Hi everyone I hope your all having a fantastic day!! I thought I would share with you some important tips how to measure curtains before hanging them! So here we go..

Curtains are often the focal point in a room. They can bring in colour, pattern, bring in style and warmth. They can help tie your entire space together. But do you know how to measure curtains correctly? When you’re are choosing the perfect curtains there is more to consider then just the width and length.

If your want to make a statement then I would suggest going with a full length curtain (these are also the more modern choice). Make sure they touch the ground or even get an extra long ones that puddle on the floor.

Curtains come with different headings so make sure to do a little research before purchasing your perfect pair.

Headings;

1-Eyelet

These curtains have metal rings sewn into the top to allow for a long uniform look.

2-Pencil pleats

These look like pencils hanging in a row.

3-Pinch pleats

This look gathers fabric in bunches and gives more informal look.

4-Wave

This has a more curving finish.

Pencil pleats, Pinch pleats and Wave can all be hung from a track, rail or pole.

Measuring the width for your curtains!

Before you start make sure to have a measuring tape, a piece of paper and pencil so you can write all of yours measurements down as you go along. This is important!

The track or pole should be hung about 6” above the window and be 6”-8” wider on each side.

If you want to make the ceilings in your home appear higher, then you should hang the track or pole as high to the ceiling as you can (not forgetting you need some extra inches for your curtains).

Most standard curtains come in the following widths; 46”, 66” or 90” to decide which one you need, measure the length of the rail or pole between the finials, not the window.

When you are done and have hung your curtains you want to make sure you achieve a full look! For instance if your decide to go with more of a sheer as opposed to a linen or cotton then you may need more fabric to achieve a fuller look. Sometimes I have purchased 4 panels as opposed to 2 to achieve this, it all depends on what look you are going for.

Measure the drop;

Ready made curtains are normally sold in the following sizes 54”, 72” and 90”. Be sure you measure the drop properly so you can make sure your curtains hit the floor, or give you that beautiful pooled look that you are going for.

Important: If your buying curtains with eyelets or tab tops measure from the top of the pole to allow room for the fabric that will sit on the top of the pole.

For pencil pinch, pleat or weave headings measure either the top of the track or bottom of the rings on a pole, depending on the look you’re wanting to achieve.

If you have decided to go with sill length curtains then the rule is they should sit about 1cm above the sill.

If standard curtains won’t work for you, then you should consider having custom ones created that you can fit to size. You will also get much more selection with your prints, colours and fabrics if you go this route.

Care instructions: Most standard curtains are packed tight and will probably need a light ironing or even better use a steamer to get out all the creases and wrinkles. Be sure to read the care instructions first to make sure the product can handle the heat. If your lucky enough you may find some that are even machine washable and if not then they will need to be dry cleaned.

I hope this has answered any of your questions and will help you pick and hang your perfect curtains!

If you have any questions feels free to contact me I would love to hear from you,

Thanks for stopping by,

Taryn ❤

Let the nursery fun begin! Designing your soon to be little ones new place to sleep and grow is very exciting! You will be spending a lot of time in there, so it is well worth the time and energy to make it a space you and your little one will love.

There is a reason why grey is such a popular colour for home decor, it’s a perfect modern neutral.

Grey matches pretty much everything! Whether you’re wanting to create a neutral colour scheme, a monochromatic colour scheme or even accent it with pops of colour.

Here are 5 tips for creating a gorgeous grey nursery;

1-Chose the right paint shade

There are many shades of grey and each evokes its own mood! It can be cool highlighting blue tones, it can be warm highlighting yellow tones. Be careful when selecting your paint colour, I suggest you buy some testers and paint a small area of the room. Paint each colour side by side, this way you can make sure when the natural light comes through the window in the morning, or when the sun goes down at night, you end up with the colour you desire. Grey can change when your using overhead lighting or even lamps, so make sure you are happy with what you have chosen before you paint the whole space. I have had to repaint a grey room before, well my husband has (sorry hunny) lol

2-Add a complementary accent colour

When it comes to picking the perfect accent pallet, pretty much anything goes with grey. For our nursery we decided to stay neutral using mostly white as our accent colour and incorporating natural wood tones. But you can’t go wrong if you want to be more adventurous by using pastel pink, aqua, mint or even lavender. Anything goes!

