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I’ve always loved older houses more than new hou

I’ve always loved older houses more than new houses. There’s just something about the character and energy that you just can’t replicate. We live in an old house that had lost a lot of its charm and much of my efforts have been to bring it back to feeling like an older house.

Money was tight when I did our primary bedroom so instead of adding a tall wainscoting, we just added a chair rail and painted the wall below. *A fun trick for any of you wanting for the look without the cost.* The console is actually an old @centuryfurniture piece that I found on Facebook marketplace for $100 and the art was some thing that, at the time, was a splurge, but I had to have.

We were taking the trolley back to the airport on a trip to New Orleans and decided we had enough time to hop off and explore an outdoor art fair. The first booth was Sarah Burnett’s and I saw this piece. I didn’t want to make a knee-jerk reaction to purchasing it so we decided to walk around the rest of the fair first. Sometimes, for me, that’s the best way to know if it’s the right purchase. I need to walk away from it for a while. When we got to the other end I got this sinking feeling in my stomach that it was possible that someone else had potentially already purchased it while I was meandering. I knew I had to have it. So I ran back and it was still there. This vignette would be nothing without that beautiful piece.

#nola #portraitpainting #oldhouse #vintagestyle #bungalow #sfinteriors #artlover #vintagefurniture #simpleliving #cottageandbungalows #charminginteriors

I love a house that encourages interaction with th

I love a house that encourages interaction with the environment around it 🛶

📷 @carlaypage

#boathouse #peir #oldhouse #architecture #aframe #cabin #cabinlife #naturalliving #environment #onthewater #peacefulhome #slowliving

I never used to have flowers in the house because

I never used to have flowers in the house because I felt like it was a waste of money and energy since they don’t last very long. But I’ve come to a point my life where I actually really value having them whether they are picked from the yard, the side of the road, from the flower shop or grocery store. I’d like to say it’s because they bring so much life and color to the space, which may be true, but I actually think it’s because it makes me feel like an adult who has their life together. 😆 Whether it’s true or not is irrelevant 😉

📷 @carlaypage

#cottagecore #bungalowstyle #bohodecor #mycorneroftheworld #cozyhome #coffeetabledecor #jungalowstyle #oldhouselove #newandold #millvalley

I love this corner of our kitchen which is by our

I love this corner of our kitchen which is by our back door. There was a very narrow space available but instead of just dismissing it, I went ahead and put in 9 inch lower cabinets which is significantly more narrow than a standard 24 inch lower. The decision ended up being a good one because we lack any significant pantry storage so all of our canned goods, pasta, cake mixes, etc. all fit perfectly in that section. And though I don’t like usually having a lot of stuff out on the counter, I do love having the jars out and this is the perfect home for them since it’s away from where we prep and clean. The sconces in the shade just added an additional decorative element that glow in such a lovely way at night. And the marble shelf that protrudes out of the wall above the backsplash is nice for our overflow soap bars (which are beautiful) and my favorite photo of my grandparents. So a little space yet so much function and so much love.

📷 @carlaypage
Construction: Tom Levine

#kitchenstorage #jars #cottagestyle #smallkitchendesign #bluecabinets #smartstorage #cottageandbungalows #homestead #thisoldhouse #kitchendesign

I bought more art 😬 My love of portraits seems

I bought more art 😬 My love of portraits seems to be bottomless…if only my bank account was too! 🤪

#portrait #portraitpainting #artlover

I’ve never been a fan of Black Friday. I underst

I’ve never been a fan of Black Friday. I understand the appeal but frenzied consumerism feels a bit strange after a day of giving thanks. I’m much more inclined to sleep in and give my body extra time to digest before digging into leftovers 🥧 ☕️

📷 @carlaypage
Remodel Construction: Jack and Brett Matthews

#blackfriday #antiblackfriday #sleepingin #roomwithaview #coastalliving #onthebay #rusticinteriors #charminginteriors #cottagesandbungalows #cottagestyle #simpleliving #countryliving

COFFEE TABLE BOOK REVIEW: This is Home by Natalie

COFFEE TABLE BOOK REVIEW: This is Home by Natalie Walton. I love this book and had to share it with you because may make a great gift for yourself or the interior design lover in your life. I try and get into the basics of why this book is so special and important to me and, I think, important to the industry. Note: This is not a paid ad, I really actually do just love this book.

Hopefully you find it as inspiring as I do. 🤎

CORRECTION: her other book is actually called Still not Foraged Home. I picked up the wrong one while doing the video 🤦🏼‍♀️

#designbooks #thisishome #bookreview #designinspo

This before and after requires a little explaining

This before and after requires a little explaining. What was once a little studio that shared a wall with the main house but no interior access, got converted into an primary suite.

The main issue was that the way the closet and bathroom was situated blocked a beautiful garden view outside of one set of the exterior doors. You can see those walls on the before image and they are represented by the dotted lines in the floor plan (last image).

