Colonial house Archives - Emily A. Clark

My Layered Mantel (Step by Step)

Apr162019

I can only live with one look so long and recently changed up our mantel from a simple, symmetrical look to something more layered. I started with leaning frames, adding just enough accessories on each side so that it feels balanced. I’m also loving the glow of the small lamp at night. (Thankfully, we have an outlet right beside of our mantel. I just ignore the clear cord since it’s semi-hidden behind the chair.)

I ordered one of the art prints from Etsy and used a vintage frame I’ve had for a while. The diagonal print is the easiest DIY, and it’s in a large IKEA Ribba frame.

And, because sometimes pictures (and video) are better than words. . . You can watch a quick step by step of how I layered our mantel (and hearth) here.

Looking for something else? See more sources for my home here.

Updating My Nightstand + Way Day Deals

Apr102019

This post is sponsored by Wayfair.

My poor nightstand was falling apart, mostly thanks to all of the extra books, art projects and papers I’d stuffed in it over the last few years. It was time to upgrade to something a little heftier and this three-drawer white chest from Wayfair fit the bill. Since we have a painted navy armoire and a dark bed already, I like to keep this corner clean and white. I think the honeycomb overlay was just the pattern the room needed.

I love the clean drawers so much I may never put anything back in them. :)

You might have noticed that I often link to Wayfair on my blog because it really is a one-stop shop for all things home. (There’s over 10 million products on the site!) I can almost always find whatever it is I happen to be on the hunt for that day.

And today just happens to be the start of their biggest sale of the year: Way Day. It starts at 12pm EST (on 4/10) and runs for 36 hours. This is the time you’ll find their best deals of the year–the lowest prices since Black Friday–and free shipping on over 100,000 home decor and furniture pieces across Wayfair and their other brands: Birch Lane, Joss & Main and All Modern. Since there are so many things included, I’ve linked to some of my personal favorite pieces below in each category. If I can help you locate something specific, let me know in the comments.

Shop all the 2019 Way Day deals here.

Do You Still Use (or Have) a Home Office?

Feb192019

If you’re an avid House Hunters watcher, you know the three “musts” for any prospective homeowner (according to HGTV, at least) are granite countertops, a double vanity and a home office. If you think about it, we’ve essentially built an entire room in newer houses around a large piece of technology. Home offices started out with big desks to hold big computers and bigger monitors. But as technology has been streamlined, I wonder if the home office will be as well.

lighting // cowhide rug // jute rug // table // shades

vase (similar) // chairs & china cabinet (vintage)

In our last home, we converted the formal dining room into a home office devoted to my design business (that I ended soon after. . . ). In this house, we got rid of the dining room all together when we renovated the kitchen and gave up the formal living room for an office space. But it turns out, I rarely use this room to work. I end up taking my laptop and sitting in the kitchen or on the couch. Instead, this space has become overflow dining when we have guests, a homework and project room, a music room, a baby doll nursery, a hiding place. . . You name it. Pretty much anything besides an office for me.

So I wonder, do you think the home office is becoming extinct? If you work from home full-time, do you sit in a designated room all day? (I’m too antsy, and I like the TV on while I work. . . No wonder I can’t stay focused.)