’s okay.

However, I thought about the flowers later and wished I had allowed for that.  Have you ever fixed a vase of flowers and then set it down by a dirty kitchen sink?

Me either. ????

There’s something about a vase of flowers that motivates me to elevate the rest of my space too…cleaning, tidying, plating our dinner in a pretty way, setting out a family game…it’s a domino effect.

You don’t need to buy expensive flowers.  Carnations and some free branches from your yard, arranged with love in a pretty vessel, can do wonders for a room.  I always encourage people to invest in vintage vessels that you really love and can use year-round.

You can find some ideas for arranging inexpensive grocery store flowers on THIS POST.

How can I make my house warm and welcoming?

Action Step: Vessels

Invest in a couple of different vessels that you love for holding flowers.  At the same time, dig around your own stash.  Do you have a pitcher that was passed down to you?  Or a yard sale find that you didn’t know what to do with but you loved?  Keep a couple of vessels easily accessible to add flowers or free branches.  You are much more likely to incorporate beautiful elements that are also convenient!

beautiful fresh white flowers arranged with fresh greenery in a cute pitcher

Here are a few of my favorite vessels to use for my grocery-store flowers:

small bouquets of small white flowers arranged in vintage glass bottles

4. Create an Intentional Home with Furniture That Serves Your Family

This may seem like an obvious one, but I’m going to mention it anyway.  Invest in furniture pieces that actually work for your family rather than pieces your family has to work around.

I’m just going to give you one example, though I am really passionate about this and have worked really hard to hunt for pieces that meet our needs, even changing those pieces as our needs change.

Sometimes I’m asked why I have such a huge coffee table in our small, back living room.  It’s a fair question!

My vision for this room was to be a mostly electronic-free room where we could spread out with projects, games, puzzles, and more.  I knew that would require a coffee table that was unusually large for the room.  Even one that would break design rules for proper scale in the space.

We found this antique library table on an online auction.  The zinc top means I don’t have to worry about rings from drinks and scratches from projects.  We cut down the legs and it is the perfect spot for our family.  I added  large floor cushions for a comfy spot for kiddos to sit for family games.  Then, they just slide back under the table when not in use.

At the time of writing this, our Phase Ten game from a few days ago is still laid out, everyone’s hand ready for the next round!  There is plenty of room for that and a pretty decor vignette too, so it always stays looking nice and inviting.

Even though this step takes time, take note of how your family uses different spaces and how you want them to use the spaces.  Then, make furniture and decor choices that work around those needs and your vision!

Action Tip #1: Determine a desired purpose for each room.

Carefully consider how your family uses each space.  At the same time, consider how all of you actually want to use the space.  Do you need to make any changes?  If so, plan, budget, and invest in working toward those desired changes.

Action Tip #2: Rearrange if needed.

Creating those changes doesn’t always have to cost money.  Consider if you have furniture, decor, pillows, cushions, or cozy elements that you can rearrange in order to reach the desired goal for the room.  Often, just thinking outside the box can make a difference!

This summer, we added a swing to our back living room because we knew it would be really great sensory input for one of our kiddos.  Even though it required rearranging the room, we are all loving the change.  Plus, we sold two pieces of furniture and ended up making money on the whole situation!  (Of course, that cash went to pay for the orthodontist, but still!  It was a great change!)

phase 10 card game cards spread out on a table
cozy space styled with metal cubbies, a cozy white couch and a vintage table with cushions underneath

5. Create an Intentional Home with Purposeful Quiet Spaces

We have a lot of fun in our home and to be honest, our home isn’t usually very quiet.  Between kids practicing a variety of instruments, homework, nerf gun wars, a million questions for Mommy everyday, and the washer and dryer running non-stop, it definitely doesn’t feel like a quiet home!

That’s the season of life and I actually love it…mostly.

However, I’ve discovered that quiet spaces aren’t just for a tired Mom, but are also important for my kids too.

cozy white couch styled with light throw blanket and vintage coastal pillows

How do you make a corner feel cozy?

It doesn’t have to be a big space.  In fact, a small cozy space is actually perfect!  Create opportunities throughout your home that invite quiet moments.

You get the idea!  Invite spaces for quiet moments and then make sure you just stop and enjoy them.  Often.

Action Step: Cozy corner.

See if you can rearrange a room (one that gets sunlight if possible) where there is a comfy chair, side table, and plant in a corner. Add a basket of books, including ones that appeal to different people in the family, and see if it gets used!  Set aside time on your own calendar where you use it yourself!  See if this makes a difference in your day or week!

view of the game room with tv, a wooden tv console styled with old books and an old bingo game, and black and white striped bean bag chairs

Creating an intentional home is a joy, not a chore.

It’s just a simple list.  You don’t have to tackle every quiet corner and every cozy room at once.  Start by making a plan.  Ask your family questions.  Reflect on your home and how you use it.

THEN, and only then, start with one little, simple spot at a time.  Create with joy, purpose, and love.  Your intentionality will grow as you do and your love of home will grow right along with it!

Enjoy!

Ideas for Cozy Spaces:

Over on my storefront, I have several lists designated to helping create warm, inviting, and cozy areas in your home.  If you find that you need to add a few things to help you out, or just a refresh to feel more intentional, check these out!

view of the living room featuring a white couch, chippy wooden coffee table styled with a glass cloche and greenery planted in a woven basket, and a vintage gray tv console table

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Decor for Fall and Summer

Friday Favorites- Decor for Fall and Summer

Friday Favorites- Decor for Fall and Summer

Hello Friends!

Personally, I’m not ready to decorate for fall yet. However, my brain is starting to think about some quick and easy things I want to transition as we move into the school year, settle into everyday routines, and transition to those early fall feelings. These are some favorites that don’t feel like “fall” but are non-seasonal and can be incorporated into my late summer/early fall vignettes and style.

Off-White Artichokes

 These off-white artichokes work as a vase or bowl filler. I will use them to replace sea shells even though I am not ready for fall elements yet.

Find them here on Amazon!

Swan

 I love my swan and am definitely pulling him out during this transition month,
This is a great find from Amazon! 

Round Chinese Fir Root Orb

Warm wood elements are perfect for summer to fall transition. Incorporate these natural elements. They are available in two sizes. They are perfect to add to any vignette or shelf.
Find the larger ones here from Amazon.

Here they are in a smaller size.

 

Dried Grass

I like adding dried grasses to replace summer greenery. 

Find them here from Amazon

Palm Stems

Dried and bleached palm stems are perfect for late summer and mix them into fall arrangements for texture too.

Find it here from Amazon

Lamb Fur Pillow

Personally, I’m obsessed with these pillow covers and adding them to my family room area for some instant cozy vibes.

Find it here

 

 

Wooden Dough Bowl

 I would add a candle and greenery to a dough bowl for an easy non-seasonal touch! It’s a great staple piece. 

It’s available here

Round Baskets

 Add some baskets to start getting cozy fall elements organized and clearing up the clutter left from summer break.

They are available here

 

Flameless Candles

 Flameless candles add the cozy factor without the heat; and safe of course too!

This is available here

 

Hanging Basket

Add hanging baskets to a door or gallery wall for easy texture.

Find it here!

Hunter Boots 

 We are needing the boots around here for all the summer rain, but sitting out, they give just a hint at fall days to come too.

Find it here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Happy Sunday!  If you’ve been following along in my Instagram stories this week, you know it’s been a full one!  Here’s a few highlights:

Around Our Nest:

  • We completely redid our hot water closet and turned it into a really organized drop zone for the kids’ school things.  I’ll share all of the details on the blog and Instagram soon, so stay tuned.  I am soooo happy with how it turned out!
  • I got a new label maker (told you that last week) and I’ve continued to label everything in the house.  But guess what?!  No one tried to put leftovers in the section of the refrigerator where I make up Robb’s lunches for him to quickly grab in the mornings!!!
  • We welcomed our sweet girl home from her missions trip to Honduras.  To say it was life-changing for her is an understatement.  She is happy to be home but also had such a wonderful time.  She loved working with the children through the ministries there!
  • I did my best to tidy up the house and leave lots of detailed notes for my family as I left for Atlanta to attend the Haven Conference!
  • Speaking of the conference, just wow!  I always learn so much.  However, my favorite part is just gathering with other creators and sharing our love for our homes, families, and communities…like YOU!  I’ll be going through my notes over the next weeks and working on ideas that I can do to make this community even better for you.  Thank you for being here!
  • Robb picked me up in Atlanta and we are headed out Monday morning to the 127 sale, aka, The World’s Longest Yard Sale!  Stay tuned to see what treasures we find!

 

Around the blog:

This week was very Merry and Bright around the blog because it was Christmas in July!  Thanks to my sweet friend, Rachel, from The Pond’s Farmhouse, for hosting such a fun and inspiring blog hop this week.

I shared 5 things you can do right now to work ahead for the holiday season (and they are all pretty fun things to do!).  Along with a bunch of my favorite blogging friends, we had fun spreading some cheer and hopefully a lot of inspiration!

I also shared some favorite Christmas and winter decor for Friday Favorites.  Yes, I know the holidays are far away.  Believe me, I’m soaking up every minute of summer.  Remember?  I’m a mom AND teacher!  Haha!

However, these favorites always sell out early or even go up in price as the season gets closer.  I highly recommend ordering NOW, tucking them away, and continuing on with an amazing summer!

Around the ‘gram:

  • Catch one of my favorite Christmas views from my Christmas in July post!
  • I shared the progress of our new drop zone space in stories.  Stay tuned to see how it all turns out along with all the details, coming soon on the blog!

Around the Storefront:

There were some great sales this week!  Check out these top sellers!  And if you don’t have it yet, try out Amazon Prime for free.  It’s a life saver!

  1. Cozy, soft, muslim blanket: These gauzy blankets are the best and they were on a lightning deal this week!  (Make sure you follow along on my storefront and IG stories for these daily deals!).
  2. Ornament Garland: This amazing garland is a fan favorite, and currently over 20% off!
  3. Pine Garland:  One of my absolute favorites for Christmas!  Definitely worth the investment!
  4. Flameless Real Wax Candles: I love the warm lights of these beauties!
  5. Christmas Cowbells: More Cowbell please! LOL!  You’re going to love these!

Coming Soon to the Nest:

This coming week is going to be all about the vintage, thrifted, chippy, antique, old treasures we find on The World’s Longest Yard Sale!  You can find out more about it on THIS post!

If you just need entertainment, well, Robb loves to provide plenty of eye-rolling opportunities and laughs along the way.  We look forward to these few days every year.  It’s a great time to find great pieces and lots of inspiration.  At the same time, we just enjoy the time together so much!

The second half of the week is going to be all about finishing getting my classroom set up and spending every minute I can with my own kiddos!  Hard to believe this is the last week before school begins!

You can find some tips for preparing for back to school on THIS post!

Inspiration Around the Nest:

Do you follow Peacock Ridge Farm?  It was SO fun to spend some time with Renae at the Haven Conference.  We felt so fancy with our coffee in the nice hotel lobby, catching up!  However, speaking of fancy, check out the chicken coop!  Even if you don’t have chickens, you’re going to want them after you see what Renae did HERE!

Kim from Shiplap & Shells has the best gardening advice!  She shares this week on how to best attract pollinators to your summer garden.  So interesting & helpful!

I am so intrigued by Heid’s post this week.  She shares how to make homemade candles in scallop shells.  I want to try, right??

Thanks for visiting Robyn’s French Nest!

In case I haven’t said it lately, I appreciate each of you.  Every time you read my blog, watch an IG story, shop a deal through one of my links, send a kind DM, or just leave a heart…it is so encouraging.  Even though Robyn’s French Nest is our family’s small business, each of YOU are so much more than that to me.  I count you among my friends and I’m so glad you’re part of my community!

We are catching our breath today, resting up, and getting ready for another fun week ahead!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Gallery

Friday Favorites- Christmas in July

Friday Favorites- Christmas in July

Friday Favorites- Christmas in July

Hello Friends!

Happy Friday! We have been enjoying Summer, but I wanted to share with you some of my favorite finds for Christmas in July! I just shared this post that I think you will find helpful for preparing for Christmas even this early in the year.

Many decor items sell out very fast once the holidays roll around. I would highly recommend buying some of these finds asap! I really love this lineup of Christmas decor and several of these are versions of staples I use every year. Let me know what you grab to add to your home for the holidays!

So, without further ado, here are my Christmas early-bird specials!

 

6.5 Foot Pre-Lit Aspen Fir Artificial Christmas Tree

This is a beautiful tree with 700 UL Listed Clear Lights. This tree is SO PRETTY and perfect for a cozy corner or anywhere you want an extra tree. I love mine and you can’t beat this price either. This is a great deal from Amazon.

Flameless LED Candles

I love using flameless LED candles. They are so much safer and just as pretty! I especially love the amber-colored glass these come in. These are one of my top 10 sellers from 2022 and it’s no wonder why! They are absolutely gorgeous and perfect to use all through the fall and winter, not just Christmas. Perfect for a warm holiday display! Find them here.

Vintage Christmas Bells

I love these bells so very much! Lots of you ask me where you can purchase them, so here is your chance! These are beautiful and a decoration you don’t want to miss out on! Add them to your cart now on Amazon.

 

 This set of three cow bells sold out early last year! 

(check to see if there is a coupon, right now there is a clickable coupon for more savings)

Afloral Real Touch Norfolk Pine Garland

This is a great garland! Greenery is a must-have during the winter and especially during the Christmas season. They are THE best Christmas greenery. Best to order now because they sell out early and the price will go up. There are other brands with similar garlands but this is the most full and best one, in my opinion.

Grab this garland here!

Ornament Garland

This is a gorgeous garland with beautiful antique ornaments made with antique silver mercury glass. These are just too beautiful to pass up! And these sold out really early also!

Find them here! 

Beautiful Christmas Wreath

This is my favorite Christmas wreath ever! I have 3 of them and love using them.  They look so realistic.  People will be in my house and walk up to touch them to see if they are real…then they still ask! You will want to grab this for this Christmas season.


Eucalyptus Garland

I love mixing this with my pine garlands for a more full look. It also looks super realistic and is really easy to style and work with

You can find this on Amazon!

 

Amazing Flameless Candles

Now is the time to start stocking up on the best flameless candles ever!

Find them here on Amazon. 

Table Runner 

This is my favorite table runner and it’s so inexpensive too. Order now and use all through the fall and Christmas seasons; so versatile

Find it here on Amazon.

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

And that’s all!! I hope you find some things you like! I would love to hear how you will style these things in your home!

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Prepare for Christmas in July: 5 Easy Things to Do Now!

How to Prepare for Christmas in July: 5 Easy Things to Do Now!

How to Prepare for Christmas in July: 5 Easy Things to Do Now!

We are halfway to my favorite season! You can take some of the stress to prepare for Christmas off later by doing these 5 easy things now!  Whether you want to think about Christmas now or not, you may find that  these 5 ways to prepare for Christmas in July can make a huge difference when November and December roll around!

If my math is correct (I’m in summer mode, so be kind if I’m off, please!), there are 153 days left until Christmas!  That probably makes you soooo excited or makes you cringe and say, “Stop!  It’s too soon to talk about Christmas!”  Either way, doing these 5 things to prepare for Christmas…right now in July…can take off some of the inevitable stress that hits along with the season.

To be honest, sometimes I get some of these done but I have never gotten them ALL done in July.  However, they are good goals and it at least gets me headed in the right direction!  If you’re not really ready to think about Christmas, no worries.

Pro Tip:  Pick one or two of these and feel proud of yourself for getting ahead of the rush!

Before we dive into Christmas prep in July, let me take a second to welcome those of you who are hopping over from my friend, Renae at Peacock Ridge FarmThanks for visiting today!  

With the crazy heat we are having, there’s nothing like having some fun and dreaming about Christmas, right?!  Plus, there’s just so much great inspiration on this tour today!

At the end of my post, make sure to visit all of the blogs who are sharing.  There are such fun, pretty, and inspiring ideas for you today!

How to Prepare for Christmas in July: 5 Easy Things to Do Now!

How to Prepare for Christmas in July #1: Update your address book

Honestly, this isn’t something I look forward to and I usually put it off.  However, if you have some spare time waiting in an airport or sitting in the parking lot waiting for the kids at camp, it could be a great time to scroll through your address book.

  1. Take note of people you know have moved.  Immediately send them a text or message to kindly request their new address.
  2. Add in new friends, family, acquaintances that you’ve made through the year.  If you don’t already have their address, send requests for those also.
  3. Make changes in your address book ASAP upon receiving their responses.  If you have several, it may be helpful to make a checklist in your notes to quickly refer back to later!

Having this done ahead of time can make getting your cards done so much more easily.  Plus, you can be more efficient because you won’t end up with a stack of cards needing addresses sitting out waiting for responses.

Can you tell I have experience with this?!  Haha!

It might seem a little out of the box, but these are the kinds of things that just save an extra headache.  If I can get them done now, when I have more time and less stress in my schedule, it makes the busier seasons a tad easier.  That’s a win all the way around in my book!

How to Prepare for Christmas in July #2: Choose a vacation photo and make a card!

If you haven’t taken your vacation yet, no worries!  Just make a mental note to try and get a snapshot you love while on vacation.  These make the best Christmas card pictures!

One thing that takes me a lot of time is creating our Christmas card each year.  I try to get them made early and have it out of the way.  I love sending them, though, so it’s worth the work to me to get them ready.

One way to save yourself some time later is to go ahead and make your card and save it in your favorite card design app or website.

We’ve been using Minted for our Christmas cards for several years.  I always wait until a sale to order, but you can have it sitting there, ready to go, when a sale or coupon code rolls around!

How to Prepare for Christmas in July #3: Make a list of gift recipients.

You probably already know most of the people you need to buy for.  For me, it’s usually about the same family and friends.  Closer to time, I can add in teachers, school-related gifting, and other services.

Do I stress or worry about any gifts in July?  Absolutely not.

However, if I have a list written down, it’s easy to jot down gifts when I find them.  I shop the end caps for clearance, special sales, and keep an eye out for bargains throughout the year.  If I don’t keep a running list, though, there is no way I’ll end up remembering what I’ve already found!

Also, if someone mentions an idea to me for a gift, I can write that down also rather than trying to remember.  My brain can get rather overloaded, so keeping notes like this is an easy way to keep information close at hand but not cluttering up my mind!

Pro Tip: It is easier to stay on budget and have focused shopping when I have a list of the gift recipients written down.  I use the notes app on my phone for convenience.

How to Prepare for Christmas in July #4: Set a budget and start saving (if you haven’t already).

We love using an envelope system for our budget and consistently put money into a special savings for Christmas.  It is SO much more enjoyable to give and even receive gifts when you know they are paid for and you won’t be playing major catch up on December 26th.

Having the list of gift recipients already written down makes it a lot easier to figure up approximately how much money we can spend per person or family and know how much we need to save throughout the year.

Writing the budget down is also really helpful to actually STAY on budget too.  I love purchasing gifts and giving them.  However, if I’m not keeping track, I can end up overspending.  In the long run, that’s not what the season is about at all and it adds undue stress.

I’m sure this isn’t difficult for some people, but I’ve learned enough about myself to know that I need to keep track.  Setting that budget BEFORE the season hits is really helpful!

If you haven’t already, start setting aside extra monies each month to help even out your budget during November and December.  We’ve been doing this for years now and find it incredibly helpful.  Plus, we have a lot more fun gift giving too!

Pro Tip:  Having money set aside throughout the year for purchasing Christmas gifts also allows you to take advantage of sales and bargains without straining your monthly budget.

How to Prepare for Christmas in July #5: Go ahead and place orders on items that sell out quickly.

It happens to me every single year.  When I’m decorating for Christmas and realize I need more garland or more bells or more ribbon, I make a mental note that I’m going to DEFINITELY order earlier the next year.  However, when July rolls around, I’m just not really in the mood to purchase Christmas Garlands.

Who can relate?

However, I’ve never once…not one single time…ordered those things early and regretted it!  Supply and demand issues aren’t as easy to navigate as it seems like they should be sometimes, right?  So go ahead and get your Christmas decor orders placed NOW.  Right in the middle of the blazing hot month of July!

Here’s my favorites that I recommend ordering early:

  • This greenery goes higher in price further into the season and always sells out early, usually before most people are even decorating for Christmas.  I HIGHLY recommend ordering as early as you can in order to get what you want!  It is absolutely gorgeous and looks more realistic than any Christmas greenery I’ve ever found!
  • You won’t find a winter or Christmas wreath that looks any more real than THIS one!  I have people come into my house and walk up to touch it, then still ask if it is real!  It’s that good and worth every penny.  I wanted to order another last year for our music room but it sold out early.
  • THIS ornament garland was one of the top ten things sold on my storefront last year.  Of course, though, the taupe and cream that I love sold out before December even hit.  It is stunningly gorgeous and has such a high-end look.  At the same time, there were stores selling it for twice or more this price.  It’s one of my favorite Christmas decorations to use.  Tip: order more than one.  I promise you’re going to want another one!
  • If you’ve followed me through the holiday season before, you know that I’m OBSESSED with THESE candles.  They look and even feel real.  Plus, they are battery-operated, have a timer, and work from a remote.  What does that mean?  Well, it means I can put as many as I want on my Christmas mantel or table centerpiece and still be safe!!! Haha!  Trust me…your fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and winter home will thank you for the coziest look with these candles!
  • THIS realistic eucalyptus garland is a must-have.  Actually, you’ll want it for Thanksgiving as well.  It is my favorite to mix with my Norfolk pine greenery for a full and lush look for my Thanksgiving tables, as well as Christmas.  I also mix with with my Christmas greenery on the mantel.  It is so gorgeous and really adds a lot of depth and texture to the holiday greenery!  For me, it’s a must-have!

Now, let’s hop on over to Mary’s post at Life at Bella Terra.  Her mantel inspiration is fantastic!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)
Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Well, this past week definitely flew by in a flash!  Why is it that the closer we get to the start of school, the weeks roll by even more quickly?  Only 3 weeks to go and while we love our school and I love teaching, I’m just not quite ready yet.  Anyone out there in the same boat?!

It has been a great week though, despite the crazy hot weather!

Random Notes from our Nest

 

  1. The most exciting thing around our nest this week is that our oldest, Payton, is in Honduras with a team from her youth group.  They are working with local missionaries.  Even though we miss her, we couldn’t be more proud of her desire to spend a week of her summer sharing the Good News.  She is having a great time and I know her heart and mind will never be quite the same again.  However, we can’t wait for her to come home this week too!
  2. I have been on an organizing frenzy.  I got a new label maker…enough said.  Hahahaha!
  3. The pressure is definitely on for the start of school so I am tackling my summer projects with fierce intensity.  This week, I got the kids’ rooms cleaned and reorganized, worked on a plan for a new drop zone for backpacks, etc., did labeling and reorganizing in the kitchen and pantry, added some containers and reorganized in both the master bath and kids’ bath, and cleaned out some decor to sell!  Whew!
  4. We’ve had a lot of fun, too, with friend sleepovers, playdates, bowling, family dinners, movies, and pool time!
  5. Addy had what will hopefully be her last oral surgery, so she is a little sore, but doesn’t mind all the pasta and smoothies!

Around the blog this week:

Over on the blog, I added to my Simple Decor Series with a highly requested tutorial, tips, and ideas for shelf styling.  Shelves can sometimes feel a bit tricky, so hopefully this gives you some fresh inspiration!

Around the ‘gram this week:

I had you all vote on one day for either a coastal tablescape or a 5-minute summer centerpiece.  Should I be surprised that in these busy summer weeks that the centerpiece won?!  

Over on my storefront, you can purchase every item I used to create this quick and easy table centerpiece!  Easily change it seasonally by just swapping out the shells.  Maybe mini pumpkin filler when late August or September rolls around?!

I also shared a fun styling video of my dining room shelves!  Even though summer is flying by and you’ve probably already sorted out your summer shelf decor, hopefully you can use some tips and inspiration from this whenever you get ready for a refresh!

Around my storefront this week:

It’s been a busy week around the storefront and rightfully so!  The great sales didn’t stop when Prime Days ended, that’s for sure.  I’ve scored several great deals this week and even tucked back some birthday and Christmas gifts on 50% and higher discounts!  Woohoo!

I started a new shopping list on my storefront called “Favorite Daily Deals”.  Every day, I search for some of the lesser-known deals around Amazon, including things I love for my own home, and add them to this list.  You can check it daily for all of my favorites.  Also, I share it in my Instagram stories so you can conveniently head straight to the deals list each day there too!

Here are some of the top sellers this week:

  1. These drawer dividers are adjustable and WONDERFUL!  Plus, they have organizers within the dividers that you can adjust.  I’m adding these to my kids’ dresser drawers.  They were 50% off this week!
  2. These apothecary jars are just gorgeous and can be used in so many ways!  Of course, I love the vintage style!
  3. I’m so excited for THESE refrigerator stackable drawers.  It’s going to be so convenient for back to school snacks!
  4. My favorite flameless pillar candles have a coupon!!!
  5. THIS scalloped rug is always a favorite!  Plus, there are more jute rugs on clearance on THIS shopping list too!

Coming up soon from around our nest:

  1. Christmas in July is happening this week!  Be prepared for good tidings and an imaginary break in the summer weather on Tuesday!!!
  2. I’m headed to the Haven Conference in Atlanta!  I am over the moon to be a mentor there again this year.  It is always a great time of connection with other creators as well as learning new things that I can do to help make the Robyn’s French Nest spaces better for YOU!
  3. Robb and I leave from Atlanta to head off on the World’s Longest Yard Sale!  That won’t really kick up until next Monday, but stay tuned.  I’ll take you along because we always have SO MUCH FUN!!!

Inspiration from around the nest this week:

Check out this gorgeous inspiration, styling, decor, tips, and ideas I’m enjoying this week!

How to Refinish a Vintage Church Pew

Okay, this DIY from Renae over at Peacock Ridge Farm turned out so beautifully.  Since Christmas in July is coming up, can you not just see this decorated for the holidays too?  Check out Renae’s tips and DIY ideas over on THIS post!

Tips and Ideas for Antique Garden Decor

Shiplap and Shells is sharing something near and dear to my heart this week…vintage!  Her gardens are always so gorgeous.  However, even if you don’t have amazing floral gardens like Kim, you can use her tips and ideas to add charm to any outdoor space!  Check it out HERE!

How to Make Refreshing Sweet, Peach Iced Tea

Ahhhh!  Is there anything better on a hot summer day than a glass of iced tea?  Well, maybe if it has peaches!  This easy recipe from Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home looks DELICIOUS!  Get it HERE!

It’s going to be a full and busy week around our nest with so many fun things happening!  Stay tuned over in Instagram stories to go along with me.  As always, I’ll share the highlights in my “Notes From Our Nest” next Sunday!

Thanks for joining me and I hope you have an amazing week!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Shelf Decor Accessories

Shelf Decor Accessories

Shelf Decor Accessories

Hello Friends!

This week we have been taking about shelf styling! Earlier this week, I shared about shelf styling tips on the blog. You can find that here. 

I love styling shelves! These are some of my favorite things to use right now! Let me know what you will be adding to your shelves!

Wrapped Mango Wood Decorative Chain

This has such a substantial look and the texture is great to add to any shelf styling!

Find it here on Amazon!

Round Baskets

These are the perfect size for shelves and can be functional storage too! Plus, the round shape adds extra dimension to shelves. This is  a great find from Amazon! 

Wicker Bins

I use these all the time!  They are great for a shelf, coffee table, desk, side table, or any other place you need to store things.  They are great storage and look pretty too.  Add several groupings in an office for wonderful storage! 

Find them here from Amazon.

 

Vase with Wooden Base

These are a good size for many shelves and can be quickly filled with seasonal filler or use a flameless candle. These vases are a great way to add more texture and dimension to shelf styling!

Find them here from Amazon

Eucalyptus

This greenery is the perfect size to tuck into small vases, jars, or baskets on a shelf! 

Find it here from Amazon

White Terracotta Bubbled Design Planter Pot

How cute is this? This planter is the perfect size for shelf styling! The raised texture adds interest and texture to shelves.

Find it here

 

 

Chinese Fir Root Orb

These fir orbs come in two sizes and just look so gorgeous.  Again, great way to add dimension, shape, and texture to your space and they work great for any season.

It’s available here

Leather Wrapped Links

Add some quick and easy styling with leather decorative links. The pretty color and great style to mix with different decor.

They are available here

 

Stallion Framed Artwork

This art is the perfect size for a shelf! The stallion is so majestic and I love the aesthetic of this frame!

This is available here

 

Ceramic Trophy Vase

Add height to a shelf with this pretty vessel. It’s unique trophy shape adds extra dimension! 

Find it here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Decorate Shelves in 7 Easy Steps: Simple Decor Series

How to Decorate Shelves in 7 Easy Steps: Simple Decor Series

How to Decorate Shelves in 7 Easy Steps: Simple Decor Series

Does shelf styling overwhelm you? Take the stress out of decor with these 7 easy steps how to decorate shelves in the Simple Decor Series!  Keep reading for 7 action steps you can easily take to beautifully decorate your shelves.

 

Do you like styling shelves?  Or does the thought of trying to decorate shelves make you feel overwhelmed?

I’ll be honest, it can be overwhelming to me and decorating is my JOB!  I finally wrote down the steps that I follow when I’m decorating shelves and it’s so helpful!  If you sometimes struggle with shelf decor, too, then I hope these 7 easy steps of how to decorate shelves will help you also!

Today is especially fun because it’s our monthly Thrifting with the Gals day!  I love joining up with some of my blogging friends to offer even more home inspiration to all of you.  Plus, since half of the decor (or more) on my shelves comes from vintage markets, antique shops, flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores, it only makes sense to share today!

Don’t miss what the other ladies are sharing today too:

Okay!!!  Ready to decorate?  We’ve got a lot to chat about today with details and action steps to help you with your decorating.  Let’s get started!

How do you style a shelf like a pro?

Well, I can’t say I’m a pro.  However, if you consider lots of trial, error, and experimenting as experience, I’m your girl!

Here are 7 steps I follow when I want to decorate shelves in any room.  We will look at each step in more detail along with actionable tips for you to follow too.

  1. Clear the shelves completely
  2. Choose 3 items to inspire the space.
  3. Divide the shelves into sections.
  4. Add larger items first, focusing on balance.
  5. Repeat color, texture, and pattern.
  6. Add layers.
  7. Walk away and then edit.

How to Decorate Shelves in 7 Easy Steps: Simple Decor Series

Step #1 How to Decorate Shelves: Clear the shelves completely.

How do you decorate plain shelves?

To me, plain shelves are much easier to decorate than partially filled or cluttered shelves.  The first step you’ll want to take is to completely clear the shelving unit you’re working with.  I think this is the worst part of the job.  However, I promise it makes styling so much easier and all of the other steps will flow more freely!

As I clear the shelves, I like to put like items together.  This will help me with the other following steps and also make it easier to find things!

If there are things you know you no longer want to use or do not fit the space, go ahead and put them into donate/sell/toss piles!

Action Step 1: Completely clear the shelves and group like items together as you take them off the shelves.

Step #2 How to Decorate Shelves: Choose 3 items to inspire your styling.

This might be a little bit different concept but I find it incredibly helpful.  For example, in my dining room, I have a lot of smaller items on these apothecary shelves.  To help me decide the overall look I wanted for my summer decor, I chose 3 kinds of items:

  1. White vintage mortar and pestles
  2. Glass
  3. White wood

By choosing 3 items, it helped me to decide the overall style as well as which items to use and which pieces to store away for another day.

It’s not that these are the only 3 items you see on the shelf styling (we will get to more of that later on).  However, in general, over 90% of the items used on the shelves tie into these 3 elements.

Action Step 2: Choose 3 items that determine the overall color, style, and/or pattern that you’ll use in your shelf styling.  This will help guide your decorating more easily.

Step #3 How to Decorate Shelves: Divide the shelves into sections.

How do you decorate a lot of shelves?

If you’re staring at a large, blank bookshelf or maybe even a wall of shelves, bless you.  With Action Step 2, you hopefully now have an overall idea of how your shelf styling should go. However, getting started can feel challenging.

So, to help you get started, take Action Step 3:

Action Step 3: Divide the shelving into smaller sections.

My apothecary isn’t that large and the shelves are already naturally divided by how how the furniture is built.  Your shelves may have brackets or natural divisions, also, so lean into those.

However, if your shelves are just long and open, you may want to visually divide your shelves into sections.  A grid format can be really helpful.  If I’m working with a really large shelf, I will typically divide it into a 9 square grid, 3 by 3.

A larger shelf may need an expanded grid, however.

Pro Tip: Divide your shelf into odd numbers if possible.

As I say that, I do realize that my shelves are in a 2 by 3 format.  Since I can’t really do much about that, though, I just roll with it!  As you can see below, I think of mine in kind of a cross-grid format, balancing the top right with the bottom left and so on.

Essentially, in the next steps, you are going to place decor on your shelves within that grid format. This will help you keep an organized, balanced look to your shelf styling that doesn’t feel cluttered or overwhelmed.

Step #4 How to Decorate Shelves: Place large items first.

It’s finally time to start actually decorating your shelves!  This is so exciting!  Remember, nothing is too permanent and you are just playing around and experimenting until you get it like you want it.  I try to not overthink (if my husband reads this, he’s going to laugh out loud at that statement!) and just go with my first instinct.

First, you are going to place your larger items.  Keep your grid in mind and space out larger items.  You likely will not want all of your large items in one row or column.  I try to think of the larger items as not being next to one another.

For my 2 x 3 shelving unit, it may look something like this:

 

Keep in mind that you can add smaller pieces and layers (we will chat about that too) so this isn’t the final look.

However, placing those larger items first will help you create more balance in your overall shelf decor.

Action Step 4: Place larger items, intentionally spacing them out so they are balanced.

 

Step #5 How to Decorate Shelves: Repetition

How do I make my shelves look organized?

As you start placing smaller items on the other shelves, you’ll want to use repetition.  Repeating color, texture, pattern, and style will give your shelves a cohesive, organized look.

Remember those 3 items you chose in step 2?  Those are the colors, textures, patterns, and styles that you want to repeat throughout your shelf styling.

Even though no two shelves are exactly the same on my apothecary, the repetition of the white mortar and pestles, glass elements, and white wood accents are easy to recognize!

It is perfectly okay to add some unique elements in there too.  For example, the vintage beach sign is completely on its own and isn’t part of any of those 3 inspirational elements.  However, it is mostly white, so it does connect with color, as the wood of the sign is white.

Once your large pieces are in and you’ve added repeated styles of your 3 inspirational items, have some fun with those accents that really make a statement.  I’m getting ahead of myself, though!

Action Step 5: Begin placing smaller items on the shelves, repeating color, texture, pattern, and style.

Pro Tip: Even if you have a lot of decor on the shelves, the repetition will help it feel curated rather than cluttered!

Step #6 How to Decorate Shelves: Add layers.

NOW we can chat about adding those accents!

You may be looking at your shelves now, and if you like a vintage style like me, you may feel like they are just a little too “average.”

Adding layers will elevate your shelf styling from that “too perfect of a house” style (yes, I think that is a style, haha!) to that of a thoughtfully curated home.

In these summer shelves, you can see small layering details like a piece of coral resting beside a stack of mortar and pestles.  Perhaps the larger layer of the vintage art piece tucked behind the trio of mortar and pestles caught your eye!  Adding palm branches to a grouping of vintage crocks gives extra dimension to this styling as well.

Action step 6 is the perfect time for you to play around, move pieces around, add and take away, and experiment with some of your favorite accents that maybe don’t fit into the “3 inspirational piece” rule.

At the end of the day, what YOU LOVE is what is right for the space!

Action Step 6: Add unique accent pieces layered in front of and behind your decor.  Vintage art, mirrors, greenery, and small seasonal object are great layering pieces.

 

Step #7 How to Decorate Shelves: Walk away, then come come back and edit.

Rarely do I get my shelf styling just how I want it on the first try.  In fact, I found it most helpful to go with my first instincts when styling.  Then, I walk away before I have time to overthink it too much.  When I come back with fresh eyes a little later…even a day or two later…I am able to more easily see what works and what I want to tweak.

No matter what you may be decorating, this action step is really important!

Action Step 7: Walk away and don’t overthink.  After a couple of hours or even a couple of days have passed, take a look at your space with fresh eyes.

Pro Tip: If you find you don’t love it but can’t figure out what, take a picture to look at later.  Sometimes the camera catches the detail that I’m missing when I see it in person!  That sounds a little counterintuitive, but sometimes it is really helpful!

Need more shelf styling inspiration?

Over on my storefront, I put together a list with some of my favorite kinds of accents and accessories for styling shelves.  You’ll find some seasonal accents.  However, I’ve mostly included some favorites that can be used year round and with different kinds of decor.

From functional and practical to just plain cute, these shelf accessories can help you get your shelves styled easily!

How to decorate between seasons?

Below, you can see examples of these same shelves styled for different seasons and holidays.  Look carefully and note how often I reuse some of the same decor pieces!  You don’t have to replace everything for each season; rearranging and adding key seasonal touches makes all the difference!

If you’re wondering how to decorate shelves for different seasons, hopefully these pictures will give you inspiration.  Make sure to pin your favorites to refer back to during that season!

Check out my Simple Decor Series:

I have a growing library of what I call my “Simple Decor Series.”  These are tips and action steps to help you with some of my most requested decor areas.  I hope you find fresh ideas, decor help, and enjoyment from these posts also:

Now you know how to decorate shelves!

If you follow these action steps, give yourself lots of grace and patience, and just have fun with it, you are going to be able to create shelf styling that adds so much character and interest to your home decor!

Thanks for joining me for another Simple Decor Series post!  I’d love for you to share it with a friend if you found this to be helpful!

Don’t forget to click on over to the other Thrifting with the Gals posts to see the DIY ideas, thrift store finds, makeovers, and decor inspiration today!

Kristin from White Arrows Home

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Favorite 2023 Prime Day Deals

Favorite 2023 Prime Day Deals

Favorite 2023 Prime Day Deals

Overwhelmed with all of the amazing 2023 Prime Day deals? I’ve organized my favorites in lists to help your time and budget! Keep reading to see what I’m ordering, including stocking up for needed items for our home, back to school, and even a head start on Christmas shopping!

It’s time for the 2023 Prime Day Deals!  If you’re at all like me, the vast amount of amazing deals can be a little overwhelming.  I’m here to help!

I’ve rounded up some of the very BEST deals along with some of my favorites.  Plus, I’m including some of the things that I personally own and love that are on sale too.

Personally, I am working on stocking things up around our home that I know we will need once the busy school year starts.  We’re also snatching up some savings on back to school items.

I’ve even scored big savings on some Christmas gifts and even though it’s super early, I’ll be so glad to have those things off my checklist when the busy fall season rolls around!

Ready to shop and save?  Let’s gooooooo!

Favorite 2023 Prime Day Deals

Home: 2023 Prime Day Deals

Decor-related

Homegoods

Cleaning and organization

Kitchen: 2023 Prime Day Deals

Viewing Kitchen Island from Dining room, complete with white vintage scale and wicker vessel.

Back to School: 2023 Prime Day Deals

Uniforms & Backpacks with shoes ready to go for the first day of school!

Electronics: 2023 Prime Day Deals

Uniforms & Backpacks with shoes ready to go for the first day of school!

Health and Beauty: 2023 Prime Day Deals

 

Uniforms & Backpacks with shoes ready to go for the first day of school!

Random Favorites: 2023 Prime Day Deals

Ready to save?

You can find all of my 2023 Prime Day Deal favorites right HERE!

Plus, check out my list of early sales that have been going on prior to Prime Days.  There are still some great deals available there too.  Shop those sales HERE!

Thank you!

For each of you who browse and even shop through my storefront today, THANK YOU!

While you’re scoring great deals, it helps our family business and we are so appreciative. Thanks for being here and being part of our Robyn’s French Nest family!!!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Gallery

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

Notes From the Nest

 

Happy Sunday!  What a busy week, full of celebrations, travel, and trying to stay cool.  When a heat advisory hits south Florida for temps that feel like 114…let’s just say you either get in the pool or hide in the air conditioning!

I hope you’ve had a great week and even enjoyed a random day off in the middle of it all for the 4th of July!

Here’s a quick peek at our week, around our nest:

Random notes from our nest:

  • Payton survived boot camp for her first overseas missions trip!  She will be traveling to Honduras later this month.  Even though she came home with a pile of laundry and some exhaustion, it was a great experience of bonding with her team, preparing and practicing for their ministry opportunities, figuring out how to wash clothes by hand, and having a lot of fun too!
  • We’ve been working through a fun cooking challenge…catch up with that from my Instagram post linked below.  It’s definitely been interesting but the younger two are learning a lot of basic kitchen skills this summer!
  • Robb and I celebrated our 20th anniversary.  It sounds so cliche, but it’s truly hard to believe 20 years have gone by already.  I have officially spent over half of my life with my very best friend.  More than ever before, he’s still my favorite to do, well, everything with!  We are in a busy season of life, for sure, with a lot of demands on our time and energy.  But even if it’s grabbing a bite to eat while running errands or just driving to the corner gas station for a soda with good ice, he makes everything more fun.  I am so blessed.
  • The kids and I are getting ready to start a fun week of church youth camp, safely tucked away literally in the middle of nowhere, Oklahoma!  I grew up going to camp here.  It’s truly a privilege to get to do my little part to invest back into a place that poured so much into my life.  Plus, we have a blast!  Not only do my kids have a great time, but we get to spend time with a lot of cousins.  There will be at least 14 second cousins all here together this week!

Around the blog this week:

The blog was a little quieter this week because we are just having a lot of fun this summer.  Plus, there is literally no routine.  For me, that means I have a really hard time getting things done, like writing a blog post!  Haha!

However, I did finally wrap up a highly-requested blog post with tips and ideas for decorating glass cloches for summer.  You all know how much I love using glass cloches in my decorating and they are so fun for the summer season too.

Check it out here!

Around the ‘gram this week:

There were several fun things happening over on Instagram this week!  Click on the pictures below to find out more about a fun website I found for professional outdoor design help and all about our summer cooking challenge.

Plus, you can see how I styled up one of my favorite decor pieces (currently on sale HERE!) with a glass cloche for a centerpiece!

Around my storefront this week:

I’ve been updating the early deals page every day this week over on my Amazon storefront.  There are some great savings!  As I find things I need or want for my classroom, to update or refresh around our home, or even tuck back for gifts, I’m adding those and hopefully it helps you out too!

I know the Prime Days sales are AMAZING.  At the same time, they can be super overwhelming.  Stay tuned for a blog post on Tuesday morning with a round up of things I have and love or are on my wishlist that are great sales.

Here are the top favorites and sellers from this week:

Coming up soon from the nest:

This will be a different week around our nest.  Robb will be holding down the fort at home while the kids and I are at camp in Oklahoma!  I’ll try to share some snippets in my Instagram stories, so make sure you’re following along there!

The big thing this week will be the Prime Day sales.  I’ll be finding some wifi somewhere to get some shopping done myself and I’ll share with you what I can.  If there’s anything you’re looking for, let me know in the blog comments and I’ll keep an eye on the sales for you!

Inspiration from around the nest this week:

Even though we are in full summer mode over here, there is so much great inspiration out there.  Check out these blogging friends to see what they’ve been up to.  I think you’ll see why they are inspiring me this week too!

Is there an actual, physical science to decorating?

Friends!  This post from Heidi over at Eleanor Rose Home is super interesting.  To me, it’s actually really motivating.  Plus, I feel completely justified in my love of decorating my home.  It is literally good for my family’s health

Check THIS OUT!

Who else is obsessed with the lavender scent OR has a summer garden?

Even though I don’t have a summer garden, THIS beautiful post from my friend Renae, over at Peacock Ridge Home, brought back fun memories of the cutest lavender shop we visited on vacation!  I had no idea so many things could be made with lavender!

Check out Renae’s post about harvesting lavender in your summer garden!

Need help with your summer garden?

Speaking of gardens, one of my all-time favorite gardens in all of Instagram-land is from Kim over at Shiplap and Shells.  I love seeing her posts and gorgeous blog.  Over on THIS post, she’s sharing 16 favorite plants for a cottage-style garden, along with her masterful tips, tricks, and ideas!  Get it all HERE!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Decorate a Glass Cloche for Summer

How to Decorate a Glass Cloche for Summer

How to Decorate a Glass Cloche for Summer

Looking for a summer refresh? Try these quick and simple ways to decorate a glass cloche + other budget-friendly summer home decor tips!

  • Well, here we are, halfway through our summer break already.  It’s hard to believe; why does time fly so fast in the summer?!  However, now that the 4th of July is past, it’s actually the perfect time to do some quick little refreshes around your home.  Easy vignettes are a great way to achieve a refreshed look.  Today, let’s take a look at some quick ideas to decorate a glass cloche for summer!

We are full on embracing the coastal beach life over here.  After all, we do live in a cute beach town!  However, there are lots of ways and styles you can enjoy for summer as you decorate a glass cloche.

How to decorate a cloche dome?

Here are 3 tips to help you get started if you decide to decorate a glass cloche for the first time!

  1. Tip #1: Use a candle.
  2. Tip #2: Decorate a glass cloche dome with a vignette.
  3. Tip #3: Turn small decor items into a statement piece.

You can find a lot of details and pictures that expand on each of these tips over on THIS POST, along with 21+ ways to decorate a glass cloche!

What can you do with glass cloches?

Glass cloches are perfect to add around your home for decoration.  However, if you want to make your glass cloche even more interesting, try placing it on top of one of these items.  Or, if you really want to have fun, play around with several different ideas and use this list to inspire using decor you already have!

  • A stack of old books
  • A wooden bread board
  • Architectural salvage piece
  • In a wooden bowl
  • In a footed pedestal bowl (THIS is my favorite!)
  • Amarble or stone tray
  • A cake pedestal
  • A pretty plate or dish
  • + so many other things you have around your home!  Anything that you can layer under a cloche is worth trying for extra dimension, character, and texture!

How to Decorate a Glass Cloche for Summer

Idea #1 to Decorate a Glass Cloche for Summer: Coral

What do you put under a cloche?

My go-to way to decorate a glass cloche for summer is to place it over a grouping of some pretty coral pieces.  Sometimes, I use one large coral piece.

However, I also sometimes lay a few pieces of coral together and place the glass dome cloche over them.

Create This Look:

Another fun way to use coral is to put a piece of coral in a pretty bowl.  I like to use some of my vintage mortar and pestles!  Then, I place the glass cloche over the bowl.

Even if I’m using a smaller piece of coral, it looks more significant in the bowl.  At the same time, another layer of decor just adds dimension and character!

Idea #2 to Decorate a Glass Cloche for Summer: Old Books and Shell

What can you use a glass dome for?

One of the best ways to take some smaller pieces of decor and turn them into a singular statement piece is to group them into a pretty vignette under a glass dome cloche.

For summer, an easy vignette idea is to combine a few old books in your summer colors (I love THESE blue ones) and a large shell.

Create This Look:

Idea #3 to Decorate a Glass Cloche for Summer: Pedestal Bowl Centerpiece

This was a new way I tried this summer to create a centerpiece and I have to say, I’m loving it!  It only took a few minutes to assemble and I’ll give you everything you need to create this exact look too!

THIS pedestal bowl is so fun to style no matter the season.  However, it was just kind of sitting around this summer so I decided to experiment.  I’m loving how this easy centerpiece turned out!

First, I put some brown craft paper in the dish to create a faux bottom.

Next, I added a layer of sea shells.  You can get really pretty ones in bulk HERE!

Then, I added my favorite little wood slab and a battery operated pillar candle for a little cozy summer evening glow.  I love that THIS flameless pillar candle has a timer and uses a remote so it just flickers on at dusk each evening!

However, you could put anything on top of the shells.  For example, you could add old books and a large conch shell from Idea #2!

Lastly, I put an extra large glass dome cloche to make this centerpiece have a large, significant look.  It is perfect for our dining table or you could use it on a console table, kitchen island, or side table too!

Create This Look:

What goes inside a cloche?

As you can see, there are so many fun ways to decorate a glass cloche for summer.  These are just a few ways that I’m using around my house at the moment.  However, when I get the itch to play with some decor, glass cloches are one of the most fun things to experiment with!

I hope this post inspires you as you continue creating a home that feels extra special for the summer!

Don’t forget to check out these ways to decorate with a glass cloche for the other seasons!  Then, pin your favorite ideas so you can find them when the seasons arrive!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Woods and Whites

Friday Favorites-Woods and Whites

Friday Favorites-Woods and Whites

Hello Friends!

This is a list of some of my favorite items that are wood and white accents. I love each of these items so much and some I have used for years in our home! I hope you find somethings to add to your house and they become just as dear as they have to me! 

Scalloped Cake Stand

I love the marble and brown wood combination! Perfect to display the latest baked goods in your kitchen!

Available here from Amazon

Scalloped Jute Rug

This pretty rug adds texture and pretty style to any room!

You can get it here 

Favorite Throw Pillows

These are my favorite throw pillows! They layer easily. I like to use them into the fall season also. And they are under $10 for the pair!

Find them here from Amazon.

 

Favorite White Dishes

We use these every day and have used them for 20 years now! So glad they still make them! You will not regret this purchase! 

Find them here from Amazon

White Metal Bowl

This white metal bowl is perfect for almost any kind of room and decor, It’s so fun to decorate with and the neutral color makes it great for year round use.

Find it here from Amazon

Antique Swan

This white swan just looks pretty for any season! I love using mine year round! 

Find it here

 

 

Marble Dish

I love the pretty ruffle edge on this marble dish! It comes in different sizes too. It’s so easy to decorate with in different rooms!

It’s available here

Vintage Corbels

I love these pretty vintage style corbels! You could use them for bookends or just display on a mantel or shelves.

They are available here

 

Beautiful Wood Chain

This would be easy to style with a dough bowl or tray. These can get really expensive but this one is a good price!

This is available here

 

Chair

This cozy chair and adds texture and character to any room! 

Find it here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

From the Nest

From the Nest

From the Nest

Happy Sunday and welcome to the very first edition of “From the Nest”!

Every week, I think of so many things I’d like to tell you…but how to fit it all in?!

Starting today, my plan is to share a personal email with you each weekend and just catch you up on our week, share fun things with you, show you some things that are inspiring me, and even give you a peek at what’s coming up!

First of all, today is my birthday!!!  What better time to start up these fun emails, right?!  We are keeping it low key today; it’s been a busy week!

 

Random things from around our nest:

  1. We sent our oldest off to boot camp today for her missions trip.  Let’s just say, I’m glad I am NOT joining her this time.  Tents, cold showers, and humid Florida summer weather for 3 days isn’t my thing.  However, I know she is going to have a blast and most of all, learn and grow.  She is so excited for her Honduras trip later this month!
  2. We had a fun bowling night, even though I am terrible at it.  Haha!
  3. We accomplished a few more things in our new outdoor space, including hanging up my bargain Serena and Lily lights and setting up the new clearance-find fire pit.  It’s looking so cozy out there!
  4. I fed a LOT of pizza rolls, grapes, and chips to a LOT of kiddos this week.  I love summer days when my children’s friends are over and the house and pool are full of fun and laughter.  It’s just the best!
  5. I finished cleaning out a bunch of decor and it’s feeling good to be clearing out some spaces.  I always have lots of extra decorations…after all, it just goes with the territory of this fun job.  However, a brutal declutter feels good too, especially ahead of the busy fall and Christmas seasons.

Around the blog this week:

Over on the blog this week, I’ve had fun sharing some quick and easy patriotic decorating ideas for the 4th of July.  Plus, I shared 10 Amazon decorating favorites I’m using in our home right now and some of my all-time favorites in a “birthday list.”

Check them out here!

Around the ‘Gram this week:

I am not posting as much on Instagram through the summer because, well, it’s summer!  It’s been really good for me to spend a little less time creating and more time just “being”.  However, in case you missed it, there were some fun things there this week too!

I shared a little 4th of July home tour and also some close up views of decor favorites that I am enjoying around our home right now.

You can watch those here:

Around my storefront this week:

Friends!!!  Amazon Prime Days are coming soon.  However, you don’t have to wait until July 11th to start snatching up some great deals.  Over on my storefront, I am updating the Early Prime Day Deals Access list every day.  There are some GREAT early deals available.  You can check for those updates everyday.

If you’re like me, I can get really overwhelmed with all of the sales.  Instead of trying to bite it all off at once on day one of the Prime Days, it’s a lot more fun to space it out with some browsing and shopping each day.  Plus, some of the early deals are limited so you’ll want to check those out now.

Here are a few favorite deals I’ve ordered this week or already have and love, in no particular order:

Shop ALL of my favorites from the Amazon Early Prime Day Deals HERE!

Coming up soon From the Nest:

  • Happy 4th of July!
  • Outdoor inspiration (and clever app to help you design your space!)
  • Our summer cooking challenge
  • Favorite new kitchen product
  • How to decorate a glass dome cloche for summer

Stay tuned!!!

So, what do you think?  Let me know if you think this “From the Nest” post each week will be helpful and even fun; I hope so because I had fun writing it!

Wishing you an amazing week and a fun and safe 4th of July!  I’m off to church, then enjoying some of my favorites with my favorite people today!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Gallery

Friday Favorites- 10 of My Favorite Things

Friday Favorites- 10 of My Favorite Things

Friday Favorites- 10 of My Favorite Things

Hello Friends!

My birthday is coming up soon and I wanted to share something I have on my list wish or things I already own and love! If you always struggle to know how to answer the question “What do you want for your birthday?” this list will be helpful to you!

Favorite Lip Gloss

This is my favorite lip glass in perfect nude! It lasts forever and I use it every day!

Available here from Amazon

Sandals

A good pair of sandals that goes with everything! They are perfect! I love this quality brand and these have such a great vintage leather look.

You can get them here 

Favorite Water Bottle

This is my favorite water bottle! It is Stanley brand and it is a very good quality water bottle. It is perfect to throw it in your handbag and go.

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Devotional Book

This is a devotional book I’m enjoying right now! It’s called “Well-Watered Woman” and I highly recommend it! 

Find it here from Amazon

Bogg Bag

 Bogg bag is a favorite! I use it for everything under the sun!

Find it here from Amazon

Sunbrella Outdoor Pillows

These Sunbrella Outdoor Pillows on my wish list! I love the cabana stripe paired with the neutral colors for year-round use!

Find them here

 

 

Free People Dress

Free people dresses are so comfy and this one looks amazing! I pair it with casual sandals for day and dress up for dinner with a cute wedge heel. You can layer with a chunky cardigan to wear into fall too

It’s available here

Decorative Wood Pot

I’m so into wood tones right now and using them throughout my home decor. It mixes perfectly with vintage pieces and adds a warm and organic style!

This is available here

 

Trapper Basket

 I picked up one like this recently and I’m so excited to decorate with it!

Find it here!

Favorite Shirt

 I have it in a few colors and wear them all the time. It is easy to layer for wearing year-round! It is nice and light-weight for summer and early fall too.

Find it here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

10 Amazon Home Decor Favorites for Summer Decorating

10 Amazon Home Decor Favorites for Summer Decorating

10 Amazon Home Decor Favorites for Summer Decorating

Sprucing up your home for the summer? Check out these 10 budget-friendly favorites for summer decorating to create cozy and inviting spaces. Keep reading for 10 of my current favorites that I’m using in our home right now!

Summer is officially here and at least here in South Florida, the heat has most definitely arrived!  In fact, unless we are at the beach or in the pool, we are spending most of the time indoors.  Since I’ve been enjoying the sunshine from inside a little more this week, it’s the perfect time to show you my favorites for summer decorating.  These budget-friendly Amazon finds are helping keep the inside light and breezy while feeling like our summertime retreat!

It’s no secret that vintage and antique decor are my passion.  However, sometimes you just need these perfect accents to pull it altogether.

Today, I’m excited to show you 10 of my favorites for summer decorating and how I have paired them with my vintage decor for a cozy, light, and breezy summertime style!

10 Amazon Home Decor Favorites for Summer Decorating

Favorites for Summer Decorating #1

What is considered summer decor?

These realistic palm branches.

Seriously, they are so incredibly realistic!  I had pictures of this cabinet with both real palm branches from my yard and my faux ones from Amazon.  Actually, I had to take a double look to make sure I added the correct picture to this post with the faux palm branches!

They have been one of my top sellers all month.  While I love that they are so budget-friendly, only $9.99 for 8 branches, my favorite thing is that they just look so real.

If you’ve followed along for long, you know I am really passionate about only using very quality, realistic faux greenery and florals.

THESE faux palm branches are a must-have for me.  At the same time, they will add a simple, easy summer vibe for your home as well!

Shop my favorite realistic faux palm branches HERE!

Favorites for Summer Decorating #2

This light-weight throw blanket is perfect for cozy summer evenings!

It is SO hot here.  I mean, heat index over 100 most days kind of hot.  The thought of curling up with a blanket is suffocating, to be honest.  EXCEPT for this light-weight throw blanket!  

It is beyond soft and cozy. At the same time, the light-weight gauzy fabric is just perfect for a summer evening.  It comes in different colors so you can match your summer decor perfectly.

Warning: you’ll need more than one because everyone in the house is going to want to be this cozy for summer!

Shop my favorite light-weight throw blanket HERE!

Favorites for Summer Decorating #3

This coral looks SO real!

Just a little touch of coastal is all it takes to bring a fresh summer look to a space!  Real coral can be extremely pricey.  In fact, a piece of real coral this same size would cost over $75, minimum, here in Florida and probably a lot more!

So, this realistic piece of coral is a super budget-friendly way to bring a pretty coastal accent to any room.  It literally looks SO real and it even feels real too (watch your fingers!)

Shop my favorite realistic faux coral HERE!

Favorites for Summer Decorating #4

Who else is loving tan gingham this year?!

I couldn’t have been more delighted when the tan and white gingham styled picked up this spring.  Not only do I love using it in my house, but I love wearing the print too!

These pillow covers are a steal of a deal and are so pretty.  I’ve enjoyed them in our family room all spring and summer.  Actually, I plan to leave them for fall too!

Pillow covers are a great way to save storage space too, so it is a double win!  At the same time, the neutral gingham is really fun to layer with other patterns and you can easily style it around your home!

Shop my favorite gingham pillow covers HERE!

Favorites for Summer Decorating #5

How to decorate front porch for summer?

These concrete planters look so high-end!

What a gorgeous addition this set of 3 concrete planters have made to our outdoor pool area! I can’t say enough good things about them.  At the same time, I would also use them indoors if I had a space.

Bonus: they come in a set of three so you can use them together or split them up!

I shopped around a LOT for planters, going to many different stores and websites.  These are definitely my favorites of all the ones I looked at and the price worked out to be such a great deal also.

With the concrete style, I know they will last us for many years to come so they are great investment pieces too!

Shop my favorite concrete planters HERE!

Favorites for Summer Decorating #6

Glass cloches are a favorite for all seasons!

No matter the season, glass cloches are one of my favorite go-to pieces for decorating.  I love layering coral, old books, and shells in mine for the summer months.

Over on THIS post, you can find 21+ ways that I enjoy decorating with glass cloches!

I have a variety of sizes and shapes.  THIS glass cloche is one of my favorites because the size makes it easy to style and it’s a great statement piece in my decor.

Shop my favorite glass cloche HERE!

Favorites for Summer Decorating #7

These woven stacked baskets…functional and pretty!

I added these stacked baskets back in the winter when I was working on home organization and they’ve been a favorite ever since then!  However, I especially love how the baskets add texture and style to my summer decor too!

Whether on a coffee table to hide the remote and magazines, office shelves to house paperwork, nightstand for quick essentials, a bathroom to hide the non-pretty stuff, or for decor on open shelves, these stacked baskets will do the trick!

They are so budget-friendly and come in different colors also.

Shop my favorite flat storage baskets HERE!

Favorites for Summer Decorating #8

A cute bag is perfect for functional use AND decorating!

You know how much I love my vintage decor items, right?  So, you understand why this vintage-inspired French market bag is.such a favorite!  It comes in different sizes.  I enjoy using the big one for the beach or flea markets.  I also have a small one that makes a perfect little handbag for evenings out!

Then, when I’m not using it, it hangs on a simple nail in the entryway and doubles as summer decor.  You can’t get much more summery than a beach bag, right?

If you love combining function with decor, this is a winner for you too!

Shop my favorite woven bag HERE!

Favorites for Summer Decorating #9

Because it’s just soooo cute!

How can I make my room more summery?

Put all functionality aside and just trust me when I say you need this adorable Summer House pillow.  Even if you don’t really do a lot of decorating for summer, this neutral pillow can add an instant, playful summer touch to your space.

I love to think of our home as our own little “summer vacation home” for these special summer months.  What better way to express that than with a super soft, cozy pillow that spells it out?!  Literally.  Haha!

You need THIS pillow!  Shop it HERE!

Favorites for Summer Decorating #10

These dishes are perfect for all of your easy summer dining!

Playful pattern, light color, unbreakable melamine, versatile style…all perfect to describe these pretty dishes!  I was a little hesitant when I ordered because, quite honestly, I didn’t need dishes.

However, I am SO GLAD I got them because they look absolutely perfect for summer.  At the same time, the color is light and neutral enough that I think they will also be lovely for early fall and the spring season too.

Pro Tip: Mix and match them with existing white dishes if you need more place settings!

Shop these pretty dishes HERE, just in time for your 4th of July and summer BBQs!

Have fun with your summer decorating!

To me, summer is the perfect time to just have a lot of fun with your decor.  Simple, little touches here and there are great ways to make your home feel special.  After all, there’s nothing quite like the summer months!

I have attached some of my favorite summer decorating ideas in the blog posts below for you, in case you’re looking for specific tips, ideas, and inspiration for your home!

Are you following me on Amazon?

I love sharing my Amazon favorites and how I combine the new and the old for pretty AND functional home decor and organization.  In fact, my Amazon Live videos are kind of like mini-decor classes, all completely free for you!  By following me on Amazon, it is easy for you to find my content.  I hope the pictures, videos, and livestreams provide a lot of decorating inspiration for you!

If you care to do any shopping on Amazon, I’d be delighted for you to shop my storefront.  I update it weekly with items I am using, loving, or perhaps have on my own wishlist!

You can conveniently shop my Amazon Storefront HERE.  Please make sure to hit that FOLLOW button too!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

21 Gorgeous and Super Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas

21 Gorgeous and Super Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas

21 Gorgeous and Super Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas

Use any of these easy 4th of July decorating ideas for home or entertaining to quickly and simply get ready for the summer patriotic holiday!  Keep reading for 21 favorite ideas!

The 4th of July and other patriotic summer holidays are JUST. SO. FUN!  Am I right?!  However, with my birthday being July 2nd and our anniversary being on July 5th, I’m not really keen on any patriotic decorating that is going to take a ton of time or effort.  In case you’re busy enjoying summer, too, this post will help us all get ready with some super easy 4th of July decorating ideas!

I’ve rounded up all of my favorites, including decor I am currently using or have used in the past.  At the same time, I’m pulling some wonderful ideas from some of my talented friends that I want to try sometime too!

No matter what level of patriotic decorating you need…whether a simple table centerpiece or full-fledge decor for a party…you’re sure to get more than enough ideas here.

Bonus: They are all SO EASY!

When should I decorate for 4th of July?

I like to think of my summer decorating in two simple phases.  First of all, I enjoy decorating for summer right before Memorial Day.  I add simple red, white, and blue touches throughout our home, usually with some vintage inspiration.  Then, I leave the patriotic decor up through the 4th of July.

Once the holiday is over, I usually take down the patriotic decorations and enjoy a more regular summer decor look until the end of August.

However, I always say that your home is your own home and there is no right or wrong!  You can decorate however you want, whenever you want.

Often, people enjoy using some patriotic accents around their home for the entire summer.  So, it is totally up to you!

21 Gorgeous and Super Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #1: Make a Patriotic Salad!

Truth be told, I enjoy this salad year round!  However, it does look really beautiful included in a July 4th BBQ or picnic spread!

Bonus: It is pretty healthy and oh-so-refreshing too!

Get the quick and easy recipe HERE!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #2: Stick a flag in a bottle.

How do you decorate a simple party?

Ready for the easiest, quickest, cheapest 4th of July decorating hack EVER?  Stick a flag in a bottle!

Seriously, whether you use a great old vintage bottle or a simple one from the dollar store, you can’t go wrong with a flag in a bottle.

Add a single one to an existing vignette or line them up on a mantel or table centerpiece.  Either way, you’ll add a festive touch in no time!

Get more ideas for using a flag in a bottle HERE!

Create the look:

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #3: Make a flag bouquet.

Skip the time and effort involved in floral arrangements and make a flag bouquet instead!  You can use this simple centerpiece in almost any space: coffee table, dining table, kitchen island, centerpiece for a buffet, or on a sofa table, just to name a few.

You can see how I use simple flags to make a quick and easy 4th of July decorating idea over on THIS POST!

Create the look:

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #4: Add cute patriotic tableware

Guess what?  You don’t have to buy ALL the patriotic things for a cute party.  Instead, pull out whatever you have that has any red, white, or blue touches.  Add some coastal or nautical accents for fun.

Remember those red striped plates from Christmas?  Or the vintage crock with a blue stripe?  Or a cute kitchen towel with ticking stripes?  Those are all PERFECT!

Then, grab some cute patriotic tableware from the dollar store.  Add it to your table or buffet and you’re all set!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #5: Make an easy centerpiece

Is there anything more all-American than flags and Coca-Cola bottles?  Check out this fun and easy centerpiece for your 4th of July party decor.

Bonus: you can get almost everything from the grocery store!

Get all the details of this fun and casual centerpiece HERE!

Create the Look:

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #6: Create a super easy wall hanging

I had a lot of fun using this inexpensive propagation station wall hanging as some quick and easy patriotic decor!

Bonus: you can use it year round for seasonal decor and it actually works great for propagating plants too!

Catch all the details and styling ideas HERE!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #7: Bake some yummy 4th of July brownies!

My daughter shared this fun idea on her Payton’s Pastries and it is still a favorite!  Get the recipe HERE along with ideas for using the cute brownies to add a festive touch to your 4th of July festivities!

Bonus: they are delicious too!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #8: Add small buntings from Dollar Tree!

What are some good decorations?

I found these super cute American flag buntings at my local Dollar Tree.  Since they were so inexpensive, I hung them everywhere!  They are the perfect size across a door or combine a few for an easy DIY garland.

Pro Tip: Grab a few extras.  I promise you’re going to want more and then they will be sold out!!!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #9: Hang large buntings on the porch

How to decorate outside for 4th of July?

There are so many cute ways to decorate outdoors for the 4th of July.  Keep reading in this post for some gorgeous porch decor ideas too!

However, I kept it super quick and simple this year with THESE large American flag buntings.  They look so festive!  By hanging several of them, it makes a large statement and then I really didn’t need to add much other decoration.

I like THESE buntings because they are a great size to use in lots of places, even around a gazebo, fence, pergola, or porch.  Plus, they are weather resistant!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #10: Have some fun with a vintage-inspired patriotic tablescape!

I mentioned I was excited to share some inspiration from some of my blogging friends today.  These ladies always inspire me!  My friend Michele, from Vintage Home Designs, creates the most amazing table settings.  I absolutely love the thoughtful details she added to THIS patriotic tablescape!

Bonus: these ideas for your patriotic table are super budget-friendly!

Get her ideas all HERE and then tweak them to fit your own patriotic table for the holiday!

 

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #11: Make a DIY patriotic door basket!

My friend Kelly, from The Tattered Pew, always has creative ideas.  However, as a wife, mom, and teacher, she understands the importance of things that are quick and super easy!

These DIY patriotic door baskets are perfect for not only 4th of July decorating ideas, but something you can leave out all summer long too!

Get the details HERE!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #12: Try these thrifty ideas for budget-friendly patriotic decorating!

I just had to include these 5 thrifty summer patriotic decorating ideas from Kelly too!  You’ll find a lot more great decorating ideas over at The Tattered Pew.

Don’t miss these budget-friendly ideas to decorate around your home for the patriotic summer holidays!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #13: Create a welcoming entryway for your 4th of July guests!

Simply 2 Moms are full of creativity.  Plus, they are just full of fun!  I love hanging out with them.

Anyway, this patriotic entryway was one I really wanted to include because it is not only really inviting for guests, but it also just feels pretty and festive to enjoy yourself all summer long!

Get their easy decorating tips for a patriotic entryway HERE!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #14: Have fun with your porch decor!

How to decorate outside for 4th of July?

I am excited to share these next three blogging friends because front porch decor is always a big request for summer!  Why not add some patriotic touches while you’re at it?

I love how Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse added these really fun touches.  You can see how she mixed and matched different pieces to create really pretty front porch decor.  The red gingham is my favorite!

