Home Decor // Mantle

As most of you know – my husband and I just bought a house in Philadelphia and are LOVING our new hood! I always tell my friends + family that interior design is one of my favorite past times. You can say I enjoy long romantic walks down the aisles of HomeGoods 🙂 Sharing my my most recent home decor project – our living room!

When we were looking at houses I had two non-negotiables: a washer and dryer (adulting….am I right?!) and a mantle. A mantle is my FAVORITE things to shop for and decorate. I truly believe it adds so much personality to a home and can be changed out throughout the year for a fresh look based on the season. I really wanted an old row home with creaky floors and tons of old school character.

Guess what – life (and marriage as I’m learning) is about compromise and we bought a brand new construction place that didn’t have a mantle but it just didn’t feel like home without one. So I searched for how to add one with some old charm and character into a new home. This search led me to Facebook Marketplace where I found THE COOLEST, one-of-a-kind mantles…new homeowners this is for you: do NOT knock Facebook Marketplace until you try it!

Anyway, we nailed the mantle to the wall and added some finishing touches and TA-DA, instant cozy home. Even my husband was commenting on how home-y it felt! Moral of the blog post: don’t give up on your mission (even when they’re as small as having a mantle in your home)!

Shop ALL my decor + tips at the links below: 

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Mantle – found on FB Marketplace (highly recommend!)

Bookshelves – loved the sleek use of these plus the added room they give for more knick-knacks

Mirror – makes the room look bigger and adds a little glam

Candlesticks – get varying heights to add dimension

(more candlestick options here, here and here)

Pillar Candles – my go-to scent is vanilla; I order in bulk because I go burn them so fast

Candelabra in front of mirror – bought this because it gives off the fireplace vibe that I wanted

Knick-Knacks – the rest are pretty little things I have collected over time and that are near and dear to my heart; a decanter from my grandmother, favorite books, pictures of my family, etc.

Read more about my decor throughout the house here! 

Making a House Feel Like Home

GUYS! WE BOUGHT A HOUSE in our favorite city, Philadelphia- and it was stressful and terrifying and hard and exactly the opposite of everything I thought it would be 🙂 BUT in the end, it was totally worth it and while I’m still adjusting, I’m happy to say that the new place is starting to feel like home.

I’m a firm believer that a new place doesn’t feel like your own until there are pictures on the walls and a big pretty carpet on the floor. That’s why when we moved in I knew I had to go interior shopping ASAP, so I hit up the usual suspects – HomeGoods, Pier 1, West Elm, and my two personal favorites, Facebook Marketplace and local thrift stores. I’m not even kidding – Facebook marketplace has some GEMS that have real character you can’t find in a store. Don’t knock it till ya try it.

Anyway, my personal interior style is distressed chic. I like bright whites combined with dark accent colors and lots of vintage pieces. While our house is still a work in progress, I think we finished my favorite room – the living room! Product details linked below – happy decorating.

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Click below for links to my outfit: 

Blush Wedges

Distressed Denim

White Tank IMG_1396IMG_1395IMG_1397IMG_1394

Click below for links to home decor: 

Throw Pillows (from HomeGoods as of recent, but I linked similar ones here)

Teal Pillow 

Navy Pillow 

Beaded Pillow

Studded Brown Leather Couches 

Personalized Throw 

Area Rug 

Marble Serving Tray 

THE BEST CANDLE I’VE EVER SMELLED 

Large Wall Clock 

Picture Frames (I found these at a flea market in Cape May, NJ but linking similar)

Copper Brackets 

Bar Cart

Curtains 

Follow me on Instagram to stay updated on all my home projects at @kaylievarela

 

 

 

Bar Cart Essentials

We’re getting closer and closer (less than four months) away from the wedding!!  And that means registry gifts are starting to show up on my stoop, and guys, I’m sooooo excited!  For those of you that know me, you know I love styling interiors just as much as a I do outfits!  They’re both a way to express your personal style.

