I’m Jamison Michel - I’m a wife in my mid-twenties who is into farmhouse style, cleaning like there is no tomorrow, finding positivity, and of course Christmas!

Clean Floors & Open Doors

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After the holiday season, it always feels so good to get the Christmas decorations put away and have a clear and decluttered home. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas and all of the decorations and festivities that come with it. But, I have the mindset of “go big or go home” when it comes to celebrating - so Christmas takes over my home in the best way possible. Now that it is January, it’s time to clear Christmas and start the new year with a clean slate. The one area of my home that feels so nice and fresh now is the kitchen. I changed up some of my go tos for a new look and feel:

The goal was to keep a very clean and semi-wintery look to the kitchen, and I am pleased with how it looks (for now!). 

Kitchen Refresh

It is finally starting to feel as if life is getting back to normal. The feeling of normalcy has urged me to get my act together and decorate my porch. My focus was to incorporate fall colors, pumpkins, and mums to create a welcoming environment.

I was happy to be able to repurpose a few items from the past while changing things up by adding items from Hobby Lobby and Walmart. I purchased my mums and pumpkins from Stuckmeyer’s pumpkin patch. Jared and I stumbled upon this pumpkin patch our first fall married and have gone back every year! They have the largest, most beautiful, and best priced mums I have found. It will continue as a fall tradition for years to come.

Pulling into my driveway and seeing my festive porch is such a highlight of each and everyday. Happy Decorating!

Fall Porch 2020

Over the summer, I tend to spend a lot of time at my parents’ house hanging out with my mom and siblings (if they are there). One of the many things that I like to do with my mom is to craft. I usually have a difficult time getting started. I feel like I exhaust all of the ideas on Pinterest, like a few things, and then cannot decide. But, one of the times that I was crafting with my mom, I made a welcome sign and I absolutely love it.

It is a super simple craft to make. I hope that you try to make it and enjoy a homemade welcome sign!

Welcome Sign

Whenever I see a blank wall, I always have the itch to fill it. I want to be able to properly fill the space without it being too crowded and overwhelming. Since this wall is across from my shiplap wall with gallery walls on it, I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. Deciding what to put on the wall was a bit challenging because I wanted to find something large enough without being too busy.

My parents gifted Jared and I with the large canvas sign with the wood border, and it ended up working out perfectly in this space. Once the sign was hung, I decided I needed something else to frame it. I found the galvanized wall containers and added floral stems into them. Upon choosing the stems, I wanted to make sure that there was greenery and neutral colored flowers that would flow with any of the furniture and decorations.

After getting everything hung up and arranged, it was the perfect icing on the cake to tie the wall in with the rest of the room.

Wall Decor

When I think about spending time outside with my family, many of those memories involve sitting around a fire, chatting, and on more than one occasion, singing like fools. These memories never cease to put a smile on my face, and I will cherish them forever. Naturally, I want to be able to create these memories at my own home and some day with my own children. In order to do that, I need to figure out what I would like in my backyard. I have rounded up some of my favorite fire pit inspiration images on Pinterest on my ‘Backyard Fire pit’ page. Here are a few of my favorites:

I love the adirondack chairs in all of these pictures around the fire pits. I think that they give such a welcoming and homey feeling, not to mention the obvious of providing seating. The overhead lighting is such a simple touch that brightens the area in the dark making it feel even cozier. I cannot help but feel a sense of calming when looking at these pictures.

Both of these fire pits are very unique which made me love them. I love seeing twists on a traditional idea. In the top picture, I am dying to sit in one of the hanging chairs by the fire pit. That feature was enough to draw me. In the second picture, I think that building the fire pit area into the ground is honestly amazing. The fact that the fire pit is below ground level, has an abundance of pillows on the large bench, and lanterns around the sitting area makes me want to design my own fire pit similar to this!

These last pictures are inspiring because of the benches surrounding the firepits. Although the pit has more of a modern feel to it, the design of the benches still makes it feel cozy - just like any firepit should. So many people could sit around both of these firepits to create memories. The opportunities are endless.

