Well, well, well. If it isn’t the whimsical, traditional bathroom that we all knew I was going to choose. Who guessed right?? Whose bummed I didn’t go with floor-to-ceiling checkered tile?! I tell you who isn’t, and that’s my wallet. Designing the bathroom of your dreams is one thing – pricing it out, sadly, is another. 

Welcome back to the second installment of this bathroom makeover. If you missed yesterday’s post, you can go back and read it here, but I’m afraid some (all) of the mystery might be spoiled for you. Or maybe not, who knows! That in itself is a mystery enough.

Let’s quickly revisit the 4 design options. An astute blog reader might have guessed I wasn’t going to go with design #1 (top left) because I already repainted my primary bathroom this color. You got a peek of that in my bedroom reveal post! But, If you really know me, you know that in my soul of souls, I’m a green girl through and through. So something about design #4 (bottom right) really captured my heart. And I’d love to tell you why in this short, but dense blog post. 

Wallpaper | Wall Tile | Floor Tile | Trim Tile | Paint | Vanity | Faucet | Mirror | Double Sconce | Toliet | Toilet Paper Holder | Brass Switch Plate | Towels | Soap Dispenser | Blue Vase (similar) | Art (vintage) | Picture Chain | Mini Footed Bowl (unavailable)

Whimsical tree wallpaper meets creamy organic tile, while an elegant white oak vanity sits upon timeless stone flooring. Who do I think I am?! Honestly though, I’m just really happy with how this bathroom turned out. And of course, it’s thanks to a few key people – The folks over at Rejuvenation who collaborated with me on all the bathroom hardware and furniture, my dad who did the entire renovation, and my husband for putting up with my insanity. 

I’m traditionally a walnut wood kinda person, so this time I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone and try something new. White oak perchance? We needed a smaller vanity to make the new floor plan work. And this sweet little vanity fit the bill. I customized the hardware and chose a pretty Carrera marble top. We installed the toilet paper holder right onto the side – the benefit of solid wood pieces! I paired the vanity with this white oak bentwood mirror, which I had my dad turn into a medicine cabinet front. 

You can see the box he built out behind it here! Just another crazy idea I randomly had, which my dad made a reality.

Choosing the floor tile was the hardest part about designing this bathroom, and I probably had 20 different samples sitting on our dining table at one point. I ended up choosing to go with these green and white stone floors because they felt like a better fit for our home. I decided that anytime I tried to do something more modern or “trendy,” I didn’t like it long term. I really felt that choosing the more traditional option was going to make me happier, and I was right! Know thyself. It was also a much more cost-effective choice, since I picked this flooring up for about $20/sqft. 

Shower & Tub Set

One place I did empty our wallet was the wall tile. I could have sourced a much more affordable, plain, white subway tile. And I did consider it several times. But I really wanted something warmer and more organic. I didn’t want the bathroom feeling sterile (or looking too much like our primary). So I stuck with my gut and got these creamy tiles which have a little more of a handmade look. I think they do a lot to keep the space feeling inviting. It also really complements the brushed brass shower and tub hardware from Rejuvenation. Gotta say, if you have the ability to add a hand shower to your set-up, it’s a game changer. I use it all the time!

Ceiling Light | Shower Curtain | Curtain Rod | Rug

Even with the toilet moved to the other side of the room, this bathroom is still a small space. So having a vanity with plenty of storage was key. Big cabinet space, plus a shelf for storing extra towels makes hiding kids’ stuff easy, keeping the bathroom guest ready. The mirror is so large as well, that it makes a decent-sized medicine cabinet. Room for both baby products and guest use.

Tub

A custom, two-shelf niche in the shower gives us a home for shampoo, conditioner, and soap. We even have a tiny window ledge for any overflow, like toothbrushes. And now that we have a bigger, brighter window, it’s the perfect home for a little plant. 

The tub is a new cast iron piece that my dad installed. Since our primary bathroom has a shower only, I knew that this bathroom had to keep the tub. Elio loves bathtime and I can’t wait for him to use this tub. Listen, I know that soon this bathroom will be the domain of many primary-colored bath toys. But at least the rest of the room will still be aesthetic. Though, I do have to admit that since becoming a mom, my desire to keep everything “aesthetic” has really diminished. My priority now is really keeping things simple, clutter-free, and sentimental. And if it isn’t a choking hazard, that’s a bonus! Did anyone else experience this revolution once they became a parent?

Brass Dog Hooks | Brass Rabbit Hook | Wood Shelf | Brass Brackets | Triple Switch Plate | Art (vintage)

Now over on the other side of the bathroom, I did want to have a little design vignette. So we installed this white oak shelf from Rejuvenation, with simple brass brackets. Eventually, it might be a place to store extra toilet paper, but for right now we’ve got a little art and plant moment. I didn’t quite measure correctly when it came to picking the shelf size, but since these shelves are beautiful, solid wood, it was easy for my dad to cut the shelf down to size.

I found this sweet little paint-by-numbers piece from the 1950s on Etsy. And the combination of the trees that matched the wallpaper and the sweet little boy with his dog just felt perfect for a little boy’s bathroom. The mixed media collage is actually a piece that Macauley’s mom made for Elio when he was born!

When I saw these brass animal hooks on Rejuvenation’s website I knew they were the perfect whimsical touch for this bathroom. They have three different dogs, a rabbit, a stag, a moose, and a horse. They feel right for a kids space, but they could just as easily live in any adult space. We actually have the horse hook on our primary bedroom door for bathrobes. They feel just a little old world, and I think there’s something so special about little touches like these.

Trim Tile

I wanted to keep these little moments going, so where I could I hid fun little details. Like this little rabbit and ceramic die. This cow painting is something I had been holding onto for ages, and it’s finally found a permanent home in this, now, nature-themed bathroom.

This is a great shot to take a closer look at the trim tile we used to bridge the gap between the wall tile and the wallpaper. The tile I chose didn’t come with any bullnose pieces, so we had to find something else, and I ended up finding these pretty green stone pieces while wandering around the tile store. This is one reason it’s always better to go looking in person when you can. You never know what you’ll find.

This might be my favorite shot from the whole bathroom. Something about the way the light is coming in and how you can see just about every element on a macro scale working together – the white oak, the wallpaper, the creamy tile, the brushed brass, the statement door, and the beautiful marble counter. That basket hanging on the door was a wedding gift, and now it’s a little laundry basket for Elio’s sweet tiny things.

Overall, I’m really pleased with how this all came together. Especially considering how fast I was making decisions! If you’ve read my posts before, you know I’m more of a jump first, pay the consequences later kinda designer. There are a lot of little moments that I really love, and I almost enjoy showering here better than in our primary. Especially in the mornings, when there’s sunlight coming in through the window! 

This is the last big home project we’ll be doing for a while, and we’ve now officially renovated every single room in the house! We’ll still always be doing small projects (right now we’re hanging an art rail in the primary bedroom and the dining room) because I’m a plague unto myself and can’t sit still when there are rooms to be repainted or shelves to be restyled. But as far as demo and construction, we’re DONE. 

You know, until we’re not.

BIG THANK YOU to Rejuvenation, without whom this bathroom wouldn’t be nearly as beautiful. I can confidently say that every single piece we have from Rejuvenation in our home – from the lighting, to the outlet plates, to the tiny cafe curtain bar in our kitchen – are still as beautiful as the day we installed them and feels so authentic to our home. Another thank you to my dad, as always. Best grandpa in the world. And finally, thanks to EHD and all you readers for taking the time to step into my home! Hopefully, even if this wasn’t the bathroom you wanted to see, it won you over.

*Design and Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

I’ll start this post by confirming what some of you have guessed – yes, I am having a baby. We are literally on “baby watch” right now. At the time of writing this post, his due date is tomorrow. So fingers crossed, by the time you’re all reading this, we’re changing diapers and losing sleep.

But this is exactly the reason I needed to make our primary bedroom the cozy, fairytale of my dreams. I know a lot of people find joy in decorating a nursery. But as a self-preservation type 1 (IYKYK), the truth is he is going to be bunking with us for a while. And I’m going to be spending a lot of time in this room. The kid’s room will come later.

The bedroom started off as a whole different beast – the entrance to the room was through the kitchen (now our closet), and where the door is now, that used to be a closet.

We spent a lot of time tearing that part of the house up, moving things around, and crafting a better floor plan. All with the help of my dad, of course.

It gives me a great sense of accomplishment to look through old pictures of us working on this house. It also gives me momentary flashbacks of how miserable it was. It was so dirty, cold, and relentless. We’ve been working on this house since October 2018, and now that we’re finally reaching a point where we’ve touched every inch of the house (front bathroom reveal coming your way SOON), it’s almost stressful to look back at where we started, knowing how long it’s taken. 

I’M NOT UNGRATEFUL, WE’RE SO LUCKY, I’M JUST TIRED. But let’s back up one last time before jumping to the reveal.

After demo and renovation, this is what it looked like:

I didn’t really have time or energy back then to “design” the space, so we just went white and neutral. It gets great morning light, but dark pretty much after 11 am, so I figured keeping it light and airy would help the space.

We styled it out for a Target post back in 2020, and I kept it pretty much set as it was for this shoot until we decided it was time to turn it into our (my) dream bedroom. It had some really cute elements like that custom headboard Emily Bowser and my brother made. And we really loved the functionality of the blackout Roman shades. 

But as I really began to develop a sense of what I wanted this house to feel like, this room started feeling washed out and didn’t make me feel happy to be in. These past few years I’ve been heavily influenced by designers like Heidi Caillier, and trips to New Orleans, Guatemala, Italy, France, and Scotland.

During our Honeymoon, we stayed in a hotel in Sicily where the entire room had been a 17th-century ballroom, and it was muraled floor to ceiling (top right, second in). It was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. These are a few of my less-than-professional iPhone pics of some of the spaces that made my jaw drop while traveling over the past few years. It’s all left me craving pattern, color, warmth, and a little bit of mood. So that’s the direction we went with this bedroom.

Wallpaper | Pendant Light Kit | Lampshade Fabric | Bedframe | Dark Teal Quilt | Bronze Printed Quilt | Bronze Quilt Shams | Woven Floral Throw Pillow | Underbed Storage | Rug

So much of this bedroom is “me” right now. I’m sure in a few years it will feel like a time capsule of where I was stylistically. But at the same time, I’m hoping that some of the features – like the block-painted wallpaper from Sandberg, or the elegant and simple walnut bed frame from Article – will stand against the trends of time.

Woven Roman Shades | Drapes | Curtain Rod

I had really been hoping to photograph this room on a bright sunny day, so I could show you how pretty the dappled light is coming through our windows at 9 am. California had different plans, and even though every single other day the week of the shoot had been sunny and blue skies, this particular day was overcast. But Bowser (who was styling) was about to leave for Spain, and I was/am about to have a baby, so we decided to lean into the moody vibez and give you the dark, jewel-box version of this space.

Wallpapering the space had always been the vision. Choosing which wallpaper we’d commit to was the harder part, but we fell in love with this intricate pattern called Linnea (in “Midnight”) from Sandberg Wallpaper in Sweden, designed by Karolina Kroon. I loved the colors, and Macauley loved the depth the design of the paper had. The wallpaper is really the star of this room and sets the tone for every other piece we brought in. It’s beautifully block-printed with real paint, and even the wallpaper installers commented on how lovely it was to work with. His exact quote was “if you’re paying for wallpaper to be installed, it might as well be for something as nice as this.” I ended up color-matching the trim and ceiling color to one of leaf tones from the paper, for a unified look.

Next up were the bigger pieces of furniture in the room. With a baby on the way, and no magical addition of space to our home, it was important that every piece of furniture in the room function well. That’s why we chose the Lenia bed, in Walnut, from Article.

Not only is it the perfect simple shape to both stand up against the wallpaper, while not adding more insanity to the space – it also has under-bed storage options, which we were desperate for. Under this king-size bed fit four freestanding drawers, which is now where we can store all our linens and towels. Freeing up much-needed space in the closet.

Our nightstands are second-hand Target pieces I found on eBay. I had been eyeing them for a while but waited too long to buy them in-store. I thought I was out of luck until I spent way too long one day deep-diving nightstands to try and find a dupe or something equally appealing. Lo and behold, someone was looking for a new home for the exact nightstands I’d been craving. I didn’t want all the furniture in the room to be matching tones of wood, so having black nightstands felt like the right move. And the gold hardware is perfect.

