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My Summer Porch with Serena & Lily

June 3, 2021 No Comments

This post is sponsored by Serena & Lily

Summer is finally here! Well, not technically yet, but temps are rising and my plants are blooming, so that’s reason enough to celebrate! One of my favorite projects to tackle during spring and early summer is freshening up my front porch and our deck in the backyard. Planting pots of spring blooms, and adding some accessories to your front porch can give your house a big boost in the curb appeal department! This year, I was lucky enough to partner with Serena & Lily to give my little porch some happy, summer vibes and I’m in love with the new look!

Adding a couple of comfortable spots to sit was a top priority as Nate and I sit on the front porch while we watch the kids scooter around the driveway or play in the front yard. When I spotted the Palisades Chair, I knew it was the one. It hit the three C’s: Casual, comfortable, and complementary to our black exterior.

The seat is low and wide, making it a very comfy sit. The rattan frame lends itself to a relaxed style which feels just right for our house. Another fun bonus is that you can pick them up by their handle, and they fold up for on-the-go trips to the lake or the river! We’ve already loaded them up and taken them down to the banks of our local river. I loved that they are low to the ground which makes it easy to dip your feet in the cool water.

I am so happy with how this little porch refresh came out that I’m inspired to update a space inside the house next! If you watch my instagram stories, then you know that I’ve been hinting at a new dining room look and the new dining table is already on the way!

The Downing Table is so gorgeous with its white frame and modern leg design. Light and airy is a must for our small space. My dining room is open to the kitchen and the living room, which is a blessing but can also make it a bit of challenge for furniture size and placement. My current table is feeling a bit too small for my growing family so the new table will offer up some more space without overwhelming the itty bitty space….that is my hope anyway. Keep your fingers crossed for me, and I’ll update you guys as soon as it arrives! Happy Summer Friends! Anyone else making some Summer updates to their homes? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear!

Furniture, Serena & Lily

A Review: My Serena & Lily Venice Rattan Chairs

May 5, 2021 No Comments

This post is sponsored by Serena & Lily

I get lots of questions about all of our projects around this old fixer upper, and I always try to give an honest answer so that I can help you guys, in case you’re thinking about tackling something similar in your own homes! I also get lots of source questions, ie. “where did you get that rug, piece of furniture, accessory, etc.?” Talking furniture and accessories with you guys is one of my favorite past times…I know, I know, I’m very exciting over here. And one of the most asked about pieces of furniture in my home are my Venice Rattan Chairs from Serena & Lily. I’ve had them for almost a year, so I thought it would be fun to give my honest opinion about them in case any of you are thinking about adding these cuties to your homes! So let’s get to it!

Serena & Lily is famous for its casual and coastal designs, but still lends itself to many styles of homes – like mine! I have a NW Chalet (is that a thing??) but their pieces are so well-made, classic in design, that they fit right in here! Last summer, I was on the hunt to add some additional seating to my living room, I found the Venice Rattan chairs and knew they would be perfect! It was tough to find an armchair that felt substantial, without the heaviness that comes with the look of an upholstered armchair. This chair checked all of my boxes! The airy design allows your eye to travel right through them and doesn’t block the views out our big windows. They are also extremely light weight, so turning the chair around to enjoy the views is no problem at all! The feet all have plastic protective feet so no need to worry about scratches on the hardwood floors. Peace of mind for the win!

The seat is wide and very comfortable. Wide enough to even sit two kiddos side-by-side! With its arms and high back, the chairs feel firm but supportive. As a tall person, I always appreciate a chair with a higher back. #tallpeopleprobs We just recently added this cushion which has made for even cozier sit. Before, I just tossed a soft throw pillow and they were still very comfortable, even without the cushion.

