DIY Wall Treatments & Accent Walls

Wall treatments have been around for centuries but have majorly regained their popularity in recent years. There are so many different types of wall treatments, from wallpaper to wainscoting, that one of them is almost guaranteed to catch your eye and fit in with your style. They are such a simple addition but can make a big statement in any home. The best part? You don’t have to hire an expensive woodworker or contractor to install them - many of them are extremely cost effective and easy enough to do yourself! And you know I’m a sucker for a good DIY…

There’s many more wall treatments and accent wall ideas than you’ll see here (wallpaper, tile, plaster, etc.,) but these are a few of the popular ones I get questions about in my home. And keep in mind these were all done by myself, Curtis, or with a little family help!

Beadboard

Beadboard consists of narrow wood planks stacked vertically that have a ridge or “bead” in between. Sometimes it’s used as wainscoting (any wall treatment covering the bottom third of the wall) or even as a ceiling accent. These days beadboard comes in long sheets that mimic the board-by-board look making it SO easy to install.

I ran my beadboard in the dining room about 2/3 up the wall and capped it with a finishing piece. Paint it the same color as the rest of the wall or room, or give it a complementary color that can add some depth and dimension to the room. Try it in a bathroom, bedroom, or even a ceiling. The possibilities are endless!

Shiplap

If you’ve watched HGTV at any point in the last ten years, there’s a good chance you already know what shiplap is. Some old homes have it conveniently hidden beneath drywall just waiting to be uncovered, but it is a trend that can easily be replicated with some simple planks of wood. The rustic charm and texture can make a space dramatically cozier and add a beautiful, simple backdrop for artwork and furnishings.

I have pockets of shiplap all over my home, some in the entryway, some in the living room, and some in our bedroom. To me it adds so much charm and a warm, cozy feel that is especially nice as an accent behind a bed frame or in a gathering space. You do have to nail it plank by plank so it takes a little patience but is a pretty easy weekend project and can be done with 1/4'“ plywood.

Slat Wall

Wood slat walls are a more recent design trend that really add a layer of depth and visual interest. They serve as great backgrounds for bedrooms and the walls underneath can be painted deep colors for added dimension. This slat wall we did in Jack’s room was a fun modern touch that added a ton of personality. What otherwise would have been a simple desk nook feels like a sleek, unique space you might actually want to do your homework in. The process is time consuming but still doable and uncomplicated. Opt for a sheet of plywood that you can cut into 1/2 to 2 inch strips yourself to save big on money, or use pre-cut 1x2 boards to save big on time. Pick your poison. Being the DIY queen I am I opted for the first option and while it was a pain in my butt it was well worth it in the end!

Board & Batten

Board and batten is a classic wall treatment that has been around for ages and is known as more of a traditional look (it was cheap and easy to use on sheds and barns back in the day). But nowadays it is popular in all styles of homes! Board and batten is made up of narrow planks (boards) with wider planks (battens) covering the seams. It can be in vertical stacks like in my entry or in a rectangular pattern like my living room ceiling. To save a little moolah you can also attach the battens directly to the drywall to simulate the look. Board and batten is great as wainscoting in a bathroom or dining room as well!

Box Trim

This wall treatment may also be known as shadow box trim or a few other names, but essentially it refers to frame-shaped trim installed on walls or layered on top of other moldings. It’s elegant and charming yet simple, and can be dressed up or down just like your favorite LBD.

Use any trim you like (base cap is a good choice for extra dimension) and adhere to the wall with liquid nails followed by brad nails. The key here is to measure twice, cut once and make sure you plan out your spacing ahead of time! Once installed, paint the entire wall whatever color your heart desires and you’ll have a gorgeous accent wall that serves as a statement but also isn’t overwhelming. I love that it almost acts like its own wall art with the framing effect too, you can find it in my living room!

How To Mix Wood Tones In Your Home

If you’ve seen my home before, you already know I love the warmth and earthiness that wood furniture and decor add to a room. It’s the perfect grounding balance to my favorite black and white combo, but it also complements playful colors just as well. I can’t imagine a space without some form of wood whether it be the floors, wood paneled walls, a rustic wooden door, or some weathered wood accents. It’s just simply one of the best and most versatile materials. However, I notice a lot of people start to panic when it comes to mixing wood tones in a home. Either they’re afraid to step outside the box and only use one single specific wood tone throughout their home, which can often look flat and one-dimensional. OR they use any and every wood piece they find in one space which can easily overpower a room. I think the key here is to find the perfect balance of wood tones that both complement and contrast. Here are a few tips for achieving that layered, lived-in look that designers strive for.