Now the hanging pendants were another saga, which had me searching up and down for what I had in mind. I wanted fabric shades so that in the event that our tectonic plates decide to boogy, I’m not scared of glass slamming into our walls and shattering. But I didn’t want white, which I felt would be too stark against the wallpaper. I really wanted a patterned pleated shade AND DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD THAT IS TO FIND? Especially when you aren’t able to spend $500+ per pendant? Impossible.

So I ended up making them myself – I found normal shades in a size I liked, fabric in a pattern I liked, and ordered four or five different hanging light kits off Amazon until I found one that worked with the shades I had. I then cut strips of bias tape from the fabric and spent a few hours gluing them onto the shades while I rewatched episodes of The Vampire Diaries – a very problematic show about teenage vampires that models extremely toxic relationship patterns and is wholly addicting.

My dad straight up said I had gone a little too far over the edge with this design choice when he helped me install them – and he’s helped me pull off most of my crazy ideas. So if you’re not into the extreme pattern on extreme pattern I promise you’re not alone. I followed up the pattern on pattern by hanging a tiny piece of art with more pattern in it that is completely embroidered. It’s on Macauley’s side of the bed, and he has feelings about it. They aren’t as positive as mine.

At this point, some of you may be saying “this is the most batsh*t bedroom I’ve ever seen, how does one get a single minute of peaceful sleep in here?” On the other hand, hopefully, a few of you are saying “I like someone who decorates their bedroom like it’s an extreme sport but also she’s a Victorian ghost.” But collectively you’re all probably wondering “…but where is the baby stuff?” We’ve decided to have none of it – if our child can’t survive on design alone, he isn’t meant for this world anyway.

This is a lie – we do have plenty of baby stuff. And maybe I’ll even show you some of it later in the post. But one thing we do have that is both baby-minded and aesthetically pleasing is our rocking chair.

Glider | Side Table | Storage Ottoman

This piece of furniture brings me nothing but absolute joy – it’s a Facebook Marketplace find from my first trimester (that time when you’re supposedly pregnant but there’s zero physical proof and you’re just looking for ways to validate yourself). This blessed mama was selling her gently used Pottery Barn glider for only $180 (for the chair AND ottoman)!!!!!!! I drove out to Riverside for this thing. The best part about it is that it’s all slipcovered. So I sourced a fabric I loved, found an upholsterer I could afford, shipped them the original slipcover and the new fabric, and had custom slipcovers made. It’s probably the fanciest thing I’ve ever done, and now when baby spits up all over this thing, I can toss one set of slipcovers in the washer and pop the others on. 

I already spend a lot of time in this chair, it’s wildly comfortable. I’m typing this post as I sit in it right now, with a cat sleeping behind my head. Dreams really do come true.

Mirror

Right next door, we added this giant standing mirror from Article. We decided that despite having one full-length mirror in our closet, having a second one so Macauley and I didn’t kill each other trying to both get ready at the same time didn’t sound like such a bad idea. And it kinda looks like its own giant piece of art.

While we’re here I’ll also address the window treatments. The Roman shades we had were amazing, but the color didn’t really fit with the overall vibe of the new room. Surprisingly, Macauley was super into the idea of these ready-made bamboo blinds (thanks Caitlin for the idea), because they let in really beautiful soft light. I like the fact that they bring in texture and warmth. But we also knew we needed to be able to really bring down the brightness in the room for future baby/parent napping. So we also hung up these blackout curtains from Target. They have a few really beautiful colors, they look like good heavy cotton or linen, and they truly are blackout. The only downside was they didn’t have a good hanging option, so I once again broke out my DIY fingers, and sewed in pintab tape on the back so that they could be hung from curtain rings. I think this really elevates them, and only took a few hours of work.

This might be my favorite photo from the entire shoot – it features the wallpaper, our perfect new rug (which is so soft and so affordable), a peek into our updated bathroom (which is color coordinated to the little flowers on the bedroom wallpaper), and a replica painting of a renaissance cat wearing a ruffle collar that Bowser bought me as a birthday present from the Long Beach flea market because I was too stupid to buy it for myself (I can’t believe I almost walked away from that piece). This photo embodies all the tones, patterns, and warmth I wanted this room to have from the start.

In case you’re curious, here’s a peek at the updated bathroom. You can go see what it originally looked like here, but suffice to say I was craving something warmer. Now it feels like it really flows into the bedroom, and I really appreciate that the paint color doesn’t look like unfinished drywall. I’ve always regretted not going with brass fixtures in here, and at least the warm dusty pink gives it a little bit of a softer feel, and takes the whole space even a few degrees further away from “modern.” I WILL HAVE NO MODERNITY.

Dresser (vintage) | Lamp | Vase

We were able to keep our favorite Rose Bowl find in the room – our $300 solid wood dresser that would never be findable nor affordable nowadays. And thanks to our Article under bed storage, we were able to empty out a drawer in this dresser for baby clothes. We topped the dresser with a fun bead lamp from Soho Home, and a tiny oil painting on a tiny easel. Obviously. That lamp is easily accessible for soft lighting when needed during night feeds or future book readings. 

Lastly, I swear I did not paint the TV room and the bedroom the same color – they’re sisters, not twins. But it does create a nice pathway throughout the whole back half of the house. You can peek at our new Article pullout sofa in the TV room, all ready for grandma sleepovers. It’s not the luscious velvet of our old sofa, but it’s just as pretty and far more practical for this stage of our life.

You can also spot our newest (soon to be second newest) addition – Shrimp! Her name is actually Lenin’s Tomb (any Clerks fans out there?…anyone??), but she responds to Lenin, Lenny, Shrimp, or any loud angry clapping while yelling the word “NO!” We found her living in the hood of my car back in May, at 8 weeks old with a majorly infected leg. And we thought, you know what sounds like the most reasonable decision in the world? Adding a third cat to our family as we get ready to add a newborn, and also spending $1500 at the vet on said new cat immediately. But she’s worth it – she’s the most loving, talkative, cuddly girl in the world.

Alright, let’s get into some before and afters!

And because I am benevolent, as promised, here are a few photos of what the room looks like on a normal day. I took these on my phone and I didn’t even make the bed…

We’ve got the rolling baby changing cart filled with all the baby accouterments. 

My nightstand basket of medications, snacks, and tissues, along with a Hatch Baby (a very nice gift from a family member). And a bed filled with my six different pillows I currently need to sleep mildly good.

And over here we’ve got a rocking chair with the Boppy, a very sentimental quilt that looks like it has SEEN things, armrest covers (mostly to protect it from my cats), and my feeding/pumping rolling station – also filled with snacks. 

That’s the reality folks. It’s not too bad, but I’m sure it will get worse! Until then, let’s remember her like this…

*Design and Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
** Styled by Emily Bowser

There’s nothing quite like summer in California – the heat, the dry heat, the dryer heat… And yet, early mornings and late afternoons still draw us all outside. When you’re up at 8 am, and it’s already 70 degrees, and you sit out on your front porch drinking a cup of coffee. Or it’s 6 pm, and you get caught chatting outside with your neighbors during golden hour, as it finally starts to cool down. For some, summers in California are unbearable. For me, they’re filled with nostalgia. And so many of those memories are from time spent outside.

You may remember a small post I did a few years ago, about making the most of the backyard space I had. I want to emphasize the word had. This year, due to some upcoming life events, we decided it was finally time to renovate the garage. And while we were renovating the garage, we decided to pull all of the concrete out. But now what we’re left with is a dirt patch instead of a backyard. At this time we do not have the bandwidth to fix it ourselves, nor the funds to have someone else do it. So, while we’re happy that we got all the concrete out, we still have a long way to go in terms of having a usable backyard space.

About two months ago Caitlin asked if I had any desire to do some outdoor content. Staring longingly at my backyard, I knew the lift to get that space done – even with the assistance of an amazing brand and EHD – would be too much to take on. My sights began shifting to our front yard. It too was in need of…help.

It had good bones (branches?) but had been pretty neglected since we moved in and focused on interior projects – like functional bathrooms. Many of the existing plant life had either died or was dying due to lack of automatic irrigation and a forgetful caretaker. The plants that were still holding on were overgrown. And the lawn had become a dirt patch of its own (don’t let these before photos fool you, that greenery is weed clover that grew up after a few weeks of rain we got).

BUT, the front yard was definitely in a better starting place than the backyard – and it was significantly smaller.

After doing some research, chatting with my husband, Macauley, and crunching some numbers, I got back to Caitlin with a proposal. In the absence of a backyard for the time being, what if I turned my front yard into the curb-appealing, summer hang-out spot that my home and soul desperately needed. I had a great gardener recommendation who would be able to work within our budget, my dad was on board to help with a fence overhaul, and one of my favorite brands of all time, Article, was lined up to provide the furniture that would be the cherry on top of the whole space.

In a matter of about three weeks, we went from this…

To this…

This has been a dream come true for this Southern California gal. We’ve lived here for almost five years now (holy moly – remember this post?), and I finally, finally, FINALLY feel proud of our front yard. So many neighbors have stopped by to say how nice it looks, which is such a good feeling. Plus, I actually have a space to entertain this year.

The most important thing we started with was irrigation – I know myself, and I know my husband. We are good people, but we are not water-your-entire-yard-every-night-to-keep-it-alive good. So we added three sprinkler zones to our yard – one for the small lawn, one for the flower beds, and one for the street-facing curb beds. Once there was irrigation, I knew we could finally keep plants alive. So we had new fescues sod installed, a handful of California natives popped into the flower beds, and mulch put down to help with moisture retention in the beds. 

All in, the landscaping and irrigation came out to be about $7,500.

Next, my dad installed this beautiful teakwood fence. It took him two days – one to buy, measure, and cut all the wood, and a second to install it. It matches the wood fencing he’s installed in our backyard and side walkway. Let’s appreciate how much this new fence upgrades the space.

He also built us that beautiful side entrance gate you can see in the background there. I can’t say it enough – my dad is awesome.

The fencing material was about $800.

Sofa | Sea Green Pillow | Tall Wide White Planter | Wide Gray Terrazzo Planter | Lounge Chair | White Pillow | Throw Blanket | Terracotta Planter | Coffee Table | Small Gray Planter | Rug | Pouf | Green Side Table | Standing Lantern

So now let’s chat about what makes this space not just curb appealing, but entertainment worthy – the furniture. Just about everything you see is from EHD favorite, Article. I have owned many an Article piece over the years, and they are just really good. The style is obvious *waves hand*, the quality is incredible (I’m going on four years strong with my velvet Sven Sofa), and the value is unmatched. And even though this post is sponsored, I’ll add that the folks over at Article are some of the nicest I’ve ever worked with. LOVE YOU GUYS. 

Now the space we were working with wasn’t very big, so I knew we didn’t have room for different zones with a dining space, a fire pit area, and a lounge (I have backyard goals). Instead, I opted to just focus on creating one cozy area that could function as both a hangout area or a small meal-outside kinda space. 

I started with the biggest piece – the couch. I chose this one because I loved the earthy tones that I felt would complement the whole California native gardenscape that was just installed. The black legs give it a touch of modernity, but the wicker keeps it feeling warm. And I’m in love with that green cushion. It also felt like just the right scale for this smaller area, while still being able to nap one, comfortably seat two, and cuddle three. 

Next up, I picked out lounge chairs to flank either side of the couch. These were an easy choice because I had sat in them before – once at a rooftop movie showing that Article invited us to over the summer, and then multiple times on my friend Emily Bowser’s front porch. I don’t know what to say other than they’re the most comfortable outdoor chair I’ve ever sat in. They’re deep and wide, in a way that makes you feel hugged when you sit in them. It was a happy accident that the wicker detail tied them together with the sofa. 

I added this outdoor pouf to make lounging in these chairs even easier (and an extra ‘in a pinch’ seat for those hours of summer entertaining I’m due to have). After this photoshoot, this is exactly where I sat for the next hour answering emails during golden hour, snacking on the props.

White Tray (similar) | Glass Pitcher | Scalloped Napkin | Glassware (similar) | Woven Coaster (similar) | Small Footed Bowl (similar)

Next on the list was a coffee table. It’s on the smaller side, so it fits nicely between all the pieces but still feels big enough to hold snacks, small dinner plates, or drinks. This table originally caught my eye because the wood felt like it would tie in with the wicker of the couch and chairs, not to mention the black powdered metal legs that tie all three major furniture pieces together. That’s a testament to how Article really does make it easy to design a beautiful space – no matter what you choose, it’s all going to look good together, seamlessly and effortlessly.

I also added this sweet little green side table – both to bring in some more earthy tones, but also to function as an additional drink stand if someone felt they were too comfy lounging to reach all the way to the coffee table from their seat. 

Then, for some finishing touches, I brought in some planters and this hanging lantern. The lantern is really cool because it’s battery-operated, and just has a button on the top of the bulb that you press to turn it on. That means no cords needed. And it gives off the perfect amount of soft light – especially considering it’s staying light out until 8 pm these days.

Having additional planters in terrazzo and also a simple, crisp white around the seating area helps it feel more enclosed in nature, almost like the flowerbeds are creeping out and around you. 

Article has larger furniture pieces on lock, as evidenced, but have really stepped up their decor game with really great options for planters as well because they have a good variation of sizes and colors/finishes – great for mix/match but still coordinated look. This terracotta one was a lot bigger than I was expecting it to be, but it ended up being a great way to add some height and warmth to the setup. I planted a variety of California natives here together, since it was so big, and they’re still living in happy harmony.

Lastly, I picked out an outdoor rug to anchor the whole space together – that way these pieces didn’t feel like they were floating on a concrete sea. I wanted something big enough to hold it all together, but neutral enough to kind of disappear. This rug checked both boxes.

I spend a lot of time out here in the mornings and evenings. It’s so incredibly wonderful to have outdoor space to enjoy, and I’m taking full advantage of it.

Here’s one more quick before and after to really bring it all home.

A big thank you to EHD for bringing me in on this and making it all possible, our gardener for working so hard to create this beautiful space, my dad for the endless home help, and Article for continuing to partner with me on different projects. And of course Emily Bowser, for hanging out in the hot, dry heat to style it all while we waited for the perfect lighting.

And because Article continues to be the best, they are offering $50 off an order of $200 or more, valid until July 21. Just click THIS LINK and it will be applied at checkout:)

This post was sponsored by Article but all words and opinions are all mine🙂

*Design and Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
**Styled by Emily Edith Bowser

This post wouldn’t be possible without the support of a handful of amazing brands, who partnered with us. Thanks to KitchenAid, Caesarstone, Kokeena, and Rejuvenation for helping this kitchen come to life.

Two weeks ago I revealed my kitchen reno, and showed y’all the perfectly styled photos. Today I’m going to be sharing a bit more about how the kitchen functions, along with photos that show how the kitchen looks on a more normal day.

As always, I think we need to start with a floorplan review…

When we bought the house in 2018, the only way to get into the primary bedroom was through the kitchen. There was a small laundry-type room between the kitchen and the primary bedroom, where the previous owners had likely kept their washer and dryer, and also housed the entries into both the primary bedroom and primary bath. When we began renovating the house, we decided to close that space off from the kitchen (turning that small space into our walk-in closet), and create an entry into the primary bedroom through the adjacent bedroom (which we turned into our TV room). It’s not ideal to have a whole section of wall you can’t use for anything, in an already small kitchen, because it’s a door.

We also used to have a door to our side yard at the back of the kitchen, and an off-center window that the cabinets protruded into. We decided to close both of these as well, and instead install a single window in the center of the wall. 

I wrote so many more more posts about this kitchen than even I remembered. You can see how I went from a $3000 kitchen makeover, to a full-blown renovation, to a functional-but-unfinished space, to the final reveal. You can even check out my unused budget designs. But the post I’d like to direct your attention to right now is this cabinet layout post, where I went through the entire process of deciding how we were going to install our cabinets and plan the use of the space. It’s a meaty post, and included these kitchen renderings Julie helped me with (and by help I mean, did for me out of the unknown depths of her heart):

I had completely forgotten about these! And I have to say, I think the finished product is pretty spot on.

Alright, let’s get FUNCTIONAL.

Faucet | Soap Dispenser | Sink | Arched Cutting Board | Brass Rail System | Sconce | Runner Rug | Flushmount | Window Valance | Curtain Rod | Brass Outlet Cover | Rubber Mat

On the left, we’ve got the “picture day” version of my kitchen, and on the right the “everyday” version. I’m sure there were some of you who were expecting them to look WAY DIFFERENT from each other, but the truth is I really tried to keep the kitchen styling for the reveal as close to realistic as I could stand. When it comes to shoots, we usually tear a place apart to create one shot, and then have to put it all back together. I tried really hard not to do that for this shoot (and for my sanity). I wanted to style it using 99% of items I already had or knew I would keep after the shoot.

So let’s spot the differences – Normally, we keep our electric kettle out on the counter and use it throughout the day for coffee and tea day. We got a really pretty, fancy pour-over kettle as a wedding gift (which we asked for on our registry), but realized that while it was beautiful, it just poured water too… slowly? Apparently, you want that when you do a pour-over. And so, we went back to this kettle my mom got for me from Costco. Old faithful. Also, we feed our cats in the kitchen, right under the window. Their bowls are pretty (ceramics that I made), but they’re messy little monsters so we keep a simple rubber mat under their bowls at all times. The cabinets above the fridge are where we store less-used kitchen appliances (air fryer, crockpot, juicer, etc.).

KitchenAid Stand Mixer | Ninja Professional Blender | Brass Bookends | Seagrass Woven Hanging Baskets | Rattan Hanging Baskets | Black Garlic Keeper

KitchenAid Appliances

Our KitchenAid stand mixer is one of my all-time favorite kitchen appliances, and has a permanent home on the counter. But on a normal day, so does our blender, because I make smoothies just about every day. I also have a slightly more extensive cookbook collection, which was culled for aesthetic purposes on reveal shoot day. And I’ll admit, that basil was still alive for the everyday shoot, but it’s since been all used up.

While we’re only two people, I effectively make enough dishes in a day for a family of four. I make 2-3 meals a day in the kitchen, and I’m not conservative with getting pots, pans, plates, etc. dirty. We go through spoons the fastest. So oftentimes our KitchenAid 44dBA Dishwasher with Panel-Ready Design (wonderfully bestowed upon us by KitchenAid) is working hard. Not having a sink piled with dishes is such a game-changer for my clutter-body, especially when I don’t have the time or energy to cook and then clean. Because I work at the dining table with a perfect view of the sink, it makes my skin itchy to try and focus when the sink and counter are cluttered. You can find additional game-changers by exploring KitchenAid(R) Suite Collections here.

Clear Deep Drawer Organizers

Here’s a quick peek into our “junk” drawer – which is actually fairly organized, no thanks to me. Macauley runs this drawer and is constantly upkeeping it. We’ve got common household repair items (screwdriver, caulk, level, measuring tape, box cutter, etc.), batteries, and first aid. We’ve been taking the drawer organizing game pretty seriously in our house, and you can find us at The Container Store or Target on a Sunday laying out drawer inserts into a measured square on the floor figuring out what layout would work the best. Apparently, there are people you can hire to do this for you if you’re super serious about it, but we prefer to drive ourselves slowly insane instead. 

Brass Switchplate | Rattan Tray | Honey Jar | French Press | Countertop

Here’s a closer look at our everyday coffee corner. We’ve usually got the french press out next to the kettle or drying in the sink. And I hang another dishtowel on this side of the sink for easy grabbing. Our counters (from Caesarstone) really shine here, because they’re super easy to clean up, and this area does get a lot of action. They’ve also proven super durable so far.

Having the hanging towel on an eye-level hook next to the sink is a super small change that has really made a difference in my paper towel consumption. My brain doesn’t have to do the mental gymnastics of trying to locate a nearby dish towel and instead just reaching for a paper towel. We keep our paper towels up on the top shelf, where we can reach them in case of cat vomit situations, but otherwise keep them pretty out-of-sight-out-of-mind. 

Under the coffee corner is where our pull-out trash cans are, with a little drawer on top to store our aluminum foil, parchment paper, etc. This double drawer and trashcan setup is an amazing way to sneak just a little bit more storage into the space.

Cabinet Fronts | Brass Hardware | 12 Cup Food Storage Container | 2.7qt Food Storage Container | 4.3qt Food Storage Container

Heading over to the other side of the kitchen, let’s see what’s behind each of these beautiful cabinet doors (from Kokeena’s Townsend collection).

At the tippy-top of the tall cabinet is where I store my pantry overflow (bags of flour that had too much flour to fully decant, or items that I use less frequently like coconut flour). Next shelf down is snack foods – cereal, ramen, cookies…

The top shelf of the lower cabinet contains vitamins/coffee/tea/supplements (in a lazy susan type spinner that keeps it all contained), next is the microwave, then a thin drawer for more specialized cooking utensils we don’t reach for as often (meat thermometer, mandolin, etc.), a deeper drawer for mixing bowls and large measuring cups, and then a super deep bottom drawer where we keep all the cat supplies. Having the cat food tucked away in a pull-out drawer right next to the cat food bowls makes for a pretty easy feeding routine.

Next up, our “everyday” pantry items mostly live in the wall-hung cabinet to the left of the oven. We’ll take a closer look at that further down. Moving onto the lower drawers – first is spices, next is baking supplies (pans, racks, etc.), and lastly – my favorite drawer – our dry goods pantry, where I store different kinds of flours, sugars, and the like.

Because our kitchen is a galley shape, we didn’t have space for a walk-in pantry, so I had to get creative with the storage. I reach for pantry items a lot, so I wanted them in easy-to-access spaces. OXO’s biggest containers just happen to perfectly fit into Ikea’s deepest drawers – a match made in kitchen organization heaven. 

Black Top 16oz Food Storage Container | Rice Cooker | In-Drawer Spice Rack | White Lid Food Storage Container | Large Expand-A-Shelf | Turn Table (similar)

Here’s how our upper cabinets are organized. We’ve got a lazy susan in there for all the oils and vinegars, some leveled risers from The Container Store to make space for canned goods and the like, and some bigger containers for everyday grains and starches.

Our spice drawer makes it super easy to access any type of spice or bullion we’d need during cooking, and the lay-flat design makes it easy to identify each bottle. And as promised, here’s where our Zojirushi lives. We pull it forward when we use it, so the steam doesn’t get trapped under the cabinet, but it stays there full time.

Knife Block | Cutting Board

Left – perfectly styled. Right – slightly more chaotic. We always have this large cutting board out on the counter (linking to our new Boos cutting board that we’ve replaced the cutting boards in the photo with since the shoot!), because it’s where I butter toast, chop veggies, prep sandwiches, all of it every day. Right next to our knife block, and a crock filled with a lot more cooking utensils than seen on reveal day.

The floating cabinet on this side houses all our cups, plates (most of our bigger serving ware lives out in the bar cabinet you can see in the dining room). Top drawer is additional cooking utensils and flatware, the middle drawer is cooking pans, and the bottom drawer is stock pots and dutch ovens. And the tall cabinet on the right side is where we keep all our cleaning supplies (you can’t see them but our broom and Swiffer live on the inner left wall). The cleaning supplies rack pulls out of the cabinet, making it super easy to access all of the supplies.

So that’s it – that’s what our kitchen looks like on a normal day versus a styled day. I tried my best to create a space that not only looks nice, but I’m actually able to keep looking clean and organized because the storage is super functional. So far, it’s been working really well, and the streamlining of working in the kitchen is great. I don’t know if we have the “golden” triangle ratio that everyone raves about for kitchens, but having the range and sink directly across from one another is *chefs kiss*, we’ve got plenty of counter space due to the brass rails (from Rejuvenation) and the floating shelf, and almost all of our pantry, dishware, and appliances are stored behind our pretty cabinetry. Admittedly we’re only two people and don’t have kids, so we may have less “stuff” than a larger family.

But this is what works for our family right now, and I’m pretty proud of how functional it is.

*Design and Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
**Styled by Emily Bowser

I’m back with another reveal. And this one’s been even longer in the making. Unlike our kitchen renovation, which came after a year and a half of us using the kitchen in its “bought as” state, we never got the chance to even use our primary bathroom.

When we bought the house, the primary bathroom looked like this:

It was covered in pink and teal tile, had a seemingly 50-year-old jacuzzi bathtub, and no shower. I think I peed in here maybe twice. Because pretty quickly after we got the keys, we went straight into demo.

There were so many things happening all at once during those early months, and designing the primary bathroom wasn’t one of them. But we did need to lift up all the flooring, level all the joists, remove all the damaged wall wood (from termites and mold), and run new electrical throughout the whole back of the house. And since we had a fully functional bathroom in the front of the house, it just made sense to tear out the bathroom at the same time as the rest of the back of the house. Even if that meant it was just going to sit as an empty box of subflooring and drywall for…two years and 4 months.

And sit it did. We used the front bathroom exclusively, until July 2021. That’s when the toilet was installed in the primary, and we finally didn’t have to walk all the way from our bedroom in the back of the house to the bathroom in the front of the house to pee at 2 am.