I’m a big fan of the subtle texture that these cushions add to the room. It was important to find a neutral cushion that would allow me to switch up my throw pillows whenever the mood strikes – mission accomplished! The cushions also have a zipper so when (inevitable around this house) the kids spill their juice, or leave cracker crumbs, I can easily unzip and throw the cover into the washer. And speaking of cracker crumbs, anyone else ever wonder where all those crumbs come from? I mean, seriously!

The craftsmanship really shines with its hand-wrapped rawhide joints and rattan frame. I’m in love with their California vibes and I don’t worry about them going out of style any time soon. To me, the design feels fresh and modern, but also classic and not too trendy. That perfect sweet spot, ya know?

The chairs pair so well with this side table and I love that this sweet table mimics the look of a tree…which is so fitting for our little home in the woods. The top of the table is a show stopper with its polished clamshell veneer top. It’s smooth and shiny, almost like a stone countertop.

Here’s a close-up so you can see the detail on the top. It adds a lot of interest, and I love the natural color palette that includes, whites, creams, rusts, and grays. It’s sparkly in the sunlight, and is just so beautiful! ANYWAYS, let’s get back to the chairs!

Our kitty, Phoebe, definitely approves of the cushions that we added to the chairs and can be found taking a snooze here on the daily. In fact, I think this was her plan as I snapped this photo of her…she looks kind of sleepy, no? Overall, I give these chairs a five star rating. I would highly recommend them for anyone who is looking to add extra seating to their living room, bedroom or, really anywhere! I think it would look really great tucked into a corner of a bedroom, or in an entryway to serve as a spot to take your shoes off. It’s so versatile and has enough personality to stand on its own! Also, after a year of every day use by adults and lots of kids, they are in perfect condition and look exactly like they did on the day they were delivered. This Oregon girl is giving off some California cool vibes these days, and they are most definitely here to stay!

Exterior Updates, Renovating

Trex Stairs And Cable Railing…The Combo That Won My Whole Heart

April 23, 2021 4 Comments

This post is sponsored by Webfoot Painting

When we first bought our house in the fall of 2019, a MAJOR fixer upper, we were so excited to have a little guest house separate from our main house. It’s a small studio-style apartment that sits above our garage, complete with its own kitchenette and bathroom. You see, I have four siblings, who are all married with kids, so weekend house guests are a regular occurrence around these parts. I think the privacy and separate bathroom make it so popular with my extended fam, and it’s always fun to see who calls first dibs! There’s just one problem with the guest house, the stairs that lead up to the entrance were over 30 years old, and showing their age in a big way. In fact, one of treads broke while Nate was walking up them just after we moved in. We promptly banned their use after that, and decided we better get serious about replacing them before we had a real accident…gulp.

Enter Webfoot Painting to save the day! Webfoot is a local outfit here in Bend, and initially, I thought they were solely a painting company. Boy, was I wrongo! They offer a whole host of services including deck building, interior/exterior painting, carpentry services, concrete coatings and so much more! After seeing that they have over 500 google reviews with a 4.9 star rating, I knew we were in good hands going into this project. I was also happy to see that Webfoot is so involved in our small Oregon community, and even host an annual giveaway called Project Serious, that donates $25k of services to a deserving local non-profit. How cool is that?!

Not only were the old stairs a safety hazard, they were also UGLY. They were a lovely shade of gold with lots of brown accents…ahem, insert sarcasm here. This was the color combination on the exterior of the house when we moved in. Maybe even the original color to the house from when it was built in the early 1980’s, I wonder?

Anyone else getting a haunted house vibe? No? Just me? Anyways, the crew from Webfoot arrived on the first day and made quick work of the old stairs. They were gone in just a few short hours!

After the stairs were nothing more than a distant memory, we swapped out the old window and door for a fresh new look and a fun pop of color! All ready for the guys to come back and start building the new stairs!

The next day, Webfoot showed up right on time, and got to work! The crew was awesome, and their communication was so on point, we always knew the action plan for the day.

