Amanda Nisbet Design via House of Turquoise One of my first priorities when shaping a home we’ll truly love is getting the lighting right. Good lighting creates the right ambience, but it also defines personality and style. The right fixture can be the starting point for the room’s whole identity. Right now the dining room … Read more

Emily Fisher of Rock Paper Hammer via HGTV Two weeks ago I shared a preliminary sketch of a possible kitchen remodel and how it might relate to the rest of our main floor. I didn’t include one detail at the time: a potential second bathroom on this level. Many readers offered thoughtful suggestions about where … Read more

Lonny 8 Ways to Create a Romantic Home: 1. Bring home flowers Fresh flowers instantly lift a room. Pick up a few stems from a grocery store or florist and arrange small bouquets for the bedroom and bathroom. Affordable sources like warehouse stores and discount grocers often have beautiful options that won’t break the bank. … Read more

Want to bring more joy into your home? A single statement piece can transform a space and give your decor instant personality—without draining your budget. This post is sponsored by Walmart.com featuring Drew Barrymore’s Flower Home Collection. My secret for elevating a room on a budget: choose fewer, bolder decorative elements that feel anything but … Read more

My goal this year is to make every room in our home work better for us. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of the “not so big house” — valuing thoughtful design and quality details in a smaller home rather than simply adding square footage. That approach is about using each space to its … Read more

AAbout a year ago I realized something was missing: I needed a creative space of my own. More than a functional office, I wanted a place that would re-energize me, spark ideas, and offer a quiet retreat from the daily bustle. I needed a room where I could step away from the noise and be … Read more

Are you planning backyard projects for the summer? With new construction we started with a blank slate—both exciting and a bit overwhelming. To keep the process manageable, I’m dividing the yard into functional areas that are attractive, easy to maintain, and practical for family life. Whether you’re starting fresh or working with existing landscaping, organizing … Read more

SOMETHING NEW: ROOM TOURS & DIY I’ve been blogging long enough to know that you’re a lot like me. You enjoy peeking into other people’s homes — not to pry into personal things, but to admire their decor. It’s perfectly natural to be curious about how others style their spaces. You might find yourself glancing … Read more

Don’t get too excited — this is NOT our new house. Bummer, right? All photos in this post are listing images of Seattle homes we saw online or in person while house hunting. Some properties were contenders, others were out of our price range or in the wrong location, and some simply weren’t the right … Read more

My Introduction: I have a sweet blog friend, Charlotte, whose posts about tender memories of daughters often bring a tear to my eye. Our children have flown the nest, and her poignant recollections and gentle efforts to let go reflect many of my own experiences. She has a way of making me cry with a … Read more