Melinda McCoy

March 14, 2019 By Melinda McCoy Leave a Comment

Video #1: How to Decorate for Spring

The key to decorating your home seasonally, in a real and authentic manner vs. a “decorated” and scripted way, is to first understand the season. Think the hygee way of thinking.

Every season has different sides that represent it, and spring is no different. Here is a sneak peek at a video from our “7 Days of Simple Spring Decorating Workshop” that will give you a quick lesson on the topic.

You are still able to join the spring workshop, community, and receive all of the content for $12! Click here to learn more: Spring Workshop

February 14, 2019 By Melinda McCoy Leave a Comment

I Answer House 214 Design School Student Lisa’s Light Fixture Question

Today I am helping House 214 Design School student Lisa answer her lighting questions for her new home.

We discuss how to best compliment the lighting that already exists in her home and how to make it all flow.

Lisa says: I’m having trouble with what type of lights to get for the stairway wall and the upstairs landing. I consider my personality traits to follow the timeless, classic feel. I haven’t decided on a chandelier yet for the staircase, but I’m leaning toward the open lantern style.

This is a picture of Lisa’s existing stairway wall:

These are the two fixtures that Lisa is considering for her stairway wall:

This lantern style fixture is what Lisa is considering for her landing:

Lisa says: The other lights that can be seen from the entry are the dining room and semi flush mount hanging light farther down the hallway.

My Response: I am happy that you are taking into consideration the lighting that you will see from the entry. You want to make decisions that have a consistent feeling throughout your home, so that it is communicating you.

The sconces with the shades seem to have the same finish as the dining room and hallway lights that you will see from your entry, so their is that consistency. A matte finish communicates the timeless feeling as well, so you are on the right path with that way of thinking.

The classic straight lines of both the fixture and the shade communicate the timeless feeling. The actual sconce itself is more timeless in that they are something that you might traditionally see on a stairway wall.

The lantern that you are considering for your landing has a similar finish and similar structure, regarding the straight lines, as the sconces. Having these elements in common gives them a unified feeling.

You are not alone! The House 214 Design School is not just a step-by -step program. It is a teacher led community working together to decorate our homes. No more overwhelm. No more wasting time and money. No more going it alone. Join us and finally feel home!

February 4, 2019 By Melinda McCoy Leave a Comment

3 Step Project: Simple Napkin Bowl

Are you familiar with the 5 ingredients or less concept when it comes to healthy eating and knowing what is in your food?

Well, I am starting the home decorating version.

This new series involves simple projects that take 5 steps or less to achieve in your home.

The items that are included most likely are ones that you already own. You can shop your home, favorite brick and mortar stores, garage sales–whatever floats your boat!

This series will provide you with the steps, but ultimately you are in charge.

It is that simple.

Let’s get started with our first simple project, so that you can start feeling home today.

Project #1: The Simple Napkin Bowl

Besides enjoying the classic aesthetic of this simple project I also enjoy the practical aspect of it.

Placing napkins in a pile in plain sight for everyone to use makes life a little bit easier.

Why?

… adults and children can reach for the napkins themselves as needed

… it is easier to take one from a pile vs. a vertical napkin holder (they all don’t fall out )

What To Do:

Step 1: Grab your favorite bowl

Step 2: Grab your napkins

Step 3: Set it on your counter

That’s it!

You can start to finally feel home today by taking action. These small projects are simple wins that will have you moving forward with your home. You will learn by doing.

Take care,

Melinda

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Learn how to finally make the right decorating decisions for your home and start feeling home today. Click here to learn more: The House 214 Design School

November 6, 2018 By Melinda McCoy 4 Comments

Countdown to Christmas Cookies!

Yes, I have to admit that I am one of those people who starts to listen to Christmas music early in the season. For this reason, and many others, I was more than excited to take part in my friend Kristen’s, from Ella Claire Inspired, Christmas Cookie Recipe Exchange!

I decided to not just share a cookie recipe, but a tradition as well. This tradition has not just played a role with my own family, but one that I fondly grew up taking part in myself.

What is it you ask?

The Countdown to Christmas Cookies of course!

