Red Leaf Style

September 30, 2013

31 Days of Reimagining

Welcome to my 31 days blog series: 31 Days of Reimagining. This blog series is part of the 31 days challenge hosted by one of my favorite home bloggers, The Nester. Bloggers take the challenge to write about one topic every day in October. That’s 31 days of straight blog posting! This will be quite the challenge for me. I’ve yet to regularly post here on Red Leaf Style. Between working a full time job as a web writer and writing part time as a contributing writer for OrganicAuthority.com, I’m pretty writered out by the time I get to my blog. (Even though it’s the one I wish I could devote the most time to.) But this month there will be no excuses! No. Excuses. So, get ready world for a full month of ways to reimagine your home. That’s my topic. 31 Days of Reimagining. Because that’s what I’m all about here on Red Leaf Style, reimagining your home in new ways. I’ll be blogging about how to look at your home from a fresh perspective, repurposing your décor and anything else I come up with along the way. Are you ready? Here we go… (I’ll update the link each day...

September 23, 2013

2013 Fall Decorating Ideas

It’s finally fall! Who’s excited for pumpkin spice lattes, colorful leaves and scarf weather? If none of those do it for you, what about pumpkin patches, apple cider or a cozy fire? Can you tell I’m obsessed with this season? I’ve been waiting for autumn to come around pretty much since the beginning of summer. It’s my favorite time of year. Of course I’ve already started thinking about how I’m going to decorate my home for fall. I recently moved into a new house and the timing couldn’t have worked out better. I have a whole new space to decorate and enjoy during fall. Below is a list of fall decorating ideas I’m itching to try. Most of them are pretty basic. They’re just things I always want to do but never seem to make time to actually do. What about you? Do you have a fall decorating list? Even if it’s just a mental one? Here are a few of my fall decorating ideas to get you in the mood. Fall home decorating ideas to try: Make an autumn-themed wreath. Maybe out of pinecones? Decorate my mantle for fall Come up with a new way to decorate pumpkins...

September 20, 2013

How to Make Beeswax Candles

Candles just make a home feel cozy. It’s something about the soft flickering light, I think. It sets a relaxing mood. With their golden yellow color and light honey scent, beeswax candles are the cozy of the cozy. I’m slightly obsessed with them. Partly because I know that most candles you buy are made with paraffin wax, a by-product of oil refining. They also usually contain synthetic fragrances, which are also made from petroleum. Between the paraffin wax and the synthetic fragrances, many conventional candles seriously pollute your indoor air. The soot created by these candles (I know you’ve seen this black residue on your candles) is extremely toxic. It contains toluene and benzene, volatile organic compounds linked to cancer and neurological damage. Beeswax is the only naturally occurring wax on earth. And unlike candles made from paraffin wax, beeswax can actually cleanse indoor air. If that’s not enough reasons to make your own beeswax candles, just look at how cute they are! Here’s how to make your own. You’ll need beeswax, candle wicks and jars. I bought five pounds of beeswax from this seller on eBay. It came in these awesome stamped chunks. I already had the wicks from a soy...

September 14, 2013

Welcome to My Extremely Peach Bathroom

My recent move to a new house landed me with one peachy bathroom. Take a look at that tile. Whew-wee. That’s some serious peach. I really have no idea what to do with this 1950s peach tile bathroom. Right now, I’m using the deep purple shower curtain and gray bath mat I already owned. I think the dark purple actually works pretty well. Even the gray is nice. But it still feels a bit girly and unimaginative. Through a bit of Pinterest research, I’ve found that decorating a peach tile bathroom can go one of two ways. 1) You embrace the peach and make the bathroom super girly. Or… 2) You try to detract from the peachiness. I think my boyfriend would appreciate it if I chose the second option. For now I’m not sure what to do with it, so I’m collecting ideas on a Pinterest board. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them. In the meantime, check out the bathroom in all of its peach glory. Have an amazing decorating ideas to make peach tile look good? Share it in the comments… Keep Up With Red Leaf Style! Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten...

September 1, 2013

DIY Baking Sheet Magnet Board

At some point all baking sheets look like they’ve suffered through some kind of baking battle. They’re battered, stained and no longer shiny. When you decide your baking sheet deserves a permanent break from the oven, why not transform it into something new for your home? It’s super easy to turn a worn out baking sheet into a handy magnet board. Made of metal, the board is naturally magnetic. And, all you need to take it from crusty baking sheet to slick magnet board is a coat of paint. I picked this baking sheet to transform because it already had holes on each end—perfect for easy hanging. After a coat of paint with leftover teal paint I had sitting around, I didn’t spend anything to make this board. Hang your do-it-yourself magnet board in the kitchen to hold recipes and notes, or use it in any other room like you would a bulletin board. What do you think of this project? Would you give a try? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments… Keep Up With Red Leaf Style! Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten Hudson on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest....

August 26, 2013

On Moving

For those of us who love decorating, moving homes can be exciting. A new space to transform. The challenge of arranging what you have in new ways. I’m trying to remember that excitement. It has been a tough few weeks. Without going into details, my current landlord has caused me a lot of unnecessary stress. Enough to make me want to leave the vintage gem of an apartment I found two years ago when I first came to Kansas City. I love this slightly rough-around-the-edges duplex with its old school radiators, teeny rooms and brick fireplace. You’ve seen this apartment all over my blog from the beginning, but it’s time to get moving. And, I’m moving to a house! In a few days, I’ll be telling you all about my new place. Get excited to move with me. Keep Up With Red Leaf Style! Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten Hudson on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest....