• Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
  • Shop
  • Projects
    • Cleaning
    • Clothing
    • Colonial Farmhouse
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY Projects
    • Holidays
  • Adventure
    • Moving to Ireland
    • Living in Ireland
    • Visiting Ireland
    • Travel
    • Family and Parenting
    • Humor
    • Learning
  • Privacy Policy
A Pretty Happy Home

Life, DIY and Random Things That Make Me Smile

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
  • Shop
  • Projects
    • Cleaning
    • Clothing
    • Colonial Farmhouse
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY Projects
    • Holidays
  • Adventure
    • Moving to Ireland
    • Living in Ireland
    • Visiting Ireland
    • Travel
    • Family and Parenting
    • Humor
    • Learning
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
  • Shop
  • Projects
    • Cleaning
    • Clothing
    • Colonial Farmhouse
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY Projects
    • Holidays
  • Adventure
    • Moving to Ireland
    • Living in Ireland
    • Visiting Ireland
    • Travel
    • Family and Parenting
    • Humor
    • Learning
  • Privacy Policy

No Widgets found in the Sidebar Alt!

  • when and where to use rechargeable light bulbs so they don't disappoint you
    decorating,  DIY

    5 Places Rechargeable Light Bulbs Won’t Disappoint You

    February 21, 2024 /

    If you’re contemplating using rechargeable light bulbs, then I know you have a lighting situation that’s dimming your spirit a little. Maybe a lot. If it was a hassle-free, inexpensive fix, and your best friend’s sister’s cousin is an electrician, then you would have already shone a light on your dark corner. Same. Or maybe you are renting and there’s no way your landlord is going to spring for more outlets and hardwired lights. Gives new meaning to the Dark Ages. Been there too. Couldn’t see a thing. Rechargeable light bulbs are not going to solve all of your life problems. Disappointing, I know. However, they have been improving in…

    read more
    annisa 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    cardboard gingerbread house christmas mantel

    Cardboard Gingerbread House Christmas Mantel

    December 2, 2024

    What Should I Do With This Junky Treasure?

    January 10, 2018

    Jazzing Up a Fake Wreath

    December 15, 2014
  • reclaimed wood try from rotten piece of old growth pine the hidden meaning behind this reclaimed wood tray
    decorating,  DIY

    The Hidden Meaning Behind This Reclaimed Wood Tray

    February 19, 2024 /

    I never thought there would be a hidden meaning behind a reclaimed wood tray. Yet, here we are. To set the stage, we live in a colonial-era home that we’ve been restoring for the last four and a half years. Old homes should come with a warning. Not the “this house is a money pit” warning. Although, it will be. Not the “this house makes disturbing noises” warning. It does. Not the “people probably died here” warning. For sure they have. They were born here too. Not the “rodents have more entrances to your home than you do” warning. It’s infuriating. The warning old houses should come with is this…

    read more
    annisa 2 Comments

    You May Also Like

    Repurposed Light Shade Planter

    Repurposed Light Shade Planter

    May 17, 2021
    wallpapered stairwell in a old 1700s farmhouse

    Wallpapered Stairwell – Before and After

    December 4, 2024
    entryway refresh with buffalo check curtains and new front door window insert

    Entryway Refresh and a New Front Door Window

    April 16, 2025
  • vintage brass display stand in praise of pretty tablet stands
    decorating

    In Praise Of: Pretty Tablet Stands

    February 12, 2024 /

    Every time it appears in a photo or video, I get compliments and questions about the brass tablet stand that holds my laptop or iPad while it charges. I agree, it is pretty amazing. My tablet stand is vintage from the 1970s, which means it’s not really a tablet stand. We were still typing on typewriters in the 1970s, not laptops and tablets. My oh my, how things have changed. My stand held a memento from my parents’ wedding. I’ve used it to display various pictures over the years, but now it functions as a beautiful and practical display stand for a laptop or iPad. I wondered if I could…

    read more
    annisa 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    wicker acorns from etsy shop wicker decor workshop pretty acorn decor and jewelry

    The Prettiest Acorn Decor and Jewelry

    October 16, 2024

    St Patrick’s Day Craft: Burlap Pot of Gold

    March 1, 2017
    image showing a white fireplace with a grapevine heart garland hanging above the fireplace. The grapevines are a variety of sizes. In the foreground is a wood dining room table with a red vase holding red and white alstroemerias. There are also four brass candle holders on the table with red and pink candles. The picture is showcasing how to DIY a grapevine heart garland.

