These Amazing Small Business Home Decor Finds Are All Shoppable On Amazon

Posted on By Maria J. Glover
HOME DECOR

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Supporting small businesses is something that many of us value, but the ease and convenience of shopping on Amazon can easily win during our time-crunched days.

However, Amazon Small Business brings the best of both worlds. It’s now possible to buy well-made, handcrafted products from small business owners on the same platform you know and love for quick shipping and easy returns. 

While you can shop just about any product you need via Amazon’s Small Business section, their wide range of home decor, from high-quality furniture to decals and everything in between, really caught our eye.

Here are our top home decor picks to brighten your living space (and a small business owner’s day).

Air plants are a great option for those with less-than-green thumbs. These gorgeous “jellyfish” hangers safely house your durable air plants in Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls. 2 Dirty Birds Boutique ships their gorgeous sea urchin planters ready to hang with live air plants and a care guide included. Add a pop of color to windowsills, office spaces, and more.

Tired of trying to get everyone in your house to replace the toilet paper? Make a game out of it. This handmade TP organizer is made in Littleton, Colorado out of lightweight, sturdy blue pine. While it can’t get the men in your house to put the lid down, it can at least remind them to replace the TP every once in a while.

Sometimes, all it takes is the right lighting to completely revamp a room. This handmade rustic barn

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Time to Renovate and Redesign Your Home: Four Clever Ideas

Posted on By Maria J. Glover
HOME IMPROVEMENT

We spend more time in our homes than anywhere else, so it’s only natural to want them to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you want to raise the value of your home before selling it or you have found the ideal home that you can’t wait to make your own, deciding to renovate or redesign your home should be high on the agenda. This implies you’ll need to think about a number of things, including finding the right contractor, cutting costs, and, most importantly, turning your ideas into reality.

Or, in other words, you will need to craft a strategy before starting with your home renovating and redesigning project. So, to help you out, we created this informative guide that can serve you as an excellent resource for anything related to house remodelling, whether you’re upgrading it to make it more functional or merely more attractive.

Photo, Umanoide.

Install a HVAC System

If you want to make your home your personal haven, then installing a new HVAC system is one of the most significant home renovation projects you should consider. An HVAC system is a long-term investment that can improve both your home comfort and life. Now, you probably only want what is best for your home, and that is why you need to look for the best HVAC services. So, it is essential to conduct thorough research on local businesses that specialise in HVAC installation and maintenance.

So, if, for example, you live in Ottawa, make sure to find the best HVAC Ottawa-based professional services. These professionals are well-versed in HVAC systems and will be ready to assist you with everything from installation to maintenance. This is especially important if you are installing an HVAC system for the first time.

Wall Decorations

If you’re up to

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Black room ideas: 10 ways to use this striking shade

Posted on By Maria J. Glover
HOME IMPROVEMENT

Black room ideas are perfect for those looking for interiors with impact. A powerful shade, black can be a daunting color to decorate with, but with the right treatment it can look effortlessly chic and stylish.

For those that dare, wall-to-wall black can be a fantastic way to create dramatic, head-turning spaces. However, being a neutral shade which pairs with nearly every hue, black also makes a great accent color for bringing structure and interest to more muted schemes. ‘Black is mysterious, rich, deep – and rather sophisticated,’ says color expert Annie Sloan. ‘It brings drama, interest and elevates neutrals and pale colors.’

If you’re thinking of decorating with black then you’re in the right place as we’ve gathered an array of inspiring black room ideas, plus find tips on how to use this shade from the experts.

Black room ideas – 10 beautiful ways to use black 

Black room ideas are hard to get right as black is a powerful shade to decorate with, but it can make for stunning interiors – the key is all about balance.

Used with white, or an array of grey tones, black can play a transformative role in chic monochrome schemes, yet as a pure pigment it can equally be paired with other colors and materials to create myriad different looks for both traditional and contemporary interiors.

‘Dark colors are a rising trend in interior design. Dark colors are bold and dramatic. They can have within them so many different nuances, tones and tactilities that give them different character. They can be basic or sophisticated, daring or elegant, industrial or classic, traditional or modern,’ explains Caesarstone’s (opens in new tab) head of design, Mor Krisher.

1. Choose a sleek black kitchen for a contemporary space

(Image credit: Michael Del Piero )

Black kitchens

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A new ‘Home’ for decorating ideas opens in Sutton’s Manchaug Village

Posted on By Maria J. Glover
HOME DECOR

SUTTON — This old stone building still has rings on its outside walls to tie a horse’s reins.

Inside, there are arches from the days when part of the building served as a Catholic church.

The building at 356 Manchaug Road has served as a market, <a href=post office, social hall and a Catholic church over the years.”/

The building on a hill that overlooks Manchaug Village and the Blackstone River has served many purposes since it was built in the 1800s, from the aforementioned church to municipal offices and a general store.

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Today, it serves as the new home for District V House, a home design retail store.

Owner Janice Burke, who was born and raised in Worcester’s District 5, has spent most of her adult life as an interior designer. She decided to open a home decor retail site to combine her love for design and “all things home.”

