We’ve been loving our new porch setup with Outer’s 5pc wicker sofa! Most of you have peeped it already in IG stories and wanted to know more, so let me give you my humble opinion after one FULL YEAR of use. (Head to the end of the post for a discount!)

Full disclosure, we also own the bug-shield blanket and the set of matching wicker arm chairs that we keep on our front porch. The all weather wicker is still good as new. No peeling or fading or coming apart. The aluminum frame is honestly very impressive. The cushions are touted as waterproof and stain – with 4 kids under 8, I can confirm that they are in fact all of that.

Now, let’s review my Top 5 favorite things that set it apart from everything else on the market:

1. Outer has an “outer shell®” that quickly rolls out and over the cushions to protect from everyday dirt, debris and rain. I just wish I was better about using it! Luckily we’ve been keeping it in our covered screened porch and it’s handled everything from pollen season, heavy summer thunderstorms, and gloomy winter weather. NOT a single sign of mildew, fading, or staining. It’s definitely proven to be longer lasting than average outdoor pieces. Which leads me to….

2. It’s built to last in ANY environment. I’ve had so many “outdoor” furniture pieces from big name companies that looked worn and tattered by summer’s end. This southern sun is no joke and so far our Outer furniture has really lived up to it’s claims.

3. Not only that, but it comes with a 10-yr warranty on the frame and 5-yr on the wicker. They stand by their products, which says a lot about the kind of company they are!

4. Did I mention the sustainability factor? They’re made of 30% recycled materials AND 100% recyclable at the end of its lifespan.

5. They have a risk-free at home trial. You don’t love it? THEY TAKE IT BACK. Even if you’ve used it.
And because it’s worth mentioning, here’s a bonus tip: the design, innovation, and premium materials all make for a really comfortable setup, so it’s truly worth every penny. They’re higher in price than your typical “big box” stores, but you’re also getting a PREMIUM product. Outer will easily last a lifetime!

But before you take the plunge, be sure to use my code ADIBETZ300 (<- click this link) to save $300 on your purchase. You can also look for a neighborhood showroom near you to see it in person before purchasing. They really do make it a no brainer for you!

The back story on Outer is also worth reading so I’ll go ahead and share that HERE.

When we moved in to our new home at the beginning of 2021, I vowed to be intentional. Intentional about the items and decor and anything else I add to our home. I’m a bit of an impatient person ( very impatient if you ask my husband ) and I tend to rush to get things done. Looking back at our last two homes when I rushed I would always go back and have regrets, so this time I want to take my time and really love the space we’re in. Now as we’re settling in on a year and a half, I’ve been able to add a few small gallery walls with custom frames from Art To Frames and I’m absolutely LOVING how they’ve elevated this space.

GALLERY IN THE STAIRWELL

GALLERY IN THE DINING ROOM

Link to dining room frames

Art To Frames ships out each frame ready to hang. They have high quality hooks on each of the prints. I love that each frame has a Handmade Frame sticker on them. Art To Frames attention to detail is clear with each frame they produce! All Art To Frames frames are handmade in the United States. They are based out of Brooklyn New York. If you’re looking for a beautiful custom frame then you need to check out Art To Frames. Their selection is unbeatable and they have amazing prices! Plus as a bonus if you use code: LITTLEADI you can get 10% off site-wide until Wednesday 3/9.

I know most of us never had virtual learning in our minds when we started to plan for a family. If I can speak for myself here, I was really thrown through a loop when we were expected to be both the parents and the teachers back in 2020. I was NOT prepared for that! One of the biggest challenges of that year was learning to adapt to distance learning with a then Kindergartener and Pre-K’er. For over 6 months, our boys were at home with us doing virtual schooling amidst the pandemic. The initial transition was a tough one, but I will say that I experienced first-hand the resiliency and flexibility we all had and part of me loved being able to see them learn together from home. That experience definitely gave us a lot of extra time together and I can definitely see why some families would choose to do schooling from home, especially in uneasy times like these. They also adapted to modern technology like little pros! I was so impressed.

Now, with the new school year beginning and so much uncertainty looming, many parents have been contemplating continuing their child’s education from home in order to keep consistency. Many school districts have no virtual learning programs in place in the event of another shutdown, which has led some families to feel confused about whether they should be homeschooling instead. Whether you are considering online learning because your family likes the freedom that it provides, or if your child’s needs or diverse schedules (sports, your family travels often, or you just need more flexibility in your days, etc.), there are other options out there for you! For those that are interested in distance learning for their child, Connections Academy is a great option.

What is Connections Academy?

Connections Academy schools are tuition-free, online public schools for students in grades K-12. Classes are taught from home by caring and talented teachers who are certified in their grade levels and subject areas. Every teacher has at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have a master’s or other advanced degree. With 47 schools across 30 states and over 100,000 students enrolled, Connections Academy provides a comprehensive curriculum and individualized support needed for successful virtual learning. Their teachers will guide your child’s education while keeping what you want, as a parent, in mind. One of the major things that I love about Connections Academy is that parents are not the teachers!

What are some of the benefits of choosing Connections Academy for online learning?

Connections Academy offers powerful online tools, like the learning portal, which helps parents, teachers and students stay connected and track shared goals. Their online model gives the flexibility to tailor individual learning plans to each student’s needs and strengths, allowing them to learn how they learn best. Students who graduated from Connections Academy say that full-time virtual school helped them become independent learners and skilled at time management, both of which are valuable in today’s workforce that is ever dependent on technology.

