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Book Review – Cozy White Cottage: 100 Ways to Love the Feeling of Being Home

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I recently bought up the book “Cozy White Cottage: 100 Ways to Love the Feeling of Being Home” and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. As someone who loves all things home decor and DIY, this book was right up my alley. From the moment I opened the cover, I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful photography and warm, inviting feel of the book.

Liz Marie Galvan, the author and popular blogger, shares her best home decor and design tips in a way that feels real, easy, and affordable. I appreciated her focus on making the most out of your home, regardless of the budget you’re working with. The book is filled with practical and functional ideas that can be applied to every room in your house, and I found myself taking notes and jotting down ideas as I read.

One of the things I loved about the book was the focus on creating a cozy atmosphere in every room. Liz shares tips on how to make a workspace more inspiring and productive, how to arrange a living room to encourage conversation and connection, and how to create a warm and inviting space for guests. She also highlights the importance of quiet spaces for rest and rejuvenation, playrooms for laughter and learning, and the kitchen as the heart of the home.

The book is filled with simple DIY projects for every room, which I found particularly helpful. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY-er or just starting out, there’s something in this book for everyone. From budget-friendly hints for decorating to tips for creating a cozy and functional workspace, Liz has thought of it all.

I also appreciated Liz’s focus on the power of the home to bring joy and happiness. She writes about the importance of implementing calming routines and rituals into our spaces and our lives, and how the right design choices can bring more laughter, joy, and learning into our homes.

Get the book here: Cozy White Cottage: 100 Ways to Love the Feeling of Being Home

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Make This Rustic Patriotic Flag Wreath for Your Front Door

There are plenty of shiny red, white, and blue decorations out there, but every now and then a patriotic project comes along that feels a little more heartfelt. This 4th of July Patriotic Flag Wreath from CraftBits is one of those projects.

Instead of being overly fussy or store-bought looking, this wreath has that lovely rustic Americana feel — a grapevine wreath base, a flag draped diagonally, and a large star layered over the top. It is simple, bold, and just handmade enough to feel special without turning into an all-weekend project.

You can find the full tutorial here: 4th Of July Patriotic Flag Wreath on CraftBits.

What I really like about this wreath is the story behind it. The original CraftBits tutorial explains that the project was made using a damaged flag brought home by a veteran, and his wife, Marsha, turned it into this beautiful wreath for her family to enjoy. That gives the project a little more meaning than a standard seasonal door decoration.

The supplies are very simple: a grapevine wreath, an American flag, a large metal star, and glue. The flag is folded lengthwise to create a sash, then secured diagonally across the wreath. The star is layered on the side to cover the gathered section and give the whole piece a finished focal point.

This would look beautiful on a covered front porch, garden gate, entryway wall, mantel, or even as part of a Memorial Day or Veterans Day display. It is not just for the 4th of July either — with the right styling, this is the kind of patriotic wreath you could bring out for several red, white, and blue occasions throughout the year.

If you’re planning more handmade patriotic decorating, you might also like our 10 DIY 4th of July wreaths to dress up your front door roundup, where this CraftBits wreath is already included as a classic front-door option. For a bigger porch refresh, pair it with our 15 DIY 4th of July porch decor ideas and add planters, lanterns, bunting, or painted rocks for a full summer entryway look.

One helpful note from the tutorial is that you can glue the flag in place, or stitch it to the back of the wreath if you want the option of removing it later. That is especially worth considering if you are using a sentimental flag, a vintage flag, or one with family meaning. Stitching gives you a bit more flexibility and avoids permanently attaching something you may want to preserve.

You could also soften the look with a few extra details. Add raffia for a farmhouse feel, tuck in cream or red faux roses, use denim ribbon, or add smaller stars around the grapevine base. I’d keep the extras fairly restrained though, because the flag and star are already doing the heavy lifting. This is one of those projects where too much “more” can tip it from rustic to crowded very quickly.

For supplies, Amazon is a handy option for grapevine wreath forms, metal star accents, glue, and mini flags. Etsy can also be useful if you want a handmade metal star, rustic Americana embellishments, or vintage-style patriotic trim, but I’d keep it simple so the wreath still feels meaningful rather than overly decorated.

This is a lovely beginner-friendly patriotic craft because there is no complicated measuring, no sewing machine required, and no special tools beyond basic craft supplies. It is also a good project for using a flag that may not be suitable to fly outdoors anymore but still holds meaning. As always, if you’re using an actual American flag with sentimental or ceremonial value, take care with how it is handled and displayed.

The finished wreath has that warm front-porch welcome feel — festive enough for the 4th of July, but classic enough to suit a farmhouse, cottage, or rustic summer decorating style.