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![Curbs, sidewalks, and cul-de-sacs - the holy trinity and my happy place.]()
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2025-09-06 05:17:24
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Curbs, sidewalks, and cul..
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![A little glimpse into a side of my home I rarely share on social media - slightly messy and filled with people.
About twice a month, I set our dining table with fresh flowers and my favorite villeroybochusa dinnerware, invite family, friends, clients, and/or neighbors, and enjoy a fabulous evening together.
Last week I had the pleasure of hosting a dinner party with monogramappliances for some of New Jersey’s most talented interior designers, builders, and architects. To allow myself to be fully present, we welcomed a private chef (chefdan1 and his incredible team) who prepared and served an unforgettable menu. If you’ve never invited a chef into your home for a gathering, I can’t recommend it enough - it’s the best way to create space for connection, conversation, and celebration around the table.
Dinner parties always remind me why these slightly imperfect, joy-filled evenings are my favorite version of home - the kind where design sets the stage, but the energy of the gathering brings it to life.
#MonogramPartner #entertaining #dinnerparty]()
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2025-08-23 05:13:18
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A little glimpse ..
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![Shower curtain or glass doors when designing a bathroom with a bathtub? For me, it’s shower curtains every time. Glass doors work beautifully in showers, but I don’t love the look or functionality of glass doors installed over bathtubs. Also, curtains introduce a layer of softness that most bathrooms crave. With all the stone, tile, and metals, bathrooms can often feel cold - so weaving in texture and movement wherever possible makes the room feel warmer, calmer, and beautifully balanced.
Interior design: yours truly
Architecture: planarchitecture
Photography: torisikkemaphotography
Faucet and hardware: brizofaucet
Tile nascostonetile
Paint: Snowbound by sherwinwilliams
Trim and moldings: novobp
(brand partners)]()
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2025-08-16 19:24:18
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Shower curtain or gla..
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![A closer look at this beautiful renovation in Bergen County, New Jersey, designed for a wonderful client who trusted me to bring their bold, moody, and glamorous vision to life.
I’m designing the entire residence and can’t wait to share more rooms from this project with the most breathtaking views of New York City and the Hudson River.]()
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2025-08-06 05:01:10
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A closer look at this..
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![How big should a shower be? Ours is 60x42” - a size that has always felt just right. Spacious enough to move comfortably, cozy enough to feel intentional. But after sharing it online, I noticed people calling it small. Funny how something can feel perfectly right until the internet tells you otherwise.
Social media has a way of subtly rewriting our expectations of space, luxury, and even satisfaction. But design isn’t about chasing the biggest or best, it’s about creating spaces that suit you. This shower does exactly that for us.
Marble: Calacatta Chablis Gold from nascostonetile
Floating bench: Organic White by caesarstoneus
Faucets: Levoir by brizofaucet
Shower doors: dreamlineshower
Moldings: novobp
Interior design: yours truly
Photography: torisikkemaphotography
(brand partners)]()
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2025-07-19 19:23:19
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![I always say that styling is one of the most important and transformative parts of the design process. It’s the final layer that seamlessly ties a space together, infusing it with warmth, character, and intention. While a thoughtfully designed layout and beautiful finishes set the foundation, it’s the artful curation of accessories, textiles, and artwork that breathes life into a room. Without these carefully selected details, even the most beautifully designed spaces can feel unfinished or lack soul. Styling is where the story unfolds, where a house becomes a home, and where the essence of those who live there truly comes to life.
brand partners:
Countertops: Organic White by caesarstoneus
Lighting: hinkleylighting
Shower doors: dreamlineshower
Faucets: Levoir by brizofaucet
Bathtub and sinks: wetstyle
Marble: Calacatta Chablis Gold from nascostonetile
Window shade: blindstogo
Moldings: novobp
Door hardware: emtek_products
Faux flowers: elevengardens
Interior design: yours truly
Architect: planarchitecture
Photography: torisikkemaphotography]()
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2025-06-28 19:52:28
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I always say that sty..
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![I finally had a chance to style and photograph our laundry room. Like every space in our home, it was carefully planned, and I spent more time than I care to admit obsessing over every millwork detail, lighting choice, storage solution, paint color, wallpaper, and - most importantly - functionality and how we’d actually use the space.
