how to choose wallpaper for your living room

How to Choose Wallpaper for Your Living Room

The Alumni House is getting closer and closer to the finish line every day. I just got out of a meeting with a wallpaper installer and it occurred to me that I haven’t talked much about choosing wallpaper for this project or frankly how to choose wallpaper for your living room, or the best wallpaper … Read more

how to choose wallpaper for your living room
Blue paint colors

1987 Fixer Upper Paint Colors

Paint can be so tricky! Who would have known that white isn’t actually white and that there are about 43,597 different shades of white? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed walking into a paint store, you are not alone! I used to joke that our houses always look like I’m a fan of camouflage before they … Read more

Blue paint colors
how to hang a picture perfectly pink peppermint design

How to Hang a Picture Perfectly by Yourself : A Foolproof Guide

The “honey-do” list in our house can admittedly get a little long sometimes. Can anyone relate? I have gotten used to relying on John to help me do most projects these days. When he was working like a dog for the first 15 years of our marriage, I did everything solo, now that he’s got … Read more

how to hang a picture perfectly pink peppermint design
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Great Gifts for New Homeowners

There has been so much moving and shaking around the country this past year. The real estate market is unbelievably hot and people are looking to find a place to put down some roots that has more room to work from home, school from home and just be at home more than ever before. I … Read more

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relaxing retreat scaled

Pretty and Relaxing Bedroom Design Ideas

I can see spring on the horizon and that makes me excited to get a few things refreshed around here! I love putting together design boards for my clients and I often do it just for myself or for fun, and this is one of my favorites yet! I hope you don’t mind if I … Read more

relaxing retreat scaled
how to organize your christmas decor

How to Organize & Store Your Christmas Decorations

How was your Christmas? I hope it was wonderful and restful and filled with family, food and fun. Ours was quiet with just the three of us and dare I say…I LOVED it? Of course I wish Andy had been with us, and frankly, he was most of the day on FaceTime, but it was … Read more

how to organize your christmas decor
christmas bedroom decor ideas 4

How to Decorate Your Bedroom For Christmas

Ever since I shared my Christmas bedroom decor ideas last week I have gotten a few questions about how to decorate your bedroom for Christmas specifically for teenage girls. Believe me, I have a teenage girl and I know all about how much they want to decorate everything and personalize their space. She is the … Read more

christmas bedroom decor ideas 4
beach house interior colors

Beach House Interior Colors : The OC Ranch Reno Color Palette

Paint colors can be tricky! I don’t know about you guys, but no matter how many projects I do, I always go back and forth over what the perfect shade of shade of white, gray, blue etc. will be for that particular house. Of course I have my favorites…but even working within that list, lighting … Read more

beach house interior colors
Family room design ideas

Family Room Design Ideas : The OC Ranch Reno

I am so excited to be getting to the point in the OC Ranch Reno process to be planning the furniture and decor design plan! This house will be used as more of a vacation home, so the design plan is going to lean more toward a beachy/CA col vibe. I am such a visual … Read more

Family room design ideas
guest bedroom design ideas

Fresh and Modern Guest Bedroom Ideas

One of the rooms in this Utah house that has been neglected is the guest bedroom that gets the most use. We have a small guest bedroom that works well when kids come to stay, and I love it because it feels cozy, but this larger guest bedroom at the back of the house has … Read more

guest bedroom design ideas
Screen shot 2020 05 15 at 5 55 43 pm

Backyard Decorating Ideas : Our Patio Furniture Design

When it came to remodeling the 1987 Fixer Upper we worked at lightening speed. In 4.5 months we knocked out a complete remodel inside and out of a 6200 sf home. That was FAST! It had a lot to do with the fact that my uncle and I lived on site throughout the remodel and … Read more

Screen shot 2020 05 15 at 5 55 43 pm
Affordable vintage art

Best Sources for Vintage Art and Landscapes

This last few weeks have me looking at my home under even more of a microscope than usual! I don’t know about you guys, but spending 10+ weeks under stay at home orders so far, has me going a bit stir crazy and wanting to really get this place finished up. One thing I have … Read more

Affordable vintage art
Creating a home office in a pinch

Creating a Home Office in a Pinch

A few days ago I realized that my typical work from home set up was not going to work for John. I typically work wherever I want because I am usually the only one home. While we have a few desks in the house, nothing is really set up as an “office” at this point … Read more

Creating a home office in a pinch
Farmhouse wall decor ideas

Farmhouse Wall Decor Ideas

Ever since Fixer Upper became a part of our regular TV line-up and Chip and Joanna Gaines became the next Oprah, Farmhouse decor has exploded and I don’t think it’s going anywhere anytime soon. Even modern new builds want the farmhouse vibe, and it’s amazing just how versatile this trend is. Some type of farmhouse … Read more