Catch her tips and ideas HERE!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #15: Include plants and flowers on your front porch!

Stacy from Bricks N Blooms is the master gardener and she shares it all on her blog.  Of course, she doesn’t disappoint with how she uses plants and gorgeous flowers for her patriotic front porch decorating ideas too!

You’ll love how she uses thrifted and vintage finds for some surprising planters too!  Read the details all HERE!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #16: Include plants and flowers on your front porch!

Cute, cute, cute!  That’s the only way to describe my friend, Tammy’s, front porch!  Over at White Lilac Farmhouse, Tammy shows some simple ways to create the most festive front porch for easy 4th of July decorating!

Add THESE ideas to your list of easy ways to decorate this summer!

 

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #17: Host a fun (and easy) party!

WM Design House is a go-to account for entertaining tips, as well as decorating ideas.  I love the patriotic party ideas she shares in THIS post!  Wendy gives you everything you need, from checklists to get started to budget-friendly, easy ideas to set up for a fun and memorable 4th of July party!

Get all the details HERE!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #18: Who needs a 5-minute centerpiece?

The question is, who DOESN’T need a 5-minute centerpiece?  Bonus: it looks like you spent an hour on it!  Jen from Midwest Life and Style always have creative ideas.  What I especially love is that they are feasible ideas that I can actually recreate.

Check out this 5-minute centerpiece to get ready for your patriotic party…and then leave it out for the summer too!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #19: Get creative with an easy no-sew craft!

Okay, these are just the cutest and couldn’t be any easier!  Jen from Tatertots and Jello is sharing a quick little craft project for the 4th of July decorating.

Bonus: you can get the kids involved, too, with these no-sew flags.  Plus, they are super budget-friendly because you can use scrap fabric!

Get Jen’s easy tutorial HERE!

 

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #20: Try these cute patriotic flags with felt!

Speaking of flag decorations for easy 4th of July decorating, my friend Heidi from Eleanor Rose Home has another great flag craft.

These are easy to make, use simple materials, and look absolutely adorable!  If you’re looking for budget-friendly decor that is pretty and unique, this is it!

Get Heidi’s quick tutorial HERE!

 

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #21: Doesn’t a lakeside picnic sound lovely?

Renae from Peacock Ridge Farm has the right idea with this lakeside patriotic party!  However, even if you don’t live lakeside, you can use Renae’s gorgeous decorating tips and ideas to create your own casual, laid-back, table styling for inspiration!

You all know how much I love a great tablescape and this one is so inspiring!

Find all of the details HERE!

Easy 4th of July Decorating Ideas #22: Enjoy a patriotic picnic!

I know, I know.  The blog title says 21 easy 4th of July decorating ideas, but I just HAD to add this one!  How many of you take your July 4th celebrating to someplace other than your home, like a park or vacation site?

Kim from Shiplap and Shells always has great ideas and loads of inspiration.  This patriotic picnic is all-American perfection and I know you’ll love Kim’s ideas!

Get them all HERE!

Ready for your 4th of July celebration?

I love all of the inspiration in this post and it makes me start getting so excited to make our spaces festive to enjoy with friends for the fun 4th of July holiday!

You can shop all of my favorite patriotic decor in one convenient place, linked HERE!

How will you celebrate this year?  Which idea are you so excited to use?

Happy celebrating!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Vintage Inspiration

Friday Favorites-Vintage Inspiration

Friday Favorites-Vintage Inspiration

Hello Friends!

Our family is really enjoying summer! I have enjoyed decorating our home for summer! Here are some of my favorite vintage finds! What do you like best?

Dough Bowl

 This large European-style dough bowl/trencher is such a great piece to decorate year-round. Over on my IG, you can see several ways to style dough bowls or  check out this blog post  with dough bowl styling ideas for summer

Available here from Amazon

Large Iron Wall Planter

My favorite statement piece is on MAJOR sale at the time of this post. You don’t want to miss this deal of this great piece you can use to decorate year round

You can get it here 

40” Vintage Inspired Clock

This 40” clock has a great vintage look and makes a gorgeous statement piece! It’s so beautiful! 

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Mirror

This gorgeous mirror is 65% at the time of posting! I love the vintage inspiration from a large old window!

Find it here from Amazon

Pillow Covers

 These ticking stripe pillow covers offer great vintage style and neutral colors are easy to layer year-round

Find it here from Amazon

Antique French Grape Hod basket

Once used to gather grapes in France, now perfect as a statement piece in your home to hold greenery, trees, or florals! This is a must have!

Find it here

 

 

 Brown Stripe Antique Grain Sack

I’ve never seen stripe quite like this and I LOVE it! It’s very European-inspired. Perfect for a pillow or use as a table runner for the middle of the table

It’s available here

Cute Throw Pillow

This pillow is not vintage, but oh-so-cute and perfect to add a fun touch! The pattern blends perfectly with the vintage style! It’s also available in a cute gingham print!

This is available here

 

Vintage Crock 

This looks just like the vintage jelly jars! It would be a perfect vase or used for shelf styling too. You could even useit for table utensils!

Find it here!

Chippy Corbel

Add a chippy corbel to any room for instant character; this one has such great detail and perfect amount of chippiness!

Find it here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Easily Style Your Dough Bowl for Summer

How to Easily Style Your Dough Bowl for Summer

How to Easily Style Your Dough Bowl for Summer

I love seasonal decorating.  Not that I need an excuse for rearranging and redecorating around our home, but if I did, changing for the seasons is the perfect opportunity!  Today, we are going to chat about how you can both use and decorate your dough bowl for summer.

I think summer sometimes gets overlooked.  We have bunnies and tulips for spring, pumpkins in the fall, a flurry of décor at Christmas and through the winter.

But what about summer?

Summer is the PERFECT time to have a little fun with your décor and especially to decorate your dough bowl for summer!  Unlike other seasons, there isn’t a “theme”, necessarily, other than a little patriotic fun for the Fourth of July!

Instead, summer décor is all about lightening things up, minimizing (just a bit), and refreshing with things that call for fun during the day, relaxing evenings, and as little maintenance as possible.  It is summer vacation, after all!

Especially since we live in Florida, I love to use the summer months as a time to bring a little vintage coastal into our décor…and the perfect way to incorporate all the shells the kids bring home from the beach!

 

I also focus on refreshing vignettes throughout our home, simplifying them a bit and adding light, bright pieces and a touch of that coastal vibe.  Dough bowls are a great way to build vignettes and I especially love them for the summer, because you can just slide it over to make room for that board game or puzzle!  They can be simple, easy to clean, easy to move, and still give you a great summer vibe!

What do you put in a summer dough bowl?

I’m going to share three simple dough bowl styling ideas that I love to use in the summer months!  If you don’t have a dough bowl (or are like me and need more than one), I’m linking up some fabulous ones at the end of this post!.

Don’t have a dough bowl?  No worries!  You can recreate these vignettes (or similar looks) with baskets, trays, crates, and bread boards.  So I’ll link a few of those for you as well, both vintage and also some new ones that have a great summer aesthetic!

What decorations can you put in a dough bowl?

Summer décor, for me, is all about these essentials:

  • Light and bright colors, white, light gray, light blue (rolling some of that spring décor right into summer!)
  • Light textures
  • Sea shells and coral
  • Driftwood
  • Old books
  • Vases or jars with greenery
  • Palm branches
  • Simple styling (you can leave a pretty dough bowl with NOTHING in it at all!)
  • Mix of woods and whites
  • Green plants
  • White ironstone
  • Light wood tones
  • Natural textures, such as baskets and jute
  • Function: Pool towels, sunscreen, healthy snacks are all quick and easy to reach

 

So, let’s get to styling those dough bowls!

How to Easily Style Your Dough Bowl for Summer

 

How to Style a Round Dough Bowl

What do you put in a decorative bowl?

This is such a fun bowl that brings back great memories!  This was the first dough bowl I ever purchased and I found it at a little shop in Rome, Italy.  It was my first time to visit Europe and I think I got this on the first day of our trip.  We lugged it through Italy and Switzerland, but it was well worth it and I’ve been decorating with it for 18 years!

There are some great pieces out right now that have this large, round, wooden shape.  You can find a gorgeous one HERE very inexpensively!

Round dough bowls are a little harder to come by, especially large ones, but I love that they provide an opportunity for great function or can be purely for décor.  I styled this dough bowl a couple of different ways to give you some ideas!

 

What do you put in a summer dough bowl?

Functional Dough Bowl:

You can use great décor pieces for wonderfully functional purposes!  I like to keep poolside essentials out and ready for the kids, as the pool is our go-to for Florida summers.  (Sometimes it is literally too hot to play outside unless you’re in the water!).

I styled my round dough bowl with pool essentials, including snacks, ready for a great summer vacation day.

Parenting Tip: I find that when I have snacks readily available…and the kids know that when they are gone, they are gone…I get a few less “Mom, can I have a snack?” moments in my day!  Who can relate???

I love being able to use pretty items for these functional purposes.  Dough bowls are great because they are super durable and I’m not working about a kiddo breaking, scratching, or damaging it!  Win-win for all of us!

What is the best material for a dough bowl?

Dough bowls are usually wooden and depending on their origin, can be made of a variety of woods.  In general, dough bowls are made with very hard, durable kinds of wood.  This makes them able to last for many years (think of all of the big antique bowls out there!) and used both indoors and outdoors.

Decorative Dough Bowl:

 

A round dough bowl is the perfect opportunity for a simple vignette.  Since this bowl is quite large, I can create a trio of items (remember that décor triangle!) using things that are a bit bigger.  You can create your vignette based on the size and scale of your bowl, basket, or tray.

I used a European pickling jar (similar found HERE) filled with fresh areca palm fronds from our yard.  Free décor for the win!  Any green branches from around your yard will be perfect in a pretty jar. If you don’t have fresh branches available, THESE are very realistic and only $9.99!

Next, I added a large coral piece that I picked up from an antique shop and a couple of vintage books.  I love that the book titles themselves add to the décor!  When shopping for vintage books, pay attention to the details of the titles!  Sometimes you can really add a thoughtful detail that way.

THIS coral is inexpensive, as it is faux, but it is also incredibly realistic.  It even feels realistic!

Create the look:

 

How to Decorate a Small Dough Bowl for Summer

 

Large dough bowls can be fun to style, but sometimes, they just aren’t as practical, depending on the space in your home.

A small dough bowl can be a great accent on a side table, entry table, or even by the kitchen sink!  I picked up this small dough bowl at a streetside flea market in Paris many years ago.  It was a great size to fit in my suitcase…and a great size to use for years to come!

Vintage dough bowls can be pricey, so a small one is a great chance to get a vintage piece that doesn’t cost quite as much.

There are also good reproduction bowls out there that look nice and are a bit more budget-friendly.

Here are some great options:

Functional Dough Bowl:

 

I switched things up a little and added this small dough bowl to my kitchen sink area.  I refreshed my soap to a summertime scent, put out a fresh sponge and my dish brush.

To make it feel pretty, I added a miniature, vintage lab glass with a simple fern stem!  Simple, super functional, and pretty too!

Create the Look:

Decorative Dough Bowl:

 

Using that same lab glass, combined with a couple others, I created a little arrangement with my dough bowl as the base.  I cut a few fern stems from my bushes outside (more free décor!) and added them to these vintage lab glass pieces.

You could use miniature vases for a similar look!  I love the lab glass because it is just a little way to add more character to the arrangement!

How to Decorate a Large Dough Bowl for Summer

 

My large dough bowl is such a fun one to decorate with.  You can find some styling ideas HERE and tweak them for summertime!

For me, this bowl is really more decorative.  Since it has a rounded bottom, it limits the use in some ways.

However, a large dough bowl is a fun way to set things up for a summertime BBQ!

Functional Dough Bowl:

 

Toss in individual bags of chips, or line with saran wrap and add watermelon slices and fruit skewers!

You can even use it to hold the hamburger and hotdog buns, making those a statement instead of sticky plastic bags everywhere!

If you have a group of friends coming for some poolside fun, consider rolling up your pool towels in the large dough bowl and placing it on the outdoor table for quick and easy access!

We love these beach towels…neutral, inexpensive, and soft!  I love pieces like this dough bowl, because getting splashed with water isn’t going to ruin it and you can keep a pretty aesthetic for even the essentials!

 

Decorative Dough Bowl:

 

There are so many fun ways to style up a big bowl.  One of my favorites is to fill it with a coastal collection!

Living on the east side of Florida, we don’t tend to find large shells on our beaches.  However, there is a GREAT seashell tourist shop just down the road and over the years,

I’ve collected quite a stash of starfish for various events and parties.  I love to toss them all in my big dough bowl and use it on the TV console.

Create the Look:

Collections make great decorative statements!

What do you fill a dough bowl with?

 

A few starfish incorporated into a vignette here and there look pretty and add a touch of coastal.  An entire dough bowl filled with starfish?  That makes a big statement!

If you want to add a quick, simple coastal statement, grab some starfish and toss them into a bowl or basket.  I love the organic shape, white color, and pretty texture!

If you don’t have a seashell shop near you, you can find some HERE and HERE.

No matter what your summer plans, remember that home should be your first retreat.  With a little refreshing, restyling, and imagination, you can create a summertime haven…one vignette at a time!

Where to get a dough bowl?

I have linked several favorites HERE for your convenience!  It is great to have a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles so you can decorate your dough bowl for summer or any other season in a lot of fun ways!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Create Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor in 6 Simple Ways

How to Create Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor in 6 Simple Ways

How to Create Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor in 6 Simple Ways

Summer is here! Ready for some summer styling tips? Check out these 6 easy ways to transform your home with budget-friendly summer home decor!  Keep reading for some super simple and easy decorating tips!

Summer break is HERE and We. Are. So. Excited!  That means it is also time to work on transforming our home into our own little “summer vacation house”!  I am excited to share some budget-friendly summer home decor ideas with you today.  Seasonal decorating is so fun but it doesn’t need to break the bank!  

One of the huge blessings of being a teacher is getting to really enjoy the summer months with my own kiddos.  It is not lost on me that the years are FLYING by.  The amount of summers that I have left with our oldest at home are quickly shrinking.  It makes me more determined than ever to carve out special moments and those begin right at home.

While we have some amazing memories of summer vacations and trips, I want to beef up our memory deposit bank of special moments at home.  Over the past few years, I decided to work a little harder to help our home have that “summer vacation” vibe.

I’m excited to share these budget-friendly summer home decorating tips with you too!

vintage wooden cubby styled with artwork and a vintage mirror behind a chippy white bench a vintage leather suitcase

How can I decorate my house for summer?

Whether you’ve started transitioning to summer décor already or are waiting until the holiday weekend, I hope these ideas help you prepare to create a summer vacation home feeling…right at HOME!

For myself, I know I can really be guilty of doing project after project, job after job.  It seems as though I’m always waiting for my “vacation moments” to be off in another place.  The reality is that while home certainly has its busy times and requires consistent and diligent work to maintain, it is also supposed to be a place of refuge.  A place to rest.

Maybe it’s just our family, but I imagine we aren’t alone.  Especially after this crazy year.  We need some time to rest at home with our little family!

Since school is almost out, I set to work, trying to create a “summer vacation home” vibe in our own house! 

Here are a few ideas to help you get started doing the same:

How do I style my house in the summer?

Here are a few rules of thumb you can fall back on for budget-friendly summer home decorating:

  1. Simple is the name of the summer decor game!
  2. Lighten up layers.
  3. Incorporate varied textures.
  4. Use color in intentional ways.
  5. Decorate with function in mind.
  6. Incorporate plants and greenery.
  7. Enjoy some coastal accents.
  8. Lighten decor with glass accessories.

How to Create Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor in 6 Simple Ways

Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor #1: Add Texture

 

You may have already started this process through the spring.  However, summer is the perfect time to continue lightening up those textures around your home!  Removing some layers doesn’t have to cost you dime, either!

Here are a few ideas:

  • Replace chunky knit blankets with light, gauzy ones.  I purchased this one for an inexpensive touch of summer.
  • Replace thick throw pillow covers with light colored, light-weight options, such as linen.  I love THIS budget-friendly one for a summer statement on the sofa!  Plus, you can’t beat under $14 for a pair of great quality throw pillow covers.
  • Add beach-friendly textures, such as woven baskets and jute rugs.

 

old straw hats hanging on entryway wall

 

It is amazing how a cute beach hat thrown over the corner of a chair or a fun woven market basket on a hook can add just that perfect summer vibe to a space.

Remember, simple is the name of the summer game!  One of the fun things about summer décor is that little touches here and there are all it takes.

(Rest up for the fall and Christmas seasons, where it is a full-on décor explosion!!!)

 

Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor #2: Use Color

 

As with any décor, color is an area where you can just make the décor your own!  If you like lots of color, spring and summer are perfect opportunities to sprinkle it everywhere!  If you are more like me and enjoy a more neutral color palette, summer is a fun chance to add subtle touches of color.

With the “summer vacation home” thought in mind, subtle touches of blue and green can take you away to those beach or lakeside moments! 

Here are a few ways I add color into my summer décor:

Throw pillows with a hint of color.

Throw pillows are a great chance to play around with décor.  They don’t have to cost a lot, the covers are easy to store from season to season, and they can easily make a big statement in any room!  You can find some pillows with great touches of summer color HERE, HERE, and HERE.

unique white coral piece with an old mortar and pestle planter with coastal throw pillows on a cozy white couch in the background

Add art with hints of summer color.

I enjoy collecting inexpensive, vintage art pieces from flea markets and vintage shops to add to my seasonal décor.  It is a great way to get a curated look and small art pieces are easy to wrap up and store in the off-season!

I look for these at thrift stores, as well as antique malls.  You can often find some smaller pieces for great deals!

Tuck them into a gallery wall or lean against a book stack on a shelf for a collected, thoughtful touch.

THIS CURATED SET of gallery wall art is absolutely gorgeous.  It is under $16 for the set and looks like real paintings.  Plus, I love the vintage-inspiration they have.  I love mine and can’t recommend them enough to you too!

unique vintage artwork of sea captain styled alongside neutral colored books and vintage mirrors with wooden frames

Incorporate color with light-weight throw blankets.

I mentioned this under the texture category as well, but throw blankets are another budget-friendly way to add a little color to your summer décor.  In addition to the one I purchased, you can find some other great options HERE and HERE.

Tossed over a chair or cascading out of a basket, light-weight throw blankets offer the idea and feeling that you can curl up with a glass of sweet tea and a good book.  You can even relax during those long summer evenings with a favorite movie!

Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor #3: Tuck in coastal accessories.

 

Living in Florida, a little coastal flair is an obvious choice for summer décor.  We do have fun with our beach-vibes around our home!  The term “coastal décor” can get interesting really fast, with lots of souvenir-style items.  I prefer to add some coastal touches through natural elements like coral, shells, sponges, and sea fans.

Since we live on the East Coast, it is very unusual to find bigger shells and that type of thing right on the beach.  All of my big pieces are ones that I have purchased from the local seashell shop or from antique stores!  Coral can be very expensive.  However, adding a few pieces to your summer collection can go a long way in bringing those summer vacation home vibes right into your home!

There are also gorgeous faux options that I also own and highly recommend:

unique white coral styled on a small ironstone plate

 

I also look for creative ways to style coastal elements, in keeping with the vintage look of our home.  Adding a piece of coral to a mortar and pestle or tucking a sea fan in a planter makes an instantaneous summer look.  It is worth every penny for a gorgeous statement piece!

a glass cloche with a mortar and pestle filled with different corals next to summery brass candlesticks

I shared some summer styling ideas over on THIS POST.  There are some fun and easy ways to incorporate a few of those objects into your existing vignettes.

You are looking for pieces made of natural elements that you can easily add into your existing décor.  At the same time, focus on styling very simply with your favorite vintage collections!

Where to find accents made of natural elements:

If you do not live near a coastal area, there are great options for purchasing natural, coastal elements online too!  You can fill a bowl with starfish from HERE .  You can also find some specimen coral pieces HERE.

white coastal planter next to a glass cloche with small sea sponges inside

Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor #4: Add Greenery

 

Admittedly, this is a super easy one for me, but it may not be quite as natural or easy for you!  Our property is lined with areca palms, so I often cut fresh branches and bring them inside.  There is nothing like fresh palm branches to add a summer vacation home vibe to the dining room or kitchen island!

However, if you don’t have free and fresh branches available, you will LOVE this tip!  These faux palm branches look incredibly realistic.  Plus, they are only $9.99 for a set of 8!  Talk about budget-friendly decor, right?!

You may be able to find small palm-style plants at a greenhouse or landscape place.  A fresh palm set in a pretty basket or bucket will make a perfect centerpiece to enjoy all summer long!

a plant inside a metal bucket styled alongside a vintage book and unique sea sponges
No matter where you live, summer is a great time to bring some of the lush, fresh greenery from around your home inside!  Pretty branches tucked into a vintage vessel is my favorite summer centerpiece!

I especially love the vintage, European pickling jars for summer.  The tint of blue/green gives an ever-so-subtle nod to beach glass and just a perfect hint of color!  They make the perfect vases for summer greenery or flowers…or look beautiful all on their own!

If you can’t locate the vintage European pickling jars, THESE vases have a very similar look and coloring.  They are gorgeous!

small plant inside metal bucket styled for summer

Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor #5: Colored Glass

 

Speaking of pickling jars, glass is another favorite element for summer décor!  I like to use glass décor all year long.  However, especially in the summertime, I pull out my vintage soda bottles, cloches, glass pitchers, and vintage jars for budget-friendly summer home decorating.

 

 

white cake stand styled with a mortar and pestle filled with coral under a glass cloche, and a vintage glass medicine bottle
The vintage soda bottles, rather like the pickling jars, often have a tint of blue or green to them.  This is a great way to add some subtle summer color while investing in vintage pieces that you can enjoy for years to come.

 

 

tinted vintage glass bottles alongside a glass cloche with mortar and pestle and a coral piece underneath
Cloches are my favorite way to display simple, coastal items.  Grouped together, they can really make a big statement in your décor!  I styled several of them together in the dining room, along with stacks of ironstone and coral, for a summer display.

Summer is a time when I tend to remove most (not all) of my brass and stick with glass items that have a lighter, more airy feel in a room.

 

 

one large glass cloche with a mortar and pestle underneath next to a smaller cloche on top of a wooden base with bright coral pieces underneath

Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor #6: Decorate with Function in Mind

 

This element will vary greatly depending on your location and lifestyle.  Living in Florida, there are many summer days that it is literally too hot for the kids to play outdoors…or for this mom to sit out there and supervise them.  As a result, we are constantly at the beach or in the pool.

I will add pool towels to the dining buffet (because it is right inside the door from the pool!), along with baskets of sunscreen, sunglasses, and bug spray.  On days when we will be at home and in the pool most of the day, I’ll add a basket of snacks.

Honesty, this is nothing about décor and everything to do with the kids not dripping water all over the house.  However, I do love the décor statement that a stack of cute pool towels makes!  It calls for easy, laid-back relaxation and poolside lounging.  That sounds like vacation to me! 

Sidenote: I absolutely LOVE summer laundry.  Beach towels and swimwear for days on end!  You can find our favorite, inexpensive pool towels HERE.

If water activities aren’t your summer thing, cute baskets with outdoor games and activities give that same invitation for a leisurely, relaxing summer day!

Whatever it is that your family does to relax in the summer, keep it close by.  Make it easy for everyone to access.  Try to store or display items in a spot that is readily available!  You can even incorporate vintage into this storage/organization with vintage picnic baskets, buckets, woven baskets, or crates!

two large vintage woven baskets stacked on top of each other with cozy linen blankets folded on top

Now you are ready to enjoy your summer home!

 

No matter your season or stage of life, I hope you find some time this summer to unwind and slow down.  It’s time to enjoy making your own home a restful, vacation retreat!

Blessings,

Robyn

Coastal Favorites for Summer

Coastal Favorites for Summer

Coastal Favorites for Summer

Hello Friends!

Our family is really enjoying summer! I have enjoyed decorating our home for summer! Here are some of my favorite coastal finds! What do you like best?

Faux Coral

This is gorgeous faux coral. It looks super realistic and is a nice size! Perfect for the beach look! 

Available here from Amazon

Large Coral Flower

This is a very pretty large coral flower! It is very realistic without spending the high price for the real thing! These coral flowers are hard to find real and this is a great option. 

You can get it here 

Resin Seashell Bowl

  This resin seashell bowl is so pretty. It is perfect to use for decor or even for serving food!

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Grapevine

These grapevine pieces look like driftwood! These are great for budget-friendly decor and add texture and interest.

Find it here from Amazon

Blanket

Use this cotton blanket to add blue stripes for a subtle coastal style!

Find it here from Amazon

Gallery Wall Artwork Set

 This artwork is stunning. It looks like real paintings! And they are vintage inspiredand under $16 for the curated collection!

Find it here

 

 

Bamboo Storage Baskets

Get the coastal look by adding woven elements. Bamboo storage add texture and look pretty while also being functional! These are great for shelf decor or a coffee table/side table vignette.

It’s available here

Bench with Caning Details

Add pieces with caning detail for that vintage tropical look. This bench really has a beach cottage house look!

This is available here

 

Blue Striped Pillow Covers 

These  blue stripe pillow covers are a budget-friendly and super easy way to add a coastal cottage look. This pair is under $14.

Find it here!

Bubble Glass Vase

This bubble glass gives all the ocean vibes!

Find it here!

Tropical Palm Stems

My favorite tropical palm stems are SUPER realistic and only $9.99 for the set of 8. Add to flower arrangements or put in a favorite vessel by themselves for an easy summer centerpiece!

Find them here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Decorate a Summer Mantel with Beautiful Style

How to Decorate a Summer Mantel with Beautiful Style

How to Decorate a Summer Mantel with Beautiful Style

Trying to decorate a summer mantel? Use these simple tips of color, texture, and accessories for that breezy summer feel that anyone can do.  Keep reading for some of my favorite summer decor elements and how they can best work as you decorate a summer mantel.

You probably think I’m joking, but I’m actually totally serious!  Until a few years ago, I had never tried to decorate a summer mantel before.  Actually, we didn’t even have one until a few years ago.  However, I have had so much fun with it and hopefully my experimenting will inspire you as well!

 

Summer décor, in general, is so fun because of its casual, laid-back nature.  I love the light and bright colors, soft textures, and natural elements!  Most of all, I love that summer is really a time that you can do as much or as little with your décor as you want!  Switching around décor is really my “play time” and I love looking for new ways to get creative with it.  With living in a small, coastal town, I think I especially love bringing in a bit of that coastal vibe to our “summer house”!

chippy wooden table styled with summer dough bowl in front of a cozy white couch

Because, let’s be honest…I really don’t follow the Florida rules for decorating…at all!  I pretty much stick with the northern decorating cycles, even when that means decorating with pumpkins in 90 degree weather.  Haha!  Summer is my one chance to be a real Floridian!

And if you don’t live in Florida?  Well, summer is your chance to pretend you live on an island resort and totally get away with it in the décor world!

I love mixing these coastal elements with my vintage and farmhouse décor pieces.  Further proof that chippy white goes with everything!

Speaking of chippy white, let’s move on to the mantel décor!  But first, let me introduce you to Thrifting with the Gals!

Thrifting With the Gals

In case you are new here, let me introduce you to one of the most fun blogs of the month: Thrifting with the Gals!  I love joining up with some of my thrift-loving, vintage-obsessed friends to share our finds from the month, styling and decor ideas, and DIY tips.

You’ll want to make sure to visit each of these blogging friends for loads of home inspiration…especially if you love a great thrifted find!

Ann from Dabbling and Decorating

Kristen from White Arrows Home

Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse

and our guest host, Renae, from Peacock Ridge Farm

How do you decorate a plain mantel?

We are going to look at all of these seven aspects to decorate a summer mantel:

  1. Start with a focal point or statement piece.
  2. Use natural elements.
  3. Add texture and color.
  4. Incorporate accents such as vintage books and architectural salvage.
  5. Feature a collection.
  6. Incorporate mantel decor into a gallery wall.
  7. Include the hearth in your decor plan.

How to Decorate a Summer Mantel with Beautiful Style

How do I decorate a summer mantel?

 

The first thing I do when decorating any space is to completely clear it off and deep clean.  I find that when I clear a space, I can get more creative.  A clean slate is good for my brain!  While most of my décor pieces are things that I use year-round, I still like to get a clean slate, clean it really well, and start fresh.  I also use this as a time to rotate some of my décor around the house.  Shopping my own home is always my go-to!  Also, it is a great way to create budget-friendly decor too!

When I started decorating my mantel for this season, I started with these elements:

1. Natural Elements

What is found around you in nature?  Or…what do you WISH was around you in nature?  Depending on where you live, this will vary your décor.  If you live in a tropical climate like me, free palm branches are abundant and there are seashell shops in every town.  Or even free seashells from our beach adventures!  If you live in the mountains, this might be more lake-related items or an abundance of wildflowers!

 

chippy metal planter styled with coastal decor and greenery

The fun thing with décor is that you can make it what you want, so even if you live in the Midwest, feel free to break out a few natural elements found in a coastal region!  This is your one chance in the year to get away with starfish in Oklahoma!  You also don’t have to create a full-on coastal theme!  Just bringing in a bowl of shells on the coffee table or a fresh palm tree from your local nursery in the corner can add the perfect touch of “summer” to your space!

Other natural elements that I love to use are sea fans, sponges, and coral.  Through the spring, I did a lot of coral hunting around antique shops, knowing I wanted to use these with my cloches and ironstone for summer!

Here are some great pieces you can find online to incorporate these natural elements:

summer mantel styled with old books, chippy white metal planter, and unique coral pieces

2. Color

 

I love that summer colors can range from bright and vibrant to very cool and soft to a monochromatic, neutral palette.  This is another area when you can really make a statement and express your own creativity!  There are no “summer specific” colors, as we think of color for the other seasons.  It’s truly a free-for-all!

Some summers, I bring in more earthy tones with some light rust and tans.  (Think of the inside of a conch shell!).  Even just a few touches of this color make a great statement and set the tone for my summer décor.

old wooden sign hung behind coastal wooden salvage piece

This summer, I’ve been loving the light blue and gray tones, inspired from the combination of the sand and sea.  So I kept some of those same elements around with throw pillows, vintage books, architectural salvage, and a little bit of vintage art.  Even changing just a few pieces created an entirely different look for my summer décor!

You can find more details about some of my summer styling elements on THIS post.

Here are a few easy ways you can add breezy summer color to your living rooml:

3. Texture

 

Besides the more obvious, seasonal elements, texture is one of my favorite ways to change my décor for the seasons.  During summer, I like to think about elements that would be found in a coastal retreat or beach environment.  Some of my favorite summer textures are:

chippy white mantel styled for summer with a cozy white couch and coastal gallery wall

What looks good on a summer mantel?

 

This can vary a lot depending on the size of your fireplace or mantel.  It also depends on whether you have a functioning fireplace that you will use in the summer months or if it is purely decorative.

While some Florida homes do have working fireplaces, this was not a priority for us.  We had one at our previous home and I don’t think we used it once!  We literally run our air conditioning year-round and only added central heat within the last year and a half.  Haha!

We maybe have a couple of days and/or nights each winter where heat would be nice, but cozy layers are plenty for us!  I know our situation is a far extreme, but necessary to explain why our mantelpiece is purely decorative!

comfy white couch with summer throw pillows and blankets with a chippy white mantel styled for summer and a coastal theme gallery wall

Even if you have a working fireplace, vintage mantels can be great decorative elements to include in other rooms of your home, such as a bedroom or dining room!

We picked up our chippy, vintage mantel on the World’s Longest Yard Sale a couple of years ago.  I love the substantial size and simple design of it, and of course, I love the great patina it has.

I brought it in behind our sofa, really as an architectural salvage element and love it here!  Of course, it was great to decorate for fall and winter, but I had fun transitioning it for our warmer months of spring and summer too!

tropical greenery, unique coral pieces, and vintage books styled on a white mantel

How can I make my mantle look nice?

Because my mantel is really part of a larger gallery wall, I take into account how I want to style the gallery wall as part of my mantel styling.  I centered everything on my gallery wall and mantel styling around this vintage, French lavabo.  You can find a wonderful reproduction HERE!

Again, the lavabo is something I’d never styled for summer before, but I was picturing the sea fans, sponges, and palms and wanted to give it a try.  I set a glass of water down in the lavabo and was able to arrange fresh palms, along with some realistic faux ferns and coastal elements.

With having larger art pieces and a vintage sign on the wall above the mantel, I kept the mantelpiece décor more simple and a lower profile.

neutral colored books stacked underneath a vintage mortar and pestle with a pretty coral piece inside

What looks best on a fireplace mantel?

#1: Vintage Books

Vintage books are always one of my go-to items to decorate a summer mantel.  Actually, no matter the season, I love decorating with them.  In fact, over on THIS POST, I share over 27 ways to decorate with vintage thrifted books!

I used vintage books in neutral and light blue tones (HERE and HERE) to bring in some additional texture and color.  The books also provide some height variation for small plants.  On one stack of books, I placed a vintage mortar and pestle from my collection with a piece of coral.  I love how the white of the coral makes such a subtle coastal statement, while adding lots of organic texture.

#2: Architectural Salvage

The other statement piece on my summer mantel is an architectural salvage piece that I found at a vintage market.  It has the perfect shade of light blue-gray with lots of chippy patina.  I love how the curved style reminds me of something that could’ve been on an old boat at some point! (I don’t know that it ever was, more likely from a round window or arch, but I like the idea!)

coastal architectural piece with neutral vintage books and a vintage  coastal black and white sign
Architectural salvage is always a favorite way to add texture and character to any room and I use it all over our house!  I rounded up a few pieces of smaller salvage that would make a wonderful addition to any fireplace mantel!  The white and light blue colors work perfectly for summer décor, though they can be used year-round in lots of different spaces.  I’ve linked those up for you at the end of this post.  You can find a couple of favorites HERE and HERE.

To recap, I kept my summer mantel styling simple and light, while still getting a full look with the use of texture.

What else could I use to decorate my summer mantel?

 

Here are other things that I like to keep on hand for mantel decorating:

  1. Architectural salvage, corbels, unique salvage pieces
  2. Vintage art
  3. Vintage books
  4. Lanterns
  5. Bottles or jars for greenery and flowers
  6. Candle holders (love the texture on these!)
  7. Vintage wall fountain/lavabo filled with greenery, plants, or coastal elements
  8. Vintage style brass candlesticks

unique piece of driftwood with a mortar and pestle used as a planter on a chippy white mantel in front of a piece of coastal artwork

Styling a collection on a mantel

 

No matter the season, a mantel is a great spot to style your favorite collection!  Most any item, grouped with other like items, can make a beautiful statement.  Vintage clocks, milk glass vases with fresh fern stems, mortar and pestles with coral, grouping of favorite candlesticks, a row of vintage bottles with patriotic flags…these are all great ways to style your mantel while showcasing your favorite collection pieces!

I think “collections” can sometimes get shoved in a corner or stuck on a shelf.  I like to keep my collections moving around the house, sometimes styled together, sometimes split up over a few rooms, which ties the décor together and gives a nice flow to the rooms.  Get creative with how you style those collection pieces and really enjoy them!

cozy white couch with chippy white mantel styled for summer and a coastal gallery wall behind it

Pull out those favorite pieces and use them!  You might be surprised at how much money you save on décor simply by shopping your home and re-thinking how you can use the pieces you already own.  I love how collections tell a story, not only about your home, but also about yourself!  You can count on a styled collection to be a conversation starter!

How do I decorate a hearth for summer?

 

With having our decorative mantel behind our sofa, I obviously am not decorating a hearth.  However, the décor I use on my sofa has the same effect as if you are decorating a hearth.  I like to use lots of comfy and cozy pillows on our sofa.  They are a great way to bring in lots of texture, pattern, and color.  Some of my favorites are made from vintage fabrics and grain sacks, but there are so many gorgeous options out there for summer pillows.  You can add texture with these and these and some summer color with these.  I also like to add a cozy throw and this gauzy one is my favorite for summer!

chippy white coffee table with cozy white couch styled for summer

If you have a hearth, a vintage inspired basket with summer throw blankets and soft pillows is a great way to soften the hard lines of the fireplace.  It also helps tell the story of a soft place to get cozy after a long day of summer fun!  While you may add a basket of logs for the winter, consider replacing the logs with a lush, green plant for the summer months!

Greenery is another great way to soften the straight and hard edges of a fireplace.  A grouping of lanterns is another great fireplace addition and can be used year-round.  I like to keep some battery-operated candles for the summer months to keep that cozy glow in the evenings.

How can I decorate my house for summer?

Starting with a focal point, like a mantel, is a perfect way to get inspiration for the rest of your space.  In fact, now that I have a mantel, it is almost always the first thing I decorate!  Then, it seems like the inspiration starts flowing out of this focal point!

I hope this post gives you some ideas to decorate a summer mantel as your own focal point. Plus, it can spark some creativity for you as you have fun decorating your home and especially your summer mantel!  Just by changing your mantel and fireplace décor…even if you leave everything else exactly the same…you can give an entirely new and fresh feel to your entire room!

Now, it’s time to check out the other Thrifting with the Gals posts!  You’re going to love all of their inspiration!

chippy white coffee table with cozy white couch styled for summer
chippy white coffee table with cozy white couch styled for summer
chippy white coffee table with cozy white couch styled for summer
chippy white coffee table with cozy white couch styled for summer

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

chippy white coffee table with cozy white couch styled for summer

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- For Dad

Friday Favorites- For Dad

Friday Favorites- For Dad

Hello Friends!

Father’s Day is just around the corner! We are excited to celebrate Robb and all he does for our family! Celebrate the men in your life with some of these awesome gifts! 

Stanley Water Bottle

This Stanley classic will be a hit gift for any dad! Whether he explores the outdoors or enjoys sweating it out on the court, this is the perfect water bottle!

Available here from Amazon

Hook and Ring Toss Game

We added this to our backyard makeover! Such a simple and fun game!

You can get it here 

Game Board

 Another fun game! Good for indoor or outdoor! 

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Push-Pin Travel Map

This push-pin travel map is a great gift for a dad who likes to travel the world! Help him keep track of all the amazing places he has been! 

Find it here from Amazon

Beef Jerky Snack Box

 We got this for Robb last year and he loved it! A yummy gift, perfect for any dad!

Find it here from Amazon

U-turn Audio

The perfect gift for the music buff with a huge vinyl collection. This is a gorgeous turntable! 

Find it here

 

 

Bose Noise Canceling Earbuds

 Robb loves his Bose noise-canceling earbuds! This is a great gift for any dad!

It’s available here

Self-heating Coffee Mug

 Self-heating Coffee Mug is for the coffee drinker in your life. We got this for my dad and he raves about it!!

This is available here

 

 Magnetic Wristband

This is convenient and handy for when he’s working! And use clickable coupons for savings at checkout!

Find it here!

Customizable PingPong Paddle

We always have ping pong tournaments at our home! This is the perfect gift! I love that it is also customizable! 

Find them here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

19 Simple Summer Decorating Ideas: How to Decorate for Summer 2023

19 Simple Summer Decorating Ideas: How to Decorate for Summer 2023

19 Simple Summer Decorating Ideas: How to Decorate for Summer 2023

Check out 19 ways to quickly and easily refresh your home with simple summer decorating ideas! Create beautiful home decor for a summer home!  Keep reading to see how I’m refreshing my home this season and get tips for an easy summer refresh.

The summer season is always so fun.  Being a classroom teacher, I count on the summer months to refresh both my home and my heart.  Of course, enjoying every possible minute with my family is the best part of all!  Today, I am sharing my favorite ways to create simple summer home decorating ideas to help you enjoy your own “summer home”, right where you are!

Let’s chat about a few popular questions that may help you get started with planning your own summer refresh!

How can I make my house feel like summer?

My first step toward a summer refresh is to lighten my color palette.  Even though I use a lot of white furniture year round, I often add a lot of woods and deeper colors in decor, depending on the season.

For the summer, you can create a light, bright, and breezy summer feeling by lightening up the color choices in your home.

Here are a few easy ways to get started with simple summer decorating ideas:

  1. Add light slipcovers over existing furniture.
  2. Mix light colored throw pillows and throw blankets for cozy summer spaces.
  3. Take out some decor, opting for a “less is more” look.
  4. Use this chance to lighten the color on an accent wall.
  5. Paint a piece of furniture with a light color that you can also enjoy year round.
  6. Add more white accessories into your decor: dishes, frames, candle holders, pillows, and vases, to mention a few.  This white footed pedestal bowl is one of my favorite decor pieces and is perfect to use year round for so many things!

How can I make my home beautiful with simple things?

Summer is the ideal season to experiment with a more simple decor style.

First of all, simply using less decor can help any space feel lighter for the summer season.

Secondly, summer is a lovely season to bring in simple, organic elements.  Almost all of my summer decorating includes organic objects such as coral, shells, and palm branches.

I am able to use a lot of my decor staple pieces, like dough bowls and glass cloches.  Then, I can easily add natural, organic summer decor accessories for simple styling!

A beautiful piece of coral resting on functional storage baskets is simple and whispers of a soft, summer style.  At the same time, a big bowl of shells makes an easy statement on a coffee table!

Here are a few ways to incorporate natural elements into simple summer decorating ideas:

  1. Add a collection of shells to a favorite bowl or vase.
  2. Remove a grouping of decor accessories and replace with a single piece of coral or collection of coral for a larger space.
  3. Style a favorite vase with simple palm branches.  (If you don’t have them growing locally, these faux palm branches are lovely!)
  4. Tuck a piece of driftwood or similar style element into a vignette.

How can I decorate my house with little money?

I admit it.  When the new home decor collections come out each season, I LOVE  to look through it all.  It is awfully tempting to buy alllll the things because they are just so pretty!

However, remember the tip above about using less decor?  Unless you are getting rid of a lot of decor and switching styles around (which is completely okay to do if you can), you probably don’t really need to buy all the things.  Adding a couple of fresh pieces to your summer decor collection might be all it takes!

This summer, I challenged myself to decorate for summer with only a few budget-friendly additions!  It’s great for the wallet and fun to do!

Here are a few ways to save money on summer decorating:

  1. Since you are using less decor around your home, trying shopping your own home first! Moving around pieces can help everything feel fresh.  I swapped side tables between the living room and family room and both spaces look completely different without me spending a dime!
  2. Use vessels you already own, such as dough bowls, glass cloches, and candlesticks.  Add simple and natural summer accessories that you can reuse year after year.
  3. Find FREE decor!  I love cutting palm branches from my yard for free.  Forage around your own yard for pretty flowering branches, wildflowers, and greenery to create beautiful arrangements.
  4. Go thrifting for summer accessories!  Over on THIS POST, you can find 34 thrifted decor items that I am currently using in my own summer decor!

How can I decorate my living room in summer?

Our living room and family room spaces are my favorites to decorate for summer.  Since they have more opportunities for playing around with fun decor, I really enjoy it!

Once you have decluttered, simplified, and taken out some decor, it’s time to decorate these living spaces with intentionality for the special summer months!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to decorate in our living room for summer:

  1. Add vintage or vintage-inspired art to a gallery wall.  THIS SET is under $16 and is absolutely stunning.  The prints look like real paintings and are perfectly curated for you!  Easy, convenient, and gorgeous!
  2. Add touches of blue and white!  If you have a neutral base for your year-round decor, it makes it so quick and easy to switch up accessories for a fun and fresh look.  Blue and white can blend with any decor style, from cottage to traditional and coastal to modern.  THESE blue and white striped pillow covers are under $14 for the pair and are a good quality.  They are perfect to layer with your everyday throw pillows too!
  3. Include soft, light-weight throw blankets.  Remember, you don’t need as many layers as you do for the fall and winter.  However, you still want the space to look cozy.  Adding light-weight layers with texture will give you those cozy vibes.  THIS is my very favorite light-weight throw blanket.  I use it all spring, summer, and into the fall!  I have the oatmeal color but there are several pretty colors available.
  4. Use baskets to control the summer clutter.  Yes, summer clutter is a very real thing.  If you’ve got kids around, you know exactly what I’m talking about!  Having everyone home all day, every day is my favorite thing about summer.  At the same time, where on earth does ALL THE STUFF come from?!  Haha!  Woven textures are perfect for simple summer decorating.  However, baskets are also super functional too. I love this divided basket for arts and crafts or even in a kitchen or bathroom!

The number one simple summer decorating idea: Create spaces that are ready for summer living!

Remember that a living room is a space to be lived in.  Yes, you want these spaces to be pretty and feel good.  I know I do for sure!

At the same time, embrace the casualness of summer and create intentional spaces for memory making.  In our back living room, I keep a game board out on the oversized coffee table.  Tucked in a basket on the coffee table are some of our favorite card games, ready for an impromptu family game night.  The space can quickly be cleared for working on a puzzle and chatting about the day.

Dining room tables aren’t too fussy and centerpieces are easy to slide over for watercolor painting on a rainy summer afternoon.  Create spaces where your family can live!

19 Simple Summer Decorating Ideas: How to Decorate for Summer 2023

  1. Add light slipcovers over existing furniture.
  2. Mix light colored throw pillows and throw blankets for cozy summer spaces.
  3. Take out some decor, opting for a “less is more” look.
  4. Use this chance to lighten the color on an accent wall.
  5. Paint a piece of furniture with a light color that you can also enjoy year round.
  6. Add more white accessories into your decor: dishes, frames, candle holders, pillows, and vases, to mention a few.
  7. Add a collection of shells to a favorite bowl or vase.
  8. Remove a grouping of decor accessories and replace with a single piece of coral or collection of coral for a larger space.
  9. Style a favorite vase with simple palm branches.  (If you don’t have them growing locally, these faux palm branches are lovely!)
  10. Tuck a piece of driftwood or similar style element into a vignette.
  11. Shop your own home.
  12. Add simple and natural summer accessories vessels you already own, such as dough bowls and glass cloches.
  13. Find FREE decor to use with simple summer decorating ideas: greenery, shells, and driftwood pieces are a great start.
  14. Go thrifting for summer accessories!
  15. Add blue and white colors.
  16. Use vintage or vintage-inspired coastal art for a gallery wall.
  17. Include light-weight throw blankets and light layers to keep spaces cozy but breezy for summer.
  18. Use baskets for great summer texture AND to control the clutter!
  19. Create intentional spaces for memory making: outdoor dining, a reading nook, a designated game or puzzle table, cleared space stocked with arts and crafts supplies, just to name a few!

Do you have some simple summer decorating ideas ready to go now?

Summer is the perfect season to take a casual, fun approach to your home decor.  Keep it light, bright, playful, and most of all, functional for your family.

A “less is more” approach can be helpful.  At the same time, create cozy spaces for your family to enjoy together on summer evenings!

Use colors that bring sense of calm and relaxation to help your home take on a “summer vacation house” feeling.

Most of all, keep it simple and allow your focus to be on the people in your home, first and foremost!

Happy Summer Decorating!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Summer Travel Must Haves

Friday Favorites- Summer Travel Must Haves

Friday Favorites- Summer Travel Must Haves

Hello Friends!

We are headed out on our family vacation and couldn’t be more excited! I have complied a list of my favorite trip essentials and wanted to share them all with you! Are you going anywhere this summer? What do you prefer: a road trip or plane travel? 

Packing Cubes

 It is so important to me to stay organized on a family trip. These packing cubes are perfect! We have several sets and they are the best!

Available here from Amazon

Tote Bag

Tote bags are so nice when traveling! This is a fun tote bag for all the things! 

You can get it here 

Toiletry Bag

This is the best toiletry bag!  I love mine and we purchased a second one for the girls to use. I highly recommend this! 

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Stanley Travel Water

I love these pretty travel water bottles! They are perfect to tuck in a bag and carry for the day! This is Stanley brand and is small and light. 

Find it here from Amazon

Hardshell Suitcase Set

This is a beautiful suitcase set! It has good organization compartments, easy to use, and it has good spinner wheels! 

Find it here

 

 

Travel Humidifier

This travel humidifier is so nice! Motel rooms can be dry and stuffy. This humidifier is perfect! 

It’s available here

Travel Essential Oil Diffuser

This is a great travel essential oil diffuser. We will be using it for our summer road trip, RV, and hotel rooms. 

This is available here

 

Rechargeable Personal Fan

This is such a cool little rechargeable personal fan! This is perfect for days when you are exploring outdoors! Or at summer camp. 

Find it here!

Travel Bottles

I love these pretty travel bottles we ordered this year! Perfect for all your toiletries! They have leak-proof design and a nice little case. 

Find them here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

49+ Unique Ideas for Activities to Do With Kids in the Summer (2023)

49+ Unique Ideas for Activities to Do With Kids in the Summer (2023)

49+ Unique Ideas for Activities to Do With Kids in the Summer (2023)

It’s the little things! Make it the best parenting summer ever with these tips for structure and activities to do with kids in the summer!

My husband and I have talked about this so many times…we had tons of fun together before we ever had kids, we are enjoying our family now, and there are a million and one things we want to enjoy together when we are older and don’t have kids at home anymore!  Summer breaks and vacations apply to ALL SEASONS of life!  In the meantime, I hope these tips and ideas are helpful for activities to do with kids in the summer!

FYI: While this post is geared toward my current season of life, I think it applies to really young families as well as empty-nesters!  There are so many ways to enjoy every season of life. 

I will start this whole blog post by saying that I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS AND I AM NOT A PARENTING PRO!!!

Actually, very, very, very far from it.

As I was sitting with my summer calendar, thinking about my family and what I desire this summer to look like, I decided to write a blog post.  I can’t be the only mom who looks at 10-12 weeks of summer, sometimes thinking it sounds like forever and mostly thinking that it’s going to fly by so fast.

How can I ever make the most of it?

Most summers, we plan for a big vacation, along with the occasional family reunion and kids’ church camp.  This summer, we do have a big family adventure planned and we are all very excited to do a big RV road trip!  Also, our summer church youth camp is always a priority for our family.

However, some summers we have smaller trips throughout the year, leaving a lot of the summer wide open.

Then, this year, there is the added dimension that our oldest is taking her first missions trip.  It is a big reminder that after just a few more summers, she will be off to college and her life is going to expand so much!

That left me thinking that I want to be extra intentional about our long summer days.  Maybe I’m the only one, but it can be easy to fall into a trap of just floating through each day, only for them to disappear in a blink!

For our family, it has been an intensely busy school year and I am welcoming the thought of slow, even sometimes lazy, summer days.

I can already tell you that there won’t be enough of them!  Haha!

I am also welcoming the thought of special, intentional time as a family…right at home.

Who better to tell me what our family summer should look like other than my own kids?

How do I entertain my kids all summer?

Ask them to make some lists and help you out!  You can even set a budget, time limits for activities, or other age-appropriate boundaries to help kids have realistic expectations.

Here are my kids’ top 5 requests:

Harrison, Age 9

  • Bowling
  • Family game night
  • Summer camp
  • Pool day
  • Go to the library

Addy, Age 13

  • Go to the Beach
  • Go School shopping
  • Swim in the pool
  • Family game night
  • Eat homemade Ice Cream

Payton, Age 15

  • Have friends over
  • Go bowling
  • Picnic at the park
  • Outdoor movie night
  • Family weekend getaway

What are good summer activities for kids?

Here are some other ideas we came up!  Maybe these can offer some inspiration for your family as you create your own summer bucket list!

  • Weekly service project
  • Volunteer (older kids) for a local VBS or organization
  • Miniature golfing
  • Enjoy smores with friends
  • Board game tournament
  • Make handmade cards to send to friends or family
  • Have a lemonade stand
  • Clean out toys and have a garage sale; put the funds toward a family trip or activity
  • Visit a local museum
  • Pick up fresh craft supplies at the dollar store
  • Make an old-fashioned slip-n-slide with the hose!
  • Make homemade ice cream
  • Host a bingo night with friends
  • Learn to play a new song on an instrument
  • Pick a kids’ space that needs a refresh and work on it together
  • Have a lego masters competition
  • Learn a new skill and practice it consistently
  • Take an online painting class together as a family
  • Work on a home improvement project together as a family; teach the kids new skills as you go
  • Choose a historical documentary series (age-appropriate) to watch
  • Start a family or friends book club for the summer
  • Memorize Scripture verses together as a family- turn it into a fun game
  • Make a scavenger hunt inside or outside (or both!)
  • “Make your own pizza” night
  • Make a photo book or scrapbook of vacation memories
  • Enjoy a one-on-one “date” with each child
  • Visit a state or national park within easy driving distance
  • Attend a budget-friendly local community theater musical or concert
  • Build an epic blanket fort!
  • Buy a new game and learn it together as a family
  • Get a big puzzle for everyone to work on throughout the summer; leave in a common gathering space
  • Choose a classic chapter book and read a few pages each night
  • Set random acts of kindness goals for everyone in the family to do each week
  • Watch old family videos together

Tips for Activities to Do With Kids in the Summer (2023)

Tips for Activities to Do With Kids in the Summer

#1: Outdoor Time and Activities

Here in Florida, it truly gets too hot sometimes to play outside.  Thankfully, we have a pool and when that gets too hot (because sometimes the water legit gets uncomfortably warm!), we head to the beach.  My goal is to have one beach day each week and some time in the pool several times a week, even if it’s just for a short swim, a little sunshine, and good exercise!

Tips for Activities to Do With Kids in the Summer #2: Mystery Mondays

 

Our family used to do this every Monday.  Robb and I would decide on an activity for the evening, even if it was really short and simple.  As the kids have gotten older, homework, tutoring, and extra-curricular activities have really gotten in the way.  I want to bring this back for the summer months when we don’t have all those distractions!

Here are some ideas we have enjoyed for our Mystery Mondays:

  • Picnic at the park
  • Local restaurant
  • Trip for ice cream cones or a 99 cent Frosty at Wendy’s
  • Game of Uno
  • Look at “old” family pictures or videos together
  • Shopping trip at the Dollar Spot

Tips for Activities to Do With Kids in the Summer #3: Create Family Routines and Clear Expectations

 

Daily Routine

Overall, our family tends to thrive under some reasonable structure.  One of our children, in particular, has some unique challenges and having routine is super important.

Honestly, I thrive the most with some routine as well, so I’ll be sitting down with our family and discussing some specific routines that we all agree upon for the summer, with lots of room for flexibility and adjusting depending on what we are doing for the day!

What can kids do when bored at home in summer?

Call me old-fashioned, but I usually have a mental list ready to go for a quick answer to this question in the summer!  If my kids are bored, they know they are always welcome to jump in and be a helper around our home.  That knowledge has pretty much ended the “I’m so bored” game for our family!  Haha!

However, it is important as a parent to know that boredom is actually a very healthy thing for children sometimes.  Part of their growth and development is to figure out ways to entertain themselves.

Here are a few ways you can help with summer boredom:

  1. Have a “boredom” box for younger children with clearance finds, thrifted, or inexpensive “new” items.
  2. Create a bin of all the odds and ends from the school year’s projects.  This is great for free art time!
  3. Create a routine; this really helps with boredom overall!
  4. Make a list of practical life skills that your children need to develop, age-appropriately, of course.  For example, practice sewing on a button, making a sandwich, folding laundry, washing the car, following a recipe, or organizing a shelf.  Younger children (preschool) can really benefit from practical life skills like buttoning, zipping, folding washcloths, putting away non-breakable dishes, pouring or spooning beans from one bowl to another, or even sorting items into like kinds.
  5. There’s always chores!!!  Let’s take a look at why chores are so beneficial for children and how to NOT view them as punishment or a negative thing.

Chores and Children

Chores are also something that we implement in our family.  It is my opinion that I am not raising just children, but also raising them to be adults who love God, show kindness to others, and have a strong work ethic.  We feel that all begins at home, so mixed into our summer fun are regular chores as well.  Chores are an excellent way for children to learn not only how to work, but also teamwork, time management, and the value of doing a job right the first time.  Important stuff!!!

Tips for Activities to Do With Kids in the Summer #4: Create Intentional Personal Time and Space

 

I doubt I’m the only parent who starts to feel like my kids are breathing down my neck sometimes!  And you know what?  They can feel the same about their parents and siblings.

Two of my children really do well (just like their mother!) with having some quiet time each day to spend by themselves.  As part of our daily routines, we will pencil in a little time each day where everyone can just do their own thing without feeling guilty or selfish or unkind.  I think it will be valuable for the kids just as much as it will be for Robb and myself!  We did this, though not routinely, during lock-down times and it was really helpful for all of us!

 

 

Moms, I think it is really important that we set aside some intentional time, guilt-free, to just be.  This is something that I have NOT made a priority over the years.  My “quiet time” most often becomes “getting as many things done around the house as I can while everyone is occupied” time.  I am not proposing laziness, but rather a healthy balance of work, play, and rest. 

​Tips for Activities to Do With Kids in the Summer #5: Schedule Several Weekend/Day Trips

 

There are SO MANY THINGS TO DO IN FLORIDA that we have never explored!  Summer can be an awesome time to explore around your local and state areas.  Granted, Florida is a really big state, but there are so many things within two hours of here that we always say we will do “someday.”  I plan for this summer to be our “someday” and fit in a few of those!

Perhaps your time or budget doesn’t allow for a big, fancy vacation.  That’s okay!  Make it a family challenge to find as many free adventures as you can around your area!

On the way to the beach where our family likes to go, there is a tiny museum.  I always think it looks so cute and even the kids have commented that we should stop “someday.”  I’m determined that we are going to stop there this summer!

Perhaps you don’t have vacation time to take the typical week-long vacation.  That’s okay too!  You might be surprised at what an amazing staycation your family can enjoy from Friday at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday evening, even just staying right at home!  Plan some fun games, activities, get special snacks and groceries ahead of time, and enjoy swimsuits and pjs all weekend long!  (This is on my summer bucket list too!)

So there it is…

It’s not profound or fancy.  But the longer I am a wife, mom, and teacher, the more I am becoming aware that many memories are built on the simple things.  That saying “Enjoy the Little Things” sounds so cliché, but there is a lot of depth to it that I am looking forward to intentionally exploring this summer!

For more ideas of family-friendly activities, games, and toys, you can shop my storefront HERE!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S.  I hope there has been a little something in this post that can be helpful to you during this summer season!  I am also linking up some favorite toys, activities, and games that our family enjoys, in case you need to refresh your supply this weekend like I did!

And someone follow up with me on August 1st and make sure we made it to that tiny museum!

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Coastal Summer

Friday Favorites- Coastal Summer

Friday Favorites- Coastal Summer

Hello Friends!

This week I have a list of coastal-inspired summer decor. I love the light ocean blue and whites mixed with the ratan and wicker textures. Let me know which pieces you like the best and what you will be adding to your home.

Blue Linen Pillow Covers

These pillow covers are so pretty! I love changing out pillow covers to give my decor a seasonal refresh and these ones are perfect for that! 

Available here from Amazon

Boat Sculpture

This boat sculpture is amazing! I love the way it looks and it would be perfect to style on shelves for summer! 

You can get it here 

Wicker Storage Trunk

I love using functional decor pieces like this. This trunk is so cute! I love the look of it! Perfect for a summer refresh and perfect to store all kinds of summer gear. 

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Blue Stripe Chair

This chair is so classy and simple! I love the stripes! It’s the perfect coastal vibe!

Find it here from Amazon

Faux Coral

 This is very realistic faux coral! It’s the perfect touch for the seaside look. 

Find it here

 

 

Artificial Maple Tree

This is such a pretty artificial maple tree! I love the look of this! Perfect for summer! 

It’s available here

Ceramic Lamp with Woven Shade

This lamp is so cute! I love the woven texture! 

This is available here

 

Painted Beach Artwork

 This is a gorgeous piece of painted beach artwork! It’s so peaceful and so pretty! I love the big size as well! 

Find this artwork here!

Jute Placemats

 Jute placemats are perfect to add texture to a summer tablescape! 

Find them here!

Blue Checked Dishes 

I love these blue-checked dishes! They are made from melamine so they are chip resistant. They would be perfect for indoor/outdoor dining or picnics.

Find them here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

21 Ways How to Decorate with Summer Coastal Style: Summer Home Tour

21 Ways How to Decorate with Summer Coastal Style: Summer Home Tour

21 Ways How to Decorate with Summer Coastal Style: Summer Home Tour

Are you looking to refresh your home for summer? Try these easy ways to decorate with summer coastal style with casual vintage inspired decor!  Keep reading for my Summer 2023 Home Tour and see how I switched things up this year!  Hint: I did not purchase anything new!

I love decorating for all of the seasons.  Each one just has its own special feeling and flair, doesn’t it?  There are several reasons why I love to decorate with summer coastal style around our home each year.

First of all, we live in Florida!  Is there any other way to decorate for summer other than some easy coastal touches?!  At least it means the sand we track in from the beach kind of goes with whole look.  Haha!

Secondly, I love the light and airy feeling our home gets when I decorate with summer coastal style.  It is fun to try and make our home feel like our own little summer vacation home, even though we live here year round!

Guess what?  You can decorate with summer coastal style no matter where you live!  It’s fun, easy and I’ll share some simple ideas you can incorporate into your own summer home too.

Welcome to my Summer Home Tour!

Before I dive into all the details about how you can easily create a simple, coastal style for your home, let me first welcome you to my summer home tour!  Hosted by my good friend, Kelly, from The Tattered Pew, I am joining 30+ friends this week to share all of our favorite summer inspiration with you!

If you’re hopping over from Open Doors, Open Hearts, thanks for joining me!  I love every detail of her home tour.  What a perfect space to relax in the summertime!

Every day this week, new home tours will be featured, and you’ll love following along with each one.  It is the perfect space to gather all of your favorite summer inspiration (don’t forget to pin them!) and create your own, unique summer home style!

What are the elements of coastal decor?

There are a lot of different ways to decorate with coastal style.  However, my favorite approach is simple, casual, light, and breezy! Here are some basics that I bring in every summer to help create our summer home story:

How do you decorate in coastal style?

Coastal style has come along way since the early 2000s, I have to say.  While you can still go into big-box home decor stores and find aisles full of shell-covered pillow covers and beach reproduction signs, there are some more subtle coastal trends that I personally really enjoy!

For example, I have traded out most of my regular home decor store-bought coastal accents for pieces of vintage coral from antique shops and sea fans from my local beach shop.

Reproduction signs have been replaced with pretty vintage or vintage-inspired sea scapes.  At the same time, they are styled with carefully curated collections of pieces that tell a tale of a lazy, summer beach day!

Things we use, such as straw hats and beach bags, are hung as decor (and convenient to grab when headed out the door).  Simple, neutral throw pillows and light-weight gauzy blankets add just the right cozy touches for summer movie nights without looking too heavy or cluttered.

Less is more is so accurate for this light, airy, coastal look!  A few simple touches, added to a soft, neutral color palette, will give you just what you need to decorate with summer coastal style.

 

How to Decorate with Summer Coastal Style: Summer Home Tour

How to Decorate for Summer: Tip #1

If for no other season or reason, summer is the perfect time to declutter and enjoy a simple style.  Now, I am far from a minimalist in my decorating.  Actually, a minimalist style just wouldn’t work for our home (and my favorite collections) very well at all.  However, summer is the season where I dial it way back.  “Less is more” is a good rule of thumb for summer decorating, no matter what style you take on.

If you haven’t already done a thorough declutter as part of your spring cleaning, summer is the perfect time to do so!  Host a community yard sale or bless your local thrift store.  However you go about clearing out some of the clutter, this is the time to get it done!

Trust me: your fall and Christmas decor-loving-self will thank you later!  Haha!

Pro Tip:  Enjoy a lighter, more breezy look for summer by using less decor over all.  Leave more “white space” and create statement and focal points with your very favorite pieces!

How to Decorate for Summer Tip #2: Declutter!

Part of the appeal of the light, coastal style is a space that is more free of some of the fuss and “extra” that other seasons tend to have.

Pro Tip:  After I decorate with summer coastal style in a space, I often live with it for a few days, then come back and edit.  Sometimes, I’ll add something in.  However, most often, I’ll take away a little piece here or there.  

You don’t have to go full on “minimalist” to achieve this look.  By grouping items together in collections, you can feature a lot of your favorites in a less-cluttered style.

Let’s take a look at a few spaces where I’ve actually used a lot of decor pieces, but they definitely feel more light and airy than other seasons.

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #3: Incorporate coastal colors

We love going to the beach in the summer.  Yes, we actually live where a lot of people vacation!

One of my favorite things about the beach is the soothing sound of the waves and the calming aesthetic of the natural colors.  The pretty blue sky against the cool tones of the ocean pair perfectly with the tan and white sand.  At the same time, earth toned shells scatter beautifully along the shore, giving texture and character.

You can decorate with summer coastal style by bringing that aesthetic into your home too!  Light blues, crisp whites, and earth tones are the perfect combination for easy coastal decorating.

One of my favorite things about the styling in my dining room are the whites and tan colors of my vintage pieces.  The neutrals turn the light blue and green of these vintage bottles and sea glass into statement touches, even though they are so simple!

You can add some coastal colors with easy accents, such as:

How to Decorate for Summer Tip #4: Use baskets and woven textures.

Even if you’re not going for a coastal look, baskets and woven elements add wonderful texture to summer decorating!  At the same time, baskets are great for organization and can help with some of that decluttering from Tip #2!

On the coffee table, I use these stacked baskets to keep family card games convenient for some quick summer evening fun!

Here are some great options for adding woven texture into your summer decor:

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #5: Hang up some straw hats!

In our family room, I had fun hanging a collection of thrifted straw hats on my gallery wall, paired with a cute straw bag too.  There is something about hanging simple, every day objects as a collection that turns them into art!

Plus, this was super budget-friendly as all of the hats were thrifted.  Most of them were under $3.00!

While collections are great, you can also toss a single hat over the corner of a chair or bedpost for a super quick and simple coastal touch.  Even if you didn’t just come from the beach, your home will have that relaxed feeling!

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #6: Add tropical greenery.

How do I make my house look coastal?

Another super easy way to add a breezy look to your summer coastal decorating is to incorporate some palm branches.  Actually, I take out some of my other greenery (remember that decluttering of Tip #2!) and replace it with simple palm branches.

That is easy enough for me to do and it’s also completely FREE, as we have a lot of palm trees in our yard!  However, if you do not live in a tropical state, try THESE budget-friendly and beautiful faux palm branches for a low-maintenance and easy style!

You can also just drop by for a glass of lemonade and a chat.  I’ll be happy to cut a few branches for you for free!  Add them to a vase of water and they will stay looking beautiful for weeks!

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #7: Tuck in a piece of coral.

How to decorate your house in coastal style?

One of the most obvious ways to decorate with a summer coastal style is to add found objects, like coral and shells.  I am separating shells from coral, however, as coral can really make such a gorgeous statement on its own.

If you find real coral in a substantial size, you are likely to pay a good investment price for it.  My husband bought this huge piece for me from an antique store for Mother’s Day one year and it is such a special piece.

Instead of switching out a lot of decor in the music room, I simply took out a couple of spring accessories, added this large coral, and a couple of other small pieces of coral.  With very little effort, the entire room immediately took on a relaxed and elegant coastal style that I love and enjoy!

Pro Tip:  Real coral is typically more of an investment but it is so gorgeous and you don’t need a lot to make a beautiful coastal statement in any room!

 

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #8: Add a bowl of sea shells!

You can quickly and simply add a coastal touch to any space by adding a pretty bowl of sea shells!  Perhaps you have some shells from a favorite beach trip tucked away somewhere.  Summer is the perfect time to pull those out.  Then, put them in a bowl or bottle and add to a summer vignette!

I had a lot of fun with our shell and driftwood collections on my coffee table.  However, even though we have SO MANY, it still wasn’t enough to fill this huge antique trencher.  So, here’s what I did:

How to create a coastal centerpiece:

You can get a big bag of really pretty assorted shells HERE!

These small driftwood pieces are great budget-friendly filler too!

You can shop a variety of gorgeous wooden vessels, perfect for your own summer centerpiece, on my storefront HERE!

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #9: Incorporate ocean-inspired art.

One of my favorite ways to switch up decor for any season is by changing out my art and gallery walls.  Even though art can get a little pricey, I absolutely love these vintage-inspired prints for under $16.  They look like real paintings and are easy to switch out for seasons.  Plus, they don’t take up storage space!

For under $20, you can have a whole new seasonal gallery wall every season!  I seriously cannot get over how gorgeous they look.  A set of 5 prints that look vintage for under $20?  You can’t beat it!!!  I love to pair mine with thrifted frames for super budget-friendly wall art!

I also love to pick up vintage art at markets, yard sales, and thrift shops.  This painting that I used on my summer mantel was only $25 at an outdoor market!  You just never know what you might find!

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #10: Decorate with beach-inspired signs.

Can you mix coastal and modern decor?

