home design Archives

Happy Tuesday, ladies! A lot of you have noticed that I recently painted the exterior of my house. So... I thought I'd use today as an opportunity to show you---as well as my Southern porch and patios.

This is somewhat of a mega-post today---a lot of pictures to show you: 1 porch, 2 patios, and 2 outfits perfect for Spring & Summer. So, I'm going to keep it short and let the pictures do the talking.

Let's get to the tour.

The Summary (TL;DR)

Today's featured items are black shorts from Ann Taylor and jean shorts from Talbots

Each item is modeled, and I pulled together 2 alternates each, for a total of 4

The shorts are shoppable via a text or image widget

Each alternate is shoppable via a text widget

I've pulled together tons of gardening tools I use, all from Amazon, and all presented in a text widget

I added some gardening tips I've picked up along the way

My Southern Porch and Patios

1. White Button-Down & Black Shorts

(Ann Taylor, Tory Burch)

Black shorts (Ann Taylor) | White shirt (Ann Taylor) | Cap toe espadrilles (Tory Burch) (old, similar here and here)

Shop more Ann Taylor dresses | Shop more Tory Burch shoes

Shop the outfit

Alternative Stylings

Left Board: Vintage Cotton "Lover of the Sun" Tee (J.Crew) | Izzy Not Nappa Espadrilles (Talbots) Right Board: The Jean Jacket (Madewell) | Eyelet Yoke Crewneck Tee (Talbots) | Keds Double Decker Slip-Ons (Talbots)

2. Front Porch

How to Plant a Container

(that's visually pleasing w/ varying height)

Thriller plants with a height that add drama and vertical interest. Planted in the back of the center of the pot (Dracena, Asters, Cosmos)

Filler adds color and volume and placed in center of pot (Geraniums, Mexican Heather, Petunias, Daisies)

Spiller are trailing plants that spill over the container (Ivy, Vinca, Creeping Jenny)

3. Back Patio (1)

4. Gingham Button-Down & Jean Shorts

(Talbots)

Jean shorts (Talbots) | Gingham blouse (Ralph Lauren, old, similar here and here) | Gardening clogs (Amazon)

Shop more Talbots shorts

Shop the outfit

Alternative Stylings

Left Board: Magic Rinse "New York" Sweatshirt (J.Crew) | Triple Decker Sneaker (Keds for Kate Spade) Right Board: Strip Ribbed Sweater (Ann Taylor) | Leather Strappy Flat Sandals (Ann Taylor) |

5. Back Patio (2)

Gardening tips

Once your containers have been planted add Plant tone organic fertilizer

Deadhead flowers once the bloom is spent

Yellow leaves? Too much water or not enough

If your pots are located where rain doesn’t fall then place them in the rain when a storm blows through. Plants perk up and look healthier after being watered by rain.

In Case You Missed It

Yesterday, I featured one of your favorite items this month---a shift dress from Talbots. Make sure to check it out by clicking the link or image below.

I Can't Not Wear Bright & Bold Colors This Spring

This post is sponsored by Kohl’s and ShopStyle Collective

Spring has sprung, so there’s no better time to refresh your outdoor space along with your wardrobe. Today, we’re going to Spring into Style with Kohl’s, making one-stop shopping a breeze.

Kohl’s spring refresh

I’ve put together three collages together from Kohl’s to help you refresh your closet, home, and garden. They are:

Spring dresses;
Patio furniture & items; and
Garden tools & items.

For dress inspiration, make sure to check out yesterday’s Guide to Spring Dresses. And if you’re looking for home & garden inspiration, make sure to check out:

Alright, let’s get down to business.

Spring dresses

There’s no better time to spruce up your spring wardrobe than Kohl’s Spring into Savings. There are so many cute dresses to choose from at Kohl’s it’s hard to pick just one! So I rounded up a few of my favorites and an accessory or two to boot.

Patio refresh

Entertaining outdoors is a snap when you’re patio is up to snuff. What’s better than chilling on your patio on a warm summer night?! Throw pillows, outdoor rugs, lighting, planters, and umbrellas help set the scene. And Kohl’s has it all! But the best part is that Kohl’s has amazing deals! Take an extra 20% off with promo code EXTRA20 through March 29th.

Garden refresh

How does your garden grow? Whether you need a new set of gardening tools, outdoor storage, or a rain barrel to harness those April Showers, Kohl’s has it all to help spruce up our garden for spring.

