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A Designer At Home: Top Posts of 2015

December 28, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Hello Friends!

I’m checking in today to share the top posts of 2015 here on A Designer At Home. I try to make this site a helpful place full of inspiring and informational personal experiences. My goal is to create beautiful spaces meant for living in. Sometimes that means something as unglamorous as putting insulation in the bathroom because it gets cold in the winter and I don’t like hearing the toilet flush in the next room over. Other times it’s thrifting the perfect piece to bring the right vibe to my space. And a lot of the times it’s about buying, making, and rearranging pretty things.

I’ve been so blessed this past year to share a lot with you. In fact, this is the 100th blog post on this site! Say what? So it’s the perfect time to recap the top posts, as decided by pinterest or google and a few of my personal favorites. So which post was the most viewed this past year?

Removing Sliding Doors from a Shower

Haha! I cannot believe so many people would find my personal experience in gross mold growth and shower door removal so interesting! This is one of those things we did because we knew it was harboring something harmful to our health. And I’m loving the ease of cleaning, the pretty shower curtains I can use, and the elbow room. Shower curtains budge, glass doesn’t!

Free Watercolor Printable/Downloadable

I’m not surprised the opportunity for something free wound up being the second most viewed post on the site. I’m happy that an activity of bonding with my son ended up reaching so many people. A few have emailed me to share their creations and that makes me very happy. If you’ve had a chance to download and create something with them, I want to see! (And you can catch Holiday printables here)

How I Made It: Macrame Wall Hanging

From my “How I Made It” series, a DIY tutorial landed as the third most viewed post. Macrame is awesome and you definitely have to give it a go if you haven’t yet tried it. Thankfully the trend is still holding strong. I’ve slowly been working on another piece that I hope to share sometime soon. Leave me a comment if you want to see more macrame!

Global + Craftsman + Boho Bathroom Remodel

Personally, my favorite post has been the one where I shared this last mood board for the Bathroom renovation. We’re still slowly chugging along on that space. I’ll have more updates, tutorials, and information on that space soon. Right now the bones are in place and it’s starting to embody the vision I had.

And if you’ve only recently popped in here, or this is even your first time here. I invite you to check out my very first entry here and consider signing up to follow via email. Low budget kitchen cosmetic upgrades are in the plan for 2016. As well as bedroom and dining room furnishing and decorating. And, of course, I’ll finally be revealing the finished bathroom.

Check out the Project Gallery

I love you so much for being here! Thank you for giving this space purpose.

I’ve linked up to Southern Hospitality Blog.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

December 19, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

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I am so incredibly grateful and thankful that you take the time to come here. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. By visiting here, you give my passions meaning. So many of my own goals and dreams have been met this year because you support this project of mine. Thank you. I hope your holidays are filled with cheer and happiness and that the new year brings your passions, goals, dreams and projects to fruition.

I’ll be taking most of the next two weeks off to deplug and connect better with my family and my heart’s connection with Christ. I encourage you to try to step back from the things you can step back from and to focus on your friends, your family, your happiness.

Merry Christmas, sweet friends. I hope to see you in the new year. I hope you’ve enjoyed what I’ve shared this past year, and I hope you enjoy 2016 even more. I’m always taking ideas and suggestions, so please don’t hesitate to leave a comment here letting me know what you’d like to see in the new year.

Hugs & Kisses,

Corinna

Christmas Decor & Tips

December 18, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Hey Guys! The holidays are such a fun time for getting creative and having fun. I wanted to give you all of my ideas and tips in one place just in case you’ve got any last minute decorating or gifting to do. And if you don’t, then you’re sure to find something to “pin” for next year!

Let’s start with DIY ornaments. Even as late as gathering up some friends and family on Christmas eve, making ornaments with others is so fun.

These smell incredible- even years later! Cinnamon Scented Owl Holiday Ornament Tutorial.

really pretty idea for using agate slices as christmas tree decor. they look so pretty in front of the lights!

twig and branch ornaments created with backyard waste and a couple craft stash supplies- rustic and cute!