During the planning phase, I really wanted to include a sink and a large open countertop for folding. Now that we’ve lived with this laundry room for about two years, I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out (it’s the nicest laundry room I’ve ever had). That said, we rarely use the sink, and I still prefer folding laundry on our bed instead of the countertop.
I always share these insights in hopes that my experiences (and your feedback) might help others design more thoughtful spaces for their own homes. So now I’m very curious: do you use your laundry sink? Do you think it’s worth running additional plumbing and installing a sink in the laundry room? And do you fold laundry in the laundry room, or somewhere else?
Washer & dryer: geappliances
Faucet: Litze by brizofaucet
Countertop: Organic White by caesarstoneus
Wallpaper: york_wallcoverings
Floor: Lugano by duchateauofficial
Cabinet/door hardware: emtek_products
Moldings: novobp
Paint color: Natural Choice by sherwinwilliams
Interior design: yours truly
Architecture: planarchitecture
Photography: torisikkemaphotography
(brand partners)]()
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2025-06-13 05:47:07
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I finally h..
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![It’s been a while since I’ve shared anything on here. After an incredibly busy decade, I took some time off from social media to focus on my clients, my well-being, and life offline - without feeling the pressure to document it all.
I haven’t shared this on here before, but a little over a year ago, my father passed away suddenly from a heart attack at just 57 years old. It was completely unexpected (no known health issues) and it left me in a state of shock. I know many of you noticed a shift in my presence this past year, and I want you to know how much I appreciate your concern and patience.
In the beginning, I couldn’t find the words to talk about it - it was all too disorienting to articulate. But as time passed, I began to understand how deeply this loss reshaped me - not just through grief, but in the way I view time, work, priorities, and what it means to be truly present.
For most of my professional life, I’ve said yes to too many opportunities - at first, out of necessity. I come from very humble beginnings, and my early drive, including my first career in finance, was fueled by a deep desire to change my circumstances and build a better life for myself and my family. Later, as I found success doing what I love, the opportunities kept growing, and saying no became harder. The projects got bigger, the stakes higher, and I felt immense gratitude to be trusted with such important work. But with that came a relentless pace. I was constantly working, often beyond my limits. Deadlines, travel, events, launches, installations… all incredible experiences, but ones that gradually pulled me away from my family and my ability to be fully present.
I hadn’t seen my dad in nearly three months before he passed. Finding time together always felt like a challenge - something that could wait. It’s a regret I’ll carry, and one I’ll never allow to repeat with the people I love.
This past year has looked different for me in many ways, but I’m doing well. After a few months away from the internet, I’m feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to share all the things I’ve been quietly working on behind the scenes. Thank you for sticking around - I’ve missed you.]()
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2025-06-06 05:48:45
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![Here’s how much we paid for heat this winter ... Last summer, I shared our cooling bills, and many of you asked me to do the same for our heating costs, so here are all the details. For context, our house is 4400 sf, custom built 2 years ago, and located in New Jersey.
Our highest gas bill this winter was $161 - significantly lower than what most New Jersey homeowners with similar-sized homes paid for heating in January. The reason our heating and cooling bills are this low is because of a few different factors:
First, we built our home with an encapsulated attic, meaning we insulated the roof rafters instead of the attic floor. This is one of the biggest contributors to our energy efficiency.
Second, we used huberwood ZipSystem R-sheathing, which comes with built-in insulation that reduces thermal bridging and prevents air leaks as every seam gets sealed with their special tape.
Third, we installed properly sized trane ‘s most efficient variable-speed air conditioners and furnaces. Because they can operate at lower speeds, they consume significantly less energy.
We used rockwoolna insulation in all exterior walls because of its thermal performance, fire resistance, and sound absorption.
Beyond that, we were intentional about not placing any plumbing, HVAC, or recessed cabinets in the exterior walls to avoid reducing insulation.
We also opted for a hearthcabinet ventless fireplace powered by alcohol gel cartridges to avoid creating an opening in our house’s thermal envelope.
And of course, we installed doors and windows filled with argon gas to maximize insulation and reduce heat loss.
Yes, many of these energy-efficient choices increased our construction costs, but with today’s insanely high energy prices, you recoup the initial investment fairly quickly - especially when your savings could be as high as $1000 per month.
I’d love it if you also shared your highest gas bill from this winter and the size of your home in the comments, as it would be very helpful for all of us to compare our heating costs. #brandpartners]()
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2025-03-08 20:21:11
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Here’s how much..
