7-15-23

I’m so very grateful you’re here as we usher in a bit of a makeover here at SHD.

How South House Designs looks,

it’s functionality

and what it delivers

is all about creating the best experience for YOU!

With that in mind, please do not hesitate to give me your feedback and to make requests:

• What are your favorite parts?
• What would you like more of?
• What would you like to see gone?

Send me a quick email, [email protected] or you can leave a comment below.

This was a short week for me.

When the kids left after spending the 4th here at the lake, we flew out too. Spent Friday thru Monday in DC for our son-in-law’s promotion ceremony (to USMC Major). Well, actually Friday was spent in the Detroit airport when our 90 minute layover grew to more than 12 hours.

It was a ridiculous comedy of errors where Delta really couldn’t make up their mind as to what they were doing with this whole plane full of people.

I’m back to scheduling non-stops whenever possible!!!!

The bulk of the week was spent writing — and then paring down — a jam-packed post all about banquettes.

If you have issues with space, with traffic flow, with not enough seating, be sure to check it out! The first half is all about why you might want to consider banquette or bench seating, and then all the considerations for designing a custom banquette to perfectly fit your home and your style.

I also posted this 2 minute YouTube Tool Tip video. I took one of my favorite methods I use in production sewing and applied it to the wood shop and it worked great. Saves a ton of time and frustration.

Are you a fellow blogger- content creator or influencer?

This is for you!

I discovered a “new” affiliate platform. If you have not heard of Mavely, you need to!

There’s no real application, it’s just a simple sign-up. They have hundreds of brands and retailers on the platform, and as a Mavely creator, you’re automatically in with each of them.

Please click here to learn more and join. There is no obligation. This link will take you to the website to explore what all the buzz is about.

It’s July! Which means Christmas in July!!!

Can we ever start too early?

Well, I certainly can’t as the Christmas season is my crazy busy time.

This is a reminder that if you have South House Christmas stockings and your family has or is growing, and you need an additional stocking or three to blend in with your originals,

NOW is the time to order!!!

To encourage you to order before the season starts (before Sept. 1), I waive the $15 surcharge that Add-On stockings carry during the holiday season.

Click here, to order from SouthHouseDesigns.com or click here if you prefer going through Etsy.

And saving perhaps the best for almost last:

So excited about this new activity I’m doing with my closest blogging buddies!

I think you’ll enjoy it — fun + helpful!!!!

I mean who doesn’t like shopping with friends — and my friends will quickly become yours too!

These ladies are the best at finding really great “stuff” and deals!

The third Saturday of every month, the six of us will be sharing a few things that are in our carts or that we’ve already bought and love, or maybe something we’re crushing on and would like your purchasing advice first. It will be fun to see what everyone has found to share.

(Note: Amy is out of town at a wedding so she’ll be joining us next month)

Diane (that’s me) — South House Designs

Late Spring, early Summer is my very, very favorite time of the year. I love getting outdoors again, and how fresh everything feels. I always have huge plans for all the warm weather ahead . . . . and then . . . then warm becomes stifling hot, the air seems to stop and flying bugs take over.

And we’re hosting a large potluck dinner next weekend! Did I mention it’s on our patio?

• On our recent trip to Dallas, we discovered fly fans! Several restaurants had them on the outdoor tables. I need these for my patio and balcony. But I might splurge and get this one because of the mosquito light it also has. Does anyone know if the light is effective?
• That’s for on the tables. And this traditional fan will keep the mosquitos and biting flies off our legs and ankles under the tables!
• You can bet I’ll be using my very favorite “tablecloth” . Every time I wash them, the texture becomes even better and sooo soft and drapey despite it’s weight! It’s huge so drapes to the ground. I’ve also cut one up to make three long tablecloths!
• The deer munched the first of our hydrangea blooms, but not anymore!! I gave them a good coating of this Deer Out concentrate. This is the most successful product I have found. And this new sprayer worked great!

Cindy — Reinvented Delaware

• Hubby and I have been getting on our bikes early in the mornings and riding about 5 miles. I love that my Apple watch tracks all the info like mileage, mph, calories burned, and my heart rate. It’s a great way to start our day!
• Sleep is so important to our health so we decided to replace our mattress. Our Sleep Number bed is 20 years old so it was time to get a new one. And of course that meant new My Pillows, new sheets, and a new bedframe to fit the king-size mattress.
• Have you jumped on board with a smart speaker for your home yet? We were gifted an Echo Dot and we love it! I can tell Alexa to play ‘relaxing instrumental music’ and listen all day. This small device is about 5″ round and the sound quality is amazing!
• Speaking of jumping on board with new things – I started to shave my face! Haha! That sounds so funny to say! It’s been well over a year and I can say my skin has never felt better. I’m using the Schick Hydra Silk Exfoliating/Dermaplaning Tool and it’s super easy to use.

Lynn — Living Large in a Small House

• I’m doing a porch refresh so I got this fantastic rug from boutique rugs. It’s the Hettick Rug. It’s a blue and white outdoor rug that I can hose down. I topped it with a blue welcome mat that says Welcome in gold.
• We have a few outdoor events coming up and I need a few summer dresses that are cool and comfortable. I’m loving this loose-fit long dress in Royal Blue.
• I’m almost done with working in the garden and boy did Grandpa’s Weeder ever save my back.
• I’ve enjoyed fun summer drinks with ice cubes from flower molds in these glasses.

Michele — Vintage Home Designs

• I am loving this linen bedding I discovered recently!! I ordered it for a refresh of my downstairs guest bedroom. They have a cute linen duvet that ties, or a cute one that has a ruffled edge. And the price is amazing!! Can you guess which one I got?
• This super cute and cozy outfit is my new favorite! I got it just a few weeks ago and I have already worn it so many times. It is so comfortable, but stylish. It is going to be a great travel outfit, and I am also getting it an another color for fall.
• This real touch Norfolk pine garland is so great for holiday decor. I used this on my staircase last year and plan to add some to my mantel this year. It sells out early every year, so if you want some, grab it soon.
• And I am coveting this Harvest Basket. There are so many uses and possibilities for this beauty. Imagine it filled with pumpkins in the fall or fresh greenery or large Christmas ornaments for the holidays.
  It is on sale, but still a bit pricey, so I think it’s going on my Christmas wish list.
  Don’t you love it??

Wendy — WM Design House

• I’m so excited about gardening this summer, especially now that I have my new raised flower beds. They make gardening so much easier. No bending over; a raised bed also allows you to customize your soil with my favorite amendments to your flower needs.
• I have a few favorite garden tools that I could not live without. The first is a flexible, lightweight bucket with handles. It makes trimming so easy, even for those hard-to-reach places. The bucket is also lightweight, so I can easily carry it around my garden while trimming with my favorite clippers.
• My other favorite garden tool is a mini battery-operated blower. It keeps my patios and gardens tidy 24/7. The blower is small and lightweight, so it’s easy to maneuver around my garden without cords.

Fabulous Friday Link Party

Can you guess how Carol [Blue Sky at Home] made this inexpensive art?

Luckily you don’t have to guess! Carol shared all the details — so clever!

Visit the link party to see all the features and so many more — plus to link up your own content.

As you probably know by now, I use affiliate links in my newsletters and on the website. An affiliate link means that if you click on my link and purchase something, I may receive a small commission but you pay nothing extra.

I truly appreciate you using my links whenever possible!!!

I hope you enjoy your weekend!!! Thanks for hanging out with me a bit,

As I said before, I would greatly appreciate your feedback, any special requests, or questions you have.