What I love about shopping at Kohl’s:

Take an extra 15% off $100+ using code CATCH15OFF.
Take an extra 15% off one-time-only off your next online purchase when you sign up for mobile Sale Alerts. TEXT SAVE24 to 56457 (KOHLS)* TEXT HELP FOR HELP, STOP TO CANCEL.
Extra 35% off when you apply for Kohl’s Card.
Free Store Pick-up: In-Store or Contactless Drive-up. See kohls.com for details.

A big thank you to Kohl’s and ShopStyle Collective for this sponsored post. And thank you, lovely readers, for supporting the brands that allow me to bring you fresh ideas.

In case you missed it.

If you’re looking for more dresses, make sure to check out our Guide to Spring Dresses 2022.

Daily Looks

Make sure to catch up on our DAILY LOOK. We post a dedicated photo to our daily outfit every Wednesday-Sunday. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.

As part of our reset, refresh, and renew themed month, each Thursday, I want to show you a room in my recently renovated house. The reason is simple: many of us are spending a lot more time in our homes. And many of us have or are going to embark on a refresh/renovation of our homes. My hope is to provide you with a little inspiration for your project(s). Last week, I took you through my studio basement. Today, I want to give you a tour of my renovated master bathroom. Take your shoes off again, and come on in. Let’s get started.

Original bathroom

I actually have never given a glimpse of my bathroom on the blog. So here it is—the original state of things. Not much to say here, other than I want you to notice how small and (arguably) inefficient the space was used. This is important because I didn’t change the bathroom’s footprint during the remodel. The master bathroom comes in at 5’X18′, definitely small for a master bathroom, but that’s how many homes in the 70s were built.

Shop the Post (below)

The process

Nothing more exciting than demo day and the ensuing process. With all of the planning and design work done, it’s time to get down to business. From start to finish, this remodel took six weeks. (Same as the basement.) Not bad, really. And what’s even more important: the team was on-time and on schedule the whole way through.

Shop the Post (below)

Remodeled bathroom

Ah, the big reveal. Here is the finished project. I won’t say too much right now. Just wanna let you take a look.

Remodeled bathroom

Medicine cabinet

Sink faucet, drawer pulls

Shower faucet, handle, and adjustable slide bar

Shop the Post (below)

Tour of my renovated master bath

Ok, now for the tour of my renovated master bath. The black & white palette serves as the perfect foundation for the bathroom. This tried, and true color combo gave me a lot of freedom and flexibility in the direction I wanted to take everything else. (And it’s worth calling out specifically the floral wallpaper. It’s that perfect blend between traditional- and modernism that I really strove for in my entire remodel.)

Just a few notes:

All of the fixtures, including the sconces, faucet, showerhead, and slide bar, are a sort of antique brass. They give the room just the right amount of pop.
I swapped the standing shower for a tub because there’s nothing like a good soak.
Although I didn’t change the bathroom’s footprint, I gained a lot of extra storage space by adding a large medicine cabinet across from the sink.
Given the small space, organization is key, and I spent a lot of time identifying additional organizers to help me maximize the space I do have.

Antique brass sconce

Train rack

Adjustable slide bar

Ceiling light fixture

Antique brass sconce

Sink faucet

Medicine cabinet

Shower curtain

Lipstick & drawer organizer

Silicon hair tool holder

Drawer organizer

Shop the Post (below)

Webber Coleman Woodworks

Just like last week, a special shoutout to Webber Coleman Woodworks, who led the renovations in their entirety. I was introduced to the family-run cabinetry shop here, in Athens, through my daughter-in-law, who also had her bathrooms renovated through Webber Coleman. I can’t recommend this team highly enough. The quality of their work is exceptional, and they hit every deadline on time. (And for anyone that has gone through a renovation, that actually might be the most important thing.). Make sure to follow Webber Coleman on Instagram, especially if you’re looking for inspiration for your home projects.

In case you missed it

Remember, I’m giving you a tour of my newly renovated home all month. Don’t forget to check out last week’s tour of my renovated basement.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a big believer in the adage: a clear space, a clear mind. But even more than that, I want it to exist in a space that seamlessly blends form and functionality. Practically, given that I work from home, I need my home to double as an office; and given that I’m a fashion and lifestyle blogger, I need my office to also function as a studio. My home has to be everything for me at once. (A lot to ask, I know.).

Aesthetically, I want my space to be a never-ending opportunity for creative expression. I’m constantly rearranging furniture—swapping this couch for that chair and back again. I’m always adding new art; replacing this decoration for that one; moving one of many coffee table books from shelf to table and back again. So, last year, I decided to take the ultimate plunge and remodel the house. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years—ever since we moved in, actually. And in all honesty, it turned out better than I could have hoped.

