I posted what to do with outdoor patio furniture—but it’s often just as important to know what NOT to do!🤗 Here are my top 15 easy mistakes to avoid in your backyard and outdoor spaces! OUTDOOR PATIO MISTAKES #15: Not Having a Focal Point! Without a focal point, your outdoor space will always feel "off" to you. You may not be able to immediately point out what's wrong, but chances are that you don't have…
Can you smell summer coming! :) Here's a client project we're working on...a modern Spanish-style backyard here in southern California. (We'll also show you some finalized client design pics at the end!) PS: If you aren't quite ready to consult us re: your backyard (we get SO many clients wanting help with their outdoor spaces from us, which we're thankful for because it's SO FUN!!!), you can grab our design guide "How to Save BIG…
Today we're sharing exactly how we built our own DIY upholstered platform bed—with detailed photos and an exact cost breakdown—in seven steps! If you've read our post on how we took the first steps to consider our bed must-haves, you'll already know all the ins and outs of why we designed our bed the way we did! If you haven't read that post yet, you'll want to check it out as you'll then understand why…
Today we're sharing all about our clever raised washer and dryer setup! Remember this old laundry room? With the worst washer and dryer layout ever? You're all, "How could I forget? It's burned into my memory now, Jess." Well, prepare to breathe a sigh of sweet relief with me, because that old laundry passage is no more. Our finished mudroom is functional and beautiful. Just the way I like it! Look at it now! It's…
"I could live here!" That's younger Jess talking circa 2006 while driving through Tyrol (western Austria) with Matt. But let's back up... My first trip through Austria was in 2001 with a friend from Oxford (we're still good friends to this day! she and her husband even visited us while we lived in New Zealand). I then took another friend back to Austria the following year after we visited her friends in Munich (if you're…
Wondering if you should have the traditional under sink trash can—or upgrade to a placement that saves you time, money and pain? We’re helping you figure it out today! Putting your trash can under your sink is like peanut butter and jelly to some people. If you have one, you have to have the other! For years, garbage cans under the sink have bugged me, wigging out my Ergonomic-o-Meter.😆 Why? Let’s look at the answers…
Wondering if a kitchen island WITHOUT pendant lighting is for you? Or will it look "weird"? See what we did + several of our client kitchens designed WITHOUT pendant lights too! :) One of the most unorthodox moves we made in our kitchen renovation was (aside from our double islands, which all contractors assured me was "weird" but we all can see who's laughing now and her name starts with a J) to do our…
Blast it all, Italy. Just when we thought we were too "mature" and "well-traveled" to find you at all interesting anymore... ...you raised an eyebrow and showed us why you’ve still got it!😆 Having traveled through Italy three or four times, I figured we were “over it.” This 5th was supposed to only be because we had to pick up our car lease in Milan. (Much less expensive than renting a car for several months,…
Don't let yourself get distracted by all the fancy ideas you can include in a backyard kitchen! Focus on these 5 basics first—and then you can add on with the bonus options if you can! Today we're sharing the 5 must-have elements for all outdoor kitchens, plus 5 bonus elements! When we did a total overhaul of our backyard, adding a backyard kitchen was on The List! But did we really need one? And we…
Wondering what is a drop zone in a house, whether you need one and how to create it? You're in the right place! :) Matt and I specialize in designing drop zones of ALL kinds! Everyone needs a designated drop zone! Yes, EVERYONE! Why? Because we all go into our homes (and leave it) carrying ITEMS! Items we bring in. Items we need to take out with us. Items we forget we need to take…
Heyyy, you found us!🤗 It’s so fun to meet you! We’re Jess & Matt, a husband-wife team helping you create smart spaces that free up your time & enjoyment! We help you work smarter (not harder) + gain 100% confidence in every home decision you make! 👉Who’s “The Brain” & who’s “The Brawn”?
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