I have a few people in my life right now who are on the house hunt, which got me thinking about when we bought our current home two years ago. At the time, our youngest child was getting married, and we were drastically downsizing to start our life as empty nesters. We had been trying to sell our home at the time in a market that was dead for anything that was above the average price range, and all of the sudden we received two offers in one week, when our house wasn’t even on the market and we were planning a wedding! We had to move fast. I believe we all have our deal breakers of what makes the house right for us, like […]
Bungalow 47 Featured in Romantic Homes Magazine
Have you received your issue of Romantic Homes magazine yet this month? If so, check out the feature on “The Romantics” on page 60, featuring designers from around the country sharing a bit of their vision of romantic style. We are honored that Engaged Media chose Chantelle and I to be a part of this feature. Here is what it looks like. Engaged Media also publishes Flea Market Decor, Cottages and Bungalows, along with several special interest magazines. I love the American Farmhouse and Modern titles frequently published as well. A few years back, we produced and photographed another amazing Michigan cottage on the west side of the state that was featured earlier last spring in the February/March 2016 issue of Cottages and Bungalows in […]
A Bungalow 47 Style Christmas
At Bungalow 47, our style started out as a mix of Chantelle and I and what we loved. We each had a distinct style, different from each other, but there was always a common ground where we crossed over and loved the same stuff. Of course that always includes vintage! At Christmas time, it’s always fun to see how everyone brings their style to Christmas decor, so we thought we’d share a little peek into ours. Chantelle has a thing for kitschy vintage Santas and decor, including large plastic ones! This little corner shows her Christmas style perfectly. And of course you’ve got to have painted vintage furniture! A view of her pretty dining room, featuring vintage beadboard and salvage. She’s all about the plastic […]
Weekly Instagram Inspiration #9
This week I have been seeing so many posts featuring Jackie Kennedy Onassis due to the movie being released about her. When I saw this one, it touched me. Here she was not a First Lady, a style icon, or the wife of a billionaire tycoon. She was just a mother, with her precious children, enjoying the life that was lived in their home at Christmas. I love this. Speaking of Washington DC, this room (presumably at the new Trump Hotel) is so gorgeous I can’t even handle it! This regal blue, touches of gold, and just the right whites makes this a space I could live in. I love baskets, I actually have a few of these shown, but I really need that Jeep […]
A Little Christmas Decor
This year for Christmas, I decided to keep it simple since we would be leaving before the holiday to spend it with our married children. New this year, I added a tiny vintage car collection, but otherwise I’ve kept everything a bit traditional. There were years I had 3 or 4 big trees set up in the house, but those have found their way to our children’s homes. I kept this weird skinny tree for our empty nester house as it is the perfect size for our smaller place. It seems happy amongst the peely chippy salvage goodness. Even the bust of David got a little holiday cheer this year. We have a strong tradition of Christmas stockings filled with mystery gifts we make a […]
Weekly Instagram Inspiration #8
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, no matter where you are. But what stopped me at this picture was this truck! What I wouldn’t give for a vintage truck?!!! The Beekman Boys have built a wonderful life and business in this grand old 1802 house! Such winter beauty already! Vintage ornaments are the best! I love the ombre effect of this collection. I’ve been dreaming of a red barn my whole life. What things are speaking “Christmas” to you this week?
Decoupage Using Bungalow 47™ Matte Finish
Are you in the mode of trying to make crafting for the holidays fun and easy? We are too! This week we made a cute Christmas wreath from wood scraps, painted it using our American-made Bungalow 47™ Furniture Paint (in some funky colors for Christmas) and added an easy decoupage technique using our Matte Finish. Here’s what we did: Once we chose our fun non-traditional Christmas colors for painting the wood, we gathered up Matte Finish, a sanding block, brush, and some scrapbook paper in text weight. Stay away from any paper that is too heavy and thick, like cardstock. Decoupage works easier when your paper is easily pliable. Start by applying a generous coat of Matte Finish on the surface that you will be […]
Weekly Instagram Inspiration #7
Thanksgiving is over, I’ve lost the few pounds I’ve gained, and I’m ready to be inspired. This photo grabbed me, as I love a good reupholstery project! Now if only I can find a settee like this, WOW! Oh Karl, this is soooo true! But in the world of reality that most of us live in, we’re living on a budget. But he’s right, you gotta know when to splurge! This oven would have been the most amazing thing this past week. This is indeed a dream stove! Oh how I love this! And you can totally get the look of this dresser using our amazing chalk and clay paint in Junk Gypsy Paint’s Gypsy Prom! Which one was your favorite this week?
Thanksgiving Traditions and Memories
Thanksgiving is here and since we’re all bloated from eating too much, we thought we’d share some memories and traditions that Chantelle and I each have with our families. Chantelle is lucky enough to have her whole family all living in the same county. This includes her kids, along with her parents, and siblings and their families. If the weather is nice for Thanksgiving in Michigan (and this is a crap shoot for any given year) they pull out the Road Kill Grill, and the airstream, and set up a party in her parents backyard. d If the kids are feeling picky, and aren’t in the mood for turkey, then hot dogs can easily be grilled up! It never matters what they are eating, they […]
An Old Cabinet Gets a Makeover
Two years ago we sold our house and downsized being that we are empty nesters. We purchased a house that was built in 1956 from the original owners and in need of a lot of love. We spent 12 months doing a major renovation, including a continual shift to try to fit all of our stuff efficiently (and stylishly) in the house. You know you have been renovating awhile when the contractor basically becomes part of your family! Anyway, I was in need of finding the perfect storage cabinet for the dining room, which already had a hutch and sideboard that didn’t offer much storage, so I needed something to house my milk glass collection. The search was on. As luck would have it, Chantelle […]
Weekly Instagram Inspiration #6
Rustica Hardware has a shop in Provo, Utah where my daughter currently lives. It’s the type of place you see while driving, then quickly slam on your brakes because you know you have to go, right now! They are incredible artists and have some really cool stuff in their showroom (hmmm, maybe I’ll write a post about my visit) but their Instagram feed always makes me happy. Whoever owns this barn, my hats off to you! This is modern farmhouse perfection. I’m basically a Rachel Ashwell groupie and just want to take a nap on this couch right now. Yes to that wallpaper. Yes to that couch. Yes to everything, wild perfection! Because Bunny knows all. That’s it. What are you obsessing over this week?
Adorable Gingham Tray Using Bungalow 47™ Furniture Paint
Remember our board we began with last week, when we made our wood chargers? This week, this simple board was made into an adorable gingham tray with the help of Bungalow 47™ Furniture Paint! Here’s how we did it! First, let’s gather our supplies: our cut board Bungalow 47™ Furniture Paint in two colors (Farmhouse Sink and Nautical Stripe) painter’s tape measuring tape pencil two metal handles (ours are by Martha Stewart at Home Depot) paper towels This project began by base-coating both sides of the board with our bright white, Bungalow 47™ Furniture Paint’s Farmhouse Sink. We get excited when we are doing projects (as I’m sure you do, too), but make sure you allow your paint to dry thoroughly before this next step […]
At Bungalow 47, we are passionate about personal style and making creative spaces. We love to inspire our clients to make their homes reflect who they really are. That's why we created a paint line, to give furniture and other items new life and a new look. Our high-quality chalk and clay paint is easy to use, dries quickly, and comes in tried and true shades and on-trend colors that can bring that "wow factor" to any room. Follow us as we design, inspire and paint using our zero VOC, solvent-free, and American-made furniture paint.