In order to make enough room for all the necessary components of a bathroom while still being able to have a direct line of view out the doors, I rearranged the shower with the shared water closet and the clothes closet. Then I pulled the vanity out completely and placed it where the kitchenette used to be. I then added a wall to give at least some sense of division and this bistro table by the window is there so that the couple can get up and start their day without having to enter the main portion of the house when they’re hosting other people. The images were taken from where the foot of the bed now is. I placed a red arrow showing where the images are taken from on the floor plan to give you a better sense of what changed.

Readjusting these walls and adding this new wall were relatively small and economical changes that made an enormous impact on the look, feel and function of the room.

📷 @carlaypage
🦺 Jack and Brett Matthews

This is a before and after you cannot miss. This

This is a before and after you cannot miss.

This bathroom is actually my primary bathroom. The you vanity is a dresser that was converted and yes, we chose to go down to one sink. There were a couple of practical reasons for doing that. The counter space was a big one. By having one sink, we increased counter space which was one of the most valuable things we needed. We also gained storage space by going down to one sink. My husband and I do get ready at the same time often but the sink is a little bit wider than normal and the faucet swivels so we have no problem being there at the same time. It hasn’t been an issue at all. And the type of storage we have is much more functional for us. We find drawers to be easier than the cabinets but the cabinets are handy for storing things like extra towels and toilet paper and anything tall that needs to stand up.

This bathroom had to be made smaller in order to create a dedicated laundry room, which we didn’t have. Our washer and dryer used to be in the kitchen area, which was not great, so we were willing to sacrifice bathroom space in order to have the laundry room and we are so happy we did.

Storage is almost always an issue in older houses and our house is no exception but you don’t always need to gain square footage to solve the problem. Sometimes it’s just about using the space a little smarter.

📷 @carlaypage
🦺 Tom Levine

#dresservanity #bathroombeforeandafter #naturalinteriors #inspiredbyhistory #blendingoldandnew #bathroomdesign #bathroomremodel #iloveoldhouses #primarybathroom #smallbathroomdesign #bedtofinteriors #aplacecalledhome #bathroominspo

I love this view of our kitchen. It’s the first

I love this view of our kitchen. It’s the first thing I see when I leave my bedroom in the morning. It’s the heart of the house & always buzzing with activity.

There are so many things that I love it’s hard to put it into a reasonable amount of words. Functionally, it could not be better for us. The glass uppers aren’t staged. What you see is how we keep it. Being able to see everything helps us from accumulating more than we need. The open shelf is also a functional choice. It houses our every day dishes and bowls, salt & pepper, timer and my favorite measuring cup. Having easy access to these things makes daily life more seamless.

The induction stove was a game changer. Partially because I am known for accidentally leaving the stove on, which is not good with gas, & because we don’t actually have a lot of counter space so we often use the flat surface for prepping.

Stylistically I wanted something that couldn’t quite get pinned down to any one era. We wanted all the modern amenities but in a way that wasn’t overly forced into our 1930s home. The charm of an old home was lacking from the start so we tried to bring it back with some subtle elements like the paneling, the corbels flanking the hood, the classic marble counters & historical-inspired art. The butcher block island, which happens to be as old as the house, also helped. Although it almost killed me when my husband and I had to carry it up a flight of stairs (it weighs like 300 pounds) & towards the top I felt my fingers lose grip. Thank God for adrenaline or I might not be here to post this.

Since some of the best content on the Internet is before & after, I had to include the before of this one. I have a soft spot for the before image since this is the first house we have owned & where we brought our newborn baby home two weeks after moving in. But temperamentally I’m not one for nostalgia so that’s enough of that.

The after image has already started to accumulate its fair share of memories. Lots of making cookies, bread & school lunches. We plan to stay in this home for a long time & I am so incredibly grateful to call this little corner if the earth home. 🖤

📷 @carlaypage
🦺 Tom Levine

Can you find the tv? I’m guessing the answer is

Can you find the tv? I’m guessing the answer is yes but isn’t it nice that it’s not the first thing you notice? 💁🏼‍♀️

📷 @carlaypage

#gallerywall #blackandwhitephoto #brooklyninteriors #rentalinteriors #potterybarn #fromhousetohome #bohostyle

The simple life is a good life. A lesson I find my

The simple life is a good life. A lesson I find myself needing to re-learn every few years. 🖤

📷: @carlaypage
Remodel construction: jack and Brett matthews

#thesimplelife #simplicity #oldandnew #mycozyhome #coastalliving #jungalowstyle #jungalowhome #rusticinteriors #cottagesandbungalows

The second we walked into this house, I knew it wa

The second we walked into this house, I knew it was where we were meant to live. I took a few years to get it to the point where it felt like a well-worn shoe, and will likely continue to go through some evolutions and adjustments, but it’s a place we love. It feels like another member of our family and our three year old often talks about it like it is. 😆 It’s the perfect place to be cocooned after a long or stressful day, it’s a place where kids are allowed to jump on the furniture and rearrange things to make room for a train track, it’s a place that’s in constant support of our joy and well-being. It’s home.