“I looked all over Worcester” to find a suitable location, said Burke. After some research, she found what she was looking for — plenty of space, parking, “a really nice location.”

Jamie Burke, owner of District V House, decided to combine her experience in interior design with wares from local vendors.

History of the location

According to the Sutton Historical Society, the Manchaug Company Store Building at 356 Manchaug Road was built circa 1868 by the B. B. & R. Knight Company (the largest private cotton manufacturer in the world as reported by the New York Times in the early part of the 20th century).

A view of the center of Manchaug Village, with the store on the right.

The building at various times housed a general store and market, village library, post office, in addition to serving as a gathering and polling place. 

All the rough ashlar granite used in the Manchaug building construction was quarried right in the Manchaug area off Whitins and Putnam Hill roads.

The community hall on the second floor, which seated 300, hosted

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Upcycling Ideas for Material Samples From Reno Projects

Posted on By Maria J. Glover
HOME IMPROVEMENT
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Photo: istockphoto.com

Whether you’re redoing your floors, installing new counters, or reupholstering the couch, it’s likely you’ve amassed a selection of different samples as you decide which material to choose for your project. For renovation overhauls, you may be left with a mix of different materials including tiles, countertop squares, carpets, floorboards, decking, and more.

So what do you do with your hodgepodge collection of samples that are different sizes, colors, and textures? A seasoned DIYer always finds a way to use scrap materials creatively. Here are nine ways to upcycle these samples into something you can use around your home.

RELATED: 16 Insanely Clever Ways to Reuse Household Junk

1. Floating Shelf

upcycling ideas

Photo: trex.com

Samples for decks or cabinet finishes can be turned into short floating shelves sized perfectly for bathrooms, entryways, and other areas of the home. The best part is, these planks are already finished, and merely need to be attached to the wall to create a shelf for photos, plants, and more.

There are a few different ways to attach a floating shelf to a wall, from invisible brackets to leather wall hanging straps. Use an attachment method that works with your aesthetic, and make sure the shelf is secure before putting items on top of it.

2. Coasters

upcycling ideas

Photo: etsy.com

The tiles you didn’t select for your floors or backsplash can still come in handy. It’s simple enough to transform these tiles into neat little coasters for your indoor and outdoor tables.

Depending on the size of the tiles, they may not need to be cut at all. Hexagon-shaped tiles are quite trendy right now, and some are sized perfectly for coasters. Otherwise, if you’re handy with a tile cutter, you can turn square tiles into the right shape and … Read the rest

Spruce and Sparrow offers home decor for downtown Marion shoppers

Posted on By Maria J. Glover
HOME DECOR

Downtown Marion’s newest boutique features a welcoming environment with a variety of charming, interesting, and stylish home decor items on its shelves.

Spruce and Sparrow, owned by Jenny Lust, is located at 194 W. Center St. next to the Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and across the street from Charleston Place. Spruce and Sparrow is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The store is closed on Monday.

Lust, who works for Ridgedale Local Schools, said she has dreamed of owning her own business for many years. She has previous experience working in retail and also worked in the banking industry.

“I’ve always talked about opening a business someday. I’ve always wanted to,” she said. “Just anything, really — coffee shop, restaurant. When I really started thinking about doing it, I thought about a bookstore, because I love to read, but I didn’t think that just having a bookstore would be enough. So then I talked to (downtown real estate developer) Luke Henry and he said there was a need for a home decor store in Marion. And I love that also.”

Lust said she consulted with a friend who owns a home decor store in Powell for advice and insight about how to get started and what did worked for her shop.

“She encouraged me to go ahead and do it,” Lust said. 

Books were added to the merchandise lineup at Spruce and Sparrow in downtown Marion because owner Jenny Lust is an avid reader and wanted to have a wide range of items available for customers.

As an avid reader, Lust has incorporated a selection of books into the lineup of merchandise available at Spruce and Sparrow. Customers can also find candles, wall hangings, apparel, jewelry, coffee mugs, and other home decor items.

“Our main focus is the home decor, which is spread throughout the store, but we have a little bit of everything that we love throughout the

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4 Budget-Friendly Bathroom Remodel Ideas From TikTok | Architectural Digest

Posted on By Maria J. Glover
HOME IMPROVEMENT

On TikTok, the #bathroommakeover hashtag has over 1 billion views. Scroll through the videos and two things become apparent. First, be it a subtle refresh or a complete overhaul, TikTok creators have so many clever bathroom remodel ideas. Second, while some creativity may be necessary, breaking the bank is not.

“For many homeowners, myself included, a full-on renovation isn’t always feasible,” says Phoenix-based content creator Lidia Salazar, who goes by @everyday_homedecor. Salazar recommends mini makeovers, which she says are ”a fantastic way of making the best with what we have.”

Julian Thomas, of Brooklyn, known on TikTok as @marfastewart, echoes that sentiment. “Let’s be frank: Bathroom updates can be pricey.” For DIYers on a budget, he recommends “focusing on elements that you can change by yourself and in a day,” like doorknobs, sink fixtures, and vanity lights.

Here, a closer look at four of the most inspiring, wallet-friendly bathroom remodel ideas on TikTok, plus tips for recreating them at home.

