House of Earnest

February 14, 2012

Mid-Century Natural + An Exciting Annoucement!

photo credit clockwise from top left: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Some exciting things are happening ’round these parts. You might have seen clues or snippets on Facebook or Twitter, but I’m working on a total redesign for House of Earnest! Woohoo!
I can tell you’re excited too!

I’m working with Amanda Genther of Amanda Genther Design Studio and couldn’t be more relieved that there is someone out there who gets my esthetic and vision for this blog – especially after seeing her launch her own new (& amazing) site.

The photos above are a sampling of the inspiration that Amanda and I have put together for the site style direction – I almost fell off my chair when I saw the photos she pinned and the title for the collection of images: Mid-century Natural. I want to keep a very simple, natural, and style driven site. I can’t even wrap my head around how excited I am, especially after I got my first logo proofs last night… to be shared soon!

Have a FANTASTIC day out there, friends!

P.S. I tweeted quick question last night and Katie and Mandy both deserve a shout out today for correctly guessing that I’m using my 6 yds of nailhead trim that arrived in the mail yesterday on a headboard!

For those of you who guessed my antique couch – you’ve reminded me how behind I am on this project. For my brother, who guessed “something for Matt to work on” you’re wrong too!

Follow on twitter, instagram, or facebook and want to hear nightly craziness, musings, or fun questions like this!

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February 13, 2012

The Sweetest X's and O's Ever

in Hand Made, try this at home with 6 Comments

It’s the day before Valentine’s Day, and whether you’re either out of time or out of ideas, something sweet and homemade is always well received. Homemade graham crackers are the key to this simple, but impactful display of affection – and are as easy to make as sugar cookies.

I used a recipe from smitten kitchen, emiting the cinnamon and sugar topping that the recipe called for. The X and O cookie cutters were just $0.75 each at Sur la Table.

Assembling the s’mores is simple. I used a kitchen torch, but wrapping in tin foil and broiling would be easy as well.

Wouldn’t you love to be given these sweet, nostalgic treats? I think since s’mores are out of season, it’s an even better gift to get or give!

Have a SUPERB Monday!

6 Comments

February 10, 2012

Friday Faves 2.10

in friday favorites with 0 Comments

ONE If you’re a linguine with clams fan, or if you’ve ever wanted to make it and been daunted by the task, this is the recipe to try! Developed by Casey Barber of Good.Food.Stories. this was truly the most delicious linguine alla vongole I’ve ever had. And I made it. Shared via Design Sponge. TWO Hold the phone! Look at how amazing this iphone case is from Amy Sia. Society 6 has long been a favorite of mine for fun prints, but this case trumps all. $35 through Society 6. THREE I was tickled when I found this pity party post by Kate Arends on her amazing blog Wit + Delight. I was even more tickled to see the other fun celebratory banners from Megan Galante. FOUR I’m buying this bad boy this weekend. I’m so excited about how it will look layered in front of some fresh white shelves. on sale! for $159 at West Elm.

There may only be four things on my faves this week, but there are 6 awesome links in there! Have fun cruising around the interwebs and you really must try the linguine with clams.

Have a FABULOUS Friday and Weekend out there, guys!

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February 9, 2012

Red Tipped Valentine DIY

in try this at home with 10 Comments

I got the idea to make these color-tipped flowers from coffee filters from the theme I’m choosing for my second annual Valentine’s Day dinner party. Matt and I went to a cooking class a couple weeks ago with a ‘Winter Night in Spain’ theme and it hit me how fun a Spanish themed party would be. Visions of flamenco started running through my head and I wanted to emulate some vibrant flower garland to drape above the dining room table.

It was simple and pretty quick, which is double good in by book.

ONE mix together a couple tablespoons of water and enough food coloring to reach your desired color. Very gingerly dip an entire stack of 50 coffee filters into the mixture. TWO The filters soak up the dye very quickly, so keep a light hand with the dipping. THREE after they’re dry, pull apart, flatten, and restack about 4-5 filters. FOUR fold in half. FIVE holding from the middle of the fold, squeeze the ends up to create a flower and staple in place. SIX separate and fluff the layers.

One pack of 100 filters made 25 flowers, which was more than enough for all the many uses I could think up!

I hope you give this a try! It was a lot of fun, and oh so pretty!

Have a LOVELY Thursday!

10 Comments

February 8, 2012

The Carpet vs. Hardwood Decision

in our home with 4 Comments

We’ve reached a decision in the carpet vs. hardwood debate, and this picture from a 2011 issue of Elle Decor really sealed the deal for me. I’m pretty sure this is a sisal rug, not carpet, but regardless, I like the look of it. I’m drawn to how it isn’t the focus, but it also isn’t begged to be forgotten or overlooked. It compliments the rest of the room design in a nice, textural way.

Aside from the striking Elle Decor photo, the other (much more practical) thing to take into consideration is the fact that our hall cannot be converted to wood because there is a major blemish under the carpet unable to be repaired. We discussed the oddity of having wood in the bedrooms with a carpeted hall/stair landing and agreed that it would be strange to have a random carpet island in the middle of the upstairs. So again, another point for carpet in the bedrooms.

