• 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!

  • 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

    Removing Window Decals removing really old window decals stuck to the window

    Removing Window Decals

    January 13, 2020
    Grey Fireplace Mantel

    Grey Fireplace Mantel in our Master Bedroom

    May 11, 2020
    turn an accent table into a decorative tray

    Easily Turn an Accent Table into a Decorative Tray

    November 18, 2019
  • 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

    Wood Dining Chair Makeover With Fabric Tape

    August 20, 2018

    $2.50 Cloth Napkin Art

    July 14, 2014

    My Christmas Decor Hacks

    December 19, 2016
  • 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

    main staircase makeover curved stair tread colonial house stairs

    The Most Satisfying Staircase Makeover You’ve Seen Today

    March 7, 2022
    winter home inspiration from new jersey

    Our 2021 House Project Plans

    January 4, 2021
    red barn with daffodils and rock wall

    The Great Barn Loft Clean Out

    May 3, 2021
  • 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

    fall front porch with colored solar lanterns

    Fall Front Porch At Night

    October 8, 2025

    Wrapped Wheat

    October 26, 2016

    Lamp Base Filled With Yarn Pom-Poms

    June 27, 2014
  • 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

    candle warmer lamps sitting on a table in front of a gallery wall great christmas gift idea 2025

    Getting Cozy With Candle Warmer Lamps

    September 29, 2025
    hubcap art unique art for big kid spaces

    Trash to Treasure: Art for Boys Room

    March 30, 2016
    wood deacons bench makeover

    Wood Deacon’s Bench Makeover and a Tip for Disassembling a Bench

    March 14, 2022
  • 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

    sink skirt hack

    Sink Skirt Hack If You Don’t Own a Sewing Machine

    March 30, 2022

    My Favorite Corner – Living Room

    May 13, 2015
    spring-themed teen bedroom

    Spring-Themed Teen Bedroom and a Fun Wall Sconce

    March 21, 2022
  • 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

    Our New Christmas Stockings

    December 11, 2015

    Winter Home Inspiration from New Jersey

    December 18, 2019
    DIY wood pedestal or cake stand trimmed for Easter with mini wood eggs that are glued around the edge of the stand

    DIY Wood Pedestal With Mini Egg Trim

    March 16, 2026
  • tan buffalo check kitchen curtains with beige wainscoting
    decorating

    Buffalo Check Curtains For Our Kitchen

    October 4, 2023 /

    It takes me a long time to decide on window treatments but I finally hung buffalo check curtains in our kitchen. What’s a long time? 4 years, 2 months, and 19 days. But who’s counting? And it was totally worth the wait. I know these photos do not look like a kitchen but trust me when I say there is a sink full of dishes right behind where the camera is positioned. That’s the perk or quirk of having a galley style kitchen. A kitchen table could probably be squeezed into this space you’re seeing. For reference, the rug is 5×8. However, there are also stairs to the right and…

    read more
    annisa 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    Storing Logs in an Old Boiler

    November 24, 2014
    handful of wheat

    6 Ways To Decorate With Wheat

    October 19, 2022
    carriage house kitchenette with blue and white curtains to break up long narrow space

    Carriage House Curtains For a Long Narrow Space

    August 11, 2025
  • our fall front porch with pumpkin topiary
    decorating

    Our Fall Front Porch

    October 2, 2023 /

    Our fall front porch feels so welcoming right now. It’s one of those ‘walk up to the front door and grin because of how it makes you feel’ situations. That could have something to do with the smiling trio. Aren’t they the happiest? The smiling trio was created using the simplest idea – transform black duct tape into Halloween decals. Specifically, jack o’lantern faces for these planters but I also made bat decals. You can get the instructions here. “Trio” might be the theme of this year’s fall porch because, on the other side of the front door, I have a pumpkin topiary created with a trio of pumpkins. In…

    read more
    annisa 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    Camouflaging the Dog Door

    October 19, 2015
    amber match cloche by skeem via lulu and georgia in praise of pretty matchstick holders

    In Praise Of: Pretty Matchstick Holders

    October 18, 2023
    one year without throw pillows

    One Year Without Throw Pillows

    May 13, 2019
  • Annisa Olsson Jones sitting on the front porch of a colonial farmhouse in new jersey double rockers for our porch
    decorating,  gardening and landscape

    Why We Chose Double Rockers For Our Porch

    September 27, 2023 /

    There is a new addition to our front porch. Double rockers! Double your fun. (I grew up watching Doublemint gum commercials. I was compelled to say that.)  Why did we choose double rockers over regular rocking chairs or a porch swing? Great question. I’d love to tell you. I have always wanted a big covered porch and this is the first house we’ve lived in that has a front porch big enough for porch sitting. Every romanticized image you can imagine of front porch sitting and front porch living has taken up residence in my brain for years and I have zero regrets about that. I knew I wanted 4…

    read more
    annisa 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    4th of july wreath grain sifter rustic 4th of july wreath

    Junky 4th of July Wreath

    June 21, 2017
    farmhouse style plywood side table stained with paint dipped legs in black

    Plywood Side Table Makeover

    June 11, 2025
    yale smart lock on a black front door 3 things we love about our smart lock and one we don't

    Front Door Smart Lock: 3 Things We Love, 1 We Don’t

    June 17, 2024
 Older Posts
Newer Posts 
Hi! I'm Annisa.

Recent Posts

  • Happy List: #438
  • Reconstructing a Fieldstone Wall: Part 1, The Plan
  • Functional and Pretty Utility Room Organization
  • Happy List: #437
  • Where to Buy Natural Hydraulic Lime (NHL) in the U.S. to Mix Lime Mortar

Categories

Subscribe to blog
Loading

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