inspired by the easter bunny

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Some hilarious little finds inspired by the Easter Bunny. Isn't that clock ridiculously amazing!? That is all. Just some fun finds! xo Linds

Let there be light

Happy Monday friends! First off, The DIY'ers is on Spring Break! We'll be taking the week off from the link party, but c'mon back next week to show off your latest. We can't wait to see you.

It's a big week at the Home Coming house because the final pieces of our home remodel are coming together!! I can't not TELL you how excited we are to be almost done and to get our house back.

Last week the electricians came and did all of their finish work from turning on the electricity in the remodeled area, to installing light fixtures and outlet covers. It's finally starting to look like a house again!

The light fixtures were one of the things that I either cared a lot about and ordered a long time ago (master bedroom & bathroom) or wasn't too concerned with and purchased the night before the electricians came (stairwell & closet).

Most of you remember our big Master Bedroom reveal & chandelier giveaway back in December, so you've already seen this beauty in action. But since we had to take the bedroom down to finish out the remodel from January to now, we had the electricians install it (again).

I've also shared our Master Bathroom mood board, which I'm sticking to pretty closely, so you've seen the light fixtures I've chosen for that room. I'm absolutely in love with these modern wall lanterns we ordered off of Joss & Main.

Then comes the closet. This was one of those areas that I could take or leave a fancy light fixture. While I knew a nicer fixture would look great, I also didn't want to break the bank for a closet. I took the trip to Lowes because after some research online, I saw that they carried a brand called Allen + Roth which I really liked, and stumbled upon this ceiling light that I really liked. $65 was a bit more than I planned to spend on a ceiling light, but it was just so darn cute I couldn't pass it up.

Sneak peek on our closet system progress!

And last but not least is our stairwell. I knew I wanted something a little modern, but yet low profile. I didn't want a chandelier in this space to take away the attention from the beautiful stairs (which Justin's working on as we speak). And this chrome flush mounted fixture was absolutely perfect. I wasn't sold by the photo online, but once I got to the store and saw it all lit up, I knew this was the fixture for me. I absolutely love it.

Don't mind our attic door. That'll be painted white (or grey) soon!

And there you have it. Do you like our choices?

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a $140 Michael's Gift Card with our giveaway. Enter here. Giveaway ends tonight!

Linking up to: Make it Pretty Monday, Motivate Me Monday,  Monday Funday, That DIY Party, Tuesdays at Our Home, Remodelaholic, Time to Sparkle,  Work It Wednesday, Simply Create Thursdays, Sunday Best, Inspire Me Please Creativity Unleashed, The Humble Brag, Friday Flash Blog, Lovely Ladies Linky,  Wow Us Wednesday,  Making Monday, Before and Afters, Wow Me Wednesday,  Inspiration Gallery,  Feathered Nest Friday,  The Party Bunch, Link it or Lump it,  Frugal Crafty Home Party, It's a Party, Worthwhile Wednesday's, The Makers, Do Tell Tuesdays, Thursday Style, 

Safari Daybed by OGK

D'abord un grand merci à tous ceux qui sont venus nous rendre visite à la vente éphémère la semaine dernière. Comme toujours, c'est tellement sympa de vous rencontrer "en vrai" :) Merci aussi à tous ceux qui ont relayé l'info sur leur blog/instagram/fb/twitter, par exemple ici ou ici - c'est très apprécié!.

A la vente, j'étais aussi ravie de pouvoir présenter en avant-première un meuble que les lecteurs réguliers de blogs scandinaves reconnaîtront: le superbe divan Safari créé par le danois Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen en 1962! Ce meuble génial est maintenant disponible en ligne également, et comme pour plus de la moitié des marques/designers de la boutique, La Maison d'Anna G. est fière d'être le premier et seul revendeur en France.

First of all, many thanks to those who came to see us at the pop-up shop last week. As always, it's so nice meeting you "for real" :) Thanks also to those who shared the news on their blog/instagram/fb/twitter, like here or here - it's very much appreciated!

