First things first! So excited to announce the winner of the KitchenAid giveaway! It goes to: Susan S. from Carmel, IN! So happy for you Susan! HUGE congratulations. Grove will be in touch and sending you your new KitchenAid soon!
Too much fun. I just had an Oprah moment.. “YOU get a car and YOU get a car!” Maybe I need to do giveaways more often. ;) Sorry for the delay announcing the winner everyone! I’ve been trying to get this post out for two days but my kids have had other plans for me. Ahhh summer. Such an exhausting exhilarating time of year.
Ok! Moving on.
I’m excited to share a little bit of decorating with you today! At the end of our hallway from the mudroom to our main living areas, there is a wall next to the dutch door that leads into my office. (That was confusing.. still with me?) It’s what we look at every day when we walk in the house from the garage. I knew I wanted a fun industrial/wooden shelf in this space (for some reason that was what I’ve always pictured there!). So I spent some time shopping on-line and fell in love with this Emerson bookshelf from World Market. Love that shelf and it’s on sale for such a great price. BUT. (Hate it when there’s a but!) It was too big for my space. Because of my dutch door I needed something with thinner shelves that wouldn’t stick out so far. I hunted down every single industrial style shelf I could find and had almost given up, until I came across this shelf from Ballards. (They don’t sell it anymore.) It fit! I ordered it and it came and I was SO happy.
And then it sat empty for about 6 months.
Well. Not totally empty. It was a great catch all for El’s dance shoes.. and Ad’s books.. and Kole’s transformers.. and my planners and loose papers.
Then one day I woke up and decided I couldn’t handle the catch all anymore and it was time to decorate the not so new shelf. I went shopping in my house and then shopping in a few favorite stores and two days later it looked like this…
I have to say.. I’m in love. It’s full of favorite things that have meaning to me.
The best part is that every day we walk in and are greeted by this “choose happy” sign. A great daily reminder from my cute friend Caroline at Vine and Branches. I own several of her signs and love them all! The arrow bookends I bought awhile ago on a fun shopping trip with my sister-in-law and the books are from my mom’s vintage book collection that I “borrowed” and she’ll probably never see again. (Love you mom.)
I fell hard for these blue/green waterscape vases and originally bought them for my bedroom, but when I tried them out on this shelf I knew they were home! The bowl next to them was a Home Goods find (similar here) and I just filled it with some cut sea glass for summer.
Remember my shopping trip with my dad? Of course after that little adventure I had to order my marble striped serving board! It was already love at first sight and now with our funny story behind it I think about my dad and smile every time I see it. :) I told him not to be surprised if his very own marble striped serving board shows up on his doorstep one day.
I know he’s holding his breath. (Love you dad.)
The wooden serving board behind it was also from that same shopping trip with my dad (it’s a Nordstroms Anniversary sale item and marked down for a steal right now!). In front of my boards I placed some vintage wooden rolling pins. I started collecting them about a year ago because they remind me of my grandma Ellen who died when I was in Highschool. Ellie is named after her. :) We were close and she was an amazing cook and since I’m not doing a very good job of channeling her cooking skills and passing them on to future generations, I thought I’d make up for it by collecting antique rolling pins that look like the ones she always used to use.
And because it’s a lot more fun for me to collect and display the rolling pins than it is to actually use them. (Love you grandma.)
The bottom of the shelf is holding one of my many clear Barcelona vases (I adore them!), a favorite throw and baskets I’ve had for years from Pottery Barn.
So nice to have this little corner of my house decorated!
Our doorways are so tall so I think I’ll put something on top of the shelf when I figure out what will work. Oh.. and if you’re wondering what that white thing is on the wall to the right above the shelf, it’s a motion sensor for our alarm system. They are all over our house and I was not impressed the day they were installed. Seriously!? Could they be any more obnoxious? They are messing with with my decor and blog pictures.
Not cool.
Plus the alarm is LOUD. I’ve set it off multiple times on accident and completely messed up the system and damaged our eardrums in the process. My husband is always thrilled when I do this. (Love you babe.)
So if you’ve been contemplating breaking into my house and stealing my “choose happy” sign.. (cause I know that’s the first thing you’d all take).. you might want to think again.
(Love you guys.)
;)
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Oh my goodness, Erin! What a fantastic array of items on display. So happy for you that you found such a good looking shelf unit. All the items on display are fabulous and I adore that they all evoke such wonderful memories for you. You have an amazing eye and instinct for what works, too. I know you say you do switcharoos all the time, which is smart, but this looks amazing as is. And thanks for sharing that white thing. I figured that’s what it was (or maybe speakers of some sort for whole house music playing). Too bad you couldn’t get them in gray! LOL Thanks so much for sharing. Well done! Hugs! :)
Thank you so much Jeanne! Your comment made my day. I’m so happy you like it! :) And I know! I asked about gray speakers but no luck! Enjoy your weekend cutie! xo
I love your humor – and the Choose Happy sign and shelf. Perfect fit!