The first step to achieving this balance is to figure out (or create) your dominant wood tone. If you’re looking at a space from afar this would be the largest wood component that immediately stands out to you. Maybe it’s hardwood floors, a large wooden dining table, or a wood paneled ceiling like mine! Then ask yourself - is the tone light, medium or dark? Once you’ve got that established, you’ll want to draw in some contrasting tones next. For example, if you have dominant light maple floors you can bring in some dark walnut wood in a coffee table or console. Or if you have a large grey toned built-in that is the main focus, try bringing in some different cool wood tones such as a light pine or ashy colored wood.

Slowly add in more contrasting tones until you have at least one variation of a light, medium, and dark wood. The key here is to make sure that each tone is repeated at least 2-3 times to give it a cohesive, curated look. It helps to vary the sizes too so maybe try a mix of furniture pieces, flooring/wall treatments, and then smaller accents. Wooden chain links, vases, bowls, decorative beads are all great small accent pieces to easily repeat a certain wood tone. Warm Toast Designs has some great affordable wooden decor including this wooden chain link that I have!

Try and stick to a palette of either warm or cool tones. Walnut, cherry and hickory tend to lean warm with orange, yellow, and red undertones. Whereas maple, poplar, ash, and pine are typically considered cooler tones that read more blue, green, black or gray. Walnut is a great go-to because it is so neutral and can easily read either way depending on the woods you mix it with!

Spread out the wood pieces throughout the space so they’re not clustered to one area. Layer in a patterned rug that breaks up your hardwood floors from your reclaimed wood coffee table or lounge chairs. Add in your other complementary materials like natural textiles, painted woods, ceramics, and metal finishes. These will add to the effortless “layered” look that we’re going for.

Before you know it you’ll have a balanced, cozy space that is accented by woods of all different shades! By following these easy tips, you should be able to let your dark woods and light woods happily intermingle without competing or overwhelming the room. If you’re still wanting a little more guidance or inspiration, here are some roundups of light, medium, and dark decor!

See more on my LTK!

See more on my LTK!

See more on my LTK!

Green As A Neutral

It’s St. Patrick’s Day today and I’m seeing green galore like we all do when March 17 rolls around. Whether you’re Irish and you live for this holiday or maybe you just like the excuse to pull out your funny green graphic tees and drink a green beer, you’re likely to see that bright four-leaf clover color everywhere. You know that I LOVE me some neutrals, but I also like to add some depth with other pops of color here and there especially during the spring and summer months. So today we’re unpacking how green can be used as a neutral in both your closet and in your home.

When you think of neutral colors immediately shades of beige, white, grey, and brown come to mind. The whole idea of neutrals is that they play so nicely with just about any other color, and they’re based off of natural colors that you would find out in nature. Wood, stone, soil, sand, these are all natural tones that we’d find in just about any environment. So what about GREEN? You know, that color that you can find covering just about any living thing outside? It only makes sense that certain shades of green can easily be worked into your wardrobe and home and still feel natural and cohesive. Above are a range of green tones that can serve as interior paint colors whether you’re itching to paint an entire wall or maybe just a door like mine!

@mia.interiors

Find more favorites on my LTK!

When it comes to home accents, green is such a simple color to pull in. From deep olive greens like this gorgeous velvet pillow to soft sage greens like this knit throw blanket or ceramic table lamp, the directions you can go are endless. This rug is a great base layer to help tie in the greens from this cozy patterned pillow or some vintage pottery. Or this runner rug is a great way to liven up some blacks and white wall art in a hallway. You can also start small with some dried or fresh flowers in a vintage or frosted glass vase!

Find more on my LTK!

Finally, when it comes to clothing anything green goes. From classic olive green pants to fun green patterned dresses or chunky heels. I’m obsessed with these checkered green Vans and this super soft sweatshirt from Urban Outfitters. Happy hunting!

Working From Home: Tips To Create A Space You WANT To Work In

If you are one of the guys or gals that are now permanently working from home - this blog post is for you. We all had the temporary work set-ups that barely held on through the thick of the pandemic. But for those still working from home, our home office situations are really being put to the test. Sitting on an ugly, uncomfortable home office chair every now and again used to be manageable but gone are the days. We are on a mission to create a functional, beautiful space that just begs you to work in it. So here are some of our top tips!

1. Have a happy focal point - I don’t know if there’s anything more stressful than having a chaotic workspace with just too much visually going on. Of course the papers, pens, and sticky notes that you use every day are going to pile up. But choosing one item that makes you happy or brings peace and having it be your focal point will elevate your mood and maybe even your creativity! Whether it’s a calming piece of wall art, a few nicely framed family photos on the wall, or even a pretty vase with a few flowers in it. Having something special to look at will help lift your mood and clear your mind.

