Thursday, February 19, 2009

10 Minutes to a Room You'll Love

So have I spoken of my love for the Nester around here before? She has some great ideas for a lazy, cheap, decorating wannabe like me, and I am constantly drooling over her blog.


Recently she has posted a series on "10 Minutes to a Room You'll Love" offering quick, easy tips to making your home a cozier, tidier, homier place using things you already have or can easily/cheaply find! And with a motto like hers "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!" I am SO on board.


So here are the few things I did around my house based on her suggestions (and I didn't go back to see all of your exact words, Nester, so forgive me if I'm a little off- I'm hoping I got at least the general idea) I say, as if the Nester herself will actually read this!!! Oooh I hope she does, I think I will just die. :)

1. Bring the outdoors in: these are my little mossy balls I made for some candle stick holders using foam balls, moss in a bag, and a hot glue gun! True Nester style.


2. Make the Bed/Use Pillows: I know mom, you're wondering why I listen to the Nester and not you all those years... but even before this post, I've been making my bed... I get it now... everything just feels better when the bed is made.
3. Use Lamps instead of that overhead light:
ahhh just feels cozier, like you want to snuggle up and read a book.
4. Use a lamp in the bathroom: I like the coziness of the lamplight, but does that cord look a little scary??? At least the soft lighting distracts a little of the mess of all my products in the basket above it.


5. Use fabric in the bathroom- OK I know this sheer little thing just barely qualifies as fabric, but it was all I had... and its definitely better than nothing!
7. Use something pretty in the kitchen- We don't have an actual dining room, just a breakfast nook off the kitchen. I've tried to pretty/cozy it up the best I can and I LOVE my new chandelier my hubby got me for Christmas.
8. Open up the blinds/use natural light- we've never had blinds on this window but I did have a sheer curtain over the middle that I finally got rid off- everything's just brighter now, I love it!

9. Use Fire- I absolutely love this candle... its called "Fresh Cotton" and its from Wal-Mart! It just has the freshest scent in the world and my husband loves it too. Don't you like how you can see the perfectly good, unused fireplace in the background? Well because of our crawling little boy, this is the way we use fire now. :)
10. De-clutter everything. My dresser had become the landing spot for basically every piece of jewelry and hair thing I owned. Now it is all neatly put away and added to it a lamp for some ambiance, and a sweet note from my husband in a frame and voila! Much better.



Now check out the Nesting Place for more ideas on creating a room you love in 10 minutes!

23 comments:

mytinyrobotheart said...

so pretty!

trish said...

Very nice! I need to make some mossy balls too. They add a nice green touch. :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Anonymous said...

Your home looks so beautiful! I need to get that candle and have a nice fresh smelling scent in my home. The heart note is so sweet and lovely.

Lacey said...

I actually read that post on her blog....but seeing you take her words into action has inspired me to do something. I need some major decluttering first though and then can move onto decorating. GREAT Job Bethany. I am SUPER impressed!!

Emily said...

Your house is SO cute. I always think that when I see the pictures on your blog. You've done a great job decorating, and I, too, am obsessed with the Nester. She's great. I haven't seen you in a while. Maybe next month at Pokeeno?

Dacia said...

i love this post! i've never heard of the nester, but she sounds like my kind of gal....i'm definitely adding her to my blogroll! my favorite thing was the fabric in the bathroom....i didn't see it before, but i can picture my bare unvalanced window above the master bathtub and can only imagine how much of a difference that would make! great ideas!

queenbee said...

Everything looks great and I love the aqua blue color you have paired with the black furniture. GREAT!!!!1

Anonymous said...

NICE! Especially the moss balls. By the way my daughters name is Bethany too.

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Great job! Everything looks so good. I've been dying to make mossy balls sometime. I really need to put that on my list...my really, really looong list of decorating projects I want to do. You know how it goes :).

Unknown said...

Wow, Bethany! I'm so impressed! Your bed is made, your dresser is neat, and everything looks beautiful! Maybe Andrew needs to start reading 'The Nester'!

Rachel Lundy said...

You have a lovely blog, and a lovely home! Wonderful touches in every room!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a beautiful home you have. I love all of the things you have done. It is wonderful!

Jen

Unknown said...

Such a pretty house you have. I love your color choices.

Julie Willis said...

I really like the moss balls. I think i might actually be able to make those! Thanks a bunch!

annh said...

Great job, your home looks lovely..I Too, love to just add extra little touches, it really makes a difference to a home.

The Nester said...

Look at you! You are an A student following all of the suggestions!!

Yes, that darn cord, that's one of the reasons that I used that 2 tierd thing in my room--hides that cord.

Jodi said...

great job - love it!

Carrie @carrieloves said...

Lamps in the bathroom... this is my new mission. Everything looks so beautiful and your iron bed frame is amazing!

Erin said...

I love your taste. You have a beautiful house! Inspires me to de-clutter a little... :)

Rachel said...

WOW! Your home is so pretty! Thatnks for sharing this awesome blog...definitely adding it to my feed!

Gretchen said...

Your home is so calm and soothing!
I love your style!

Teri Dufilho said...

bethany, you inspired me with your improvements!!.....so much that it caused me to get in the study and get it streamlined and organized! (i even have two lamps in there and love the softness it gives the room.....) but you'll have to give me a suggestion on bringing the "outdoors in"......

Anonymous said...

Hi came over from Warm pie, Happy Home, I have to say i love everything you did following the Nesters advice (she's wonderful!)
I would of loved to have seen before and after pictures only because I think I bet it was always this nice. : )
p.s. I love the moss balls and will put on my very long list of to do's-I have a book of recipies and ideas from Blog land!