I was also very happy to be able to show a pre-view of a piece of furniture that regular readers of Scandinavian blogs will recognize: the amazing daybed designed by Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen in 1962! This amazing daybed is now available online as well, and as for more than half of the brands/designers in the shop, La Maison d'Anna G. is proud to be the first and only retailer in France.

Photo La Maison d'Anna G.

Photo Pia Ulin

Les stylistes suédoises l'ont adapté... Ici dans le salon de Lotta Agaton.
The Swedish stylists have adopted it... Here in Lotta Agaton's livingroom.

Photo Stil Inspiration

... chez Pella Hedeby...

... in Pella Hedeby's home...

Photo Mokkasin

... et chez Sofia de Mokkasin.

... and in the home of Sofia from Mokkasin.

En 1962, le fils de Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen partait faire du camping. Le fils étant un peu malade, le père ne voulait pas qu'il dorme par terre et a donc fabriqué un lit facile à transporter et à monter. Porté dans un sac en toile de lin, le lit se monte sans vis ni outils en seulement quelques minutes grâce à sa construction unique.

In 1962, Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen's son was going camping. The son was a bit sick and the father didn't want him to sleep directly on the ground, so he created a bed that was easy to carry around and assembly. The bed comes in a linen canvas bag and is assembled without any screws or tools in only a few minutes thanks to its unique construction.

Photo Artilleriet

Avec une peau de mouton chaleureuse, quelques coussins moelleux et un plaid doux, le divan trouvera facilement sa place dans un salon par exemple. Idéal aussi comme lit supplémentaire pour les invités ou comme bain de soleil dans le jardin. Fabriqué en hêtre et toile de lin avec corde en sisal. Vous le trouverez ici.

With a warm sheepskin, a few fluffy cushions and a soft blanket, the daybed looks great in a livingroom for example. Also perfect as extra bed for guests or as sunbed in the garden. Made of beechwood, linen canvas and sisal rope. You'll find the daybed here.

La deuxième bonne nouvelle, c'est que le divan Safari a un "petit-frère": le fauteuil Safari, également créé par Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen. Extrêmement confortable (je pense que tous ceux qui l'ont essayé à la vente éphémère sont d'accord avec moi!), le fauteuil est aussi facile à porter et à monter que le divan. Le fauteuil est disponible ici.

The other good news is that the Safari daybed has a "little brother": the Safari armchair, also created by Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen. The armchair is extremely comfortable (I think all those who tried it out at the pop-up shop agree with me!) and is just as easy to carry around and assemble as the daybed. The armchair is available here.

Photo Skovshoved Møbelfabrik

Photo La Maison d'Anna G.

bits + pieces

So to end this week I wanted to share some links.

• My brother informed me that there is a fish called a Bone Eating Snot Flower. 
• Best parenting advice. CTFD. 
• I am in love with this light and think I need it for the basement. 
• If I could tear down our cottage and build new (and had a million dollars) I would make a bedroom like this and have a fireplace like this. Oh and the outside would be like this. No, maybe like this. 
• Aubrey and I went out for a date here and it was amazing. 
• I'm looking for a light for our kitchen and this one was lovely. But the size of our house. 
• Do you suffer from "FOMO"?
• The best quote. Applicable to blogs and life. Just don't compare. It's not good. (Quote by Steve Furtick)

Have a great weekend! xo 

DIY Weekend Projects

Black & White Magazine Files // Printable Geometric Containers // DIY Geometric Light Fixture 

HAappyy Friday! It's been a long week, full of Spring snow here in Minnesota as my Instagram friends have seen, so I've had plenty of time to scour the internet for some great DIY projects to share with you today.

So without further adieu, hese are my three favorite DIY projects of the week.

What are you DIYing this weekend?