Let me know which inspiration photo is your favorite!

Backyard Fire Pit Inspiration

Backyard Firepit Inspiration

I know that I cannot be the only one who has lost something in the depths of their pantry. I look and look, but whatever I am looking for is nowhere to be found. But right on schedule, after I buy the missing item at the store...the missing item appears, and there are usually multiples of the item. Of course. 

I decided to put my free time to good use and organize my pantry. I already had some containers from Walmart and Sam’s, but it clearly wasn’t cutting it. I took everything, yes everything, out of my pantry. I tossed expired and/or stale items, made a grocery list, and ordered extra containers that would work in my space.

I had already organized my ‘baking’ section with items that I had gotten from Walmart. I used a variety of sizes depending on the baking ingredient. The specific items I used are 

. I used my Cricut to cut out the labels - transfer paper is KEY.

Below the baking shelf is where the majority of our breakfast items are kept. I used 

 containers from Sam's Club to organize the boxes and bags of cereal that were taking over our shelves. Again, I used my magical Cricut to cut out the labels and transfer them to the containers.

 are from Walmart, and they hold a ton of stuff. The 

 one is also from Walmart and is a great size. The black 

 are from the Container Store. I love the grains and snacks (next shelf down) 

 because they are huge, clear, and have a divider. This divider makes it easier to organize items in the large container space. My goal was to eliminate clunky boxes and oversized bags to maximize the space. Also, labeling the containers and baskets will make it easy to see what we are running low on, and will hopefully prevent over buying on items that we do not need.

I used the cereal containers for snack items. These work great because they typically can fit multiple bags of a single item, so we are not running out as quickly or taking up as much space. I am currently using 

 from Bed, Bath and Beyond to store pasta, m&ms, and nuts. 

 houses all of the random sauces or bottles that would have previously been shoved in a corner of the pantry. The lip on the edge of the surface is great because it keeps all of the items in place when turning it.

Jared’s favorite part of the pantry is what he likes to call 'stadium seating' for the cans. I mean it sounds ridiculous, but this storage item is essentially that. The cans are on

 that allows for easy viewing access of all canned food.

Overall, the new organization tools have helped tremendously to keep the pantry looking ‘Pinterest worthy’. Most importantly, it has helped keep Jared and I organized with all of the cooking from home these days.

I would love to see any pantry organization that you decided to take on. Even if it is just one shelf. Little progress is still progress.

Pantry Organization

Not every home has a fireplace, let alone a mantel. But, when you have one, it can be so much fun to decorate. Of course, I love to decorate it at Christmas with ornaments, trees, small signs, and more, but finding pieces that have a permanent spot on my mantel is something I am still working on. As always, I turn towards Pinterest to find some direction. If you want to see more mantel ideas, head to my ‘Mantel Inspiration’ page on Pinterest. Below are my top 5 mantel inspiration pictures:

The thing that I love most about this picture is the greenery. Adding greenery seems like a pretty simple thing to do, but it can really draw your attention to the mantel. The different shades of green and white make the greenery even more impactful.

If I did not have a tv over my mantel I would for sure have some sort of mirror. The reflection from the mirror creates a focal point and can open up the room. I really do love many qualities of this inspiration picture. The asymmetrical balance on either side of the mirror is very pleasing. It allows for balance on the mantel without being too similar. The second thing that makes this picture wonderful is the layering of the pieces on the mantel. I love the way that the pictures overlap each other and overlap with the frame. The stems in the large flower pot also pass in front of the mirror creating the same effect. 

This wood mantel is amazing. It gives the room a cozy and rustic feel. If I can figure out a way to transform my mantel into this...I will! I think that the mix of the wood mantel and the black metal wall lights are a great mixture of textures and color. Incorporating lights on both sides of the mantel not only looks good, but provides extra light.

The dark blue/grey shiplap background above the mantel is what made me love this picture, but after I was through admiring the shiplap, I noticed the wooden flower box. The combination of the green from the plants and the blue grey color from the shiplap has an extremely calming effect. The wood accent from the box pulls it all together.