Connections Academy students can learn anywhere they have an internet connection. All required books and other materials are free. You only need to buy regular school supplies like pencils and notebooks. There are occasional optional field trips, but they are voluntary.

What kinds of curriculum do they offer?

Connections Academy recognizes that as students evolve, so will their needs. One of the main benefits of the virtual learning model is its adaptability and flexibility. Regular check-ins between teachers, students, and Learning Coaches means they will be able to adjust the student’s learning plan to keep them growing. While there are lots of opportunities for individualized learning, Connections Academy also offers opportunities for students to interact with each other and teachers through Live Lesson classrooms. Connections Academy is also accredited by Cognia, formerly AdvancED. Math, science, English and social studies are the core of the curriculum. For older students, there are plenty of options through Advanced Placement courses to earn college credits.

How will I know if online learning is right for my family?

A flexible schedule is one of the most common reasons that families consider online schools. Teachers and counselors at Connections Academy work closely with students and their families to create a flexible schedule that optimizes your child’s learning. Connections Academy allows students to take breaks as necessary and to complete assignments when it suits them best. With these options, they can learn at their own pace.

If you have any questions at all about Connections Academy, please leave them below and myself or someone from Connections Academy will do their best to answer them for you!

Thanks to Universal Furniture for partnering on this post! As always all opinions are my own.

I’m so excited to finally share with you our bedroom reveal on the blog!! I’ve been waiting to share all of the details, since I’ve been adding and removing things to get it just right since we moved in 6 months ago. If you’ve been following along with the planning and building process over on Instagram, you know that this room was one of the first done both in the planning stages and when we moved in January 2021.

I definitely knew right from the get-go that I wanted a light & bright room with all whites and neutrals. I’m completely in love with the aesthetic of the Surfrider Hotel in Malibu, so I had big plans to make our new room have the same vibes, that way it always felt like we were always on vacation. We spend so much time running around with the demands of life, our bedroom should be a place where we retreat and can find respite.

As you all know, we live in a traditionally coastal town (I see you, Charleston!), but I’m not necessarily into that classic beach decor. I’m more of a cross between Pure Salt Interiors meets Amber Interiors or Studio McGee meets Becki Owens. Also a big fan of the newcomers, Morris and James interiors – gah! be sure to check them out.

via Pinterest

Last summer, I created design boards for each room of the new house and for our bedroom these were the top 3 images that I consistently looked to when choosing the furniture pieces and layout for this space. The bed was clearly a no brainer. I wanted a king canopy in a natural white washed wood with an upholstered back. You would think it would be fairly easy finding something as beautiful as that, but I searched high & low before I found it at a well known furniture store in Florida that carried exactly what I was looking for at a reasonable price. Most of what I was seeing were THOUSANDS of dollars. (Think above 3k.) Ours was under $1500 including the freight shipping. I really took a chance on it, since there was no way to see it in person (the closest showroom was over 6 hours away), but for the price and my extensive research, it seemed like I won the lottery on this one. This same exact bed retails occasionally on Joss and Main for well over $3000 and is always sold out. As you can imagine, at this point I’m pretty convinced that this bed found me!

side note: I also picked up our outdoor cement dining table from the same store for $500, but we’ll save the details on that for another day when we do the outdoor space reveal.

This Gala mirror from McGee & Co. is a complete show-stopper! I’ve never paid this much for a mirror, but our last one we owned for over 8 years and I think we got it from Ikea. We passed it down to a good friend, so I still get to see it occasionally. It also taught me something important and that’s a good floor mirror will last, so in a way, it’s definitely worth finding one you love. It can make such a huge statement and you can work it into your room design as if it’s another piece of furniture. Mirrors in general do wonders for bouncing light around the space and help to make your space feel brighter and larger.

Loloi Rugs sponsored this rug and I thought it brought the perfect texture to the space. This is from their collaborative line with Justina Blakeney from the Jungalow. It is kind of hard to track down right now, but thankfully I was able find it for you here on Bellacor. The pictures really don’t do it justice since it’s so pretty in person and it has a bit of the neutral sandy tones that run throughout.

Let’s pause for a minute. You guysss, I’ve never had bed-side tables that were this grown up!! Our nightstands are part of the Miranda Kerr Love.Joy.Bliss. collection from Universal Furniture. This entire collection is so chic and sophisticated and BEAUTIFUL. Each piece is of pristine quality and are solid heirlooms. I fell in love with the Chelsea Nightstand’s beautiful Alabaster finish, stylish soft gold hardware, and the pull-out shelf that allows for additional surface area. The color reads a little more grey in the photos, but I would say it’s more of a cooler white tone with a wood grain that peeps through in some spots. The table lamps were from West Elm, but are no longer on their site. I really thought I’d love them more than I do, so I linked some other great options below.

Our bedding is a mix of Luxhome – we love their bamboo sheets and weighted blanket! – and our linen duvet from Anthropologie. Unfortunately, neither can be linked. The printed shams and fringe blanket at the end of the bed are both Serena and Lily that we reused from our old setup. I’m on the hunt for some amazing printed throw pillows to bring a little bit of pop to the all white bedding, but I haven’t come across anything I really love yet. I guess this will do for now!

Our sitting area is another low-key proud moment for me. The curved upholstered swivel chairs were $250 each during Black Friday. The price has since gone up, but I still think they’re still budget-friendly for what they are. The quality of these chairs blew me away for the cost! They could absolutely be mistaken for $1000 chairs in the right boutique shop. The fabric is a textured chenille in the most gorgeous ivory color and I purchased two matching embroidered lumbar pillows from the Target Hearth & Hand line while they were on clearance last fall. I think my absolute favorite item in this little nook is the arched rattan floor lamp. It brings me so much joy with the design and function it adds to this otherwise lost corner. I also layered a faux sheepskin from Costco and a small Studio McGee for Threshold end table to round out the space.

