Cabinet, Fauxdenza, Table Lamp, Glass Box, Vase, Ginger Jar, Candlesticks, Glasses
After our bathroom reveal this week, I got this funny question on Instagram:
“Did it turn out as planned or are you surprised with how good it looks?”
I had to laugh because I think this was meant as a compliment–But it also got me thinking. When I made the mood board for our bathroom, early last summer–is the bathroom I’m looking at now the one that I saw in my mind? Honestly, Almost! There were a few twists and turns along the way. I changed the light fixture and went on a whole curtain and rug journey and ended up with neither–but it allowed me to fill the walls with art that I’m head over heels with. I had planned for the beautiful cabinet in the photo above to be freestanding in the bathroom to serve as linen storage and we had to move the shower wall 6″ to house plumbing and it was just too tight so now it lives in the dining room. And I’m SO HAPPY IT DIDN’T FIT BECAUSE I LOVE IT HERE! (And there’s so much storage in that bathroom). I think that’s the wonderful thing about having a plan, but also being open and flexible and pivoting.
As hard as it is for a renovation to drag, I love a slow design process because it leaves room for improvement. It allows me to sit on something for 2 weeks and then ask, “what if we did THIS instead?!” And before I know it, I’m hanging art and filling a cabinet in my dining room. The surprises often turn out for the best because they push me creatively.
The wisest words I read this week came from Kate, “My favorite homes are those that look unapologetically like the people who live there. From the way someone styles a side table to the art they select to the collections they display on shelves, their design is not about being right or wrong. Their design is a reflection of what they love.” I hope I always always remember this as I hone my personal style and keep sharing our room evolutions with all of you. That although I’m sharing publicly, home and home style is so so personal. Read all of her tips on honing your personal design style here.
More fun things this week!
• These $15 sunglasses are gooooood (I got the brown!)
• The prettiest curtains and dark walls–I can’t stop thinking about it!
• The Food Expiration Dates You Should Actually Follow
• I got these acrylic book ledges for Polly’s room and I can’t wait to hang them today! I love how the substantial size!
• Most of you agreed with my assessment on the best workout tights, but these were the most recommended activewear leggings that I don’t have in the comments! I have ordered them and will report back!
• Another pretty bathroom.
• Our Good Influence(r) program is now a monthly subscription! For a low monthly price, you get access to both of our influencer courses and membership to the influencer mastermind. Open enrollment ends Sunday, so bounce to it!
• I have not been in love with any mascara lately, but this vegan, gf mascara is INCREDIBLE. My lashes are long and voluminous but not clumpy. And no itching!! Really good!
Ann Taylor: 50% off luxe-casual styles with code SAVE50. (Obsessed.)
Madewell: Up to an extra 40% off sale with code WOWIE (Can’t say no to a half-zip.)
Old Navy: Up to 50% off storewide! (this color>>)
The Container Store: 15% off hangers + more! (The ones we used in our closet!)
Williams Sonoma: Sale up to 75% off (Chris’s fave.)
Our wood grain Shaker cabinet fronts were designed for busy, high-traffic homes like ours. Clad with durable textured thermofoils, this line is compatible with Sektion, Akurum, Godmorgon, and Besta cabinets from IKEA. It's the perfect, practical way to add the warmth of wood to all the rooms of your home.
We have teamed up with Loloi to create a line of rugs that are as affordable as they are beautiful. This collection houses a great mix of traditional and modern rugs, in cottage-y colorways, as well as vintage-inspired beauties that you’ll want to roll out in every room.
We partnered with Stuga on a line of hardwood floors — The Ingrid is really livable, and the color is very neutral. It doesn’t lean warm or cool, it’s that just right in-between. We have really loved putting it everywhere in our house. It’s the best jumping-off point for design, no matter your interior style. In addition to being beautiful, Ingrid is really durable — we have three kids, and we always have a home construction project going on. Ingrid stands up to it all.
SHop all
Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop.
Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]
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Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
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Get Around
Make yourself right at home
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Lifestyle
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All Posts
Shop
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I love those curtains you link above with the dark walls – but all I see is The Sound of Music! They are the drapes Maria made the children’s clothes from! :-)
Is that a bad thing?
I totally get the viewer comment at the beginning of the post. Some rooms in my house have not turned out how I originally envisioned them, because of having to compromise with my husband mostly! Lol! Also I get it that what’s in your head and then seeing it in real life doesn’t always match up…that’s why we pivot and make tweaks along the way! Design and styling are never boring, that’s for sure!
I love reeded glass.
Thank you for sharing your home with all of us – it is absolutely beautiful no doubt about it. You may not design in the realm of some people’s tastes, but you do your style and what you love impeccably! Because of that, even those who don’t have similar tastes still learn and can use things you share in their homes. It is so much fun to see what you have done and can’t wait to see more.
Heads up: the Madewell sale discount is actually 20% – not 40% as you indicate in your post.
Extra 20% on top of sale price, making it 40%. It says up to 40% right at the top of the page.
So excited about Good Influence(r), just joined yesterday and already enjoying reading all of the questions and answers in the Mastermind Facebook group. I remember wishing I could join last year, but I just wasn’t ready yet and this year the timing couldn’t have been more perfect- can’t wait to dive into the courses over the weekend too!