Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016

Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016

Welcome back. If you were here for the tour on Friday, I’m so happy to see you again. I have the table set and would love to have you join me for some good food and great conversation. Today we are going to be sharing part 2 of the Colorful Fall Tablescape Home Tour.

Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016

If you’re new around here, I built my own farmhouse table last year and love the rustic look and feel. I scoured Craig’s List until I found chairs that I love. The chairs came with a table that was painted white, but I quickly turned around and sold it on Craig’s List. I don’t have any interest in keeping chairs and tables as a set. (Throw rotten tomatoes at me, go ahead.) I tend to like the collected and eclectic look. Which explains the nailhead trim head chairs I purchased at World Market (see below for source links.)

Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016

The pedestal fruit bowl used to be dark walnut, but it had fallen out of favor in my decorating so I added two coats of chalk paint and distressed it. Now I love it again!

Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016
Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016

The place settings were left simple with a burlap ribbon around the plates and a mini pumpkin on top.

Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016

I used some alstroemeria flowers in little votive jars because I knew they last longer than other flowers. Unfortunately the peach colored flowers already dropped their pedals but the yellow ones are holding strong.

Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016
Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016

A few years ago I temporarily taped antique sheet music into the back of the buffet hutch. It’s funny how temporary sometimes becomes more permanent. I added the fake white gourd and pumpkin to the shelves. Don’t mind those two pinecones peeking out from the top shelf. I guess I couldn’t see them when I was decorating. Oops.

Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016

Do you like anything you see? Want to use one of these things in your own home? I pulled together a few links so you can shop my dining room look. (I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Farmhouse Fall Dining Room Decor

Black Buffet with Hutch | Gold Chargers | Embossed White Plates | Burlap Ribbon | Wood Pedestal Fruit Bowl | Embossed Glass Jar | Floral Placemats | Mercury Glass Canisters | Cast Iron Stars: Medium and Small | Faux White Pumpkin | Nailhead Trim Head Chairs | Cane Back Chairs

Pretty Handy Girl Fall Tablescape 2016

Doorway & Living Room | Master Bedroom | Kitchen

Do you decorate your dining room for fall? I’d love to see your decor, leave a link in your comment below.

PHGFancySign

Pretty Handy Girl's Colorful Fall Home Tour

Pretty Handy Girl's Colorful Fall Home Tour

I love Fall! I look forward to the break from the heat and humidity. I can’t wait to pull out flannel shirts and boots. But, most of all, I love Fall because I like using colors that invoke thoughts of Autumn (orange, green, blue, gold and brown.)

Last year I played it safe with an aqua, white and yellow color pallet.

Cory Rolling Storage Ottoman from La-Z-Boy | Pretty Handy Girl

This year I decided to have fun with more Autumn leaf colors.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Do you love using color when decorating for Autumn? Yes? Color Lovers Unite!!! Well, come on in and enjoy the tour.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

This isn’t our front door, but it’s the entrance our friends and family use. Since you’re a friend, I’ll beckon you in this way.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

(FYI, I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience in this post. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Most of the decor items I’ve collected from different places. But, if you like something you see, you can shop my entryway below. I found links to similar items and provided them to help you save the time searching the interwebs. The boots were just for the photo shoot ;-). But, I get so many compliments on them when I wear them around town.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Copper Lantern | Cotton Wreath | Preserved Leaves | Red Burlap Ribbon | Galvanized Pail (use this tutorial to age it quickly)| Topiaries | Cowboy Boots | Yellow Flowers

Make your own wreath with a base cotton wreath, then tuck some preserved leaves into the wreath. Finish by looping a red burlap ribbon through the wreath. I used a flat thumbtack to hang it from the top of the door.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Inside our mudroom, I added some sunflowers to the wooden hook sconces I made.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

In the living room I used a lot of natural elements, including a little oak sapling I cut out of a flower bed. I’m happy to report it looks the same as it did when I cut it last week. Free lasting decor for the win!

