Friday, September 29, 2017

Sweet Memories And Fall In The Family Room



Hello Friends!

Is the weather still hot where you are?

The summer heat is still hanging around here, but the humidity is lower and nights are cooler - which makes for nice evenings out on the screened porch. The sounds of cicadas have given way to chirping crickets and that tells us that things are about to change and cooler temps are on the way. 
It will soon be time to break out soft cable knit sweaters and colorful scarves and warm cozy blankets out of big woven baskets.
Which brings me to decorating for Fall in the Family Room.
fall, sunflowers, mantel, farmhouse, cottage, farmhouse style, cottage style, family room,


Monday, September 18, 2017

How To Install Crown Molding On Full Overlay Cabinets

We spent a week at our Mountain Cottage a couple of weeks ago and one of the projects he finished was installing the crown molding on the cabinets. The cabinets we chose have a full overlay door style, which means that the doors and drawer fronts cover almost all of the 1 3/4" cabinet frame. 

Full overlay cabinet styles require a bit more work when installing crown molding.
Yep, that's just what Mr. DIY needs - more work.
Mountain Cottage Kitchen, white kitchen, Kraftmaid Cabinets, farmhouse kitchen, cottage kitchen, farmhouse sink, wood countertops, open shelves, subway tile, plank ceiling,  diy, diyDesignFanatic.com



Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Maintaining A Gravel Driveway - Mountain Cottage Upkeep

Owning a second home is all fun and decorating...

said no one ever.

There's mowing the lawn, painting, roof repair, fence repair, tree and shrub trimming, septic tank maintenance, and if you have a gravel driveway; driveway maintenance.
We looked into having asphalt installed, but it was $15,000 to $20,000 because our steep driveway is about 300 feet long with a big parking lot at the top. 


We haven't won the lottery yet, so we have to do  maintenance on our gravel driveway.

mountain cottage, cottage, farmhouse, driveway maintenance, gravel driveway, steep gravel driveway, diy, diyDesignFanatic.com


Monday, September 11, 2017

How To Dry Fresh Basil



Drying fresh basil is super easy!

Don't let that fresh basil you purchased for a special recipe go to waste in your fridge! Preserve it by drying it!
If you have an herb garden with fresh basil growing in it, preserve it now because the plant will die off when the weather turns cold!


cottage, cottage garden, farmhouse, harvest, how to dry basil, diy, diyDesignFanatic.com, kitchen




Wednesday, September 6, 2017

How To Make A Wood Drawer Organizer

Unorganized drawers drive me CRAZY.  


I hate highly dislike when you need a pen or pencil and you have to rummage through a pile of supplies until you find what you need. 

Maybe it's just me.

I love perusing The Container Store's website  dreaming of having perfectly organized drawers and closets.

Maybe it's just me.

The problem is...
Drawer organizers  don't always fit your needs perfectly and can be expensive!
I'm going to show you how we made a custom drawer organizer easily and how you can to- even if you don't use power tools. All you have to know how to do is how to use a hammer and pound in a nail!
drawer organizer, diy, build it yourself, cottage, cottage style, farmhouse, farmhouse style, diydesignfanatic.com

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Bridal Shower Inspired Tablescape In The Dining Room

Last week I showed you the Bridal shower inspired tablescape in the Breakfast Area-
The beautiful floral arrangement in the Dining Room were calling for a tablescape too.
flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com

Mr. DIY took out the leaf so the table was back to it's regular size. I left the tablecloth, the burlap runner, the wood round with candles and my grandmother's salt and pepper shakers.
flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com



flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com



flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com


I just shopped the house for placemats, dishes, utensils and wine glasses. The china is our wedding pattern Limoge Artois Green. The salad plates are from HomeGoods, as are the placemats, napkins and wine glasses.
flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com


Oh, I love those flowers...
flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com

flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com

flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com

flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com

flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com

flowers, tablescape, cottage style, farmhouse style, diyDesignFanatic.com


If you missed the Hosting A Bridal Shower post, you can find it HERE.
The Breakfast Area Tablescape can be found HERE
The post on the Fabulous Flowers can be found HERE.