The dresser, like the nightstands, is also from the Miranda Kerr Love.Joy.Bliss. collection from Universal Furniture (like our nightstands). What I love about this collection is how it incorporates subtle, feminine finishing touches into clean, modern silhouettes. I’m obsessed with the Chelsea Dresser’s subtle curvature (drool worthy!), Alabaster finish, and modern hexagonal soft gold hardware. Just look at how pretty she is, y’all! I still haven’t stopped staring at this exact spot since January. Can you blame me?! I recycled the smaller Minted art from our previous master bath and did a little DIY framing project with the abstract piece. The art print is another one from Minted, but they didn’t offer a frame that I thought would fit well in here, so I ended up purchasing art from HomeGoods for the frame w/ mat and just placed in my print. The picture light was the cherry on top for only 20 bucks on Amazon.

And last but not least, the accessories – these are things I just sporadically picked up while shopping for the new house while we were building. I made a conscious effort to only grab things that I really loved and stored them without any real plan for where they’d end up. I knew we had a ton of rooms to accessorize, so it wasn’t an issue. I picked up the decorative vases at HM.com and if you know anything about H&M, you know you have to act quick when you see something good. Unfortunately, they’re currently out of stock. Our ceiling fan is the Wrap by Fanimation in Natural/Brushed Nickel. The other accessories throughout the bedroom are linked below:

So, I think I was able to link everything I could for you that is shown in our bedroom and I hope that you love them as much as we do! This post does contain affiliate links, which does not cost anything extra for you to shop through them. I appreciate your continued support of our family/brand and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

HOME DECOR ITEMS YOU NEED NOW

THE BEST BEDS FOR GIRLS

ELEVATE YOUR BEDROOM WITH THESE 5 TIPS

COLORFUL HOMES

8 WAYS TO PERFECT THE SHELFIE

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PAINT TREND OF THE MOMENT: GREEN

MID-MOD HOME DESIGN

MODERN BATHROOM DESIGN

THE BEST TIPS FOR: KITCHEN ORGANIZATION

I was happy to find out that Pearson Online Academy was a fantastic option for us, should we need it. I never want our kids to stop learning and growing, which is why education is such an important topic in our home. One thing I’ve realized time and time again is that learning is not a one size fits all situation. Everyone has their own pace, and it’s not a race. Looking at just my four, you can see such a different learning style between each of them. No two thrive in the same way. What’s become a strength for one, can very be the next one’s weakness and I know many of you feel the same way about your kids.

I’ve been looking into different remote and online learning options since we were forced to complete virtual learning at the end of last year. Being a WAH mama, I know that I LOVE any support that I can get when it comes to schooling my children at home. It’s not always an ideal situation for us, but I’ll do anything to make sure my kids are learning the skills they need to thrive in an ever changing world. That’s one reason why I wanted to share a closer look into Pearson Online Academy. The curriculum provides flexibility for students to learn at their own pace. Parents get to be involved in their student’s education but they are not the teacher. For me, it’s comforting to know that there are more options for continuing education this summer.

What is Pearson Online Academy?

Pearson Online Academy, is a U.S.-based accredited virtual private school. POA has now opened enrollment to K-12 students across the country and abroad for their 2021 online summer school. Families are invited to register for the fully online program where students can choose from more than 100 core, elective, and NCAA-eligible courses, with rolling start dates beginning June 1 through July 2, 2021.

How does it work?

Students who enroll in summer school online with Pearson Online Academy will work with experienced teachers specially trained to teach in the online environment, utilize an easy-to-use learning portal, and have the flexibility to pursue academic excellence while accommodating busy summer schedules.

What classes do they offer?

Pearson Online Academy’s summer school course options include:

• Summer Smarts Math and Reading Programs gives kindergarten through eighth grade students a chance to review foundational skills and keep sharp for the new school year.
• Elementary and Middle School Courses offer younger students an opportunity to learn English or Math core concepts, to learn a new language, or begin exploring career interests.
• Original Credit Courses encourage high school students to satisfy graduation requirements, explore their interests or accelerate their academic progress.
• High School Credit Recovery Courses ensure students earn the credits to move forward and acquire the skills to succeed.
• High School Honors Courses and Advanced Placement Courses in grades 9-12 provide students with rigorous assignments for enrichments, honors credits and Advanced Placement(R) (AP) courses. Teachers engage students in discussion and facilitate independent exploratory projects.

Is online summer learning right for your family?

Summer school enrollment opens on the heels of a new opinion poll released by Pearson that found parents see a future with online education in an increasingly digital world. The 2021 Parent Pulse Report, released in March, found that 60 percent of families will consider staying with online school even after the pandemic has ended and 76 percent of parents who took a more active role in their child’s online education over the past year found the experience “gratifying.”

If you’re seriously considering Pearson Online Academy and want to learn more about their online summer school for grades K-12, you can visit the school’s website or contact an admissions advisor at 877-804-6222.

I hope you all have a safe and productive summer!

Thanks to Pearson Online Academy for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you have been following along with our home build at all, you may remember me sharing our plans for the backyard prior to us moving in. Building a home is one thing, but truly watching your family give it its pulse, truly makes that house a HOME. Since I first shared the design plans Tilly Design did for us, we’ve now lived in our new house for 6 months and there’s definitely a few things we know we’re going to have to change to make this all work. Things like losing some yard space on a fence install in order to meet HOA guidelines, changing our mind about decking, how much real grass we want to keep, or realistically speaking, removing some elements to simplify how we see our family using the area now that we live here.