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

During this tumultuous time, a little reminder that love makes the world go round helps me feel hopeful.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

The yellow wingback chair is the Cosmopolitan from La-Z-Boy. It’s nice and firm but comfortable. And let’s be honest, the nailhead trim is dreamy! Speaking of dreamy, the rug is definitely my favorite rug in the house! It has a soft silky feel, it doesn’t shed much and it changes color depending on where you stand. It’s by Surya and called the Watercolor 5004 pattern.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

I love the colorful variety of pumpkins and gourds available in the stores. Can you spot the fake above? Learn how I painted one of them.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

While looking for more gold to decorate with, I grabbed a thrift store oval mirror and used it as a tray on the ottoman. I think it’s a fun way to decorate. But, Pretty Handsome Guy likes to make fun of the “Tree sprouting out of the ottoman.”

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

The leather chair in the background is our favorite recliner. It’s the Bradley from La-Z-Boy and we love to nap in it.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Of course that’s when the sofa is occupied. This is the Bree. And she’s just as comfortable to lounge on. You can read more about how we chose this sofa and the other furniture in our living room here.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour
As the weather cools off, we all like to cuddle under blankets. I used half a ladder propped in the corner to hold a variety of throw blankets.

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Did you like some of the decor items I used? Here’s some of the sources if you want to shop my living room:

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

Chalkboard Globe | Copper Canisters | Copper Candle | Wool Blanket | Orange Chevron Throw Blanket | Wooden Candlesticks | Battery-operated Candles | Blue Pumpkin | Leather Handle Basket | Distressed Blue Picture Frame | White Ruffle Pillow | Orange Velvet Pillow | Spa Blue Embroidered Pillow | Gold Oval Mirror | Velvet Orange Pumpkin | Glass Bottle Vases with Wooden Tray

Pretty Handy Girl's Fall Home Tour

I hope you enjoyed the tour! Continue on the tour by following these links:

Dining Room | Master Bedroom | Kitchen

What’s your favorite season? If it’s Fall, why do you love it?

PHGFancySign

Disclosure: This posts contains some affiliate links. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.) I worked with La-Z-Boy last year and was provided with complimentary furniture in exchange for my time and several sponsored posts. You can read more about how I chose to work with La-Z-Boy here.

DIY Framed Pumpkins | Pretty Handy Girl

framed-pumpkins-title

Hooray, Fall is on the way and that means it’s time to bring out all the pumpkins.  Jaime here from That’s My Letter sharing this DIY Framed Pumpkins artwork which is easy, fast, and makes a very big statement for little cost.

I scoured my scrap wood pile for this project but if you were to go out and purchase the supplies I’d estimate it to cost about $20, including paint for this jumbo pumpkin wall art.  I made five pumpkins because odd numbers are always better when decorating and I have five people in my immediate family so everyone is accounted for.

framed-pumpkins-2

My best advice to make this project easy and fast would be to scour google for a good pumpkin shape that has simple lines.  Once you have your shape, you can adjust the size to fit your background board.  I used a 1″ x 8″ pine board (which is actually 7 1/4″ high) so my pumpkins are about 5″ height and 6″ width each.

framed-pumpkins-3

Amazingly I had five different shades of orange paint on hand, but you could paint them all the same color, add some personalization or even spell out a fun Fall word.

framed-pumpkins-4

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials:

Cut list:

  • 1″ x 8″ pine board cut to 40″ length
  • 2 – 1″ x 2″  frame edges cut to 40″ long
  • 2 -1″ x 2″  frame edges cut to 8 ¾” long

Instructions:

Step 1: Print out pumpkin clip art to desired size and cut out shape using scissors.

framed-pumpkins-step-1

Step 2: Trace around pumpkin shape onto 1/4″ plywood scrap piece.  Using a scroll saw cut out pumpkin shapes and sand edges smooth.

Step 3: Prepare background piece (the 1″ x 8″ pine board cut to 40″ length). Lay the two long 1″ x 2″ frame pieces on top and bottom. Lay the short 1″ x 2″ frame edges on the sides.

framed-pumpkins-step-3

Step 4: Paint pumpkins in various orange colors.  Paint frame pieces off white.

framed-pumpkins-step-4

Step 5: Sand the pieces to distress them.  Apply stain along edges using the cloth. (I used Varathane in summer oak.)

framed-pumpkins-step-5

Step 6: Attach 1″ x 2″ frame pieces to the edges of the 1″ x 8″ board using wood glue and 1 ¼” finish nails.

framed-pumpkins-step-6

Step 7: Attach pumpkins to 1″ x 8″ background board using wood glue.  Start at center and measure for equal spacing.

framed-pumpkins-step-7

Let the glue dry and then place framed pumpkins on a ledge, your mantel, or add a sawtooth hanger to hang above a doorway.

framed-pumpkins-1

So many possibilities and just the perfect touch of Fall!

