Shades of Blue Interiors

  • Home
  • Explore My Home
  • Tutorials
  • About
    • Disclosures
    • Features & Press
    • FAQ
  • What I’m Wearing

Cozy Spring Home Tour

March 23, 2016 Rachel 39 Comments

Today I’m excited to join 16 of my favorite bloggers in sharing a cozy spring home tour. We are each sharing 1 or more room decorating for spring in a simple but inviting way, but in addition to giving some inspiration, we really wanted these tours to not be a “show-off” post– but also helpful! So we each are including a small DIY or helpful decor tip.

I hope you enjoy perusing through all the tours and feel excited and inspired for this new season of re-birth. I also hope you don’t ever feel discouraged or play the comparison game. I feel like my house is a disaster most of the time, and it certainly isn’t this clean all the time. I have 3 kids people! haha! Life happens! BUT– It IS fun to bust out some fresh flowers, change up some pillow covers, and maybe paint a wall or two to fall in love with a space again.

 If you saw my post on Monday, then you are familiar with the DIY sunburst cedar wood door mat I made (pictured below) and shared the tutorial for. If you are interested in making a wooden doormat for FREE at a Home Depot DIY Workshop, click here to register for the workshop this coming Saturday (3/26).

Cozy Spring Home Tour - Wooden Door Mat

The spring hanging basket is something I added a couple weeks ago and shared a tutorial for.

When you walk in, you are greeted by this vintage church pew I painted a couple years ago. I used to have a stained mantel/shelf but right before Christmas I made a new one and painted it white. I LOVE it.

Cozy Spring Home Tour - Entry Bench

Seagrass tray, blue and white striped bag, jean jacket, scarf, and hat: Target

Seagrass baskets under bench: HomeGoods

Shelf frames and topiaries: thrifted

You will see a few flowering tree branches throughout my home, but I didn’t pay for them! I went outside with pruning shears and clipped some! Flowering branches are a great way to add fresh color without spending money. 🙂

Cozy Spring Home Tour - Entry Bench

Floral pillow HERE

But sometimes, if I see fresh ranunculus at Trader Joe’s for $5 a bunch, I can’t resist. They are just too pretty!

Cozy Spring Home Tour - Ranunculus

 

Just opposite of the bench is our front room sitting area. I recently put up wainscoting trim all the way up the wall and painted it white… although this white isn’t quite right for the room and I will be repainting it a TRUE white very soon. I love how the trim really makes the ceilings look so much taller (they are only 8′ tall).

Cozy Spring Home Tour - Chest with Chinoiserie vase collection

I grouped my collection of blue and white chinoiserie vases and such together to make a bigger impact and added preserved boxwood, faux boxwood, and a real flowering tree branch. I use all types of greenery/flowers in my home and I think you should too! 😉

Cozy Spring Home Tour - Chinoiserie vase collection

Cozy Spring Home Tour - Corner Cabinet and floral eastlake chairs

In the kitchen, I didn’t do much. I mostly just cleaned it and then added a big jug with a blooming magnolia. Clean is totally springy ya’ll ;)…. sometimes simplifying and decluttering is the best way to ‘decorate’ for spring.

Cozy Spring Home Tour- Farmhouse kitchen and magnolia blooms

I’m slightly obsessed with magnolia. It doesn’t even seem real with the size of those flowers.

Cozy Spring Home Tour- Farmhouse Kitchen with Magnolia Blooms

See my fairly recent kitchen makeover HERE.

Cozy Spring Home Tour- Farmhouse Kitchen with Magnolia Blooms

Turning the other direction you see the dining room and into the living room. The dining room didn’t have much changes take place… I just added some pops of color to the table and called it good!

Cozy Spring Home Tour- Dining room, blue secretary cabinet

Secretary makeover HERE

Cozy Spring Home Tour- Dining room

Our living room is getting closer and closer to where I want it to be. I added a cushion to the bench, and freshened the room with new pillows and throws (some recycled from other parts of the house).

Cozy Spring Home Tour- Living room with blue and white

Area rug post , Pallet Wall Tutorial, Converting Bookcases into Built-ins, Coffee Table Makeover

As you can see, the living room got a little switcharoo with furniture and wall decor. Reason? I painted the walls. 🙂 They are now Cornforth White by Farrow and Ball (color-matched). This is now my only gallery wall and it is filled with things I love: a letter from my husband’s grandmother, a picture of my kids, a picture of my husband as a child, some photos I took (and are available as a free printable), and a large drawing I did.

