If you haven’t ever tried it before, mixing patterns can feel a little scary. How do you know what patterns will work? Won’t the room look too busy? What if it look horrible when I’m done? If you find yourself asking these questions when it comes to deciding whether or not you’ll be mixing patterns, don’t panic! With just a little guidance you’ll be able to mix patterns like a pro. Check out some of these tips to help get you started. 

Mixing Patterns in Living Rooms

Before you begin, decide what overall look you want. This will help determine what types of patterns and colors you want to use. Florals are generally more feminine while animal prints read eclectic. Knowing what you like will help you focus in on what patterns you’ll want to use.

via Eleven Magnolia Lane

Use an odd number of patterns and start out with just three to begin. The scale of your patterns should be mixed. If you aren’t sure what to use, stick with a large scale pattern, a medium, and a small to start.

via Better Homes and Gardens

Stick with a consistent color scheme. If you choose jewel tones, make sure all the patterns you use are in that category. Same goes for pastels. Your room will make more sense if you keep things more unified.

via The Everygirl

Spread the patterns throughout the entire room. If all your patterns are clumped together it won’t look as intentional or thought out as it will if you scatter them throughout.

via Place of My Taste

Include some solids to help your eye rest and break things up.

via Better Homes and Gardens

Most importantly, remember to trust your instincts. If you like it, keep it! If you think it’s bad, it probably is.

Do you like to mix patterns in your home? RC Willey is the place to find any home decor you may need to make your house feel like a home. 

In my opinion, one of the best parts of fall is how pumpkin invades pretty much everything. Pumpkin spice candles, pumpkin decorations, and best of all, pumpkin recipes! This year my goal is to branch out of the typical pumpkin desserts and start making savory pumpkin recipes. I’ve collected some different recipes I’m hoping to try out this month and am going to share them in the hopes that you’ll give them a try too! Don’t forget that you can get any kitchen appliances you may need this holiday season at RC Willey. 

Pumpkin Recipes

PUMPKIN VEGETABLE CURRY STEW

Find the recipe at Martha Stewart

SAVORY PUMPKIN AND SAGE SOUP

Find the recipe at Good Housekeeping

Creamy Pumpkin Spaghetti and Garlic Kale

Find the recipe at Pinch of Yum

ROASTED PUMPKIN RISOTTO

Find the recipe at The Cozy Apron

One Pot Cheesy Pumpkin Pasta

Find the recipe at Domestic Superhero

What are your favorite pumpkin recipes to make? 

Now that it’s November it’s time to swap out the skeletons and ghosts and get ready for Thanksgiving. There are some easy things you can bring into your house to really get into the holiday spirit! Check out some of these Thanksgiving decoration ideas to help inspire your home decor this season. 

Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas

via Home Bunch

via RC Willey

via Etsy

via RC Willey

How have you decorated your home for this Thanksgiving? 

If you are moving into a new apartment, or you know someone who is moving into their first apartment, it can feel overwhelming getting everything set up. Packing, unpacking, and runs to the store for basic supplies can make even the most organized person feel scattered and forgetful! That’s why I’ve come up with a first apartment checklist to help you keep everything in order. 

New Apartment Checklist

FURNITURE

Don’t worry about furnishing your entire apartment all at once. There are a few things you definitely need like a mattress, a dresser, a table, chairs, and a couch. Take your time finding things you like and keep your eyes open for deals.

KITCHEN

In your kitchen, you’ll want to make sure you have enough dishes that your guests won’t be eating off napkins or paper plates. You probably don’t have the room or the budget to have a gourmet kitchen right away, and you don’t need one! Some kitchen basics you may need are:

• Water glasses
• Plates
• Cereal bowl
• Utensils
• Frying pan
• Pots
• Cookie sheets
• Toaster
• Microwave
• Spatula

BATHROOM

Bathrooms are easy to set up and don’t require too much to get them going. You will want to make sure you have:

• Shower curtain
• Toilet paper
• Garbage can
• Towels
• Soap and shampoo
• Laundry hamper

via The Everygirl

CLEANING SUPPLIES

It can be easy to forget about cleaning supplies, but make sure they make your list! You’ll want to clean as you unpack so your apartment is ready to go the moment the last box is emptied.

• Vacuum
• Broom and mop
• Multi-surface cleaner
• Rags
• Laundry detergent
• Toilet bowl cleaner and scrub brush
• Dish/dishwasher soap
• Window cleaner

ODDS AND ENDS

There are some basic things you will need so make sure you have them on hand.

• Extension cord
• Phone charger
• Trash cans in each room
• Batteries
• Power Strip
• Clothing hangers
• First-aid kit
• Step stool
• Toolkit with nails and wall hooks

This is a very basic new apartment checklist, but it should get you started on your new home! Once you’ve got things up and running you’ll be able to add accessories, art, and different touches to make your new apartment feel like home.

What do you always make sure you have when you move into a new apartment?

No wonder so many people want their kitchens decorated in the farmhouse style. Warm and welcoming, with personal touches and a natural feel, the farmhouse style has become extremely popular. One of the best parts of it is how totally unique and individualized you can make your home while still incorporating the style. If you’re interested in decorating your kitchen in the farmhouse style, start working little by little. This look is best put together over time with items that are meaningful and loved.

Keep reading for different elements of a farmhouse kitchen that you can incorporate into your home. 

