This was one of my favorite houses in Raleigh that we looked at, as far as the exterior went. Unfortunately the spaces inside and the backyard weren't right for us, but I'm so happy to see someone else snatched it up. It felt so cottage-y and traditional and cozy. All of my favorite things. One of the questions we got most about our move is "Will your home style remain the same?" First and foremost, I love to listen to a house. The bones and the surrounding area. Our current home lent itself so well to a modern cottage vibe because it was surrounded my trees. The exterior and surrounding area was more rustic and casual and less traditional. One thing about most of the homes we looked at in Raleigh is they felt a lot more classic and traditional. There were a few cottage-feeling homes but none that worked for our needs. So we're going to lean into the classic/traditional and give it a modern twist like I do. So while I may be saying goodbye to some of the more cottage-y vibes (paneling and beadboard and rustic wood), patterns and color and ornate trim (galore!) is here to stay. I can't wait to show you the house and introduce you to all of the inspiration I'm already gathering.
Other fun things this week!
• One of the must-haves for our new house was a lot of natural light. Our current house swims in light and I spent our first year here waking up with the sun (before we had blackout shades) and it was such a beautiful way to wake up. So natural light was absolutely at the top of our list and a deal breaker. I loved this article about how light affects your home and how to enhance it!
• READY to wear these puffy nude sandals!
• This week, we talked to our girls about the 4 D's of bystander intervention. This printable was so helpful in offering practical tips for how to de-escalate instances of harassment and oppressive interpersonal violence that they/we might see.
• Got these jeans and couldn't love them more.
• This kitchen renovation made my week!
• Cutest nail color for spring!
• Did you see Nate Bargatze's new Netflix special is out! He makes us cry-laugh.
• why you cringe when you hear your own voice
• Nate & Jeremiah's Rock the Block omgggggg!
• I have an affinity for spring dresses + tennis shoes! Rounded up a few of my favorite dresses here (and I'm still wearing these white nikes for the third year in a row).
Weekend Sales!
American Eagle: Jeans & Shorts 25% off (a classic)
Anthropologie: 20% off everything! (forever in love with this)
The Container Store: Kitchen & Pantry Sale (pretty pantry organizers)
Gap: 40% off with code FRIEND + extra 10% off with code FAMILY (the perfect jean)
Lulu & Georgia: 25% off with code FAMILY25 (now's the time to snag this)
Madewell: 20% off $100+ or 30% off $200+ with code HOWFUN (love this)
Mango: Winter Sale up to 50% off (need)
Overstock: Semi Annual Sale up to 70% off (love this outdoor set, great dupe of our sconces)
Rejuvenation: Up to 50% off living room sale (this floor lamp!!)
Tommy John: Use code CHRISLOVESJULIA25 for 25% off your purchase (living in these)
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Finally! I've been looking everywhere for a good list of home improvement blogs that won't straight out advertise their services. Thank you for doing the effort of coalescing these. I agree with most of the sites listed. I've been through some of them in search of home improvement tips and advice that the average person can do and was happy to have found what I am looking for. :) Simple joys in life like this ought to be celebrated!
This looks amazing!
Ahh! I've been a semi-silent follower of you guys for a long time. But, I'm so excited I can't be silent any longer! You guys are moving to my town! The way you run your business, your designs - so much respect for you both. I hope you love it here.
that green house is to die for!! Can't wait to see the one that won out!
I love reading each of your new posts and updates. I find your zest for your family and living a beautiful life in various styles of homes so engaging! Have loved following you and your team design beautiful homes and personalize them. It’s so great to see and learn about various decor styles of exterior and interiors of homes! I feel I grown in loving a variety of styles over the years that I have followed you and your blog business! I love all things home and have loved each of your decor styles! So thank you for exposing me to different home decor styles! Happy to read that you have found your next home! Excited to learn as I follow along!
Thanks so much, Ali!
I have a feeling y’all chose Cary over Raleigh! Were you able to drive through the old downtown Cary? So cute. The parks and greenways in Cary are so nice.
I don't know much about the Raleigh architecture and house scene, so it will be interesting to see what you come across. Good luck with the transition with your family, and I love you keeping true to your health and family no matter where you are. That green house is stunning!
