Ways to Display Collections as Art in your Home

col·lec·tion
kəˈlekSH(ə)n/
noun

an assembly of items such as works of art, pieces of writing, or natural objects, especially one systematically ordered. 

Would you consider yourself a collector? You very well may be. 

Collections can be inherited, gathered over the years, bought when traveling, found all at once, created by your own hands, or slowly grow one piece at a time. They can be practical, sentimental, humorous, or all of the above.

We are so lucky to spend time with our clients, getting to know them and their stories. In their homes, we often discover beautiful pieces of history, family memorabilia, and one of a kind pieces of art. To collect is truly artistic. It requires selection, preference, taste and intentionality. 

Collections may be displayed in your home and they may be private. Your reasons for collecting are personal as well. You might collect to display your personality in your home to all who enter, and you may collect to build a compilation of meaningful pieces that will be passed on to a family member or dear friend. We wanted to share some of the most remarkable collections we've come across in the homes of our amazing clients. 

We'd love to see some of your favorite collections. Snap a photo of your collections and tag us on instagram or facebook. Thanks for sharing your treasured collections with the #HYD team! 

*Blog image source: Town And Country Magazine. 

Furniture & Art Placement from a Recent Job

This week we wanted to give you a little glimpse into a job we recently completed (and loved)!

We had the privilege of helping an elderly client move from an apartment on the second floor down to the first floor in an assisted living complex. What seemed like a pretty simple "move" became much more meaningful for our team as we got started. 

Our client gave us permission to give her a fresh look in her space. From the furniture set up to art placement, we loved every minute! 

As we began gathering her artwork and memorabilia from international travels, we got very excited. It was such a fun experience to revel at her artwork and hand crafted books as we found special places in her apartment for them. We could see her light up as we got to enjoy the art she had created and collected throughout her life. Each piece had a story that she was eager to tell. Decorating her living space became more like an intimate art exhibit tour with the artist herself. 

We were reminded of the importance of surrounding yourself with things that bring you joy. For you that may mean memories, collections, or pieces of art. 

A Gem for Your Bookshelf

We certainly hope that as the summer sets in, you can find time to indulge in some leisurely reading. Pick a sunny spot at the pool or your favorite comfy chair at home and create some mental space to unravel. Introducing one of our favorite reads...

The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith

Why we love it?

• It's not full of crazy unattainable design ideas that will break the bank.

• It is full of concepts to create more functional and organized living space.

• She's real; which is refreshing in a social media atmosphere saturated with seemingly "perfect" people and homes.

• It's not only relevant to homeowners; she speaks to renters as well.

• We say a big AMEN to the "Have a Seat" chapter, all about rearranging and redecorating using the pieces you already have in your home

• She's got great design taste!

Who loves The Nesting Place? 

• Ann Voskamp: "Brilliant... this is one wise, real, winsome book you can't put down."

• Shauna Niequist: "This book made me look at every room in my house differently."

• Emily Freeman: "If you have ever felt like you're waiting for your next place to be the home you've always dreamed of, I beg you to read this encouraging, personal, hilarious book and let the Nester change your mind."

• Help You Dwell: "The perfect mix of inspiration, beauty and practical ideas for any living space. And it looks good on your coffee table!"

Some of The Nester's recent treasures.

Another fun idea from The Nester's blog... beauty hunting. What is "beauty hunting"? The Nester defines it like this: "Beauty Hunting is thrilling, it’s like an act of rescue, I feel like I’m part of a SWAT team to find lovely things in the midst of a bunch of weird stuff." Check out other people who are #onthebeautyhunt - Now, that is something we can get on board with! Some places to begin your beauty hunting in Knoxville: KARM, AMVETS Thrift Store, Community Chest of Knoxville, and Nostalgia on McCalla. What are some of your favorite places to find pieces for your home? 

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So a few ideas for you this summer...

1. Pick up your copy of The Nesting Place.

2. Stop chasing perfection, it just ain't real. #idhtbptbb

3. Start your own beauty hunt. Happy hunting!

Thoughts on Labels

Image from LiaGriffith.com

We've experimented with a number of different labeling techniques when organizing for folks and have found that it really boils down to personal preference and category of items.

Obviously, pretty labels make a space look nice but we've found that different kinds of spaces, for different ages of people work best.

For pantrys, home offices, and general areas that are either out in the open or used mostly by adults, we love finding nice looking labels that help create uniformity and cohesiveness rather than adding distraction and chaos to your belongings.

