Traditional Exterior design by JB Architecture Group, Inc., Chicago Architect Welcome to a new weekend series celebrating inspiring house exteriors. Each week I’ll feature a standout home exterior — beautiful, charming, or simply delightfully interesting — and invite you to imagine life there. I’ve missed running a weekend series, so I’m excited to bring this … Read more

I never really liked my kitchen. I loved my old kitchen, but the new one never felt right. The countertops, tile, cabinet finish and sink all seemed off to me. To be clear, this is a design perspective — not a life-or-death matter — but after living with the space for a while, the issues … Read more

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” –Melodie Beatty In 2008 I put together a simple list titled “20 Little Attitudes of Gratitude”—small habits and reminders I wanted our family to practice at home. Over the years I return to that list often. It’s a gentle way … Read more

BHG Just as I love designing cozy, welcoming rooms inside the house, I enjoy shaping outdoor spaces with the same care. Thoughtful design elements, well-chosen furniture and a few architectural touches can define an outdoor room and turn a portion of your yard, patio or garden into a true destination. With spring here, I have … Read more

Click here or scroll the thumbnails below for sources Pretty & Practical Gift Ideas for Her If you’re searching for thoughtful gift ideas, here’s a curated selection of beautiful and useful items—some I own and love, and others I think would make delightful presents. These picks are suitable for birthdays, celebrations, housewarmings, or simply to … Read more

We don’t usually decorate extensively for Halloween, but being new to the neighborhood we thought a simple banner would be a friendly way to let kids and parents know our porch is open for treats. Banners are a simple, seasonal decorating solution Banners are ideal for small spaces because they add festive charm without occupying … Read more

Enchanting cottage gates with cutout design details While planning ideas for our new small backyard, I came across a photo I took years ago of a delightful gate and house we spotted on a walk in Seattle. That garden gate with the rose cutout is so charming. Cottage-style gates have always captivated me—they suggest that … Read more

Once we decided to remodel our kitchen, I knew it wouldn’t be a project I could wing. I wasn’t hiring a full design or architectural team to make choices for me, and the budget was not unlimited. This wasn’t a quick fix and it wasn’t inexpensive, so I had one opportunity to get things right … Read more

“Many of our decisions to add things we think we need in our home or will enjoy in life cause additional clutter and stress. In our consumer culture we often assume a new purchase will improve our lives, when too often it only makes them more complicated.” – Make Room for What You Love, Melissa … Read more

DIY Jewelry Storage via Whippy Cake Alongside the craft closet we are planning for our guest bedroom, we’re ready to tackle our master bedroom closet this year. I’m really excited about it. My walk-in is on the small side and lacks personality and function, so I’m collecting ideas to figure out what will work best. … Read more