Farmhouse Kitchens

Farmhouse kitchens are simple and organic. Warm Earth tones like tan, gray, beige, and light brown are common in these kitchens.

via Cowgirl

Use dark accents against the muted colors of the walls and cabinets. Dark wooden floors or darker appliances can work as a good contrast.

via HGTV

Sticking with the Earthy feel, include metal elements. Brass, copper, or wrought-iron in the lighting fixtures, cabinet handles, or faucets will bring a new level of interest and shine to the kitchen.

via Our Vintage Home Love

Exposed shelving, glass door cabinets, wooden countertops, and farmhouse sinks are common features in farmhouse kitchens.

All in all, the idea of a farmhouse kitchen is for it to look like it has evolved over time. Add things little by little that you love and if you find something vintage to include, even better!

How have you decorated your farmhouse kitchen?

Organizing a kitchen (and keeping it organized) can be one of the most frustrating and overwhelming projects in your house. So many things are moved and used and replaced and put away that your cabinets can go from organized to destroyed in days. At least that’s how it is at my house! I’ve been making a list of things to organize and clean up this fall before winter comes and my kitchen is at the top of the list. In an effort to do it right and get my kitchen in good shape, I’ve looked up some different organization tips that I thought I’d share. 

Organization Tips: Kitchen

Before you actually begin organizing your kitchen, empty all your cabinets. This will give you a chance to throw away or donate any broken dishes, unused appliances, or duplicate items. Empty your pantry and find any expired foods or empty containers that you can get rid of.

Once everything has been emptied and you’ve wiped out your cabinets, group items together. Baking items, dishes, glasses, etc. should be near each other when put away and by grouping them together you’ll be able to see how much space you’ll need for each group.

via Brit + Co

Think through your kitchen and how you use it. Notice where your dishwasher, sink, oven, and refrigerator are and what things you use in that area. Ask yourself where you prep food and what items you use most frequently in that space. This will help you decide where each item in your kitchen should go.

Start organizing your cabinets and drawers! Use Lazy Susans, drawer dividers, and clear containers to help utilize your cabinet space and keep things where they belong. Make sure you are keeping things you use most frequently easy to reach and put away.

via HGTV

Now that your kitchen is organized, hopefully, you’ll be able to keep it that way! Good luck and let us know any organization tips you have used for your kitchen.

Have you thought about changing things up and passing out something other than candy this Halloween? You don’t have to be the lame house on the block if you decide to pass something else out. There are so many different things you can pass out for Halloween that not only are sugar-free but will also be a hit with all the kids who come to your house. 

Trick or Treat Handout Ideas

• Halloween Stickers
• Halloween Temporary Tattoos
• Glow Sticks
• Bouncy Balls
• Mini Water Bottles
• Halloween Play-Doh
• Vampire Fangs
• Halloween Spider Rings
• Halloween Pencil Erasers
• Halloween Bubbles
• Hot Chocolate Packets

What Halloween handout ideas do you have?

Blue is one of the most soothing, calming colors out there, which is why so many people choose it for their bedrooms. By using blue in your bedroom, you’ll be able to create the relaxing escape you’ve always wanted your bedroom to be! There are so many different shades and colors of blue that you can use. Whether you pick a dramatic dark blue to paint your walls, or you go for a softer lighter blue, you can’t go wrong with a blue bedroom. If you’re thinking about changing up your bedroom, we’ve gathered some pictures of blue bedrooms to help inspire you. 

Blue Bedrooms

via Domino

via House of Turquoise

via Adore Magazine

via My Domaine

via Consort Home

via La Dolce Vita

Are you having trouble knowing where to start designing in your room or home? Did you recently move to a new place and your old decor just isn't working with the new space? Are you recently living with a new person and running into a design disaster? RC Willey's trained design consultants are here to help. We have an amazing staff of interior design consultants who will help you with anything from furniture layout, color therapy, accessories, or even a whole home makeover! You're only five simple steps away from having a home that reflects your personal style and incorporates those things you love the most. Click here to get started!

Have you ever tried using homemade window cleaner? This is the time of year I start winterizing my house, and while my yard looks so sad with all the empty flower beds, I always look forward to having clean windows. Honestly, cleaning windows isn’t something I think about that often, but this time of year I feel compelled to get out there and wipe off all the built-up grime from the summer. If you’ve got dirty windows, don’t go to the store and spend a lot of money on chemicals! You most likely have the ingredients you need to make your own homemade window cleaner. 

Better Homes and Gardens has three homemade window and glass cleaner recipes that I have found to work well. My favorite is the dish soap and water recipe because the chances of me having dish soap around are pretty good and I'm all about making things easy! 

Have you used any of these homemade window cleaners? What has worked the best for you? 

I feel like October is the kickoff to the holiday season, and what better way to celebrate than making your own DIY Halloween decorations! You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time to make your house feel ready for trick-or-treaters. I’ve gathered some fun ideas of how to decorate your house this October below. 

DIY Halloween Decorations

Flying bats! Instructions here. 

via Made Everyday

Hang some Witch Hats that light up when the sun is down. Instructions here. 

via Polkadot Chair

A simple Halloween garland to hang over your mantle or to put up during a party. Instructions here. 

via Vicky Barone

A snake wreath that is oddly sophisticated looking while still being pretty creepy. Instructions here. 

via Martha Stewart

Hang some giant spider webs made from trash bags in your trees or windows! Instructions here. 

via Fast Forward Fun

If you aren't feeling up to making your own decorations this year, don't worry. RC Willey has Halloween decorations just for you! 

How have you decorated your home this year?