As part of our reset, refresh, and renew month, each Thursday, I’m going to take you through a tour of each renovated room. We’ll start today with my recently renovated basement studio. So take your shoes off and come on in. (During the early part of the pandemic, we ran A Day in the Life: Home Tour series over here on the blog. If you’re interested in before pictures of my basement, you can check out A Tour of My Refinished Basement as a “before” reference.)

Remodeled kitchen

What was so appealing about this house was the fact that it had a finished, walkout basement complete with a guest bedroom, bath, and full kitchen—total privacy and convenience for anyone who comes to visit. So, let’s kick things off with my remodeled basement kitchen. A total transformation, here, with new custom cabinetry, floating shelves, and a subway tile backsplash. Given that my floors are blue/purple stained concrete, I went with a neutral base: whites and grays, which really makes the brushed gold hardware and faucet pop.

Remodeled kitchen. Cabinet paint Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray. Wall paint Dorian Gray. Floating shelves stained Soyabean.

Floating shelf

Subway tile

Remodeled sink

Custom cabinets from Webber Colemen

Remodeled studio

My home doubles as a studio for both the blog and YouTube. Lights, camera, action all day, every day. (Or at least it feels like it.) Just wanted to give you a quick little glimpse here of behind the scenes. ‘Cause this is where I spend most of my time when not photographing on-site out and about Athens.

Home studio leather lounge chairs from West Elm.

Remodeled den

Alright, my favorite part of the basement: the den. The biggest change here was simple but profound. We painted the stone fireplace in white, the firebox black and replaced the gas logs with functional ones. (Believe it or not, it went unused for six years.) Such an unbelievable difference this all made. And I can honestly say that the fireplace really stole the show this Christmas when all of my kiddos gathered to celebrate Christmas Eve. We went with new paint throughout, rearranged all of the furniture and artwork, and transformed a room the kiddos kinda-sorta liked being in into one in which they love. A huge win.

Remodeled fireplace

Remodeled den, stained concrete.

Remodeled den (cont.)

Webber Coleman Woodworks

A special shoutout to Webber Coleman Woodworks, who led the renovations in their entirety. I was introduced to a family-run cabinetry shop here in Athens through my daughter-in-law, who also had her kitchen renovated through Webber Coleman. I can’t recommend this team highly enough. The quality of their work is exceptional, and they hit every deadline on time. (And for anyone that has gone through a renovation, that actually might be the most important thing.). Make sure to follow Webber Coleman on Instagram, especially if you’re looking for inspiration for your own home projects.

In case you missed it

Our new YouTube video—5 Fashion Mistakes (and how to fix)—is live and watchable below.

if you’ve been following along on instagram over the last few weeks, you have seen glimpses of my backyard and patio. well, today as part of my day in the life series, we are taking a look at my backyard with our latest project: how to design your backyard.

it’s been in the works over the last few years and we will always be making some changes here and there, but i am really happy it’s come together just in time for this gorgeous, mild spring we are having in Athens. and with everything that’s going on in the world, i feel fortunate to have an outdoor space to soak up the spring and enjoy a glass of wine.

outfit of the day

today’s outfit is perfect for spring, a t-shirt style dress (similar here) from Ann Taylor with a side tie wrap detail that adds just the right amount of sophistication to make this dress a great ootd if you’re headed out and about. and you all know how much i love stripes of all kinds, so this dress really ticks all my boxes. for those of you interested in last week’s black knit shirt dress it’s back in stock. read little black dress for spring and summer.

a black necklace and bracelet tie into the thin black stripes of the dress. and a pair of metallic sandals finish today’s ootd. metallics work as neutrals, they add little pop of shine to an otherwise restrained ensemble.

how to design your backyard

we moved the grill to this upper patio, where we have a fire pit table. it really expands our living space and with the umbrella, it’s a great spot to sit any time of the day. i have gardenias in the two urns flanking the doorway. citronella plants are arranged between the patio chairs to ward off the mosquitos. ceramic garden stools are so great to use for extra seating or as side tables.

boxwood, jasmine, and lamb’s ear along the back of the house.

on the landing leading to the lower patio, we have planted dahlias and a lemon tree in urns and containers.