Jaime signature

~Read more of Jaime’s tutorials~

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

How to Install Cable Railings | Pretty Handy Girl

On Monday you got a sneak peek of my stepmom’s screen porch when I showed you how to install low visibility cable railings. I can tell you now, that you “ain’t seen nothing!” This drab screen porch got an amazing colorful makeover and I can’t wait to reveal it to you!

screen-porch-before1

The screen porch has been in need of a makeover and on my “want to do” list for almost two years! Having a screen porch is a top selling feature for any home in the South. Unfortunately my stepmom’s porch wasn’t much to look at with its drab decor and monotone color palette.  (I may have told her that her cushions looked like the room threw up on them. Sorry Diane.) Luckily, I knew I could improve upon the view with some paint and some much needed color.

screen-porch-before-2

As an At Home Brand Ambassador, I knew this was the perfect project to showcase some At Home decor items. At Home graciously sponsored this project and provided me with some gift cards to purchase several of the items you’ll see. If you haven’t been to At Home yet, take a tour with me in this post.

The first task was to play with the furniture arrangement. I put the wicker sofas on the diagonal to help improve the flow and conversation area. Then I took some notes about what was needed for the porch (a few end tables, lamps, a mirror, etc.)

How to Install Cable Railings | Pretty Handy Girl

After snapping a few before photos, I cleared the room so I could get to work. My first desire was to lighten up the room by repainting the walls with a lighter solid stain.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

You can see the original color against the new lighter color above the screens. Everything was the same color except the doors were a dark brown.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

I painted the screen frames the same dark brown as the doors to help them disappear. I painted the supports the same light color (Sherwin Williams Woodscapes matched to Linen color.)

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

The new look is fresh and bright. Now the screens blend better into the surrounding trees giving the porch a more open feeling.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

Next it was time to tackle that stained and ugly carpet. Not only was it ugly, but it was glued to the floor! UGH! Who does that?

To remove the carpeting I carefully scored the carpet at 3′ increments.

cutting-old-carpet-out-utility-knife

Then ripped the carpeting into strips. Luckily the glue wasn’t secured to the carpet any more.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

I rolled up each strip and tied it up for disposal.

How to remove old carpeting

The porch looks so much better already! Except for the nasty glue residue on the flooring.

rug-free-porch

I rented a floor sander from Home Depot for a day. And it took me the ENTIRE day to sand the floor and get rid of all the glue. It was a real pain in the rear, but luckily the final result was beautiful tongue and groove flooring.

Rent a floor sander to sand flooring

I stained the floor with Sherwin Williams Super Deck Bamboo color. The color has a yellow cast, but fits in nicely with the modern feel of the room.

How to Install Cable Railings | Pretty Handy Girl

I bet you’re ready to see the rest of the porch, behold the amazing Drab to Colorful Screen Porch Reveal:

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

The lamp and mid-century modern round table are from At Home. The brass hairpin legs don’t obstruct the view and keep it feeling light and airy.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

Diane purchased new custom cushions for her wicker furniture after I told her she had to get rid of the old ones. All the accent pillows are from At Home, including the adorable zig zag pillow. Truthfully, I might just go back and buy the nubby green and velvet blue wave pillows for myself. I couldn’t stop stroking them as I passed by. The faux bamboo plant, behind the sofa, blocks a door that is never used and helps the conversation area feel more intimate.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

The hexagon ottoman was also from At Home and it adds extra seating, a spot to put your feet or somewhere to put a plate of food. (The ottoman’s soft velvet fabric is another item I can’t help stroking.)

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

My stepmom, is Diane Chamberlain, a well known author. If you haven’t read any of her books, I have to warn you that they are addictive page-turners and might keep you up reading all night. I wanted to create an oasis for Diane to be able to sit and work on her books.

Beautiful accessories from At Home store. I need to visit one near me!