Cozy Spring Home Tour- Layered gallery wall

 

Console table makeover, No-sew Curtains Tutorial

The drew the large drawing of the St Louis Temple from my church last year but it was a size that didn’t fit in a standard frame. I looked into a thin white frame at Michael’s and it was $100 ON SALE.  uhhhhh nope. I didn’t want to spend that much! I also didnt want to make one from scrap wood because I wanted the routed groove on the other side (which I didn’t want to bother with) and those little metal tabs that hold it in place take forever to get just right. Essentially I was lazy. So, I picked up a frame that was too big for $17 at Michael’s and made a custom frame from it. Want to see how I did it?

Cozy Spring Home Tour- Layered gallery wall

 

My art was 28″ x 24″ and the frame I bought was 36″ x 24″. It is for sure easier if you have at one side that matches the dimension of your art.

1- I  measured and cut off the extra length. Pictured you see the long edges of the frame I already miter cut both sides to a 45 degree angle. You will want to add 1″  to the long side of the art (if it is a 1″ wide frame) or picture you want framed and then cut at that measurement.

2- Cut the top of the frame at 45 degree miter angles on both ends. Basically you will cut exactly where the joint is on both ends, cutting through the staples.

3- Add wood glue to both sides of the joint and join the top of the frame to the sides by using a heavy duty staple gun on the back side of the frame. This is basically the same method used originally to make the frame.

*Make sure you work on a very flat surface or the seam of the joint will open a little and won’t look good or be durable.*

Custom-Frame-Tutorial

4- Use a corner or frame clamp while the glue dries so that the seam doesn’t open.

5- Once dry, place your art in on the other side, add the hardboard backing that comes with the frame (you can cut off the excess to make it fit) or use cardboard for the backing, and push down the tables to hold everything in place.

Cozy Spring Home Tour- Layered gallery wall

 

I also used the same method as The Lettered Cottage and added some layered frames with risers to the gallery wall.

Cozy Spring Home Tour- Layered gallery wall

 

Our large sofa is now in front of the window and I love it so much more there. Part of it is switching things around always makes me happy, but also because it feels more balanced with the wing chair on the other side of the room now.

Cozy Spring Home Tour- White and navy living room

Navy velvet pillows HERE, Indigo Grid pillows HERE

I copied Bre and used the Target kitchen towels to make some pillows. It really was brilliant of her, wasn’t it?  I’m also not quite done with the bench cushion. My mom helped me get started on it while she was visiting last week, then I sewed the edges and I still need to do the tufting in the middle like the french mattresses have.

Cozy Spring Home Tour- White and navy living room

With this cleaner simpler decor I’m gravitating towards, I removed the gallery wall above the couch and hung a round white-washed sunburst mirror from World Market.

Cozy Spring Home Tour- White and navy living room

I moved the leather belt planter holders I made with these little plants that are STILL SURVIVING (miraculous!) into the living room and I love the life they add to the room.

Spring Home Tour- Leather planter holder

This is my favorite angle in this room. This is fought-over seat by pretty much everyone in our house. That aqua chenille blanket is super warm as nights are still chilly here, so curling up there to watch TV is the best spot in the house.

Cozy Spring Home Tour- White and navy living room

Crab pillow HERE

Whew! You made it through! What was your favorite part? Let me know if you have questions or tutorial requests!

Be sure and check out all the tours of my friends below!

Cozy-Spring-Home-Tours-Collage

Jen, House of Wood — Emily, The Wicker House — Ashley, Cherished Bliss

Jennifer, Town and Country Living — Beth, Unskinny Boppy — Annie, Zevy Joy

Allison, The Golden Sycamore — Bre, Rooms FOR Rent — Rachel, Shades of Blue Interiors

Jennifer, Clean and Scentsible — Beth, Home Stories A to Z

Kristen, Ella Claire Blog — Lucy, Craftberry Bush — Danielle, Finding Silver Pennies

Alicia, A Burst of Beautiful — Rachel, Maison de Pax — Cami, TIDBITS

 

Home Tours, Photography and Staging, Spring Home Tour, Tutorials

Comments

  1. cassie @ primitive & proper says

    March 23, 2016 at 6:49 am

    your living room is just so awesome! and i love the bottles of ranunculus on the dining table!

    Reply
  2. Beth Bryan says

    March 23, 2016 at 7:19 am

    Ah! Everything is SO pretty, Rachel! Thank you so much for hosting all of us on this fun tour. I’m gonna go on a pinning spree today with all these pretty houses! 🙂 LOVE your DIY frames those ranunculas- WOW.