Another really fun tree decoration to create is a burlap garland. Either draped on the tree or hung around doorways and windows, this garland is easy and pretty.

Don’t fret how inexpensive your tree is. Cheap, fake Christmas trees are cost effective and easy. Here are the best tips for making it look fuller, like the more expensive models.

My Global & Boho Christmas Tree for your inspiration and enjoyment:

Still shopping? Me, too! I swear this part takes the longest. Here are my tried and true suggestions:

Running Out Of Time and Need Free Decor and Cards?

If you’re still handing out cards, chances are you’ll love these card stuffer ideas:

And that wraps up the Holiday posting for me this year. I hope these ideas are helpful and give you some great ideas. Let me know what you’re doing for the holidays in the comments below.

Ornate Wicker Trunk

December 17, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Hey guys! If I didn’t have to work today, it would be my all time favorite day of the week. I love rescuing pieces through craigslist, thrift stores, inheritance and other outlets. And I love even more that through #thriftscorethursday, I get to glimpse into your treasures and we cheer each other on. You all are awesome.

Today we have the final #thriftscorethursday post for 2015. We’ll all be taking a break to enjoy time with our families and just deplug a bit. So I wanted to share something bigger since I don’t think I will be able to hold off my excitement for a few more weeks.

I will regularly send craigslist listings to my husband while I’m up late or on lunch break. Normally he just flat out ignores it. Other times he will tell me to give them a call. Earlier this week I sent him a listing for a trunk. I’ve been on the hunt for a trunk because my son has a ton of toys. Especially big trucks. And Christmas is here so there’s going to be even more toys. I’ve been using baskets lately, but I have so many baskets with toys right now and it’s becoming a little overwhelming.

He ignored the text. But that didn’t bother me much. I wasn’t really in the market for a wicker trunk, I was just drawn to this one because of the interesting brass details. I was really just searching for a brass trunk.

I came home from work on Monday and it was sitting in my living room. I was so happy, it was such a surprise!

This trunk is huge and it’s in pretty great used condition. I did a tiny bit of digging around and found this hamper with very similar hardware and the same wicker for $260. And this appears to be the same exact trunk for $300! We paid $40 for the trunk and it’s huge! 3 feet wide and tall! It’ll hold all my kids garbage and recycling trucks perfectly (it’s his obsession ;))

Now that I’m finished boasting, I want to share some gorgeousness from the #thriftscorethursday feed on Instagram. Always tag your photos so we can see and possibly feature them! And be sure to stop by and give these guys some love.

@secondhandglam Thursday Thrift finds. I went to Goodwill and got a cute candle and a wood platform box. I love carved wood and this made my day! I'm thinking of using for tall white candles or a planter. I found some nice brass at St. Vincent. #brass #thriftscorethursday #goodwill#thriftedhomedecor #thrifter — @secondhandglam Thursday Thrift finds. I went to Goodwill and got a cute candle and a wood platform box. I love carved wood and this made my day! I’m thinking of using for tall white candles or a planter. I found some nice brass at St. Vincent. #brass #thriftscorethursday #goodwill#thriftedhomedecor #thrifter

@erin_coleen We have this funky little addition off the back of our kitchen that we call the Log Cabin Nook. We use it as a mud room, pantry and indoor garden. Today, in an effort to make it lightly festive, I hung some "garland" that I made with pompoms that kept falling off of an old #thrifted bedspread (that now serves as out tree skirt). I ripped off all the remaining pompoms, strung them on some embroidery floss and called it a day. NO NEED to actually buy decorations! #thrifting #thriftscorethursday — @erin_coleen We have this funky little addition off the back of our kitchen that we call the Log Cabin Nook. We use it as a mud room, pantry and indoor garden. Today, in an effort to make it lightly festive, I hung some “garland” that I made with pompoms that kept falling off of an old #thrifted bedspread (that now serves as out tree skirt). I ripped off all the remaining pompoms, strung them on some embroidery floss and called it a day. NO NEED to actually buy decorations! #thrifting #thriftscorethursday