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![We’re still waiting on one larger piece of furniture for the center of this room. Would you complete this room with a sofa or a desk? Curious to read your responses because it took me a while to decide.
All furniture in this room is from hookerfurnishings #HFpartner]()
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2025-01-11 20:55:14
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We’re still waiting on ..
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![Home office update: 50 shades of brown and I’m loving it! Feel free to use my discount code RUMSON10 to save an additional 10% on top of all sales at blindstogo #BlindsToGoPartner]()
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2025-01-04 20:53:57
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Home office update: 50 ..
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![Life has been busier than ever lately, I feel like I’ve been behind on filming new content this month. Yesterday, however, I felt like spending the day with my camera and tripod while getting ready for a holiday dinner party that I’ll be hosting this evening.
I’ve always loved starting the New Year with something new - whether it’s crisp new bedding, cozy towels, or an updated wardrobe. This year, however, my focus turned to dinnerware after I came across the brand-new Afina collection by villeroybochusa (VBpartner). Crafted from premium, chip-resistant porcelain and designed to be microwave and dishwasher-safe, it strikes the perfect balance of beauty and practicality. I was convinced it belonged on my dinner table, so here we are.
Wishing you all a New Year filled with happiness, good health, and abundant beauty. Here’s to a fabulous 2025!]()
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2024-12-28 20:42:37
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Life has been b..
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![I’ve been seeing a lot of questions about our synchronized pocket doors and hardware, so here’s a closer look.
If you’re considering this setup for your home instead of traditional French doors - I highly recommend it. Yes, pocket doors require extra planning before framing (or reframing a wall in existing homes), but they are 100% worth it.
Pro tip: When it comes to single or double pocket doors, the frame is the most important part. Always install heavy-duty steel pocket door frames to ensure the entire system feels solid and glides smoothly, rather than feeling unstable, wobbly, or flimsy.
Hardware: emtek_products
Door slabs: masonitedoors
Pocket door frame: 3500-SYNCHRO series soft close synchronized frame from hdpocketdoors
(brand partners)]()
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2024-12-14 20:39:43
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I’ve been seeing a ..
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![I just read a comment that said my house needs more color - it inspired me to reshare this moody bathroom that was finished last year.
When you design a white bathroom - they say it’s too bland, when you design a moody bathroom - they say it’s too much. I say always do whatever your heart desires 🙃
Shower doors: Enigma Air by dreamlineshower
Faucets: Invari by brizofaucet in Polished Gold
Tile: Flatiron collection by nascostonetile in color Avio
Moldings: novobp
Vanity: Addison 30” from buildwithferguson
Paint: Urethane Trim Enamel in color Rocky River (Gloss finish) by sherwinwilliams
Faux flowers: Winter Roses in color Mauve from elevengardens
Vanity light: Belden Place by hinkleylighting]()
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2024-12-08 20:42:14
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I just read a co..
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![More and more people who are building new custom homes are choosing to forgo formal dining rooms - that will never be me. Having a dedicated room where family and friends can gather around the table, sharing meals, stories, and laughter, is the best use of square footage in my books. I wish you all a beautiful Thanksgiving week. Cherish those closest to you, embrace the joy of togetherness, and remember that love and gratitude are at the heart of it all.
Furniture: hookerfurnishings
Dinnerware: villeroybochusa
Drapery: Wool Spun Natural fabric with Tailored Pleats by blindstogo
Sconces: Holtsville by hudsonvalleylighting
Chandelier: Leo Pendant by troylighting
Faux flowers: Zara Ranunculus arrangement from elevengardens
Floors: pre-finished engineered wood by duchateauofficial in color Lugano
Wall paneling: OML43 moldings from ornamentalmoulding
Architect: planarchitecture
Photography: torisikkemaphotography]()
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2024-11-23 20:40:02
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More and more people who ..
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![Dream kitchen vibes. As someone who sells luxury real estate all over New Jersey, designs and builds homes, and moves every few years (because I enjoy experiencing living in different homes and neighborhoods), I’ve shared countless insights into my vision of an ideal property. This backyard and view truly capture my idea of paradise.
I recently designed this kitchen for one of my real estate clients who purchased a brand-new home in Monmouth County, and these breathtaking views of trees and rolling farmland had me seriously thinking about buying a farm and building our forever home. I’ve never lived in any one home for more than five years or owned more than two acres of land, but I feel an undeniable pull toward a life surrounded by expansive land, trees, nature, and animals.
