A step-by-step tutorial on creating a weathered wood look using only paint and wax As usual on this blog, paint takes center stage. This time it rescued a piece that was a little too glossy and needed a softer, aged appearance. I picked up this black table at a consignment shop in Charlotte for $160. … Read more

DIY IKEA storage hacks to maximize function in the office, playroom, kitchen, closets, and throughout your home for less. It’s been a while since we shared a good DIY IKEA storage hack, and today we’re tackling a home office project at our pastor’s house using one of our favorite IKEA built-in shelving approaches. We’ll be … Read more

(Works with baskets, barrels, buckets, and more!) Every year I see Christmas trees styled in decorative planters and baskets online and tell myself I’ll try it—this year I finally did. I turned our artificial tree into a potted Christmas tree using a planter I already owned, and the result looks custom and elevated without a … Read more

A before-and-after home tour of our brick Colonial five years after moving in, with recaps of countless DIY projects and decorating tutorials. It’s hard to believe five years have already passed since we moved into this house. Some days progress feels slow—painting a door, swapping a light fixture, or finding a secondhand table—but those small … Read more

A curated collection of the best Christmas gift ideas for teens and pre-teens — toys, fashion, games, books, and room décor, with thoughtful options starting at $7. Shopping for tweens and teens can feel impossible once kids hit about 12 — tastes change fast and trends move even faster. To make holiday shopping easier, I … Read more

Ever since we finished Regan’s big vintage bed switcheroo, I’ve been searching for the ideal narrow bedside tables to flank her bed. After hunting around and testing a few options, I think I finally found a winner that fits the scale of her room while still feeling intentional and stylish. Our bedrooms aren’t large, so … Read more

A cozy holiday home tour that blends traditional charm with modern touches, full of sentimental details and Christmas decor ideas to fit any budget. Merry Christmas, friends! It feels wonderful to say that out loud. I may have been whispering it unofficially for weeks, but now it’s official—and I’m so happy to share our home … Read more

I’m absolutely thrilled about our next big—and final—project of the year: a backyard fire pit. If you’ve been following my Instagram Stories, you might have guessed what’s coming. We’ll be doing almost all the work ourselves, with only a little heavy equipment coming in to finish grading after we cleared the overgrown shrubs and trees. … Read more

Many thanks to Arhaus for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own. We don’t use the word “luxury” around our house very often — in fact, almost never. Between vacuuming up crushed Goldfish crackers from the rug and hunting thrift stores for bargains to fill our empty rooms, luxury isn’t the adjective that usually … Read more

After everything that’s happened across the Carolinas in recent days, I felt compelled to share this information. It’s something I haven’t discussed here before, but Robert and I prioritize keeping a well-stocked home disaster kit. Emergencies happen without warning, and having supplies ready can make a real difference. Yesterday, while packing items to send to … Read more