Holiday Reflections and a Few Favorite Reads I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely Christmas yesterday. Ours was relaxing and warm — a welcome break from the usual holiday rush. What made this year especially pleasant was not having to spend the day at the stove preparing a big turkey dinner. Instead I simply pulled on … Read more

Cozy up on chilly nights with a warming bowl of Minestrone Italian Soup. This hearty, vegetable-packed soup combines rich tomato flavors, classic Italian herbs, and tender pasta for a satisfying weeknight meal. It’s flexible, freezer-friendly, and a great way to use up garden produce or leftover vegetables from the fridge. This Italian Minestrone soup mixes … Read more

Handmade Signs and a Special Piece for the Camp Homewood Fundraiser I finally completed a special project yesterday. A friend is organizing a fundraising garage sale and farmers’ market to benefit the camp where we volunteer, and I decided to join in with a table of handmade items. I had imagined a table overflowing with … Read more

Full of flavor and nutritious, these homemade turkey burgers are delicious and easy to make. Grill them to perfection in under 15 minutes. My husband and I are empty nesters now, and this new phase of life has prompted us to rethink our meals. We’re enjoying the freedom, and we’re also making a conscious effort … Read more

Double the usable space in a tiny closet with these simple, smart, and budget-friendly small closet ideas, organization tips, and DIY Ikea-inspired hacks. Last week we began the Modern Farmhouse Boho bedroom makeover for the One Room Challenge. The very first task was tackling the closet: finding small closet organization solutions we could DIY using … Read more

Pack your bags—today we’re taking a little decorating field trip to Montana. My niece Jessica and her young family recently built a home, and she’s assembled it with a fresh, modern sensibility that I couldn’t wait to share. Although our tastes overlap in many ways, her house demonstrates several clean, modern design principles beautifully. I … Read more

When Plans Change: Why I Put a Rug Over My Newly Painted Floor In an ideal world this post would walk you through the entire process: the second coat of panther paint, a follow-up wash, a quick video tutorial, and finally a coat of hardwood floor wax to buff the floor into a glossy finish. … Read more

I recently took a customer’s request as an invitation to rethink baby nursery decor and create a charming bird mobile. After researching “bird mobiles” I felt inspired to make a no-sew version so anyone without a sewing machine could try it. The result is a simple, shabby-chic fabric bird mobile that hangs beautifully in a … Read more

Find 30 practical Christmas gifts for women and men—useful presents they’ll actually use and love. This guide is part of a seasonal blog collaboration. Be sure to check the other contributors’ gift guides listed at the end of the original series and look for the giveaway information in that roundup. When it comes to gift … Read more

Learn how to hang curtains the right way — plus budget-friendly DIY alternatives if you don’t want to buy them. I’ve always loved curtains. The right panels soften a room, add texture and color, and provide a finished look that feels intentional. But choosing and hanging curtains can raise a lot of questions: what fabric … Read more