The sweet mother of one of our clients reached out to us back in the spring of 2021 about helping her update 2 bathrooms and her kitchen. She had a contractor lined up, someone who had done projects for her in the past, but hired us to do the design work. Her love of wallpaper and color made us giddy with excitement and Shauna couldn't wait to get started on the designs. The client was thrilled and signed off on everything with few changes and told us that the contractor would be able to start in a month or so and to go ahead and get everything ordered. That was in May.
June: "Mrs. Smith? How's it going? Are they ready to start?"
           "No, he said he's still backed up. Maybe next month."
July: "Mrs. Smith, just checking in on your project!"
          "He said not yet. So frustrating!"
And on this went for several more months until finally Mrs. Smith said, "I'm tired of waiting, do you know people who can do the work?"
"Hallelujah! Of course we do! We'll rally the troops."
The project itself was not extensive other than the fact that it was 2 bathrooms and a kitchen. No footprint changes, just cosmetic refreshes; tearing out old vanities, updated lighting, new cabinet door fronts, paint and of course, wallpaper. 
We set up a makeshift kitchen for Mrs. Smith in her office with microwave, toaster oven, coffee machine, etc. since the kitchen was covered in plastic for painting. That didn't stop her, however from raiding the freezer every afternoon for her 5:00 martini. I think she must be related to the Queen.
Five weeks later, Mrs. Smith was enjoying her afternoon martini in the comfort of her brand new kitchen and showing off her beautiful new bathrooms. There's some finishing touches to do here and there, but we couldn't be more proud of our crew who rallied at the last minute and over the holidays to make this project happen. 
​Now for the fun part, before and after:

Bathroom 1, "the dog's bathroom" (see? the Queen)
We are still digging for pre-demo before images, but you can see that the can lights were installed up in the soffit above the sink. We tore that out and installed vanity lights over the mirror. The single vanity cabinet was replaced  by a freestanding one. More photos to come here.

Vanity: Wayfair
Wallpaper: York Wallcoverings
Lighting: Wayfair

Bathroom 2: Guest Bath
There was some plumbing work to be done in this bathroom as we added another sink. Why these houses had such long vanities with only one sink is beyond me! We also tore down the wall between vanity and toilet, and the soffit where lights were. Such an amazing open, bright transformation!

Vanity: Signature Hardware
Floor tile: Tile Shop
Shower tile: Tile Shop
Lighting: Wayfair
Wallpaper: James Dunlop Textiles
Mirrors: Serena & Lily
Faucets: Wayfair

Kitchen
Still a few finishing touches like hardware, etc needed but oh my! what a change. The cabinet frame was kept in tact and we just replaced the doors with a more modern shaker style. New quartz countertops and tile backsplash, tile floor (same as in bathrooms) and gorgeous, colorful wallpaper. Lastly, we replaced the ceiling fan with a chic flush mount light fixture. Martini, anyone?

Cabinet paint: Turkish Tile  and Snowbound by Sherwin Williams
Tile floor: Tile Shop
Backsplash: Tile Shop
Soffit wallpaper: Thibaut
Cabinet wall wallpaper: Thibaut
Flush Mount Light: Hudson Valley Lighting

Stay tuned for more updates and photos of this project. Including a dining room refresh! 
Love these or any of the other wallpapers you see on our posts? A lot of them are available to the trade only, so please reach out if we can help you buy the wallpaper of your dreams! 
​This post contains affiliate links and we may be compensated for purchases made via these links.

It's crunch week for us as we wrap up some projects and get others to tidy stopping places so we can take some time off and enjoy the holidays. Of course that doesn't mean we don't have clients with half finished bathrooms and walls waiting to be wallpapered but they are cool with that. We think. 
It's always fun to do some deep scrolling and see where things were back at the beginning of the year. Shauna had just started her addition project, Riley was still pregnant, and Oh yeah, we had a freeze for the record books here in Texas. We are so grateful for all of our clients, followers and friends for the love and support. We are nothing without you! Join us as we look back at our top Instagram posts for 2021.

We know that the mad rush to buy gifts online is already well underway. BUT we also know how there are always procrastinators in our lives and they have just realized it's December and they better get busy. Knowing that shipping delays are for real, you'll want to share this post ASAP with those people who need some gift giving guidance. As per usual, we hit up Anthropologie because they speak our language and have some of the most luxurious, festive gifts around. 