I have no major news to share just yet (I’m still deeply connected to our current home), but friends, I can absolutely envision us building our forever home in the not-too-distant future.
Interior design: yours truly
Cabinetry: crincolikitchens
Faucet and pot filler: Perrin & Rowe Armstrong by houseofrohl
Cabinet hardware: Northport Collection by schaubhardware
Island pendants: Stanleigh by curreyco
Countertops: imperial_marble_ny_nj
Sink: Shaws by houseofrohl]()
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2024-11-09 20:37:23
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Dream kitchen vibes..
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![As promised, here’s the final reveal of a client’s kitchen I’ve been sharing in previous videos. We opted to preserve the natural brick, leaving it unpainted, and now I can’t even imagine this kitchen with any other backsplash.
Interior design: yours truly
Cabinetry: crincolikitchens
Countertops: imperial_marble_ny_nj
Faucet and pot filler: Perrin & Rowe Armstrong by houseofrohl
Cabinet hardware: Northport Collection by schaubhardware
Faux flowers: elevengardens
Island pendants: Stanleigh by curreyco
Sink: Shaws by houseofrohl
Picture light: Pratt by hinkleylighting
(brand partners)]()
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2024-11-02 19:52:32
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As promised, here..
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![You’ve been asking about our fireplace, so here are all the details: it’s called hearthcabinet , and it doesn’t require gas, electricity, or wood but uses alcohol gel fuel cartridges that produce real fire. It has the high-end look of a wood-burning fireplace but requires no ventilation and can be installed virtually anywhere.
We chose this fireplace because we couldn’t build a chimney that would go all the way up to the roof because we have a window on the second floor above our fireplace, and we didn’t want to use a direct-vent fireplace because they’re extremely inefficient (energy efficiency was very important to us)
After nearly two years of use, we’re very happy with our choice. It looks just like a traditional wood-burning fireplace and is very easy to operate - I highly recommend it. (HearthCabinet partner)]()
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2024-10-26 19:38:03
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You’ve been..
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![Start to finish in 60 seconds - if only real-life construction were this easy.
Design: yours truly
Chair and ottoman: hookerfurnishings
Hardware: Modern Rectangular Flush Pulls by emtek_products
Faux flowers: elevengardens
Picture lights: Stokes by hinkleylighting
Paint color: Smokehouse by sherwinwilliams
Floor: engineered wood by duchateauofficial in finish Lugano
Crown and base molding: novobp
(brand partners)]()
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2024-10-19 19:43:38
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Start to finish in 60 sec..
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![This year, I started holding off on sharing unfinished rooms because, despite my best efforts to clarify that I like to share my projects in all stages of construction, I often received comments pointing out the obvious and saying that they look unfinished. This week, after seeing many requests for an update on our primary bathroom, I’ve decided to go ahead and share everything I filmed over the last few months, and show the space in all its work-in-progress glory. It just doesn’t feel right to skip all these fun, pretty little milestones of construction that I love so much and have been sharing with you for over a decade. When it comes to design and home building, I enjoy the journey more than the destination, so I don’t think I can be someone who only shares pictures and videos of 100% finished spaces.
We’re still waiting for the shower doors, and the room still needs to be styled and organized with art, towels, window coverings, and accessories. I promise it will all come together beautifully, creating a vibrant and cohesive space, but unfortunately, there are only 24 hours in a day, and I always prioritize my client’s homes before my own, so it’s going to take a little longer.
Cabinetry: custom
Faucets and hardware: Levoir by brizofaucet
Sconces: Cosette by hinkleylighting
Countertops: Organic White quartz by caesarstoneus
Sinks and bathtub: Ove by wetstyle
Marble tile: Chablis Gold honed by nascostonetile
Crown molding: novobp
(brand partners)]()
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2024-10-12 19:49:32
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This year, I ..
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![Still waiting for a few furniture pieces, but I couldn’t wait to style our newly finished built-ins.
One of my neighbors stopped by our house last night after I finished working on this room. She was the first to see the built-ins completed and styled, and as we were discussing the space, she asked me a very simple question that I couldn’t answer: “What’s your favorite piece or element in this room?” Later at night, as I reflected on her question, I realized that I don’t have a single favorite element in any room in our home. What captivates me about design is the alchemy that happens when materials and carefully chosen pieces come together. It’s through thoughtful planning and layering that something truly special emerges - a cohesive, inviting space where no one element outshines the others, but all contribute to a harmonious whole.