My answer (just my humble opinion), is YES!  Coastal accents can work with any kind of decor, from vintage to cottage and from traditional to modern.  Coastal accessories are perfect even with casual boho styles and farmhouse decor!

I added these gorgeous pieces from one of my favorite small businesses, Joyfully Said, to my dining room.  I love how the modern style of the painting is softened with the light wood.  The wood blends perfectly with my vintage European pieces.  The “You, Me, & the Sea” adds a fun, playful touch, which I definitely love for the summer!

I chose to use the light woods and sea glass colors for my Joyfully Said pieces.  However, they have a variety of wood stains, font colors, and even sizes of art.  Plus, you can use my coupon code: FRENCHNEST for some summer savings!

They have several different options in their summer collection that will add just the right amount of coastal style to your summer home!  Shop my favorites HERE!

How to Decorate for Summer Tip #11: Incorporate some pieces with patina.

What style goes with coastal?

I think you can mix coastal accents with almost any home decor style.  However, my favorite kind of coastal looks definitely have some weathered patina mixed in.

Even if your weathered wood is weathered from sitting on a farm in the midwest, you can mix it with some coastal accents.  All of a sudden, it takes on the look of wood that has been weathered by the sea salt of the ocean over many years.

See how you can use your decor pieces to create a home decor story?!?

I love bringing in some of my favorite architectural salvage pieces to add to coastal-inspired vignettes around our home.  This cabinet vignette, for example, only has one thing that is specific to the coastal style: the coral candle holder.  However, the mix of rattan, weathered wood, palm branches, and coastal hues all play a part to help tell a coastal home decor story.

Pro Tip: Mix elements to create a coastal style without being overly thematic with your decor.

 

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #12: Simplify by decorating with what you use.

Okay, in full disclosure, I don’t like wearing hats and I usually use a different bag for the beach.  However, you can achieve that casual, coastal style by decorating with beautiful items that are functional too!  (Even if you don’t actually use them.  Haha!)

I added my favorite French market bag and a cute hat to the small wall in our entryway.  They are convenient to grab on the way out the door.  At the same time, the woven style and overall look are a perfect complement to a relaxed, vintage coastal decor style.

A summer home is all about simplicity.  You want to keep your decor simple so you have more time for creating special summer memories.  Combining function with decor is a great way to get that simplified look that works so well with a summer coastal decor style.

 

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #13: Decorate with stripe patterns.

Summer and stripes just go hand in hand!  Whether it’s on my favorite linen summer dress, a casual pillow, a light-weight throw blanket, or a comfy beach towel, you’ll find stripes in almost any coastal style!

You can add a quick coastal vibe to any room by adding a stripe pattern!

Here are a few favorites to add stripes:

 

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #14: Use jute accents.

I love using jute accents around our home.  Actually, I keep jute rugs in more than one room year round.  During the spring and summer, I especially love adding some small jute accents, like pillow covers, placemats, and even table runners.

Even though I have had these square jute placemats for at least 5 years, they are still some of my favorites.  They are still available for purchase HERE!

Paired with these non-breakable, casual light blue gingham dishes in my dining room, they add a pretty layer with more texture to this everyday summer tablescape.

Jute is easy to maintain and I love that it adds so much texture while still being low-maintenance and easy to style!

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #15: Add driftwood accessories!

Adding texture is a perfect way to bring in those coastal vibes for summer.  After all, the beach is certainly full of amazing texture, right?!  Consider adding some simple driftwood pieces to summer vignettes around your home.

As with the coral, you don’t need a lot in order to make a statement.  A couple of key pieces can bring in a subtle coastal style without feeling like you’re in Key West!  Haha!

A small driftwood piece looks pretty tucked in beside a plant and candle or combined with shells in a bowl.  I enjoyed styling mine in this big trencher on the coffee table.

At the same time, you can use this inexpensive driftwood filler for any bowl or vase around your home!

How to Decorate for Summer Tip #16: Add flowers!

Flowers are always in style!  Summer is a perfect time to enjoy a fresh bouquet of flowers on a coffee table, nightstand, or even by the kitchen sink!

I especially love to use my vintage vessels to hold pretty flowers.  Over on THIS post, you can find my favorite tips for styling inexpensive grocery store flowers!

On THIS post, I share 3 simple and easy ways to arrange my favorite summertime flowers!

While I love fresh flowers, I don’t always have time or remember to grab some at the grocery store.  However, my favorite faux peonies look so realistic!  I love the white flowers combined with the coastal blue of these pretty vases!

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #17: Create coastal vignettes.

You can give any space a simple coastal look without redecorating the whole room!  In fact, one of my favorite ways to decorate for different seasons and holidays is by creating vignettes throughout the room.

Simply switching a vignette on a coffee table or side table can make your whole living room feel fresh!  At the same time, a new centerpiece on the dining room table or summer coastal art hung on a gallery wall can transform the room!

Here are a few posts to help you decorate this vignette spaces:

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #18: Decorate with summer book titles!

I love using vintage books to decorate our home.  Thrifted books can be great to add a touch of seasonal color to a room.  However, I also love to look for book titles that help tell my home decor story.

Next time you’re out thrifting, check out the book section!  You may come across some books that add those coastal hues.  At the same time, titles that have “ocean, sea, beach, vacation, or coast” could be wonderful details to add to your space!

Over on THIS post, I share all of my favorite ways to decorate with thrifted books!

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #19: Use linen fabrics.

When you’re thinking about the texture you want to bring into your space for summer decorating, make sure to include some linen!  I love wearing linen in the summer and I also love decorating with it!

Linen pillows, tablecloths, table runners, and even throw blankets are perfect ways to bring this lovely texture into your home.

I lightened up the layers in my master bedroom for the summer.  This gorgeous linen duvet from Simple Opulence is perfect for the foot of my bed.  It adds a cozy and comfy look while still being light and airy.  At the same time, I am enjoying the softness of these neutral colors too!

I also layered this super soft gauzy coverlet for some neutral pattern and my favorite gauzy throw blanket.

Even though it’s hot outside, the air conditioning is definitely running in our Florida home and I love getting cozy for a good summer movie night!

How to Decorate for Summer Tip #20: Decorate with travel collections.

Do you have a favorite collection from summer vacations?  If your kids have loaded their beach bags with shells from a trip, this is the perfect season to put those to good use!

Even though my kids are older kids now, they still love to bring home pretty shells and add to our ever growing collection!

Perhaps you collect something that you’ve picked up throughout vacation or summer travels.  Favorite old bottles, postcards, or souvenirs can become a fun conversation piece to enjoy as part of your casual, relaxed summer home style!

How to Decorate With Summer Coastal Style Tip #21: Add beach decor outdoors too!

Don’t forget about the exterior of your home too!  To add a coastal look to the outside of our home, I kept it simple with striped outdoor pillows, some jute accents, a pretty umbrella, and weather-resistant outdoor lanterns!

Pro Tip: These outdoor battery operated candles make a summer night look so relaxing and cozy!

Are you ready for summer?

Now is the time to start planning, gathering your favorite summer styles, simplifying, and preparing your home for a wonderful summer season!

As a mom, these coming weeks are sacred family time and I am so excited to have our summer home ready to make as many wonderful summer memories as we possibly can!

Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours

This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours. Twenty eight talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each summer home tour by clicking the links below. Monday’s Tours

The Tattered Pew // Worthing Court // StoneGable

My Wee Abode // Southern Home and Hospitality // My Thrift Store Addiction

Tuesday’s Tours

She Gave It a Go // Cottage In The Mitten // Eleanor Rose Home

Peacock Ridge Farm // Bricks n’ Blooms // Cottage On Bunker Hill

Wednesday’s Tours

White Arrows Home // A Life Unfolding // Simply2Moms

WM Design House // White Lilac Farmhouse

Thursday’s Tours

The Ponds Farmhouse // Thistle Key Lane // Open Doors Open Hearts

Robyn’s French Nest // Cloches and Lavender // DIY Beautify

Friday’s Tours

Pasha Is Home // My Family Thyme

Midwest Life and Style // Amy Sadler Designs

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)
Simple Patriotic Decorating Ideas for Summer Under Five Dollars

Simple Patriotic Decorating Ideas for Summer Under Five Dollars

Simple Patriotic Decorating Ideas for Summer Under Five Dollars

I love decorating for the summer patriotic holidays!  Now is the best time to get your simple patriotic decorating ideas ready for summer! Enjoy my patriotic decor tips, all quick and under five dollars!

With the end of the school year and the flurry of activities that always accompanies this month, Memorial Day has a way of sneaking up on me!  Can anyone relate?!  If so, I’ve got some quick and simple patriotic decorating ideas that you can use all summer.  Best part?  They are super budget-friendly and under $5.00!  

While I love to decorate for summer, I don’t leave the patriotic décor out for the entire summer.  At the same time, I enjoy finding ways to simply add it to my summer décor without having to redo every vignette and gallery wall. 

Since I prefer some subtle touches, this style of decorating lends itself to being simple and easy.  To me, that is perfect for the laid-back summer months!

When should you decorate for summer?

I anyone out there scrambling a little as we get ready for this summer?  Or maybe you just really love to decorate too?  If so, I thought I would share my favorite ways to add some simple patriotic decorating ideas for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July!  Plus, they are all budget-friendly!

I usually start decorating for summer in May or right after Mother’s Day.  Since we live in Florida, I love breaking out the box of sea shells and coral to get me started.  Even if you don’t live near a beach, summer is a fun time to add just a touch of that coastal vibe.

Ideally, I love to have our “summer home” ready so when we get home from school on that last day of school, we can immediately jump into summer mode!

You can find all of my favorite summer décor ideas HERE. We don’t actually have a separate summer house.  However, I love trying to be creative and make our home feel different and special for the summer season.  It is really fun to try and create our own summer retreat!

Pro Tip: Think of your ideal summer vacation home or resort and look for ways to implement that feeling throughout your home.

 

How can I decorate my house in summer?

There are so many great ways to decorate for summer.  However, my favorite way to decorate is to try and turn our home into our own little summer retreat.  At the same time, keep things simple, uncomplicated, and easy to maintain.

I bring these main elements into my summer décor:

However, if your summer decorating is a little behind schedule, don’t worry!  You can still use these following quick and simple patriotic decor tips to bring that patriotic feeling into your home for the patriotic holidays!

When should I start decorating for 4th of July?

I like to put my patriotic decor out right before Memorial Day and leave it through the 4th of July.  Then, I remove the simple patriotic touches and enjoy “regular” summer decor for July and August!

However, it is not uncommon to leave patriotic touches out for the entire summer.  At the same time, you may add some simple touches for Memorial Day and again for the 4th of July, rather than leaving them out for the month of June.

In fact, this post will help you get set up for the patriotic holidays in a matter of minutes!

Simple Patriotic Decorating Ideas for Summer Under Five Dollars​

Simple Patriotic Decorating Ideas #1:

​How to Make a Flag Bouquet

I like to pick up these packs of flags at the dollar store or dollar spot.  This year, I’ve had a harder time finding the wooden sticks, which I personally prefer, so I linked a great pack of them HERE!  However, you can sometimes find them at the grocery store, so keep an eye out!  In addition, they are really inexpensive.

So with your five dollars (or $8 if you get the big pack!) , you can create a few flag bouquets!

Pro Tip: I usually iron them, then gently roll them up and let go.  That gives them a slightly “unfurled” affect at the ends!

 

To create your flag bouquet, simple gather a handful of small flags (I prefer an odd number) and place them in a favorite jar, vase, bottle, or pitcher.

Here are some favorite vessels that would work perfectly for a flag bouquet:

You can add a jar of flags to almost any side table, mantel, or vignette for a patriotic touch.  Also, you can try creating a collection of flag bouquets in mismatched  ironstone pitchers or old jars for more of a vintage inspired statement!

Simple Patriotic Decorating Ideas #2:

How to Make Flag Bottles

This idea certainly isn’t original with me and I’ve seen it all over the place.  However, sometimes the most simple ideas are the ones I forget about!

Another favorite way to use flags in my Memorial Day or Fourth of July décor is to line up some old bottles and put a single flag in each one.  I especially love how they look with this mix of old bottles.  I also love these budget-friendly, vintage-inspired blue bottles!

Some of them have that light blue tint that adds even a little more pop of summer color!

A row of bottles and flags makes the perfect mantel or shelf décor!  You can even line them up for a super quick, simple, and inexpensive centerpiece!

Any kind of bottle will work for this, whether they are old milk-style bottles, vintage European bottles, or even old soda bottles!

Also check out these vintage-inspired bottles:

Pro Tip: This is a great time to use those old Coke and Pepsi bottles from the dusty corner shelf of the antique mall!

Simple Patriotic Decorating Ideas #3:

How to Make a Patriotic Arrangement With Plants

How can I decorate my house for 4th of July?

One of the most quick and simple ways to add some patriotic touches to your décor for the holiday is to grab those dollar store flags and stick them in some of the plants around your home!  I even do this outside, adding them to pots and baskets of plants and flowers!

This is a great way to get a lot of “bang for your buck”, as you are using your existing décor and turning it into a holiday statement piece with the flag!

THIS COASTAL PLANTER is a truly gorgeous way to add a plant and flag for a more summery look!

If you need a fast centerpiece, gather a few plants from around your home.  Arrange them on your table and stick a flag in each one!  It will look like you put a lot of thought and intentionality into the design!

You just can’t go wrong with pretty greenery and a festive flag!

 

 

I add flags to plants on my coffee and side tables, kitchen island, mantel, and console tables.  Even 2 or 3 flags added to plants in each room will add a festive vibe…and it will only cost you a couple of dollars!

Simple Patriotic Decorating Ideas #4:

How to Make Easy Patriotic Floral or Greenery Arrangements

If you’ve been following along with me for very long at all, you know I am pretty unlikely to have bright flowers inside our home.  Okay…on the exterior too.  We just planted rows of white Vinca.  However, I actually do get colored flowers on rare occasions, but Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are not those times.

I love to make more of a subtle statement with an arrangement of white flowers and then…you guessed it…stick in a flag or two from my Amazon haul!

Once the holiday is over, I can pull the flags out, put them in a drawer for the next season, and still enjoy the bright, white flowers with my summer décor!

That being said, you can get really creative with colored flowers for the summer holidays!  For example, sunflowers with flags in the bouquet make a bold, summer farmhouse statement.

For a more elegant approach, a woven vase of red roses can add a pretty statement to your patriotic décor!

If you have wildflowers in your area, consider vintage jars (or THESE for a more budget-friendly style) of pretty wild flowers lining the table.  Next, just add a simple flag to each one!

How can I decorate without spending a lot of money?

I’ll be honest, I don’t usually (actually, I don’t think I ever have) spent a lot of money on flowers for Memorial Day or Fourth of July décor!

Since I already have some coastal vibes in my summer décor, I like to cut some fresh palm branches and put them in a pitcher or vase, then adding a flag for a patriotic touch.  I like to get a few of the larger flags to use in my tall pitchers and vases.

At the same time, just a pretty pitcher, full of greenery from your yard and a big flag makes a beautiful statement.  You could add this to an entryway table, kitchen island, or dining table.

I also like to add this kind of piece to the middle of our BBQ buffet table for a festive look!

Simple Patriotic Decorating Idea #5:

A few other easy favorite decorating ideas

For some simple patriotic decorating ideas, try some of these budget-friendly ideas:

  1. Get double duty from your food by displaying it in fun, patriotic ways.  THIS easy patriotic salad is a fun example!
  2. Add patriotic tableware to your party display.  Since you need to purchase these things anyway, just get flag-related party goods and skip decorating your home altogether!  The party decor will be enough on its own!
  3. Cut a small flag off of the stick and attach it to a jar with ribbon or decoupage.  This can make a fun vase or candle holder.  For a safe (and cooler) holiday, use THESE battery-operated votive candles.  They look incredibly realistic!
  4. Get creative with some easy and fun patriotic craft ideas, such as paper chains or a cute banner!

The greenery definitely helps with the budget-friendly décor, but whether you treat yourself to some flowers or just free greenery from your yard, a nice arrangement with a larger flag will definitely make a statement in your home for the holiday!

All that’s left is for you to grab  a pack of flags and place them around your home!

If you’re looking for more summer decorating favorites, I’d love for you to check out my storefront!  I have added some gorgeous pieces there in a range of budgets and styles.  You may find just the perfect piece to inspire your summer decor!  You can find my storefront HERE!

I hope this has sparked an idea or two…or maybe reminded you that simple décor shouldn’t be underrated!  Have a safe, fun, and happy holiday!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Patriotic Decor

Friday Favorites- Patriotic Decor

Friday Favorites- Patriotic Decor

Hello Friends!

Today is the last day of school and we are so happy it is summer! I have been slowly changing the home decor to reflect the season and I am ready to bring out the patriotic touches! I love this list of summer finds!

Faux Palm Branches

Add summer greenery to your holiday flowers to give an extra fun and summery touch! These are under $10 and they are great quality! They look really nice!

Available here from Amazon

Patriotic Bunting

These beautiful buntings would work great for outdoor or indoor. There are different sizes available. They are made of a nice heavy canvas.

You can get it here 

Gingham Door Mat

Layer this red gingham under a doormat for a fun approach to the summer holidays!

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Welcome Mat 

This would be perfect to layer with the red gingham mat for a subtle and unique red, white, and blue look for the summer!

Find it here from Amazon

Red, White, and Blue Scarf

This 30 foot scarf is perfect for a fence, front porch, or cut into smaller pieces to use throughout an indoor space for party decor.

Find it here

 

 

Blue Glass Bubble Vase

This light blue glass vase is so very pretty! It’s bubble texture is perfect for centerpieces!

It’s available here from Amazon

Blue Stripe Pillow Covers

I really like these blue stripe pillow covers! And a set of two under $16 is such a deal for something that is such nice quality.

These are available here

 

Faux Geraniums

Add some faux geraniums to outdoor pots or cute planters indoors for a quick and easy touch of festive red. There are really great reviews on these!

Find them here!

Blue and White Kitchen Towels

Keep these on hand for summer holiday entertaining. They could even be used as casual napkins or placemats.

Find them here!

Blue Linen Table Runner

This is a beautiful blue linen striped table runner and it would be perfect to use all summer!

Find it here!

Patriotic Flag

 This flag is a fun way to add some blue and white to your decor! I love the coastal cottage style with some vintage-inspired flair!

Find them here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Decorate for Summer: 34 Ideas to Thrift for Summer Decor

How to Decorate for Summer: 34 Ideas to Thrift for Summer Decor

How to Decorate for Summer: 34 Ideas to Thrift for Summer Decor

Summer can be overlooked as a decor season, yet it is one of my favorites!  Check out 34 things that I always look for when I thrift for summer home decor!​

Do you love to go thrifting?  I think it’s kind of one of those things that you either just absolutely love to do or you just really don’t enjoy it at all.  Both are fine and you can have amazing home decor either way!  For me, though, half of the fun is the hunt!

I admit it.  I get ridiculously excited over a great thrifted find!  You too?!

Seasonal decor, in my opinion, is a great thing to hunt for in thrift stores, vintage markets, flea markets, and those kind of second-hand places.  I am happy to invest in pieces that I know I can and will use year-round.  When it comes to decor that is only going to be out for a short season, I love to get a great deal.

I have been able to thrift for summer decor over the years with some luck and there are several things that I always watch for now.  Let’s check them out and see if we can add anything to YOUR thrift store hunting list!

Thrifting with the Gals

Before I dive into my favorite summer thrifted finds, let me introduce you to my monthly blog, Thrifting with the Gals!  I love joining with vintage and thrift-loving friends from around the country to share our favorite decor ideas.  Of course, we are all using thrifted and vintage finds!

If you’re not following each of these amazing bloggers, you’ll want to start NOW!  They have incredible finds every month and we love sharing together!

Now, who’s ready to thrift for your summer decor with me?!

How can I decorate my living room in summer?

Thrifted finds are perfect for summer decorating.  Often, they have a casual look that can fit nicely into your summer vibe.

Here are some of my favorite categories of items to thrift for summer decorating:

  1. straw hats
  2. coastal inspired pieces
  3. shells
  4. baskets
  5. art
  6. books
  7. free objects from nature
  8. colored glass
  9. architectural salvage
  10. patriotic decor

Throughout this post, I’ll share specific ideas for each category and help you build your own summer decor shopping list!

34 Affordable Items You’ll Want to Thrift for Summer Decor

How to decorate on a budget?

Go thrifting!  Let’s look at some great ideas for 10 categories of items.  Then you can build your summer thrifting list for home decor!

How to decorate a room for summer?

Living in Florida, it’s just about a given that I would add some vintage coastal to my decor for summer.  Even though coastal decor can sometimes get a less-than reputation for being a little cheesy, there are great ways to incorporate even subtle touches into summer decorating.  However, you probably do not want to break the bank on shells, right?

Thrifting Tip #1: Add some thrifted shells!  

This will surprise you, but my best thrifted shells are not from Florida at all.  In fact, I found the best thrifted ones off the beaten path in South Carolina.  They were laying outside the antique shop on a weather-beaten table, covered in layers of dirt, and cost me $2-6 dollars each…for BIG ones!  Without a doubt, a great thrifted find.

You may have to pay more than that, but watch for shells year-round at thrift stores, yard sales, and the dusty antique mall corners!  Even if your summer decor style isn’t coastal, a pretty dough bowl with sea shells or a simple conch shell resting atop a stack of vintage books can give just the perfect, casual summer vibe without shouting “beach house”!  (Though I happen to think that is perfectly fun also!)

One of my favorite summer thrifted finds is a huge planter that is shaped and textured like a shell.  I think it was $6 at the thrift shop and it makes such a fun statement for a simple coffee table arrangement!

Thrift for Summer Decor #2: Baskets

I hope you don’t get tired of my thrifted baskets but they are just so fun.  Open-air vintage markets this spring held some lucky finds for me and I added several baskets to my collection of spring and summer decor.  If you want to thrift for summer decor, baskets are a perfect start!

Plus, they are perfect to tuck away the summer clutter and keep your home as low-maintenance as possible for the summer months.  Baskets make for quick clean up at the end of a long summer day.  After that, you can just enjoy more time relaxing and making memories with your family!

Thrift for Summer Decor #3: Art

This is one of my favorites. However, if you are a true art collector or really know your art, you may scroll down to #4.  Haha!

I am 100% honest that the only real thing I know about art is that I just know what I like when I see it!

Whether on a gallery wall, leaning against the wall on a mantel, or tucked into a vignette on a shelf, art is a wonderful thing that you can thrift for summer decor!  I definitely don’t want to spend a lot of money on art that is going to switched around.  The great news is that you can thrift for summer decor by watching the art section in thrift stores and looking for cute, small art pieces in vintage and antique shops too.

I always flip through the crates of art at flea markets and have found some really wonderful pieces that way.  It is fairly common to find old prints or even paintings of the ocean or sketches of sailboats.  Tuck one of these into your regular decor for an instant summer vibe!

Thrift for Summer Decor #4: Books

You didn’t possibly think I would make it through a post about how to thrift for summer decor without including books, right?!  Books are a perfect way to add simple seasonal touches.  They can also add seasonal color to your decor!  I love using blues in the summer, so I am always watching for pretty, faded blue books.

Another idea to thrift for summer decor is to watch for book titles that have to do with summer, the ocean or sea, or boats.  I picked up this book of ship sketches for a few dollars at a vintage market.  Just layering that title into my decor gives an instant summer vibe, however, still in a subtle way.

How do you make decor look expensive on a budget?

Seasonal objects are so fun, yet something that I try to catch a good deal on whenever possible!  Thrift stores, flea markets, and vintage finds are a perfect place to look for great deals and thrift for summer decor.  

Thrifted Summer Decor #5: Free items from nature!

I shared with you about my inexpensive thrifted seashells.  However, I also have a lot of shells that the kids have collected over the years, totally free!

Look around and use free decor from nature whenever you can!  It’s great because it’s free but it’s also Mother Nature’s seasonal decor, which is always the best inspiration.  For example, I love to bring in fresh branches from our palm trees.  After all, it is the one season where my trees actually are the right season for the rest of the country!

Here are a few free items you may find in the summer:

  • shells
  • driftwood
  • wildflowers
  • palm branches
  • tree branches
  • pretty rocks
  • What other ideas can you add?!

 

Thrifted Summer Decor #6: Straw Hats

I admit it; I’m on a bit of a straw hat kick right now.  However, they are easy to store and easy to find at thrift shops.  I recently picked up a few more at a vendor market, all for such great deals!  Whether you add a straw hat to a peg rail or add a collection of them to a wall, they help tell the story of casual summer days, just in from the beach or fun outing at the lake.  That sounds like a lovely summer story to me!

Next time you’re out to thrift for summer decor, keep an eye out for a cute hat or two.  You’ll have so much fun adding them into your summer decor!

Thrift for Summer Decor #7: Glass

This may sound like an odd item to include in my top 7 things to thrift for summer decor, but when I look back at some of my favorite summer decor, there are always thrifted glass elements.  For example, vintage bottles with hues of blue and green add just a touch of that light, summer vibe.  Glass cloches are perfect to cover a favorite shell or collection of shells from a beach trip.  At the same time, old apothecary bottles make the perfect vase for a freshly cut palm branch or bright summer flowers.

All of these items I mentioned are ones I’ve found at yard sales, thrift stores, flea markets, antique shops, and vendor markets!  Almost all of them have been significantly budget-friendly (though a few of my cloches have been investment pieces because I used them year round).  However, one of my favorite cloches was a yard sale find for $1!

Glass is a great way to bring in a light and bright look to your decor.  If it is thrifted, even better, because I don’t worry too much about the late night hide and seek games that could knock something over!

Thrift for Summer Decor #8: Coastal inspired items

Nothing says summer decor like a few touches of coastal charm!  Remember, you don’t have to go full-blown nautical in order to achieve a subtle nod to summer days at the beach!  In fact, the trend is strong right now to include objects that represent the coastal look without being too themed.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for thrifted coastal objects:

  • brass figures such as boats, shells, and swans
  • straw hats
  • seascape art
  • seashells
  • old oars
  • baskets
  • picnic items
  • straw bags or cute beach bags
  • sea sponges
  • pieces of coral
  • sailboat art
  • items made with driftwood
  • items with a cane or rattan finish

 

Thrift for Summer Decor #9: Architectural Salvage

You all already know how much I love architectural salvage, right?!  I definitely use it year round.  However, in the summer, I love to pull out some of my favorite pieces with blue and gray tones or chippy paint.

These simple touches of color help tell the story of summer beach days throughout our home!

I love these old hotel ledger pages I found at an outdoor market.  Using some $6 architectural salvage pieces, I made DIY poster holders!  Get my simple tutorial HERE!

Then, watch for some small architectural salvage pieces to make your own seasonal DIY picture holders!  You could even display favorite photographs from your summer travels!

 

Thrift for Summer Decor #10: Patriotic Decor

Summer is the perfect time to pull out the red, white, and blue decor!  I love finding holiday decor when thrifting.  Since I don’t leave my patriotic decor out for the entire summer, I get especially excited to find great deals on pieces I can mix into my summer decor.

I picked up these old flags when visiting family in Alaska.  They have 49 stars, which makes them a fun piece of history.  Plus, they were only $6 each!

Here are a few ideas to look for when thrifting that you can use for patriotic decor:

  • flags
  • red gingham textiles
  • blue or red striped fabrics, like tablecloths or pillow covers
  • red or blue dishes
  • red or blue pottery
  • twinkling lights (perfect for a July 4th party!)
  • patriotic serving dishes for entertaining
  • star baskets (I feel like I see these often!)
  • Americana signs
  • vintage pictures of Presidents or historical figures
  • Presidential silhouettes
  • vintage military photographs

 

 

How can I decorate my house on a budget?

Now you know the answer!  It’s time to go thrifting, hit up those summer flea markets, yard sales, estate sales, auctions, and vintage markets!

So…are you ready to go thrifting?!  If you’re like me, that is a big yes, always! I hope this gives you a few ideas to add to your thrifting list and even better, to shop your own home as you create some really simple styles for your summer decor!

Have fun and happy thrifting!!!

Next, I want you to hop over and visit these blogging friends.  You’ll love what they’ve found to share this month, their decor tips, and DIY ideas too!

Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse

Cindy from County Road 407

Kristin from White Arrows Home

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Transition to Summer

Friday Favorites-Transition to Summer

Friday Favorites-Transition to Summer

Hello Friends!

School is quickly coming to a close and I am switching my décor up for summer. I love these finds that are very French, vintage inspired. Hope you find something you like!  

Vintage Inspired Art

This is beautiful and under $16 dollars! For this vintage-inspired art, you can’t beat the price!

You can get it here 

Faux Palm Branches

Add them to a favorite vase or vessel for an instant summer home resort feeling!

Available here from Amazon

Trio of Vases

 Bring in the cool coastal colors with this vase trio. I love the vintage-inspiration and easy-to-style set!

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Rattan Wrapped Mango Wood Decorative Chain 

I like to add rattan and wicker accessories for summer. These are perfect to style with any coffee table vignette!

Find it here from Amazon

Jute Rug

Bring in jute elements for a casual summer home style. This rug is the perfect touch. 

Find it here

 

 

Gourd Shaped Rattan Table Lamp

 Add natural elements with neutral colors to create a backdrop for pops of favorite summer accents. This lamp is so cute and the perfect accent! 

Grab it here from Amazon!

Summer Throw Pillows

Add casual, comfy, and cozy style with this curated set of throw pillows. They are vintage-inspired and the adorable patterns are summer home perfection!

It’s available here from Amazon

Handmade Moroccan Seagrass Basket

 Add a perfect summer bag to your collection! Hang on a hook for home decor and grab on your way out the door to the beach or market. It comes in multiple sizes. This is the perfect versatile vintage French-style piece. 

It’s available here

 

Long Dough Bowl

 This piece you can leave on its own or feature a summer collection in this pretty vintage-inspired dough bowl! 

Find it here

Glass Wood Base

Add flowers, a candle, or your favorite summer shells to this versatile piece

Find it here!

Throw Pillow

This gingham is perfect for casual summer style, but I’ve enjoyed these all spring and will in the fall too! A great pillow to add to your collection. 

Find it here from Target. 

Antique Wooden Spindle

I love architectural salvage! These are beautiful pieces with lots of potential for styling for spring!

Find them here from Target. 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Install Pavers for a DIY Patio On a Budget

How to Install Pavers for a DIY Patio On a Budget

How to Install Pavers for a DIY Patio On a Budget

Concrete pavers with artificial grass is a great way to add curb appeal to a space. Check out this DIY patio on a budget that you can create!  Keep reading to see how we extended our front porch with this DIY patio on a budget!

I am so excited to share with you one of the top requested DIY projects from the exterior of our home.  Actually, it happens to be my very favorite one too!  It seems like some of you are wanting to update your outdoor spaces this year, too.  This DIY patio on a budget is perfect to both expand your outdoor area and also to add curb appeal and charm to any home.

However, to fully appreciate why this DIY patio on a budget is my favorite, let’s take a quick walk down memory lane to 2017…

The “before” story of our DIY patio

The first thing that might make you cringe could be that bright color, right?  No offense to those who love bright colors, of course.  I actually love them in small doses, but not all over the exterior of my house!  You can see why we were ready to dump white allllllllll over the exterior of our home!

We also knew we really wanted to add an extension to the front porch.  For the size of our home, it’s a rather small concrete pad that acts as a porch.  Especially coming from our former home that had a wrap-around porch, I was desperate to make this not only look inviting, but to be a space we could truly enjoy.

We had to wait a year and a half to let the dust settle on the extensive, whole-house renovation on the interior.  However, as soon as we were able to consider options for the front porch and landscape, I literally couldn’t wait!

Living in South Florida, we deal with very strict building codes and permits.  After some investigation, adding more concrete and building out the front porch was going to require extensive permits that would put us way over our budget.

With the help of a fresh eye from a local friend, we put together this design and got to work.

 


Should I DIY or hire someone?

I think it’s important to insert here that in the home décor/DIY world, we can get caught up in thinking we have to do everything ourselves.  Let this be your gentle reminder that it is perfectly fine to hire someone to do the jobs that you either don’t have time to do or don’t know how to do!  In our case, my husband and I both work full-time.  It was actually more cost effective for us to do our jobs and pay someone to do part of this DIY patio on a budget

Pro Tip: Weigh the time involved and get help if you want or need it!  It could save you money in the long run!


 

What is the best wood for a pergola?

We paid a local builder to build and install the pergola areas.  Because they are free-standing, we could avoid a lot of headache with building codes.

The columns are deeply buried in concrete and have already withstood a small hurricane and multiple tropical storms!  We used cedar wood for the pergola so it will last us for many, many years to come, even with our extremely hot and humid climate.

On either side of the cement front porch, I really wanted spaces that felt like an extension of the interior and gave some extra curb appeal.

Our home has a little bit of a southern look in the style and way that it is built.  With the extra tall windows and a little creativity, we were able to add a ton of charm here.

How do I give my house more curb appeal?

The projects that we have done to get the most significant update in curb appeal were to paint our driveway.  On THIS post, you can get all of the details about how we saved thousands of dollars by painting our driveway as a DIY rather than hiring a pro.

Secondly, we had the pergola built that extends our front porch and adds so much depth and character to our home.  If you are able to build on or add a real porch area, that is wonderful.  However, for us, it was much more cost effective to go with the pergola option.  Plus, I love the casual and inviting style!

Thirdly, we added this DIY patio with pavers and artificial grass.  I’ll share all the details of this DIY patio on a budget in this post!  Keep reading!

There are many projects you can do to improve the curb appeal of your home.  We are still working on our list, but have found that focusing on one big project at a time allows us to balance our time and budget.  At the same time, there are a lot of small things you can do in the meantime.

How to Install Pavers for a DIY Patio On a Budget

DIY Patio on a Budget Step One: Clear the space and level the ground

We enlisted the help of a college guy to help with some of the grunt work and make this project move along a little faster!  The most difficult part of the project was clearing the space and making it perfectly level.

DIY Patio on a Budget Step Two: Treat with weed killer

Once that was done, it was sprayed well with weed killer and the paver part was begun.  We chose to lay them on a diagonal to give a little more interest to the space.

Living close to Jupiter Island, I was inspired by this kind of design that can be found in those southern-style mansions!  (Not that we live in a mansion, but any stretch of the imagination.  However, curb appeal can add so much impact to even a tiny home!)

DIY Patio on a Budget Step Three: Spread filler material

Next, we spread a layer of fill material over the existing dirt and sand.   A short black plastic border helped keeps things in order.

DIY Patio on a Budget Step Four: Create a firm bed

Fourthly, we rented a small compactor to form the loose gravel & soils into a firm bed.

ProTip:  A hand tool will do the trick, but will cost you in time (and blisters!) If you can make it work, rent the mechanical compactor!  This is for sure the most time consuming step–but the most important!

 

 

DIY Patio on a Budget Step Five: Measure and lay pavers

Finally, it was time to lay the pavers.  It is important to measure carefully!  A wet saw was used to cut the pavers to the correct dimensions.  We chose to space the pavers 4 inches apart.

DIY Patio on a Budget Step Six: Cut the artificial turf and install

We choose to use artificial turf  between the pavers so that no matter the season, this space would always look fresh and manicured.

This turf grass was reasonably priced and has held up incredibly well for almost 3 years now.  It hasn’t faded or become worn, even though this pergola area gets all the weather elements.

UPDATE: After 5 years, this turf grass has not faded and still looks beautiful!

Next, we cut the turf strips to exactly 4 inches.  Using stakes, we secured the turf every 12-18 inches, being certain to give it extra security around the border.

How to hang a porch swing?

We finished out this porch and pergola space with a pair of vintage swings that we picked up at a flea market for $30.  Yes, thirty dollars for the PAIR!  Talk about budget friendly!  We will eventually need to replace these, but they have served us well so far.  Our kids like to go outside and read and I love to see them using this space!

Pro Tip:  The porch swings should ideally be hung at about 17 inches off the ground.

UPDATE: Our flea market found porch swings lasted for about 5 years before finally breaking down from the harsh Florida sun, humidity, and overall use.

We added THESE gorgeous porch swings that are very heavy duty and will last for many years to come.  Our kids love the flip down cup holders too!  They were very easy to assemble and install.

This paver and turf idea would work great for any outdoor space where you want a hard, concrete space with a softer look.  It would be great under a gazebo, beside a pool, surrounding a garden shed, or use it as a base to create an outdoor living area!

 

Add comfort to your DIY patio on a budget!

We had the outdoor coffee table custom built with the same wood as the pergola.  I love how it ties it all together and is the perfect spot to rest your feet, a drink, a book, or all of the above!

Since this space gets all the weather elements, it was important to have a table built with wood that will stand the test of time (and weather).

There are lots of cute outdoor coffee tables available, especially in the spring, but a custom option worked great for us.

Here are 5 favorite outdoor coffee tables to add comfort and style to your patio:

  1. This grade A teak, round coffee table will last for many years!
  2. Make it cozy with a fire pit coffee table!
  3. Add concrete side tables for flexibility.
  4. Add great style with this concrete and metal table!
  5. This outdoor coffee table can double as great storage!

How can I make my patio look nice on a budget?

Now that you’ve done all that work to create a gorgeous patio, how can you decorate it and still stay on a budget?

Outdoor throw pillows for the win!

Firstly, I invested in high-quality outdoor pillows for this space as well.  I knew regular outdoor pillows would fade and fall apart within a year or two. These pillows are easy to clean up and look as good as new in no time!  Even in several years, they haven’t faded, which says a lot in the Florida sun!

Next, I love the look of the black and white stripe and how versatile they are for every season.  It’s easy to add some punches of different seasonal colors and décor to this space, or leave it simple and clean with just the black and white!

You can shop my storefront here for more favorite outdoor pillows!

Other easy patio/porch decor I love:

White rocking chairs, some outdoor planter baskets from Walmart, and new wreaths from Target spruced up this space. Now, when I pull in the driveway, it feels like a good place to come home to.

UPDATE: This year, I added these gorgeous faux cedar trees.  They have a UV protectant and are weather resistant.  I highly recommend them for an easy way to refresh your porch!

Lastly, I added these beautiful faux flowers in white.  Like the topiaries, they are designed to withstand the elements and have a UV protectant.  I love how they are so easy to maintain and perfect for those spots that are hard to remember to water.  Or in my case, just get so much sun that fresh ones don’t last without constant irrigation!

Follow my storefront for updated ideas to decorate outdoors on a budget!

I am continually adding new things to my outdoor design and decor storefront.  You’ll find everything from furniture to accessories, to clever ideas for easy curb appeal.  Whenever I see something new that I love, I add it there for more inspiration for you (and me too!).

I’d love for you to follow my storefront HERE and keep updated with all of my favorites!

Remember, curb appeal isn’t as much about what the neighbors think of your home as it is about how you feel when you arrive home!

Isn’t that the best part of all?!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Simple and Easy Ideas to Organize a Kitchen Like a Pro

Simple and Easy Ideas to Organize a Kitchen Like a Pro

Simple and Easy Ideas to Organize a Kitchen Like a Pro

Do you feel overwhelmed at how to organize a kitchen? Or want a kitchen that feels more functional? Check out these easy tips anyone can do!  I’m sharing the simple steps I took to take my kitchen organization to the next level…and you can too!

Do you ever scroll social media or flip through a magazine and see those kitchen organization tips that look, well, like no one actually lives there?!  I won’t even try to pretend that our kitchen is perfectly organized.  Actually, our kitchen isn’t perfect at all.  Then again, yours probably isn’t either or you wouldn’t be reading this post!  Haha!  However, with some easy, yet clever tips, you can make your kitchen functional incredibly well.  Let’s check out how to organize a kitchen together!

I like to think of myself as a pretty organized person.  The rule “a place for everything and everything in its place” is true for our household.

Note: I didn’t say everyone single person follows the rule all the time.

However, I really strive toward keeping a home that is organized.

There are a few reasons I think home organization is really important:

  1. Home organization saves time. (Example: Spending time looking for things you need.)
  2. It saves money in the long run. (Example: Buying stuff because you can’t find what you already have.)
  3. An organized home reduces stress.  (Example: My kids aren’t stressed waiting for me.  They know where to find things or I can easily tell them where to find things.)
  4. Keeping a clean and organized home creates a peaceful environment for you and your family.

This definitely applies to the kitchen and maybe even more so than some other areas of the home.  To put it simply, a kitchen is a very busy place in the home!  However, there are some easy tips to follow to make it highly functional.

Let’s get started!

How should I best organize kitchen cabinets and drawers?

I don’t think there is just one right way to organize a kitchen.  In fact, how you organize your kitchen depends on a few things:

  • How you use your kitchen
  • Who is using your kitchen
  • Size of your kitchen
  • Layout of your kitchen

However, most of us have probably experienced some unruly drawers and cabinets.  I feel like that for the first time in my adult life, my kitchen drawers and cabinets are actually set up in a way that makes the most sense for our family.

At the same time, they feel fresh and aesthetically pleasing when I pull open the drawers or open a cabinet door.  There is certainly a great feeling about that!

As I type this, I realize that there are likely so many of you who have accomplished this way ahead of me.  That’s amazing!  However, for me, it has taken a long time for me to just get it altogether as well as budget for some tools that are making a world of difference.

Pro Tip:  Whatever step you are in the process, just keep going.  Having a truly organized home doesn’t happen overnight for most of us.  In fact, it can really take years of tweaking, experimenting, and trying varied styles before figuring out what works for you.

 

What is the best way to organize a kitchen?

We will look at these steps in more detail throughout the post.

  1. Take everything out of the section you’re organizing.
  2. Deep clean the drawer and cabinetry.
  3. Group like items together.
  4. Discard broken or worn out items.
  5. Bag up items that you have multiples of.  Donate them or save for a yard sale.
  6. Lay out the items you’re keeping in the space where you want to keep them.
  7. Measure and research the best kind of organizing tool for the space and storage needs.
  8. After collecting organizing tools, install them into your kitchen drawers and cabinets.
  9. Teach your family where things belong and how to put them away each time they are used.
  10. Set a goal to consistently do a quick reorganization to keep things fresh and tidy.  Once a month would be ideal for me.

 

What can I use to organize my kitchen?

There are SO many great tools, organizers, and gadgets out there to help you organize your kitchen.  However, you don’t need every single bell and whistle available.  If your budget allows, purchase practical organizers that provide long-term function for your space.

However, if you are doing a more budget-friendly reorganization project, shop around your home for tools.  You probably have many items that will work great to help you get organized.

Personally, I am not a huge fan of gadgets.  Instead, I prefer basic elements that are high quality and fit my space just right.  Below, you can find my 7 favorites that I used to organize my own kitchen!

As you can see, they aren’t super fancy or expensive!

Seven favorite types of kitchen organizers:

 

Simple and Easy Ideas to Organize a Kitchen Like a Pro

Tip #1 to Organize a Kitchen: Clear the Clutter

You already know this.  However, it is certainly a mystery how the clutter comes back so quickly?!  Is it just me?  For example, how on earth do we collect 17 different plastic cups by the time I go to reorganize and freshen up the kitchen?  It’s such a mystery.

The first step to organizing a kitchen is to take everything out.  Some organizing posts will tell you to completely empty the space.  If you have a few days where no one needs in the kitchen and you’ve got it all to yourself, go for it.

Around here, a couple drawers or one cabinet at a time is much more realistic speed.

What is the fastest way to clean and declutter?

First, I empty the contents of that drawer or cabinet.  Secondly, I toss or set aside anything that doesn’t get used, is worn out, broken, or just unneeded.  (For example, we had a ridiculous number of whisks.  We set aside the ones we actually use and got rid of the rest!)

This step is so freeing and feels soooo good!  It can feel hard to get started.  However, I promise that once you get started, you’re going to be so glad you did it!

Tip #2 to Organize a Kitchen: Deep Clean

This is the time to deep clean that drawer or cabinet!  I also like to go ahead and wash the items that are going back in the drawer or cabinet, especially if they are items I don’t use often.  There is no doubt some things have collected a little dust time, right?!

You can find all of my tips and ideas for deep cleaning your home over on THIS post!

Pro Tip: If tackling the whole kitchen feels overwhelming (it does to me), take it one section or even one drawer at a time!  You can do it!  

It’s like eating an elephant.  How do you eat an elephant?  One bit at a time!  Haha!

Tip #3 to Organize a Kitchen: Measure and Research

How do you organize what goes where in a kitchen?

I’ll admit, I brought in a friend to help me with this step.  This is definitely the most time consuming part.  At the same time, two brains are better than one sometimes!

You’ll want to take your time on this step in order to get the best possible organization and function.

First, measure the drawer or cabinet.  Secondly, measure or evaluate about how much space the items you want to put in that drawer or cabinet are going to take.  

Thirdly, think about what kind of organizational tool will provide the best function for your needs.  Lastly, research organization options, checking the measurements carefully.

I have linked all of the organizational items that I used, along with other favorites that I liked but didn’t end up needing, all on my storefront.  You can check them out HERE!

Favorite types of kitchen organizers:

Tip #4 to Organize a Kitchen: Install and Organize Kitchen Items

This is the step that I enjoy the most!  It is finally time to install your organizers and put everything away.  It feels so fresh and clean and wonderful!

However, this is also the step where you may discover something doesn’t fit or work like you thought it would.  That is OKAY!  Go back to step 3 and try again.  It’s much better to take a little longer and complete the job with the optimal functional and organization.

Where should I put things in my small kitchen?

No matter the size of your kitchen, choosing the right storage and organization tools will help you maximize the space.

Even though every kitchen needs to suit the needs and style of the owner, here are some general guidelines that I find helpful when putting everything away:

  • Everyday dishes, cups, and flatware near the dish washer
  • Utensils, potholders, and cookware near the stove/oven
  • Dish towels near the kitchen sink
  • Anything for the kids on a lower level, easily accessible to them (water bottles, kid-proof dishes, etc.)
  • Dinner dishes and serving dishes that is not used often on the top shelves of cabinets
  • Items for entertaining, such as pitchers, vases, and special dishes on the top shelves of cabinets

Tip #5 to Organize a Kitchen: Educate the Household and Set Up a Schedule for Consistent Decluttering

In my opinion, these last two tips are 98% of the reason why some of my organizing systems for various places in our home have NOT worked in the past.

Firstly, organization is great.  However, unless you are going to be the only one putting things away in your home, the organizing won’t last if your household isn’t educated on the system!

Even young children can be taught to put things away where they belong.  Trust me…I teach preschoolers and clean up time truthfully is a breeze.  They are completely capable of learning.

Pro Tip:  It just requires consistency, repetition, and patience.  At the same time, insistence on being helpful by putting things where they are supposed to go!

If my preschoolers can do it, surely my big kids can do so in our kitchen too.  Right?!  I hope so!

How can I keep my kitchen decluttered and organized?

The second most important tip that I think is really necessary to maintain all the hard work you’ve done organizing your kitchen is to consistently declutter.  You can best evaluate how this can work the best for your home.

I try to go through all of my cabinets and drawers twice a year.  This does not mean I am emptying them completely.  However, I do a quick scan and set aside anything that we do not use.  These items go into a yard sale pile or thrift store donation bag.

When my children were younger, I feel like I did this more often, as they were not as great about putting things away.  Also, the “extras” seemed to accumulate extra fast!

Pro Tip:  Depending on your season of life and general lifestyle, set up consistent times to do a quick decluttering of your kitchen.  At the same time, tidy up and reorganize as needed.

 

How do you organize a kitchen like a professional?

Be your own professional!  No one knows or understands your space as well as you.  Following the simple tips and steps in this post will help you get the optimal use and function from your kitchen.  At the same time, you’ll be able to maintain the fresh, organized look over time too.

I know I am really enjoying my reorganized kitchen and I’m so glad I took time to “do it right” this time!  I hope this post helps you get the same great organization and function for your own kitchen!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

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How to Create 5 Perfect DIY Mother’s Day Gift Basket Ideas

How to Create 5 Perfect DIY Mother’s Day Gift Basket Ideas

How to Create 5 Perfect DIY Mother’s Day Gift Basket Ideas

Ready to create a meaningful gift she will love?! Check out these ways to make the perfect Mother’s Day gift baskets for special ladies in your life!  These would also be perfect gifts for teachers, grandmothers, caregivers, and special helpers!  Keep reading for my favorite picks this year!

I love the idea of Mother’s Day.  However, if I’m being honest, I’d be really delighted to skip over the whole idea of being celebrated.  The fact is, I don’t feel deserving of being celebrated.  Some days, being a mom is just HARD and the failures can feel like they can stack up awfully fast.  However, my husband and kids insist.  So, whether you are creating Mother’s Day gift basket ideas for a special lady in your life or even trying to give some helpful ideas to your own family, this post is for YOU!

Sometimes, being celebrated as a mom feels a lot more like extra work.  Am I right?! ????  I find myself trying to make sure that everyone around me feels like they’ve done a good job rather than actually relaxing myself.

This post is to try to make that easier for all of us moms!!!  Let’s take some of the guesswork out with this Mother’s Day gift basket ideas that are guaranteed to bring a smile and feel special.  In fact, there are ideas for lots of different kinds of moms, grandmothers, friends, caregivers, and teachers.

I had fun thinking of the different kinds of ladies I would want to celebrate and hopefully these ideas make preparing for the upcoming holiday (including Teacher Appreciation) extra easy for you!!!

How to make a Mother’s basket?

Follow these simple and easy tips:

  1. Choose a theme: think about her favorite interests, hobbies, or needs.
  2. Start with a pretty container: below, I’ve linked my favorite baskets, bags, and vessels to help you create a gift as special and unique as she is!
  3. Fill the container with her favorites: this could be theme-related or just her favorite things.
  4. Add a personal touch: kind notes, handmade cards or art, and special photos are great additions.
  5. Use a filler: a cozy blanket, new beach towel, kitchen towel, or other soft item is perfect to fill in the gaps and add texture.

I’ll show you each of these, step by step, in the post below!

How to Create 5 Perfect DIY Mother’s Day Gift Basket Ideas

First, start with a basket she will love!

This should be something super cute and set the theme for the whole gift!  It is also great if the “basket” is something she can enjoy using long after Mother’s Day too.

While I use the term basket, I am using it lightly.  This could really be any kind of cute or pretty container that will hold your gifts.

Hang on…I’ve got some really fun ideas for you!

Here is a quick round up of the perfect containers:

I can’t think of a mom who wouldn’t love most, if not all, of these ideas!  I know I definitely love them myself!  They are all so different, yet wonderful!  Check them out:

    1. Bogg bag: I’m hoping my husband is reading my blog.  I really want one of these!  Haha!
    2. Pretty rattan boxes: hold the gifts and she can decorate a shelf or table with it later!
    3. Stunning basket tray: display the gifts or even set up an amazing breakfast tray for her with a gift tucked in…then she can use the tray on her table for seasons and years to come.  I have and love this tray so much!
    4. Adorable basket bag: perfect to hold the small…but wonderful gifts…like special notes, gift cards, and cash for a shopping spree!  (Also don’t mind if my husband reads this line of my post too!)
    5. Beach bag: tuck her favorites inside and whisk her away to relax for the day!
    6. Pretty hanging basket: fill it with her favorite flowers, tie on a gift card, and then she can hang it on her door for any season.
    7. Weekender bag: need a gift for the adventurer?  Or maybe the mom who just needs some time to herself?  Pack a few favorites and send her off for a weekend!

 

Mother’s Day Gift Basket Ideas for the Mom Who Needs Some Self-Care Time…

after all, she’s been spending a lot of time taking care of everyone else!

This Mother’s Day basket gift idea is perfect for that mom who spends most of her time taking care of everyone else.  She loves her family and those around her.  In the busyness of taking care of others, maybe she doesn’t even know how much she needs some time to herself being pampered!  This gift, accompanied by quiet time, will restore her mind and heart!

  1. Highly rated eye massager: she can enjoy this gift on a consistent basis to refresh herself and help with those headaches from busy days too!
  2. Shower steamers for every kind of day!
  3. My favorite French press: give her time to treat herself to an extra special cup
  4. Comfiest lounge set available in such pretty colors
  5. Hair shampoo brush for a scalp massage whenever she wants it!
  6. My very favorite hand lotion: the smell alone is so soothing!
  7. Amazing shower steamer spray: even a few minutes can feel like a soothing spa!
  8. Natural pumice stone for the feet that are always on the go for you!
  9. Portable electric kettle so she can enjoy a soothing cup wherever she is
  10. Pack it all up in this gorgeous weekender bag set!

Mother’s Day Gift Basket Ideas for the Mom Who Is Always On the Go…usually for YOU!

Basically, these Mother’s Day gift ideas are for any mom who has kids still at home because speaking from first-hand experience, it takes a big push-back from culture to NOT be on the go all the time!  Often, however, it’s just unavoidable as we support and love our kids, their interests, passions, and friendships.  Right?

As a teacher, I have to say, this would make an amazing teacher appreciation gift too!!!

I am loving this gift basket idea because I think it is super fun but also really, really functional and practical.  Plus, it looks cute too!

  1. Bogg bag (3 sizes and lots of colors available!) Hint: I am obsessed with these!  Find the medium size one HERE! 
  2. Find the Large one HERE!
  3. Add a classy beach towel or light throw blanket for filler.  I love this one!
  4. Include accessories, such as these snap-on clear organizers.
  5. This Bogg bag divider and tray, pack of two
  6. Add practical accessories like this snap-on bottle and can holder
  7. Tuck in this water bottle that is the ideal size for on the go!
  8. Keep her sunglasses and accessories handy with this snap-on organizer.
  9. Add some charm with these cute snap-on letters!
  10. Add a gift card so she can order things she needs or wants on the go too!

What are the top ten Mother’s Day gifts?

This list would vary, I’m sure, from person to person.  However, these seem to definitely always be near the top of any list!

  1. Flowers
  2. Special food or drink treats
  3. Candles
  4. Perfume
  5. Something personalized
  6. Skincare
  7. Spa Day
  8. Gift cards
  9. Special weekend trip
  10. Things for the home (try to avoid the classic vacuum!  Haha!)

What do most moms want on Mother’s Day?

As a mom, I can almost guarantee that most moms would say they want time and relaxation!  This Mother’s Day, hopefully you can incorporate those gifts into celebrating your loved one.

At the same time, I promise she won’t mind a thoughtful gift too.  You can shop my favorite Mother’s Day gift ideas all in one place, HERE, for your convenience! 

I hope these thoughtful and even unique ideas help it make it easier for you to make HER day special!

What can kids do for mothers on Mother’s Day?

As you approach this Mother’s Day, here are a few tips:

  • Take the pressure off; don’t force her into a big and extravagant celebration that she has to plan or clean up from.
  • Take note of all the little things she does around the house and try to stay one step ahead of her for the weekend; she will appreciate those little things!
  • Don’t overspend and stress her out about money.
  • Try to not wait until the last minute and then end up with something that isn’t thoughtful or what she would really enjoy.
  • Time is a wonderful gift…time with family, time to herself, time to unwind, time to do the things she enjoys with no guilt!

Wishing all of the mothers out there a very happy day.  I see you and I know that this holiday can bring around lots of emotions.  It doesn’t always “feel” like a happy day for every mother or every child who has perhaps lost a mother.  I know there have been years for me when Mother’s Day was a really hard day, to be honest.

I hope you know that most of all, you are loved by your Heavenly Father.  Keep up the good work, press forward, and know you are valued more than you could ever know!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Decorate Outdoors On a Budget: 55 Best Ideas

How to Decorate Outdoors On a Budget: 55 Best Ideas

How to Decorate Outdoors On a Budget: 55 Best Ideas

Ready to refresh your outdoor spaces? Get my favorite ideas to update and decorate outdoors on a budget for the spring and summer seasons!  Keep reading for some of our favorite outdoor DIY projects, porch decor, poolside accessories, and more!

Who else is working and planning for their outdoor spaces right now?  Decorating outdoors on a budget is definitely a top priority for us right now.  We have several spaces that are in need of some clean up, refresh, redo, and projects that need started to begin with!  In fact, there is so much that we want to do that decorating outdoors on a budget is 100% essential if we want to make any progress!

It is that time of year when most of us look forward to spending more time on our porches and patios.  Whether you need a complete overhaul of your outdoor spaces or just some quick and simple DIY decor, this post is full of all our favorite ways to decorate outdoors on a budget.

Let’s get started!

How can I make my outdoor area look nice?

I totally understand and relate to this question.  In fact, it’s been a questions we’ve been discussing over here as we work on refreshing and updating outdoor spaces.

Actually, in all fairness, we’ve never completed all of the outdoor projects in our home renovation.  Other things just always seem to jump to the top of the list.  Our goal for this year is to continue saving for and working on long-term outdoor improvements.  At the same time, choosing quality pieces that can help us enjoy our space in the here and now too!

Here are a few basic tips for making your outdoor area look like a beautiful retreat:

  1. Clear out the spaces and assess the need and priorities.
  2. Clean everything up: landscape, paint, weeds, broken items, etc.
  3. Fix the basics and make sure the foundation of the space is solid and ready to go. (We’ve had a lot of of this to do!)
  4. Define outdoor zones for relaxing, dining, and play.
  5. If you’re on a budget, prioritize which area you’ll use the most and focus your budget and time there.
  6. Make quality choices that will withstand the weather of your location.
  7. Check thrift stores, yard sales, Facebook marketplace, and clearance sections for good deals.  However, don’t buy just because it’s cheap.  Look for quality pieces that will last you for the long-term too.
  8. Add simple accessories that can be easily maintained.
  9. Price out the other outdoor areas you want to work on.  Next, make lists of what you’re looking for in those areas.  Then, you can save accordingly and develop a timeline for your projects.
  10. Use and enjoy the spaces.  It doesn’t have to be perfect in order to have fun!

How to Decorate Outdoors On a Budget: Favorite DIY and Decor Ideas

Here are some of our favorite projects and decor that we have done in our outdoor spaces.  One mistake I’ve made in the past is to try to disguise the “bad foundation” with some pretty decor.  While that can work for the short-term, we have found that approaching it differently definitely pays off.

If you want to decorate outdoors on a budget, consider investing in making sure the foundation is done well and looks great.  Then, you really don’t need or want as much decor as it may seem like otherwise!

Does that make sense?!

Check out some of our favorites:

1. Beautiful Driveway DIY for Budget Curb Appeal

We have the longest and ugliest driveway in our neighborhood, no doubt.  However, as ugly as it is, it was a huge selling point for us!

I love that there is plenty of space for the kids to ride bikes, roller skate, play basketball, set up corn hole or ping pong, and so many other activities.  Also, I absolutely love that our home sets back from the road just a bit.  While that is common for my northern friends, it is harder to come by in South Florida.

If I would have had any idea what an incredible transformation painting our driveway would have on the entire look of our home and property’s exterior, it would have been one of the first things we did.

After painting over the bright teal color of the house, of course.  Haha!

We saved thousands of dollars by making this a DIY project.  Even though it was a big job, the before and after is definitely evidence that it was totally worth it!

How to create curb appeal cheap?

Paint your driveway!  Can you even believe the difference?!

This goes for painting porches, patios, and even walkways too.  You can use this same DIY tutorial for any outdoor concrete spaces.  Not only did the project turn out great, but it also is holding up really well over time in our harsh Florida sun, humidity, and rain.

Get the full tutorial HERE!

2. Decorate outdoors on a budget with creative curb appeal.

Having a budget simply means you have the opportunity to get really creative!  However, I admit that sometimes I would really just love for a professional to come in and take over our outdoor spaces.  Since that definitely is NOT in the budget for us, we are working our way around the house, one project at a time.

One of my very favorite outdoor projects was the porch extension to the front of our home.

We immediately knew we really wanted to add an extension to the front porch.  For the size of our home, it’s a rather small concrete pad that acts as a porch.  Especially coming from our former home that had a wrap-around porch, I was desperate to make this not only look inviting, but to be a space we could truly enjoy.

We had to wait a year and a half to let the dust settle on the extensive, whole-house renovation on the interior, but as soon as we were able to consider options for the front porch and landscape, I literally couldn’t wait!

I think you’ll love this before and after also.  For me, this DIY literally changed the entire look of our home’s exterior!

What adds the most curb appeal?

To me, adding character and texture to the design of your home is a great way to create a statement with your curb appeal.  At the same time, work to blend your curb appeal into overall look of your home.  Investing in classic styles with quality materials will pay off in the long run!

You can get the full tutorial for our DIY pavers and artificial turf grass project, along with the plans for how we added this whole front porch extension, over on THIS POST!

3. Decorate outdoors on a budget with curtains!

How do you make a boring patio look nice?

One of my favorite outdoor hacks are these DIY outdoor curtains.  So inexpensive and easy to use in almost any outdoor space!

At our current home, our gazebo space has a rod to hang curtains.  However, our previous home had a long, covered patio with no rod.  This DIY works easily either way!

Pro Tip: If you want to add a budget-friendly statement to a covered porch or patio area, a staple gun works perfectly!  That’s what we did at our previous home!

Sound fun?  I love my DIY outdoor curtains and most of all, I love the price.

You can get the quick and simple tutorial HERE!

Update: While my DIY outdoor curtains still look great, I did find some wonderful waterproof outdoor curtains for a great deal too.  Check them out on my storefront HERE!

4. Make an easy DIY lantern for outdoor decor.

I love this DIY project for decorating outdoors on a budget.  The best thing is that you can adjust the tutorial, found HERE, to make beautiful outdoor lanterns in whatever size you need for your space.  We love the huge, 36″ ones we have on our front porch!

Secondly, I love that they are solid and will last outdoors for a long time.  Decorating outdoors on a budget is wonderful but if you don’t invest in quality, you’ll just have to replace your decor sooner rather than later!

Get the easy tutorial, tips, and idea for these beautiful DIY outdoor lanterns on THIS POST!

If you want to just make an easy purchase, I also have THESE outdoor lanterns in several sizes and love them!  I added the gold this year and they are beautiful!

5. Decorate outdoors on a budget by refreshing your front porch!

Decorating outdoors on a budget can feel like a daunting task.  However, focusing on just a quick refresh each season for your front porch is a great way to keep your curb appeal looking welcoming and fresh.  At the same time, it kind of forces me to give the front porch a good deep clean throughout the year too!

Decorating your front porch doesn’t have to be expensive.  In fact, I usually reuse a lot of things from year to year for the different seasons.

Here are some tips and ideas for refreshing your front porch for the seasons:

  1. Easy Front Porch Decorating for Spring
  2. 9 Beautiful Ideas for Your Summer Front Porch Decor
  3. 9 Fall Entryway and Porch Decorating Ideas for Your Home
  4. 9 Gorgeous Porch Decorating Ideas for Christmas

6. Add functional and charm with an outdoor dining space.

Doesn’t dining al fresco just have a lovely ring and charm to it?!  To be honest, we tend to eat outdoors more in the fall and winter than we do in the summer here in Florida.  I’m not big on sweating while I eat. ????

However, I do love having a casual outdoor dining space.  Actually, it gets used a lot during the summer when our kids and their friends are enjoying pool days.  I don’t mind at all to carry lunch out to them, especially if it keeps them all from dripping inside!

Over on THIS POST, I’ve shared my best tips and ideas for how to plan and create an outdoor dining space that can really work for you and your family.

If you’re looking to bring people together, dining is a great way to do that.  Outdoor entertaining can be so fun and really expand your guest list too!

Check it all out HERE!

7. Incorporate an outdoor lounge space.

How do you build a welcoming outdoor space?

Nothing invites you, your family, or friends to come on over and relax like a comfy outdoor lounge space!  Whether you have a large enough space to add several outdoor lounge chairs or a simple corner that you can designate as the official lounging corner, I highly recommend creating an outdoor lounge space.

In fact, one way to decorate outdoors on a budget in any size space is to create a comfy outdoor lounge space.  From a small balcony to a stretched out poolside retreat, outdoor lounging can be oh-so-relaxing!

Here is what you need:

  1. Comfortable lounge chair that is weather resistant and can withstand the elements.
  2. Umbrella and stand (optional)
  3. Small side table to hold your lemonade or coffee
  4. Cute throw pillow
  5. Good book or magazine
  6. Don’t forget sunscreen!

That’s it!

I’ll link several favorite options for outdoor lounging here:

8. 5 Ideas to decorate outdoors on a budget for under $100

How can I make my outdoor area look better?

Needing just a quick and simple refresh?  Try these budget-friendly projects:

  1. Paint your porch.
  2. Install new door hardware.
  3. Replace or paint your mailbox.
  4. Add new planters by the front door.
  5. Replace tired plants with these beautiful faux, UV and weather resistant topiaries.
  6. Add lights around the patio or porch.  (We love THESE!)

Follow my storefront for updated ideas to decorate outdoors on a budget!

I am continually adding new things to my outdoor design and decor storefront.  You’ll find everything from furniture to accessories, to clever ideas for easy curb appeal.  Whenever I see something new that I love, I add it there for more inspiration for you (and me too!).

I’d love for you to follow my storefront HERE and keep updated with all of my favorites!

How do I make an outdoor area on a budget?

Start by setting your budget.  Then, choose one area to focus on.  Next, channel your creativity and find some inspiration (hopefully this post helps!).  Then, just get started!

Any kind of design, especially on a budget, requires some patience.  However, look for ways to enjoy what you currently have while working toward your goals to make your home the most welcoming for you and your family.

We have lived in our home for several years and feel like we’ve barely started outdoors.  However, when we look at how far we’ve come, the patience has definitely paid off.  I can’t wait to see how it all looks in another few years after we keep budgeting, working hard, and being creative!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Outdoor Styles for Porch and Patio Season

Outdoor Styles for Porch and Patio Season

Outdoor Styles for Porch and Patio Season

Hello Friends!

This week I wanted to share my favorite finds recently. I have rounded up my favorite items for a porch or patio. You will definitely want to add these to your cart and get them to your house asap! Perfect for a night as a family enjoying the spring and then summer months!

Double Lounger Chairs

 We ordered these double loungers for our pool area. They are super comfy and will last for many years. I love the light wood look, but it’s still outdoor weather-resistant aluminum.

You can get these here 

Outdoor Rug

 This is a gorgeous outdoor rug, available in different sizes

Available here

Outdoor Umbrella

 I am loving this new outdoor umbrella for our pool area! This fringe adds great texture and detail!

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Set of Outdoor String Lights

This is a great strand of commercial-grade lights! The commercial grade ensures these will last for years!

Find them here from Amazon

Wicker Outdoor Modular

I love this style It’s natural looking with beautiful cream color cushions.It has a high-end look for a great price! Plus, it’s a modular so you can move it around to fit your space and needs!

Find it here

 

 

Sunbrella Pillows

 Sunbrella pillows are the best investment! These can be easily cleaned. I have had mine out in unprotected outdoor spaces for years now and they still look good! Great quality and will last so you save a lot in the long run. They really do not fade which is perfect for us in Flordia or anywhere with a lot of sun year round. 

Grab them here from Amazon!

Topiary Trees

We added these to our front porch and I love them!  UV protected so they will last longer. I also  added to thrifted vintage concrete pots to make them taller. They are really so pretty and they look very real! The perfect thing to flank the front doors!

It’s available here from Amazon

Waterproof Sheer Curtains

Use these waterproof, sheer curtains to soften the look of the outdoor space. They are so pretty on a porch too! Thye help to to bring the indoors out. AND they are waterproof so they will stay looking nice for a long time!

It’s available here

 

Outdoor Chandelier

This is a beautiful outdoor chandelier. It’s battery-operated so you can hang it anywhere, it comes in 2 sizes,  budget-friendly and adds a statement piece to a porch or outdoor living/dining space.

Find it here

Concrete Side Tables

 We added these between the loungers. They are durable and will last for a really long time, easy to maintain,  and they don’t take up a lot of space!

Find them here

Cast Metal Outdoor Lanterns

There are available in gold or black. I have black ones that still look good after 5 years of being in unprotected outdoor space! They come in 4 sizes. So worth the investment!

Find them here

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Create an Outdoor Dining Space: 5 Easy Tips

How to Create an Outdoor Dining Space: 5 Easy Tips

How to Create an Outdoor Dining Space: 5 Easy Tips

Summer is the perfect time to create an outdoor dining space. Enjoy 5 easy tips to get ready to relax and dine alfresco in a cozy new space!  Keep reading to see how we turned a sad concrete square into an outdoor dining room!

It is entirely possible that I love outdoor dining because it’s just way less mess to clean up.  However, that would be just one of the many reasons!  When we bought our home, I immediately saw the sad concrete square in the backyard as an opportunity to create an outdoor dining space that would be simple, yet beautiful.

Whether it’s at a restaurant or at home, there’s something about dining al fresco that feels a little more relaxed.  Creating an outdoor dining space invites you to linger a little longer and to have more of a dining experience.

