A little bit of real estate, design, and travel. A whole lot of what makes spaces and places home.
Our first Building at the Beach renovation starts with an almost-teenager’s bathroom—and a vision shaped by plenty of mother-daughter inspiration sharing and compromise. Coastal blue tile, brass “jewelry,” natural wood, and a little floor-tile splurge will bring a luxurious coastal modern feel to this dated space. Our goal? Make it feel brighter and bigger without moving walls or plumbing.
Bathroom Renovation on a Budget Read More »
The spaces we live in, the places we call home, and the people around us shape how we feel and how we live. Inspired by Angela Duckworth’s Situated and our family’s move to the coast, we’re reflecting on what happens when we question familiar routines and make room for more of what matters.
A tight budget, a contractor who needed selections yesterday, and 300+ miles between us and our rental renovation—we needed affordable fixtures fast. After comparing four retailers, Amazon won on price and delivery time. Here’s what we ordered for under $350 and what to check before clicking “buy.”
Renovating on a Budget: Our Amazon Fixture Finds for Under $350 Read More »
The Romanos at Costa Navarino gave us everything we hoped for in Greece: gorgeous sea views, sandy beaches, wonderful food, and a private pool overlooking the coast. But our favorite memory happened 20 minutes away, when we cooked and shared a meal with local women in a Greek home. Here’s what we loved about the resort—and the experience you shouldn’t miss.
Where to Stay in Greece: The Romanos at Costa Navarino Read More »
Same square footage. Another bedroom. A fresh start after a fire. As we restore our rental house, we’re rethinking how every room works—turning a one-bedroom home into a two-bedroom without adding on. Take a peek at the renovation and see how moving the laundry, flipping the kitchen, and changing a doorway are helping us make this house a home again.
Rebuilding After a House Fire: How We Added a Bedroom Without Adding Square Footage Read More »
Reviewing renovation floor plans is about so much more than deciding if you like the layout. In our latest Building at the Beach update, we’re sharing what we’ve learned about room dimensions, furniture placement, flow, sunlight and views, budget, and deciding where to spend on the “jewelry” that will make the biggest impact.
Building at the Beach: Do your remodel floor plans actually work for the way you live? Read More »
You all have given us LOTS of recommendations for where to eat in Orange Beach—and we’ve been happily working our way through the list! From pulling up by boat for Poke Tuna Nachos or crab claws to golf-carting to dinner, finding our favorite breakfast spots and planning date nights, we’re discovering that the food is a big part of what makes the OBA lifestyle so much fun.
We’re sharing our favorites so far, what’s next on our list, and where we’re picking up fresh steaks and Gulf seafood to cook at home. Come see where we’re eating—and tell us where we need to go next!
Where to Eat in Orange Beach, Alabama: Our Favorite Restaurants as OBA Locals Read More »
We moved into our new house knowing a renovation was ahead—but we quickly learned that making a house feel like home doesn’t have to wait for the “after.” From hanging favorite art and unpacking books to adding plants, familiar furniture, and a few new pieces, we’re sharing the simple ways we’ve made our new house feel like home while waiting to renovate.
How to Make a New House Feel Like Home Before Renovating Read More »
Welcome to Building at the Beach, our newest Spaces & Places series. Follow along as we transform a dated beach house in Orange Beach into the warm, timeless gathering place we’ve been dreaming about. We’ll be sharing the inspiration, design decisions, renovations, trusted partners, and all the lessons we learn along the way. We hope you’ll join us for every step of the journey!
Building at the Beach: Our Orange Beach Renovation Begins Read More »
Planning a trip to the Mile High City? Discover the best restaurants in Denver, from flaky pastries at Bakery Four and historic burgers at My Brother’s Bar to international flavors at Edgewater Public Market and an unforgettable dinner at Rioja. These four local favorites are must-visits for food lovers exploring Denver.
Best Restaurants in Denver: 4 Must-Try Local Favorites for Every Traveler Read More »