urn | planters

this lower patio features a bistro table with two chairs and a concrete bench. it’s a nice conversation spot. we have container plantings and new solar string of lights that add a twinkling ambiance to the evening. if you have space, it’s good to create separate little nooks here and there, for conversation, eating, and relaxation.

oscar loves playing with his toys in the backyard! this is the herb garden before we got to work. ugh! it was so overgrown. but i love to grow herbs that i cook with on a regular basis and add to my cocktails.

a southern patio

i love water features as part of garden design and so i have a birdbath nestled in my herb garden. it’s so entertaining to watch the cardinals swoop in for a drink or to ruffle their feathers in the water.

the herb garden AFTER we put some muscle into it. the rosemary was so overgrown. now i’m trying to shape it into a topiary. wish me luck.

a day in the life

i hope you enjoyed suggestions on how to design your backyard. in case you’re new to the blog or missed some of our entries into a day in the life series, make sure to check all of them out below.

back by popular demand: today we’re continuing our a day in the life series with a tour of my recently refinished basement. it’s been a longstanding project over the past year. and it all began when the basement was flooded last summer. what a mess: our carpet was ruined! but out of lemons we made, well, you’ll see in just a moment. but i gotta say, i like the finished product better than lemonade.

whenever i post an entry into our a day in the life series i get a lot of questions and comments about my home decor. i’ve tried to pull as many links to what you see here. if you like something i’ve missed, make sure to let me know in the comments below!

home office

as some of you know, my middle son came down to visit me earlier this spring from NYC before the city implemented quarantine. he couldn’t go back for obvious reasons, and he’s been working remotely from Georgia ever since. here’s a view of the home office he’s helped me put together.

simple yet effective, and i’m just loving the truck painting we picked out. for those of you who have virtually toured my home over the past few months, you’ll recognize my affinity for animal paintings, particularly dog ones.

blouse | tee | jeans | sandals

truck art | leather desk collection

living room

after the flood, we completely rethought our downstairs aesthetics. i wanted something simple and maintainable but with a contemporary feel. once the carpets were completely pulled, and all that was left was bare concrete, it occurred to me: why don’t we just refinish the concrete itself?

yup, those purple floors are in fact finished and stained concrete. and how striking they are. purple may not be for everyone, i get it. but they’ve opened up a world of decorating possibilities to me. just take a look at my cow artwork? how fun! and once that was in place, adding faux fur and leopard print pillows was easy. the cascading effect of breaking out of a design box can be profound. and i urge you to explore it in your own way.

blouse | tee | jeans | sandals

outfit of the day

on a normal spring day, you’re going to catch me in a tee and pair of jeans. i’m sporting Talbots today, and the striped tee breaks up my neutral base established by my olive blouse. it’s the perfect over-shirt for those spring days you need to layer. and it goes with just about everything.

a day in the life

i hope you enjoyed the virtual tour of my refinished basement. in case you’re new to the blog or missed some of our entries into a day in the life series, make sure to check all of them out below.

as part of our new beginnings theme for the month, i want to take you on a tour of my living room. both my dining and living room have been a work in progress since mr. style and i moved into this house, and i’m thrilled to share it with you now as it has finally come together in the hopes that this will give you some design inspiration for your living room.

we spend a lot of time in the living room; it’s the main point of entry and welcomes people into my home. recently, i turned my formal dining room into my home office. because the living room has an open floor layout, i can include the dining area there.

i like an open layout that naturally leads from one room to another. but whatever type of layout you have, your home is a reflection of you and should be a comfortable place for everyone to get together and enjoy spending time.

let your decor reflect who you are

last week, i took you on a tour of my home office and my personal closet. in both tours, you got a sense for decorating aesthetics. i lean toward mixing modern and classic design styles. my fashion sense comes through in my home decor – like the paint color in my closet (pink!), or the bold use of color and and animal print in my home office.

in my living room, i mix modern fixtures with classic furniture shapes. i like the juxtaposition of styles. mixing styles is a forgiving way to decorate your home: it lets you choose pieces you like without having to strictly adhere to a specific style.

sideboard | coffee table | dining room table | dining chairs

when you style mix, it helps to have a central theme that ties it all together. i’ve used the color blue to tie my living room together—from the blue leather sofa and the sapphire velvet chairs, to the classic blue china patterned vases and blue-hued painting.

design inspiration for your living room

if you’ve been following the blog for any length of time, you know i love to read. in fact, i participate in two different book clubs. (and if you’re not already a member, make sure to join our Facebook group book club with style!) so, it was important to me to have ample space for my books. the dining room built-ins are a perfect spot for my book collection.