1. Choose decorative tweaks with a big impact

TikTok content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

For renters or DIY’ers on a budget, Salazar says “don’t underestimate the power of decorative styling in your bathroom. Simply adding some decorative pieces like a statement vase with floral stems, framed art prints, and a beautifully textured hand towel can make such a difference.”

With a bit more effort, you can create visual interest with minimal budget and effort.  When Salazar set out to makeover her home’s powder bathroom, changing out mirrors, light fixtures and faucets was a total game changer. And, with over 147k views of her mini makeover, her viewers agree. “Getting rid of the 1980s builder-grade mirror was the biggest aesthetic change,” Salazar explained. A fresh coat of paint in a moody

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10 pool landscaping ideas to splash-proof your outdoor space

Posted on By Maria J. Glover
GARDEN

When it comes to the best pool landscaping ideas, there are a few things to consider. As well as wanting your splash zone to look good, you need to give some serious consideration to the plants you choose to add to your space, the materials you use to landscape the surrounding area and any patio furniture you invest in. 

After all, in-ground and above-ground pools are wet places. And therefore only the toughest of materials, plants and furnishings will survive. But here’s the good news: landscaping your poolside can be as bright and bold or as calm and composed as you want it to be. 

As interior designers, Hillary Kaplan and Miriam Silver Verga of Mimi & Hill (opens in new tab) say, ‘Landscaping can be bright and elaborate. Or tamed to uniform shades of greens and manicured to create an architectural background for your pool.’ And when it comes to creativity, ‘Plantings and material selections are crucial to how creative you wish to be,’ the duo say. 

To help give you some inspiration when it comes to pool landscaping and seamlessly incorporating this into your backyard landscape design, we put the all-important questions to the experts to find out what’s best for your space. Keep scrolling to discover key furniture looks plus, what hardware to use around your dip zone and what plants to include if you’re considering

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Toronto’s ‘beauty and simplicity’ inspired designer and her art

Posted on By Maria J. Glover
HOME DECOR

It was the summer of 2011 when budding artist Nadia Lloyd painted her first large-scale abstract of Toronto’s skyline.

“I’d brought home this big four-by-four-foot canvas. My son, who was six months old, was in his Jolly Jumper, and I had an urge to paint.”

She deftly shaped an outline of the city using vertical brush strokes of burnt orange, forest green, black and amber, with drips representing the reflection in the water.

“I painted it in two minutes,” she recalls of the finished canvas called “Utopia”.

“I love the magic of one minute it wasn’t there and the next minute it was.”

It was a meaningful moment in the career of the now well-established artist, designer and event planner. The city’s iconic skyline anchored by the CN Tower became her signature theme in a collection of home decor products and fashion accessories, printed with her art.

In 2013, she founded Toronto Art Crawl to promote the work of other local artists and artisans. The next event, an outdoor market called The Urban Exhibit, is planned for Sept. 10 at The Bentway (underneath the Gardiner Expressway), where 80 creative types will sell their wares.

But it wasn’t until 2020 that Lloyd got the first of two “big breaks” in her artistic pursuits. While sewing pandemic face masks from repurposed cushion covers, she designed a special one to celebrate Pride in June, catching the eye of Toronto Mayor John Tory.

“He told me he loved my work and obsession with the skyline, and promoted it for a year and a half,” Lloyd relates.

She got her second break in July 2020 when she designed a Black Lives Matter mask with her young son. After posting on social media that she wanted to donate masks to the Toronto Raptors, she

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A Comprehensive Guide to Staircase Remodeling and Design

Posted on By Maria J. Glover
HOME IMPROVEMENT

When it comes to elements of design that are the perfect marriage of form and function, nothing comes to mind quicker than a staircase. Over the centuries, residential staircases have transformed beyond their functional appeal into a true design powerhouse, providing pros and homeowners alike a chance to bring architectural interest, personality, and fun to spaces big and small.

Whether you’re tackling a home build from the ground up or are undertaking a remodel and looking to inject some visual interest into your staircase, there are endless ways to do so—and a few important pieces of lingo to understand before you start dreaming up ideas. Below, we’re recapping the basic anatomy of a staircase, plus all the ways in which you can show your personality through the design. Because building codes can vary greatly depending on the project and location, we haven’t really covered that here—but that doesn’t mean you can turn a blind eye. It’s always a good idea to touch base with a pro in your area (be that a contractor, inspector, or architect) ahead of starting a project to make sure whatever staircase changes you’re envisioning will be both stylish and safe.

Staircase Anatomy 101

staircase design traditional staircase

In this California home, designed by homeowner Carolyn Espley-Miller, a traditional stairwell commands the entryway.

David Tsay

Perhaps one of the most intricate designs and architectural details in a home, staircases have a surprising number of components. Learn the lingo below to talk the talk with contractors and design pros alike.

More From House Beautiful
 

preview for Buying My First Home

Stringer

A stringer is the support board that runs along each side of a staircase. It provides necessary structural support to the entire staircase and acts as a point of attachment for other elements, like the treads and risers. In most cases, one side (the inner stringer)

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