Shameless bragging moment: our home was featured in an eight-page spread in the September 2018 issue of The Cottage Journal: Southern Cottage. We are so grateful and a little stunned—especially because the magazine ran photos I took myself. For anyone who read my recent post about photographing interiors, you’ll understand why that feels like a milestone.
A lot of you sent the sweetest messages after the feature, and I’ve been meaning to share more about it. Life got busy—between finishing the nursery and wrapping up the last of our fall projects, I barely had a spare minute. We were also preparing for Hurricane Florence at the time, so there was some real-life chaos mixed in with the excitement. (As I write this, there was a good chance we’d be without power; we were praying for everyone on the East Coast affected by the storm.)
Seeing those images in print was surreal. When I launched this blog four years ago, I posted shaky, yellow-toned photos of our first house and had no idea where the journey would lead. Now, to have a national magazine showcase our rooms is an incredible validation of small, consistent effort—and a reminder that practice really does matter.
The issue celebrates Southern homes, and we feel honored to be included among so many beautiful houses. Southern style, when done well, balances breezy classic charm with modern comfort: rooms that feel timeless and elegant, yet cozy and inviting. That blend is what drew me in. If you love relaxed, layered interiors with a nod to tradition, this issue has a lot to offer.
Although farmhouse decor is a popular look, it’s refreshing to see other approaches that step away from the exact same trend while still honoring a sense of history and simplicity. There’s freedom in recognizing you don’t have to follow a single aesthetic just because it’s popular. Each home is unique and should reflect the people who live there—so embrace what feels right for your family.
When Robert and I moved into our brick colonial last year, I felt completely overwhelmed—I still wing it most days since I don’t have formal design training. But this house has taught me a lot about trusting my instincts. I’ve learned to listen to what the home wants, to celebrate the elements that were already working, and to let our personal story guide each decision. Decorating should be about creating a space that supports how your family lives and grows, not about conforming to an image you’ve seen online.
Your home should be your happy place. It doesn’t matter if it’s not “on trend” or if someone else wouldn’t choose the same colors or furniture. What matters is that it feels right to you. That means letting go of fear—try paint, try thrifted finds, breathe life into a neglected piece—and trust your eye. There’s something deeply satisfying about finishing a project yourself and feeling that swell of pride when you can honestly say, “I made that.”
Homemaking is part craft, part courage. Dig through yard sales, explore thrift stores, and don’t let that little voice in your head stop you from picking up a paintbrush. Even small changes add up and bring personality and warmth into a space. For me, seeing our rooms published was a reminder that authenticity resonates—people connect with honest spaces more than perfectly staged sets.
Happy homemaking, y’all. Be brave and trust the process. You never know where your creativity might take you.
