This week marks the release of Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams' new book Comfortable Home How to Invest in your Nest and Live Well for Less. A timely book that is sure to add value to your home and decor with photos and step by step instructions to help you enhance your home.

Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams believe that, in any economy, your home is an incredibly smart investment. Its value goes well beyond what current real estate prices may say. A beautiful, serene, and organized house truly has the power to change your life. And investments can be made on any budget. The table of contents give you a good peek into what looks like an interesting mix of styles applicable to many different decors. Throughout the book, fabulous original photography provides stimulating tours of real homes, including Mitchell and Bob’s New York City apartment, a country cottage, a revitalized ranch, and a Federal-style home in the city.
Using Mitchell and Bob’s great ideas for working with color, you'll learn the art of furnishing small spaces, creating room to-room flow, and more. The book gives step by step instructions - wonderfully staged so anyone achieve their classic looks.
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Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams were kind enough to provide a copy of their new book to Willow Decor for a giveaway. If you are interested in winning this fabulous new design book just leave a comment. As always, followers and subscribers of Willow Decor are automatically entered. Special thanks to Mindy Drucker co writer of the book!
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You can purchase the Comfortable Home How to Invest in your Nest and Live Well for Less here and learn more about Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams here. Winner will be announced Friday, November 6th.
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Happy Halloween!!!
xx- Gina
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(BTW, Willow Decor is just a fan of Mitchell Gold, their products and design philosophy.
No services or compensation have been received in exchange for this post.)


I have been so excited to see who would win our Giveaway from...


There were 265 entries and, just like me, the majority of you were unable to pick a favorite item.

How can you, when it's all so good!

So with help from Random.org, I am happy to announce that the winner of

one FREE item

from Leen The Graphics Queen is...

Suz


who said:

"So much cute stuff! I like the 3 floral frames or the big floral initial! Too cute!"

Congratulations, Suz!

Can't wait to hear which item you pick!

Please send me your contact information and we will get going on handling all of the details.


Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

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This morning, before the sun had even come up, I was awakened by the sound of our 7 year old saying:

"It's Halloween! I can't wait to trick-or-treat! I wish I could fast forward through time!"


The kids are so excited...as they should be.

The forecast is calling for rain...surprise, surprise. But regardless of the weather, I have no doubt that the boys will be out going door-to-door at each of our neighbor's houses asking the question of the night...

"Trick-Or-Treat?"


Whatever this evening may hold for you, I wish you a great one!


Happy Halloween!


Now...off to see what Halloween-y things we can fill today with.

I'm thinking we should start by making Caramel Apples...






For me, decorating for Autumn comes in the form of using nature to reflect the change in season. Pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, leaves...

what you see outside, is what you will see inside.


On the living room mantel, the more candles, the better...


A candle wrapped in leaves becomes a glowing display of color...


And simplicity is key.

Nothing fussy or overdone.

Indian Corn standing tall in a vase is about as easy as it gets...


Berries added to the Family Room mantle say "Autumn has arrived"...



And I love big pumpkins, not just outside, but inside as well...



I have two pictures that come out every Fall. I don't leave them on display all year long because both photos were taken at the pumpkin patch (a bit too seasonal to look at during the spring and summer), but I love looking at them through September, October and November.

My boys...

Owen, taken a few years ago...


And both of my Will's, taken on Little Will's first ever trip to the pumpkin patch (he was 10 months old)...




In the Living Room...


you will find more of the same.

Pinecones, twigs, nuts...natural materials that reinforce the feel of nature...



and one of my all time favorites this time of year...


I got these leaves a long time ago down in Sumner, WA on Main Street. A few blocks of old town shops filled to the brim with home decor that screams cozy and homey.

These leaves are made of paper and extremely fragile, but despite a few rips and tears they make their way out for display every year. I put these on top of the new built-in in the entryway, as well. I love the colors of them and the way they are variegated ever so slightly on the tips...




My fall decor finds its place in between items that I keep on display all year long.

For me, Autumn is about layering...muck like the way we layer on long sleeved shirts, sweaters, coats and scarves, this time of year...

...introducing new colors and textures to our home.


And then there are the kids - if they had it their way, the house would be filled with ghosts, bats, jack-o-lanterns and witches. So, to satisfy their need for a fun-filled holiday, these make their way out...










Simplicity in seasonal decorating appeals to my senses...






...until the day after Thanksgiving when the Christmas decor comes out, and then,
all bets are off!


(It's going to be here before we know it!)



And last, but not least, my favorite Autumn wreath...

I got this when we lived in Arizona, at the local Safeway.
Seriously - Safeway!
In the floral department.
Crazy, right?

The leaves are the same as the garland from Sumner, but the nuts, pinecones, seed pods and twigs are all real and have been dried and preserved.

It's so pretty, and I normally hang it outside on the front door. But this year, I decided to keep it inside where I can see it and enjoy it everyday...


So now it hangs on the inside of our front door.

Makes me happy!


Speaking of our front door...

a change is coming.

