Juniper Hill Cabin

our newest adventure in the Adirondacks

Sometimes life gives you opportunities. It puts them right in your face and you can't even recall how they got there. Those opportunities may come with a bag of nerves and loads of uncertainty, but that's all part of the process. Over the summer we put an offer in on an adorable new construction cabin in the Adirondack mountains (near Lake Placid, NY). We had no idea what would happen and were so nervous. Within a few days we had made a deal and the concept of Juniper Hill Cabin was born.

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The Black Barn

the magic of this simple look

SOURCE: Country Home Magazine

I have long loved the classic, colonial look, of the black barn. Living in New York and often traveling to New England, this style and color of barn can easily be spotted throughout your travels. Yet in these past few years the black barn has become a modern architectural phenomenon that is now taking on the concept of 'home' for many. Here in this post I am sharing a curated collection (every image is linked) to some of my favorite black barn looks. I also see a painting project in my near future :)

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Front Porch Facelift {Phase I}

outdoor sectional breathes new life into our porch

The winters in upstate New York are long and gray. Most days are bitter cold and sometimes you go a week or two without a bright sunny day. I love the change of seasons and appreciate the unique perspective and energy that each one brings. That being said, by the time Spring approaches I cannot wait to resume outdoor living. One of my favorite (and most simple) things to do is sit on my front porch with a cup of coffee and a good book or magazine. Wave hello to neighbors as they pass by (I apologize in advance for being in my PJ's most mornings) and start the day with a few moments of peace and reflection.

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Master Bedroom Makeover

muted grays with some really fun wall art

This summer we set out to makeover our master bedroom with a very teeny tiny budget. We wanted to use our savings for road trips with the kids. So, we rolled up our sleeves and used that good ole' elbow grease to reimagine our retreat and make it feel new again.

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Powder Bath Makeover

a modern twist with floral accents

It's Labor Day weekend, and I sit here before my computer typing and truly understanding the irony of this blog post. The fruits of one's labor are filled with joy, accomplishment, and pride (among many other emotions). Whether sowing the fruits of a garden, the gains of a lucrative career, or the simple joy of small projects you can check off the "to-do" list, there is great closure in what we accomplish through hard work and labor. So as I reflect on the incredible summer we have been afforded, I cannot help but feel that small projects, like this one, define a sense of what this holiday is all about.

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Kitchen Window Treatments

Color Lux by Comfortex 

Window treatments. It always sounded like a term that my parents and their friends talked about. The thought of investing in them seemed too formal and expensive for my taste (or so I thought). I always limited my options to whatever I could find in stock at Target or Lowes - and that my friends was about all the knowledge I had when it came to window treatments.

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Master Bedroom Retreat

a vision board to inspire

We moved into our current home in August of 2013. It was our third move in three years and while it was exciting, we were exhausted! When we moved in we selected mostly neutral tones except for our master bedroom. When it came time for the master we selected 'Special Gray' by Sherwin Williams. We love the color so much and know that it's inspired both friends and followers to try bold, fun color!

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It's Pretty Much Black & White

muted inspiration this holiday season

The traditional 'red and green' colors of Christmas were all I knew as a child. Bright colored lights and bold decor was the holiday standard in not only my home, but mostly every home I visited. As I grew older I was drawn to the simplicity of the season. Wreaths on a front door, twigs in a basket, galvanized pots with small frasier fir trees and nothing else. In a season of hustle and bustle, the black and white palette of Christmas is not only beautiful, it's comforting. 

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Holiday Home Tour ~ 2017

` Tidings of Comfort and Joy `

Well friends, I guess I can officially wish all of you a very 'Happy Holiday' season! It's always crazy to me how quickly it sneaks up and yet - here it is. Ready or not, it's that time of year again. A time that quite frankly can be overly stressful, commercial, materialistic and rushed. As I grow older I truly try and focus on spending time with family and finding the spirit and magic that the season brings. The past few days have been spent decorating, making hot cocoa, blasting Pandora Classical Christmas, and not combing my hair or putting on makeup. Yup - truths!