I was so excited to use Trex on the stairs for it’s durability, zero maintenance, and scratch resistance. We hemmed and hawed over all of the beautiful color options, but ultimately went with the Havana Gold color from their Transcend line. It has a lot of great texture, and really looks like wood – without the maintenance that comes with real wood. I also learned that Trex is made from 95% recycled materials, which made my inner Oregonian feel v happy.

These sleek and dare I say, sexy railings were a custom design by American Structures out of Portland, and are powder coated for durability against the outside elements. The crew even provided us with touch-up paint if we ever manage to scratch them – great for peace of mind! The black cables were sourced locally from Bend Rigging & Supply. The finished look is modern and clean. I couldn’t love it more!

Webfoot is one of the largest Trex deck builders in the state of Oregon, and their experience showed through their craftsmanship and attention to detail. The guys told me this stair design is called a “picture frame,” and it’s just beautiful!

Ok…now to the good part! It’s time to SPAM YOU WITH ALL THE GORGEOUS AFTER SHOTS…

Overall, we are so grateful for such an amazing experience, and couldn’t be happier with our new stairs. We’ve had just about all of our neighbors stop by to tell us how much they love the upgrade! A big thank you goes out to Gavin, Colin, and everyone at Webfoot Painting who were all knowledgeable, friendly, easy to work with, and full of energy! So tell me guys, what do you think!? Do you have any home projects that have been on your to-do list? I’m already busy dreaming up our next one!

Decorating, Furniture

My dream chair is here!

March 11, 2021 3 Comments

This post is sponsored by Overstock

Every evening during the winter months, Nate makes a fire and I sit on the floor in front of the fireplace and enjoy the warmth (I know I know…I’m officially 100 years old). It’s really my fave thing to do after the kids go to bed. I’ve been on the hunt for the past few months to find the perfect chair for my favorite perch, and I finally found it! Now, I have the most comfortable seat in the house!

I was thrilled when Overstock reached out and wanted to work together, because I had been eyeing this chair for months. I knew I wanted a leather chair as I have confidence in its ability to stand up to my three rowdy kids. Spilled juice and cracker crumbs wipe right up! As far as design goes, it’s classic and will never go out of style –a nod to the past, but modern. The ottoman completes the look and provides a comfy spot to put up your feet and relax. I feel like it fits in well with the vibe of our home too, where I like to mix modern and rustic. The seat is firm, but so incredibly comfortable.

The details on this chair are really stunning. The wood encasement is made from eucalyptus trees that complement the caramel tones in our sofa, which I just adore. The stainless steel base is really lovely too.

I’m usually eager to add accessories like pillows and throws but this chair is so pretty, that it doesn’t need any frills or extras.

Our living room is open to our tiny dining space so adding extra seating always presents a challenge, but I was surprised to see that the chair fits right into the space, without crowding our existing furniture arrangement. The ottoman can easily be moved around the room, and used as an extra seat for when we have company.

I have been slowly adding furniture to our home since we moved in and with the addition of the new chair, the living room definitely feels complete, thanks to Overstock. Now, I look forward to my cozy spot by the fire each night, more than ever!

family vacations

5 airbnb’s to book for the perfect family summer vacation

March 1, 2021 No Comments

This post is sponsored by airbnb

Hi guys! With 2021 already in full swing, I’m thinking ahead and am eager at the thought of planning some fun for the family this year. My kids have returned to school now, and we are looking forward to spring break and even a summer vacation as well! While I started thinking about our trip this year, I remembered a vacation that I took with my parents and my siblings when we were kids. My parents rented a log-style home that sat on the shores of a lake, here in Oregon. It was by-far, my favorite family trip that we took growing up. We spent the week swimming, kayaking, and having fires during the evenings. My parents even let my sister and I sleep out on the deck in our sleeping bags. We were in heaven!

I rounded up a few spots for you guys, keeping that special vacation from when I was a kid, in mind. I think they would make for lots of fun family adventures and most offer boating, swimming, hiking or just being outside. Ok, let’s get to it!