Monday, December 27, 2021

Eight Ways to Refresh Your Home for the New Year

 Once the new year begins, it's always nice to give your home a deep clean and a decor refresh (especially once you take all the holiday decorations down and it looks a little sad and empty). We like to do a few January home refreshes every year to keep our home and our clients homes bright and fresh in the new year. Some of them are easy and inexpensive to do every year, and some can be done every few years when things like rugs and towels start to get a little worn out. 

Here's our list of new year home refreshes for every home style and a range of budgets: 

Toss any old, mostly-burned candles and replace them with new ones. 

We made this mistake a few years ago - we had a few "regular" candles that were pretty much almost worn out, but we didn't want to waste them. We switched them out for our seasonal holiday candles, and in January when we pulled out the sad, almost completely burned out candle jars that we'd packed away in November... well, it was pretty depressing. Our new rule was to finish burning all the regular candles before the holiday season so we could start fresh in the new year. 

Here are some of our favorite fresh scents for January:


roote baltic candle
Roote Baltic Candle: wintery, but not Christmasy


buy farm and sea cozy harbor candle online
Farm + Sea Cozy Harbor Candle: smells clean and coastal



Buy Milk Bottle Candles Online
Milk Bottle Candles: Come in 12 scents, we like "Welcome Home" or "Clothesline Linen" for the new year

Treat yourself to new towels if your old ones have seen better days. 

If your bath towels have been looking a little sad and ratty, treat yourself to new ones for the new year. Experts usually recommend replacing towels every 2-3 years, or when you start seeing the threads fraying or pulling apart. 

Pro tip: don't use fabric softener on your towels! It affects the absorbency. We all wash our towels a lot, and if you're adding fabric softener each time, it will continue to coat the fabric and make your towels less and less absorbent over time. Wash your towels separately from other linens and clothing and skip the fabric softener in the towel load to maintain their absorbency. 

The towels we sell at Lavender Fields are high quality and should last longer than less expensive brands that you find at big box stores, if well cared-for over their lifespan. 


Pine Cone Hill Signature White Bath Towel
Pine Cone Hill's Signature White Collection is a best-seller. 

On a budget? Just replace your washcloths instead. 

Even our highest-quality washcloths start at just $10 each - you can replace those and get yourself a fresh stack of new washcloths for the new year for the price of one towel!

Pine Cone Hill Adobe White Towel
Pine Cone Hill's Adobe collection is ultra-absorbent. 

Check the hand soaps in your bathroom - do they need a refill or a replacement? 

What's the hand soap situation in your bathrooms? A fresh new soap can brighten the mood during the cold, dreary winter months.  If you're on a budget, we like to do a fancy soap in the powder room, even if you do a more utilitarian option in the other bathrooms in your home (even our fanciest soaps are under $15, so they won't break the bank). 

roote naked olive oil soap
We have plenty of beautiful artisanal bar soap options - don't forget the soap dish! 





This generously sized foaming hand soap will last you well into the summer. 

Add a lavender bouquet or lavender bunch to your home for a natural, fresh scent. 

We have gorgeous dried lavender bouquets that will add an organically natural, fresh lavender scent to any space in your home. They're especially fragrant in small spaces like bathrooms, mud rooms, and entryways. You can get one for just $14. 

where to buy dried lavender bouquet online
Place it in a basket on a shelf and let it fill your room with its fragrance. 

Treat yourself to crisp new sheets or bedding.

New bedding can be as budget-conscious as you'd like - we carry a range of bedding lines for many customers and price points, including Sferra, Pine Cone Hill, Designer's Guild, Matteo, Pom Pom at Home, Taylor Linens, Traditions Linens, and Peacock Alley.

You also can start small - perhaps you'd like to start with brand new pillowcases, or you just need a new mattress topper. 

Or, you can go all out and purchase an entire new bedding set. 

Some of our customers treat themselves to a new throw blanket every January, and put last year's in a guest bedroom or the living room. 

Throw pillows are another great way to jazz up your bedroom for the new year. 

Peacock Alley's monogrammed bedding is a perennial favorite - and it'll last you years and years.

A few pretty throw pillows are totally worth it. 

You can do a major splurge on a full set of Sferra's luxurious Italian bedding, or treat yourself to a gorgeous throw blanket. 


Nothing transforms a room like a new rug. 

If you want to do a little redecorating on a larger scale, think about a new rug - we have countless rugs available in endless styles. 

If you're on a budget, try a 2x3" rug in front of your kitchen sink or washing machine. Almost all of our Dash and Albert rugs come in this size. Many of our customers buy these inexpensive rugs to switch out for the seasons! 

Pro tip: don't skip the rug pad. It prevents slipping and will save your floors and your new rug. 