As a reminder, here’s how the floorplan of our house has evolved:

We started our renovation efforts in the front of the house – the office (which was our bedroom for the first year and a half), living room, and dining room. Then we worked on the primary bedroom (my next project), and TV room. The Primary closet came next. And then, as most of you know, we decided to pull the trigger on renovating the kitchen. Meanwhile, the primary bathroom simmered on the back burner – slowly being designed, but waiting for its moment.

What I’m about to show you may be disturbing…

This was my first ever bathroom design plan. It was basic and got the point across. Shower at the back, toilet in the bottom left corner, sink against the right wall. We had torn out the whole thing, so plumbing could go anywhere. We had design carte blanche. Also, hire me to draw your floor plans. I only work in the sophisticated program called “IG stories” and I’m very expensive.

When I first started thinking about the bathroom vibe, I went in a cleaner, more modern direction. Simple black and white with clean lines. I think I was feeling overwhelmed by the overall chaos of renovating a house, and felt like creating a more modern space would appeal to Macauley.

I really felt I was on the right path. So naturally, before my design plans were finalized, I went ahead and ordered tile, hardware, and plumbing fixtures during this “clean and modern” phase. As is typical, I was trigger happy, and we weren’t anywhere close to actually installing the bathroom. So the tiles and fixtures sat in the garage for a year, awaiting their time.

During this *time* away from the design process, I really started to find the design groove our home through working on the other space. And I found myself being pulled back into the direction of cozy traditional. Bathrooms that looked more like this:

JUST LIKE I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN I WOULD. What was a girl, with so many beautiful modern pieces already waiting in her garage, to do? I started frantically searching for inspiration that blended the two styles. Which bathrooms had black and white tile, clean black fixtures, but still felt warm and inviting?

Luckily, craftsman homes are kind of perfect for this type of mixed design. So, I started pinning images like these, which had a few key elements to counteract the starkness of the black and whites: cozy woods, warm brass, additions of color through details, and vintage decor:

These images slowed my panicking heart and soothed my anxiety. I had wiggle room in my design plans, and everything could work together if I made some strategic next steps. 

First, it was bringing in a warm wood element, and I knew the vanity would be the easiest place to do this. If I went with something too light, the bathroom would skew Scandi, so we had to go walnut-toned. I’d always loved the look of vintage dressers turned vanity, but finding the exact right piece for that sort of thing seemed like Mission Impossible. So I did the next best thing and had a vanity custom made by Ross Alan Reclaimed Wood. 

Here’s the drawing I sent – I wanted LOTS of storage and some cute legs. Ross and his team use all reclaimed wood, so it’d also be a nice way to bring in one more vintage element. And because our bathroom is so tight on space, by going custom I knew we were going to get a piece that would fit perfectly. AND IT DOES. The vanity set us back $2500, but handmade craftsmanship is always worth the cost if where can afford it. Once I had the vanity in the mix, the re-design process started in earnest, and I mocked up this:

Everything was feeling better, including me.

Next, I wanted to add something special to the design. Something that would feel a little old world. I had a dream of building a small arched inset into the wall above the toilet, like you see in the hallways of old estate homes or churches. A little reliquary for more tiny vintage things. I really NEEDED this element, and my contractor (dad) delivered. You can see it built out in the image below.

Now there were only two steps left in the un-modernization of the bathroom.

Originally, the bathroom was going to stay bright and white. But at this point I felt I needed a tone on the walls, to bring in the warmth I was so desperate for. I proceeded to mildly lose my mind during this phase of the design process.

I think I spent about $200+ on paint samples. When I thought I had the right color, my dad painted the whole space. Only for me to realize it was the very wrong color. TYPICAL. More paint samples, more $$$. Turned out the right color was my first choice from the mock-up all along. Listen to your stomach organs people, they collectively know you better than your head organ does.

The final step in this entire process was bringing in vintage elements to add back in some soul.

Here’s how it looks all put together…

Velux Skylight

It’s still modern, but with a HEAVY dose of #somethingelsekindaold. 

Being a room in the middle of the house, the bathroom originally had zero natural light. We amended this issue by installing a Velux skylight right in the middle of the space. And more than anything, I think the natural light has changed the space. There’s something about waking up and getting ready in a space that has natural sunlight streaming in that just makes my brain happier. And there’s nothing better than taking a hot shower, while a gentle breeze wafts in from an open skylight overhead.

Vanity |

Our vanity turned out exactly like my drawing, and is really beautiful. It’s got a modern shape, but the color and texture of the wood keep it feeling warm and almost soft in a way. I wanted to compliment the wood with a natural stone countertop. Something with a traditional edge cut to keep the whole piece from going too midcentury modern.

Finding the right stone was an ordeal. Stone yards just don’t sell slabs small enough for a vanity of this size. So I ended up having to drive around to all the different fabricators in the Valley, looking through their “remnant slabs.” These are pieces of larger slabs that are left over after the fabricators cut out all the counter pieces people need for their homes. The fabricators get to keep the offcuts (similar to when you have cookie dough left over after cutting out shapes), and they’ll sell them to people like them (have crazed, desperate 30 year olds who know nothing about stone, but everything about why that piece they keep telling me is really good just isn’t THE VIBE). I finally found this piece of quartz at the 5th fabricator, and they cut and installed the top for about $1200.

Mirror | Sconces

The mirror was the next big hurdle, because finding something that was the exact right size was hard. Admittedly I assumed we could just have a custom one made, that would easily have the holes cut out for the light fixtures, just like I imagined in my head. But, as mentioned above, anything custom is going to cost a custom price (as it should be). And after creating the vanity of my dreams, a custom mirror was just not in our budget. So I scoured the internet for a vintage or ready-made mirror that would fit size-wise (it was harder than it sounds).

The mirror itself was $200. Once it was delivered, I took it to a glass shop in Highland Park, where they took it to a special guy who sandblasted the light fixtures holes in the glass, exactly where they needed to go so our Rejuvenation sconces could sit ON the mirror. It was a whole thing and cost another $242, but the end result fits the space perfectly.

Bathroom Faucet | Sink | Rain Shower Head | Hand Shower | Shower Handle | Toilet | Toilet Seat

In the end, I’m really happy with our plumbing fixtures and think the modernness of them gives the bathroom a little bit of an edge. All of our plumbing (including the toilet and sink) were provided by Kohler. They’re absolutely beautiful, and the softest, smoothest matte black fixtures you could imagine.

The rain shower head is great for Macauley. Crouching under a shower head isn’t a favorite pastime of his, but at 6’1” it happens a lot. Not in our house though, because he can stand all the way up in our shower with room to spare. And I gotta say, having a hand shower is a luxury that I luxuriate in. Cleaning my shower has never been easier, and I love using it on days that I don’t feel like getting my hair wet.

Subway Tile (with the Portland Edge in color UWM) | Floor Tile (with the Portland Edge in color P4)

Both the floor tiles and wall tiles are from Pratt & Larson, a really lovely tile company up in Oregon. I went with Emily to visit their factory a few years ago and fell in love with both the company and the tiles. Even though I ordered the tiles during the modern phase, I still had the sense of mind to go with their organic Portland edge on both tiles, which give them a bit of a rougher, more undone look. The floor tiles are a matte finish as well, making them less slippery for safety, and less shiny for aesthetics. 

Towels

I had my dad build this little ledge at the back of the shower, even though we had a nook built in over the shower faucet. I thought it would make the towel area feel more intentional, and also be the perfect place to put more things – I have a lot of them.

Blue Vase | Hand Soap (similar) | Knobs and Pulls | Hand Towel

I decided I was going to mix metals in this space. All the Kohler plumbing I had ordered was black, and I had gotten really excited when I had found these black hex knobs and pulls at West Elm that would match the floor and plumbing. But when I got all weird about the design plan, I wanted to bring in more warm tones. Adding brass to the mix felt like a good way to do that. 

Outlet and Switchplate Covers | Bee Sconce

So while our plumbing and hardware are black, our electrical components and mirror frame are brass. I choose these very traditional brass switchplates from Rejuvenation that are just too pretty to photoshop out. And I found this tiny brass bumblebee sconce that really added the touch of whimsy to the space that I needed.

Rug (vintage) | Toilet | Toilet Seat | Toliet Paper Holder

The last piece of the puzzle was bringing in warm soulful details through vintage and unique pieces. I stuffed as many of them as I could into this small space. The rug is a piece that’s been with me since my first apartment bedroom with Macauley, back in 2017. It used to live in our vanity nook, but has found a new permanent home here to bring in some hits of pink and blue. The vanity nook was the first clue to what my real design style was going to be, and I would 100% not change a thing about it.

I also love the traditional and elegant shape that our toilet has. The edge of the toilet lid is so beautiful. I never thought I would say that about a toilet. You also need to know that our toilet seat is heated, so I never again have to cringe sitting down on a cold seat first thing in the morning. It’s the small things, folks.

All Art (vintage) | Candle | Box

My little nook idea turned out better than I could have imagined, and I found the perfect beehive-shaped sconce to live above it. Hilariously the first sconce we got had a defective screw, and we went through TWO lampshades before we realized what the issue was. This is sconce shade #3, and hopefully will survive much longer.

I found that tiny Angel Gabriel painting for $45 the very same morning I was going to shoot this space, at the Rose Bowl Flea. It was a last-minute find, but feels like it was always meant to go there. And my porcelain bust finally has a worthy home. All the orange blossoms are clippings from my front yard tree and is one of my favorite scents in the whole world.

The oval mirror I something I picked up at an antique store in North Carolina, and the painting above it is something I picked up at a vintage store in Atlanta (the same place I got my painted dog tray I have in the kitchen). The antique shopping outside of California is insane and so good. I think the mirror was like $20, and the painting (FRAMED!) was $15. It’s such a beautiful painting too! And I’m obsessed with my tiny, brass, dancing people towel hook.

The large bathing ladies painting was another Rose Bowl find from a few weeks ago, and I nabbed it for $50 (but then spent $160 getting it framed). I love the hits of blues, pinks, and reds that it brings, and the tiny floral details throughout. And that wood and rattan lamp is made up of two different vintage pieces I put together (previously living on our bar cart in the dining room). We have a lot of different lighting options in this space, and I like having the table lamp option for a moody shower vibe or a late-night restroom trip, so I don’t wake Macauley up.

Oh, and the paint color we ended up going with? It’s called Road To Todos Santos, by Backdrop. A creamy, warm, sage green that reminds me of Victorian parlor rooms and lazy summer days. In a brighter, more open space it’s going to look more like a muted sage. But in our tiny bathroom, with all the brass and wood it goes a bit yellower.

There you have it – My modern bathroom, turned traditional, with a dash of vintage whimsy. A true meeting of the minds between Macauley (graphic, modern, and clean) and me (whimsical, traditional, and stuffed with lots of things).

And if you’re curious what our bathroom looks like on a normal, non-shoot styled day, pop over to Em’s stories on Instagram for a peek 🙂

*Design and Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

This reveal wouldn’t be possible without the support of a handful of amazing brands, who partnered with us. Thanks to KitchenAid, Caesarstone, Kokeena, and Rejuvenation for helping this kitchen come to life.

I’d like to open this blog post with a quote…

“And it makes more sense to hustle and get it all done. It’s a really small kitchen, and he [my dad] thinks it will only be a 5-week project.” – Sara Ligorria-Tramp, blog post dated 5.26.20

Well. Here we are folks. The end of the line. Wrap it up. We’re sending Bilbo off to the Undying Lands. It’s time to reveal my kitchen renovation that started exactly 1 year, 9 months, and 15 days ago. I am 105% ready to let your eyeballs scroll all over this kitchen. But first, a little trip down memory lane.

It was a kitchen that was literally crumbling apart at the grout lines. There were holes in the walls, at least three different paint colors between the cabinets, walls, and trim, and more than a few shelves and drawers that were falling apart. I have a hard time remembering the kitchen this way. It honestly feels like a lifetime ago. Time’s gotten weird in the last few years… gooey almost.

So, back in May of 2020 I thought “hey, let’s make this a challenge and update our kitchen, and let’s set a budget of $3k to do it, and, you know… see how far we get.” Oh, young me. Still so self-unaware. That idea snowballed fast (as most of my home projects do) into “hey, let’s renovate this whole kitchen, while we’re home all the time, and as every supply chain comes to a grading halt. How about that?” Here’s why – My dad was home too (a rare occurrence) since all film and TV production was on hold, and he was ready for a project.

Once we’d made the leap from well-intentioned and naive update, to fully unhinged renovation, I went down a design rabbit hole. I still love all of those above design directions. What we ended up going with was a modified version of Option #3, but with a lighter, less saturated green. And honestly, I can’t imagine my kitchen any other way. Green it was, is, and will be forever.

Forgetting all the emotional breakdowns, doubt, existential dread, and work over the past two years, I’m so happy we ripped off the bandaid and just went for it with the full renovation. Because now we have THIS…

A kitchen of my dreams, that I can’t believe I get to cook in. I’ll level with you – is this what our kitchen looks like all day, every day? Yes. It is the most beautiful kitchen in the world, a dirty dish has never touched that sink, my produce is always ripe, and my counters are always clear and clean. I am the most aesthetic person in the world. Thank you for reading today’s post.

“Oh, she thinks she’s a comic…”

In fact, our kitchen does not look like this every day. Think of a shoot day like school picture day, but for interiors. You clean the space up, curate it, zhuzh it. You bring in the stylist, and the hand towel you’ve never used because it’s too beautiful, but makes you look cool. You kinda live out this fantasy of what the space could be. Seeing it at its full potential. So for today, this is the version of my kitchen I’m sharing. But because I am benevolent, I will be sharing some photos of how our kitchen actually looks (…on a clean day). Including the insides of all the cabinets and drawers. But that’s content for a different post (coming soon).

Ok. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so start reading faster…and check out this video we made showing the whole space (just wait for the ad to play):

KitchenAid Appliances

Going in alphabetical order, let’s start with the appliances. All of our major appliances (fridge, dishwasher, and range + hood) were provided by KitchenAid, and all three are a pleasure to have in our home. Emily Bowser has a KitchenAid fridge in her home, and I have always really liked the functionality of it. Plus, I already loved my KitchenAid Stand Mixer. So when it came time to choose appliances for the kitchen, they were my first choice. The range is my favorite, and is a KitchenAid 30” Commercial-Style Range. This line of ranges comes in several different colors – I have the ink blue model, which allows me to add an extra hint of color in my kitchen. After all, I am a “more is more” kinda person. It’s also just a really great range – it’s got smart capabilities so I can preheat the oven from my phone without leaving the couch, powerful burners, and an endless array of cooking capabilities. I cook at least two meals a day, so the Commercial-Style Range is a huge part of my life. 

Dutch Oven

Runner Rug | Flushmount

Next up is our KitchenAid, counter depth panel-ready fridge with interior dispense French doors. The freezer drawer has been the biggest upgrade in terms of food storage, and I love how spacious it is, as it lets me organize my food better. 

Lastly, our KitchenAid dishwasher with panel-ready design (which blends seamlessly into our cabinets) has a third-level rack for things like spatulas, serving utensils, and measuring cups, freeing up space in the lower two racks, which helps keep our counter clear and our sink empty. And when you have a narrow kitchen, things can start feeling claustrophobic fast. Every inch of clear, clean space counts. If you’re in the market for some dreamy new appliances, check out more from KitchenAid(R) Suite Collections. 

Cabinet Fronts | Brass Hardware

Next up – They are beauty, they are grace, they are our cabinet fronts by Kokeena in collaboration with Townsend Interiors in “Moss Green.” Solid wood, smoothly lacquered, and ready to pop right onto our self-installed Ikea cabinets. We went with their “Modern English” style cabinet fronts – essentially a shaker style cabinet to vibe with our more traditional style home. What drew me to these fine pieces of lacquered craftsmanship? Well, first of all they were green. The most lovely, perfect shade of warm, dark olive, cozy cottage green. They are also very nice people who run this small business out in Portland, and made the whole custom cabinetry front process very lovely. 

Knife Block

And  I can tell you that after about a year, they’re still holding up great. Yes. It took that long to get in all the finishing touches. But that also means that we’ve lived with our kitchen, and almost everything in it, for about a year. So I really do know how everything is holding up. And our beautiful cabinet fronts are checking all the boxes: gorgeous (duh), easily cleanable, and durable. We also used Kokeena’s brass hardware on all of the fronts, minus the fridge. 

I really feel like the cabinet colors and the hardware shape keep this kitchen from feeling too modern, and really grounds the space in some vintage *emotions*.

Sconce

Speaking of emotions, this photo gives me lots of them. Mostly because this kitchen was such a labor of love, and I can remember the installation of each and every piece, down to Bowser tying that kitchen towel into the most elegant knot on that tiny brass hook. But also because I feel like this kitchen really is me. Obviously the green cabinets, and brass hardware. But also the random, slightly chaotic, but cozy and lived-in feeling that I get from being in the space.

Brass Rail System

Counter Dust Bin and Brush

Each of those cutting boards has a personal story – The round one is a hand-me-down from Bowser, the arched one was a wedding gift from a friend, the tall one was the first nice cutting board I ever bought for myself, and the little pig was my grandmas. Does that shelf have a lot going on? Yes, but it feels warm and inviting and used. Do the brass rails and hanging baskets add a lot, visually? Definitely, but they also offer me the option of a lot more counter space by hanging items that I otherwise wouldn’t have room for. And sure, there are a lot of little things in my kitchen that probably don’t make practical sense, but they make me happy. 

Window Valance | Curtain Rod | Brass Outlet Cover

Like hanging this tiny little piece of art below my kitchen window, so my cats can also enjoy my vintage oil painting obsession while they eat – which is normally right under the window (painting gifted to me by the lovely Rosa Beltran after I photographed the CLAD Home storefront).

Brass Switchplate | Rattan Tray | Honey Jar | Countertop

Our countertops and backsplash are from Caesarstone, in the color Statuario Nuvo with a honed finish. These counters were probably the smartest choice we made in our kitchen – they have never chipped, cracked, stained, or warped in any which way. They feel oh so velvety smooth, and I love rolling out dough on them. And they look so good. The veining throughout is delicate, the color is just slightly creamy. We went with natural stone in our bathroom, and I’m kinda wishing we had used Caesarstone again. I dunno how much more I can recommend it.

I thought the counters were going to be a really scary part of the reno, but they were actually super easy because they were the one thing we didn’t install ourselves. I connected with a fabricator in my area that Caesarstone recommended, showed them my kitchen layout, they sent someone out to measure, they told me how much stone I would need, and Caesarstone shipped the stone directly to the fabricators. The fabricators then cut the stone, and came to install it. Considering everything else that went into this kitchen (I’m looking at you floating wood shelf), it was a gentle breeze.

All that glitters isn’t gold, it’s brass. And it all comes from Rejuvenation. We’re talking the Eastmoreland arched wall sconce, the Foster flush mount ceiling fixtures, the Fenton outlet covers, the Brookside brass rail systems, the Descanso pull down faucet, and the matching dish soap dispenser that makes me feel very fancy. Even the window curtain rod that you can’t see in any photos, but I know is there. Beautiful, timeless, well crafted, and made right up in Portland. I like the outlet and switch plates so much, I didn’t even photoshop them out of the photos (I usually refer to outlets as the zits of walls). Also please, enjoy Emily Bowser’s aspirational herb drying station. We laughed about this, but she’s also serious about drying her own herbs and I’m a supportive friend.

Faucet | Soap Dispenser | Sink | Arched Cutting Board

This faucet and sink combo has proven wildly successful in our home – I nabbed that deeeeeep, Kholer, drop-in sink on Craigslist knowing I would need a kitchen bathtub for produce cleaning, washing out big pots, and maybe a kitty or future baby bath. Paired with our brass faucet that has a suuuuuuper long hose neck that can reach every nook and lustery enamel corner of that sink with either a gentle flow or powerful spray, there’s no contest. 

Brass Bookends | KitchenAid Stand Mixer | Seagrass Woven Hanging Baskets | Rattan Hanging Baskets | Black Garlic Keeper

Ahh, we’re reaching the end. Have I talked enough about my love for chaos? Have I even mentioned that hilarious vintage painted dog tray I bought in Atlanta and drove across the country with me?? Do you understand my love for my KitchenAid Stand Mixer which I use at least once a week?! I brought that tiny blue and white pitcher (and the matching sugar bowl) back from Guatemala in my carry-on because I was scared I was going to break it. And I found that wood pedestal bowl at a thrift store in Oregon on the road trip where Macauley proposed to me. THIS KITCHEN HAS EMOTIONS & MEMORIES. Unhinged ones, clearly. But they run deep.

That basil will probably die pretty soon though, so I’m trying to actually use it.

Now it’s time for everyone’s favorite section of the post – before and afters:

Are you not entertained???

WOW. WE DID IT. I revealed this kitchen (that’s me, up there), and you scrolled through this whole blog post. I think we’ve both achieved something. But now it’s time for the applause round – Thank you to my brother and dad who literally installed this kitchen with their own four hands. Thank you to Julie Rose, who took my iPad drawings and measurements and turned them into something that I could actually use. Thank you to Velinda Hellen who answered 1 billion questions, and held my hand as we measured for the floating shelf because I was terrified to get it wrong (literally came over and did it with me, and by the way V, it fit perfectly). Thank you to all the brands who believed in my vision and helped it become a reality by gifting us beautiful kitchen items – KitchenAid for the appliances, Caesarstone for the counters, Kokeena & Townsend Interiors for the cabinet fronts, and Rejuvenation for so many shiny brass things. Thank you to Emily Bowser for knotting that hand towel so perfectly (and styling everything else). Thank you to the EHD team for tolerating me, and my brand of editorial chaos. And my husband Macauley for doing this whole home renovation thing with me.

So now you’ve seen the kitchen and you feel the feelings. This post was really about how I made this kitchen feel like us. But stay tuned, because in my next kitchen post I’m gonna share how I made this kitchen work for us. AND, I’m gonna be sharing photos of what it looks like on a more normal day. Because yea, we live with a rice cooker on the counter at all times. It’s a Zojirushi. It does not live in a cabinet.

*Design and Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
**Styled by Emily Bowser

Like that fossilized fry you find under your car seat, I’m back. Did y’all forget about me? I did. But I promised you all a kitchen a reveal so I’m here to deliver…sort of. DON’T GET MAD, but I haven’t finished my kitchen yet. Turns out kitchens are tough, and getting a new refrigerator delivered during the time of COVID is even tougher.

BUT I’m here with an update. And I hope that it will hold you over until this kitchen is finished for real. (Real quick, if you’re new to me ((rude)) you can catch up on this whole kitchen debacle in chronological order here: Post 1, Post 2, Post 3, Post 4.)

On the left is where we started back in 2020, and on the right is where we are now, almost a year later…

Are they even the same PERSON?!

Honestly, I’ve forgotten how to write blog posts, because I have no idea where to start. But since this is just an update post, I won’t get stuck too deep in any weeds.

Like most of the rest of the house, we* demo’d everything out down to the studs, and rebuilt from the literal ground up. We took out the door and window that were a part of the back kitchen wall, and popped in a new, centered window that lets in a lot more light. The choice of flooring was made easy by the fact that we had leftover wood flooring from the rest of the house, so we could save a little $.

*If you’re new to me and my house, the royal “we” mostly refers to my dad and little brother. Neither of whom do this professionally, but are just very talented, hard-working humans who apparently love me an insane amount. But Mac and I have put in a fair share of blood, sweat, and tears along side them.

Next, we re-ran all the electrical and installed cabinet boxes from Ikea. With the new walls, new electric, new flooring, and new cabinet boxes all in place we were finally ready to start adding in the fun details – like custom cabinet fronts and pretty counters. And while we’re still missing the whole integrated fridge section, along with some other details, this kitchen is now 100% fully functional.

Honestly, if someone told me today “that’s it, you can’t do anything else to this kitchen” I’d be totally fine. Maybe a little bummed, because I’m really excited for the finishing touches, but I really have nothing to complain about. Not only is our kitchen functional, it’s pretty. Thanks to my dad, some amazing partners, and a lot of hard work this tiny galley kitchen is now the beating heart of our home.

I spend a LOT of time in here, and as someone who needs to cook their own meals on a regular basis to feel like a sane person, I truly feel blessed by some super generous kitchen gods.

Let’s chat details, and then I can fill you in on what still needs to get done along the way…

Since we were using Ikea base cabinets, I used the Ikea online software to design the layout for our kitchen. And then we partnered with Kokeena, a small custom cabinet front maker out of Portland, to have all the beautiful fronts and integrated panels made. We went with a style from their collaboration with Townsend Interiors – shaker style cabinet fronts in the mossy sage green of my dreams (aptly called “Moss”). They took my Ikea design and made the whole process so easy. We also used their hardware.

There are a lot of companies doing custom Ikea cabinet fronts these days, but Kokeena stuck out to me for two big reasons. First, their panels are all wood, and you can really feel the quality when you touch them–my dad was super impressed (it’s hard to impress my dad). Secondly, they’ll send you cabinet fronts painted whatever color you want. I choose one of their pre-selected colors, but if you have a dream color in mind they’ll make you cabinet fronts in that color (rather than sending you unpainted cabinet fronts that you then have to paint yourself). Working with them has been nothing short of a pleasure, and it’s just nice to work with small companies run by awesome people.

For the counters I wanted something really durable. I need them to last a long time, and since I live in my kitchen, so they need to live right along with me. So, we decided to go with Caesarstone quartz counters. I started by ordering a sample of the counter, and literally putting it through weeks of trial. I used it as a spoon rest, I cut up fruits and veggies on it, I left lemon and tomato sauce and wine on it for days at a time. And it cleaned up every time. So by the time we had to make the final decision, I felt really confident.

Our Caesarstone counters are hands down one of the best decisions I’ve made in our house. We went with honed Statuario Nuvo, and they just look really elegant. And to bring in a touch of timelessness I choose an ogee straight counter edge (we used Euro Stone in Pacoima for our fabrication, and they were amazing).

Since our new fridge has been backordered for a bit, we haven’t been able to install our integrated fridge corner. But we have been able to install our integrated KitchenAid dishwasher, and this beautiful thing, the thing that steals my heart time and time again, our new KitchenAid range. IT’S NAVY (they call it “Ink”). I love the touch of understated color it brings to the space. It’s the crown jewel of the kitchen–I can control it from my phone via bluetooth, it can bake, broil, proof, and has convection settings, and it’s just really sexy. It’s the Ian Somerhalder of ranges (Bowser and Veronica got me watching Vampire Diaries, which I missed the first time around, blame them for that one).

WILD difference, no? There’s so much happening in that one little picture on the right. I found that amazing Kohler cast iron sink on Craigslist, NEW for $300 (normally $600+). The beautiful faucet, outlet plate, and sconce are all from Rejuvenation – the literal gold standard for beautifully coordinated brass home accents. The sconces, specifically, create a really beautiful soft light in the kitchen, perfect for late evenings or getting a glass of nighttime water.

Eventually, we’re going to get a single wood shelf to span the entire length of the counter over the sink, and install a brass rail system under it. The plan is to make it nice and deep, so it can hold all my cookbooks, some pretty dishes, and a piece of art or two (which would free up more counter and cabinet space).

Let’s talk a little bit about functionality, because I didn’t want a kitchen that was pretty but couldn’t actually work.

In the far cabinet, across from the fridge, we created a microwave shelf, and installed several deep drawers for things like cat food, mixing bowls, and reusable containers. And our everyday dishware is stored to the right of the stove. I used shelf risers from Open Spaces to make the space even more efficient. The rest of our non-everyday dishware lives out in the bar cabinet in the dining room. (Peep my super cute amber tumblers that I snagged off Erik’s new vintage Instagram store, Bric-A-Brac).

We didn’t have space for a walk-in pantry, so we had to get creative. The cabinets and drawers to the left of the stove are our pantry. Emily was working on some sponsored content with RubberMaid, so we got to fully organize my upper cabinet into a super functional pantry using their Brilliance collection. And then we’ve got our spice rack fully organized in the top drawer (not pictured), and the bottom drawer is deep enough that it’s my baking pantry where I store bulk flours, sugars, and the like. So far, it’s all been working out real good.

So while our kitchen is fully functional, why aren’t I calling it finished? Because I have plaaaaans. I can’t wait to get our new fridge, so the whole space can be fully integrated (and we’ll get another set of cabinets above the fridge for appliance storage). We actually need to install our range hood (and by “we”, I mean hire someone who actually knows what they’re doing). I really want the open shelving above the sink, because I love my cookbooks and I want them to have a dedicated space. Plus, I think the brass hook and rail system will bring in a touch of vintage. And we need to add in tons of small details – like toe kicks, under cabinet lighting, a window treatment, and ACCESSORIES (maybe a rug that actually fits the space).

So there you have it, our kitchen as it is now. But slightly better, because Bowser came over and styled it (like the talented angel she is).

When are we aiming to have it finished, finished? Fall of 2021, probably. Good things take time, hard work, and a little patience. That’s what this house has taught me. So we’re just enjoying the process. Because in a home this old, there will always be a new project (I’m looking at you, primary bathroom), and if we get too focused on getting things “done” we’re never gonna get to LIVE here.

*Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
**Design by Sara Ligorria-Tramp and styling by Emily Bowser

I’m back finally, and this time with the reveal of this long-awaited room – THE OFFICE . . . slash guest room. Plus, I’ve brought a special guest with me. The office user himself, my fiancé Macauley Johnson, who’s going to share a few of his thoughts on the room. I’m only mildly terrified of what he will say.

It is with great excitement that we present one of the first rooms where I feel that Mac and I actually found a middle ground in our design aesthetics (at least more successfully than before).

Navy Paint | Desk | Desk Lamp | Office Chair | Rug | Leather Ottoman | Sofa | Accent Table | Window Treatments | Painting by Koshin Finley | A24 Poster | Vintage Japanese Movie Posters | Custom Framing | Floating Art Shelves | Charcoal Candle

Quick editors note: Since Mac is going to be joining Sara for this post, his words will be bolded while Sara’s will remain unbolded.

OK, so. Where do we begin?

Probably the beautiful, inky blue paint that’s all over the walls. It’s “Goodnight Moon” by Clare Paint, and it was the perfect choice for this space.

Mustard Accent Pillow | BLM Poster Art | Bookcase | Gold Table Lamp

I like it because it immediately gives the room a “mood” while still feeling playful because of its saturated color. Clare Paint has a really curated selection of colors, and because of that you aren’t trying to choose between 4 different navy’s. They’ve got one navy, and it’s the PERFECT navy. But Mac, I know that you don’t traditionally like blue, so how did I convince you to go navy in the office?

After going dark in the TV room, I wasn’t so afraid of going dark. The biggest leap was going blue at all (call me crazy, but it’s a color I steer away from). We had been looking at some black or charcoal wall colors throughout the house, so this rich, dark navy started to scratch that itch. In the evenings it gets dark, but doesn’t feel overwhelming during the day. We also decided to keep the ceiling and door frames white to call back to the rest of the house and keep it from getting too intense. This room feels a little more classic, while the TV room goes more stylized.

Yea, the layout of the room is a little strange since there are three doors all crammed into one side of the space. Figuring out the painting of the trim in that area was a little tricky.

Crystal Knob | Brass Knob

We ended up going with stained wood doors for the main entry and closet, and painting the bathroom door white. And we fitted all the doors with beautiful antique style hardware from House Of Antique Hardware.

Having crystal knobs for all the main interior doors felt like a nice through-line, but the closet stood out because it didn’t seem to want the same treatment. I mentioned going with something all brass, but you found the knob that fit the bill. It has just the right amount of vintage detail while still taking a backseat to the glass knobs. I like the idea of finding little artistic details like this one in lesser-seen corners of the home.

The next big piece in this room is the sofa. And not only is it a sofa, it’s a convertible guest sleeping sofa.

Sofa | Accent Table | Vintage Japanese Posters | Custom Framing | Rug | Mustard Accent Pillow | Candle

We really wanted to have a space where guests could sleep privately, but our home isn’t big enough to dedicate an entire room to that guest, right? A sofa bed in the office seemed like the easy, no-brainer solution. Our is from BluDot, and it’s beautifully simple in its design – the backrest cushions pop off, and the top cushions fold out, away from the couch to create a flat sleeping platform. We’ve had guests sleep on it as is, and said it was great. But we’ve also now started rolling out this amazing inflatable camping mattress that I found at REI that just happens to fit the platform perfectly, and makes it just as comfortable as any bed I’ve slept on. Plus the mattress allows us to fit the bed with a sheet.

And the blackout linen roman shades from Decorview make this room perfect for any guests who like to sleep in a little. They’re the same ones that we have in the living room and dining room, which is a nice tie in between the spaces.

Ceiling Fixture

As you can see, the room isn’t HUGE, so we packed a lot of personality into each square foot. I wanted some brass in the room, and Mac wanted really good, bright overhead light for when he works in the evening. I think the ceiling fixture from Rejuvenation was the solution.

That, and I like how it classes the place up a bit, bringing in some metallic shine while still tying into the wood that I picked throughout. My style is usually not very refined (I have a lot of STUFF and that leads to clutter) so it’s nice to have key elements that both satisfy a functional need and add some style to the place.

I think we both agree that a good vintage rug brings a room together. We needed a very specific size for this strange, small room – one that stuck out far enough from under the couch, but not too far that it would run into the bookshelf or get caught under Mac’s office chair. Revival Rugs ended up having the exact rug we needed. Size-wise it fit perfectly, and the deep saturated colors it brings to the room play so beautifully off the deep wood and navy tones.

You have the eye for color and balance. And I’m usually in when the word “vintage” is involved. Turns out this was another great pick.

BLM Poster Art | Bookcase | Gold Table Lamp

Alright, up next is the bookshelf from Article, which was really a 100% Mac driven decision…

That means if it looks terrible, there’s only one person on the chopping block, but I am very pleased with it. First, it looks great – I have a thing going on in the room with right angles, metal, and deep wooded tones and this piece was all about that. The shelves felt like fun little areas to put pictures, figures, and other finds from along the way (STUFF). And it has a good amount of closed storage. That was especially something I was looking for: Hidden space to store the piles of things that don’t go so well on a shelf.

Mac, you also really wanted a plant for that corner, and to be honest I doubted you. I really thought we should center the bookshelf on the wall. I’ll concede though, you were right.

I did, hah. Part of that was me painting us into a corner (really, truly no pun intended) by focusing in on that shelf. The pros might say that it’s a bit big for the space, and it is. So when we had it closer to the window, you really felt the size of the piece against the stark, blue wall. I also wanted to bring some greenery into the room and I’ve never had a decent-sized plant, so we started a search. My only stipulation was that I couldn’t sit in the office looking at a fiddle-leaf fig after how many I see online regularly (Note: We have had one before and they look great, but I wanted something that felt different and more me). So we found this great little rubber tree at the Flower Mart downtown, and I hope to have it with us for a while.

Desk | Floating Art Shelves | Art by Kohshin Finley | Custom Framing | Desk Lamp | Office Chair

Here is where Mac works every day (he’s an Associate Creative Director at the motion graphics studio Scholar). I desperately wanted him to have a workspace that he actually enjoyed being in, and Mac really wanted a space that was functional for all his tech needs.

I like to have a lot of desk space because I usually work with a two-monitor setup. One of those monitors is a large tablet that can be drawn on and I end up moving it around a lot, so having some depth to the desk was also a must. Beyond that, I was looking for something mostly wood and sturdy because having heavy monitors on a wobbly desk is a big no and I’d like this piece to last a long time.

We found a few options that fit the criteria, but what won me over was this built-in cord tray in the Madera Oak desk from Article. The entire desk is extremely sturdy and it has the panel on the back that I can get in and out of to organize the ridiculous amount of cords I have. I had a power strip mounted under our previous desk, but now I have that power strip and all the cords neatly hidden away, which means no mess under the desk. We also opted for the wider option of the desk in case we ever both needed a desk at the same time. Which is great for leaning heads on each other’s shoulders, if you’re into that.

I really am 🙂

Most importantly, I really wanted Mac to impart his personality in this room. Your style is a bit more graphic and modern than mine, and can sometimes go more saturated or darker in color.

I definitely lean more graphic, finding bold shapes in movie posters or keeping clean lines in the furniture choices. I love typography so that graphic language carries through a lot of the things I’m drawn to. And then there are the figures. Whether small, skulled art pieces or actual action figures, I’ve amassed a minor collection and don’t want to hold onto things I’m only going to pack away. The floating art shelves made for great spaces to bring those in, instead of plopping Hellboy on the fireplace mantle (because not even I want that).

I think the fact that you picked all the art for this room was a hard aspect of the design control for me to let go off, and I know I still tried to influence some of your decisions. But I really love how it turned out. Why don’t you walk us through some of the art choices you made?

