How to Clean Brass and Make It Shine Like New
How to Clean Brass
Brass is one of those materials that can look incredibly luxe—or incredibly grimy, depending on how much love it’s been given lately. I’m all for a good patina, but sometimes you just want your brass to shine. So let’s talk brass cleaning: the easy, no-fuss kind.
I recently gave one of my brass pieces a little spa day, and wow, the before and after is satisfying. Here’s how I did it:
The Process:
Give it a gentle wash. Start by mixing a little dish soap with warm water and wiping down your brass piece to get rid of any surface dust or grime. This helps prep it for a deeper clean.
Get scrubbing. This is where Bar Keepers Friend comes in. Squirt a little directly onto the brass, and gently rub in circles with your fingers (wear gloves!) or the cook top pad. For tight spots, a toothbrush works like magic.
Rinse and wipe dry. Once you’re happy with the shine, rinse off any residue and dry it completely with a soft towel. Don't leave it wet because moisture is brass’s enemy.
Optional: Buff it. If you’re feeling extra, go in with a dry microfiber cloth for a final buff. It makes everything glow.
A Few Tips:
Always test a small hidden spot first, just in case your piece is brass-plated instead of solid brass.
Don’t go too hard with abrasives—brass is tough, but not invincible.
Regular touch-ups are easier than deep cleans, so try wiping things down every so often.
Brass doesn’t have to be high maintenance. With just a few minutes and some elbow grease, you can bring that gorgeous golden glow back to life. And trust me, it’s weirdly satisfying.
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Small Spaces Can Handle Big Color
I used to think small spaces needed to stay light and neutral, like they were shy or something. But then I found out about color drenching, and everything changed. If you haven’t heard of it, color drenching is when you use one bold color across the walls, trim, and even the ceiling. It sounds intense, right? It is. In the best possible way.
So naturally, I went all in and painted our bathroom Salute by Sherwin Williams.
This space went from basic to bold faster than I could light a taper candle. I leaned into the drama with warm, moody walls in Salute by Sherwin Williams, wrapping the whole room in this deep, saturated red. It completely transformed the space into a little jewel box, that is rich, layered, and full of personality. It’s amazing what the right color can do in a small room.
Let’s talk about the details, because they really make the room. The gold mirror and vintage-style light fixture set the tone right away, but it’s the smaller touches that really bring it home. The curved brass faucet, the toilet lever, and the matching towel hook all tie into the warm, moody palette. The candles add that soft, cozy glow, and the shower curtain adds just enough drama. It’s giving "tiny royal retreat" in the best way.
Here’s something to keep in mind if you’re thinking about trying a bold color yourself: lighting makes a big difference. The same paint color can look completely different depending on the natural and artificial light in your space. Since this bathroom doesn’t get a ton of natural light, I leaned into the warmth and picked a rich red that glows under the sconces and candlelight. If your room gets a lot of sun, a deep navy or forest green might give you that same cozy effect without feeling too heavy. Cool light will bring out cooler tones, and warm bulbs will make everything feel a little more golden and soft.
People always say small rooms need light colors to feel bigger, but I think they just need confidence. This bathroom proves that going bold in a small space doesn't make it feel smaller. It makes it feel intentional. It makes it feel designed.
So if you’ve been tempted to try something dramatic, especially in a space that’s a little smaller, this is your sign. Go for the deep green, the inky blue, the moody plum. Or, if you’re really ready to have fun, go full red.
You just might fall in love with your house all over again.
Links at a Glance
Black Round Mirror (Before Picture)
Ruffled Shower Curtain (Before Picture)
Vintage-Inspired Light Fixture
Brass Plate - Antique Store Find
Gold Frame - Antique Store Find
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What I Own and Love from the Wayfair Memorial Day Sale
Wayfair’s Memorial Day Sale is officially on. If you’ve been eyeing a furniture upgrade or need some outdoor pieces before summer kicks off, now’s the time to snag them. The sale runs through 5/27, so let’s get into my top picks that I own and love!
