H ave you considered painting your concrete porch or patio? I get a lot of questions about the color on our concrete, so I wanted to share what we learned and offer a clear, practical guide for doing it yourself. When we began our side yard project, we chose a deep gray for the concrete … Read more

While we were passing through Portland recently after dropping my son off at a filmmaking camp, my daughter and I stopped at our favorite bookstore, Powells. It’s an amazing place to get lost among books and we always spend hours browsing the shelves. What did we bring home this time? A huge stack of gardening … Read more

Surprise! A newly reformatted book titled Simply Home is coming mid‑August. Simply Home combines two of my popular paperbacks—Simple Organizing and Simple Decorating—into one elegant hardback. You can pre-order your copy now; the official release date is August 15. Click here to pre-order your copy of Simply Home (Releasing August 15!) Working with a publisher … Read more

For more than a year I considered adding cafe curtains to my windows. I finally went for it—and I wonder why I waited. It wasn’t a major project: just a pressure rod and a cafe curtain, plus a few curtain rings. It was easy to install and just as easy to remove if I change … Read more

Taste Interior Design Kitchens: Subway Tile & Two-Toned Cabinets I love subway tile. It’s a timeless choice—elegant, versatile, and often budget-friendly. I especially adore installations that run from countertop to ceiling. A full-height subway tile wall creates a strong, clean statement and introduces appealing texture to the space. Taste Interior Design White subway tile is … Read more

One of the simplest ways to mix patterns and keep your bedroom feeling fresh is to choose reversible bedding. With a reversible duvet cover, quilt, or shams you effectively get two looks in one piece, allowing you to change the mood of a room without buying new items. I use a reversible duvet and Euro … Read more

Colorful bedroom via BHG Do you enjoy layered patterns in a room? When mixed thoughtfully, patterns bring warmth and personality that solid colors alone often can’t achieve. Neutral rooms have their place, but color and pattern inject a creative energy that many of us crave. A home without pattern or color can feel flat—layering patterns … Read more

via Dimples & Tangles I enjoyed visiting this year’s Christmas Home Tours — seeing how families decorate and celebrate during the season is always a delight. Each home shared here offered fresh inspiration and warm ideas. Thank you to the bloggers who opened their homes and to the readers who toured and commented. Below is … Read more

Layering Bedding – BHG Now and then I let myself dream a little about a future bedroom makeover. I haven’t refreshed my bedroom in this house — not even a new coat of paint. Life and other projects (like finishing my office) kept taking priority, but lately I’ve been picturing the space more often. Layered … Read more

Although I originally wrote this post in 2008, I wanted to update it to reflect where I am now. Since then I’ve moved twice, but my feelings about my home haven’t changed. I still want to love the home I have, even if it isn’t the house of my dreams. Years later I continue to … Read more