I have yet to meet a person that does not like a pair of good barn doors. Having something to cover up your tv when it isn’t in use is a great idea, not to mention that it nicely frames the tv when it’s open.

For more mantel inspiration check out my Pinterest board: 'Mantel Inspiration'.

Mantel Inspiration

Since I was so in love with my shiplap wall in my stairwell, I decided that I needed to create another shiplap wall in my house. Deciding which wall to shiplap was the next step, and I chose the wall that is the longest on my main floor and it will be seen immediately when walking in the front door. I wanted the wall to have the same farmhouse feel, but I also wanted to have this wall be a bit different. I played around with staining the wood, painting it a light blue or grey color, but eventually I decided to keep the white color. I alternatively changed the way the wood ran. Instead of having the boards run horizontally I had them run vertically and framed them with a horizontal piece at the top and bottom of the wall. I followed the same steps as the stairwell shiplap wall:

After the wall was painted and dried, I decided to start my hunt for the perfect additions to the gallery walls. It was a long project, but it completely changed the space and made it feel more like home. For more details on the gallery walls check out that post!

Shiplap Wall

Is there anything more classic farmhouse than a shiplap wall? I do not think so! I decided that having a shiplap wall was a necessity in my new house, even despite the hesitation from my husband, Jared. Little did he know, I would pick the most difficult wall in our home. The stairwell. And yes, it is 13 feet tall. When arriving at Home Depot, I decided to check out the pre-made shiplap wall wood and kits. I thought “let’s make it easy.” Once I saw the price, I quickly changed my tune. Inspired by my mom, Jared and I collected a couple sheets of plywood and got to work. Here’s what we did:

When we were finished, I was so pleased with how the wall came out! I was even more excited to pick out what to add to the wall for a gallery look. I went to Hobby Lobby with my fingers crossed that their wall signs and decor would be on sale. I scored everything that day for 50% off. Could it be any better? Nope - I hit the jackpot! Of course, I did not think I had quite enough, so I went to Michaels for a little more decor. In the end, I created the gallery wall out of items I already owned, personal pictures, and decor from Hobby Lobby and Michaels. Before attacking the wall blindly, I spaced out my items on the floor to see how I liked all of my pieces together. After multiple attempts, I came up with a look I loved. Taking the trips up and down my steps are more bearable when I get to look at my beautiful wall. You be the judge - what do you think? Let me know if you try it!

Shiplap Wall (Stairwell)

Shiplap Wall Stairwell

Your kitchen or dining table can be used as the focal point of any kitchen or room. Deciding what to put as the centerpiece is such a challenge. I tend to get tired of what is on my table since I look at it for a good amount of time each day. I wanted to have a cohesive, fresh, and bright look for the summer months.

Once I committed to a design, I began to order the supplies I needed to make the color popping centerpiece(s). I ordered large (fake) oranges from Hobby Lobby, greenery stems and large, clear, cylinder vases from Amazon, mini (fake) oranges and flowers from Michaels. The mini oranges were a secondary purchase after realizing the large oranges left a good amount of dead space in the vases. I was ideally thinking of arranging blue hydrangeas in the vases and maybe mix in the blue peonies, but after seeing the color of the fake flowers, I loved the mixture of the blue peonies and the bright orange color of the fruit. Now you might be thinking, fresh flowers would look better, and I would agree. However, fake flowers look good forever and it is way less to maintain.

I started with the idea that I wanted three vases on my table, but one of the vases came shattered in the Amazon box...not cool! But, the customer service was wonderful, and come to find out, I only needed (or wanted) two vases to complete the look that I wanted. I am so pleased with the end product. I believe that it adds the perfect pop of color and summer vibes to my kitchen!

Kitchen Centerpiece - Oranges and Flowers

Kitchen Centerpiece 

One of my favorite small spaces in my home is the little landing nook at the top of my stairs. I almost turned this area into an upstairs washer and dryer when we were building the home, but I am so glad that Jared and I changed our mind. First of all, I would have lost this upstairs space, and secondly, the laundry space, although upstairs, would have been a fraction of the size that we have on the main floor.