Thankfully having this amazing Tilly Design plan in place allows us to see the full potential and adjust as needed. Because if I’ve learned anything in my wise homeowner years, it’s that having a solid plan for your projects saves you HOURS of time and THOUSANDS of dollars in mistakes. (May have learned that the hard way!)  Also, the renderings alone just give me life! They truly exceeded my dreams and I’m so excited to hit the ground running once this summer settles down. Can you imagine sipping a glass of rosé by the pool or enjoying a night swim by the fire?!

Tilly Design isn’t just for new builds though. If you want  to put your house on the market or just capitalize on your outdoor living space, I highly suggest considering this affordable approach to upping your curb appeal. Keep scrolling to see more of how Tilly works and a more in depth look into our dream backyard.

WHAT EXACTLY IS TILLY DESIGN?

Tilly is an online landscape design company that is changing the way homeowners approach their yards. The process removes the prohibitive cost, intimidation and inconvenience from traditional landscape design services, while delivering professional, custom plans that reflect your style, space and needs. Their mission is to make professional landscape design accessible to more homeowners. I think we can all appreciate that!!

● Affordable – Front Yard $375, Backyard $525, Full Property $775. Partnering with a traditional landscape designer will often start around $1500, pricier in urban areas.

● Simple – Online and at your convenience.

● Personalized – To your style, your budget, the level of maintenance you are comfortable with.

● Professional – You are working with a professional landscape designer.

● Nationwide – You are matched with a designer who is an expert in your region!

Tilly was founded by four high school friends from the suburbs of Chicago who are now scattered across the country with ten kids between them. They are all working moms who are passionate about women supporting women and creating happy homes for families across the country. The Tilly design team is led by Blythe Yost, who has been practicing landscape architecture for over 15 years. She is the principal and founder of two high-end landscape companies whose projects include everything from contemporary courtyards in Brooklyn to multi-acre estates in The Hamptons. She graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and a concentration in horticulture.

THE DESIGN

Pretty impressive, right? Your personalized design package begins with “Notes From Your Designer”. When I read “backyard oasis” I knew we were going to be dealing with some major eye candy! Here’s what ours said…

3D RENDERINGS

These VERY realistic renderings are INSANE. It’s as if your house gets an immediate makeover right before your eyes! And can we talk about the different angles and bird eye view shots?!! My jaw dropped when I first viewed them – SO SO good. To really comprehend the full potential, be sure to scroll to the very bottom of this post for the actual photos of our yard in a  side by side with the 3D images. There’s also a fully rendered drone-like video down there that literally brought tears to my eyes the first time I watched it.

Tilly provides a material concept page and phase-out plan in your package that can help communicate the vision clearly when hiring contractors. Doing it in multiple phases really helps keep the scope of the project within budget and makes it a little less daunting. We all know the saying  – “there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time” – and I think that really resonates with house projects. Choosing the right contractor and picking quality materials (when your budget allows) is SO important and ultimately makes a big difference in how successful your completed renovations are.

LIGHTING PLAN

PLANTING PLAN

Another great take away I learned from Tilly is the ‘gardeners rule of thumb – “The first year plants sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap!” Our designer made it very clear that the renderings would show the plants in their full maturity and how expectation vs. reality is so critical when installing landscaping around your home. It will not look like this when we first get them in the ground. In actuality, it will take years since we’re starting from scratch. All of the plants Tilly picked for our yard were based on climate and the soil where we live. The design & placement was all done by the designer based on my preference of wanting a tropical oasis with loads of privacy for the yard and pool. I couldn’t be happier with how she was able to interpret this and take it next level by taking height, color and texture into consideration. Something I definitely always struggle with when handling plants.

‘BEFORE’ SHOTS

Our before shots were done the day before closing in January (notice the dormant brown grass!). We’ve since installed a fence to the back perimeter of the yard and that’s about it, so these are a great representation of our starting point before we instate the Tilly Design. I went ahead and put the before shots next to the renderings of the same space so we can really visualize what we’d like to achieve. It’s still so wild to me the full potential once all is said and done. I can’t wait to see it!

SIDE DRIVEWAY VIEW

BACK LEFT VIEW

LEFT VIEW TOWARD THE MARSH

BACK CENTER VIEW

BACK RIGHT VIEW

I fully plan to document the process here, so look for updates coming soon! We’re currently finalizing our pool design with the pool company and plan to break ground in the Spring. There’s a few edits we are going to make to the plan but at the end of the day I’m thrilled to have a visual blueprint in place that will help us reach our ultimate goal of having the tropical oasis of our dream. In the meantime, check out this amazing rendered video Tilly Design included in our package to really showcase the design plans for our new backyard!

 

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If you’re considering virtual landscaping design services, Tilly Design is a great budget-friendly option! You can use code ADI10 for an additional 10% off any package until 10/31/21. Find them on Instagram @tilly_design or www.tillydesign.com to schedule a meeting with a designer.

Despite our new build being considered semi-custom, the one caveat about our floor plan was the size of our master closets. In the old house, we had one really large closet that we shared. Although the size of these new ones left a lot to be desired, I was just thrilled to be getting a space of my own. I truthfully don’t own a lot of designer purses or heels and most of my wardrobe consists of bathing suits and shorts, so limited space wasn’t a problem, it just needed to be used wisely.

