DIY Handpainted Tile Backsplash
DIY Katie Knight DIY Katie Knight

DIY Handpainted Tile Backsplash

I custom hand-painted and installed my own tile backsplash for the One Room Challenge this year, and here is exactly how I did it!

This was, shockingly, the easiest and smoothest DIY I took on for the pantry project. I hand-painted all the tiles Tuesday night, baked them Wednesday morning, and installed them Wednesday night (this project had to be done by Thursday morning, so I was definitely cutting it close, but I got it done!) I followed @athomewithashley’s tutorial for painted tiles, and it worked perfectly!

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How to Create and Install a DIY Vintage Rug Stair Runner
DIY, Our Fixer Upper, One Room Challenge Emily Schmidt DIY, Our Fixer Upper, One Room Challenge Emily Schmidt

How to Create and Install a DIY Vintage Rug Stair Runner

Probably the most fun project of my entire one room challenge entryway makeover was the vintage rug stair runner. I have been dying to do this for years and had multiple inspiration photos saved. I knew it would fit so perfectly in this space and add such character as well. I was also pleasantly surprised with how easy installing a stair runner was and how smoothly the process went! I have gotten so many questions about how I completed it, so I wanted to share a full post with allll the details, and what I learned.

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DIY Aged Pots + Vases  | Pottery Barn Look for Less Using Thrift Store Finds
DIY Emily Schmidt DIY Emily Schmidt

DIY Aged Pots + Vases | Pottery Barn Look for Less Using Thrift Store Finds

I’m always on the lookout for great home decor DIY’s especially when it involves up-cycling thrifted finds! I recently came across this “found pot” DIY on Jaci Daily’s Instagram and knew I had to try it ASAP! I, like Jaci, am obsessed with these “found” pots, planters, and vases seen below- they have the perfect amount of wear, age, and texture that give them an antique, “found” look. I definitely am not ever paying that much for a vase or planter though, BUT thanks to the quick DIY I am sharing today- you can get the look for much, much less! Even when you find these vintage or at antique stores now they are usually super expensive since they’re becoming so popular (olive pots is what many are referred to as).

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Magic Light Trick: How-To, FAQ, + Best Lights to Use Roundup
DIY, Our Fixer Upper Guest User DIY, Our Fixer Upper Guest User

Magic Light Trick: How-To, FAQ, + Best Lights to Use Roundup

As soon as I first came across Nesting With Grace’s magic light trick, I knew I was going to use it non-stop all over my house! Basically this is a quick and inexpensive little hack to use sconces and lights without having to do any electrical wiring at all. You simply attach a battery powered puck light inside of the fixture and then mount it to the wall like normal. It is such a great way to add character and coziness to a space without having to pay an electrician or do something super permanent either! I’ve now done this trick several times throughout my home and for clients, so here’s what I’ve learned so far:

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My Top 5 Posts of 2018
DIY Emily Schmidt DIY Emily Schmidt

My Top 5 Posts of 2018

It’s so fun to look back over the past year and see all the fun projects I tried and shared here on the blog. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how much we accomplish in a year and we feel like we should have done more. I’ve found this year that looking back through photos or posts from the previous year helps remind me that I really did accomplish a lot and should be proud of the work I’ve done. I really do love sharing with all of you and it still makes my day to hear that you read my post or tried one of my DIY’s, recipes, or tips! So without further ado, here’s my 5 most popular posts of 2018!

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DIY Holiday Simmering Scent
DIY, Recipes Emily Schmidt DIY, Recipes Emily Schmidt

DIY Holiday Simmering Scent

Hate it or love it, the holiday season is officially here for the retail world so I’m diving right in to holiday content. I’ve gotten so many questions about my homemade simmering scents since posting about my fall build-your-own potpourri station, so I decided to share another spin on this with a holiday themed scent! This using many of the same ingredients as the autumn scent. plus some new ones, and looks just as good as it smells! This is a must if you are entertaining and want you home to smell AMAZING for all your guests! It also makes such a cute and easy homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, co-workers, etc.

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LexCraft 2018
Emily Schmidt Emily Schmidt

LexCraft 2018

     Emily from Gathered Living and Jacqueline from Lexington Design Co. are excited to host Central Kentucky's first crafting fair, where YOU make! Come ready to create, learn, laugh, and make the best memories with some of the best makers and creators in Kentucky!   Your ticket will include all supplies (for 4 one-hour long creating classes!), a swag bag, and so much more. This isn't just an opportunity to craft and shop, it's an experience. Shop the best handmade vendors, enjoy great food, and learn the funnest crafts from creatives with years of experience. 

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DIY Balloon Arch
DIY Emily Schmidt DIY Emily Schmidt

DIY Balloon Arch

One of my favorite parts of our Creative Collective Meet + Mingle event was designing + putting together this balloon arch backdrop.  This was my first time attempting any kind of balloon arch, but I was surprised at how easy it was and how quickly I seemed to get the hang of the process.  Like most of my DIY projects, I read several tutorials online and then kind of combined the easiest steps from each (because I don't have any time for complicated projects!).  I did have lots of help with this project, as one of our coffee shop employees helped me blow up most of the balloons and my friend Katie helped me assemble and hang the arch onto the wall.  This is such a great way to create a stunning focal point for any event or party and I PROMISE it isn't as hard as it looks (or I wouldn't have done it). 

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