A Pop of Color with Wayfair

front-porch-pop-of-color-wayfair-red-yellow-sunflower

When we see sunflowers, we think about Tuscany. When we think about Tuscany, we think happy thoughts. When we think happy thoughts, we want to celebrate it with a glass of vino. When we have a glass of vino, we want a pretty space to sip it in. When we need a pretty space to sip it in, Wayfair comes to the rescue with their #PopOfColor campaign.

Jessica’s favorite place to sip wine in the summer is her front porch, so she chose to add a much-needed pop of color and sunflowers to her front entry space. It looked pretty sad and dull before the pop of vibrant red and yellow splashed the rustic space.

front-porch-rocking-chair-makeover

Now thanks to Wayfair, it’s an inviting space to welcome guests, watch the kids play, sit and read a book {let’s get serious – she will be reading O Magazine} and sip water {or vino}.

sunflower-red-table-front-porch-yellow-pillow-wayfair

sunflower-red-table-front-porch-yellow-pillow-wayfair

The new, bright green Hello Doormat is hard to miss, plus it’s direct and to-the-point. Hello, friends!

sunflower-red-table-front-porch-yellow-pillow-wayfair-hello-welcome-mat

The red Franklin Butler Accent Table caught Jessica’s eye immediately. She has always had a weakness for red, and lately a fondness for the mountain modern look. The table is indoor/outdoor, so when the warm summer months are over, the table will make its way inside.

sunflower-red-table-front-porch-yellow-pillow-wayfair

She couldn’t resist a touch of glam with the Global Views Nugget Bud Vase because, well, everyone needs a touch of metallic glam.

sunflower-red-table-front-porch-yellow-pillow-wayfair

The rocking chair is from Jessica’s in-laws. Though a DIY paint job was in the original plan for a big pop of yellow color on the porch, a yellow pillow does the job in less than 1/4 the time, and makes for a much happier husband. With so many yellow pillows to choose from at Wayfair, all you have to do is pick your yellow. 1. Sunbrella Vibrant Yellow. 2. Forget the Tuscany vibe for a minute, this African giraffe pillow makes us smile. 3. Blazing Needle gets the yellow just right.

Here’s the official before and after shot.

front-porch-makeover-red-yellow-pop-of-color-wayfair-sunflower_Fotor

If you are anything like us, once a #PopOfColor happens in one space, it tends to have a domino effect into other areas of the home. Look out Wayfair, our homes are neutral in color and in need of a serious POP. In the meantime, we’ll enjoy the front porch.

 j. sorelle received a gift card to purchase a #PopOfColor for this post, however we love Wayfair, even if they didn’t send us any form of payment, and all opinions are ours, we promise.

DIY Balloons to Celebrate the 4th of July

july-4th-red-white-blue-balloon-backdrop-stars-stripes-paint-fireworks

Up, up and away! Wouldn’t it be fun if we could travel via balloons just like Carl did in Disney | Pixar’s Up? We’re not saying our fear of heights would totally subside, but the joy, color and adventure that a balloon adventure would bring could be worth all the helium and panic attacks.

Balloons are just all-around happy. Wouldn’t you agree? They make our kids smile. They embody childhood. Plus, they symbolize the word celebrate.

We recently had fun inside creating a simple balloon backdrop for the 4th of July during a rainy day. Kids explored their creativity with paint, and balloons as their canvas. And, we got some good photos for the memory books.

july-4th-red-white-blue-balloon-backdrop-stars-stripes-paint-fireworks

Materials Needed:

  • Acrylic paint {red, white and blue}
  • Paintbrushes and roll brushes
  • Martha Stewart glitter
  • Tape
  • Balloons {helium or non-helium}

Directions:

  • Blow up balloons {of if you purchased helium balloon, pick up from the store}.
  • Paint. We painted our balloons with hand-drawn stars, fireworks and stripes.
  • For the stripes, we used a roll-on pattern brush. And, for the fireworks, we sprinkled glitter on the fireworks while the paint was still wet.
  • Add red and white striped twine to the balloons.
  • Tape to the wall. If your balloons have helium, tape them on the bottom of the wall so they don’t fly away.
  • Snap all the fun photos of your kids pretending to float up, up and away!

july-4th-red-white-blue-balloon-backdrop-stars-stripes-paint-fireworks

july-4th-red-white-blue-balloon-backdrop-stars-stripes-paint-fireworks

DIY Flower Stakes

lilacs-picnic-mason-jar-pink-summer-plant-prop-stake
It’s summer time. Thank the Lord. Bring on the sunshine, late summer nights, cocktails on the porch, birds chirping, sleeping in, pool time floats and sun-kissed skin.
Today we have a cheap and easy DIY you can do in less than 5 minutes for enhanced summer ambiance. These DIY Flower Stakes can line your front entry to greet guests with candles or flowers.  Or, they are a simple way to incorporate color and fresh blooms into a summer picnic without the need to find a spot on the blanket for a vase, or worry about spillage.
lilacs-picnic-mason-jar-pink-summer-plant-prop-stake
Materials Needed:
Directions:
  • Slightly bend the plant prop so it is large/round enough to slide the mason jar in it, but snug enough to keep the mason jar in place.
  • Slide the mason jar through the opening and position along the rims of the mason jar.
  • Add blooms and a bit of water.

lilacs-picnic-mason-jar-pink-summer-plant-prop-stake

lilacs-picnic-mason-jar-pink-summer-plant-prop-stake

 

 

DIY Watermelon Corkboard

watermelon-pink-green-DIY-corkboard-pushpins-office-wall-decor-teacher-hostess-gift

We’re loving all our watermelon consumption these warm summer days. The kids are out of school, it’s time to shave our legs again, dust off the grill and eat watermelon. It’s not enough for us to just eat the juicy, pink fruit this summer – we want to hang it up on the wall too!

This DIY watermelon corkboard and pushpins makes for a lovely teacher and hostess gift, and it’s a great pop of color in one’s office space. Wayfair, one of the world’s largest online destination for all-things-home thinks so too, because they shared our tutorial with their readers.

DIY ABC Block Cupcake Topper

baby-blocks-cupcakes-shower-semi-homemade-abc-sprinkles-frosting

A B C
It’s easy as, 1 2 3
As simple as, do re mi
A B C, 1 2 3

These DIY ABC Block Cupcake Toppers are easy and adorable…and edible if you just can’t help yourself. It’s semi-homemade, so it will look like you took the time to make it special, but you don’t even have to turn on your oven. Win, win!

baby-blocks-cupcakes-shower-semi-homemade-abc-sprinkles-frosting

Ingredients:

Directions:

  • Make groups of 6 cookies on the counter.
  • Add frosting to one edge of a cookie {this will be your base}, and quickly place another cookie along the line of frosting.

baby-blocks-cupcakes-shower-semi-homemade-abc-sprinkles-frosting

  • Repeat until you have 4 sides. Every time you add a cookie, be sure to add frosting along its side, so it can stick to the cookie next to it. Be gentle with the block while the frosting is still wet.

baby-blocks-cupcakes-shower-semi-homemade-abc-sprinkles-frosting

  • Once you have all the sides, add frosting to the tops of all the cookies, and add the top cookie.
  • Gently place the block on the counter, and let the frosting dry for 5-10 minutes until it hardens.
  • Pour a pile of sprinkles in a small bowl.
  • Add a small strip of frosting along all the sides and side-by-side dip the wet frosting into the pile of sprinkles until its fully coated. After all the sides have been covered with sprinkles, set aside to let dry.

baby-blocks-cupcakes-shower-semi-homemade-abc-sprinkles-frosting

photography by Meredith Moran Photography