Back to the sisal look. I like that the above swatch has a grid type texture, has very very low pile, and is reminiscent of the sisal. This makes the decision much less painful. I was able to bring home a large square of the carpet to test out in our room and liked how it looked!

Alright. I’m sold. I think this could still be really good. I could potentially still layer on some sort of awesome kilim rug like in the first photo.

I think I’m warming up to it – are you?

I’d love your thoughts!

Have a GREAT Wednesday out there, guys!

4 Comments

February 7, 2012

Shelf Styling Tease

in Home Decor with 2 Comments

I’m not quite ready to reveal my shelves yet, sorry for the teaser. I worked on painting them all weekend (in between my chair excitement) and I really think they need another coat of paint. This isn’t really something I can get into during the week with my kind of work hours, so it will have to wait until this weekend. In the meantime, we can dream about how the styling should go, right? I’d like to find a nice balance between masculine and feminine and will do that by incorporating lots of color, texture and finishes.

There are a lot of recurring themes in the items above, which is something to look for when you bring a bunch of smaller items together to furnish something like shelves.

How do you feel about the overall theme here?

I hope your Tuesday is just SPLENDID!

2 Comments

February 6, 2012

I Think It’s (Chair) Love

in Home Decor, our home with 29 Comments

Just about a month ago, I told you guys about my decision to go with the iconic wishbone chair in my dining room, and they’re finally here! After I posted about them in Perching Perfect, my wonderful friend (and House of Earnest Contributor) Lacey Anne sent me a text that a store in Nashville had a very good replica of the chair I wanted. And they were only $99. As it turns out, the store had a Cincinnati location too. I cruised down there with a friend on Saturday and Voila! There they were, and they were nice. I don’t know what I was expecting for $99, but there were really nice.

If someone could be in love with their dining room chairs, it would be me.

If you recall, the old chairs were bought at around $20 each to serve as place holders until I found something that I really loved. The were too contemporary and sleek for the room, and I’m aiming for something modern, but casual and comfortable. Since the table is so large, it can quickly start to look stately and commanding. I want my dining room to be a place where long conversations are had over dinner with friends, homework and volcano projects are made, and ideas and collaborations are born.

I think all of those things start with a good chair.

I think tonight I’m going to do my very first new project in the dining room, sitting on my new chairs. It’s another fun Valentines surprise for you guys later this week! Get excited (get excited about the chairs too, because I’m seriously dying about them over here).

Have a SPECTACULAR Monday!

29 Comments

February 3, 2012

Friday Faves 2.3

in friday favorites with 2 Comments

ONE grey and peach zip zag bowl from upintheairsomewhere $68; TWO learn how to make picture filled text through Amanda’s super awesome photoshop tutorials on Simple Street; THREE nothing says ‘i love you’ like a set of glitter penguins. If penguins aren’t your thing, stacey makes plenty of other amazingly glittered animals at wish daisy, penguins $39 for the set. FOUR so pretty, but not too sweet, this exploded poppy pillow is a beautifully mellow mix of brights, $45 at abc home . FIVE give a wish to your sweetheart this valentines day, and everyday. 24K gold wishbone keychain $22 from jayson home.

Wow, has it been a week. I’ve been working my little tail off and haven’t had nearly any quality Erin time. Matt’s headed to Tahoe for the weekend, so I’m headed solo to a cocktail party tonight, have some pretty wonderful girl time planned tomorrow with a friend who is driving two hours away with me to pick up some wishbone chairs! I’m excited to finish painting my shelving too!

What is on your schedule?

Have a FUN Friday and weekend!

2 Comments

February 2, 2012

Melting Heart Valentine DIY

in try this at home with 20 Comments

These little melty valentine hearts were quick and fun and look so pretty. Just a pack of crayons and some waxed paper was all it took to get a vibrantly swirled hearts.

Sandwich colorful crayon shavings between two sheets of waxed paper. With plenty of paper towel on either side of the waxed paper, iron on low to melt the crayon. Use the edge of the iron to spread the crayon into a thin layer, so it’s not all glopped in the middle, being carefull not to squeeze the crayon out of the edges. Once cool, cut into hearts. Three of these yielded about 10, 3 inch hearts.

You can use the hearts in any way, make a valentine, dress up your dinner place-setting, create a bunting or mobile . Anyway you choose to use them, they’re sure to melt someone’s heart!

Have a LOVELY Thursday, out there!

20 Comments

February 1, 2012

Mid-Week Mid-Winter Eye Candy

in mood with 7 Comments

After a long day at a work conference yesterday with just 5 minutes at home, then an early meeting this morning, this January is proving to be exhausting! I am excited to share these inspiring tidbits with you today, and even MORE excited to show you an awesome colorful Valentines day DIY tomorrow.

Have a GREAT Wednesday!

Photo Credits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

7 Comments