Our builder had plans to install a single shelf with rods, so I knew going the custom route was the way to go. Even though the actual square footage wasn’t ideal, we do have the advantage of high ceilings and installing a single shelf style wasn’t utilizing the space wisely. We needed to go UP to maximize our storage and I wanted a system that was modular so we had the flexibility to change it as we saw fit. Custom typically means $$$, but I was so so excited to find something that didn’t break the bank and checked all of our boxes for what we wanted in a closet.

We went with the Elfa Décor style for our main closet, but the best part about The Container Store’s Elfa Custom Closets are that they have a solution for anyone no matter the size, style, or budget of your space. Designing it was a lot of fun, too! They make it really simple: you can use their online design tool, utilize their Virtual In-Home Closet Design service, meet with a designer in-store, or meet with a designer in your home. We worked with the team online, finalized the design and then set up a date for install (you can choose to either hire them to install it or install yourself). Since we had two closets, the install did take most of the day, but the installer was efficient, followed COVID-precautions in our home and we were ultimately really happy with his work! Here’s a quick glance at our initial design for my ‘hers’ closet based on the measurements I provided –

I was really excited about the full vanity being the focal point to the space and having a set of drawers for my intimates, socks, and work-out gear. The mirror and valet with accessory shelf was the perfect thing to really set-off the space and I love having a designated area for all of my jewelry and fragrances. It’s honestly like my hub station, where I begin and end my days!

Next up are the full renderings – I love a good before & after! The designer was able to render up the finished closets so I could really imagine what the final look would be. I found it extremely helpful to be able to imagine everything, like my shoes and dresses, within the closet. That way it was easy to see if we had all of our bases covered as far as storage goes and we could talk about what I felt I may need more room for. The one thing that was important to me was adding in the long hang toward the back of the closet for my dresses, skirts and jumpsuits, but I also wanted to prioritize making it long enough to store my wedding dress. Love that we were able to make that happen!

‘HER’ CLOSET REVEAL

If you aren’t familiar with how the Elfa systems work, they’re a little different than most because everything hangs off the single top track at the top of the closet. There are a couple of vertical bars that hang down and each shelf, drawer, bracket — everything — hangs off of those. It makes it an easier install, hard to mess up, and gives you the ability to switch things up as your needs evolve. I could change our entire setup whenever needed, no problem. If I don’t need drawers anymore but need more shoe pull-outs, it’s a simple switch. We had the white and birch closet systems installed and I absolutely love the overall look and quality. Because of my Elfa closet, I’m more organized and I spend less time looking for things to wear in the morning. My closet has literally saved me so much time and I can see everything I own right in front of my face. Priceless!

I went ahead and swapped out our builder grade can light for this shmancy one to really set-off the space. Swapping out lighting is such an easy thing to do and it always makes me incredibly happy to watch the space transform with something so simple. These storage bins are being used for things like bathing suits, my clutches, old maternity pieces, and winter accessories. I like that I can tuck them up higher since I don’t need access to them everyday and using all the same style keeps the uniform look I was looking for.

You can shop our exact storage bins, hangers and accessories at the end of this post!

‘HIS’ CLOSET REVEAL

I wanted to keep our styles consistent, yet different so I really played up the masculine look in his closet. Same storage, but gray. Black wood hangers for a more rugged vibe. He also has a window, which I’m a little jealous of all that natural light, but it meant we were limited with hanging space. Luckily James preferred more drawers for things like his workout gear rather than rods, so we lucked out. He also wanted open shelving to fold his hoodies and joggers. We went with a smaller drawer on top to act as his valet, which is where he keeps all of his ties, belts and watches.

The slim uniform hangers were a must in our closets. With everything at the same height, they make it really easy to see everything, not to mention they save a TON of space. If you’ve never experienced them, they’ll certainly make you want to purge all of those white plastic hangers. We went with the black wood for James’ closet for that more masculine vibe and I wasn’t sure if I’d love the clear for my closet, but they totally won me over. I’m obsessed with how much they elevated my closet!

We both chose these pull-out drawers for our shoe storage since we’re definitely more of the casual sneakers and sandals type. Also, living in a warmer climate like Charleston means we don’t have much for the colder months, so not a lot of boots or snow apparel either. These are great in the sense that if we ever need to change them out to a drawer or shelf, it makes it even more flexible. Installing these definitely made my husband realize how little he actually owns. We did a lot of purging when we moved and we realized there was SO much shoved to the back of our old closet that we hadn’t worn in almost 10 years. This left both of us with a slim start, which I actually enjoy. Time to go shopping!

It’s honestly been the most amazing, affordable closet transformation and we couldn’t be happier with our ELFA systems! The Container Store is having a HUGE sale on Closet Essentials through May 26th. They have all the storage and organization items you need to maximize space in your closet no matter what your style! What’s one closet must have that’s non-negotiable for you? Leave it in the comments and you can find all of our closet components linked in the shop the post below.

SHOP THE POST

So, I know you all remember the boys’ previous bedroom with the triple bunks, right? How could you not? It’s only one of the most popular boys rooms in Maxtrix Furniture history! Crazy, right? Well, if you need a refresher you can see more of their shared space in the blog post HERE. They loved their triple bunk so much, but my main concern when moving was how we were going to configure it to Hudson’s new bedroom. It fit like a glove in the old house, but the placement of our windows and doors in the new one, made me a little scared that it was going to over-take his entire room. We also no longer needed the corner bunk since Aden was upgrading to his own space with a Queen bed, but it was important to both Hudson and I that we kept the 3 bed option for sleepovers. He also requested a larger bed like his brother – so that’s where the twin over full bunk setup came in.