1.Ombre Cashmere Throw--Because A. look at those colors and B. it's cashmere. I mean, who wouldn't want to snuggle up on the sofa with that?
2. Bianca Glass Set--We are suckers for vintage glassware and these are just begging for a cocktail hour G&T.
3. Sherpa Lined Robe--Designed by Alexandra Farmer the sherpa lining gives this floral robe an extra cozy layer.
5.Brass Animal Planters--Ezzie and Gia, as they are known are determined to help you become a plant person.
6. Cheese Plate Cookbook--Take your charcuterie to the next level with fun recipes for both entertaining and just for you! 
7. Capri Blue Petite Jar Candle--Featuring their holiday "All A Glow" container, our favorite Volcano scent is THE perfect gift for anyone on your list.
8. Alani Cashmere Mock Neck Sweater--Once again, you can never go wrong with cashmere as a gift and we love the floral print for a nice change from solid sweaters.
9. Beaded Monogram Pouch--Airpods, chargers, cords, face masks; these days we have plenty to carry around so why not do it in something as cute as this?
10. Upcycled Kantha Stitched Throw--Upcycling at it's most fashionable, these throws feature Anthro exclusive fabrics with kantha stitching. Hand-crafted so no two are alike. 
Right now, you can save 30% on select gifts for a limited time.
And while we are big Anthro fans, we also have a huge place in our heart for all of the small, independent businesses out there who make and create beautiful things. So, be sure to check out our Instagram page starting December 9th for 12 Days of Giveaways where we will be giving away gifts from some of our most favorite creative people. Also be sure to check out our Gift Guide for more great ideas! 
​
This post contains affiliate links and we may be compensated for purchases made via these links. 

As is per usual with weather in Texas, we went from highs in the 70s to highs in the 40s in a matter of days. So, all of us naturally started digging through our favorite soup recipes in order to prepare for the pending hibernation that cold, rainy weather brings. Some recipes, like our favorite Gumbo, are dang near perfect just the way they are. But butternut squash soup is a tricky one. Every recipe we've tried seems to lack something; it's too runny or too creamy or not spicy enough. Which left Shauna no choice but to play mad scientist and find the perfect blend of several recipes to create THE perfect butternut squash soup recipe.

So, cutting to the chase, because we know how frustrating it is to find a recipe online and have to scroll for days to the ACTUAL recipe. 

Shauna's Butternut Squash Soup
​2 TBSP olive oil
3 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 TBSP fresh sage, chopped
1/2 TBSP fresh rosemary, chopped
3-4 cups vegetable broth
1 can coconut milk
1 TBSP curry powder
Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for garnish (optional)

Heat olive oil in Dutch oven
Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until translucent
Add squash to the onions and cook for 7-8 minutes until soft
Add garlic, sage, rosemary, and broth. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add coconut milk and curry powder. Stir and simmer for 10 minutes.
Pour the soup in a blender in batches until smooth.
Serve hot and garnish with pepitas and fresh rosemary. 

That's it! Easy, peasy. What is your favorite soup recipe? Share with us here and we'll post all of your favorites on a future post. ​

Remember that Spanish style kitchen refresh we shared with you a few weeks ago? You'll remember that this is a house is a project in progress. Like many of our projects, we start with one room, spend all the client's budget, then wait a few months or a year or whatever and they ring us back and say, "OK! Let's do the living room!" It's the best.
​So, in the midst of kitchen update, we also tackled the dining room and guest room, and for the record we've already told this client that we are quickly running out of rooms and they are going to have to buy a lakehouse or something because we are not ready to quit them yet. The dining room was already on the small side, but the  heavy furniture made it feel even more crowded despite the high ceilings.  And the brown.... well the brown was just blah and did not reflect the bright, exuberant family that lived here. 