Office Deals
This office has such a rich, layered feel and the details really bring it to life. The diamond pattern rug and doorknob are both on sale right now, which makes it even easier to recreate the look. The rug gives the space a classic foundation, and that vintage-inspired knob is the kind of detail that always gets compliments. It's all about those thoughtful touches.
Primary Bedroom Deals
So many pieces from our bedroom are on sale right now, and I’m not mad about it. The full-length mirror, chairs, light switch wall plate, doorknob, and rug are all marked down. It’s rare for this many favorites to be discounted at once. Each one adds something special to the room, and together they make it feel warm, collected, and lived in.
Sunroom Deals
Our sunroom gets the best light, and it’s one of my favorite spots in the house. The rug and doorknob in here are both currently on sale, which makes it a great time to bring a little bit of this space into your own home. The textured rug adds so much warmth, and that antique-style doorknob is such a pretty detail. It’s all in the little things.
Bathroom Deals
This red bathroom is full of dramatic details, and so many of them are currently on sale. The stone top vanity, mirror, toilet lever, shower curtain rod, and even the soap dispenser are all marked down. It’s a great chance to pull together a similar look with pieces that feel high-end without the full price tag. Every item adds a little richness and charm to the space.
Front Porch Deals
Our front porch has become such a welcoming little spot, and a few of the key pieces out here are on sale. The front door mat, trellis, urn planter, and swing are all marked down right now. Each one adds just the right touch of charm and function to the space. If you’ve been thinking about sprucing up your porch, this is a great time to grab these favorites.
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Summer Porch refresh
Our Summer Porch Refresh (Cozy, Functional & Ready for Lounging)
There’s just something about the start of summer that makes me want to press reset, especially on our outdoor spaces. As soon as the weather warms up, the porch becomes our favorite spot to hang out, so I decided it was time to give it a proper refresh. I wanted it to feel cozy and lived-in, but still practical enough to hold up to real life (and a lot of lounging). After a few thoughtful changes, it’s officially ready for everything from morning coffee to slow summer evenings.
I wanted the porch to feel like a true extension of our home: inviting, practical, and layered with texture. So I reimagined the space with comfort and function in mind and created three little “zones” that make it feel both cozy and intentional.
Here’s how it came together:
The lounge area: A cushioned sofa and a coffee table anchor this spot. I added a cordless lamp and a candle to bring in a little ambiance once the sun dips.
The conversation corner: Two oversized swivel chairs with an accent table in between. It’s perfect for morning coffee, afternoon chats, or just soaking up the sun.
The swing nook: A classic porch swing layered with pillows is basically made for lazy afternoons and evening unwinds.
To warm up the space and pull it all together, I added:
A soft, patterned outdoor rug to define each seating area
Neutral throw pillows and cozy blankets to soften the seating
Potted white hydrangeas and topiaries for a touch of freshness
A weatherproof deck box to store cushions and throws when we’re not using them
And because I like to test things before I rely on them, I actually left the deck box out in the rain on purpose, just to see how it would hold up. Not a drop of water got inside. It’s been such a practical addition, especially for keeping everything clean and dry without dragging things in and out of the house.
The little details like the cordless lamps, the layered greenery, and the gentle sway of the swing, make the whole space feel relaxed and lived-in. It’s calm, intentional, and just the kind of place we want to be at the end of a long day.
We’ve already used it for morning coffee, evening hangs, and everything in between. It’s amazing how just a few thoughtful updates can completely change the feel of a space, especially when you fill it with pieces you truly love.
Links at a Glance
Round Wicker Accent Table (hand-me-down)
Dog not for sale
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Turning Vintage Into Smart: The Easiest Lighting Upgrade Ever
You know I love a good vintage moment. Whether it's a curvy brass lamp I found secondhand or something that’s been passed down, there’s just something special about mixing old pieces with modern living. But as much as I love the look of vintage, I also love function, which is why I was so excited to find a way to bring our favorite plug-in lamp into the 21st century without changing a single thing about its charm.
