3 Non-Dye Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

Happy Easter to you and your families!

In preparation for Easter festivities this weekend, I thought I'd share 3 of my favorite egg decorating ideas from Pinterest.  And, they all just happen to be non-dye ideas.  (Rage against the traditional machine!)

1. Metallic Eggs - Grab some metallic spray paint or craft paint and paint away.  Super easy and way chic!  Heck, I think you could even use Rub 'N Buff for this project...

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2. Washi Tape Eggs - Ever hear of washi tape?  It's a decorative paper tape with a sticky backing.  Washi tape can be found at craft stores and there are so many adorable patterns to choose from.  This would be the most mess-free egg decorating session ever.

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3. Nail Polish Marbled Eggs - More messy but way cool!  Have a little extra nail polish laying around?  If so, you've got to try this egg decorating idea.  The full instructions can be found on the Henry Happened blog {here}.

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Hope your weekends are filled with joy, thanksgiving, and reflection on the true reason for this holiday.  He is Risen...He is Risen Indeed!  

The Most Perfectly Quaint Kitchen

Let me take you on a little trip to Barcelona, Spain so we can visit the most quaint and beautifully brooding kitchen I've ever seen...

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See how it's set inside a room, like it's almost an afterthought.  Yet, it's open to the dining nook and hallway via the most gorgeous display of window casings, maximizing the natural light as much as possible.  Look, it even has a little pass-through if you open up the window into the dining space...

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I would totally take the "smallness" of this kitchen if I could get my hands on the most perfect butler pantry (from a different house, of course) shown below...

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I think it would be so cool to have a dark and sultry kitchen juxtaposed with a bright and airy pantry like this!  Who wouldn't want to stash food in this space?!?  It would make even the dogdiest box of cereal look sublimely elegant.

Oh, and if it were up to me, I'd add the below light fixtures to the space just to jazz it up a bit with some metallic bling.

This Schoolhouse Electric pendant for over the kitchen sink...

This Shades of Light flush-mount fixture on the kitchen ceiling and in the butler's pantry (for good measure)...

And, last but not least, it's between this gem from Amazon...

Or, this equally as lovely (and much more affordable) fixture from Shades of Light for over the dining table...

How could I ever decide??? 

It's nice to dream sometimes, right?  Could you work in a kitchen like this?  Make it work, perhaps?  Do tell!

Spring Decorating Ideas to Perk Up Your Space

Spring is high near!  At least that's what I'm telling myself as I gaze out the window at a snowy landscape.  Easter is this weekend, so surely warm weather is ahead!  Right?!?

In preparation for spring, invigorate your interior by adding something new and fun to the space.  Here are nine very affordable and eye-catching ideas that will surely spruce up your home for Spring:

1. Change a light fixture.  Sick of builder basic flush-mount fixtures?  Replace one with a fun ceiling fixture like the dandelion-inspired pendant below (Maskros Pendant Lamp from Ikea).  It looks like a million bucks, but only costs $90.

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2. Update your bathroom mirrors.  Replace your basic sheet-glass mirror with an accent mirror.  If you have a double vanity and feel bold, try two different mirrors for an extra dash of pizzaz.  

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3. Add colorful throw pillows to your sofa.  This is the simplest way to completely transform the look of your room without making a major commitment.  And, this time of year is perfect for taking a risk with a new bright color.  As you can see below, none of the pillows "match" but they look great together.  Just coordinate the colors with a few other accents in the space.

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4. Frame a tea towel.  A fantastic and affordable way to add a colorful art feature to your wall!  You can find a beautiful tea towel on Etsy - just search under keyword "tea towel" - and then frame it in a poster size frame.  The below towel is by Lisa Rupp Designs and only costs $20.

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5. Paint the ceiling.  You can go bold and pick a bright color like yellow (see below).  Or, you can go more subtle and pick a softer shade.  This is a fantastic way to draw the eye up and make your ceilings seem to soar.  And, since it's only a single wall, your paint expense is very small.

