I am fully into the Christmas season - and at a borderline early date. I have both of my  trees up and all the window lights are set to impress (or scare) my neighbors. The last thing on my list is outdoor lights and anything else that might be associated. I was at Lowe's tonight picking up more window lights and gawking at all the trees and decor. It's amazing how they can have 20 options for trees of varying sizes and color ... but only 3 very ugly doormats. In order to prevent anyone from having to buy these tacky doormats, I've rounded up a dozen doormats that Amazon will deliver to you before you can finish that seasonally driven Netflix binge. 1 /  J & M Home Fashions, Poinsettia 2 /  Snowflakes Flocked Coir Mat 3 /  Winter Berries 4 /  Home & More Natural/Green Script Hello 5 / Glitter Santa Belt Coir Door Mat   6 / Aqua Shield Fir Forest Mat, Light Green  7 /  Chalet Diamond Pattern Coconut Fiber 8 /  Christmas Ho Ho Ho   9 /  Two T...
I'm supposed to be writing a post about windows right now but it is just not very inspiring. Windows are super important but I'd rather think of something fun and enticing. So that's how we landed powder rooms. Also known as a half bathroom. Also known as where you run to after speeding into the driving from a real long commute home. The downstairs bathroom might be one of my favorite rooms to think about. It is probably pint sized but you don't want it to be boring and just a place devoid of style and interest. Sure the door will be ajar or shut more than not, but why not make this necessary part of the home just as gorgeous as the front door. Just kidding, the front door obviously wins. When I think about the half bathroom, here are the elements that I consider required: toilet sink mirror But there is still so much room for creativity and options. I've been talking through many bathroom styles with my sister as she is currently renovating their dow...
After this recent post , I got an encouraging email from my architect. If I'm being honest, writing that post was a bit of my way to communicate that I was struggling a bit. That I felt behind. That I needed a reminder to make progress... and that progress wasn't permanent. The phase we are at right now is really about designing a master plan. We are iterating on designs to get the ideal set of plans. And it's great to consistently remember that plans aren't permanent - especially when there isn't a price attached to them yet. It's lovely to think about having a deck off that bedroom... but let's figure out how much that costs. Subsequent to going through this process, I've determined the best way to describe the process is as follows: Generative // No holds bar idea brainstorming. Don't try to organize any thoughts, just get them on paper. Sticky notes are ideal because you can move them around and it doesn't feel permanent. Make a mist...
I am writing this post because I'm falling behind. Two weeks ago I met with my architect Heidi over a preliminary draft of plans... and then I've made little progress since then. It's on me. I was supposed to review the drawings, write on them, make notes, move things around, think about it... and then we meet again. We improve. We iterate. We make progress. But, I had to cancel that 2nd meeting due to work... and I'm feeling nervous about that 2nd meeting. A house isn't done until it's done... but what if I change my mind about that master bathroom setup? What if suddenly moving the kitchen is too much? What if I decide I don't want a free-standing tub? I need to just rip off the bandaid and do it. Make some notes and get started. It's not exactly accurate to say "falling behind" when there is no deadline but in my heart I know that I'm behind. Just like the post I wrote about getting started, I need to do that again. Goals: - ...
Oh shutters! Be still my beating heart. There are many things that I love about my old house - but the shutters are my jam. The current shutters are a majestic and deep shade of green. To add a little more charm, the shutters have little pine trees on them. I think I looked past these shutters for a really long time. I never really noticed them. But when I began to think about renovating the house, the shutters were something that stood out as a "must save". All that being said, how to actually style shutters on a house is a bit of a mystery to me. Thankfully Heidi the architect seems to have some very educated opinions on how to use shutters in this century. I think the main rule that I've gathered is that you only want to use them where it makes sense. You don't have to use them on all the windows. My goal is to use as many of the original shutters as possible. While I hadn't considered changing the color, I also don't think I'll do that. I love...