Here are four ways you can begin to design a home you love! 1. Define your design standards. Instead of feeling pressured by perfectionism or comparing yourself to others, establish your own realistic design standards. Decide what matters most to you and how you want your home to feel. Write a short list of guiding … Read more

Whether you’re already decorating for Christmas or simply savoring the last golden days of fall, this is the season when most of us want to stay inside, nest and make the home feel cozy. A few small changes can make a big difference in how warm and inviting your space feels through the holidays and … Read more

Creative Christmas Memories & Decorating Idea One of my readers, Dana at Cooking at Cafe D, who is doing a 31-day series on organizing, left a sweet comment that stuck with me: I’m really enjoying this series. It shows that it doesn’t take a large effort—just a little effort and a little thought—to make something … Read more

I t seems like every summer I freshen up both my front porch and back deck. Both areas are compact—the deck is especially tiny—but they’re big enough to relax in and enjoy. The front porch greets visitors at the entry, while the back deck is visible and accessible from the kitchen, so both spaces feel … Read more

HHello everybody! I’m so glad you’re here. I hope your Monday is going well. I’m excited to be part of Gina’s Summer House Tour. If you’re stopping by from Nester’s, welcome! Although summer isn’t officially here yet, I’ve started a gentle transition to warm-weather decor. It isn’t all leisurely, though—between daily life and preparations for … Read more

I treat my home as a sanctuary — a place to feel safe and relaxed. Still, the doorbell can shatter that calm. Even when there’s a perfectly benign reason—a delivery, a family member who forgot their keys, or a friendly neighbor stopping by—hearing the bell makes me uneasy. We’ve had moments when a neighbor came … Read more

Sometimes it seems like everyone else has it all together — their homes refreshed and routines back in place by January 1. Not me. I usually need a little more time. For me, January is the ideal month for a gentle home reset. Now that it’s mid-January, I’m finally ready to settle into a winter … Read more

SSometimes changes in life are bittersweet. Recently I ordered a framed photo of my children with a personalized border, and when it arrived I cried—because it means so much. The picture isn’t just of my three kids together; it’s them on the front porch of our family beach house, taken the last time we were … Read more

@tales_of_olivers_cottage Sunday Strolls + Scrolls is a series inspired by interiors and outdoor spaces I discovered while browsing online. I love finding rooms and ideas that convey a true sense of sanctuary. My hope is that this series feels as restful and pleasant as a leisurely walk down a charming street, a slow stroll through … Read more

We’ve enjoyed some lovely spring days mixed with the usual cloudy and rainy spells. Here are a few snapshots of our front and back decks so far this season, what we’ve worked on, and what’s next on our outdoor project list—spoiler: it will extend into summer. This time of year there’s always a lot to … Read more