Home Maid Simple

Tag: home decor

  • Diamond Candles #Giveaway

    Diamond Candles #Giveaway

    When I was a kid I collected candles. While all my friends were hitting up the mall to go to Claires, I was hanging out inside the Yankee Candle store. It always smelled to good to me. I felt I could have lived inside their store. Any extra money I had would go to buying a new candle.

    It’s been a few years since I’ve been inside Yankee Candle, and more since I’ve had the extra money for a nice candle. Well, then I saw these new candles hitting the internet, with a prize inside!  Not a kid prize though, a grown up lady prize – rings!  Diamond Candles is a new company that hides a ring inside each of their candles. They range in price from $10 to $5,000.  
    Misty Dawn sounded like a perfect candle to welcome Mark home from his business trip last week, and it was. The house smelled nice, with a light perfume smell. 
    How lucky am I? The ring was pretty close to the top, so I didn’t have to be terribly patient to find it. 

    Diamond Candles wraps all the rings in a small bag, and then again in a gold wrapper to keep the rings safe from the wax and heat of the candle. 
    Look at that pretty ring!  It’s not one of the expensive rings with a Thailand stamp on the inside, but the color is magnificent. And really, I mostly just wanted another special candle. Candles really can change the atmosphere of the home. 
    Keep up with new scents and other Diamond Candle news on their Social Media pages
    Twitter  *  Facebook  *  Pinterest  *  Instagram
    Enter to Win your own Diamond Candle
  • Lighting the Stairway

    Lighting the Stairway

    While trying to maximize our home’s appeal to potential buyers while still saving money, we decided to change up the lighting in our stairway.

    stairway lighting Before and After
    The biggest problem I found with the original lighting, was that it had no cover, and at one point while going down the stairs you’d be staring straight into it.  Not the most comfortable thing. Mark believes at one point there was a large mirror in front of it that would light up.  I can see it, but there was no mirror now. 
    So we decided it needed to be changed. We didn’t want to spend money though, especially since we had the perfect light in the front room.
    See that hanging light. It really didn’t fit in the front room, but that’s where it was when we bought the house, and it is the only light in the front room. It plugged into the wall with the light switch wired to it as well. The problem here was it only lit the one side of the room, and the shelf was in the way of the chain. 
    Mark’s brilliant mind saw this as the perfect stairway light. With the nice long chain on it, Mark only had to do a small bit of electrical and wiring work to wire it directly into the wall, in the same place the old stair light was attached, but now the light hung from the ceiling instead of directly in our eyes. 
    And in case you’d like to comment on it, yes the walls are carpeted in the staircase. Gosh I love the 70’s!  Do you realize how many fingerprints I don’t have to clean in this area because of the carpet? 

  • Creating the Perfect Outdoor Space

    Creating the Perfect Outdoor Space

    *This post contains affiliate links*

    When we were looking for a house to buy, we had a hard time finding the perfect home that also had the perfect yard.  Having kids that love to play outside, meant we really needed the perfect yard for them.  We found a number of homes we loved, but the yards were either non-existent, or surrounded the house in a way that wasn’t kid friendly.

    The deciding factor for this house we are now in, was the backyard. It was indeed perfect. The house, not so much, but we can work with that. There is only so much you can do to a yard when the house is already on it.

    Now that we have the perfect yard, all I have to do is style it around us.  The previous owner left a number of items with the house, including these beautiful, but in need of an up do, metal chairs.

    I’m not a big fan of the red marbled look.  The black I can’t decide if I still want to keep or not. I’m thinking a coat of white would really look good, but that does show more dirt outside. Either way, I’m pulling some inspiration for the fabric from One King’s Lane Soft Landing Sale (4/3-4/5).

    Hojas 20x20 Outdoor Pillow, Blue
    I’m really in love with this blue leaf pattern. I think if I coupled it with a white frame on the chair, it would give a nice pop of color to our back patio.
     
    Have I mentioned how much I love One King’s Lane?  I put together this little inspiration board for our backyard with items in their Day of Outdoor Sale!
     
     
     
    A. Sea Breeze Hammock
    B. Pomona Outdoor Rug
    C. Ivory Cutout Hanging Lanterns
    D. Hampton Rectangular Table
     
    It’s always nice to dream isn’t it?  To me the soft whites, and blues accented with some black would transport me straight to the beach.
     

    What is your outdoor style?  Comfort, entertainment, or kid centered? 

    Check out One King’s Lane Day of Outdoor Sale for some amazing deals!!
    (sale lasts through Friday April 5th or while supplies last!)
     
    *In case you missed it, this post contains affiliate links. When purchasing through them, you support this blog. Thank you!!

