Our latest road trip took us to Richmond, and a funky and well-curated secondhand store called Class and Trash (both locations!). Turns out to a fantastic opportunity to scavenge and get inspired. Fun!
Our Latest Road Trip
Progress Update :: A Bathroom Gut Job
We are in the middle of a substantial residential project, involving lots of decisions, purchases, and deadlines. We wanted to share one aspect of it — the small bath that’s connected to the master bedroom. Since there’s already a bathtub on the same level, we elected to change the features of this bathroom to allow for a larger shower, alongside a floating vanity, a large recessed modern medicine cabinet, and a slim/comfort-height toilet. We were able to lengthen the room by 18 inches, which allows space to tuck in a storage nook for towels. A new pocket door also helps to make the room seem more spacious. We are pleased with the calming colors of the tile as well.
Here are some images of the tiling in process, along with a few “before” photos. We will post pictures as we go!
Our Take on the Pomodoro Technique
I think we can all agree that it’s good to lead a balanced life. Complete some tasks, and then take a break. Layer a “preferred” activity with something that you’ve been avoiding. We all go through it.
I have found that one strategy that always works is this :: set a timer for 20-30 minutes, and focus on one thing for that time period. At the end, figure out if you’ve given another time to complete the task, or if you’ve made enough of a dent in it to move on to something else.
The Pomodoro technique is essentially THIS, in a nutshell.
It is our number-one piece of advice to give a new client when they start the daunting task of ORGANIZING anything in their living space. You can pretty much do ANYTHING, as long as you know there’s a finite end to the task. Once you reach the end, usually one is encouraged by progress and motivated to keep going, perhaps for another chunk of time, like 30 minutes. P.S. Listening to music or an engrossing podcast also distracts you a bit from the task at hand. Try it!
Our Winter Wonderland Trip to the Grand Canyon
Our trip exceeded our expectations. We will let the pictures speak for themselves!
Clever Storage for All Those Bits and Pieces
We love this idea for all these little pieces, small Lego people, Polly Pockets, and all-other-else! Simply screw this into the wall — and start filling it up. Our friend used this in her kids’ playroom , but we can also picture it in office for supplies, or a closet for jewelry. Let your imagination take over!
Featuring :: A Chic and Serene Dining Room
This room was mostly finished when we appeared on the scene, thanks to the homeowner’s attention to detail in picking the perfect paint color to pair with her curtain panels and side chair slipcovers. We helped finish the design by recommending this rug from Ballard Designs and then recommended a pair of fabrics to reupholster the fronts and backs of the host arm chairs. We love the finished product!
Local Treasure :: The Coolest Museum You’ve Likely Never Heard Of
I visited Glenstone, in Maryland, last month, and was completely captivated by the architecture, attention to detail, landscape, collection of art, and the museum’s mission. There is no admission charge. They give out tickets on a “first come, first served” basis. Visit the website to find out more about how to get a ticket, and then enjoy your day. It’s something you won’t soon forget.
Before/After :: Using Old Shelves in a New Space
This super-functional project involved an unused corner in a small room, plus a stack of shelves that had been used in another home. Each shelf was sliced down, from 12 inches deep to 8 inches deep … perfect for a whole stack of paperback and hardcover books. Can’t wait to fill them up! Here’s the brackets we used.
Here is where the shelves actually originated. We took them from another house we are working on and repurposed them!
Before/After :: Whitewashing the Fireplace
This animal-loving family was looking for a way to update their seldom-used den. The homeowner white-washed the brick, and we added a new rug to inject some color into the room. Still to come :: an arm chair and a few accent tables to complete the seating area. We also encouraged the family to add a small desk in the left corner, to take advantage of the view into the backyard. Luckily, the space is washed in plenty of natural light.
Below :: the original fireplace!