There’s a lot of movie stuff going on since films are a great passion of mine, so the opportunity to get more art on the walls meant I could nerd out a little. We ended up with two vintage Japanese posters, but that process of picking only two was arduous. Very happy with our picks though: One is more classic, really leaning into the ’60s style of the film, and the other is a more contemporary design with metallic silver lettering on the title. We got them both custom-framed through Framebridge, and they’re perfect there above the couch.

I wasn’t sold on the idea of art shelves at first, but it really didn’t make sense to add more large frames to an already crowded room. I’m happy that we could fit some larger pieces on there like the painting by friend and incredibly talented artist Kohshin Finley that some might recognize from the last time we had an office reveal on here. And there’s plenty of space to mix and matchbooks, toys, and art or whatever else I find along the way.

On the left is a piece from one of the amazing people involved with Artists4BlackLives, a collective of creators donating proceeds to Black Girl Film School. Next to it, the shelving made for fun little dioramas of art books and tchotchkes. These areas will be fun to change up just like the art shelves. And on the right, the A24 poster holds a special place in my heart combining my love for design and my love for movies – it’s the sequence of their opening title animation.

IT ALL LOOKS SO GOOD, and so you. Ok, I think we’re starting to wind down. Let’s go through some of our favorite aspects of the room really quick. I personally love this little brass lamp – when it’s turned on it gives a really warm glow in a pretty star-like pattern all over the walls. It was also your idea!

I enjoy the couch, desk, and framed art a lot, but the bookshelf has become my little kingdom. It has worked out exactly how I hoped and I still have space in those cabinets for, you guessed it, more stuff.

Overall, how do you think we did on this room? Like, how did you feel about the design process?

This room is really special to me. I love the whole house, but I enjoy how we’ve been able to bring different moods to each space. While I mostly work in the office, I enjoy taking a break from the computer, kicking back on the couch and taking the whole room in.

I also really like coming in there and napping on the couch with a cat or two while you actually work. And I’m so happy we were able to get this room done while you are still working from home, so you could fully utilize it. Once you go back into the office every day, I’ll probably take over your desk though.

Well, there you have it. Our finished office/guest room. It’s moody, functional, and most importantly it’s a space that we both love. Now, all we have left to finish is the kitchen, our primary bathroom, our bedroom . . . the front bathroom, the backyard, the front yard, the garage . . . does it ever end??

As always, a huge thank you to all the partners who worked with us on this space. And an even bigger thank you to Mac for joining me on this post. It was so fun to write with you, and pick your brain about the design process. And thank you for generally being a super patient design client and decor collaborator – as you can all imagine I’m not the easiest person to design with and I have a LOT of opinions and ideas. He might not be on board with all my ideas, but he hears them all out and has signed on for some of the crazier ones.

Stay tuned for our kitchen reveal, which is moving right along. We should have all the major pieces installed by January, and then it’ll just be about finishing touches.

**Design by Sara Ligorria-Tramp and Macauley Johnson
*Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Guess who’s back? Like the badly wrapped, yet extremely sentimental gift under a tree, it’s me. And as promised in my Halloween post, I’m here to share my freshly decked halls (…we can all agree that phrase isn’t inappropriate, but for some reason it really, really sounds like it is, right?).

I know, I know. It’s not even DECEMBER yet. So why am I here? First, I was ready. We’re spending a ton of time in our house (all day, every day), and so we decided we might as well get the MAXIMUM amount of enjoyment out of our decor this year. Secondly, because a lot of other people are also feeling this way, and we wanted to make sure we could share all these good Target links with you before it all sells out. 

As a few of you dedicated readers might recall, the last time I tried to decorate my old living space for the holidays it…uhhh…burned down. IT WASN’T MY FAULT. The fire had nothing to do with a Christmas tree set a blaze by one rogue light. The fire started in the apartment below ours, but it crept up and incinerated one full half of our living room. All the decor it didn’t turn to ash was melted. It’s now a hilarious memory, and we even took our holiday card photo that year next to our mostly melted tree among the rubble and ash. But the event left us pretty bare of holiday decor. And last year, around the holidays, we were still deep in renovations and had zero energy to decorate. 

So when we were thinking of safe set locations for this year’s Target holiday shoot, I threw my “house hat” in the ring. I could kill two birds with one stone – Provide a safe shoot location, and have my home PROFESSIONALLY styled by professional stylists Emily Bowser and Erik Kenneth Staalberg (a literal dream team). We ended up swapping out a few of our furniture pieces for Target pieces to give y’all shoppable “get the look” vignettes, and we went full out MAXIMAL on the decor (we’ve pulled it back just a little for our actual everyday holiday living). But it was so fun to style, shoot, and now live in. Yes, I am drinking hot chocolate, listening to the “Christmas Cocktail Jazz” playlist, while burning 4 different varieties of holiday candles as I write this. If you celebrate Christmas, I highly recommend it. 

Now I’m going to throw it to Emily (Henderson) to walk you through some easy tips so you too can make your Christmas dreams come true. Take it away, Em!

Make “Red and Green” Feel Edgy With Hits Of Darker, Moodier Colors

Sara wanted the traditional red and green and of course, I support any and all Christmas color palettes but I was curious how she was going to do it to feel fresh and youthful. When I walked into her living room I was so impressed that it did feel SO fun and not “grown-up” traditional. They did it by mostly adding in a heavy dose of black, navy, and darker reds. The black houses on the mantel have a modern feel, there are dark blues in the pillows and ornaments and they brought in more of a cranberry red in the pillows. WELL DONE.

Don’t Be Afraid Of “Christmas Kitsch”

Everywhere you look, there are traditional elements but mixed in is a lot of unexpected “Christmas kitsch” that took me a while to put my finger on. I was like, ‘why does this feel so fun’ and then saw it – kitschy elements everywhere. The Santa Clause garland over the sofa is so playful (but in the black works so well here). There are little deer on the cabinet on a bank of snow. Vintage-style metal cars with trees on top are peppered around and even the bike advent calendar.

I’m really hoping/requiring that Mac or Sara fully embrace the “elf on the shelf” tradition and hide it every morning in weird places and threaten each other with Santa being able to see if they are good or not. IT’S SO WEIRD BUT of course, we do our lazy parent version of it.

Add The Holiday “Glow” With Candles, Lights, And Light Up Trees

If you only do two things to set the mood it should be this – greenery and good lighting in the form of sparkly lights and candles (real or flameless). And bonus points if you get holiday scented candles – pine, cinnamon, cranberry. When I walked in it smelled SO GOOD because a lot of the candles in the fireplace were indeed scented and mixed together. This is especially awesome when you don’t have real greenery. They truly made the room smell SO good.

It’s also such a great non-functional fireplace hack – load it up with red, green, and white scented candles and make sure to vary the candle heights (use candle holders too!). It makes the room GLOW.

You’ll also see that those houses (stocking holders) have lights in them (and are only $30 for the set of 4!), which is another super easy way to bring in ambiance, and little pops of glow that at night make the room sing.

The trees on the dining table are so awesome (I have them in blush) because they are battery operated and glow up evenly – we haven’t changed our batteries in a couple of years. BIG fan. And if I can give one tip for the lazy decorator it’s ‘pre-lit’ trees, garlands, and wreaths. I know not all of them come with lights, but I always end up adding string lights so if you can get them lit, just do (like the trees on the black cabinet).

Such good holiday glow and cheer everywhere. I love those muted red velvet pillows with tassels. Can you believe they are only $20?? So super affordable and add a ton of style (they come in blue, too).

The No-Fail Dependability Of Wreaths (And How to Customize)

Wreaths add such high-impact “holiday” considering they are hung with just one nail (or command strip). Putting one over the mirror on the mantle (how good is that “mantle mirror“?? – GENIUS) transforms the mantel with just a simple shape and color.

They customized both of the above readymade faux wreaths with ribbons, which made them feel more custom and special. GOOD MOVE, team. The shape is so simple, so adding a twist to it is certainly a fun way to shake it up.

A New Way To Display All Those Cards

This year I’m desperate for cards – more than any other year. I’m tempted to make my address public because getting something personal in the mail, that makes me feel connected to the world seems like what we need right now. They came up with a genius way to display them with a super sweet garland and clothespins. I also love the creative garland “design” with the double layer, that you can obviously add more and more to. Please send me cards. I’ll do this and then keep them forever…

Little Affordable Festive Touches

Even if you don’t have a big space, you can still add in little “moments” like Sara, Bowser and Erik did in these shelves. I have those light-up tree faux candles, too and put them in my bathroom (by the way). And another wreath hack that they did was bind two sprigs together to hang above that horizontal space above the bookshelf. So good and easy.

Give The “Little Village” A New Spin, On Your Mantel

I love how they styled the mantel like a village scene – trees, houses, and even vintage style cars. It’s an updated “little village” (by the way, how shocked are we all that I haven’t gone crazy creating a miniature Christmas world yet? Don’t worry, will do now that the kids are older). The stocking holders that are a house make it easy to do this then add a few bigger and a few smaller.

You Don’t Have To Take Your Tree Too Seriously

I love how they just went for it, void of any pretentiousness. Some candy canes, some animal figurines, Mac’s nutcracker collection (how cute is that?). It’s just fun and unexpected, but easy to do. You don’t NEED a garland or even a star (!!!) if you have enough happening in the room, and it lets their eclectic ornaments (some of which they had collected post-fire) shine.

I am so happy for these two who can celebrate this year, fully decked out. A huge thanks to Target for partnering with us on this (yes everything is from Target besides the sofa and dining table furniture). Yes, even the rug which I couldn’t believe (it’s also just an affordable price for an area rug).

Congrats Sara and Mac on their first holiday in this home. I hope you all got some great ideas here – my EHD team – Bowser, Erik, and Sara really knocked it out of the park (and thanks to Mac for letting us invade your house for days. xx

And if you were worried that we wouldn’t give you ALLLLLL the links, worry not:

1. Christmas Ornament Set Emerald & Gold | 2. Unlit Metal Gold Christmas Tree Topper | 3. 7ft Pre-lit Douglas Fir Artificial Christmas Tree (similar) | 4. Christmas Lightbulb Ornament Filter | 5. Truck Christmas Tree Ornament | 6. Holiday Peppermint Candy Canes | 7. Red Jingle Bell Christmas Ornament | 8. Dressed Sheep Mouse Ornament Green | 9. Dressed Sheep Mouse Ornament White | 10. Dressed Sheep Mouse Ornament Gray | 11. Dressed Sheep Mouse Ornament | 12. Red With Stripe Gift Wrap | 13. Tinsel Star Christmas Tree Ornament | 14. Felted Mice Ornament | 15. Diagonal Stripe Metallic Gift Wrap | 16. Solid Gold Gift Wrap | 17. Fabric Ribbon | 18. Red and White Twine | 19. Black Wired Ribbon | 20. Red Glittery Wired Christmas Craft Ribbon

1. Esters Wood Armchair | 2. Red Velvet Lumbar Pillow | 3. Santa Sleigh & Reindeer Garland | 4. Woven Area Rug | 5. Round Forged Brass Drink Table | 6. Turned Metal Accent Table | 7. Coffee Table | 8. Natural Acacia Dip Bowl | 9. Green Glass Vase | 10. Holiday Pom-Pom Square Throw Pillow | 11. Oblong Flannel Plaid Throw Pillow | 12. Chunky Cable Knit Throw Blanket | 13. Chess Board Game | 14. LIT Medium Mercury Glass Christmas Tree | 15. Brass Round Tray | 16. Tapered Candle Holder Set | 17. Ho Ho Ho Christmas Mug | 18. Santa’s Helper Christmas Mug | 19. Round Quilted Velvet Throw Pillow | 20. Blue Velvet Throw Pillow with Tassels

1. 22″ Christmas Frosted Berry Wreath Red | 2. 4pk Black House Christmas Stocking Holder | 3. 5′ Unlit Decorative Greenery Garland | 4. Over the Mantel Mirror | 5. Ceramic Traditional House| 6. Ceramic Church | 7. Large Bottle Brush Tree | 8. Small Bottle Brush Tree | 9. Stripe Knit Christmas Stocking Green & White | 10. 6′ Unlit Artificial Christmas Garland Red Berry | 11. Small Station Wagon Decorative Figurine | 12. Large Metal Truck with Christmas Tree | 13. Metal Barn Decorative Figurine | 14. Metal House Decorative Figurine | 15. Metal Church Decorative Figurine Black | 16. Flocked Bottle Brush Set Decorative Figurine (2 pack) | 17. Bottle Brush Christmas Tree Set Decorative Figurine (2 pack)| 18. Flocked Bottle Brush Christmas Tree Set Decorative Figurine (4 pack) | 19. Brass Pillar Candle Holder Gold | 20. Tall Ceramic House | 21. Ceramic Stout House | 22. Small Metal Truck Decorative Figurine Red | 23. 8″ Christmas Candy Theme Nutcracker Set| 24. Aseana Small Tapered Bin | 25. | 26. 6″ x 3″ Ribbed Pillar Cinnamon Joy Candle | 27. 3pk Unscented Pillar Candle Set| 28. Ribbed Pillar Balsam Forest Candle | 29. Unscented Pillar Candle White | 30. 7″ x 4″ Ribbed Pillar Cinnamon Joy Candle | 31. 3-Wick Ribbed Pillar Balsam Forest Candle | 32. 6.2″ x 5.5″ Metal Bookend Pyramid | 33. 12in Unlit Tinsel Christmas Tree | 34. 15in Unlit Tinsel Christmas Tree | 35. 18in Unlit Tinsel Christmas Tree

