Countertops: Get Over Granite

Part of my job as a designer is to help our clients make selections and if we are doing kitchens and baths then that means tile, countertops, cabinets, etc. You get the point. We are constantly striving to give the client the best product for their budget.

It seems as though everyone has an expectation that their kitchen should have granite and stainless steel appliances these days (probably because of HGTV). Well I hate to break it to you but that stuff costs lots of money. Most people want it but don't realize how much it could set them back. So now I'm gonna take the blindfold off and open your eyes to some other great options for countertops. That is not to say that granite isn't amazing but there might be a better choice for your budget or situation.

Marble (requires a lot of maintenance and can be very expensive)

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Butcher Block (beautiful, unique look, moderate maintenance)

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Laminate (affordable and fairly low maintenance)

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Concrete (requires a lot of maintenance but very customizable)

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Solid Surface (Consistent look, practical and easy to clean)

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Stainless Steel (Antibacterial and stain resistant, expect patina)

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Do you have any of these surfaces in your home???

Blogger Homes (and september link-up)

*LINK-UP FOR SEPTEMBER AT BOTTOM OF POST {starts on 8/30}*

Its time again to feature some wonderful bloggers and their homes. This month we combined July and August since its summer and many of us aren't as active on our blogs.

I love getting to showcase your amazing talent in this little spot on the internet but even more, I love getting to connect with you and find out more about how you designed your homes. Because we feature so many of the spaces, we only show a glimpse of the design so we encourage you to click the blog links and see the rest of the projects. Remember, your spaces will also be featured over on Jade and Oak now as she is a co-host of Design in your Home.

I am gonna let you in on a little secret. If you have linked up your home/room or plan too I have another place that you can submit it. There is an awesome website called Blogger Homes that gives you your own page and blurb for each room that you submit if you are chosen! 

* We would love your feedback to make this link-up even better! What would you like to see in future months??*

If you have been featured this month or a previous month, please grab a button:

Did you miss one of the previous features?? You can find those posts here:

March Features
April Features
May Features
June Features

July and August Features

Samantha's Top 3 Picks

Erin from Cali-Land Chic

Kelly from Olive Lane

Gemma from The Sweetest Digs

Jackie's Top 3 Picks

Haeley from Design Improvised

Kathysue from Good Life of Design

Darby from Life with the Hawleys

**If you were not featured this month, we HIGHLY encourage you to link up again because it is so tough picking our favorites.**

NOW JOIN IN on the September link-up...

Rules:
1) Please follow your host (Designer in Teal) and co-host (Jade and Oak) via Bloglovin or GFC.
2) Please only link up your own work. You can show off a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, etc. You get the idea. Exteriors/patios are also welcome!
3) Have FUN!

I would love for you to share on facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram!! Spread the word.

If you do not have a blog but still want to show off your work, you can email me the pictures! samantha.n.shipley@gmail.com

Design in Your Home 6

Details

*I have been working on some blog updates and I want to share them with you. I have a new and improved ABOUT ME page. If you want one like it, let me know and I am sure we can work something out! ALSO, I added a button on my left sidebar for my DESIGN SERVICES. You can now purchase mood boards directly through the Paypal button The page also gives a break down of what's included in the price and includes many examples of previous boards.*

I shared this post a while back as a guest post over on Jackie's blog but I just loved it too much not to share it on my own space. And I also wanted it to be a REMINDER that the design in your home link-up is still open. We extended it for another month so be sure to add your room or house tour and it could be featured right here!!

Rules:
1) Please follow your host (Designer in Teal) and co-host (Jade and Oak) via Bloglovin.
2) Please only link up your own work. You can show off a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, etc. You get the idea. Exteriors/patios are also welcome!
3) Have FUN!

When designing a space there are a lot of layers to making it feel like home. So I want to share a few ways with you on how to finish your space. 

Some areas to focus on in your living room/den are bookshelves and coffee/end tables. Yes they are supposed to be functional but they can also be pretty stylish. 

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Another area to quickly spruce up is your kitchen. You don't want to go adding a bunch of useless things that clutter up your counter space but thats what shelves are for! Or if you are going to put something on the counter, make it something pretty and functional like vintage canisters.

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And finally one of the most overlooked places: the entryway! A mirror can help make a narrow hallway feel larger and its always nice to have a console to drop your keys on.