I'm not exactly sure when. This is one of those projects that I would have done while Will was away on a trip, but now that there aren't anymore trips...

This is one of those projects that he'll say "Why?" to.
You know, like, "why go through the trouble? It's just fine the way it is!"

Typical.

But I saw an example over a year ago and fell in love with the idea.

I would love to have it done before Christmas decorations go up.
That gives me a month to get it done.

Hmm...I wonder if there is a Procrastinator Party happening right now?

Might be just the motivation I need...





P.S. Don't forget to enter our Giveaway for one FREE item from Leen The Graphics Queen!

Click here to read all of the details!


P.S.S. I am adding this post to Beautiful Life Friday over at The Inspired Room

and Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home




~ A Thank You ~

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who voted for our Master Bedroom in Apartment Therapy's Color Contest.

In the last round, the dining room that we were paired against received more votes than us, so we were unable to continue in the competition.

It was fun while it lasted though and that was thanks to you!

I am so grateful for all of your kind words, encouragement and support for our room.

You are the greatest!

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~ A Feature ~

You all know Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality, right?


Well yesterday, she featured me over on her blog!

Click here to check it out

She contacted me a couple of weeks ago asking if she could post about our bedroom and how we made the transformation happen. And, of course, I said "yes"!

Thanks so much, Rhoda!

I am truly honored!

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~ A Funny ~

If you are a home decor blogger, this post over at

The Stories of A to Z

is a MUST READ!


"The Top 10 List For Decor Bloggers"

It will make you laugh out loud.

I guarantee it!

#6 is where I really started laughing (only because that was me just yesterday, snapping photos for a post to come later today), and laughed all the way through to #1.


*Edited to add:
Apparently it's just as funny to those who find themselves married to said home decor bloggers.
Will just read it and was laughing just like I was!


Check out the Top Ten List for yourself...

True, true!

You'll love it!





P.S. If you haven't entered your name in the Giveaway from Leen The Graphics Queen,
click here to see how to enter!

Remember my trip to New Orleans and my great blogging friend, Valorie from Visual Vamp ? She shares my love of antique oyster plates!
Well the very talented Valorie has made it into the semi final round of the Apartment Therapy Room for Color Contest.
Valorie's office is fabulous. We only have 24 hours to vote for her. Please give her room a look - I am sure you will agree it should get the top honors. To vote click here.


It is my pleasure to introduce the newest sponsor at
It's The Little Things...


And let me tell you, you're in for a treat!

When Eileen, of Leen The Graphics Queen, contacted me to let me know that she would like to be a sponsor, I was thrilled! Eileen makes vinyl wall decals for your home and runs a very successful Etsy shop.

I'm just going to go ahead and confess...
I cannot pick a favorite item.

She has made some really cool designs!

Here is just a sampling...

(and pay attention, because there's something good in it for you!)


Wispy Wild Grass



Three Floral Frames



Birds On A Cherry Blossom



Three Large Wall Flowers



Free At Last



Cherry Blossom Tree



Wispy Wildflowers



Huge Tree Blowing In The Wind

(one of my favorites - this stands an impressive 7 feet tall and is 12 feet wide!)



Name Decals



Bird In A Cage



Flying Fancy Free



Gorgeous Tree Branches And Leaves



Laundry...The Never Ending Story

(another one of my favorites...because, unfortunately, it's just so true!)



Elegant Floral Letter

(this would be perfect in the bedroom of a certain little girl I know!)


No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed!



Remember Dream Live



Cute Tree With Birdie Trio



Child's Initials Fun Lettering



And the best part:

She has 42 colors available to choose from, so making your wall art fit your style is as easy as can be...



Anxious to know the details of the giveaway?

You will have the chance to enter your name in a drawing for

one free item of your choice

from Leen The Graphics Queen!

That's right...ANY item!

I told you it was good!


Entering the giveaway is easy:

1. Visit Leen The Graphics Queen's Etsy Shop

2. Come back and leave a comment telling me which item you would choose if you are the winner of the Giveaway.


Want a chance to enter your name in more than once?

If you are a follower, or become a follower, I will add your name into the pot a second time.

If you blog about the Giveaway on your blog, I will add your name in a third time.


Please leave a separate comment for each of your entries.

For example:

If you visit Leen The Graphics Queen and enter the giveaway by leaving a comment, AND become a follower, AND blog about the giveaway, you will need to leave
three separate comments.

And that's it!

Now go and visit Leen The Graphics Queen...


But consider yourself warned - she has a lot of inspiring designs to offer. So sit down with your favorite drink and a snack, turn on some music and settle into your chair. I promise, your head will be spinning with possibility.

And if you are able to choose just one favorite, well then...
you are a better decision maker than I am!


And for the record, I'm totally jealous that I can't enter the giveaway.

But I am very excited for you and I cannot wait to see who wins!

The giveaway will run through midnight (pst) on Friday, October 30th. I will announce the winner on Halloween...
Saturday, October 31st.


Good luck to you all!





P.S. Eileen also has a blog where she shares new items to her shop, sales and specials!

Click here to check it out!

 

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