Home Decor | House of Earnest

Category: Home Decor

December 19, 2012

Holiday 2012: Our Exterior

I promised I’d show the outside of my house and how my holiday decor theme stretched its way to the exterior. The winter whites, gold, and brown continue outside through the use of pinecones, ribbon, burlap and a couple of trusty bronze planters.

It is easy to switch out color schemes from the previous year by purchasing plain greenery and updating the ribbons and sprig wreath accents. Those little picks from the craft store are just about a dollar a piece and will be a lot more versatile than a buying specifically colored wreaths and greens.

Adding burlap to the mix is a bit more rustic than I went indoors, but the burlap isn’t going to disintegrate as much in the winter weather. I kept the pretty metallic bows in just two small hits atop my mini Christmas trees which flank the door.

For more photos,

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December 14, 2012

Friday Faves 12.14

in friday favorites, Home Decor with 4 Comments

ONE Sycamore Platter on sale for just $15 from Crate and Barrel, TWO Wooden lanterns in two sizes, small is $59 and large is $129 from West Elm, THREE Instant collection of winter white $24 from Elizabeth Rosen Art, FOUR Mercury glass hurricane $13 from Target, FIVE Letterpress coasters $10 for a set of 8 from Type A Press, SIX heart mug $8 from West Elm, SEVEN White Fur Pillow $20 from Target.

Whew… it’s been a week! I hope you’ve enjoyed some of the Christmas spirit that has been going on around these parts because it’s not going away anytime soon. The holidays are my favorite time of year and I’m going to pack as much in as possible.

This weekend we’re headed to a few holiday parties and I’m going to do a little decor work for a friend. I am hoping to get enough time on Sunday to make a few batches of Christmas cookies as well. What is on your agenda?

Have a FESTIVE Friday and weekend guys!

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December 10, 2012

Home for the Holidays!

in Home Decor, Seasonal with 22 Comments

I’m back home! Did you have a great week of giveaways while I was taking a little R&R? I sprung into Christmas action as soon as we landed trying to get caught up with my holiday decor. We spent Saturday morning picking out the perfect tree, and just like last year went with the root ball tree to replant in our yard after the holiday.

True to my predetermined Christmas decor theme, I stuck with winter whites, gold, silver, and browns/copper for this year. Although I don’t feel like a ‘theme’ is always necessary, it definitely helps me to keep focus as I roam aisles of christmas cheer and reel in my thoughts to remain cohesive throughout the season.

The main change I made this year was to remove red from my palette and include levels of brown, bronze, and copper. It meant that I didn’t have to splurge on new decorations, but just swapped out one color for another. Adding some luxe texture like fur adds another level to this snowy theme that isn’t just represented on the tree.

How do you think the theme executed from concept to reality?

I have a ton of fun decor DIYs and tips to layer onto this foundation which I’ll be sharing over the next two weeks – Get ready for some fun and exciting new ways to amp up the holiday in your home (some you won’t even have to make a trip to the store!).

Have a LOVELY Monday!

P.S. We have giveaway winner! I’ve contacted each winner by mail if you’ve won, so check your inbox!

P.P.S. Can’t get enough giveaways? I’m participating in 24 Merry Days - a big event of 24 days, 24 bloggers, and 24 amazing giveaways. Today head over to Oh the lovely things to check out the prize!

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November 28, 2012

Before & After: Holiday Pop-up Bar

in Home Decor with 11 Comments

There’s nothing quite like some of the sweet, spicy, rich drinks that lure us through the holiday season and definitely put some of the ‘fest’ in festive. If you don’t have a bar area in your home, but are entertaining this holiday, don’t feel underwhelmed and set up a quick watering hole of your own.

In my house, the kitchen is a little tight and rooms are closed off (no open concept here). To help prevent bottlenecks in the kitchen, I move the bar into another room to help keep people moving around and mingling. All you need is a couple of Command hooks and some garland to define the perfect space to wet your whistle during all of that carolling (wait, you don’t carol?)

I showed this pop up bar that I’d created in my Holiday Style Challenge post for The Home Depot and got a lot of feedback about where in my house this gem was located. Don’t be afraid to make some moves in your house for the holidays, and think of creative ways to get people moving and mingling.

Now, how about that drink, shall we?

Have a SPLENDID Wednesday!

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November 26, 2012

Holiday 2012: Color Direction

in Home Decor with 10 Comments

It’s that time! I’ve been waiting for it, and it’s finally here – Holiday decorating time! I spoke last year about decorating ‘themes’ and although I don’t like a lot of kitsch, I do think that establishing a theme helps maintain focus when overwhelmed with possibilities. In the past few years, I’ve taken a rustic, woodland approach and although this year, I’m not making a big departure from that theme, I do have a swing in my color choices.

My theme (if you will) this year is Woodsy Gilded White. I want to use a lot of white, but not in a fancy way. The theme will utilize textures like felt, fur, and birch to create layers of cream and white and the ‘gild’ will come in the form of rich browns and metallics.