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6. Add a little fringe.  Find some pom-pom fringe or tassel fringe at your local craft store and sew it to the edges of curtain panels for an easy room update.  A no sew option, line the edges of curtains with ribbon backed with iron-on adhesive.

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7. Plant a tree...indoors.  Try a fiddle leaf fig or rubber tree - they're both great options for those without the greenest of thumbs (like myself!).

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8. Spray paint an old piece of furniture.  Grab an old side table, chest of drawers, or coffee table (check on Craigslist if you don't have one hanging around), prime it with spray primer, and then finish with a coat of colorful spray paint.  If you every want to change the color, just spray paint it again!

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9. Wallpaper an accent wall or small space.  Try this decorating staple in a small entry way, powder bath, or even a closet.  Also works wonders as an accent wall in a bedroom.  Or, for a project with less commitment, try wallpapering the back of a shelf for a smaller pop of color.

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Which of these spring decorating ideas peak your interest?  I love them all...it's so hard for me to pick because I've either already done them, or plan to eventually do them all in our house.

Art That Speaks to You

Ever come across a piece of artwork that seems to speak to you?  No...I'm not saying it literally "speaks to you"...but it stirs something inside of you.  It means something to you.  It transports you to another time or place. That's what the below painting did for me.

Girl in the Yellow Suit, by Lisa Golightly (via)

Art is very personal, very taste-specific, so I'm guessing not everyone loves it as much as I do.  And, that's totally OK with me, because I know I love it.  You see, this little girl reminds me so much of myself as a child.  The same hair (cut and color), the same build, the same love for the beach, the love for all things yellow (I think I had or should have had that suit at some point)!  I think it's me but in a painting.  Sounds crazy, but I think that's why I love it so much!  And, the fact that I now have my own little girl who adores swimming also makes it more special to me.

You can check out more awe-inspiring art by Lisa Golightly on her Etsy shop {here}.  True confessions...I bought the above print for myself as an early birthday gift!

Has a piece of artwork ever stopped you in your tracks?  Why did you love it so?

Bacon & Egg Spaghetti

Quirky combo, huh?  I never would have thought to combine bacon and eggs with spaghetti, and then serve it as supper.  But, truth be told, it's a really delicious and very affordable dinner that your entire family will enjoy!

(The original recipe came from the March 2013 Better Homes & Gardens magazine, but I tweeked it a bit...)

Ingredients:
2 slices whole grain bread, cut into small cubes
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
8 oz dried spaghetti
6 slices peppered bacon
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
4 eggs
1 cup fresh spinach
Extra grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Toss cubed bread, 1 1/2 tsp olive oil, and 1 Tbsp Parmesan in large ziplock bag...then shake until bread is evenly coated.  Spread bread cubes on a large foil-lined baking sheet covered with non-stick cooking spray.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.  Set aside to cool.

2. In large pot, cook spaghetti according to box directions. Drain, set aside.  Reserve 3/4 cup pasta water.

3. Meanwhile, in large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; drain well on paper towels.  Tear bacon into small bite-sized pieces, and set aside.  Keep skillet warm, reserving bacon drippings in the skillet.

4. In the same large pot used to cook pasta, cook minced garlic in remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat for 1 minute.  Add salt and crushed red pepper.  Add cooked pasta, fresh spinach, and remaining Parmesan.  Add enough reserved pasta water to desired consistency; toss to coat.  Cover to keep warm.

5. Heat the large skillet with reserved bacon drippings to medium heat.  Break eggs into skillet.  Reduce heat to low; cook eggs approximately 3-4 minutes, or until desired doneness.

6. Divide spaghetti among 4 plates.  Top with bacon and toasted bread cubes.  Serve with eggs.  Provide extra Parmesan cheese for garnish.  (Makes 4 servings.)

This recipe will make you feel like a gourmet chef.  The meal is really pretty once it's plated and the unique-factor on a scale of 1 to 10, is a 10+.  Expect raised eyebrows and lots of "Wow!"s!