I’ve been absolutely NEEDING a bar cart, and this one below was perfect to go with the neutrals + metallics in my apartment.  Check out how I styled it and SHOP the essentials (which are also good just to have for general decor!!!), below:

Mixed Materials Bar Cart 

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TIP: Add your personal style to your bar cart by adding pretty little touches that you love…for me it’s always gold!  Personalize with monogrammed letters and family photos inside a fun frame!

SHOP this interior look by clicking the links below or on my Instagram...I promise it’s the best way to entertain your friends!

Bar Cart 

Wood + Metal Vase

Glassware

Monogram Letters

Marble Coasters

Gold Straws

“SIP” Swizzle Sticks

Faux Fur Throw Pillow 

“Press for Champagne” Wall Decor 

Mercury Candle

Gold Picture Frame

 

 

Major Mantle Decor Inspo

My favorite thing about my little Philadelphia row home is my mantle!  We’ve officially been in our place for a year, so I’ve been able to tackle every season & holiday.  So I’m sharing my mantle decor for some major inspo!

Homegoods, Hobby Lobby & Target are my go-to stores for home decor…you can always find good stuff that you can personalize to fit your interior style!

Summer 

summer mantle

Summer decor calls for metallics + light florals + warm candles for those thunder-storm filled nights.  Fun fact: the candles inside the gold terrariums have dried lavender in them and are from Homegoods!

Fall 

thanksgiving mantle

I love pulling the colors of the fall leaves inside with candles (plus, they smell delicious!). Throw in a bronze banner and some of your favorite little black and white photos to add your personal touch!

Winter 

christmas mantle

The (furry) stockings were hung on the chimney with care…and also  so were the glittery, wood inspired candles, pom-pom banners, and “JOY” signage. This was an idea I had since we moved in and I had to create the “JOY” decor from my imagination…with open & empty frames, individual letters and a small wreath. It’s the perfect DIY project!

Holidays 

valentine's mantle

I decorate for Valentine’s day because not only is it one of my favorite holidays (I’m a lover of love), but also my birthday!  I added a fun banner, dried roses and my favorite picture ever…who doesn’t love a good proposal to accent your romance mantle!?

Everyday Decor 

regular mantle

And of course, you need your everyday decor!  Candles add instant warmth to any room, throw on your favorite accents and photos and you’re all set to entertain your friends & family at any given time!

 

Wedding Wednesday: Registry Edition

Since I’ve thought about getting married, I always pictured my registry process to be my fiance and I jumping around to Macy’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target (favorite), West Elm (also favorite) and using the gun to register for all the pretty little interior items we’re going to build a life together with.

Well, turns out reality looked like I have an online shopping addiction and very little spare time, so I went with Blueprint Registry and it did not disappoint…I mean, how could you not enjoy building your registry will sipping on mimosas in your PJs?!?

I love Blueprint because it allows me to build a custom registry website, complete with personalized photos and messages to guests.  It also allows you to embed this magical, Pinterest-like button to your browser which makes it super easy to add items from any website.  Plus, it updates your items when they go out of stock.  The best part…you can add items like my personal favorite, a honeymoon fund!  Brides-don’t be afraid to add experiences to your registry…after all it’s about the moments not the items right?

So I’m sharing some of my registry must-haves: 

Kitchen-Aid 5 Quart Mixer in Aqua Sky

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This piece is equally pretty as it is functional; add a pop of color to your kitchen + bake all of your fiance’s favorites.

Gold Flatware

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Guys, I loveeeeeee gold things, and that includes flatware.  Add some metallics to your place settings!

Modern China

register fiveDo we still need to listen to our mothers + grandmothers when they say “register for china”…my answer, yes, because when else are you going to buy it, plus it’s so pretty!

Monogrammed Wine Trough

register six Wine-lover like me?  Don’t forget to add a wine trough with your NEW MONOGRAM!!!