I know it’s Monday.

I know I didn’t take my Christmas tree down over the weekend.

I know you may or may not have had your first cup of coffee this morning.

BUT I COULDN’T WAIT ANOTHER SINGLE SECOND.

(total aside:  please note that the upper case on the previous sentence should not be construed as yelling.  I’M JUST SO EXCITED THAT I DON’T KNOW HOW ELSE TO EXPRESS IT BUT IN UPPER CASE!!!!!!!!!)

This is a 50 zillion exclamation point post because THIS IS MY NEXT BOOK.

I’ve been working on it for about nine months and I’ve poured my heart and tips and encouragement into every page and I can’t wait for you to see it.

Seriously.

It has a lot in common with you.

It’s full to the brim of amazingness. 🙂

Wait.

I totally forgot to explain how I got here.

Let me go all Julie Andrews and start at the beginning.

I’ve been writing this decorating/DIY/random story blog for six years.  I’ve posted about curtains and walls and room makeovers and befores and afters and space planning and accessories and styling a bookshelf.  I’ve answered questions and talked about my favorite paint colors and the ins and outs of what works in different spaces in different rooms.

And along the way, I’ve discovered one thing.

We all need encouragement.

Decorating can be a little scary and overwhelming.

I get it.

I understand. Decorating is full of choices and crossroads and figuring out what goes with what and if this paint color even goes with the piece you found at the yard sale and deciding if that rug even fit in that room.

You want to throw up your hands.

You want to run.

You want to stick your head back under the covers and wonder why you even thought decorating anything was a good idea.

You might be worried you’ll make a mistake.

You might be worried it won’t look right.

You might be worried someone else won’t like your choices.

And that is EXACTLY why I wrote this book.

 

It’s full of funny, practical and helpful decorating advice and tips and projects that just have to be shared.  It’s like you showed up to my house for coffee and we were talking about Hallmark movies and Christmas trees and chickens and then you asked me what color I painted my kitchen.  And why?  And where did I get my rug?  And was I worried it was too big?  And what should we both be looking for at yard sales?  It’s full of a little random here and there, too.

Like this advice about space planning:

“Space planning is a lot like wearing Spanx to your high school reunion.  They are both absolutely necessary.”

 

 

There are charts and measurements and design principles and tons of ideas for wall treatments and DIY projects and accessories you can make for your bookshelves.

There are pockets in the front and back to keep all the extras and at the end of the book are 16 pages of tear out extras including artwork you can hang on your walls.

There are even instructions for an origami bookmark Denton designed to help keep you organized.

I can’t wait for you to see it.

I want it to inspire you.

I want it to spark ideas.

I want it to encourage you and lift you up and give you the tools you need to plan and design and decorate and create a space you love.

 

I designed and imagined and created and wrote this book for YOU.

Because you are special and wonderful and incredible and amazing and creative.  Just like your home.

Your home is one-of-a-kind.

Your home is loved.

Your home is a reflection of who you are.

And you, my friend, are perfect.

Just the way you are. 🙂

In exciting news, as my grandmother would say, the book has been selling like hotcakes.  I’m so thankful and grateful and a little overwhelmed by the response.  A giant shout out to everyone who has ordered already.  If you want to reserve your copy to make sure you get one while we still have them in stock, you can pre-order The DIY HOME PLANNER here.  Make sure to hold onto your receipt because your pre-order qualifies you for ALL of the incredible pre-order bonuses I’ll be posting about in the next couple of weeks (including a FREE video course that goes along with the book).

And now?

I need your help.

The publisher is putting together a book launch team.  I’m so excited about this, I can’t even.  Each member of the launch team gets a hard copy of the book mailed to them and access to an exclusive behind-the-scenes Facebook group, where I’ll be sharing about The DIY Home Planner LIVE every week.  We’ll walk through the book together and talk decorating and random things and have coffee together and discuss why we should all paint our trims with high-gloss paint.  We’ll have giveaways for the group and exciting promotions and design insights and tips and ideas.  The goal of the group is to help get the message of the book out there to everyone who ever needed a little decorating encouragement.

I’d LOVE to have you join us.

