One big project I wanted to tackle this month is organizing my disaster of a bathroom closet. We are a one-bathroom house, and it’s not a very large one for all of us to share. I do have a nice big closet in the bathroom though, and over the years I’ve made a few mediocre attempts at organizing it. This closet was due for a major overhaul, and I’ve spent the last week painting, purging, and purchasing organizers to whip this space into shape.

… ready for a super satisfying before and after?

Our bathroom closet BEFORE…

Our bathroom closet AFTER…

Huge improvement, right? Here is a video of the closet makeover & all the organizers I used (sometimes videos do better justice than photos!), and below I will go into more detail on what I did and where I found everything:

SHOP BATHROOM ORGANIZATION:

hair tool organizer | 360 rotating cosmetic organizer | 2-tier organizer with pull-out shelves
bath towel set | 3 piece apothecary jar set | toothbrush holder
silicone heat resistant hair tool mat | 3 drawer organizer | large stackable drawer
white plastic storage bins | reusable makeup removing pads with bamboo holder

I tackled this project using the same method I used for our pantry makeover:

• empty the entire closet – get rid of anything you don’t use or need
• clean & repaint walls & shelves
• categorize everything you want to keep
• find storage containers to make the best use of your space

Since this is a bathroom closet that tends to trap a lot of moisture towards the ceiling, I wiped all the walls down really well with diluted bleach and used a mold and mildew-proof interior paint. 

I tried to find organizers that maximized both the height and depth of each shelf, starting with simple white/clear storage drawers on the bottom shelf. I wanted to keep drawers on the lower half of the closet to easily see inside them, and I was able to fit:

• nail products – nail files, polish, nail trimmers, cuticle oil
• stuff for “eyes” – glasses, contact case, extra boxes of contacts, contact solution, eye drops
• stuff for “mouth” – extra toothpaste, floss, lip balm/scrub, bands for braces, retainer case, teeth whitening strips
• feminine products
• extra razor blades
• hair accessories
• sunscreen, bug spray, body lotion

On the next shelf up I added:

• a 360 degree rotating cosmetic organizer for all my skin care: moisturizers, toners, serums, masks, makeup remover, etc. 
• two 2-tier organizers with pull-out shelves, one for me & one for the boys’ deodorant, cologne, skin care, etc. 
• a large white plastic bin for bottles of mouthwash, a toothbrush holder, my retainer cleaning cup, and clear jars that hold q-tips and retainer cleaning tablets

The next two shelves have:

• two clear acrylic hair tool organizers with space to store your favorite hair products/brushes & spots for hot hair tools to cool down safely
• bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths 
• and two more white plastic bins to hold extra toilet paper and other miscellaneous bathroom items

I’m still working on staining a beautiful oak bifold door to hang in the closet and keep everything hidden, but already this closet organization has made SUCH a difference in the way our bathroom functions. I don’t know why I waited so long to do this!

READER POLL: 

How many bathrooms do you have in your home, and currently how organized are they?

As always, I sincerely appreciate you shopping through the links I share, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase while your purchase price stays the same. When you use my affiliate links, I’m better able to create content for this blog as well as support my family, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting what I do!

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The post Bathroom Organization appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

When I was a kid I remember my childhood home having all matching bathrooms accessories – a pump soap dispenser, toothbrush holder, water cup, soap dish, and sometimes even a matching tissue box cover. You picked your bathroom “theme” and bought the entire set to display on the vanity countertop. Then when stores like Bath & Body Works became popular, I remember the colorful plastic bottles of soap scents like cucumber melon or juniper breeze sitting next to the sink. You made sure to stock up on your favorites when they were having a big sale. 

Does any of that bring back a little bit of nostalgia for you?

Now, I prefer a little more of a simple, sophisticated look and just ordered the prettiest soap dispensers from a company I found through Etsy. 

