Aliya
Hi! my name is Aliya and I'm so glad you stopped by today! Truly you have no idea how much it means to me. I live in Ohio with my husband and 3 little girls. I believe that once we start opening our doors, that hearts will start to open around us as well. You can head over to the About Aliya page to get my whole story.
-
Functional Storage for Copper Pots and Pans
Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below, but these are products I recommend. I won’t put anything on this page that I haven’t verified and/or personally used. Since we moved in three years ago, this corner of the house has been styled at least 500 different ways. I just couldn’t figure out what to do with it. Initially, I put a huge hutch there. But that didn’t last long because adults hit their hips and kids hit their heads while walking around the table. Recently, I decided to hang two wall racks for our new copper pots and pans in this space. It’s been my favorite layout so far! The…
-
Functional Decor – How to Give Purpose to Decor
Having a pretty home is definitely nice, but what's more important is having a home that works for us. The function has always been far more essential for our family. That being said, I have challenged myself to find ways to combine form and function in our home. I need the decor to go beyond beauty.
-
My First Milk Paint Experience – Faux Fireplace Mantel
It’s been a strange time. Social distancing and quarantine has definitely changed the way we’re living. But to be honest, this new way of life we’ve developed has been refreshing. We are doing more as a family and we are being far more productive and intentional with our time. I’ve heard it said that “if you don’t have a new hobby, side hustle, or skill on the other side of this, then time was never your issue.” I found it to be quite the smack in the face. It challenged me to stop making excuses which prevent me from doing new things. With this thought bouncing around in my head…
-
A Potager Garden in My Future – The Garden Part 1
After Christmas, my thoughts are consumed by the garden. Hands down it’s my favorite thing we do all year. It’s a family endeavor at our house. From planning, planting, picking, eating, and then cleaning up at the end of the season — we do it as a family. We’ve had a garden for a few years and I’ve noticed every year it’s different. The tomatoes did well this year and didn’t last year or the peppers did great last year but this year the bunnies ate them (Or a small child ran one over with her 4-wheeler haha). Most of the change each year is due to factors beyond our…
-
My Small Entryway and the Beauty in the Process
The progress is beautiful! The process is fun! Let the process of progress teach us. No matter what your working toward – “Left foot. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot.”
-
The New Home Office Space
I have some exciting news to share with you! I’ve been working on decorating jobs and my blog posts from a new home office space! Previously we had this huge roll-top desk which was great for storage, but was lacking in inspiration. I never felt drawn to spend time at that desk. But we bought a new desk and it’s different. I’ve spent more time at the new desk in the first month then I did at the old desk in the entire 2 years we had it. After I brought the new desk home we completely redid our home office space and I’m so happy to finally share it…
-
DIY – From Vintage Chicken Feeders to Mail Organizer
I don’t believe creativity is a gift for the select few. For a long time, I told myself, "Aliya, you are not creative." Consequently, I would quit every creative endeavor I started when that little voice began talking. Guys! Creativity is so creative!
-
Modern Farmhouse Makeover – Teaming Up with Rustik Market
It's been an exciting few weeks and I'm pumped to finally share them with you! I was able to team up with Rustik Market's Whitney Smith to decorate a client’s home!! Are you serious?! I am honored and still in utter disbelief that she considered working with me! Teaming up with her was such a joy!
-
Opening the Back Storage Room Door
The whole reason my blog is called Open Door and the tagline is Home Doors Open Hearts is because I desire for you to grow with those around you. I believe as we open our physical doors to those around us something special will happen. I believe we will learn how to love and be loved in return. I believe we will help others heal and simultaneously we will receive healing.
-
DIY Inspirational Quote Frame
Justin showed me this quote called “The Man in the Arena” by Theodore Roosevelt a few weeks ago. It’s very inspiring and I wanted to put it in my new office space. So I did what I always do; I jumped on Etsy. I found a few that I liked but they were all around $100. I showed Justin, and my frugal husband looked at me like I bumped my head. Was I seriously considering spending over $100 for an inspirational quote to hang on the wall?! That look meant I needed to come up with a new game plan.