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a $140 Michael's Gift Card with our giveaway. Enter here!  

my picks from the one of a kind show, 2014

 I went to the One Of A Kind Show last night with some of my family and as always, had a great time. (The Thursday late night shopping is my favorite night to go) Excuse that this post will be rather short on text, but long on pictures - I really wanted to get in some booth favourites for you prior to the weekend if you're able to go. A few pieces I'm so sad I left behind, but Debra was kind enough to pick up the Giant Squid woodcut print for me (above) that I instantly regretted not buying when I got home. (I can't wait to hang him somewhere in my house!!) See my picks of what to visit below. But I've also compiled a collection of Etsy vendors who were at the show, so if you're not in Toronto you can at least be introduced to some lovely independent artists. Everyone is after the jump! xo

I loved Graham, he's the sweetest person and does the most beautiful art I've seen. I purchased one of his pieces last year that sits beside me now, and picked up the Giant Squid print at the top of the post this year.
Website: Graham Blair Woodcuts

I fell in love with all of the art in Patrick Lajoie's booth where he transfers amazing photography onto wood. I loved the water piece above as well as the beach scene with the red and white stripped cabana.
Website: Etsy Shop / Artists Website

I loved, loved this painting by Danny Lu and at $200 I won't be surprised if it's gone by the time I post this. I adore cool colours, so this painting would totally have fit in our home. This is one I kind of regret leaving behind. Hopefully someone else picks it up and it finds a great spot in a home!

I loved the little sharky - and almost came home with him for Oscar, but we're kind of past the stuffed animal stage. :( The photo above doesn't do her collection justice. She has an Etsy shop that showcases her work a lot better than I have!
Website: Etsy Shop

Kiriki Press has the sweetest DIY embroidery kits, Mom and I picked up one for each of us so we can try them at the cottage this Summer!

Website: Kiriki Press on Etsy

I picked up the Lemongrass Lime soap from Sara Naturally in the Etsy section as I couldn't stop smelling it in her booth. (I figure at a certain point if something has been by your nose for 5 minutes, you probably should buy it)
Website: Etsy Shop

I follow these guys on Instagram after being introduced to them by Ana at an event we attended awhile back. These guys are super kind and hilarious too.  They have a shop in Toronto's west end and also have an Etsy Shop. Their bag collection is so lovely and I'm itching to attend one of their terrarium workshops!

Website: Shop in Toronto / Etsy Shop

Beautiful bags like above and toiletry bags. Check out their Etsy shop for beautiful photography and see their whole collection! Ps., loving this one. 
Website: The Made & Found on Etsy




That's it! There are a TON of other shops I visited but these are totally my favourites. Again, lots are on Etsy so I'm adding them to my One Of A Kind Show collection here on my Etsy Page, so you can shop it should you not be able to visit the sellers in person.



*Affiliate links may be used in this post

Six of My Favorite Home Staging Props

There are a few staging props that really earn their keep. 

Home staging that knocks the socks off buyers counts on many things: curb appeal, cleanliness, perceived value, move-in-readiness.

But it’s often the details that make a home memorable.

That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the home decor accessories that ought to be in any home stager’s bag of tricks. Consider them your dependable details that make a difference. 

Sets of Books

While a bunch of books on a bookshelf can look splotchy and distracting, a set of matched volumes looks rich, coordinated and deliberate.

Generously-sized books are great, and leather bound ones are especially classy.

Books used as a staging accessory let you convey a sense of who lives in the home – interesting, educated people.

Buyers on home tours do browse book spines, so for this reason, stay away from controversial subjects or topics that aren’t mainstream (Chinese erotica, history of the occult…). Also avoid obviously dated sets like 1980’s World Book encyclopedias. But, don’t put out anything valuable or irreplaceable, either.  

Best source or stage-worthy volumes is at a local library sale. I recently helped sort books at my library’s annual sale and was surprised at the quality and selection of books – all topics and colors, just what a stager needs.

Bowl of Lemons

I love seeing a glass bowl of lemons on a kitchen countertop or island. Whether you use a ceramic platter, a wooden bowl or a wicker basket -- the pretty effect is the same.

Think of lemons as the default dining room centerpiece, the perfect prop for completing a staged beverage bar of glassware, or the easiest way to dress up a foyer tabletop.    

