Classic Kitchens

I've been keeping my most recent project on the down low, but over the past few weeks/months I have been working with my parents on the design of their new home! They just recently moved from Houston to Dallas... aka... much closer to me!! The house is newer, but still needed a TON of updating. I have taken all of my "before" photos, so I cannot wait to show you everything once it's all finished!

There has been a lot of construction happening in their house, but the biggest project is by far the kitchen.  We are basically re-designing just about everything... Cabinets, hardware, fixtures, back splash, floors, layout - you name it! Literally EVERYTHING will be changed, which made my mom a little stressed to say the least. It also doesn't help that my mom isn't the most visual person you've ever met. She has a hard time seeing the end result, whereas I already see the entire room completely finished in my head!  I keep trying to console her of her worries and reassure her that it will all be beautiful in the end, but words would not relieve her of the stress.

Since I knew words weren't enough, I spent many weeks gathering examples of kitchens that had similar elements we would be using. This helped her actually see what some of the finishes would end up looking like. I began to see the excitement in her eyes which made me happy too:)

Below are a few inspiring kitchens that helped my mom visualize her soon to be finished kitchen. We wanted to keep things rather traditional, but still give the space an updated and fresh look.

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If you want to see more of my pins from this project, make sure to visit the Pinterest boards below or follow me if you'd like!

Dining Room Teaser

Today I wanted to give you a little teaser from my soon-to-be dining room reveal. I will be posting the full reveal next week, so make sure to come back and check it out!

I also have a fun collaboration coming up on Monday with some really talented bloggers. We will all be contributing mood boards that will get us all pumped up for spring! Here in Texas we seem to be bouncing back and forth from hot to cold. Needless to say, I am SO ready for the flowers to bloom and sun to shine!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week - if you haven't already, make sure to link up at my {All Things Creative} linky party celebrating my 1 year blog anniversary. You can find that post [here].

And just a quick reminder that Google Friend Connect will be GOING AWAY on July 1st, so please please please follow along with Bloglovin. It is SUCH a great blog reader, and I even like it better than GFC! Who knew?? Anyways, you can follow along from the link below, or see my sidebar to click on the button. It took me 2 seconds to sign up for FREE and it literally transferred ALL of my blogs over in about 30 seconds. Can't get much better than that, right??

:: Follow my blog with Bloglovin ::

Front Porch Reveal

I am so excited to finally share my recent front porch makeover with you all! I have always dreamed of having a cozy little front porch, and the time has finally come. Since we are currently renting our house, I am unable to fix up the home exterior like I might with my own. So that means I needed to make the front porch really pop!

If you have a front porch, it is the first impression when people walk up to your home. Don't you want to make it just as inviting as the inside of your home? I know I do! And besides, its a great excuse to design an extra room;) Especially as Spring approaches - its such a peaceful space to sit outside and enjoy a beautiful sunset. And maybe a glass of wine too!

And now for the fun part... Eye candy!

So what do you all think?? It sure makes me smile, so I guess that's what really matters! To find a list of where I found my items, click {here}

I've also been considering starting up a weekly linky party, so please leave comments HERE if you think would link up!

Who I'm linking up with:

Common Ground

French Country Cottage
Pinterest Party at Fox Hollow Cottage
Tatertots & Jello
DIY Showoff
Be Different Act Normal
Sweet Little Gals
Twelve O Eight
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Coastal Charm
Not Just a Housewife
Elizabeth & Co.
House of Hepworths
I Gotta Create
No Minimalist Here
Shabby Creek Cottage
All Things With Purpose
Shabby Nest
504 Main
Designer in Teal

It's done! Formal Living Room Updates

How long have I been updating this room? Too long if you ask me! Thankfully after many months of buying, selling, moving and re-arranging, I am finally finished - and very happy with the outcome might I add. So what all have I done? Keep reading to see my process! 

Here are a few pictures of the rest of the finished room:

Now lets get down to the fun part and start listing out some of my furniture pieces and accessories!

Where I found my Items:
5x7 Floral Rug: Target, $180 (I think this item might be retiring, so it might be on clearance)
Linen Chairs with Nail Heads: Home Goods, $199 Each
Red Jute Bordered Pillows: Pottery Barn, $40 per cover
Yellow Ikat Pillows: Garden Ridge, $9.99 each
Small Bee Pillow: Antique Store, $14
Matching Lamps: Target $36 per lamp base, $12 per shade
Coffee Table: Hayneedle.com, $220
Small Metal Shelves: Home Goods, $16 each
Settee: Antique Store, $100
White Curtains: Target, $7.99 per panel

After all the changes I've made to this room, most people think I must have spent a fortune. Well, I actually haven't spent really anything on the room. Crazy, right?? How is that possible? I've bought things that I end up switching out, so what do I do with everything I replace? Well get excited, because the answer is coming up in my next post! Keep reading to find out how I successfully re-decorated this room on a near ZERO dollar budget;)

Who I'm linking up with:

Designer Brands vs. The Blissful Bee Bargains! Who will win??

Over the past few months I have been putting my formal living room through an intense step-by-step makeover. It's been one of those things where I thought it was going to be an easy "move some furniture around" gig, but it evolved into much  much more than just that! I realized I would never truly be satisfied with the room if I was just re-arranging, because when it came down to it, I just wasn't happy with a lot of the furniture. And I'm pretty sure if you don't like the furniture, you're NOT going to like the room! That's when I knew there needed to be some big changes - I wanted the designer look, but on a "Blissful Bee" budget;) And here is how I did it...

This post will show you a few comparables I have found that are similar to the pieces that are in our living room. I have listed the designer for each comp, and their prices - their STEEP prices might I add. Then I have listed my version and where I found it. Enjoy!

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:: FYI ::

The settee of mine is an antique that I refinished and re-upholstered and you can

find that post {HERE},but the coffee table and chairs are newly bought:) 

Who do YOU think wins the

{designer} vs. {blissful bee bargains} battle??

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Natural Linen Settee - Wisteria, $1,399

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Sofia Settee - Ballard Designs, $1,249

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Talina Settee - Horchow, $3,899

 

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The Blissful Bee Version!

Antique Cane Back Settee - Antique Store, $100

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Edda Coffee Table - Horchow, $1,799

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Uttermost Stratford - Carolina Rustica, $932

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Currey & Co. - Layla Grace, $872

 

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The Blissful Bee Version! 

Stein World Bridgeport Coffee Table - Hayneedle.com, $220

I found this table not only on sale for $234 (originally $281), but ALSO $2.99 shipping, NO TAX, and 10% off my entire purchase!!! You can't even find that good of a deal at Home Goods! My total came out to be only $220. Man, I'm am a happy girl:) And let's be honest, even if it wasn't on sale, even if I did have to pay tax, and even if I did have to pay for shipping - it would have been a GREAT deal.

A. MA. ZING.

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Gramercy Chair - Ballard Designs, $319-$547 (ea.)

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Amanda Linen Chair - Horchow, $572 (ea.)

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The Blissful Bee Version! 

Beige Linen Swoop Chair - Home Goods, $199 (ea.)
 

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Linen European Chair - Wisteria, $800

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Marseilles Chair - Restoration Hardware, $790

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The Blissful Bee Version! 

Antique Chair - Craigslist, $40

I found this on craigslist for only $40 and reupholstered it myself! With the cost of fabric and everything, it probably ended up costing about $80:)

Hope you all enjoyed my comparisons!! Who do you think wins???