EmmyLew_Decorates on LTK

EmmyLew_Decorates

This is a builder grade home, and even though we got to choose our finishes, I couldn’t mix and match cabinets. I also couldn’t (in good conscience) replace a brand new island…so I had to get creative. Adding cabinet panels gave me that custom look without a full remodel. What do you think? I linked a couple different options from Home Depot so you can see what I am talking about along with some other things you see in my kitchen. LTKHome

Share:

Shop this post

Paid links

36 in. x 96 in. Craftsman Shaker 2-Panel Primed Solid Core MDF Wood Interior Door Slab | The Home Depot

Livex Lighting Devone 1 Light Antique Brass Convertible Pendant 49432-01 - The Home Depot | The Home Depot

Amara Floating Wood Single Shelf 24" | Anthropologie (US)

Oval 4" Antique Brass Bar Pull + Reviews | Crate & Barrel | Crate & Barrel

Shaker 23.5 in. W x 29.37 in. H x 0.68 in. D Kitchen Cabinet Wall Decorative End Panel in Java | The Home Depot

Hampton Bay | The Home Depot

Hampton Bay | The Home Depot

Avondale/Leyton 24 in. W x 90 in. H Refrigerator End Panel in Raven Black | The Home Depot

Avondale/Leyton 24 in. W x 90 in. H Refrigerator End Panel in White Oak | The Home Depot

Avondale/Leyton 24 in. W x 90 in. H Refrigerator End Panel in Fern Green | The Home Depot

11.25 in. W x 30 in. H Cabinet End Panel in Unfinished Beech | The Home Depot

Hampton Bay Shaker 14.50 in. W x 29.37 in. H Island Decorative End Panel in Brindle KAEP1530-BDL ... | The Home Depot

Shaker 11 in. W x 35.25 in. H Wall Cabinet Decorative End Panel in Brindle | The Home Depot

12 in. W x 30 in. H Matching Wall Cabinet End Panel in Brindle (2-Pack) | The Home Depot

From classroom to content creator 📚➡️📲
Hi, I’m Emily! After 25 years teaching high school Marketing, I retired early and started sharing the way I style, update, and truly live in our family home in Florida.
Married at 36, mom at 40, and now raising our 7-year-old in our 12th (!!) house.
I’ve always loved finding homes with potential and updating them to feel high-end on a real-life budget.
Follow along for DIYs, decor tips, Amazon & Target finds, and everyday life at the lagoon 🏖️
#BuilderGradeGlowUp #FloridaMomLife #NeutralHomeStyle

The whimsy of our daughter’s playroom is so sweet 💕 the abundant storage cabinets and curtains are the necessity but the rest I can have a little fun with so I added some ruffles and lace! May I always remember that little girls are so precious 🫶🏻 #targetfind #anthropologie #playroom #littlegirls #neutralrooms #simpledecor

#LTKKids #LTKHome

Welcome to my LTK! I am Emily and I am 47 years old and I love simple but stylish home decor and outfits for myself and our 7 year old daughter! Hope to see you around 🫶🏻

#LTKKids #LTKOver40 #LTKHome

I went back through my Wayfair orders and found 9 things I already own that are actually on sale for Way Day 👀

These are all pieces we use in real life — rugs, furniture, decor — and I’d 100% buy them again (especially at these prices).

If you’ve been waiting to grab any of these, now’s the time.

Everything’s linked

@Wayfair

#LTKSaleAlert #LTKHome

I was not going to drill into my cabinets but I wanted to try the towel rack on my island so I found this stick on one on Amazon (under $15) and it matches my brass hardware 🙌🏻

I can’t link it but the mango wood cutting board came from Sugarboo!

#AmazonHome

#LTKHome

I didn’t realize how much bad storage was stressing me out until I fixed it 🙃

These are all simple Amazon finds but they made a huge difference — especially for putting things where they actually belong.

They are all heavy duty too. You can load em up!!

Everything’s linked if you need ideas.

#LTKmomlife #LTKHome

Found a doormat that’s not overly floral (finally) and paired it with lanterns for a quick refresh.
It’s simple, it feels like me, and it didn’t take a full porch makeover to get there.

PS this rug is under $15 😎

@Target

#LTKHome #LTKSeasonal

Have actually never purchased any for this reason 😅
So I left the tags on just in case… and then they actually lit up and they’re BRIGHT 💡

details are in my LTK if you’re also skeptical like me (maybe ask for them for Mother’s Day)

@Target #OutdoorDecor

#LTKHome #LTKSeasonal

If you know, you know. Home updates have a way of snowballing fast but honestly… I’m not mad about it 🛋️

Linking everything here in case you’re working on a living room too and you like cheese 🧀 🤣

#LTKdayinmylife #LTKHome

If your workouts feel a little “meh,” it might not be you. Our setup was missing this one thing and I didn’t even realize it. Once we fixed the audio, everything felt more immersive and way more fun. It’s such a small change but it completely shifted my motivation. Sharing everything we used if you want to recreate it and it’s all on Amazon 🙌🏻
Here is what you need:
1. Mini Speaker set
2. Mount for monitor
3. Zip ties to keep it on the mount
4. Box for all the cables

#LTKActive #LTKHome #LTKfitnessgoals

I almost went with a cheaper option… but this felt like one of those upgrades worth spending a little more on.

It’s literally the center of our home and something we use every single day, so I wanted it to feel less builder-grade and a little more warm and intentional.

We did have to add one small hole, but these covered the original ones so you don’t see anything (which was my biggest concern because I had no idea how I’d patch cabinet doors 😅).

The softer shape and warmer tone made such a big difference in the space. I’ll link both sizes I used (and yes they have other finishes) if you want the details 🤍

#LTKHome

My biggest concern with changing hardware? Patching the old holes.

Turns out I didn’t need to worry. We only added one small hole and these still covered everything, so nothing had to be patched.

I did spend a little more on these, but for something I use every single day (and see constantly), it felt worth it. The warmer tone completely changed how my kitchen feels.

I used the 4” for the cabinets and drawers and the 6” for the pantry door. You can definitely mix and match.

Linked if you have the same problem ✨

@Crate & Barrel

#LTKHome

Super thankful these are washable. I always was with them being in my kitchen and two doorways but now with our poor older pup I am even more thankful I got these when I did 🙌🏻 love my Ruggable rugs!

They are on sale right now so I am
Linking my neutral rugs that have a tiny bit of black in them which I love as an accent. Matches anything!

I have the hazel color.

#LTKHome

I waited 39 years for this… and I don’t take a single second of it for granted 🤍

Give me a home that…
has a view
has room to play
has little shoes to pick up
has a lazy dog
and space to gather with the people we love

Because that’s the good stuff.

#LTKHome #LTKstorytime #LTKmomlife

What I actually bought this week (not curated… just real life 😅)

Some home updates, some random finds, and a few things I definitely didn’t need but bought anyway.

The $13 towel rack might be my favorite little upgrade and I’m very curious if this cleaner will actually work. I’m waiting for a brush to try it.

Also… summer sandals + a pool hat felt necessary 😎

#LTKstorytime #LTKdayinmylife #LTKHome

Low effort stems I leave up all year 🤍

I stopped trying to keep up with seasonal swaps and just started buying stems that always work

greens + whites + neutrals = done

Most of mine are from Amazon & Michaels with a couple from Walmart & Wayfair mixed in

Saved the exact ones I use to my LTK

#LTKHome

I don’t want to change florals or stems every season.
I don’t have space to store all of that 🤣
So here are the Stems I have in my house all year long.
They are all from Amazon and Michael’s.

#LTKMothersDay #LTKmomlife #LTKHome

Nothing about these cabinets is custom… except this.

I swapped the original handles for these stick-on ones thinking they’d be temporary… and somehow they’ve been going strong for 2 years 🙃

No drilling, no tools, and they completely changed the look from basic to built-in.

Even in a playroom… even with kids using them daily… they haven’t budged.

Linked the handles, cabinets and the rug!

#LTKHome #LTKKids

I’ll be honest… I didn’t trust these at first 😂
Stick-on handles?? In a playroom?? With a kid??

