Styled and Savored #016
Your weekly curated guide to great finds that make your home life easier, fuller, richer, and happier.
We’re loaded for bear in this week’s S&S. We’ve got a plethora of how-to’s, DIY tips, advice on how not to get scammed, and three fabulous recipes for a cocktail, an entreé, and a Summer dessert treat that can’t be beat. Let’s get to it!
How to pick art for your home
Choosing art for your home can feel overwhelming, but Dream Green DIY makes the process refreshingly approachable. Instead of stressing over what’s “right,” this article encourages readers to focus on what they love — whether that’s a thrifted oil painting, a cheeky modern print, or a framed photo from your last vacation. Her advice is all about embracing what speaks to you and letting your personality shine through your walls.
© Dream Green DIY
The blog post suggests you start by identifying the vibe of your space (cozy, playful, minimalist, etc.), then layer in art that supports that feeling. The article recommends mixing media — like pairing photography with abstract prints — and playing with scale to create visual interest. It also touches on frame styles, gallery wall layouts, and how to hang art at the right height (hint: eye-level, not ceiling-level).
What makes this guide so inviting is the laid-back encouragement. There’s no pressure to spend a fortune on fine art or create the “perfect” gallery wall. Instead, the emphasis is on making your space feel personal, curated, and lived-in. It’s a gentle reminder that your home should reflect your story, not just what’s trending on Pinterest.
Will my privacy fence look good stained black?
Yellow Brick Home recently updated their take on the striking challenge of staining their backyard privacy fence black — and shared the whole process in a helpful tutorial mixed with a weekend DIY confession session. The post begins with thoughtful prep – hiring professionals to install the fence and clean up overgrown greenery (including some adventurous poison ivy wrangling), then carefully removing debris from both the new and older fence sections. Pro tip they stress: don’t skip prepping. The success of any stain job depends on it.
Once the fence structure was ready, they brought in the pros — specifically a pro-grade paint sprayer — to get the job done efficiently. This type of sprayer separates the motor base from the handheld nozzle via a long air hose, making it lighter and less tiring to use. The result? Smooth, even coverage that kept wood grain visible and unified both old and new sections beautifully.
Additional highlights included the practical side of things like using cardboard to protect nearby house siding from overspray, switching to a brush for tight spots, and donning safety gear like gloves, hats, and goggles. They sprayed roughly 240 feet of 6-foot fence using 5.5 gallons of stain, a much more efficient use of product than rolling or brushing would’ve allowed. In their words, they probably would’ve needed 1.5 to 2× as much stain with traditional methods.
The final reveal is stunning: a sleek, black fence that beautifully recedes at night, blends effortlessly into the background, and frames the space without stealing the spotlight. It’s an untraditional choice that feels elegant and modern, and the stain still allows wood texture to peek through — giving the fence both function and style. The article reminds homeowners that pressure-treated wood doesn’t need staining for protection, but it offers color choice and aesthetic appeal. Their journey is part design vision, part serious prep, and part satisfying DIY win — even if much of the muscle came courtesy of a pro sprayer.
Window company scams and how to avoid them
Shopping for new windows shouldn’t feel like navigating a maze of shady sales tactics, but Today’s Homeowner lays out how easily it can. The latest guide sheds light on common window company scams — think bait-and-switch pricing, exaggerated energy savings claims, and pushy, high-pressure sales tactics that leave you signing contracts you barely understand. It's like reading a homeowner’s cautionary tale, only with actionable advice to protect yourself.
The article walks through red flags to watch out for – unusually low advertised prices that suddenly balloon once you get your “customized” quote, limited-time offers designed to rush your decision, and installers who can’t provide references or licensing info. It encourages readers to get multiple quotes, read the fine print carefully, and trust their gut when something feels off.
What’s refreshing is that this guide doesn’t just make you paranoid — it empowers you to make smart choices. The tone is calm, practical, and a little protective — like a handy neighbor who’s seen it all and wants to save you the headache. If you’re planning a window replacement project anytime soon, consider this required reading before signing on the dotted line.
Tiny design details that change everything
Leave it to Style by Emily Henderson to prove that the smallest tweaks can have the biggest design payoff. The latest post highlights five tiny upgrades that breathe new life into your home without requiring a renovation budget or a team of contractors. This is approachable design at its finest — simple changes that turn a house into a home that feels curated, cozy, and oh-so-you.
© 136 Home
First up: swapping out your AC vent covers, one of those sneaky design details no one thinks about until they see a gorgeous, modern cover in brushed brass or matte black (see image above). Suddenly, your air vent’s not an eyesore, it’s an accent. Then there’s upgrading your electrical switch plates and outlet covers, which are often overlooked but make a subtle, sophisticated impact when upgraded from builder-grade plastic to something with a little texture — think wood, metal, or ceramic finishes.