I bought two clear glass dispensers with matte black pumps for hand and dish soap in my kitchen…

And an amber glass dispenser for hand soap in my bathroom…

Yes… my decorating “tip” today is as simple as it sounds: 

Find a pretty dispenser for soaps and lotions to keep your sink looking uncluttered, elegant, and clean!

I try to keep my kitchen counters as tidy as possible, even though they always seem to be the collecting place for papers and miscellaneous things. So instead of having various bottles of hand soap, dish soap, and maybe even frequently used cleaners sitting out and adding to the visual clutter, I love the way these simple, clear glass bottles add a touch of purposeful and coordinated design to the sink area. 

The amber glass I thought would be perfect for my bathroom and the more rustic feel of this space. The company I ordered these from makes the cutest labels for the soap dispensers, and you can even choose the bottle color, pump finish, and label design to best match your space. 

I have more information on the dispensers I purchased and a special discount code you can use at the bottom of this post!

There are so many different styles of dispensers for your sink, and I rounded up a ton of the ones that caught my eye most to give you some inspiration…

BLACK

click product photo for more information

GOLD

click product photo for more information

SILVER

click product photo for more information

LABELED

click product photo for more information

How do you like to style your sinks? Or have you never really given much thought to it? I hope you enjoyed today’s post, and I’d love to see photos of your sink spaces on IG! Make sure to tag me @lizlovegrowswild so I can find them!

DISCOUNT CODE

I purchased the soap dispensers for my kitchen and bathroom from a company called The Polished Jar, and just looking at their website alone is inspiration enough to want to tidy and pretty up all your spaces. I went with the signature collection, but all of their label designs are super cute and perfect for both modern and classic styles. They also have customizable labels, monogram labels, bottle trays to hold your dispensers, bottles with triggers sprayers for cleaning products, plastic options for kids’ spaces, and more. 

You can use the code WILD10 to get 10% off your order now through 5/31/21!

* I wanted to note that this post was not sponsored by The Polished Jar, nor was I gifted any product or discount. I wanted to genuinely share a product and company I discovered and love, and they graciously offered my readers a discount when I reached out to them!

MORE SIMPLIFYING HOME BLOG POSTS:

The Best Way to Hang Curtains
Shelf Styling 101
The Easiest Way to Keep your Home Tidy
How to Make Design Mood Boards & Use Them to Decorate Your Home
The Simple Pillow Formula for Your Sofa
Beautiful Books for Styling your Home
and more!

As always, I sincerely appreciate you shopping through the links I share, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase while your purchase price stays the same. When you use my affiliate links, I’m better able to create content for this blog as well as support my family, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting what I do!

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The post One Simple Way to Style Your Sink appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

A few years ago I hung two wooden crates on the wall above the toilet (you can find that tutorial in my book), and every time I walk in the bathroom I think to myself, I should really re-style those shelves soon. So that’s exactly where I started. I kept out some of the glass jars and bottles I had filled with bath soaps and salts and added a few new items that had an antique feel and gave the shelves some character:

• a stoneware bowl
• white pitcher
• antique cake plate holding rolled hand towels
• vintage photograph in an oval frame

I fell in love with the way the photograph’s oval frame played off of the mirror shape and the interest it added to this small space. So while I was bringing some new items into my booth at The Original Treasure Mart the other day, I looked around to see if I could find something similar that I could hang above my towel hooks on the opposite wall. I struck gold in one of my friend’s booths… a 1941 military photo from Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

My boys (ages 8 and 11) were with me that day, and I asked them if it would be weird having this hanging in our bathroom. They responded, “ummm… probably, but I know you love it, Mom. So let’s get it.”

Having them involved in the process of decorating our home is something that means so much to me, and when they find a treasure at the antique store or help me finish a project, I love seeing their eyes light up with excitement. If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen the day I was shopping for this photo, and I asked if it would be weird hanging in a bathroom. One person said, “that’s a lot of eyeballs staring at you!” which totally had me laughing and was the reason I wasn’t 100% sold on the photo yet, but the majority said it was really cool saving an old photo like that from the dumpster and turning it into art. I loved hearing your opinions and hung up the photo as soon as we brought it home. I think it is absolutely perfect above our towel hooks!

