• Green Kitchen Cabinet Color | Studio Green
    Interior Design

    5 Countertop Options for Older Homes

    I have recently been obsessively reading about countertops, only to look around the realize that I also have a lot of first hand experience with a variety of countertop options. We have butchers block counters in the Beach Cabin kitchen. A lovely quartzite graces the countertop on the lower level dry bar. The dresser turned vanity at the Beach Cabin has quartz countertops. We have had both polished and honed marble countertops in our Colonial Home. Earlier this summer, I was able to go with friends to shop around for a new island counter for their kitchen. We learned quite a bit about quartz and dolomite. Read on to learn…

  • The final touch/the perfect bathroom rug
    Uncategorized

    Mackinaw Road: The Quarterly 02

    It’s difficult to believe that summer is almost over. Summer is my favorite season and I am never quite ready to give it up to fall. And yet, quite predictably, autumn starts to sneak in. That said, we had a wonderful summer and I hope that you did too. Below is a quick quarterly synopsis of travel, projects, plants, good reads & watches, and things that caught my eye.

  • Acadia National Park- Beehive Trail
    Uncategorized,  US Travel

    5 Day Boston-Maine Road Trip

    Boston-Maine Road Trip In 5 Days We had what I would consider to be a quintessential family vacation last week. The secret sauce for our family trips seems to be a little city time followed by ocean/lake time with some type of athletic event sprinkled in. It worked well when we were in Portugal and was a success again with our trip out East. We recently spent 5 days in Boston and Maine. It was a whirlwind and not how we usually travel. Our family tends to settle in for at least a few days before moving on to the next setting. However, our list included several stops and we…

  • Small Bathroom Details
    Interior Design,  Uncategorized

    A Timeless (very) Small Bathroom Refresh

    A Timeless (very) Small Bathroom Refresh We recently had the kids’ bathroom get a little refresh. I could not be happier with how it turned out! Although admittedly not entirely on purpose, I feel that we effectively gave the bathroom a timeless facelift. Looking back on the project, I think that this was the main formula: keep what we can/have to/is original to the house, stick with the house’s age range when considering the materials (i.e., the tile), add elements of our (other) favorite designs through more decorative items, add a little luxury (hand soap, new towels), and finally incorporate a little nostalgia with wall art.

  • The Best Tabletop Flowers Ranunculus
    Uncategorized

    Mackinaw Road: The Quarterly 01

    Because life ebbs and flows, the monthly updates were a bit much. (Remember when I used to do them weekly- What was I thinking?) As such, every quarter or so, I am hoping to give a little update on travel, projects, plants, good reads & watches, things that caught my eye, etc. etc. **This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase, I may receive some compensation at no extra cost to you. Thank you! Travel I had a fun day getting away to Chicago last month. It was the most beautiful day and it felt good to be back! Lincoln Park was particularly gorgeous. Armitage is…

  • Basement Makeover
    Interior Design

    Comfortable and Stylish Home: The Basement Makeover

    The Basement Makeover This is the last post about the lovely Comfortable and Stylish Home. We covered the Living Room, Home Office, and Kids Spaces previously and will end where I actually began the projects in this home- the basement. The Basement: Purpose The basement serves as a hang out space and also as an extra place for guests to stay. Movies and sports are watched down here, card games are played, and general chatting occurs. We wanted the space to be like the rest of the house- comfortable and stylish. The Basement: Paint With some restraint (you know I love a good paint sample session), we threw several options…

  • Calm and Modern Teen Girl Bedroom
    Interior Design

    Comfortable and Stylish Home: The Kid Spaces

    Comfortable & Stylish Home: The Kid Spaces The kid spaces were incredibly fun to complete! Although I probably should not be calling them kids anymore, I am now of the age where anyone under 25 years old is a “kid.” To be more specific, these kids are all in their tween and teen years. Older kid spaces are interesting (in the best way) because the kids have generally refined their style and interests. Furniture selections can be made with longevity in mind at this point. But, the details are still (always) personal and fun! For these spaces, the kids provided great insight and have such definitive styles that at once…

  • The Cloisters Bahamas
    Island Travel

    Back in the Bahamas

    Just when I thought I could not possibly write another article about The Bahamas, here I am 😉 Our family of 4 has the amazing opportunity to go to Paradise Island with my parents every other year. Our children have been going since before they could walk. My brother and I first visited the island in 1991. And, R has to be nearing double digits on his Bahamas passport stamp status. It was C’s first visit, and it was so much fun to have her there with us!

  • Comfortable and Stylish Home Office/Sitting Room | Sherwin Williams Software
    Interior Design

    Comfortable and Stylish Home: Office & Living Room

    Introductions When I think about this project, I cannot help but marvel at how seamlessly it all came together. But I shouldn’t be surprised. This friend/client has a beautifully understated sophistication about her and this easily carried into her selections and our collaboration together. It is no wonder that the project possesses a quiet luxury factor with clean lines, timeless choices, and a neutral color palette (yes, I am counting the color drenching blue-gray as a neutral ;). The result is a stylish, inviting, and comfortable space. Comfortable and Stylish Home: The Office/Sitting Room The office/sitting room ended up being a favorite. We kept what the family had, borrowed from…