As a follow up to my last post, I thought it would be appropriate to share all of the jobs Gabe and I have both had in the past through today. So many times in life you walk through a door that leads to another, and sometimes they are dead ends. Other times they are stepping stones where you can see how one lead to the other. I think its safe to say we both feel that we learned a technique, skill, value, or perspective from each job in our past that has benefited our current jobs today. Ready? It’s a long a list…
There are so many hours that go into running a blog as a business. I started this blog back when Gabriel was just a toddler with no intention of it becoming a full time job! I was just a graphic designer fascinated by the blogs I was discovering, so I decided to start one as a creative hobby. As the blog grew, the time it demanded did as well. I wanted to share some practical tips today for those hoping to make blogging a line of work. Things I know now, and wish I had known from the start!
Azelie turned one a few weeks ago, and although this year was unfairly fast, I refuse to cry this time around;) Somehow Zel got the memo it was her first birthday and promptly sprouted her first 6 teeth at one time followed by her first 6 words. I think this girl might continue to surprise us as she has done from the start.
With Azelie and Rocco I felt like I finally understood how fleeting time was, so I did my best to make the most of this first year of her life. I didn’t worry this time so much about spoiling her, and held her close those extra minutes when she just wanted to be held. I didn’t rush to get her on a feeding schedule, and actually took the time to slow down and study her face. I didn’t move her to her own room as soon as she was ready, because I needed a little more time with her right by my bed. I understand now what it’s like to meet the day they are too heavy to hold, and that ache will come to soon. So for now, I kiss her whenever I get the chance…..along with everyone else in the house!
As soon as the seasons turn, my lips inevitably start to get really dry! After reading about some of the ingredients in common chapsticks only contributing to this problem (avoid ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin!), I started to make sure I was using hydrating and healing products.
Our home isn’t large by any means, but it is all that we need. The open layout is what we loved most about this home, and the natural light that pours in makes it feel much more spacious than it actually is! Since we spend most of our time in the dining and living room areas, I couldn’t wait to make this space feel like home. It’s been a year in the making so I hope you enjoy the before and after photos of this living room makeover!
(a picture of the living room before we moved in)
(after)
fireplace before
fireplace after
We started this room with the fireplace makeover, which Emily Harris finished with a stain to give it an aged stone look. We also painted the walls a clean white to get a fresh start. (More on how to choose the right white paint for your room here.)
floor carpet before
herringbone floors after
Over the summer we were able to start up the floor process. Since the rest of the first floor is hardwood, and white carpet is impossible to keep clean, we went ahead and ripped the carpet. We brought in a really good flooring remodeler who installed red oak floor boards in a herringbone technique. He sanded it down, and stained the boards in a grey hued natural wood finish. (Feel free to email me if you want his contact info!) We will eventually be staining the rest of the floor this color as well. This made the most significant visual difference in the room!
As you may remember my initial design board for the room, I chose the furniture pieces + rug as the main focal points of the space. I loved the versatility and classic color of the Sven Charme Sofa by Article, but I would say as long as you can take a good Sunday nap on it, what more could you want? Well, it’s safe to say I would replace my bed with the Sven Sofa if I could. Midcentury modern style doesn’t always mix with functionality and comfort, so I was really surprised to find this option! Considering our first couch was as uncomfortable and poorly made as they come, we have nothing but gratitude for a comfy one!
I can’t seem to quit the pink velvet phase, so it was love at first sight when I saw this slub velvet wingback chair from Anthropologie. I somehow found the queen to this king chair on craigslist a few days ago, and still can’t believe the height and color worked out so well! I love the color this duo brings into the room.
This rug continues to be the place everyone wants to sprawl out on because it is super plush and soft. I don’t know how long we will be able to keep it clean, but after years of dark rugs, I wanted to play off the natural light this room gets as much as possible! The design is by Momeni Rugs and you can find it here. We used the 7’10 x 9’10.
As for the bookshelf and picture ledge, this how-to will be coming soon! Gabe made a simple construction and figured out a good way to hang them to be well supported. I love old books and have slowly collected them over the years. We actually want to turn one of these walls into a full on home library one day. If our books are in sight you are much more likely to pull them to browse through, read, and reference. Books are also a great way to bring color to a room, and I color coded them mainly for the purpose of being able to find a books easier. Okay, who am I kidding. I totally color coded them because I am a visual perfectionist who loves symmetry and color schemes.
Shockingly the kids don’t try to climb this ladder after one time of explaining they could fall. I mean, I thought at least Max would be hanging from the shelf by now! I lucked out and found this ladder at an antique market. It can be hard to find one over 6ft. I will probably replace some of the art on the picture ledge when I finally print photos, but how about those old city prints? Was geeking out when I saw them! They are from Brim Papery.
While our basement was being finished, we really needed a place to hold our little ones books, toys, and school books (for the hybrid school model we are doing this year). I searched high and low, and finally found these window benches that had all the storage I was looking for. They were everything I was looking for! I used the same color as our walls to paint one coat over the cream color they came in. These have been a sanity saver when it comes to clutter!
This seems to be the magnet room now for our family of 7. We all end up here for family game or movie night, to lounge, read, or enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the air trying to avoid spilling it as babies climb on top of you;) Since a creative mind never really stops turning, I am already onto the next room! Let me know if you have any questions about the space, and thank you for following along the progress!
A special thank you to Article, Wayfair, Momen Rugs, and Anthropologie for helping me pull this room together! Lord knows it would have taken 5 more years otherwise!
Sunday is the day we catch up with family or friends over brunch, so it is a day we all look forward to! Everyone usually brings a dish to share, and we create a big spread in buffet style. This time around we teamed up withThe Original Donut Shop® Coffee pods to come up with a full spread coffee + waffle bar! This is the coffee Gabe and I look forward to sipping on each morning. That might have to do with the pace of life with little ones as we know it…;), but it also has that robust kick that makes you believe you can conquer the day after a good mug full.
A frequently asked question we receive is how we edit our photos and insta stories for instagram. Photo editing is a fun creative release for me, and I really enjoy the process, but it can be time consuming! Having go-to apps and desktop presets that you frequent for cohesive photos saves a good deal of time week to week. Here is a list of our favorite photo + video editing apps for instagram…. VIEW FULL POST