Try nontoxic cleaning supplies

We've searched far and wide to find nontoxic, pet-friendly, eco-friendly, vegan cleaning supplies that actually clean well and smell nice. Our collection of natural cleaning supplies will keep your home tidy and fresh smelling while avoiding harsh and dangerous chemicals that might trigger allergies or hurt your furry friends or little ones. 

Looking for more ideas to refresh your home? Shop our entire collection online here! 

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

An Interior Designer's Guide to Holiday Decorating for Every Style


It's the holiday season, and there are endless ways to decorate your space. Everyone has their own preferred holiday decor style - retro vintage, farmhouse, classic red and green. As designers, we recommend picking an aesthetic that you of course like, but also one that can be worked into your existing decor. 

This can be flexible, too - a modern farmhouse home can do a classic Christmas with tartan plaid blankets as easily as it can a white Christmas full of textures. When helping clients decorate their home for the holidays or stocking our shop with holiday decor, we always focus on a few different elements. For a cohesive look throughout your home this holiday season, try to keep most of these elements the same style. Don't be afraid to mix in personal heirlooms like Grandma's ornaments or your needlepoint stockings, even if they don't "match" - it's all about the mix. 


  • Wreaths: The wreath is the first things guests see when they arrive, so you want to make sure it sets the tone for your decor. Our magnolia wreaths come in a range of styles. We like  Christmas traditions for a classic Christmas and Magnolia Elegance for a more neutral look.
  • Throw pillows and blankets: This is the easiest way to switch up your holiday decor. For a rustic, cabin-like holiday feel, our Camp Christmas throw pillow is the perfect find. Add a throw blanket in a winter white or a deep cranberry red, or one in a wintery tartan, to warm up. the space even more.
  • Holiday wall art: Our holiday wall tarps are fun ways to temporarily add a little festive cheer to your home. You can easily switch them out for your regular artwork when the holidays are over. 
  • Holiday Tabletop: This is a great way to display your holiday style. You can go classic elegance with our Natale collection or try something bold and glamorous like our Blue Pheasant Valentina placemats. 
  • Candles: Candles are an inexpensive and creative way to switch up your holiday decor. We carry candle lines that have gorgeous packaging, like the Seda France holiday toile candles that double as decor. 

Winter White Holiday Decor Ideas

all white christmas decor ideas
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: velvet stockings | sferra fiore sham | arte italica merletto collection | pine cone hill parisienne velvet in dove white set | be my guest ruffled pillow | roland pine votive candle





Classic Christmas Holiday Decor Ideas



classic christmas decor ideas
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Twas the night before christmas wall tarp | 6" boxwood wreathnatale table runner | North Woods Shabby Chic Vintage Style Santa by Debi Coules | seda france holiday toile candle

Rustic and Cozy Holiday Decor Ideas


Rustic holiday decor ideas
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: taylor linens aberdeen collection | english holiday estate magnolia wreath | parker boudoir pillow | camp christmas pillow | cedar lakes estate cabin candle









Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Home Renovation: Guest Bathroom Progress

 I'm currently redoing the bathroom in my century old home, and I wanted to share a progress update with some photos. This is a total gut and remodel of the bathroom, which is long-awaited and exciting (but also a little bit scary and more than a little stressful, especially with the COVID-related product and construction delays). 

Bathroom renovations need the careful, professional eye of a designer - I would never recommend going it alone, especially one as big as this one. My project needs all new electric, plumbing, insulation, sheetrock, and a window. That's the unsexy stuff my contractor is doing, and I'm obviously selecting the finishes, hardware, tile, and the rest of the elements.

That part isn't always as fun and easy as it sounds, though. You might love a tile in the showroom, but that gorgeous pattern can become overwhelming in a smaller space, or you might need a designer's watchful eye to ensure your contractor installs it the way it was spec'd. 

A lot of clients get tripped up on the finishes, worrying about whether the faucet coordinates with the hardware, etc. This is the biggest value a designer can provide in a bathroom or kitchen project, where there's a lot of "hard" elements like plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, hardware, and tile and not many "soft" ones like furniture or fabric. The "hard" ones are very difficult for most non-designers to decide upon across all elements. 

For example, my bathtub comes in three colors - dune, biscuit, and white. Ask your husband what the difference between those three colors is - he'll probably have no idea. Your contractor will also ask you to spec things like the tub drain finish, something you probably didn't even know to think about. Most non-designers get really stressed out when facing these zillions of decisions, and it can be a costly mistake when you choose dune when you should've chosen biscuit, and now the tub looks off with your paint color.

An interior designer will ensure that your tile, grout color, flooring, plumbing, hardware, vanity color, paint color/wallpaper, lighting, mirror, shower door, etc. choices make sense in a cohesive way throughout the room. 

I'll give you a sneak peek at the in-progess photos so you can see the space before it fully comes together, and share a mood board of my final plan. 