My two sisters, brother, and I always received little treats on the days leading up to the Christmas holiday. Beginning on December 1st we would wake up to a cookie and a small treat. As a child it was something that I always looked forward to and knew that I would one day incorporate into my own holiday traditions with my children as well.

In Christmas’ past, I have placed the cookies and small Christmas treats in a small white paper bag. I hung them on a piece of twine in the playroom for the children to be greeted with in the morning.

Very soon, this tradition will be making its appearance again and I for one am looking forward to it!

Discover Your Home Decorating Style

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Countdown To Christmas Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups of All-Purpose Flour

Method

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
Place butter in a bowl and beat until smooth.
Add the sugar and mix until combined.
Add eggs one at a time mixing well
Add the vanilla, salt and baking powder and mix
Mix in the flour one cup at a time and mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Divide the dough into 3 discs and roll each one out.
Freeze for 10-15 minutes and cut out your cookie shapes.
Bake 6-9 minutes.

Please be sure to visit my amazing friends, who are also joining me on this cookie exchange, for more holiday inspiration and delicious cookie recipes.

{MORE COOKIES FROM THE EXCHANGE}

The Perfect Soft Gingerbread Cookies by Ella Claire | Classic Sugar Cookies by Nina Hendrick Design Co. | Plaid Sugar Cookies by Craftberry Bush | Buttery Shortbread Cookies with Icing Sugar by A Burst of Beautiful | German Chocolate Cake Cookies by City Farmhouse

Cranberry Orange Walnut Tassies by Inspired by Charm | Eggnog Gooey Butter Cookies by Julie Blanner | All Natural Orange Almond Cookies by Tidbits | Choco-mallow Peppermint Cookies by Summer Adams Designs | Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies by Love Grows Wild

Paleo Chocolate Cranberry Cookies by Nesting with Grace | Raspberry Gingersnap Sandwiches by anderson + grant | Christmas Tree Gingerbread Cookies by Rooms for Rent | Large Thumbprint Cookies by So Much Better with Age | Rum Balls by Tidy Mom

Countdown to Christmas Cookies by House 214 Design | GF + DF Gingerbread Sugar Cookies by Zevy Joy | Christmas Shortbread Cookies by Boxwood Avenue | Double Chocolate Christmas Cookies by Nest of Posies | Almond Sugar Cookies by My Sweet Savannah

M&M Peanut Butter Cookies by Sweet C’s | Rustic Granola Cookies by Farmhouse on Boone

October 2, 2018 By Melinda McCoy 2 Comments

Breaking Bread this Autumn Season

Autumn is officially here and I am ready to start enjoying the changes that come along with this new season. For me, this means creating the feeling of autumn in my home. I love to do this simply through the use of colors, textures, nature, and of course food.

My friend Kristen from Ella Claire Inspired asked me to participate in her “Tastes of the Seasons” blog hop again this year. What an honor! I am sharing a favorite recipe that my family enjoys this time of year in this post. You will also be inspired with 20 other autumn recipes by talented bloggers who are welcoming the new season into their homes. If you are here by ways of one of those friends, welcome!

Let’s get started!

There is just something special about making my own bread for my family, but for some reason it seems extra special at this time of year. I’m not sure if it is the bread making process, the scent that fills my home, or the satisfaction of knowing that everyone will be smiling from ear to ear when they walk in the door and smell that familiar smell. Whatever the reason, I have always felt that the work was well worth its return with making my own bread.

I have never tried my hand at making an herb butter, but I thought it would be a wonderful use for all of my herbs that I grew this summer in my garden. I do have to say that I love using ingredients that I cared for and grew myself. I’m not successful at growing much in the garden, but I mastered growing herbs!

If you would like to learn more about how I keep my autumn decorating simple through the use of color, texture, and outside elements you can join me in my workshop “12 Days of Simple Autumn Decorating”. You can learn all about it here.

Sea Salt Dinner Rolls Recipe

Ingredients:

Method:

Herb Butter Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
1/2 tablespoon fresh chives, minced

Method:

In a bowl, mix together the butter, garlic, and herbs until well blended.