    DIY Grapevine Heart Garland

    January 14, 2026
  • colonial farmhouse living room curtains traditional living room with light brown velvet curtains and a leather sofa
    decorating

    Living Room Curtains (It Only Took Me 4 Years)

    January 31, 2024 /

    I finally hung living room curtains and it only took me four years to get that job done. *pats self on the back* Why did I wait so long to hang living room curtains? I’m one of those people who don’t really mind naked windows, especially if the windows have gorgeous trim like this particular window has. I also didn’t have to worry about privacy. This window faces our backyard and there’s nothing but deer, bear, rabbits, groundhogs, and a fox in our backyard. They don’t seem to mind the view, so I haven’t prioritized window treatments. Until now. Why now? Not sure. In a way that I think will…

    read more
    annisa 8 Comments

    You May Also Like

    Pom Pom Initial Gift Bag

    October 4, 2017

    Leather Map From Old Boots

    February 28, 2018

    Wistful Wednesday – Oregon Kitchen

    September 3, 2014
  • old fashioned wall sconce with 6 inch fitter my latest thrift store finds
    decorating

    My Latest Thrift Store Finds: Part 7

    January 29, 2024 /

    Welcome back to the delightful but infrequent blog series “My Latest Thrift Store Finds.” It’s not infrequent because I’m not thrift store shopping. No, no, no. Even I don’t have that much restraint. It is an infrequent series because I forget to write about my thrift store finds unless they are part of a larger story or project. This blog series is my attempt to right (or is it write?) that wrong. Here’s what has come home with me in the last few months. My Latest Thrift Store Finds: Mini Copper and Brass Colander Once in a blue moon Handy Husband will come to the thrift store with me. He…

    read more
    annisa 4 Comments

    You May Also Like

    refinished wood mirror how to label diy furniture

    Refinished Wood Mirror With a Sentimental Twist

    May 2, 2022

    Burl Wood Table

    July 27, 2016

    Cat-tastic Chair Makeover

    July 9, 2018
  • built in black pantry cabinet in a colonial farmhouse gross to gorgeous pantry cabinet transformation vintage pantry cabinet
    colonial farmhouse,  decorating

    Gross To Gorgeous Pantry Cabinet Transformation

    January 17, 2024 /

    We may not have a huge walk-in pantry in this old house of ours but we do have a gorgeous built-in cabinet that we are using as a pantry. Gorgeous is a description that is a bit “in the eye of the beholder” as it didn’t start that way. That’s why I titled this blog post “Gross To Gorgeous Pantry Cabinet Transformation.” The gross pantry cabinet started out violating multiple health codes if such a thing existed for pantry cabinets. Then there were the violations of our visual sensibilities. I think it is safe to say this cabinet would not win any interior design awards. However, if you can get…

    read more
    annisa 8 Comments

    You May Also Like

    black painted doors

    Painted Black Doors in our Colonial Farmhouse

    July 13, 2020
    corkboard ideas Farmhouse Style Boy's Room

    Farmhouse Style Boy’s Room

    July 22, 2020

    Check Out These Old Photos Of Our House

    October 26, 2022
  • diy brass pumpkin
    decorating

    Cozy Touches Of Fall In My Home

    November 8, 2023 /

    My home is feeling especially cozy right now, which is a good thing since we are racing as fast as an out-of-control sled down a steep, snow-covered hill toward winter. Am I ready? No. Funny thing, that march of time. It happens whether I’m ready or not. While I might not be ready for the upcoming winter, it’s fine. My home is cozy. I don’t need to leave it. I’ll just hunker down for the next…oh, shoot. I have to leave the house every day this week. Adulting is over-rated, folks. Over. Rated. We’ll revisit the hunkering down thing next week. In the meantime, the pool towels and the lawn games…

    read more
    annisa 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    entryway refresh with buffalo check curtains and new front door window insert

