photo credit: Hiya Papaya 5 Coastal-Inspired Kitchen Decorating Tips This kitchen is absolutely stunning. It was featured in a house tour that showcases an inspiring, coastal-infused home, and the kitchen alone is worth a close look. The design blends soft, beachy colors, interesting textures, and thoughtful details that make the room feel both elegant and … Read more

Kylee here — this summer we added window boxes to the exterior of our Cape Cod–style home, and they instantly boosted curb appeal. I love how much character they add, and I can already imagine swapping the plantings with each season. We chose self-watering window boxes, which have been a game-changer. The reservoir system lets … Read more

Inspiration for a Modern Boy’s Room 1. Target 2. Ebay 3. Target 4. Overstock* 5. Red Letter Words 6. World Market 7. World Market 8. Pottery Barn When we lived in our old house and I had just started this blog, my son Luke had just turned seven. He was so small then; I still … Read more

August 2007 I didn’t plan to write today—I had already scheduled a post last night—but inspiration struck and I couldn’t resist sharing more. My head is full of ideas; I could write all day if I didn’t have other responsibilities. Chief among them is caring for my greatest treasure: my son. So I’ll pace myself … Read more

You know those small decorative items you’ve wanted for ages but either can’t find or can’t justify the price? I’ve had one of those on my wish list for a long time: a bamboo tabletop easel. I remember seeing one years ago in a decorating book and being smitten, but it never surfaced at the … Read more

I am enjoying a wonderfully busy week helping my daughters settle in Washington, so I invited my friend Sandy from Reluctant Entertainer to share some lovely, practical ideas about hosting. If you think hosting beautifully is only for professionals, stay with us — Sandy’s approach is warm, simple, and very doable. Through her blog, Sandy … Read more

Today many of us are looking for practical ways to save money and conserve resources. Making thoughtful choices about what we buy and how we use things helps both our wallets and the planet. While I’m not a formal expert in green living, adopting simple, common-sense habits to reduce waste and be more frugal at … Read more

Brass Window Candle As the year draws to a close, I like to pause and reflect with gratitude. Looking back helps me recognize progress, even when it felt slow at the time. On the blog I enjoy reviewing the changes we’ve made to our home and celebrating both the visible updates and the quieter behind-the-scenes … Read more

Have you seen the 2020 Southern Living Idea House? It’s absolutely beautiful. Lauren Liess has such a distinct, warm aesthetic—she always does an incredible job. I wanted to share a few of my favorite rooms from the house here. The design feels cozy and relaxed, perfect for a peaceful autumn weekend away. I hope you … Read more

Do you have a single wall in a room that just feels unresolved? That long wall to the right when you enter our family room was mine. It was a fairly long expanse with no windows, and for a long time I couldn’t decide how to make it feel finished and balanced with the rest … Read more