By the way, mirrors are a great alternative to art, and there are some great mirrors on this wall. But, when clustered all together like this, they lose their individual design characteristics. Your eye doesn't know where to go because there's so much going on.  Pick one large mirror or 3 smaller mirrors to make a statement! ​

I know you are wondering how in the world we got a sideboard to fit in this room. Well, first off it is only 17" deep, and trust me, we went back and forth as to whether or not it would fit comfortably and still leave enough space to scoot the chairs out. The first table we chose was a little too wide,  but this one from West Elm is 40" wide and fits the space perfectly. The chairs are from Wayfair, and they are the same ones that Shauna put in her dining room. We had the backs of the chairs reupholstered in this yummy embroidered fabric from Schumacher for a one-of-a-kind look. Drapes from Pottery Barn have also been customized by adding a trim tape, a fraction of the cost of custom drapes. 
You know how much we love Oushaks, and Shauna just happened to have a smaller version of the one in her new living room that worked great here. The Oushak possibilities are endless so, if you are in the market, you know where to come.
The sideboard is styled simply with white lamps and colorful decanters to allow the Allison Castillo art to shine. 

Resources:
Dining table: West Elm
Dining Chairs: Wayfair
Upholstery Fabric: Schumacher (available here)
Sideboard: Four Hands
Art: Allison Castillo
Lamps: West Elm
Decanters: Pols Potten (available here)
Rug: Oriental Rug Galaxy (similar here)
Drapes: Pottery Barn (trim here)
Chandelier: Visual Comfort

Check back to see what might be our most popular Instagram bedroom yet! 
This post contains affiliate links and we maybe compensated for purchases made via these links. 

How amazing is it when Mother Nature complies with the calendar and the first day of fall blows in with overnight lows in the 50s? Yes, daytime highs will still creep toward 90 for the next week or so, but here's hoping that cool breeze lingers on. 
Our inbox has been overflowing with new fall merchandise from some of our favorite brands and considering all the issues the design world has had with supply chain and production, it's encouraging to see that there actually IS new stuff! One of our favorites, Serena & Lily is known for their California Cool aesthetic and was selling wicker and rattan way before it was a "thing".  Their easy, breezy color palette is inspired by the calm colors of the beach, and the rich textures of sand and rock. For fall, these colors layered with terracotta, ochre and a saturated chartreuse green, will easily transform your home to the warm and cozy nest you can't wait to burrow in to. 

1.Dip Dye Oval Stool--Whether holding bath essentials or your favorite plant, this teak stool is one of our favorite accents.
2. Cuesta Pillow Cover Chartreuse--We're having a love affair with green lately and this is just about the yummiest pillow we've seen.
3.Pacifica Outdoor Sconce--Yes, outdoor! Who says the indoors gets all the cool lighting?
4. Bellport Guest Towels--Woven from Turkish cotton, you'll want to have a second set just for you.
5. Positano Linen Duvet Cover Terracotta-The ideal temperature regulating fabric, linen is our favorite choice for fall bedding.
6. South Seas Side Cart--Bring the cocktail lounge to any room with this sleek black rattan cart.
7.Fisherman's Knit Throw Ochre--Exactly what you would expect a fisherman's knit to feel like; chunky, cozy and worthy of an afternoon nap.
8.Blake Raffia Nightstand Indigo--A quick and easy way to update the bedroom and like your favorite pair of jeans, they can go with anything.
9.Larchmont Mirror--Pretty sure our 1970s living room had a mirror just like this. Everything old is new again.
There's loads more new arrivals to check out AND through October 4, save 20% during the Fall Design Event with code NEWSEASON. So head on over to Serena & Lily and find your own favorites for fall, or hop on over to our Shop section for more of our top picks.
​
This post contains affiliate links and we may be compensated for purchases made through these links.

About nine months ago, we received an email asking if we could consult on a new home build in San Antonio. After some communication back and forth, the potential client, let's call her Lisa, said they had changed plans and were not going to move at this time and were staying in Fort Worth. Fast forward 6 months and Lisa reached out to us again to say they had bought a new house in Fort Worth and wanted to hire us to renovate their 1960s ranch. It was not necessarily going to be their forever home, but there were several things that had to be addressed before the family of 4 could move in.. Dropped and popcorn textured ceilings, 9 different types of floor covering, bad paint, mirrored walls, dated bathrooms and a kitchen all needed to be renovated and updated. In addition, new can lighting to be installed throughout the house all within a tight timeline of 8 weeks.  
​As you probably know, Shauna is always up for a challenge so we called in our team to get bids going and started demo within the next week. Here's where we started:

