It’s easy to assume that homes featured on blogs are instantly picture-perfect, but that isn’t the case here. We’re still settling in, and I wanted to share a few behind-the-scenes snapshots taken with my phone as we make this house feel like ours.
Rooms don’t come together overnight. Some days are about deciding what stays and what moves to another room, and other days are simply about learning how it feels to live in a place. A house becomes a sanctuary when you allow yourself to live in it, imperfections and all, and that’s the approach we’re taking as we unpack, experiment, and enjoy this new chapter.
Case in point: my little entertaining cabinet recently looked like this.
And then it looked like this. My 15-year-old son created his own little vignette in the corner of the living room. Partly playful, partly functional—his setup may prompt me to add an outlet near a proper desk, but it’s also a sweet reminder that shared spaces evolve with family life. The placement encourages togetherness, so maybe it’s exactly where it should be for now.
So far, my daughter Courtney and I have only hung one thing on the wall: a mirror above the console. Whether it stays there long term remains to be seen, but having even a few pieces in place helps give the house a lived-in feeling. Small touches like that make the process of settling feel like progress, even if we rearrange again later.
One of the pleasures of this location is the view. We’ve been enjoying the sky from our windows and took a walk down to the beach to get a closer look at the area. The ever-changing light and weather here are already a favorite feature and something I expect will continue to delight us.
Our dogs, Jack and Lily, are loving the yard and the new surroundings. A recent trip to Alki Beach was full of energy and exploration—perfect for them and for us as we explore different parts of our new city.
One simple pleasure here is taking the ferry to church. It’s a scenic and peaceful commute that has quickly become one of our favorite routines.
Back inside, unpacking the kitchen into our modest 1950s space has been part of the adventure. I placed a flea market rattan shelf in the dining area to hold overflow items temporarily. Often things find their place naturally; sometimes a seemingly random spot becomes exactly where you want to keep something. Seeing familiar items again—objects you love—helps a lot in making the house feel like home.
And of course, the coffee station was a priority. A kitchen truly feels settled once the coffee setup is in place.
Jack adjusted quickly. He was a little nervous at first, but now he’s totally at ease in the new house. If there was ever any doubt, this cozy picture should remove it.
I’ll be sharing more updates as each room evolves, including our plans and sources of inspiration. For now, we’re enjoying the process of getting acquainted with this older home.
Some of these images have already appeared on my Instagram. If you follow along there you’ll see more casual snapshots and progress updates.
Sources:
Leather loveseat, blue tufted ottoman, trellis patterned arm chair, coffee maker (ours is an older model), mug drying rack, wood chevron cabinet, wood mirror, glass cabinet (taupe)
Related Posts:
Our New Seattle House Tour Video
Vision for the Entryway (My New House)
Vision for the Living Room (My New House)