All you have to do is fill out the form below if you are interested.  The publisher will select 75 launch team members from the entries.  All team members will be notified by e-mail as soon as they are selected.

(edited to add:  the launch team application is now closed)

Thank you SO much for all your support and encouragement.

Here’s to decorating a home we truly love. 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

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Comments

  1. Image for Carrie Carrie

    CAPITAL LETTERS ARE NOT JUST FOR SHOUTING!!!!!!!! Extra exclamation points!! So beyond thrilled for you. BEYOND!!!

    1. Image for Charley Charley

      I so agree. Capital letters are NOT shouting to me, just emphasis on certain words, EXACTLY the way I talk when I am comfortable and enthusiasticly speaking!!!

  2. Image for Terri Terri

    Ummmmmmmm.... I'm almost speechless!!!! Cannot wait to get this one in my hands !!!!! Amazing !!! As you have said to us many ... many times..... "You area Rock Star" !!!! Congrats!!!!! Psssst: also.... I almost choked on my coffee as I read the statement about "Spanx"... still laughing !!!!!

    1. Image for Charley Charley

      I went to my 50th HS reunion last year and DID NOT wear spanx because I thought I looked great and wanted to be comfortable. I have regreted it ever since and wish I had not been lazy and worn a low ponytail the first night. Just a word to the wise..............in case you have a reuion coming up. I think this will be our last HS one, so I won't get another chance.

  3. Image for Linda Linda

    Congrats! And continue to do what you do best...amaze, inspire and the answer to so many questions! So excited for all of us blog followers of YOU!

  4. Image for Jolene Jolene

    I am looking forward to your new planner and would love to be part of the launch group! You are an amazing blogger, with such a wonderful attitude. I am always smiling after I read your blog post and feel so encouraged.

  5. Image for Babette Babette

    Oh KariAnne that is divine! I love it! We are going to sell our house of 20 years for me,( but my husband has been in this house for 32) and move to Panama City, FL! I'm so excited to use this book to make my new home feel like our own. So many dreams, ideas, ways to create! I can't wait to see how you make your new/old home yours!

  6. Image for Adah Adah

    Congratulations! This looks so dandy! Can't wait! Let me know if there are NC launch teams members that want to work with us at Main Street books for an event!

  7. Image for Michelle Michelle

    Well, I don't blame you for the 'shouting!' How exciting is this??!!! I also have a grandson who may be popping the question soon -- this would make such a useful, lovely and unique wedding gift

  8. Image for Cheryl Cleveland Cheryl Cleveland

    This looks fabulous! I am a mom of triplets and all 3 are getting married in a one year time span! I want to give a copy of this book to each of them! When will it be available for purchase?

  9. Image for Gina Gina

    Since I don't have any social media accounts, I won't be of any help to you there, but I have read every word here for the last 6 years and 1 month and will continue to do so!!! This sounds like the perfect gift a newlywed, a new neighbor, someone going into their first home or apartment, or just a best girlfriend! I would wrap it up with a measuring tape and maybe some frog tape! Wouldn't it be fun for a book club to get the book and then share a project they completed from the book with each other?! Can't wait to see it! Seems like it would make the project so much more fun having you as a cheerleader!!! I'm sure it's just losing with creativity!

  10. Image for Linda Brinks Linda Brinks

    Congratulations on another book coming out soon! Love your excitement and passion for the life you've been blessed with.

  11. Image for Kim Banta Kim Banta

    Oh, KariAnne! I'm beyond excited for you! Thank you for putting all of your sparkley inspiration into one planner of a book! I can't wait to snuggle up in the chair to read it, and then use it as a reference book moving forward! Yay for YOU!

  12. Image for Lynn Mosher Lynn Mosher

    AWESOME!!! Yes, deserves UPPER CASE and a mile long! Soooo happy for you, sweet KariAnne. So exciting. I love the look of this book. It's wonderful. Can't wait to get my hands on one! :D ❤

  13. Image for Sarah Sarah

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so excited for you for this book. I preordered it on Amazon when I preordered So Close to Amazing and I have been dying for it to come out. I cannot wait to read it. This is so wonderful, and I am so excited for you!!!!

