North Carolina Home
2022 Home Project Report Card
North Carolina Home
2022 Home Project Report Card
At the beginning of each year, Chris and I set out to make a list of all the projects we hope to do in the year. And at the end of each year, we revisit the list and grade how well we've done! It's always fun to see which goals we totally conquered and which […]
December 12, 2022
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Renovations
Removing a Staircase Connecting the Bunk Room to the Home Gym
Renovations
Removing a Staircase Connecting the Bunk Room to the Home Gym
This is something we've never ever done before and something we didn't even plan to do! But as we were talking through our hopes and dreams for the bunk room, Chris brought up removing the staircase entirely, and suddenly everything clicked! Pendants The entrance into the bunk room/play room is through a breezeway from the […]
December 9, 2022
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North Carolina Home
Reveal!!: Greta's Bathroom Renovation is Finished!
North Carolina Home
Reveal!!: Greta's Bathroom Renovation is Finished!
When I looked back at when we introduced our plans to renovate both the laundry room and Greta's bathroom, I realized that was 7 months ago! I can't believe how much time has passed! This bathroom and the still-unfinished laundry room (more on that another day) actually inspired the "10 Things That Can Derail a […]
November 14, 2022
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North Carolina Home
The Long-Awaited Wolf Subzero Refrigerator and Freezer Are In!
North Carolina Home
The Long-Awaited Wolf Subzero Refrigerator and Freezer Are In!
After a long 15 months, all of the subzero wolf kitchen appliances we ordered are finally in place! The waiting game has been painful, and I'm not ready to say it was worth it... But it's nice to finally have the kitchen we dreamed of. In anticipation of a full kitchen reveal coming soon, today […]
October 24, 2022
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DIY
Installing a Window, Where There Isn't One
DIY
Installing a Window, Where There Isn't One
A couple of days ago, we finally had this oval window in the hallway installed! It's literally so so perfect. POV: You're standing in Greta's bedroom doorway, staring down this hallway that didn't use to be here. To the left is the bonus room, and those stairs lead up into the attic. At the end […]
October 19, 2022
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Renovations
All About the Automatic Pool Cover, We Used
Renovations
All About the Automatic Pool Cover, We Used
Pool season is almost a wrap but there's no time like the present to pull back the curtain cover to talk about the automatic pool cover we have and love! Pool Chaises | Striped Umbrellas | Side Tables Anthony Sylvan (the pool builder we used) recommended we use an automatic pool cover from Coverstar. Every pool company has its […]
October 17, 2022
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DIY
10 Things That Can Derail a Home Renovation
DIY
10 Things That Can Derail a Home Renovation
It's no secret that renovating can come with some hiccups. Actually, whether you're DIY-ing or hiring contractors you would be naive to NOT anticipate hiccups. While we typically lean into optimism around here, bumps in the road seem to be inevitable no matter how much planning and precaution we take. To quote Murphy's Law: "Anything […]
September 28, 2022
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Renovations
An Overdue Outdoor Kitchen Update
Renovations
An Overdue Outdoor Kitchen Update
This outdoor kitchen has been a long time in the making! And we're still not done, but it's officially usable and in service. Chris's parents AND my sister Patti happened to be in town over the weekend and so we figured... Why not break in the outdoor kitchen and pool furniture and throw a pool […]
September 21, 2022
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North Carolina Home
Take a Step into Our Outdoor Shower
North Carolina Home
Take a Step into Our Outdoor Shower
An outdoor shower was not on our radar AT ALL until our contractor asked if there’s going to be a shower in the pool bathroom (which will be replacing the downstairs laundry room). There’s only going to be enough room for either a stacked washer and dryer, or a shower, but not both. And so […]
September 7, 2022
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North Carolina Home
Changes in the Front Entry: Black Balusters and Black Front Door
North Carolina Home
Changes in the Front Entry: Black Balusters and Black Front Door
We have a lot of stair railings in our house. We have the grand staircase in the front entry, a staircase leading up into the bonus room, a staircase in the home gym, and a staircase on the second floor leading up into the attic. Every staircase in our house has black painted balusters, except […]