On Trend - Metallic Accents Are Everywhere!

Any time I see a room with metallic accents, I'm drawn in.  They make a space look more carefully collected and multi-dimensional.  Admittedly, at one time I would have passed off metallics as too fussy and overdone, but I've come to appreciate golds, silvers, and bronzes as beautiful accents to any color scheme.  Metallics add a special patina that no other texture can add - it's a sleek, shiny, yet grounded finish, that adds just a whisper of richness to the details. 

Here are a few easy-to-add metallic accent pieces (sources below!) for any space in your home:

1. Nate Berkus Chevron Storage Box ($13) - Target // 2. Nate Berkus Brass Finish Metal Vase ($25) - Target // 3. Perch Table Lamp in Mercury ($79) - West Elm // 4. Threshold Starburst Mirror ($40) - Target // 5. Metal Stool with Wood Top ($50) - Target (Threshold Spring 2013 Look Book) // 6. Gumball Desk Lamp in Silver ($59) - Urban Outfitters // 7. 11"x14" Hey Y'all! Gold Foil Print ($20) - Stephanie Creekmur on Etsy // 8. Metallic Gold Feathered Chevron 18"x18" Pillow Cover ($30) - Kyle Wayne Taylor on Etsy // 9. Three Hands Chrome Stool ($90) - Target // 10. Martini Side Table ($149) - West Elm // 11. Threshold Brass Animals ($10 each) - Target (Threshold Spring 2013 Look Book) // 12. Natural Cotton Hand Printed Silver Foil Brushed 16"x20" Pillow Cover ($49) - Planetarium Design on Etsy // 13. Gold Geometric Lamp Base ($79) - Land of Nod // 14. Brass Accent Table ($60) - Target (Threshold Spring 2013 Look Book) // 15. Gold Linen Lumbar 16"x20" Pillow Cover ($30) - Sukan Art on Etsy // 16. Metallic Silver Chevron Stripe 18"x18" Pillow Cover ($30) - Kyle Wayne Taylor on Etsy

As with anything, remember that moderation is key.  You don't want too many or too few metallics featured in a room.  Make sure to pick a favorite finish, then repeat it just a few times in a space; then add just a hint or two of another metallic finish, so your room doesn't look like a confused jewelry box.

Here are a some gorgeous traditional and contemporary spaces that use metallics in such a tasteful manner:

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As I've focused on decorating our guest bedroom, I've tried to incorporate some metallic accents to add some depth, sophistication, and intrigue.  What about you?  Do you love the ever-popular metallic trend?!?

Just Add Sunshine! Light-Sensitive Paint Project

How adorable is this pillow cover?

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I spotted it in an articled entitled "10 Things to Do With a White Pillow Cover" in this month's edition of HGTV Magazine (Apr 2013), and just knew I had to share it with you guys as an easy DIY weekend project.

Here's how to make your very own light-sensitive paint pillow cover:

Materials:
Lumi Inkodye Solution (can be purchased on the Lumi website, 4 oz. bottle of dye for $12)
Skeleton Keys (above keys are from Amazon, 10 keys for $7)
White Cotton Pillow Cover (20"x20" RITVA cushion cover from Ikea for $7)
Lots of Sunshine (Free!)

Instructions:
1. Paint on Lumi Inkodye Solution with large paint brush in a room not exposed to sunlight.

2. Run your pillow cover outside, lay it outside on a dry flat surface with full exposure to the sun, and immediately place keys on top.

3. Let keys sit on cover for 10-20 minutes (see dye package for instructions), and then remove keys to reveal the white fabric beneath.

4. Wash pillow cover 2-3 times with regular laundry detergent to remove all unexposed dye.

5. Display for all to see!

There are so many items that would work great for this project - cookie cutters, foam cut-outs from a craft store, letter magnets, stickers...you name it.  Options are limitless!  How cute are these other projects with light-sensitive paint below?

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The inspiration wheels are cranking...ideas swarming.  I've got to get some of this dye.  Anyone else totally in on this fun project idea?  Have you ever used light-sensitive paint?

