Jenna Sue Design in BHG Do you have a dedicated entryway in your home? Many houses we saw while house hunting lacked a separate foyer. Ours is narrow and more like a hallway than a room, yet even a small area can be useful and inviting. Since adding a Dutch door, our entry feels even … Read more

YYou may already know about the four daily routines I follow to keep my home “clean enough,” but I have a small ritual that quietly changes cleaning from a chore into something almost enjoyable. Curious what it is? My secret ritual First, I make a flavorful, aromatic cup of coffee. Then I gather my favorite … Read more

Hello and thank you all for checking in over the weekend. My daughter’s wedding was beautiful — full of thoughtful details and careful coordination. Though the plan was for a simple beach celebration, it still took a lot of planning and creativity. I’m eager to share photos and reflections once I’m back in Portland and … Read more

Last week our family enjoyed a staycation to celebrate Father’s Day and my son’s birthday. One evening we turned our backyard firepit into a simple, cozy s’mores night. I love gatherings that are easy to plan yet feel special—so much so I wrote a book about it, Simple Gatherings. For our s’mores evening we used … Read more

Recently I mentioned having trouble finding large glass lamps and that I had made a DIY glass bottle lamp instead. Since then I discovered that HomeGoods stocked several beautiful, oversized glass lamps — including the ones I placed on my console cabinet — and I was thrilled to find them. They make a strong, stylish … Read more

Paper organization ideas I need to get better organized. With busy schedules, family life, work commitments and community involvement, it’s easy for things to pile up. We juggle businesses, volunteer efforts, weekly events, three children, two dogs and a lot of daily details. Over recent months we’ve introduced systems that help, but there’s still more … Read more

Years ago I struggled to keep my house clean. I loved decorating and cared deeply about my home, but no matter how much I wanted a tidy space, I couldn’t figure out how to maintain it. I was overwhelmed by everything that needed attention. Eventually I discovered that the key wasn’t trying to do everything … Read more

I have always loved gallery walls. A gallery wall is simply a curated collage of art, photos and objects arranged on a wall to create interest and personality. They can be relaxed and eclectic or precise and symmetrical. They can feel modern and fresh or classic and traditional. There really isn’t one correct way to … Read more

Paint Colors Choosing a White Paint for an Older House I receive many questions about the antique white paint I used on the walls, trim, and kitchen cabinets in my older home. I love this particular paint color for older houses. It reads as a soft, subtle cream rather than a stark, cold white or … Read more

Thank you for the kind responses to our laundry room progress. I’m thrilled to have a refreshed space to do laundry in and I’ll share more as the room comes together and the finishing details are in place. I received a lot of questions about the window shade, so here are clear, easy-to-follow details. This … Read more