2. Make it smell good - Candles or essential oil diffusers are the perfect addition to a work space to add a little coziness and warmth. Calming oils like lavender can help ease stress or more invigorating scents like peppermint can give your brain a wake up call. Because let’s be honest - most of us have a desk crammed into a bedroom corner and there’s a good chance there’s dirty laundry piling up nearby…nobody needs to smell that while on a Zoom call. 

3. Light it up - Whether it’s a small desk lamp, a floor lamp nearby, or even some flameless candles, I love to have a soft light source besides an overhead light. That way if you’re getting work started early or even burning the midnight oil, you can still see what you’re doing without having a bright main light on 24/7.

4. Bring on the greenery - Plants naturally purify the air and produce oxygen so having them in a space you spend a lot of time in can be good for your health! Not only do they physically benefit you but emotionally as well, since they’re known to boost your mood and concentration. And if you don’t have a green thumb or are allergic to plants (is that even a thing?) consider adding a few faux stems in a simple vase to bring some “life” to your space! 

5. Get organized - These days there are SO many cute desk organizers, pen cups and calendars, you name it somebody’s made it. I like the look of a marble, wood, or natural woven textured organizer to ground the space and bring some natural materials in. I notice when my home or space gets messy quickly it’s usually because things don’t have a proper place they belong yet. So get ahead of that mess and have a beautiful set space for all of your daily work materials! You will be sure to thank yourself later.

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If you’re in the market for a new desk or work chair, you’re in luck! We’ve rounded up our top picks for pretty and functional desks and chairs for your home office. Find more on our LTK!

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Kid-Proof Decor: That Thing You Don't Realize You Need Until It's Too Late

If you’ve got little feet running around the house, chances are you’ve already child-proofed your house. Outlet covers, rubber bumpers on your coffee table corners, cabinet door locks (which, let’s be honest, you struggle with sometimes too.) That’s all good stuff. But what the parenting books don’t teach you is that if you still want an aesthetically-pleasing house you’re probably going to want some kid-proof home decor too. So here’s how to make your child-proofed house not look like a child-proofed house, if you know what I mean.

Check out these kid-proof items on my LTK!

1. Tall Modern Arched Acrylic Vase - A great alternative to glass around kids is acrylic! This modern vase has such a cool shape to it that you don’t really find with typical glass or ceramic.

2. ASPEN Vase STYLE 01 & 3. VITA Vase 3D Printed - Both of these are 3D printed! Making them super affordable and also bio-degradable. And most importantly, shatter proof.

4. Eywamage White Flat Top Flameless Candles -Flameless LED candles are here to rescue your dark, candle-less evenings. Add these pillar candles for a safe, warm glow.

5. Infinity Wick Ivory Distressed 11" Taper Candles - This taper version of the flameless candles are great to pair with some brass candlesticks! Even better? No wax to clean up!

6. Macramé Catch-All Basket - Baskets are a no-brainer for kids. Store their toys, hide their mess, while still looking cute. These macrame baskets were a fun switch up from a seagrass or wicker.

7. Dried Echinops Globe Thistle - Real flowers may survive around kids but faux florals are a more durable option, especially if you’re using a vase with a lighter material such as acrylic.

8. Soft Corded Throw - Everyone loves a good throw blanket, and they’re a perfect decor touch with kids! If they get sticky from fruit snack fingers just throw them in the wash and you’re set.

Some of my favorite family-friendly decor options are wooden bowls. They’re sturdy, add a natural touch, and are so versatile and functional. You can layer them on a stack of books, fill them with pinecones or other non-fragile trinkets. If your toddler nudges one off the coffee table you don’t have to sweat it! Check out my LTK for a round up of beautiful, practical wooden bowls.

Another helpful tip is using decorative links or bead garlands - preferably wooden as well. I love the look of a wooden link added to an entry or side table set up, or a wooden bead garland draped on a coffee table book. Here are some great deals I’ve found on links and beads similar to those I decorate with.

Last but not least, if the hot pink and turquoise plastic toys are killing your vibe I highly recommend throwing some neutral toys in the mix! Somehow they magically make your space look lived-in and organic instead of completely chaotic, even when there’s dozens of them thrown across the floor and in every nook and cranny of your house. Take this Busy Puzzle for instance. The kids love them and the light wood tones mesh so well with the rest of our home, so I love them too!

taylor stuck photography