Decorating with Dina Michele

 Diy Sheet Music Garland   I wanted to show you how I made this simple garland to drape over the piano Materials  nylon string or twine copies of sheet music  fabric wooden dowel rubber band Basically I started out by finding sheet music images on the internet. Then I printed out 3 copies. I folded each in half and cut with scissors. I took a left over wooden dowel or even a pencil would work and rolled the sheet all the way up and secured with a rubber band. Next, I took an old curtain and cut strips of fabric. You can use anything that you have around the house. Tea towels work great!  Now, take your twine and measure out how much you need to hang across where you are placing it. I literally used masking tape and taped it down on my runner on top of the piano. I took the one end of twine and slid it through the rubber band of the rolled sheet music and evenly spaced out. In the empty space add the strips of fabric. You could tie it

   

 This traditional style hutch was here when we bought our house. It originally had a mirrored back.  At first, this didn’t bother me too much until Pinterest happened. It seemed like everyone was chalk painting their hutches. I didn’t want to change the whole look, but I did want to get rid of the dated mirrored back. So what do you think I did? Chalkboard paint baby!  This small investment in an $11.00 paint was worth a shot. It was scary at the first coat of paint because it looked like it wasn’t going to work. I decided to press on. Guess what? It worked! I will take at least 3 coats of paint.  The next step was to take the glass out of the doors so I could view the decorations better.  Here are a few close up photos of my decor.

I have a white bi-fold  door in my kitchen that is screaming for a change! I wanted to do something different but  I wasn’t sure exactly what? I had some black chalkboard paint on hand so that will do. When I begin a project I never really plan it out, and sometimes it works out.  I just begin with a foam sponge and start in the corners then back through each slat. After this was done, I started to sand in spots to give it a distressed look. Now it looks okay but not really the worn look I was hoping for. I had some light grey acrylic craft paint. I started to go over each slat again. This gave it a softer color. I went back and sanded in random spots.  Sometimes just painting a door can be the key to creating something dramatic. BEFORE WITH CHALKBOARD PAINT AND SANDING AFTER WITH GREY PAINT AND SANDED                                                                                                                                   I hope this inspi

Welcome to my home. I want to begin with a few photos of decorating ideas by themselves and finish with a short video of the room. As you view the photos I hope you find inspiration to decorate your own home. First, here is my two rustic shelves with accessories. Alongside it is my book pages which are taped to the wall. To the right a simple canvas picture and underneath is a  black metal basket that is filled with a  spool of rope and burlap bird. Next is a sentimental display. Family is very important to me. Memories of loved ones in my life. My husbands grandma loved quilting and sewing. I displayed her sewing machine. On the top is 3 boxes, each one is filled with sewing notions. Lastly, my hutch with chalkboard painted back. It is filled with a combination of glass, metal and wood decorations. Video

My trip to Home Goods was well worth it! I found a lot of great items. I’m not sure if people in NJ are avid Rae Dunn collectors because there was an entire end cap stocked with it. I also found pieces throughout the aisles. I picked up the STIR spoon rest and SUGAR bowl with lid. I like to mix and match my decor pieces so I picked up this black with white polka dot creamer pitcher. Kitchen towels added some texture and pattern. This is a neutral decor theme but you could easily add color. I made this marshmallow garland from nylon rope and these white foam pieces on wire. Tying some fabric on the mugs added extra cuteness! Get creative with things around the house. Shop for inexpensive accessories that can turn the ordinary into something extraordinary! You will see in my video how it all came together . Hope you enjoy it! For more decorating ideas instagram.com/dinamicheleferdman

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins Winter is my favorite time to bake. I love the smells of freshly baked goods filling the house. There is just something about it that brings me back to my childhood. My family loves this recipe! It’s super easy and we always seem to have over ripe bananas on hand. Go figure?  Enjoy! INGREDIENTS  3 ripe bananas (mashed to about 1 cup) 1/3 cup melted butter 3/4 cup of sugar 1 large egg beaten 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract  1 teaspoon of baking soda  Pinch of salt 1 1/2 cups of flour 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips  DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pan with liners Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside Mash bananas with a whisk then add the melted butter Add egg, vanilla and sugar Gradually add the dry ingredients, (careful not to over mix) Fold in the chocolate chips  Spoon into muffin pan Bake for 25-30 minute If toothpick come

Christmas has come and gone. Now is the time to change up the decor. I thought I would start with my recent purchases from Hobby Lobby. I changed the theme from Christmas Lodge to a baking theme. I brought in my large farmhouse sign over the window to start.  I hung a rolling pin, cutting board and old sifter on my handmade wall rack. Behind it lays a rag garland. Added some green branches with pine cones in the mason jars. Above that is my fresh baked cookies sign. My rustic ladder at the end of the wall with some baskets and such. I finally got a tiered tray that has a s’mores theme to it. Jars filled with chocolate chips, Golden Grahams and mini marshmallows. Two garland wreaths and handmade marshmallows on sticks. A tablecloth and ruffled runner to complete this look. This should get me through the winter season until I add some Valentine’s Day decor in February.   Please visit my Instagram page for more inspiration     instagram.com/dinamicheleferdman