This space stood empty until I was gifted with this rustic wooden and metal counsel-type table from Kirklands. I ADORE Kirklands. Follow them on Instagram for all of the inspiration. I do not adore the prices of Kirklands however. I only buy items on sale, and when I get there on sale day, I am over the moon! Anywho...this table started the process of creating a cozy space. I was able to put together all of the decorations based on items that I had accumulated or had around my house. On the lower level of the table, I used my red Hunter rain boots for decoration. I figured that they would get more use on the table as decoration than in my closet waiting for the next rain. I bought the metal basket from Walmart. It was a cheaper alternative to achieve the same look that I wanted. If you know me, you know I love a good bargain. The pillow in the basket is from Kirklands (on sale of course) and the blanket was a wedding or bridal shower gift from Target. I actually have two of that same blanket because I love the look of it - neutral with small pops of color. The cotton stems are from Hobby Lobby. I use the cotton stems all over my house. It gives the perfect rustic and farmhouse feel, while providing a fresh, neutral color for the space.

On the top of the table, I have a galvanized pitcher and flowers from Michaels. I typically like the fake flower and stem selection at Hobby Lobby better, but every now and then, Michaels has a sale and I can score some floral items for cheap. Michaels also provided me with the three little vase set. Again, I did get the cotton stems from Hobby Lobby. The galvanized caddie in the center is from the Magnolia section at Target - just my style! The icing on the cake is the large canvas sign above the table. I love the saying and the style fits in perfectly. I believe that it pulls the space together.

The chair is a custom piece. It is the only piece of custom furniture in my household. It is also a hand-me-down. My mom designed it years ago, she has since updated her home and I am lucky enough to not have to buy a chair, yet. The floor lamp is from Home Depot. I am still in shock over the amount of affordable home decor that Home Depot has to offer. If you are looking for any type of decor, check out Home Depot - I am confident you won't regret it. The fur blanket was a gift from my aunt, and the pillow was another Kirklands find. 

After all these pieces came together, the landing nook was done! I am very pleased with how the space came out. Having the cozy spot is wonderful for working from home and spending time relaxing, not to mention, it makes me smile when I reach the top of the stairs.

Landing Nook

The first impression of your home is how it appears from the outside: your curb appeal. For plenty of homes this is the porch. The outward appearance of your home can be used to create the feel of your home and showcase your style.

Currently, I am loving buffalo plaid, bright colors, and of course a farmhouse vibe for porch inspiration this summer. I have gathered some of my favorite pictures from Pinterest as I am working on creating the perfect porch this summer.

What I love about this picture is the canvas with the house number written in words. This trend is one that I have recently stumbled upon. I have found multiple people on Etsy that can create these for your porch.

My eyes are immediately drawn to the buffalo plaid. I am obsessed. I think that it is a great staple that has the farmhouse feel. The cotton stems give it the perfect touch of southern. I truly want to sit and stay in these chairs on the porch for a good while.

How fun are these chairs? I absolutely think these would be perfect to curl up in and watch the sunrise or sunset. I wish my porch was large enough to house these chairs. I think the raw wood look with the blue and white accents are beautiful.

This picture is giving me all of the greenery and floral inspo. My favorite flowers are hydrangeas or peonies. I even had hydrangeas in off of my wedding bouquets and decor - I think they are gorgeous. The greenery and flowers here give the entry such a pleasant and homey feeling.

The symmetry of this porch is so pleasing on the eyes. I love the black door. I have been really enjoying the decorations and styles with black doors. There is plenty to love in this picture. The welcome on the door is very cute. I also love the simplicity of the greenery. It adds something to the decor without taking away from the small details on the door and in the lanterns. You cannot go wrong with lanterns on a porch. Lanterns are a classic farmhouse style.

Another black door that is BEAUTIFUL. My current (imaginary) dream house has a wrap around porch with a black door. There is alot to love in this inspiration picture. Although it is not easy to see, the welcome mat with the buffalo plaid mat underneath is a great addition. It ties in beautifully with the other black accents in the decor. The greenery and white flowers provide the perfect pop of color and brightness.

