How to keep a house clean When I was a younger mom I filled notebooks and files with color-coded plans, chore charts and complicated systems meant to keep our home organized. The trouble was that once the systems were in place, I rarely followed them. I had made housekeeping far more complicated than it needed … Read more

I love this clever take on a wreath. It’s simple, stylish, and uses items you likely already have on hand. The idea is charmingly straightforward: gather greenery or other seasonal elements, tuck them into a tote or basket, and hang the whole arrangement from a nail or hook. The result is an effortless, rustic accent … Read more

Photos in this post by Milana’s Photography (apart from photos labeled iPhone photo) Hi, friends! It’s Courtney (Melissa’s daughter). I’m thrilled to share wedding planning tips and a full recap of our wedding from this past July. I posted bits of the planning journey on Instagram, but now that we’ve received our photographer’s photos I … Read more

HHello friends! I hope you all had a lovely Easter. We did — starting the day with brunch and streaming a church service before taking a pleasant neighborhood “drive-by.” Later we gathered some family in Portland on Zoom, and the kids and cousins enjoyed playing online games together. I’m grateful for technology; it helped our … Read more

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 I love coral. It has long been one of my favorite colors, even if my home doesn’t showcase it extensively. We do have a guest bedroom with orange-coral accents, so a variation of coral is present in one room. Still, I find coral to … Read more

inspiration: BHG To order window coverings from Select Blinds, use my special link for the best discount. Enter code INSP1RE5 at checkout to receive an additional 5% off the lowest available price. While I love bare windows when the architecture and view are beautiful, many rooms benefit from the right window coverings. They can change … Read more

Dear blogging friends, these are difficult days for many, with the recent earthquake in Haiti adding to the sorrow so many are facing. I also want to share heartbreaking personal news about a fellow blogger and long-time sponsor of The Inspired Room: Gina from Feather Your Nest. Last week she suffered an unimaginable loss — … Read more

Do you have a happy place inside your home? Maybe it’s a favorite chair where you rest and find peace, a room that brings you joy, or a quiet corner you retreat to when you need energy or inspiration. In my “homebody manifesto,” I shared how we’re often encouraged to practice self-care by going somewhere … Read more

Do you ever wish you had a personal decorator—or a friendly expert you could turn to with your decorating dilemmas? I have a little secret to share that I’m excited about. My talented friend KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms and I are collaborating on a new decorating book. This project is a joyful, practical guide we … Read more

Do you ever freeze up when it’s time to hang something on the wall? Or feel stuck in a creative rut and want to try something different? Not long ago I came across a pretty embroidered rug and fell in love. I immediately saw how it could work as a wall hanging, but I also … Read more