Image from A Cultivated Nest

For labeling files or purely functional items (think office supply rooms for commercial properties or basic garages) label makers are the way to go. Everything is uniform in type and size and the labels are very readable. We recommend "Brother" brand label makers for this type of thing.

Image from pinterest- original source unknown

We've found that for young kids, it's often helpful to label toy bins, craft storage, or kid closets with pictures along with words. We like having both because it encourages word association, reading, and spelling while it makes it easy for pre-reading age kids to take charge of the clean up & put away process.

Here are a few websites where you can find free printable labels to use in your own home.

General Labels

Bath and Body Labels

 Pantry Labels

Clothing Closet Labels

What kind of labels do you use in your home?

Old North Knoxville Home Tour

Image from Victorian Holiday Home Tour 505 East Scott Ave.

Each month we try to feature a home tour on our blog. We love being able to hear about what "home" means to different people and we treasure the relational aspect of being invited into someones house. This month we offer you something a little different. If you have never attended the Old North Knoxville Home Tour, we highly recommend it. We attended this past weekend and have pictures and ideas to share with you. Although each of these homes was built around the same time period, in the same Victorian style, it was neat to see how each homeowner's personal taste and style came out in the decor.

303 Oklahoma Ave

302 E. Scott Ave

We asked each home owner two questions,  "What do you love about your home?" and "What makes your home unique?". We got a wide variety of answers and loved hearing about the many renovation experiences and processes of restoring historic homes. Below are a few of our favorite responses. Enjoy!

"What we love most about our home is that we were able to take something neglected and dirty that most people would turn away from and rehab it into the gorgeous home it was intended to be. " (Leslie M.)

Photo by Alan Sims : Inside Knoxville 204 E. Oklahoma St.

"Our home is unique because it has a distinct juxtaposition of modern and traditional features. We kept the rooms in our house segmented (vs. an hgtv-esque open concept) because each room in our house serves a specific purpose. All of our doorways are very tall and wide, so our rooms still feel open without sacrificing purpose. We believe that old homes should be maintained to serve their original purpose, and at the time of construction, our home would have been very modern and featured the best of the best. We tried to echo this in our renovations and do a modern interpretation of a Victorian home- we put new light fixtures where original light fixtures were placed, moved walls and doorways to original locations, and designed the home so that the purpose of each room was consistent with the original design. Maintaining historical features was very important to us, and we kept this in mind as we gave modern interpretations and new life to our home." (Leslie M.)

"We rarely ever turn a light on during the day. The huge windows let natural light abound and breathe such life into these old walls and hardwoods. That's what I love most." (Jenna V.)

302 E. Scott Ave

302 E. Scott Ave

302 E. Scott Ave.

"The thing we love most about our home is the neighborhood! Old North, with its gracious front porches and proximity to Happy Holler businesses means that you are always meeting a friend or neighbor as you walk down the street. Everyone here is so friendly and we love having impromptu dinner and drinks on our front porch with friends.  (Cat S.)

221 E. Oklahoma

221 E Oklahoma

221 E. Oklahoma

"Our house is filled with art and antiques, made by and gifted by family and friends. We also have many souvenirs of our travels together as a family. We think that these personal touches bring warmth to the space, and remind us of our favorite people and places every day. Our house is unique in that it hasn't been "remuddled" like some Victorians--we enjoy the original fireplaces and woodwork of the home and all of its original bones. We are also lucky to have an unusually wide front porch, which means that it can function as an extra room in our home--we have a "living room" with a sectional and a dining area out there that we use all the time when the weather is nice!" (Cat S.)

225 E. Oklahoma St

225 E. Oklahoma St

225 E. Oklahoma St.

We loved seeing how creative people were able to get with their space. Some of our favorite ideas were using old mantels to create faux fireplaces, making great use out of porches and outdoor areas to extend living spaces, using a ladder as vertical (and pretty) storage to hang blankets, and utilizing architectural salvage as art and decor.

If you would like a home by home review of the tour, check out Inside of Knoxville's blog. Pt. 1 &  Pt.2

Doing Wonders with a Covered Wagon : Home Tour with Buddy & Kathie Odom

We had the privilege to sit down with Buddy and Kathie Odom last week to see their beautiful Fountain City home and to get a glimpse into their philosophy of life at home and creating in and around it.

We've always begun our home interviews with the question, "What does home mean to you?" We weren't expecting the answer that followed but if you've spent any time with the Odoms, you know that an unexpected answer is what to expect.

