Home Tour - Yby5

Wall Collage Part 1

January 31, 2013 by carin Leave a Comment

What to do with an empty wall?

That’s the problem in my oldest daughters bedroom.

Last summer we made some changes to her room that you can see here. Somehow the months got away from us without completing some of the finishing touches. With her turning 13 soon, as in right around the corner, {GULP} she wants a more sophisticated space that defines her maturing style. Out went the pink carpet, pink walls and those posters that no longer seemed “cool”.

It left us with this large empty wall begging for some attention.

I love wall collages and admittedly I was steering her in this direction . They offer an afforadable unique solution to large walls. After scouring Pinterest together here are some inspiration ideas my daughter likes…

Source: alifeofblue.blogspot.com via Yby5 on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Yby5 on Pinterest

Source: emilyanninteriors.blogspot.com via Yby5 on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Yby5 on Pinterest

I think we’ll incorporate ideas from each while adding some personal touches.

A little paint on these two mirrors will be a great starting point.

In the meantime, I’ll be checking out our local thrift stores and estate sales for some great frames & mirrors. Throw in a latte and that sounds like my kind of day!

I have until her birthday in April to finish…no problem…a piece of cake!

*And can I say that I’m totally freaking out about her turning 13! It makes me scared, happy, sad, joyful, nervous…all wrapped up in one big emotion. My first born little girl is growing up into the most delightful young lady. I know great things are to come…right?

Filed Under: before & after, decorating, DIY, Home Tour, photos

2013=Simplify

January 3, 2013 by carin

Christmas a giant success-Check.

2013 here-Check.

Kids back at school-Check.

House returning to normal-Check…hmm, maybe a half Check.

Feeling poor and tired. But boy it was worth every dime and extra effort!-Check.

Ready to keep 2013 SIMPLE-Check.

Doesn’t the new year make you take stock in what you have and perhaps where you see things going? Yesterday, while on a quiet wintry walk, I realized there isn’t anything huge that I hope to do this year. I’m okay with that. I used to think I had to have some giant new endeavour, but what about going back to simplicity?

How will this happen you ask? I think enjoying what I already have, living more in the moment and choosing where to put time and energy is how I’ll start.

Family is first. We’ve lost our way in the craziness of school and outside activities. Making time for the five of us…games, movie night, dinners together…simple things.

Friends are integral…who else would I be doing Yby5 with?? I want to be better at seeing friends…quiet get together’s and good talks.

As for Yby5…don’t think because I want to keep it simple that we won’t be doing some terrific things this year. We have many fantastic ideas that include you as a result of our successful Get Cozy Sale. We’re continuing to find great vintage finds so that your spaces can reflect you and keep things simple and easy for you!

With my SIMPLE motto for 2013 already taking effect, I swapped out some Christmas decorations for simple easy things I already had in my kitchen cupboards. All of these glass vessels had Christmas balls in them for the holidays, but were changed up with a few things from my pantry.

Coffee beans and white beans add a simple fresh look.

Green dried lentils add a punch of green to keep the space light and airy.

All these beans can easily be found at the store and the best thing is that they are inexpensive. I love the color and the aroma of the coffee beans is my favorite!

What changes are you making for 2013?

Big changes or simple?

Either way Happy 2013!

Filed Under: decorating, DIY, favorites, great tips, Home Tour, Life in General, photos

Just in Time for Thanksgiving – A Vintage Pie Safe

November 12, 2012 by Nicole

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be at The Mother of all Estate Sales. It was a sale that spread across three barns and the owner had once owned an old shop. It was filled with great signs, display pieces, vintage decor and chippy furniture. While I scored a lot of great things for the upcoming sale, I also scored something for MYSELF: A beat-to-heck, filthy, gorgeous vintage pie safe.

Because how in the world do you visit sale after sale without grabbing something for your own home once in a while? You don’t!

Figuring out how in the heck we were going to get it home was the next step. With the trailer attached, Carin and I ~~carried~~ attempted to carry the incredibly heavy chest to the car. We’ve had varying experiences at sales, sometimes a couple of gentlemen will step in to help, and sometimes not. Which is fine with us, we like to think we can handle it. As you can imagine, sometimes we are in over our heads and both the condition of the piece and our health wind up at risk!

Fortunately we had some help loading up the pie safe, BUT I did NOT have help backing the trailer out onto a VERY busy road. I was pretty freaking proud that I got it done. (AND…my husband never noticed the small scratch on the Jeep! BONUS!)

I was convinced that the pie safe was falling to pieces in the back with each bump we hit.

Here’s it is, nestled safely, as we stopped for some lunch:

See that brown thing sticking out? Yeah, that would be my purse. I put it in there as we ~~carried~~ attempted to carry the chest out of sale. And I totally forgot it was in there.

It was absolutely filthy. The days of this piece storing pies are OVER.