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A Summer Porch

Another area of my business that I always enjoy is helping my clients spruce up their outdoors. This summer I’ve helped clients purchase outdoor patio furniture, garden pots, and even advised them on what plantings would look best with their exterior.

One of my favorite parts about our 1913 farmhouse has always been the front porch. It’s always been a great gathering spot for our boys and their friends. I remember spending many hours swinging crying babies on our front porch swing or enjoying pop breaks on it while we were in the middle of renovating it. Over the last few years I’ve decorated it in red, white, and blue in honor of our grand old flag! Here are a few before shots from about a month ago when my husband cleared it off in preparation of re-staining the floor.

It was so much fun to have a fresh clean space to work with. Check out the after shots!

Next summer we may have to do a bit of work on the ceiling. Oh the joys of owning an old hom!

But for now I’ll enjoy my freshly painted porch swing and my plantings that are finally filling in.

These beautiful metal lawn chairs were a hand me down from my Aunt Claudia. They couldn’t have been a more perfect shade of red!! Stay tuned for the upcoming tutorial on my “Land that I Love” sign!

Here’s a quick source guide in case you’re interested…

Porch Swing- Wooden Porch Swings

Pillows on porch swing- TJ Maxx

White metal lawn furniture- Restoration Hardware (Maple Street Collection)

Ribbon Banner- Michaels Crafts (Marth Stewart)

All blue ceramic pots- TJ Maxx

Galvanized barn lights beside front door- Lowes

PLANTINGS…

My pots are filled with red geraniums, red begonias, chartreuse sweet potato vine, blue lobelia, and white bacopa. So far so good, but the MN heat and humidity has gotten too unbearable yet!

A Living Room Bonus Space

We wanted to share another room I did for an good friend/client with 5 adorable kids! They wanted a space for their kiddos to be able to hang with friends, watch movies, or curl up with a good book. We used fun red slipcovered couches from IKEA then added touches of vintage finds to cozy it all up.

A Living Room Transformation

From time to time I will be sharing room transformations that I’ve done for clients through my Bell Interiors Design business. Over the past year I have had the pleasure of working with Amy and Rick transforming a number of rooms in their home. It started with their daughters Girlie Girl Room Makeover. I since have done Amy’s office, their basement family room, dining room, master bedroom, and this living room. They let me come and go as I please trying new ideas out. Rick even stated “I’m like one of the family”! Just what he needed, another girl in his house!!!

So here are some before pictures of their living room…

And here is the After!!

Classic, simple and cozy.

{Here is the source guide.}

Wall paint color~ Benjamin Moore Lenox Tan, HC-44

Sofa and Chairs~ IKEA

Area Rug~ Marshalls

Stained and black end table, mercury glass lamp, wooden tray, mercury vase, orchid, cream pillows on chairs~ TJ Maxx

Small grass jar, mirror~ HomeGoods

Terracotta pillows, drapes~ Target

Drapery rods~ JCP

Aqua pillows, candle sconces~ Pottery Barn

{The coffee table, floor lamp, and small end table were pieces the client already owned but got a fresh coat of black spray paint.}

For more information on Natalie’s Interior Design services, please visit~

Bell Interiors

For more information on Kim’s photography and design, please visit~

Jones Design House

Brunch Affair Color Switch

We had so much fun with our dining room shoot, that we’ve decided to do it again but in a totally different color scheme. We switched out all the pinks and greens for yellows, and aquas. When you have a neutral base (white table and chairs, a subtle wall color and neutral drapes) this is so easy for anyone to do. My favorite decorating advice it just that- keep the main pieces neutral then add accent colors with pillows, artwork, flowers, etc.. Not only is this easy an easy way to decorate, but also affordable!

{So what did we do differently?}

1. We used hydrangeas instead of peonies in the milk bottles because they were in season.

2. We simplified our napkin ring even more by just adding a simple daylily to it.

3. We used a different arrangement of vintage table clothes.

4. We took a simple white plate then dolled it up with an aqua saucer (found at Goodwill for $.99 each)

5. We changed up the centerpiece with flowers, etc. (We took the coffee out of the vintage canister, and added hydrangeas instead!)

We’re so excited to have our Brunch Affair featured in the April 2012 issue of Romantic Homes Magazine!!!

And that’s our Brunch Affair Color Switch!!! Take a look at the differences below!!!

A Sunroom Redo

{A Sun Porch Redo}

We are so excited to share this beautiful Sun Porch redo with you! As you may know, I own an interior design business called Bell Interiors. From time to time we will feature some fun design projects that I’ve been able to be a part of. We decided that this sun room was the perfect one to start with!! I was honored to add the finishing touches to this room after my handyman client did the messy work. This sun porch was not all that sunny to begin with- a bit dark and dreary to be honest with you. The main goal was to brighten it up so my client began by “whitewashing” the dark pine paneling {tutorial to come} and installing beautiful laminate wood flooring. After the messy work was done, it was time for me to have my fun! We used simple IKEA slip covered furniture {perfect for homes with small children:)}. I found the area rug, lamp, end table and pillows at TJ Maxx (my favorite accessory store), and then we filled in with some other fabulous finds. We hope you enjoy this sun porch, and may it inspire you to tackle a redo of your own!

Check out the porch before…