My Yellow Silk Curtain Addiction

I can't help but love sunny yellow silk drapes!  I think they'd be just perfect in my dining room, to carry over the canary yellow accents in my living room and office space.  My inspiration pics are below...

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Unfortunately, I can't seem to find (affordable) pre-made sunshine yellow silk drapery panels anywhere...not even in the vast internet universe.  But, chin up buttercup!  I found this goldenrod silk dupioni fabric for sale on Amazon for only $10.50/yard...so there is hope.

Here is a shot of my dining room right now:

Wouldn't the room benefit from a big shot of yellow silk loveliness framing the large window?

Is it meant to be?  Should I spring for the fabric and opt to make my own window panels?!?  Do tell!

Guest Post - Home Design Trends for Spring 2013

Hi everyone!  Today we have a guest post by the lovely Eva Stephen from Shop4Furniture.net.  She shares some fabulous home design trends with us that are popular for Spring 2013.  Read her post below and then tell us which trend is your favorite in the comment section below!

Eva, take it away...

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It’s time to wake up from the deep winter’s sleep and prepare your home for the joyful new season. I assume you’ve already heard about the hot new home décor trends for this year, right? It’s time to evaluate everything you’ve heard and read recently about what is trendy and apply some of these tricks to your own home.

Become a color-blocking pro
Color-blocking is big this season and it simply means matching seemingly unmatchable colors. 

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If you’re feeling brave enough, you can go ahead and try refurbishing your chairs and sofas using some hot vibrant colour, like pink, then match it with orange curtains.  In order to do that successfully, you need a few more details in these tones – an orange vase, pink photo frames – and modern furniture that you can buy online on shop4furniture.net or any other store that has a great selection of furniture styles.


Green is your thing
If you are not too big on color eccentricity, you can use the very popular green shade for walls or furniture. 

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Emerald was voted the color of the year, so you cannot go wrong using that color, but any shade of green or peaceful, pastel, natural colors is acceptable this seasons – or so the home décor gurus claim.


Feather-style your home
For some reasons feathers rule the home décor arena. You can use any feather detail in your bedroom or living room: a feather-printed pillow or bed spread, feathers in curious vases, feather sculptures next to walls or feather art on walls. 

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If it seems like the feather is part of an animal, even better. The Find has great and beautiful peacock printed pillows, just have a look. 

Animals in our home
Bold animal-print is not only popular in clothes fashion, but it also works magically as furniture or wall pattern. Any kind of animal print anywhere will open up your home and make it exciting. You might be at risk of overdoing it and creating tasteless scenery inside your home, so you should probably use animal print in small doses. 

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Let nature in
Eco movements around the world are reminding us it’s finally time to heal our planet and revisit nature. That might be one of the reasons people are using big windows, lots of plants and flowery designs when remodeling and decorating. Not so long ago flowery wall paper was perceived as old-fashioned and tacky, only to be rediscovered in 2013. 

If you have a small apartment, the best way to make it appear bigger is with lots of windows, lots of light and bright walls. If you don’t have enough windows, you might even want to consider breaking some walls and adding new sources of natural light. 

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DIY projects as stress-relievers
It is becoming more popular to create furniture and home decorations out of used items.  Repurposing and recycling are fun activities for the whole family and they can usually save you a lot of money, plus they are in accord with the before mentioned eco movements.

With our hectic work schedules and stress that accumulates during those long busy hours, people resort to creative stress-relievers, which results in wonderfully imaginative works of home decoration. 

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It’s nice enough that spring is just around the corner; now imagine the added joy of returning from work to a beautifully redecorated and trendy home.

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Thanks for the great post, Eva!  I have to say I personally LOVE the color-blocking trend in both home design and fashion.  The feather trend is also one I'd like to incorporate into my home decor, perhaps with a pillow like the one Eva featured or some feather art I've been stalking on Etsy...  Which trend would you like to incorporate into your space?