Helloooooo 
I’m so glad you enjoyed the pics from Girl’s night! It was a total blasty and I’m very lucky to have such an amazing group of friends to keep me busy since the military sends our husbands away quite frequently. With all the requests for invites, I thought I’d throw it out there and say that if you’re ever in Valdizzy (which for your sake, I hope never happens haha) let me know and I’ll see what I can do
So I’ve gotten a few emails in the past asking for home decoration advice. I send back emails with a few tips, but after getting the following email yesterday, I figured it would be a fun idea for a post. It’s nice to shake things up every now and again
Hey, i just had a question. (which has nothing to do with food!!) but i have been decorating my new home and i have to say when you show pictures you have a lot of nice things in your home! your house is very beautiful! do you decorate it? and where do you get your inspiration? do you have any favorite stores?
Thanks for any advice, I am very interested in decorating my home now and getting ideas from everywhere!
have a good day!
Katie
First of all, I’m definitely not a pro interior designer, but I’ve been very fortunate to have been surrounded with home design my entire life. My dad is an amazing contractor and designs and builds custom homes and my stepmom also worked for a development company. Their house is totally stunning and I’ve been mentally taking notes since I was young (and I LOVE when they give us hand-me-downs). Even when I was in college, I had a penchant for decorating my little apartment and adore shopping for home goodies. My good friend Jeni is an interior designer and has come shopping with me quite a few times 
So here are some of the things I’ve learned about home decorating:
- Rug (this one I used to do BACKWARDS… I would buy all of the stuff first and then a rug to match but Jeni helped to break it down for me) *****To determine the color scheme for your space, find a rug that you really like
This one I did backwards because our other rug got nasty (ahem, puppy vomit) so I found this one that matched our casa. Throughout the house, our main colors are red, gold and green.
- Accessorize: Using your newfound color scheme, ACCESORIZE!!!
(I found those little doodads to put up top at Hobby Lobby… aka Hizzle Lizzle with Jeni’s help)
Fake plants are your friend (go for good quality plants that match your color scheme. World Market always has an awesome selection)
Candles (we have a candle stash under the sink because I always have candles burning. My favorite places to buy candles and candle holders are World Market, Pier One and Target)
Pillows
- Match metals – It’s totally cool to have different types of “metals” (like hardware, picture frames, accessories) but try to stick to around 2 types that compliment each other
We have two kinds in our casa
Stainless steel:
And scroll-y wrought iron
Art
- Match furniture wherever you can- This one is especially helpful for us, because next time we move we might have to put pieces in separate rooms. This way, everything will match, no matter where it is
- If you want to stray from your color scheme, decorate the powder room differently
For our downstairs bathroom, we wanted to do something fun, so we did an ocean theme
- Place items in odd numbers: For example, three vases on a ledge look much better than just two
- Pick out stuff that you’re drawn to and truly love. When the pilot and I first got together, our styles were ridiculously different. My apartment was super contemporary and he liked more traditional stuff. So the style we have now is kind of a blend between the two—mostly traditional with a modern twist.
- Where to shop:
- Crate and Barrel and Williams Sonoma are my favorite places for kitchen goodies
-World market is my favorite for candles, sconces and flowers
-Pier One is the best place to find pillows and furniture
-Z Gallerie has amazing art and furniture
-Bed Bath and Beyond and Hobby Lobby are my favorites for accessories and art
-Sometimes TJ Maxx and Ross have amazing deals on art, mirrors (we got an HUGE mirror for upstairs at Ross for $37!), kitchen and goodies and pillows—you just have to be willing to treasure hunt!
I think that’s pretty much it!
Am I missing anything???
What’s your “style” like and favorite place to shop for home goodies???
Did your style match your significant other’s, or did you have to covert him out of bachelor-style like I did? 
Let’s talk decorating!!!
xoxo,
Gina
I have an oceans themed bathroom, too.
I love Z gallerie. Unfortunately, the one in Pittsburgh closed and now I have to visit online. 
I hate it.
My style is budget-conscious (ie, spare because I’m broke!). But I love how lovely your home is, and thanks for pointing out some good deals. I love seeing the place you call home!
xoxo
Great post! Thanks for sharing, because I too am always impressed with your decorating style. Love it.
LOL – since the hubbs is an architect I get only get veto power when it comes to decorating our house. If I absolutely hate something, he has to pick something else. But, he has excellent taste and as much as I hate to give up control, he does a great job.
Your home is beautiful, Gina!
Would love to see your bedrooms decoration, I’m having the hardest time decorating my bedroom and we have very similar taste!
sure, i’ll take some pics of it
Oh yes, I second this request! Would love to see more!
My husband has NO style! If it were up to him we would still have the dark green curtains that came with the house…. I’m not so good at decorating myself but at least I know you don’t have to have the same curtains in every room in the house!