Get in touch at Lavender Fields to design your space









Wednesday, November 24, 2021

The Lavender Fields 2021 Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide Roundup

 We have hundreds of gift ideas for everyone on your list, so we've put together this ultimate holiday gift guide roundup for our readers. 

For more gift ideas, head to our website to shop our curated gift shop, by recipient, by price, and more. 

Best Holiday Gift Ideas for the Hostess 

When attending a holiday gathering, you never want to show up empty-handed. For a holiday cocktail party or dinner, we like to bring a beautiful soap for the powder room, a festive candle, or something tasty like our Stonewall Kitchen jams or artisanal chocolates.

If you know that the host/hostess are into cocktails, try one of our White's Elixir cocktail mixers and coordinating bottle of liquor. 

Holiday Gift Guide for the Hostess
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: june & december the fronds towel | seda france holiday toile candle | marine hobnail glass candle | sofia cocktail glass | white's elixirs cosmopolitan mix | seattle chocolate mexican hot chocolate bar | stonewall kitchen holiday and sour cherry jams | roland pine soap | moher Soap co. wild rose soap | spruce foaming hand soap | country home slate cheese board

Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Her

Our customers come back every year for gifts for their moms, sisters, wives, and themselves. This year they're loving everything cozy, spa-like, and pretty.

For a relaxing gift, plush robes and soft pajamas are always popular. If you want to give an at-home spa experience (or add something special to a spa gift certificate), try a sleep mask or one of our amazing Spongelle soaps (they're these beautiful flower-shaped sponges filled with fancy soap - just hang them in your shower, no need to add body wash). 

Candles, fragrance, and our curated beauty products are also popular gifts or stocking stuffers. 


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: violet glass jewel earrings | gal strawberry lip balm | sage eau de toilette | pine cone hill ditsy pajamas | seda france lavende candle | spongelle french lavender soap | pine cone hill sheepy fleece 2.0 juniper robe | silk lavender eye mask

Best Coastal Inspired Holiday Gift Ideas

If you're looking for a gift for someone who loves the beach, we have a fantastic coastal gifts section. This is a great place to find stocking stuffers like soaps and apothecary goods, or pretty gifts like pillows, totes, and fragrances. 

One of our favorite gift ideas are the Backyard Candles - delightful candles housed in real coconut shells. They're naturally mosquito-repellant, and are great for either sitting by the shore or pretending you are. 


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: taylor linens beach pillow | dash and albert stripe tote | sea garden body mist | beach at night backyard candle | beach piper ornament | pre de provence ocean air soap | sea salt soap

Best Holiday Gift Ideas for the Mixologist

This is one of our most fun curated gift guides this season! We've sourced some really fab finds for every cocktail lover on your list. 

A great gift is one of our Stonewall Kitchen or White's Elixirs cocktail mixers with the coordinating bottle of booze - tequila for the Margarita mix, vodka for the Bloody Mary mix, etc. 

Our stemless wine glasses go great with the antler bottle opener for a festive holiday hostess gift.

For a really special gift, try a handcrafted ice bucket with a special bottle of champagne. 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: blue pheasant nelson bar collection | white's elixirs cocktail mixers | colette olive glassware | watercolor cocktail shaker | antler bottle opener | stonewall kitchen bloody mary and pomegranate cosmo mixer | woodland stemless wine glass set

Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Tweens 

Who said tweens are hard to shop for? Our tween girl tested-and-approved gift guide has all the bright, colorful, fun items that the young lady in your life will adore. 

For stocking stuffers, our lip balms come in a range of tasty flavors. We also have so many fun bath bombs, including ones with hidden surprises like keychains inside. Cozy flannel pajamas are another popular gift. 


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: Gal Lip Balms | Orange creamsicle lip balm | pine cone hill skaters pajamas | spongelle bulgarian rose wild flower soap | hello glow face mask | geode bath bomb | pick me up puzzle | good luck bath bomb | sunshine and rainbows bath bomb

Looking for more gifts this season? Shop Lavender Fields entire collection here! Get free shipping over $50 and free gift wrap, too. 



Friday, October 22, 2021

Our Holiday Gift Guide | French Country Inspired Gift Ideas

This holiday season, we've added a French Country section to our list of curated gift shops. Since our French Country furniture and decor section is one of the most popular sections in our shop, we were excited to get to curate these gorgeous gift items! 

french country gift guide

Shop French Country Vases

We love the idea of filling a beautiful vase with a fresh flower arrangement - it makes the perfect holiday hostess gift. You can bring your vase to your florist, or head to Whole Foods and buy some of their fresh blooms to make your own arrangement! Don't forget to add a fresh lavender bunch, too. 

