Home Decor | House of Earnest

Category: Home Decor

February 14, 2013

Hand Made: Lacquered Animal Bookends

in Favorite Projects, Hand Made, Home Decor with 17 Comments

I was bursting at the seams to share this project and today is the day! I love lacquered anything, but this cute little animals in a lovely deep blue are such a welcome addition to my office. They were so so simple to make and the options of animal, object, and color are endless. I think I might even make a few for gifts!

I simply used Gorilla Super Glue to adhere a plastic toy to a brick, painted with a high gloss paint and finished it off with a high gloss lacquer top coat. Easy, huh?

I had so much fun playing around with styling them and thought the monkey’s faces were humorous. I really wanted to find horses or a lion, but truth be told, finding the toy to use was the hardest part of this project. I ended up using dog toys, but I think a trip to a large toy store probably would have yielded good results as well.

So what do you think? Silly? Fun? Can I say chic?

Have a wonderful Thursday!

17 Comments

February 13, 2013

Birchseed Giveaway – CLOSED

in Home Decor with 65 Comments

We are giving away TWO pairs of down-filled art inspired pillows today! First, I’m so excited to share a relatively new company with a passion for putting emerging artists in front of the proper audience. Birchseed‘s goal is to provide exposure for new artists to the general public through building each artist’s name and reputation. They focus on giving these young artists a chance to develop their artistry in a finacially supportive way which I just think is phenomenal.

Birchseed not only carries the original art by these new talents, but also helps them to get their names out into a world of consumers by making the art accessible through their line of art inspired textiles. The pillow covers are such a wonderful idea for regular joes like you and I who may not want to splurge on some original art, but may really want to integrate the look into our homes and support new artists as well.

To gain even more exposure for these artists and their craft, House of Earnest is teaming up with Birchseed to do a give-a-way with not just one, but TWO possible winners. Each winner will get a PAIR of beautiful art inspired pillows made from high quality materials and they come with the down feather inserts (how many pillows do you buy now-a-days that come with the insert?).

So here is how to enter – THIS GIVEAWAY CLOSED AT MIDNIGHT ON 2/19/13 AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.

1. Pop over to Birchseed.com and have a look around. Come back here and comment below, telling me which item is your favorite. We will choose one random winner for each one of these comments.

2. SHARE the love! If you share Birchseed or one of their products via Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest, (and come back here to leave a comment letting me know that you did so) You’ll be entered to win the second set of pillows. (make sure to include Birchseed’s site link in your share!)

Official Rules: Open to all U.S. residents, no purchase is necessary. This giveaway begins at 5am EST on 2/13/2013 and closes at midnight EST on 2/19/2013.

Good Luck!!

65 Comments

January 31, 2013

Breathtaking in Brooklyn

in Home Decor with 11 Comments

My goal is never to just pick photos out of other websites and plaster them here, but I will say that these photos truly moved me. I was originally drawn into The Brooklyn Home Company when researching stone walls (as I wrote about last week), and was blown away by all of the loveliness was around ever single corner throughout the rest of the portfolio for the Brooklyn-based home builders.

I talk a lot about my goals for when Matt and I build on our land, and I was really impressed by how this company builds homes by gutting skeletons of buildings in an area where fresh land to build on isn’t really an option. I spent about an hour pouring through each project, each page and reading up on how each project began.

Impeccable taste, no? You can certainly tell that even through differences in homeowners, each home reflects a certain eye for design and taste level that are consistent throughout. I really couldn’t narrow down the photos I wanted to show you any more than this, but there is TONS more inspiration on their site.

Are you as blown away as I am?

p.s. If you’re curious about Alt – I’ll have a recap up next Monday! I wasn’t original going to post about it since I like to write to people (and not geared specifically toward other bloggers), but enough of you wrote to me curious about the conference and some insight, so I’ll post a little recap that will be both fun for bloggers and non-bloggers alike. Get Ready!

p.p.s. Like the eye candy in today’s post? Follow me on Pinterest for more filed away goodness of homes, parties, and products that I love. Go ahead, Snoop around!