I love these simple changes in our bathroom, and I’m so glad I finally took a minute to check this off my to-do list. Sometimes I get so caught up in the big projects that I neglect these smaller spaces in our home that just need a little bit of love every now and again.

Oh, and before I forget, I wanted to share this little side note with you… I installed these tongue and groove boards in our bathroom a few years ago and painted them a beautiful bright white. Over time the knots in the wood have started to show through the paint, which really bothered me at first because I was so used to seeing them solid white. It was on my to-do list forever to re-paint the walls, but someone recently told me that it just gives the room some extra character and makes it look more authentic and natural. Sometimes all you need is an outside perspective to help you figure things out, and it didn’t take much more convincing than that for me to scratch this project off my list!

I hope you guys enjoyed this little update on our bathroom!

SOURCES

Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase, but your purchase price stays the same. Thank you for helping support our blog!

shower curtain – Heritage Lace
wooden stool – Joss and Main
mirror – Target (discontinued)
towel hooks – Amazon
soap dispenser – Target
wood crates – Joann Fabric
glass jars and bottles – Hobby Lobby
sink faucet – Amazon
knotted fringe bath towel – Target
wooden tub shelf – tutorial in my book
oval basket – Birch Lane
rug – Target

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The post Vintage Photo Artwork in the Bathroom appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

That’s part of the reason I think I love interior design and decorating my farmhouse so much. It allows me to be creative and try different things, and I’ve noticed that my style lately has leaned more towards a much more feminine, softer vintage farmhouse feel. I adore the industrial look of hard metal and dark rustic wood, but at this stage of my life (newly single) my heart is drawn more to soft lace and ruffles and faded wood tones and light, bright white spaces. I’ve noticed that my design choices have been slowly softening our home, and I love the blend of feminine romance and vintage farmhouse that is happening.

I think it all started when I designed my master bedroom…

The lace curtain I added from the faux wood beam completely changed the look and feel of this space. You can see how I installed the wood and curtain here.

I wanted to carry more of that softer vintage charm throughout the rest of the house, so I switched out my old shower curtain for a darling lace floret curtain.

And in the kitchen, I took down the old striped sheer curtains on the windows and hung these tea rose lace panels.

You may also remember the lace peony table runner I created in the dining room by simply cutting a stretch of lace to fit the table and tying a loose knot on the ends.

I’m sure to many people, this probably looks like “grandma” style… lace and crochet and ruffles. And it honestly makes me laugh a little bit when I think about it since I’m only 29 years old. But I love the vintage feel of all these design elements, and I don’t care what style you call it… it’s me and I embrace it!

I find that my style evolves over time with my age, my mood, my experiences… that is what makes design SO interesting and inspiring to me. It tells a story of who you are and the people that live in your home. Don’t be worried about what the latest decor trends are or what your neighbor or best friend or anyone else is doing. Do what feels like YOU. And if you try something and it doesn’t feel right… keep playing dress up with your house and try on a new look until you find the right fit. I hope you enjoyed seeing the next chapter of my little farmhouse!

I was sent some of these lace items to share with you all by a great company called Heritage Lace. You can find sources below for all the products!

SOURCES

Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase, but your purchase price stays the same. Thank you for helping support our blog!

