Suzannah Hamlin Stanley's Blog, page 45

How to paint a brass fireplace screen (without removing it!)

This is one of those projects that I always figured I'd do. We've looked at a million houses and for all the ones with ugly brass screens, I figured I'd get one and paint it black!

So it's actually funny that it's taken me this long to encounter this project and see it through!

I wish I had done this right when we moved in!! But, of course I had other things going on then. Now that it's done I feel so much happier with our historic fireplace!

We had one of these at our la...

More style, less stuff. Cozy Minimalist Home author interview!

I am so excited about this topic!! This week on the Your Home Story podcast we had the opportunity to talk to Myquillin Smith of the blog The Nester about decorating your home--for function and to show off the things you love, without getting stuck with cute clutter and still feeling like something is missing.

Her new book, Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff (affiliate link) is out this month and it totally speaks to me!! I feel burdened by too much stuff around me and love the idea...

6 month baby and postpartum update!

Otto is 6 months old today! A lot of times anniversaries and (half) birthdays seem arbitrary, but this one more than the others really feels like a big milestones--for me as well as him.


After some rocky weeks there during the 4 (turned into 5) month sleep regression and some random fussiness, he has been a much easier, happier baby lately and it has been even more fun to hang out with him. Also, I feel like 6 months is a real chunk of time that I have been doing this mom thing and I am not a...

DIY bed construction complete! The queen vs. king debate, plus nightstands and dressers: Week 3 of the One Room Challenge

Our room is really coming together! It’s not beautiful yet, but function wise it’s almost complete. Dressers and nightstands are now built, and my dad and I are both feeling very satisfied because we finished the construction portion of the DIY bed. I still have to do the sewing for the slipcover, but I wanted to get the rug in the room before I choose the color, and that will definitely be a longer task. But, the bed is up, our new Lucid mattress is here, and for the first time in… almost a...

Decorating with WOOD accents: candle holder + vase round-up!

I am so into decorating with wood pieces this year! And they're perfect for fall, especially when they're candlestick holders or warm tones. I thought I'd share a few inspirations, how I've used them in my home, and my favorite products so you can get the look, too!

This post contains affiliate links.

When I first started planning a sort of "modern traditional" look for our current home, I saw some images like this that were so different and special!
Source Source Source S...

Getting serious about interior home maintenance

You may remember I recently got really into vacuuming... I hope it is the beginning of a trend, because now that we're really settling down in this house it is time to up my game on the interior home maintenance!

Lots of tips coming at you...


While the pretty projects are more exciting, the home maintenance stuff is what will take up my time as a homeowner forever, not just while I'm making this home ours. Things that make the house safer, more efficient, cleaner. We put together a great list o...

The basics! Paint & windows, + my BIGGEST DIY ever: Week 2 of the One Room Challenge

I've definitely made progress on our master bedroom makeover since the "before" pics--starting with paint and window treatments which honestly has been a huge, incredible change. I'm also finally ready to SHOP for stuff which is a little unnerving (I have a hard time committing!) but really helpful to see it all come together.

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DIY & home decor blogging - behind the scenes!

I used to share blogging tips, like YEARS ago... things have changed! This week I'm sharing my experience and not just tips--how home decor/DIY bloggers create blog and social media content, how to get featured on a big design site, how home bloggers make money, how bloggers trick you with Instagram’s multiple image swipe feature.. (kidding!)...


Ashley and I are both sharing how we got started and how we do it now, on this week's episode of the Your Home Story podcast!

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Master bedroom makeover before, inspiration, and plan: Week 1 of the One Room Challenge!

I am so excited to be able to participate in the One Room Challenge this season! I've followed along for a couple years now and love seeing the HUGE changes people make in a room in their homes in just 6 weeks. The timing has never worked our for me to join in before but now, I have lots of rooms I want to redo--and the October-November ORC is the perfect motivation for me to make our bedroom into a fabulous, beautiful space.

I'll be sharing updates with you every Thursday for the next...

Master bedroom makeover "before," inspiration, and plan: Week 1 of the One Room Challenge!

I am so excited to be able to participate in the One Room Challenge this season! I've followed along for a couple years now and love seeing the HUGE changes people make in a room in their homes in just 6 weeks. The timing has never worked our for me to join in before but now, I have lots of rooms I want to redo--and the October-November ORC is the perfect motivation for me to make our bedroom into a fabulous, beautiful space.

I'll be sharing updates with you every Thursday for the next...