What you don't see in the images are the original terrazzo floors in the entryway and down the hallway. We knew we wanted to preserve those, so they were covered up before any demo work began. Then our crew dug in to scraping the ceiling, removing the mirrored wall, tearing up carpet in family room, wood floors in living and family room, and tile in kitchen. Four different types of flooring there, now all one consistent unstained white oak wood floor. We also painted everything our favorite white, Sherwin Williams Snowbound. 
In addition, the two bathrooms were demoed and on their way to becoming their beautiful new selves. The clients had a move-in date rapidly approaching so we had to get at least one bathroom functioning before their deadline. Kudos to our team for stepping it up in that last week to get us there. Now for the kicker. As Shauna was doing a walk through with the client, Lisa broke the news to Shauna that her husband had accepted a job in San Antonio and they were NOT in fact going to move in. So, the "Operation: Move in" quickly turned in to "Operation: Sell" and the team got everything on the punch list completed to list the house for sale. 
Here's where we ended up. Ignore the furnishings, these were rented to stage the house. Except for the rugs, those are for sale! 

We debated about moving forward with the hot pink grasscloth wallpaper after we knew the house was going to be sold, but it had already been purchased and, what the hell. Someone will love it.
Wallpaper: Thibaut (similar here)
​Chandelier: West Elm

We never knew we'd love a green kitchen as much as we do. We kept the original cabinets, adding a shaker style trim to the door and new hardware, then painted this gorgeous green color. The countertops are original solid surface with a wood inlay on the edge so we definitely wanted to keep those. Backsplash was updated to a chevron patterned marble. You'll also notice that we raised the cabinets in the eating area to go all the way to the ceiling to make room for coffee machines and the like on the counter. 
In order to open things up, we removed the upper cabinets between the kitchen and living room. No one likes being stuck in the kitchen away from the party. 
Cabinet paint: Starboard by Sherwin Williams
​Tile backsplash: Tile Shop
Cabinet hardware: Rejuvenation
Chandelier: Wayfair

Since the bathroom was to be shared between the couples' daughter and son, we wanted something durable but still fun. We replaced the original tub with a deeper one, raised the height of the shower head, and had just enough room to install a double vanity. The floor looks like cement tile, but is actually porcelain, a much more durable and economical alternative.
​Tile floor: Wayfair
Bathtub: Wayfair
Vanity: Wayfair
Faucets: Moen from Build
Mirror: Serena & Lily
Lighting: Wayfair
​Shower curtain: Anthropologie

Our client wanted to keep the stool cutout section of the vanity so we found this great piece that fit perfectly in the existing space. The space plan of the bathroom did not need to be changed so everything we did was cosmetic. This gorgeous Zellige tile was our jumping off point for the shower and we paired it with a large terrazzo style hex tile on the floor. The brass fixtures and hardware add a modern pop. 
Shower tile: Zia Tile
Floor tile: Tile Bar
Shower fixtures: Moen from Build
Vanity: Signature Hardware
Sink fixtures: Moen from Build
Mirrors: Serena & Lily
​Lighting: Shades of Light
Vanity Stool: Pottery Barn
​So, after a mad dash on our punch list, the house was finally listed on the market. Last we heard, after the first weekend they had 6 showings and a full price offer. I feel like this is an episode of  "Love it or List it" without the annoying British woman. Here's hoping Lisa hires us to come to San Antonio to design her new home.

Some images courtesy of Realtor.com. This post contains affiliate links and we may be compensated for purchases made via these links.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ends on Sunday and there's loads of great deals for you and your home still available including Shauna's favorite sneakers, chic crossbody bags and cozy throws for those hopefully soon to come cooler weather. 
Check out our top picks below and shop more of the sale here.

1. Ilse Jacobsen Tulip Slip on Sneaker
2. L'Or de Seraphine Ceramic Jar Candle
3. Clare V Midi Sac Crossbody Bag
4. Pendleton Rio Canyon Fringe Throw Blanket
5. Stag EKG Electric Kettle
6. Palm Springs Pool Day Art Print
7. Dash & Apple Pineapple Cutting Board
8.Peri Home Fringe Pillow
9. Marc Jacobs Shutter Crossbody Bag
10. Born Inti Slide Sandal
​If you are anything like us, it's getting to that point of the summer where we are bored with our closet, bored with what to cook for dinner, and just want to soak in the pool all day. You deserve some retail therapy and look at how much money you are saving by shopping on sale? So head to Nordstrom.com now and go buy yourself something pretty.

