Happy New Year friends! I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has been following along on our journey. The support and words of affirmation have helped us come a long way, and I greatly look forward to this upcoming year. We’re thinking of fresh ways we can improve as a...
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A little design lover’s guide to Franklin, Tennessee — from a day we spent wandering, shopping, and eating our way through town.
If you’re starting the day right, it has to begin at @perennbakery. Coffee first, obviously. But the pastries are what keep us coming back. My personal favorite is the crème brûlée croissant — it’s perfect.
For shopping, @storehouseno.9 is always worth a stop (actually two. They have two locations close to each other — one in the cutest cottage turned shop and another with beautiful outdoor displays (and even some Visual Comfort pieces).
Lately I’ve been on a bit of a thrift / antique kick, trying to source pieces for our home renovation. We popped into @riversidefranklin, @t.nesbittandco, and @winchester_antiques hunting for furniture and decor finds.
A few other favorites worth bookmarking:
• @whitesmercantile — a Franklin classic. (If you know, you know... Holly Williams owns it.)
Great for gifts, clothing, and little finds you didn’t know you needed.
• @culaccino.tn — Italian restaurant meets wine bar.
• @redponyrestaurant and @cork_and_cow — one of our favorite spots for dinner with family & friends.
Save this for the next time you find yourself with a free day in Franklin🤍
Every studio has its “core values.”
Ours aren’t just buzzwords They’re the things we actually come back to when we’re choosing the extra trim detail... when we’re deciding if that chair is worth the splurge... when we’re asking, will this space still feel right in five years?
Layered. Lived-in. Designed to evolve. Invest in quality. Made for gathering.
That’s what we’re all about!
We’re so glad you’re here.
Xx, Allison
After designing and remodeling so many kitchens, here are 5 mistakes I’II never make again:
1. Not taking cabinetry to the ceiling.
That awkward gap collects dust and instantly makes a kitchen feel builder-grade. Full-height cabinetry feels intentional and custom.
2. Forgetting landing space.
Every appliance needs a place to land. No counter next to the fridge or range = daily frustration.
3. Using the same cabinet hardware knobs and pulls throughout. Mix styles for interest (I can’t wait to share what I’ve picked for our new kitchen)
4. Underestimating drawer storage.
Drawers > lower cabinets. Always. Deep drawers for pots, pans, and dishes change everything. I hate digging through cabinet shelving!
5. Relying on one overhead light.
Layered lighting (pendants, cabinet lighting, sconces) is what makes a kitchen feel warm and personal.
If you’re planning a remodel, save this for later🤍 Sharing cabinet and counter details soon!
We painted our dining room pink... and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
This is Setting Plaster by @farrowandball, and it completely transformed our dining room at the Sixth Street Bungalow in Columbia, Tennessee. It’s not bubblegum.
It’s not trendy. Joa Studholme, one of color curators at F & B created this beautiful hue when she discovered the beauty in her home with freshly plastered walls. And I just love it!
Depending on the light, it shifts from soft blush to a muted clay tone, which makes the room feel romantic and cozy without feeling overly sweet. I love how it warms up the wood floors. As Joa explains, it feels like a big hug!
If you’ve been nervous to step away from white, this is your sign.
Save this for your paint list and share it with someone who would absolutely love this color.
Em & I started dreaming about sunshine and somehow ended up making our hypothetical vacation packing list.
No trip booked (yet) since we are still knee deep in work and house renovation… but we’re manifesting one and planning accordingly. Because sometimes you just need a reason to online shop and dream!
Now that we are in Tennessee I’ve been hearing alllll about 30A in Florida. It seems to be the destination of choice around here for an easy getaway (just an 8 hr drive or a short flight) It sounds so dreamy with those white sand beaches and the bluest of blue water! 😍 I’m determined to plan a getaway there soon. Pulling the moodboard together as we speak.
Tell me in the comments if you have been- and if so, where I need to go/stay/eat! All the stuff. ❤️
Lastly, if you are planning your own vacay, we’re sharing our obsessions on the blog. Happy Friday- and if you are anything like me, happy shopping. 😉 (link in bio) ✨
All Images : Pinterest
Share with someone who needs to hear this!!
I didn’t fully understand this early in my career. I thought good design was 90% about pulling together beautiful finishes and getting the palette right.
But over time (and after walking through many homes), here’s what I noticed:
The homes that felt the best weren’t always the most expensive. Or the most styled. They were the ones where everything worked together in a way that supported the people living there. And the homeowners? They weren’t constantly tweaking or second-guessing. They were living.
That’s when I realized design is about creating a space that quietly holds you.
When a home feels right, you can’t always explain why. But you feel it immediately. And once you feel it, you can’t un-feel it.