Farmhouse wall decor ideas
Best blue paint colors for your home 1

Designer’s Favorite Blue Paint Colors for Your Home

If you know me and have been following the blog for awhile, you know I love blue.  Blue is soothing and serene and creates a calming vibe in any home, all while adding great color and style. It’s timeless too…I consider dark shades of blue to be neutrals like a good gray or beige. A … Read more

Best blue paint colors for your home 1
Diy front yard landscaping

DIY Front Yard Landscaping Ideas on a Budget

John and I were sitting outside last night around the fire, chatting about some recent yard improvements we’ve done and what’s up next on the list, when it occurred to me that I haven’t shared our updated front yard here on the blog yet!  When we bought this house the landscaping was neat and tidy, … Read more

Diy front yard landscaping
Study space ideas

Study Space Ideas & Tips for Creating a Great Homework Spot

As much as I don’t want to face it, it’s time for back to school. Boo!  I love nothing more than the care-free, schedule free days of summer.  We jokingly refer to school as “learning prison” in our house and we all feel a bit sad when the last week of summer rolls around.  Even … Read more

Study space ideas
How to decorate shelves

How to Decorate Shelves

Ever since we completed the renovation on the 1987 Fixer Upper, I have been amazed at how little space I have to actually decorate.  Our house in California, which is 1/3 of the size of this house, has many more spots to accessorize.  I decided it’s time to start adding some shelves and built-ins to … Read more

How to decorate shelves
Most realistic artificial plants

The Most Realistic Artificial Plants for Your Home

I’ll be the first to admit that I am NOT a fan of fake plants..or at least I didn’t used to be.  I’m pretty sure that having fake greenery and floral stems has always been at the top of the designer’s list of “10 Things to NOT decorate your house with” but after 18 months … Read more

Most realistic artificial plants
Wall art for teen girl bedrooms

Wall Art for Teenage Girl Bedrooms

I feel like things are moving at a snails pace around here, but I am happy to say that Ashley’s teen girl bedroom is finally coming together!  I feel like I have spent months looking for the perfect girl bedroom sets, and teenage girl room colors…and now it is starting to happen!  While it’s not … Read more

Wall art for teen girl bedrooms
midway modern farmhouse

Midway Modern Farmhouse Plans with Wrap Around Porch

As many of you have probably noticed on Instagram over the course of the last few weeks, 2019 has brought an exciting new project for PPD, one we are calling the Midway Modern Farmhouse.  Midway is a beautiful little city nestled in the hills just south of Park City.  Some friends of ours from Orange … Read more

midway modern farmhouse
blue paint colors

How to Accessorize Kitchen Countertops

A once in a blue moon occurrence happened at our house the other day…a clean kitchen. 😉 So, being the blogger that I am, I figured I better capitalize on that rare moment and take some pictures right before Hurricane Mitchell came home from school for the afternoon.  I’ve had some questions about how to … Read more

blue paint colors
Fall tour 3

The Best Wall Mirrors For Your Home

This time of year always just makes me want to mix things up a bit around the house and create a fresh, new look.  One of the most affordable ways I’ve found to make a big impact on a room is to add a new wall mirrors.  They don’t cost a fortune, add a great … Read more

Fall tour 3
Living room 2

Beautiful Modern Coastal Design Ideas for Living Rooms

It has been a little while since I gave an update on the living room design ideas here on the blog, and since we’ve had a little bit of progress over the last couple of months, I thought it was about time I showed you something! 😉 Even thought this house is in the mountains … Read more

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Guest room must haves

Guest Room Must Haves- Tips for Creating the Ultimate Guest Room

I am so excited to be a part of this year’s Summer Home Tour hosted by Marty from A Stroll Thru Life.  If you are visiting from Marty’s beautiful home tour, welcome!  I always love participating in her fun tours, but this year is extra exciting for me since we have spent the last year … Read more

Guest room must haves
Small bedroom ideas

Small Guest Bedroom Ideas that Make a Big Impact

We love having guests at the 1987 Fixer Upper and lately we have been hosting lots of fun friends and family.  In an effort to have a comfortable space for everyone, I have been re-thinking the smallest room in the house.  When we did the remodel I opened up what was once a closed off … Read more

Small bedroom ideas
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Designing with a Color Palette | The Fixer Upper Design Plan

Ever since construction came to an end about a month ago…and actually even before then, I have had kind of a hard time envisioning the 1987 Fixer Upper decorated.  It’s funny, because I had no problem designing all of the renovations…it was like they were in my head before I even found the house…but now … Read more

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Exterior Remodel 1980s house

