Meditation Room Makeover

Happy Winter Solstice!

Thyme & Mint Meditation Room Makeover

Oh you guys, I enjoy hosting at our short term rental, Suite Thyme, here in my small hometown so much! It’s such a joy to make someone’s visit to Butler a memorable experience and to share what I love about where I grew up. The apartment is tiny but big on character and guests love the trendy luxury design and comfortable atmosphere. I really love pampering guests and making them feel so welcomed and special, much as a guest in our own home. I enjoy developing friendships with many of our guests – even if we’ve never met face to face. Although sometimes I’m available for a quick meet and greet, especially if they’ve added services to to their stay. More on that below.

Butler Suite Thyme airbnb

 

The apartment is located upstairs. There is a wellness studio on the main floor for my office and a place where we hold essential oil classes. We also collaborate with several small business owners and wellness practitioners to offer a “create your own personal wellness retreat” with a la carte menu services in a self care package we refer to as “Thyme & Mint”. Services include yoga from Ambur Waves (Yoga.Movement.Sound), Evangeline (reiki master) from The Lunar Fae Shop and Becca from The Wandering Bramble, Dorothy’s Herb Shop and Herbal Apothecary. We also offer essential oils education, Aroma Freedom and iTovi scans from Wellness Inspired Living. Guests can purchase herbal bath soaks, crystals and essential oils (packaged with their choice of intention collection) in advance and have them ready upon arrival.

The update:

 

 

As a member of Butler County Tourism, Suite Thyme recently had the opportunity to put together a proposal for a grant that would enhance Butler visitors’ experiences. I love a creative challenge! The room that is utilized for reiki, sound baths and guided meditation was a bit of a mish mash and in need of some TLC. I designed a medication room with purpose. I submitted by design and plan  and was awarded a small grant to make it happen!

meditation room mood board

Ready for some meditation room eye candy? Let’s go!

The space went from looking like a living room with a sofa and chairs with a small crystal retail area and shelves filled with essential oils and accessories (a DIY essential oil bar) to a tranquil space dedicated to reiki, sound baths, crystal healing, private yoga and meditation There’s even a cute spot at the window with a desk for journaling. Shelves are lined with crystals, plants and self care books. There’s a small library nook with comfy floor cushions, an area for yoga with a basket of yoga mats. I added a daybed for relaxation, a tv for meditation/yoga videos or relaxing music with a bluetooth speaker, a white noise machine with northern lights projector. There are crystal singing bowls for sound healing, a mini waterfall for blocking out small city traffic noise, black out blinds for closing out the busy street. It wasn’t part of the grant, but we invested in new windows for the property as well this year.

meditation room ruggable meditation space sun moon fireplacesound healing space diyshowoff meditation room meditation space meditation decorblack door and trim shungite sphereboho rattan daybed meditation spot room decorself care library meditation decor reiki room indoor water fall

Additional purpose and function of the space:

The apartment is small and at times a bride books the apartment for her special day. Things are tight to say the least as the space is a better fit for 2-4 people! Now, this extra room can be added on for an extra fee to act as overflow space and more square footage for bridal party prep. Or if a guest is staying with family but requires a quiet separate area for work, they have the option to add on a separate private ‘office’ and quiet workspace.

meditation decor

The room is now so magical and peaceful…an experience of a calming energy the minute you step through the doorway.

Butler PA Suite Thyme lodging airbnb

Suite Thyme

The second story of this updated 1880s home boasts a trendy newly renovated efficiency apartment loaded with charm. It’s located just steps from the main thoroughfare of downtown Butler’s best eateries, antique shops, breweries and more. Perfect for festival-goers and travelers looking to enjoy a small town vibe. 

This 2nd floor eclectic space located above a quiet by appointment only wellness studio is loaded with personality and beautiful style. Sleeping arrangements include 2 queen beds in the bedroom + a queen sleeper sofa in the living room for peaceful night’s rest and sweet dreams. There is a beautiful fully equipped modern kitchen area tucked into a combined living room/kitchen/dining area. Bathroom includes a clawfoot tub for soaking away tension. Plus, it’s just a short stroll to Butler’s historic Main Street district.