  14. Image for Sharon H Sharon H

    OH Miz karianne....I'm really excited about this new book already seeing the light of day! I can't wait to get my copy. Congratulations! And a total aside here.....I was perusing through my Bible Book store the other day, and I noticed something that just jumped out at me, because it was totally out of place .....a bright spot among all the dark book covers....I did a double take and said to myself.....I recognize that design.....I have that book....what in the world.... . OH LOOK! ( I was talking to myself...and jumping up and down inside) it's karianne' book...So Close to Amazing! I was looking around to see who was curious about my obvious excitement so I could tell them how much they needed to get this book.....how much it would add to their mundane lives... But sadly, nobody paid me any attention, so I muttered to myself what a terrific person you are and it was their loss for ignoring me......and if I didn't already have two copies for myself I would get another one....sigh. But it surely excited ME to see that bright spot standing proud doing its best to brighten an otherwise sea of darkness on that shelf!

  15. Image for Linda Linda

    Dear Karrianne, Have such a wonderful success with your new book. I shall wait for a copy until next year because my budget is already set this year and the money the book would have taken is going to seeds for my garden, bwhahmha. I found out too late! Just the best to your new venture.

  16. Image for Cindy D Cindy D

    Very excited about his book. And I absolutely LOVE LOVE the watercolor artwork in the book. Right up my alley. Congratulations!

  17. Image for lisa Masse lisa Masse

    Oh my gosh! This is just what I need to get me off my butt! If I use this half as much as I used my Martha Stewart Wedding Planner back in 1998, my living room is going to be a HIT! Thank you!

  18. Image for Julie Briones Julie Briones

    So EXCITED! Pick me, pick me! I wanna do this again... and I will have the blog up for this one, too! (Planning on a post about So Close, as well... need to talk to you about that. Not sure if I should wait, because of the new book... Let's talk. ;-) )

  19. Image for Nancy Nancy

    Ohmygosh. Could the cover and pages and ideas you've shown be any cuter? The sketches of your home...unbelievable. I am soooo excited for you and this is exactly what so many people need. Decorating can be intimidating...I can't wait to read this one! Nancy

  20. Image for Deb Deb

    KariAnne Yay!!! You go, girl! Cannot wait to get your new book. Blessings to you in the new year. ((Hugs))! Deb :-)

  21. Image for Jenni Jenni

    WOW!!! Book TWO! Another dream come true! You are twice blessed my friend. Possibly three or four times blessed. I am so happy that I'm ribbistrating* right here in my studio...dancing and hopping around in utter celebration! Thrilled for you. SO thrilled. (*Ribbistrating is feeling like Snoopy when he does that little dance with his nose in the air and his feet thrumping up and down, arms thrown wide in complete...well, ribbistration. No other word for it.

  22. Image for Laura Ingalls Gunn Laura Ingalls Gunn

    As an interior designer, I wholeheartedly agree that “Space planning is a lot like wearing Spanx to your high school reunion. They are both absolutely necessary.” Haha, love it. So excited for you.

  23. Image for MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

    How great is this, KariAnne?! Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you! I have just ordered mine and can hardly wait to get it! Have a great day! Blessings!

  24. Image for Chelly Chelly

    How exciting!! I can't wait! We're moving into a new house in March! Perfect timing! This makes me even more excited to decorate! Congratulations!

  25. Image for Jolyn Jolyn

    My tree is up, still, too... but I have all of the decorations off, and have removed the top section... Maybe when I get home, my hubby will have packed it away! If so, I'm buying a lottery ticket.

  26. Image for Michele @ Thistledown Domestic Creations Michele @ Thistledown Domestic Creations

    Oh, sweet friend, I'm so excited for you and can't wait until this is released or if I'm lucky and get selected to be a part of this book launch as well! This is exactly what I need to help me decorate our farmhouse! We are in the process of picking so many things right now! I'm a bit overwhelmed! LOL Best of luck, YOU'VE GOT THIS!