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First Floor Facelift

using paint to reinvent your space

It's been four years since we built and moved into our home. Our floor plan is open concept and all the first floor rooms bleed together. So when we make a decision on wall paint color, we better be ready to live with it. This can make painting expensive if planning to hire a painter. I estimated that my first floor (based on what I paid several years ago) would have been somewhere around $2,000+. Not wanting to spend the money, I committed to doing it myself and setting aside a few hours each night for about a week or so to get the job done. NOTE: The hubs does not paint - so I was flying solo on this project :)

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Family Room Makeover

Fresh Paint & DIY Wainscoting

Hey friends! I am super excited about all the little projects going on this fall in our home and I can't wait to share them with you. The best part is that I made so many impactful changes and only spent about $300. Woo hoo! 

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Bedding and RV'ing

 A perfect fit for your RV (every time)

Camping and RV'ing with my family is one of my absolute favorite things to do. It is a true adventure and blessing. There is not one regret that comes to mind when I think about making the leap into becoming an RV owner. The memories, the kiddos, the feeling of having my 'home on wheels' --- I love it all! 

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Cream & Black Tablescape

Neutral table setting for a spring~country look

Spring is in the air friends! My hens are laying and spending their days in the sunshine (see all those gorgeous eggs on the table). The grass is greening and the trees are budding. It's a magical time of year where everything comes back to life, and one of my personal favorites!

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Fixer Upper Inspiration

Industrial/Country Dining Room Design

Two days of being snowed-in with a record breaking nor'easter in Upstate New York during mid-March does things to you. Expensive things. Like - making me design and purchase an entirely new dining table, chairs, lighting and decor. 

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:: A Dream Kitchen ::

Classic country meets modern minimalist  

I love my readers so much and enjoy sharing designs that I've created with them. Hence, I'm sharing a new and more importantly FREE vision-board (with full sources) for you! xo  *more information on my vision boards and eDesigns available here: http://bit.ly/2lHv0Hi

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The transitional tablescape

Late Winter / early spring inspired dining decor
{whites, pewter & peat moss}

The transition from the holiday season to the Spring is one I look forward to every year. For me, it is a time of tranquility and reflection. A time to put away all of the "clutter" (mentally and physically) that can accompany the hustle and bustle of the holidays, and focus on the peace and clarity that comes with those late winter months.   

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Interior 'Board & Batten' Design

This design element is not just for barns and stables

Texture is often the forgotten element of design. Most homes (including mine) consist of painted sheetrock walls and white ceilings. We can thank modern-day designers and builders (like Chip & Joanna Gaines) for bringing back shiplap walls and other textures that you would've found standard in old, historic homes. The craze for custom interior looks has further been fueled by the DIY community on websites such as Pinterest, Houzz, Hometalk, etc. - sharing their tips on simple 'do-it-yourself' projects that have great impact! This is so true of board & batten --- an easy and impactful way to customize any room in your room.

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$750 DIY Mudroom Makeover

Creating a serene space that feels clean and clutter-free

After three years of living in our newly-built home, I still have so many projects and ideas for making our space better. One idea that has been at the top of my list for some time now is our entryway/laundry/mudroom. 

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Autumn-Inspired Tablescape

A simple & elegant table setup for my favorite season of the year!

Fall is truly a magical time of year in upstate New York. I love to drive along the country roads of Washington County with no real destination, just soaking in the beautiful foliage and antiquing in my favorite little village of Greenwich. Apple picking, mums, pumpkins, cider and leaves of golden hues covering the ground...it's no wonder I use the word "magical" to describe how I feel about this time of year.

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$50 DIY Outdoor Coffee Table (IKEA hack)

Creating a chic outdoor table from the IKEA 'Lack' series

Hey friends! I'm so excited to share this SUPER DUPER easy and CHEAP project with you! It requires little to no skill (perfect for me) and makes the most adorable outdoor/indoor coffee table. 

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