Even when our kids were really little, one of their favorite things was to grill hotdogs, grab paper plates, a bag of chips, and jump in the pool after dinner!

We had a wonderful outdoor dining area at our previous home and even after several years in our current home, I still miss that space!  One of our projects after we bought our home was to create an outdoor dining area that comfortably seats all five of our family!

How do I build an outdoor eating area?

It took a few years to be able to really invest in our project to create an outdoor dining space.  However, some DIY, pulling out some vintage favorites, planting a few flowers…and we finally have our outdoor dining room!  We are going to chat all about that in today’s post!

Of course, that was after hours of debating and comparing furniture and budgets.  At the same time, it was important to invest in something we would really love love over the long term!

How can I make my outdoor dining better?

Here are some elements I am focusing on as I continue to work on creating an outdoor dining space:

  1. Define a dining area outside of your home.
  2. Add functional furniture for how you and your family will use the space.
  3. Bring the indoors out with pretty accents.
  4. Add elements that make the space more comfortable.
  5. Create simple place settings.

A quick disclaimer and some real life:

We are still working on this space!  There are several things we want to add and improve, mainly some additional landscaping.  However, we don’t have to have perfect landscaping to start using and enjoying this space!

Let’s chat about the projects we have done so far.  At the same time, we will look at elements we added to create a low-maintenance, comfortable outdoor dining room.

How to Create an Outdoor Dining Space: 5 Easy Tips

Tip #1 to create an outdoor dining space: Define an area

We added this gazebo soon after moving into our home, as we couldn’t pass up a deep, end-of-summer clearance.  The 12×12 concrete pad was already there when we purchased the house, so that was an obvious choice to create an outdoor dining space.

Actually, we think it had a shed at one point, so it made a great spot to add this 10×10 gazebo!  Next, we chose the black metal to tie in with the black doors and shutters of our home’s exterior.  While this exact model isn’t available, I found similar ones HERE and HERE.

Add a gazebo or covered space

You certainly do not have to have a gazebo or even a covered area at all to create an outdoor dining space!  However, with our tropical Florida weather, it’s almost a little pointless to try and have outdoor furniture set ups that stay pretty and are uncovered.

Unless, of course, you have lots and lots of time to clean and maintain it (which we don’t want to have to do!), you can put an outdoor living or dining space anywhere!  At the same time, it also gets very hot, so having a covered spot with shade just makes it more enjoyable for us!

Add a privacy wall

This was a project we finished with a local builder friend and it turned out so well.  It has been a great fit for our outdoor dining space for several years now.

First, the narrow slats are nailed to three verticals.  Next, the verticals are then screwed into the metal corners.  With one more vertical in the middle for strength, I just love how it turned out!  It makes the perfect backdrop for so many decorating ideas!

For a really easy and versatile privacy option, I absolutely love this 5 foot privacy screen divider that is also a planter!  Perfect for a porch or deck where you need a pretty backdrop and/or some privacy!

Add a rug to define an outdoor space

Outdoor rugs can be a tricky thing, but I cannot say enough good about the outdoor rug collections from Boutique Rugs.  I love the color and texture on this one and it is the perfect complement to the modern farmhouse vibes of our outdoor living space AND the vintage look of the table and bench.

I also love that while it has some white on it, it has a gray base and hides the dirt a little better!  My rug is the Thorntonville outdoor rug in an 8×10 size!  Having a good outdoor rug is a wonderful way to make any outdoor space feel cozy and inviting, much like you would decorate an interior space!

I have a 60% off coupon code for you too!  Use the code FRENCHNEST60 to get 60% your purchase from Boutique Rugs.

Tip #2 to create an outdoor dining space: Add functional furniture

 

TableIt took me weeks…probably close to a couple months…to finally decide on furniture!  Quality, outdoor furniture can be extremely expensive and we were really trying to make this a budget-friendly project.

When we saw this vintage farmhouse table at an antique mall, I fell in love with the wood and white tones.   It is the perfect size for our family and of course, I love that it is vintage and unique!  However, regular wood and Florida weather are not a good combination.  Part the reason that it was taking so long to decide on furniture is that we really need teak or a similar outdoor-friendly wood.

This table is none of those.

 

 

After talking to several people who work with furniture, we decided to go ahead and take a chance on this table.  We used 3 coats of polyacrylic in a matte finish.  I’m crossing my fingers and hoping that it holds up well.  The good thing is that if we see it is starting to have effects from being outside…if the polyacrylic isn’t a good enough seal…we can use it somewhere else or sell it. 

For the time being, though, we feel like we will definitely be able to get our money out of it and enjoy it in the process.  So ask me in a couple of years how the table is holding up!  UPDATE: After 2 years, it is still holding up great!

At the end of this post, I am linking up some other outdoor dining furniture that I also love, in case you’re looking for a great set!

How much space do I need for an outdoor dining table and chairs?

For a table that seats 6-8 people, a 12×12 space is best.  I think our concrete slab is just a bit under 12×12.  However, we chose to make it work for us since the concrete was already there.

Add comfortable seating.

I really wanted to find a chair that would be able to tie together the vintage table and the more “modern farmhouse” style of the exterior of our home.  These chairs have a nice, light coloring that complements the table.  I love the more boho/modern farmhouse vibe of the design and it was just the kind of look I was hoping to find!  They are really comfortable and will be easy to maintain as well!  Win-win!

This particular set was also a budget-friendly option, as it came in the set of four.  Combining it with a bench we already had, made this a great option for our family!

Incorporate flexible seating too.

Believe it or not, this bench was a FREEBIE!  My husband brought it home for me from a trash pile last summer!  We didn’t have a good spot for it at the time, but I am so glad we held onto it because it’s the perfect combination with our tables and chairs!

If you’re looking for a great bench, THIS bench has a gorgeous vintage look and will last for years to come!

Tip #3 to create an outdoor dining space: Bring the indoors out

How do you style an outdoor dining table?

 

Whenever I’m decorating in an exterior space, I try to think about function and maintenance FIRST.

For an everyday centerpiece look, I added this planter from Lowe’s and a low-maintenance Ponytail Palm.  I love the vintage, pottery look of the planter but it was a fraction of the price of high-end retail stores!  Next, I added these outdoor “Caleb” lanterns.

Pro Tip: I only use lanterns outside that have NO GLASS!  They are a lot easier to maintain and stay looking fresh for much longer!  I also have THESE GORGEOUS LANTERNS in our outdoor spaces.  My black ones have held up in unprotected outdoor spaces for several years now and still look great!  

Also, I included quality, outdoor battery-operated candlesThey are on a timer and I love the inviting feeling when they flicker on in the evenings!

The vintage Cherries sign is such a fun piece and is a great way to add a big statement for wall décor!  It’s also low-maintenance, as it is sturdy, made to be outdoors, and doesn’t require major cleaning to keep it looking great!

Vintage produce signs are a great way to add some character to an outdoor dining room and I love the play-on-words with the fruit and vegetable names!

Watch for fun, old signs at antique shops and flea markets!

Tip #4 to create an outdoor dining space: Add comfortable elements.

Outdoor throw pillows are another great way to add a lot of texture, color, and pattern to an outdoor space.  For throw pillows in our outdoor spaces that are NOT under cover and stay out all the time, I highly recommend investing in great quality.

I have had my Sunbrella striped pillows for several years now and they still look great!  Outdoor pillows can be found in all price ranges.  However, I do not spend very much money (more than $25-30) on an outdoor pillow UNLESS it is one of the Sunbrella styles.

Here are some favorite outdoor pillows this season:

Otherwise, I can usually plan to get a year or so out of an inexpensive outdoor throw pillow.  Since we use our outdoor spaces year-round, I do not bring our cushions/pillows in or store them.  They stay outside in the elements 24/7, year-round (unless we are getting tropical storm or hurricane warnings!). I do have some seasonal outdoor throw pillows for the front porch that I rotate around.

I’m linking up some of my favorite outdoor throw pillow finds from this year at the end of my post.  Pillows are a relatively inexpensive way to add a quick refresh and update to any outdoor space!

Tip #5 to create an outdoor dining space: Create simple place settings

 

To create this outdoor tablescape, I used some simple finds to dress up the table, while still keeping it simple and kid-friendly.  I started with a table runner and simple, jute placemats.  They are inexpensive but have great texture and pattern.  At the same time, they gave an instant “special” feeling to the table!  Since they were not expensive purchases, I am comfortable with having us dine as a family here without worrying too much about spills.

Note: I do not leave these out all the time.  Instead, I bring them out for special outdoor dining.

First, I added melamine dishes. I’ve had these for a couple of years and love them.  Outdoor dining is a perfect place to have some fun with easy patterns too.  Adding some basic neutrals are a great way to be able to use melamine dishes for outdoor dining and mix and match the styles.

Next, I added my shop rag napkins, black flatware, and these adorable shell dishes.  I love how they add a little summer, coastal vibe and they were really inexpensive also!  A perfect little summer addition to your table!

Here are some favorite outdoor dining essentials:

Create a simple outdoor dining table centerpiece:

I finished off the table by using my European, vintage pickling jars and a few palm branches from the trees in our yard (more free décor!).  The pickling jars have those faint hints of green and blue that fit so beautifully with the light, summer textures!  They are perfect for filling with flowers, greenery, or just looking pretty all by themselves!

If you don’t have vintage jars, THESE BOTTLE VASES have a very similar look and would be perfect for some faux or fresh stems for a quick and easy outdoor centerpiece!

Now it’s time to enjoy!

I hope this post inspires you to find a spot around your yard to turn into an outdoor dining area!  Consider even a folding table with a pretty tablecloth for a temporary set up if you don’t have a more permanent spot yet.  

Simple, thoughtful touches and a beautiful summer evening are the perfect combination for budget-friendly relaxation at home with friends and family.

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Plan a Special Lilly Pulitzer Inspired 13th Birthday Spa Party

How to Plan a Special Lilly Pulitzer Inspired 13th Birthday Spa Party

How to Plan a Special Lilly Pulitzer Inspired 13th Birthday Spa Party

Looking for ways to celebrate a special 13th birthday girl? We had the best time with this 13th birthday spa party and here’s all our tips!  Keep reading for all of our sources and everything you need to recreate this fun party!

I love being a mom and I’m so thankful that I have both daughters and a son.  One of my girls, however, is the girliest girl and loves all things bright, colorful, and pampering!  When her big 13th birthday rolled around, we wanted to do something really special that would fit her personality perfectly.  A 13th birthday spa party was the perfect answer and she counted down the days!

While this post is very colorful for her Lilly Pulitzer inspired 13th birthday spa party, you could tweak the colors and style to fit the personality of your own special girl that you’re celebrating!  We had so much fun and decided to share the details with you in case you have a special girl, really of any age, to celebrate!

Our family agreed that this party was perfect for our daughter but it would be fun for the girls of any age too!

Who’s ready to take a peek at one of our favorite parties ever?  Here’s Addy’s 13th birthday spa party!

How do you plan a 13th birthday party for a girl?

We love celebrating all of the birthdays but try to do something a little extra special for our kids’ 13th birthdays.  After all, you only get to become a teenager once in your life!

Here are a few tips to help you in the beginning stages of planning a 13th birthday party:

  1. Decide on a guest list.
  2. Choose a theme based on her interests.
  3. Pick a location that suites the guest list or adjust the guest list, if necessary, to fit the location.
  4. Determine the date and time.
  5. Plan food appropriate for the time of day.
  6. Look at the location and make a list of areas that can be decorated.
  7. Pick decor to go with your theme.
  8. Order the cake ahead of time.
  9. Arrange arrival and set up at the venue.

Week of the party:

  1. Purchase food.
  2. Double check guest list and send out reminders.
  3. Arrange for someone to help take pictures.
  4. Assemble party favor bags.
  5. Gather all decor in one place so everything is ready and you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
  6. Arrange for balloons to be blown up/picked up/etc.
  7. Wrap gifts.
  8. Do any prep that can be done ahead of time.

Day of the party:

  1. Load in to venue and set up as early as possible.
  2. Allow time for pictures of the birthday girl and family (if applicable) before guests arrive.
  3. Have FUN!!!  (Planning ahead should make it a lot easier to have fun and enjoy your special birthday girl!)

Where to go on a girls 13th birthday party?

There are so many fun options for a girls 13th birthday party.  Here are 13 ideas we thought of:

  1. Home is always a fun option and what we usually do.  Host a movie, spa, sleepover, or game night!
  2. Nice shopping mall
  3. Roller skating or ice skating rink
  4. Bowling
  5. Fancy restaurant for a night on the town
  6. Boutique spa
  7. Rent an air b n b for a special sleepover
  8. Go to a resort hotel with a great pool
  9. Beach or lake
  10. Museum featuring interests of the birthday girl
  11. Pottery or art class
  12. Picnic at a park
  13. Rent a limo (this is what we did for our other daughter; it was super fun!)

How do you make a 13th birthday party fun?

First of all, I think what is important is that it is fun for the birthday girl!  Arranging the activities, menu, venue, and guests around her preferences will guarantee that she has a great time!

Secondly, keep things simple.  I am learning that 13-year-old girls just want to talk, laugh, giggle, and talk some more.  Some easy games and guided activities are great for part of the party.  However, allow plenty of time for them to “relax and hang out” as my daughter says!

Thirdly, make sure that the activities are with all guests in mind.  It’s a lot more fun if everyone can participate and feel comfortable.  I have been to parties and events where it was maybe great for a few people and really awkward for others.  Those tween/early teen years can be awkward enough, right?!  Keep things casual and flexible for all involved.

Lastly, make sure YOU have enough help.  Enlist older siblings, friends, or family to help make sure there is enough adult supervision and help with last minute preparations.  If you can start the party without too much stress on yourself, everyone else will have a better time too!  Plus, you get the opportunity to have time to make memories with your special girl!

 

How to host a girls spa party?

As I said, our Addy loves all things girly, so a spa party is right up her alley.  You could host a really fun girls spa party at your home.  However, since we had a small guest list and wanted to make this milestone birthday extra special, we booked a local boutique spa for a few hours.

Pro Tip: Check with local small businesses.  The Rose and Rebecca Spa has different packages available for private events and was very reasonable.  If your local spa doesn’t have packages, see if they would be open to working with you to create one!  It’s a great business plan for small businesses!

If you are hosting a spa party at home, there are so many fun activities and things you can do.

Here are some great activities for hosting a spa party at home:

  • Purchase one or two budget-friendly foot spas and let the girls take turns giving each other pedicures.
  • Create spa bags for the guests with cooling face masks, eye masks, nail polish, nail file, cute hair clips, bath bombs, and lip gloss.  They can enjoy using them together at the party and take the extra home with them as a party favor.
  • Hire a friend to come and give nice manicures and pedicures.
  • Do simple facials and skincare routines for each guest.
  • Offer cute sandwiches, sparkling water, and fancy mini desserts as if they were at a fancy spa.

 

 

How to Plan a Special Lilly Pulitzer 13th Birthday Spa Party

*I will add my shopping list along with links at the end of this post for everything you need to create these looks!

#1: Table decor for a Lilly Pulitzer inspired 13th birthday spa party

We had such a fun time gathering brightly colored accents for cute table decor.  Even if you’re hosting a spa party at home, you’ll still want a cute table for the guests to enjoy cake and refreshments!

The venue provided the table set up, suited for 6-8 guests.

To bring the Lilly Pulitzer inspiration to life, I used some Lilly fabric napkins that I’ve had for many years as a table runner.  Then, we added paper palm branches and bright flowers down the center of the table.  Next, I added mini vases with faux white tulips (easy to transport!).

For the place settings, we used a woven placemat.  Then, I put a large, disposable palm branch for a charger, topped with a pink plate.  Lastly, a pink striped napkin finished off each place setting.

Pro Tip: The Lilly Pulitzer fabrics are usually a bit abstract and have varying shades.  Use that to your advantage by mixing and matching shades of pinks, ocean blues, and other bright colors.  It makes a really fun look.  Plus, you can pick up clearance deals or use things you may already have rather than having to purchase matching collections of everything.

I will add my shopping list along with links at the end of this post for everything you need to create these looks!

#2: Menu for a Lilly Pulitzer inspired 13th birthday spa party:

I was able to keep the menu very simple by having the party in the middle of the afternoon.  We didn’t have to serve lunch or dinner.  Instead, simple refreshments were perfect for this sunny day!

As part of the spa package from the venue, they provided a picnic refreshment for the birthday girl and her guests.  (Another big win for me, less stress, and one less thing to transport for us!)

Here were the cute refreshments for this fun party:

  • Tea party sandwiches
  • Fruit
  • Pink chocolate drizzled popcorn in turquoise cocktail glasses (these made fun appetizers and looked cute on the table too!)
  • Cookies with frosting and sprinkles
  • Chips
  • Sparkling pink lemonade (I found these cans that matched the party decor, which was really fun.  They tasted good too!)
  • Individual mini bundt cakes for each guest (this was really fun and also a lot easier to transport than a bigger cake!)

Pro Tip: Anytime you can use food to double as party decor, do it!  For example, the turquoise glasses with popcorn added a fun touch of color to the table and a delicious snack.  Plus, the girls could carry them around them around and enjoy snacking throughout the party.

#3: Photo backdrop for a Lilly Pulitzer inspired 13th birthday party

Since most of the party was outdoors, I kept the rest of the decor very simple.  We did a fun balloon garland behind the picnic area.  This made a great spot for the girls to gather for pictures and was also a cute backdrop for the picnic.

I ordered large helium balloons for “13” and those were fun for pictures too!

Pro Tip:  At the time of the party, we had several big things going on and time was of the essence.  A local balloon company made the balloon garland for. us to pick up the night before.  All we had to do was hang it up!  By picking it up from the vendor and hanging it ourselves, we saved money and a ton of time.

You can purchase balloon kits very inexpensively if you have time enough to blow the balloons up and assemble it.  We have definitely done that before and it’s always successful and adorable.  However, for this particular event, I was thankful for the hired help!

You really can’t go wrong balloons.  They are festive, fun, and budget-friendly.  At the same time, there are so many creative ways to decorate with them too!  I think balloons make the perfect photo backdrop for almost any party!

#4: Party favors for a Lilly Pulitzer inspired 13th birthday spa party:

Since we kept this particular party to a small guest list, I had more budget to work with on creating some really cute party favor bags.  Here is what we included:

I conveniently purchased several of these from Amazon.  Five Below and the Dollar Tree are also great places to find cute, small items.  You can also shop ahead at sales from Bath and Body Works or similar stores for some nice, yet budget-friendly, party favors.

Pro Tip: Creating cute party favors can also help double as party decor too!  Display them in a fun way to add to the decor.  Plus, the guests will get excited about the gift they get to take home too!  

Bonus: It’s less decor you have to pack up and put away at the end!

Shopping Guide for a Spa Birthday Party:

Here are some of the things we either purchased, used from my home decor stash, or borrowed to set up and decorate this fun party!

Are you ready to get your party started?

As you can see, we had a ton of fun with this special milestone party for our 13-year-old girl.  It was a really special day because SHE is so special!  We had fun adding touches of her favorite colors, patterns, and colorful style to make her celebration perfect for her.

No matter the age or style, planning a birthday party is such a special way to let someone know they are so loved.  Planning a celebration for someone I love is one of my favorite things to do and the best part is to see them have fun and enjoy a well-deserved day of being celebrated!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites: Vintage Garden-style Decor

Friday Favorites: Vintage Garden-style Decor

Friday Favorites: Vintage Garden-style Decor

Hello Friends!

This week I wanted to share my favorite finds recently. I am loving the look of vintage garden vibes. I have added lots of greenery and garden accents throughout my home for cozy spring decor. I hope you enjoy these finds and add some of them to your home.  

Tall Glass Cloche

This tall glass cloche with antiqued metal base is perfect for adding cute little spring vignettes 

You can get it here 

Faux Cherry Blossom Stems 

These faux cherry blossom stems are so beautiful and perfect to add for spring! 

Available here from Amazon

Sturdy Hand-Woven Tray

This is a great practical piece to add to your home. It’s extra large, very sturdy and hand-woven. You will want to grab this tray.

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Set of Baskets  

This is a unique and cute set of baskets! The unique shape adds texture and interest and they work great for storage too.

Find it here from Amazon

Adorable Picnic Basket 

 This is the sweetest picnic basket! it’s perfect for summer! You can use it and decorate with it too! I love the cute blue plaid details and the adorable set of dishes inside. 

Find it here

 

 

Swan Planter

Add a faux or real plant to this gorgeous swan planter. It’s perfect for use indoor or outdoor

Grab it here from Amazon!

Maidenhair Ferns

 Maidenhair ferns are my favorite! This faux one looks so real!

It’s available here from Amazon

Plaid Floor Cushion 

This large floor cushion is good for indoor or outdoor. We use ours indoors in the game room for extra seating, lounging, etc. 

It’s available here from Target

 

Framed Art

 This is a gorgeous piece of art. It’s easy to work into a gallery wall. I love how it combines the terra cotta and green tones for a vintage garden style with some blue/grays that could work right into summer decor too

Find it here

Welcome Doormat

This is my favorite doormat. I love the oval shape. This brand is good quality and will hold up for a long time even in an unprotected outdoor space. Highly recommend! 

Find it here!

Throw Pillow

These are my favorite throw pillows this season! I love the pretty color and pattern!

Find them here from Target. 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Decorate With Yard Sale Finds: High Impact Low Budget

How to Decorate With Yard Sale Finds: High Impact Low Budget

How to Decorate With Yard Sale Finds: High Impact Low Budget

I love great thrifted finds to decorate our home! Check out these easy ways to decorate with yard sale finds for budget friendly pretty decor!  Keep reading for a little tour around our home and how I decorate with yard sale finds!

Who else loves a great yard sale find?  If you’re hopping over for Thrifting with the Gals today, I already know you love some fun home decor on a budget!  So…welcome!  Today, I’m sharing all about some of my favorite ways to decorate with yard sale finds around my home.  A yard sale decor tour, I guess you could say!

Living in South Florida, we have the benefit of yard sales throughout most of the year.  However, I learned a long time ago to NOT have a yard sale of my own in the summer. At the same time, if I want to shop at any yard sales, do so very early in the morning before it gets so hot!

Otherwise, you could say it is almost always yard sale season around here.  I’ve hit up some great sales, markets, estate sales, and auctions lately.  Now, it’s the perfect time to share with you some spots around our home that I’ve refreshed to decorate with yard sale finds.

At the same time, I may point out a few favorites that I’ve had for many years because they are just too good to walk past and not show you!

Who’s ready for a yard sale decor tour?!

Thrifting with the Gals

First, though, let me just remind you that it’s Thrifting with the Gals day!  That means I am joining some great friends of mine from around the country who share my love of home decor, thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets, and everything between!

Since we all live in different parts of the country, it is always so interesting to see what everyone finds and shares from month to month!

You’ll love their posts and home decor inspiration:

Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse

Ann from Dabbling and Decorating

Kristin from White Arrows Home

and our guest host this month, Wendy from WM Design House

How can I decorate my house with little money?

I remember before I got married and how excited I was to set our first small house.  It’s really too bad that Facebook Marketplace wasn’t around then.  I could have saved a lot of time combing through Craigslist, Ebay, and the classifieds in the newspaper.  However, slowly but surely, one piece and then the next came together.

We were finishing up college and student teaching and definitely didn’t have a big budget.  However, our mismatched collection of hand-me-downs, thrift store furniture, yard sale finds, and warehouse clearance purchases combined to create such a sweet home!

Even though my budget has expanded over the years, thankfully, I still love hunting for a great deal.  It is completely possible to decorate a home with a very small budget.  You need these things:

  1. Patience
  2. Time
  3. Patience
  4. Determination
  5. Did I say patience?

Here are a few tips for the best success at decorating your home with a low budget:

  1. Hit up the thrift stores often.  Go to every yard sale you can in your community.  Consistency will pay off!
  2. Keep measurements of key areas in your home.  You never know when a road-side freebie will come along!
  3. Roll up your sleeves and get to work.  You can make even ugly pieces look brand new with cleaning, paint, and some TLC.
  4. Let Google be your friend by teaching you how to fix things!  Sometimes people get rid of stuff just because they don’t have the time or skills to fix it.  But you can do it instead and turn their trash into your treasure!
  5. Stick with neutrals.  Even if you love colorful decor, keep your large pieces and basics in the neutral zones.  They will last you longer and go with everything!
  6. Quality does matter and pays off in the long run.
  7. Splurge on key statement pieces.

What to look for when thrifting?

Here are some of my favorites to look for when I want to decorate with yard sale finds:

  • unique pieces
  • items that can make a quick (and fun) DIY project
  • baskets
  • old books
  • planters, pots, and vases (vessels that will hold greenery and florals)
  • seasonal decor
  • vintage pieces
  • antique mirrors
  • vintage art
  • architectural salvage
  • old brass decor
  • furniture that has great function and fits a specific spot in our home

How to Decorate With Yard Sale Finds: High Impact Low Budget

Are you ready to get started with our yard sale home decor tour?  I think the best way to break this down is into categories, so we are going to skip around the house a bit.  However, I think you’ll get a good idea of how much I love great thrifted finds and some inspiration for your next yard sale trip too!

Decorate With Yard Sale Finds: Furniture

I don’t have as many furniture yard sale finds as I used to.  However, most of my furniture is old, meaning I am definitely not the first owner!  We love hunting for amazing vintage pieces that will function great for our home.  Most of them have been purchased from vintage markets, flea markets, and vintage dealers.  While they aren’t technically yard sale finds, they are definitely second…or third or fourth….hand!

Let’s take a look at few of my favorite yard sale furniture finds!

  1. These vintage chairs were a yard sale find from my friend and she recovered them in gorgeous fabric.  Perfect size and scale for the space and comfortable too!
  2. Our dining room table is one of my favorite finds.  I stopped by a yard sale/estate sale for something completely different.  However, I ended up driving home with this table sticking out the back window!  It would be quadruple the price in an antique store these days; I feel so blessed that we get to enjoy it in our home!
  3. These yard sale porch swings have served us well for several years now!  We picked them up for $30 for the pair at a roadside yard sale!  They need to be replaced soon, but they have certainly served their purpose for a steal of a deal for 5 years or so now!

Decorate With Yard Sale Finds: Home Accents

Accessories and small home decor is a lot easier to find (I think) at yard sales than bigger furniture.  To be honest, most of us probably swap out accessories a lot more than furniture, so it makes sense!

Picking up great home decor accessories at yard sales is a perfect way to refresh your home on a budget.  Plus, I don’t feel badly about swapping things out when I get them for an awesome yard sale price!  Then, I don’t feel badly about using it for awhile and selling it at my own yard sale when I get tired of it too!  Haha!

Here are some of my favorite home decor accessories found at yard sales:

4. This gorgeous painting was a recent estate sale find.  I don’t know a lot about legit art, to be honest, but I think it is just such a pretty painting and I’ve been enjoying it this spring.  It is definitely quite old, vintage for sure, and has a gorgeous frame.  For $30, I think it is a beautiful piece that I can enjoy for many years to come!

5. You all know how much I love using glass cloches in my home decor!  This one was a yard sale find for a grand total of $1.00!  I have definitely paid a lot more than that for other cloches, so it’s good to balance out the collection with a steal of a deal!

6. Little vintage clocks are so perfect for tucking into vignettes.  They can get pricey in vintage shops sometimes, but I lucked out with this one at a flea market!

7. The big scale in my kitchen sometimes make for an interesting conversation starter when we have guests!  However, I love having it on our kitchen island.  Since our island is 12 feet long, the scale breaks it up a bit and gives a focal point.  It is fun to decorate without having clutter around the kitchen.  (Who needs more of that?!).

True story: I purchased this at a yard sale but the only way the guy would give me a steal of a deal on it is if I purchased the second one he also had!  I guess he was tired of having these huge, heavy pieces to deal with!  Robb wasn’t terribly excited about loading them.  However, we sold the other scale and ended up paying only $50 for the one we kept!

How can I decorate my house with a low budget?

Sometimes, people just don’t know what they have.  At the same time, they likely just have very different interests and things that are worth a lot to you aren’t worth much to them!

One way to decorate your house with a low budget is to just always be watching.  You literally never know when you will strike gold with a fun find!

Here’s another fun yard sale story for you!

My husband and I stopped by a yard sale because it had been advertised on FB marketplace as having vintage and antiques.  Often, at least here in South Florida, it’s not my kind of vintage decor.  However, I stop anyway because you just never know!

Upon walking up, it looked like just tools and tools and tools.  Followed by shelf after shelf of cookbooks.  Random.

However, covered in dust, midway down a shelf of odds and ends, under some plastic junk, I spotted what appeared to be a stack of oval white platters.  A closer look made me think these were worth digging out, as the platters were thick.  Could it be ironstone?

Sure enough!  A stack of 5 or 6 ironstone platters, some of them quite large, and all in great shape.  Most of them even had stamps on the bottom.

I took them over to the seller to get the price.  When he said, “Ehh, how about $10 for the stack?”, I really tried to not look too excited and embarrass myself!!

I saved my happy dance for by the car and still can’t believe this stack of goodies came home with me for just $10!!!

Ironstone is not a popular find here in Florida, unless you visit an antique or vintage store.  It was such an exciting find!  So, of course, I have to add this one in:

8. Stack of ironstone platters at a super random yard sale, only $10 for the stack!

Decorate With Yard Sale Finds: Lighting

Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever shared about two of my very favorite yard sale finds.  Honestly, I guess I just have so many of them.  Haha!

9. I often get questions about the vintage chandelier in our master bedroom.  It was a yard sale find too!  The contents of the home were being sold but I don’t think many people had looked UP!  We actually didn’t end up at the sale until after it was pretty much over and most things were gone.  I don’t know how that chandelier was still there.  However, I was super thankful!

I think I paid $50 or $75 for it; it’s been years ago now!  At the time, we were buying lighting for all the rooms.  We were so glad to save a lot of money and get something unique too!

10. The sconces in my office were another yard sale find for only $20 each!  They are huge, beautiful, and I didn’t know what on earth I’d do with them when I bought them.  We hadn’t even built the office yet!  I just knew I loved them.  So, they sat in storage for a long time until finally, I had the perfect spot.

We mounted them on some architectural salvage pieces and I love how the whole project turned out.  That’s another blog for another day, I guess!

Pro Tip: Look for advertisements for estate sales or “contents of home” sales.  Moving sales are also a great opportunity.  These kinds of sales are more likely to have nicer items.  A typical “clear out the clutter” yard sale can definitely have some great finds, too, but often it’s just stuff that could become clutter in your home too!  

Who’s ready to hit up the yard sales this weekend?

Me!!!!  This post was so fun to put together for you. Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed seeing some views throughout our home along with some of my favorite yard sale finds!

I think it goes without saying that the main key to decorating with yard sale finds is to just go to lots of them.  Actually, I walk away from many more sales empty handed than I do actually finding something.  However, when I do find something, it is almost always worth the hunt and definitely worth the wait!

If you don’t find anything at the first few stops, don’t be discouraged.  Try again the next weekend or whenever your area has yard sales.  Truly, you just never know!

You’ll want to hop over and check out the thrifted shares from the other Thrifting with the Gals ladies today too.  So many fun things and great decor inspiration for you!

Happy hunting and thrifting!!!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Easy Spring Cleaning Tips for the Busy Mom

Easy Spring Cleaning Tips for the Busy Mom

Easy Spring Cleaning Tips for the Busy Mom

Overwhelmed by spring cleaning? Here are my favorite easy spring cleaning tips for even the busiest mom! Get started with these simple ideas!  Keep reading for a different perspective that will help take the stress off of traditional spring-cleaning!

I  LOVE  A  CLEAN  HOUSE.  I mean, I REALLY LOVE A CLEAN HOUSE!  Just ask my husband and kids…(or maybe don’t)…because my mood can sometimes be altered by the state of our house.  However, as a wife, mom, and teacher, the thought of spring cleaning absolutely overwhelms me.  So, today, I’m sharing some easy spring cleaning tips that are actually feasible and actually work, even in the middle of a busy household.  Actually, I think this is a different way, entirely, of approaching traditional spring cleaning.

If you’re anything like me, a fresh perspective on this topic can be helpful.

Being busy is not a badge of honor, however, and I really am trying to work on that area of my personality.  I think I’m getting better about not being so out of sorts…if things are at least tidy, I feel a lot better.  When I started teaching full-time, on top of my other responsibilities, some things just had to be let go of, to be perfectly honest.

So on any given day, you’ll find dust bunnies in the corners, spots on the floors, and smudges on the shower tile.  If you’re looking for a spring cleaning blog coming from someone with a pristine house, I’m not your girl.

However,  I also get the strong desire for a clean home, paired with the reality of a busy lifestyle, and how the two don’t always connect very well.  So…

How do I start spring cleaning my house?

There are many checklists and cleaning systems out here that a lot of people find really helpful. I have to be honest and say that I’m not a fan of cleaning systems.  Over time, I’ve found the products that work best for our home and that is going to look and feel a little (or a lot) different for everyone!  To hopefully help you, I have linked up the things that I keep stocked in my cleaning closet, but you’ll want to substitute with whatever products fit your preference and needs!

At the same time, I do love a great checklist and usually work better with one, so I’m offering a freebie, printable list for you today, HERE!

Did you print your list?  Okay, let’s get started!  I’m going to share my top two tips for spring cleaning.

Get ready for it…earth shattering. (Haha!)

How do you clean your house when you’re busy?

Here is the order we are going to follow for tips that I find helpful for making spring cleaning work in our home and family:

  1. Consistently keeping spaces tidy
  2. Declutter frequently, not just at scheduled times
  3. Develop routines that are actually feasible for you
  4. Daily cleaning goals
  5. Weekly cleaning goals
  6. Monthly cleaning goals
  7. Bi-Annual cleaning goals
  8. Other home maintenance
  9. Getting kids and family involved
  10. Lots of grace for yourself and flexibility; there is not a specific set schedule you have to follow for “spring” cleaning

Easy Spring Cleaning Tips for the Busy Mom

How do you spring clean without getting overwhelmed?

NUMBER ONE TIP FOR SPRING CLEANING

 

“Spring Clean” all year long.

Now hold on…that doesn’t sound easy or fun or exciting or simple at all!  However, it really works and it really is less stressful.  For example, with teaching full-time, I cannot spend an entire day deep cleaning the kitchen.

What I can do, though, is schedule in a few hours over the course of a week to make sure the kitchen is in tip-top shape!  So for deep cleaning and large organizational tasks, I schedule them out over time.

What do you clean first when spring cleaning?

First of all, keeping up with the basics on a daily basis will make “spring cleaning” much less overwhelming.

Secondly, before I feel like I can really clean a space, I have to tidy and declutter it.  Doing this regularly (daily, when possible) keeps everything a lot more manageable!

Keep Up with Regular House Cleaning, DAILY

 

    • Every single day, our family does the following:
    • Wipe down bathroom counters and sinks
    • Spray daily shower cleaner
    • Wipe down kitchen island, countertops, and sink
    • Vacuum kitchen and main living space.  THIS vacuum is our favorite because it is easy to move around and shares a battery with our other cleaning tools.
    • Tidy all spaces and put things away where they belong
    • See THIS POST or THIS POST for organization ideas; I’m a stickler for “a place for everything and everything in its place!

Now that my kids are old enough to help, these things are part of their daily chores and of course, my husband and I carry our share as well.  On most days, none of us spend more than 5-10 minutes a day doing any cleaning.  However, it makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

Keep Up with Regular House Cleaning, WEEKLY

 

Every week, I like for the following list to be done.  Now, I’ll be the first to say, that every possible chance, I hire someone to help out for the weekly cleanings.  We are fortunate to live in a college town and there are always great college students looking for work.

At the same time, I’ll also be super honest to say that there are weeks when I’m not able to get someone to help and choose to spend my weekend time doing other things than cleaning.

So as much as I would love for our house to be cleaned every week, and while that would be the goal, it is safe to say that this happens 2-3 times a month, rather than every single week!

This is an area that I had to really take pressure off myself and am learning to be content with a “reasonably clean house” some weeks!

However, my preference would be that the following things happen each week and I hope to eventually get back to this schedule:

Weekly Cleaning Goals

    • Bathrooms and kitchen thoroughly cleaned
    • Clean stove top
    • Wipe down appliances with stainless steel wipes (hyperlink)
    • Vacuum all rugs
    • Mop all hard floors
    • Dust: I use THIS to dust my vintage and chippy pieces.  A cloth and cleaner usually just push the dust down in all the cracks!  I use THIS for dusting regular surfaces!
    • Wipe down all light switches, door handles, etc.
    • Sweep porch areas
    • Wash sheets
    • One “extra” thing from the monthly list

Keep Up with Regular House Cleaning, MONTHLY

 

Again, I’m the first to say that these are goals and we definitely do NOT get all of these things accomplished every month.  But it wouldn’t get done nearly often enough if we didn’t at least set a goal for it!  By trying to do one of these items each week, it helps us to stay on top of things a little better too.

Monthly Cleaning Goals

    • Baseboards
    • Blinds
    • Vacuum under/behind movable furniture (I do not pull out our big cabinets!)
    • Use 4-in-1 cleaner on hard wood floors
    • Dust light fixtures (we don’t have ceiling fans, but if we did, those would be included with light fixtures)
    • Magic eraser on kids art table and desks
    • Check for wall and door smudges and magic eraser those too

NUMBER TWO TIP FOR SPRING CLEANING

 

Spring clean when it works for YOUR schedule!

With working full-time, it is nearly impossible for me to set aside a particular week each spring to do my spring cleaning.  Doing a little every day/week/month allows us to keep the cleaning under control.  I try to do some major organization each summer when we are off from school and then again in January when our schedule is a little more clear.

Actually, our “spring cleaning” typically doesn’t usually happen in the spring at all!  Instead, I try to get through the following checklist twice a year.

Bi-Annual Cleaning Goals

    • Clean out clothing closets: sort clothing, donate, toss, consign
    • Clean out kids’ toys: Keep, donate, toss, consign
    • Organize kitchen/bedroom/bathroom drawers and closets: keep, toss, yard sale piles
    • Refresh outdoor spaces: power wash, touch up patio paint, wash cushions, clean light fixtures
    • Wash windows and sliding doors
    • Wash furniture slipcovers (wash additional times if and when needed)

Goals for home maintenance/cleaning on an as-needed basis:

There are many other maintenance and general up-keep that we do on an as-needed basis.  For example, this spring, we are doing touch up painting on our interior.  We’ve been in our home for going on six years and it is definitely time!  I don’t schedule those things on a particular list anywhere; we simply try to fit them in where we can and when we really need to!

I am often asked how I keep our house so clean with all the other things I do.  The simple answer is that I try really hard to never let it get too bad.  Is it a perfect system?  Nope.  Does it always happen exactly how I’d like?  Definitely not.  Is it always a work in progress?  Absolutely!

Different seasons of life also require different cleaning styles and schedules.  With our kids’ ages, things get dirty unbelievably fast.  The flip side is that they are also old enough to help out.  So right now, it feels like we are constantly cleaning and keeping up.  I also know that in the blink of an eye, we will be sitting in a quiet home that stays more clean than we want it to, with all the time in the world to clean…an already clean house!

How often should I spring clean my house?

Again, this really depends on your schedule and what works the best for you.  By focusing on these daily, weekly, and monthly lists, as well as getting as much as I can bi-annually from that list, I find that it really spreads our spring cleaning out over the year.

At the same time, it feels a little more like two easy, manageable spring cleanings, rather than one overwhelming one which is also nice.

What cleaning supplies do I need for spring cleaning?

*Please note that brands and kinds of cleaners are definitely subject to personal preference.  Also, I am not brand loyal.  I often get whatever similar product is on sale! Again, just keeping it real for you!

Top two easy spring cleaning tips for the busy mom:

 

  1. Create daily habits for your entire family. Everyone feels better in a tidy, clean home.
  2. Fit cleaning into YOUR schedule. Most of us don’t have entire days to devote to cleaning.  Schedule out those bigger “spring cleaning” tasks over time, try to stick to your schedule, and offer lots of grace for yourself! 

The teacher in me must also say that I am a big believer in helping children develop a good work ethic.  Over 18 years of teaching, it is an area of emphasis that is slipping in our culture in general.

Our kiddos are far from perfect and we have to remind them all too often of their chores.  I don’t have adult children and I can’t say our theory will pay off.  However, my hope is that by learning the intrinsic reward of hard work, we will send out three young adults that give quality contributions to the world around them.

Running the vacuum after dinner or wiping down the table is a small thing…but I hope that it eventually leads to a much greater ability to be a productive adult someday.  Easy spring cleaning tips are a great way to get them involved!

Are you ready to do some easy spring cleaning?

You can CLICK HERE for my simple spring cleaning checklist!  I left lots of space for you to personalize it and add those things that are specific to your home and family needs.  At the same time, I hope it helps you to break down the tasks and make your cleaning a non-stressful, habitual part of your family life!

Now…off to check my own list and see what little task I can complete today!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Decorate with Vintage Garden Decor Ideas Indoors

How to Decorate with Vintage Garden Decor Ideas Indoors

How to Decorate with Vintage Garden Decor Ideas Indoors

Ready to bring the outdoors in for some simple spring decor? Try these vintage garden decor ideas for casual, easy, inviting home decorating!  Keep reading to see how I use some outdoor vintage garden decorations and thrifted, vintage pieces to bring that cottage garden style into my spring home decor!

Spring decorating is so much fun and there are SO many beautiful ways to decorate.  Once Easter is over, one of my favorite ways to bring a simple, spring style into our home is to use vintage garden ideas with favorite vintage finds and thrifted items.  Vintage garden decor ideas can add such a pretty cottage look to your spring home decor and at the same time, help bring the look of outdoor spaces into your indoor spaces during this beautiful time of year!

I am often asked how to decorate for spring once the Easter holiday is over.  Since there is still a lot of the spring season left for decorating once Easter is over, I love this question!

This year, I am just loving the earthy colors, neutral tones, and touches of terra cotta.  These elements lend themselves perfectly to vintage garden decor ideas so I am having a lot of fun decorating our home with amazing vintage decorations for this later spring style.

However, since there are so many beautiful ways to decorate for the spring season, I thought I’d at least mention a few other home decor styles I enjoy incorporating into my vintage home decor with vintage treasures in the spring.

How can I style my house in the spring?

These are just a few ideas that I have used in the past and still love:

  • Vintage garden style
  • Audubon decor
  • Pops of color with flowers
  • Soft blues and greens with plants
  • Light, airy style with neutrals

How do you style vintage decor?

If you’ve been around the Robyn’s French Nest community for even a minute, you already know I absolutely love old things.  Even when I was a little girl, I was fascinated by the antiques at my Memaw’s house.  Even though my decorating style now is a lot different than hers was back then, I can honestly say I’ve been inspired most of my life by estate sales, flea market finds, and old plates from antique shops.  There is just something so interesting and even fascinating, at times, about vintage furniture and home decor.  Imagine the stories that these unique pieces could tell!

For my spring decor, I decided to pull out the earthy, terra cotta touches and a little bit of a vintage cottage garden style for my spring decor.  The vintage garden design, in general, feels like it perfectly fits the seasonal cottage style that I enjoy using for home decor in our home!  In the springtime, elements like seasonal flowers and vintage tools are a great idea to bring the style of outdoor decorating into your indoor living spaces.

Here are some of the main elements I am trying to carry through in each space:

  1. Terra cotta pots and saucers
  2. Neutral textures for fabrics (pillows and throw blankets)
  3. Glass cloches
  4. Greenery with moss and plants
  5. White stoneware
  6. Baskets and woven texture
  7. Concrete garden figures
  8. Framed botanical prints

How to Decorate with Vintage Garden Decor Ideas Indoors

What is a rustic garden style?

A rustic, or vintage, garden style can take on many different elements.  You may choose to focus on chippy woods, potting bench, old pots, and wildflowers for a garden area.  However, vintage garden decor ideas could also have a more European style with garden statues, topiaries, and clean lines.  Of course, these are just two of many different styles.

Living in South Florida, actual flower gardens require a lot more time, patience, and dedication than what I am able to give it in this season of life.  Even though we don’t have actual garden flowers outdoors, I love to bring some elements of vintage garden decor ideas into my spring home decorating!

Let’s chat about a few ways to bring these fun vintage garden decor ideas inside to decorate for spring!

Ideas to Decorate with Vintage Garden Decor: #1

Incorporate terra cotta pots and saucers throughout your vignettes.

One of the easiest ways to bring that vintage garden decor style indoors is by using things that you would actually use in a garden, such as pots and planters.  I love the earthy color of the terra cotta pots.  Actually, they remind me so much of the gorgeous rock formations we saw at Arches National Park on family vacation one year!

Whether large or small, you can incorporate crusty old terra cotta pots into your decor in many different ways.  If you are working with new terra cotta pots and want that old look, just use some lime wash or even whitewash a little paint onto the new pots.  Of course, rubbing in a little dirt will add to the patina of your clay pots too!

Here are a few ways I’m using them in my vintage garden decor:

  • Stack them in varying heights
  • Lay some down in a vignette
  • Use saucers under other decor, such as a bowl, pitcher, or candle
  • Actually put plants in them (of course)
  • Pile them in a big bowl

You can see how I made a whole centerpiece using some of my favorite thrifted terra cotta pots, both new and old, over on THIS POST!

Pro Tip:  The best place to find crusty old terra cotta pots to use in your home decor is at thrift stores and flea markets.  Make sure to look both inside and outside the building.  Some of the thrift stores I visit keep their vintage garden tools and old pots outside at the back of the thrift store!

Ideas to Decorate with Vintage Garden Decor: #2

Add a lot of texture with textiles.

One thing that I always love to look at in a garden are the many, many different textures and layers.  Even though I obviously want the interior of my home to be soft and cozy, I still love the concept of the textures and layers, drawing inspiration from the outdoors.

However, I can still make my indoor spaces super cozy while drawing inspiration from the textures, layers, and earthy tones from outdoor living spaces too.  One beautiful way to accomplish this is by incorporating neutral textiles that have a lot of texture.

Some people may say that neutrals aren’t as cozy.  However, I think that when neutrals are done well and use a lot of texture, they can be the most restful, calm, and cozy spaces of all!

Pro Tip: Add throw pillows and throw blankets that have a lot of texture, such as tassels, fringe, raised texture on the fabric, mix of kinds of fabrics and a mix of neutral tones.

Just like all of the neutral colors in stone are not exactly the same color, you can get a more textured look by adding a variety of neutral tones to a seating area.  White, cream, ivory, light beige, and light tan are all really close, but mixed together, add a lot of depth and interest to your sofa and living space!

Here are some favorite individual pieces of textured neutral styles I’m enjoying this year:

Ideas to Decorate with Vintage Garden Decor: #3

Style vignettes with glass cloches

I know, I know.  Decorating with glass cloches is something I do all year round, not just for vintage garden decor.  However, glass cloches actually originated in Europe for gardening.  So….doesn’t that make them a great addition to our cottage style vintage garden decor ideas in the spring?!

You can put almost any vintage items (or even new items!) under a glass cloche to turn it into a statement piece or feature a collection.  Over on THIS POST, I chat about over 21 ways to decorate with glass cloches!

For spring, specifically, I am enjoying using my glass cloches for a touch of vintage garden decor style.

Here are some ways I’m decorating with glass cloches this spring:

  • paired with architectural salvage
  • over a faux plant
  • featuring a collection of white stoneware mortar and pestles
  • over a vignette of terra cotta pots and saucers
  • turning a small vintage clock into a statement piece

There are SO many more creative ways that I love to use glass cloches in spring decorating.  However, below you can see a few examples of what I have out in my home:

I find glass cloches in many different places.  While I will link a few great options for you below, a great way to build a collection of glass cloches is to keep an eye for them at flea markets and even yard sales.  There’s nothing like a good thrift store find (cue a $1 glass cloche) to inspire some home decorating!

 

Ideas to Decorate with Vintage Garden Decor: #4

Add greenery through moss and fresh or faux plants.

Even though I do love flowers, I find that I often gravitate toward greenery most of all.  Whether fresh or faux, greenery adds so much life and movement to a space.  At the same time, wispy vines and organic shapes of a greenery vine added to a vintage planter soften the often straight lines of a room and furniture.

In fact, you really won’t find a space in our home where I don’t have some kind of plant or greenery in the room, including the bathrooms!

However, if you want a more clean, simple home decor style, consider bringing in a simple plant and then adding some live moss through the room.  The best thing is to layer the moss around fresh or faux plants or even just in a pretty bowl for a centerpiece.

Pro Tip: Layer moss over fresh and faux plants to cover the plastic lining.  This is a budget-friendly way to get a high-end look!

​Don’t forget to add drainage holes to your pot!

Here are some of my favorite kinds of greenery to use:

 

Ideas to Decorate with Vintage Garden Decor: #5

Mix some white stoneware with the terra cotta.

How do you make a vintage look?

There is nothing about this idea that is actually specific to vintage garden decor ideas.  However, I love the clean lines and vintage style of stoneware mixed in with the terra cotta pots and saucers.  The white and light colors help to brighten up the over all look and connect with the neutral tones in the textiles too.

Thrift stores, flea markets, antique malls, and vintage shops are great places to look for white/light-colored stoneware.  Even though most of mine is vintage, there are also beautiful new pieces that can offer the same aesthetic too.  Really, you’re just looking to incorporate a curated, collected look with these vessels while brightening up and breaking up all of the earthy terra cotta tones.

Pro Tip: group pieces together to create collections for a fun way to give new life to your old decor with great vintage style.

Here are some pretty white home decor pieces you can use to mix with terra cotta:

List of vintage garden decor ideas and antique items to hunt for at thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, and antique stores:

  • Old chair (particularly metal or concrete finishes)
  • Garden chairs
  • Old buckets
  • Old window
  • Vintage door or old doors
  • Old watering cans
  • Galvanized finishes, like an old galvanized bucket or old galvanized washtub
  • Old wheelbarrow
  • Old bike 
  • Vintage yard art, like concrete statues, planters, or even a bird bath
  • Small garden statues
  • Vintage or vintage style gardening signs
  • Beautiful planter with chippy patina
  • Thrifted straw hats
  • Woven market bags and baskets
  • Old garden stools

Are you inspired to add some vintage garden decor to your interior?

I always like to add a reminder that just because you see a home decor blogger (me!) rearranging and restyling several rooms for the late spring season, you do not have to do that much in order to add a fresh look to your space.

In fact, you could create a fresh look in your dining room by simply creating a new centerpiece with a vintage garden decor look.  Perhaps you want a little tweak in the living room.  Use this vintage garden inspiration to create a new vignette for your coffee table!

One of the biggest compliments to me, personally, is when my readers take a simple idea that inspires them, have fun with it, and create their own unique look.

I hope you’ll enjoy creating your own centerpiece, tablescape, mantel decor, or vignette to add a little vintage garden decor to your home this spring too!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Wicker Finds for Spring

Friday Favorites- Wicker Finds for Spring

Friday Favorites- Wicker Finds for Spring

Woven Wicker Storage Bins

These are great decor pieces and are so practical! I love these woven wicker storage bins with lids and you have to add them to your home! 

You can get them here 

Faux Cherry Blossom Stems 

These faux cherry blossom stems are so beautiful and perfect to add for spring! 

Available here from Amazon

Sturdy Hand-Woven Tray

This is a great practical piece to add to your home. It’s extra large, very sturdy and hand-woven. You will want to grab this tray.

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Cloche with Mango Wood Base

This is a beautiful and classic glass cloche and with a pretty mango wood base. This is a great look for spring decor and would look so pretty in spring vignettes.

Find it here from Amazon

Realistic Greenery Stems

I really love these stems! They are so pretty and realistic looking. 
Find your own to style here from Amazon

 

 

Natural Wood Riser 

These risers have a small size that is perfect for so many things! I highly recommend them and have used them myself several times in many different ways! 

Grab it here from Amazon!

Realistic Eucalyptus Stems

These are great realistic eucalyptus stems! They are such a good price and so easy to style!

It’s available here from Amazon

Wicker Vase

This is a pretty wicker vase! I love the look of it and love to use it to style spring bouquets! 

It’s available on Amazon.

 

Natural Wood Side Tables

 These are such nice natural wood side tables! They could also work for storage and organization. They are a great size! You could use them together or split them apart. I like the vintage style with clean lines too!

Find them here

Rattan Risers

I love these so much! I used them last week at my daughter’s birthday and now I am going to use them around my house to add some level and dimension to decor. 

Find them here!

Vase

 My favorite vase that I use all the time!  So easy to add some real or faux flowers and greenery for a perfect centerpiece.

Find it here from Amazon!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Use Front Porch Decor Ideas for Easy Decorating This Spring

How to Use Front Porch Decor Ideas for Easy Decorating This Spring

How to Use Front Porch Decor Ideas for Easy Decorating This Spring

Spring is the perfect time to create a welcoming front porch space!  I am sharing a few easy ways to refresh my porch decor for the spring season.  Keep reading to find my favorite front porch decor ideas that you can easily use this season!

Nothing says spring quite like an inviting front porch and entry area, right?  While I want this space to look pretty for guests, it is even more important to me that at the end of a long day, my own family is greeted with a welcoming view.  These front porch decor ideas are all easy but I love how they make our home look welcoming when we pull in the driveway!

Our front porch decor is refreshed and ready for the new season! (And deep cleaned while we were at it, which it desperately needed!)

I want to share with you a few easy steps and front porch decor ideas to make your porch pretty for spring.  It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive to be inviting!  There are just a few elements that can work together to make front porch decor ideas simply beautiful!

Joining me today are some of my blogging friends.  I always get great inspiration from these talented blogs and I know you’ll love what they are sharing.  If you are hopping over from Amy at Amy Sadler Designs, welcome!  I love her front door painting tips.

(Speaking of, mine is due for some touch up!)

There are so many great front porch decor ideas throughout this hop today, so gather your favorite ideas from each blog to create your own welcoming porch for the season!

How to Easily Make Your Porch Decor Pretty for Spring

There are a few elements that I look for when I am styling my front porch decor.  This, of course, all depends on the size and style of your space, but I think of it in 3 basic areas.  No matter the season, I typically stick with these easy elements for porch decor.

How can I make my front porch look nice?

  1. Decorate the front door.
  2. Add simple seating.
  3. Incorporate key accessories.

1. Front Porch Decor Ideas: Porch Decor Starts with the Door!

How to decorate a front porch for cheap?

The first thing I usually style are my front doors.  If your budget is small, decorate the doors first!  Whether you have double doors or a single door, it will be most inviting with something pretty hanging on it!  I usually add simple wreaths.  

For spring, I decided to bring in more florals and made these flower baskets!  I love how they pop off of our black doors and give an instant spring look to our porch decor!

How to make an easy flower basket for your front door decor:

I started with this cute basket.  Wicker and rattan are trending for 2023, so this was an easy way to bring in a bit of that trend and still keep it a style that goes well with our home!  Plus, I can use it all year round by quickly switching out the greenery and florals!

Next, I added 3 stems of this faux eucalyptus.  I love how real it looks and the leaves have just the right amount of softness to give them a whimsical, natural look.

Lastly, to add the perfect touch of spring, I added these bunches of peonies.  They have such a great look to them and I love the varied coloration, which makes them look more realistic!  I used two bunches in each basket for a really full look.

Pro Tip: When styling florals, working in odd numbers usually works the best!  3 eucalyptus stems and 2 bunches of peonies gave me a great odd number of 5 to work with!

2. Front Porch Decor Ideas: Add Function to Your Porch Decor with Seating

Not every front porch has room for seating; in fact, not all of the homes I’ve lived in have had a space for seating.  However, if possible, even a small bench or cute garden stool can provide some function to your front porch and make it feel cozy and welcoming.

We picked up our white rockers, second-hand, many years ago.  Investing in quality outdoor pieces can really save money in the long run!

At the same time, if you’re able to add any seating, it also works to provide layers and height variation to your porch decor.

Maybe the most fun part is adding some outdoor throw pillows too!  I’ve had these bunny pillows and the natural, round ones for several years.  However, I’ll link some other favorite outdoor pillows for you below!

3. Front Porch Decor Ideas: Have Fun with Key Accessories on Your Porch!

Accessories are so fun and even you have a small front porch, you can add some simple things to make your porch decor extra welcoming!

Since this space is so symmetrical, I like to add matching accessories to each side, but mix it up a little with the use of a side table.

A little stool or side table is convenient to hold a cup of coffee or a glass of iced tea too!  I’ve had mine for a long time, but I have been eyeing some cute ones HERE and HERE for another spot!

How to decorate a plain front porch?

Adding accessories like pillows, planters, lanterns, flowers, and outdoor candles are a great way to add layers and texture to any porch space.

Next on my porch, I added a set of lanterns to each side.  I love how much texture and interest they add to the space.  Since they are a nice, substantial size, they show up nicely from the road and driveway too.  

Outdoor candles are another great way to make a porch welcoming.  At the same time, they really added a fun and fresh look for spring!  I love that I’ll be able to use these outdoor pillar candles year-round too!

Planters with fresh plants and flowers are perfect to set around your front porch decor.  They are kind of like the icing on the cake!  It is a great opportunity to add some spring color and just makes everything feel cheerful and bright!

 

I am reusing planters that I already had, but if you need to refresh yours this year, there are some gorgeous options.  I’ll link a few favorites below for you!

 

This smaller one looks like a basket but is concrete so you don’t have to worry about the weather!  Under $13 makes it even more perfect!

Baskets are on trend this year and since these are a resin material, they will hold up great for a long time while giving you that rattan/wicker look!

 

I hope this gives you some ideas as you start to plan a spring refresh for your porch!  There are a lot of ways to use what you already have and just tuck in a few refresh pieces here and there to make your porch decor extra inviting and welcoming this season!  

As I said at the beginning of my post, there are so many wonderful ideas ready for you today!  Next, hop over to my good friend, Wendy, from WM Design House, has some gorgeous and easy DIY ideas to help you get your front porch decor ready for spring!

Make sure to visit all of the blogs on the tour today!  You’re going to love these easy ways to refresh your porch for the season!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)
How to Update a Kitchen in 15 Simple Ways (Without Remodeling)

How to Update a Kitchen in 15 Simple Ways (Without Remodeling)

How to Update a Kitchen in 15 Simple Ways (Without Remodeling)

Looking for some budget-friendly ways to update a kitchen without remodeling? Check out these 15 favorite ideas to a kitchen that feels new!  Keep reading for a lot of examples and so much kitchen inspiration for everything from quick updates to DIY projects that will have your kitchen feeling bright and fresh!

Believe it or not, I’ve only had the opportunity to remodel one kitchen.  Honestly, that was simply because the kitchen was utterly unusable.  However, in our previous homes, we had slowly updated our kitchens bit by bit.  If you’re looking for some budget-friendly ways to update a kitchen, whether it’s a weekend project or a more involved DIY, you’ll love all of the inspiring ideas in this round up!

Often, kitchens really do not need a complete remodel.  Instead, some simple tweaks and updates can make your kitchen feel fresh and fit the aesthetic of your own style.  It can be tempting to fall into the trap of “gutting the whole thing and starting over.”  However, if that doesn’t fit your budget or time, this blog post is for YOU!!!

How can I update my kitchen without replacing it?

This round up of favorite ideas is going to give you a lot of inspiration!

  • how to decorate above kitchen cabinets
  • how to update cherry cabinets without painting them
  • easy tips and ideas to decorate kitchen countertops
  • how to paint cabinets with chalk paint
  • why open shelving is wonderful in a kitchen
  • how to makeover your kitchen table
  • ideas to style open shelving
  • how to make a European-style copper pot rack
  • easy ways to organize your pantry and refrigerator (sometimes the best updates are behind closed doors!)
  • how to refinish your kitchen cabinets

Where do I start with updating my kitchen?

Here are some great questions to ask yourself and consider as you begin to contemplate and plan your kitchen updates:

  • How can the space function the best for my family?
  • What updates are the highest priority?
  • Which of those prioritized updates fit in the budget?
  • What long-term changes and updates will be the most helpful for everyday life?
  • If the updates go beyond cosmetic changes, what timeless designs and quality products will we invest in?
  • For cosmetic updates, what easy changes can I make to modernize my kitchen?
  • What updates can help my kitchen look and feel like an inviting “heart of the home”?
  • Are these updates things I am skilled at doing myself?  What research do I need to do?  Do I need to get professional help?  (By the way, it is 500% okay to not know how to do something and even more okay to hire help!  Don’t get caught in the trap of having to DIY every single thing!)
  • Is there a deadline for these updates?  What timeline do I need to implement to get everything done that I want to do?
  • Did I allow margin in the budget for unexpected things?

 

How to Update a Kitchen in 15 Simple Ways (without remodeling)

#1: Update a kitchen by adding open shelving

Would you ever consider adding open shelving to your kitchen?  Or do you already have open shelving?  Pasha from Pasha Is Home discusses the benefits of including open shelving in your kitchen design plan.

Open shelves are a controversial kitchen addition. This post gives you all the reasons you should install them in your kitchen.  Check it out HERE!

#2: Update a kitchen by updating the stand-alone furniture!

Do you have an outdated table that could use some TLC?  Sometimes just a fresh take on an old piece of furniture can give your whole room a new look.

Jen from Midwest Life and Style shows you how easy it is to give your kitchen table an affordable makeover with just a bit of mistint paint.  Get her tips and tutorial HERE!

#3: Update a kitchen area by restyling a dated hutch.

Do you have trouble styling your china cabinet or kitchen hutch?  You can make a whole kitchen area feel fresh and new just be redecorating in a way that fits your style!

Michele from Vintage Home Designs has some easy step by step ideas on how to decorate your hutch with layers that add uniqueness and interest.  Get her decor tips, ideas, and styling tricks over on THIS post!

#4: Update a kitchen from the 90’s with these budget ideas.

Who has a kitchen from the 90’s?  Probably a LOT of us have dealt with some of those 90’s kitchens and have been ready for some updates.  However, a 90’s kitchen may not actually need a complete remodel.  

Jen from Tater Tots and Jello has some great ideas to update a 90’s kitchen on THIS post.  Best of all?  These are budget-friendly ideas that you’ll want to check out, no matter what era of kitchen you’re working with!

#5: Update a kitchen by giving it a cozy cottage style.

Have you considered transforming your kitchen into a more relaxed and cozy space?  After all, it’s a room that most of us spend a LOT of time.  Why not make it a really cozy space just like the rest of your home?

On THIS post, Kim from Shiplap and Shells will show you 13 simple ways to create a charming cottage-style kitchen.  You’ll love these ideas that you can easily incorporate into your kitchen for a fresh look and style.

#6: Update a kitchen by restyling open shelves.

We chatted earlier about the benefits of having open shelving in a kitchen.  However, when it comes to keeping it freshly styled, THIS post from Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home has got great decor tips.  

If you don’t have open shelving in your kitchen, still check this out.  There are great styling tips and ideas that you can use as inspiration for other shelves too!

#7: Update your kitchen with seasonal accents.

As we transition into spring, do you struggle with how to style your kitchen counters? You can have beautifully styled kitchen counters without a lot of fuss or clutter.  Tammy from White Lilac Farmhouse is sharing some easy ways to bring in those pretty spring accents!

Get Tammy’s tips and ideas for spring kitchen decor on THIS post!

#8: Update a kitchen by adding functional (and fun) elements!

Renae from Peacock Ridge Farm is sharing a fabulous DIY project that not only adds gorgeous European-style charm to a kitchen, but also great function.  At the same time, this could be a perfect storage solutions for smaller kitchens too.

Follow along as Renae shows you how to make an elegant pot rack from copper pipe. See her full step by step instructions HERE!

#9: How can I add better function to my kitchen?

Sometimes the best updates are the ones that happen behind closed doors.  Coco from The Crowned Goat is inspiring us with some easy and functional ideas.

Find her simple tips and tricks on how to keep your pantry and refrigerator neat and tidy all year long HERE!

#10: Update a kitchen by refinishing the cabinets.

How can I update my kitchen without replacing it?

Take a look at your kitchen cabinets!  Actually, that is one of the most popular ways to update a kitchen.  However, it can also be extremely expensive.

Thinking about redoing your kitchen cabinets but need a budget-friendly solution?  Kelly from The Tattered Pew has a post that will give you great resources, tips, and tools to use.  At the same time, Kelly has great inspiration to help you get the project started!

Kelly’s post is a must read on why refinishing kitchen cabinets is a good idea!  Check it out HERE!

#11: Update a kitchen by switching up your decor!

Looking for ideas on how to decorate above kitchen cabinets with a modern farmhouse style? Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse shares tips for creative decorating using collectibles and more. 

Rachel has great vintage pieces and you’ll love seeing how she incorporates them into a fresh look for her kitchen HERE!

#12: Update your kitchen by working with what you’ve got!

I love when someone inspires me to throw the “trend” out the window and get creative with what I’ve got.  If you have cherry wood cabinets, this post from Anne and AnnMarie at Simply 2 Moms is a must-read!

Who says a kitchen with cherry cabinets can’t look modern?  They’ve got ideas to update your kitchen with wood cabinets without painting them!  Get inspired HERE!

#13: Update a kitchen with some custom projects.

Looking to update your kitchen or butler’s pantry with a few DIY projects on a budget?  One of these DIY ideas could be the key to making your kitchen feel fresh and new again!

Over on THIS post, Wendy from WM Design House is sharing her one room challenge and how you can take on your kitchen too!  

Learn how to lay a beadboard backsplash over your existing tile. paint your cabinets and pour epoxy countertops.  Get all of the details HERE!

#14: Should I paint my cabinets?

How can I update my kitchen without replacing  cabinets?

Looking to update your kitchen on a budget? Learn how to paint wood cabinets with chalk paint with my good friend Stacy from Bricks ‘n Blooms.  Painting cabinets might sound like a daunting task but Stacy has great inspiration to help you get started.

It’s a budget-friendly remodel that is easy to do and totally worth the effort!  Stacy has great tips and tricks for you on THIS post!

#15: Update a kitchen by restyling your kitchen countertops.

What is the cheapest way to update a kitchen?

One of the most budget-friendly ways to give your kitchen a fresh look is to rethink the decor pieces in the space.  How can you shop your own home or replace some small accessories to give your kitchen a new, bright look and feel?

Often, we can be tempted to get sucked into the remodeling aspect of updating our home.  The reality is that most of us don’t actually need a remodel.  At the same time, we want a fresh look.

Over on THIS post, I’m chatting about how you can update your kitchen simply by restyling your kitchen countertops.

It is tricky to decorate kitchen countertops in inviting ways without feeling cluttered. Follow these simple tips for to make kitchen counter and kitchen island decorating a breeze!

You can also shop my Amazon Storefront for my favorite kitchen decor accessories.

Hint: Almost all of them are also really functional too!

How can I make my bad kitchen look good?

Well, first of all, chances are your kitchen isn’t as bad as you think.  It can be really helpful to do a good deep clean, step back, take a deep breath, and prioritize the needs (and then the wants) for your kitchen!

Here are a few more ideas you can use on a budget to update your kitchen without renovating:

  • Change the hardware
  • Add a temporary backsplash
  • Paint the countertops
  • Cover up bad flooring or paint flooring if possible (a great rug can help too!)
  • Take down doors
  • Add storage solutions, such as a DIY kitchen island or a great furniture piece
  • Add plants!

What are the 3 main tips to consider for updating a kitchen?

Before you ever begin a kitchen update, you’ll definitely want to consider these three important aspects:

  1. Make sure the function of your kitchen has the top priority.  All cosmetic and aesthetic choices should enhance the function, including decor elements.
  2. Be smart and creative with your storage solutions.  Maximize storage whenever possible.
  3. Include as much countertop space as possible; ultimately, this adds to the function.

I love that this entire list of kitchen update ideas all fit these three essential criteria for kitchen design and style!  

Once you have the function your kitchen at the highest capacity, then you can work on adding simple things that make your kitchen feel as welcoming and inviting as possible for you and your family!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Easter Basket Finds

Friday Favorites- Easter Basket Finds

Friday Favorites- Easter Basket Finds

Hello Friends!

Easter is a special holiday for our family! Like many of you, we like to get our kid’s an Easter basket! This week, I wanted to share with you some of my favorites finds for Easter basket stuffers! I put them in groups to help organize them a bit, but really, many of these finds would work for different children, not just boys or girls or teens. I hope you find this helpful as you finish shopping for Easter! Let me know in the comments what you will be adding to your gift list!  

Family Fun

I like giving my kids gifts that we can use together as a family if possible. These are all activity sets and games! Some of my favorites are these reusable water balloons! What a hit these will be in the summer! And I also love this Easter storybook and nesting painted eggs that tell the Easter story. Lots more great items like this in this idea list on Amazon! You can also shop by clicking the items listed below.