  27. Image for Stephanie Ray Brown Stephanie Ray Brown

    I ️so need my soul sister Karianne's tips to help redo my house! I was blessed to get this house as an anniversary present from my husband.i had ️️️loved this house since childhood as it was in My hometown! So after 30 years we moved back into a home that looks a bit like Tara on Gone With The Wind. Like Noah on The Notebook My husband wanted me to have this dream house with the front porch and tree lined driveway. But my decorating style is more beach and farmhouse so I need help to make this house our home. Thank you for your time!

  28. Image for Cecilia Cecilia

    Yes!!! I'm so super duper excited. I've tried this (pathetically on my own) many years ago. I know this book will be down right fantabulous. Can't wait!

  29. Image for Kathy Verdun Kathy Verdun

    Following your advice, pouring over your blog and realizing there’s always a grin on my face after doing so...you’ve brought much joy and humor and inspiration. Thank you. Looking forward to more smiling when your book comes out.

  30. Image for Merrawyn Merrawyn

    Karianne!!! I love this!!! You are so great!! <3 I can't wait to read it!! Your blog has already upped my house decor game!! You have amazing tips and tricks... heck you are just such a sweetie!! Your blog always cheers me up <3

  31. Image for phyllis henry phyllis henry

    With all that you have had on your plate this past year, I am in awe that you have also created another book. You put the energizer bunny to shame! Best of luck with this newest launch!

  32. Image for Denise Sorenson Denise Sorenson

    I just pre-ordered your book! I can't wait!! I painted my walls mindful gray and even bought the "I hope you dance" sign a few years ago when I first found your blog - and you are the 1st blog I followed!!!!

  33. Image for Donna Marie Donna Marie

    This is what we all need--instead of scraps of paper or lousy notebooks!!! Thanks Karianne!!! (I use exclamation points for emphasis!!!) Lol

  34. Image for Marisa Franca @ All Our Way Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    I am so happy for you!!. I'm not applying because my decorating skills stink and I'm a food blogger. But I'm pre-ordering your book because I have exciting news. We are moving this year!! YAY!!!!!! Closer to our kids and grandkids but although where we live is nice I've never felt that connection to the house. Perhaps that's why I couldn't decorate it. We painted the rooms when we moved it and did a little of this and a little of that. I sewed window treatments and they were nice. *sigh* With your book it'll be like my friend is sitting next to me giving me advice. xoxo

  35. Image for Chris Chris

    I ordered that book as soon as I saw you wrote one! Congratulations! What a wonderful accomplishment- I am so excited to read it.

  36. Image for Debbie Debbie

    I'm so thrilled, congratulations!!! Perfect timing, our home is in need of repainting inside, and my husband wants to replace the living room furniture. Love the timing of your book coming out, reading your blog in the morning with my coffee is a great start to my day.... I find myself smiling and giggling Hugs, Debbie

  37. Image for Rosalie McCreary Rosalie McCreary

    Congratulations Karianne! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your fabulous, creative and oh so happy decorating! I'll get it pre-ordered!

  38. Image for Wendy Bass Wendy Bass

    I love that you are showering us with more of your contagious personality! Can’t wait for the book! Thanks for rocking our world again!

  39. Image for Elaine/RHome410 Elaine/RHome410

    Shoot. Now I need Spanx before this summer! KariAnne, I’m so excited for you! And to read this book... I love my kitchen, but feel it’s the only room I’ve gotten anywhere close to ‘right.’ I want to love my other rooms, too!

  40. Image for Laura Laura

    This makes me so Happy! We have recently moved & I need help! So I told myself, go check out your blog for inspiration. Low & behold you have just what I need! Me & these plain Jane walls can't wait!!!

  41. Image for Doreen Doreen

    This book looks awesome and a great resource for everyone who likes to decorate their home! I can't wait to get my copy! I'm so excited for you, KariAnne! Keep shining!

  42. Image for Courtney Madden Courtney Madden

    THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS!!! (not yelling, just excitement). This is exactly the kind of book I want and need. Design books with pretty pictures are great, design books with DIYs are great, design books that TEACH you how to design - YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I'm a little bit excited.

  43. Image for Donna Downey Donna Downey

    Looking forward to owning this book....I really enjoy your blog. I am one of your senior followers who never tires of new ideas, suggestions and demos of all areas of managing a home through the seasons of the year.

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