The ability to reconfigure our Maxtrix triple bed, was a big reason I chose the bunk setup for the boys’ shared room in the last house. Because all Maxtrix beds are built with components, they can be reused to make different designs. It’s actually really cool! You can learn more about the system HERE. I loved the quality of their bunk bed, which has held up to my wild boys (that truly says something!), and I wanted to keep it in this new home. Hudson agreed under the condition of two minor requests: a larger bed and a sports themed room. As you can see, he got everything he wanted and more! It was important to me that the sports theme didn’t go overboard, so I kept it pretty subtle with his two favorite sports – soccer and basketball. The wall mural was a last minute addition that I think stole the show. The graphic element took the bedroom from just a boys room to truly one meant for Hudson – my understatedly cool 6 year old that has always had the most chill vibe about him. His style is naturally a mix of street and sport. If the 4 walls in this room could talk, they’d scream ‘Hudson’. That’s truly a testament to how spot on this design was for him and I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out!

The Maxtrix design team was awesome and helped with the reconfiguration by deciding which parts would be reused and which additional parts were needed to convert the triple corner bunk to a twin over full with the trundle. You can see more of the fine details of the process on their blog HERE. The quality is something I have always looked to Maxtrix for and it really showed this time with the breakdown of the old bed and adaption to the new setup.

The other item we decided to keep but update for Hudson was his Beddy’s. I’m in love with this new Ivy League print and it really helped tie the whole look of his room together. The best thing about Beddy’s is they are super practical for bunk beds. With just a zipper, Hudson’s able to make his own bed in just under a minute. I really love that it promotes independence for young kids! The camel stripe on the black and white grid gives just the right amount of color in here while providing that masculine touch. Not to mention, the name Ivy League was like it was meant to be for his “sports” themed room. A true classic while still making a statement – I love when a vision comes to life!

LINKS

Bed & Storage: Maxtrix Furniture, Twin over Full with trundle

Bedding: Beddy’s Ivy League Set

Framed Art: Chasing Paper, Peace

Wallpaper: Minted, Walkabout wall mural

I also chose keep his two stacked toy storage units since it makes it super easy to clean up his space with the rolling toy bins and open cubbies. I can see these still getting a ton of use as he gets older, being great storage for his books and all of his sports equipment. The fantastic thing about the Maxtrix system is we can reconfigure the furniture as many times as our family needs. I can definitely see us adapting the bed again for Cason’s use once Hudson outgrows it. It’s truly always been a pleasure working with the Maxtrix team! Everyone went above and beyond to make sure Hudson’s bed was installed the day we moved in, which really helped us that first night. All 3 boys slept in his room and had a blast. Definitely eased the transition for all of them!

Huge thanks to Maxtrix Furniture for teaming up with us again on Hudson’s new room! What space do you want to tour next?!

Thank you to all of our partners, including Lamps Plus, for sponsoring this post.

Hey guys! Let me officially welcome you to our new crib!

You’ve been with us through the entire building process and now you get to kick back and enjoy those fruits of our labor. This post kicks off the home tour we’ll be sharing over the course of the next few months. Each room will be linked and photographed and I’ll do my best to recap my design process with you, so hopefully you’re inspired to pull some ideas for something you do! First up is our living room. This is more of a “great room” since we have an open floor plan on our first floor. This room is the grande finale to the kitchen and dining areas with the huge vaulted ceilings and amazing views of the marsh. With all of that going on, it was important to me to keep with a neutral palette that really lent itself to the natural and coastal elements of our home. So let’s just get right into it starting at the beginning of the design process.

My friends Ash and Jess are the founders behind the incredible virtual interior design company, City & Shiplap. The two interior design cousins came together as City & Shiplap, to offer affordable e-design to the masses and help bring your vision to life. You can design a room or even an entire home with their services from your house, all done online. I shared with them my Pinterest boards and photos of the unfinished space and we got right to work. There were already very distinct pieces of furniture I knew I wanted, so we started from there and built the rest of the room around it. After a few revised options, we landed on this one!

final room design from City & Shiplap (above), working revisions (below)

The entire process from start to finish only lasted a few days and they helped me so much when it came to taking what was in my head and actually seeing it placed in the space! We worked on this a little early on in the home build, so I ended up editing a few things on my design boards as the other rooms in the house came together. I finally found a mirror that I really loved (and purchased!) as well as some side tables. I also needed a clear visual for myself on the styling of certain decor items, like the blanket and planter or coffee table, so I went ahead and plugged those in. Here’s what I ended up with when all was said and done –

Final purchased products and blueprint for the room.

Installation was literally the easiest ever! Selecting the right furniture is key to making the room feel “right” and being able to see it via photos prior to move in really helped ease any issues we may have had. We used Urban Walls Speckled Desert removable wallpaper for a large feature wall and it’s made such an impact on this space. It’s understated, but brings a really great texture that breaks up the incredibly high ceilings. I envisioned a neutral grounded room that was both elegant and casual for the adults, so this print nailed it. Our kids have a loft upstairs that ultimately is our “media room”, so I wanted this area to be as boring as possible for kids. *turns a blind eye to the wiggle cars*  The Samsung frame tv, that can work as a piece of art, pulled the look together. I didn’t want some huge television in this area, because honestly that’s what upstairs is for! I really saw friends sitting around enjoying time together with a glass of wine, not a room full of men cheering on their favorite team, so the design was intentional in that sense. I may put a few sconces on either side of the tv for it to feel more finished, but for now I’m pretty happy!

