My son loves collecting small keepsakes and treasures. We often take leisurely walks around the neighborhood, hand in hand, hunting for little finds — pine cones, interesting bottle caps, smooth rocks, and pretty leaves. Those walks are one of my favorite things to do with him. He also enjoys searching for or buying little mementos … Read more

Hi friends, it’s Courtney (Melissa’s daughter). After spending the past year in my parents’ lower level apartment, I’ve moved into a new little one-bedroom in Bellingham, a lovely waterfront town in Washington. I’m sharing an empty-apartment tour today, along with three mood boards that show my design plans. I’ve already made a lot of progress … Read more

Over the past few years, I’ve written eleven books about creating a home that feels nourishing and welcoming. Home is very important to me, and I love designing books, products, and resources that inspire an atmosphere where you can care for yourself and the people you love. Whether you want to prioritize well-being and contentment, … Read more

Lauren Liess Lake houses always feel like summer to me. I grew up living near—or sometimes in—a house on the water, and that life left a lasting impression. My previous home sat right beside a lake, and those memories often inspire how I imagine a perfect seasonal retreat. Yesterday I was browsing Pinterest and ended … Read more

Christmas Home Tours 2011 Are you getting ready for the Christmas Home Tours at The Inspired Room? I am! My house is still a little chaotic, so I’m hoping for a Christmas miracle to get everything photo-ready. If the weather cooperates and I can take photos, I’ll share a sneak peek of my mantel tomorrow. … Read more

via Brooke Giannetti Does your home have curb appeal? This year I focused mostly on indoor projects, so the exterior improvements I hoped to make had to wait. Still, improving curb appeal is high on my list when time and budget allow. We did install a new backyard fence, mainly for our son Jack’s safety … Read more

Before we move on from the kitchen focus in our Best of the Best Room Makeover summer series and shift (for a while) to pretty bedrooms — we’ll return to kitchens later because there’s still more to share — I wanted to highlight how powerful a simple paint update can be. While it’s inspiring to … Read more

Creating a mood board is one of the most useful steps when planning a room. Whether you assemble it digitally, as we did with Photoshop for the example above, or build one on a physical bulletin board, a mood board clarifies the mood, colors, and mix of pieces you want in your home. A mood … Read more

Do you want encouragement and inspiration to discover your own authentic decorating style? You don’t need a large budget, a perfect house, or the ability to copy someone else’s look to begin creating a beautiful, personal home. You can start now, using what you already have and letting your life guide your choices. I began … Read more

Hi friends! This week our youngest, Luke, graduates from high school. I’m excited for summer to begin, yet I also find myself wanting to slow down and savor these final days of this chapter. I’m making a conscious effort to enjoy these last moments with Luke as a high school student. With him preparing to … Read more