I’ve always been a fan of a great at-home bar. I strongly believe it’s a must-learn life skill to mix up classic cocktails, and as an avid host, it’s important to provide an array...
Looking back on Easter as a child, I remember how excited I was to dig through my Easter basket. Full of chocolate bunnies, malt ball Easter eggs, Peeps, golden coins, and my favorite Cadbury...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
I, like most people, am not a fan of laundry. It’s not the task of laundry per se, but rather the time laundry takes. So when Samsung reached out about partnering together for their new, FlexWash + FlexDry machines I was game.
A system equipped with two washers in one, and two dryers in one the Samsung FlexWash + FlexDry allows me to get twice as much laundry done at one time. When hearing about the FlexWash + FlexDry I was sold with this feature alone; “just think of the time four machines will save me,” I thought. But I couldn’t have imagined just how powerful and fast these machines truly are. Not only can I do more laundry loads at once, but the washing and drying power is speedier than ever. Before I would have to run my towels on 2-3 cycles to dry completely, but with the FlexDry it’s one and done. Plus the wrinkle release button actually works. No wrinkles! Because of this I’ve been able to cut down on my dry cleaning bill drastically!
So how does it work? The bottom compartments work like your standard machine. Featuring 7.5 cubic feet, it handles all of your standard laundry loads; towels, bedding, etc. Meanwhile, up top, the Samsung FlexWash + FlexDry has innovative washing and drying zones. This is perfect for delicate items, or if you just need to wash one or two things immediately.
Another feature I love; the steam sanitize button. I’ve washed rugs, blankets, my husband’s athletic wear, kitchen towels, and all of my dog’s beds using this button and feel completely comfortable that the germs have been banished!
And speaking of features, if you’re like me and live and die by your smartphone the Samsung FlexWash + FlexDry is loT-enabled. Simply put you have the ability to run, stop and monitor cycles right from your smartphone. This is especially perfect for me since I tend to be a bit on the paranoid side when it comes to having any appliances running when I’m not home.
Lastly, I love that while they are major units, they don’t take up any more space than my previous washer and dryer. This was a MUST for me since as you can see, I don’t have a very large laundry room.
I never thought I’d be writing a love letter about a washer and dryer, but the Samsung FlexWash + FlexDry has seriously changed my life. Alright, maybe not my life but it sure has made it so much easier. If I were you, I would definitely put this duo on your Christmas list. Truly, MKR
Lately everything in my home is feeling tired. I’m not sure if it’s that three year home owner’s itch, or the season, but literally every single room has been begging me for a refresh. The problem, I don’t have the time or patience to do any major design overhauls right now. So I was thrilled when The Home Depot reached out about their Pfister matte black bathroom hardware collection.
To be honest, matte black hardware was never on my radar. Matte black always felt too modern or severe to me. But when I visited the Home Depot and saw the Pfister Venturi collection in person it wasn’t either of those things. In fact it was just the refresh and challenge I was looking for.
I am not a huge DIY-er; let me just put that out there. So when it comes to tackling projects like this I can sometimes be a bit hesitant. You can imagine then, my relief, to find out firsthand just how easy the install of all the Pfister Bathroom Hardware was. We’re talking from start to finish, this was easily an afternoon project. I even switched out our sinks in less than thirty minutes.
An added bonus of my new faucets; the way the water flows out. I tried to capture it via this photo, but trying to capture a stream of water isn’t exactly the easiest. It flows in a modern, almost flat stream. Plus the Pfister faucet is WaterSense certifies meaning it uses 30% less water, but doesn’t compromise your water experience.
I also love the faucet’s pop up drain. It’s funny that I’m even going into detail about a drain, but the push and seal drain is so much more current than the older faucet/drain models.
After I had the faucets properly installed it was time to move on to the additional bathroom hardware: towel racks, rings, and hooks. I used both the Pfister Venturi Towel Ring and Towel Bar; one on each side of my vanity. I like mixing it up rather than being so matchy-matchy. I also hung hooks on all of the doors to hold robes, towels, dry cleaning, etc.
Besides the hardware itself, the only other accessory I switched out were the knobs choosing matte black ones to accent the new matte black hardware.