"This isn't our home. We live in a covered wagon," says Buddy. What he means is; the house, the objects in it; they have meaning, they contain beauty, but that's not the make up of "home" to the Odoms. In a sense, the Odoms treat their house as a vessel, a place that fosters creativity, but they strongly believe that home truly is not made of material things. And Buddy says that Kathie "can do wonders with a covered wagon."

Kathie is an accomplished and well-known plein air artist but prior to diving into art as a career, she explained that in the past, her house had become a canvas because she wasn't yet practicing the art that she was created to do. "Plein air has given me the ability to create on canvas so it's lessened the intensity of the desire to rearrange and redecorate my home."

Kathie's Art Studio

Speaking of Kathie's art, one extension of their house is the studio out back that Buddy built for Kathie. The walls, lovingly and cleverly made of horizontal cedar boards, are covered with her creations. Once a piece is ready for the wall, the nail goes right in and up goes her next creation. Just walking in you are taken to all sorts places: Seaside, the Smoky Mountains, farmers' markets, old barns in New England, quiet streams, and so much more. It's so obvious her gift with the brush gives her such great pleasure.  She gets giddy explaining her painting experiences as passers-by ask her about her work, pray for her, or ask to buy the work right off the easel. Tucked away behind a shelf were her countless awards, but it's clear the experience itself is her greatest reward. There wasn't a corner of the studio that we didn't love. Each item has a purpose and a home.

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Back in the main house, Buddy and Kathie have a story for every item inside from countless pieces of furniture that belonged to various relatives, to a mason jar of dirt gathered from the garden of a previous home they lived in. Buddy and Kathie spent a good amount of time learning to dwell together in that garden in a season of life where they were empty nesters, a season where things in life were slowing down. Buddy added that each part of the garden reminded him to pray for a different person. They had weddings, rehearsal dinners, and birthday celebrations in the garden. The jar of dirt holds a lot of meaning, a lot of life. Buddy and Kathie have found in recent years that their current home has given them the opportunity to be creative together. They have learned to let themselves dream.

More than anything, the Odoms create a sense of comfort in their home. Kathie's desire is for her home to feel livable and not so perfect that you feel like you can't touch anything. Kathie talks about her relationship to their home and their belongings as "good ole friends", each item bringing back a flood of memories. They agree that it's best to only be 90% organized. Kathie recalled a time when she felt much more pressure to present her home in a certain way. She has found over time that she and her guests seem to enjoy her home more when it doesn't appear perfect.

As HYD spent time reflecting on this visit, we came away encouraged, educated, and grateful for our time spent on Gibbs Drive. The Odoms invite one in to a peaceful, ordered space that immediately takes the pressure off. It's obvious that homemaking is a team effort in their house and their gifts compliment one another beautifully. Buddy's attention to order and Kathie's love of color and texture allow for guests to make themselves at home no matter where their wagon lands.

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HYD is excited to announce that Kathie will be hosting her "Cabin Fever Oil Painting Workshop" at The Hive in February 2016. This would make a fabulous Christmas gift for the painter on your list. For more information, just click here.

These 5 Things : November 2015

Image by Sarah Musgrave

 1. Check out this excellent guide to styling your shelves. If you don't follow Emily Henderson's blog, it's a good one!

2. 6 Ways to Speed Clean to a Clean Enough House. A few time- saving storage pieces and ideas for getting the whole family involved in cleaning habits.

3. This list of 15 Holiday Hosting Shortcuts is chock full of good ideas to keep stress low and let the good times roll.

4. Instead of decorating for the seasons, try layering to build warmth in your home.

5. It can be a major challenge to incorporate a TV into your decor. Check out this blog entry for a few ideas. 

Chair Rehab

I've noticed something interesting lately....

A lot of people have a chair problem. What I mean by chair problem is that a lot of people can't pass up a good deal on chairs, have too many chairs, dream about chairs etc. Confession... I'm a chair addict. There have been seasons of life where my chair problem is in check but I realized a few days ago that I've bought 8 chairs in the last month. Hear me out, it was two sets of 4 and I have a place for all of them :)

We recently remodeled our porch ceiling and I'm so excited to finally make our porch an extension of our living space (I know, I know, I should have done this in the spring but it just didn't happen).

Before -this was hiding under a layer of vinyl siding

After

Our porch runs across the front of our house and around one side and I have a plan for the space. The front will be living and hanging out space and the side will host a table for 4. I'm working on a fairly tight budget so I'm trying to get creative and I've got a furniture rehab project up my sleeve.

