One of the things I love most about the One Room Challenge is that it gives me the motivation I need to start and finish a project in the short span of six weeks. I've participated in the ORC seven times before, and I've always managed to complete the makeover just in the nick of time without ever compromising on the design. In fact, participating in the ORC has always pushed me to go big and make bold design decisions, which exactly the way I like it.

When and Why to Prime Before Painting

This post is sponsored by Rust-Oleum, whose products make almost all of my DIY projects look better!

Do you ever ask yourself, do I need to prime before paining this or is primer really necessary? I know I do! Back in law school I spent many hours painting a laminate bookshelf for my apartment, only to have the paint peel right off because I didn't prime it first. I'm a much savvier DIYer now than I was back then, but I still find myself questioning when I need to use primer for projects around my house.

Take our recent bathroom mess for example...

{one room challenge} Week 2: Kitchen Dining Design Decisions

Normally when I start a One Room Challenge, I already have a solid plan in place. I've already have a vision for the space, and I've done my research and at least some of my shopping. But not this time... Here we are at Week 2, and I'm still formulating my vision and shopping like crazy to figure out how to pull this space together. While that is bad news for my timeline, the good news is that I get to take you along for the ride and giving you a bit more insight into the design process.

{one room challenge} Here We Go Again...Kitchen Edition

There hasn't been much happening on the blog the last few weeks (blame the new puppy!), but it's like with kids... when they are quiet you need to worry about what they're getting up to. And while it's been quiet on the blog I've come up with the crazy, last minute idea to jump into the One Room Challenge again this spring.

If you've been reading the blog for a while now, you're probably pretty familiar with the One Room Challenge, which I've participated in a whopping seven times before (which I think makes me certifiably crazy). But if you're new, let me give you the inside scoop...

DIY Home Projects in Red, White, and Blue

Denver has been teasing us lately with a few tastes of spring like weather mixed in among the traditional cold and snow of March in Colorado. And with every spring flower I see starting to bloom, I'm itching for summer. Afternoons at the park with the kids, BBQs with friends, and warm nights on the patio.

Since summer bookended by Memorial Day and Labor Day, with the 4th of July in the middle, I often associate summer with all things red, white, and blue. 

How to Make the Daylight Savings Time Change Easier on Kids

I've always loved daylight savings, despite losing an hour of sleep. Maybe it's the night owl in me talking, but I'm a fan of the extra light in the evenings to enjoy time as a family and to get my DIY projects done. But as a parent, the transition can be a bit rough! How do you convince young kids that it's bedtime when it's still light outside? And how do you get them up and moving for school in the morning when it's still dark in their room?

With the time change coming this weekend, I thought it was the perfect time to share some tips on how to make the daylight savings time change easier on kids {and mom and dad!}. Thanks to my partners at Hive, I've found some ways to make the transition even easier by taking advantage of some simple smart home automation tools.

Behind the Scenes of My Better Homes & Gardens Photo Shoot

When I was in law school rushing home from my contracts class everyday so I wouldn't miss an episode of Trading Spaces, I could have never imagined that one day I'd see photos of me and my home spread across two pages of Better Homes & Gardens. Talk about a "pinch me" moment!! 

DIY Wall Decor Ideas for Every Style

Do you have blank walls begging to be filled? I'm a big advocate of surrounding yourself with art and decor that has personal meaning and helps tell your family's story. So rather than buying generic art from a big box store, why not create some DIY wall decor that better reflects your style?! 

Each month I join with a talented team of bloggers to bring you the best of the best from each of our blogs, and this month we've rounded up more than 100 of our favorite DIY wall decor ideas!

How to Redecorate a Bedroom without Replacing the Furniture

I love helping friends and clients give their spaces a fresh, new look without breaking the bank! One of the most common request I get is to redesign a room to give it an updated look without the expense of replacing the furniture. Especially when it comes to decorating a bedroom, this is totally doable, and I'm sharing my top 10 tips! 

Maximize Your Storage Space With Over the Door Organizers

I've heard a lot of people advise that you don't need more storage, you just need less stuff... and while we could all benefit from a good purging session, let's be honest, sometimes you really do need more storage! Not everyone has the luxury of a spacious pantry, coat closet, or laundry room, but that doesn't mean we don't need food, hats and scarves, and clean clothes. 

My biggest piece of advice for organizing when you're short on space is to take advantage of every available nook and cranny, and one of the most commonly overlooked storage spaces is on the back of your closet doors. Don't let that 21 square feet of prime real estate go to waste!

Here are 15 ways I use back of door organizers to create extra storage space around my own home...