Great post! I have a simple, earthy style.
OMG Girl, love the post! I’ve been decorating too! We just moved in 2 months ago so it was kind of in order. Ironically, the question I posed when I posted last night, was everyone’s fave stores…great minds think alike
For me, I am a Z Gallerie and West Elm junkie for home stuff. Amazon, cooking.com, William Sonoma, BB & B…for kitchen stuff, where ever I can get the best deal and the product I want.
Clothes, Neiman’s or Nord. Bummy clothes for around the house, VS or Target. I posted my go-to’s. Ha!
I mailed you something today
Haha, “red gold and green” – am I the only one who immediately got Karma Chameleon in her head after reading that??? Please say I’m not old already at 26.
Your casa is very inviting. Me gusta.
Well, now I do, thankyouverymuch!
“Red gold and green! Red gold and gree-een!”
Homegoods, which is the same company as Marshalls/TJMaxx has good stuff. It’s cheap an unique. I like the “pick a rug first suggestion.”
Your casa is GORGEOUS!!! I want to live in Valdosta now…
I love the style of the Fitnessista household!! We buy a lot of things from TJ Maxx/Homegoods as well – there are quite a few hidden gems there
Love your built ins!
My husband is more modern, and I’m more traditional. Where we disagree the most is wall art!! I like frames to match and look organzied- he wants a mish mash with the least amount of blank wall possible. Ugh. His old apartment was so busy. When we move in January I am buying a bunch of new frames so things look more cohesive. Right now in my den, I’m looking at 4 frames and only two of them are the same color.
Seriously, how far is Valdosta from Tallahassee?? I want a girls night with that amazing food!
You put my junior league wine and brownies to shame!
it’s two hours away! i’m actually going to tallahassee soon for a zumba cert!!
Your place is gorgeous. I’m more of a country cottage girl myself or Colorado lodge. And I may just show up on your door from KC for some yummy food. And if you pilot knows another yummy pilot bring him too. I’m totally open to it not being girls night
ahah we have quite a few very eligible bachelors in the squadron
Beautiful home!
I agree – I love your decorating taste!
I am super stoked, my boyfriend and I just looked at a new apartment tonight that we both LOVE and I think we are going to be moving there soon! It has lots of potential… the kitchen is a ocean blue type color, with black granite countertops and black tile backsplash.
We’ve lived in a loft for the past 4 years, so our decor has been modern / ramshackle with lots of concert posters
I think we’ll bring some elements of that to the new place but “nice” it up a lot with some new pieces!
Great post – I really enjoyed this one. Have a good evening!
I just moved to a new place and have not ONE STICK of furniture so this post is very timely for me. It’s the first time my bf and I can just start from scratch and not be working around hand-me downs. I’m a little nervous on how to begin so I really appreciate the tip on picking three colors and working from that scheme. The apt has carpeting so no rug to decide for us, unfortunately
Thanks for all the tips! When I had my own house it was to my taste but since I moved in with the husband I have inherited all his electic stuff from around the world. I like it but its not 100% me, I am slowly “womanizing” his rooms. Our bedroom now looks like a woman lives there
Just a tip on fake plants- they actually are energy suckers, use real whenever you can.
hahah unless you have a black thumb, like me, and kill every plant in sight
It probably won’t surprise you to know that my husband has excellent taste, and our interior is a result primarily of his work. The other day my mom said she liked this vase and flower arrangement we have in our entryway, and I just nodded, knowing that the hubs was totally responsible for that. I married Martha Stewart.
Your house is super cute! I love Pier One and Target for cute decor, especially picture frames and candles! Ooh, and Anthropologie often has great stuff!
totally love your home! so cute:)
Oh my, your home is breathtaking. LOVE the kitchen the most. It’s so sensual, if that makes any sense.
And I am obsessed with your art selection. Your casa seems to upscale but relaxed. Love it!
thanks girl!
and i totally know what you mean.. the kitchen is where all the magic happens
Love your home!!!! Beautiful! My hubbie never really had a style so I just gave him mine.
I’m more of a traditional sort of girl when it comes to home decorating.
Wow ! your home looks fabulous. I love our bright big kitchen most! you are really a lucky girl !
Love – love your kitchen
My dorm is “cutesy” at the moment…lime green and hot pink, lots of photos, lots of tea…
I figure I might as well get all the hot pink out of my system now, while I can still pull it off
girl, embrace the hot pink as LONG AS YOU CAN!
hi gina! thanks for sharing your decorating tips. i always admire your house when you post pictures!
Hey Gina, guess what?? We have the SAME BIRTHDAY! And… I’m turning 25 this year too! Too cool
One week to go!
whoo hoo! BIRTHDAY TWIN! that’s awesome
yes, one week until the quarter life crisis begins 
your house is so cute gina!
jenna
Hey Gina!