3-Create contrast

Grey is best set against its parent colours which are; Black and White. For our space I chose to use mostly white. White accents keep grey looking clean and bright.

4-Play with pattern

A little pattern play can go a long way! It can really make the space pop. Bringing beautiful life to your design. I focused on areas like the bedding and the change pad, as well as some throw blankets and toy storage bins. When I created the gallery wall over the crib I also incorporated some fun items with pattern to give that “WOW” factor when walking in, and breaking up the monochromatic colour scheme. I have always loved the contrast between a beautiful neutral space with gorgeous wood accents.

5-Use texture

Incorporating some rich texture is another way to add some visual interest to your design. This is especially important in neutral spaces, they require a little more attention to detail. Try layering with a sleek faux fur rug and beautiful fabrics (sheets, throw blankets, curtains). Pair it with natural wood elements, some wicker storage baskets or maybe some natural wood art. I created a focal point over the crib with some darker and lighter wood pieces. The gallery wall is my favourite part of the room, I think it gives the space personality and I adore that it has love messages to my little one. I’ve personalized it with a custom galvanized metal letter representing our babies name.

Nursery must haves;

1-Crib

2-Crib mattress

3-Crib Sheet

4-Dresser or changing table

5-Glider or rocking chair

6-Nursery storage

7-Nursery lighting

8-Rug

9-Window treatments

10-Bookcase

This amazing crib and dresser was purchase @thebabysroom in St. Jacobs and the gorgeous Divinci Grey glider with white pipping came from @wayfair.com. Many of the accessories including; the mirror, lamp, metal storage shelf, faux fur throw and wall decor came from my all time favourite store @homsensecanada

I decided to go with a minimalist approach and I really love how this came out!

Well there you have it! I hope this post helped give you some nursery inspiration if your putting one together yourself. And if not I hope it made you smile! If you have any questions ask away in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Taryn<3

Hi friends,

Finishing furniture can be hard work and quite time consuming. But the hard work is well worth it if you know the outcome will be a beautiful piece of custom furniture created especially for your home. Today I am going to share an easy guidebook on how to paint furniture “for beginners”!

I know some of you may think you only need a paintbrush and a can of paint right? But if you want a professional look that is going to last, then there are some important guidelines you need to follow.

First you have to decide what kind of finish you want your piece of furniture to have. For this guide I am just going to share the basic finishing techniques for a piece of real wood furniture.

What to buy before starting the job:

1-Oil soap

2-Medium grit sandpaper

3-Fine grit sandpaper

4-Primer

5-Tack cloth

6-Paint

7-Paint brush

8-Foam roller

9-Top coat

Step 1: PREP PREP PREP

First things first, you need to make sure you have removed all of the hardware and give your wood piece of furniture a very good cleaning. This is where your oil soap will come in handy, it works great and will be safe on the wood.

Step 2: SAND

Give your furniture a really good sanding, make sure you remove any old flaking and peeling paint or any shiny stain that was previously on the piece. You need a really good base for your new paint to stick. This is where you will use your medium grit sand paper. The fine grit sand paper is what can be used between coats if needed.

Step 3: Prime

After your furniture is sanded, dry and dust free, paint on the primer. This will help the new paint adhere to the piece of furniture much better, and give you beautiful lasting results. If you have any stains or discolouration in the wood this will also help hide that.

Step 4: SAND AGAIN

Once your primer is dry use your fine grit sand paper to lightly sand your piece. Do this between every coat of paint. This will help give you a professional finish that should last for years to come. Don’t forget to remove any dust from sanding each time!

Step 5: PAINT

Now that your piece is primed and ready, it’s time to paint! I normally choose a semi gloss finish (I do not recommend flat as it will show every nick and finger print, and it’s much harder to keep clean).

REMEMBER: the glossier the finish the easier it is to keep clean.

Paint thin coats and repeat as needed, don’t forget to sand between each coat. I normally like to paint 2 to 3 coats!

STEP 6: PRIMER

Once you have applied your 2-3 coats and the paint has dried (I recommend waiting 24 hours) it’s time to prime. Priming is going to add extra protection so that your piece has a nice long life and is easier to wipe and clean.