Here are our favorite French Country inspired vases for Holiday 2021:

Etu Home French Mason Jar
Shop Etu Home French Mason Jar > 

Etu Home White Colorblock Flower Vase
Shop Etu Home White Colorblock Vase > 

Arte Italica Giulietta Pitcher
Shop Arte Italica Giulietta Pitcher > 

Merletto Antique Scalloped Pitcher
Shop Merletto Antique Scallop Pitcher > 

Etu Home White Water Jug, Large
Shop Etu Home White Water Jug > 


Shop French Country Kitchen and Dining Gift Ideas

We also have a range of French Country gift ideas for the dining room and kitchen. 

How about our iPad/Cookbook stand in a French blue, paired with a copy of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking?" Or a beautiful Debi Coules sign for the kitchen? 

We also love the idea of our set of four Giulietta coffee mugs with a selection of coffee or tea, or a classic candle for above the kitchen sink

Etu Home Denim Mod iPad / Cookbook Holder
Shop Etu Home iPad/Cookbook Holder > 

Giulietta Blue Mug - Set of 4
Shop Giulietta Blue Set of Four Mugs > 

Lavender 50 cents a Bunch Sign by Debi Coules
Shop Debi Coules Lavender by the Bunch sign > 

Barr-Co Original Scent Parfait Glass Candle
Shop Barr-Co. Parfait Candle > 

"Paris Flower Market" on Wood by Debi Coules
Shop Paris Flower Market by Debi Coules > 

Provence Linen Runner with Fringe
Shop Provence Linen Runner with Fringe > 



Eloquence Perfume Candle in Parisian Peony
Shop Eloquence candle in Parisian Peony > 

Shop more French Country-inspired gifts

Shop our entire French Country curated gift shop online here! We offer free shipping over $50 and free gift wrap! 

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Our Holiday Gift Guide | Farmhouse Style Gift Ideas

 When curating our shop for the holiday season this year, we created a range of different shops, so you can shop by recipient, by price, and even by style.

The Farmhouse, French Country, and Coastal decor and furniture sections of our shop are so popular that we decided to add a curated shop for each style onto our site this holiday season. 

shop farmhouse style holiday gift ideas

farmhouse style holiday gift guide

Our Farmhouse gift section has a wide array of different modern Farmhouse style gift ideas. 

Farmhouse gift ideas for the cook

We stocked our shop with plenty of artisanal baking mixes from Finding Home Farms, tasty jams from Stonewall Kitchen, and other delights like small-batch handmade chocolate. 

Our favorite gift idea this year? Get one of our Etu Home handthrown mixing bowls (they come in three sizes), and add a baking mix and maple syrup from Finding Home Farms, along with other tasty finds from our Confection Shop. We also throw in a new potholder for them to bake with! 

Seattle Chocolate Dark Sea Salt Truffle Bar

Finding Home Farms 100% Certified Organic Maple Syrup

Etu Home Handthrown Mixing Bowl, Large

Quarter Pound Box - Organic Pure Maple Sugar Candy

Finding Home Farms Apple Cinnamon Pancake & Waffle Mix

Stonewall Kitchen Wild Maine Blueberry Jam


Farmhouse gift ideas for the kitchen

Looking to give a modern farmhouse gift for your friend or family member's kitchen, but not a food gift? We have plenty of modern farmhouse kitchen decor and accessories.

A 2021 favorite? This stylish pinafore apron - just pull it over your head and get cooking with style! 
Pinafore Style Apron With Ruffled Hem
Shop Ruffled Hem Pinafore online > 



We love a modern farmhouse kitchen gift basket filled with a pretty dish towel, a Country Life hand soap and lotion set for next to the kitchen sink, and a zesty candle like our Lemon Verbena one. 

Country Life Foaming Hand Soap
Shop the Country Life Foaming Hand Soap >


Country Life Lotion
Shop Country Life Lotion online >

June & December Found & Foraged Towel
Shop June & December Towels Online > 

Finding Home Farms Lemon Verbena Soy Candle - 13 oz
Shop Lemon Verbena Candle Online

Farmhouse candle gift ideas

We also have a range of farmhouse-inspired candles for you to give this holiday season. 

finding home farms nutmeg candle
Shop Nutmeg Candle online > 

Finding Home Farms Pumpkin Sage Soy Candle
Shop Finding Home Farms Pumpkin Sage Candle > 

Milk Bottle Candle
Shop Milk Bottle Candle > 

Rosy Rings Pumpkin Cardamom Medium Round Botanical Candle
Shop Rosy Rings Pumpkin Cardamom Candle > 

Finding Home Farms Sage Evergreen Soy Candle -13 oz
Shop Sage Evergreen Candle > 

Shop Flannel Candle >
Shop Flannel Candle > 

Shop more farmhouse-inspired gift ideas

Our entire farmhouse inspired curated gift shop can be found here - we offer free shipping over $50 and free gift wrap, too!