Spring Cleaning I love having a clean house. I’m more productive, happier, and everything feels better when my home is free of clutter and well cared for. A messy house doesn’t bother everyone, but for me it raises my stress and anxiety. I feel distracted, less engaged, and generally less pleasant to be around. When … Read more

Greetings! Last week I refreshed my front porch with flowers, and the scent of an orange bush is so lovely—wish you could scratch and sniff! Over the weekend I felt inspired to finish the rest of the space so I can enjoy warmer days even more. I love spending time on the porch in spring … Read more

Today I’m sharing one of my favorite frugal yet luxurious decorating secrets that works for every season, but especially at Christmas. It’s simple, quick, and creates a layered, custom look without buying anything extravagant. Ready for the trick? Take notes—this one is worth remembering. Step One: Choose two wreaths with contrasting textures and place them … Read more

Designer Katie Rosenfeld (Michael J. Lee Photography) Welcome to Day Two of my 31 Days of Falling For Fall series! Throughout this series I’ll highlight rooms, displays, and tablescapes that feel especially cozy or inspiring for autumn. Some spaces may not look like the traditional warm, autumnal palette at first glance, but thoughtful design choices—texture, … Read more

HHello, dear friends, and happy nearly FALL! I’m so glad you’re here. Welcome to my annual Fall Nesting Series. If you couldn’t guess, fall is my favorite time of year. If you’re reading this after 2025, you’ll notice this post is part of a long-standing practice of sharing seasonal rhythms on the blog — something … Read more

Remember when I revealed that we almost considered buying an alpaca farm? While that idea was charming—imagining mornings with alpacas—the practical choice for our family was to move to the city instead. We still have our furry, alpaca-like pups romping in the yard, and to bring a touch of farmhouse living to our urban cottage … Read more

These may be the ugliest photos I’ve ever shared on the blog, and yet they are some of the most meaningful to me. Let me explain. Every so often a blogger gets pulled away from the usual projects and posts. You know the type: the triumphant before-and-after of a spray-painted vase, monthly rundowns of what’s … Read more

When we bought our 1950s brick ranch in Seattle about five and a half years ago, it wasn’t my dream house. It was in decent condition for its age, but the style didn’t suit us. Because it needed updates, though, it became the perfect canvas to make our own. As I envisioned the possibilities, I … Read more

HHello friends! It’s Cassie here. Thank you so much for the warm welcome on my first post last month. I loved introducing myself and my home to you, and I’ll plan a future post about the paint colors in our house since so many of you asked. This month I’m excited to share our backyard … Read more

Easy DIY: Installing Faux Tin Ceiling Tiles as a Backsplash Thank you for the kind comments on my kids’ bathroom facelift and for the enthusiasm about the faux tin tile backsplash. If you missed the full bathroom makeover post, it explains the project and the reasons behind the choices I made. This project was meant … Read more