The hammered metal side table is larger and more sturdy for her to rest her laptop and food on. I was overjoyed when I found it tucked in the middle of a display shelf at At Home.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

Across from her seat, I secured a metal and wood mirror to reflect the view off their deck and to increase the light on the porch.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

Centered under the mirror is a beautiful zinc-topped console table I found at At Home. The “X” pattern on the legs pairs nicely with the hairpin and hammered metal side tables (without matching them exactly. I’m not a big fan of matchy-matchy stuff.)

Throughout the screen porch I had fun mixing metals. I love the silver from the mirror and table with the brass candlesticks and the gold geometric star from At Home.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

The little palm is a gift to Diane from me, but she’s afraid she might kill it. Only time will tell.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

I found these adorable industrial string lights at At Home and they match the nautical lights already installed in the porch ceiling.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

I can’t forget the real star of the porch, the beautiful blue and green outdoor rug from At Home.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

Can you believe the transformation? From drab…

How to Install Cable Railings | Pretty Handy Girl

…to colorful and fantastic.

This Drab Screen Porch got a major Makeover with pops of Aqua and Green! Yummy Color!

You’ll definitely want to see what happened to her ugly old ceiling fan. It was replaced with the most beautiful ceiling fan I ever laid eyes on.

I’m so happy with how her screen porch turned out that I’m thinking I might need to make some changes on our screen porch. Do you have a screen porch? If so, how much time do you spend out there?

PHGFancySign

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for At Home. I was compensated for my time writing this post. At Home also provided me with a gift card to purchase items to use in this post. All ideas and words are my own. I was not told what to write.

Pin for later!

Take your screen porch from drab to colorful with these simple and easy porch decor ideas! | Colorful home decor | Porch decor ideas | Pretty Handy Girl #prettyhandygirl #homedecor #porchdecor

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

 

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs

Remember when the only light bulbs that were energy efficient were the corkscrew shape CFL bulbs? Despite being an environmentalist, I was not a fan of the look or the light put out by CFL light bulbs. Luckily the energy efficient light bulb has evolved. LEDs are on the scene and they have changed the look and color options. As a light snob, I decided to share a few of my favorite light bulbs with you. I’m sure you can find one or more light bulbs that not only look stylish but will save you lots of money over the years!

Here are 12 Stylish Energy Efficient Light Bulbs for you to drool over:
(This post contains affiliate links. To learn more read my disclosure page.) 

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

Rejoice! Edison Bulbs are finally available in LED format. These attractive bulbs give off a warm light and have the beautiful filament design to look at.

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

The GE LED Bright Stiks are small in size and fit in most table lamps. They put off a soft white light that is even and bright. Sold in a pack of three for big savings!

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

Clear LED Dimmable Edison Style Chandelier Bulbs will add the look of glamour to any chandelier. Unlike many white base chandelier bulbs, these bulbs have a chrome base for a more stylish appearance.

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

If you have can lights in your home, you know sometimes it’s hard to find an energy efficient flood light that doesn’t buzz or look like an energy efficient bulb. These LED flood lights are the perfect answer to those issues.

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

This Faceted LED Bulb is so beautiful you might want to take off the lamp shade or hang it in a bare bulb fixture! And what’s better than a bulb that will last for decades? A bulb that saves you oodles of money!

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

The Bloom dimmable LED bulb doubles as an artistic lamp. It can also be dimmed to use as a night light. Thomas Edison would surely ditch his original invention to have one of these in his home.

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

Gold base candelabra bulbs will elevate your light fixture by giving it luxury and style!

LED-bluetooth-speaker-light-bulb

Want to turn any light socket into a speaker? Yes, please! This LED light bulb is actually a stylish bluetooth speaker and light source in one device.

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

What could be better than an LED bulb that is also a speaker? A Color Changing LED Light Bulb Bluetooth Speaker, of course!

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

This stylish Half Chrome LED Light Bulb is perfect in a light fixture over a table or a space that you need to block light glare.

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

I know I told you I’m not a fan of CFL bulbs, but this Plumen designer CFL has me retracting that statement. The design changes depending on how you orient the bulb.

12 Stylish Energy Efficient Bulbs | Pretty Handy Girl

I saved my favorite for last. This Romantic Edison Tiered Bulb is a must have for your glass shade light fixture!

Those were 12 Stylish Energy Efficient Light Bulbs, which was your favorite?

PHGFancySign