Welcome to this three-part mini-series, part of My Year of Dwelling Well, called How to Find Joy at Home (a simple guide). “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” – Annie Dillard DDo you make the small moments in your life count? Do you design routines with intention and … Read more

Country Living I know it’s summer, but I’m a year-round fan of beach houses. Whether it’s a stormy evening, a warm sunny afternoon, a midweek escape, a holiday or a long vacation day, beach houses always feel like the perfect place to be. That’s why I bring beach-house touches into my own home. The relaxed, … Read more

Hi friends — Courtney here (Melissa’s daughter)! I love baking seasonal pies throughout the year. It’s a lovely way to welcome a new season, mark a holiday, or celebrate just because. The very first pie I made was the apple pie I shared for Thanksgiving, and the family loved it so much that I kept … Read more

You are invited to The HomeBody Gathering Place. Scroll down to learn more! How often have we wished for the chance to slow down, be more present, and spend more time with family or on our homes? This unusual moment is an invitation to make the most of what we’ve been given. Let’s bring some … Read more

HHello! Recently I came across the HGTV 2015 Dream Home and I couldn’t stop studying the photos. While most of us won’t have a house exactly like this, there are many practical design lessons and inspirational details we can adapt to our own homes. Below are key takeaways that you can use whether you’re decorating … Read more

Pottery Barn Hello friends of The Inspired Room! It’s Kate, also known as Centsational Girl, and I’m delighted to be guest posting today. Melissa is away speaking at Relevant, so I get to share Day 20 of 31 Days of Autumn Bliss. Today’s theme: Get Cozy With Knits! For me, the best autumn knits fall … Read more

I recently organized a “use what I have” gift-wrapping closet that’s simple, functional, and ready for the season. This year I’ve been tackling small organizational projects around the house, sharing progress with the HomeBody Gathering Place community. Since October we’ve worked on areas like the mudroom, pantry cabinets, and coffee station. Moving forward I’ll keep … Read more

Good Eggs A couple of weeks ago I wrote a guest post for Victoria’s blog, Decorating with Whimsy. She was kind enough to send a delightful box of gifts to say thank you. Inside the package was this beautiful egg — I absolutely love it. I was thrilled to place it in one of my … Read more

Mug Source // Similar Round Woven Tray // White Slipcover Details // Similar Leather Ottoman Welcome — I’m glad you’ve stopped by for a virtual coffee. Recently my daughter Courtney visited and I treated us to vanilla bourbon coffees. It felt indulgent, like the kind of after-dinner coffee you might order at a restaurant, though … Read more

Recently I mentioned the idea of placing a game or dining table in the living room. We finally moved our dining table into the space just to get a feel for how it might work. I haven’t had the chance to arrange chairs around it or photograph the table in context yet. To make the … Read more