Traveling to the western PA area? Looking to book a self care getaway? I love showing off my hometown pride! Book Suite Thyme HERE. Now booking!

Wishing you a year filled with wellness, peace and happiness!

Gratitude:

A HUGE thank you to Butler County Tourism for the generous funds to create a special space as well as all they offer to promote Butler County and small business owners. So much appreciation for all you do! See more at VisitButlerCounty.com.

Butler County Tourism

A special thank you to my Mr. DIY for his assistance and support. Thank you to my dear friend Shelby for encouragement and brainstorming with this project. To contractor Troy Douthett for his help, thank you! Thank you to Evangeline at The Lunar Fae for her knowledge and input too! So much appreciation for all of the attention and assistance in making this magical transformation a reality! xo

LOVE wall art canvases tutorial

Since I happen to be addicted to browsing the aisles at Michaels fairly often, when I saw the beautiful rustic letters, I envisioned replacing the thrift store find of a gloomy stormy ocean painting above the fireplace (which I do love) to something a little more fun for spring. 

cute chippy rustic DIY LOVE letter wall art tutorial @diyshowoff

LOVE wall art

What I used:

  • rustic eclectic L-O-V-E letters
  • linen canvases with antiqued bronze nailhead trim
  • hot glue
  • adhesive velcro strips (for hanging)
  • FrogTape® for leveling/mapping out placement

cute chippy rustic DIY LOVE letter wall art tutorial @diyshowoff

What I did: Pretty simple! I attached the letters to the stretched linen canvases by applying a generous layer of hot glue to the back of each letter. It doesn’t get much easier than that for DIY!

cute chippy rustic DIY LOVE letter wall art tutorial @diyshowoff cute chippy rustic DIY LOVE letter wall art tutorial @diyshowoff

Hanging tips: I used my level and a pencil to make a light ‘cross’ (vertical/horizontal) line in the center of the area I wanted to display my canvases. Using FrogTape, I created an evenly spaced guide and secured my canvases to the wall using adhesive velcro. Then removed the tape. 

cute chippy rustic DIY LOVE letter wall art tutorial @diyshowoff

Perfect for Valentine’s day a few weeks ago, appropriate for all year long, any season! I love the fun chippy antique-looking letters with our rustic fireplace surround with just a touch of color to freshen up the neutral tones. 

cute chippy rustic DIY LOVE letter wall art tutorial @diyshowoff cute chippy rustic DIY LOVE letter wall art tutorial @diyshowoff

Like it? Pin it! (thank you!)

cute chippy rustic DIY LOVE letter wall art tutorial @diyshowoff

Spring Mantel Decorating

I don’t know about you but I’m so over winter and ready for spring, flowers, warmer weather and longer days. And to help welcome spring into our home, I set about decorating the mantel to spring ahead into the next much anticipated season – spring!

spring mantel @DIYShowOff

Looking for a big backdrop for seasonal decor? Simply wrap a large canvas with wrapping paper or fabric. Leave it as is, attach glittery garland or a pretty wreath and you’re good to go (and super easy to swap out for every season without having to store art work, not to mention lots of options for the perfect size and coordinating colors).

spring mantel @DIYShowOff

spring mantel @DIYShowOff

Gather up those ceramic bunnies from the thrift store and give them a coat of spray paint for your spring themed vignettes. 

spring mantel @DIYShowOff

spring mantel @DIYShowOff

 Display a nest full of faux eggs in a bird cage…

spring mantel @DIYShowOff

Add a cute little birdhouse…

spring mantel @DIYShowOff

A mix of twigs from the yard and faux branches in a vase add a touch of spring and balance…

spring mantel @DIYShowOff

The tulips and daffodils aren’t poking up through the ground yet, but a fresh bouquet of spring flowers indoors will chase away the winter blahs.

spring mantel @DIYShowOff

spring mantel @DIYShowOff

Are you ready for spring?

Spring Mantel Decorating Ideas

Check out more spring inspiration in the It’s a Spring Thing Blog Hop!

It's a Spring Thing

It’s a Spring Thing Blog Hoppers

 ~ Monday ~

Maryann from Domestically Speaking

Heather from Setting for Four

Kim from Sand & Sisal

Courtney from French Country Cottage

~ Tuesday ~

Jennifer from Town and Country Living

Roeshel from DIY Show Off (you’re here!)

Kristin from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

~ Wednesday ~

Destiny from A Place for Us

Angelina from JoJo & Eloise

Kristin from Yellow Bliss Road

~ Thursday ~

Mary Beth from Cupcakes & Crinoline

Heather & Vanessa from At the Picket Fence

Kristi from Lolly Jane

Debbie from Debbie Doos

~ Friday ~

It’s a Spring Thing Linky Party… come share your Spring décor, recipes, crafts and more!

DIY & Show Off: That DIY Party Decorating & Home Accents Highlights

Looking for some DIY decorating and home accent inspiration? I’ve gathered some favorites from January’s That DIY Party: 

That DIY Party highlights - January 2014

Cute curvy coat rack {repurposed table legs} from Denise on a Whim repurposed table legs coat rack - Denise on a Whim

Brrr! Baby it’s cold outside! Embracing it with a winter mantel at the Happy Housie…love the pine cone pom pom garland!

winter mantel @theHappyHousie

Loving gold? Me too! The gold leaf tray at Homey Oh My is a great way to display jewelry. 

gold leaf jewelry tray @HomeyOhMy

Kim’s beachy neutral Valentine’s mantel at Sand & Sisal is sweet for all year long. 

neutral beachy Valentine mantel @SandandSisal

When your bedroom makeover is on a tight budget, check out Corey’s great tutorial for making your own duvet cover at Tiny Side Kick

how to make a duvet cover @TinySideKick

 

Who wants these? Yep, me too! See the great DIY rustic floating shelves tutorial at Tiny Side Kick. 

floating shelves tutorial @TinySideKick

Lisa’s DIY Ikea wall light hack at Shine Your Light – not only just as beautiful as her inspiration but way more budget friendly too!

Ikea wall light hack @ShineYourLightBlog

Looking for some easy sweet DIY wall art? The DIY sweetheart hoop at Sugar Beans fits the bill. So cute!

Sweetheart Hoop Art @SugarBeans

for the little ones…

Oh.My.Goodness! Isn’t this the most darling thing ever? It’s a DIY retro play kitchen at Imperfectly Imaginable

DIY play kitchen @ImperfectlyImaginable

Need a place to hide away until spring arrives? I’d love to hole up in this DIY play tent at the DIY Mommy. Operation hibernation commence. 

DIY play tent tutorial @theDIYMommy

Remember to pin from the original source. See more DIY highlights on That DIY Party Pinterest Board for easy re-pinning…

thatdiyparty.pinboard

Have a DIY project to share? Well head on over to “show off” your DIY…

That DIY Party

Valentine’s Day Decorating {Vinyl Decal Glass Top Table Runner}

I’m not quite late in terms of sharing my Valentine decorating, am I? I don’t do much…just a little here and there, mostly in the dining room. 

Valentine dining room decor

More pictures after a little vinyl tutorial: Having a vinyl cutting machine is GREAT for last minute decorating! Our reclaimed barn wood dining table is protected by a beveled glass top. And a glass top table is the perfect spot for an adhesive vinyl table runner just in time for Valentine’s day!

Valentine glass top table vinyl decals

You’ll need:

  • Adhesive vinyl from Happy Crafters in pink and soft pink
  • Transfer paper

Tools I used:

  • Silhouette Cameo
  • Silhouette Design Studio software
  • scissors
  • credit card/gift card

Happy Crafters Adhesive Vinyl

Using the Silhouette Design Studio software, I used different fonts to create Valentine text along with a few shapes from the online store.  Because I wanted to have the text reading different directions, I used the rotate tool to flip some of the text and shapes. 

