5 Easy Faux Marble DIYs

The look of marble is very on-trend right now. Marble countertops, marble cutting boards, white marble vases and decorative bowls... it's all over the decor world. The bad part? It's expensive. And being a natural stone, it's expensive because of just that. It's hard to come by, takes a whole 'lotta resources, and it's quite the process to get it to the state that us consumers want to purchase it at. But what if I told you that you could get that marble look in some ways that won't break the budget?

I love nothing more than a good DIY thats just as useful as it is pretty. But then again, who doesn't? Well, add in the golden word of DIY's; e-a-s-y and I don't know about you but I'm sold. You don't have to tell me twice! Without any further hesitation, here are my 5 favorite faux marble DIY's.

All DIY's are featured on the links below

Kitchen Decor // Cocktail Coasters // Accent Furniture // Shelf Space // Planter

This post is a part of the #DefineYourHome series by Defined Designs. The series is meant to bring inspiration, knowledge, and ideas to you for getting your home in top notch shape and ready for entertaining this summer. I encourage everyone to share a space in your home or something you took home with you from this series on social media using the hashtag #DefineYourHome

5 Trends to Shop for this Spring

The Everygirl // Whimsy Darling // Apartment Therapy // PopSugar // DIY Playbook

Which trend are you picking up on this year?

This post is a part of the #DefineYourHome series by Defined Designs. The series is meant to bring inspiration, knowledge, and ideas to you for getting your home in top notch shape and ready for entertaining this summer. I encourage everyone to share a space in your home or something you took home with you from this series on social media using the hashtag #DefineYourHome

The Side Chair

Happy Tuesday! It's been a while since I've shared a Trending Tuesday with you all so that's exactly what we're covering today! It is the season for spring cleaning so why not do a little rearranging around the apartment or house as well. Just like a fresh, clean house, I love nothing more than the satisfaction that comes from a new layout in the living room, or moving some photo frames around. Even small rearranging can bring a sense of renewed comfort to a space. Hopefully today's trend can help out with anyone looking to rearrange or add a piece of furniture to their home this spring.

The Side Chair. Where to start... Adding a side chair to a space can mean so many things. Depending on how you place it within a space or it's intended function, a side chair can be the finishing touch to a room. And with prices for side chairs becoming affordable for any budget, your options are basically endless. Here are a few of my favorite types and ways to use a side chair in a space:

Which one is your favorite side chair??

The Bold Chair. Don't get me wrong I love my neutrals. But it's hard to go wrong with a good pop of color in any space. Taking the leap and adding a bold side chair is a great way to get that pop of color in your room and work on tying it together with smaller pieces after. {via Domino}

The Accent Chair. The accent chair is a great budget friendly way to add a chair to your space. Using an armless upholstered dining chair is best styled when paired with a dresser, bookshelf or media stand and topped with artwork for height. Psst... this is a great item to thrift for!! {via Zhush}

The Sitting Chair. Going a little more practical on this one. The sitting chair can be any kind of upholstered side chair you prefer. Comfy, trendy, colorful, or neutral... the sitting chair explains itself since it hangs out in the main part of the living room along with the sofa and end tables. You can also buy two and make it a pair! {via DesignLoveFest}

The Club Chair. A club chair is usually referred to when you have a traditionally chunky upholstered chair. While on most occasions you would think to place the club chair in the living room, a good way to change it up would be to catty corner it in the master bedroom for reading, or dressing in the morning. {via Better Homes and Gardens}

The Bench. Now I know that this is not a side chair per se... but it is a great substitute if you have a very small space or have a very tight budget. I love the idea of placing a bench next to a door in an entryway in place of an entry table in an apartment or small space. Great place for books, a tray with small decorative items, even a bowl to keep keys. {via Dust Jacket}

The Statement Chair. This. Chair. Is. Amazing. A birdcage chair like the one shown above makes such a statement it doesn't even need an explanation. While most of them are way out of the average budget, a great way to get a statement chair is by thrifting, antiquing or taking on CraigsList and adding a little DIY touch. {via Waiting on Martha}

White With A Pop

In most cases, you'll find yourself stuck with stark white walls if you are living in an apartment or a rental property. Rental communities and landlords always seem to stick with the basic and bland "builders white" paint colors for every room. Which brings up the age old question... What do you do with the white walls? How do you make them look pretty? Growing up I always wanted crazy colors for my room. Since then, I've learned to love the look of those stark white walls and embrace the bright and blank canvas that comes with such a space. Check out a few different spaces that might inspire you to get creative with those stark white walls!

A few things to think about when trying to bring pops of color into a white space:

• Don't be afraid to mix wood tones & color together
• Don't be afraid to mix multiple colors
• Colorful Artwork is an easy way to bring color into the space
• Add a colorful upholstery piece to brighten up the space
• Textiles such as rugs, curtains or pillows are an easy, fool proof way to bring in color
• Don't be afraid to layer white on white (but don't forget to still add color!)

via The Design Files

via Pinterest

via SchoolHouse

via Riches For Rags

How would you add a pop of color to your white rooms?

Pendant Lighting

You'll never realize what a difference lighting will make to a space until you see it. You may be thinking yeah, yeah, lighting is boring..and unless you are a complete and utter nerd like me, the last thing you would want to do when you move, or buy a home is shop for lighting. Well, let me change your mind a little today. A few weeks ago, a new restaurant opened up in Charlotte called Bakersfield. If you're in the area you might have heard of it or even visited for a margarita and some tacos. But if you haven't been by - You must stop in and try it. Not only for the amazing tacos and pitchers of margs in mason jars, but the lighting is simply captivating. Endless amounts of strategically placed pendant bulbs hanging from the ceiling created such a warm and edgy atmosphere all at the same time.. and did I mention the Margs? YUM.

