DIY

Casual Friday: First Look at the Kitchen Design, Summer School Kick off, Colorful sofas, and more!

July 2, 2021

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

Portfolio

Projects

Design

We're Chris + Julia

read more

What we're                   right now

Loving

browse the 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.

browse all

browse all

browse all

02

01

03

Popular Posts

1.

2.

3.

Top Categories

We shared about our kitchen design meetings with the Stoffer Team earlier this week, even though they were done about 2 weeks ago. But in that short time frame, WE ALREADY GOT BACK THE INITIAL DESIGNS on Wednesday night!!! Chris and I are still reviewing every detail, because they include so so so many things that we never thought of and it’s taking so many hours to get through it because we keep pausing to gush–but I also didn’t want to keep you hanging.

So to close off the week, I’ll share with you the initial design plan for this wall–that was SO TRICKY because it includes multiple depths and a structural post and the stairs running through it. On the far right you can see a slice of the doorway that leads to the entry.

We told the Stoffer team that our dream for this side would include a beverage station, pantry storage and some closed and open storage for serve ware. I even mentioned a kitchen ladder would be my dream dream scenario.

What they came up with blew all of our visions out of the water.

The longer you look at it, the more amazing things you’ll discover (the hidden small appliance storage are you kidding?!). At least that is what we are finding. We can’t wait to share more–the range side is ridiculously good. I’m feeling so excited and grateful and relieved by this whole process more every step of the way. I can envision all of it!

It’s hard to believe we landed here in North Carolina less than a week ago. We landed as a family Saturday evening and have been going hard ever since. We always give our team the first week of July off and we have decided to take that time off as well. We need to rest and regroup and try to get our internal clocks on eastern time and also just take a breath and enjoy down time with our family.

That being said, we already have content planned for next week while we’re gone and a fun theme for all of July that we’d love for you to join us for!

Introducing….CLJ Summer School 2021: How to fall in love with your home in 30 days.

Download the Calendar (to get ready!!!)

I believe that like any relationship, the relationship with your home takes work. We’ve come up with 4 weeks of content that include essential lessons, anecdotes, homework, inspiration and even expert advice on how to change and deepen your feelings toward your home. Or maybe a room or space that you just aren’t loving. Having just moved to a new house, I know that I can’t wait to dive in and do what I need to do to fall in love with this house and this place and I don’t expect it to happen passively. Whether you own or rent, just moved or have lived somewhere a lifetime–I hope we can all benefit from this summer school!

It’s going to be happening all right here and on Instagram (don’t worry, we left Fridays open for hefty home updates, but I’ll be sharing those daily on Instagram after we get back next week, as well!)

other fun things this week

• We’re in the early early stages of our backyard renovation that will likely be happening this fall/winter. This is my favorite inspiration.

Affirmation app organizing is brill.

Charming.

• This is the most beautiful mix of wood and brass and floral and geometrics and throw in contrast trim and a mural!? This is EVERYTHING I LOVE IN ONE PHOTO.

•  Nothing says, “I’m confident in my choices” more than a colorful sofa, imo, and they are popping up everywhere more and more. It’s such an amazing design flex that I’m here for. Here’s a roundup of our favorites at every price point. (Don’t be scared!)


1. Costes Sofa $2999
2. Willoughby Two-Cushion Sofa $1498
3. Crigler Rolled Arm Sofa $1119
4. Camila Velvet Sofa $1299
5. Habitat Sofa $1999
6. Camden Rye Velvet Sofa $1999
7. Rosevale Velvet Tuxedo Arm Sofa $719
8. Kipton Sofa $3599
9. Chamberlin Velvet Sofa $999
10. Goldenrod Belmont Sofa $2798
11. Yoji Sofa $1299
12. Alena Square Arm Slipcovered Sofa $1279
13. Graham Velvet Sofa $1399
14. Fabienne Sofa in Moss $3698
15. Valerie Pied-A-Terre Sofa $2698
16. Gilmour Two-Cushion Sofa $1898
17. Harmony Sofa $1599
18. Pied-A-Terre Sofa $1898
19. Charly Sofa in Rain $1440
20. Fabienne Sofa in Blue $3298
21. Classic Indigo Square Arm Sofa $959
22. Jensen Sleeper Sofa Bed $890
23. McKenzie Sofa $769
24. Chamberlin Velvet Sofa $999
25. Shelter Sofa $1499

 

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and happy week!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What do you think?

  1. Marce says:

    Nugget Ice Maker! The railing for the ladder!! The design is amazing!!! I am so so happy for you guys! Eeeeeek! Cant wait to see it come to life. In the meantime, I am glad the warmer climate is so much healthier for Julia. Enjoy the time off as a family and Happy 4th!
    Cheers,
    Marce

  2. Rosemary Bedosky says:

    So happy you are taking time for yourself and family. Just learning how to get around a new town takes time. I saw you have a Wegmanns Grocery Store. Go see it. They are awesome! Enjoy!!!

  3. Annika says:

    Just caught myself feeling envious of root vegetables. To have such a beautiful home after a humble beginning in the dirt…divine!

  4. Diane says:

    I’m here for the white marble vs soapstone throw down. Looks great!!

  5. erin says:

    STOP. Roll out drawers for root veg?!? I freaking LOVE this idea! I wanted to use a Semihandmade drawer and add screening to the front to make one myself but they didn’t offer a glass-ready version in the size I needed, still trying to figure out how to diy it. If you go with the upper cabinet latches I would recommend to use a thumb latch version which I think open a little easier than the traditional ones shown in the drawing, Armac Martin makes a lovely one.

  6. lauren says:

    I just shared all of the couches with the two women I work with and we spent 10 minutes guessing which couch each of us is. Highly recommend this unexpected use of the graphic. ;)

  7. Sara says:

    Absolutely love the kitchen- who would have thought to include a ladder?! Can’t wait to see more! I’m wondering if you could post a zoomed in photo of the layout on Instagram because when I zoomed in on the little words on the drawers, etc, it was a bit too fuzzy to read. Once again- absolutely love it!

  8. Marshel Ng says:

    Hi Julia! Great Friday post!

    So exciting about the upcoming renovation for your kitchen, thanks for taking us along.

    I am a big fan of the colorful couch trend and was wondering if you would do a round up for colorful love seats or just love seats in general? I live in an apartment currently and am moving to a very small house and have been having the hardest time finding a non basic love seat fits in a space smaller than 65 inches.

  9. Julie S says:

    Great Friday post! I’m excited for the summer school- it seems like such a fun thing to share with us :-). Also, that kitchen challenge turning into a home run thanks to Stoffer!

  10. JL says:

    Julia, how deep would the walk-in pantry be? It looks like it’s only a couple of steps in, so sort of a happy medium between a full walk-in and a pantry wall, yes? Or, would you prefer to have a wall pantry? I know this is just option 1.

all the latest

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

HI! We're Chris + Julia

read more

Load More

Reader Faves

SHop all

What We're                     Right Now

What We're                 Right Now

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. 

Loving

looking for inspiration? 

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 […]

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

Follow Along on Instagram

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

@chrislovesjulia