At Home In The Northwest

Bookshelf Update

March 31, 2013

I hope everyone had a great Easter!

We were able to see both sides of our family this weekend. Saturday was with Dan’s family. And Sunday was with my family.

Next door to my dads house was a field of daffodils, which made for the perfect location for family pictures. As you can see, the weather was amazing!

And remember my bookshelf project?

I needed a piece of wood cut for the top, so I had my dad do the dirty work for me! He has an amazing shop and my saw wasn’t cutting it {sorry, couldn’t resist the pun!}.

Now that the top is cut, I can get to work on the crown molding!!

Stay tuned for updates on my bookshelf over the next week or so!

jen

By Jen 3 Comments Filed Under: about me, Before/After, tutorials

Design Camp in Seattle

March 23, 2013

Last week, Kim Hoegger Home was giving away a free ticket {valued at $1297} to attend Design Camp in Seattle.

So I entered the giveaway and I WON!!!! Seriously! A $1297 ticket. Can you believe that?!

I’ve never won anything like that before and am still amazed that I get to go to this great event!!

So what, exactly, is Design Camp!? Let me tell you!

It’s a 2 day conference for designers and design enthusiasts.

It is hosted by Lori Dennis…

and also by Kelli Ellis…

These ladies have resumes that includes HGTV, the New York Times, Better Homes and Gardens, House Beautiful….The list goes on and on.

And my two days of Design Camp will include:

Two Full Days of Design Tips, Tricks and Success Strategies

Hear, first hand, the Industries Top Experts sharing their Stories and Secrets

Mingle with Tastemakers and Experts

Network and Collaborate with Designers and Design Lovers

Meet and Greet the Industries Top Manufacturers and Suppliers

Gain Knowledge, Renewed Enthusiasm, and Friendships

One Design Camper said “Design Camp is like the design internship I should have had!”

It’s sure to be an educational few days!!! Stay tuned for more after this big event in May!!

jen

By Jen 4 Comments Filed Under: Uncategorized

A New Bookshelf {and a project}

March 18, 2013

I’m working on updating Emmie’s room. When she turned three, she got a big girl bedroom. But four years later, I’m feeling the need for an update. After noticing marker on her comforter {what kind of mom let’s a child have markers in her bedroom?! Ahem, me!} and lack of storage space, it’s time for some changes.

Lately I’ve been looking for a taller bookshelf and have come up empty handed. Then the other day, I found this white bookshelf.

via

I like the clean lines. And I like that it’s white. But I don’t like that it looks like it’s out of a box.

So I have some plans….

Here are a few inspiration photos.

Look at what a little crown molding can do to an otherwise plain piece of furniture!

And see how much character a planked background adds!

via

Now to get the bookshelf assembled! And after a few trips to Lowes for supplies, I should be in business!

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for progress updates!

jen

By Jen 2 Comments Filed Under: Before/After, Home Decor, house, shopping, tutorials

Kitchen Chalkboard Art

March 10, 2013

This weekend, I worked on some chalkboard art for my kitchen. My tabletop chalkboard had a bible verse from Valentine’s Day that was ready for an update.

I searched for some inspiration online and came across this:

via

So I got out my handy dandy chalkboard pen and started drawing. I added ‘eat’ at the bottom and my chalkboard was updated!

{Wouldn’t it be fun to add your last name under the silverware like the sample above?! Gilday’s Kitchen! I love it!}

Are you updating your chalkboards for spring!? If so, what is written on them?

jen

By Jen Leave a Comment Filed Under: chalkboards, tutorials

Design Bloggers Conference Recap

March 8, 2013

I think I’m finally caught up from returning from the Design Bloggers Conference.

Bags are unpacked and laundry is {almost} done. Now I get to sort through my pictures and reminisce over a great few days away.

I had the chance to attend the conference with two friends, Lori {Lori May Interiors} and Amanda {Amanda Carol Home}. You should check out their blogs….they are both very talented designers!

Here are a few highlights of the trip….

Internet connection and a Starbucks in the hotel made for a great start to the conference!