Check out some of my favorites:

via Remodelista

via House of Turquoise

via Lonny

via Purodeco

via my paradissi

9 Fall Must Haves

Instead of providing you with a wish list for all those fall items I'm loving right now... and yes, there's a lot of them! I figured why not prep you with a few items I'm pretty sure will be heavily trending this fall. Trending to the point where you should put them on your wish list ASAP. I mean that.. Most of these items are already on mine. {don't tell my bank account cause it won't know what hit it in a few weeks}

1. Gold Starburst Mirrors - These bad boys are not going anywhere out of trend anytime soon! If you don't have one yet.. go get one! This one is on sale right now!

2. Cozy Textiles - Faux furs are a great item not only to cozy up to on the couch on a chilly night but they look great draped over a side chair or sofa as well!

3. Skull Decor - Remember this post from last season? Time to take out those decorative skulls because they'll be coming back without a doubt.

4. Coffee Table Trays - The little things are always better in groups! I love seeing a nicely staged tray on a coffee table. No matter the material, it always makes your remotes, books, and candles look very well put together.

5. White Bedding - Ahhh, white bedding.. My one true love! You can never go wrong with stark white bedding on a sunday morning when you open up your windows and grab a cup of coffee and a book. That is all.

6. Magazines/ Coffee Table Books - Any kind of mindless reading material is great and easy decor to pile up in a side basket, on a bookshelf, or on a coffee table neatly stacked.

7. Smaller Coffee Tray - Great way to drink a cup of joe in bed on a chilly fall morning, or to use in staging a guest room for when you have company.

8. Candles - No need to explain this one. A grouping of candles is such a joy to see in someones home, makes it feel so cozy and welcoming!

9. Bar Carts - If you've been wanting to invest in a bar cart and just haven't had the chance to... now is definitely the time! Stock the top of your bar cart with a few bottles of wine and your favorite liquor to warm your insides during the fall season! Don't forget the festive cocktail napkins and agate coasters!

Which of these items are going on your wish list for this fall season?

Agate Affair

A huge trend in home decor as of recently has been the colorful accents of agate. They can grace your home in many different ways. A few of the most popular would be in the version of drink coasters stacked on your coffee table, or chunky bookends bringing color and sparkle to your reading collections. Check out a few of my favorite agate affairs and how they're inspiring home decor today:

Bookends:

via Cupcakes and Cashmere | via Centsational Girl

Coasters:

via m prssion | via etsy

Framed:

via hometalk | via Moth Design

Shop the agate products below:

Pineapple of My Eye

Ohh, don't you just love a good play on words? Today it's not who or what is the apple of my eye, it's the pineapple trend that got me good. I'm convinced you could find anything with a pineapple or pineapple print on it right about now. But besides the fashion frenzy thats all about this tropical fruit - we can't forget about the home decor! After all, the pineapple is a symbol for hospitality..it only make sense to have them in your home!

I've hunted down the best picks for pineapple products right here but first, let's look at some trendy inspiration - shall we?

via My World Apart | Shop {similar} pineapple

via Down that Little Lane

via Stylizmo | Shop {similar} pineapple

via Chinoiserie Chic | Shop {suggestion} pineapple tray

Shop my pineapple picks here:

Bathroom Talk

Bathrooms come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Some have soothing tubs and tile walls, or walk in showers and large vanities. Wood floors, Tile floors, you name it - it's been done. Bathroom renovations are very popular and while it may seem the easiest {since they're usually the smaller of the rooms in the house..} plumbing and waterproofing can be quite the DIY nightmare. BUT {you have to expect the 'but'} if they're done right... Bathrooms can be the most calming, pretty place in the house. In my opinion at least!

Speaking of colors, shapes and sizes - Check out these captivating Black and White bathrooms. I can't stop swooning over these five in particular! They're so striking I just want to take a bubble bath!

HGTV

Indoors Outdoors Tumblr

The Hunted Interior

Curbly

Creative Home Body

To see more bathrooms I've been loving lately, check them out here.

Moodboard Monday: Blue & White

I have a confession. I don't know where it came from but it hit me like a ton of bricks. I have a new obsession with blue and white paired together.  Sadly, theres a 99% chance I'm overreacting on this because I've been obsessed with ginger jars for I don't know how long. If you're unclear on my ginger jar obsession, you can check it out here, and here. But one thing that really made me take a double take was when I saw on instagram last week that Tory Burch had come out with a home line and let me tell you - they hit it out of the park with their blue and white decor!

Textile Tuesday

I've had a lot of requests about throw pillows lately. Last week when I decided to start Textile Tuesday to switch up my usual Trending Tuesday a little, I knew that I just had to share my thoughts and love for throw pillows.  Who doesn't love a good throw pillow? Come on. They're great.  They make your space look and feel just so much more comfy than without.

A few things I always stick to when it comes to throw pillows:

• Always start with two base pillows - I love 20" x 20" squares.
• Always end with one pillow that is slightly smaller but don't be afraid to get fancy with it! Sequins, bows, a pop of color or even a crazy shape {like a bolster pillow}
• For sofas - Don't be afraid to frame the sofa with 2 base pillows and throw in an uneven amount of pillows.
• For beds - Lay you're standard bed pillows down flat and stack them if you have 4, then add your throws on top and layer them down to the center of the bed.

Great bed styles:

PB Teen

Sweet Southern Charm Tumblr

Great Living Room Styles:

Rue Mag

Comfy Home