Wizardry (or rather, crazy hard work) from Stephen and David, the one item I can’t believe I waited this long to buy, a charming playroom, ways to help Texas, a reminder to stock your emergency kit, a quote about homes that I want printed and hung on my wall, finding a countertop that’s safe for the environment, a fantastic movie and great show to watch, and a request to come to your house.
Read MoreCountertops are major workhorses and one of the biggest design elements in a kitchen. So, there’s a lot of thought that goes into the material, style, and design of them. But you know me, I have to research even further. In addition to picking a pretty countertop, I factored in the environmental footprint, worker health, land reclamation of the quarry, and the way it fits into a historic home. Ready to get into it? Let’s!
Read MoreA new (old) rug, one of only a few skincare items I swear by, how you can get custom advice from design pros, the history of homes and health, sustainable investing, a springtime dress, a movie screening to tune into this weekend, non-cheesy Valentine’s artwork, and standing up to discrimination by eating dumplings.
Read MoreThe things on my mind this week including the exit of 45 and the work yet to do, an earthy-hued renovation, a vaccine infodemiologist, enneagram pencils, how I’m managing my dust mite allergy, mutual aid, a podcast on waste, and more!
Read MoreI’m a music fan, and I like sharing the new tracks I discover. You may have noticed listening to my Instagram Story videos that I like some sweet tunes and funky jams. My style is pretty eclectic ranging from Sam Cooke to Childish Gambino and Fleetwood Mac to Sylvan Esso. I’m all across the board but I like a good melody, a nice head-bopping rhythm, and some strong vocals. All this to say, if you like some of the music I share, you just might like the other songs. So, you can listen to the tunes I’m digging on Spotify!
Read MoreHey so, you know that major magazine? The one that features all things homes and gardens? You know the one. Well, I wrote an article all about my front yard garden in this month’s issue!
Read MoreI teamed up with friends to help them put together a nursery for their first baby! And when I say, “teamed up” I mean that I weaseled my way into their project to help them bring their design together. I’ve never planned a nursery so I jumped at the chance to flex my creative muscles in not-so-familiar ways.
Read MoreLet’s revisit the most popular posts of 2020, shall we?? We all want to look ahead to 2021, but why not relive the good parts of this year?
Read MoreMy favorite bathroom, a new art book, doctors and infectious disease researchers to follow on Instagram, an eclectic video home tour, housing concerns in 2020/2021, a rescued and restored couch, finding a “good death,” shifted perspectives on climate change resolution through farming, and my November playlist.
Read MoreThe kitchen is FINALLY coming together with the addition of things that actually turn the empty room it into a kitchen. The range is in, the cabinets are taking shape, and lights are installed. Pinch me!
Read MoreWhat to do with election yard signs, takeaways from using masking fluid, our updated alarm system, Halloween decor for next year, what I cooked from my compost scraps, how each state makes electricity, my tree print as a water bottle, US’s reliance on women, and please stay home.
Read MoreThe plants finally filled in, the veggie beds are in the wrong spot, and I've learned that the yard you design and the yard your kids actually use are two very different things.
Hi. It's been a while. I've missed this. I took a longer break than I planned. Life has gotten full. I've been developing film and knitting at soccer practice, attempting to garden with the girls and fussing around with furniture layouts. I’ve also been scheduling summer camps, refilling the watercolors multiple times a day, and trying to keep the toys tidied. Around the house, I’m adding color wherever it fits and making some changes to the overall function and feel.
My friend Martha had a vision for this garage conversion: to turn her unfinished catch-all garage into a beautiful, hard-working space that could function as a living room, media room, playroom, laundry room, home office, and storage zone. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t entirely convinced all of that could fit. But somehow(?!), it absolutely does and it turned out even better than I imagined.
Margot is getting an upgraded room to make space for baby sister in the nursery.
What I’ve been up to - from gardening, to film photography, and the books and shows we’re enjoying. Plus a house tour that requires a closer look, grass seed to always have on hand, cedar shake excitement, historic window screens, and the privilege I’m reminded of daily.
Hammocks, cookbooks, gardening, sewing, and the other things I’ve been up to on my impromptu break, and more.
Where I’ve been, shooting on film, my dream house, retro costume inspiration, energy rebates, a magic cake, textiles I don’t need but want, a lampshade DIY, my best defense against mosquitos, a new podcast, what’s killing home remodelers, best decision-making advice, overheard parenting, Little Women on acid home tour, best marble etch remover, and more.
Ashley’s restoring her historic home at a snail’s pace in California. She shares home improvement DIYs, tips for sustainable living, and renovation stories - all while aiming to add more color and present real, lived-in, family friendly spaces.
I'm Ashley, a deeply systematic homebody restoring my 1915 Craftsman bungalow in California, slowly and on purpose. I don't make a single decision without first opening 100 tabs. Renovation, DIY, color, and what it actually looks like to live in an old house with two young kids.
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Welcome to a new series: Report Card. I'm going through (nearly) everything in a space and telling you how it's actually held up. The backyard's first up, and spoiler, I did not ace this one.