I had the opportunity to meet Ross from Million Dollar Decorators! {Though I confess, for as much reality tv that I watch, this show was not on my list. It is now!!}

They served wine and sake one afternoon, during the conference!

DESIGN BLOGGERS CONFERENCE BARBARA BARRY

Talented Interior Designer, Barbara Barry

Grammy Winner, Patti Austin

Some amazing speakers were brought in for the event! Talented designers Barbara Barry {above} and Charlotte Moss both spoke to the crowd. As did Grammy winner, Patti Austin {above}. What a treat to hear what they all had to say!

And this may have been my favorite part of the entire conference….the people!

The above picture is from a dinner out one evening with Amanda {Amanda Carol At Home}, Cheryl {Dwell by Cheryl}, Shelly {Lura Studio} and Lori {Lori May Interiors}. It’s always so fun to meet new friends and re-connect with old friends at events like this!

The trip was very worthwhile. And I’m so thankful for the opportunity to go. But as always, it’s good to be home.

jen

By Jen 2 Comments Filed Under: blog, conferences, misc

Design Bloggers Conference 2013

March 6, 2013

I just got back from four days in California at the Design Bloggers Conference.

I have lots of unpacking to do…clothes to wash, design magazines to look through, photo’s to load on my computer {which, by the way, is giving me some issues}.

I hope to have a few more pictures and a quick recap for you over the next day or two!

So stay tuned….

jen

By Jen 1 Comment Filed Under: blog, instagram, misc

Guest Post – A Spring Update for your Porch

March 5, 2013

Come on over to Lori May Interiors today!

I’m over at Lori’s blog sharing some easy updates that you can make to your front porch for spring!

Make sure you stop by and check it out!

jen

By Jen Leave a Comment Filed Under: Uncategorized

Weekend Getaway

February 19, 2013

Things have been quiet on my blog lately! So I thought I’d give you a glimpse of some fun we had this weekend.

The kids had a long weekend. And Dan wasn’t scheduled to work. So we headed to the snow!

We went sledding….

…we took the kids skiing…

…and went on a sleigh ride….

Such a fun weekend! But as always, it feels good to be home.

jen

By Jen 1 Comment Filed Under: about me, vacations

Fish Bowl Valentine {Free Download!}

February 10, 2013

For the past week, I’ve been busy working on the kids Valentine’s. Usually I just go with store bought Valentine’s. The kids are always happy with that and it gets me off the hook for creating something fun! But this year, I decided to get crafty. While the idea wasn’t my own {thank you, Pinterest, for the idea and inspiration!}, the creation is all mine!

I created this the old school way – by hand! I did not use Photoshop {though I wish I knew how!}

I started by drawing an outline of a fishbowl…

Then I got out my watercolors and started painting….

Once I was satisfied with my work, I scanned the image into my computer and added some fun fonts.

The one that I created for Emmie says “Valentine, You’re the only fish in the sea for me!” Click here to download this free image.

Jack’s valentine says “Valentine, I’m so glad we’re in the same school!” Click here to download this free image.

If you would like to create your own fish bowl valentine, then you will need the following supplies:

* fish bowl valentines {download here or here} * swedish fish * cellophane bag * red ribbon

{note: I purchased my cellophane bags at Target in the party and gift wrap aisle.}

Print fish bowl design onto white card stock. Cut out bowl. Place in cellophane bag with either gold fish or swedish fish. And tie the top with a ribbon!

Have a great Valentine’s Day!
jen

By Jen 1 Comment Filed Under: holidays, tutorials

Our Anniversary

February 8, 2013

The first week of February is a full of reasons to celebrate in our household. On February 5, Dan and I celebrated 19 years of knowing each other! {Yes, we actually know the day that we met!}

And the second reason to celebrate this week…..

16 years ago today we got married!

Here are a few old school pictures of us in our dating years….

My hair was out of control curly! And Dan….well, he had hair!

I’ve always loved this next one! Dan had been gone all summer and this was him getting off the plane {when you could actually go meet someone at the gate to greet them!}