Last year I bought an amazing table at Mid Mod Collective's Salvage Sale for a steal. I've been using it inside but happened upon an amazing little vintage 4 seater for $30 at a garage sale last week that I'm going to put in its place. The round table is making it's way to the porch but I needed chairs.

 The Salvage Shop posted this lovely set on facebook last week and I ran over to buy them before they got snagged.

Image by The Salvage Shop (Chairs purchased from them as well)

Now I know what you are thinking, "Won't bamboo get destroyed outside?" and as a friend put it "they kinda remind me of old ladies playing bridge" (haha) but a little DIY makeover will fix all of that. I'm going to treat the wood with an outdoor sealant to protect it and I'm going to recover the seats and chair backs with oil cloth.

Here is where YOU come in... I would love to get everyone's opinion. There are so many great options. I know I want something kind of vintage inspired and I'm thinking I want something pretty colorful. Which one would you pick?

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Option 5

Option 6

P.S.  We highly recommend both The Salvage Shop & Mid Mod Collective for one of a kind, vintage, and eclectic treasures.

How to Hang a Gallery Wall

In my dining room lives a sad wall. It's sad because it's windowless, goes on for days, and is screaming for attention. Currently it is stark white and has nothing on it but that's all about to change. If you follow us on facebook or instagram you know what I'm talking about.

I came home from Home Depot with approximately 4,000 paint color cards and finally landed on one over the weekend. The ol' sad wall is getting a coat of Behr's Vintage Coral Paint from their Marquee Odyssey Collection. The lighting in the two pictures is kind of wonky but the one I picked is the bottom option in the first picture.

But that's not all. I have big plans for this wall. It's going to be adorned with an array of art. If you have never installed a gallery wall it's pretty simple. Follow these steps to create one of your own.

1. Search your house, garage, parents attic, thrift stores etc and collect a group of wall hangings. Think outside of the box and get varying shapes, sizes, frames, etc. Consider hanging actual objects as part of this gallery as well. Don't be afraid to mix wood frames with metal etc. Some people prefer a color theme but it's not necessary.

2. Gallery Walls work best at eye level. You don't want things too high or too low. If your wall is shared by furniture, make sure you leave several inches between the top of the furniture piece and the bottom of your lowest hung art. You don't want your gallery to look crammed onto the wall. Smaller pieces need to be hung lower or at eye level while your larger pieces can be hung higher.

3. Arrange all of your art on the floor in front of your wall to figure out the order and spacing before you hang. Don't get too hung up on perfectly re-creating your floor arrangement but use it as a guide. I usually snap a picture of the arrangement on the floor just to refer back to as I'm hanging.

4. This will make some people cringe but I hardly ever measure before hanging things. If you are fine with a few imperfections I highly recommend eyeballing it. It helps if you have someone helping you so you can have them hold each piece up while you step back and evaluate before nailing it in. 

5. Hang the big stuff first. Smaller pictures or paintings can be moved around more easily. The larger pieces will inform the whole collage.

6. Step back and enjoy your work and the awesome art you have collected and can now display in your home.

A Home That Serves: Home Tour with Travetta Johnson

We sat down this week to chat with our friend Travetta Johnson about the concept of making a home and her ideology on decorating. Travetta and her husband own a beautiful Victorian home in a downtown Knoxville neighborhood. 

When you walk into the Johnson's home you immediately feel like you can breathe a little easier. I've always loved Travetta's ability to create beautiful spaces that somehow feel like home to everyone that comes through the door. Walking through their house is almost like reading a book. Travetta loves art, objects and pieces of furniture that tell a story.

I asked Travetta to tell me about how she decorated and chose the pieces in her home.

I love mixing old and new styles. I'm drawn to items that have history. There is something really sweet about your grandchildren being able to use the highchair that you used as a child or reading the same books over the span of generations. Pairing the older more antique items with more modern, clean lined pieces creates a really nice contrast. One concept that I have found really helpful when decorating an eclectic home is to mix things from different time periods keeping in mind that pieces that were made at least 50 years apart tend to be more cohesive. In general I focus on simple beauty by using things that invite people in, like flowers from the garden, a bowl of fruit, a photograph. To keep things interesting, I consider contrasting texture, color and shape when I curate a space. Establishing a natural flow between our home and the outdoors helps create a comfortable feel throughout the house. There is something nostalgic about porches, open windows and the hum of house fans.