11 Comments

January 29, 2013

Style Splurge – Murano Glass

in Home Decor with 1 Comment

I’ve been to Italy a couple times and each time I could not get over the Murano glass chandeliers in most of the (very classic) Venitian shops, hotels, restaurants, and so on.

Although I loved them from a sheer beauty standpoint, I certainly did not think they belonged in my house. My house is simple, clean (from a lines standpoint, not an orderly standpoint), and certainly not capable of housing such a striking element in classical design. That is, until I did a little more research. I found three really great examples of authentic Murano glass Chandeliers in homes that are far less fancy than where I’m used to seeing them..

We did a little tour when we were in Italy and learned that authentic Murano glass comes only from the island of Murano off the shore of Venice (similar to how Champagne is just from the Champagne region in France). This makes the real stuff more sought after and the history of the pieces richer.

They really are a splurge, but you don’t have to go hog wild right to the ornate lighting fixtures. There are tons of other beautiful Murano pieces that can make a statement without costing an arm and a leg. YourMurano.com has tons of beautiful pieces and gives a little bit of information on making sure the origin of the piece is authentic. I just love that all of the glass is hand made in on the beautiful island of Murano, Italy and that is definitely part of the appeal (and the splurge!)

Do you like Murano? Convinced it could be done in an unfussy way? Tell me what you think!

p.s. this isn’t a fashion blog, but I have a few murano cocktail rings which are really awesome. If you love the look but aren’t in for the splurge right now, you should check them out!

1 Comment

January 24, 2013

Stone Cold Awesome

in Home Decor with 8 Comments

Have I ever told you that Matty and I used to live in Colorado? Just for a little under a year, but we stayed out there for a full ski season and I learned to ski, he honed his pretty amazing skills and we both just soaked in the lifestyle that living out west could offer. It seems silly, but one of the things that sticks with me the most was the natural materials used in the ski homes and how warm and luxe it all felt. Every time I come back out west (particularly to a ski town) I can’t help but ogle over the possibilities in my home (out east).

I really want to incorporate some stone into our house, but a full-scale stone makeover is not quite feasible in our current home – unless you go the veneer route. I discovered that you can do some pretty awesome natural stone veneers on existing drywall in your home and get a similar look, and guess what? It’s a pretty easy DIY (about as easy as tile).

Now, I’ve gone a bit overboard with my inspiration photos, but the stone veneer panels I’m thinking could be a great solution to a smaller space – maybe a fireplace or mantle? I think I’m going to have to give it a try, at least in a small way.

There are just a couple big brands out there who do this type of veneer, but the Ivory color at Norstone is calling my name, and looks like it would be pretty easy for Matt to install (wink!).

What are your thoughts on stone accents? Love it? Stone Cold Awesome?

p.s. I was laughing out loud when crafting the title to this post. I just kept thinking about boys in middle school who used to wear stone cold steve austin shirts. I don’t even know who that guy is, but it cracks me up.

photo credit from top: 1 – The Brooklyn Home Company | 2 – Vik Hotels | 3 – Alemanys 5

8 Comments

January 22, 2013

Strength in Numbers

in Home Decor with 6 Comments

Whenever I go to the store, I pick up flowers for a two week stint in my home. My goal is always to have several different arrangements to go in every room in the house and cheer things up. All white tulips in the winter are just the right bit of greenery while still being serene and reminiscent of the frosty outdoors.

Breaking the market bundle into one large, a couple smaller groupings, and two bud vases means that I have enough to go around. A bud vase for the bathroom and the bedside, a smaller arrangement for the kitchen and office, and the largest one for the entry.

This tactic works well with any type of flower and is a good method if you’re not awesome at arrangements. Beware of your vessel too – something with a small opening like a stemless wine glass works awesome, but if you’ve got a more difficult shape, like a cube, tie up your flowers into a nice little bundle and lean them to one side – tres chic!

I hope you’re having a lovely and beautiful Tuesday!

6 Comments

January 17, 2013

Fresh Clean Rustic

in Home Decor with 3 Comments

I love a feeling of unrefined age and warmth in a house, which I translate as rustic. This home is a slightly different take on most people’s perception of rustic however, because it’s clean, bright, and fresh – but if I go by my aforementioned description, it totally fits the bill.