  • The Best of One Kings Lane Sales

    One of my favorite Home Decor places to browse online is One Kings Lane.  Periodically they have a really good sale on something I want, like when I bought cute blue organizing boxes for Prince L’s room. Or the more recent purchase for Mark’s Christmas present (yeah my husband reads my blog, so I can’t tell you what it is).  

    I am especially excited about the sales they have going on this weekend!  It’s the Best of One King’s Lane, with a new sale starting each day, and lasting for 4 days.
    Yesterday kicked off with a Holiday Ornaments and Decor Sale, featuring items like these glass angel ornaments!
    Glass Angel Ornaments, Asst. of 2
    Today get deals on Bedding, Upholstery, and Home Accents.
    Get your guest rooms ready for the holidays with some Flannel Sheet Sets
    Flannel Gingham Sheet Set, Blue
    Sunday’s Sales include
    While Monday’s Sales will bring you
    Also, when you sign up you’ll get a $15 credit off purchases of $30 or more.
  • Big Moving Event: Pottery By Dan Review and Giveaway!

    Big Moving Event: Pottery By Dan Review and Giveaway!

    I love pottery!  When I see pottery, I see all the hard work behind each piece.  However I have one problem with pottery, I never know where to display it, and how to display it.  It just never seemed to fit in a good place in my home.  Having 3 kids, has probably contributed the most to this.  I was so excited to have an opportunity to review some products from Pottery by Dan, because it meant I had to find and make a place for it in my home.    I am even more excited to share Dan’s pottery with you!!  That’s right, you have the chance to win a piece for your own home.  Keep reading.
    I sent Dan a questionnaire, and here is his response!
    PotterybyDan
    HMS: What is your name?
    PBD: Daniel King
    HMS: Tell us a little about yourself.
    PBD: I am 38 years old, married, with a lovely 2 year old daughter.  I work in construction primarily, and create handcrafted items in my spare time.  The majority of my items on Etsy began as designs and creations for our own home, or that of family, and friends. I enjoy working with various materials – including wood, pottery, stained glass, and metal.
    HMS: How did you get started? How long have you been working with pottery?
    PBD: My first contact with pottery was while I was in elementary school, a friends mother had a pottery studio – and I was amazed at the process.  It wasn’t until later in life, while attending college, that I began to actively pursue pottery, with classes and workshops – which evolved into a small home studio.
    Initially I preferred functional stoneware pottery, the last few years my focus has shifted to decorative Raku pottery.  Raku is a distinct firing process, in which the pieces are removed from a special kiln while upwards of 1800 degrees F with tongs – while the glaze is molten – the pieces are then placed in a container of combustibles, as the combustibles ignite, the container is sealed creating a reduction atmosphere – the unique colors and patterns within the glaze are a result of this process.  Raku pottery is decorative – and not designed to hold liquids or food – prefect for dried arrangements.
    HMS: Do you have a favorite piece?
    PBD: Truthfully, all of my creations are favorite, and this makes it very difficult to sell any one piece.  This is especially true with the Raku firing process, as the glaze colors and patterns are unique to each piece and impossible to duplicate.
    HMS: What motivates you?
    PBD: The sheer joy of simply creating something by hand.
    HMS: How would you like to see your product used?
    PBD: The majority of my creations are decorative
    HMS: What is your decorating style?
    PBD: Country
    HMS: Do you prefer indoor or outdoors?
    PBD: Outdoors – hiking, camping…
    HMS: What’s your favorite season?
    PBD: Probably summmer – We spend a good amount of time outdoors, and prefer the warmer weather and longer days.
    HMS: Do you listen to music while you work?
    PBD: Usually country, or Classic Country.

    Thank you so much Dan for being a part of our Big Moving Event!  I absolutely love the pieces!!  Dan sent me 2 pieces of Raku pottery.  Remember how I said I have trouble figuring out where to place pottery in my home? I had no trouble with Dan’s.  I opened the box, and I knew exactly where and what was going with this pottery.  In our new home there is a built in bookshelf.  Perfect for books, and decorations.  The pottery had the perfect colors to compliment my Little History of the United States collection.  Don’t you think?
    And in case you’re wondering, the move is coming along just great, see – 
    GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

    Are you ready to win a piece of Raku pottery for your home?  GREAT!  Dan sent me a Pottery Raku Birdhouse to give away to one of my lucky readers!  
    *Open to US and Canada residents
    *Ends 4/22
    Mandatory Entry: Visit Pottery y Dan on etsy and leave a comment telling me another piece you like.  Leave an email with this comment