Tell me about what roles your home has taken on in various stages of your life.

I read a book when I was in my 20's that changed the way I thought about my home. The book focused on the difference between entertaining versus hospitality. I want my home to be less about making impressions and more about making people feel welcome. Home is a place for people.

I've found that the role of my home has changed in different seasons of life. In early marriage our home was based around that concept of hospitality. We often hosted potlucks, game nights, and bible studies. When we had young children, home evolved into more of a place of retreat and nurturing. As our kids got older the hospitality theme resurfaced and now with grown children, grandchildren, and aging parents our house has served as more of a care-taking and provisional refuge again.

How do you find the balance of creating beautiful spaces without becoming obsessed with the appearance of your home?

The phrase "Man was not created for the Sabbath but the Sabbath was created for man." comes to mind. In this same way, we are not created to serve our homes but rather our homes are created to serve us. Homes feel ordered when they revolve around people and not vice versa. I've found that my taste and style has developed over time. I no longer feel the pressure to constantly redecorate in order to stay on top of the trends. There is a really sweet balance of creating beauty and comfort in your home and yet being content with it once it is settled.

Organize with Style - Our Recent Finds

This week we're sharing some of our finds in the organizing world
to help clear up a little clutter while looking fabulous too.
Hope they inspire you as much as they did us!

West Elm

These baskets by West Elm have endless uses while brightening up any space. Use them for towels, a hamper, toys, or as an entryway catchall.

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TopHome

We love this 8-pocket bag that can be used for any small items like cosmetics, cell phone, keys, or any small personal items you need a home for.

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Bliss Home

Find a home for all the little notes scattered around with this magnet board from Bliss Home.

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World Market

The cutest metal picnic basket for a delightful outdoor summer meal! Such a delightful way to pack up your picnic.

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West Elm

Drop your spare change, your keys or any other little treasures into the Heritage Catchall.

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After The Leaves Fall

Using reclaimed barn wood, After The Leaves Fall, creates beautiful storage for your earrings, bracelets, & necklaces with this lovely jewelry organizer.

Be Yourself.

Our homes are the places where the majority of us spend the most time, the place where we laugh, cry, rest, dance, yell, sing, dream, make our messes, stash our treasures and share life with others.  We get that.  We love that.

Photo compliment of Stylish Eve

We also love our clients.  Just about every week, Help You Dwell gets the pleasure of meeting a new face and hearing a new story.  It has been such a joy for us.  Often, when we walk into a new clients' home, the first thing we hear is "sorry."  Clients are sorry for the mess, sorry they've let it go this far, sorry they can't do better on their own.  We understand.  We never judge.  We have a story too.

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."  Maya Angelou

- Excerpted from Letter to My Daughter, a book of essays (2009)

As we walk through our plans to help folks find order and peace in their living space, we want to hear the story that brought them to this place.  It's so important in the process of organization of one's home.  HYD never wants a client to think that we're coming into a home to get rid of all the clutter just so it looks better.  Our goal is to always help the client live life with the freedom from the extras that pile up all around.  Working alongside the client, embracing their story, and being part of the process that helps to write a few lines in the next chapter is an honor for us.

Be yourself.  Just with less stuff and more you.  You are worth the effort. 

Let us help you dwell.

Our Favorite Calendars

1canoe2 on Etsy

It's right around the corner - A Brand New Year!  One of our favorite items to shop for this time of year is a new calendar. 

Calendars can be an easy & inexpensive way to brighten up a spot in the kitchen or office.  Traditional flip calendars, tea towels or creative letterpress calendars are just a few of the ways to keep your days straight & make your space look great!

We've collected some our favorites to get you started. 

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Rifle Paper Co

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Fabric from Spoonflower

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Here's one of Help You Dwell's favorites for your desk....

1canoe2 on Etsy

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This one can make any wall happy...

Gingiber on Etsy

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Nikki McClure

This Nikki McClure is wonderfully unique.  Armed with an X-acto knife, she cuts out her images from a single sheet of paper and creates a bold language that translates the complex poetry of motherhood, nature, and activism into a simple and endearing picture.

Help You Dwell Pop Up Market

Image by Brooke Bock

Over here at Help You Dwell we are BEYOND excited about this market of home wares on November 8th.

We have gathered a group of awesome local artists and vendors who have a wide range of talents and skills. 

We will have paintings, woodwork, pottery, furniture, and other hand made goods for the home.

You can expect light refreshments and coffee from KBrew as well!

