The exterior doors on our deck take quite a beating. There isn’t any overhead protection, so they take direct sunlight and whatever weather North Carolina decides to throw at them. They were starting to reflect the abuse they’d been put through. The handles were also wearing down, and one of the acrylic handles snapped inContinue reading “things i love: a quick patio door transformation”
Tag Archives: design
things i love: a faux stained glass table
My latest furniture project has been a re-imagining of a piece that I built years ago. I like to take pieces of old furniture and put them together in new ways, and this particular table started off as a base and then a piece of glass that was being thrown away. I had to buildContinue reading “things i love: a faux stained glass table”
what to do when the world of work seems like a sinking ship
I know working at jobs is a positive thing for so many people. A necessary thing. It can help build confidence and foster feelings of accomplishment. It pays the bills, it helps people form relationships and feel connected to community. Not to mention the essential services workers provide for us, like food, shelter, and clothing.Continue reading “what to do when the world of work seems like a sinking ship”
the diary of a free woman (who’s been trying to rebuild her cage)
I don’t really know what happened. I was trying to follow the rules. I finished high school, went to college, got a degree, did a few odd jobs and travelled before I settled into a desk job. I met my husband at my job, we moved to Minnesota for a promotion he took, and IContinue reading “the diary of a free woman (who’s been trying to rebuild her cage)”
what remains
Have you ever been in a place in your life when every safe option disappears? That’s where I’ve found myself for the past two years. My husband’s job moved us to North Carolina, and I wound up not being able to commit to a full time job for various reasons, from family emergencies that requiredContinue reading “what remains”
fabric flips
I have long had an affinity (addiction) to fabric. I know a few other people like this. We gather material from fabric stores and other sources, not sure what we’re going to use it for, just because we love it. We have a bin of loose fabric, ready for the next project. For some people,Continue reading “fabric flips”
pretty pretty pots
We bought our house in Durham about three and a half years ago. There was a large garden bed at the front of the house that was mostly just mulch and a rhododendron bush when we first moved in. At first, we tried to make it a perennial garden with native plants, but it quicklyContinue reading “pretty pretty pots”
counting the things i love
number one: my door knocker I love objects shaped like animals. I also love door knockers, even though they hardly ever get used these days since most of us also have doorbells, not to mention elaborate smart-home devices. In any case, seeing this stoic lion gazing from our black front door brings me much joy. Continue reading “counting the things i love”
and what do you do?
I always thought there was something wrong with me. Well, maybe that’s a long story. But what I mean is, in relation to work, I could never seem to want what everyone was saying I should want. Networking. LinkedIn. Lean In. Hustle. Girl Boss. It made my stomach twist whenever I made myself think aboutContinue reading “and what do you do?”
necessity, a mother
Sometimes people have perfect situations for creating their ideal interior designs. An endless budget, access to any resource, an unerring eye for design, a perfectly square and plumb space or the ability to make it so. Most of us, though, learn to master the art of compromise. Personally, I think the best ideas come fromContinue reading “necessity, a mother”
design + surrender 