
We’re still enjoying a cozy home life. Though I miss the freedom to come and go and some plans that have been delayed, the sunny spring weather here in Seattle has been a welcome boost. It inspired us to spend the weekend outside preparing our deck and side patio for the season, and we enjoyed every minute in the yard.
I’ll share more about how our outdoor spaces are shaping up tomorrow. If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen a sneak peek; I’ll post a full update here soon.
By the way, the Inspired Stripe Rug shown here is currently 40% off. It’s one of the designs I created for Dash & Albert after readers voted it into production, and I love the runner in my kitchen for spring and summer.

Even though we’ve been spending lots of time outdoors, I keep thinking about the inside of our home. Being here all the time has only increased my desire to make our space feel loved and comfortable in small, practical ways.

Three ways to make your home feel more like home, even while quarantined
Rearrange spaces for a fresh perspective.
Spending more time at home has made me want to move furniture around. Rearranging what you already own is free and instantly satisfying. I’m working on a new dining room layout and brought in a piece last night—once I hang a few things, I’ll share the update.

Dream up future projects.
Spring is a natural season for refreshing your home, but it’s also important to keep dreaming about the future—even if some projects are on hold. Reminding myself that “this too shall pass” helps. I enjoy planning remodel ideas and collecting inspiration for future work.
Our kitchen, side yard and deck were our first major remodels and helped define the direction for the rest of the house. With those projects completed, I now have many more ideas for adding character and function to our home. When restrictions lift we’ll have a list of favorite projects ready to go.
One project we had scheduled before recent events is postponed for now. I’ll share details and other ideas soon.

Envision, design and plant gardens.
The more time I spend looking at the yard, the more I picture new garden areas. Not being able to run out for fresh flowers has inspired me to plan a cutting garden that will bloom in spring. Right now I’m gathering ideas and sketching a garden plan for the next phases outside.
I love making small bouquets from our blooming trees—the camellias shown here came from our backyard. Little touches like fresh flowers and houseplants lift the mood. A whimsical dish towel I picked up on a shopping trip became a favorite reminder that plants brighten our home.

Come back tomorrow to see the updated side patio and back deck—I love how they turned out!


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