We will also have gift cards for home organizing and staging in the Knoxville area available for purchase.

Tell all of your friends and please stop by!

A few teasers of some of the items you might see...

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Ashley Addair & Mary Ann Watkins

Ericka Ryba

Rob Laliberte http://wdwrkco.com/

Blair Wright

Daniel Aisenbrey

5 Easy Ways to Spruce Up Your Living Room

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I have found that sometimes it's the little things that transform a room. Because many of us have a budget that doesn't allow for frequent redecorating, knowing a few tricks of the trade can be a great way to change up a room without breaking the bank. If you find yourself feeling like your living space is a bit drab maybe these tips will help. 

1. One of the best pieces of decorating advice I've ever received is to "shop your own house". Take a walk in and out of every room. Notice what your favorite things in each room are and mentally note whether or not your would be willing to rearrange.  Because a living room is a common area, a place where many entertain, and usually the most trafficked room in a house, I encourage people to display their favorite things in this room.

2. Often we have a hard time really seeing our own home because we live in it. Invite a friend over and ask them to take a look at your space. Sometimes friends can help you see if a room feels too cluttered, too minimal, too matchy-matchy, or is clashing. This can leave you feeling a bit vulnerable but I've had great results when I've had an extra set of eyes viewing my space and offering suggestions.

3. One way to add dimension to your living room is to layer neutrals or colors in varying tones. Using creams and grays and browns with a little minimal pattern thrown in can make a room feel so much more interesting. Often times stores sell sets of matching items like throw pillows, blankets etc. Try mixing a few different patterns and shades of colors to your existing pillows or throws for a more eye catching effect.

4. If you have collections of things, try displaying them all together rather than placing them in multiple rooms throughout your home. If you love vintage camera's try staging them all on a shelf or two. If you love glass bottles, group them together  etc. Collections offer a focal point and will spark conversation.

5. If you have a mantel in your living room think about painting it. Rather than repainting the entire room, painting your mantel can change the ambiance of the room without having to embark on a major paint job. You may want to add a pop of color if your living room is mostly neutrals or maybe you want to bring depth into your room and paint it black. If painting is out of the question, try a new mantel arrangement. A collage of different sized framed photos will soften a formal mantel. You could add an arrangement of potted plants or framed art in varying sizes. Change things around and sit with it for a few days. If you don't like it then keep playing until you find something that works for you.

We would love to see  before and afters of your own spaces!

Top 10 Ways to Create a Comfortable and Chic Guest Room

I don't know about you but one thing I can really appreciate is a well thought out guest room. It's amazing how the little things can make such a huge difference in whether a stay is memorable in a good way or a bad one. We have come up with a list of our top tips in creating the ideal space for guests and we would love to share them with you.

1. Whether your guest room has it's own bathroom or whether guests share a bathroom with others in your home, towels can sometimes be a little vague. To make things clear, set out a full set of towels in the guest room so that it's obvious. While it isn't necessary to break the bank on towels for guests, a good set of plush and nicely folded towels does the trick.

2. A folding luggage rack is a simple way to help guests stay organized and makes the room look as if you have prepared for guests to come.

3. Sometimes falling asleep in a bed that's not your own is hard. We suggest stocking guest rooms with a few magazines and a book of short stories. Good bedside lighting is also important.

4. The ideal guestroom is furnished with extra toiletries just in case your guest forgot to pack something. Having a few extra toothbrushes, travel sized toothpastes, shampoos etc on hand is always appreciated.

5. Depending on your relationship with a guest, some people feel free to grab a snack or a drink from the kitchen if they want one and others don't. Just in case, setting out a few bottles of water and some fresh fruit or snack bars is a thoughtful gesture.

6. If your guestroom has closet space, leave a few wooden hangers in case guests have hanging clothes that they don't want to get wrinkled.

7. Let's talk about the bedside table. I always appreciate having an alarm clock. It's nice to not have to fish around for my phone to figure out what time it is. Additionally, a box of tissue is always a good idea.

8. In today's world where most of us have smart phones which means most of us have the notepad feature, a pen and paper are not necessities but I still think it's nice to keep some in a drawer in the guestroom just in case.

9. A scented candle (don't forget matches) is a great way make a room feel more inviting. I love walking into a room that smells nice. A lavender scent is good for a guest room as it has calming effects.

10. Finally, fresh flowers add a nice touch to a guest room and make guests feel celebrated when they arrive.

How about you? Any tips to add or any "what not to do" stories to share?