As we’re slogging through this kitchen remodel I can’t help but look back on the biggest projects we’ve done and how they’ve truly changed our home into our very own French Farmhouse. So, I’ve got TWO videos to share with you today before we head back to the tile project next week. FIVE projects. TWO videos. TONS of insp. l promise: In the first installment of this series, we delve into the creation of our breathtaking potager-style French gardens. From the labor to the layout, it’s a feast for the senses and a celebration of the beauty and abundance of French garden culture not to mention how ..read more

All you can do is all you can do. Well, it happened. I worked myself to exhaustion and tears on Easter night. — but let me back up a bit… I’m super particular about how I leave things for my family when I go out of town, which I do about every 12 weeks in some way shape, or form. I like things clean and tidy. I know it’s hard with Momma gone so I like to leave things orderly! Despite my best efforts, this time, this trip to France, I’m leaving behind a disaster and I hate that. Probably more than they do though. Kids are pretty simple, they want love, food, and a lack of tension. Sadly, I have ..read more

I hope this message finds you well, amidst the bloom of spring and the promise of new beginnings. I on the other hand have been without power for three days after a doozy of an April blizzard! More on that stress to come — As the tulips try to unfurl their petals and the snow begins to melt, I’m delighted to share our latest video with you. Today I’m sharing some glimpses of “Remodeling with Kids.” This video continues our kitchen remodeling “From Chaos to Cuisine” series, where we journey together through the ups and downs of transforming our kitchen into the unfitted kitchen of our dreams ..read more

What is it about dishes? That need to know how to identify a maker’s mark, that need to have MORE…Some of us have it. The addiction. You’ve heard us say it in our own personal confession: “I need new dishes like I need a hole in the head.” Well, I’m here to tell you the struggle is real. God grant me the serenity to accept things that I can not change. I love dishes. And beauty being in the eye of the teacup holder, when a set strikes my fancy, I have to have it. One of the first things I do after falling in love with the front pattern is flip the plate over to discover the maker’s mark on the ..read more

Well, happy Monday to you… or I should say bon lundi as I’ve been trying to speak as much French as I can around the house to start switching my brain over. The two-week countdown is ON! I know some of you reading this are starting to pack and get ready and I have to say, I am so looking forward to meeting you. We’re going to have a great time in Paris and at those flea markets – I plan on scoring PLENTY of copper while I’m there! Secure your spot for October here. 2 spots left. Any time I share the kitchen via video or photographs I get asked questions about copper so I thought as a follow-u ..read more

THIS IS IT! Glass paint on 4×4 Home Depot tiles… my beloved graph paper always starts my projects off right. In between needing more supplies to finish the floors, I decided I needed a WIN in the kitchen so I plowed RIGHT into finishing a portion of my Monet hand-painted tile. My favorite saw. That’s right. I’ve been painting TONS of 4×4 tile to resemble those in Monet’s kitchen at Giverny. Maybe you’ve been following along? Did I get a wine? Ahem, Did I get a WIN? You tell me! Today I’m sharing with you the biggest video I’ve ever made! I left NO detail out. This is the Monet Kitchen Tile pro ..read more

Seems like all my good ideas are rather labor-intensive. I get it though. When we first walked up to this house, and I saw it perched on a little hill with its imposing three stories… I knew it. When we first walked into this house, and I saw those thick walls on the back of the house that were part of the envelope… I knew it. I knew this hideous, monster of a 1980s time capsule could be my palette. That third story said ‘cozy attic bedrooms’ and those thick, weird envelope walls said ‘thick stone deep set windowsills’. And so I set out, (dragging hubs along with me:) to create the Frenchiest ..read more

Forward, backward, inward, outward, bottom to the top, makes no difference where you are, as long as you don’t stop. Thinking of this scene from Alice in Wonderland (a personal favorite) I’ve decided I’m both the Dodo (for obvious reasons) and one of the many creatures going around in circles, washed away by the waves, only to keep marching. We’ve already had the “forward motion is everything” conversation, so I’ll spare you that – But bleep just got real. We’ve moved on from the boot room and are now tearing apart the kitchen. We’re eating and schooling the the living room now, dishes that ..read more

Good day to you! Guess what I did last night??? I hung my first round of Monet tile! Oo la la! I’m MORE than committed to making this house look like the REAL DEAL; a French Country Farmhouse. We get closer and closer with each project, though I’m sure we have a couple more years to go. I get asked all the time about giving new homes ‘old world’ charm and I’m happy to tell you it’s more than possible!!! Even if you have an old home, it’s great to know what to do with it to give it those true vibes. While there are countless ways I’ll be sharing with you on and off throughout the year, I wante ..read more

Engine, engine Number 9, Going down the Chicago Line, See it sparkle, see it shine, Engine, engine Number 9. If the train should jump the tracks, Will I get my money back? Yes, no, maybe so… Forward motion is everything. I mean, it is right? It’s not just a Type-A personality thing. We’re all moving forward at all times, whether we like it or not. Stop this train so I can get off. I’m a forward motion kind of girl, but lately, I’m feeling some serious ‘Stop this train so I can get off.’ I’ll admit. I called Shaye a few weeks ago crying, I just need TWO Saturdays. I know you feel this. De ..read more