For more than ten years, my mantra has been Love Where You Live. It’s a philosophy that started in our very first basement apartment, followed us through multiple moves in Idaho, and eventually crossed the country to the East Coast. At its heart, it was never about a specific place — it was about the belief that real happiness comes from embracing the home you’re in, exactly as it is, at every stage.
Over time, though, that phrase started to feel a little… vague. People would ask, “Is it because you moved to North Carolina?”
Well — yes. We do love it here. But that was never the point.
Love Where You Live was always about loving your home without waiting. Not after the renovation. Not once the backordered sofa finally arrives or the wallpaper budget magically appears. It was about loving your home in its in-between seasons — noticing the warmth and beauty that already exist, rather than seeing only its future potential.
And yet, over this past winter break, something shifted.
I realized that while I still believe in that idea deeply, it doesn’t quite capture how I’m living it out anymore.
Today, loving where I live looks like elevating the everyday.
It looks like caring about the aesthetics of our dish sponge. Being thoughtful about the canisters on our countertops. Making my nightly lap around the house turning on every single lamp (Lamp o’clock forever).
I’ve come to believe that the ordinary moments deserve just as much care as the milestones. The quiet evenings, the daily rhythms, the routines we repeat without much thought — that’s where life actually happens. And when those moments are treated with intention, home starts to feel extraordinary.
You’ll notice I’m using “everyday” as one word here. That’s intentional. This isn’t about adding another chore to your to‑do list or striving for perfection. It’s about the substance of your life. It’s about setting things up so you can be on the receiving end of joy, rather than constantly trying to manufacture it.
Our home is an active, evolving member of our family. It should feel lived‑in, not precious. Think about your morning coffee ritual, your family dinners, or the way you wind down at night. What are the rhythms of your home — and how might you elevate them?
Moving forward, this is my focus: Make the everyday extraordinary.
Sometimes that looks like a new system — like teaching the girls to make their beds, not for perfection, but for the small luxury of sliding into crisp, pulled‑together sheets at night. Sometimes it’s resetting the kitchen before bed so we wake up to peace instead of yesterday’s clutter. Sometimes it’s as simple as hanging art that truly makes you feel seen.
If this resonates with you, I want to share a few of the ways I’ve been making the everyday feel more intentional in our own home.
How to Make the Everyday Extraordinary
1. Put beautiful, functional, meaningful items on display
Our coffee table is filled with things we actually use or that mean something to us. When objects are both beautiful and functional, they don’t need to be tucked away.
If your family loves game night like ours does, a wooden chess set can live out in the open — doubling as decor and an invitation to slow down together.
For homework stations or home offices, upgrading everyday tools can make a big difference. A set of brass scissors or desk accessories feels special enough to leave out, which makes the space feel intentional instead of cluttered.
3pc Brass Scissor with Measuring Tape and Tape Dispenser Set –
For an elevated home office or homework station, give your office supplies an upgrade. This brass set would look so pretty sitting out on a desk (bonus points if they’re rounded up in a pretty tray).
shop now2. Stems in every room of the house
Here’s a simple way to brighten your day: add stems to your bathroom.
It’s a room that often gets overlooked, but a small arrangement can completely change how the space feels. Even the most ordinary routines feel less mundane when there’s something living and beautiful nearby. (I also upgraded my drinking glass in the bathroom, and it makes me feel like I’m on vacation in a fancy hotel.)
3. Turning “ugly” things into something beautiful
If something has to live in your everyday space, it deserves to be considered.
Swap a basic trash can for a woven waste basket. Add a tissue box cover. Upgrade your light switch plates. These are small changes, but they quietly elevate the rooms you use the most.
Because if it’s out in the open, it might as well be beautiful.
Leather Tissue Box Cover
Until someone lets me design a tissue box (please!) I will be using these. Because if it’s out, it needs to be beautiful.
shop now4. Lamps (plural) in every room of the house
I never regret adding another lamp to a room. The less I rely on overhead lighting, the better everything feels.
Layered lighting instantly softens a space and makes it more inviting. With smart plugs, you can turn lamps on all at once for instant ambience. Lately, I’ve even been adding small lamps to our dinner table — it makes an everyday meal feel special. Candles help too (and yes, I have strong feelings about dripless tapers).
5. Scale up
I’ve learned not to be shy about scale. Bigger rugs, larger lamps, fuller furniture — taking up space in a room often makes it feel calmer and more grounded.
Generous scale creates a sense of comfort and ease, which is incredibly nourishing in everyday spaces like entries and living rooms.
6. Let the kitchen feel lived-in
The kitchen doesn’t need to look untouched to be beautiful. Let everyday ingredients double as decor — a platter of figs, a bowl of pears, a loaf of bread left out on the counter. During the summer, I almost always bring in hydrangeas from the garden, and I actually love it when they patina and turn a little dusty. Add art. Let things show signs of use. A kitchen should look like it’s doing its job.
At the end of the day, making the everyday extraordinary isn’t about more effort — it’s about more care.
What areas of your home or daily routines already have the potential to feel more special? And where could a small, thoughtful change make the biggest difference?
Such a great way to live life beautifully!
I love this soo much and it’s exactly how I choose to live my life — I think you’d love my book, Beautiful Everydays which is all about making the everyday extraordinary! It’s wonderful to meet people so aligned to this way of being and living. And I totally agree on the use of “everyday”. I even took it a step further by creating my own word with it — everydays! :) Because why shouldn’t our everydays be filled with beauty and joy in the simplicity?!
Ah, a great evolution! Also a great opportunity for you/ the CLJ copy team to properly showcase the grammatical difference between “every day” vs. “everyday” and help the general population…. who tends to misuse it, like, every day. 😂 Congrats & happy 2026
My philosophy as well! Your home is curated beautifully. True joy is loving each moment you are in and being grateful for it. My favorite place to be is home! I am so grateful to have found Chris Loves Julia!
Dear Julia,
I’m from Brasil and just love all your content.
Thank you for sharing your home and making me appreciate the beauty of everyday life even more!
Best wishes for 2026,
Flávia.