1. 22in Unlit Artificial Pine Christmas Wreath | 2. Vintage Rubens Gentleman Framed Board | 3. 22in Pre-lit LED Eucalyptus Mixed Greenery Wreath | 4. The Elf on the Shelf | 5. Bicycle Advent Calendar | 6. Wood Accent Lamp | 7. Square Alarm Clock

1. Linen Kitchen Textile Tablecloth Natural | 2. Cotton Yarndye Plaid Kitchen Towel | 3. LIT Large Mercury Glass Christmas Tree & LIT Medium Mercury Glass Christmas Tree & Small LIT Mercury Glass Christmas Tree | 4. 12″ x 8.5″ Iron Taper Candle Holder | 5. 3ct Faux Fur Deer Set | 6. Holiday Woven Plaid Square Throw Pillow | 7. Velvet Throw Pillow with Tassels | 8. 3″ Decorative Bells | 9. Snow Blanket with White Glitter | 10. Windham Tall Cabinet with Drawer | 11. Marble & Acacia Cake Stand | 12. 80oz Porcelain Beaded Footed Serving Bowl | 13. 16″ x 20″ Sepia Tone Sketch Of Woman Framed Wall Art | 14. Large LIT Gold Glittered Decorative Tree & Small LIT Gold Glittered Decorative Tree | 15. 13.4″ x 8.4″ x 4.1″ Marble Serving Stand | 16. Porcelain Teapot | 17. Inner Tree Striped Stoneware Mini Mug Red/Sour Cream | 18. 2.5L Porcelain Pitcher | 19. Small Rolls Royce with Christmas Tree on Top | 20. 12pc Glass Old-School Assorted Tumblers | 21. Beaded Garland Red & Natural | 22. Papyrus Twigs & Berry Tree Card Pack | 23. Minted 10ct Toasty Thermos Boxed Cards | 24. Green Inspired Kitten Boxed Cards | 25. Papyrus Prelude Cropped Gold Ornament Card Pack | 26. Green Inspired Plaid Snowman Boxed Cards 16ct | 27. Minted 10ct Greenery Wreath Boxed Cards

1. Metal, Wood & Leather Bar Cart | 2. Large LIT Gold Glittered Decorative Tree Figurine Green | 3. Wine Bottle Glass Christmas Tree Ornament White | 4. Wine Glass Christmas Tree Ornament Red | 5. Glass Martini & Olive Cocktail Christmas Tree Ornament | 6. Striped Linen Pompom Christmas Tree Skirt Red & Brown | 7. Holiday Peppermint Single Candy Cane | 8. Champagne Bottle Christmas Tree Ornament | 9. Wine Bottle Glass Christmas Tree Ornament Red | 10. Wine Bottle Glass Christmas Tree Ornament White | 11. Glass Manhattan Cocktail Christmas Tree Ornament | 12. 3L Stainless Steel Ice Bucket with Tongs Gold | 13. Cotton Yarndye Plaid Kitchen Towel | 14. 2.5oz Stainless Steel Double Jigger Gold | 15. | 16. | 17. 12pc Glass Assorted Beveled Tumblers | 18. 21oz Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker Gold | 19. 5pc Bar Tool Set With Stand Gold | 20. 24″ Christmas Bell Wreath Gold – Threshold | 21. Black Wired Ribbon

1. Artificial Pine & Red Berry Stem | 2. Picture Frame Christmas Stocking Holder | 3. Medium Metal Truck with Christmas Tree | 4. LED Tree Candle | 5. Mini Cable Knit Christmas Stocking | 6. Ceramic Snowman Decorative Figurine Set | 7. Flocked Bottle Brush Christmas Tree Set | 8. Limestone Bookend | 9. Bicycle Advent Calendar | 10. Faux Leather French Seam Ottoman | 11. Boucle Faux Mohair Throw Blanket | 12. Berries Throw Pillow | 13. Chunky Cable Knit Lumbar Throw Pillow

Sara’s outfit: Sweater | Velvet Skinny Jeans | Clogs | Headband | Earrings
Emily’s outfit: Dress | Sandal Pumps

*Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
**Styled by Emily Bowser and Erik Kenneth Staalberg

Well friends, the kitchen renovation that was only supposed to be an update is well underway. We’ve ripped out the old floor, put in a new floor, removed the door, put in a new window, and installed the cabinet boxes. So much for a quick, not permanent “update”.

But I am SO happy that we decided to go for the full reno. Now that we’re nearing the finish line it all feels worth it, and soon I’m going to have a beautiful kitchen that truly feels like me to cook and bake in (thanks to Julie, my dad, and all the partners that we’re working with). So today I thought I’d check in with y’all and just give you a tour of the design plans, while we all anxiously await the completion and reveal of this kitchen.

As always, let’s start at the beginning – Here’s what the kitchen looked like when we moved in:

It was weird for sure, but had its charms. And for a year and half we lived with it as was. It’s also wild to think that we’ve owned our house for TWO years now. Time really does fly when you’re pouring all your energy and resources into a renovation.

And this is how it was once we were living in it. Totally functional, but not at as pretty as it could be:

And here is what it looks like RIGHT. NOW. Surprise reveal! You’re welcome!

OMG, don’t you love it? It’s minimal, bright, and open. We felt that going with open cabinets everywhere was a bold, risky design move that we wanted to take. Not only did we do open cabinets, we did shelf-less, open cabinets. Is it functional? Not at all, but we love it. And the exposed plumbing is something I’m sure is going to be a huge 2021 design trend. The final touches are the bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling which imbue the space with an industrial vibe.

… Obviously, we aren’t done yet. Far from it. But all the DIY-able stuff is done.

• Hardwood floor has been installed
• New drywall has been installed
• New electrical has been installed throughout the entire kitchen
• The previously existing back door has been removed, and a new window has been framed into the back of the wall
• Our Ikea cabinet boxes have been installed
• Plywood sub counters have been installed
• The sink has been dropped in and connected to running water

Now it’s just about lead-times and scheduling. The cabinet fronts take 8-10 weeks to be fabricated, the appliances similarly have varying lead-times, and the stone countertops and open shelf that we actually are doing can’t be installed until both the cabinet fronts/panels and appliances are installed.

But as a little amuse-bouche, let me walk you through what it is going to look like (hopefully by January *fingers crossed*). I started by building out the kitchen cabinet plan in the Ikea kitchen planner, since we’re using Ikea cabinet boxes.

DO YOU SEE MY VISION based on these drawn on Ikea plans?! My dad didn’t. I was like “LISTEN, it’s gonna be great, so good, just…we’re gonna wing it!” JK, I immediately took my Ikea cabinet plans to Julie and begged her to help me with professional drawings and plans that I could actually pass along to the professionals (like the counter fabricator).

THANK YOU JULIE – This kitchen literally would not have been possible without you. She took my Ikea plans and modeled them in SketchUp so we could play around with different ideas:

And now here are the REAL renderings (and technical drawings, in case anyone is interested in seeing what we’re actually staring at most of the time!), along with some deets.

STOVE SIDE (The Pretty Version)

STOVE SIDE (The Technical Version)

WOW SO PRETTY. I’M SO EXCITED. Ok so here’s what’s happening on this side of the kitchen.

• Biggest news – I’M GETTING A NEW STOVE, one that will bake bread majestically, broil chicken golden-y, and pre-heat at the touch of my finger via my phone while I’m on my way home. I’ve somehow convinced KitchenAid, my dream kitchen appliance company, to partner with me for our main kitchen appliances and I could not be more excited. My KitchenAid Stand Mixer is my absolute favorite kitchen appliance after all.
• All the Ikea cabinet boxes we bought are getting custom facelifts courtesy of Kokeena, a small custom cabinet front company in Portland. Remember when I was going to go with a taupe color for the cabinets? Well, I fell in love with an absolute perfect sage green color that they fabricate for their Townsend collection, and never looked back.
• Julie can take credit for this next aspect, because not only are we doing Caesarstone countertops, we’re taking the stone all the way up the backsplash and all the way up to the hood behind the stove. It’s going to create such an elegant, seamless lewk. Mac and I are pretty stoked on the stone choice too.

This side of the kitchen is filled wall-to-wall with storage – tall cabinets flank either end, and lower and upper cabinets frame the stove. The cabinet closest to the window will be pantry storage, along with a shelf in the middle serving as an appliance shelf for a toaster and coffee maker. And our microwave is going to go in the upper cabinet to the left of the stove. The cabinet on the very right will be more pantry storage, along with storage for our broom and vacuum. The best part about all the Ikea cabinet boxes is the shelves are totally customizable, so if we need more or less storage for anything we can always modify it.

SINK SIDE (The Pretty Version)

SINK SIDE (The Technical Version)

And here’s the other side of the kitchen.

• Because we have wall-to-wall cabinets on the opposite side of the kitchen, Julie suggested we go for open shelving on this side. Originally we were going to do two shelves centered on the wall (per my earlier drawing), but decided a little later that one shelf that spans the entire open wall space would cleaner and give us more options of what could sit on the shelf. Right now the plan is to put some cookbooks, a piece of art or two, and the bowls, plates, and glasses we use every day. The rest of the dishware (extra plates, bowls, glasses, and bigger dishware) will continue to live in the bar cabinet in the dining room.
• The Caesarstone counter and backsplash will mirror what’s happening on the other side, and run all the way up to meet the floating shelf.
• I bought our sink off Craigslist – It’s a giant enamel beauty from Kohler that would have cost us $800 new, but I got it for $350. We picked it up new and in the box still from a new build site. The contractor said the client had ended up changing their minds about it. LUCKY US.
• But we’ll soon have the option to skip hand washing our dishes because WE’RE GETTING A DISHWASHER (thank you KitchenAid). I haven’t had one of these since I lived at my parent’s house. To be perfectly honest, we don’t use enough dishes every day to warrant using a dishwasher all the time. But for those nights when we have guests over it’s going to be amazing. It even has a tiny top rack perfect for cutlery, which really helps maximize space.
• Finally getting a pull-out trashcan drawer. I have no idea why, but having a non-visible trashcan has always been a real dream of mine. And it especially makes sense in our narrow galley kitchen, where there isn’t a ton of open floor space to put a trashcan.
• We’re getting a beautiful, panel-ready refrigerator. Yep, we’re going for integrated appliances in our kitchen, which means that both the dishwasher and the fridge will be covered with panels that match our cabinets, so they become invisible when they’re closed! Kokeena has the ability to custom make panels specific to just about any panel-ready appliance, and KitchenAid has a some really great, panel-ready appliance options. It was a dream team situation and is really helping me create the type of kitchen I was envisioning.
• We’ll be installing a brass rail and hook system from Rejuvenation under the floating shelf, which will span almost the entire length of the counter. Our faucet is also a beautiful brass piece from Rejuvenation, and we’ve got stunning brass light features to match. Sconces on the wall above the floating shelf, and flush mounts for the ceiling.

Originally I had wanted to do something a little wild in there, like wallpapering the ceiling. But I was told by Mark, our wallpaper installer who I really trust, that the wallpaper I wanted to use would be a bad option for a room with a lot of grease and steam. So we’ve decided to leave the ceiling white to match the walls. But I feel a lot better about the kitchen having personality now that we’ve chosen a color for the cabinets, rather than a tone.

Plus there are still a few places to bring in warmth with the roman shade choice and a runner. Haven’t decided on either of those yet.

So that’s where we are right now folks. Our kitchen is currently totally functional, with our old appliances (which came with the house), and plywood sub-counters. But already it feels miles brighter and more open. The final reveal is still a ways off (good things take time, especially when you’re doing them yourself), but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Athena Calderone | Photo by Nicole Franzen