The post also recommends paying attention to your ceilings with ceiling medallions as the star. And lest you think these decor items are just for stuffy Victorian-era painted ladies, think again. Ceiling medallions have come a long way and today’s versions come in styles suitable for almost any decor. Just choose the room(s) you use them in wisely – any room where you want to make a statement.
Gallery lights are sleek little beauties that aren’t just for museums. They’re a super simple way to give your art a glow-up (literally). Mounted above your favorite pieces, they add warmth and polish, making even a thrifted print look like a gallery star.
Finally, there’s a hand-dandy little gem called a skiffer. What’s a skiffer, you ask? They’re fun little metal corner brackets meant to protect the corners of your baseboards from scuffs and scrapes – particularly in high-traffic rooms. The devil’s in the details, as they say, and these are the perfect capper to those baseboard corners and the article itself.
© Stairrods
What’s so inviting about this post is its practical, friendly tone. It doesn’t talk down to you or make these feel like designer-only secrets. Instead, the post shares ideas that anyone can try this weekend, whether you're redecorating your rental or sprucing up your forever home. It’s a gentle reminder that thoughtful design doesn’t have to be grand to make a grand difference.
Watermelon Margarita
Summer called, and Well Plated by Erin answered with a juicy, refreshing Watermelon Margarita that’s about to be your new favorite patio cocktail. This isn’t your syrupy, overly sweet restaurant marg. Instead, it’s a fresh blend of ripe watermelon, lime juice, a splash of orange liqueur, and tequila — simple, vibrant, and perfect for sipping in the sunshine.
© Well Plated by Erin
The recipe is refreshingly fuss-free. No fancy mixers, no pre-made syrup, and you can even skip straining if you don’t mind a little texture from the watermelon pulp. The post shares tips for customizing your cocktail – make it spicy by tossing in some jalapeño slices, add a salted or sugared rim depending on your mood, or batch it for a crowd and serve in a pitcher.
The article is inviting and friendly, like a friend handing you a frosty glass and saying, “Trust me, this is the one.” It’s the kind of recipe that makes you want to throw on some sunglasses, cue up your favorite summer playlist, and pretend your backyard is a beach bar — whether you’ve got guests over or are just celebrating the weekend solo.
Roasted red pepper chicken bake
Comfort food meets fresh, simple ingredients in this roasted red pepper chicken bake from Inspired Taste. It’s hearty without being heavy, buttery without feeling overindulgent, and packed with flavors like basil, roasted red peppers, garlic, and tender pieces of chicken. Basically, it’s your weeknight dinner hero.
© Inspired Taste
The recipe starts with slicing the chicken breasts then alternating the slices in the dish with the roasted red peppers (store-bought or homemade) and basil. A light, citrusy broth poured over the top brings everything together. The result? A dish that’s equal parts rustic and satisfying, perfect for feeding a hungry family or making leftovers you’ll actually be excited to eat.
What’s lovely about this post is how unfussy it is. The instructions are clear, adaptable, and easy to follow, with suggestions for serving it over cilantro lime rice, cooked quinoa, or mashed cauliflower. It’s comfort food you can make on a weeknight without needing to take the day off work to prep, and that’s a win in anyone’s cookbook.
Fruit pizza with cheesecake and puff pastry
Girls Can Grill takes fruit pizza to the next level with this summery showstopper that’s part dessert, part art project. It starts with puff pastry (hello, buttery, flaky goodness) baked until golden and crisp, then layered with a cheesecake filling that’s creamy, slightly tangy, and perfectly balanced. And the grand finale? Fresh fruit arranged in gorgeous, colorful patterns worthy of your Instagram grid.
© Girls Can Grill
What makes this recipe sing is the balance of flavors and textures. The crisp pastry, creamy filling, and juicy fruit hit all the right notes, and you can mix up the fruit depending on what’s in season — berries, kiwi, mango, or whatever your farmers market has on offer. The article shares tips on grilling the puff pastry for a little smoky depth, though you can bake it in the oven if that’s more your speed.
The best part? It looks wildly impressive but comes together with surprisingly little effort. Whether you’re bringing dessert to a summer barbecue or hosting a backyard dinner party, this fruit pizza hits that sweet spot of crowd-pleasing and doable. Plus, it’s just plain fun to make. Give the kids (or yourself) free reign to arrange the fruit however you’d like, and you’ve got a dessert that tastes as joyful as it looks.
That’s it for this week. Let us know your thoughts about any or all of the featured posts in this edition of Styled & Savored, and tell us what you’d like to see us cover in future editions as well.