Boys Easter Basket Stuffers 

I’m so excited about these finds for our boy! He is full of so much energy ad action so I love this water set with skip balls and this catch set. I also think this lego set is so fun! Here are the other things I think any boy would love to find in his Easter basket in a list below. Click on the pictures to check them out on Amazon!

Girl’s Easter Basket Stuffers 

I have found some cute fashion accessories I am excited to add to my girls’ baskets. These strappy sandals and this cute woven clutch are perfect spring accessories! And then I have some great cosmetic items like this blush and this fun lip gloss. Lots more are listed below! Which items are your favorite?

Teen Easter Basket Stuffers

I really love these finds for teens! This age group can be hard to figure out what to get, but I think I have found a few things that will work perfectly! Let me know what you think!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Easter Table Decor

Friday Favorites- Easter Table Decor

Friday Favorites- Easter Table Decor

Real Touch Peonies

 I finally found peonies that look and feel so real and I’m obsessed with them.  They are available in other colors too, so you can mix and match them for the perfect spring bouquet to add to your Easter table

You can get them here 

Tan and White Gingham Table Runner

 This table runner is perfect for spring and summer! Get a vintage cottage look for under $10. Remember with neutrals and you can add any color accents for a simple and casual Easter tablescape! Tip: I ordered two for my long table! You really can’t beat the price

Available here from Amazon

Wicker Pedestal

This wicker pedestal stand has all the high-end look for such a steal of a price.  It’s sturdy and just so pretty.  Use for a centerpiece or add as a serving piece on your Easter buffet.  I’ll be using mine all spring and summer!

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Golden Bunny Napkin Rings

 These gold bunny napkin rings have such a great vintage look and for the set of 12, you just can’t beat an under $20 price with a high-end look!

Find it here from Amazon

Napkins

These napkins have been a favorite of mine for months now and I love using them.  They are such a fantastic price and blend perfectly with a variety of styles. You can also dress them up or down for your table decor.  I also love that they can be machine washed and don’t need ironed!  Available in multiple colors!
Find your own to style here from Amazon

 

 

Oversized Bunny Centerpiece

I love this oversized bunny for a centerpiece statement but it can be used anywhere around your home or outdoors too. The color makes it blend beautifully with lots of decor styles too

Grab it here from Amazon!

Woven Placemats

Here is another high-end Serena and Lily look for such a great price.  These come out to barely $5 each and they are gorgeous.  Perfect to dress up your everyday dishes, like I did mine over on my Amazon live for a quick and easy Easter table.  Or, add them under platters and serving bowls for a pretty layer and texture on your Easter serving buffet or dessert station too!

It’s available here from Amazon

Wicker Cup Holders

I’ve been trying to find affordable wicker cup holders for a long time and was so excited to find these for such a great price.  They have some flexibility to them so they even fit my everyday glasses that are a bit wider on the bottom.  Perfect way to dress up those plain glasses for a pretty table and then use them every day too!  Elevate the everyday!

 

It’s available on Amazon.

 

Natural Wooden Eggs

 Use these natural wooden eggs for easy Easter decor; sprinkle them around your Easter centerpiece, write names on them for place cards (the flat bottom makes them easy to stand up), Use them as food labels for an Easter buffet, or do some fun DIY painting to make them match your Easter tablescape style! 

Find them here

Gold Brushed Metal Tray

 Obsessed with this gold tray because of it’s vintage brushed brass look but simple, clean lines for styling. Use to serve food, add a layer under a centerpiece, or style a vignette for a coffee table or side table.

Find them here!

Favorite White Dishes

 After being out of stock for almost a year, my everyday dishes are finally back! I’ve had mine for about 20 years and still love them. They go perfectly with everything and have blended with so many styles over the years. Grab them while you can!

Find them here!

Vase

 My favorite vase that I use all the time!  So easy to add some real or faux flowers and greenery for a perfect centerpiece.

Find it here from Amazon!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Neutral Easter Decor

Friday Favorites-Neutral Easter Decor

Friday Favorites-Neutral Easter Decor

Hello Friends!

Easter is coming soon and I am enjoying finding vintage inspired decor to fill my home with! 

Bunny Concrete Planter

This subtle touch of Easter is non-holidayish enough to leave out for the entire spring season. This cute bunny works great for faux or fresh plants. It’s a nice size for a shelf, mantel, or centerpiece. I am currently displaying it on my kitchen island. It could also be used on a bathroom cabinet for a fresh spring touch.

Grab it here from Amazon

Chippy Bunny

This chippy distressed white bunny is so cute! It’s 8” tall and the perfect little guy to add to your Easter decor.

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Wooden Bunny Egg Cups

I think these wooden bunny egg cups are so cute! Perfect for a little Ester kids’ table. 


Find it here from Amazon

Natural Egg Gourds

Add a neutral and organic look to your easter decor with these egg-shaped gourds. They are so cute and I love the vibe! 
Find your own to style here from Amazon

 

 

Real Touch Peonies

These come in different colors and look super realistic! I love using flowers like these to make my house feel fresh and bright. 

You can get them here 

Carrot Pillow

 These tufted carrot pillows with texture and fringe are the perfect touch for Spring decor. It adds a cute factor without being too over the top.

Grab these cute pillows here from Target

Tan and White Gingham Table Runner

I love this simple tan and white gingham table runner! Table runners are the perfect touch to make a tablescape come together. 

Available here from Amazon

Woven Bunny 

This woven bunny is only $10! Tuck a few throughout a pretty Easter tablescape or one into a spring vignette to give it an instant, subtle Easter style.

It’s available here from Amazon

Rustic Metal Bowl

This is so easy to use to create a pretty Easter centerpiece or vignette,or even serve Easter desserts! Click here to see how I used this in person!

Click here to see a couple more ways to decorate with it! 

It’s available on Amazon.

 

Natural Cement Planter Set

This natural cement planter set of 2 from Mcgee and Co. Is so perfect for spring! It’s under $35! I love the look of vintage rattan cane and think it would be perfect for an Easter centerpiece or mantel display!

Find it here

Rattan Cane Plant Stands

These rattan cane plant stands have so much possibility! You could add serving trays and use for an Easter buffet or use for pretty Easter and spring vignettes!

Find them here!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Decorate with Vintage Architectural Salvage: 10 Easy Ways

How to Decorate with Vintage Architectural Salvage: 10 Easy Ways

How to Decorate with Vintage Architectural Salvage: 10 Easy Ways

Looking to add character or interest to your home? Consider ideas to decorate with vintage architectural salvage. Keep reading below for 10 easy ways.  You can also check out more vintage and thrifted decor ideas today with the Thrifting with the Gals!

I LOVE vintage architectural salvage.  In fact, anytime I am going on a shopping trip that may include antique shops, thrift stores, vintage markets, flea markets, or any of those kinds of places, architectural salvage is always at the very top of my list!  Then, of course, I love to decorate with vintage architectural salvage in every room of our home.  Today, I am excited to share my favorite ways to use architectural salvage in my home decorating.

In my humble opinion, you just can’t have too much character, texture, and interest in your home decor.

Decorating with vintage architectural salvage is a perfect way to add elements of character, texture, and interest to any home.  At the same time, architectural salvage can be incorporated into almost any style of home decor.

While some of my vintage architectural salvage pieces have been investment purchases, many of them have been scored for great, thrifty deals over the years.  I can’t wait to show you a few of my favorites around our home!

But first things first…

 

Thrifting with the Gals

If you are reading this post about how to decorate with vintage architectural salvage, chances are really high that you also enjoy going to vintage markets, flea markets, antique stores, thrift shops, yard sales, estate sales.

In that case, you won’t want to miss our monthly Thrifting with the Gals series.  I join up with some of my thrifting friends from around the country to share our favorite thrifted finds, DIY, vintage decor ideas, and more with you.

Every month, I look forward to seeing what each of them have to share.  I’ll link it all at the end of this post along with a sneak peek picture, so watch for that after gathering some ideas for decorating with architectural salvage!

Meet the Thrifting with the Gals

How do you display architectural salvage?

Here are 10 ways to decorate with vintage architectural salvage.  While a few of these ways do include some easy DIY, most of the ideas I use around my home are quick, easy, and tool free!

  1. DIY architectural salvage lamps
  2. DIY architectural salvage ladder chandelier
  3. hang on the wall
  4. lean on a mantel
  5. add a background layer to a console or buffet table
  6. put under a cloche
  7. use as a shelf
  8. sit on a shelf
  9. frame a doorway
  10. DIY oven hood

We use our favorite architectural salvage finds for all of these ideas and more.  Keep reading to see examples of each and details of how you can decorate with vintage architectural salvage also!

Where do you buy vintage architectural salvage?

It used to be a lot easier to find and relatively inexpensive.  However, as the use of these amazing pieces of history have increased in home decorating, vintage architectural salvage is becoming harder to find.  At the same time, it has dramatically increased in price in many places.

However, you can still run across a good deal.  With patient hunting, a good eye, and knowing where to look, you can find amazing vintage architectural salvage pieces to decorate your home.

Look for architectural salvage pieces at these places:

  • Antique malls
  • Vintage markets
  • Antique shows
  • Flea markets
  • Estate sales
  • Barn sales
  • Facebook marketplace
  • If you’re really lucky, maybe even a dumpster dive!

How to Decorate with Vintage Architectural Salvage: 10 Easy Ways

How do you style vintage items?

Decorate with architectural salvage: Idea #1

Since this post is supposed to be about really easy ways to decorate with vintage architectural salvage, I’ll get this first idea out of the way!  It does require some tools and skill.  However, it is 100% worth the effort!  I love my corbel lamps and the character they add to our home.

You can get the full DIY tutorial for these vintage architectural salvage lamps on THIS POST!

Great corbels have definitely become more difficult to find and can be really pricey.  So while these may not end up being the most budget-friendly lamps, depending on what corbels you can find, they are definitely unique and add a ton of character, texture, and interest to your home!

Shop the look:

You can find some vintage-inspired architectural salvage wall sconces HERE that are absolutely gorgeous!

This vintage-inspired architectural salvage wall lamp has such a simple look with high impact.  Plus, it’s under $30!  I love this style!

 

Decorate with vintage architectural salvage: Idea #2

One of my favorite ways to use larger architectural salvage pieces, like these tall corbels, is to stand them on a console/buffet or even my dresser.  They become a neutral layer, adding texture and height to the styling in front.  For my sofa table, I love that the corbel helps my vignette look pretty from both directions too!

While tall corbels can be beautiful mounted on the wall or incorporated into a great DIY, don’t discount the simple use of displaying them as an extra layer behind a vignette!

Decorate with vintage architectural salvage: Idea #3

Glass cloches are one of my favorite things to use in my home decor.  The icing on the cake for me is pairing a glass cloche with a great architectural piece.  Whether it is a column base or just a chippy piece of old wood, salvage can add a lot of texture to a cloche vignette.

At the same time, the architectural salvage can give extra height and interest to the styling.

Even though I already have several wonderful vintage architectural salvage pieces to use under cloches, they are still always on my shopping list because I love using them so much!

Plus, they are easy to store because I can stack up the ones that are currently out of rotation.

Shop the look:

Decorate with vintage architectural salvage: Idea #4

This idea is definitely more specific to individual spaces.  However, if you have an opportunity to use a pair of old chippy corbels in a doorway, give it a try!

We have two identical openings to our back living space, coming off of our family room and dining room.  When we came upon an opportunity to get four matching corbels, we knew it was meant to be!

I love how they add a lot of character to otherwise plain openings.  To me, they also add an invitation to come on in and enjoy the spaces.  At the same time, the four corbels connect each end of the open living spaces with continuity.

You can get the full tutorial for how to easily hang a corbel on the wall by reading this post:

How to Add Beautiful Character to a New Home or Remodel

 

Decorate with vintage architectural salvage: Idea #5

When I spotted this pair of chippy white arched doors in a vintage shop, I immediately knew where I wanted to hang them.

I love flanking the old mantel in our family room with matching mirrors, baskets, wreaths, etc.

Layering the doors underneath is a perfect opportunity to easily add more texture and layers to my decor in this family room space.  It will be so fun to give them a new look each season by changing what I hang on them.

At the same time, I love how the arch adds more movement and shape to this long, rectangular room!

Pro Tip:  Layer old windows, doors, and shutters under wall decor for more character and interest.  You can more easily switch up the wall decor by leaving the more permanent salvage piece there all the time.

For tips on how to more easily hang heavy items on your wall, check out THIS POST.

Decorate with vintage architectural salvage: Idea #6

Architectural salvage can be so easy to display by leaning it against the wall, atop a mantel or shelf.  This beautiful wooden arch is a favorite salvage find and it works perfectly to add some simple layers to my family room wall.

This piece, as you can see, is quite large.  However, I got it for a really good price and I love the light wood color.

You can also use small architectural salvage pieces in your decor by layering them and leaning them on a mantel or against other art and mirrors.  Again, these are just great ways to add even more texture to your home decor!

Decorate with vintage architectural salvage: Idea #7

I told you these ideas would be so easy!  At the same time, I can’t even tell you how much I love this old, broken column capitol piece that sits on the shelf in my dining room.

There is something about the broken, discarded salvage pieces that I just love so much!

Pro Tip: Watch for small and medium-sized salvage fragments that can sit on a shelf.  They can end up transforming your entire shelf styling!

Shop the look:

Decorate with vintage architectural salvage: Idea #8

I’ve shared about how to decorate an old mantel.  However, the mantel itself is a wonderful piece of vintage architectural salvage!

You can use a mantel to decorate any larger wall in your home, even if you don’t have a fireplace.  Living in South Florida, we just do not need or even really want a working fireplace.  However, I do love having a mantel to decorate!

We tucked this large, antique mantel behind our family room sectional and it is one of my favorite places in our home to decorate!

You might consider adding vintage mantel to a bedroom, dining room, living room space, or even an office.  It can add great character and be so fun to decorate too.

What is the best way to decorate a fireplace mantel?

Well, I don’t think there is a “best” way out there!  However, here are a few posts with mantel styling tips that might help you get started!

Decorate with vintage architectural salvage: Idea #9

This idea is one that is really specific to our kitchen space.  However, I had to include it because this beautiful old barn wood was all completely free!

If you come across old wood with great patina, it is worth saving some boards for great DIY projects.  Of course, this could be an entire DIY blog post all on its own.

Here are a few quick ideas for DIY projects with old wood:

  • Shelves
  • Wall treatment
  • Birdhouse
  • Rustic table or console
  • Farmhouse bench
  • Wooden riser/pedestal for display
  • Wooden crate or box for storage

Decorate with vintage architectural salvage: Idea #10

This ladder chandelier has been a favorite of mine for many years.  I’ve had a ladder hanging over our dining room table for at least 10 years now and I still love it.

Even though the chandeliers could be wired and used, we chose to use these over our back dining room table just for decor purposes.  Actually, I love to switch them around and hang different things from the ladder.  Lanterns, party decor, and little candle holders have all been hanging from this ladder at some point!

However, I think my thrifted vintage chandeliers are my favorite!

You can hang a ladder over your table for functional lighting or for the pretty aesthetic, depending on the needs of your own space!

Here are a few favorite chandeliers to hang from a ladder over a dining table:

How can I decorate my home vintage style?

Using architectural salvage to decorate your home is a perfect way to bring an instant vintage style to any home.  In fact, I love mixing the old and new to create my own, curated style.

Adding architectural salvage pieces to help display even new pieces can add so much character and interest to a home.

At the same time, architectural salvage can really elevate the overall look of inexpensive, newer decor accessories too.

I hope this post inspires you to put vintage architectural salvage at the top of your thrifting list too.  There are so many easy ways you can decorate your home with vintage architectural salvage and you’re going to love the transformation it makes in the vintage style of your home!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorites from Amazon (2023)

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorites from Amazon (2023)

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorites from Amazon (2023)

Easy spring home decor can be simple and budget-friendly! Check out these Amazon favorites to spruce up your Easter home decor this season!  Keep reading to see how I style each of these easy spring home decor finds in my own home!

Do you love decorating for the spring season and Easter holiday?  I definitely love finding budget-friendly accessories that I can use for easy spring home decor.

Today, I am excited to share 10 of my favorite Amazon finds for easy and simple home decorating for spring and Easter.  I’ve even styled some of these pieces a few different ways around our home to give you lots of ideas.

Hopefully this inspiration will help you put the finishing touches on your own spring home decor so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the season!

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorites from Amazon

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorite #1: Realistic faux tulips and peonies

How to decorate for spring on a budget?

One of my favorite ways to decorate our home for spring and Easter is by adding pretty flowers.  Whether neutral or spring-inspired colors, flowers add such a beautiful, fresh touch for the season.

At the same time, fresh flowers can put a ding in the budget!  Over on THIS post, I share some of my favorite ways to arrange inexpensive grocery store flowers.  However, my grocery budget these days doesn’t include fresh flowers every week.

Realistic faux flowers for the win!  First of all, not only are these real touch tulips and peonies a great price, but they can be used over and over, year after year.  Secondly, that can add up to a big budget-savings in the long run!

Here are a few favorite ways to style these faux flowers:

  • Single stems in glass bottles
  • Add them to fresh filler flowers for a larger arrangement
  • Add fresh greenery to make them look every more realistic

Pro Tip: cut fresh greenery from your yard for free decor!

  • Group faux flowers in a vintage vessel to add charm and character to a room
  • Add faux flowers in a cute seasonal planter, like this cement bunny rabbit, for a fun touch
  • Put them in a pretty vase under a glass cloche
  • Add a single stem to each place setting
  • Bend the stem around to create an easy DIY napkin ring

Shop my favorite real-touch tulips HERE and these realistic peonies HERE!

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorite #2: Cement bunny planter

If you’re looking for easy and cute for your spring home decorating, this bunny planter will be one of your favorites too!  I love the natural cement material and size of this cute planter.  It makes it easy to decorate in almost any room or kind of space.

Even though I incorporated it into this large dough bowl styling, it also looks perfect just on its own and usually lives on our kitchen island for the spring season.

Since it is a more subtle touch for Easter, I will probably leave this cute piece out for the entire spring season.

It looks perfect with my favorite faux tulips inside.  At the same time, it comes with a saucer so you can also put a real or faux plant inside too!

You can shop this cement bunny planner in my spring home decor on my Amazon Storefront HERE!

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorite #3: Light-weight throw blanket

How do you make your house cozy in the spring?

Just because spring has arrived doesn’t mean you have to put away all of the cozy layers!  In fact, spring is the perfect time to refresh the cozy layers around your home.

One way to do this is to pack away heavy blankets and throw pillows and add light-weight ones.  THIS super soft, light-weight throw blanket is my very favorite for the spring, summer, and even early fall.

The soft texture adds all the cozy vibes and a pretty, neutral layer to my decor.  At the same time, it is light-weight enough to actually use.

It comes in several different colors and sizes.  My favorite spring throw blanket is in the oatmeal color because it just goes with everything and I can use it year round (especially since we live in Florida!)

Shop my favorite spring throw blanket HERE!

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorite #4: Natural wooden riser

Even though this wooden riser can be used year round, I do love how it brings in that warm, natural wood tone to spring decor.  Since I use a lot of white and light colors in my spring home decorating, adding a touch of a pretty wood tone really gives depth and interest to the neutral vignettes.

This wooden riser is the perfect size for SO many things in your decor.  In fact, I call it a “must-have” home decor accessory because it just makes almost any vignette look prettier!

Here are a few ways I’ve been decorating with this wooden riser:

  • Under a glass cloche
  • Under a single candle
  • Adding height variation to a grouping of objects
  • On a shelf
  • Under a plant
  • In a dough bowl to create a solid base for an accessory
  • On the mantel to give more layer and texture

Shop my favorite wooden riser HERE!

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorite #5: Glass dome cloche

If you’ve been a reader at Robyn’s French Nest for very long at all, you know I LOVE my glass cloches!  In fact,  you can find some fun decorating tips and ideas to use a glass cloche in your home decor:

I am having fun with glass cloches for easy spring home decor.  You can find a whole decor class with more ideas on THIS AMAZON LIVE.

In case you don’t have a glass cloche to decorate for spring, you can find 10+ favorite cloches all linked on my Amazon Storefront, favorite home decor list, HERE!

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorite #6: Tan and white gingham pillow covers

How can I decorate my house on a low budget?

Besides my favorite faux florals for spring, switching out throw pillow covers is a super easy and budget-friendly way to decorate for the seasons.

In general, investing in quality, neutral pieces can create the perfect base for decorating for any season.  For under $10, this pair of pillow covers can immediately add a refreshed look to your living space.

Even though I’m using this gingham pattern for the spring, the neutral color allows them to carry into summer and even fall too!

Pro Tip: Invest in  good down pillow inserts that you can use year round.  Then, purchase fun and inexpensive pillow covers to keep your space feeling fresh and new!  The down pillow inserts give a much more high-end look to your decor.

Shop my favorite Amazon throw pillows HERE!

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorite #7: Tall, faux greenery stems

One of my favorite ways to decorate for spring is to add greenery and tall branches.  I love to cut fresh branches from my trees and add to a vase or basket.  However, sometimes I need something that will last longer than the fresh branches or just something a little faster and easier!

These faux greenery branches are definitely my go-to for spring greenery.  Standing tall at over 43″, I can use them in tall vessels, vases, and baskets.  However, I can also easily bend the stems to use them in shorter containers.

Pro Tip: One of my favorite ways to save money is to use these faux greenery branches with inexpensive grocery store flowers.  They immediately elevate the arrangement and make it more of a statement piece!

If you follow along with my spring decor, you will see these pretty (and very realistic!) branches over and over and over again!  They are definitely my favorite and get used all over our house!

Shop my favorite greenery branches HERE!

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorite #8: Dried egg gourds

What are some decorations for spring?

Eggs, of course!  With the Easter season, it is really fun and easy to incorporate faux eggs into spring vignettes.

Sometimes it’s the smallest details in my home decor that make me smile the biggest!  I really wanted to achieve more of a natural, organic cottage style in my spring decorating this year.  These dried egg gourds add so much patina and character to my spring vignettes.

I love the subtle nod to the Easter holiday with the egg shapes.  At the same time, the earthy-tone color and style blends perfectly with our vintage home decor.

Add them to a bowl, under a cloche, lay around a vignette, tuck them into greenery on a mantel…the possibilities are seemingly endless!

Over on THIS post, you can find some of my favorite ways to decorate for spring with faux eggs.  Easy spring home decor can be so simple and so fun!

Shop my favorite dried egg gourds HERE!

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorite #9: Vintage-inspired art

One really easy way to switch up your home decor for the seasons is with artwork.  However, art can get really pricey!  You can imagine how excited I was to discover these vintage-inspired art prints, already beautifully curated, for under $20.

Actually, the artwork really inspired my spring gallery wall this year.  Using old, thrifted frames, it made for really budget-friendly spring home decor!

Here are ways to use this budget-friendly, vintage-inspired artwork in your spring decor:

  • Hang in a gallery wall
  • Tape into thrifted frames
  • Lean against the back of a bookshelf
  • Hang on the front of a shelf
  • Layer with larger mirrors and frames on a console table
  • Layer and lean on a mantel

Shop my favorite vintage-inspired art prints for under $20 HERE!

Easy Spring Home Decor Favorite #10: White battery-operated pillar candles

How do you make your house cozy in the spring?

​Candles are often thought of more for fall and winter home decor.  Even though I don’t use as many candles during the spring and summer, it does feel so wonderful to keep that cozy glow around in the evenings!

For spring, I switched out my ivory battery-operated candles to these white pillar candles.  They are also battery-operated.  One of my favorite things is the realistic, flickering flame and the timer, so they just flicker on each evening at dusk and go off on their own!

Pro Tip: Use battery-operated candles in key spots around your home in the spring to keep the cozy feeling!

You can shop these pillar candles HERE!

Are you ready for some easy spring decorating?

I hope these fun and simple ideas help make your spring decorating a breeze this year! Mixing the old and new is my favorite way to curate my home and have fun decorating for the seasons at the same time.  Budget-friendly, simple decor pieces are always a favorite and I have had fun sharing these 10 spring accessories that you can easily mix into your existing spring decor!

You can shop all of my favorites on my Amazon Storefront HERE!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Easter Decor

Friday Favorites- Easter Decor

Friday Favorites- Easter Decor

Hello Friends!

Easter is coming soon and I am enjoying finding vintage inspired decor to fill my home with! I am loving mixing spring decor with vintage touches. Let me know what your favorites are!

Favorite Faux Tulips

These are my favorite faux tulips because they are so realistic! I have both the white and off-white and use both colors. I like the off-white for this early spring time and it also blends beautifully with the cream and earth tones I like to decorate with right now. You can really go with either color. I tend to use my white ones more for Easter
Find your own to style here from Amazon

 

 

Checkered Pillow Covers

I love these trendy French vintage farmhouse-style pillow covers and I am obsessed with the light gingham print for spring this year!! They are great for layering and easy to store later. It really saves space by using covers. You can’t beat $12.99 for a set of two pillow covers- a high-end look for a super budget-friendly cost!

Find it here

Tall Rabbit Statue

 This tall rabbit has great character! You could use it alone or in a vignette, even add a cute candle!

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Gold Bunnies 

These are the cutest little bunnies! You can add some elegance with the antiqued gold. They could be styled at place settings, in a vignette, or under a cloche.

You can get it here 

Bunny Pillow

I love the vintage look of this bunny pillow. It’s easy to layer with neutrals for a quick Easter decor statement.
Find it here from Amazon

Egg Gourds

Egg gourds are the perfect way to add a natural and organic look for spring with a fun nod to the Easter season. These are the shape and size of Easter eggs but all natural They add great texture and interest and the color is neutral with variation and patina.

Grab it here from Amazon

Bunny Mug

I love this cute bunny mug for only $5. It’s a must-have for spring; so super cute!

Grab it here from Target

Handmade Market Bag 

So many options for this cute bag! Hang it on a hook, corner of a chair, on a bench at the foot of the bed, tuck in a favorite light-weight throw blanket, plant, or collect easter eggs in it! Perfect for functional use and style too!

Available here.

Thyme Topiary

This is a very pretty thyme topiary! I love how simple and airy it is! Perfect for Spring.

It’s available here from Amazon

Botanical Art Prints

Light and bright, vintage-inspired botanical art prints. They are ready to frame and hang. They are under $18 for the entire set and look just like real paintings!

It’s available on Amazon.

 

Happy Easter Banner

 This banner has a cute vintage botanical-style print. It’s perfect to add just a touch of Easter color for the holiday and special gatherings.

It’s available on Amazon.

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Beautifully Decorate a Coffee Table for Spring

How to Beautifully Decorate a Coffee Table for Spring

How to Beautifully Decorate a Coffee Table for Spring

It’s time to decorate for spring!  Coffee tables are the perfect spot to add some seasonal elements as you refresh your space for the season. Check out my favorite tips and ideas to decorate a coffee table for spring with simple and easy vignettes!

Coffee table styling is one of the requests that I get the most often from you all, my readers!  Actually, I totally understand why.  It is fun to decorate a coffee table for spring.  At the same time, some simple, seasonal styling can change the look of the whole room!

In this fast-paced world, it’s easy to fall into a trap of thinking we need new furniture, new paint, a new room layout, or even a new house to create the perfect haven.  Actually, just a simple room reset can be just the key to help me love my home all over again.  If you are someone who enjoys being creative, you can probably relate!

However, coffee table styling can sometimes stump me, or at the very least, I can easily fall into a decor rut and need some fresh inspiration.  You too?

Gathering some fun ideas will hopefully spark new creativity as you decorate your coffee table for spring!

How do you style a coffee table for spring?

There are some staple decor pieces I like to keep on hand that you’ll often find on my coffee tables.  If you follow along with Robyn’s French Nest for very long, you’ll start to recognize pieces that I use for almost every season.  However, switching them up from room to room helps keep my decor feeling fresh.

In fact, these are likely considered common coffee table decor pieces for most people.  At the same time, you probably have at least some of these on hand if you shop your own home:

  1. Tray or bowl
  2. Fresh or faux greenery
  3. Fresh or faux flowers
  4. Larger/taller decor piece (such as a cloche, vase, lantern, or vessel)
  5. Books (either to use as a riser or pretty coffee table books)
  6. Favorite candle or battery-operated candle
  7. Seasonal object

We are going to chat about all of these common pieces.  Then, we will look at how you can arrange and style them to create your own unique look and style!

Now, are you ready to decorate?!  Gather up your basics and let’s get started!

How to Beautifully Decorate a Coffee Table for Spring

I love decorating my coffee table because it is a relatively quick way to make an entire room feel refreshed.  However, you don’t need a lot of time or a big budget to decorate a coffee table, either!

If I start to feel like my living or family rooms are a bit “tired” and need some fluffing, a quick switch of the coffee table vignette will usually do the trick!

No matter the season or style, there are some basic elements to my easy formula for styling a coffee table.

How to Decorate a Coffee Table for Spring: Tip #1 

What do you put in the middle of a coffee table?

Start with a base for your vignette, considering:

  1. Size
  2. Scale
  3. Function
  4. Style/design of the room

I almost never style a coffee table vignette without using a base.  This helps define the vignette and really helps pull it all together, rather than feeling like things are just “setting around”.

Do you always have to have a base?  Definitely not!  However, a base is what I typically start with.

How do I make my coffee table look nice?

Starting your coffee table decor with a base is a guaranteed way to elevate the style and create a defined coffee table vignette.

Some of my favorite things to use as a base when I decorate a coffee table for spring are large coffee table books (I look for these at thrift stores!), large bread boards, or trays.  Also, a basket or flat-bottom dough bowl can also make a great base to decorate a coffee table.

What size of base should I use to decorate a coffee table?

The size and scale of your base depends on the size and scale of your coffee table.  It is perfectly fine to use a large base, even on a smaller table, as long as the coffee table has a substantial look so that everything feels balanced.

For example, if your coffee table is a minimalist style, you wouldn’t want to use an oversized, chunky wood tray.  Instead, choose a tray with a lesser profile, more in keeping with the scale of the table.

However, if you have a coffee table that has a thick base or chunky wood top, you can consider oversized decor.  For example, this large bread board can make great statement piece on my coffee table with thick legs.

What are other considerations for creating the base for my coffee table vignette?

You also want to think about function.  In our back living room, our family plays a lot of games.  Therefore, I keep a pretty vignette at one end but leave most of the table clear for games.

However, in the music room, the small coffee table doesn’t need to function for anything except looks.  Then,  I sometimes use a base that is the same size as the coffee table!

There is a lot of room for freedom of expression here.  Basically, I like to think first of the size and scale.  Secondly, I consider the function and make sure whatever I’m creating works for our home and family lifestyle.

How to Decorate a Coffee Table for Spring: Tip #2

Create a Vignette with Three Different Heights.  Build the vignette with:

  1. Tall item, such as a lantern, cloche, vessel with plant or branches
  2. Medium item, such as vase, flowers, candlesticks, seasonal accent
  3. Small item, such as a candle, seasonal accessory

I almost always style a vignette in a set of three.  Especially on a coffee table or side table, I try to get three different heights to create my “decor triangle”.

However, no matter what size or scale of table you are decorating with, you can still work with a set of three decor items.  Then, focus on varied heights.

Next, I look for a common thread of color, pattern, texture, or style to tie all the pieces together.

Pro Tip:  When there are common elements that connect each piece to something else in the overall decor vignette, it creates a curated, clean look.  

Otherwise, it can feel a little cluttered or disjointed.

For example, you’ll notice in these coffee table examples that each vignette has elements of white, wood, woven texture, a touch of light blue, or metal.

Consistency with the color, pattern, texture, and style can really help make it a lot easier to decorate a coffee table for spring!

Pro Tip:  I often use vintage book stacks to help me get my three heights for a vignette.  This is especially helpful if the three items you want to use for your vignette are too close to the same height.

At the same time, I try to make sure I have lots of layers and texture to get a look that is full of character!

Decorating a coffee table for spring: Example 1

How to decorate a coffee table for Easter?

Even though my overall scheme is a set of three things to create the decor triangle, I may layer things together.  For example, in this spring vignette, I layered two bases with the bread board and crate.  Then, I have my set of three:

  1. Salvage with a plant
  2. Set of candlesticks
  3. Small bunny

The white color of the salvage and bunny connect everything while the brass candlesticks give great juxtaposition with a contrasting metal.

Lastly, the greenery brings it all to life.  At the same time, the wood tones in the salvage and the base tie together as well.

Decorating a coffee table for spring: Example 2

In this next vignette, I used a mix of things to fill a larger space.  However, there are still three basic things to create the decor triangle:

  1. Concrete planter with plant
  2. Cloche and base
  3. Thrifted books with swan

The white of the planter and salvage connect together.  At the same time, a touch of blue in the books ties together the books in the cloche and the books under the swan.

Lastly, the brass swans pull it altogether and again, give that juxtaposition of a contrasting metal texture.

Decorating a coffee table for spring: Example 3

In this third example, I simplified the vignette by only using larger items.

To get a height variation between the planter and bunny, I stacked a couple of thrifted books under the planter.

The bunny gives a pretty seasonal touch and the bowl with egg gourds completes the decor triangle.  (This rabbit is one of my favorites to decorate with!

The white of the planter and bowl tie the vignette together.

Next, I love the extra detail of the color of the egg gourds, books, and bread board all connecting as well.

Lastly, the bunny plays perfectly with the zinc top of the coffee table.  For this vignette, color plays a big role in pull it all together!

A General Formula to Decorate a Coffee Table for Spring

How do you style a coffee table display?

My general formula to decorate a coffee table for any season looks like this:

  1. Base
  2. Vignette with three heights, items connected by color, style, or texture
  3. Include greenery or flowers
  4. Include one seasonal item, such as a bunny or swan for spring
  5. Use vintage books for height variation and extra texture

Have fun with your spring decorating!

Are you ready to decorate a coffee table for spring now?

I hope you’ve found plenty of ideas to help you shop your home and put together a coffee table vignette that helps transform your space with a beautiful spring view!  Now, start decorating and most of all, have fun!

At the end of day, home decor should be what YOU love and what makes you feel peaceful, calm, and cozy in your own haven.

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Amazon Spring Decor Favorites

Friday Favorites- Amazon Spring Decor Favorites

Friday Favorites- Amazon Spring Decor Favorites

Hello Friends!

Easter is coming soon and I am enjoying finding vintage inspired decor to fill my home with! 

Realistic Eucalyptus

  This looks and feels so real! This is perfect to use on spring and Easter tablescapes and mantels

Find it here from Amazon.

 

Faux Greenery

I love faux greenery stems/branches. These look so realistic and they are easy to style. I  love their whimsical style! Add to a tall bottle or vase, easy to cut for shorter vessels, lay and tuck into vignettes on a mantel or console table. So many options!
Find it here from Amazon

Favorite Faux Tulips

These are my favorite faux tulips because they are so realistic! I have both the white and off-white and use both colors. I like the off-white for this early spring time and it also blends beautifully with the cream and earth tones I like to decorate with right now. You can really go with either color. I tend to use my white ones more for Easter
Find your own to style here from Amazon

 

 

Wicker Vase

This wicker vase is one of my favorites because it just adds such a fresh touch to any space. It adds extra texture and elevates even inexpensive grocery store flowers. Use on a nightstand, by a kitchen sink, on a side table, or order two and use for mantel decor on each side!

You can get it here 

Bunny Concrete Planter

This subtle touch of Easter is non-holidayish enough to leave out for the entire spring season. This cute bunny works great for faux or fresh plants. It’s a nice size for a shelf, mantel, or centerpiece. I am currently displaying it on my kitchen island. It could also be used on a bathroom cabinet for a fresh spring touch.

Grab it here from Amazon

Gallery Prints

Get a vintage-inspired gallery wall for under $20!  This set makes for easy and budget-friendly gallery wall styling. Use thrifted frames to add some vintage style. You could also mix and match prints if you don’t need them all in one space. I split mine up between the music room and the dining room. They work great to lean on shelves or hang on the wall

Grab the whole set from Amazon

Mini Terra Cotta Bowls

I am obsessed with these little mini terracotta bowls! They are great for place settings, tablescapes, or kitchen/shelf decor. I stacked mine all under a cloche and love how they look! I suggest ordering 2 or 3 sets to give you styling options like I did for my cloche.

Available here.

Small Gold Bunny Statue

 This little bunny statue with a tray is so cute for any room, even a nightstand or bathroom. I am  using mine on a side table with a small candle.

It’s available here from Amazon

Concrete Bunny

This is a great size of bunny figure for decor! The concrete neutral look goes with any style. It’s easy to tuck into existing decor because it’s neutral. You could style in a centerpiece or on a tray with a vignette on a kitchen island or coffee table.

It’s available on Amazon.

 

Checkered Pillow Covers

I love these trendy French vintage farmhouse-style pillow covers! They are great for layering and easy to store later! And it really saves space by using covers. Get this high-end look for a super budget-friendly cost.

Find it here

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Vintage-Inspired Spring Decor

Friday Favorites-Vintage-Inspired Spring Decor

Friday Favorites-Vintage-Inspired Spring Decor

Hello Friends!

I love vintage decor and I am excited to share these vintage finds and vintage-inspired finds this week! I love the spring neutrals of this season! Let me know what you will add to your home for this upcoming spring season. 

Watercolor Prints

 This vintage-inspired watercolor set of botanical prints is perfect for a little spring refresh in your home.  These are already framed and ready to hang. 

Find them here from Amazon.

 

Vintage Brass Swans

Vintage brass swans are one of my favorite small accessories to use in the spring. I love these cute little swans!

Find it here

Gingham Lamp

 This has been a hot item this spring and it’s on my list too. It’s super cute to add to any space! Add some vintage books underneath if you need a taller height like I do.
Find your own to style here from Target

 

 

Faux Tulips

These are my favorite faux tulips because they are so realistic! I have both white and off-white and use both colors. I like the off-white for this early spring time and it also blends beautifully with the cream and earth tones I like to decorate with right now

You can get these here from Amazon 

Antique Dough Bowl

I love these huge antique dough bowls; the old repairs on them give them even more character and speak to the authenticity; so fun to decorate for spring! Here are some of the ways I style mine for spring!

Grab it here

Vintage Inspired Chair

 the vintage look of this chair is just gorgeous; great earth tone to blend with any style; think of it as a neutral with just a hint of color

Grab it here

Mini Terra Cotta Saucers

 Stack, scatter, use on their own, tuck into vignettes. These are perfect to add a great touch of early spring

Available here.

Round Linen Bee Pillow

It’s just SO cute; add a french countryside cottage look!

It’s available here from Amazon

 Tall Topiary

This  looks so real; perfect to add some spring greenery; love the whimsical look and style; great for kitchen decor or use a pair on a longer dining table. Add to an entryway table or mantel

These are available on Amazon.

 

Cloche

 This beautiful glass cloche is a great height and perfect to style spring vignettes. I love using my glass cloches in the spring Here is a blog post about 21 + ways how to decorate a cloche!

Find it here

Gingham Pillows

I’m loving the touches of gingham this season; this pair of pillow covers is under $13 for the PAIR! Great budget-friendly option for a seasonal refresh

Find it here on Amazon

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

5 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Add Spring Vintage Home Decor

5 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Add Spring Vintage Home Decor

5 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Add Spring Vintage Home Decor

Looking to refresh your home for spring? Try these 5 easy and inexpensive ideas to add spring vintage home decor to the look of your home.  Thanks for hopping by to see 5 of my favorite easy ways to add spring  decor in our vintage style living and dining room!​  I hope these ideas give you some inspiration today!

Seasonal decorating is so fun and it’s something that I look forward to.  In a way, it feels like something I can do to welcome the new season rather than wishing for time to slow down (though sometimes I do wish for that!). I especially love the chance to bring out the vintage spring decor and get our home refreshed for the season.

In this little corner of the world, I hope you can find some inspiration for simple, seasonal changes that refresh you rather than drain your time, energy, or budget, for that matter!

On that note, I’m excited to share some tips, ideas, and spring decor inspiration with you today that can help refresh your home and even use decor and accessories you may already have.  (Actually, chances are, if you’re reading this blog post, you already love vintage decor and have some great vintage treasures around your home!)

Today, I welcome you through the back door, into our living room and bonus dining room, known in our family as the “back living room” and “back dining room”.  What can I say?  We weren’t feeling too creative when we defined these spaces. ????

However, this might be my favorite room in our home, decorated with some of my favorite pieces.  So, welcome!

Let’s get started, chatting about some easy and inexpensive ways I added some of my vintage finds and vintage spring decor to these spaces!

You can use these tips to easily add a spring style to your own vintage home decor too.

 

How can I decorate my home vintage style?

We are going to dive into 5 of my favorite ways to add spring vintage home decor around my home for the season.  Here’s a quick list you can save to refer to later on:

  1. Add inexpensive spring accents to vintage collections.
  2. Add fresh plants and flowers to vintage styling.
  3. Use architectural salvage for spring home decor display.
  4. Invest in vintage furniture.
  5. Add chippy garden elements for spring vintage home decor.

When should I decorate my house for spring?

Actually, I really dove into answering this question over on THIS POST and I encourage you to go and read it.  Hopefully, it helps explain my process.  Even though there is no right or wrong answer, I love a little method to the madness, so to speak, and this schedule just continues to work well for me year after year.

  • February: Start slowly transitioning into spring by switching greenery and textiles, continue decluttering and organizing from January, begin the process of deep cleaning (spring cleaning) our home.
  • March: It is “go time” for all of the spring decor
  • Mid-March or depending on the date of Easter: Add simple Easter accessories and decor

Like I said, there is no right or wrong.  This just seems to to suit our home and lifestyle, as well as the natural cycle of our Florida weather.

5 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Add Spring Vintage Home Decor

Spring Vintage Home Decor Tip #1: Add Inexpensive Spring Accents to Vintage Collections

How can I decorate my house for the spring?

One easy way to get a spring vintage home decor look is to simply add a few seasonal accents to your existing vintage pieces for a fresh look.  For example, on this vintage cubby, I only added one white, ceramic bunny to the vignette on the top.  That’s it!

You can find several perfect bunny decor pieces and my favorites all linked HERE for you!

However, adding a cute bunny is a good way to give an instant look of spring.  My vintage cottage sign, white ironstone, and fresh plants are all simple ideas that work together to create a bright look for this space.  However, all it took was one little bunny to create spring vintage home decor in the dining room!

If you’re ready to put the bunny decor away, I understand.  Instead, try other signs from nature in these warmer days, such as birds or flowers.

Here are a few bunny favorites:

Here are a few non-Easter related spring accessories that I love:

Vintage Spring Home Decor Tip #2: Add Fresh Plants and Flowers

How do you style a spring house?

This is the time of year when I just want to stroll through the lawn and garden department!  You too?!  You can really get away with changing nothing else in your home and just adding some plants and flowers to instantly bring the spring vibes for a spring vintage home decor style.

Even though we live in Florida and have green trees and pretty flowers year round, I still love to refresh my plants and flowers, inside and out.

One great way to create spring vintage home decor is by simply adding fresh plants and flowers or even faux spring flowers to vintage vessels!  My favorite faux spring flowers are THESE tulips, THESE hydrangeas in different colors, and THESE cherry blossoms!  I added the beautiful tulips to my kitchen spring decor this year and they are such a bright and happy way to dress up the large vintage scale that I keep on our kitchen island.

I love investing in pieces that I can decorate with and use year-round in our home.  This big wooden trencher on the dining table holds fresh topiaries for spring vintage home decor, but I can add jars of sunflowers in the summer, fill it with pumpkins in the fall, and add winter trees for Christmas decor!

Pro Tip: Vintage vessels can be pricey but are worth investing in because you can use them in your home year-round.  Only invest in the ones you absolutely love and you’ll find that you use them more than enough to make it worth the cost!

Tips for Finding Great Vintage Vessels

I shared some of my favorite ways to style flowers in vintage vessels over on this post, for more ideas!

Here are some vintage favorites, available online, for you:

Spring Touches in a Casual Living Room

Spring Vintage Home Decor Tip #3: Use Architectural Salvage for Spring Decor Display

What are decorations for spring?

This is the time to pull out your favorite bunnies, eggs, bird-themed decor, flowers, plants, and fresh colors for spring vintage home decor.  However, no matter what spring accessory you’re adding to your own home, you can use this tip to turn a simple accessory into a home decor statement piece.

Whether you’re adding a fresh plant, a cute bunny, or a decorative faux egg, you can add a vintage look to your spring home decor by adding architectural salvage. Architectural salvage pieces are always my favorite things to add character to any room and I hunt for them in every antique store I go into!

Literally, elevate your decor with vintage patina!

On my console table, I grouped a collection of cloches and combined several spring accessories.  What makes this vignette really have a spring vintage home decor look, I think, are the salvage pieces. What makes these interesting vignettes really have a spring vintage home decor look are the salvage pieces.  Otherwise, it would just be the typical “new” spring decor that you can similarly find every year in almost every big box home decor store.

They offer variety of height, lots of character, and great texture to the whole vignette.

Tips to Find Architectural Salvage

Chippy salvage is always on my hunting list when I go to vintage markets, antique stores, and flea markets!  I love having a collection of different styles, colors, and sizes and I rotate them throughout my decor year round.

Here are a few favorites available online:

Spring Vintage Home Decor Tip #4: Invest in Vintage Furniture

Let me be clear!  “Invest” doesn’t have to to mean a ton of money.  However, vintage furniture and vintage style decor is worth investing a little more budget, some elbow grease, and some creativity and imagination!  However, great vintage furniture pieces are the backbone of vintage farmhouse decor style because they are timeless and can go with any decorating look and whatever your favorite colors may be for your home.

Our coffee table in the back living room is an antique library table with the original zinc top.  I fell in love with this table on an online auction estate sale.  We didn’t get it for a “steal” but definitely reasonable!

I immediately imagined it as a large coffee table for this living space.  While it is a smaller living room area, the large coffee table functions perfectly for us.  We cut the legs and it makes a perfect coffee table for our family!

We use it often for family games and puzzles and it is great to have the open space in the family room to do so.  With the great texture and patina of the table, it gives the vintage look I want even when I use “new” accents in my vignette.

As you collect vintage pieces that you love, they slowly transform your home into a charming, unique space.  You can add decor pieces that you like, new or vintage, but with great vintage furniture as a backdrop, you always get that vintage home decor look regardless of the season.

You can find some of my tips and ideas for looking for vintage furniture HERE, HERE, and HERE!

If you find a great piece but it needs some work, check out these posts!

Vintage Decor Tip #5: Add Chippy Garden Elements for Vintage Spring Home Decor

How can I spruce up my house for spring?

Bring some of the outdoors in for a vintage spring home decor style!  Actually, nothing says spring quite like garden accessories and organic textures.  While vintage spring home decor items are a little harder to find (at least ones that I love), you can often find chippy, vintage garden accessories at a good flea market or antique mall!  There are even great pieces with vintage style (reproductions) at big box stores like Hobby Lobby.

You don’t need a lot of them.  However, a few pieces added to your decor can really give that vintage home decor look!

In this back family room space, I added a chippy concrete planter to my coffee table vignette.  Of course, it’s perfect to hold a fresh plant or faux flower stems.  The concrete planter style gives it that garden vibe, and the chippy blue paint brings a touch of color, texture, and vintage character!

Thrift stores are a great place to look for old garden tools, worn terra cotta pots, imperfect baskets, old concrete garden pieces, straw hats, and other items that come to mind when you think of spring gardening!  Over on THIS post,  you can find the top 11 finds from the thrift store that I use around my home for spring decorating.

And remember, it doesn’t take much!  Just this one, chippy planter gave my back living room that vintage spring look I was hoping for in this space!

What is popular for spring decor 2024?

2024 is a fun year for decorating.  Even though a great neutral base is always in style, adding touches of earth tone colors are really continuing to be on trend.  Woven textures and natural materials continue to be inspiring home decor designers, no matter what exit home decor style you enjoy for your home.  

We will also see a lot of curved furniture, floral accents, and eclectic styling.  The good thing for those of us that love vintage style is that these trends easily lend themselves to the vintage home decor style.

Additionally, warm neutral colors, woven textures, such as rattan, and plants are staples that carry over from last year so that will save us a little additional cost by shopping our homes too!

Great news for the vintage home decor lovers is that the use of vintage furniture is on the rise in 2024 as sustainable decorating is a hot topic!  This is a great time to really embrace using those favorite vintage furniture pieces and have so much fun using them around your home.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little tour of some of my favorite rooms in our home, especially with some of my favorite vintage items decorated for spring!  As I write these blog posts to share my love of decorating, it gets my creative juices flowing and I hope reading the blog posts does the same for you!  

Thanks for visiting my blog today and I hope you have fun pulling out some vintage favorites and incorporating them into your spring decorations this season too!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Early Spring Favorites

Friday Favorites- Early Spring Favorites

Friday Favorites- Early Spring Favorites

Hello Friends!

I’m excited for spring! I love all these finds for this week. Let me know what you love the most and what you’re going to add to your home. 

Wicker Lamp

Super cute lamp for any space! You could add this to a cozy corner for a lighter texture.

Find them here from Amazon.

 

Faux Greenery

I love faux greenery stems/branches. These look so realistic and they are easy to style. I  love their whimsical style!
Find it here from Amazon

Vintage-inspired Wall Fountain 

I love this vintage-inspired wall fountain! It’s perfect for plants indoors or out. 
Find your own to style here from Amazon

 

 

Woven Vase

This is such a pretty vase with a woven cover. I love the simple look and it’s so perfect for spring! 

You can get it here 

Blue Floral Pillow

I love this touch of neutral floral on a pillow for spring. These are perfect to add a little touch of spring in your home! 

Grab it here from Amazon

Gallery Prints

Get a vintage-inspired gallery wall for under $20!  Thrift for pretty frames for these gorgeous prints!

Grab the whole set from Amazon

Mini Terra Cotta Saucers

 Stack, scatter, use on their own, tuck into vignettes. These are perfect to add a great touch of early spring

Available here.

Round Linen Bee Pillow

It’s just SO cute; add a french countryside cottage look!

It’s available here from Amazon

Classy Sconces

 I’m trying to figure out where to use these in my home, because I need them! They are so gorgeous, classy, and timeless!

These are available on Amazon.

 

Cozy White Cottage Seasons: 100 Ways to Be Cozy All Year Long 

Get cozy ideas from this book! I love it and it’s currently on major sale!

Find it here

Wicker Storage Trunk

Clear up some clutter and add texture and simplicity to your home for the spring. Great organizing/storage piece!

Find it here on Amazon

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Kitchen Decor

Friday Favorites-Kitchen Decor

Friday Favorites-Kitchen Decor

Hello Friends!

I love making my home look beautiful and put together by using pretty things in my kitchen and other living spaces. This list is some of my favorites I have found this week! 

 White and Gold Soap Dispensers

I love these classy dispensers! They are the perfect little kitchen upgrade! I love that you can’t see the soap inside so you can use whatever color for the soap you like.

Find them here from Amazon.

 

Faux Greenery

I love faux greenery stems/branches. These look so realistic and they are easy to style. I  love their whimsical style!
Find it here from Amazon

Large Pedestal Bowl

Perfect large pedestal bowl that would be useful for so many things!  Use it for fruit display in the kitchen. Or you could even style it with the woven cloche or put fresh flowers or plants in it.
Find your own to style here from Amazon

 

 

Pretty Brush Set

One way to upgrade your kitchen is by making sure the functional things you need are also pretty. This helps create a cozy and uncluttered kitchen. I love this brush set! 

You can get it here 

Spoon Rest 

I love the wood and marble look for a kitchen! This spoon rest is simple and classy. 

Grab it here from Amazon

Wooden Spoons 

These wooden spoons are cute and classy! I love the simple design. 

Grab the whole set from Amazon

Tall Glass Bottles

Use tall bottles for pretty greenery and flowers year-round. Bottles like these make a great centerpiece, simple yet a great statement. You could use artificial greenery or cut branches from your own yard too!

Available here.

Wooden Dish

This cute wooden dish would work well to hold a vignette, a cloche, or fruit,. So many options. Annnddd… It’s under $15!!

It’s available here from Amazon

Woven Basket Set

This is a great deal for a set of three baskets. You can use them together or split up into different rooms. They could be used for serving, hanging on the wall, or use for vignettes on a coffee table. Perfect for year-round use!

These are available on Amazon.

 

Cloche

I like to keep a favorite cloche handy for inviting treats! This is a great one!

Find it here

Antique-Inspired Scale 

 This is a fabulous antique-inspired scale! I love my scale and I decorate it in so many ways! You can display fruit, a candle, a vase of flowers, or rolled-up kitchen towels ready for use. You con’t want to pass on this one! 

Find it here on Amazon

 

Flour Sack Kitchen Towels

Flour sack kitchen towels are always my very favorite! Not only are they clean and simple, they are great quality to clean up around the house.

Available here 

 

Wooden Trays

This is a gorgeous set of 2 round, wooden trays. Trays like these can be used for so many things in the kitchen and dining spaces, or even use on a coffee table!!

Available here 

 

Salt and Pepper Grinder

I love these pretty grinders! A great way to add class to your home is to keep the essentials close at hand and make them part of the decor

Available here 

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Decorate Kitchen Countertops – Easy Tips and Ideas: Simple Decor Series

How to Decorate Kitchen Countertops – Easy Tips and Ideas: Simple Decor Series

How to Decorate Kitchen Countertops – Easy Tips and Ideas: Simple Decor Series

It is tricky to decorate kitchen countertops in inviting ways without feeling cluttered. Follow these simple tips for kitchen counter decorating in my special Simple Decor Series!

Do you struggle to decorate kitchen countertops?  It has been a question that has popped up from a lot of readers.  In fact, I’ve been asked so many times that I decided this post should be part of my blog series, Simple Decorating: Easy Steps to Creating a Home You Love.

You probably spend a lot of time in your kitchen.  Because of my full-time teaching job and various other specifics of our family schedule, I don’t cook a whole lot during the school year.  And yet, somehow, I STILL spend a lot of time in my kitchen!

However, I view kitchen decorating kind of like bathroom decorating.  While I want it to look pretty, I need it to function incredibly well for my entire family.  At the same time, I also want to make it as easy as possible to clean.  The less clutter, the better.

The real trick…you’ll understand what I mean…is getting everyone else in the family to buy in on the plan, right?!  It isn’t even possible to explain how fast the homework piles and random water bottles with mismatched lids can accumulate unless you’ve been there, done that.  Haha!

I’ll dive more into specifics throughout the post, but here are some frequently asked questions and my answers.

Keep reading to see examples and tips for using these simple kitchen counter decorating ideas!

Custom Kitchen Island with scale & plants in front of electric stove & custom wood hood vent.

How can I decorate my countertops:

  1. Remember the number one rule for kitchen decorating, including decorating kitchen countertops: everything should be functional.  (Okay, at least 95% of it!)
  2. Establish work zones.
  3. Establish zones that can just be pretty.  Depending on the size of your kitchen, this may or may not be possible.  Either way is okay!
  4. Completely clean out and declutter the kitchen.
  5. Deep clean the kitchen.
  6. Slowly add back in items that you love and that serve a specific function too.
  7. Add additional pretty elements that you love.
  8. Edit the decor after a few days so you can see how it all functions for your family.
Looking past the herringbone pattern of the kitchen floor tiles, the vintage farmstyle wood table is set for dinner.

What can I display on my kitchen counters?

Here are 15 items that you can easily use to decorate kitchen countertops in a functional way:

  1. Pretty containers with essential food items.
  2. Vessel to hold kitchen utensils.
  3. Cutting boards.
  4. Fruit.
  5. Coffee bar area.
  6. Tray to group items.
  7. Kitchen textiles.
  8. Pretty dishes.
  9. Cutting boards and bread boards.
  10. Fresh herbs or herb garden.
  11. Fresh plants.
  12. Attractive soap and sink supplies.
  13. Kitchen scale.
  14. Simple, small artwork.
  15. A favorite candle.
Looking past the 12 foot custome Island into the laundry room off the kitchen, with both hinged doors open.

How to Decorate Kitchen Countertops – Easy Tips and Ideas

Robyn enjoys cutting up snacks while a bowl of fresh grapes sits on the white vintage scale.

How do you dress up kitchen countertops?

Here is my number one rule:

When I am going to decorate kitchen countertops, my number one rule is that I don’t put decor in the kitchen that is not also functional.

Confession: Sometimes I break my own rule.  It’s okay.  The point is, that almost all of your kitchen decor has a functional use.

For example, my pretty candle or vintage framed artwork are certainly not “functional” in a kitchen.  My huge scale on the kitchen island is not used for function.  However, literally everything else in the kitchen plays a functional role.  Plus, my scale often holds a functional piece.  That’s close enough, right?!

Pro Tip: Consider making about 90% of your kitchen decor also functional, useful pieces.

At the same time, it is important to choose functional pieces that also blend with the aesthetic of your home and are pleasing to your eye.

Do you need a bowl to hold fruit?  Choose a favorite vintage basket or bowl that you just love!

Do you use cutting boards often in your meal prep?  Incorporate those into a pretty kitchen vignette where they are easy to access.

Is coffee a really important part of your lifestyle?  Invest in a really pretty coffee machine and set up a corner of your kitchen with practical…and beautiful…coffee bar pieces.

What should not be placed on kitchen counters?

Nothing kills a pretty aesthetic like junk.

Pro Tip: Declare the kitchen a junk-free zone.  

For example, my kids have a different place in the dining room where they are to stack homework and paperwork for me to look at.  They know that they are expected to properly take care of lunch boxes, water bottles, etc. so that we do not have a massive accumulation every day of “stuff” all over the kitchen.

Maybe your kitchen does need to be the landing spot; no problem.  Have a designated place in the kitchen where those things go.  For example,  basket for school paperwork and hooks or bins for lunchboxes and water bottles could be helpful.

In general, the point is to not allow your kitchen to become the dump zone for everything and everyone in your home.  It’s easier said than done.  However, it can be done with patience, time, patience, and more patience.

I just kind of jumped over all of the other steps and went straight to the pretty stuff.  Haha!  Let’s take a little step back…

Wicker basket with fresh greeen pears sit on the kitchen island ready for hungry after-school appetites.

Step One to Decorate Kitchen Countertops: Declutter and Deep Clean

The very first thing that I recommend doing is to do a very thorough declutter and deep clean of your kitchen.  Leave no drawer or cabinet shelf unturned.

I get it; it isn’t the fun job.  However, it feels sooooo good to get it done!  Call in some family help on this first step, if at all possible.

Your kitchen will immediately feel more beautiful just by being completely cleaned.  If your family helps, it may help them have a better understanding and appreciation for keeping a clean and organized home.  (That’s always my hope, anyway.  Haha!)

Pro Tip: The feeling of knowing that everything behind closed doors and drawers also looks clean and tidy will free up your mind to be creative when you decorate the visible parts of your kitchen.

At the same time, you may unearth some favorite pieces that you can now display as functional decor.

Over on this post, I share ideas for deep cleaning and decluttering your kitchen.  Even though the post is geared toward preparing your kitchen for the busyness of the holiday season, it definitely applies year round too!

Looking into the kitchen from the family room with heavy chippy white coffee table in the foreground.

Step Two to Decorate Kitchen Countertops: Know Your Kitchen

Before you can know what items to display in your kitchen decorating, you really need to know how your kitchen is going to work for you.

Carefully think through each section of your countertops, the adjoining cabinets, walkway space, and appliances.  Consider the activities that already typically take place in designated zones.

For example, this is small and silly, but I always prep my kids’ school snacks for the week in the exact same place on the kitchen island.  Don’t ask my why, but I guess it’s just part of the routine.  How annoying would it be to have a decor piece there that was always in my way?

Pro Tip: Your kitchen decor is there to make your day more beautiful, not to be in your way.

If you want to get really detailed, take sticky notes and jot down these zones.  Next, place the sticky notes around the kitchen in each zone.  Then, live with it for a couple of regular days.  See if your zoning is accurate or if you need to readjust.

Once you have well-established work zones, you are ready to actually put the right kinds of functional decor in each zone.  You can dress up your kitchen countertops with confidence that your decor will work for you, rather than against you.

Coffee bar set on concrete countertops with vintage drawers in background.

Step Three to Decorate Kitchen Countertops: Slowly Add in Functional Decor

What can I decorate my kitchen with?

While this will vary somewhat from home to home, based on the functions you use the most in your kitchen, there are some basics that most of us probably use.

Start with the Sink Zone.

First, start with your sink area.  What products do you want to have out all of the time?  Then, choose pretty containers to place beside your kitchen sink.  I like to use a small pedestal to keep mine corralled neatly.  A little tray would also work great.

Here are some ideas for functional decor for your sink area:

Cute Wood pedestal with ironstone vessel holding brush, with neutral colored soap dispenser beside.

Cooking Zone

You will want to think through and carefully consider any decor in your cooking zone.  Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

  • What items do I use the most?
  • How would it benefit me for these items to be accessible from the countertop?  Does it benefit me enough to have them visible all the time?
  • How much of a mess do I generally make when I cook?
  • Are there kids who will be joining me in my kitchen to cook?  What should or should not be accessible to them?
  • Will I constantly have to move _______ item so I don’t worry about messing it up or getting broken?

In my cooking zones, I like to have very little “decor”.  In fact, I do not have any decor in these zones that are just for decor sake.

Here are some functional decor items that could be useful in the cooking zone:

Payton baking in kitchen with ingredients spread out on kitchen island.
Freshly plated mill cooked in the Ninja Grill, with bread crate in the background.

Fresh Zone

How do you dress up kitchen countertops?

We will call this the “Fresh Zone” because there are several different ways you can approach this part of decorating your kitchen.  Even if you have a small kitchen, reserve a small zone for a pretty spot.

In this pretty spot, consider a vignette including some accessories that make your kitchen feel welcoming, calm, and fresh.  For example, a vase with inexpensive grocery store flowers and a favorite candle are always great options.  Add a pretty dish with freshly washed and rolled up kitchen towels, ready for use, to finish up this pretty space in your kitchen!

To create this cozy spot in your kitchen, try following this formula:

  1. Tray, flat basket, or flat bowl to hold everything.
  2. Taller item, such as a vase or pitcher of flowers
  3. Medium item, such as a seasonal figure (think a cute bunny for spring!)
  4. Smaller item, such as a pretty candle or bowl of fruit

Essentially, you are following the same steps as you would to style an accent table.  You can find my fail-proof formula for coffee table styling over on THIS POST!

Here are some staple items that I use in my fresh zone:

Glass cloche on white bass with white chocolate desserts.  Gray Bunny sits behind it.
Grouping of gray bunnies in vintage crate.

How to decorate a kitchen island countertop?

Decorating a kitchen island countertop is another popular question I often receive.  Depending on the main purpose of your kitchen island, you will want to treat it as one (or possibly more) of your zones.

Do you prep food on your island?  Do you do actual cooking there?  Is it more of an eating area?  Perhaps it is homework and laundry station like it is at our house!

How you decorate and stage your kitchen island will probably partially determine its use too.  I find that have a pretty centerpiece helps define the zones on our kitchen island.

For example, I have a large scale in the middle of our long kitchen island.  This creates a nice statement piece and also allows me to add a pretty vignette on the scale, whether it is a plant, vase of flowers, or even a candle.

On one side of the scale, the island is used more for snack and cold food prep because it is right beside the refrigerator.  On the other side, it is more often used for baking because it is beside the oven.  Having the large scale in the middle allows for a pretty space and also gives definition to the large, otherwise open countertop.

Here are a few tips to decorate a kitchen island:

  • Determine the priority functions.
  • Establish work zones, just as you do for the rest of your kitchen.
  • Incorporate a pretty spot, even if it is simply a small tray, flowers, and candle.
  • Use beautiful accessories for functional purposes, like a pretty vintage basket to hold fruit or an antique scale to hold a potted herb that you use for cooking.
  • Establish “rules” for no-clutter on the kitchen island and set a routine to clear it at the end of each day.  It feels good to start each day with a clean (or at least relatively clean) kitchen!
Vintage heavy white scale with candel and potted plant.

How to decorate a small kitchen?

You may be reading all of this and thinking, “that sounds nice, but my kitchen is small!  What do I do?”  That is a fair question.

However, the principles are the same no matter the size of the kitchen.  I have seen large kitchens that looked cluttered and tiny kitchens that looked beautiful.

Here are a few tips for a small kitchen:

  • Keep gadgets to a minimum.  You probably don’t actually need or use all the small appliances anyway.
  • Weed out extras.  Whether it is extra coffee mugs, dishes, or bulk pantry items, try to keep extras to a minimum.
  • Develop a habit of “a place for everything and everything in its place”.  This is true for any space and any size, but especially necessary in a smaller room!
  • Make room for a pretty spot.  Even if you are working with a kitchen in a studio apartment, have a pretty zone.  That may consist of a small tray with a single bud vase and a petite candle.  You can easily move the tray for food prep.  The pretty zone is needed to make your kitchen feel welcoming and cozy!
  • Make sure that every single item is both functional AND pretty!  If you have minimal amount of dishes, make sure they are beautiful dishes that you really love!  For example, gorgeous kitchen towels hanging on a hook serve as decor and for drying your dishes.  A pretty dispenser for your dish soap serves a very functional purpose but also becomes a beautiful vessel displayed in your kitchen!
Vintage Tray with pretty towels & potted plant.
A pretty view of the kitchen stove with fresh snacks sitting on island.

Now you can decorate kitchen countertops with confidence!

Just remember, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with how to decorate kitchen countertops or other parts of your kitchen, take it one zone at a time.

Here are the basics to follow:

  1. Remember the number one rule for kitchen decorating: Everything should be functional.
  2. Establish work zones and pretty zones.
  3. Completely clean out and declutter the kitchen.
  4. Deep clean the kitchen.
  5. Slowly add back in items that you love and that serve a specific function too.
  6. Add additional pretty elements that you love.
  7. Edit the decor after a few days so you can see how it all functions for your family.

Decorating doesn’t happen overnight like we see on HGTV or a social media time lapse.  Taking time to curate your decor, experiment with it, and get it “just like you love” takes patience.

Follow the basic steps to decorate your kitchen, fill in with your own unique style, and you’ll end up with a kitchen that truly feels like the heart of your home.

Viewing Kitchen Island from Dining room, complete with white vintage scale and wicker vessel.

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

10 Easy Spring DIY Decor Ideas for Your Home

10 Easy Spring DIY Decor Ideas for Your Home

10 Easy Spring DIY Decor Ideas for Your Home

Ready to start planning for spring? You’ll love these easy spring DIY decor ideas. You can prepare now or save ideas to try in the spring!

Spring is *almost* right around the corner!  At least, if you love spring DIY decor ideas, you know it is!  Something about February makes me ready to start prepping for spring.  From spring cleaning to continuing the decluttering and organizing from January to starting DIY projects for my spring home decor…I start getting excited for it all!

(Okay, as excited as you can get about spring cleaning, right?!  But it does feel good to work on it and get it done!)

Today is all about the fun part of getting ready for spring and planning your spring DIY home decor ideas!  I have rounded up a variety of great ideas that I know you will love.  You’ll find everything from easy tips to budget-friendly crafts to styling ideas for spring home decor!

First of all, a huge thank you to Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse for hosting today’s round up!  Rachel is such an inspiration and I love how she connects home decor bloggers so we can share even more beautiful ideas to inspire your own home decor!

Secondly, let’s meet the bloggers who are sharing their ideas with us today.  I have had the honor of spending time, in person, with many of these creative bloggers and they are just wonderful.  Enjoy their spring DIY decor ideas with me today!

What are some DIY crafts for home decor?

Keep reading for all the details on these beautiful DIY spring home decor ideas:

  1. How to transform a thrifted lamp
  2. How to use organic materials to make a spring wreath
  3. Tips to use a basket to make a spring floral arrangement
  4. How to make a spring wreath with DIY terra cotta pots
  5. Pro tips for spring flower arranging
  6. Use old rusty bed springs for creative spring home decor
  7. How to save money on spring flower bouquets and arrangements
  8. Use a vintage frame to create a bird-themed spring wreath
  9. How to make a high end dupe for this beautiful spring bunny decor
  10. Beautiful grocery store flower arrangements with vintage vessels

How can I decorate my house in the spring?

Isn’t spring home decorating so fun?  There are so many different styles and ways that you can decorate.  What I love about this spring DIY home decor round up is that you’re going to find inspiration for such a wide variety of spring decor.

Some of my favorite ways to to decorate in the spring season are found within this round up, with ideas for:

  • Garden themes
  • Cottage style
  • Lightening home decor
  • Adding spring color
  • Using seasonal and holiday accents
  • Simplifying decor

When should I switch from winter to spring decor?

As with any seasonal transition, I think this really depends on what you decide you want to do for your own home.  However, even if you’re not ready to decorate for spring in February, it is definitely the perfect time to start thinking about and planning your spring decor.