The whole look will be grounded with woodgrain and green (the tree) to keep it from getting to formal or serious. Gifts wrapped simply in solid colors will further reinforce the color scheme.

I’m so excited to share my projects that support Woodsy Gilded White over the next few weeks. I’ll have a mixture of hands-on projects, really simple style (that anyone can do), and some tips, treats, and ideas for a perfect holiday! Get excited!

Now, how’s that for a happy Monday?

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November 21, 2012

Splurge and Save: Graphic Rug

in Home Decor with 0 Comments

I know many of you have seen this rug before. If you’ve been around House of Earnest for a while, you’ve even seen it in my own kitchen. It’s both easy and hard to make the decision to splurge or save when it comes to a rug. One one hand, a good rug that is well woven with quality, natural materials is worth its weight. Good rugs clean well, tend to be heavier, stay in place, and not warp or wear harshly over time.

On the other hand, rugs are just so damn expensive that choosing to save is sometimes an easy move.

So this morning I ask you… Do you splurge? Or save?

Madeline Weinrib Black and White Buche Flatweave Rug | Ikea Stockholm Rand Flatwoven Rug

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November 14, 2012

Pick a Side

in Home Decor with 4 Comments

With the holiday’s approaching, there is no better time to evaluate your guest comfort situation, and one thing that I find is essential to create good flow is enough side tables. It might seem silly, but go around your house and sit in each seat in a gathering area. Is there somewhere to rest your glass? If there isn’t, it might be time to think about a little furniture rearrangement.

Make sure that everywhere you have a chair someone might be perched in for the afternoon, there is also a little ledge, at least. There you go! Now everyone’s comfortable!

Side tables row 1: black metal accent table, antique brass round, rustic storage table. row 2: jewel mirrored table, oliver drum. row 3: spool accent, caldwell wood table, windham end table.

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November 7, 2012

Global and Gathered

in Home Decor with 7 Comments

You know how I love a good neutral palette in a home, and combine that with global influences, but still a trace of the traditional and you’ve got me pegged. This home embodies the simplicity that I love most about Scandinavian design, but isn’t cold or sparse by any means.

You can see hints of all colors, but neutral browns, whites, and blacks are the primary focus in this Copenhagen home. I love a lot of the little touches that I didn’t see the first time around, as well. All around I think the home is warm and soothing, but looks like real life could take place there as well.

I hope you’re ready for today! If you’re still up for a bit more eye candy (and maybe a hint of productivity) head over to Etsy to check out my Gifts Under $50 round up! I’m sure you’ll find something you love for someone on your list!

Have a happy Wednesday!

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November 6, 2012

Style Splurge and Save: Iron Accent

in Home Decor with 5 Comments

This side table caught my eye a few months ago and has subsequently been haunting my thoughts since. It is slim, sculptural, textural, and neutral – All things I lean toward in furniture purchases.

The Crate and Barrel Aerie side table is a bit more opaque, has a little bit more of a finished gloss to the surface whereas the Arteriors Radcliffe table is airier in appearance, and has a slightly more worn, unfinished facade. It’s hard to choose which one I prefer because the differences are so small, but they could mean a lot to the overall look of a room.

So I pose the question to you – Splurge? or Save?

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November 5, 2012

California (Closet) Dreaming

in Home Decor with 6 Comments

I’ve been scheming up dressing room and closet ideas for a while now. I talked about this about a year ago in my house tour when I showed off the room that we have flanking our Master. If you were a fly on my wall, you’d hear this repetitive conversation between me and my husband, Matt, where he asks me for my plans and I ask him for some room measurements to work with. This has been going back a forth for a little while now, and in my mind neither of us have really made a move because it’s hard to figure out where to start.

In my mind, I want a light, bright, airy space like above which isn’t too traditional of a walk in closet where my stuff can all be visible and beautifully styled. I know that this isn’t really that practical. Firstly because the space I’m working with is just about 10ft by 10ft and second because there is only one small little window (and no charming little fireplace).

So I did what any normal person would do and get to researching my options. I snooped around at custom closets from California Closets, decided which features were a necessity and which were just a dream. Although the spaces I’m drawn toward all have a different end look, I’m able to see which reoccurring elements I keep choosing over and over again. It’s clear that organization is big, and while my dream of a totally custom, open concept might be beautiful in theory, my space is a bit small, and I need to look at some closet organization systems that work well with the space I’ve got, but still give me the flexibility to have the things that are important to us.

All in all, I think narrowing down the few things know I want helps to give me the guidance I need to get started. Looking at the pieces as individuals – vanity, dressers and hanging, shoe organization – help me to visualize an end product.

It’s a big project, but I think I have a little clarity now and can maybe get those plans to Matt soon! Have you designed your own closet? If so, where did you start and what tools helped you?

Photos: Apartment Therapy | Houzz | California Closets | Houzz | Houzz

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