One of the reasons I went with three dressers as the base of the desk in the studio was for the ample storage the nine drawers would provide. My mom has a great desk setup in her house using filing cabinets as the base. I… Continue Reading…Organization made easy in the studio desk drawers
A few weeks ago I posted this picture of my haphazard tulips. A reader suggested dropping in a penny the next time I bought a bunch to keep them from drooping. And so I did. Well, what do you know, I now have tall tulips.… Continue Reading…how to make tulips stand tall: put a penny in it
White curtains soften windows, give a touch of privacy and bring warmth to a space without feeling heavy. (image source) In a bedroom, a family room, office or dining room, they are always a good idea. (image source) Our new house hasn’t cried out for curtains on… Continue Reading…The best white curtains (hint: they are long and inexpensive!)
Every once in a while I like to play a game called CURRENTLY. I have done it in blog post form a handful of times throughout the years (here, here and here, for example). Basically, it’s just a list of categories and the first thing… Continue Reading…Currently | thoughts about life happening now
At long last, we have new carpet, trim and paint on the second and third floors. This was a big project we were hoping to do before we moved in last fall … but you know how things go … sometimes plans change. Our closing… Continue Reading…Remodeling the upstairs with new carpet, paint + trim
I shared this photo a few days ago on instagram: We just recently had the walls painted, new trim and carpet installed and things are looking so much fresher upstairs (more on that soon!). We still have trim to caulk and paint, pictures to hang… Continue Reading…A tricky little trick to make instagram photos one million times better
The studio is becoming such a pretty, inviting, inspiring place to work and create. When we moved in to the house, this space was just a big unfinished area above the garage. We finished it out with a little bit of framing, cleaned up the… Continue Reading…An Ikea Hack worth repeating | the studio desks
One year ago (almost to the day) I posted about the iPhone case that changed my life. The phrase ‘changed my life’ sounds a little intense for something as insignificant as a phone case, and it probably is. But I’m happy to report that using a… Continue Reading…A new iphone wallet case and why I’ll never go back
If you open up a magazine and look at any well-styled home, you’ll notice a designer’s best secret: plants. Since I’m a pretty good student and I do weird things like study the rooms I like, I’ve caught on to this fresh greenery idea and… Continue Reading…The one thing you can do today to perk up your home
Today I’m joining a group of talented bloggers on a Cozy Spring Home Tour hosted by Rachel from Shades of Blue Interiors + Country Living Magazine and sponsored by HomeGoods. Country Living wrote a great roundup article with 22 ways to decorate for spring pulling from… Continue Reading…Cozy Spring Home Tour | the new studio all prettied up
It seems I’ve been on a book-buying spree lately. These five were just delivered within the past two weeks and I can’t wait to crack each one open and pore over the pages. These books are not my typical choices. I almost always read novels, and… Continue Reading…Book Crush: 5 Books I just purchased and can’t wait to read
The drawers in the studio finally have hardware. It took forever to put them on and here’s why: I’m terrible at it. Seriously, terrible. I put the cabinet/drawer hardware on in the kitchen and pretty much every one is crooked. How is that possible when… Continue Reading…How to get the brass-look drawer hardware for (much) less
As I mentioned earlier this week, my friend and I ‘popped’ into IKEA last Saturday to grab a few things. It happened to be the grand opening weekend of the brand new massive store and it was literally busier than Disneyland. So many people. On… Continue Reading…The six things I bought at IKEA (and one thing I wish I bought)
Up in the studio (and throughout the whole house, actually), the outlets, light switches and wall plates are almond colored. I’m assuming this almond color was the standard back in 1992 when the house was built. Not a huge deal except that they look pretty… Continue Reading…how to camouflage outlet covers with wallpaper
The kids had mid-winter break last week which basically meant all things work flew right out the window. It’s okay, though. I think I needed a week off and I always strive to find that crazy balance between being an engaged mom and responsible business-owner.… Continue Reading…Sometimes life takes precedence in the work-life balance