1987 Fixer Upper: Home Exterior Before and After

Whew!  When I look back at 2017, all I can see is a blur of craziness…which has everything to do with our cross country house hunt, move and remodel of our 1987 Fixer Upper.  You can read about the process for finding this house here and a mid construction progress update on the exterior here.   There … Read more

Exterior Remodel 1980s house
Family room 2 683x1024

Buffalo Plaid Black and White DIY Temporary Wallpaper

At the risk of looking like a crazy lady, I am going to show you my family room Christmas decor. 😉  I LOVE a ridiculous feature wall, some of my favorites are the Halloween wall I did out of old medicine book pages, and last year’s snowflake wall.  To create something fun doesn’t cost much … Read more

Family room 2 683x1024
Tips for hanging a garland

Tips for Hanging Garland

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…time to deck the halls! It is fun to have some new halls for me to deck, that’s for sure!  With everything freshly painted and new this year, I am extra sensitive about making sure I don’t damage anything while I’m having fun making things pretty.  You know … Read more

Tips for hanging a garland
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Remodeling Your Home’s Floor Plan : Making an Older Home Feel New

Remodeling your home’s floor plan is exciting and fun, but can also seem like a scary and overwhelming adventure.  It usually means knocking down a few walls and shifting things around, but the results can be amazing if you take some time to plan and think about how to create a space that works for … Read more

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Console 2

Console Table Decorating Ideas: Beautiful and Functional Decor

About five years ago I decided to turn our more formal living room into a second family room.  We don’t have a big house, and the biggest room in our house (the living room) was sitting empty and unused all the time.  I bought a black distressed console and a big TV, and had visions … Read more

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Best places to buy affordable dining chairs

Best Places to Buy Affordable Dining Chairs

With the holidays looming, dining rooms across America are getting a face lift as people prepare for friends and family to gather around the table.  Creating a pretty place to make family memories is fun, and it doesn’t have to break the bank!  Most tables will last a lifetime, I know from experience…I often wish … Read more

Best places to buy affordable dining chairs
Master bedroom before 2

Master Bedroom Design: I’ve got a Blank Space, Baby

I have spent much of the past week organizing, clearing out and getting ready for some changes around here.  Our master bedroom has been begging for a little attention for a long time and it is finally time for a little face lift.   I have been searching Pinterest and Instagram for bedroom design ideas … Read more

Master bedroom before 2
An organized closet header 1

5 Steps for Organizing a Closet

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…the time to clear out and organize the house and make everything feel fresh and new!  Keeping my kid’s closets clean and organized is one of my biggest challenges..anyone else out there have the same problem?  They are always growing which means clothes are constantly coming and going. … Read more

An organized closet header 1
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Easy Holiday Bedding and Bedroom Makeover

The holidays are such a fun time, I like to spread as much of that cheer around the house as possible.  A little bit in every room goes a long way.  It is easy to give your bedroom or guest room a quick holiday bedding makeover by just adding a few touches.  You can see … Read more

7 cerner 13 682x1024
Christmas table setting ideas

How to set the perfect Christmas Table

Are you hosting Christmas dinner at your place this year?  Even if you aren’t, there is something fun about setting a perfect Christmas table.  We are not the most formal people at our house, we eat off of paper plates most of the time because I like to cut down on the number of dishes … Read more

Christmas table setting ideas
creating a home office in a pinch

Create a Family Room Office Nook in a small space

I don’t know about in your house, but in ours, the computer is front and center in the middle of all the action.  I’ve shown you our office nook up in our bedroom, but this one is where the computer is and where most of the “real” work happens.  When we moved into our house … Read more

creating a home office in a pinch
Minted mantel 7

Cute Valentine Art from Minted and How to Decorate a Valentine Mantel

A few weeks ago at Alt I had the chance to take an up close and personal look at Minted’s art.  Have you seen it before?  As someone who regularly creates printables for you all and art prints, I always wondered how their printed material looked…paper quality (that’s huge for me!) and the color quality.  … Read more

Minted mantel 7
Tammy mitchell pink peppermint prints beachy master bedroom

Master Bedroom Make-Over : Choosing Bedding

With the new year I’m thinking it might be time for a new bedroom.  The walls got a make-over more than a year ago…eek!  That sounds like a long time when I type it out!  I took them from a harvest brown to a taupey-gray.  I’ve been going back and forth on what to do…do … Read more

Tammy mitchell pink peppermint prints beachy master bedroom
Reading nook

Reading Nook : Create a Cozy Space

I was at HomeGoods the other day and even though I “just ran in for one thing” we all know how that goes. 😉  I passed by all the fun new fall decor and couldn’t help myself.  I wanted to bring a little bit more of a fall vibe into my bedroom, so I grabbed a few … Read more

Reading nook