Relaxation and water are the two words that make me think of a nice bath after a long day. Lighting up a few candles, pouring yourself a glass of your favorite wine and soaking in the hot bubbles is enough to make anyone wash away the stress of the day. 

If your bathroom is lacking bathtub storage like mine, this DIY bathtub shelf will come in handy. When you're not using it as a bathtub shelf, use it as a bench to sit on when showering. 

I started off with measuring the width of my tub…came out to about 3ft. I went to my local hardware store and purchased a 6ft Pine board for $8. I had an employee cut the board to the size I needed. I ended up with two 3ft boards. 

Next, I knew the wood would be exposed to moisture (since it's in the bathroom ) so I purchased a clear satin finish sealer. I didn't want to stain my shelf since I was going to surface burn it for a visual effect. Surface burn- when you apply heat to the top of a wooden board, going along the grain to achieve a burned effect. Feel free to stain your board any color that works with your bathroom. 

*** Make sure to do this project outside. There is sanding and burning involved. 

Since I was going for the rustic look I needed to distress the fresh cut boards. I used the supplies below to shape the board.

I wish the photo above was my actual closet...who doesn't ?!

With the cold months rolling in it is time to swap your summer clothes for the sweater weather. Cleaning out your closet when season changes is a great way to stay closet clutter free. 

Start off with 2 bins, storage and donation. 

Go though your closet thoroughly. 

In your closet keep, dresses that can be layered and worn on cooler days. Shirts, that can also be layered under a sweater.

The rest of your Summer attire can be separated between the 2 bins. Evaluate each piece and decide whether you will wear it next year. 

My suggestion is to keep the pieces that held up well with frequent use. Chances are you will wear them again. Any piece that has seen better days can go in the donate pile. 

Ask us question, we love to give you tips and suggestions as well as read yours. 

Let us know how you like this weeks Organization 101 post. Tag us in your Fall cleaning on Instagram @dennison_dampier and like us on Facebook. 

​Stay tuned for an easy DIY project coming soon. 

Until next time,
P

Let us know what you think in the comments. Keep in touch and follow us on Instagram @dennison_dampier and like us on Facebook. 

Until next time,
​P

Do you have an empty wall in your house that you just don't know what to do with? 

Well here is a solution, make it into a gallery wall!

​Don't limit yourself to framed art work. Use anything that can be hung to create a visual interest, make a statement, or be displayed as a conversation piece. 

Here are a few ideas you can draw inspiration from!

On this wall we started with an interesting texture with the wood panels in the back. Mix the textures when it comes to the wall decor. Here I went with a mix of metals and metal texture. 

With this wall, we added a visual background using patterned wallpaper. For this I wanted a clean simple look of the wall decor since the wallpaper is so flashy. A modern feel with the use of clean white frames and calm photos.

For this layout we went a little retro. Although we used metallic finishes we wanted to somehow incorporate nature. The large reclaimed wood block with half rose gold leaf finish was a perfect combination for the look we were going for. I can see this gallery wall in my own house. 

Of course you don't have to use wallpaper for these ideas. Feel free to create your gallery wall on any background that you wish. 

Don't forget to tag us on Instagram @dennison_dampier with your creations. We love to see them!
​
Until next time,
P

Why do you hire a designer?

With all the accessibility of products  on the internet you might ask yourself why hire a designer? Can't I do this myself?

When undertaking a large or small project it's the details that matter.

Let's look at lighting.
​
Lighting is critical, and so often overlooked when planning a room.  Without the correct placement of outlets , recessed wall washers and task lighting your rooms will never look right.

Lighting is what makes a room come alive. 

It should be subtle and deliver a feeling of well being.

This involves doing a furniture plan and thinking abut all the different aspects and choices of lighting.

Walls need to be washed with light to accent pictures, as well as important cabinet pieces and architectural details like mantles, bookcases and dark areas.  They should not be the large recessed lights that give an ugly airport runway effect, but small and able to be swiveled to hit the walls at different angles.

There have been so many strides made with the small 3" recessed LED lights now that run cool and don't need bulb changing often for years at a time.

It's also important to have task lighting, lamps are a must, sconces add light at a different height and can be decorative or subtle depending on your preferences.  Chandeliers are also an element that adds layers of light.
​
Having lighting sources at different heights in a room is essential.

Kitchen and bathroom lighting needs to be thought through very carefully.  

Lighting your face when you are putting on makeup, the correct height for sconces to achieve this as well as waterproof lighting in showers are essential.

Kitchens need adequate under cabinet lighting for task areas as well as hanging pendants, say over an island or kitchen table.

Recessed light should again be used to wash the cabinetry and walls.

Just putting in lines of recessed lighting is not the answer and looks harsh, down lights make people look tired and are unflattering.
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Hope this helps in making the right choice for your home project. 

Let us know what you thought and leave a comment or follow us on Instagram @dennison_dampier. 

Until next time!

These are the supplies you will need:
- Mug
- Sharpie pen
- Painters tape
- Cotton balls
- Nail polish remover

This is a fun and very easy DIY that can be personalized for any occasion. It makes for a great gift and an inexpensive party favor!

Before you start drawing make sure to wipe down your mug with a wet cloth to remove any dust.

Research a few clip-art photos of animals you like or phrases you'd want to use. Then get to drawing. 

Once you select the design you want go ahead and write it with the marker. 

** If you mess up, don't worry! use the cotton balls and nail polish remover to fix any mistakes. 

After you are all done, place the mug in a cold oven and set the temperature to 425 degrees and bake it for an hour. Remove carefully when done and let it cool before using. 

Hey! I'm sure you have already checked out the new service we provide, residential organization and home staging, but if not then go take a look under the Services tab. 

The links I have attached below have helped me develop my own staging and organizing style. Take a look at what I have learned from these pros to sharpen up my own skills. 

Apartment Therapy 
www.apartmenttherapy.com/secrets-to-home-staging-8-mistakes-that-turn-off-potential-buyers-212281

HGTV
​ www.hgtv.com/shows/designed-to-sell/15-secrets-of-home-staging-pictures

Forbes
​www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2015/05/01/6-simple-yet-effective-home-staging-ideas-under-40/#25d1b12a38d9

Get to staging and don't forget to tag us in your final reveals on Instagram @dennison_dampier and like us on Facebook!

Leave us a comment and let us know what you think. 
Until next time,
Paulina