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So, are you ready to go and make your house a home? I hope you have enjoyed my detail inspiration :) Thanks for having me, Jackie!

XO Samantha

Tangerine Hues {Design Collaboration}

I'm back!! It's been a while but I have missed you all! Hope you enjoy this "minty" post and come back later to celebrate my blogiversary!!

Its time for the July Mood board collaboration!!
 Details:
Every month we will rotate choosing a color inspiration photo and all create a board based on it. It can be interior design, graphic design, fashion, etc. We will each post the boards on our blogs on the same day. Hopefully you will enjoy these inspiration filled posts. I know I am interested to see everyone's different styles and interpretations. You can click on the links to their blogs to see a full list of resources!

This month I got to choose our color palette! Mint and Orange look amazing together and I love the added touch of yellow in this inspiration photo. Mint is a VERY popular color right now especially in kitchens. My kitchen has teal and yellow accents and I love how sunny it is. I decided to create a board for a casual dining space with some kitchen accessories. Since so many kitchens are open concept now or have an eat-in area they should feel like one cohesive space.

This has definitely become my favorite design board. It is going to be filed away for my dream home!! 

Resources

Bar Stools: Target

Dining Table: World Market

Mint Canisters: World Market

Rug: Urban Outfitters

Drapes: Target

Pendant: Urban Outfitters

Colander: Target

Drinkware: Etsy

Rolling Pin: Anthropologie

Linen Napkins: Crate and Barrel

{Carissa from Carissa Miss} for me this picture just sang kitchen! {maybe it's because i have mint and yellow in mine} I just had to share some of my latest loves for kitchen accessories. i'm hoping to actually get some art up on the walls in my house, so if it is a little art-heavy that's why! after the kids' rooms are done then i'm planning on finishing the art in our entry-way makeover, and then FINALLY i can get to decorating the rest of the kitchen. come visit carissamiss.com to see sources!

{Amy from The Blissful Bee}

There is no better match than mint and orange! I had so much fun designing my pretend living room that it seriously made me want to add these colors into my own living space.

{Lizzie from Living Pretty}

I totally indulged myself with this challenge and made myself an office space. I don't have room for a real office in my house, but if I did it might look something like this - eclectic, fun and girly. Visit me at livingprettyblog.com for sources.

{Sarah from This Sarah Loves}

These colors inspired me to create a restful guest room mood board. I love the idea of mismatched nightstands - updating an old curvy dresser in fresh mint for one side and a more masculine grey desk for the other side. I would use lots of white to keep things fresh & raw wood to bring nature in. Add in some fun colorful art & a whimsical bronze rhino for a guest room that doesn't take itself too seriously. Stop by my blog http://thissarahloves.wordpress.com/ for sources.

Linking up with:

Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins

Face It Catalog

Tell Us Tuesday

Design in your Home: June Features and July Link-up

Its time again to feature some wonderful bloggers and their homes. This month there were 18  linked up. You guys blow me out of the water every time with your talent. I am so excited that this little idea of mine has allowed me to share your amazing homes with my readers. And remember, Jackie from Jade and Oak is now a host so she is sharing them too!! 

I'm changing the format a little bit, so let me know what you think. Since the Design in your Home link party is starting to grow, we will feature Jackie's top 3 and my top 3. If you linked-up in June and were not featured, PLEASE come back and link up again in for July!! You could very well be featured in the next round-up!!

If you have been featured this month or a previous month, please grab a button:

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Did you miss one of the previous features?? You can find those posts here:
March Features
April Features
May Features

Samantha's Top Three

Julia from Cuckoo for Design

Ashley from Bigger than the Three of Us

Jess from Home with Baxter

Jackie's Top Three

Kimberly from Swoonworthy

Mikaela from Mikaela Rae

Kristen from Just a Girl and her Little Dog

NOW JOIN IN on the July link-up...

Rules:
1) Please follow your host (Designer in Teal) and co-host (Jade and Oak) via Bloglovin.
2) Please only link up your own work. You can show off a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, etc. You get the idea. Exteriors/patios are also welcome!
3) Have FUN!

I would love for you to share on facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram!! Spread the word.

If you do not have a blog but still want to show off your work, you can email me the pictures! samantha.n.shipley@gmail.com

Design in Your Home 5