Sofas c/o Lamps Plus

Quinn chandelier c/o Clayton Gray Home

This chandelier was a must have for me. When we first started the design process with our builder, I went back and forth on beams for the vaulted ceilings. Unfortunately, the overall cost wasn’t really worth it in my book, so I immediately started looking for the perfect light fixture that would really make a statement. I really loved the aesthetic of Pure Salt Interiors, Eye for Pretty, and Studio Mcgee. When I saw Eye for Pretty installing the Quinn Chandelier in one of her more recent projects, I knew right away that I had to have it for our living room. I was so happy to partner with Clayton Gray Home on getting this piece into our home. Did you all catch the install on stories?? She’s massive, yet so beautifully intricate with her natural coastal vibe. Clayton Gray Home carries the best selection of designer home decor & furniture and they always offer free shipping on every order, which is so helpful when you’re furnishing an entire house like we were! They’re always one of the first sites I go to when I’m on the hunt for something special to fill a void in our home. Which reminds me – headed on there now to find some items to style our office shelves! BRB.

So, I know what you’re thinking. WHITE couches with four kids?! Girl, you crazy. If you haven’t been around for long, let me fill you in! Almost everything I own is kid-friendly, but the best part is, it doesn’t look like it. These incredible couches from Lamps Plus are slipcovered, so if I ever need to wash them, I can. Also, they’re stain resistant, so so far the magical Folex has been my best friend. My kids also know that food stays in the kitchen and they’re pretty good about catching each other in case someone forgets. The couches are feather down and the covers are linen so they’re astonishingly comfortable. We also got the extra wide seat, so each one holds like a million people. Comes in handy for our large family and I can’t wait to celebrate the holidays in here! This is our exact couch from Lamps Plus HERE, but I also pulled some other great options below.

SHOP THE LOOK: COUCHES

The teak root coffee table I purchased at a local home store, Celadon Home.

Overall, I really love the mix of highs and lows among the decor. Some pieces are clear investments, but others I just purchased at Target. If it’s good design and the quality is there, I try not to discriminate. The fact of the matter is, a couch is definitely something you shouldn’t pinch pennies on. It’s where you’ll spend most of your time when you’re home! Linens tend to also be a splurge for me and I loved these Turkish pillow covers from The Loomia. You can find them on Etsy, but lucky for us, they have a brick and mortar store right here in Charleston. They’re the sweetest family and I love being able to support small business whenever I can. Another important note is our curtains are the Ikea Ritva and we used Select Blinds for our custom bamboo roman shades in the color Antigua Natural. ( Of course, I still need to hem the curtains!)

SHOP THE ROOM

Dining room light is the Abaca 5-light chandelier

While I may seem like the big bad mommy wanting an adults only space, it’s important to note that I’m still a fun mom. The only toy my kids keep downstairs are these wiggle car ride-ons. Since we do have that open floor plan that I spoke of, they have a blast riding these things all over the first floor. They have races around my kitchen island and because boys are boys, they’ll inevitably turn it into a game of bumper cars. They have a blast and I love that they’re doing something that doesn’t involve a screen! Even Kami hops on her G-wagon and lets them know who’s boss.

I’ve linked all the items I could in the shop the room below, but if I missed anything, feel free to DM me on Insta – Next up in the tour is Hudson’s room. Stay tuned! Also, a BIG THANK YOU to the partners who came together in this room: Clayton Gray Home, Urban Walls, City & Shiplap, LampsPlus and Boutique Rugs.

SHOP THE ROOM

This organized kitchen tour is sponsored by The Container Store. All words and opinions are my own.

Moving into a new home, I wanted to get systems set up in place from the start, especially in the kitchen. It’s one of the areas of our home that is used most often, so I wanted to make sure it was organized as well as possible to meet our family’s needs. This kitchen has way more cabinet storage than the last one, so that’s why we have some empty shelves and drawers available. I’m always fine with having extra space! Before the move, we went through and really paired down the gadgets and extra cooking items that we realized we never really used. To eliminate a lot of the clutter that happened to accumulate in our last house, we kept to organizing just the essentials. This really helped ease the setup and simplify our kitchen storage in general.

As a busy mom of four, although I consider myself a pretty organized person in general, I will admit that now a days it’s not something I excel at. Time is a commodity and I just can’t find the time like I used to. That’s when I reached out to Katie from Room for Peace Organizing to help me with setting up a system that made sense for our household.  What would have otherwise taken me days to complete, Katie had done in just a few short hours. We worked together to maximize the space and with The Container Store‘s products we were able to come up with an extremely functional and streamlined system for our family.

BUTLER’S PANTRY + CLOSET

Let’s start with my little butler’s pantry in the back left corner of my kitchen! We use this counter space as our breakfast bar and the pantry/cabinets for the kids. I really wanted to keep it simple for them so the little ones weren’t always raiding my cabinets looking for stuff. They have one cabinet that I put the Elfa mesh drawer in to make it extremely accessible for them to grab what they need for a drink, snack, or meal. This is where we keep their plastic tumblers, bowls and plates, as well as water bottles to take with them outside to play. We’re trying to promote a little more independence, especially from the older boys, and so far this has really helped with that.

The tea drawer makes me all sorts of happy – just look how organized it is!

I thought using this diagonal in-drawer organizer for storing baggies and aluminum foil was absolute genius!

the way my kids stare into the pantry contemplating their next move.