📷 @carlaypage

#oldhouse #aplacedcalledhome #jungalowhome #bohohome #naturalhomedecor #peacefulhome #wellloved #millvalleyinteriors #caneback #beforeandafter #beforeandafterinteriors #whitesofa #interiordesfine #vintagestyle #vintageinterior

I included the before image but I’m not sure you

I included the before image but I’m not sure you’ll even believe me.

📷 @carlaypage
Remodel construction: Jack and Brett Matthews

#doubleshower #blackandwhitebathroom #classicinteriors #simpledesign #bohostyle #inverness

One of the best things a designer can do is make a

One of the best things a designer can do is make a space feel easy and effortless. As though the design solutions were obvious or had been there all along. Anyone who has ever done a remodel or built a house from scratch knows that there is nothing effortless about the process. But, when done well, it’s so worth it.

This bathroom had all the bones but the existing tile was distracting and harsh. Softening the color and texture allows you to see the brilliance of the space in a way that is much more inviting. Thank goodness the client was willing to go through the efforts involved with a plaster shower. And, though the floor tile almost didn’t make the cut, it was clearly worth fighting for. 🙌🏻

📷 @carlaypage
Architect: Obie Bowman
Remodel Contractor: @wright.residential

#spalikebathroom #plastershower #naturalmaterials #soothingbathroom #californiainteriors #sfinteriordesign #beforeandafterbathroom #beforeandafterhomeedition

Reaching deep into the archives for this one. This

Reaching deep into the archives for this one. This project didn’t involve any construction, it was mostly just furniture, but I remember looking at these huge white walls and suggesting they be painted a deep dark blue. The client had the painter there the next day. It was so early in my career that I didn’t realize how unusual it was to have someone comfortable jumping in head first, without question, to whatever bold idea I may suggest. It paid off. The room was completely transformed and became a favorite space in the house. If I were a client I’m not sure I could say yes to much without a lot of question and concern but for those of you out there who are so trusting…we designers see you and love you!

📷 @chipperhatter

#beachhouse #navyblue #boldwalls #welcomehome #coastalliving

I’ll be the first to admit I’ve made some mist

I’ll be the first to admit I’ve made some mistakes in my career. Not so much in terms of design, luckily there’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to creativity so happy accidents are totally a thing, but rather growing pains that have required introspection, reinvention and even embarrassment. My over-confidence has spilled over into ego, my hyper-empathy has been overpowered by my more critical nature, I’ve kept people at bay despite my social personality because deep down I find close relationships overwhelming. The line between my personal life and my career has always been blurry and that was my choice. I think to be truly good at this job, and maybe any job, you have to embody it. But in choosing a career/lifestyle in design there is always the struggle to find a balance between spontaneity and control, discipline and freedom, efficiency and attention to detail. But the thing I’ve learned you need more than anything is grace.

The process of a home looks pretty in the end but no one comes out unscathed. There are so many people involved (clients, designer, builder, architect, many subs, vendors x1000) and people are messy. Tensions are high when a lot of money is involved and when something as intimate as a home is on the line. But everyone deserves truth and kindness throughout the process and, when put into practice, those things result in grace.

I have been guilty of being too harsh with a vendor who tells me something is on back order for the third time, with employees who make even minor mistakes, with clients who request changes I disagree with, with builders who make me reselect a tile because they didn’t order it in time and the push-pull relationship between designers and architects is a tale as old as time. But when I find myself raging about the inevitable miriade of headaches and my inability, despite my constant and focused efforts, to prevent chaos, that is when I need to remember that I, too, deserve some grace. It’s not my natural tendency and is in direct conflict with own, well-cemented, internal dialogue but alas…if I can’t scrape up a little grace towards myself, can I really do it for others?

#trialsandtribulationsofdesignlife

Such a lovely article/feature of our Walnut Creek

Such a lovely article/feature of our Walnut Creek project in @homesandgardensuk . Link in bio.

Thank you to @albaworks for placing it. 🙏🏻

📷 @carlaypage

I have always been fascinated by seeing how people

I have always been fascinated by seeing how people live. Historic home tours has always been my activity of choice when traveling. It’s incredibly inspiring. When reworking this boat house (that once functioned as a barber shop many decades ago), I took some inspo from Dylan Thomas’ boat house office. My client’s office/boat house isn’t as worn in yet but I imagine it will be in time 🛶

📷 @carlaypage
📷 @kennyhemphill
Remodel construction: jack and Brett matthews

#boathouse #historichomes #writingdesk #dylanthomas #homeoffice #inspiringspaces #thisoldhouse

A room designed for a child should also be a delig

A room designed for a child should also be a delight to adults.

📷 @carlaypage

#nursery #colorfulinteriors #delightfulinteriors #plaid #kidsroom #kidsroomdecor #whimsy

Everyone prefers a spot by the window. 📷 @car

Everyone prefers a spot by the window.

📷 @carlaypage

#jungalowstyle #woodburningfireplace #coastaldecor #homeonthewater #shiplap #jute #bohostyle #bohodecor

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