It’s a good moment to pause and reflect on creativity, purpose, and the way we spend our time. Ask yourself: are you living the life you want? Have you found your purpose and are you pursuing it with focus and passion? I’m happy to say that I’m living my dreams for the most part, though … Read more

Home Office in a Closet: Country Living It feels wonderful to have an organized home, yet paperwork and school projects can quickly take over. With a new, smaller house I’m still developing systems, so I’m ready to create better order. When space is limited, how do you find smart everyday storage solutions? Being organized in … Read more

via SF Girl By Bay We could all use a small summer oasis—a nearby place to escape, breathe more deeply and savor the slow, warm days of the season. I’m enchanted by Victoria’s charming backyard hideaway. A secret garden with a teepee feels whimsical and inviting—a perfect spot to relax and unwind. Coastal Living Striped … Read more

Country Living Need more space? Consider using fewer chairs and more benches. Benches are a versatile, space-saving solution that can be moved and repurposed throughout your home. They work well in dining areas, entryways, bedrooms and living rooms. BHG At the dining table, a bench can seat two or three people and reduce the visual … Read more

@miracleonthirtyfourth A reader recently sent a lovely message noting how I blend classic furnishings with whimsical touches. I appreciated her observation — it’s something I do intentionally. Every home we’ve lived in has included playful details alongside timeless pieces. For me, whimsy can be a dash of humor, unexpected patterns, or joyful color. Those small, … Read more

In a recent post I shared a spring planter I’m using in my kitchen and several readers asked for similar planters at different price points. I looked for options and rounded up a selection below — they were a bit harder to find than I expected, but more may appear in the coming weeks and … Read more

HHello, friends! Are you feeling festive yet? I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I keep spotting Christmas decorations all over Instagram and trees strapped to cars around Seattle. We’re a little behind at our house, so the photo above is from last year, but we’ve been listening to holiday music all weekend and today … Read more

HHello! Today there’s an exciting development in our kitchen: the cabinets are being delivered and installed. I don’t have progress photos yet because the work hadn’t started when I prepared this post, but I’m over the moon about it and can hardly wait to share updates. The kitchen currently shows dark blue walls and a … Read more

Easy DIY: Installing Faux Tin Ceiling Tiles as a Backsplash Thanks for the encouraging comments on the boys’ bathroom makeover and the faux tin tile backsplash idea. If you missed the full before-and-after and the project explanation, check the original bathroom makeover post for details. This project was meant to be an affordable, quick update … Read more

I can’t believe 2014 is already here! For those who haven’t met me on The Inspired Room, I’m Michaela, and I share a monthly post about entertaining. I love creating simple, beautiful gatherings, so today I’m showing how to set up a girly Valentine’s Day dessert bar perfect for friends. Time really does fly! Valentine’s … Read more