Hi friends! A little over three months ago we moved into this house in Seattle and we couldn’t be happier. During the move I finished writing a new book (out this spring), prepared to launch my coffee table book, and traveled back and forth across the country several times. All of that was exciting, but it left little time to focus on making the house feel like our own.
Over the past week my schedule finally eased up and I’ve been able to start thinking about furniture placement, paint colors, window treatments and the small details that make a house feel lived-in and comfortable.
During Thanksgiving week we painted the hallway and entry, and then moved on to the bedroom. I’ll share updates on those rooms soon, but today I wanted to show the living room. When we first moved in we didn’t touch anything—this room stayed exactly as it was. Recently I rearranged the furniture and added a new rug. The 8×11 rug we bought made a big difference for under $300 and instantly helped the space feel more grounded.
Besides the rug and the new layout, I moved the entertaining cabinet to the entry, brought the gold dresser from the bedroom into the living room, and added a few simple Christmas touches. Those small changes refreshed the room without a major overhaul.
There’s still plenty to do in this room, but it already feels so much better: welcoming, bright and cozy. It invites you to enjoy the view out the windows in the daytime and to curl up by the fire at night. I’m excited for future additions, but I’m also content with how it feels now—especially since we have other projects in the house that need attention.
Most of all, I love this room because I look forward to spending the holidays with my family here. Home projects can create chaos, so it’s a relief to have one space that feels put together enough to truly relax and enjoy.
We keep our Christmas decorating simple, but I try to preserve the magic of the season—especially for the kids. Even when life gets busy or stressful, those twinkling lights and familiar decorations spark memories and wonder. Our son is the youngest at home (though he’s taller than the rest of us now) and knowing that an empty nest is on the horizon makes me want to savor every season.
Despite efforts to simplify over the years, I still prioritize traditions and small rituals that keep the season feeling special—whether that’s cutting down our own tree or planning meaningful family experiences. Being intentional about those moments matters to us.
When the kids were small we used to display little village houses. After our last move we stopped because they felt bulky, but this year I brought out a few favorites and placed them in the living room where we can slow down and enjoy them. They’re a simple reminder of childhood wonder.
Thank you for following our move and this journey—I’m excited to share our progress with you along the way.
Sources:
Find furniture and accessories in my shop or in the list below.
Blue and white rug // Leather loveseat // Teal tufted ottoman // Birch lit tree // White velvet stockings // Glass cabinet // Wood mirror above glass cabinet // Dipped wood stool // Gold dresser // Joy to the world canvas // Gray nailhead wingback chair // Cable knit ivory throw blanket // “Gather Together” pillow // Blue, white, and brass swirl lamps // Basket/side table by leather loveseat // Leather pouf (similar)
