10/01/2021

Making an Entrance with a Versatile Bench

The front entryway has a lot of pressure. It’s a unique place in the home because it typically is in a high traffic area while also having to have a design POV that sets the tone of your home. It’s like the host at a restaurant, they have to look presentable, be cheerful, and perform their task by moving things along. For this entry, finding the perfect accent had to achieve many functions. It could not be a burdensome piece that took up too much room while also looking beautiful enough to create that first impression. The less is more approach is also in place, where every piece performs an important task.

Handmade entryway bench with leather woven straps.

Handmade entryway bench with leather woven straps.

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09/24/2021

Nesting Season Is Arriving, and We’re Loving our Bay Window Update

We all love a good Cinderella story and, when it comes to the home, a bay window seat is ready for some fairy godmother attention. The structure is there with some of the best views in the house, while it does not demand a major overhaul or expense like a sofa.

There is something nostalgic about curling up on a bay window and watching the outdoor events unfurl before you. Bay seats are comforting, often functional–especially if it includes built in storage–and part of the decor. As we approach nesting season, the timing could not be better to give your bay window seat some deserved attention.

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08/19/2021

Life During a Home Remodel: A Survival Guide

The grind of the buzzsaw has been my new Spotify. There are periods of intense piercing, a quiet pause, followed by the tingle of a drill that’s become the leitmotif. This is just one of the symptoms of living with home renovations but there are ways to maintain sanity.

We experienced an unexpected retro excavation in our own home

 

After living with natural disasters with a regularity last seen during biblical times, inviting contractors into the home to address dated elements should seem customary. What began as a simple project unfolds into a complex process. After stripping the walls, we discovered there was no insulation. Further along, the contractor removed the dated paneling to find a cheery orange, yellow and green flower patch that could have been the wallpaper Marsha Brady chose if she were given her own room.

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08/10/2021

Styling Your Sofa for Real Life Design

Chances are that when returning home after a long day, your most anticipated place to be is the sofa. It’s the ultimate symbol of leisure–designed to relax, entertain and host the occasional nap. Whether you’re a coach potato or busy mom, sofas deserve proper design treatment.

A sofa’s design is elevated from an attention to accents.

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07/28/2021

A Week of Healthy Salads that Are Delish

We get it, a story on a week of pizzas may pull in the SEO, but salads packed with delicious, healthy ingredients is enough to put your pizza deliveries on hold. Salads are nutrition powerhouses, as raw vegetables are high in nutrients, vitamins, fiber and promote weight loss. They also can be fulfilling meals when you add healthy proteins like seeds, nuts, grilled chicken or fish. Avocado is another substantive choice, which is high in fiber, potassium and increases HDL or good cholesterol levels. And for those who rather use their stoves on occasion, salads are a quick, natural meal that requires minimal prep work.

Week of Healthy Salads

Creative add-ons: In the season of salad weather, be inspired by choices that could change the way you eat. A salad does not have to be strictly green but top with your favorite foods like nuts, dried fruit and colorful vegetables, which will boost its nutritional value.

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06/03/2021

Simple Tips to Create a Boys Bedroom with Designer Appeal

If we were to set this boy’s bedroom to music, we’d select The Beatles’ “Come Together.” An attention to mixing prints, customized pieces, and a unification of bold colors elevate a basic boy’s room to a sanctuary with a P.O.V. When designing your child’s room, follow a few simple guidelines and then have fun–this is a place for kids with a penchant for cartoons and Crayolas.

In my son’s California bedroom, the nautical theme set the direction with a modern twist.

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04/29/2021

Room Planning 101: Show Some Restraint

If you’re decorating a new home or redoing a space, resist that click-happy impulse to fill shopping carts with a load of stuff you may not need. (Sorry Amazon). A skilled room planner knows that restraint is necessary for a clean arrangement that leaves more room for design creativity.

The main room in our Laguna Beach home is multifunctional while delivering on a modern take of the British West Indies style.

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04/01/2021

Summer Essentials for Spontaneous Getaways

Last summer was from the year we try to mention as infrequently as possible. The challenges imposed by the unmentionable, in many ways, made it memorable. Travel restrictions turned us into explorers of our region, where we found destinations within approved driving distances. Once there, we were crafty with meals, camped out on beds with linens brought from home, and extended the day by taking long walks at sunset. Those essentials that made our visits safe, fun, and comfortable are an added travel takeaway we’ll use for this anticipated season.

New settings paired with dependable pieces is part of the savvy traveler equation.

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03/26/2021

Give an Easter Basket Everyone Will Love

Bunnies may need to go into an early retirement, we’ve created an Easter basket that will rival those stuffed with neon flammable straw. First, withhold any urge to fill with trinkets and candies marketed on holiday shelves, select a basket you love and will use again, and fill with gifts regardless of what the holiday panders.

An updated basket for timeless appeal.

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11/23/2020

Make More Room In the Kitchen With a Simple Addition: the Countertop Overlay

It’s like found money, creating additional kitchen space when square footage is compromised. When we designed our kitchen that had limited room, we considered knocking down a wall to usurp the adjoining office. (This was pre-quarantine so we’re especially thankful we didn’t go this route.) A smart use of the area was to not install a cumbersome island but add on a few inches of countertop to create an overlay. It’s simple, not too costly, and now there’s an added place for dining.

A kitchen overlay creates additional seating without infringing on too much valued space.

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