Thank Amy! :) xo
Congrats to Susan on winning the KitchenAid Mixer!!! Erin, I LOVE the shelf. I love how you decorated it even more. The touching, sentimental story behind those items is so sweet. What a neat way to remember loved ones each and every day. So inspiring. Have a great Thursday…we are in for some REALLY hot and humid weather here in WI today. Heat index over 110 degrees.
Thank you so much Pamela! That is so sweet of you! Oh my word.. stay cool! Our weather isn’t quite that hot but very humid. It’s definitely summer time! Enjoy your weekend! In the air conditioning! :) xo
Choose Happy. What a great daily reminder, in this sometimes ugly world. I am so loving this new addition and how you decorated it. I have an entrance table made out of pallets and would love some advice…. Would you mind if I sent a picture? I love to change it out with the seasons and holidays but I need an every day look. Or here’s an idea, come visit me in Idaho! My husband grows this best potatoes 😉
Thank you Amy! I’m so happy you like it. :) Sure! Send it my way! I actually have something similar I’m going to be sharing on the blog soon. Maybe it will give you a few ideas too! And next time I’m in Idaho I’m calling. Potatoes (especially dutch oven!) are my favorite! xo
Okay first of all I have to say you are so funny! When I read your blog, I can hear you saying these words in person (though we’ve never met ;) Anyways, I just love your blog and adore reading every post!
I absolutely love this shelf and how you styled every inch of it! Seriously pure perfection :) I wish I could just grab some things and put it together so effortlessly. I would have so much fun shopping with you!
Loved this post and thanks for sharing your new update!
Hugs, Darcy
Darcy! What a sweet comment! You are so incredibly kind and you made my day! Thank you. It means so much to me that you enjoy my blog! We would have a blast shopping together for sure. :) Thanks cutie! Enjoy your weekend! xo
It looks so great and I love that you put things with special meaning on it!
I love live your ‘ choose happy’ sign..I need one lol
Thank you Heidi! I know.. isn’t that sign so cute!? Love it. :) Enjoy your weekend! xo
The shelf looks great! You have such an eye for decorating! Just a tip – paint the alarm sensor covers the same color as the wall. :)
I wanted to do that Karen! They wouldn’t let us. :( Said it would mess with the sensors or something. But great minds think alike. ;) Enjoy your weekend! xo
My house has one of those same obnoxious motion sensors too! Speaking of setting the alarm off, I did exactly that last night by opening the door to the garage :-) First time though. Love how you decorated this book shelf. I have that same Barcelona vase sitting on my dining room table. Glad to see that you bought that striped marble serving board. Too cute!
Oh too funny Shari! Our alarm has scared to me to death more times than I can count! Ha! I think after living in our house for over 2 years I’m finally figuring it out. ;) Thank you! Such a sweet comment. Enjoy your weekend! xo
I like this shelf Erin and I like the memories it holds! I would’ve never noticed the alarm system until you mentioned it lol
Well that’s good to know Aria! My eye goes to it immediately of course. ;) Thanks cutie! xo
Haha. I hope your sign remains safe. The shelf styling is perfect for your home.
Thanks Patrice! :) xo
I love the combination of items you selected for these shelves!! And I especially love that Choose Happy sign! So cute! :)
Thank you so much Kristen! I love that sign too. :) xo
Your shelf looks like it was perfectly meant for that space, looks so pretty! Love the striped board having a place of honor (loved those pics of you and your dad! ), and love the rolling pins reminding you of your Grandma.
Thanks so much Josie! Those sentimental items make me happy too. :) Enjoy your weekend cutie! Wish we could have you guys over for a BBQ. I’m dying to hold your sweet new little boy! xo
It is such a joy to read your blog! That marble striped cutting board is calling my name…better beef up security! lol
Ha ha.. :) Thank you so much Janet! Happy weekend! xo
I LOVE the way you styled these shelves, and I LOOOOOOOOOOVE those arrow bookends! Thanks for always sharing your lovely decorating skills with us!
Collecting the rolling pins is a great way to honor your grandmother. I love stories like that. :) And it doesn’t hurt that the pins are great decor pieces!
Thank you Amy! You are so sweet! I love that you love the shelves! And I agree.. the rolling pin are great for decor AND memories. My favorite. :) Thanks again for your kind comment! Made my day. :) xo
Love your style and your house. I saved this email for the shelf. I love it. I know you said Ballard doesn’t carry it any more but do you know what it was called? Thanks again for your blog brightening my email! I thoroughly enjoy reading it
Hi Shari! They have it back in! I just saw it on their site a few days ago. :) It’s called the Durham bookcase. Thank you for your sweet words about my blog! I’m so happy you enjoy it! :) xo