Master Bedroom:

wall color – Dove White by Valspar
crystal light fixture – Home Depot
iron bed frame – Amazon
planked walls – tutorial
faux wood beam – tutorial
lace curtain – IKEA
white quilt – Target
ruffled duvet – Birch Lane
down alternative comforter – Birch Lane
large stripe pillows – Magnolia Market
white lumbar pillow – IKEA
cream fringe throw blanket – Target
framed fern art – tutorial in my book
nightstand – Sauder
swing arm lamp – Lowe’s
white bench – tutorial in my book
brown booties – Target
wooden stool – Joss and Main
wire frame – tutorial in my book
white rug – Couristan
woven baskets – Birch Lane

Bathroom:

shower curtain – Heritage Lace
wooden stool – Joss and Main
mirror – Target (discontinued)
towel hooks – Amazon

Kitchen:

matte black pendant lights – Amazon
pendant light above sink – All Modern
X back wood chairs – World Market
lace curtain – Heritage Lace
bronze curtain rods – Walmart
matte black sink faucet – Delta
wire drying rack – World Market
white wooden box with handles – tutorial
tea towel – Heritage Lace
white pitcher – Amazon
ceramic pitcher – Wayfair
door paint color – Rust-Oleum Door Paint in rustic pewt

Dining Room:

farmhouse dining table – tutorial
farmhouse benches – tutorial
french dining chairs – Target
bamboo roman shades – Home Depot
jute rug – Rugs USA
lamps – Birch Lane
lace table runner – Heritage Lace
round wooden tray – Wayfair
ceramic pitcher – Magnolia Market
horse – Painted Fox
stripe pillow – World Market

Living Room:

tufted chairs – Target
crochet edge pillow – Heritage Lace
jute rug – Rugs USA
white lumbar pillow – IKEA
cream sweater blanket – Target
large ceramic pitcher – Wayfair
medium ceramic pitcher – Wayfair

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The post Softening the Farmhouse appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

These are the sights of summer around our little farmhouse, and today I’m sharing my easy ideas for bringing laid-back, cozy summer style to any home. I am thrilled to be part of the Simply Summer Home Tour with Nina Hendrick, Birch Lane and Country Living, and at the end of this post you’ll find more inspiring ideas from other bloggers on this tour.

Welcome to summertime on the farm!

This is the first summer since our recent kitchen renovation in January, and it’s so nice to have a clean, functional space to work in now. There’s always fresh fruit on the counter for the kids to grab, and you’ll often find clippings from our yard and flower beds in the sink waiting to be added to vases throughout the house.

The simplest summer flower or tree branches from your yard can instantly freshen up a room without you spending a single dollar. The seasons come and go so quickly that I’ve learned not to spend a lot of time or money on season-specific decor and instead focus on adding just one or two elements to a room that relate to the current season.

This summer I’ve found myself craving more simplicity in our home, which for me means less clutter, more open space, and simpler decor. I’m always re-arranging things around the house, which sometimes leads to adding one too many centerpieces on our dining room table or using too many plants or setting a bunch of baskets where they don’t belong. And before I know it, the house feels full of “stuff”, without really feeling like our home.

I did a lot of editing over the last few weeks and eliminated extra artwork on the walls and clutter on the floor. I was worried that the house would feel bare and boring at first, but now I realize that all the “extra” kept us from being able to focus on the pieces that we love most in our home. For instance, our dining room table that we built together as a family…

… or the bench Jeremy and I made from an old door in our farmhouse. Why cover them up with a million knick-knacks when they are beautiful all on their own?

Even if your home doesn’t fit into everyone else’s version of beauty or good design, if it represents who you are… that’s all that matters.

If you walk into our entryway on any given day, I can guarantee you’ll find pairs of muddy boots from the farm and a ball cap or two hanging on our coat hooks. These items tell the story of our daily lives, and I’ve learned to embrace them as part of our home.

That doesn’t mean that I love all the Lego pieces I find scattered throughout the entire house or the pile of coats that no one bothers to hang up but me. We’re a normal family just like anybody else, and trust me… we make messes like the best of ’em.

But especially during summer when the kids are out of school and we’re home all together, I try not to sweat the small stuff as much and let the kids keep their blanket forts out in the living room for awhile. After all, how many more summers will I get to make blanket forts with them?

