I’m baaaaaaaack! Wow, what an exciting and wonderful time we had in Japan! There is so much to share with you all. It was a time for family, food, drink, sights, sounds, and unforgettable experiences. Did I bring you something back? Of course I did! You know I wouldn’t forget about my favorite followers just because I travelled to the future (Japan is 16 hours ahead of my normal U.S. Pacific Time zone). My gifts to you, which will spread across a number of blogs and YouTube videos, include images I’m confident will beguile and inspire you and design-related observations I hope will help you see new options from a new perspective. So, let’s get started!

Konnichiwa! Passports? Check. Plenty of yen? Check. House/dog sitters? Check. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Check. We are about to embark on an adventure in Japan and we’re so excited.

Today’s blog is all about an early birthday gift from my hubby, tickets to the 2023 San Diego Modern Home Tour. He knows just what this birthday girl likes. Beautiful weather. Beautiful homes. Leisurely pace. Lots to see and learn. And one more gift – the opportunity to share the experience with you. I hope you find this secondhand blog tour (blour?) educational and enjoyable.

Quick: What’s the purpose of accessories? Believe it or not, they do much more than make a space look pretty, although they certainly do that. For example, baskets or decorative containers can function as extra storage. Large pillows, throws, and rugs can add comfort and warmth. Candles, accent lights, and floor lamps not only help you to see better but they can also visually impact a space by making it feel cozy, warm, and intimate. In this blog, I will give you some tips when it comes to choosing those accessories.

Do you have a room in your home that you walk by all the time and think to yourself, “If only I could use this room for blank.” No judging on what your “blank” may be – that’s up to you. Or, maybe you have a related challenge: you have a specific blank you want to pursue and no “blanking” space to do it in. I’m beginning to appreciate the multiple uses of the word “blank” through this blog, which is highly fitting since the topic we’ll explore today is making your home more valuable through multi-purpose rooms.

Are you finding your outdoor living space to be too darn hot to enjoy? If so, you’re not alone. As summer heats up, we tend to avoid being outside because miserable and sweaty is no way to be. It’s a shame because being outside not only increases our indoor living space but it’s also so good for us to breathe fresh air, get vitamins from the sun and enjoy everything the great outdoors has to offer. So, if you’ve been limited to grillin’ and gettin’, this blog can help.

When we talk about designing or decorating our homes, we often talk about injecting our personality so we feel as comfortable as possible. Did you know that the way you choose to decorate and design your home can reflect whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert? Let’s break things down and explore intro v. extro interiors. The awareness may help you customize your space to better suit your inner you.

With the holidays fast approaching, our thoughts often turn to our home and whether or not things are as good as they can be to welcome our friends and family in. Maybe you have a couple of smaller projects that you have on your to-do list to make that happen. Maybe you feel you don’t have the time or energy to tackle these things before the holidays. Things can get so crazy at this time of year, and if you’re anything like me, your mind might be spinning on how and what to try and accomplish to have you and your home feel “holiday-ready”. Well, my advice is to take a step back, clear your head, and think about what “home” is really all about.

A project that made our 2021 home list was revamping our patio. People tend to prioritize indoor spaces when it comes to makeovers, but if you spend much time outdoors make sure you’re treating your exterior space with the same love.

If you think standing is a passive activity, think again. All successful redesign projects begin with active standing…

The weekend’s almost here! Oh, but it will be kinda hard to kick back and relax in a house that hasn’t been cleaned well

Let’s start with furniture. One of you wants to lighten the look, maybe go all in with white furniture to really brighten the space. The other person feels strongly…