Between the Layers | Design Guide Series
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Holiday

Celebrating a Fresh Spring Menu for Mother’s Day

Hey there, lovely people! Can you believe it’s already spring? Time sure does fly … I hope you’ve all been soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the little joys this season brings. Personally, I’ve been loving all the blooming flowers, the longer days, and the feeling of new beginnings in the air. And, Mother’s Day is right around the corner 🤍 Spring always feels like a fresh start, doesn’t it?

Anyway, I thought it was about time we caught up over a little virtual lunch date. So, grab a seat and let’s chat! Lately, life has been a whirlwind of excitement and busyness. From planning the upcoming move into our Tumalo project to spending quality time with loved ones, there’s never a dull moment. And, speaking of exciting things, I’ve been experimenting with some delicious recipes that I can’t wait to share with you all!

Source: Pinterest

 

Mother’s Day Surprises

First, let’s dive into the delightful world of Mother’s Day surprises (hint hint Clouz family). Picture this: a sunny afternoon, a beautifully set table, and a homemade meal fit for a queen. Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate Mom, doesn’t it? With Mother’s Day just around the corner, show her your love and appreciation with a thoughtfully prepared meal straight from the heart.

Treating her to simplicity with a touch of elegance … 

Today, I’m particularly excited to dive into one of my absolute favorite spring recipes. Imagine treating Mom to a delicious homemade salad bursting with fresh flavors. Well, this citrus and burrata salad is just the ticket! It’s light, vibrant, and oh-so-delicious, making it the perfect centerpiece for your Mother’s Day feast. Plus, it’s super easy to whip up, leaving you with more time to spend with Mom and less time stressing in the kitchen. Of course, you could add shredded roasted chicken if you want to make it a little more substantial for  a light dinner. Then, you’ll be totally good to go!


But wait, there’s more! No celebration is complete without a refreshing drink to toast to Mom’s awesomeness. After all, good food tastes even better with great company. So, whether it’s a zesty lemonade, a fruity mocktail, or a crisp glass of rosé, you truly can’t go wrong. So why not toast with a delightful beverage that’ll quench your thirst and lift your spirits? This is a ClouzHouz fave from a while back. It does the trick every time, and the presentation is on par with a spring afternoon brunch. Give this Apricot Blood Orange Martini a try and let me know what you think … it practically tastes like juice 😉


And, let’s not forget about dessert! Springtime calls for light pastries with a twist. Pretty sure scones are going to be the treat of the season (at least I wish them to be)! After all, there’s nothing like a home baked good to brighten your day 😌 This is an easy and semi-healthy treat, easy to grab on your way out the door. I’ve been loving this particular Blueberry Scone Recipe with its flaky and sugary crust.

Tabletop Magic

Now … onto tabletop magic! Elevate your Mother’s Day celebration (or any dinner party for that matter) with a beautifully set table, adorned with her favorite springy china. Then, add a previously stored-away table linen for a touch of elegance. Embrace the mix-matched and eclectic picnic aesthetic – think Grandma’s cherished collections gathered over the years. After all, it’s those special little moments that Mom will treasure forever, so let’s make them count! 

Source: Pinterest

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For more ideas …

Check out the post Spring Musings: Styling A Transitional Easter Spread. We know it says Easter, but the keyword here is transitional — meaning all spring long! If you want some gift inspo to go along with your special surprise meal, read our Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

 

Cheers! 🥂

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When life gives you lemons… you make lemonade. 🍋
But for us, it wasn’t just a saying.
For over 20 years, I had been designing our homes… but when Derrick lost his job, everything shifted. What felt like everything falling apart was actually the beginning of something new.
After years of being a stay-at-home mom — the role that meant everything to me — I stepped into something completely unknown and started my design business. I was terrified.
Somewhere along the way, Derrick and I found our rhythm, and what started as helping each other turned into building something side by side… Clouz Houz.
And then… we did it again.
We left everything familiar and moved to Tennessee, starting over in a place where no one knew us. No reputation. No safety net. Just a dream… and a lot of faith. And if I’m being honest, it’s taken more grit and determination than I ever imagined. Because starting over midlife hits differently — when so many around you are slowing down, you’re asking yourself to dig deeper, push harder, and believe bigger.
There have been moments I’ve questioned everything. Moments that felt heavy, lonely, uncertain.
But also moments that feel like… this is it. This is the life we fought for.
“Life is Short. Make it Beautiful.” came from one of those turning points — when we realized life wasn’t going to wait for us to feel ready. So we chose to begin. 
Again.
And in this season of rebuilding, I’ve found myself being pulled toward something new… a different way of sharing what I’ve learned, what I see, and what I love.  It’s stretched me in new ways — and in some ways, it’s been unexpectedly therapeutic.
I can’t wait to share more soon. 🤍✨
Office reveal… but also a little life update.
We’ve been working from this space behind the scenes, and it finally feels ready to share. This is where client projects come to life…where we’re sourcing, planning, and building what’s next for both our Oregon projects and the ones we’re beginning here in Tennessee.
Oregon will always be home for our work. Our roots are there and very much staying, but we’re excited to now be creating in Tennessee as well, while continuing to serve clients nationwide.
We have three project openings this summer and are currently taking on new clients in both locations.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, you can inquire through our website…we’d love to work together. 🤍
What started as a “simple” fireplace update quickly turned into one of those classic renovation plot twists.😅 
Here’s how it actually unfolded:
1. Planned to install tile over the existing fireplace tile — that was the original vision.
2. Began demo and discovered some serious structural damage to chimney. Immediate pivot.
3. Tore in further and uncovered the original brick hiding underneath.
4. Brought in the mason to re-mortar and clean everything up.
5. The brick went from dusty and rustic to bright red and very classic — and yes... I freaked out a little.
6. Lived with it for a bit to see if I could make peace with the new look.
7. Ultimately we applied a watered down lime grout (what was used by mason) to give it that old-world imperfect feel again.
8. Polished/stained the original stone hearth to refresh it without replacing it.
9. Stripped down the fussy details from the wood mantle and surround.
10. Painted the mantle and reinstalled it — and finally, it all felt right.
Renovations rarely go exactly as planned, but sometimes uncovering what’s underneath leads to something better than you imagined in the first place.
Omg this kitchen is so close I can feel it😭
The brick floors are in, the character is there, and the countdown to actually cooking in here (aka retiring the air fryer + constant takeout era) is officially on.
This one detail alone is making everything feel real and lived-in already... And I can’t wait to see it all come together.
If you’re into kitchens with soul + old-house energy, save this for later!