I love the gentle sounds that surround our home. Laughter is my favorite, but when the house is quiet I notice birdsong outside the windows, wind moving through the trees, the rustle of palm leaves by the porch, soft background music, the gentle bubbling of my oil diffuser, and the delicate tinkling of capiz shell … Read more

Here’s a renovation update: work has begun on our kitchen and dining room, and the addition is underway as well. I’ll share more about the addition in a separate post, but for now I wanted to show you the progress and changes happening around the main floor. Removing the peninsulas and raising the openings between … Read more

I was honored to be invited by Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Designer Marketplace to write a series on the business side of design. Although the series is aimed at interior designers, the advice applies broadly to bloggers, creatives, and anyone running an online business. Visit Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Designer Marketplace to read my posts. In my latest contribution … Read more

Thanks to Lowe’s for their support in this home improvement project! Last week something very exciting happened: we moved from dreaming about home improvements to actually making them happen. After three years in this house, normal wear and tear, life’s demands, an old dog and a new puppy, plus a few mishaps left parts of … Read more

I wanted new curtains for my breakfast nook, but after searching everywhere I couldn’t find ready-made panels I loved at a price I could afford. My solution? Enlist my mom’s help. She visited with her sewing machine a couple of weeks later, and we headed to JoAnn’s to hunt for fabric. After a long search … Read more

So much progress has happened since my last blog update. It’s amazing to see the transformation from the early March demo to the floor, sink and cabinet installations and now to the many recent finishing touches. Each step brings us much closer to the kitchen I pictured. There are still a few details to be … Read more

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 With everyone heading back to school, I’m reminded of how much I used to enjoy back-to-school shopping. Choosing the right combination of folders, pens, calendars, and notebooks felt like a small ritual. I even designed and printed my own labels in elementary school to … Read more

Collage Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. I believe a home should feel like more than just a house. It should be a restful retreat that comforts family and readies us to face the world. Since we begin and end our days in … Read more

The Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe Looking for the best banana bread recipe ever? I have it, and I’ll share it with you! Years ago a friend shared this banana bread recipe with me, and it quickly became a favorite. It’s moist, tender, and full of flavor. On its own it’s delicious, but … Read more

I came across a clever and simple wreath alternative that is perfect for easy holiday decorating. The idea—tucking fresh or faux greenery into a shopping tote and hanging it on a door or wall—creates an instant, natural focal point without the time or expense of a traditional wreath. This minimalist approach works well in entryways, … Read more