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Our guest today is teaching us all about how to make our homes both functional and beautiful. She goes through different decorating styles: farmhouse, modern, boho, and such to help us know what style we might be. She also gives great ideas for how to pin down color schemes. Our chat takes you through the home with different tips for your entryway, kitchen and living room.

Meet Bree Allen @BuildingAllen. Bree is a wife and mother who lives in Oregon. Bree and her husband own a cabinet making company and have loved designing kitchens. She has loved design all her life and plans on beginning a career in the design field.

Bree’s biggest reason for making her home both beautiful and functional is so that her family has the ideal environment for cultivating relationships, learning to be kind and teaching her children.

Listen through the link below, or through your favorite podcast app. Please, take a minute to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast- I would appreciate it so much! That is how our podcast becomes more searchable on podcast apps.

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Show Notes:

Where do I get started coming up with a color scheme for my home?

Think about what colors you are drawn to in everyday life.

Take a look at your wardrobe. What are some of your favorite outfits?

You can also use a rug or some artwork that you really love to pull colors from. A place you have traveled can be a great source of inspiration.

If you love the beach, maybe some softer sandy tones, or blues that remind you of the waves would be great fit.

Browse Pinterest and make up a board of all the things you really love. Then look at the things you can pinned and see if there are some similar themes going on.

Where do I get started in my entry way?

Your entry way sets the tone for your home. Make sure it feels welcoming and isn’t a dumping zone for all your stuff. Put a basket near the door for shoes. Use a dish or a basket for keys and spare change to help contain the clutter. Plans are a great way to make the space more inviting.

If you have room, add a console table with a lamp, or some hooks for jackets and coats.

What are some of your hacks for designing a kitchen?

Make function your first priority. If you are building a new home, make sure your sink is near your dishwasher and close to where you store the dishes for convenience.

Use open shelving to show off dishware but that can also double as storage.

Use crocks to hold utensils, buy some nice cutting boards you can use for decoration but also for everyday use, put your dish soap in a pretty bottle.

Create zones in your kitchen for different tasks. For example, have a baking zone where all your baking supplies are in the same area and easily accessible.

What are some eye pleasing tips for my living room?

Use baskets for blankets, boxes for remotes, and textured throws and pillows for the couch. Your pillows don’t have to be matchy matchy. Just make sure they are in your color scheme.

Use lamps for more intimate lighting and plants to welcome you in.

How about some ideas for decorating on a budget?

Definitely shop sales, look for things on clearance in store or online. Amazon, Target, H&M Home, Mayfair and Home Goods are some favorites.

Thrift stores are great if you’re good at DIY. You can find lots of great DIY accounts on Instagram or Pinterest that can teach you how to revamp furniture.

Even something as simple as changing out the knobs on a piece of furniture can change the look and make it your own.