Although I wish these porches were my own, I cannot take credit. Stay tuned for my front porch reveal once I gather all of my decor inspired by these pictures.

To see more front porch inspiration like this, check out my ‘Southern Porch Living’ Board on Pinterest.

Front Porch Inspiration

Cake plates are not only good for cake, but they are good for decorating too! I have a Nora Fleming cake plate, and I am obsessed. Since I am not the biggest baker, I knew I needed to find a way to display my cake plate more often. Even if you are a baker, you can use your cake plate as a simple decoration on your counter top when it is not being used to serve your delicious baked goods. The benefit of the Nora Flemming cake plate is that the peg can change based on the season or holiday. On the plate, I currently have a lamb because it is spring and I think it’s the cutest! I have not had the heart to change it since Easter. I added a wood frame with a picture of Jared and myself for a personal touch in our kitchen. My last addition was a candle. This candle has a farmhouse look to the container and it smells amazing! If you have extra space on your countertop, want to add a personal touch to your kitchen, or think your cake plate needs more love, then use these tips!

Cake Plate

Gallery walls can turn any empty space into a focus of the room. Depending on the type of items added to the wall, you can even change pieces of the gallery wall depending on the season or with any new finds. I am a Christmas-time lover, so I like to switch out some of the items with Christmas decor in the winter. Plus, every time I walk into Hobby Lobby, I walk out with at least one new item to add to my home. Jared thinks I have a problem! I have shiplapped two walls in my home, and decided to create a gallery wall look on both of the walls. If you are interested in the shiplap wall posts, go back and check those out.

My first shiplap wall is in my stairwell. By nature of the space, the wall is less than 6 feet wide, but is 13 feet tall. This gallery wall looks a bit different than it might on a traditional wall. I wanted to make sure that the items were hung at a natural length above the ground, and also reached high up the wall without being hidden behind the chandelier. All of the new items were found from Michaels and Hobby Lobby - my favorites! A few of the items were gifts or reused decorations from my wedding. I tried to keep everything bright with wood accents. I wanted everything to be fairly thematic. I wanted to also include a few personal touches with the four black frames. Before attaching the decorations and pictures to the wall, spaced things out on the floor to see which items fit together.

The second shiplap wall is opposite of the stairwell based on its side - it is extremely wide. On this long shiplapped wall, I have two smaller gallery walls on the sides of the tv counsel. Again, I bought new items from Michaels and Hobby Lobby, and I used items that I had from my wedding. I did additionally buy items from other places as well. The ‘I love you more’ shadow box is from Stein Mart, the white hanging vase from Joann Fabrics, and the small blue and wooden signs are from the dollar bins at Target. This wall was pieced together as I accumulated items, so did take things off the wall and rearrange. I wanted to make sure that the items purchased were items that I would be content with looking at everyday for a long time. Yes, there was some second guessing and returns.

With any gallery wall my goal is to make it look uniform. Attacking this large space was extremely daunting. To get started, I created a square ‘outline’ and kept all of the pieces within that outline. Without this, I knew that the wall would look thrown together. It was important to me that the signs were uniformed and aesthetically pleasing together, and also had sayings that I loved or thought was a fun addition. Tackling a gallery wall is incredibly fun (in my opinion) and changes the look of your entire space!

Home Decor

Articles

January 13, 2021

Kitchen Refresh

October 3, 2020

Fall Porch 2020

August 9, 2020

Welcome Sign

August 5, 2020

Wall Decor

July 7, 2020

Backyard Fire Pit Inspiration

July 3, 2020

Pantry Organization

June 30, 2020

Mantel Inspiration

June 26, 2020

Shiplap Wall

June 24, 2020

Shiplap Wall (Stairwell)

June 19, 2020

Kitchen Centerpiece - Oranges and Flowers

June 17, 2020

Landing Nook

June 16, 2020

Front Porch Inspiration

June 5, 2020

Cake Plate

May 29, 2020

Gallery Walls

jamisonkmichel

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