Especially if you love creating some fun DIY home decor for spring, you’re going to want to start gathering supplies and having fun creating!

We are excited to share this post with some of our favorite spring DIY home decorating ideas to inspire you as you begin your own spring decor plans.  Who knows?  Maybe one of these pretty projects will inspire your whole spring home decor look this year!

Let’s check them all out!

10 Easy Spring DIY Decor Ideas for Your Home

1. Spring DIY Decor Ideas for a Vintage-Inspired Wreath

Spring is the perfect season to get creative with a wreath for your door or to hang inside your home.  Regina from Saved From Salvage has such a fun idea with vintage inspiration.

On THIS post, see how she took a vintage frame and turned it into the cutest spring wreath with a birds nest and pussy willow.

I love that you could have fun thrifting for the perfect frame for this DIY spring home decor idea too.  Budget-friendly wreaths are always a great idea!

2. Spring DIY Decor Ideas for Bunnies and Rabbits

Can you even have spring decor without adding a cute bunny?  I can’t wait to try this spring DIY home decor idea from Jen at Midwest Life and Style.  

If you love the high end look of the Pottery Barn Essex Bunny, don’t miss this budget-friendly dupe.  Plus, you can have some DIY fun in the process too!

Get the look for less! Learn how to make a DIY dupe of the popular Pottery Barn Essex Easter bunny statue for a fraction of the price over on THIS post!

3. Transform a room with a DIY lamp for spring!

Lamps are such a fun way to change up your home decor accessories for spring.  However, they can get pricey!  Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse has such a fun idea to transform the decor in your room with a super budget-friendly spring DIY!

See how easy it is to transform a $1.00 thrift store lamp into a current home decor trend. This napkin decoupage tutorial can be used on vases, bowls, etc.

Get all the details on this DIY HERE and then try it on some other thrifted finds too!

4. Spring DIY Decor Idea for an Easy Wreath

Using organic, natural materials is trending for this year and this easy DIY spring wreath is a great way to have some crafting fun!  Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill is sharing a great tutorial for this unique wreath.

On THIS post, you can get all the details to create your rustic and natural Spring wreath.  Jen shares how to use a variety of organic materials to create a unique look for your front door this season,

5. Create a gorgeous floral arrangement in a basket this spring…and learn tips to keep flowers looking fresh too!

I always love using baskets in my decor and I think they are going to be a staple in my spring decor again this year.  So, I was especially excited to read this great idea and tutorial from Kelly at The Tattered Pew for using a basket to create a beautiful flower arrangement for spring!

Is there anything better than flowers for spring DIY decor, after all?!

On THIS post, Kelly also shares tips for keeping your flowers fresh (yay for keeping those blooms looking great and stretching the budget too!)!  You’ll love reading the details HERE!

6. Create a budget-friendly spring wreath!

Who loves a pretty cottage gardening style for spring decor?  Me!!!  Cindy from DIY Beautify created the cutest spring wreath with a garden look.  I especially love the vintage vibe and budget-friendly part of this fun DIY.

This DIY terracotta pot wreath is filled with painted and aged pots and oozes French cottage charm. It’s filled with succulents, moss and flowers from the dollar store for an inexpensive Spring wreath.  Get all the details and easy tutorial on THIS post!

7. Get creative with spring DIY table decorations!

I love a pretty tablescape or easy DIY I can make to add to my regular table decor for spring.  Michele from Vintage Home Designs has the cutest tutorial for DIY spring egg place cards. These stamped egg place cards are the perfect addition to any spring tablescape.

At the same time, you could use this idea to create some other pretty decor to use around your home.  For example, add an inspirational word instead of a name and fill a bowl for unique spring decor for your home.  I think it would be such a cute way to style a dough bowl for spring!

Get Michele’s tutorial on THIS post!

8. Use these tips to create amazing spring DIY decor with fresh flowers!

Nothing says hello spring like a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers!  Stacy from Bricks ‘n Blooms always has amazing tips for flowers and plants.  In THIS post, she is sharing tips and tricks to style your fresh flowers like a pro!

So if you are ready to give winter the boot, let’s head to the grocery store or local florist to pick up some fresh flowers to enjoy in our home. Learn how to easily arrange flowers with these simple tips.

9. Turn trash into treasure for a fun spring DIY decor idea!

Who doesn’t love a good trash to treasure idea?!  Wendy from WM Design House is sharing some really fun spring DIY decor ideas over on THIS post.

If you’ve never used old bed springs for a project,  you’re going to want to after reading this post.  There are so many fun ways you can use these old, rusty pieces in your spring home decorating!

Find 10 ways to style old rusty bed springs in your spring decor on THIS post!

10. Save money on spring DIY decor by using inexpensive grocery store flowers!

Flowers are definitely one of my favorite ways to add instant spring vibes in any room of our home.  Over on THIS favorite post, I’m sharing my favorite ways to arrange and style fresh flowers in our home.

At the same time, you can use these tips and ideas for faux flowers and fresh or faux greenery too.  There are so many ways to incorporate florals into your spring home decor in budget-friendly ways.

Get my favorite spring DIY flower decorating ideas HERE!

When should I start decorating for spring?

Well, the great news is that there is no right or wrong answer.  It is YOUR home, after all!  However, I find that when I start to think about decorating my home for spring, there are a lot of behind-the-scenes things that I want to accomplish first.

January and February are those perfect months for me to work through my lists of decluttering, reorganizing, and deep cleaning.

However, don’t be surprised if you start seeing some little touches and hints of spring popping into my decor in the next couple of weeks.  We are having amazing weather here; remember, it’s spring weather in South Florida now!  It always puts me in the mood to start slowly transitioning from winter to spring decor.

Below, I’ve linked some of my spring decor series to help you get started with your spring decor planning.

If you enjoy doing some DIY for your home decor, this post is perfectly timed to help you with your preparations too!  Make sure to visit each of these bloggers, enjoy their spring DIY decor ideas, and check out their other home decor inspiration too!

Other frequently asked spring decor questions: Find these helpful blog posts.

How do you decorate for spring?

How do you style a spring house?

It’s all in the details!  Check out these posts with ideas for vignettes around your spring home decor:

How can I spruce up my house for spring?

Start preparing for the spring season with some easy tips and ideas to get started:

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Vintage Spring

Friday Favorites-Vintage Spring

Friday Favorites-Vintage Spring

Hello Friends!

I am thinking about Spring and all the wonderful things it brings with it! I am excited to add light neutrals and greenery to my home to welcome the new season very soon. Hope you enjoy this list of finds! 

Hand-Woven Wicker Garden Cloche

 I am obsessed with these woven cloches! They add a simple, earthy texture to everyday decor. You can style them with garden favorites for early spring or use year round with seasonal decor (can you already imagine them with some summer sea shells tucked around?) I’m super excited about them and you’ll be seeing them around my home a lot.

Find them here from Amazon.

For now, with winter still here, I’ll style them with battery-operated white pillar candles on a timer.   These are my favorite white pillar candles to use year-round. They are on a timer,  have a realistic flicker, and beautiful wax finish! 

Faux Greenery

I love faux greenery stems/branches. These look so realistic and they are easy to style. I  love the whimsical style of these ones!
Find it here from Amazon

Large Pedestal Bowl

Perfect large pedestal bowl that would be useful for so many things!  Use it for fruit display in the kitchen. Or you could even style it with the woven cloche or put fresh flowers or plants in it.
Find your own to style here from Amazon

 

 

Tall Mirror

 This is a fresh take on a classic piece and style. I ordered this mirror for our girls’ room and it looks perfect!  The narrower size makes it easy to decorate in lots of places

You can get it here 

Cream and Tan Cotton Double Cloth Cover 

https://amzn.to/3wc3CV9 brass bunny dish with lid; cutest little accent piece for a vignette, set on a shelf, use for functional storage in a bathroom or on a night stand or dresser

Grab it here from Amazon

Neutral Sand Colored Rug

Start lightening up areas in your home by refreshing basics like rugs. This neutral sand-colored rug has a great vintage pattern, soft colors, and great reviews. It comes in lots of sizes.

Find it here from Amazon

Wicker Lamp

I am obsessed with this lamp and trying to find all the places to add it to our home. It’s a great price! It goes with lots of decor styles. It’s a nice size and can be used year-round.

Available here.

Framed Fruit Print

A pretty, fresh, and inexpensive print with a high-end look This is great for shelves in the kitchen or dining room. One way to style it would be to simply lean it against the backsplash on the kitchen counter. Bonus: It’s under $20!!!

It’s available here from Target

Woven Bench

A gorgeous way to add really functional storage in any room! It has storage and can double as a coffee table. You can use it in a bedroom, entryway, mudroom, play room. You could also put two end-to-end for a long hallway or entryway or the foot of a king-sized bed for even more storage. So many options! 

These are available on Amazon.

 

Chippy Vintage Corbels

 chippy vintage corbels add so much character and texture to any room. You could use them together or split them up to add decor to more than one space. 

Find it here

Plant Terrianium 

Use to propagate plants, display and arrange flowers, or fresh greenery stems. Use year-round with seasonal stems, fresh or faux. You will want to add this to your spring decor. 

Find it here on Amazon

 

Pretty Art 

Really pretty art that can work for year-round! Love this for the earliest hints of spring and lightening up decor around the home! This one comes in different sizes. It’s soft and neutral and perfect for spring. 

Available here 

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Arrange Inexpensive Grocery Store Flowers with Vintage Vessels

How to Arrange Inexpensive Grocery Store Flowers with Vintage Vessels

How to Arrange Inexpensive Grocery Store Flowers with Vintage Vessels

Looking for ideas to freshen up your home and save money too?  Check out these easy DIY ideas for arranging inexpensive grocery store flowers with favorite vintage vessels!  You’re going to add pretty touches around your home in no time with these budget-friendly and simple ideas!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, pretty flowers are probably on your mind too!  But here’s the real question…would you rather receive an expensive, already-made arrangement or a bouquet with which you can inexpensively arrange grocery store flowers in your favorite vintage vessel…or maybe splurge on a pretty vase that you can keep and enjoy?!

You probably already guessed my answer!

It’s the perfect excuse to pull out some favorite vintage vessels and take some time to be creative!  Plus, I love that some fresh flowers sprinkled throughout our home gives us a little touch of that early spring decor too!

If your answer was to create your own unique flower arrangements with budget-friendly grocery store flowers too, then you’re in luck today.  I’m sharing my favorite simple tips throughout this post.  

At the same time, you’ll also find ideas that you can use throughout the spring season too!

Is it cheaper to make your own flower arrangements?

I give a 500% YES answer to this question!  If you go to a grocery store that carries a nice selection of cut flowers, you should be able to put together a lovely arrangement for much less money than you’d spend at a florist.

For me, the real cost is in the vessels I use.  Over time, I have invested in vintage and new vessels that I truly love.  Even though they may not have been cheap, they pay for themselves many times over in the long run.

Plus, the combination of pretty flowers and an amazing vessel or container can create a true statement piece that adds to the character and warmth of your home.

Pro Tip: When you find vases, containers, or vessels that you really love, they are usually worth your investment.  

You can use them for many years and throughout every season.

At the same time, you may come across your favorite piece ever for a great deal at a thrift store or flea market.  I’m always keeping an eye out for pretty vessels and containers for floral arranging!

How do you make a flower arrangement on a budget? 

Use grocery store flowers!

We are going to look at some of these ideas in more detail in this post, but here are some general ideas to consider for arranging inexpensive grocery store flowers:

  1. Use a small bowl to create a low, table top arrangement.
  2. Cut fresh greenery from your yard to save on the arrangement cost.
  3. Thrift for pretty vessels and containers for flowers.
  4. Make a statement arrangement by choosing a vessel with a lot of patina and character.
  5. Break up a bouquet to make several smaller arrangements.  Grouped together, they can make a big statement or add simple, subtle touches throughout a room.
  6. Incorporate fresh fruit or other fresh produce.
  7. Create a beautiful arrangement with just greenery (this could be a totally free option!)
  8. Make pretty arrangements using only the cheap filler flowers, also referred to as stock bunches.
  9. Cut bare branches from the yard and add in the center to create height for a larger arrangement.
  10. Mix realistic faux flowers and fresh greenery to create an arrangement that will trick everyone!

What are some key tips when arranging flowers?

  1. Remember to cut the stems at an angle.  (My Memaw said to always cut them under running water, so I do!)
  2. Clip off greenery that will be below the water line in the vase.
  3. Refresh the water often, daily if needed.  This also depends on the kind of florals you are using.
  4. Use fresh, local flowers when possible.
  5. Consider the balance and height rule.  The best arrangements are usually when the flower height is one and a half times the height of the container.  However, I don’t always follow this.  For example, you’ll see an arrangement in this post where I did exactly the opposite.  (Obviously, I think it worked. Haha!)

How to Arrange Inexpensive Grocery Store Flowers with Vintage Vessels

Grocery Store Flowers Idea #1:

Make Beautiful Grocery Store Flower Arrangements with Small Bowls.

My current obsession with vintage ironstone jelly molds made me want to see how I could create a small flower arrangement with some Trader Joe’s roses and my newest jelly mold find!

At the same time, you could easily use any favorite, smaller-sized bowl or dish that you already have on hand!

Also, while the roses were a great price for the bouquet, you could make a similar low, tabletop arrangement with a bowl and other stems that have a more open bloom.  For example, hydrangeas or sunflowers work great in a bowl like this too.

Pro Tip: Before going to buy flowers, decide what bowl you want to use.  Take it with you to the store so you can see how many flowers you need.

If you don’t want to take the actual bowl, at least have a pretty good idea of the size.

(I speak from experience because I did NOT decide ahead of time.  Haha!  In full transparency, I would love this arrangement more if I would have had about 4-5 more rose stems!)

How do you arrange roses in a grocery store?

Step One for grocery store flowers:

I used clear scotch tape to create a grid across my ironstone.  Since I was using smaller roses, I made the grid pretty tight.  If you are using larger blooms, make the grid squares larger so there is enough room for the blooms to open after a day or so

Pro Tip: This tape technique also works great for large arrangements in wide vessels, such as a crock, wide glass hurricane, or bucket..

Step Two for grocery store flowers:

I added water after creating my grid.  Trust me; you’ll save yourself a mess. ???? I did fill my jelly mold pretty full since my flower stems will be so short.  You’ll want to add water each day, too, so the cut flowers are getting enough water!

Especially since the bowl is short and the rose stems had to be cut short, they drink up the water very quickly.  Try setting an alarm to help you remember to add water.  Your roses can last for quite a few days if you keep the water fresh!

Step Three for grocery store flowers:

The next step is the fun part!  I clipped my flowers to about 4 inch stems.  Short enough to fit in my ironstone dish but long enough to support the bloom.  Then just fill each grid square with a single flower!  So simple but looks so pretty!

Pro Tip: Measure the height of your bowl so you know how short to cut the stems.  If they are too short, the stem won’t support the weight of the bloom.  So, make them as long as possible.

(In full disclosure, I would have loved to have 3 more roses, but I made do with what I had and spaced them out just a tad.  It still worked great and made a really pretty little arrangement.)

This ironstone jelly mold rose arrangement is perfect to set on a stack of coffee table books and enjoy for this Valentine’s season (or anytime!).

You could also create several of them, using different dishes and bowls, to create a unique table centerpiece!

Grocery Store Flowers Idea #2:

How to make grocery store flowers look expensive?

Arrange inexpensive flowers in an amazing vintage vessel or pretty vase to create a statement piece on a budget.

 

 

This chippy bucket is undoubtedly one of my favorite home decor accessories!  Best I understand, it is a vintage wooden sap bucket and the dealer I purchased it from got it from France.

Vintage + chippy + French is a pretty exciting find!

Even though this bucket isn’t French, I love the color and patina!

You can find some other pretty, vintage bucket with lots of patina:

This bucket is also one of my favorite vessels for flowers.

Pro Tip: My favorite trick for using unique vessels…especially ones that don’t hold water…is to put a jar or vase of water inside the vessel.  

An inexpensive carafe and slender decanter happen to fit perfectly in this chippy bucket.  Since they are tall and slender, it’s a great fit.

Most vintage vessels, buckets, and containers no longer hold water very well.  However, you can still use these amazing old pieces to create incredibly unique and beautiful arrangements.

Pro Tip: Watch at thrift stores for slender, plain vases that might fit down inside your vintage vessels.  

They don’t even have to be pretty vases.  Remember, you’re just putting it down inside of your favorite vessel to hold the water!

You could use a narrow drinking glass or plastic cup from the dollar store.  Whatever fits the dimensions of your vessel the best and holds water will be perfect!  Once you find just the right insert for your vintage vessel, you’re ready to go!

Step One:

I put my eucalyptus in first, making sure that it casually hangs out around all sides of my bucket.  I purposely don’t make it too “perfect” or “matchy” so that it has a casual, easy look.

Step Two:

Step two is super simple!  Just put your hydrangeas, or bloom of choice, in the middle!  I prefer to have an odd number of flowers, but one of my hydrangeas was a dud and didn’t make it.

How do you make supermarket flowers look nice?

Pro Tip: In general, follow the rule of odd numbers when arranging flowers.  For example, 3 or 5 stems usually makes a better arrangement than 2 or 4.

(Which leads me to ask…why can’t I buy a bouquet of 9 roses instead of 12?!  Haha!)

For my simple arrangement here, I had to be content with 2 stems.  Since there are two “vases” in this bucket and it has the oval shape, I just added the two and we will pretend it was intended that way all along!  I still think it looks pretty and I enjoyed this bouquet for a full week!

Grocery Store Flowers Idea #3:

Remember, pretty grocery store flower arrangements can be really simple and still amazingly beautiful!

I don’t think I could even come up with enough to write to create a step-by-step tutorial of these arrangements.  They are just that simple!  However, I still wanted to include it for two reasons:

Pro Tip: Simple and subtle is almost always a fail-proof look for natural beauty in flower arranging.  Don’t overthink it!

First of all, I love old vintage bottles.  What’s not to love, right?!

In the fall, I love to use amber bottles.  Then, when spring and summer roll around, these bottles with a tint of blue and green, mixed with clear ones, are my favorites!  I often style them on my dining room shelves with nothing in them at all!

The little touch of cool colors are so pretty.  Again, simple and subtle is the goal here!

Pro Tip: If you don’t care for the red seal on the clear bottles, either add a dab of white paint or pull that red seal off.  You don’t need the seal to use these for florals!

Find some great bottles for flower arranging:

Bottles on a budget:

Secondly, vintage bottles make even the super inexpensive stock flowers, wild flowers, or even carnations, look special!

Pro Tip: Sometimes, I just put a single greenery stem if I don’t have flowers!

You don’t need any expensive or fancy blooms for this arrangement!

The third reason that I like to use bottles for arrangements is that I can use them in different ways.

Pro Tip: Move your flower arrangements around your home to create different refreshing views.

First, I can group them all together for a statement centerpiece.  Lined up down the middle of a spring tablescape, they make a simple and lovely statement.

Secondly, I can sprinkle them throughout a space to give a fresh touch all around while still having a cohesive look to my decor!  For example, I could add a bottle to each of the accent tables around our living space for instantaneous freshness!

I combined them in the dining room for a a pretty, early spring tablescape.  

Then, I moved them to my bedroom to freshen up the night stands!  

Pro Tip: Bottles of flowers give you flexibility for using them in a lot of fun and pretty ways!

I hope this gives you some inspiration to take an inexpensive bouquet of grocery store flowers, pull out a favorite vintage vessel, and create some unique flower arrangements for your own home!

It’s the perfect way to freshen up your space and even give it a touch of Valentine’s Day in a little different way!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Decorate a Coffee Table in 4 Easy, Budget-Friendly Steps

How to Decorate a Coffee Table in 4 Easy, Budget-Friendly Steps

How to Decorate a Coffee Table in 4 Easy, Budget-Friendly Steps

Check out my four, fail-proof, simple steps to decorate a coffee table like a pro! These easy tips work no matter the season or decor style!

Have you ever wanted to switch up your décor…without changing the entire room?  Or have you ever tried to decorate something and just got so frustrated that you gave up and left it the same…again?  I have felt this way more than once when I set out to decorate a coffee table.

I hope you answered yes so I’m not alone in this!!!

How do I make my room feel refreshed?

Especially in our fast-paced culture with the world at our fingertips, we can easily catch the feeling that we should always be making big changes, doing the next best thing, renovating, improving, even house shopping every few years…you name it.  While I love a good project, I am a huge fan of small, simple changes that help us continue loving our own homes, as imperfect as they are.

If you’ve been around for awhile, you have probably heard me talk about this before.  If you are new, (welcome!) and hopefully you’ll quickly find out that I am really passionate about HOME.  But if you’re at all like me, I can get a little tired of looking at the same thing over and over.  Before I know it, I can have myself talked into “maybe we should just look for a “better” home”, when all I really need is to just fall in love again with the home I have.

It’s kind of like marriage…dating your spouse is a real thing!  We are coming up on our 18th wedding anniversary and I’m pretty sure that my hubby “gets tired of seeing the same thing” sometimes.  But you stick with it…you find ways to continue falling in love…right?

But I digress.  Haha!

How can I update my house without spending any money?

So what does that have to do with coffee table styling?  Well, sometimes just a simple switch of your coffee table arrangement can help the entire room feel fresh, give you something new to look at, and you might just love that room again!

While I am also a big fan of the concept that home décor should be whatever YOU want it to be for YOUR home, I also understand that sometimes we want to refresh things a little but feel stuck.  My goal for this blog post is to give you the basic tips and ideas for coffee table styling…some rules of thumb, so to speak…and then let you fill in the blanks with what makes you smile!

So let’s get started!

.

Four Essential Elements of Coffee Table Styling

What should I decorate my coffee table with?

  • Base
  • Tall item
  • Medium item
  • Shorter object

Let’s break this down into details so that you can start hunting for pieces that will definitely work for your coffee table vignette!

 

How do I style my coffee table like a pro?

I am going to get really specific with each step.  Hopefully, by the end of the post, you’ll have so many ideas you can use to decorate a coffee table, no matter the season.

Here are the basics we will consider in this post:

  1. Start with a base.
  2. Add the tallest item, scaled correctly to your specific space.
  3. Add a medium item.
  4. Use a seasonal item for the 3rd element.
  5. Include greenery or florals.
  6. Use commonality in some accessories for a cohesive look.
  7. Use layers to create a curated style.

 

We will also answer these common questions and more:

  • What do you decorate a coffee table with?
  • What do you put on a decorative tray on a coffee table?
  • How can I decorate my table cheaply?
  • What can I put on my coffee table as a centerpiece?
  • What should you display on a coffee table?
  • How do I choose the right decorations?
  • Where can I find home decor deals?

 

How to Decorate a Coffee Table Like a Pro in 4 Easy, Budget-Friendly Steps

 

How to Decorate a Coffee Table Essential #1: Choose a base

 

Essential #1: How do I make my coffee table look nice?

First, you need to choose a base to decorate a coffee table.  To me, it’s the first essential thing and I really just can’t seem to put together any coffee table decor without a base!  The base corrals the decor accessories and makes it all look more cohesive.

There are a number of different items that make a great base to decorate a coffee table vignette.  I’ll list my favorites below.  My coffee tables are both quite large, but you’ll want to choose a scale that feels right for your coffee table.

Pro Tip: I like to think of my base as being about one third to one half of the table size.

 

What should I put on my table decor?

Having a base for your vignette helps any décor for your coffee table to feel grounded and intentional.  I also love the practical reasons of making it easier to move around for cleaning and especially to slide it over for playing family games!

Pro Tip: Your home décor should always feel like it enhances your family life, not be in the way of it.

I listed several great options for coffee table decor bases.  However, my favorite bases for coffee table vignette styling are vintage cutting boards.

I love that they add a lot of character and patina to my décor.  They are also flat, easy to maneuver, and easy to store.  You can even store them in plain sight by stacking them, leaning them in a corner, or against your kitchen backsplash!

 

How do I choose a base to decorate a coffee table?

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing your coffee table vignette base is to choose something that contrasts with your coffee table.

If you have a wood-toned coffee table, consider a base that is either an opposite, yet complementary, wood tone or perhaps white or metal. 

My family room coffee table is wood with chippy white paint, so with a table like that, you can really use woods or whites!

Pro Tip: The important thing is to have a bit of contrast so that it doesn’t seem like you were trying too hard to make them “match”.

 

How do I choose the right decorations?

Most of all, have fun with your coffee table vignette base!

Pro Tip: Consider investing in a vintage piece that you really love.

This will be a piece you can be used year-round in your décor.  It’s a great chance to add character, interest, texture, and even history to your home decor.

By doing this, you’re sure to love the styling much more for a longer period of time, have less “extra décor” to store away, and can easily switch the smaller décor items that go on the base.

 

Decorate a Coffee Table Styling Essential #2: Tallest item

What should you display on a coffee table?

Next, you will choose the tallest item to decorate your coffee table.

Lanterns, buckets/planters, vintage pitchers, and tall vases are all natural choices for the first item you’ll choose for your coffee table vignette.  Depending on how you use the space, you’ll want to determine the height for your tallest item.

If you have a TV on the opposite wall, for example, you’ll want to make sure you don’t block the view.  Play around with some different options to settle on a final scale, as the tallest item sets the scale for the rest of your coffee table vignette.

 

What can I put on my coffee table as a centerpiece?

Pro Tip: You are going to want to focus on three things: a tall item, a medium item, and a smaller item. Each of these accessories will be scaled to fit your coffee table and the layout of your room.

In our back living room, there is no TV and there are not chairs directly opposite the coffee table.  This gives me a lot of freedom with the height of my vignette.  I love making a dramatic statement with these kinds of vignettes, so taller branches, such as these palm branches, are really fun for that. 

You could even consider if there are ways to rearrange your furniture to give you more freedom with your vignettes.  But if not, don’t worry!  There are lots of fun ways to style smaller vignettes! 

Pro Tip: Focus on lots of texture and layers for a curated look or simple, clean lines for a more minimalist look!

I often use my taller item to hold some kind of greenery  (These tall branches are a favorite of mine!)  Greenery (or flowers) is a key essential for me in a coffee table vignette.   It brings a lot of life to the vignette as well as adding an additional texture.  You can use real or faux (another favorite here!).

If you choose to put greenery in your tallest item, have some fun with the vessel.

Pro Tip: Invest in vintage vessels or pretty vases that you can use year round.

A great pottery piece, cloche and wooden base, or pretty pot with a tall plant can be another way to add character and interest to your vignette.

Additionally, a simple switch of flowers or greenery can help your vignette transition from season to season…or just switch things up for the fun of it!

Pro Tip: Simply change the florals or greenery in your vessel to change the entire look of the coffee table!

Decorate a Coffee Table Styling Essential #3: Add a medium sized accessory

What do you put on a decorative tray on a coffee table?

Candlesticks, cloche, pot with plant, ironstone compote, lantern, jar, or vase…they all make great medium items for your vignette.  Often, my tall and medium items might be a tiered pair of something, like candlesticks or lanterns.

Pro Tip: If you have two items that you want to use together but they are the same height, put one on a stack of vintage books  to create your tall and medium items. 

The books will add even more of a layered, curated look to your vignette, as well as more texture!

 

A large book, like this vintage dictionary, standing up also makes a great medium item.  I often use some of my larger books to create the medium item in my grouping.

Books go with any style, despite the season, and add a lot of texture and character to a vignette.

Also, you can do this with nice coffee table books or picture books.  It is a great way to add a personal element to your coffee table vignette!

Smaller architectural items can make perfect medium items for coffee table styling!  Actually, a chippy corbel can be great for your tall item too!

I often use architectural salvage pieces for my vignette base.  Then, I like to layer a salvage piece on my base for extra texture.  You can even use an architectural salvage base to add height to a smaller item in order to make it your medium item!

Pro Tip: Stacking elements like salvage or books adds a lot of character and interest to your vignette.

Decorate a Coffee Table Styling Essential #4: Add the smallest item

What should I decorate my coffee table with?

I like to think of the smallest item as my “seasonal” touch, whether it’s a piece of coral for summer, a little pumpkin in the fall, a reindeer figure in the winter, or a cute cement bunny in the spring!  Keeping those seasonal items in smaller sizes can be super helpful with your storage.

How to update table decor in one minute:

Additionally, if you have a coffee table vignette that you love and don’t want to change, just switch out that seasonal item and you have a brand new look in 1 minute’s time!  Simple, easy, budget-friendly, and time-conscious too!

Here are some ideas of seasonal items to switch out:

 

Other non-seasonal items that work great for the small item can include:

 

These are just a few of MANY, many possibilities!  Get creative with your smallest item and look around your vintage collections to see what you could use!

How can I decorate my table cheaply?

If you decide to do a little shopping for this smaller item, there is good news!  You can usually switch out these smaller pieces for budget-friendly accessories, especially if you’re doing so with seasonal items.

 

(That’s not to say that you might spend more on a pretty vintage clock or ironstone jelly mold than you do on your tall and medium items combined.  I consider these items great investments because I can use them year round and switch them around in different areas of my home.)

My main point is that to change your vignette, you don’t always have to change all of the essentials at once!  Remember…we are looking for simple, easy changes that make you smile when you walk through the room!

Pro Tip: You can change the entire look of the room by swapping out just one or two things on your coffee table.

 

Other Tips to Consider When Styling Your Coffee Table Decor:

Use Greenery in Your Coffee Table Décor

Almost every coffee table vignette I create will have some kind of greenery or flowers mixed in!  Whether fresh or faux, I think they add so much life to the vignette. 

Greenery also helps to soften the edges of your coffee table vignette pieces and help everything blend in.  You can find a couple of my favorite faux greenery HERE and HERE.

 

Where can I find home decor deals?

I get most of my vintage pieces from favorite vintage shops and vintage markets.  However, I can often find some of the smaller decor items, especially, at thrift stores and flea markets.

Also, don’t discount the big box chain stores for cute pieces as well.  While much of my decor is vintage, I definitely mix in new pieces as well.  Seasonal decor is something I specifically shop for at places like Walmart, Target, and Homegoods.

This picture is from a favorite antiquing and thrifting haul.  You can find my favorite tips for vintage hunting HERE.

 

 

How to get a cohesive look when you decorate a coffee table:

This is not a hard and fast rule because if it were, I break it often!  However, I do like to keep some common elements in each vignette.

For example, in this vignette with the zinc basket, you’ll find several common elements.

  1. The two bases I layer have a similar wood tone.
  2. The bucket with the olive tree is zinc, tying in with the zinc basket.
  3. While the book is a stand-alone element, the blue-gray tones of the cover and the tan tones of the pages flow nicely with the wood cutting boards and zinc pieces.
  4. The sponge is another unique element, though it’s coloring has a common color tone to the bread boards.

Pro Tip: If you’re not loving a decor vignette, step back and consider the details.  

Just because each piece is beautiful does not necessarily mean that they are tied together with common elements.  The details matter a lot!

 

 

For example, in this spring/summer vignette, you see different elements.  However, the colors tie them together.

Pro Tip: You could find common elements through material, texture, color, and pattern.

 

Use layers to add texture when you decorate a coffee table:

Layer, layer, layer!  Layering is a great way to add texture and character to your coffee table vignette.

For example, let’s look again at this summer vignette I created for our back living room.  I could have used the zinc basket as my base and put all of the same tall, medium and small items.  However, I used an extra-large bread board under the basket and a small bread board inside the basket.

Essentially stacking three bases for my vignette, I was able to bring in a contrasting tone (since the coffee table has a zinc top).  Also, I added a color that would connect with the book pages and sponge, and add some extra patina.  Then, because of the location of this vignette, I don’t have to worry too much about height.  So, I could add those layers with no concern of hindering the view.

Pro Tip: Look for ways to layer multiples of an item so the vignette looks layered, yet still uncluttered and cohesive.

Consider layering some of these kinds of vintage items when you decorate a coffee table:

However, even on a space where you need to keep a lower height and a direct line of sight to another piece of furniture or TV, you can add layers with thin things such as:

Are you ready to decorate a coffee table?

The answer is YES!  This post has the tools you need to confidently decorate and style your coffee table.  You will get more comfortable and creative the more you do it, so grab a few favorite items and experiment!

As I was writing the post over time, I reminded myself of some ways that I have enjoyed decorating my coffee table and want to try these ideas again too!

Remember to save this post so you can easily refer back to it when you’re in a decorating rut.  

What Do I Do Next?

 

Create!   Go have fun with your décor!

Experiment!  Gather many more items than you could possibly use and try lots of options until you find the one that makes you smile!  Walk away if you get frustrated and come back to it later (works like a charm!)

I hope this has given you lots of ideas to work with simple vignettes throughout your home!  There are so many fun ways to decorate and the possibilities are truly limitless!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Valentines Neutrals

Friday Favorites- Valentines Neutrals

Friday Favorites- Valentines Neutrals

Hello Friends!

Valentine’s Day has such cute and cozy decor. I loved finding this week’s favorites to share with you. I use neutrals mainly in my home, so I wanted to give as many neutral options as possible. Let me know what you love the most and what you are adding to cart! 

Gray and White Pom-Pom Heart Garland

How cute is this? I love this little garland and think it’s the perfect little neutral accessory for a playroom or living room.
Find them here from Amazon.

Neutral Heart Throw Pillow

  I love this cute and cozy pillow. The gray is so cozy and cute. Find it here from Amazon

“I Love Who You Are” Canvas Wall Hanging

 What a great reminder to those we love! I want my kids to remember this and know I love them so much. I love who they are!  Find it on Amazon

 

 

Extra Long Lumbar Pillow Cover

 This is a great neutral-color pillow cover. I love the macrame detail. It’s trendy and cozy. You can get it here 

Wooden Heart Bowl

 This beautiful wooden heart bowl is a great valentines day accessory. I love the natural wood look and the simplistic design that really helps add to your decor for Valentine’s Day.

Grab it here from Amazon

Battery Operated Tea Light Candles

These are my favorite battery-operated tea light candles! They are so realistic and perfect for adding a cozy feel to your home in a safe, pet and kid-friendly option. 

Grab them here from Amazon

Mercury Glass Candle Holders

 Use those battery-operated tea lights with these beautiful mercury glass candle holders for the perfect romantic look. Available here.

Craft Paper Hearts

So many options for these -use to make a garland, gift tags, place cards, notes to hang on a branch for a centerpiece- Lots of creative ways to add hearts for the day of love! 
These are available on Amazon.

 

Scallop Rug

I love this beautiful scallop rug. Even though it’s not Valentine’s Day specific, it would look perfect for the holiday and then enjoy all spring and summer too!

This is an Amazon find.

Heart Wreath

 This neutral raffia heart wreath is a great price! You can use it for years to come! It’s a simple style that would work well to layer with your existing greenery or floral wreath.

Find it here from Target

 

White Faux Fur Heart Pillow

 This pillow is so cozy and  perfect to layer with your regular pillows. 

Available here 

 

“Stay Cozy” Pillow

Have a cozy Valentine’s Day!  Use it year-round and especially through the fall and winter seasons!

It’s available here from Pottery Barn

Glass Cloche with a Heart

A glass cloche with a heart! Use year-round! So cute to display a special gift or sentimental memento, even tie letters or cards together with pretty ribbon and put underneath. So many options
It’s available here from Amazon.

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

21+ Best Things to Decorate a Glass Dome Cloche

21+ Best Things to Decorate a Glass Dome Cloche

21+ Best Things to Decorate a Glass Dome Cloche

Looking for ways to decorate a glass dome cloche? Keep reading! I love using cloches in my home decor and here are over 21 of my favorite ways!  Don’t have a cloche?  No problem.  You can still use these ideas as inspiration for vignettes in your home decor.

Do you have a glass cloche or a glass “dome” as they are sometimes referred to?  I absolutely love to decorate a glass dome cloche.  In fact, it is one of my favorite staple pieces in my home decor and I use mine year round.

If you open the door to the closet where I organize and store extra home decor (see more about that HERE), you will see several glass cloches in different sizes.  However, out in my decor, there are many more.  It is entirely possible that I have a glass dome cloche “problem.”  On the other hand, I do love, use, and enjoy all of them at different times, so……

One request that I get pretty often is ideas about how to decorate a glass dome cloche.  Readers love seeing the glass cloches in my decor but sometimes get stumped when they get ready to decorate their own.  

Actually, I totally understand because just the other day, I asked my viewers over on Instagram to help me think of what to put under a glass cloche I was styling on the buffet for winter.  Here are some of their great responses!

What do you put in a glass dome cloche?

  • A big pinecone and evergreen sprig
  • Battery-operated pillar candle
  • Faux tree
  • Vintage brass deer
  • Something with some sparkle!

No matter the season, I love styling and decorating with glass cloches.  I thought it would be fun to put together a list of things that could be used to decorate a glass dome cloche in different seasonal decor times and also for regular, “everyday” decorating too.

Here are some of the ideas I have used in the past, including my favorite ways to decorate with a glass cloche for any season:

What do you display in a glass cloche?

  1. Faux plant
  2. Large battery-operated pillar candle
  3. Grouping of short taper candle holders and battery-operated taper candles (need a tall cloche for this one)
  4. Set of old vintage books
  5. Old sheet music, rolled and tied with pretty ribbon
  6. Vintage brass deer
  7. Small framed vintage silhouette art
  8. Vintage table top clock
  9. Mortar and pestle
  10. Bowl with seasonal filler
  11. Fairy lights
  12. Vintage brass swan
  13. Antique piano rolls
  14. Pretty sea shells
  15. Holiday item, such as Easter eggs, pumpkins, or ornaments
  16. Collection of old bottles or vases, group together under the cloche
  17. Small framed art
  18. Natural reindeer moss
  19. Faux fruit
  20. Freshly baked cookies or treats in the kitchen (yum!)
  21. Birds nest with pretty eggs
  22. Terra cotta pots
  23. Succulent

 

21+ Best Things to Decorate a Glass Dome Cloche

Tip #1 to Decorate a Glass Dome Cloche: Use a candle.

What can you put in glass domes?

Glass cloches actually originated in Italy but it was the French who perfected their use for gardening.  The glass dome, called a cloche, protected the plant from the cold and frost to help it mature more quickly.

Even though cloches originated with the purpose of using with plants, my favorite way to decorate with them is by using battery-operated candles.  Where a small, simple battery-operated candle may look bare or plain on its own, put under a cute glass cloche, it takes on more significance and becomes a magical part of the cozy glow.

I use huge cloches all the way down to really small ones with battery-operated candles.  It’s safe to say that my battery candle collection is as varied as my cloche collection and I love them all!

Here are my favorite battery-operated candles to use with glass cloches:

Tip #2: Decorate a Glass Cloche Dome with a Vignette

What do you put in a decorative dome?

A glass cloche is a great way to create a vignette.  One of my favorite ways to decorate with my larger glass cloches is to create a small vignette underneath.  For example, a pretty mercury-glass style hurricane, a sprig of cedar greenery, and a small copper-toned house candle looked a little empty on its own.  However, placed on a pretty base with large cloche over it, helped to tie it all together and it became one of my favorite winter vignettes.

This concept could be repeated over and over for different seasons:

  • Spring: Faux plant, bunny statue, small bowl of egg filler
  • Summer: Old book with summer title, large conch shell, miniature bottle with a white flower
  • Fall: Large dried gourd, glass hurricane with battery-operated candle, small dried gourd
  • Christmas: Large and small bottle brush trees, nutcracker statue, sprinkle faux snow around the base

These are just some simple ideas but hopefully they get your creative juices flowing for all of the fun little vignettes you can create to decorate under your own glass dome cloche!

One final touch that will help your whole vignette to have a more finished look is to style your vignette on a base and then put the cloche over the top.  I use a variety of items as bases under my cloches, such as architectural salvage, large old books, antique bread boards, baskets, and trays.

Tip #3 to Decorate with a Glass Dome Cloche: Turn small decor into a statement piece.

What should I display under a cloche?

Using a cloche is the perfect way to take a small piece of decor and turn it into a statement piece.  On its own, this little piece of broken coral that my daughter found at the beach would be pretty hard to decorate with.  At least, it would be challenging for me to think how to use it in a significant way!

However, placed in a miniature mortar and pestle with a glass cloche over it, this little broken piece of coral is a fun part of summer decorating.  I like to group small cloches with other cloches, like a collection.  At the same time, a cute little cloche with a cute little seashell, tucked into a vignette on a shelf…well, you just can’t go wrong!

Think of a small item in your home that you LOVE, however, on its own it seems rather small and insignificant to anyone else.  Then, think of how you could decorate with it under a cloche.  Can you turn that small piece of decor into something you get to enjoy seeing everyday, rather than tucked away in a drawer or cabinet?

You can always refer to the list at the top of this post for ideas of items to display under a cloche.  First, though, I challenge you to see what items you have around your home that you’d like to make more of a statement in your decor.  Then, see if they could work into your decorating as you use your glass dome cloche!

 

Tip #4: Elevate the Style of Your Decor with a Glass Cloche

What do you put in a decorative cloche?

You can use a cloche to elevate your decor in two ways.

First of all, you can literally elevate your decor and add levels by using a base and a glass cloche.  Glass cloches are a great way to feature a collection or some kind of decor where you need varied heights.  For example, if you want to feature a collection of vintage table top clocks, you could put one or two under glass cloches to add some height variety.

Secondly, you can elevate your decor in a less literal sense.  Let’s use the clock example again:

As well as giving height variety to your clock collection, you are also making it stand out by placing part of the clocks under glass cloches.  At the same time, something about putting an item under glass just makes it feel more special or important.  It is the same idea as a piece of fascinating history in a glass case at a museum.  When you decorate with a glass dome cloche, you are indicating that the items under the cloche are special in your home!

Even if you’re just placing a candle under your glass cloche, that is still special.  Actually, what can be better than elevating the feeling of cozy around your home?!

 

Tip #5: Decorate a small glass cloche for big style.

What do you put in a small glass dome?

Hint: Small can be so super cute!

Definitely watch for small glass domes and cloches at thrift stores in the clock section.  Often, they’ve separated from their clock over time and you can pick them up very inexpensively.

A small glass dome or cloche is perfect to simply style over a smaller battery-operated candle (these are PERFECT and so realistic).  That’s probably my favorite way to decorate with small cloches.

However, a small glass dome or even bell jar can take a simple, little object, like a favorite sea shell from vacation, and turn it into a special part of your decor.

I like to style small glass cloches in groupings or even paired with larger cloches as a vignette.

Here is an easy vignette idea:

How easy is that?!

Don’t overlook the small glass cloches!  You will find that they are so fun to use in your decorating!

Where is the best place to find a glass dome cloche?

I have so many glass cloches and to be honest, most of them have come from thrift stores or yard sales.  My larger cloches were special finds at vintage shops and antique markets,  However, I think all of my smaller cloches have been thrifted.

I will link some beautiful glass dome cloches online for you.  At the same time, keep an eye out at thrift stores and yard sales too.  Recently, I picked up a beautiful large one at a thrift store for only $8!

Pro Tip: Look in the clock section at the thrift store.  Sometimes the glass domes are mixed in there.  Also, you may find an inexpensive old clock with the glass dome. You can return the clock part to the thrift store if you don’t want it and use the glass dome in your home decor!

Check out these 15+ gorgeous glass cloches:

How do you use a cloche indoors?

Even though glass cloches originated for outdoor use in gardening, they have become a wonderful trend for interior home decorating.  Obviously, I absolutely love using mine.  I use glass cloches year round and for every holiday.  There are so many pretty ways to style and decorate with glass dome cloches, no matter the season.

When all else fails, here are my go-to items to use under a cloche indoors:

I hope this post has given you some great ideas and sparked some creativity for you to decorate with a glass dome cloche in your own home!

I’d love to hear in the blog comments…what do you like to put under your glass cloche if you have one?  Or, who is inspired to hunt for a glass cloche now?!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Neutral Decor for Every Season

Friday Favorites- Neutral Decor for Every Season

Friday Favorites- Neutral Decor for Every Season

Hello Friends!

Most of us have packed up our Christmas tree and taken down the lights. Now, maybe you feel like your home is bare and you want to add something to bring back the cozy. Here is a list of things I love that are perfect pieces for any season to help make your home feel warm and cozy. 

Hand-Woven Wicker and Arurog Garden Cloche  

I am completely and totally obsessed with these and they are on my wish list. Even though they are an investment, they could be used in so many places and for different seasons too!
Find them here from Amazon.

Baskets

Add these pretty square baskets, available in four different finishes, to any bookshelf, desk, or even coffee table for closed storage.  Pretty decor with great function.  Great price for the set of two! Find it here from Amazon

Large Glass Cloche

I love cloches so much! I have shared several times how I style them around my home. You can check those posts out here, and here.  Find your own to style here from Amazon

 

 

Arch Design Mirror

Arches are so on trend right now and this has a timeless look plus reflecting the light back into a room to make it feel brighter.
You can get it here 

Cream and Tan Cotton Double Cloth Cover 

This is super pretty bedding and it’s extra soft. It’s a great neutral base to use and then switch up accent colors for the seasons.

Grab it here from Amazon

Organic Pillow Covers

Save storage space in your home by using pillow covers; this set of three is perfect for layering and creating a curated look; bright and fresh; can be used year-round

Grab them here from Amazon

Milky White Marble Stone Mortar and Pestle Set

 Always a favorite in my home decor! Gold adds a pretty accent to this functional piece for the kitchen or use for decor in any room

Available here.

Round Rattan Woven Fruit Basket

 Beautiful for any room, use as a base to create vignettes, and use as a base under a cloche.
These are available on Amazon.

 

Small Woman Head Planter

Add some elegance, tuck in winter greenery, and transition to a plant for spring

This is an Amazon find.

Preserved Real Pine Leaves Branches 

40 preserved cedar branches to use all around your home for winter. These are beautiful! You will want to add these to your home decor.

Find it here on Amazon

 

Etched Glass Hurricane 

 I am loving mercury glass style and this adds an elegant touch for winter. Use this for candles or flowers/greenery.

Available here 

 

Framed Fruit Print

Really loving this neutral print for kitchen or dining room decor

It’s available here from Target

Trellis Jute Area Rug 

 Texture is what makes neutral colors really feel warm and inviting; love the texture of this rug
It’s available here from Amazon.

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

How to Organize a Dining Room in 3 Easy Steps

How to Organize a Dining Room in 3 Easy Steps

How to Organize a Dining Room in 3 Easy Steps

Don’t overlook your dining room in this season of organizing!  You can organize your dining room with some simple and practical steps. Here’s what helps me and hopefully it will help you too!  Keep reading for some great organizational tips from some of my blogging friends too!

Who else spends part of January decluttering, cleaning, and organizing all the things?!  That’s definitely the case every January over here!

If you are clicking over from The Happy Housie, thanks for stopping by!  She has some great organizing ideas and I’m getting a lot of inspiration from everyone in this blog hop!

Fortunately, for me, I took a few Saturdays in the fall and did a ton of cleaning out.  I can’t clean things out without organizing as I go, so I thought this would be a fun time to answer one of my most asked questions:

Where do you store all of your tablescape items?

That’s a fair question!  If you follow me over on Instagram, you know that I do a #tablescapetuesday every week…or almost every week, at least!  It seems like I would definitely have a LOT of tablescape items, right?

Actually, the reality is probably somewhere right down the middle.  I have a lot more table items than a minimalist and a LOT less than a dishes hoarder.  Haha!

Other than my wedding china and a set of dishes from each of my grandma’s, I only have one set of white dishes and a set of ironstone plates, along with hodgepodge ironstone pieces that I’ve picked up along the way.

In my defense, I wouldn’t categorize that as a dishes hoarder, right?!

On the other hand, I have an exceptional amount of napkin rings.  It’s the truth.  I love them and don’t apologize because I use them all!

Keeping an organized dining room is literally crucial to my sanity, especially when I’m setting a new tablescape almost every week!

I’ve had to adjust and switch things around, but I’ve finally figured out some organization that makes sense, is convenient, and WORKS!

How do I organize my house and keep it organized?

For the dining room, there are more specific steps I follow.  However, no matter the space in your home that you need to organize, you can follow this general idea and tweak it to fit the space.

  1. Remove every single item from the drawer or cabinet.
  2. Deep clean.
  3. Purge items that are broken, worn out, unused, or no longer loved.  (If you don’t love it and don’t use it, get it out of there!)
  4. Set sentimental items that are unused aside to be stored in a special place.
  5. Group like items together.
  6. Take an inventory of items you have too many of or not enough of.
  7. Make a shopping list for items you need to get.
  8. Make the second purge by weeding out items that you have too many of.  (In the dining room/kitchen, for example, how many drinking glasses or coffee mugs can you actually use?!)
  9. Place items back into the drawer or cabinet; be intentional.
  10. Make a plan to frequently take a peek through the drawer or cabinet and purge any build up of extra items.

What are the three basic steps to organize your home?

In general, here are the 3 basic steps you want to follow for any space that you’re trying to organize:

  1. Remove everything and clean.
  2. Purge.
  3. Intentionally refill the space.

Organizing, in general, is a really personal thing.  When I read blog posts or books about organizing, I know in advance that almost none of the exact things are going to work exactly the same in my spaces.

However, it almost always sparks an idea or a different way of thinking that can help me organize my spaces in ways that work for our family.

Every home is different, every layout is different, every lifestyle is different, every collection of items is different…so every organizing will also be different!

My goal today is not that you’ll be able to organize a dining room exactly like mine because we all have different spaces and different needs.

Hopefully, however, it will give you a little motivation, inspiration, or a new idea that will help make your dining room even more functional and joyful!

How to Organize a Dining Room in 3 Easy Steps

Step One to Organize a Dining Room

Start to organize a dining room by taking everything OUT!

I know that sounds super overwhelming.  It’s my least favorite part.  BUT, there is no way to properly organize a space without knowing exactly what you have.

Even if you think you know, there is something about laying it all out (I use my dining room table) that helps the puzzle pieces fit together a little better for optimal organization.

As you lay things out, group them into sections.  You could group them different ways (and I’ve tried all of them!):

  • Group by season
  • Group by how often you use them
  • Group by type of item
  • Group by style of item
For me, grouping by kind of item has worked the best.  Other than napkin rings, I really don’t have much seasonal tablescape decor.  I do have pieces that I mix and match depending on the seasons!

If you really watch, you’ll notice that I use the same pieces over and over and over, just mixed and styled a little differently to create a variety of looks for each season!

Pro Tip: You need a lot less than you think you do.  Consider investing in neutral pieces that you love and can reuse throughout the year.

 

Step Two to Organize a Dining Room:

Sort, purge, and declutter.  Carefully consider what is going to go back into your dining room.

As you are grouping items, weed out any items that you don’t use or don’t love.  

Separate items into keep, toss, donate, or sell.  Once I get the items sorted, I like to take everything that is NOT staying in the dining room somewhere else.  If possible, I go ahead and bag up the toss and donate and get them out of the house ASAP!  Items to sell are put into a tote in the garage for the next time we have a yard sale.

How do you declutter nostalgic items?

Pieces that you want to keep for sentimental reasons should be stored all together in their own special spot.  For me, the hard-to-reach cabinet over the refrigerator is perfect!

You probably have some kind of storage area in your home where you can keep sentimental, fragile pieces without taking up precious real estate in your most convenient places!

I’m not here to tell you what you should or should not keep.  Goodness knows that most people would take a look at my dining room and tablescape items and say I should get rid of a bunch of it!

I think I get a little bit of leniency since I’m setting so many tables, though, right?!

What do you store in your dining room?

What I will say is as you organize a dining room, to carefully consider what you put back in your storage.  When I did my big clean out in the fall, I didn’t realize how many of certain items I had.  Since I am never setting the table for 20 people, I kept 12-14 and put the rest in my yard sale pile!

I like to keep the following kinds of items in the dining room:

  • dishes that aren’t used everyday
  • napkin rings
  • cloth napkins
  • place cards and place card holders
  • place setting decor
  • small sets of bowls or plates to use on place settings
  • sets of vintage items, like my copper mugs or French soup bowls

How do you purge excess stuff?

Here are a few things to consider getting rid of:

  • Extra items
  • Pieces that aren’t sentimental, but don’t fit your style any longer
  • Things you can’t remember even using
  • Items you picked up for special events but no longer need
  • Pieces that no longer match your decor
  • Anything that isn’t in good condition (because you won’t end up using it, even if you still like it!)
  • Napkins or towels that are stained or too worn

Step Three to Organize a Dining Room:

What works for me won’t work for you!  Instead, follow these simple suggestions:

I could give you tons of links of great organizational tools, drawer organizers, bins, baskets, and totes.  The truth is that they are such a personal preference and a space preference too!

Instead of diving into the details of what divider to use in each drawer, let me give you a few rules of thumb that help me organize a dining room in a tidy, functional, and enjoyable way!

Here are a few simple suggestions that can help organize a dining room and/or kitchen space:

  • Keep the items you use the most often easily accessible.  Store functional items in plain site: Dishcloths rolled in a pretty dough bowl, flatware in a vintage crock, or everyday dishes on open shelves.
  • Store things that you actually use…just not often…in the high cabinets!  This is exactly why I chose kitchen cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling!
  • As much as possible, store things in the room you’ll use them in.  For a long time, I used the little apothecary drawers in my music room to house my napkin rings.  It worked, but now that I have drawers in my dining room (check out my apothecary makeover HERE), it is very helpful to have them in the dining room.
  • Use your pretty things!  I love ironstone jelly molds...I don’t know why, I just love them!  I keep one by my sink to hold my dish sponge!  The sponge is an unattractive but needed item.  Housed in my pretty dish keeps it convenient AND looking nice too!

What is the proper way to arrange a kitchen?

If your dining room is near your kitchen, it is likely an extension of your kitchen storage and organization!  Consider how you can make both spaces more functional by having them work together for optimal organization!

Sometimes my dining room items tend to spill over into the kitchen and a quick reorganization can keep both rooms more tidy and items more easily accessible!

Miscellaneous Tips to Organize a Dining Room

How can I be more organized at home?

  • Side tip: Don’t overbuy items.  You really and truly don’t need a drawer full of dishcloths and another one for pot holders!  I promise!  Just because it’s a cute dish towel, only purchase it if you need to replace what you already have!
  • Don’t overthink your decisions.  Other than a few sentimental pieces, it really is just all “stuff” and there will always be more cute stuff.  I won’t say I’ve never gotten rid of anything and later regretted it, but much more often, I am so glad I took the time and effort to purge and clear things out in our home.
  • Invest in quality items that you truly love!  Rather than buying 5 different sponge holders that you don’t really like, invest in the one thing…for me, the jelly mold…that is functional, interesting, and pretty!

Helpful tools for organizing:

  • Expandable drawer organizer (not just for flatware; you can use this for napkin rings and place card holders too!)
  • Bamboo drawer dividers:  Expandable to fit many drawers; perfect to divide table linens or small dishes and keeps them from clanking together and breaking too!
  • Wooden rack: Make plates and platters easily accessible and safe from breaking in a cabinet
Maybe your dining room and kitchen areas are already super organized.  But maybe, just maybe, you have a few places that you need to do a quick clean out and declutter.  Here’s your motivation and hopefully a few ideas that can help make these important spaces as enjoyable as possible!

For more organizing ideas, make sure to visit all of the bloggers sharing in this hop today.  You are going to get so much inspiration, a variety of wonderful ideas for different spaces around your home, and take a peek into how these busy bloggers keep things organized and functioning at home too!

Next, hop on over to My Sweet Savannah.  I know you’ll love her blog and organizing ideas today.  Plus, I love her home decor and DIY inspiration too!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Favorites-Organized and Beautiful

Friday Favorites-Organized and Beautiful

Friday Favorites-Organized and Beautiful

Hello Friends! 

I am excited to share these finds to help make your help a more beautiful and organized place! I was so excited when I found some great pieces that are affordable and functional. Many of these would work in almost any room of your house and help keep your home neat and tidy! 

Beautiful Baskets

This is a great set of two sturdy baskets. Perfect to use on a shelf or on the floor and great for any room of the house.
Find it here from Amazon.

 

Add these pretty square baskets, available in four different finishes, to any bookshelf, desk, or even coffee table for closed storage.  Pretty decor with great function.  Great price for the set of two! Find it here from Amazon

Ottoman Basket

You could use two for a unique and versatile coffee table set up or line them under a console or sofa table for closed storage and extra seating too! Lots of options! 

 Find it here from Target.

 

 

Welcome Mat

A fresh, organized home deserves a good welcome too! This is the perfect simple welcome mat! You can get it here 

Faux Tree  

Bring some life and freshness to any home as motivation to help keep it organized. Set up a pretty corner so it doesn’t become a catch-all. This is one of my favorite trees that you can find here.
Available here.

Velvet Ottoman 

 This velvet ottoman adds style and storage too. Use in a living room, bedroom, or cozy corner. This comes in several different colors to go with your home decor style
. These are available on Amazon.

 

Bamboo Shelves

These shelves have five tiers with striped acrylic display doors. Store collections, books, or functional items in plain sight with this pretty cabinet. Not only are they a great price they come in two colors. The tempered glass offers texture and interest. Use in a bedroom, bathroom, dining room, or even kitchen.
This is an Amazon find.

Organic Pillow Covers

Save storage space in your home by using pillow covers; this set of three is perfect for layering and creating a curated look; bright and fresh; can be used year-round

Grab them here from Amazon

Craft Storage Organizer

 Perfect for craft storage or small supplies like batteries, tealight candles, coffee bar essentials or office supplies.
Find it here on Amazon

 

Sophia & William Rattan Buffet

This could be a gorgeous accent table that would be perfect for a sofa table, entryway table, or even a coffee bar. Could also work under a TV or in a bedroom. Great mixed storage with drawers and shelves! And this style goes with a lot of decor. I think the light color adds a perfect warm tone to a room
Available here 

 

Set of 2 Rattan Cabinets

Put these cabinets next to each other for a long sideboard, buffet, console table, entry table, or sofa table. Or, split them up to put at the ends of a sofa or use as nightstands! Great price, lovely style, and a color that goes with everything!
It’s available here from Amazon.

Capri Blue Volcano Candle

When you’re room is clean, light a favorite candle! This is my favorite and I love to light it when I’m finished with a room; it makes everything feel and smell fresh and cozy! And I love this pretty tin this one comes in.  It’s available here from Amazon.

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

7 Easy Ways to Decorate a Cozy House After Christmas

7 Easy Ways to Decorate a Cozy House After Christmas

7 Easy Ways to Decorate a Cozy House After Christmas

Are you craving a cozy house after Christmas? But maybe with a more simple, clean, style? Check out these 7 easy tips to decorate for winter!  Keep reading for before and after pictures and budget-friendly styling ideas for a cozy house after Christmas!

I admit, while many people get so inspired to take down their Christmas decorations and refresh their homes, I have to really dig deep to find the joy.  If you’re like me, and crave a cozy house after Christmas, this post is for YOU!

In the past few years, I’ve really made an effort to plan ahead for the big Christmas “take-down”, complete with a plan for how to get that cozy feeling.  What I do love is a clean slate and the opportunity for fresh creativity.

Whether you’re still enjoying the glow of Christmas lights, still have Christmas decor up only because you dread taking it down, or have taken down the decor and are feeling like your house is bare, I’ve got help for you today!

I am finally putting the tips that I actually use, myself, into a somewhat organized format here on the blog.  Hopefully, it will help you during this season too.

Living here in Florida, I don’t fight the winter blues, weather-wise, like some northern friends may.  However, the home decor winter blues can be a real thing.  Do you ever get that feeling that after Christmas, your home will just go back to the “plain old regular thing”?

Let’s chat about how you can get out of that rut and make the winter decor season a perfect time to create a cozy house after Christmas!

How do I make my house feel cozy after Christmas?

  1. Remove (most) Christmas decor and anything with red or Christmas-specific themes.
  2. Undecorate your house.
  3. Deep clean and declutter your house.
  4. Slowly add back favorite decor pieces in neutral tones.
  5. Incorporate some faux winter greenery and mix with fresh plants.
  6. Use reflective surfaces to bounce light, such as mirrors and mercury glass.
  7. Enjoy lots of (battery-operated) candle light.

We are going to do a deeper dive into each of these important 7 elements.  However, feel free to jot down this list as you make your game plan for a cozy house after Christmas!

7 Easy Ways to Decorate a Cozy House After Christmas

Step #1 to a cozy house after Christmas: Take down Christmas decorations

How do you organize and store Christmas decorations?

By the time we have finished all of the family celebrations for the holidays, I’ll admit that while I still love our Christmas decorations, our home is ready for an overhaul.  Half of that battle is just organizing and storing away Christmas decorations in the easiest, best and most efficient way possible for the following year.

You can find my tips for easily storing Christmas decorations over on THIS POST.  I promise that these tried and true ideas work well for us.  While the job is still big and isn’t really very fun, having a good plan definitely makes it more bearable.

You may want to plan to leave out a few wintery greenery items.  For example, I leave some of the following available for winter decorating (though I do take them down and sort into a separate pile…more on that later.)

  • Table top faux trees in cedar or juniper (my personal favorites)
  • A couple of realistic garlands
  • Winter wreaths without decorations on them (just plain pine or cedar style wreaths)
  • Neutral colored and cozy rugs, blankets, and throw pillows that do not have a Christmas theme

Unless red is part of your year-round decor, I recommend, at the least, removing all of the red decorations from your winter decor.  Any other specifically Christmas-themed items, like a Nativity or Santa decor is ready to be neatly packed and stored away too.

 

Step #2 for a cozy house after Christmas: Undecorate your house.

How can I make my house look good after Christmas?

Start by undecorating your house.  Does that sound a little crazy?  Well, hear me out…

After I take down and pack up my Christmas decor, there are so many holes and empty spots.  Pots and cloches are missing the decorative accessory that completed the vignette.  The mantel is only half decorated and what’s there doesn’t look “right” anymore. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of rhyme or reason to what is left once you take out the statement pieces.  Right?

So, I find it easier to move all of the decor from the main decor surfaces, such as coffee tables, sofa tables, mantel, dining tables, etc.  Since I will put most of this decor back out, I use our long dining table as a staging area.

When I look around, I find that I have a clean, blank slate, ready to have fun creating in again.  While I miss the Christmas decor, I know the seasons move on.  I try to embrace the next season and challenge myself to love the way I can make our home feel for the new season.

All of these empty surfaces leave a blank canvas to create a cozy house after Christmas!

Step #3 to a cozy house after Christmas: Deep clean and declutter.

Even though I really love a clean house and do the best I can to keep it clean all season, there is just a lot more “stuff”.  Once the Christmas decor comes down, all of those surfaces are ready for a very thorough cleaning, including the corners of the floor and the dark recesses under the couch.

How many pieces of ripped wrapping paper will be under your sofa this year?!  Haha!

Undecorating your home really makes this deep cleaning process so much easier.  Plus, I always have a lot more fun decorating our home when I know it is super clean and fresh!

A few quick tips:

  • While you’re undecorating, notice anything else in the room that you aren’t using or don’t want anymore.  This is the time to put it in a thrift store or yard sale pile.
  • Open drawers and cabinets and do a quick declutter.  You can come back later to deep clean and reorganize, but sometimes I find it easier to just do a really quick clean out ahead of time.
  • If there are any items that you remove from your decor that are broken, you don’t love anymore, have grown tired of, or don’t fit your style, go ahead and get rid of those now also.
  • Take a day or two after “undecorating” to notice what you love or don’t love about the space.  Before bringing in decor again, take time to make the space function better (if needed) for your family.  If you have options for rearranging, this is a good time to make the space feel fresh in that way too.

 

 

Step #4 to a cozy house after Christmas:  Slowly add in favorite decor items for winter

How do you decorate for winter after Christmas?

Now, it is time to shop my house and start creating a cozy house again.  That table where I gathered all of the decor that I undecorated with (well, the pieces I still love and want to continue using)?  It becomes my store!

For winter decorating, I will look to add in a lot of neutrals.  Since I want to create cozy spaces, neutral colors are what feel the most calm and relaxing to me.  Plus, I just love white!  What can I say?!

This is certainly up to your personal preference, however.  You will want to bring in the decor that feels the most peaceful and relaxing and cozy to YOU!

Here are some key pieces I always incorporate for winter decorating:

Step #5 to create a cozy house after Christmas:  Use faux winter greenery and fresh houseplants.

How can I brighten up my house after Christmas?

Bringing some fresh plants back into your decor will literally bring life to these spaces.  You can create a cozy winter look by using some of your winter greenery that you had out at Christmas.  To make it feel more wintery and less “Christmas-y”, however, mix some real/fresh low-light house plants with those faux winter greens.

I usually keep a couple of wreaths out (without any decor on them), a garland or two for table decor, and a few of my realistic table top trees.

You don’t need nearly as much as you probably use for Christmas and you also don’t want it to feel like spring has come alive.  At the same time, a simple mix of well-placed winter greenery and fresh plants can brighten up your house and make it feel cozy after Christmas too.

If you’re needing some great faux plants, here are some that I’m using this year (and have in past years also):

 

Step #6 for a cozy house after Christmas: Use reflective surfaces.

What decorations can stay up after Christmas?

Two things that I always leave out from Christmas decorations are mirrors and mercury glass pieces.  Especially when the Christmas lights are taken out, I want as much cozy light to remain as I can get.  Reflective surfaces help the candlelight look deeper and fuller in a room and reflect light back into the room.

While mirrors are certainly an easy way to do this, adding mercury glass and metal finishes, like vintage brass, are also a great way to add a cozy touch.

Here are a few favorites that I’m using:

Step #7 to create a cozy house after Christmas: Use lots of candles.

How can I brighten my house after Christmas?

Use lots of candles to brighten your house after Christmas.  Literally.  They are the easiest way to add the coziest look and feel to your home.  At the same time, they provide soft, ambient light for the longer, darker evenings.

For practicality and safety, I use a lot of battery-operated candles.  I use these all through the fall, Christmas, and winter seasons, so they are well-worth the investment.  Having them all set on timers just makes me happy because they all start flickering on and creating their magic around 4:30 each afternoon and flicker off at about 10:30 each night, just in time for bed!

Here are a few of my favorites that I am enjoying this season:

How can I freshen the look of my house?

I hope these tips and ideas give you some fresh inspiration as you transition your home from the busy holiday season into one that is hopefully more calm, quiet, and restful.  Since I want this season to be those things, I think it’s worth my time and effort to help my home reflect those traits too!

Here’s to “undecorating” and slowly adding back in the pieces that bring a cozy, calm, and quiet feeling into our homes.  My hope is that by creating this environment, I can also prepare a space where my mind and heart can focus on those things at the same time.

Happy New Year!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Simple Winter Decor

Friday Favorites-Simple Winter Decor

Friday Favorites-Simple Winter Decor

Hello Friends! 

This month, I am focusing on clean, simple, winter home decor. I love using simple neutral colors and styles to keep everything clean and cozy. I hope you enjoy this list of favorites and find something to add to your home.

Framed Lemon Art Print

This citrus print combines vintage art style with warm gold tones and a fresh feeling to start the new year. It’s great for kitchen, dining, or entryway areas! Find it here from Target

Faux Tree

  This is my favorite faux “non-seasonal” tree! I have two of these and love them. They are very realistic, whimsical, and easy to style in different areas!  Find it here from Target.

 

 

Erin Condren Planner

 I’ve been using this planner for several years; definitely my favorite and the vertical format is perfect for compartmentalizing and organizing different parts of your schedule You can get it here from Amazon

Woven Cotton Throw

Use this to add texture and earthy tones for 2023 with a simple style and pretty tassels.  This is a pretty throw and prefect for winter. Available here on Amazon. 

Mercury Glass Votives

 Keep a cozy glow in an understated way with these gold mercury glass votive cups. These are available on Amazon.
Add these realistic wax candles with a battery and a timer 

 

Patterned Quilt

 I added this new quilt to my master bedroom but it would be gorgeous folded on a living or family room shelf, ready to pull out for a cozy movie night or reading a good book. I love the earthy tones, which are trending for 2023. This is a Target Find.

Neutral Pillow Covers

These are perfect for layering, and work for all seasons! I keep mine out year round. Plus they are a great price for the set of 2 and come in several different sizes to work for your space

Grab them here from Amazon

French Grape Baskets

 I’m using baskets everywhere in my decor this winter and am having fun with some antique vintage French grape hods. They aren’t cheap, but they are timeless and can be used year round in so many fun ways. Find it here on Etsy. Stay tuned on my Instagram next week to see how I use mine this winter

 Get the vintage look for a lot better price with this large basket in a similar style to the french grape hods. 

Gold Pinecone Bookends 

  pinecones are the perfect winter accessory; grab from for free from outside to add to a bowl and use these large resin pinecones to bring a winter touch to a cozy shelf or mantle Available here 

 

Warm and Cozy Mug

  This is the cutest cup of cozy for the season! It’s available here from Amazon.