Enter: The Lutron Caseta Lamp Dimmer
This little gadget has no business being this smart and this easy.
I walked into this thinking I’d need a smart bulb… but no. All I did was plug the dimmer into the outlet, plug the lamp into that, and suddenly my beloved old lamp was controllable by remote and even our Google Home. No rewiring. No frustration. No giving up on pretty lighting for something more tech-y looking.
Why I’m Obsessed
It gives vintage new life. I don’t have to replace my pretty lamp with something “smart.” I can just make what I love work smarter.
Fully dimmable and totally flexible. Whether I’m using the little remote or the app on my phone, I can adjust the brightness, turn the lamp on or off, or set a mood without leaving the couch. Everything the remote can do, the app can do too, plus you can group it with other lights and automate it into routines.
The remote acts like a light switch. The remote can be mounted to the wall, making it feel just like a traditional light switch.
It works with Alexa, Google, and Apple Home. Once it’s set up, you can fold it right into your routines. “Goodnight” can now mean dimming this light to 10% without getting up. Magical.
I even tested it with a couple different lamps just to see how flexible it was, and it passed with flying colors. If you’re like me and have a few vintage or plug-in pieces that you love but wish were just a little more modern? Start here.
This is the perfect solution for kids’ rooms, guest spaces, holiday lights, or literally anywhere you want smart lighting without committing to a full system. Bonus: it's totally renter-friendly too.
Links at a Glance
Vintage Lamps (antique store find)
Chandelier (antique store find)
Nightstands (TJ Maxx find)
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Refillable Paint Pens: The Touch-Up Hack Every Home Needs
Let me put you on to something that’s been a total game-changer around here: refillable paint pens. Not the craft kind you use for lettering, these are made to be filled with your actual interior paint for easy, mess-free touch-ups around the house.
You know how it goes—you finally finish painting a room, clean everything up, and a week later, someone (ahem, usually a child or the vacuum) takes a chunk out of your baseboard. Or you notice a mystery scuff on the wall and immediately regret not saving your tiny touch-up brush. I used to ignore those little marks until they piled up and I had to haul the whole paint can out again. Not anymore.
These refillable paint pens are the simplest solution. They’re compact, easy to store, and best of all—ready whenever I need them.
Here’s how I use them:
Fill the pen using the included syringe. You just draw the paint straight from your can and inject it into the pen.
Label the pen with the room or color name. I use a sharpie or a little tape label. This is key if you’ve got multiple paints throughout your house.
Store them somewhere convenient. I keep mine in a small bin in the laundry room so I can grab them on the fly. Shake, twist the top, and you’re ready to go.
The pens are airtight and designed to keep the paint fresh for years. YEARS. Which is amazing, because most of us have at least one gallon of wall paint in the garage with a lid that doesn’t quite seal anymore.
A few extra reasons I love them:
They’re perfect for small spaces—no tray, roller, or brush cleanup.
You get super precise application (hello, tight corners).
They’re budget-friendly and way less wasteful than cracking open a whole can for a one-inch nick.
I now keep a pen for every main color in our house— trim, wall color, even the cabinetry. It’s so satisfying to tackle touch-ups on the spot instead of adding them to the never-ending to-do list.
So if you’re someone who notices every little chip or mark (guilty), refillable paint pens will change your life. They make it so easy to keep your home looking fresh without turning it into a whole production.
Links at a Glance
Gold Mirror (Thrift Store Find)
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My bestselling lighting picks on amazon
Good lighting doesn’t just brighten a room - it completely transforms it. The right fixture can bring in vintage charm, make a space feel instantly more luxurious, and pull everything together in a way that feels elevated but still effortless.
Over time, I’ve found a handful of lighting pieces that strike that perfect balance. They’re warm, timeless, and just the right amount of statement-making, and based on how often they’re added to carts, it seems you all agree.
These are the Amazon lighting picks I’ve used and loved in our home, and the ones that continue to be bestsellers month after month. If you’re looking to update a space with pieces that feel high-end (without the high-end price tag), this list is a great place to start.
