BHG Color and New Cottage Style Book Review, Inspiration and Giveaway

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Roeshel

I’ve recently announced that we’ll be renovating our small apartment. One thing with owning a rental is making the basics appeal to everyone’s style and that means walls in a fresh clean neutral color palette and bringing in color with decorative accents, fabrics and furniture. Not only will we be renovating on a very small, very tight budget, we’ll need to be creative with thrifty decorating since this will be the home of our college bound baby girl.

When I was asked to review Better Homes and Gardens COLOR…the complete guide for your home and New Cottage Style, they were the perfect source of inspiration for plans for our small space.

BHG Color…the complete guide for your home: I needed to read the color theory discussions with detailed information on color schemes filled with inspiring photos of a variety of successful color palettes and ways to master adding color to decorating. Some of the topics discussed:

Color inspiration (getting started, making it personal)
Color mood and meaning (turquoise = cool gemstone color creating calming spaces and helps room occupants focus their thoughts…I need a turquoise room!)
How to use color in rooms (examples and photos!)
Adding color in stages (accessorizing, the power of paint, fun fabrics, etc.)
Color through the house (cohesive composition)

For the past couple of years, I’ve been trying to keep things neutral after a DIY red living room fail. Our bathroom makeover shows my love of neutrals but I could pretty much add any color to this space and despite the lack of color, the patterns and texture keep it interesting…

We had the same neutral plans for our family room makeover in progress, but you can see that reading BHG’s Color guide has had a little influence in shoving those fears away…{color palette for family room}

With decorating the apartment coming up, we’ve been collecting some estate sale finds and I’ve been embracing color. Normally, I’d want to reupholster chairs with the colors green, purple, fuchsia and orange but these awesome $6 chairs (woo hoo!) are going to be perfect for adding color to an apartment with a neutral background…(that’s if I can part with them. I’m really loving having them ‘hang out’ in the sitting room right now)

BHG New Cottage Style:

Cottage style is a popular timeless trend and I’m definitely in love with all things cottage. Our love of charm and character in “vintage and rustic” fits perfectly into the cottage category. I love the flexibility to adapt cottage to fit our farmhouse style and how my love of thrift store finds mix so well with creating our own take on the cottage feeling in our home. I feel our cottage style half bathroom is a beautiful update but that the little cottage influence reflects our home’s history…

BHG New Cottage Style covers home tours, everyday living, classic looks, welcoming retreats and special spaces (with beautiful inspiring images). So much character and comfortable cottage eye candy.

Enter to win your own copies of BHG Color & New Cottage Style!

Leave a comment about how these two books will be of help with decorating decisions in your home.
Leave a comment for each way you help spread the word about the giveaway (i.e. Twitter, G+, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.). Thanks so much!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. WINNER OF THE BHG DECORATING BOOKS IS BETH FROM UNSKINNY BOPPY! CONGRATULATIONS, BETH!

Giveaway is for one set of these two books to one DIY Show Off reader. Giveaway starts 7/7/12 and ends 7/14/2012 at midnight EST. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Please include an email address if you can’t be reached via your profile.

*Disclaimer: I received BHG Color guide and BHG New Cottage Style {2 paperback books} in exchange for a review. Opinion and review are my own words and my own experience. I accepted the book offer because these books were on my wish list. Review and giveaway are sponsored by

DIY Show Off News/Updates

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Roeshel

I’m excited to be hosting the North Pittsburgh “I Love Thrifting Day” again this year! I love thrifting day is one day out of the year when thrifters all over the world celebrate the art of thrifting. It is a time to meet new friends, connect with old ones and share the love a a good find.

You can find more information and details coming soon at Mr. GoodWill Hunting.

We have a super fun busy day planned. Here is Pittsburgh North “I LOVE THRIFTING day” tentative schedule for Sat. July 7th:

9 a.m. North Hills GoodWill
10:30 Wexford GoodWill
11:30 Cranberry Twp. GoodWill
12:30 Lunch at Primanti’s
2:00 Gibsonia GoodWill
3:30 p.m. Share and pictures (location to be announced)

Join in for the entire day or somewhere along the way! Plans, locations and time are subject to change. Local to Pittsburgh? Join us! I can’t wait to meet you! We’re going to enjoy a day of thrifty treasure hunting! Bri and I had a blast last year and hope to have a bigger crowd this year.

If you’d like to get your t-shirt ordered, do it by Friday, June 15: http://www.rashoncarraway.com/2012/05/they-are-here.html

The GoodWill stores on the N. Pittsburgh I LOVE THRIFTING day schedule are giving a 10% discount to shoppers wearing the t-shirt {our group}! How exciting!

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Are you attending the Haven Conference? I am! It’s another fun opportunity to meet my amazing DIY blog friends! I have to admit I’m a little, maybe even a lot nervous! I haven’t made arrangements to meet up or sit with my e-friends/soon-to-be real life friends and fear I’ll be sitting by myself. Seriously…the words to just speak up don’t come to me until after the opportunity has passed. Why is that? Why wasn’t I born more outgoing and brave?! So, if you see me – please introduce yourself! Bri was going to accompany me, but something came up and now I’m on my own. Counting down the days!

And if you have a DIY project you’d like to share or a guest post for the couple of days I’ll be out of town, now’s the time to show off! 🙂

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Don’t forget to enter to win:

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Granite Gold Giveaway & Review

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Roeshel

Mr. DIY is the cook in our family. He finds cooking relaxing and therapeutic after a long day at work. He enjoys it. {Who am I to argue?}

We were super excited when we swapped out blue laminate countertops for granite last year. On a photo shoot day, it looks like this:

When Mr. DIY has finished creating a delicious meal, it looks like this on a good day:

And usually when I clean up, it’s streaky-looking in certain lighting. I was more than happy to try Granite Gold‘s products for a little help with cleaning that mess on a regular basis, to have an easy solution to my almost daily chore.The food is always amazing but the kitchen usually winds up looking like the Muppets Swedish Chef stopped by for a visit…

{courtesy of rubysuncle}

After clearing all of the clutter and crumbs, I used the Granite Gold cleaner to get through spills, water marks and grease…

I love the citrus scent and streak-free formula {not the result I was getting with brand name cleaning wipes}.

Our granite has a honed finish, but the Granite Gold polish brings out the granite’s natural beauty and when used weekly, provides ongoing protection against water marks.

Gorgeous shine! Great for cleaning our Virginia Mist granite and marble subway tile backsplash too!

One lucky DIY Show Off winner will receive:

The Granite Gold cleaning kit includes 5 must-have products:

Daily Cleaner: Our #1 best seller is a streak-free formula that safely deep-cleans natural stone surfaces, leaving a fresh citrus scent
Polish: Quickly add shine and luster to granite and other natural stone surfaces.
Shower Cleaner: Instead of using other household cleaners which can damage natural stone, our shower cleaner is the safe alternative to prevent mold, mildew, soap scum and hard water deposits
Outdoor Stone Cleaner: Easily attachable to your garden hose, it is safe to use on patios, decks and driveways because the biodegradable, ph-balanced formula won’t harm plants, animals, siding or plastics
Sealer: To provide long-lasting resistance to staining and soil build-up you only need to use our natural stone sealer once a year! So add it to your spring-cleaning to-do’s.

Specially formulated to clean and maintain all-natural surfaces, Granite Gold’s complete stone care line gives consumers the tools to keep their natural stone protected and looking first-class. The non-toxic and non-abrasive formula won’t scratch surfaces, is environmentally friendly and safe to use on any food-preparation surfaces.

+ a $50 Bed, Bath and Beyond gift card!

HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:

Sign up to receive the latest stone care advice from the experts at Granite Gold.
Visit Granite Gold on Facebook for latest stone care advice, helpful hints and updates. Leave a comment that you “like” Granite Gold.
Follow Granite Gold’s on Twitter for the answers to your stone care questions and leave a comment about it.
Comment on how you’ve helped spread the word about the Granite Gold giveaway (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, G+, blogging). {THANK YOU for your help!}
Leave a comment telling Granite Gold which natural stone in your home could use a little special TLC.

Giveaway starts today and ends June 30th, 2012 at midnight EST. One winner will be chosen randomly and announced shortly after.Open to US residents 18+ only. Good luck!

DIY Show Off received compensation and product for this honest review based on personal experience and giveaway was donated by Granite Gold.

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Category Archives: Uncategorized

BHG Color and New Cottage Style Book Review, Inspiration and Giveaway

DIY Show Off News/Updates

Granite Gold Giveaway & Review