    Reply
  3. Julia@Cuckoo4Design says

    March 23, 2016 at 7:44 am

    So so beautiful as always!

    Reply
  4. Dianne Gingrich says

    March 23, 2016 at 8:27 am

    Enjoyed your gorgeous home tour. So springy!

    Reply
  5. Lauren says

    March 23, 2016 at 10:34 am

    I love love LOVE those layered frames! And this whole tour. Your style is always so beautiful, Rachel. P.S. I’m super jealous of your ranunculus. I haven’t been able to find any in my area at all this year.

    Reply
  6. Jen says

    March 23, 2016 at 11:34 am

    I love all of your shades of blue! It’s beautiful how you make them all work together. ? Do you recall the shade you used on your church pew?

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      March 23, 2016 at 12:15 pm

      Thanks Jen! Yes, it was a 50/50 mix of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Duck Egg and Pure White.

      Reply
  7. andee Schnupp says

    March 23, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    Hi Rachel, this is the first time that I have commen ted on your blog. I just love your entire tour!! You are very talented! I would like to know the paint color and brand of the paint on your front door- it”s beautiful! Thanks! Sandee from Fairfax Va.

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      March 23, 2016 at 2:52 pm

      Hi Andee! Thanks for commenting and thanks for your sweet words! The front door is SW Meander Blue.

      Reply
  8. Annie says

    March 23, 2016 at 8:19 pm

    Rachel I loved this tour and your home is just beautiful! The grouping of the vases, the blooming branches and magnolias (amazing by the way) each and every detail. Thank you so much for hosting as you are an inspiration (I appreciated what you said at the start of your tour – great reminder). xo!

    Reply
  9. Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says

    March 23, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    You DREW that?! You never cease to amaze me. What custom frame? 😉 All I could see was the art. That magnolia in the kitchen looks amazing. Love your entry too, ranunculus are one of my favorites. And the blue and white pottery collection!! I want one!!! I could clearly go on and on…

    Reply
  10. Jennifer Z says

    March 23, 2016 at 10:23 pm

    Gorgeous, Rachel! ALL of it! I love the magnolia branch in the big jug. It’s the perfect spring touch! Thanks so much for organizing this inspirational tour. I’m so honored to be a part of it!

    Reply
  11. Sherri McCombs says

    March 23, 2016 at 10:36 pm

    Absolutely stunning! I loved every single thing!

    Reply
  12. Jessica | Petal + Ply says

    March 24, 2016 at 10:26 am

    In love with your home Rachel! So so stunningly beautiful! Your entryway is killing me. LOVE!

    Reply
  13. Pam says

    March 25, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    Thank you for the tutorial that told us how to cut down a frame. I bought a wonderful picture for $17.00. It is 9″ X 33.” The only frame I can get is a custom made frame for over $100.00! Well, as soon as I saw this post, I knew what I was going to do (and it’s not to buy the custom made frame.)

    Thanks for saving me money!

    Reply
  14. JenWoodhouse.com says

    March 25, 2016 at 9:46 pm

    Goodness. Too many beautiful things. The mat! The pew! The pallet wall! Everything is absolutely stunning – I just love your home, Rachel. Your chinoiserie vase collection is to die for – I’m so jealous. And those magnolia blooms are unreal! Clever tip on those DIY frames – I never would’ve thought to cut them down – so smart! Thanks for inviting me along for your Spring home tour blog hop – it was so much fun! xoxo

    Reply
  15. KatieU says

    March 29, 2016 at 9:42 am

    Your home is absolutely AMAZING!! I admire all of your decor and your talent. Just wanted to note though, the “pin this” links on the pictures in the post above are linking to the Rooms for Rent blog site, not back to your page, when I view the pin on Pinterest.

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      March 29, 2016 at 10:44 am

      Katie, thank you SO much for the heads up. I’ve been having problems with the pin it button and am getting someone to look into it right away! Thank you thank you!

      Reply
  16. Alicia | A Burst of Beautiful says

    March 30, 2016 at 11:58 am

    Rachel, your home is so bright and happy! I can’t decide which room I love the most! I love how you use so many beautiful colors and the wood accents keep everything warm and inviting. xo

    Reply
  17. Melisa Lissa says

    April 4, 2016 at 12:50 am

    Your living room is awesome, Rachel! Everything is so pretty. Enjoyed your home tour.

