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Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between something that’s simply trending... and something that actually changes the way a home feels.
This month I keep coming back to vintage textiles over oversized artwork.
Bathrooms that feel more like living rooms than bathrooms. Why I think plug-in sconces are one of the most underrated design tricks. Cherry red (in the smallest doses❤️). And why I’ll almost always tell a client to invest in a beautiful faucet before a trendy finish somewhere else.
These are the conversations we’ve been having in the studio. The screenshots I’ve been saving. The products sitting in my cart. The little ideas that slowly find their way into client projects and eventually into our own home.
I’ll dive much deeper into all of it in today’s edition of Between the Layers, along with my favorite sources, products, and the “why” behind each one.
I hope you’ll join me!
One of my favorite parts of renovation design is questioning what no longer makes sense. We just wrapped up the final design presentation for our Meadowridge Revival project, and this little kitchen corner might be my favorite transformation.
Like so many older homes, it had a built-in desk—a space that once held calendars, bills, cookbooks, the family computer...and yes, even a phone jack for the landline. (Who even has those anymore? 😂). But our clients don’t live that way today. The desk had become a catch-all instead of a space they actually used. So we reimagined it as a dry bar with warm walnut cabinetry, metal grille inset doors, natural stone, and open shelving. It will hold glassware, spirits, serving pieces, and create the perfect spot for entertaining. That’s what great renovation is all about—not adding more, but making every square foot work better for the way you live today.
If you’ve ever looked at a room in your home and thought, “There has to be a better way,” you’re probably right. We’d love to help you see what’s possible. Send us a message to schedule a discovery call!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
Comment ‘LIST’ and I’ll send you the full article 🤍
We’ve lived in 15 homes, and every single one has taught me the same lesson:
You don’t have to wait until your house is finished to make it feel like home.
Inside last week’s Between the Layers, I shared my designer formula-the things I do in every home to make it feel warmer, more inviting, and more “finished.” The best part? You can use these ideas before a renovation, during a renovation, or long after it’s complete.
I’ve included my favorite paint colors, lighting, rugs, bedding, product sources, and all the little details I come back to again and again.
Every old house tells you what it wants to be. The trick is knowing what to leave alone... and what needs to change.
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about renovating historic homes is that you have to choose between preserving their character or making them work for modern life. You don’t. The best renovations don’t erase a home’s history. They build on it.
That means asking better questions than, “What’s trending?” Instead, we’re asking,
“How does this family live?” “What details deserve to stay?” “How can we make this home feel like it has always functioned this way?”
That’s the part I love most- uncovering what was already there and helping the home become the best version of itself.
The Sixth Street Bungalow has taught me that lesson over and over again, and we’re just getting started If you’ve ever dreamed of renovating an older home, save this for inspiration. I’d love to hear... what do you love about older homes?🤎
I think one of the biggest mistakes we make is assuming we’re supposed to have everything figured out before we begin. Looking back, there were so many clues pointing me in this direction. I just didn’t recognize them because they felt... ordinary. The things that come most naturally to us are often the things we overlook. We assume everyone thinks that way. Sees the world that way. Enjoys those same things. It took years before I realized that what felt effortless to me wasn’t effortless to everyone else. Maybe that’s why I have such a soft spot for old houses. Sometimes they don’t need to become something entirely different. They just need someone to recognize what was there all along. I think people are a little like that, too.
I’m curious... have you ever looked back and realized the signs were there all along?
This made me laugh because... guilty!!!
Running a small business can sometimes feel like you’re talking into a dark hole. You pour so much into creating, sharing, photographing, writing—and you never really know who’s on the other side of the screen.
But honestly? This community has reminded me how much good exists on the internet.
Since moving from Oregon to Tennessee, I’ve missed the friendships and familiar faces we left behind. At the same time, I’ve been so grateful for the people we’ve met here-and even for the ones we’ve only met through this little corner of Instagram. You’ve shared recommendations, encouraged our work, welcomed us into a new city, and made this business feel a whole lot less lonely.
So I’d love to turn this into one giant recommendation list! Show each other some love and support!
Tag a few accounts you’re loving lately. Big or small. A creator. A business. A designer. A photographer. A local shop. Someone who inspires you or simply deserves way more people cheering them on.
I’ll start...
@whitneymcgregor
@alexisnegranti
@emily.a.schoen