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Cozy Neutrals

Friday Favorites-Cozy Neutrals

Friday Favorites-Cozy Neutrals

Hello Friends! 

After all the excitement of the holidays, it can be hard to know what to do with your home decor. I love to keep as much of our winter decor up as long as I can and make our home a cozy winter haven over the next few months. This week, I have rounded up lots of cozy elements with warm colors and soft tones to help your home feel inviting. I hope your find lots of things you love from this list! 

Artificial Juniper Cedar Sprays

This is the perfect keep-out-for-winter greenery! It’s simple yet elegant. I love the look of this greenery! Find it here on Instagram

Round Throw Pillow 

This cozy round throw pillow adds some interest with the shape and great texture for winter! Find it here from Amazon.

 

 

Etched Hurricane

This is a beautiful piece made with mercury glass. it has a beautiful winter design and reflects light for a cozy glow! You can get them here from Amazon.

Brass Candlesticks

These beautiful candlesticks are some of my favorites for pretty and classy home decor! These are a winter decor must-have! Available here on Amazon. 

Flameless Flickering Battery Operated Candles

I love using these tapered candles! You don’t have to worry about flames or hot wax, but they still look amazing!  These are available on Amazon.

 

Velvet Ribbon

This beautiful ribbon ties in with the 2023 warm colors for the year. I used this a lot in the Christmas season and I will definitely be keeping them around for the winter for sure. This is an Amazon Find.

Winter Art for Smart TV

Winter art with vintage landscape look for smart tv is another great way to bring a cozy winter look to your home! I love this smart tv art!

Grab it here from Etsy as an instant download

Vintage Clock 

 This is a beautiful vintage clock! Its warm colors go well with winter decor. Find it here on Etsy   

Vintage Rug Throw Pillow 

throw pillow made from a vintage rug I’m obsessed with these and there are some great deals available right now; perfect to mix and match; add one specialty pillow layered with your favorite neutrals! Available here 

 

Leather Ottoman

A great deal to add some warm, natural tones to your existing furniture! Tip: pick up pillows or bedding at the thrift store to fill this ottoman and save a lot of dollars!  It’s available here from Amazon.

Woven Block Pillow  

This is a lovely and cozy pillow! The perfect throw pillow for your cozy winter home! 

You can get it here on Amazon.

 

Eucalyptus Wreath  

  I love this beautiful wreath! It has a gorgeous ribbon on it. To beautiful to pass up!  Find it here from Target.

Long Wooden Bowl  

This is a great table center piece or kitchen island center piece! I love the natural wood look!  Find it here from Target

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

35+ of the Best After Christmas Home Decor Tips and Ideas

35+ of the Best After Christmas Home Decor Tips and Ideas

35+ of the Best After Christmas Home Decor Tips and Ideas

Christmas is over…now what? Use these favorite after Christmas home decor tips to recover from the holiday season and keep a cozy winter!  Keep reading for ideas for everything from efficient Christmas decor storage to how to decorate for winter!

Christmas is over; what now?  If you are asking this question in regard to your after Christmas home decor, we’ve got you covered today!  With everything from organizing your Christmas decor to smart storage solutions to refreshing your home and transitioning it into a cozy winter haven, it’s all here today.

I used to get so sad about my home decor after Christmas and fall into a rut of just not really doing much with it until spring.  Even though I live in Florida, I decided to embrace some aspects of winter decorating.  Now, a bit after Christmas each year, I look forward to deep cleaning our home, reorganizing, and giving it a cozy refresh.  There are so many simple ways to transition your home from a festive Christmas look to a cozy winter style.

If you’re still enjoying your Christmas decor, awesome!  We are too, over here, actually!  So, save this blog post and pin these ideas for whenever you’re ready to prepare for Christmas decor to come down.  I promise you’ll be so glad you read this; there are so many great tips and tricks.  At the same time, there is a lot of beautiful inspiration to lift your home decor spirits following the holiday!

How do you refresh your home after Christmas?

This post has so many wonderful tips that will help you get organized after the holiday season and prepare for a cozy winter.  Best of all, there are budget-friendly ideas to help keep the cozy feelings in your home, even after the Christmas decor comes down.  Keep reading for these helpful tips:

  • How to organize Christmas decorations
  • How to organize Christmas ornaments
  • How to store fragile Christmas decorations
  • Smart storage solutions
  • Simple decor organization tools
  • Storage ideas for small spaces
  • Decluttering ideas for small homes
  • Tips to declutter and reorganize closets for optimal storage
  • How to transition home decor from Christmas to winter
  • Simple home decor accessories to use for winter
  • How to create cozy spaces in your home after Christmas
  • How to refresh your home after Christmas
  • Favorite tips for winter mantel decor after Christmas

35+ of the Best After Christmas Home Decor Tips and Ideas

After Christmas Home Decor Tip #1: Get organized.

What is the best way to organize Christmas decorations?

For me, I can be the most creative and enjoy being creative when I start with a clean, organized slate.  Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse is sharing some great strategies to help with your seasonal decor.

Are you needing seasonal storage ideas to help you organize your Christmas decorations? These simple tips will keep all your seasonal decor organized and you’ll know exactly where to find each item.

You can also use these tips and tweak them for every season for the optimal home decor storage and organization!

After Christmas Home Decor Tip #2: Store Christmas ornaments properly.

How do you organize Christmas ornaments?

Looking for better ways to store your Christmas tree ornaments? Stacy from Bricks and Blooms is sharing such a clever trick.  I am definitely looking to up my ornament storage game this year and this is such a brilliant idea.

Wait until you see this cool storage hack that Stacy found on Tik Tok that makes is so much easier to put your Christmas ornaments away!  Check it out HERE!

After Christmas Home Decor Tip #3: Take time to think ahead for next year.

Are you still trying to recover from the craziness of the holidays? Kim from Shiplap and Shells is giving us some motivation on this post to start now with the best preparations for next year.  Want to make next year less overwhelming?

Here are 8 ways to help you prepare for next year’s Christmas season by starting now.

After Christmas Home Decor Tip #4: Keep organization and storage simple.

What is the best way to store Christmas decorations?

Do you feel a little overwhelmed with everything there is to store away, after the holidays?  Kim from Cottage in the Mitten helps us take a breath and simplify our organization.  Sound like something you need too?

If so, here are five must haves for keeping your next holiday season organized.  Check out these simple ideas HERE!

After Christmas Home Decor Tip #5: Small spaces can still have great storage.

How do you store Christmas decorations in a small apartment?

Or any home with small storage spaces for that matter?  Thankfully, Heidi from Eleanor Rose Home has got some great ideas for us! Organizing and storing home decor can be overwhelming and challenging with the best of storage spaces, much less small spaces!  However, Heidi is showing us how to make it a lot easier!

Organizing & decluttering a home with limited storage space is easy with these 5 simple tips that anyone can use.  Get Heidi’s tips for your after Christmas home decor HERE!

Tip #6: More smart storage solutions for home decor.

After Christmas, packing up can feel overwhelming if you do not have a storage solution for your decor.  Brendt from She Gave It A Go has more smart organizational and storage ideas on THIS POST.  There are so many ways to keep your seasonal home decor stored neatly and organized for the following year, depending on the space you have available.

So why not make the storage easy, budget-friendly, and practical? Come check out these awesome ideas when storing Christmas decor.

After Christmas Home Decor Tip #7: Declutter.

Now that the holidays are over it’s time to get organized. Simply 2 Moms is giving us some great motivation and inspiration in this post.  Admittedly…I have a closet…or two…or three…that need some decluttering and better organizational strategies!

Do you have a storage closet or room that’s gotten out of control? Come see how Simply 2 Moms took an unorganized mess and created a functional and organized space.  You’ll love these tips!

After Christmas Home Decor Tip #8: Refresh your home for winter.

What type of decorations do you put up after Christmas?

Now that your Christmas decor is well-organized and neatly stored away for next year, it’s time to give your home decor a winter refresh.  Michelle from Thistle Key Lane is sharing simple ways to decorate for winter after Christmas.

You’ll love these easy tips that are sure to freshen up your home for winter after the holidays are over.  Get Michelle’s beautiful tips on THIS POST!

After Christmas Home Decor Tip #9: Create cozy winter spaces.

How do I make my house cozy after Christmas?

Now that you have Christmas all packed away for another year it’s a great time to add a few cozy touches to your spaces for the Winter season.  Jen from Cottage on Bunker Hill always has such beautiful home decor ideas and her New England cottage is the coziest setting for winter decor.  You will get some great inspiration from Jen’s post, found HERE!

Check out Jen’s easy ideas to refresh your home in January (super budget-friendly too!!)

Try these fun ideas for winter home decor after Christmas: Tip #10

How can I brighten up my house after Christmas?

If you are looking for creative ways to transition into winter decor, check out this Vintage Ski Lodge Decor Series from Ann at Dabbling and Decorating.  There are so many inspiring ideas and as always, I love Ann’s vintage and thrifted finds.  She created an amazing winter decor theme that will inspire you to beat the after Christmas home decor blues by creating your own winter style.

This beautiful post is filled with winter decorating ideas from snowshoes and old skis to how to make ice lanterns!

After Christmas Home Decor Tip #11: Create seasonal winter style.

With the holidays over, most of us want to look for cozy ways to style our home for the winter.  Tammy from White Lilac Farmhouse has 5 easy ways to refresh and transition your home after Christmas.

The winter season doesn’t have to feel bare or empty around your home.  I love these tips from Tammy to transition from Christmas to winter home decor!

After Christmas Home Decor Tip #12: Plan a simple transition from Christmas to winter home decor.

How do you transition from Christmas to winter decor?

When the Christmas decor comes down, the cozy feelings don’t have to go away!  I loved putting together this post for my favorite winter mantel decor.  You can use these tips to inspire a focal point in your own winter home decorating too.

In this post here at Robyn’s French Nest, find some tips and ideas to create simple winter decor for January. You can use these same concepts throughout your home for the winter season!

What decorations can stay up after Christmas?

I think this post has given all of us some great ideas!  Here are a few to remember:

  • Winter greenery
  • Winter-style green trees like pine or cedar
  • Fairy lights
  • Cozy candles
  • Vintage ski style accessories
  • Vintage sled
  • Snowflakes
  • Cozy textures
  • Neutral throws and pillows
  • Mirrors
  • Brass candles and objects

Are you ready for a refresh?

While I am putting away Christmas decorations, cleaning, and refreshing my home, it is also a good time to slow down and take a deep breath after the holiday hustle is behind me.  I like to take my time and just enjoy working on our home!

I hope this post gives you some motivation and inspiration to do the same during this “in between season.”

 

Gather inspiration from these amazing bloggers:

I am delighted to be joining some of my fellow home decor bloggers and friends today.  Even though the topic of our blogs are all similar, it’s a great example of just how many ways there are to do the same things!  

Each home and family is different.  At the same time, how we organize and function in our homes will look different.

We know that this post offers so many ideas to help you pull together what will ultimately be great organization strategies, storage solutions, and home decor transition from Christmas to winter.

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites on a Monday

Friday Favorites on a Monday

Friday Favorites on a Monday

Hello Friends! Happy day after Christmas! This whole week is so much fun! I know many of us are preparing for New Year’s eve parties and holiday celebrations with friends and family. I wanted to share some ideas for New Year’s Eve decor, and most of them can be found on Amazon, which means it will still get here in time for New Year!

Mercury Glass Votives 

These beautiful gold mercury glass votives will be perfect to add some shimmer and class to your New Year’s Party. They are available here from Amazon in a set of twelve.

They would work great with these flameless candles! Also available here from Amazon

 

“Happy New Year” Balloons 

 Add these festive balloons for a fun classy touch to your party decor. These are so fun and you can get them here from Amazon.

New Year’s Eve Party Hats 

 I love these cute party hats! They would work great for photo opportunities! Find these fun accessories here on Amazon. 

Flameless Flickering Battery Operated Candles

These flameless candles add a cozy ambiance throughout the house. These can be a part of your Holiday decor and then you can incorporate them for winter too! These are available on Amazon.

 

Artificial Juniper Cedar Sprays

This is the perfect keep-out-for-winter greenery! It’s simple yet elegant. I love the look of this greenery! Find it here on Instagram

Real Touch Eucalyptus

Add real touch eucalyptus to your Christmas greenery to switch up the look a bit but still keep the cozy winter style. This is an Amazon Find.

Fur Pom Pom Blanket

Keep a Winter feel by adding cozy pillows and throw blankets in baskets and over sofas and chairs  Grab it here on Amazon.

Gold and Silver Ornaments 

 Keep out or add gold and silver ornaments for quick and easy festive sparkle. They reflect the candlelight for a pretty elegant look that is still really fun and festive!  Find them here on Amazon.      

Wooden Cheese Board 

Display your food in pretty ways for your Holiday party! This charcuterie board makes it so easy to style all kinds of tasty treats! Available here on Amazon! 

 

Natural Marble and Mango Wood Cake Stand

 This pretty cake stand works for food or a centerpiece! It’s so pretty and could really be used year-round. It’s available here from Amazon.

Fluffy Pillow Cover 

 Keep it cozy with fun throw pillows and cozy blankets. This is a pretty and cozy pillow cover, perfect for winter decor! You can get it here on Amazon.

 

Fairy Lights

Fairy lights are perfect to make it different than Christmas, but keep that cozy holiday glow and sparkle! Find them here on Amazon

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

15 Easy New Year’s Eve Decor Ideas for a Classy and Cozy Home

15 Easy New Year’s Eve Decor Ideas for a Classy and Cozy Home

15 Easy New Year’s Eve Decor Ideas for a Classy and Cozy Home

Want to add some easy New Year’s Eve decor ideas for a festive and cozy holiday? Ring in the New Year with a few of these 15 classy, fun, and super simple ideas for your home!

I’ll be honest.  New Year’s Eve is really all about the food and games.  Am I right?!  At the same time, if we are going to be home, I love adding a few easy New Year’s Eve decor touches around our home for some fun festivity!

Sometimes we still have Christmas decor up and sometimes we are partway done with the “taking down and putting away” job.  Usually, I’ve transitioned most of our home to a very simple, clean, cozy style for winter decor.  Since we start back to school so quickly after the New Year, I like to have everything as calm and ready on the Homefront as possible!

Well, as ready as one can be after multiple (and wonderful!) family events, holiday gatherings, traveling, and too many late nights.  Haha!

Regardless, you’ll never find really fancy or complicated New Year’s Eve decor around our home.  You definitely won’t find anything that took a long time!  But, since we will be around home this year, I am planning a few fun little things and thought I’d round up some easy ideas in case you want to add some simple, festive touches too!

What colors do you decorate for New Year’s?

The most traditional New Year’s Eve decor ideas seem to incorporate gold and silver, with touches of black and white.  Since our home is has neutral decor anyway, it is easy for me to add brass and metallic elements.  Paired with white and winter greenery, it’s a classic look that is easy to decorate with.

Look around your home for metals that you can mix together for your decor.  Even if you pull a few accessories for other rooms to create a centerpiece or vignette on a coffee table, it can give you quick and easy New Year’s Eve decor ideas without spending a lot.

At the same time, it won’t take you long and then you can put everything back where it goes.  I often “borrow” decor from other rooms for specialty events like birthdays or short holidays, like New Year’s Eve.

You can’t go wrong with black, white, gold, silver, and other mixed metals for easy New Year’s Eve decorating!

How can I make New Year’s Eve special?

For me, this has depended greatly on the season of life we are in.  When our children were babies and preschoolers, the best kind of New Year’s Eve was putting them to bed at a decent time, waiting to watch the ball drop in Times Square on the TV, and going to bed ourselves!

As a teenager, though, I remember how fun New Year’s Eve was to stay up way past midnight, playing games, watching movies, and hanging out (safely at home) with our friends and family.

Since my own children are heading into those years themselves, I imagine my own New Year’s Eve nights are going to get later and later.  Haha!  However, it will be fun to help them have those same fun memories.

How do you celebrate New Year’s 2022 at home?

While some people may choose to go out on New Year’s Eve, I’ve always found it fun and relaxing to stay close to home, safely tucked in with close friends or family, and enjoy a more casual style of celebrating.  However, there are, of course, many ways to enjoy this fun holiday!  These are just a few things we, personally, enjoy:

  • A few simple decor touches
  • Festive party accessories
  • Invite guests to bring their favorite board games
  • Have some group games ready too
  • Potluck style snacks
  • Self-serve buffet style food on the kitchen island
  • Plenty of coffee and hot cocoa
  • Fun music in the background
  • Cozy blankets and pillows for watching movies (or taking a catnap if someone needs to!)
  • Sometimes singing around the piano or having different people in the family sing or play a favorite song

Most of all, for us it is special to just spend time with those we are close to, whether it be family or friends.  The people and fun time together is the best part of all!

15 Easy New Year’s Eve Decor Ideas for a Classy and Cozy Home

How can I decorate my house for New Year’s Eve?

#1: Add a banner for easy New Year’s Eve decor ideas

If you do nothing else, a simple banner with some sparkle, welcoming the New Year, can immediately turn a space from a Christmas/winter style into a casual party space.

If you have some extra time, create a simple DIY banner.  Or, these inexpensive glittery banners will quickly do the trick too:

  • This smaller, “Happy New Year” banner can hang over a mirror, artwork, in a doorway, or over a kitchen island.  Plus, it is pre-strung to save you a few more minutes!
  • This massive backdrop can be hung over any existing decor on the wall for an immediate party look!  (I like to use my favorite handheld steamer on mine to get the creases out.)  Plus, you can use this year after year since it doesn’t have the date.  For only $11, it’s a lot of bang for your buck!
  • This simple banner is only $7 but loads of sparkle and fun!  It would be so easy to hang over a mirror on the wall or over a buffet in the dining room for instant New Year’s sparkle!

#2: Have some fun with party accessories and use them as part of your easy New Year’s Eve decor ideas!

You can’t go wrong by sprinkling in a few fun accessories into your decor.  Since the people are what makes New Year’s Eve the most special, provide some fun ways for them to accessorize for the evening!

I love setting around a few simple party accessories like hats, headbands, and silly glasses. Plus, they are perfect for quick photo opportunities too!

I also try to buy accessories that do NOT have the year on them.  That way, we can keep the extra for future years or reuse things that are in good condition.

Here are a few favorites:

#3: Balloons are always a great option for easy party decor!

Since easy New Year’s Eve decor ideas only need to last for one night, balloons make a great option.  At the same time, they are budget-friendly and festive!  Whether you add a few simple balloons or install a whole decor kit, balloons can add a really fun touch to your New Year’s Eve celebration.

I also love that balloons can still look so classy, especially when mixed with pretty neutrals.

Here are a few balloon ideas:

#4: Mix battery candles into your decor for cozy New Year’s Eve decor.

You all know how much I love my battery-operated candles!  They are perfect for New Year’s Eve, too, because the cozy glow against the reflection of gold and silver looks so pretty.  Plus, you can enjoy the cozy glow ALL NIGHT, safely and easily, with battery-operated candles.

I add them to my tablescape, mantel, coffee table, side tables, and around our outdoor spaces too.  Here are my favorites that I’m using this year:

I literally have them all around our home, indoors and outdoors, and the cozy glow feels magical.  I will definitely be leaving them out through January for those long, winter evenings too.

#5: Fairy lights add a cozy look for easy New Year’s Eve decor ideas too.

Fairy lights are just always a great idea, right?!  I use them throughout the Christmas season along with regular Christmas lights.  However, when the Christmas lights get put away, I still leave out the fairy lights for some cozy glow during the winter months.

I love that mine are on timers and just add a really soft glow throughout the rooms.  They definitely add a cozy ambiance and for a New Year’s Eve party, would add to the pretty, festive look.  Fairy lights look especially pretty when they are reflecting off of the golds and silvers you may be using for your easy New Year’s Eve decor ideas too!

Here are some great options that I use:

Tuck them around a coffee table vignette, work them through greenery on the mantel, or weave them throughout your centerpiece for some festive and cozy decor.  Best of all, they are super easy to decorate with!

#6: Leave out some winter greenery for New Year’s decor!

Even if you put away your Christmas decor before New Year’s Eve, I highly recommend leaving out at least a little bit of winter greenery.  An undecorated Christmas tree could be the perfect backdrop for snow and gold New Year’s decoration.  If you want something a bit more simple, tuck some evergreen or faux cedar into vignettes around your home.  I like to use a winter pine garland down the center of my table!

Most of my winter greenery has been sold out for quite awhile now, but here are a few pieces I can definitely recommend:

  • These pretty juniper sprigs are perfect to tuck around vignettes, on shelves, under glass cloches, and even on simple table centerpieces!
  • I love these table top trees and the soft glow their lights have.  I like to leave these out for awhile with my winter decor too!
  • I have several of these cedar garlands.  They are not as full as some of my most realistic ones.  However, they do look really pretty layered and would be perfect to use for some quick and easy New Year’s and winter decor.  They are also very budget-friendly!
  • Mix this realistic and real touch eucalyptus garland in with any of your Christmas garlands.  It will switch things up just a bit but still add a full and beautiful look for your New Year’s festivities.  Then, leave it out for winter decor too!

#7: Add some cozy neutrals for New Year’s Eve.

This is a perfect time to pull out the Christmas colors and add different neutral shades to your pillows and throw blankets.  These neutrals help create that pretty winter color palette and blend with the metallics for New Year’s Eve.  At the same time, they add a lot of pretty and cozy texture.  What a perfect way to invite a hot cocoa and movie night or curl up and watch the ball drop at midnight!

Here are a few of my cozy, soft favorites:

#8: Brass candlesticks make simple and easy New Year’s Eve decor ideas.

For super quick and easy New Year’s Eve decor that will look elegant and classy, set up some brass candlesticks with battery-operated taper candles.  Not only are they cozy and add pretty ambiance, but they also reflect against the metallic New Year’s decor for a really elegant and festive look.

Here are a few ways I like to use brass candlesticks:

  • Lined up on the mantel
  • Down the center of the table
  • In a grouping on a buffet or console table
  • Layered in front of mirrors for double the glow

Most of my brass candlesticks are thrifted.  However, they are getting harder to find and even more expensive at thrift shops.  You can get groupings of candlesticks online too and here are some brass candlesticks available:

#9: Use inexpensive gold and silver ornaments for quick New Year’s Eve decor ideas.

Packing up your Christmas decor right away?  Set aside some simple gold and silver ornaments to use in your New Year’s Eve decor!  The metallics will blend right in and reflect the candlelight and glow of soft fairy lights.  Plus, you can reuse some of that Christmas decor this way too.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Tuck gold and silver ornament balls into winter greenery down the center of your dining table for an easy centerpiece.
  • Scatter some gold and silver ornaments throughout vignettes for some sparkle.
  • Hang ornaments in groups with fishing line from the ceiling.  This could be super cute for a photo prop area too!
  • Add gold and silver ornaments to your Christmas tree to keep that holiday sparkle but with your New Year’s Eve party decor colors.

Need some ornaments?  Here are some bulk ones available online:

#10: Let your Christmas tree play double duty for easy New Year’s Eve decor ideas!

Give that cozy glow a second chance!  Sometimes, we just leave our whole tree and all of the decorations for New Year’s.  However, even if we want to get a head start on packing up, I love to have our tree lights still glowing brightly for New Year’s Eve.

As mentioned above, you could add gold and silver ornaments for a festive, New Year’s look.

Here are a few other things you could do with your tree:

  • Leave it undecorated for a natural look
  • Decorate it with a combination of gold, silver, white, and black balloons to have the effect of large ornaments
  • Add white flowers throughout the tree
  • Use festive gold or silver tinsel
  • Add large paper snowflakes

#11: Clocks are a staple decor accessory for New Year’s!

Go thrifting for a variety of fun clocks and then tuck them around vignettes, on your mantel, and even make them part of a table centerpiece!  You could even hang clock faces on your Christmas tree!

I always watch for pretty clock faces when I’m out hunting for vintage goodies.  The old, round, vintage table clocks are also a favorite and they are so fun to decorate with.  Keep an eye out at thrift stores, antique malls, and flea markets for some good deals that you can add to your New Year’s decor collection!

Here are some vintage ones I rounded up online and I love them all:

#12: Snowflakes are a fun seasonal accent for New Year’s Eve decor.

Need some budget-friendly New Year’s Eve decor?  You can’t go wrong with big paper snowflakes!  We used THESE BAGS last year to create a bunch of big paper snowflakes for my classroom.

They looked so pretty for the month of January!

You can go old school with white paper, scissors, and a simple DIY too.  They don’t have to be fancy to be fun and festive!

#13: White flowers are always a great idea!

You can make some simple New Year’s Eve arrangements with inexpensive white grocery store flowers.  Mix in some fresh or faux winter greenery for a beautiful seasonal style.

Here are some tips and ideas for making inexpensive flower arrangements look like beautiful statement pieces in your decor.  Even though these ideas are not specific to New Year’s Eve, you can easily tweak them to make it fit the season.

Tuck faux flowers into centerpieces and even on your Christmas tree.  Using white and neutral flowers is a great way to soften all the sparkle and glitz of the New Year’s Eve decor in an elegant and simple way.

#14: Don’t underestimate using your food as the main decor!

You can get a lot more bang for your buck with party decor by making your food part of the decor!  Even though it won’t stay put together and looking incredible once the guests have filled their plates a couple of times, staging your food beforehand will wow your guests and allow you to skip some of the “decorating” with party ware items.

Here are a few ideas you can use for staging your food to double as decor:

#15: Mercury glass is beautiful for elegant New Year’s decor.

I’ve mentioned a couple of favorites for mercury glass already, but in case I didn’t state it strongly enough, mercury glass is the PERFECT decor for New Year’s!  It is cozy, has a timeless look and vintage appeal, it blends with any style of decor, and the reflective nature takes on the hues of the decor around it.

I especially love tucking mercury glass votives around my coffee table or side table vignettes, as well as console and buffet tables.  Sprinkle some mercury glass votives down the center of the table too. For some extra sparkle, use some mercury glass ornaments from your Christmas stash!

Here are some of my favorites:

How to decorate a New Year’s Eve party?

I hope this post has given you some ideas that you can quickly and easily use.  Less time decorating and more time just enjoying the holiday season festivities with your family and friends.  At the same time, some fun party decor is always fun!

I’ll be adding a few of these myself this year, so check back next year for even more pictures and ideas!  In the meantime, I hope this gives you a starting point and some inspiration to help you create some simple and easy festive touches for your New Year’s celebrations this year!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Christmas Kitchen Favorites

Friday Favorites- Christmas Kitchen Favorites

Friday Favorites- Christmas Kitchen Favorites

Hello Friends! This week, I wanted to share with you some ideas for kitchen Christmas decor. I love decorating everyspace in my house with cozy Christmas decor. I love these finds this week and I am so excited to share them with you!

Gold Spoons

These would be so cute for stirring coffee or hot cocoa. They are so pretty! You are going to want to grab them here from Amazon.

Realistic Gingerbread Men Cookies

The faux cookies are perfect to keep your hot cocoa bar looking cute all the time, even when the “fresh” items aren’t out and uncovered! Find them here from Michaels.

White and Gold Santa Mug 

This is such a cute little mug! Perfect for hot cocoa or coffee on a cold winter night! I love the little “merry” detail inside the cup. It can be found here on Amazon.    

Gold Stand 

 Add some elegance and layers to your coffee bar with this stand. It’s so pretty! You can get it here on Amazon.

 

Crushed Andes Mints

You could put these in a canister, ready to add a spoonful to hot cocoa. They would look pretty and taste amazing! Available here from Amazon.  

Acrylic Storage Boxes

These beautiful spice organizers would be the perfect way to organize all the cute extras. The little spoons and lids make them easily accessible too! This is a great Amazon find!  

Peppermint Spoons 

These are my favorite stirrers for a delicious treat! Grab them here on Amazon.

Gingerbread Mug 

 I love this adorable gingerbread mug! It would be cute to get a whole set for cozy hot cocoa nights. Find it here on Amazon.      

Gingerbread Mug Hangers

These are so adorable!! How fun would these be? The perfect addition to a cup of hot chocolate! Available here on Amazon! 

 

Keurig

 This is a great way to make all those cups of hot chocolate clean and simple. This machine has a beautiful, streamlined look. It makes a great gift too! It’s available here from Amazon.  Get these Hot Chocolate Keurig cups to go with it.      

Copper French Coffee Press

Add a french press to give options for those warm drinks! You can drink some yummy coffee while your kids sip on hot cocoa. This is a beautiful one you can get here on Amazon.

 

Santa Mug Set 

This is a good deal on the must-have Santa mugs! These are so cute and jolly! Find them here on Amazon

Peppermint Candy Stirrers 

These stirrers look amazing! And taste so good! This is another Amazon buy.    

Gold Magnetic Measuring Spoons

 These are perfect for year-round kitchen organization and look pretty to use in the hot cocoa bar too! Great stocking stuffer idea for the baker and cook in your home! Find them here.       

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

The 35 Best Thrifting Finds of 2022: Thrifting with the Gals

The 35 Best Thrifting Finds of 2022: Thrifting with the Gals

The 35 Best Thrifting Finds of 2022: Thrifting with the Gals

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

2022 has been a great year for thrifting finds! We are sharing our favorites, along with decorating ideas to use your own thrifting finds too!  Keep reading for 13 different kinds of thrifting finds and how you can shop for and decorate with them too!

Do you love thrifting?  This post is the best of the best from our 2022 year of Thrifting with the Gals!  Each month, I join with these friends to have some fun with our thrifted finds:

Since all of us live in different parts of the country, it’s especially fun to see what everyone finds and then get tips and ideas from one another to inspire us as we use our own thrifting finds to decorate our homes.

Each month, we invite a guest host and 2022 has been an amazing year!  Some of our guests are joining us today to put all of our favorites in one place for you!  With everything from thrifting for beginners to spying the diamonds in the rough to using your thrifting treasures to create character in your own home, this post is full of inspiration!

Plus, you will find so many home decor ideas as you see how everyone takes their thrifted treasures and mixes the old with the new in their home decorating.  Even though I am already excited about some thrifting plans for 2023, it is just SO FUN to look back and see all the treasures we found in 2022.  As I read each post again, I am even more inspired with decor ideas for my own home.

I know you’re going to love this list.  Make sure to save helpful tips, styling ideas, and thrifting tricks to refer back to the next time you go thrifting!

What are the best things to thrift?

It is impossible to fit it all into one post, so we are all sharing some of our favorites!  However, here are some ideas to get your thrifting finds list started.

  • bread boards
  • vintage milk glass
  • seasonal decor
  • trays
  • rattan baskets
  • ceramic pots
  • candlesticks
  • ironstone
  • collector dishes
  • frames
  • vintage art
  • vintage flower frogs
  • buckets
  • crocks
  • amber glass bottles
  • vintage books
  • architectural salvage
  • glass cloches
  • wooden boxes and crates
  • pretty linens
  • solid wood furniture
  • pitchers
  • terracotta pots
  • vases
  • brass figures
  • silver/pewter
  • pieces for collections
  • ceramic pots
  • wire baskets
  • birdcage
  • European antiques
  • decor for various holidays
  • functional items for the home
  • lamps
  • vintage tea cups

The Best Thrifting Finds of 2022: Thrifting with the Gals

1. Use thrifting finds to start your own business!

If you are thinking of how you can make some extra side income in 2023, don’t miss this post from my friend Ann at Dabbling and Decorating.

Have you ever thought about starting a vintage booth business?  Ann shares her experience and how you can use her tips to kick off your own business.  Here’s what you need to know to get started. It’s pretty easy and so much fun!

2. Use thrifting finds to mix the old and the new.

Kristin from White Arrows Home always finds amazing thrifted pieces.  Since she lives in such a different part of the country, it is always interesting to see the differences in the things she finds!  This month, she found some incredible thrifted items to mix into her winter decor.  Each one adds such a pretty touch and I love seeing how she styled them all in her incredibly unique and gorgeous Wisconsin home.

Check out her thrifting finds HERE and get inspired to style your own thrifting finds for winter decor!

3. Look for unique opportunities to shop for vintage and thrifted items too!

Do you love to follow along as someone shops in an amazing place?  I do, for sure!  Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse is taking us on an amazing tour.  I love all of the European antiques, great display and styling ideas, and of course, all of the seasonal Christmas charm.  You’ll love this tour as well as ideas you can use to inspire your own decorating with vintage pieces.

Follow along HERE as Rachel visits The French Farmer’s Wife Christmas Show. The barn is filled with rustic French Farmhouse Decor and European Antiques decorated for Christmas!

4. Thrifting finds are perfect to add to your favorite collections!

Decorating with vintage flower frogs is a great way to add a touch of personality to your home.  Kelly from The Tattered Pew has the cutest collection of vintage flower fronts that she has found while thrifting.  At the same time, I love all of the great decor ideas and tips she shares in THIS post!

These charming little frogs have been used for centuries to hold flowers in place, and they make a beautiful addition to any room.  You will love all of the charm in Kelly’s home and getting some great decor inspiration too!

5.  What thrifting item should you NEVER buy?

You’ll have to click over to THIS post from my friends Anne and AnnMarie at Simply 2 Moms to find out the item that I 1000% agree with them about.  It will not be coming home from the thrift store or antique mall with me, even if it’s free!  Haha!

In all seriousness, don’t miss this post.  You know if one of the first pictures is a trunk full of vintage thrifting finds, it’s going to be good.  Get Simply 2 Moms’ tips and tricks on finding their favorite items and how to style them in your home too!

6. Think outside the box for styling common thrifting finds.

Do you often see milk glass when you’re thrifting?  Even here in South Florida where we don’t have as many old, vintage finds at thrift stores, I still see quite a bit of milk glass!  Lora from Create and Ponder is offering some great ideas for how to use these more common and inexpensive thrifting finds to add charm and pretty touches throughout your home decor.

Get Lora’s beautiful tips and even some unexpected ideas on THIS post!

7.  Use thrifting finds to decorate for the different seasons.

On THIS post, Cindy from County Road 407 shares how she used 5 different vintage finds to create 20 different decor ideas for her summer home decorating!  I love finding pieces that can be used in multiple ways for budget-friendly decorating.  At the same time, these pieces could be styled differently for other seasons too.

Check out Cindy’s post HERE.  Do you have any of these same items?  You’re definitely going to get some great decor inspiration for using them around your home!

8. Use this great feature to find out what thrifting finds are really worth.

I learned something so fun and actually super helpful on THIS post from my friend Jennifer at Cottage on Bunker Hill.  Jennifer lives in New England and I always love seeing what thrifted and vintage finds she comes up with.  She styles them perfectly in her adorable New England cottage home too!

Anyway, it was fun to see what she found in this spring season thrifting haul.  At the same time, learn a tip that you can really use to help monetize your thrifting experience, or at least know if you’re getting a great deal!  Check it out HERE!

9. Thrifted and vintage pieces help tell the story of your home.

This beautiful Christmas tour from the talented Jessica at Old Barn Company highlights how her thrifted and vintage pieces help weave together the story of her family’s home.  At the same time, using old pieces creates connections and adds so much character to each space.

Christmas is all about family, so Jessica shares how she includes decor that invites connection and memory making! In this video, you’ll get a up close view inside and out of the Century Oak Farmhouse which has been decked out for the holidays.

10.  Thrifting finds can add timeless character to your home!

There is just something about mixing the old in with the new that helps a home have so much character.  Thrifting and going to vintage shops and antique malls are a perfect way to bring in that character in budget-friendly ways.  Renae from Peacock Ridge Farm is sharing some of her favorite thrifted finds and how she styled them in her home.  You’ll love these decor ideas and can definitely find great inspiration for your own home decor too!

Take a look at THESE gorgeous barn finds. They are the perfect way to add elegance and timelessness to your decor.  Can you guess which of Renae’s finds is my favorite?!

11. How do you mix old and new decorations?

Jen from Midwest Life and Style is sharing perfect tips today to help you decorate your home in a fun and budget-friendly way.  In fact, her home is full of thrifted items that she has beautifully mixed in with new pieces.  Over on THIS post, she is sharing tips and ideas to help you style your own thrifting finds for an equally effortless look.

Learn how to blend your new decor with vintage thrift store finds to create a cottage style vignette in THESE five easy steps.

12. How do I start thrifting?

If you’re reading this post and you like the idea of thrifting but haven’t really done a lot of it before, you won’t want to miss THIS post from Michele at Vintage Home Designs.  Not only does Michele have one of the most gorgeous homes…EVER…but she has used so many thrifted finds in her lovely styling.

On THIS post, Michele is sharing some important do’s and don’ts for thrifting.  At the same time, she offers some tips to help you get started in your own thrifting adventures!

Of course, you’ll love seeing how she has styled some of her recent vintage and thrifted finds too.  How about that whole set of transfer ware for $14.99?!

13. Use thrifted finds to create a base for decor…and know when to splurge on just the right piece.

Thrifting is one of my favorite things to do and I love to decorate with thrifted bread boards!  In this post, I’m sharing 9 of my favorite ways to use them around our home.  Not all of my antique bread boards were necessarily “cheap”.  However, most of them are true antiques.

At the same time, shopping thrift stores, flea markets, and vintage shops is a great way to find pieces at discounted prices.  I definitely have not paid full market value for any of my antique bread boards because that wouldn’t fit in my budget anyway!

Check out my post HERE for ideas to decorate with thrifted bread boards…and to see why they are a must-have in my home decorating too!

Are thrift shops worth it?

Well, if this post hasn’t convinced you that thrift store shopping is DEFINITELY worth it, thrifting maybe just isn’t for you. Haha!  In all seriousness, I know all of us would have similar responses…

Thrifting doesn’t create a home overnight but it does help create a budget-friendly home full of unique character, one-of-kind styling, and a look that is all your own.

For me, thrifting is 1000% worth it.  Is it sometimes hard, tiring, and even dirty?  Absolutely.  However, the thrill and joy of filling our home with unique pieces that we love and otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford is worth all the digging.  At the same time, it’s worth all of the thrifting stops that yielded absolutely nothing.

Thrifting requires patience but I’ve always found it to be totally worth it!

Now, it’s your turn!  What’s your favorite thrifted find of 2022?  How did you use it in your home?  Let me know in the comments!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

The Best Family Christmas Dinner Recipe Ideas 2022

The Best Family Christmas Dinner Recipe Ideas 2022

The Best Family Christmas Dinner Recipe Ideas 2022

Looking for the best Christmas dinner recipe ideas? Make sure to check out our family favorites! Amazing recipes from my own mom and approved by my kids too!

Oh…and they are the son-in-law’s favorites too!

You clicked over to this blog post to look for Christmas dinner recipe ideas.  Right?  Well, I have to be brutally honest.

When people ask me for ideas about recipes, I text my mom.  Then, if I need a baking idea, well, I ask my almost-15-year-old daughter.  It’s true.  Setting the table was my childhood chore and many, MANY years later, it’s still what my family expects me to do!  (The great thing is that I love setting a pretty table, so we are all happy!)

I also have to be honest that I grew up in the beautiful midwest, in the middle of fields and real farmhouses, and our family favorites very much reflect where we were born and raised.  (Long story short, almost all of our favorites require bacon!)  All in all, we are very traditional when it comes to our Christmas dinner recipe ideas and we love it that way!  In fact, it’s entirely possible that there would be an uprising from some members (including my husband) if our Christmas dinner menu were changed up.

Do you have any special menu items like that?  Or family members who would have a similar reaction?  You will have to let me know in the comments!

Today, you are in a for a real treat.  My mom was gracious to share our special Christmas dinner recipes with all of you.  I 100% guarantee that you’re going to love these delicious, mouth-watering dishes.  Why?  Because we look forward to this meal all year long!

As I said, I have to text my mom for the recipes though.  Give her a big thanks in the comments and let me know which dish you plan to try first!  Hint: they actually all pair perfectly together so I recommend making all three!

Here are my three must-have dishes for our Traditional Christmas Dinner:

The Best Family Christmas Dinner Recipe Ideas

The Best Beef Tenderloin Christmas Dinner Recipe Ideas

What should be the menu for Christmas dinner?

“And he, he himself…the Grinch…carved the roast-beast!”  ― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

This recipe is so good that it literally could be the real, the one, the only beef recipe for all of Whoville!  At least, it’s the only Christmas dinner recipe idea for the main course that our family wants now!  I will be so bold as to say that I know you’d love it on your Christmas menu too!

As I said, I grew up in the Midwest and we always had a lot of beef.  However, the way my mom makes this beef tenderloin recipe truly makes it the most tender and flavorful way I’ve ever had beef.  She will be the first to say that it is a recipe that takes some effort but we are all thankful that she does!  For our family, it is a favorite, from youngest to oldest!

Even if you have a main course dish that is already the tradition for your family, make sure to pin this recipe and save it for later.  I promise you it will become a new favorite for you too!

Family Christmas Beef Tenderloin

Prep Time 1 day
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Whole Beef Tenderloin I plan on 1 lb per adult becaus there will be some shrinkage & I like to have plenty!
  • 2 Cloves Minced Garlic
  • 1/2 Cup Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
  • Sea Salt
  • Cracked Pepper

Instructions
 

  • Place the tenderloin in a baking dish & sprinkle liberally with sea salt & cracked pepper
  • Mix the minced garlic, soy sauce, & olive oil and pour over the meat.
  • Let the tenderloin marinate overnight.
  • The next day, preheat oven to 425 degrees & bake 10-15 minutes, covered with tin foil.
  • Then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees & bake for 15-20 minutes per pound.
  • Once complete, let rest for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

This has been a family Christmas tradition from the first time we tried it years ago.  Highly recommended!

The Best Vegetable Christmas Dinner Recipe Idea

What to serve with Christmas dinner?

Admittedly, our favorite Christmas dinner recipe ideas aren’t the lowest in calorie count or the most heart-healthy.  However, we eat pretty healthy for the rest of the year so our Christmas dinner is a delicious time to indulge!

While we all love vegetables and enjoy many different kinds of vegetable recipes, this Christmas dinner recipe idea is one that I always really look forward to.  I definitely eat more than my share of bacon-wrapped green beans at Christmas dinner!

At least the green bean part is really healthy?  That has to count for something, right?

 

Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup Butter
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 Tsp Garlice Salt
  • 1 Tsp Soy Sauce
  • 8-10 Green beans per bundle
  • 1 Slice Bacon (per bundle)

Instructions
 

  • Prepare 8-10 long-string green beans per bundle (thin ones work best.)
  • Wrap each bundle of green geans with bacon & secure with a toothpick or lay on the pan with seam side down.
  • Prepare you pan, sprayed well with cooking spray. I usually line the pan with foil & then spray the foil.
  • Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, garlic salt & Soy sauce, and pour over beans.
  • Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes - 1 hr, or until the bacon is cooked.

The Best Side Dish Christmas Dinner Recipe Idea

What is the best holiday food?

You can have all of your traditional dishes, desserts, and all the fixings.  For my Christmas dinner, though, I look forward to a good helping of my mom’s bacon-wrapped chestnuts!  It is definitely my favorite side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Once again, this isn’t the quickest recipe.  However, they are not hard to do and I have spent my own fair share of time standing in the kitchen wrapping bacon around water chestnuts to help out!  I literally remember year after year of standing on a stool in the kitchen until I was tall enough to reach on my own, rolling up those chestnuts in bacon for our family holiday dinner.  It is especially fun now to see my own kids helping create this delicious side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

They are incredibly delicious, though, and worth a little extra effort!

Surprisingly, I am not a person who would say that I actually just love chestnuts.  However, this recipe is one of my all-time favorite holiday foods and I highly recommend giving it a try along with your Christmas dinner recipe ideas!

 

 

Chestnuts-n-Bacon

A Family Favorite!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 Cup Catsup
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1-2 Cans Whole Chestnuts
  • Bacon (cut each slice in thirds)

Instructions
 

  • Wrap each chestnut with 1/3 slice of bacon & place in baking dish. Spray the baking dish really well first!
  • Mix sauce ingredietns & pour over the bacon-wrapped chestnuts. This amount of sauce should easily cover 1 can of whole chestnuts.
  • Bake at 375 for 50-60 minutes until the bacon is well-done.

Notes

Everything goes good with bacon!

As promised, there is a lot of bacon involved!  What’s not to love?!

I expect that this year’s Christmas dinner prep will be about the same as most years.  Once again, I’ll try really hard to be helpful, probably wrapping the green beans or chestnuts in bacon.

Then, as usual, I’ll end up setting the table!  I went ahead and prepared our Christmas Dinner table with some of my favorites.

How to set a beautiful tablescape to go with your Christmas Dinner Recipe Ideas :

  • Determine a theme (I went with music ideas since our family is really musical.)
  • Create a centerpiece that can be left even after the dishes are cleared (so your table looks pretty all day long)
  • Set simple place settings that are easy for everyone in the family to use, youngest to oldest

For my centerpiece, I used my vintage French grain bin and filled it with a faux pine tree, fresh evergreen clippings, and a tall nutcracker.  One each side, I used a vintage piano roll and purposely let it fold and curl around more evergreen clippings and brass candlesticks.

To go with my theme for our Christmas table, I used these vintage brass angel candlesticks that I picked up at a vintage antiques shop.  I shop for these kinds of vintage elements all year long and it’s so fun to pull them out for special occasions and holidays!  The vintage brass angels are one of my favorite table decor items to use during the Christmas season!

Here are some similar pieces:

Even though most of the items on my tablescape are vintage or thrifted, I’ve rounded up some similar items to help you create this look.

How to create simple Christmas dinner place settings

For my place settings, I used simple, white ironstone dishes and alternated green and white napkins.  Then, I added a little faux cedar wreath and a simple angel ornaments.  I got these last year from @thegatheringcompanymarket and was so excited to pull them out again!

You can find 5 different really easy DIY Christmas place setting ideas over on THIS POST.

Here are some other elements you could use on your Christmas dinner table:

Are you ready to create Christmas dinner?

“Gathered around the table, stories are told, memories are created, and love is abundantly grown.”  -The Heaping Harvest

Remember…something will go wrong.  Creating Christmas dinner is more about creating amazing memories than it is the perfect meal or magazine-worthy place settings.

I have to admit, I am frequently guilty of forgetting this myself.  As a person with perfectionist tendencies (okay, a certified perfectionist!), it is easy to get caught up in the details.  At the same time, feeling responsible for creating the perfect memories.  I totally get it; your heart is in the right place and your head is overthinking, as usual!

May I offer a challenge as we head into this season?  Let’s plan ahead, make our lists, check them twice, get organized, and be prepared.  Then, take our finger off of the details and make the most of each imperfect moment as it comes!  Everything will not go perfectly,  They won’t even all go as planned.  That is perfectly okay!

However, I hope these Christmas dinner recipe ideas and favorite tablescape elements can help you as you prepare your own Christmas dinner memories this year!

Remember to pin these recipes to your holiday boards so that you can find them when the big cooking days roll around!

I hope you enjoy the plans for our 2022 Christmas Dinner!  Most of all, it is a blessing to gather around the table and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.  Whether you are working tirelessly in the kitchen or setting the table (or both!), I wish you a blessed and Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

 

Blessings,

Robyn

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

The Best Christmas Stocking Stuffers for the Whole Family

The Best Christmas Stocking Stuffers for the Whole Family

The Best Christmas Stocking Stuffers for the Whole Family

Want to spice up your stocking gifting a little? Here are a few tips to make stocking stuffers special, plus our favorite stocking gift lists!  Keep reading for our family’s top picks for 2022!

Stocking stuffers are one of my favorite Christmas traditions.  I love shopping for them throughout the year and finding fun little things that will bring smiles to my family’s faces.  In fact, I look forward to them just as much as I do the gifts and I always look forward to shopping for fun stocking stuffers too!

Stockings have been a huge part of our family Christmas traditions for as long as I can remember.  On my mom’s side of the family we all have HUGE (as in, 30″ tall) stockings that have been handmade.  And once in awhile, there are shopping bags added on the side because it won’t all fit!

For our little family, we stick to the regular sized stockings.  However, it’s still a favorite tradition and one of my favorite things to shop for.  Usually, we enjoy our stockings on Christmas Eve.

Bonus: It gives the kids something to play with or enjoy so Mom and Dad get a little more sleep on Christmas morning!  Haha!

I love searching for the perfect little gifts that will bring a smile to my family’s faces.  The little gifts really are sometimes the best and the most fun of all!

What to fill Christmas stocking with?

There’s always the fun little “gag” gift, like a bag of coal or silly clown nose in some of the stockings.  These prank gifts are usually reserved for the guys, because, let’s be honest.  Their stockings can be the hardest to fill!

Plus, in my family at least, all the guys are a big tease, so they deserve that coal more than the ladies!  Haha!

I definitely hit up the dollar spot and dollar store for some stocking stuffers.  We also add some nice gifts too!  I shop for them all year, especially on the clearance shelves and end caps during big sales.  Also, I look for cute vintage items that someone will love or a great sale on something that I know is one of their favorite items.  Sometimes, I even hit up the after-Christmas sales for stocking stuffers for the following year!

Tip: Plan ahead for stocking gifts in your Christmas budget.  The years that I remember to set aside money for stocking gifts are the years I have the most fun shopping for them!

Our family knows that if they ask for a gift for Christmas that is really small, it may wind up in their stocking instead of under the tree.  Most of all, we just have a lot of fun with them!

What is the most common stocking stuffer?

While this completely depends on the individual family and even culture, chocolate must be one of the all-time favorites!  At the same time, in 2022, you can’t go wrong with a gift card too.  Amazon gift cards are always a hit in our family, from youngest to oldest.

How much should you spend on stocking stuffers?

As I mentioned before, this really varies depending on individual families.  Stocking stuffers are a special tradition for our family, so we probably spend more than some people.  At the same time, we also include small gifts in the stocking.  Usually, those cost a little more than the typical stocking stuffers.

On average, it seems like most of the best, “normal” stocking stuffers cost $5-$15.  However, I fill in the gaps with little individually wrapped treats that my kids can stick in their lunch boxes for school.  Also, I like to include a few practical things like a new toothbrush, great smelling deodorant, or little hand sanitizers.  Those are things we would need to purchase anyway, so it isn’t costing extra in my budget.  Lastly, I stalk the clearance sales year round.

For example, August is a great time to pick up school and art supplies when the back-to-school clearance sales begin.  Following Easter and the Fourth of July, there are usually great sales on various accessories and I stock up on little hair accessories for my girls.

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to make stocking stuffers fabulous.  Shop smart, watch for sales, shop year round, and fill in the gaps with treats.  That’s all there is to it!

What traditionally goes in a Christmas stocking?

I’ve had a lot of requests for stocking stuffer ideas this year, so here is a round-up of some ideas that I know my family loves.  Like I said, I bargain hunt for gifts throughout the year, so some of these are just suggestions of ideas!  At the same time, my kids and husband have added in some of their favorites.  You can be assured these lists are “kid-approved” too!

The Best Christmas Stocking Stuffers for the Whole Family

Stocking Stuffers for Teen Girls

Hint: They are about the easiest to buy for!

You can conveniently shop our Amazon stocking stuffer guide for teen girls HERE!  It’s a one-stop shop!

Stocking Stuffers for Teen Boys

Hint: They love food!!!

Stocking Stuffers for Boys

Hint: They love the fun, silly stuff!

You can find the stocking stuffer guide that my 8-year-old son, Harrison, put together HERE!  Lots of fun items to fill your favorite boy’s stocking with!

Stocking Stuffers for Girls

Hint: All the cute stuff goes here!

There are so many cute stocking stuffers HERE for those little ladies!  Super cute, girly, and oh-so-fun.  You’ll love filling her stocking this year too!

Stocking Stuffers for Ladies

What do I put in my wife’s stocking?

Asks all men, everywhere, right??? Haha!

Hint: It’s perfectly fine to buy your own stocking stuffers!  Here is my own stocking stuffer list:

You can find my own Amazon stocking stuffer wish list HERE!

Stocking Stuffers for Guys

What do guys want in their stocking?

Hint: There are actually great products out there that the guys will likely love and use!  Robb put together these ideas:

Get some great and unique stocking stuffer ideas for those special guys in your life!  Check out our Guys’ Stocking Stuffer list HERE!

What do you stuff in Christmas stockings?

Well, I hope this post helps you answer that question.  At the same time, I hope it helps make your shopping really easy too!

I hope this helps you a little bit with those stocking stuffer gifts and makes it more fun for you, as well!  It is one of our favorite traditions and I can’t wait to pass out the stocking stuffers I’ve purchased for my family this year too!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Gift Guides 2022

Friday Favorites- Gift Guides 2022

Friday Favorites- Gift Guides 2022

Hello Friends!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We enjoyed being together as a family!

Now the Christmas shopping craziness is in full swing! I wanted to share some of my top picks from gifts this year. Let me know what you think of these lists! 

Men’s Gift Guide

This is a great lineup of gifts for any man in your life. Some beautiful and quality speakers and a couple of great leather duffle bags as well as the classic Stanley insulated bottle are all included here!

 

Women’s Gift Guide

This list is so good you are guaranteed to find something on this list for every lady you know! I personally love how beautiful this coffee maker is and it makes amazing coffee! Lots of fun gifts here too for the lady that loves beauty and makeup, as well as some fashion, finds like beautiful Ray Ban sunnies! Look at all of that and more here on Amazon.

 

Boy’s Gift Guide

Here is a boy-approved Christmas wish list! Lots of legos and some activity sets that your little guy will love. Find it here from Amazon.

 

 

 

 

Girl’s Gift Guide

Some fun items here on this list for a little lady. Lots of fun things here she is guaranteed to love! I love this kindle that is a great investment gift! Some fun activity sets here as well! Find all that and more here from Amazon!

 

 

Teen’s Gift Guide

Teens can be hard to shop for sometimes so hopefully, you will find this helpful! There are lots of great tech finds like speakers and air pods. Some great teen approved gift cards and fashion accessories. All that and more here from Amazon!

Home Gift Guide

This list is great if you are not sure what to get someone. These are all items you can use in your home. Some of my favorites like a crockpot and a great diffuser! I also love the Hoover vacuum. Find all those here.

 

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

I hope these gift guides are helpful to you and you can find everything your friends and family want this year! Giving gifts is one of my favorite parts of Christmas and I enjoyed creating these gift guides for you! Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping!

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites-Winter Decor

Friday Favorites-Winter Decor

Friday Favorites-Winter Decor

Hello Friends!

This week, I have rounded up a list of decor that will work perfectly for Christmas, and then you can keep using it through the winter season. I love cozy neutral decor, and if you do too, you will want to look through this list for sure.  Here is my list of favorites from this week:

Comfy White Living Room Chair 

This is a cute and comfy wing-back chair. It would be so cute to incorporate into Christmas decor, but is also a cute and cozy piece of furniture for all year round! Find it here from Amazon.

Blanket Ladder 

This is such a cute and perfect decor piece for keeping cozy throws close by. Find it here on Amazon.

 

Embossed Stoneware Pitcher 

This pretty pitcher has a design with deer that is perfect for some nature-inspired winter decor. Find it here on Amazon.

 

 

Vintage Brass Deer

I love adding little brass animals to my decor all year round. These little deer candle stick holders are a good winter seasonal accent.

Stoneware Flower Bowls

A great way to transition into winter accents is by adding warm, neutral colors with small accents. Add pinecones to a pretty bowl like this for easy winter decor. Find these here.

 

 

 

Etched Glass Hurricane

This is a beautiful piece! The silver color and pretty pine design make the perfect accent for your winter decor. I really love to use reflective elements and candlelight for a cozy glow in the long winter evenings. Get this beautiful piece here.

Antique White Resin Pinecone Bookends

These are so pretty and classy! Pinecones are a great winter accent to use after Christmas too! Find them here from Amazon.

 

 

Faux Juniper Wreath

I like to use touches of winter greenery and keep up some greenery up after Christmas. Little wreaths, like this one, are perfect to put around a candle, in a vignette, or use on tablescapes. Find them here on Amazon.

 

 

Set of Mango Wood Houses

Cute little houses aren’t just for Christmas! They remind us of cozy evenings at home…perfect for January and February too. Find them here on Amazon.

 

Soft White Throw Blanket 

This blanket is so cute! I love the pretty color and the tassels. Refresh blankets for a cozy living room space this Holiday season. Grab this one here from Amazon.

Vintage Turkish Throw Pillow

 Add a couple of pillows with vintage character and texture to give interest to a space, especially when it feels bare after Christmas. You will want to add this pillow to your home. Find it here from Etsy. 

 

Accent Rug 

Warm up a room with a good, clean refresh; a new rug helps a whole space feel new. This one with neutral colors and a great pattern makes a good base for decor. It’s also over 60% off at the time of writing this. Find it here from Amazon.

 

 

Winter Greenery and Pinecone Wreath 

Great price, and so easy to transition after Christmas but it also could be used for Christmas too! Find it here on Amazon. 

 

 

 

Brass Candlesticks

These are so beautiful! Perfect to use during the holiday season for tablescapes and then incorporate them into your decor through out your home. These are an Amazon find.

 

Chunky Knit Round Throw Pillow

This is such a cute and cozy pillow! I love these chunky knit pillows. It’s a great find here from Amazon. 

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
What do you think of these cozy home finds? Will you be adding any to your home this season? I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Home For the Holidays

Friday Favorites- Home For the Holidays

Friday Favorites- Home For the Holidays

Hello Friends!

This week, I wanted to share with you some ideas for cozy holiday decor. One of my favorite things about the Holidays is being close to family and spending nights at home. This list is full of things to make your home the perfect cozy space! Here is my list of favorites from this week:

Small Battery-operated Candles

These handy small battery-operated candles are on a timer. They work so well to go in my ceramic houses, use on tablescapes and so many other things. Buy it here from Amazon.

Plush Fur Blanket 

I love plush blankets like this one! So cozy and so cute! Perfect for this time of year when you want to cuddle on the couch while watching Christmas movies. Buy it here from Amazon.

 

White and Gold Santa Mug 

This is such a cute little mug! Perfect for hot cocoa or coffee on a cold winter night! I love the little “merry” detail inside the cup. It can be found here on Amazon.

 

 

Good Tidings Towel

I love this cute little tea towel. A perfect little touch for your home for Christmas. I love the design and little twine detail! Buy it here from Amazon.

 

Paper Mache Houses

These are perfect to use at Christmas and all winter too with battery candles inside. They look magical and set up as a little village. Find them here at Amazon.

 

 

 

Cozy Pillows 

A cute set of cozy pillows for under $25! This is the perfect find for making a space cozy. You will want to get them here from Amazon.

 

Mercury Glass Votive Holders

This is a very cute set of mercury glass votive holders that will add a cozy sparkle to your home. Find these magical votives here.

 

 

 

Antique Wood Sled

This sled is made from 100-year-old barn wood, about 4 feet tall. It would be great for porch or entryway decor or to just lean in a cozy corner. Find it here from Amazon. 

 

 

Copper French Coffee Press

I love my french press! If you like coffee and don’t have a french press, you are seriously missing out! This is a beautiful one you can get here on Amazon.

 

Vintage-Inspired TV Art

This is exactly what I have on my frame TV in the family room and I loved it. It’s so pretty and perfect to set a cozy winter scene. You can download it here from Etsy.

 Frame TV

If you are searching for a frame TV find this one here! Our family loves it! Find it here on Amazon.

Tabletop Trees

I set one to solid lights and one to a slow fade and they create a really pretty and soft twinkle. They run on a timer and they are easy to fluff and style. You don’t want to miss buying these from Anthropologie.

 

 

Chunky Knit Christmas Stockings

These are perfect for a decorative mantel! I love the texture of these and they will look great with a cozy neutral theme. Find them here. 

 

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
What do you think of these cozy home finds? Will you be adding any to your home this season? I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

30 Neutral Christmas Decor Ideas for a Cozy Home

30 Neutral Christmas Decor Ideas for a Cozy Home

30 Neutral Christmas Decor Ideas for a Cozy Home

Looking for ways to create a cozy home? These 30 neutral Christmas decor ideas will easily give you that inviting style for the holidays!  Plus, check out Part One of my 2022 Christmas Home Tour!

2022 Christmas Home Tour: Part One

In this Christmas home tour, hosted by my sweet friend Kelly from The Tattered Pew, I am excited to walk you through a few spaces in our home.  Throughout the tour, you’ll see 30 neutral Christmas decor ideas that you can easily incorporate into your own cozy Christmas home!

Make sure to follow all of the Christmas Home Tours taking place in this stunning blog hop.  Each so different, yet so festive, inviting, and full of the festive Christmas spirit!

To new friends who have hopped over from Pasha Is Home, welcome!  There is so much Christmas joy in her home and what a treat to tour her inspiration today.  Thank you for coming to visit me, as well!

To my regular readers, I am thrilled to share with you today.  You’ll see some ideas that I’ve used in the past, some new ones, and some that I’ve tweaked and rearranged a bit for this year!  Most of all, I hope you find lots of cozy inspiration as you prepare your own home for the holidays!

What are the Christmas trends for 2022?

Even though traditional Christmas colors of red and green will never be out of style, there are a lot of fun ways to use your existing decor and update it for 2022.

Since natural, organic elements and colors have been on trend all year, it is no surprise that the 2022 Christmas is seeing a lot of these same elements.  Wood tones, mixed metals, earthy colors, hints of vintage, and clean, simple lines are popular this year.

However, if you favor the traditional red and green Christmas colors, don’t worry!  Look for ways to bring in a few natural elements to mix in and you’ll be all set for cozy Christmas.  Any of these neutral Christmas decor ideas could be easily mixed in with red and green Christmas favorites too!

30 Neutral Christmas Decor Ideas for a Cozy Home

Vintage brass is always part of my neutral Christmas decor ideas!

Even though I use vintage brass throughout the year and even throughout our entire home during the holiday season, it is especially a statement in our family room.

I started collecting these vintage French horns several years ago.  Many of them are from thrift stores, flea markets, antique malls, and even yard sales!  Once I had enough to feature them together, it has become my traditional gallery wall for the Christmas season.

No matter what colors you are decorating with for Christmas, metals are a great addition because of their reflective quality.  I especially love the vintage brass for the gold touch.  It feels like it adds some traditional elegance that just feels right for Christmas!

If you are focusing on neutral colors for Christmas, bring in a lot of vintage brass pieces!  They will add so much to your cozy Christmas decor!

Add Christmas trees to vintage vessels for neutral Christmas decor ideas.

One of my favorite ways to decorate at Christmas is with a variety of Christmas trees.  I use everything from our large family tree to small table top trees.  However, no matter the size, I try to put the tree in a vintage or vintage-inspired vessel as much as possible.

Boxes, crates, baskets, bowls, stoneware, crocks, buckets, and planters are all great ideas to make your Christmas trees look more unique.  At the same time, you can use your favorite vessels to make the Christmas decor fit your home and even bring a vintage look in an easy way.

You can find some of my favorite Christmas trees to decorate with in a variety of sizes HERE!

How can I decorate my house for Christmas cheaply?

Add touches of gold with thrifted finds to your neutral Christmas decor ideas.

As I said before, vintage brass can really add an elegant touch to your Christmas decor.  However, mix in some other touches of gold accessories.  In the family room this year, I added these chippy gold frames that I found at a flea market.  They add some vintage style to the Christmas mantel decor.  At the same time, I love how they tie in with the large antique gold mirrors that I found at a thrift store a few years ago!

Adding these touches to your decor doesn’t have to cost a lot!  Spray paint or rub and buff are great ways to transform decor, too, and add some gold touches to your neutral Christmas decor ideas.

Gold bells also make fun decor to mix with neutrals.  You can find an assortment of my favorite gold bells for Christmas HERE! 

How do I make my house look like a winter wonderland at Christmas?

Cozy textures make neutral Christmas decor more interesting and add the feeling of a white winter wonderland!

Especially when decorating with neutrals, texture becomes even more important.  To create a cozy Christmas home using neutral Christmas decor ideas, you can incorporate some soft textures.  Chunky knit blankets and throw pillows, like THIS round one, are definitely soft and cozy.  At the same time, they feel warm during the cold winter months.

Adding just a few cozy blankets and pillows will transform your living space into a Christmas retreat!  When you use white and cream blankets, specifically, you can really start adding to that winter wonderland effect!

You can find more cozy neutral Christmas favorites HERE, including these chunky knit stockings for under $5 each! I added them to my mantel and they definitely add that cozy texture for Christmas!

Winter greenery brings life to neutral Christmas decor ideas!

Just as you might add houseplants and flowers during the spring or summer, winter greenery gives life to your Christmas and winter decor too!  Especially for Christmas, I love to add winter greenery around windows and mirrors, in addition to pretty wreaths on the doors.

You can get a lot of ideas about how I use winter greenery in my neutral Christmas decor on  THIS post!

Also, you can shop my favorite winter greenery HERE!

Pro Tip: My favorite way this year to style my winter greenery is by layering these three pieces, like I did on my mantel:

How do I make my home cozy for holidays?

Use mirrors to reflect light for extra cozy decor!

One of my favorite decor tricks is to layer battery-operated taper candles in front of mirrors.  It just makes everything look so pretty and doubles the cozy reflection!  Combined with the brass and mantels, the light bounces around to create a cozy glow.  Think of it like a cozy hug!

I like to layer mirrors together and especially if some of them have some great vintage patina.  Watch for mirrors at antique malls, vintage markets, and thrift stores!

To get this look, I layered THESE battery-operated taper candles in front of my vintage mirrors.

Use objects that reflect light in your neutral Christmas decor.

As I said with the mirrors, reflecting candlelight makes a whole room feel cozy.  Reflective surfaces, like these mercury-glass style ornaments, are an interesting way to continue that design concept.  At the same time, they add a look of vintage Christmas elegance that I love!

If neutral decor isn’t your thing, THESE ornament garlands come in a variety of colors too!

How can I make my living room look Christmassy?

Use throw pillows to add Christmas style to your space!

I only added one bedding item to my bed for Christmas: This neutral Christmas pillow that I’ve had for several years. Even without the garland over my bed, it made the whole space feel Christmassy!  You can get the same effect of a Christmassy space in any room by adding some simple throw pillows! THIS embroidered tree pillow is neutral while still adding a great touch of Christmas! Or, add just a hint of color that blends with neutral with this pretty pillow!  

How can I make my house feel cozy for Christmas?

Throw blankets add comfort to your Christmas home!

You may choose to add a chunky knit blanket like we mentioned earlier.  However, whatever kind of throw blanket is a neutral color and feels comfy to you and your family, keep close at hand for those Christmas movie nights!

We added a couple of neutral colored throw blankets that are a bit heavier and thicker to the sectional.  They are getting great use already!

You can find some other cozy blankets and feel-good, comfy decor HERE!

How do I make my house look festive for Christmas?

Incorporate gift wrap into your neutral Christmas decor ideas!

Even though wrapping paper isn’t considered “cozy”, necessarily, I do think that pretty wrapping adds a feeling of cozy for the Christmas season!  It definitely adds to the feeling of wanting to be home, spending time together, and celebrating the Christmas spirit!

It may cost just a bit more, but invest in a few rolls of beautiful paper you love.  Pair it with brown or white craft paper and dress them up with special ribbon and gift tags.  You can find some great ideas for DIY gift wrap, personalized tags, and even scented gift tags over on THIS post!

I’ve shared some of my own favorite ways to make gifts look extra thoughtful over on THIS post!

I changed up the paper a little this year and definitely have more wrapping to do, but I save my gift tie-on items and even family gift tags to reuse from year to year!  Get more budget-friendly gift wrap ideas HERE!

Pro Tip: Collect the personalized family gift tags and nice package tie-on items to reuse the following year.  It saves a lot of money and no one will care that they have a pretty jingle bell or greenery stem on their gift for more than one year!

Mixed metals are perfect for neutral Christmas decor ideas!

We chatted about using brass and even the reflective quality of mercury glass.

However, you can also use silver and copper in your neutral Christmas decorating.  In fact, I love pairing two or more different metals together in a space.  Combining these pretty vintage elements can really give a sense of curated Christmas decor that has been collected over time!

Use woven materials for neutral texture!

We may tend to think of baskets as more of spring or summer decor.  I know that’s when I tend to pull out ALL the baskets for decorating, myself.  However, woven textures like baskets or jute rugs can add really wonderful texture to your neutral Christmas decor too.

Actually, this beautiful jute Christmas tree skirt is also a great way to add texture!

You can use baskets to easily hold Christmas trees or stacks of blankets for a cozy December night!

Use wood ornaments in your neutral Christmas decor ideas!

Wood tones are always staple elements in neutral decorating.  When it comes to Christmas decor, it is no different!  Incoporating some wooden ornaments is a great way to carry those natural and neutral color and material throughout your cozy Christmas home.