Soon I’ll be sharing this sweet, little spot in our living room on the blog, but here’s a sneak peek for now. I just got those gorgeous candlesticks in from Birch Lane, and I love character they add to this all-white space.

I feel like after four years of living in this home, I finally have our little farmhouse done with major renovations and makeovers and can finally enjoy the fruits of our labor. Of course there is always a list in my mind of things I would like to do here, but for the summer I’m happy with relaxing with my family and being content with where we’re at in this journey.

Here are my four best tips for adding easy summer style to your home:

• Summer is the perfect time for bringing nature into your home, so pick some blooms from your garden, shop for a bouquet at a farmer’s market, clip some branches from a leafy tree, or even grab a handful of wildflowers from an overgrown field.
• Make your space feel clean and fresh by eliminating any “extras” that are just adding clutter. Do you really need ten pillows on your couch? Pick two or three of your favorites and make more space for summer snuggles with your sweetie.
• Summer is a great time to experiment with color in your home, even if you’re a diehard neutral lover like me. Keep your space white and bright, but try adding a yellow sunflower on your coffee table or a coastal blue pillow on your bed. It only takes a tiny pop of color to really make a big impact in a neutral space!
• Embrace summer’s laid-back vibe. Do you constantly have towels from the pool or beach laying around the house? Add some cute hooks on the wall and make them part of your decor.

A few weeks ago, I shared the first part of our summer home tour, which you can find here. This is a little peek at what I shared in that post… I hope you stop by!

Sources

Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase, but your purchase price stays the same. Thank you for helping support our blog!

Front Porch

• Black lantern light fixture – Menard’s
• X wood planter boxes – tutorial
• White lanterns – Joss and Main

Kitchen

• Matte black pendant lights – Amazon
• Pendant light above sink – Wayfair
• X back wood dining chairs – World Market
• Rug under table – Rugs USA
• Sheer white curtains – Walmart
• Bronze curtain rods – Walmart
• Small jute rug by sink – Home Goods
• Matte black sink faucet – Delta 
• Wire drying rack – World Market
• Vintage glass bottles – Wayfair
• Round wood cutting board – Wayfair
• Fresh herb wood crate – tutorial in my new book!

Dining Room

• Farmhouse dining table – tutorial
• Farmhouse dining bench – tutorial
• Tufted slipper chairs – Target
• Jute rug – World Market
• Olive topiary – Ballard Designs
• Entryway bench – tutorial
• Striped bench pillows – World Market
• Wall art – tutorial in my new book!
• Wicker trunk – TJ Maxx
• Cutting boards – Wayfair: 1 2 3 4
• Hanging vases beside window – tutorial in my new book!

Bathroom

• Shower curtain – Target (discontinued)
• Oval mirror – Target (discontinued)
• White vase – IKEA
• Fern wall art – tutorial in my new book!
• Sink faucet – Amazon

Living Room

• Glass lamps – Target
• Wood candlesticks – Birch Lane
• Clock – tutorial in my new book!

I invite you to also visit Country Living and the other homes on our Simply Summer Home Tour! You will find style tips, summer ideas, and plenty of beautiful decor:

Monday

Nina Hendrick | Maison de Pax | Cherished Bliss | AKA Design | A Burst of Beautiful | Liz Marie Blog

Tuesday

Migonis Home | So Much Better With Age | Zevy Joy | Just a Girl and Her Blog | Shades of Blue Interiors | Making Home Base

Wednesday

Rooms FOR Rent | The Wicker House | Bless’er House | Love Grows Wild | Finding Silver Pennies | Design, Dining + Diapers

Thursday

Craftberry Bush | Jennifer Rizzo | The Wood Grain Cottage | Ella Claire | Tidbits | City Farmhouse

Friday

Kindred Vintage & Co | The Blissful Bee | The Happy Housie | House By Hoff | Nesting With Grace | Life on Virginia Street

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

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I was provided a gift card from Birch Lane for this post, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

The post Simply Summer Home Tour appeared first on Love Grows Wild.