Let your piece dry for a day or two just to be safe. Then it’s time to put your hardware back on and “VOILA” your done!

I hope this has been helpful if you are hoping to tackle your first piece! If you have any questions feel free to send me a message I would love to hear from you!

Taryn ❤

Who doesn’t love an all white kitchen? It’s clean, simple and beautiful. And to be honest a white kitchen will probably never go out of style, but there are many fun and different trends coming in 2021.

When it comes to linens I love the timeless hotel look and feel that White gives off! White has a calming effect on your mood, and replicates the luxurious hotel feel. Who doesn’t want hotel quality sheets in their own bedroom for quality zzz’s every night.

SIMPLE BUT NEVER BORING

Some people may say that having a bed full of white linens is boring, but it’s not! White linens are extremely versatile. If you have a bold coloured headboard, or have used a beautiful bright paint colour on the walls, bright white linens will bring your focus back to the bed, which should be the focal point of every bedroom.

TIMELESS ELEGANCE

We all know with interior decorating trends come and go. White linens will always be on trend with their timeless elegance and hotel feel. What’s not to love? Even if you decide to change out your headboard, curtains or throw pillows for a fresh look, beautiful white sheets will always work. White sheets are so versatile and will work with any decor.

Ever wondered why when you leave a hotel you have always left feeling like you had the best sleep of your life? Well all of your favourite hotels chose white linens for their guests. Why do they chose white? Believe it or not white is the easiest to clean, and white bed linens have a relaxing and calming affect on your mood.

Perhaps the choice of choosing white is a little daunting, especially if you have pets, children or love to drink your morning coffee snuggled up under the sheets. But if you find the right ones these thoughts will be a thing of the past!

WHERE TO PURCHASE?

I am excited to say I just found a VERY affordable option that I am in love with! I purchased these amazing quality and amazing priced sheets off of Amazon. They are from the Utopia bedding store and they will not disappoint! The package came with one fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillow cases. It is made of a brushed microfibre (which I wasn’t to sure about) but I have to say they are so soft, so luxurious and they clean like a dream. I have been using them for over a month now and couldn’t be happier with my purchase. I am going to buy some extra sets for my master and for my guest room as well! The fabric will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They are shrink and fade resistant and machine washable. They are priced at $35.99 YES PLEASE! At this price you can buy a couple for backups, I give these sheets two thumbs up.

Check them out and get yours on Amazon today!

Taryn<3

Whether your a long term renter who wants to make their apartment feel polished, or your decorating your first apartment and don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place!

Tip #1-Set up an entry way! Maybe you’ll feature a beautiful mirror (for last minute touch ups), and small bench with seating for slipping on and off your shoes. Or you could choose a chic accent chair with a slim stylish basket for your umbrellas. What about a small ornate table to store your mail, keys and on to the go accessories!

Tip #2-Window treatments! This is a very important one for me as it can really impact the look of your space. Not only is this a way to bring in colour and pattern, but it is also a way (when hung properly) to make your ceilings appear higher. If your wanting to achieve this look you must hang your curtains as high up as they can go (the rod may reach .5 away from your ceiling), this will give the illusion of higher ceilings which will make the whole space feel larger. Window treatments are also a way to make a place feel much more inviting and cozy. They can also help you keep those heating bills down in the dead of winter.

Tip #3-Swap out the lighting! Especially if your apartment or condo comes with all the builder grade flush mount lighting fixtures. You will be so surprised how much your entire space changes when installing prettier fixtures.

Tip #4-Splurge on a beautiful headboard! This is the focal point of every bedroom and when choosing the right headboard it can really give your bedroom that wow factor it may be lacking.

Tip #5-Get some art work up on those walls! Gallery walls are such a fun trend right now. You can do all photos or you can mix it up with your favourite art work and family photos. Throw in some statement pieces like a beautiful ornate letter for your first or last name. Maybe an old looking key or a mini metal deer head or mirror to space it up. If you don’t have the money to go out and purchase these things try making some DIY art!

Tip #6-Stick on wallpaper! You can create a beautiful accent or focal wall buy purchasing DIY stick on wallpaper. It’s so easy and can be completed within minutes, really helping give that “WOW” factor to a smaller space. And if your renting the best part is it’s easily removed!