    Extra entries: Leave one comment for each additional entry
    *Add Pottery by Dan to your etsy favorites
    *follow Home Maid Simple on GFC (right sidebar)
    *Follow Home Maid Simple on Twitter
    *Tweet about this giveaway using 
                     “I entered to win a Raku Birdhouse from Pottery by Dan @HomeMaidSimple http://tinyurl.com/42zb8tq”
    *I did not receive financial compensation for this review.  I was provided with a product to review and keep.  All opinions are my own.
  • Big Moving Event: Ostlund Custom Works Etsy Feature

    Big Moving Event: Ostlund Custom Works Etsy Feature

    I spend a lot of time on Etsy, dreaming of things I’d like to buy and getting inspiration for my own handmade items.  I Love Etsy!  Through some blog hops I have found many etsy shops I like, but none caught my eye like Ostlund Custom Works did.  I mean, just look at this clock!  The styles, the colors, and the size (4 FEET tall!!) I would love to have that hanging on my wall!  Think of the conversations that this clock would spark!  I got a wonderful opportunity to “chat” (read: email) with the creator of Ostlund Custom Works.  With that, here is what he had to say!
    HMS: What is your name?
    OCW: Ron Ostlund Jr

    HMS: Tell us a little about yourself
    OCW: Well I am pretty  much a regular guy working a full time job in retail and a part time job at a greenhouse.  I have a wife and a new baby, our first child!  His name is Liam Alexander Ostlund and is quite the little bundle of joy.  I work my part time job to try and support my art when my art doesn’t support itself!  I am a fitness and nutrition nut and more specifically a mountain biker with plans to go back to racing this summer.  I love being creative and building amazing art out of “junk”.

    HMS: How did you get started?

    OCW: I first started Ostlund Custom Works back in 2005 with big ideas and dreams.  Those fell on their face when I didn’t sell anything in years.  I did however hold on to the dream somewhere in the back of my mind.  It’s one of those things that you bring up every now and then with the far away look…..”someday I am going to build that piece of furniture”…..”someday I will design furniture for the rich and famous.”  I know everybody knows what I am talking about, we all have those ideas and dreams.  The biggest thing is to act on them and not give up! 


     Back in April 2010 my good friend Candy told me about Etsy.com and I was very interested in giving it a try!  So I set up a shop and pulled out all my old work from 2005, I dusted it off and listed it.  Then I went full bore and started building like crazy, deciding it was time to “do or die” and make this thing called OCW work! 
      

    HMS: Do you have a favorite piece?
    OCW: My favorite piece is the Photonic Aura Generator lamp because it’s such a beast and received a lot of attention. I could have easily sold it 10 times over and for much more than it went for, but it is a one-of-a-kind piece of art and the owner is very happy with it, which makes me happy. It is a piece that commands attention with its very presence yet has a calming effect because of its soft glow.  I actually miss it!

    HMS: What motivates you?

    OCW: What really motivates me is to actually make what I do work as a success.  I want to show myself, as well as others that I can make it happen!  I also want to be able to make a living at it to allow my wife to be a stay at home mom.  I have big dreams and I am very driven to make this one happen! It’s a ton of work but it seems it is starting to snowball on me!  After coming this far in less than a year I feel very fortunate and really ready to take on the world. 

    HMS: How would you like to see your product used?

    OCW: My product is a combination of fine art and function.  I build them with the intent that they will be used in everyday life and become one with the owner while still making them look at it in awe.  I love art that has function, although I do like paintings and own several.  So when you buy a piece of my work I intend it to be used whether it is to light a space,  provide ambiance, or to tell time.  I personally don’t use my clocks to tell time. I use them as kinetic sculptures  and  feel that time is secondary to the form and how it makes you feel. ART should move you!

    HMS: What is your decorating style?

    OCW: Well I don’t really have a definite style in my house, I will just say its modern with no particular style. When I get to building more of my own decor and not selling it then I will say its “My Style” 

    HMS: Do you prefer indoors or outdoors?

    OCW: I really prefer outdoors, I love the elements!  Indoors is fine but its a stagnant space as compared to the ever changing energy of “outside” 

    HMS: What’s your favorite season?

    OCW: Summer is my favorite because of cycling.  I love hanging out with my riding friends and just riding in general.  Like I said above I want to get back to some racing this summer.  

    HMS: Do you listen to music while you work? What kind?

    OCW: This is a good question that no one has asked me yet.  I have to listen to music when I create!  I want alot of energy flowing when I build.  I listen to rock/metal music when I am in the shop.  The harder the better and I listen quite loud!  The amount of energy I put into my work goes with it to the new owner. The energy of the piece is greater than the sum of the individual pieces in it.  It has a new life as something much greater.  Music is powerful and I use it to channel my life force into every piece I build.
    Thank you so much Ron for being a part of our Big Moving Event!  We can’t wait to see all you create!
    You can find Ron in many places
    Etsy
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Blog