Wanna come with me on a drive by on San Juan Island? Or more like a walk by — the slow, relaxed pace that makes a short getaway feel like a small vacation. I felt like I’d been away from my blog and friends forever, so when my husband and I suddenly had the chance … Read more

Have you ever wanted a charming gas-style wall lantern to cast flickering candlelight on your front porch? Me too. Those lanterns are beautiful, but I created a simpler, more affordable DIY porch lantern that gives the same warm, flickering glow without electricity or gas. After sharing our battery-operated window candle tradition in our new home, … Read more

Beach Cottage via BHG This charming vintage-style beach cottage feels like a small celebration of color and comfort. The bright tangerine door and wide, welcoming porch create an instant feeling of happiness the moment you arrive. It’s the kind of home that invites you to slow down, breathe in the salty air and enjoy simple … Read more

Recently my daughter and I cleaned out the linen closet in my laundry room and removed everything we no longer needed. I was both amazed and a little embarrassed by how much stuff had accumulated. We ended up discarding about six garbage bags of flattened pillows and stained linens. It made me wonder why I … Read more

I live in a fairly new house, but I have a soft spot for older homes. Maybe you don’t swoon over historic houses, but I do — I fall hard. I love the character that comes with a home built long before I was born: rounded wood doors, creaky floors, chunky wainscoting, and old lanterns … Read more

Disclaimer: Please excuse the glass being ridiculously dirty on this cabinet… I promise I’ll clean the glass when the remodel is all done. A little earlier this summer I took a fun trip to HomeGoods with some gift cards that were burning a hole in my pocket. That day I found an adorable little cabinet … Read more

Some people feel energized and ready to go on January 1, but for me the first two weeks of the month are transition time. After the holidays I need a few days to reset my routine, return my home to normal, and tackle the small projects and organizing tasks that set the tone for the … Read more

Guess what? The beginning of July marked my eighth blog anniversary. I’m now starting my ninth year of writing at The Inspired Room, and I’m still as excited about it as ever. I had intended to celebrate that milestone, but moving our life across the water took over—moving really does use up every bit of … Read more

Happy Valentine’s Day from our family to yours! We enjoyed a cozy, snowy weekend and wanted to share a few moments with you. Thank you for following along and for your continued support. Sending warm wishes and lots of love your way. See more behind-the-scenes in our Instagram stories: The Inspired Room + my daughters … Read more

For years I’ve believed in making “destinations” around the house—small, intentional places where family can relax, connect, and make memories. Lately that idea feels more important than ever. With so much time spent at home, having inviting outdoor spaces to escape to has been a real gift. All winter I look forward to warmer weather … Read more