This Gotland home is a true example of the whole being greater than the sum of it’s parts. Each piece of furniture or decor isn’t necessarily awe inspiring, but the whole is so beautifully put together.

My two favorite things are the office with the all white campaign desk or the little kids bedroom with the sweet little twin beds! It’s a comfortable looking home with tons of natural light, and what more could you ask for?

What are your thoughts?

Have a BRIGHT Thursday!

Photo Source – Lantliv

p.s. I know a lot of you are getting ready for Alt Summit and making goals for 2013! One of my awesome sponsors – Betty Does Business – has a downloadable checklist to ensure that your business has direction! Check out the post here (and do some general snooping around the site, it’s pretty cool and offers a lot of quick advice for budding entrepreneurs!).

p.p.s. want to see your ad on House of Earnest? Click here for a bit of info or email me for 2013 rates and dates!

3 Comments

January 15, 2013

Old is New

in Home Decor with 1 Comment

What goes around definitely comes around in both fashion and in home style. If you would have asked me 5 years ago if I’d be wearing bright cobalt jeans to work I’d probably laugh at you, but here I am sitting in my cobalt jeans (and polka dot chambray shirt) just thinking it’s the coolest.

There has been a huge resurgence of the antique methods of dying and printing lately with woodblock, shibori, tie dye and the like. I saw one of these pillows from Luru Home on Horne yesterday during some completely unrelated research and just was enamored by how bright and pigmented the blues can look in some areas, but dark and rich in others. I also love how easy it would be to integrate these types of prints into the home – adding a global flare while still keeping a relatively tight palette.

I would just love to have a giant couch topped with a mix off these pillows – how fun would that look?

Have an amazing Tuesday out there, friends!

1 Comment

January 8, 2013

Inspiration Adoption: Crated Photos

in Home Decor with 8 Comments

This weekend during my trip to Pistacia Vera in search of super photogenic food, I saw a little crated photo they had hanging and just loved it. I loved how in the midst of a very modern, sleek shop, this hit of nostagia was highlighted.

I had a crate at home and wanted to see if I could pull off a similar look. Although I do love how their black frame was set off against the light, aged wood, I went with a chrome frame in mine with a little burlap matting (frame from West Elm here).

Although mine does have a different look, due mostly to its surroundings, I still like what it lends to my living room.

It wasn’t too hard to do – just hammer your photo frame nails to the crate prior to hanging the crate, then assemble it all together. I’m preparing to start another mini gallery cluster on this wall and thought this crate and photo would be a nice anchor – or starting point - for some other homemade art I have coming down the pipe.

It’s just a really simple way that any idea can go from mere inspiration to adoption stat!

Have an INSPIRED Tuesday!

8 Comments

January 2, 2013

Etsy Four: Rustic Winter

in Hand Made, Home Decor with 0 Comments

I hope you all had an amazing holiday! We’re back in action to bring you the best in home decor and DIY over here at House of Earnest. Some amazing tips, tricks, DIYs, eye candy, and party style are all coming your way!

Today, I’ve picked four of the things I’m lusting over from Etsy, so if you’ve received any Christmas Cash, these sweet shops might just be the place to spend it.

First (and Second), one of my absolutely favorite shops is One Haus Press. Both the pretty hand pressed art above stating ‘When My Ship Comes In’ and the monogram card below are from IHP. There is always something classically unique in this shop and all in mostly neutral hues (which you know is my favorite).

Third is a shop I’ve featured before, but I still just love to oogle at. Sydney Hale Co has the most beautiful typography on their labels, but it’s the combination of scents – warm and earthy – that keep my lingering through the store.

Lastly, there is something about the foot of snow we have on the ground here in Ohio that has me itching decorate my house like a ski lodge. I’ll hold off for now, but I’m still loving the aged wood in these vintage childrens skis from Mojomerchantile.

Have a lovely Wednesday out there, friends!

p.s. If you’re just getting back into the real-life swing of things, there are a few things you might have missed around here! We’re doing a giveaway with Sierra Mist, gave thoughts on resolutions, and had a party DIY featured on Style Me Pretty’s new ‘at home’ blog!

0 Comments