@mariaski63 Trunk up, buttercup. ??✨ The ever so kind & radiant, @lovetybee, asked #whatmakesmehappy ? ??Well after a very tough few years, in addition to my friends & family (including my furry babies ??), it is truly you beautiful souls within the IG community that I've "met" ? & mutually shared favorite snapshots, stories, hearts & life moments with! You make me smile, without a doubt, everyday. And I'm so thankful & enriched because of you. ??? — @mariaski63 Trunk up, buttercup. ??✨ The ever so kind & radiant, @lovetybee, asked #whatmakesmehappy ? ??Well after a very tough few years, in addition to my friends & family (including my furry babies ??), it is truly you beautiful souls within the IG community that I’ve “met” ? & mutually shared favorite snapshots, stories, hearts & life moments with! You make me smile, without a doubt, everyday. And I’m so thankful & enriched because of you. ???

@diana_donjuan I saw it, I loved it, I grabbed it. And since its #christmastime I slapped a Pom Pom on it. Life was not complete until this #thriftscorethursday found us. I'm dramatic about it. Oh and if you guys don't know @mmvintage59 already, maybe you should because girl gots style, fab shit to sell, and she's an oakcliffian! Bing, bam, boom!!! #oakcliffhomes #oakcliff #uohome — @diana_donjuan I saw it, I loved it, I grabbed it. And since its #christmastime I slapped a Pom Pom on it. Life was not complete until this #thriftscorethursday found us. I’m dramatic about it. Oh and if you guys don’t know @mmvintage59 already, maybe you should because girl gots style, fab shit to sell, and she’s an oakcliffian! Bing, bam, boom!!! #oakcliffhomes #oakcliff #uohome

Be sure to stop by Maggie and Brynne today, click on their pretty faces below to head over to their blogs. Trisha is taking a bit of a break for work and Cassie is still being punished by Instagram :/ But they’ll be back soon!

Want To Join In? Here’s The Rules!

Want to host? Got an Instagram and Blog? We want to hear from you! Fill out this form for details.
We want you to participate! Hit up your local thrift stores, craigslist, yard sales, estate sales, side of the road, anything! Thrifty doesn’t necessarily mean from a thrift store. We want to see your good deals, wacky finds and treasures.
Don’t feel like you need to save those finds for Thursdays! Yes, features are shared on our blogs and Instagram on Thursdays, but we’re all checking in on (and using!) the hashtag all week long. So, when you see/find it, feel free to share it!
Each week, Trisha from Black and White Obsession, Cassie from Primitive and Proper, Brynne from The Gathered Home, Myself (A Designer At Home) and occassionally a guest co-host will pick a favorite thrift score or two to feature! So please note that by linking up with #thriftscorethursday, you are giving us permission to share your finds via social media or on our blogs.
Please remember that we can only share love for photos shared on public accounts. If your profile is private, we can’t see your finds.

GlobeIN December Artisan Subscription

December 16, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

I simply cannot believe Christmas is next week. It’s crept up so fast. With the mild weather we’ve been having, it doesn’t feel like Christmas should be here. But I’m loving the mild weather and I love Christmas. One thing I did for myself this year was sign up for a couple subscription services. If you saw my Gift Guide for the Homebody, I highlighted a brand called GlobeIN and their artisan subscription box.

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Last Minute Free Printable Christmas Cards

December 15, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Hey Guys!

Have you procrastinated any in preparation for the holidays? I know I’ve chatted recently about Holiday cards and I want you to know that you do not have to fret. I love you guys so I sat down and created cards that you can print last minute. Need to leave in 20 minutes for a Holiday Cookie exchange? No worries! These high resolution card images resize and still look beautiful. I had fun creating them and I hope you have fun printing Christmas cards for free at home.

This is an email newsletter subscriber perk, so if you’re not yet signed up, I’ll leave a form right here. And if you’re already signed up, no worries. Fill out the form again to get the special link to the downloads. You won’t receive any extra emails, just the ones to get you to the free printable christmas cards. (and if you run into any problems, don’t hesitate to email me. I want to make sure you have access to these so email me if you don’t receive the link)