Tip #7-Accent rugs! Accent rugs can make a room that feels cold.. cozy. It can also bring in colour and pattern and really pull a room together. It will help you define and separate your space. And the best part is you can take it with you when you go. Try adding a beautiful area rug to your family room under the coffee table. Grab a statement rug for your front door, get something cute for your kitchen and bathroom. Look for something cozy on your feet for the bedroom.

A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE A SMALL SPACE FEEL LARGER:

1-Mirrors on the walls or leaned up in a corner will help make a small space feel bigger.
2-Paint the walls White! Paint will impact how large your space feels. A white wall colour will make your likely small apartment space feel larger.
3-Smaller sized furniture will help keep the place from feeling cluttered or too full.
4-Try to organize and hide storage creatively, use beautiful storage solutions like wicker baskets, purchase a couch or ottoman that opens up with inside storage. 5-Source out affordable hanging closet organizers to utilize all of your storage space. 6-Install shelves and display statements pieces mixed with baskets for storage solutions (this way it creates a beautiful eye catching display and doesn’t look like a storage solution). GET CREATIVE!

HANGING PICTURES ON WALLS. *NO DRILLING REQUIRED*

One last tip for hanging things on the walls (if you do not want to drill holes, or can not) use command strips they work so well and they now make them to hang everything. They come in different sizes and have different weight ranges. They stick on so easily and most importantly they can be removed when moving out causing zero damage to the paint or walls.

I hope this has helped, and has given you some great ideas on where to start when decorating your apartment! If you have any questions feel free to send me a message!

Thanks for stopping by,

Taryn❤️

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

I just love all of the lights and decorations this time of year! So peaceful and romantic! Is it just me or does this time of year help remind you of how precious life is, and how thankful we should be for everyone around us! (especially this year in 2020).

I am normally a home decor neutral lover, but there is just something so classic about the traditional colours Red and Green at Christmas time. There are so many things you can do at Christmas to make your perfect holiday home. The first thing you should do when decorating your home for the holidays is decide your colour scheme. Whether it’s the traditional Red and Green, or maybe you want a more holiday glam look with Silver and Gold. Some people even love a “POP” of colour like Purple and Gold or Navy and Silver, there are so many options. Following a certain colour scheme or theme is going to give you a more “put together” and glamours look!

IF YOUR JUST STARTING YOUR HOLIDAY DECOR COLLECTION, THE FIRST FEW ITEMS I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU PURCHASE ARE;

#1 A Christmas tree. #2 pre-lit garland, display it on your fireplace mantle. If you don’t have a fireplace in your home you could hang it on a railing or display it on a buffet. I have hung it around door frames or even on the top of kitchen cabinets. (Command strips are awesome for this, easy to put up and easy to take down at the end of the season). Purchasing a Christmas tree and garland is an investment, you choose your own accessories, and this is where you can really create the WOW factor in your home with your chosen holiday colour scheme. The best part is if you decide to change your colour scheme down the road, you can just change out the accessories on your tree or garland to give it a completely different and fresh look! I don’t know about you but I am someone who definitely likes to recreate and try new looks throughout my home and Christmas decorating is no different “out with the old in with the new”! #3 Accessories go out and purchase yourself some Christmas decor items, whether it’s nutcrackers you love or Santa’s you want to spread around. Holiday balls are great they can be used on the tree in a vase. Buy a bunch of small to medium size decoration pieces that you can spread throughout your home. You don’t have to go overboard if you are just starting your collection. You can incorporate your Christmas decor items with your everyday decorating pieces (this will also prevent you from having to find somewhere to store your everyday decor items, especially if your tight for space). A few rules I follow when creating different holiday focal points throughout my rooms are; find items that are different heights and different textures. Make sure when you are staging your grouping you are trying to use odd numbers, put taller items in the back and smaller ones at the front. Try and keep groupings tight and do not leave to much negative space around them.

Of course as the years go by your collection will grow (as mine has) but this is a good place to start. Hope this helps!

I would love for you to share any feedback or comments that you have regarding my post, and PLEASE share your holiday set-up pictures with me!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to hit subscribe if you want to read my future posts!

Have a great day everyone! Smile!

Taryn❤️