Will you be sharing your inspiration before you actually move? I have a traditional colonial, but am not totally into the strictly traditional look. I struggle to incorporate the styles I like but be true to the house at the same time, I can’t wait to see what you do!
I just recently began following your Instagram account and have found my way to you blog. I just wanted to say thank you for the bystander intervention tips. It’s such a helpful handout and it makes me happy to see more and more people taking action.
Color! Pattern! Ornate trim!? I. Am. So. PUMPED!! Best wishes on the move; can’t wait to see your new home.
How exciting for you to move to Raleigh, my daughter and their young family live there. It’s a tremendous place to grow your family. The parks and trail systems are tremendous which I’m sure you’ll love. They have an amazing home tours during different times of the year that are simply wonderful. Good luck in your new surroundings and if your looking for the most delicious homemade English muffins, Michael’s English muffins are yum????
It seems like you looked at a few older, historic homes. I would be interested in hearing more about what lead you to choosing a newer home. Was it mainly dictated by space, or was it more so that you could put your own stamp on it? So curious about the new house!
Your last house was my favorite style - I'll call it casual modern - and it's rough for me to see you moving even more toward traditional style than you did with the move to your current home! I can't imagine unfollowing you guys since you're the best, but when a simple, pure rustic-casual vibe has my heart and soul (think Lauren Liess) I can't help but lose some interest as some bloggers, not just you, have gone on an increasingly ornate style trajectory.
Is that picture of the water with the big pine trees your new yard (in your last post)?? If so, it looks like an incredible property! Can't wait to see it. The exterior of this green home is very charming as well.
Not in our yard, just in the area!
Can’t wait to know where new home is located. I am familiar with Raleigh. Saw your picture of Irregardless Cafe. I’ve eaten there many times. Are you going to be in Five Points area???
You will LOVE the farmers market at the Fairgrounds.
Very excited to see you tackle traditional next!
One thing I struggle with is nailing down what style my house wants when (to be frank..) it's a boring cookie cutter box in a neighborhood of the same. I would love a post about various home exteriors that you and team have encountered on your home searches and what style the interiors want to be! Especially when the exteriors are washed out versions of styles like mine!
Really good question!! I feel the same way
I’m so excited to see your new house and your take on a new style! I’m a little sad we won’t see more of your current beautiful house. I was really looking forward to seeing how you were going to remodel your kitchen. Do you think you still might do a post showing us what your plans were even though you’re not doing it now? I loved the $1000 make over but I was dying to see how you would reimagine the whole kitchen.
Anthropologie: 20% off everything in stores and online including furniture.
Bloomingdales: Friends and Family sale starts tomorrow.
Love the bystander intervention tips. Always good to have a refresher on that. It's hard to know what to do in the moment, and this sort of practice makes it a bit easier.
I thought that was helpful, too! Thanks for including!
Oh I can't wait to see your new house and what you're going to do with it. I'll be checking out Nate's Netflix special this weekend, thanks for sharing it's out!
I am wondering if you could share some tips on figuring out your homes style? We bought a 1946 split entry that has a lot of bad 80s stone added to it and has been hacked a few times since it was built (ie: walls removed, new thin trim added). It appears the exact same as multiple houses on the block on the outside. I lean more traditional modern with cozy vibes (and am constantly going back and forth on modern flat trim/baseboards or more traditional) but I would love to work with the houses time as well. I've tried searching it but I can't seem to find anything specific. Do you have any specific suggestions on where to look or have any ideas come to mind? TIA!
Congratulations on your move! Can’t wait to see you work your magic on a new space.
Thanks for the tip on Nate Bargatze! We watched his last special when I gave birthday to my daughter (in between the epidural and her arrival! LOL!) - on your recommendation!
For what it's worth, paneling and bead-board are VERY traditional!! I grew up in Virginia, surrounded by Colonial-era homes— George Washington went to school in my hometown, we took regular field trips to Williamsburg and Mount Vernon, etc— and paneling is an institution!! Especially painted wood! Regardless, I'm excited to see you lean into more traditional home decor. We just moved and our new house is an all-brick Colonial (read: VERY traditional, complete with with Greek key crown moulding), and I'm having a blast decorating!