While I couldn’t give her an answer, she shared what she loved most about this room: the art and flowers. That got me thinking - how do most people experience a space? Does your eye immediately gravitate toward one specific feature (if so, what caught your eye first in this space?), or do you take in the room as a whole?
Chair and ottoman: hookerfurnishings
Hardware: Modern Rectangular Flush Pulls by emtek_products
Faux flowers: elevengardens
Picture lights: Stokes by hinkleylighting
Paint color: Smokehouse by sherwinwilliams
Floor: engineered wood by duchateauofficial in finish Lugano
Crown and base molding: novobp
(brand partners)]()
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2024-10-05 19:39:39
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Still wai..
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![Here’s how much we paid for air conditioning this summer … For context, our new house is 4400 sf, custom built 2 years ago, and located in New Jersey, where this summer was one of the hottest summers on record.
If you’ve been following our construction process, you’ve seen me being extremely particular about every detail because I wanted to build an emergency-efficient home - here’s the result of all those efforts:
Our highest electric bill this summer was $243 for July. Achieving this level of efficiency wasn’t due to any one feature or product but because of a combination of different techniques, products, and materials. I would highlight the following 4 features as most important:
1• Construction of an encapsulated attic, which means insulating roof rafters rather than the attic floor - this method completely sealed our attic from the outdoor air and included it in the thermal envelope of the home.
2• We used huberwood ZipSystem R sheathing which features built-in insulation and seals every seam with their special weatherproof tape. This system enhances energy efficiency and gives us full control over the air quality inside our home by reducing air leaks.
3• We installed Perma Lock aluminumshingle on the roof. Aluminum reflects heat, saving up to 30% on cooling costs, and unlike other roofing materials, these shingles have a lifetime warranty.
4• We installed the most efficient and advanced SEER 19 variable-speed air conditioners and furnaces by trane Because they can operate at lower speeds, they consume significantly less power.
I’d love it if you also shared your July electricity bill and the size of your home in the comments, as it would be helpful for all of us to compare our cooling costs. (brand partners)]()
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2024-09-28 19:33:25
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Her..
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![Swipe left. I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned how much I adore having a round table in the center of our foyer. While I’ve come across comments suggesting that this setup is impractical - claiming no one wants to walk straight into a table upon entering - I couldn’t disagree more. In fact, I often choose to park in the driveway and walk to the front door, bypassing the quicker route through the garage, just to enjoy the experience of entering the foyer and being greeted by this lovely table and its ever changing decor. For what it’s worth, I wholeheartedly recommend this setup.
Round table: Luna from the Hickory White line by sherrillfurniturebrands
Faux flowers and branches: elevengardens
Front door: masonitedoors
Door hardware: emtek_products]()
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2024-09-21 19:11:33
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Swipe left. I d..
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![Home office update: We stained the worktop black and installed 30” wide accent lights with a brass finish that beautifully complements the brown color I chose for the built-ins. The next step is to install cabinet hardware (I already ordered a few different samples), and then these shelves and cabinets will be ready for styling, storage, and organization. As always, I’ll keep you posted on all new developments.
Lights: Stokes Large Adjustable Accent Lights in Heritage Brass by hinkleylighting #HinkleyPartner]()
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2024-09-13 06:03:18
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Home office update: W..
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![Primary Bathroom progress: part one. As always, keep in mind that the space is not finished yet. The overall design will make sense when the bathroom is finished and styled. For now, Sophie and I are way too excited about our new warm floor!
We’re still waiting for the semi-custom shower doors to be delivered, so we haven’t been using this bathroom as our main bathroom. I’ve never had a bathroom with heated floors before, but I have a feeling I’m going to love it (especially in the winter). Do any of you have heated floors in your bathroom? How do you like it? and do you use the feature year-round or only during colder months?
Floor warming system: DITRA-HEAT-DUO
Shower waterproofing: KERDI-BOARD
both from schlutersystemsna #SchluterPartner]()
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2024-09-06 06:11:19
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Primary Bathroom ..
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On average, Kate Rumson gets 6.6K likes and 302 comments per post. (Historical)