This is Christina and Lena. We are two roommates who are huge fans of your site and we just wanted to let you know that we went out and did Indian wednesdays at this vegan/vegetarian place on campus and it inspired us to start a blog. The food was amazing and it made us think of you! We hope your Indian Day was as good as ours! and that you enjoy our blog!
-C & L
Very cozy home, great job!
I love your decor! I would have never thought to pick the rug first, but it makes so much sense! I used to live in Georgia (in Warner Robins) and reading your blog has made me miss shopping at Publix!! Don’t miss the humidity, though…
Thanks for the tips!
I’m guessing that isn’t base housing, huh? It’s really pretty! Good job.
I read some feng shui books that said to replace all your fake plants about once a year. Mine are on more like the once-a-decade rotation, though.
I love your house! This came at such an awesome time because I’m decorating right now. It’s our first house so it’s really my first time! We’ve lived here for a year and the house seems so “blah” but I have a hard time finding something we’d both like. We both love earth tones but his style is more funky, modern. I have no idea where to put wall art either! I have a month before the hubs returns, I want to make it look like “home!” I really love your bathroom!
Very interesting post! I’d never thought about the rug thing, but it makes sense!
Great post – and beautiful house!
I’ll be moving at the end of the year, so I’m totally looking to get decorating ideas right now.
Hi G$! Your home is gorgeous! I’ve always loved your kitchen. Thanks for giving us a peek into the rest of it!
I’m lucky that my husband and I have the same taste. And our tastes have changed together through the years. Right now we’re in kind of ‘contemporary craftsman’ phase.
Ross is the BEST for house stuff! I go there a lot! Steinmart has GREAT decorative pillows for way less if you ever need any (if you have that store in Valdizzy).
Wow, mama. You have a NICE house, with or without the amazing decor.
Thanks for the advice! Your home is so lovely. Our house is already decorated now, but it’ll be fun to decorate from scratch if and when Ari and I get our own place!
Great post! I love that pic with little Bella peeking around the corner of your couch
My boyfriend and I had very different tastes as well, but I’m lucky that he has impeccable taste when it comes to decor, and we were able to blend our two styles together with no problem!!
Such a pretty house – thanx for sharing
Yep, you’re house is DEF gorgeous. And I TOTALLY took my boyf’s house out of the college boy bachelor realm. Seriously, I wish I had before & afters.
One tip I would add is to not feel like you have to fix-up/furnish overnight! Styling a house is $$$, so always keeping an eye out for things you like on sale & acquiring them all over a longer period of time can really save you some cash!
that’s a great tip– we slowly add stuff to the casa because you’re right, doing it all at once would be mucho dinero
OH and I forgot to mention—-does your post title have anything to do with one of my favorite youtube videos?? “you s’posed to be up makin breakfast or summin! wooWOOOOOOOO!”
hahahahah YES. oh my god. i was wondering if anyone was going to get the referenc! i didn’t want to post the video in case it offended anyone, but YES… you’re dead on. “whistle tips go wooWOOOOOOOO!”
Love the post (and your blog!) and your decorations. I usually just wait for a good sale on items I have my eye on, but am growing to love Marshall’s and TJ Maxx more! As far as candles, PartyLite are the only candle for me!
Love it!! Your place looks so beautiful!!
I have to +1 your recommendation for TJ Maxx (and I’ll have to check out Ross now). Definitely some great stuff there, especially kitchen-wise, but often the place is just a mess!
that’s why you have to be in the mood to treasure hunt to shop there… if you don’t feel like digging, stay away! haha. but yes, a lot of good and inexpensive stuff!
Great finds at Z Gallerie!! The one near me closed to but shopping online is almost just as good and their support team is really great!
YES! i’ve bought things online from z gallerie many times.. super painless
Damn, I want to do a video shoot in that crib
come on over! we’ll have a raw food party
Your house is lovely! My house still feels like a blank canvas and I’ve been living in it for over 2 years now…I am just not adventurous with colour at all. House needs to be repainted as it’s still got the “builder’s coat” of paint on it i.e. not very much but been putting it off!
Only room I have a theme going on is the downstairs toilet which has a fish/whale dolphin feel. I even got a big bath mat shaped like a whale! I was so proud of that that I just forgot about the rest of the house.
You’ve done a wonderful job decorating! I especially like the metals you’ve chosen. We are presently personalizing our rental apartment. It was pretty beige initially, which is a good thing (some of the ones we saw had somewhat hectic color schemes) but we’re getting there. I am not sure if you have Zara Home in the US, but that’s also a great place to pick things up. I also like Anthropologie, but that can be a little pricey – their candles are great though.
ahhh i love anthro’s candles!!!
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