Silhouette Design Studio software

Before sending the design to cut, I uploaded the vinyl into my machine color side up then changed my setting to cut adhesive vinyl. 

When cutting was complete, I removed and trimmed my vinyl design. Then inserted another sheet of vinyl and cut the design again. I used two sets of vinyl decals to create my table runner. cutting adhesive vinyl

Next up is removing all of the negative part of the vinyl design. Simply remove all vinyl that’s not a letter or shape. 

weeding vinyl decals

Now it’s like a sheet of vinyl stickers. Not something you want to place letter by letter so apply a piece of transfer paper over top of the vinyl decals. 

Measure placement and alignment of where the vinyl decal table runner will go onto your glass top table. 

vinyl decal placement

Rub the vinyl decals with a gift card so that the adhesive vinyl transfer from the wax paper backing to the transfer paper. 

transfer paper

Remove wax paper backing. Sometimes I have to use my fingernail or thumbnail to help along the transfer. 

adhesive vinyl decal tutorial

Carefully align and place the vinyl decal with transfer paper onto the glass. 

glass top table vinyl decal

Rub with a gift card so that the vinyl transfers from the paper to the glass. 

transferring vinyl decal

Remove transfer paper. 

transfer paper vinyl decal

That’s it! Now the glass table top sports a sweet Valentine’s message!

adhesive vinyl Valentine centerpiece

Simply peel away the vinyl for easy removal.

Valentine table decor

More decorating around the DIYShowOff house: 

Valentine centerpiece

 

Valentine wreath

Valentine's day dining room decorating

Valentine Mantel

 

DIYShowOff Valentine Mantel

 

Valentine dining room decor

 

Valentine dining room decor

 

Valentine decor

 

See more Valentine’s crafts in the DIYShowOff project gallery

 

Valentine kitchen

 

Valentine decorating

*This post is sponsored by Happy Crafters. Tutorial, experience and opinion is my own.  I really love working with this vinyl. Check out all the supplies at Happy Crafters for inspiration for your next project. 

HClogopngsmall

Halloween Mantel

The Raven (Nevermore) Halloween Mantel:

Nevermore Halloween Mantel

nevermore Halloween tree

The Raven Halloween Mantel 

  1. Halloween Nevermore Tree Tutorial
  2. Halloween potion bottles and jars (DIY by my daughter, Ali)
  3. Halloween poison bottle (Thanks, Ali! Love them!)
  4. Iron cake stand with skull {affiliate link}

Halloween raven mantel

The Raven ~ Edgar Allan Poe

  Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`’Tis some visitor,’ I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door –
Only this, and nothing more.’Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; – vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow – sorrow for the lost Lenore –
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore –
Nameless here for evermore.And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me – filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
`’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door –
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; –
This it is, and nothing more,’Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
`Sir,’ said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you’ – here I opened wide the door; –
Darkness there, and nothing more.Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!’
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!’
Merely this and nothing more.Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
`Surely,’ said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore –
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; –
‘Tis the wind and nothing more!’Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door –
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door –
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,’ I said, `art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore –
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning – little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door –
Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as `Nevermore.’

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered – not a feather then he fluttered –
Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before –
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.’
Then the bird said, `Nevermore.’

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
`Doubtless,’ said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore –
Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore
Of “Never-nevermore.”‘

But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore –
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking `Nevermore.’

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o’er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o’er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
`Wretch,’ I cried, `thy God hath lent thee – by these angels he has sent thee
Respite – respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’

`Prophet!’ said I, `thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil! –
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted –
On this home by horror haunted – tell me truly, I implore –
Is there – is there balm in Gilead? – tell me – tell me, I implore!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’

`Prophet!’ said I, `thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us – by that God we both adore –
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore –
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore?’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’

`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!’ I shrieked upstarting –
`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! – quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted – nevermore!

Halloween mantel

 More DIY Halloween here and here