August 29, 2022
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North Carolina Home
Everything About Our Beverage Station and Hidden Appliance Garage
North Carolina Home
Everything About Our Beverage Station and Hidden Appliance Garage
Okay, it's impossible for me to choose a favorite part of my kitchen, but right now? This is it. This is the thing I'm most excited to show and tell our guests because it's just so brilliant. And it's officially done! Now that our long awaited refrigerator drawers arrived, and the mirrored tile backsplash is […]
August 24, 2022
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Inspiration
Changing the Function of a Room
Inspiration
Changing the Function of a Room
Recently, I came across an image of a beautiful room, engulfed in a mural, much like the study--but it was a formal dining room. It was so beautiful and I momentarily thought OUR STUDY COULD BE A FORMAL DINING ROOM. But, then I came back down to reality and the truth of the matter is--in […]
July 20, 2022
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Projects
Outdoor Kitchen Plans
Projects
Outdoor Kitchen Plans
When we started to plan our outdoor kitchen, we had a lot of discussions about how hard we wanted to go on it. We now live in a climate that begs for us to be outside almost year round, and I wanted to create a space I'd not only want to cook in, but that […]
June 13, 2022
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Renovations
Love Letter Through the Years
Renovations
Love Letter Through the Years
For the last 2-1/2 years we've been sharing sneak peaks, deep thoughts, personal stories, and honest truths every Thursday night through email. We call it our Love Letter and it's exclusive, although anyone can sign up to receive it! I've been sifting through the archives and I almost can't believe some of the memories and […]
April 23, 2022
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DIY
A Before Look at Our Home Gym
DIY
A Before Look at Our Home Gym
Surprise! We're addressing the biggest eye sore in our house… the home gym. It's a lot of burnt orange from the floor to ceiling, and we're going to give it a little love over the next couple weeks. The gym entrance is through the archway to the right, and across from the guest house entrance (on […]
April 18, 2022
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Renovations
Introducing the Layout of the New Laundry Room, Bunk Room, and Bathroom
Renovations
Introducing the Layout of the New Laundry Room, Bunk Room, and Bathroom
Our current laundry room is not the most functional in its location or size. When we walked through the house before buying, it was the one thing that I struggled with, especially coming from a house with a second story laundry room with double the machines--we were spoiled! Here, the laundry room is small and […]
April 6, 2022
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Renovations
Tips for DIY-ing or Renovating With Your Partner, Even if They're Skeptical
Renovations
Tips for DIY-ing or Renovating With Your Partner, Even if They're Skeptical
Chris and I have been renovating our homes, side by side for the last 13 years. We’re currently on our 4th home and not only are we still alive, but we love each other more today! Of course there's been bumps along the way, but here's a few things we've learned about renovating or doing […]
April 4, 2022
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Design
The New Entryway Chandelier Makes an Entrance
Design
The New Entryway Chandelier Makes an Entrance
The chandelier that's currently in the living room, we actually brought with us in the move. We originally bought it for out last living room but ultimately decided to go without a chandelier for that space. I was so excited to finally hang it! I love the black and brass look with the linen-like shades […]
March 29, 2022
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Renovations
Solving Andi's Awkward Living Room Dilemma
Renovations
Solving Andi's Awkward Living Room Dilemma
This post is sponsored by Kirkland's. Use my code “CLJ15” to get 15% off regular priced items now until 4/13. My sister Andrea (also our Visual Media Producer) had a really tricky living room in an open-concept floor plan that she wanted help with. I'm talking about a corner fireplace, too high TV, and a […]
March 23, 2022
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Projects
Details On Our Custom, Cabinet Paneled Dishwasher(s)
Projects
Details On Our Custom, Cabinet Paneled Dishwasher(s)
Hallelujah, the dishwashers arrived last week!! We had them installed on Friday and I can't believe we have been without a dishwasher since moving in 10 months ago. I honestly didn't realize how much of my time was spent doing dishes every day until now. It was at least an hour a day. I got […]
March 15, 2022
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