In the closet, I keep all of our bulk items to the top along with any extra chip bags that just don’t seem to fit. You can see that all of the kids snacks and breakfast items are on the lower level, making it easier for them to reach. I keep my dry goods, like soup cans, extra condiments, pastas and rices on the middle shelf – at eye level for my chef because we all know if it’s not in front of his face, he won’t be able to find it.

these oxo pop slanted jars are perfect for things like beef sticks and granola bars!

The acrylic bins are a total game changer and I ended up using them throughout the entire kitchen! They come in both single bins and divided, which was helpful to contain things like crackers and ramen. They also have ones specifically for cereal that I use for the kids’ Cheerios and our loose granola. The stackable open front bins worked out perfectly for the kids’ sized lunch bags of goldfish and chips, making our mornings quick and easy when getting ready for school.

COOKING STORAGE

One important piece of information I should mention here is that I’m not the cook in our house. That honestly benefits us all, but my husband is a phenomenal family chef so none of us are complaining. He does a lot of his prep work beside the gas range while he’s cooking, so I wanted to make sure he had everything he would need close by. A tip from Katie (that never crossed my mind) was to use these acrylic turntables inside the cabinets to help make all of his go-to ingredients easily accessible. It eliminates the need to reach deep into the cabinet for something like an oil or sauce when you can literally spin it and conveniently see everything at once. We also unboxed and decanted things like flour and sugar into these pretty ceramic canisters from The Container Store x KonMari line and I purchased these pantry labels to stick on the front to make it as straight forward as possible when you opened the cabinet.

Labels are the perfect way to know exactly what’s inside your canisters. On the plus side, it also makes them look really pretty!

I hated having to store our big appliances because in the past, the only cabinets we’ve had big enough were over the fridge for a . It was always fun trying to get them down without taking someone out simultaneously. Now, I love having a large bottom cabinet directly beside the stove. It made the most sense for us to store all of these bulky things in it and it’s also made them easily accessible for our weekly use. Smoothies were something we loved doing, but honestly most days I would skip it just because I didn’t feel like pulling down the blender. Not anymore! It’s ridiculously easy to grab it, use it & put it away and I’m happy to report that nothing falls on my head while doing it!

If you’re in the middle of designing a new build or even renovating your kitchen, do yourself a favor and add in a ton of drawers. We have two deep drawers under our range that are perfect for all of our pots and pans. I also keep all of the colanders, cheese graters, and rolling pins in the bottom one for easy access. It’s a simple thing that has honestly made such a difference in our day to day. And another thing to note is it makes the washing, unloading and putting everything away afterwards an absolute breeze!

love this TCS x Marie Kondo tall canister for storing dried pasta noodles!

SPICE STORAGE

So, lets talk about spice cabinets for a minute…. Spices were something that were always an after thought for me. Most likely because I rarely cook, but also because I never realized how streamlined they really could be. I just kind of shoved them all into a small cabinet and hoped for the best. It never failed though – when you’d be in need of one, it was always all the way in the back and impossible to find. It also never came out without 6 others falling onto the stove. SCRATCH THE CABINET – again, all hail the drawers! I present to you, our new spice drawer

While a little shallow, it did make finding the perfect spice jar hard to come by. I used the TCS x Marie Kondo expandable spice rack to organize them and I think it’s safe to say, I’m in love. Never did I think I’d feel so passionately about spices! Just look at how pretty they are with such a simple and affordable fix. I’ll never go back to the old way, that’s for sure.

TABLEWARE STORAGE

To keep all of our silverware in place, we used this stacked bamboo flatware tray to segment the drawer into zones. It’s really cool because not only does it keep things organized, but it also looks like it could have been built into the drawer. I keep all of our older knives and large serving spoons on the lower level, while all of the everyday pieces are easily accessible on the top. I love how clean of a look it gives and how easy it is for my kids to get their own place setting for dinner at night!

Katie helped us come up with a system for all of our glassware that makes it so easy to see everything we own!

 FRIDGE STORAGE

 The refrigerator, though, was an area that never made my weekly cleaning routine. What happens in the fridge, stays in the fridge was my motto. But moving was the perfect excuse to stop these bad habits right in their tracks and start fresh. I carried the same system from my kitchen cabinets into my fridge and I couldn’t be happier! The acrylic bins worked out perfectly for containing things like salad dressings and cheese sticks. I use the Yamazaki slim basket to wrangle loose produce and in our middle drawer, I use the ceramic bottle holders to keep our wine and Ningxia bottles from rolling around.

The Container Store is literally a one-stop shop and I was able to find everything I needed right on their site. They have all of the kitchen essentials you need to maximize space in a variety of styles and price points & the new Marie Kondo kitchen line of products brought just the right amount of style + aesthetic to this space for my design loving heart.

I can’t tell you the kind of peace and satisfaction I have now from keeping an organized and tidy home. The kitchen is truly the heart of our house, so it was important for me to get this project done first. Now that we’ve found how happy it’s made all of us, it’s on to the NEXT one! Our master closets are currently getting their full storage overhaul and I can’t wait to share those with you soon. In the meantime, here are a few miscellaneous kitchen details: The counters are **** and we absolutely love them. The floors are Mohawk Revwood in Cotton Knit Oak and the wall paint is Frosty White by Sherwin Williams. The cabinet hardware is Richelieu transitional metal pull in Champagne Bronze and our backsplash is Daltile Brickwork glazed porcelain plank 2×8 in the color Studio .

I’m so happy I was able to find everything I needed to complete this project at The Container Store and it’s even more important for you all to know that The Container Store’s annual Kitchen and Pantry Sale is going on through April 18, so there’s really no better time than now to tackle your own kitchen and pantry!!