    Entryway Refresh and a New Front Door Window

    April 16, 2025

    Happy Thrifting: The Nest at Farmstead Farmers Market

    September 5, 2018

    Fall Mantel

    November 9, 2016
  • Wood Music Stand Hits The Right Note and adds character and function to a music room
    decorating

    Wood Music Stand Hits The Right Note

    October 25, 2023 /

    I found the most gorgeous wood music stand to add to our music room. Did we need it? Absolutely not. But is it perfect for this space? Oh, yes. Yes, indeed. I’ve been idly looking for a music stand for years. As a pianist, I don’t really need one because the piano comes with its own. When I go through one of my “attempt to learn the guitar” phases, I usually just look at chords on my phone, so I don’t need a music stand for that. Although, it probably would help my posture to have the phone propped somewhere more ergonomically correct. When it came down to it, I…

    read more
    annisa 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    blanket ladder with diy brass leg tips

    Blanket Ladder With DIY Brass Leg Tips

    September 8, 2021
    cardinal welcome door hanger from etsy shop annie lynn creations winter wreath ideas

    Winter Wreath Ideas To Get You Through To Spring

    January 6, 2025
    scrapbook paper flower garland hanging over a navy blue sunporch and blooming geraniums spring party decor wedding shower decor

    Paper Flower Garland

    March 19, 2025
  • amber match cloche by skeem via lulu and georgia in praise of pretty matchstick holders
    decorating

    In Praise Of: Pretty Matchstick Holders

    October 18, 2023 /

    Do you know what lights my fire? Pretty matchstick holders. I recently found a vintage cast iron matchstick holder to hold chalk, not matches, but that’s a story for the end of this blog post. The point is you don’t have to store matches in the boring boxes they come in. There are really pretty matchstick holders – new and vintage – to hold your little fire sticks. I flame to please, so check out these pretty matchstick holders. Cast Iron Match Striker | Schoolhouse This cast iron match striker from Schoolhouse is perfect in its simplicity. I love that there’s a place to set down spent matches. (image: Schoolhouse)…

    read more
    annisa 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    Wood Music Stand Hits The Right Note and adds character and function to a music room

    Wood Music Stand Hits The Right Note

    October 25, 2023
    turn an accent table into a decorative tray

    Easily Turn an Accent Table into a Decorative Tray

    November 18, 2019
    black built in pantry cabinet pantry organization tips for glass front cabinets

    Pantry Organization That Works (For Us)

    January 22, 2024
  • create a Nature Art Gallery Wall using an eclectic grouping of landscape art, flower prints, and leaf stamping.
    decorating

    Nature Art Gallery Wall

    October 16, 2023 /

    Nature art in all its forms – landscape paintings, dried flowers, prints of bouquets – is my jam. It’s soothing to me. Plus, it’s a bug-free way of bringing nature inside my home. Love nature. Not too fond of the bugs. I’ve been collecting nature art for a while now. My love for nature art and landscape paintings started when my aunt painted a scene of my child running along a trail. There’s nothing like a tug on the heartstrings to get you started down the path of an art collection. Now, when I spot nature art at the thrift store, it often comes home with me. Believe it or…

    read more
    annisa 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    built in black pantry cabinet in a colonial farmhouse gross to gorgeous pantry cabinet transformation vintage pantry cabinet

    Gross To Gorgeous Pantry Cabinet Transformation

    January 17, 2024

    3 Walls That Have Me Stumped

    September 26, 2016

    Leather Wrapped Basket Handle

    March 7, 2016
 Older Posts
Newer Posts 
Hi! I'm Annisa.

Recent Posts

  • How To: Fall-Themed Resin Tray With Wood Leaf Cutouts
  • Hold Your Horses: Bringing Back the Original “Parking Spot”
  • Happy List: #445
  • Out With the Sad Mailbox In With the New Mailbox
  • Finally Fixed the Carriage House Rotten Window Trim

Categories

Subscribe to blog
Loading

$2018 © A Pretty Happy Home
Ashe Theme by WP Royal.