    Reply
  18. Shannon says

    April 19, 2016 at 1:06 pm

    Hi Rachel,
    Do you have a list of paint colors that you have used on your home, anywhere on your blog?
    Best,
    Shannon

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      April 22, 2016 at 9:21 am

      I haven’t yet but it is on my to-do list! The rooms featured in my home tour have the following colors: entry- BM Mascarpone with BM Simply White on chair rail. Front room – BM Simply White on wainscoting wall. Kitchen – SW Timid Blue. Living Room – Cornforth White by Farrow and Ball.

      Reply
  19. Nina says

    May 9, 2016 at 11:23 am

    Hi Rachel – Love the driftwood wall behind the tv. Where did you get the wood planks for that?? I am thinking of doing the same thing on my living room wall! Thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Nina says

      May 9, 2016 at 11:50 am

      Nevermind, I found your post about the shipping pallets. Very intimidating DIY. Very impressive but I am going to try and find some wall paneling that looks like all the hard work you did. 🙂

      Reply
    • Nina says

      May 9, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      OKay where are the curtains from? I have that exact same rug in my living room. Would love the curtains!

      Reply
  20. Brenda farley says

    June 15, 2016 at 10:35 pm

    I loved the rug where can I purchase one what size does the rug come in. Your room was awesome.

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      June 20, 2016 at 3:19 pm

      Thanks! It is the Tuscan Terali Trellis Rug from RugsUSA in the color, Ivory. I know it comes in multiple sizes, you will have to check their site!

      Reply
  21. Cathy says

    July 9, 2016 at 8:49 pm

    Where did you get the White Sofa and chair covers, please ?

    Reply
  22. Chelsea says

    July 16, 2016 at 8:12 am

    Hey! I’m building a house and I want a wood plank wall in my living room like yours. Are the shelfs and bench built in or did you buy them separately? If you bought them, where? Thanks! Everything is so beautiful!!

    Reply
  23. CassieD says

    July 17, 2016 at 9:26 pm

    Gorgeous! How did you make the bench seating on the pallet wall and the shelf under the tv?

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      July 18, 2016 at 11:44 am

      I haven’t posted plans for them yet, but basically it is two long pieces of 1/2″ plywood with cut-outs in them for the metal screens. The inside I just took 4 pieces of plywood the width of how wide i want my bench, and about 1 inches shorter as the two long pieces and attached them. Then I attached them with pocket holes, evenly spaced (one on each end, and 2 spaced inside so there are 3 compartments). The lid is another piece of plywood cut to fit the top. I cut out a couple of notches for handholds so the lid could be easily removed but i haven’t put on hinges or anything. After that I just made a cushion to go on top and that was it!

      Reply
  24. Dana says

    October 23, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    I have a question. I was curious as to the width of your living room from built in to built in. We are finalizing home plans and I’ve been desperately trying to find a way of focal pointing a living room with out a fireplace and this is perfect.

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      October 24, 2016 at 9:43 am

      The room width is 13’4″ (including bookcases) and each bookcase is 3′ wide.

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        October 24, 2016 at 10:25 am

        Hi Rachel
        Soo in love with your home especially living room. Are the bookcases built in or purchased??
        Thanks!

        Reply
        • Rachel says

          October 24, 2016 at 11:36 am

          The bookcases were just regular 6′ tall bookcases that we built cabinet bases for (https://www.shadesofblueinteriors.com/custom-cabinet-base-for-bookcase-with/) and then trimmed them out to make them built-ins (https://www.shadesofblueinteriors.com/how-to-convert-bookcases-into-built-ins/). I got my bookcases at home depot a while ago (they no longer sell what I bought), but you could use ikea billy bookcases and do the same thing! I have several friends who have done the same with great success and it looks amazing.

          Reply
  25. Kelly says

    November 13, 2016 at 12:44 am

    We are using your pallet wall/bookcases for our living room wall transformation..we love it!! Could you please share where you got the wooden shelf and brackets for below your tv?
    Thanks in advance

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      November 13, 2016 at 8:31 am

      The wooden shelf was reclaimed Barnwood but is a 2 x 6. The wooden brackets supporting it were from Lowe’s

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        November 14, 2016 at 1:46 am

        Ty

        Reply
  26. Ivory says

    March 22, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Everything is 100% Fabulous. I love it all. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi! I’m Rachel.

Subscribe

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Category

[footer_backtotop text="Top"]
Copyright © 2023 Shades of Blue Interiors · Customization By: Creative Kristi Designs