This is hands-down my most clicked and most purchased light and once you see it in person, it’s easy to understand why. The all-brass finish gives it such a polished, sculptural look that instantly elevates any workspace. It’s bold without feeling over the top, and adds that perfect “finished” touch to the office. It has the look of a designer piece, but at a price that feels way more approachable.
These pendants totally transformed our hallway. The brass finish paired with the patterned glass gives off the prettiest glow, especially at night. They're an easy swap that adds so much elegance. I think people love them because they make even a simple hallway feel curated.
This brass vanity light with clear glass globes brings just the right amount of vintage charm to our red bathroom. The warm metal finish pairs beautifully with the bold walls, creating a space that feels layered and intentional. It’s classic, elegant, and gives off a soft glow that’s both flattering and functional—everything you want in a bathroom light.
This soft blush pink light has become one of my most asked-about pieces. It actually used to live in our sunroom before we moved it to the playroom—which just goes to show how versatile it really is. It adds a playful, charming touch without feeling too “kiddie,” and I love how it brings personality into any space. It would be just as sweet in a nursery, a kid’s room, or even a whimsical office corner.
My Bedroom Wall Sconces by the Fireplace
These sconces are a personal favorite—they’re simple, modern, and add so much warmth next to our fireplace. The vintage glass and brass finish bring a soft glow that feels cozy.
This is the crown jewel of our sunroom. The circular frame keeps things airy and open, while the design adds a little drama in the best way. It ties the whole room together and looks so good with the natural light pouring in. This one is always a hit when people see it in person!
Ready to Elevate Your Lighting?
Each of these pieces has become a bestseller for a reason—they bring character, warmth, and a little bit of luxury to everyday spaces. Whether you’re swapping out a dated vanity light or making a statement with a new chandelier, these picks add that thoughtfully layered look that takes a room to the next level.
Links at a Glance:
Hallway Mirror - Found at an estate sale
Toilet Paper Holder (Red Bathroom)
Horse Print (Red Bathroom) -frame is thrifted
Column Plant Holder (Bedroom) - Estate sale find
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How to Make Your String Lights Smart
How to Make Your String Lights Smart (and Your Patio Way More Magical)
If you’ve ever wrestled with plugging and unplugging your string lights every night—or just wish you could control them from your cozy spot on the couch—this post is for you.
I finally made the switch to smart outdoor lighting, and let me just say: game changer. Not only do our string lights turn on with a tap from my phone, but I can also schedule them to come on automatically whenever I want, control them from my smart home device (Google Home, Alexa, etc) or use the Pico remote that also doubles as a switch.
Here’s exactly what I used and how easy it was to set up:
Step 1: Get the Right Smart Plug
This is the magic behind it all. I’m using the Lutron Caséta Outdoor Smart Plug, which is made for outdoor use and built to withstand the elements. It’s heavy-duty, reliable, and works seamlessly with the Lutron app and Smart Hub.
Step 2: Download the Lutron App
Once your plug is connected (mine lives tucked under the deck), just download the Lutron app and follow the prompts to add your new smart plug. I named mine “Deck String Lights,” and now I can turn them on/off, create schedules, or pair it with other smart home systems like Alexa or Google Home.
Step 3: Add Your String Lights
Plug in any ordinary string lights directly into the Lutron smart plug (that is paired with your Lutron Smart Hub) and you're done. Seriously—it’s that easy. Now I can set them to turn on automatically every evening or manually control them when we’re hosting or having a quiet night in.
Why I Love This Setup
No more crawling around under furniture to unplug lights.
Can automate lights to turn on and off at whatever time you want.
Looks super impressive when you “magically” turn them on from your phone.
Great for entertaining (especially when your dog looks this relaxed under a warm glow).
If you’re ready to level up your patio lighting, grab this smart outdoor plug, and thank me later. Whether you’re winding down after work or throwing a summer party, smart lighting totally changes the vibe.
Links at a Glance
To complete the look and functionality of your smart patio, consider these additional items: