EmmyLew_Decorates on LTK

One of my favorite easy summer porch looks ❤️🤍💙 I love decorating for the 4th of July, but I also love decor that can stay up all summer long through Labor Day without feeling too holiday-specific. The mix of flags, striped pillows, layered neutrals, and simple paper banners gives it that classic Americana feel without looking overdone. The paper banner was actually a $6 HomeGoods find, but I linked similar options along with the flag pole, chairs, pillow covers, and other porch details 🤍 And yes… these folding Adirondack chairs have survived the Florida heat for YEARS and still look so good 👏 patriotic porch decor, Americana porch, 4th of July porch, summer porch decor, front porch ideas, outdoor pillows, folding Adirondack chairs, outdoor entertaining, neutral patriotic decor, classic Americana style, cozy porch ideas, summer outdoor decor, flag pole, Labor Day decor, outdoor seating LTKSeasonal LTKHome

Shop this post

Paid links

$Beachcrest Home\u2122 Outdoor Adirondack Chair Set Weather-Resistant HDPE Foldable Patio Chair Fire Pit Chair with Cup Holder & Reviews | Wayfair | Wayfair North America$

Old French Stripe Square Pillow Cover (Set of 2) | Wayfair North America

Ebern Designs Modern 25-in Recycled Plastic Indoor/Outdoor Square Tapered Vertical Planter & Revi... | Wayfair North America

American Flag 2.5x4 Ft for Outside Embroidered Stars USA Flag Striped patchwork sewing 210D Polye... | Amazon (US)

American Flag with Pole & Flag Pole Light, 5FT White Flagpoles for Outside House with 180° Adjus... | Amazon (US)

Sweet Land of Liberty Chipboard Banner | My Mind's Eye

America Ticking Fabric Puffy Banner | My Mind's Eye

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

Before you buy a Frame TV, try this.

I loved the look of a Frame TV, but replacing a perfectly good TV wasn’t in the budget. So I used a simple DIY frame to give ours a more custom, built-in look instead.

What I love about it:
• The material is rubbery and easy to cut with scissors
• It took about 10 minutes to install
• It doesn’t block any of the sensors
• It even looks great from the side

Everything I used is linked on my LTK along with another option too.

#homedecor #livingroomdecor #frameTVhack #DIYhomeprojects #budgetdecor #homeupgrades #neutralhome #coastalhome #moderntraditional #smallupgradeshugedifference

#LTKHome

I put this project off for MONTHS because I was convinced tiling would be too hard. 😅

Turns out, it was way more beginner-friendly than I expected.

If you’ve been staring at a project and talking yourself out of it, consider this your sign to just start. The worst part was honestly being scared to try.

Everything I used is linked on my LTK and Amazon storefront.

#LTKHome

Classy swimsuits that actually feel good ON 🙌🏼 Perfect for the pool and all my beach vacations this summer 🌴☀️

Sharing 4 swimsuits I tried as a midsize mom in my late 40s — with sizing notes, what size I bought vs. what I would buy again, and honest fit thoughts on each one.

These all have great coverage without feeling matronly 👏🏼 Two are from J.Crew Factory, one is Albion Fit, and one is Lands’ End. I also included a two-piece that gives the look of a one-piece because the tank is longer (SO flattering and mom-friendly).

I shared my height, weight, and sizing in the try-on to hopefully make online swimsuit shopping a little easier 💛

#LTKMidsize #LTKSwim #LTKgrwm

Didn’t realize how much I’d use this until I started reaching for it every night 😂

It slips over the arm of the sofa and holds drinks, phones, remotes, etc. The wood finish makes it feel way more elevated than the plastic versions I’ve seen.

Perfect little upgrade for movie nights, working from the couch, or keeping all the random clutter in one spot 🙌

And apparently it’s a good thing I got two because my husband immediately claimed one 😂

Also sharing because @lovesac is having a Memorial Day sale through the 31st 👀🇺🇸

#LTKHome #LTKSaleAlert

Think textured walls would make this project impossible? peel & stick molding + adhesive caulk ended up being the combo that made it work 🙌🏼

This completely changed the feel of the room without power tools, or replacing drywall.
The adhesive caulk helped fill the gaps from the wall texture and gave the molding a much cleaner, more secure finish.

If you’ve been wanting to try picture frame molding this is your sign to try it 🤍

Everything I used is linked in my LTK — including the peel & stick molding, adhesive caulk, paint colors, and decor.

#LTKHome

A little roundup of Wayfair finds that have genuinely worked well in our home 🤍

These are the pieces I still love, still use daily, and would absolutely buy again — especially while the Memorial Day sale is going on. From furniture to storage to lighting, these are the kinds of finds that made our house feel warmer, more finished, and actually functional for real life.

Everything is linked in my LTK ✨

#Wayfair #WayfairSale #MemorialDaySale #NeutralHomeDecor #HomeDecorFinds #CozyHome #WayfairFinds #CollectedHome #AffordableHomeDecor

#LTKHome

Walked in the front door one day and realized this little closet was wasting so much potential… so we turned it into a built-in bar instead 🍸

The best part? It’s actually made with standard cabinets + a mini fridge that fit the space perfectly. We added a remnant countertop, reused leftover kitchen tile, and suddenly this awkward little nook became one of the cutest spots in our house.

It makes the whole living room feel more custom!

Everything we used is linked. Cheers 🥂

#LTKHome

I wanted a green sofa so bad… but I also wasn’t ready to commit to an expensive “forever couch” while we were still figuring out this house and layout.

This one ended up being the perfect middle ground — cozy, deep enough to actually curl up on, and it brought so much warmth and color into the living room without feeling too trendy or overdone.

Turns out green really was the right choice 😍

Linked the sofa plus everything shown in our living room.

#LTKHome

If you have a king bed, finding a bench that actually looks proportional is weirdly hard 😅

Most of the affordable ones look too short once they’re at the foot of the bed.

This one is wide enough AND has storage, but I swapped the original legs for inexpensive ones from Lowe’s to make it look like a $1600 one from Magnolia 😎.

Honestly one of my proudest bedroom upgrades.

Bench + feet are linked🤍

#kingbedroom #bedroomdecor #bedroombench #wayfairfinds #neutralhome #cozybedroom #ltkhome

#LTKHome

You do NOT need a full bathroom remodel to make it look custom 🤎

We kept our existing layout and focused on smaller upgrades that completely changed the feel of this white builder-grade bathroom:
• warm earthy tile with natural movement
• wood walls + ceiling details
• upgraded hardware
• softer lighting
• layered textures + warm tones

It feels so much more organic and grounded now without the cost of a renovation.
Sharing the sources for the tile, lighting, hardware, wood details, and decor here 🤍

bathroom remodel ideas, warm bathroom, earthy bathroom, organic modern bathroom, bathroom tile, large format tile, bathroom lighting, wood ceiling, wood wall treatment, cozy bathroom, builder grade bathroom makeover, neutral bathroom decor, affordable bathroom upgrades, bathroom hardware, spa bathroom ideas

#LTKHome

Summer break is almost here!!! 9 days left here 😎

This room gets used HARD in our house, so functional always wins over perfect 🙌

I linked the playroom storage, cabinets, craft pad, bins, and this craft table with the paper roll if you’re doing a summer reset too ☀️

#playroomorganization #summerreset #momlife #organizedhome #playroomideas #toyorganization #kidsroomideas #homeorganization #organizedmom #storagesolutions #momhack #kidsplayroom

#LTKmomlife #LTKHome #LTKKids

We finally gave our builder-grade master bathroom the warm, cozy update we’ve wanted for so long 🤎

We added wood walls, paint, gold hardware, warmer lighting, and tons of natural wood elements to make it feel more custom and collected instead of cold and builder basic. It honestly changed the entire feel of the space without doing a full renovation.

Also featured in this bathroom:
• the stool where my pajamas live permanently
• an 8-foot mirror frame secured with adhesive and prayers
• “designer” hardware you’d never guess came from Temu
• my first tile job (please don’t zoom in)
• and a speaker big enough for a nightclub because my husband apparently needs surround sound to brush his teeth 😂

The funniest part is my husband ended up loving the wood walls so much that now he wants to do the gym too.

I linked everything I could find — hardware, lighting, paint colors, decor, wood wall details, mirrors, and more 🤎

#masterbathroom #bathroomupdate #buildergrade #cozyhome #bathroomdesign #homedecor #diyhomeprojects

#LTKHome

One of my favorite “make it look custom for less” projects 🤍 We turned an unused closet into a built-in style bar using standard Lowe’s cabinetry and a refrigerator that fit perfectly into the existing closet opening.

I linked the bar styling pieces, decor, and sources for creating that cozy, elevated built-in look without a major renovation. This project brought so much character into the space while also being functional for entertaining inside and out.

built in bar ideas, closet conversion, DIY home bar, faux built in, wet bar ideas, home bar styling, neutral home decor, cozy built ins, small home upgrades, cabinet DIY, custom look for less, transitional home decor, organic modern home

#LTKHome

One random morning I had an idea to put wood on my bathroom ceiling… and this is what I was thinking the entire time 😂

I’d never tiled.
Never built a mirror frame.
Never put wood on a ceiling.

Now I love our master bathroom and my husband has asked me to do this in another room 😳

#MasterBathroom #DIY

#LTKHome

These oversized bird prints ended up being one of my favorite home finds because they give that subtle coastal/Florida feel without looking overly beachy or themed. I love that they came as a set of 3, so instead of putting them all together, I split them up around the house to make everything feel cohesive.
You could also keep them together for a large piece of art behind a sofa or a large empty wall.

They’re large (24x36), framed canvas art with a thick walnut frame, which makes them feel much more high-end and finished than regular unframed canvas prints. Honestly, buying the set was cheaper than buying a couple oversized pieces separately.

coastal decor, framed canvas art, oversized wall art, walnut frame art, neutral home decor, transitional decor, Florida home style, bird prints, framed artwork, living room decor, entryway decor, organic modern decor, Wayfair home, neutral coastal style

#LTKHome #LTKSaleAlert

If I needed another rug I would order this one. 50% off right now 🤩 I want to order and I don’t even need one 😜

@Wayfair

#LTKHome #LTKSaleAlert

POV: you finally realize the problem wasn’t your rug placement… it was the rug itself 😅

I thought plush rugs under beds would feel more cozy, but on carpet they bunch up around the bed feet.

I even tried putting wood under the feet to help distribute the weight 😅 and while it helped a little, it still didn’t completely fix the problem.

The low pile printed rug actually lays SO much better under the weight of our king bed and keeps everything looking smooth.

I didn’t think I’d like printed rugs at first either… but this totally changed my mind for carpeted bedrooms.

I also linked the one I found for my daughters room from Magnolia 🙃

Linked the rugs if you’re trying to solve the same issue.

#bedroomdecor #bedroomideas #lowpilerug #rugtips #cozybedroom #neutralhome #affordabledecor #bedroomstyling #homediy #interiordesign

#LTKHome

Wanted the framed TV look without building anything… so I tried this stick-on trim and honestly I’m impressed 😂

It took minutes, cost way less than a custom frame, and even looks good from the side (which was my biggest concern).
Note: I bought one roll and this is a 70” TV.

Such an easy little upgrade if you’ve ever felt like your TV looked like a giant black box in the room.

linked it. I got the gold.

#LTKHome

One of those practical upgrades you don’t realize you need until you use it ☀️

My dad switched to this stainless steel garden hose after going through too many regular hoses in the Florida heat. The sun here is brutal on outdoor products, and this one has held up so much better. It’s lightweight, doesn’t constantly kink, has great water pressure, and the thumb-control nozzle is actually really comfortable to use.

If you’re tired of fighting tangled hoses or replacing cracked ones every season, this is such a good upgrade for patios, driveways, plants, car washing, and everyday yard work.

Linked the hose 🌿

garden hose, metal garden hose, stainless steel hose, kink free hose, heavy duty garden hose, Florida outdoor essentials, yard tools, patio cleaning, outdoor cleaning, gardening tools, homeowner finds, practical home upgrades, Amazon outdoor finds, hose nozzle, yard maintenance

#LTKSeasonal #LTKHome

These Amazon sconces completely changed the feeling of our bathroom at night.

We wanted softer lighting in here before bed and these ended up being SUCH a good find. They’re wireless, lightweight, easy to install, and the pleated shades honestly look way more high-end than I expected.

The gold tone is really pretty too — not overly yellow or shiny — and it matched our new fixtures.

If you are wondering about the rechargeable bulbs… we actually have the same ones in our daughter’s room and use them every single night on low for bedtime stories. They seriously go months between charges for us.

The sconces come as a set of 2 on Amazon and are such a good affordable upgrade if you want that cozy hotel lighting feel at home ✨

Amazon sconces, wireless sconces, rechargeable light bulbs, bedside lighting, bathroom lighting, cozy home lighting, pleated shade sconces, warm lighting ideas, affordable home upgrades, gold sconces, renter friendly lighting, bedroom sconces, bathroom decor

#LTKHome

POV: you want a home gym… but not gym-looking furniture

This little bamboo bench was around $26 on Amazon and works perfectly for our weights + yoga accessories without making the room feel cold or industrial.

The black hardware sold me too 👏

#LTKfitnessgoals

Two really good one-piece swimsuit finds from J.Crew Factory ☀️👙

I grabbed both of these on sale and was honestly impressed with the fit. They’re comfortable, supportive, flattering, and still feel fun/trendy without being too revealing — which is exactly what I look for in a mom swimsuit.

For reference, I’m 5’8” and around 170 lbs and I wear a medium in these. I normally size up to a large in a lot of swimsuits, so I wanted to mention that because I felt these ran really well.

The bright colors and prints are SO cute in person too. Linked both styles in my LTK along with the sizes/colors I ordered 🤍

#LTKSwim #JcrewFactory #OnePieceSwimsuit #MomStyle #SwimwearFinds #VacationStyle #ResortWear #BeachStyle #SummerStyle

one-piece swimsuit, mom swimsuit, flattering swimsuit, supportive swimwear, J.Crew Factory swimsuit, vacation outfits, beachwear, women’s swimwear, colorful swimsuit, modest swimsuit, resort style, summer fashion @jcrew

#LTKOver40 #LTKMidsize #LTKSwim

I’ve had one of my Albion Fit swimsuits for YEARS, so when I ordered another one recently I had high expectations… and it completely lived up to them 🤍

Their suits are one of those rare finds that feel pretty and practical at the same time. The fit is so flattering and supportive without feeling overly tight or matronly, which is honestly hard to find once you want a little more coverage but still want to feel cute. (I’m 48 for reference)

I ordered a large top for longer length and a medium bottom.
The fabric quality is incredible, the colors/patterns are always beautiful, and everything stays in place comfortably — very mom-friendly without looking like a “mom suit” 😂

If you’re looking for swimsuits that feel timeless, flattering, and actually wearable for real life, these are worth the investment.

#MomStyle #SwimwearFinds #OnePieceSwimsuit #VacationStyle #ResortWear #Over40Style #BeachStyle #SummerStyle

Flattering swimsuit, supportive one piece, mom friendly swimwear, fuller coverage swimsuit, Albion Fit review, modest swimsuit, shaping swimsuit, vacation outfits, elevated basics, women’s swimwear

#LTKOver40 #LTKMidsize #LTKSwim

Okay this one is GOOD 🤎

I’ve tried a lot of one piece swimsuits that claim to be “slimming” or “supportive” and this is one of the few that actually feels comfortable while still holding everything in place.

This is the Lands’ End Slender Suit and I genuinely recommend it for moms. The fabric feels really high end, it stays put, has great coverage, and the built-in bra doesn’t shift around constantly like a lot of swimsuits do.

I did size up to a 14 for a more comfortable fit (I’m 5’8” / 170 lbs for reference) and I’m so glad I did.

Also… this periwinkle color 😍

LTK swimwear • slimming swimsuit • one piece swimsuit • mom swimwear • supportive swimsuit • tummy control swimsuit • Lands’ End swimsuit • flattering swimwear • modest swimwear • vacation outfits • resort wear • pool outfit

#LTKmomlife #LTKMidsize #LTKSwim

Leaving our home town was hard.
When we moved into this house, Ella's was the first room I finished. Several of the things in it were mine when I was little, and the bassinet was my mom's.
She has commented several times about the desk and toy box and dresser being mine. I can tell it means a lot to her 🥺
Happy Mother's Day to the moms making homes that make kids feel safe, cozy, meaningful, and loved.

#LTKMothersDay #LTKHome #LTKmomlife

These champagne print pajamas were one of our favorite girls trip finds 🍾🖤💗

We all grabbed different colors so we could coordinate without fully matching, and they ended up being SO cute for lounging, getting ready, and late night snacks 😂

They’re super soft, lightweight, and actually flattering on. I sized down in mine for a more fitted look and loved how they fit.

Linked the pajamas and our trip favorites on my LTK ✨#LTKStyle #GirlsTrip #AmazonFashion #MatchingPajamas #AmazonFinds #TravelStyle #BacheloretteTrip #CozyStyle #AmazonFavorites #vacationoutfits

#LTKTravel #LTKMidsize #LTKWedding #LTKMothersDay

I didn’t want our home gym to feel cold or cluttered… so I styled it more like the rest of our house 🤎

Instead of buying a bunch of ugly “gym storage,” I used regular storage pieces from around our home, added a cozy rug, a tree, some DIY art!

The custom sound setup with the Peloton definitely helps too 🎶

I linked the storage pieces, decor, rug, and other details I used if you’re trying to make your home gym feel a little more homey, “homie” 😎.

#HomeGym #HomeGymIdeas #HomeDecor #FunctionalDecor #HomeOrganization #Peloton #NeutralHome #CozyHome #HomeGymDecor #WorkoutRoom #DIYHomeDecor

#LTKfitnessgoals #LTKActive #LTKHome

I loved the look of those oversized designer bedroom benches… but not the $1600 price tag 😅

So I found a much more affordable bench, added furniture feet, stained them to match, and it completely changed the look. Honestly the scale was the biggest thing — finding a bench long enough to actually look right with a king bed is HARD. (And this one has storage too!)

Now it finally gives that cozy elevated bedroom feel I was going for without the custom price tag.

I linked the bench, the feet, and the stain color I used 🤎

#LTKHome

If you have wire pantry shelves, you need to try this. I added metal pull-out drawers, secured them with zip ties, and used clear bins inside to keep everything organized. It’s such a good alternative if you don’t want to renovate your pantry or swap everything for wood shelving. Now nothing gets lost in the back 🙌🏻

Looking for summer pillows and saw this sale for $14 at Target right now.
I linked this one and a couple other summer pillows I love 🇺🇸

#LTKSeasonal #LTKHome #LTKSaleAlert

We just hit 5,000 on IG and I honestly still can’t believe it 🥹

I’ve been showing up here for over a year — figuring things out as I go, testing ideas, and just trying to make our home more functional and feel more like us

I started sharing because I needed better storage, better systems, and budget-friendly ways to make our house feel finished… and I had no idea it would resonate with other people

After 11 houses, I’ve learned what actually adds value (and what doesn’t), and I love sharing the small changes that really make a difference in everyday life

Also… you’ll never see me dressed up doing DIY 😂 it’s real life over here and I like it that way

If you’re here, I’m really glad you are 🤍
And if you’ve been following along — thank you

IG: emmelew_designs