But it’s been 2 years and they haven’t budged. Not one.

This is still one of the easiest upgrades I’ve ever done — took these cabinets from basic to built-in looking in minutes and made them actually match the rest of my house.

Linked if you’re looking to upgrade inexpensive cabinets like this 🙌

#LTKHome

Honestly the easiest upgrade I’ve ever done. I took a chance on these stick-on handles because I didn’t want to drill into the cabinets… but they’ve been on here for 2 years and haven’t budged. I love how they made these inexpensive cabinets actually match the rest of my house 😅

It's such an easy way to make a space feel styled without adding clutter or overthinking it.
If your home feels unfinished, try starting with one versatile piece like this.

#LTKHome

This one stool just upgraded 4 spaces 🤍
No extra clutter, no complicated styling — just one piece that instantly makes a room feel more finished.
I’ve been moving it around my home and it works every single time.
Proof you don’t need more decor… just better pieces.

Paint colors
1. SW Shade Grown
2. Behr Sage Gray
3. BM Pale Oak

#LTKHome

I bought this stool for one room… ended up using it everywhere!
It’s one of those pieces!

I’ve used it in my bathroom, hallway, office and bedroom so far — and it works every single time.
If you’re trying to create a beautiful home without overbuying, this is the kind of piece you want.

I’ll link everything I used to style it so you can re-create what you like.

Also paint colors (in order) are:
1. Sage gray
2. Shade Grown
3. Pale Oak

#LTKHome

We took our empty master bedroom and turned it into a cozy, moody space using paint and a simple DIY (stick on) wall trim accent wall.

I painted the one wall and tray ceiling and did a little DIY on the bench to make it look way more upscale for $16!

If you’re looking for master bedroom ideas, DIY accent wall inspiration, or ways to make your bedroom feel more finished, this is such an impactful upgrade.

Paint color: SW Roycroft Bronze Green

Linked everything I could and similar options for my bed becasue it isn’t made anymore.

#bedroommakeover #masterbedroom

#LTKHome

We once slept on a mattress at the Wynn in Vegas and I thought nothing would ever compare… until this. This combo (foam mattress + Tempur-Pedic topper) gave us that same sink-in, hotel-level comfort for under $2K. Sharing everything we used.

The foam mattress gives us support for our backs and the topper gives me a soft spot for my shoulder so I don’t wake up sore. Been doing this for 10 years and recommended it to a few friends who also love it!

@Wayfair #Mattress

#LTKHome

If I don’t have music to DIY, clean, work and drive to I literally don’t know what I would do 😜🤣

#morganwallen

“I would NEVER put Temu in my house…”

…meanwhile half my wall art is from there 😂

Proof that you don’t need expensive sources to get a designer look — you just need a good eye (and a frame). I get my art frames at HomeSense, TJ Maxx, Target, At Home and EBay antiques!

Follow for budget decor that looks expensive ✨

I don’t want to spend a fortune on our guest bedroom decor for spring so I was super excited to find this block print throw pillow at WalMart!!!
It looks like a much higher priced pillow. It’s nice and full and a good neutral. It’s large too so it would work for a king size bed as well!

#throwpillow

#LTKHome

When I retired from teaching high school I was afraid I would get bored but it has been a blessing for me to have the time to create in my home instead of in the classroom and to get to share my ideas with all of you.
I am so glad you are here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙏

#LTKmomlife #LTKOver40 #LTKHome

My daughters room in pics!
I wanted to share how I decorated my 8 yo daughter's room when we moved into our new house. I used several family heirloom pieces and a little DIY to make a bookshelf to save floor space.
But I think her bed is the star of the show! they have a trundle option for it too and you can get it in an array of fabrics.

#LTKKids #LTKHome

Happy Sunday morning!
The birds are chirping ☀️

If you love Volcano candles by Capri Blue as much as I do then you will love this lavender one for Spring 💜
It’s available on Amazon with free shipping too. I’ll link it and my candle tray and matches.

#SpringHomeDecor #Candles

#LTKSeasonal #LTKHome