sideboard | coffee table | dining room table | dining chairs

i love, love, love my built-ins. i’ve even leveraged them for my home bar, which is decked out with this set of barware in bright gold. the gold accents run throughout, from the bar area to the gold-edged lucite lamp on the credenza, to the gold modern chandelier over the dining table.

outfit of the day

today’s outfit is a great casual look that can transform to business casual in a flash with the addition of a blazer and neck scarf. winter white jeans lead the charge today. a long sleeve stripe shirt adds pattern and pop of color with its three red stripes. the red pop is carried through to my suede d’orsay flats. for added contrast, my neck scarf features a classic floral pattern. throw on a tweed blazer and you are set to go!

today, i’m going to give you a tour of my home office. as a lifestyle and fashion blogger, it’s where i spend most of the time when i’m not on a photo or video shoot. as part of our new beginnings theme for the month, i’m hoping today’s post will inspire you all to have a stylish home office—and a stylish home more generally.

our homes are our sanctuaries from the madness that is the world around us, so why not make them an extension of ourselves. why not make it the most comfortable place where our friends and family can gather around and simply be and enjoy each other’s company?

have a stylish home office

on Sunday, i gave you a glimpse into my personal closet. how to design your home office—or any room in your house—is a totally personal decision and a function of your own aesthetics. with the advent of Pinterest and other design boards, it’s easy to compile a gallery of inspiration that can serve and guide us on everything from a refresh to a full-blown remodel.

personally, i’m a fan of clean clines and simple design techniques—like contrasting classic and modern design patterns—to create a space i want to be in. and of course i’m not immune to applying my personal fashion sense to my design one. animal prints anyone? if you share similar aesthetics as i do, i’ve compiled several widgets throughout this post of similar home office items like desks and lamps.

turtleneck | boyfriend jeans | belt | shoes | earrings

a day in the life of a lifestyle blogger

it may come as a surprise (or it may not), that as a lifestyle blogger, i actually spend most of my day in front of my computer doing everything from scripting photo and video shoots to answering emails from you. so, most days, i prefer to be relaxed and comfy while i work. and what’s says “comfort” more than a pair of boyfriend jeans.

today, i’m featuring a pair of boyfriend jeans from J.Crew. i’ve been all about J.Crew this winter, and they’re having a great flash sale today. so head over and see if you can find a good deal and let me know in the comments.

i’ve paired the jeans with a turtleneck from Everlane. i’ve been totally obsessed with with turtlenecks this winter. i even posted a how to wear a sweater/turtleneck dress last week in case you missed it.

turtleneck | boyfriend jeans | belt | shoes | earrings

home is where the heart is

home is where we spend most of our time: it’s where we can get away from the craziness of everything from traffic to geopolitical happenings. it’s where our family convenes for the holidays and where friends come over for a cup of coffee and chat.

what’s your home like? how have you designed it? have you built a fashionable office? or do you spend most of your time in the living room in your favorite chair reading a good book? are your kiddos still at home or are you an empty-nester like me? have you transformed their rooms into something else entirely or have you left it the way in which they grew up? let me know in the comments below about everything from your home design choices to what home means to you.

turtleneck | boyfriend jeans | belt | shoes | earrings

(more…)

The Summary (TL;DR)

My Southern Porch and Patios

1. White Button-Down & Black Shorts

(Ann Taylor, Tory Burch)

Shop the outfit

Alternative Stylings

2. Front Porch

How to Plant a Container

3. Back Patio (1)

4. Gingham Button-Down & Jean Shorts

(Talbots)

Shop the outfit

Alternative Stylings

5. Back Patio (2)

Gardening tips

In Case You Missed It

I Can't Not Wear Bright & Bold Colors This Spring

Kohl’s spring refresh

Spring dresses

Patio refresh

Garden refresh

In case you missed it.

Daily Looks

Original bathroom

Shop the Post (below)

The process

Shop the Post (below)

Remodeled bathroom

Shop the Post (below)

Tour of my renovated master bath

Shop the Post (below)

Webber Coleman Woodworks

In case you missed it

Remodeled kitchen

Remodeled studio

Remodeled den

Webber Coleman Woodworks

In case you missed it

outfit of the day

how to design your backyard

a southern patio

a day in the life

home office

living room

outfit of the day

a day in the life

let your decor reflect who you are

design inspiration for your living room

outfit of the day

have a stylish home office

a day in the life of a lifestyle blogger

home is where the heart is

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