This post contains affiliate links and we are compensated for purchases made via these links.

One of our most popular main bedroom and bathroom projects, and one of our earliest were for a client that, to be honest, is one of our favorites because she says "yes" to every wacky idea we come up with. You may recognize this room from the way back machine. (Resources below)

And this bathroom... (details on the bathroom here)

 So, when the client reached out about updating her kitchen, we didn't hesitate to say yes. As we mentioned, the home was custom built in a Spanish style with soaring ceilings, wood beams and gorgeous Saltillo floors. We knew right away that we wanted to amp up the hacienda vibe but also infuse some modern elements. Paint, as we preach over and over again, is a gamechanger. Never underestimate what a difference a coat of paint can make. 
​
Kitchen Before

I mean, paint! We went with white on the uppers and a dark gray on the bottom to allow the tile backsplash to shine. Both colors also play so well with the warm granite countertops. New hardware in brass pops off the cabinets instead of getting lost in the previous sea of brown. And let's talk about this tile. Handmade cement tile from Zia Tile that gives us all the Spanish Mediterranean feels and adds that much needed infusion of color we can't live without. The addition of a vintage runner makes it such a fun place to be, you might even have volunteers to do the dishes!

Kitchen Resources
Cabinet uppers: Whitetail from Sherwin Williams
Cabinet lowers: Peppercorn from Sherwin Williams
​Hardware: Signature Hardware
​Backsplash Tile: Zia TIle, similar here
Pendants: Visual Comfort
Rug: Vintage from Chairish, similar here

In the dining area, the first order of business was to paint the sideboard a bright blue to play off of the tile backsplash. Add a pair of lamps, a plant and this amazing artwork from Marianne Rodriguez to create a dramatic focal piece that draws you right on in. The existing dining room table was updated with new wishbone dining chairs and a gorgeous Oushak rug. Remember that your wood tones don't have to match! In fact, it's way more interesting when they don't. 

Resources:
Dining table: Pottery Barn
Dining chairs: Wayfair
​Rug: Oriental Rug Galaxy
Sideboard paint: Briny by Sherwin Williams
Lamps: Anthropologie
Art: Marianne Rodiguez

So, the lesson for the day is, "When in doubt, paint." And the second lesson is, "Say yes to everything Shauna suggests." Trust us.

This post contains affiliate links and we may be compensated for purchases made via these links.

Back in 2019 (seems like ages ago, right?) we wrote about all the Fall trends that we were swooning over at Anthropologie. It seems we are always swooning over something at Anthropologie but that's another blog post. The trend curve for home decor is a mighty long one, primarily because of the investment made in buying furniture. Unless you are Jeff Bezos or something, you likely can't afford to redecorate your home every couple of years. (If you ARE like Jeff Bezos and CAN afford this, please contact us immediately so we can help you spend your money.)
ANYWAY, one of the trends we wrote about was rattan and cane furniture and let me tell you, the obsession has not waned. No longer relegated to the patio or sunroom, the incorporation of natural elements in a space adds an additional level of texture and warmth. Plus for us Gen Xers, rattan and cane furniture rank right up there with macramé and avocado green on the nostalgia meter and don't we all need a little vintage flashback in our lives? 
I know, I know, get to the point you say. We've rounded up some of our favorite cane accent chairs with price points for every budget. Don't be discouraged if they are out of stock until September. Remember that long trend curve. Plus, if you love it, it will always be on trend.

1. Ankara Black Cane Chair -- Crate & Barrel
2. Mulholland Cane Chair -- Industry West
3. Autumn Club Chair -- One Kings Lane
4. Linen Cane Chair -- Anthropologie
5.Carole Rattan and Metal Chair -- Urban Outfitters
6. Marte Lounge Chair -- Urban Outfitters
7. Hallie Lounge Chair -- Urban Outfitters
8. Tulip Accent Chair -- One Kings Lane
9. Henredon Cane Back Chair -- Chairish

​This post contains affiliate links and we may be compensated for purchases made via these links.