We try to collect ornaments for our family tree from places we visit.  So that they always blend, we’ve chose to get predominantly neutral colored ornaments.  Over the years, we’ve collected quite a few that are wood material and I love the texture they add to our tree decor!

Robb also made some DIY wood ornaments for me.  I love how they decorate this tree in the family room with such a simple style.  You can get the easy tutorial on THIS post!

Architectural salvage adds character to your neutral Christmas decor!

I love using architectural salvage throughout our home, no matter the season.  In my Christmas decor, I style different pieces to display my Christmas-specific accessories.  Here are a few go-to pieces:

The best part is that you can use these same pieces year-round in your home decor too!

Robb used some leftover architectural salvage pieces and made these beautiful wooden ornaments for the smaller tree in our family room.  I love the simple style to go with my neutral Christmas decor.  You can get the easy tutorial HERE!

Fairy lights add the perfect cozy touch to your Christmas decor!

No matter your color scheme, fairy lights are a must-have for a cozy Christmas!  I love how they add a soft glow without being quite as bright as regular Christmas tree lights.  The strands that are on timers, like THESE, are especially wonderful.  I really enjoy how the soft fairy lights twinkle on and off all on their own on this tree in my bedroom!

I added THESE soft clip on candles for my tree this year.  They are adding an extra festive touch with a vintage look too.

I hope you’ve enjoyed a peek into our cozy Christmas home this year!  Most of all, I hope you’re taking away a few ideas that you can use to create and continue enjoying your own cozy spaces for the Christmas season.  After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year and our homes should be the most wonderful places to be for the holidays!

Now hop on over to my friend Rachel at The Pond’s Farmhouse.  Her Christmas kitchen is just adorable!

Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours

This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours 2022. Thirty-five talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each Christmas home tour by clicking the links below.

Monday’s Tours

Monday

The Tattered Pew // Cottage On Bunker Hill // StoneGable // My Wee Abode

Open Doors Open Hearts // Cottage In The Mitten // My Thrift Store Addiction

Tuesday’s Tours

Tuesday

Midwest Life & Style // She Gave It a Go // Sand Dollar Lane // Bricks n’ Blooms

Pasha Is Home // Robyn’s French Nest // The Ponds Farmhouse

Wednesday’s Tours

Wednesday

Shiplap and Shells // White Arrows Home // This Is Simplicite // White Lilac Farmhouse

Peacock Ridge Farm // Cloches and Lavender // Simply2Moms

Thursday’s Tours

Thursday

County Road 407 // Country Peony // Eleanor Rose Home // Le Cultivateur

Thistlekey Lane // My Family Thyme // Follow The Yellow Brick Home

Friday’s Tours

Friday

Southern Crush At Home // A Life Unfolding // Southern Home and Hospitality // WM Design House

Dabbling and Decorating // Lora Bloomquist // Vintage and Grace Living

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)
39 Inexpensive Christmas Family Activities You’ll Love This Season

39 Inexpensive Christmas Family Activities You’ll Love This Season

39 Inexpensive Christmas Family Activities You’ll Love This Season

Christmas break always takes F. O. R. E. V. E. R. to arrive and then flies by way too quickly!  Who else can whole-heartedly agree?!  I have found that while spontaneity is fun, some intentional planning also helps us really make the most of our holiday break.  Today, I’m sharing some of our favorite inexpensive Christmas family activities so you can plan ahead to enjoy them this season too!

Today, I thought it would be fun to share a round-up of ideas that we have either tried and enjoyed, plan to try this year, or want to include in the future!

If you are a parent or grandparent, you know how quickly all those fun, little activities can add up and end up being expensive!  Especially if you have a few kiddos involved!

We make it a point each year to set some money aside for a fun family activity.  Living in Florida, we have fun options like SeaWorld and Disney.  We have also enjoyed The Polar Express experience and little weekend trips.

Those kinds of experiences leave me needing to be a little more creative with the rest of our break!  And sometimes, it is super helpful to not have to be the one to “create” the ideas!

So, here is a round up of fun ideas from myself and other bloggers too.

Hopefully this helps you create some of those intentional, memory-making moments with your family this year too!

What can families do for Christmas?

  1. Make fun Christmas crafts.
  2. Bake a special family cookie recipe.
  3. Create DIY paper snowflakes for a winter wonderland.
  4. Make ice cream from snow.
  5. Make Christmas stars to use in gift wrapping.
  6. Have a wreath contest!
  7. Include fun activities for teens–see list of 25 ideas.
  8. Play this silly Saran Wrap game!
  9. Host a gingerbread house party.
  10. Attend Christmas plays and concerts at local churches or community theaters.
  11. Make a chocolate snowman!
  12. Wear pjs and drive around to see Christmas lights (singing loudly, of course!)
  13. Make edible playdoh.
  14. Create DIY Christmas ornaments to give away.
  15. Make Christmas candy and deliver to neighbors.
  16. + many more!

39 Inexpensive Christmas Family Activities You’ll Love This Season

Crafts are inexpensive Christmas family activities and fun too!!

My kids love doing little crafts!  And even though there is a range of 6 years from oldest to youngest, simple crafts are an activity that they all enjoy together.  You can find 4 different craft ideas HERE.

These have become fun little keepsakes but none of them cost very much at all!  In fact, almost all of them are things we dug out from the odds and ends of the arts and crafts bin or found on sale!

My kids had a lot of fun with them and I think your children or grandchildren will enjoy them too!

Most of all, crafts are just a great way to unleash some creativity.  At the same time, you can enjoy inexpensive Christmas family activities that everyone can be involved with!

Cookies are always a fun idea!

Here’s our special family recipe:

You can’t go wrong with making cookies, right?!  Our family has a little tradition that my husband, Robb, used to do with his dad.  It usually ends with a big mess, but the best kinds of memories.

This is a fun thing that Robb does with our kids, so I usually try to escape for a little last-minute shopping or just enjoy a Hallmark movie in the other room.  It’s a win-win for us all!!!

Here is the special recipe:

"Chocolate Chipper" Cookies

A family favorite of an old classic
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Course Dessert

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Cups Shortening
  • 2 Cups White Sugar
  • 2 Cups Brown Sugar
  • 4 Eggs
  • 2 Tsp Salt
  • 2 Tsp Baking Powder
  • 2 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 2 Tsp Vanilla
  • 4 Cups Flour
  • 4 Cups Oatmeal
  • 1 Package Chocolate Chips

Instructions
 

  • Combine shortening, brown & white sugars & eggs with a mixer
  • Add in salt, baking powder, baking soda, & vanilla. Mix together
  • Add in flour, oatmeal & chocolate chips & combine with spatula until well-mixed.
  • Roll batter into balls, place on cookie sheet, & bake for 350 for 12-14 minutes

You Can’t Go Wrong With DIY Paper Snowflakes!

DIY paper bag snowflakes are such a fun trend!  And what a perfect way to entertain kiddos…plus create some fun decor that can transition into winter!  (Find more winter decorating ideas HERE!).  At Home With the Barkers shares an easy way to make these paper snowflakes a fun (and super inexpensive!) activity to try this year!

Plus, I think they would make the cutest New Year’s Eve decor too!

5 Minute Snow Ice Cream?  Include this in your inexpensive Christmas family activities!

The perfect inexpensive family idea for winter break!

Okay, this takes me way back to my childhood days in Kansas!  We didn’t usually get much snow until January or February, but snow ice cream is the BEST!

This recipe from Our Tiny Nest gives you a 5-minute recipe and priceless memories…without costing anything!  It’s making my mouth water and maybe, just maybe, we can try this when we visit family in Indiana this year!  Fingers crossed for fresh snow!

DIY Window Wreaths Can Spark Some Creativity!  Enjoy some friendly competition for inexpensive Christmas family activities!

This simple DIY window wreath tutorial from Home With Marieza is such a fun idea!  You could even gather supplies and do a “wreath contest” with a group of friends or family!  A fun spin on gingerbread house contests, right?

I love that this project could be tweaked a little to make pretty winter wreaths to transition after Christmas too!  You could also gather FREE elements like fresh evergreen cuttings from the tree farm, pinecones, and twigs to make this super budget-friendly!

DIY Christmas Stars are a Great Inexpensive Family Activities!

This is the sweetest Christmas craft and definitely an inexpensive family activity!  Fifth Sparrow No More shares a free printable on her blog post.  You could make these Christmas stars as simple as a coloring activity or go all out with paint and glitter!  I’m going to print this out to use in my classroom next year too.

These would also make really sweet DIY gift tags or ornaments!

25 Inexpensive Family Activities to do with Teens!

This is an awesome list!

My friend Melanie from Parenting High Schoolers put together a wonderful list of 25 activities that are fun for teens!  I love the idea of keeping them busy, but in fun and meaningful ways.  There are a lot of ideas on this list that you can do as a family, too, so we are going to see what we can fit in ourselves in the next few weeks!  You won’t want to miss this list!

What can a family do on Christmas Day at home?

You Can’t Go Wrong with Gingerbread Activities!

 

Admittedly, our family has not been super successful with gingerbread houses in the past.  In fact, they fall apart more often than not.  I did get small ones this year, in hopes that we can have better success.  We are going to give it a try!

These kits are inexpensive, so it should make for a fun Christmas break activity without costing a lot!

Annemarie, from Make Every Day an Event shared this gingerbread house ideas that is just the cutest thing you’ll ever find!  I have a feeling my kids are going to want to try these too!  Annemarie gives a full tutorial, so I think we are going to give it a try!

This game looks like a “ball”!

How do you entertain your family at Christmas?

Sorry, couldn’t help myself with that pun!  This game will entertain for sure!

Seriously, this fun Saran Wrap Game from Southern Crush At Home looks SO FUN!  I think I’m going to gather these easy supplies (Melanie even gives you a list to order from or take a trip to the dollar spot!) for our family to play!  What a fun way to incorporate everyone!

Local Churches Often Have Inexpensive (or Free) Family Activities!

One thing that our family often does is to check with our friends who attend different churches or even do a quick google search for local churches.  During the Christmas season, there are often special events offered to the community, such as special concerts, drama productions, and live Nativities.

We like to be involved in the large production our own church does and then it is fun to visit other community events.  We especially love the Live Nativity that one of our local churches does each year!

Getting Crafty with Food is Always a Family Favorite!

Especially if it involves chocolate!

Liberty from B 4 and Afters shared this fun idea for chocolate covered pretzel snowmen.  I love that this uses such easy ingredients and leaves lots of room for imagination and creativity!  That is always a win for my kids and keeps them occupied a lot longer!

These look delicious AND fun!  A perfect inexpensive family activity for the winter break!

Don’t forget about these FREE family activities!

Maybe you’re the family that schedules in this tradition and makes sure it happens.  Somehow, we are not that family!  In fact, I realized the other day that we hadn’t really seen any lights yet!

So in case you need a reminder too, get everyone in their Christmas pjs, fix some thermoses of hot chocolate, turn up the Christmas music, and enjoy a free evening together!

If you’re not sure where to go in your area that will definitely have big light displays, check with local Facebook mom groups or community happenings.  You’ll probably find out about more inexpensive family activities than you can possible fit in!  They will definitely be able to point you in the direction of some free and fun light displays!

Driving around to see lights and singing Christmas songs is basically free.  Time…it’s priceless.  Enjoy it!

Making Christmas Candy?  Don’t miss this recipe!

What are some fun Christmas activities to do at home?  

Christmas candy is one of our favorites because everyone can get involved!  Inexpensive Christmas family activities that taste good too?  No wonder it’s a favorite!

My friend Suzanne from Shop at Blu shared this classic Christmas candy recipe that I had forgotten about!  These will be fun and easy for the kids, but also add a little something different to our candy trays this year!  Does anyone else make Rolo Pretzel Turtles?  This recipe is so easy and so super yummy!

There’s Christmas baking, which is always fun, but my favorite is really the Christmas candy making!  We aren’t fancy about it so it’s really just all about dipping alllllll the things in chocolate and covering them in sprinkles.

And, the easier the recipe, the better for us!

Inexpensive family activities with what you already have on hand…

The kids are going to love this one!

As a teacher, I’ve seen a lot of different versions of homemade play dough.  However, this one takes the cake.  Quite literally.

If you have younger kids or grandkids, this is a must-do!  My younger kids still enjoy being creative with play dough, though this edible recipe looks so yummy that it may not last very long!  Find Nicolle’s homemade edible play dough recipe HERE at Our Tiny Nest!

This is a great, budget-friendly activity for kids.  However, you may find that the big kids and adults have a lot of fun with this inexpensive Christmas family activity too!

DIY ornaments make great activities to keep everyone busy and having fun!

My friend Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse shared this super cute DIY ornament idea!  These are perfect for older kids or just a little assistance for the younger kids.  You could even take it a step further and use the DIY ornaments on your tablescape like I did on this post!

DIY ornaments are perfect for inexpensive Christmas family activities and something you can use on gifts, tables, or simply hang on your tree!  I love activities that get everyone involved and keep all the kids having fun for awhile together!

It’s not about creating the perfect ornaments.  However, it IS about spending time together, being creative together, and making memories!  At the same time, you’re enjoying budget-friendly Christmas activities with your family!

Hopefully you can use some of the things on this list to help make your holiday break memorable and intentional and maybe it even sparks some of your own creative ideas!  Be sure to share those in the comments below.  We always need more ideas!!!

Most of all, the time spent together is the best gift of all this Christmas!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Farmhouse Chic Christmas

Friday Favorites- Farmhouse Chic Christmas

Friday Favorites- Farmhouse Chic Christmas

Hello Friends!

This week, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite neutral home decor for Christmas.  I love this grouping of decor so much! It has the whimsical winter look to it that I love! There are so many beautiful pieces that will level up your home decor for the holidays. 

Here is my list of favorites from this week:

Fake Juniper Garland 

This is a beautiful very realistic-looking garland! SO many ways to style it for Christmas and the Holiday season. Find this garland here from Anthropologie. 

 

Realistic Norfolk Pine Tabletop Tree

Little tress like this are fun to place through your home! These work great for a kid’s bedroom or even on an end table or kitchen counter! I love this realistic look one I found on Amazon! A great buy that has lots of styling options! 

 

Zinc Antique Bucket

 

This is such a great bucket to use to hold a Christmas tree and then use year-round! Right now, this item has free shipping! So grab it quick! It’s here on Etsy

 

 

Gold Advent Calendar

This is a beautiful advent calendar! It has a great vintage look. And the gold is just stunning! Find it here from Target!

 

 

Aged Tree Topper

This is a gorgeous patina with aged iron and gold. I love this Antro find! I ordered it for our tree and I can’t wait to style it this year!  Find this here from Antropology

 

 

Set of Vintage Patina Bells

This is a cute set of 4 bells. They have a beautiful aged patina finish. I really love them and I love decorating with bells like this! Find them here.

 

 

Checked European Rug

This is a great beautiful old European checked design, that makes a great neutral base for Christmas decor and uses year-round too! This is an Amazon find you can get here. 

 

 

Merry Christmas Gold Banner

I love this simple and pretty banner! Highly recommend for home decor or a Christmas party! 

Find it here on Amazon! 

 

 

Mercury Glass Ornaments

These are gorgeous!! I love these so much! You don’t want to miss adding these to your decor this year. Find them here on Amazon.

 

 

Letters to Santa Box

This is an adorable “Letters to Santa” box; keep this as a timeless traditional decor piece for many years to come. Find it here from Target. 

 

 

 Collection of Vintage Brass French Horns

I love this beautiful set of French Horns! I typically use french horns every year in my decor and this year will be no exception. These are beautiful and you don’t want to pass them up! Find them here.

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

I hope you love this decor as much as I do! I would love to see what you buy and how you style it! Let me know in the comments below.

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

17 Thrifted Christmas Decor Ideas to Shop For This Year

17 Thrifted Christmas Decor Ideas to Shop For This Year

17 Thrifted Christmas Decor Ideas to Shop For This Year

Looking for budget-friendly seasonal decor? Check out these thrifted Christmas decor ideas and a tour of our thrifted, vintage holiday home!  It’s also Thrifting with the Gals day, so keep reading to see the seasonal thrifted finds and ideas to style them in your home too!

Who agrees that budgeting for the Christmas season can get a little tricky sometimes?  Having some thrifted Christmas decor ideas has helped me create a cozy, vintage style holiday home.  At the same time, I don’t feel like I’ve had to sacrifice any style or beauty in order to use thrifted items in my Christmas decorating!

Today, I am really excited to share with you a little mini-home tour of some of my Christmas decor that I’ve thrifted over the years.  I hope it inspires you with some ideas to look for throughout the year to add to your own cozy Christmas collections!

Today is also Thrifting with the Gals day and that means I am joining up with some of my thrift-loving friends to share our finds, DIY ideas, and styling tips with you.  Of course, we are all using our thrifted decor!

You won’t want to miss any of these ideas today:

How can I decorate my Christmas without spending any money?

Of course, even the thrift store costs a little bit, but you can definitely save a ton of money on your Christmas decorations by shopping the thrift stores for thrifted Christmas decor ideas all year long.

Pro Tip: I often find the best thrifted Christmas decor ideas in January or February when people are cleaning out and reorganizing their homes!

Incorporating thrift store finds into your holiday decorating is a perfect way to create budget-friendly Christmas decor without sacrificing beauty or style.

Here are a few more tips:

  • Watch for pieces that you can paint or refinish.
  • Look for thrifted items that would make a great Christmas DIY.
  • Look for non-traditional Christmas items that blend with your Christmas colors and style.  Every piece doesn’t have to be holiday-specific!
  • Keep an eye out for decor that you can mix and match with your existing decor.
  • Shop all year long.  Keep a bin easily accessible to store away your thrifted Christmas and holiday finds until the season arrives.
  • Don’t forget about flea markets and yard sales!
  • Check out the after-Christmas sales at antique malls, vintage shops, and even discounts on holiday decor at thrift stores too!

17 Thrifted Christmas Decor Ideas to Shop For This Year

1. French horns make fun thrifted Christmas decor ideas.

Every single one of my French horn collection has come from a yard sale, thrift store, flea market, or vintage market.  I had to be patient, but I eventually found enough to create this gallery wall.  

Each year, now, I enjoy putting it up and even though I arrange it a little differently each year, I think it is a permanent Christmas display for our home.  At least for a long time!

You can find more details about my gallery wall and Christmas mantel over on THIS post.

2. Brass candlesticks are common thrifted Christmas decor ideas.

As I said with my French horn collections, all of my brass candlesticks are also thrifted.  These are definitely something you may find anytime throughout the year, so keep an eye out, even at yard sales, for some great brass candlesticks.  I have a few larger ones that I paid a little more for at vintage markets, but mostly, I have found all of my very inexpensively.

Pro Tip: Make your thrifted brass candlesticks a functioning part of your cozy Christmas decor with THESE battery-operated wax taper candles!  They are on a timer and work with a remote for ease and convenience!  These candles are my favorite and I love how cozy they make our home feel.  I have several sets and use them all throughout our home!

3. Vintage books are easy to use with thrifted Christmas decor ideas!

I use vintage books year round!  Actually, over on THIS post, I share some of my favorite ways to decorate with vintage books.

During the Christmas season, you’ll find thrifted books all throughout our home.  I even use them to add height and texture to our Nativity set.  At the same time, I use vintage books under some of my brass candlesticks to give more height variation too.

You might even get lucky and find old titles that are Christmas-related, like this favorite leather Charles Dickens book!

4. Vintage frames make great Christmas decor too!

I always keep an eye out for beautiful old frames.  Chippy, imperfect ones are my favorites!  For the Christmas season, I incorporated these chippy gold frames that I got at a flea market. They add some vintage elegance to my French horn gallery wall and I love the extra detail and texture they add to this room as well.

Pro Tip: Sometimes, the best frames have art that doesn’t match your home’s aesthetic.  Just toss the unwanted art and keep the beautiful frame!  Always go through the art and wall decor section at the thrift store and look specifically at the frames!

5. Vintage silver chalices are perfect for unique Christmas decorating.

I love this collection of vintage silver chalices.  Even though I typically use them for tablescapes, I decided to leave them out on display all season in the dining room this year.  I added some of THESE battery-operated wax candles and neutral bottle brush trees to a few of them.

The vintage silver adds some elegance and formality while reflecting the light for an extra cozy look.  At the same time, they may come off the shelf at some point for a Christmas tablescape too!

I often see vintage silver chalices for really cheap prices, but it may just be a couple at a time. You can build an inexpensive collection of thrifted Christmas decor ideas if you’re willing to be patient!

6. How can I make my house feel cozy after Christmas?

Thrifted mirrors are key to keeping a cozy glow after the holidays!  I love to use old mirrors, whether hung on the wall, leaned in a grouping, or lining the back of a shelf, vintage mirrors can add so much dimension and beauty to your cozy Christmas home.

Pro Tip: Layer battery-operated candles and thrifted brass candlesticks in front of a mirror.  The cozy glow is reflected back into the room…and doubled!

My two favorite thrifted mirrors are these fancy oval antique ones.  They are dated to the late 1800’s, per the estate where the thrift store got them, and every detail would indicate that they are indeed well over 100 years old!

I patiently waited until the thrift store put them on sale and snagged them for $25 each!!!

7. Don’t forget about free items from your yard for budget-friendly Christmas decorating!

If you are creating a garland or hanging display, consider a stick from your yard!  We cleaned off a long, thick stick to hang the gold bell DIY display in our dining room.  I love the juxtaposition between the gold bells and the rustic stick.  At the same time, it was totally free!

What can you do with leftover Christmas decorations?

You could create a similar idea with leftover ornaments for a cute wall hanging or “garland”!  I used another stick to hang these beautiful ornaments in the entryway.  The unevenness of the stick allows for a unique, “imperfect” style that I really love!

8. Thrifted Christmas decor ideas don’t have to be Christmas-specific!

In fact, I always keep an eye out for pieces that I love and can use not only for the holiday seasons, but all throughout the year too.  This crock is a great example of a piece that I used to hold foraged branches in the fall and then quickly switched the branches out for a pretty faux tree for Christmas and winter!

If you have some great vessels but need a pretty tree, I recommend THIS one!  Such a pretty and very realistic style!

9. Old crates are perfect for thrifted Christmas decor ideas too!

Actually, all of my bigger trees sit in some kind of thrifted crate or large basket.  I love how the old pieces add a unique look to my Christmas decor.  At the same time, they conceal the base of the tree without me constantly straightening a traditional tree skirt!

Watch for large crates and baskets that are big enough to hold the base of. your favorite Christmas trees!  Again, you will probably find them throughout the year and that’s okay.  You can use them all year long for seasonal plants, branches, stems, and even storage!

10. Silver pitchers are easy to style with thrifted Christmas decor ideas.

Especially if you love a curated, eclectic, vintage look, old silver is a great look for the holiday seasons.  I quickly stuck some faux cedar branches in this silver pitcher and I love how it makes such an easy and elegant Christmas centerpiece!

Make sure to carefully check the kitchen and housewares sections of your thrift stores.  You are likely to come across some pretty silver pieces for great prices throughout the year!

Also, you can use them all year long as vases for flowers or style them in the dining room as a pretty collection.

11. Thrifted ironstone is always a good idea!

I love using ironstone pieces year round.  During the Christmas season, you’ll find them tucked here and there throughout our home too! Usually, I even keep a little stack ready on the dining room table for last minute Christmas treats or snacks!

Pro Tip: Ironstone collections go with everything and look even better when the pieces are mixed and matched.  Check the dishware aisles carefully at your thrift stores.  You may find a piece tucked in here and there for an excellent deal!

12. Watch for unique finds to use in your thrifted Christmas decor ideas!

I picked up this old store display on the 127 Yard Sale this past summer.  It makes the perfect display for holiday cards and we look forward to filling it up with cards from family and friends this season!

Think outside the box and see how you can possibly incorporate unique finds into your Christmas decorating too!

13. Glass cloches are really fun to use in Christmas decorating!

While I’ve paid more money for some of my cloches, I have also found many of mine at thrift stores and even yard sales!  I always watch for them because you just never know!

They are so fun to style at Christmas!  One year, I even grouped several together to display our Nativity set.  I love how it turned our smaller set into the main statement piece of the room!

If you’re looking for glass cloches, there are some pretty and budget-friendly ones available HERE and HERE!

14. Thrifted Christmas angels are perfect for the season!

I love the look of these pretty brass angels.  The vintage style blends perfectly with our Christmas decor.  At the same time, I love how angels help tell the story of Christmas!  Luckily, I’ve picked up several different ones over the years and they are so fun to decorate with!

I especially loved this tablescape that I created with vintage brass angels!

Definitely watch for these because I do see them fairly often at antique malls, flea markets, and thrift shops!

15. Incorporate architectural salvage into your Christmas home decor!

You all know I love architectural salvage.  In fact, it is always one of my favorite things to shop for when we are out looking for vintage pieces.  We used these really inexpensive spindles to create fun DIY ornaments and gift packaging tie-on accessories!

You can find all the details of the DIY ornaments on THIS post.

Over on THIS post, you can see how we personalized salvage pieces to tie onto gift packages too!

16. Ornaments are perfect for thrifted Christmas decor ideas!

Recently, I came across a box of these old brass French horn ornaments.  Even though I got a steal of a deal on them, I would have gladly paid more because they are all just so pretty!

I used some for simple and festive napkin rings over on THIS POST.  

Also, I tied some onto gifts.  They would also be so pretty tied onto a DIY garland!

Watch for sets of ornaments that someone else is tired of and drops off at the thrift store.  It might be the next inspiration for your cozy Christmas home!

17. Don’t forget about a great old bucket for thrift Christmas decor!

When I was decorating this coffee table, I was looking everywhere for something to hide the plain pot of my table top tree.  I realized I had a great old bucket sitting right there!  Sometimes the best and easiest solutions are right in front of us, right?!

If you have old bucket sitting around, put a tree in it!  It will add so much character and charm to your cozy Christmas decor!

Now, check out these thrifting favorites too:

Ann from Dabbling and Decorating is sharing her Antique Christmas Decor Treasures this week.

Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse has a great idea with this Vintage Wooden Spools DIY!

Don’t miss Kristin from White Arrow’s Home with her vintage Christmas must-haves!

Can you reuse Christmas decorations?

1000% yes!  In fact, not only is thrifting for great Christmas decor a budget-friendly option, but you will end up creating a carefully curated and well-loved, timeless look with vintage favorites.  If you want a Christmas home that is all your own style, thrifting, mixing old and new, and adding those unique elements is the best way to go!

We hope that these thrifted Christmas decor ideas are going you some fun inspiration this season too!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

18 Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas for a Simple Holiday

18 Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas for a Simple Holiday

18 Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas for a Simple Holiday

Looking for some ways to set a simple table this season? Check out 18 Thanksgiving table decor ideas you can easily create this year!  Keep reading for lots of Thanksgiving decor inspiration!

“Not what we say about our blessings but how we use them is the true measure of our Thanksgiving.”

-W.T. Purkiser

The fall season has flown by and it is definitely hard to believe that Thanksgiving is coming so soon!  Today, I have 18 beautiful Thanksgiving table decor ideas that can help you get ready for this special holiday.  

After all, one of the best ways to show our Thankfulness this season is by creating a welcoming atmosphere of love to share with our family and friends!  It’s one way we can “use our blessings”, as my favorite quote from Purkiser so eloquently says.

I am joining up with some blogging friends and we are excited to share our favorite Thanksgiving tables with you, along with everything you need to create your own.

As always, I say the best way is to pick and choose your favorite details, using the pieces you already have, and create a cozy and welcoming gathering space for your own family and friends for Thanksgiving!  There are so many gorgeous ideas in today’s post, so you will definitely get plenty of ideas to help make your Thanksgiving decorating less stressful and EASY!

I will share and link all of the tables below.  At the same time, I highly recommend following along with these talented blogging friends too:

Here is a peek at some of the ideas coming your way today:

  • How to use textures in your Thanksgiving table decor ideas
  • How to find free decor for your Thanksgiving table
  • How to mix in winter elements with fall pieces for a seasonal, Thanksgiving look
  • Easy ways to set a Thanksgiving table
  • How to set a Thanksgiving table on a budget
  • How to create an easy Thanksgiving centerpiece 
  • + much, much more!

18 Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Ideas for a Simple Holiday

Add touches of gold for elegant Thanksgiving table decor ideas.

What do you put in the middle of the table for Thanksgiving?

Centerpieces can be so fun to create!  For this Thanksgiving table decor idea, I added simple touches of gold with my flatware, thrifted brass candlesticks, and some pretty gold leaf stems from the dollar spot.  On their own, they would feel a little skimpy for the table.  However, I added them to a full base of winter greens.

Next, I added a few pheasant feathers for an extra Thanksgiving touch.  Lastly, I spread some small, dried gourds throughout the centerpiece.

Here’s what I used to create this simple, yet elegant, Thanksgiving table decor idea:

Add touches of whimsy with vintage pieces for your Thanksgiving table decor ideas!

This tablescape was so fun to create with some of my favorite vintage pieces.  Mixing metals, such as copper, silver, and brass, is a great way to bring those vintage looks and add a cozy look to the table with the reflective quality of the metal too!

To create this table, I used the same base of greenery: realistic pine and eucalyptus.  Next, I added vintage vessels in copper and silver.  I tucked in brass candlesticks and add some whimsy with uniquely shaped dried gourds.

You could create the same look with pumpkins too!

For extra elegance, I used an extra long table runner and a 180″ pine garland.  I needed 3 eucalyptus garlands for this tablescape but I think it was worth the effort!  The extra length on the ends adds a really dramatic and elegant look!

To dress up the flatware in a really simple way, I tied this velvet ribbon around each set.  The little details add so much to the tablescapes you create!

Here’s what you need to create this tablescape:

Are you noticing some repeat items from the first tablescape?  Of course!  In fact, this is one of my favorite ways to create budget-friendly table settings.  I often reuse the same pieces, mixing and matching them a little differently and adding in different inexpensive accessories.

Pro Tip: Invest in neutral basics that can be used year round!

 

Incorporate velvet into your Thanksgiving table decor ideas for an elegant look.

Since November is so late into the season and tends to blend right into the winter months, velvet is a perfect choice of material to add some elegance to your Thanksgiving table decor ideas.

Even though we are actually pretty informal for our holiday dinners, I love for our Thanksgiving dinner to have some elegant touches.  At the same time, it’s important for the table to be comfortable and inviting for everyone!

For this Thanksgiving table decor, I combined winter greenery and velvet pumpkins.  This allows for a low centerpiece where everyone can see the family and friends across from them.  At the same time, however, it feels full and elegantly layered.

Here’s what I used to create this table:

Here are a few ways you could use velvet on your Thanksgiving table:

Use natural elements and a mix of textures for inviting Thanksgiving tablescape ideas!

What should be on the table for Thanksgiving?

One of my favorite spaces to style are tables, where we gather with friends & family to create memories over a delicious meal.  On THIS post, you’ll find easy ways to use natural elements on your Thanksgiving table!

Ali, from Country Chic Homes, created three Thanksgiving Tablescapes to share with you today.  She used Fall’s natural decor & a mix of textures to create a cozy ambiance.  

At the same time, Ali focused on creating centerpieces that are beautiful & still grand but in a way to keep the conversation flowing without having the centerpieces be in the way.  At the same time, the centerpieces are still a beautiful focal point. 

Get some great details and ideas from Ali on THIS post!

 



Forage in your yard for Thanksgiving table decor ideas!

How do I decorate my Thanksgiving table on a budget?

Who loves free decor?!  Emily from LeCultivateur is sharing some quick and inexpensive ways to create a table that your family, friends, and guests are sure to love.  You can create these beautiful table ideas using natural elements that you can most likely find right outside, in your own yard.

Not only will your tables look gorgeous, but these ideas will help your budget too!  You can find more ideas from Emily on THIS post!



Keep your Thanksgiving table light, bright, and simple!

Shannon from My Little White Barn has such a gorgeous style.

She admits, Thanksgiving is one of her favorite holidays, but let’s be honest it can be very stressful for the host.  Shannon has some great tips to keep it casual and stress free. First of all, she always serves their Thanksgiving dinner in a buffet style.

She has some great tips for setting your table, too.  Check out the details here that will help you prepare for the big day, and impress all of your guests at the same time.



Use easy ideas for a quick and simple Thanksgiving table this year!

How do you set a simple Thanksgiving table?

Who loves simple and easy decorating?!  Jess from A Charming Mess Blog is sharing a few simple ways to create a welcoming table for you, your friends, and family!  Thanksgiving table decor ideas don’t have to complicated or time-consuming in order to be beautiful!

Head on over to her post, HERE, and take a peek at three easy ideas to style your table this holiday season!  From gourds to greens – your table will be a stunner!  I know you’re going to love how Jess easily styled these tables and she is giving you all the tips and tools you need to recreate them too.

Get the details HERE!



Use budget-friendly elements in your Thanksgiving table decor ideas!

How do I decorate my Thanksgiving table on a budget?

The holidays don’t have to be stressful.  Pam from Junk Tales is giving details of 4 different ways you can create a cozy Thanksgiving tablescape.  (She even guarantees the pickiest guests will love these!)

Are you having a huge party or just a few close friends over for a quiet dinner? Junk Tales has some ideas for you that they will love and won’t break the bank!  Find her budget-friendly Thanksgiving table decor ideas HERE!



How do you decorate a table for Thanksgiving?

I hope these 18+ Thanksgiving table decor ideas have helped you pull together ideas to create your own beautiful and inviting table for friends and family this year!  Overall, here are a few of the “must-haves”, gathered from all of our tables:

  • natural elements, even free from your own yard
  • touches of seasonal color
  • simple dishes
  • candlelight
  • winter greenery
  • wood tones
  • mix and match vintage pieces
  • layer elements for a textured table

From all of us, we wish you and your family an amazing holiday, gathered around the table together.  Most of all, we wish you many moments of reflecting on your blessings, both past and present.  At the same time, giving thanks for the blessings to come!

Happy Thanksgiving from our homes to yours!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

5 Easy DIY Christmas Napkin Rings and Festive Table Ideas

5 Easy DIY Christmas Napkin Rings and Festive Table Ideas

5 Easy DIY Christmas Napkin Rings and Festive Table Ideas

Looking to make your table extra special this time of year?  Check out these 5 simple, beautiful, and budget-friendly Christmas table decor DIY project ideas!

Christmas will be here before we know it and if you’re like me, there are a lot of fun things you want to try and fit in!  We are filling our days from now until Christmas with family day trips, making Christmas treats, hosting family and friends, wrapping the gifts, and enjoying our Christmas shopping!  Who has time for Christmas table decor ideas?!  But we all want and need them, right?!

Big DIY projects are not in the cards for Christmas break!  Goodness knows, simplicity is my sanity during the busy season!  If you are planning your Christmas table and are looking for some quick and simple things you can do to make it unique and special this year, this blog post can help you out!  I am excited to share some really easy and simple DIY things you can create for Christmas table decor ideas this year!

I’ve been playing around with using some different things around my house, budget-friendly or thrifted finds, and easy little crafts.  I’ll share them here and hopefully it will help you with your Christmas table decor ideas and planning too!

If you have kids that are a little bit older, this is a fun way to get them involved too.  After all, aren’t most of us moms looking for some things to keep the kiddos occupied during Christmas break?!

 

Payton, Addy, and Harrison making Christmas crafts at the back room table

So, let’s get started with some festive DIY napkin rings.  I’ll keep it short and simple since you probably don’t have time at this point in the season to read a long post either!  Am I right?!?!  More time to create, more time to enjoy, and maybe even a minute to put your feet up and enjoy the magic of the season!

Vintage Music Christmas Table Decor Ideas

If you follow along with our family, you know that music is a big part of our lives!  In fact, we’ve added a cello player and a French horn player to the mix this year.  There is always music going and sometimes even an interesting mix of sounds.  Haha!  However, there is something extra nostalgic about music at Christmas time too!

One of my favorite ways to decorate my Christmas tables is by using old, thrifted music!

sheet music placemats at each table setting on a Christmas tablescape

How do you decorate a Christmas table on a budget?

Thrift stores and flea markets are the perfect place to look for old music for your Christmas table decor ideas.  I found a large music book that was really falling apart for only $2 at a flea market.  I pulled out some of the pages and they make perfect placemats!

This is also a great option if you’re entertaining a large group.  You can get a lot of music out of one book without spending very much money!  Who doesn’t want a pretty, unique, budget-friendly option for the season too?!  Old music is perfect for Christmas table decor ideas and so many other DIY ideas too.

Using old sheet music is also a great time-saver for AFTER Christmas dinner!  No washing or ironing of placemats.  You can simply toss any soiled placemats and pick up more thrifted sheet music!

close up of a place setting with small wreaths, gold flatware, and a piece of sheet music as a placemat

Sheet music can also make a beautiful and unique table runner!  For the best results, overlap the sheet music, slightly turning it in different directions down the center of the table.

For a dramatic look, you could even glue pieces together and let it cascade down the ends of the table!

Limitless possibilities with only a few dollars spent!

Easy DIY Ornament Place Card Holders

There are lots of ways that you could create ornament place card holders and this is a perfect way to bring in a Christmas theme of some kind!  I took the most simple and easy route by picking up a box of shatter-proof ornaments for these easy DIY holiday napkin rings.

I love these neutral colors because guests can take them home as a little party favor and the neutral color can go with everyone’s Christmas themes!

You can find inexpensive ornaments at any craft store or big-box store.  At the same time, you may even find thrifted ones if you look around!

I am lucky to have a daughter that has spent a lot of time practicing her calligraphy skills!  This was a fun way to involve her (and save myself some time too!).

This calligraphy book is where she started learning!  It would make a great gift for that creative person on your list!

I had Payton write everyone’s names on ornaments and then simply placed them at each place setting.  They are such cute napkin rings and fun Christmas crafts too!  To add an extra little layer and finished look, I took a tiny spring of evergreen to lay under each ornament.

I picked up some branches for free at the Christmas tree stand!  They are usually happy for you to help them with clean up by picking up branches from the ground.  (And this is another way to let the kids help out!)

branch of Christmas greenery
single gold bell tied around a napkin with twine

DIY Napkin Rings for Christmas Table Decor

How do you make easy table decorations?

Tip: Use what is in season and what you already have around your house in different ways!

I love using a variety of different napkin rings, no matter the season.  They are a perfectly simple ways to make tablescapes look different from one another, even when using the same dishes and napkins!

I’m often asked where I store all of my tablescape items and my answer is simple: I don’t have nearly as much “extra” stuff as you’d think!  I just mix and match A LOT!

I do have a lot of napkin rings.  However, they are small and don’t take a lot of space!

drawers in a white apothecary holding different kinds of different Christmas napkin rings

How do you style a Christmas table?

For this tablescape, I wanted to create a more eclectic look.  I pulled a few ornaments off of our family tree and used them for napkin rings!  This is another FREE decorating idea that still looks pretty and ties in with my decor without taking much time at all!

Even though I mixed and matched the ornaments, I kept to only white ornaments.  This keeps an overall cohesive look to the table, with each place setting have it’s own unique look!

I added a small piece of twine through each ornament and simply tied it around my napkin!  Easy breezy and it didn’t cost a dime!  Also, a simple ribbon or yarn would be beautiful for a finished look!  However, it couldn’t be a more easy DIY napkin ring to make for your holiday tablescape and add a personal touch at the same time!

ornaments tied around a napkin with twine as a napkin ring

This would be really fun for a party too!  You could raid the ornament aisle and choose an ornament for each specific guest!  This simple idea would make a fun party favor as well as add a thoughtful touch to each place setting!

Another fun way to use these for special occasions is to make a game by having the guests figure out their seat, based on the ornament you chose for their festive Christmas napkin rings!

Again, so many possibilities by simply using inexpensive ornaments!  (And keep an eye for these on after-Christmas clearance sales too!)

Rustic DIY Christmas Table Decor

When trying to think about simple DIY Christmas table decor…and especially FREE decor…I couldn’t overlook all the pinecones that fall around our house!  The kids helped me gather up some pinecones and we made little rustic bouquets for each place setting!  I love how this rustic table setting is one of my favorite projects!  Plus, it uses really simple materials that I already mostly had on hand!

pine cone tied around a napkin with twine as a napkin ring

I added a cinnamon stick and single sprig of evergreen to each bouquet.  This made the whole dining room smell so inviting and gave all the cozy Christmas vibes!  Using simple materials, the kids enjoyed some Christmas crafts!  They helped me tie together the pinecones, cinnamon stick, and evergreen sprig.  We used small twine.  However, you could also use the hot glue gun to make them a little more secure.  Either way, they make such easy diys for Christmas napkin holders!

If you want to add some color and an extra special touch, you could use a ribbon that matches your theme!  I love this velvet ribbon that comes in a variety of colors!  At the same time, you could also tuck in fresh flowers right before the guests arrive!

My only cost for these fragrant bouquets was the cinnamon sticks, which I found at my grocery store.  If you’re not making a run soon, you can order them here for quick delivery!

What are Christmas table decoration ideas on a budget?

If you don’t have pinecones for free around your house, you can get them very inexpensively HERE!

These are a little extra cost, but I love the variety of shape and the frosted look!  There are also lots of them, so you could make all kinds of crafts or sprinkle them throughout your centerpiece to tie it all together!

two pinecones and a sprig of Christmas greenery tied around a napkin as a napkin ring

DIY Bell Napkin Rings for Christmas Table Decor Ideas

How do you make Christmas decorations for a table?

Of all the DIY’s I tried for my Christmas table decor this year, this might be my favorite!  I love the simplicity, elegance, fragrance, and how easy it was to do!

When making table decorations for different seasons or holidays, I try to look around and see what I have that I can use.  This saves money and also time from a trip to the store.

How to decorate a Christmas table inexpensively?

At the same time, keep an eye out for bulk items in the seasonal sections of the store.  Inexpensive ornaments, tags, ribbon, and small decor can be perfect to work into a budget-friendly Christmas tablescape!

bell and small sprig tied to a napkin as a napkin ring

These DIY bell napkin rings tie in so beautifully to my Christmas holidays theme of “Good Tidings”.  I also already had these large jingle bells on hand and they are the perfect size for festive Christmas napkin rings.  I love the matte finish and extra large size!

You can also pick up a pack of 12 smaller jingle bells at the dollar store and they would work just as well!

To create these festive DIY napkin rings, I picked up a pack of fresh rosemary sprigs from my grocery store’s produce section.  I simple wrapped them around the napkin, slid the bell on, and added a dot of hot glue to secure it tightly.

They smell so good too!

I also love that you could use this idea past the holiday season and throughout the winter, since it isn’t really a Christmas theme.  Sleigh bells are used all throughout the winter!

close up of bell tied to a napkin with twine as a napkin ring

Here are some ideas for favorite napkins to use this season:

*Just use any of these with your own napkin rings that you already have on hand!

Here are my favorite greenery pieces that I use for almost every Thanksgiving and Christmas centerpiece!

Here are a few supplies to keep on hand for Christmas crafts DIY napkin rings:

  • Hot glue gun
  • Pair of scissors
  • Jute twine
  • Ribbon
  • Pair of wire cutters
  • Wire head pins
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Pom poms
  • Faux greenery

What do you put on a table for Christmas?

I love to think of a holiday tablescape as an opportunity to create an experience for a Merry Christmas.  Consider the guests that are coming, the activities of the evening, the feeling you want to create.  Then, look for items that can tell that story.

Are you hosting a Christmas caroling night?  Incorporate music or Christmas carol sheet music into your holiday tablescape.

Are you playing dessert and having games?  Create a Christmas table centerpiece that can quickly slide out of the way for the game night.

Perhaps you are hosting a soup supper and gift exchange with a few friends.  Create thoughtful, individual place settings with a festive touch that invite your friends to linger a little longer.  Make a personalized DIY that shows your intentionality and thoughtfulness!

I hope this helps inspire you to pull of an amazing Christmas holiday tablescape with ease!  A simple little DIY, budget-friendly supplies (or free!), and a few extra minutes is all it takes!

Table setting with bells down the middle of the table and wrapped around the napkin on the place setting

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

Friday Favorites- Cozy Christmas Decor

Friday Favorites- Cozy Christmas Decor

Friday Favorites- Cozy Christmas Decor

Hello Friends!

This week, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite neutral home decor for Christmas.  I love this grouping of decor so much! It has the whimsical winter look to it that I love! There are so many beautiful pieces that will level up your home decor for the holidays. 

Here is my list of favorites from this week:

Scalloped Rug

This is a super cute jute rug! I love the light and playful look to it! Perfect for a playroom or child’s bedroom! Find it here from Amazon

Cream and Khaki Stockings

This is an adorable set of knitted stockings! The colors are the perfect neutrals and the texture makes them look so cozy! Find them here.

 

Mercury Glass Garland 

This is so beautiful! I love the look of the mercury design! This is a great garland to add to a neutral decor. You will want to add this to your Christmas decor! This is a great Amazon buy you can get here! 

 

Wood Advent Calendar House

This is such a fun advent calendar! We love doing advent calendars in our house! This is a perfect one with little drawers and cute decorative designs. Find it here on Amazon.

Faux Fur Pillows 

These are so cute! I think they are perfect for the winter look! So cozy and fluffy! They can be found here.

Throw Blanket with Fur Pom Poms

This blanket looks amazing! It is so classy and cozy! You will want this on your couch this holiday season! Grab it here from Amazon!

Bottle Brush Trees

This is a great pack of twenty-four bottle brush trees. I love these pretty colors and the shimmer of these great trees! These are also so perfect for little vignettes! You can get them here from Amazon.

 

 

Shatterproof Ornaments

These shatterproof ornaments are so pretty! They have all kinds of glitter details that are so sweet and the perfect detail to add to your tree. You’re going to want to grab these here from Amazon.

 

Afloral Realtouch Wreath

This wreath is so beautiful! I love using lots of greenery all year long, especially at Christmas time! You will want to grab this wreath from Amazon.

 

 

Pinecone Swag

I love this little swag of pinecones on velvet ribbons. It’s so pretty and classy. This green velvet ribbon is so gorgeous and is the perfect little accent. Find this here from Amazon.

Wooden House Candles

These wooden house candles are so beautiful! These are from Anthropologie and have an elegant and sweet look to them. You can get them here.

12 Days of Christmas Gift Wrap

This wrapping paper is so sweet and simple! I really love it! It has little pictures showing the different things from the twelve days of Christmas. Perfect for wrapping cute gifts to serve as decor under the tree. Find this beautiful gift wrap here.

Most Realistic Balsam Hill Fraser Fir

I saved up for this one all year and we absolutely love it; these lights are gorgeous and it’s designed to last for many years. It is an investment, but a good one!! I highly recommend this tree! Find it here!

 

 

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

I hope you love this decor as much as I do! I would love to see what you buy and how you style it! Let me know in the comments below.

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

9 Simple Ways to Decorate for Winter and Leave Up After Christmas Too

9 Simple Ways to Decorate for Winter and Leave Up After Christmas Too

9 Simple Ways to Decorate for Winter and Leave Up After Christmas Too

Check out these simple, easy ways to decorate for winter! You can style your home for Christmas and leave them up after the holidays too!  Welcome to Day 10 of the 10 Days of Christmas Preparations!  Today, we are going to show you ways to decorate for winter that you can use after the holidays too!

None of us want to rush the holidays.  

Thanksgiving and Christmas are my very favorites and I am only ever trying to extend the season, not rush it.  However, once New Year’s rolls around and the Christmas decor goes away, our homes can feel a bit empty, right? Then, there is always the big question of how can I decorate my house after Christmas?  If you’ve ever had that question, then these ways to decorate for winter are ones you’re going to want to save!

A big part of creating cozy homes is planning ahead!  We are excited to share some ways that you can use winter greenery.  Not only can you style it in your homes for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but you can also easily transition your home to winter after the holidays.

We hope these tips and ideas will help you create a cozy home that lasts until the first signs of spring start to appear!  Because who doesn’t love some decor that can last more than the month of the holiday?!

Meet the friends who are inspiring you for the 10 Days of Christmas Prep this week:

I have had the honor of spending time with each of these amazing ladies and I’m proud to call them my personal friends!  I’ve seen peeks of what they will be sharing and I promise you won’t want to miss a single day!  It is such an honor to spend time “decorating, DIYing, baking, cooking, and creating” this week with such kind and talented friends!



9 Simple Ways to Decorate for Winter and Leave Up After Christmas Too

1. Create beautiful planters for ways to decorate for winter!

How can I decorate my house in January?

Don’t worry.  You don’t have to actually think about January right now; that would definitely overwhelm me!  However, these gorgeous planters from Stacy at Bricks N Blooms are a perfect idea to create right now!  You can enjoy them for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond!

Looking for easy outdoor planters for winter ideas? Learn how to design budget-friendly beautiful winter outdoor planters.

Get Stacy’s amazing ideas HERE!

2. Check out these outdoor ways to decorate for winter!

How can I decorate my house after Christmas?

As I said, it is always a bonus to me when I can decorate for the season, also planning at the same time for a quick and easy transition after the holiday!

Jen from Cottage on Bunker Hill is sharing her gorgeous outdoor winter decor.  These ways to decorate for winter are ones that you could do now, add a few festive Christmas touches, and then transition back to winter in just a few minutes after the holiday!

Jen is sharing a few of her easy winter porch decorating tips to quickly turn your entranceway into a festive welcome for the entire winter season.

Bonus: This saves time and money!

3. Beautiful Faux Greenery & Stems for Your Holiday

Looking for some new greenery this Christmas? When it comes to winter, Kim LOVES faux greenery! Today, she shares some beautiful faux greenery & stems for you to use this holiday season.

4. Dried fruit and winter greenery are perfect ways to decorate for winter!

Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse is sharing a winter greenery DIY that I definitely want to try this year!  In fact, it would go perfectly with my Thanksgiving decor and then just leave up all winter long!

These DIY Real Cedar & Orange Topiaries are a sustainable and budget-friendly way to decorate for the Christmas season. Fill your home with the wonderful fragrance of live greenery and save money this holiday by following this easy step-by-step tutorial.  

Check out Rachel’s easy tutorial HERE!

5. Layering winter greenery is one of the best ways to decorate for winter!

How do you decorate for winter after Christmas?

Wondering how to decorate your mantel to last you through the season and after Christmas too?  Make your winter mantel decor extra cozy with these easy decorating tips. Layers + textures + greens…the perfect combination!  Bonus: you can add and swap out simple and small accessories for the following:

All using the same base of winter greenery (realistic eucalyptus and pine garlands) that you create in November!

Get my simple steps HERE!

6. Winter fireplace decorating is easy with these essentials!

Brendt from She Gave It A Go is using winter greenery and other cozy elements to show you how to decorate your fireplace for winter.  Use these simple tips for quick and easy decor!

Brendt is sharing with you how to cozily decorate your fireplace for winter with these essentials. Don’t miss these easy to put into play ideas.

7. Ready for more mantel ideas and ways to decorate for winter?

Do you have a mantel that you need help decorating for the holidays? Kelly from The Tattered Pew is sharing the perfect rustic combination over on THIS post!  

Check out these easy layering tips for how to add the best greenery, statement pieces and rustic accents to your mantel or fireplace. You will leave feeling inspired and ready to decorate.

8. 21 Ideas for Decorating with Pinecones!

Free Christmas decorating makes me happy!  Do you have pine cones in your yard? Here are 21 ways to add them to your winter greenery.

9. Looking for cheap ways to decorate for winter?

Simply 2 Moms has got you covered with this trick…all starting with a cheap garland!

Learn how to make your Christmas mantel garland look full and fluffy without breaking your budget. These easy to copy ideas show you how to get height and volume starting with cheap garland. This method can be used for any decorating style or color scheme.

Get this quick and easy tutorial from Simply 2 Moms HERE!

Are you feeling inspired?

Since July, we have all had so much fun planning how we could best help each of you prepare for the holiday season.  Our goal was to make it easy, budget-friendly, fun, and to lighted your stress load for the holidays!

We welcome you to revisit the 10 Days of Christmas Preparations and save your favorites so you can remember them as you move through your own holiday prep.

Most of all, we hope we’ve inspired you to take time to really make your homes the most special places to be for this most wonderful time of the year!

Don’t miss out on the full 10 Days of Christmas Prep!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

9 Inexpensive Festive and Easy Christmas DIY Wreath Ideas

9 Inexpensive Festive and Easy Christmas DIY Wreath Ideas

9 Inexpensive Festive and Easy Christmas DIY Wreath Ideas

Looking for budget-friendly and easy Christmas DIY wreath ideas? Check out these festive and inexpensive ideas to use this holiday season!  Welcome to Day Nine of the 10 Days of Christmas Preparations!  Today is going to be so festive…and budget-friendly too!

Thank goodness that Day Nine of our 10 Days of Christmas Preparations is full of brilliant, festive, inexpensive, and EASY Christmas DIY wreath ideas!

True story.

I really wanted to have a large wreath hanging in the newly designed space outside by our side door.  My husband and I went to the store and he about fell over at the wreath prices.  His words: “Can’t you just make something?”

Coming from the guy who is usually trying to get me to shorten my to do list, that was all I needed to hear!

In case you’re significant other has the same reaction in the wreath aisle at the store, don’t worry!  We’ve got you covered today with everything you need to make your own wreath.  After reading through these posts, I have some of my own ideas of how I can combine a few different things to make what I need for my space too!

 

Meet the friends who are inspiring you for the 10 Days of Christmas Prep this week:

I have had the honor of spending time with each of these amazing ladies and I’m proud to call them my personal friends!  I’ve seen peeks of what they will be sharing and I promise you won’t want to miss a single day!  It is such an honor to spend time “decorating, DIYing, baking, cooking, and creating” this week with such kind and talented friends!



9 Inexpensive Festive and Easy Christmas DIY Wreath Ideas

1. Use inexpensive materials for easy Christmas DIY wreath ideas!

What do you need for a DIY Christmas wreath?

Simply 2 Moms has a gorgeous idea using yarn!  Actually, this wreath idea can be easily used year round too, which makes it even more budget-friendly!

This simple DIY yarn hoop wreath is so easy to make and perfect anywhere in your home. You can easily swap the greenery each season and enjoy it year-round! Wait until you see what Simply 2 Moms used as the base!

Get their easy tutorial HERE!

2. Create an easy Christmas DIY wreath using this Advent idea!

Actually, today’s round up for the 10 Days of Christmas Preparation includes two different kinds of Advent wreaths to help you get ready for the season!

Stacy from Bricks N Blooms shares how she made this gorgeous centerpiece wreath using fresh greenery.  However, you could easily substitute faux Christmas greenery too.

Celebrate the spirit and meaning of Christmas with this easy tutorial to make a beautiful DIY advent wreath using fresh or faux winter greens.  Get her tutorial on THIS post!

3. Use festive jingle bells to create this easy Christmas DIY wreath idea!

How do you make a simple Christmas wreath?

Jen from Cottage on Bunker Hill is showing us how to make a festive and easy Christmas DIY wreath idea that still looks elegant.  In fact, I especially love how high end this easy Christmas DIY wreath really looks!

Check out her pretty, elegant take on a jingle bell wreath.  She uses assorted sizes of jingle bells, spray painted in different metallic tones, to make this beautiful Christmas wreath.  You could use the same concept and simply tweak the colors to match your own Christmas decor aesthetic!

You can get all of the details of Jen’s jingle bell wreath idea HERE!

4. How do you make an expensive looking wreath for less money?

That’s a great question!  Kim from Cottage in the Mitten is sharing today and I’ll definitely be using these tips myself!

Have you ever found something you just had to have but didn’t want to pay the price? Check out THIS post and see how Kim made this expensive wreath for less than half the price!

Christmas savings are always a bonus!!!

5. Take a simple approach to decorating your front door with easy Christmas DIY wreath ideas!

Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse has exquisite double front doors.  In fact, her large porch is always such an inspiration for the seasons.  You’ll love this post with ideas for simple ways to decorate your own front door!

Welcome to this year’s Farmhouse Porch & Front Door Christmas Decoration Ideas. You can see all the changes Rachel made to her front door entry and how those changes resulted in a more simplified decorating approach.

Find Rachel’s suggestions for simple front door Christmas decor on THIS post!

6. Use these simple elements to create a Christmas centerpiece wreath!

How do you make a simple Christmas wreath?

It can’t get much more simple than this!  It took me about 5 minutes to gather up my materials and maybe 5 minutes to put this easy Christmas DIY wreath idea together for our family’s Advent.

Advent is a beautiful way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. You can easily create a DIY Advent wreath with this simple tutorial. Celebrate Christmas with intentional traditions for the whole family this year!

You could also take this same idea and tweak it for a simple and elegant Christmas table centerpiece.  I love a DIY that can be double duty decor!

Get my easy process to create this Advent wreath HERE!

7. A Festive Farmhouse Christmas Porch!

If you are looking to add farmhouse style to your front porch this Christmas, then you are in the right place. Brendt shares easy ways to add festive decor to your porch during this holiday season.

Mixing what you already have plus some new pieces will surely create a welcoming porch to all your guests who come over this Christmas.

8. Combine materials you may already have for this large and easy Christmas DIY wreath idea!

How can I make a cheap Christmas wreath look expensive?

As I said at the beginning of my post, large Christmas wreaths, in particular, can be so expensive!  Kelly from The Tattered Pew always has great cost saving ideas for home decor.  I love how she used materials on hand, added just a little bit, and then created this easy Christmas DIY wreath idea!

Have a large old wreath?  The bigger the better! Make a large statement wreath for Christmas in less than 30 minutes using items from around your home and fresh greenery.

Get Kelly’s easy tutorial on THIS post!

9. How to Make a Christmas Drop Cloth Wreath!

Here’s a DIY for a wreath that can take you from fall into Christmas. Make this simple and easy DIY wreath with drop cloth leaves in an afternoon!

How do you make a cheap wreath look good?

Sometimes, a DIY doesn’t end up saving a ton of money, especially if it takes a lot of time.  I absolutely love how all of these ideas are not only budget-friendly, but also time-friendly!  You can take inexpensive elements, a little bit of time, and create beautiful and easy Christmas DIY wreath ideas for your home this year!

Don’t miss out on the full 10 Days of Christmas Prep!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

9 Unique and Simple Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

9 Unique and Simple Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

9 Unique and Simple Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

Looking for some unique gift wrap ideas? Check out these simple Christmas gift wrapping ideas that are easy and will stand out from the rest!  Welcome to Day Eight of the 10 Days of Christmas Preparations!

How is your shopping going?  I made it my mission to get as much of my shopping done early so that I could get a head start on my gift wrapping!  It isn’t all done, that’s for certain, but I’m making a progress!  Today, we are excited to share some fun ideas for unique gift wrapping.  However, we all know it needs to be easy, too!  So, we are sharing our favorite simple Christmas gift wrapping ideas with you today!

The kids get so excited, checking to see if anymore packages have been added around the tree and all of the festive holiday feelings are coming alive around here.  It truly is such a wonderful time of the year.

Even though gift wrapping is sometimes considered a drudgery task, I try to think of it as an additional opportunity to let the receiver know how much they are loved and thought of.  In fact, they are cared for so much that I took time to add a little extra special touch to their gift.

Okay, okay.  Sometimes you just have to put the pretty touches aside and get it done.  I totally get it!  However, starting a little earlier will allow you to get those gifts wrapped with some extra love, less stress, and maybe even enjoy a few Hallmark Christmas movies while you work!

Simple Christmas gift wrapping is sounding better and better, am I right?!

Meet the friends who are inspiring you for the 10 Days of Christmas Prep this week:

I have had the honor of spending time with each of these amazing ladies and I’m proud to call them my personal friends!  I’ve seen peeks of what they will be sharing and I promise you won’t want to miss a single day!  It is such an honor to spend time “decorating, DIYing, baking, cooking, and creating” this week with such kind and talented friends!



9 Unique and Simple Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

1. Gift Wrap Hack: DIY Personalized Ribbon!

Don’t spend tons of money wrapping gifts? Personalize them for pennies instead with this simple DIY gift wrap hack.

2. Use this budget-friendly idea with yarn for unique and simple Christmas gift wrapping!

Simply 2 Moms is sharing this really fun and unique way to make your Christmas gifts look extra special.  Bonus: You don’t have to spend a lot of extra money on the wrapping!

Want your gifts to look cute without breaking the bank? Check out these simple and inexpensive gift wrapping ideas using yarn! You’ll be amazed how many packages you can wrap and the different ways to decorate them.

Get all of the details HERE!

3. Create special gift tags for simple Christmas gift wrapping ideas!

What is a unique way to wrap present?

Stacy from Bricks N Blooms is sharing the cutest idea!  I know my girls and I definitely want to make some scented gift tags after reading Stacy’s post!

Want a beautiful and budget-friendly way to personalize your holiday gifts this year? Wait until you see how easy these scented Christmas gift tags DIY are to make!

Get all of the details HERE!

4. Use these natural elements for simple Christmas gift wrapping ideas that are beautiful!

Jen from Cottage on Bunker Hill has a genius idea to create simple packages that are stunning!  You’ll love THIS post!

Jen is sharing her natural holiday gift wrap ideas that are both beautiful and affordable. Plus, they give your presents a handmade touch without a lot of stress and time!

5. Follow these tips for beautiful and simple Christmas gift wrapping!

What is the best way to wrap Christmas gifts?

Kim from Cottage in the Mitten has some great ideas to help you get all of those gifts wrapped easily, quickly, and beautifully!  

Receiving and giving a beautifully wrapped package can bring so much joy. With just a little effort, you can create beautifully wrapped gifts as well.  Get Kim’s tips and tricks on THIS post!

6. Try this idea to save money on wrapping paper and create beautiful Christmas gift wrapping!

What can I use instead of wrapping paper for Christmas?

Have you ever wished you could save some money on all of that wrapping paper that gets tossed after Christmas morning?  Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse has the perfect solution!

I’m a fan of recycling scrap fabric, so I decided to make some sustainable gift-wrapping DIY projects using scrap fabrics. These eco-friendly wrapping ideas are budget-friendly and super easy to make.  Find all of Rachel’s great ideas on THIS post!

 

7. These tips can help you create simple Christmas gift wrapping that still looks extra special!

How do you elegantly wrap a gift?

Gift wrapping doesn’t have to be time consuming in order to look thoughtful and extra special, nor should it overwhelm your season.

Check out these 5 amazing and budget-friendly ideas for easy Christmas gift wrapping this holiday season!​

I had fun creating this gift wrapping last year!  Bonus: I can reuse some of these gift tags this year too!

Get my favorite gift wrapping tips HERE!

8. Beautiful Christmas gift wrapping ideas shouldn’t be a secret!

Brendt from She Gave It A Go is sharing 5 “secrets” to help you create amazing looking packages without the hassle and stress!

Are you wanting to create beautiful presents this holiday season? She is sharing 5 secrets to pretty gift wrapping in this post. These 5 secrets are easy to apply and will create that gorgeous gift look you are hoping for this season!

9. Personalize your gift wrapping for an extra special touch!

Kelly from The Tattered Pew has some printable ideas you can use for simple Christmas gift wrapping with a personal touch!

Make your loved ones feel special with personalized tags and place cards this Christmas. This holiday printables bundle can help us be more intentional about our time and loving others. Use them for your gifts, table settings, menus and more.

Get the holiday printable bundle HERE!

What is the best way to wrap Christmas presents?

We hope that this post helps you get this task started in a more enjoyable way!  Simple Christmas gift wrapping can be fun for both you and the receiver.  With starting early and having some special ideas ready to go, you can spread the Christmas spirit even in your gift wrapping!

Don’t miss out on the full 10 Days of Christmas Prep!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

9 Ways to Create Festive Christmas Home Decor for the Holidays

9 Ways to Create Festive Christmas Home Decor for the Holidays

9 Ways to Create Festive Christmas Home Decor for the Holidays

Festive Christmas home decor is all in the details! We are sharing some favorite tips, tricks, and ideas to help you create the Christmas spirit in your home.  Welcome to Day Seven of the 10 Days of Christmas Preparations!  

We decided that today was a Christmas free-for-all!  Each of us had so many things that we were excited to share; it was really hard to choose!  However, I know you’re going to love Day Seven of the 10 Days of Christmas Prep.  There are great ideas, including practical tutorials, tips for decorating, and simple DIY inspirations.

Get ready to save the ideas you want to try this year.  We are sharing early so that you have time to pencil some fun DIY and decorating into your busy holiday schedule!

Meet the friends who are inspiring you for the 10 Days of Christmas Prep this week:

I have had the honor of spending time with each of these amazing ladies and I’m proud to call them my personal friends!  I’ve seen peeks of what they will be sharing and I promise you won’t want to miss a single day!  It is such an honor to spend time “decorating, DIYing, baking, cooking, and creating” this week with such kind and talented friends!



9 Ways to Create Festive Christmas Home Decor for the Holidays

1. Nothing brings the feeling of a festive Christmas home like hot cocoa!

What homemade gifts can I make?

Creating festive Christmas home decor is more than just the actual decor.  First and I think most importantly, it is about the feeling you create in your home!  Traditions, like making homemade gifts together, are the perfect way to make sure you set aside some festive, memorable moments together!

Kelly from The Tattered Pew has a wonderful idea for this!  Looking for a fun, quick and easy DIY gift idea?  This is the perfect gift to give to your neighbors, teachers or friends.  It’s homemade hot chocolate in a jar along with some darling printable gift tags to give it that personal touch!

Get Kelly’s quick and easy tutorial HERE, along with printable tags!

2. Five Ways to Repurpose Christmas Cards!

What do you do with all those Christmas cards that show up in the mail? Don’t toss them? Try these creative ideas instead.

3. Festive Christmas home decor is all in the details!

How do you make an easy Christmas bow?

The details matter!  Fortunately, Simply 2 Moms is sharing the easy steps it takes to create beautiful bows to add to your festive Christmas home decor!

Learn how to make the easiest fluffy bows in minutes. Bows are a great way to add style to wreaths, gifts and other home décor.

Find their easy tutorial on THIS post!

4. Add festive Christmas home decor with greenery!

How do you decorate for the holidays on a budget?

Skip the mistletoe and hang a beautiful Christmas kissing ball that you made on a budget using fresh greens and some holiday decor!

Stacy from Bricks N Blooms is sharing a quick and easy tutorial to make this fun and festive Christmas home decor accessory.  Learn how to make a Christmas kissing ball in a few easy steps!

5. Add some sparkle to your festive Christmas home decor ideas!

How do I decorate my house for Christmas on a budget?

Add some DIY sparkle, of course, for festive Christmas home decor!  Jen from Cottage on Bunker Hill made this amazing display that I know you will love too.

Wait until you see how she turned a few unfinished wood houses into very expensive-looking additions to her DIY Christmas village! All it took was a little paint and sparkle!

6. Put holiday guests in a festive mood with a hot cocoa bar!

What do you put on a hot chocolate station?

Kim from Cottage in the Mitten is showing you how to make sure your home not only looks festive, but also feels festive with her adorable hot cocoa bar!

Looking for a way to make your friends and family feel welcomed this Christmas? Creating this simple hot cocoa bar will definitely work!  You can see all of the details Kim used to create this fun and festive idea on THIS post!

7. Add a DIY garland for a festive Christmas home decor touch!

How can I decorate my house for Christmas cheaply?

DIY garlands were a big trend last year and with the natural elements of this one by Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse, I know it will be a big hit this year for the 2022 Christmas trends!

See how to easily make a unique, sustainable dried fruit and herb Christmas garland.  Rachel has made several dried fruit garlands for previous holidays, but this one is my favorite.  I definitely want to try making one this year!

Bonus: I think this would be pretty for Thanksgiving too!

Get the easy tutorial HERE!

8. Bells add a dramatic festive Christmas home decor look!

What do you do with Christmas bells?

One of my very favorite Christmas DIY projects ever is this Christmas bell display.  In fact, I love it so much that we left it all on the stick, stored it away carefully, and I am hanging it up again this year!  Actually, I may hang it in the dining room again too!

Fill your home with intentional purpose this Christmas and create a simple Christmas bell DIY idea to create festive beauty in your home!

9. Holiday Home Tour 2021: Kitchen and Master Bedroom

Brendt is so excited to share her 2021 Holiday home tour! She uses farmhouse-style Christmas decor with lots of festive signs, faux pre-lit greenery, chunky blankets, and cozy twinkle lights.

I know you will enjoy this cozy Christmas tour of her kitchen and master bedroom!

How can I make my house look Christmassy?

I’m so glad you asked!  These are ideas are definitely all wonderful to get you started as you create a festive Christmas spirit in your own home.

In fact, every day of our 10 Days of Christmas Preparation ideas and inspiration is full of easy and budget-friendly ways that you can make your house look and feel Christmasy this year!

Don’t miss out on the full 10 Days of Christmas Prep!

 



I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  
Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

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