Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Canvas Prints from Your Favorite Photo

This is a sponsored post

Hello everyone! I wanted to share this gorgeous picture I was recently gifted from MyPix2.com.

The backstory to this picture is that I actually took it a few Halloweens ago at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in New York.  I loved this old door both as architectural element, but also for its deep, moody turquoise color.



Monday, December 3, 2018

Simple & Inexpensive Boho Christmas Tree

After I shared my Holiday Housewalk tour last week I was doing some cleaning and moved my couch back in front of the double window, which is typically where I have it, but had switched it over the summer for a change.

I had mentioned this on social media and brought up that I was contemplating bringing up by big tree and I got so many sweet comments and direct messages that I decided to go for it!

In all actuality, I had been wanting the tree up in time for the tour, but just wasn't feeling the inspiration just yet.



Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Holiday Housewalk 2018

Hello everyone and welcome to my 2018 Holiday Housewalk tour! I'm so thrilled to be a part of this inspiring group again this year.

 

If you are stopping over from Golden Boys and Me, thank you for continuing on to my home. I always like to try new ideas each year and I could not be happier to show you what our 100 year old Connecticut farmhouse looks like this holiday season!



I also couldn't resist starting off my tour with this adorable picture of my cat, Figgy. I adopted him exactly 6 years ago, tomorrow and he is the perfect decorating companion and model!

 ornate frame (that I turned into a chalkboard) and sconce, thrifted | table (I refinished), antique society sale | worry beads, from my childhood home |  basket, $1 antique store find | tree was foraged | green candle, Walmart | cat, humane society #adoptdontshop 

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Italian Genoise Cake and Fresh Candied Oranges

Happy Sunday morning friends!

Last night I posted a picture of a cake that I made on Instagram and got several requests for the recipe in comments and messages, so I thought I would share it here.


Thursday, November 8, 2018

Oak Leaf Garland

Hi everyone!

Today, I'm sharing an updated version of an easy fall project I did several years ago.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

How to Paint Mahogany Furniture White

Good Morning!

My first response to the topic of How to Paint Mahogany Furniture White is to just honestly not do it! It's a lot more work that painting a lighter wood, say pine or maple, and you have to seriously take precaution against bleed through. However, if you are faced with a mahogany piece that needs to go light, here are my tips.



Monday, November 5, 2018

Antique White Dresser with Brass Hardware

This is a sponsored post.


Good morning everyone!

I'm so excited to share this dresser makeover with you all today. Antique white and brass is such a beautiful combination and has been a favorite of mine for years.


Thursday, September 6, 2018

Hearty Meatless Tomato Sauce

Growing up, my father always treated us to a wide variety of restaurants and, since his hobby was cooking, we always had amazing food at home, too.

It gave me an appreciation for making food from scratch with quality ingredients. I think that he would be proud of me for using less boxed meals and for always experimenting in the kitchen.

I created this recipe when my now teens were little because one of them (still to this day) isn't a huge veggie fan. 



Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Easy Thrift Store Shelf Makeover

Happy Wendesday!

Today, I wanted to share with you all an easy makeover I recently did with a thrift store shelf I bought for under $20. I actually bought this piece for my living room, but ultimately felt the scale was wrong. Also, I'm a super visual person so if I have an idea, I sort of go with it and sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. For example, I had stripped this piece to bare wood and it was gorgeous, but didn't mesh well anywhere in my home.  


Wednesday, August 29, 2018

The BEST & Easy Homemade Bread and Roasted Garlic

Hi there!

I know that Number Fifty-Three has traditionally been a place to share inexpensive DIY crafts, furniture makeovers and decorating, but over the past year, I've started sharing recipes, too. I hope you all like this addition! The truth is, I love food and cooking and I love to share recipes that have been handed down to me or that I've tried and think are the best.

Today, I'm sharing the best homemade bread recipe that I discovered years ago on Pinterest.  This is something that my family asks for often and I don't mind making it because it's only a few ingredients and you don't need any special equipment.  You can find the recipe here.




Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Budget Friendly Vintage Modern Mudroom

I've shared images of my mudroom on social media over the last few months and just wanted to document it here too, before these last couple of days of summer disappear.

I actually purchased a new, more subdued rug this past weekend and have a few styling ideas for autumn that I'm almost ready to work on, Fall is usually my favorite time of year, but I'm feeling a bit down this year and a bit sad that school is beginning again tomorrow.

Anyway, I did a mini makeover on this space in the spring to simplify it all. I gave the floors a fresh coat of white paint (and I think despite weekly scrubbing and a large rug that it will be a yearly chore). I also repainted the walls black added back the closet door (with trim), removed the shelf and replaced it with the chair and new accessories, and lastly, replaced the ceiling light. You can see the previous incarnation here.


Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Antique Inspired Secretary Desk

This is a Sponsored Post

Hi everyone!

I'm so excited to share this antique inspired secretary desk with you. It's been such a long time coming as I tried to figure out how I wanted to refinish it and where it could fit in my home.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Monday, August 13, 2018

Decorating with Wildflowers and Living Room Tweaks

The last time I blogged, a couple of months ago (eek!), I had just rearranged and purged my living room. I'm happy to say, that it's still the same, with just a few minor décor tweaks and changes...which is a complete miracle for me!


Monday, July 2, 2018

Minimal Modern Farmhouse Living Room

Ever since I began this decorating journey many years ago my number one question I always ask is, "Is it too cluttered?"

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Rustic, Felt Valentine Hearts

I love handmade Valentine décor.

There's just something about the idea of a craft made with love on a holiday to celebrate it.

Earlier this week I created these felt hearts and they were super easy and very inexpensive.


Monday, February 5, 2018

Antique with Modern Stairway

This was our third January in our farmhouse and the third time I painted the stairway.

None of the previous incarnations were particularly bad, but they just didn't feel right to me. Then, after I updated the look in our dining and living room last summer and started working on the half bath this past fall, the stairway just looked out of place. 


Thursday, January 4, 2018

Rooms that Inspire Me

If you don't have to shovel/be anywhere/lose electricity then these are the days I live for.  We are home. I'm cozy and warm, wrapped up in a blanket and sipping alternating cups of hot coffee, tea and cocoa. And, there is no stress of school, appointments or work. I basically hate leaving the house, so these truly are my best days.

I wanted to share some of my favorite rooms on Pinterest with you all. They provide me with so much inspiration and a spark of creativity to want to try something different in my own home.


Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Happy New Year

2018

Happy New Year!

I've noticed that I go through spurts of wanting to share things here just to document it for myself and to practice photography and tweak my projects and designs. And then, I go through spurts of wanting to share things just to build my following and my reach. In this new year I want to stay very close to that first reason for sharing. It's the most authentic. The most true to myself.  It may not necessarily grow my brand, but you never know...it very well might be what sets me apart. I do know that one thing I absolutely despise are people on Instagram who quickly follow and unfollow you in the hopes will follow (and not unfollow) them back.