Gift Wrapping with Kraft Paper
I somehow discovered kraft paper at Home Depot when we repainted our first house. I was inspired to use it as gift wrap and was pleasantly surprised that I liked the way it looked with some fancy red ribbon I purchased through my nieces' school gift wrap sale. Years...
Your Budget: How to Save Money on Furniture
I recently learned from a friend that one of my favorite furniture consignment shops is going out of business, so I was inspired to write a guide to purchasing furniture on a budget. Furniture is dear to my heart. When we were first married we could not...
Graceful Favorites 2016 Week 9 – Papier-Mache Animal Heads
I fell in love with these white papier-mache animal heads at West Elm a few years ago. They are a modern and humane take on trophy animal heads that hearken back to safari lodges of days gone by. Their white color matches nearly any decor and they add a little...
Laundry Room Organization
There were two aspects of our house that drew us to it: the first was that the original owners were the builders and they carefully customized it, taking great pride in its design and construction. The second was that the house was full of unexpected 45-degree...
Graceful Favorites 2016 Week 7 – An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments
If you are interested in learning about reason and logic but are intimidated the idea of spending hours reading convoluted books on the subject, then An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments is for you. This is a wonderful little book that illustrates logical fallacies...
Graceful Favorites 2016 Week 5 – Hunt Slonem
We were introduced to Hunt Slonem just over three years ago and we have been avid fans of his work ever since. His work is vibrant, eclectic, and fun. He often paints patterns featuring birds, butterflies, and bunnies as well as a few eye-catching portraits...
A 1990s Florida Tropical Beach Condo Gets a Mid-Century Modern Update
Juliana and Kristine Meek returned to Naples, Florida a few years ago to help with the family art gallery, The Harmon-Meek Gallery. In just a few short years Juliana started the Meek | Modern Gallery in the Third Street Shopping District and found a condo near the...
Gallery: A 1990s Florida Tropical Beach Condo Gets a Mid-Century Modern Update
Juliana Meek purchased her condo and immediately set to work pulling down wallpaper and renovating the kitchen. Her family chipped in and helped pull out old cabinetry, rip out wallpaper, and help with handiwork. She painted the walls a creamy white to showcase her...
Graceful Favorites 2016 Week 3 – IKEA Curtains
It has been a crazy week here in Florida. We have had hurricane force winds through our area in the middle of January, which is a bit unnerving, but it has been nice to see a few cold fronts come through. We lit a fire in our fireplace and just sat and watched the...
Graceful Favorites: Week 52
I fell in love with these Threshold fox salt and pepper shakers from Target. The white porcelain goes with nearly any décor and the fox shape gives them a certain je ne sais quois. We loved these little guys so much that we eventually purchased a few extras and turned...
Graceful Favorites: Week 51
When Matt and I travel, we try to limit our souvenirs to ornaments as we can appreciate them every year and remember our trips as we decorate our tree without the worry of where to store them as they generally take up a lot less space than other possible souveniers. ...
An Olde Towne Portsmouth Christmas
I’m excited and thankful that my friends Melanie and Jeff Mansfield were gracious enough to share pictures of their 2014 Christmas decor in their Olde Towne Portsmouth home. They decorated their house for the Olde Towne Christmas Tour, featuring masks for masquerade...
Gallery: An Olde Towne Portsmouth Christmas
Jeff and Melanie Mansfield spent last Christmas in their home in Olde Towne Portsmouth. Their house was a part of the Olde Towne tour and they were gracious enough to share their beautiful home with all of us. Melanie Mansfield is a wife of 20 years and homeschooling...
Graceful Favorites: Week 50
I came upon these ridiculously cute Three Wise Owl ornaments at Z Gallerie over the Thanksgiving weekend. And as someone who is somewhat obsessed with owls and especially Wise Owls (as I already own a set of white porcelain figurines), I had a hard time passing these...
The Graceful Dwelling 2015 Holiday Gift Guide
The Graceful Dwelling 2015 Holiday Gift Guide is here! We have put together a selection of gifts for your family and friends. The gifts vary in interest and price, and each category includes a DIY gift option. Purchase these gifts or use them as inspiration! The...
Graceful Favorites: Week 49
With the first week of Advent upon us, it seemed fitting to share our all time favorite Nativity set. While I do own a traditional Fontanini Nativity set, you wouldn't know it when you come into our house. We have limited space and even more limited areas to display...
Graceful Favorites: Week 48
A few weeks ago I had suddenly had the desire to create some charger plates from scratch. I thought this would be relatively easy and somewhat inexpensive. But I was wrong. I searched far and wide for cheap wood chargers that I could stain or otherwise decorate...
Three Table Themes for Thanksgiving
If you are hosting the Thanksgiving feast this year, you may find the idea of preparing the food and decorating the table overwhelming. We are hosting my family this year and I needed to save time and money on decor. I found that with our Four Entertaining Staples...