All in all I was thrilled with how everything turned out. The Pfister matte black hardware looks so clean, and adds the perfect modern touch to what is otherwise a traditional bathroom. Plus this refresh took me less than 24 hours and didn’t break the bank which is always a MAJOR win in my book! So cheers to DIY afternoons and refreshed bathrooms! Truly, MKR
Photography, Rustic White
I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the Home Depot Pfister Bathroom Program. As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies wth the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
First things first; I did not finish my room. For the first time, in the five One Room Challenges, I’ve participated in I’m turning in an incomplete project. A beautiful, but incomplete project. That’s why I’ve titled this reveal, “Part One” because I plan to share the room again when it’s truly complete. It may be awash in Christmas decor, but complete it will be.
So what didn’t get finished? My sectional. Which is funny considering my sectional is what spurred me to re-design this room. My current sectional is…tired would be the best word for it. Which only makes sense since this space is our only “living” space and has been very well lived in. But as mentioned in a previous post great sectionals are incredibly difficult to find and by the time I found the perfect one there was no way to turn it around in time since it’s made to order.
The other piece of the puzzle you won’t see today is my console/television area. The reasons for this are numerous and just part of the design process. No biggie though, I mean we’re not curing cancer here just redesigning a room.
Now that that’s out of the way, lets focus on what’s important…today’s reveal. Pretty amazing right? I’m not patting myself on the back or anything, but I couldn’t be happier with how this space ended up coming together.
You see when I first set out to complete this room for the ORC I was skeptical. I wanted a change, but I didn’t think the change I desired would actually create that much of an impact. Especially not an impact as big as those typically seen during the ORC. But if I’ve learned anything during this redesign it’s that a few strategic changes can make a major transformation happen. The three biggest changes in my space: paint, window treatments, and a rug switch up.
I’ve always been a person who preferred color on their walls, but between the Blog and the Shoppe my life is always so bright and colorful so I’d been craving a calmer space. The easiest way to accomplish that; paint your walls white. In my case All White by Farrow & Ball. It just makes this room so light and bright. Plus my new Jonathan Adler chandelier looks stunning hanging from the fresh clean ceiling.
Next, the rug. I’ve been lusting after the “Antelope” rug for as long as I can remember. Like leopard, I believe the Antelope print is a neutral. And the one I chose from Karastan is simply jaw dropping, and more reasonably priced to similar options. Trust me when I say, it’s even better in person, not to mention so much more comfortable than my last rug. As much as I love vintage and hand knotted rugs they just aren’t as comfortable as a SmartStrand silk woven one like this.
Third, and what I believe had the biggest impact, the draperies. I just keep standing in my foyer and looking down to the living room at those Stroheim draperies. The Stroheim Palapye fabric is a showstopper. The embroidered pattern gives the space interest, but doesn’t overpower the room. Hung well above the top trim and flush to the floor, rather than a puddle, the drapes make the room appear even taller than it is.
Speaking of fabric I also used Stroheim to re-cover my brass X benches. I love investing in great X benches like these ones from Taylor Burke Home because they’ll last forever and you only need about a yard of fabric to recover them. So when you’re ready for a redesign it won’t cost you an arm and leg to get a completely different look.
I also switched out my coffee table, opting for a simpler bright white one from Worlds Away. I kept the styling simple with a handmade bowl/vase from Jill Rosenwald and a woven tray full of necessities. Candles, matches, books, etc.
And you know my room wouldn’t be complete without a bar cart. I just love how this one from Bassett Mirror came together. With everything anyone needs to mix up a cocktail, including fresh herbs to add some life to both the cart and your cocktail, this cart is as functional as it is beautiful. And the best part, it’s on wheels to allow for easy movement during dinner parties or just family movie night. Oh, and how fun is my boob bowl full of matchboxes I collect.
Lastly, the textiles. I didn’t go as pillow crazy as previously, but I did still want to add a few fun accents. I chose textured neutrals and pale pink leathers from Serena and Lily. The cool, pale pink was the perfect hint of color and softened the space just enough. Softening the room was important to me because patterns can sometimes make a space look too intense so soft tones and soft textiles like the sheepskin and wool blankets, plus pillows really help calm it all down. And calm it makes me feel.
Thank you so much for following along during these seven weeks. I really am honored to always be a part of this amazing challenge! Truly, MKR