There are couple reasons why I rate lemons high for home staging. One is that nobody is tempted to try and eat them the way they would apples or pears. They’re clearly decorative. The other reason is that lemons represent freshness. They’re tangy and fragrant, and even if you’re staging with fake lemons, the message is the same: clean and fresh.

The only thing that adds more life to a room is plants. But I'm keeping my list to six! 

All these lemons are fake. Who's to know? Yellow lemons seem to compliment any color scheme.

  

Plush Towels

New towels are a must for dressing up a bath. Face it -- towels age and although they work just fine for everyday use, when you’re aiming for that luxurious, boutique hotel look, you want fat and fluffy new ones. I always suggest white ones unless the entire bathroom is white. White towels will always work in your next home.

Although not every stager will agree, I don’t have a problem with tying decorative ribbon or cording around a towel, to let people on a home tour know that they aren’t to be used, especially if it is open house day. 

Large Landscape Paintings

This prop might be a tad more difficult to locate and afford, but the results are dynamic. A landscape painting literally opens up a room. The most economical sources are the usual second hand places we all love (eBay, thrift stores, garage sales), but you can also buy budget-friendly new artwork that works fine. Or you can create DIY art suitable for staging.

Your landscape could be a beach, forest, city, mountain or rural scene. Make it match the mood of your home -- abstract watercolor you create yourself, one of your own photos blown up big and framed, a kitschy paint-by-numbers scene, a colorful travel poster, or a sophisticated black and white photograph.

Buy frugally and plan to spend more on the framing than on the art, because the framing is what puts art over the top.  

A landscape this large becomes the focal point of the room. Nothing wrong with that!
Your landscape needn't be complicated, detailed, professionally done, expensive, or even
include images of land. Seascapes are "landscapes." Photo: Bonesteel Taylor Hall. 

Matched Table Lamps

This beautiful bedroom by Tobi Farley demonstrates
how important a set of tables lamps are for a balanced look.   

If you tour showhouses and study photos of professionally designed rooms, you’ll notice how often the savvy decorators who plan these rooms use pairs of lamps.

Anytime a pair of anything is used as a decorating prop, there’s a sense of order and quality. Rooms done on a shoestring from castoffs lack the cohesiveness that twosomes add to a space.

Although you might be home staging on a shoestring, the last thing you want is to look like money’s a problem. That's an important point to remember! Buyers' perceptions of your financial situation will influence the purchase price they offer you. Write that down!  

Look wealthy. Look generous. Look comfortable. Don't look needy or you'll attract "bottom feeders."

A pair of table lamps in the bedroom or living room will help you pull off mismatched nightstands or side tables.

Don’t approximate this look by using two lamps that resemble each other; they must be identical twins.

The lamps should be placed close enough so that they are both visible in a glance, such as on either side of a couch or bed. Their shades should match, and they should both be on the same level.

Walk through your home to make sure you haven’t separated a matched pair of lamps, and then reunite them for staging.  

Plump Pillows

This lovely arrangement by Laura Liess shows how having
 matched pillows puts a finishing touch on the grouping.   

Pillows are one of the absolute best ways to add another layer to a room’s decor.

I recommend pillows in colors that flow seamlessly with the color scheme of the room rather than oft-touted pops of color.

You can still have fun with geometrics, textural fabrics, dressmaker details, and animal prints.

What to avoid: Cute sayings on pillows, pillows flattened by age, stiff pillows that don’t look comfortable, and an excess of pillows on any bed, sofa or chair.

Pillows add the custom details that give a room some interest and make a room look finished. They also suggest hominess and comfort.

The Takeaway

How does your staged home rate for having these essential decorating props? None of them are break-the-bank investments, yet they will all add value to your home and make it more inviting to people shopping for a new home.

If you like these tips, check out my home staging eBooks. They’re written to help you get a better price for your home on the market. At $5, they’re great investments. Guaranteed!

Beautiful Pakistani 1 Kanal Modern and Contemporary House Design Straight Line Work 2014