Wow, the holidays are already in full swing and I’m in awe of how quickly this season comes every year.
Those who know me, know that this is my absolute favorite time of the year, bar none. I’ve always thought of myself as a true elf at heart. While I like to wait to decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, the TSO (trans-Siberian Orchestra) begins playing on November 1st and I can’t wait another second to get into the holiday spirit. But that’s enough about my rituals! Let’s talk about your holiday experience.
In this article, I want to focus on the season of family. I have the privilege of designing spaces for all different families. Those that are big, small, growing, empty nesters, and more. Getting to design special spaces for you to create lasting memories in, is an honor.
I recently finished up a project in Mosier, OR where we added an ADU above the garage for a couple whose family comes to stay with them during the holidays. They have a wonderful space where everyone likes to gather, but as their family has grown, the need for additional space has grown as well. With 3 adult kids and many grandchildren, extra space was much needed to accommodate everyone.
Above all, we wanted the space to feel homey and cozy while adding a bit of character. Keeping it family-friendly and comfortable for everyone was a priority. There would be little fingers all over the place, and games to be played around the coffee table. This inspired us to choose a soft-edge coffee table and a high-performance fabric for their custom sectional from my favorite little sofa shop in Portland.
To add some high impact and character, we selected a bold wallpaper print for the bedroom, paired with some wood wainscotting, painted Benjamin Moore Hamilton Blue. The tall ceilings were perfect for adding tongue and groove in both the living space and bedroom to create some warmth.
For the kitchenette, we selected saturated hues to compliment the wood of the ceiling and flooring. The sconces are truly one of my favorite items in the space. When I mention in my articles about when to save and when to splurge a little, these light fixtures are a perfect example of a little splurge that was worth every penny. They give this small space high style while also being extremely functional.
For the bathroom, we went with clean lines of slab cabinet doors in white oak while rocking a lovely simple white and gray tile. The black hardware pops off the cabinetry and the white tile behind the vanity.
The amount of planning and thought that goes into making each space aesthetically beautiful while being functional for the family is top-notch. I love to obsess over the details.
Over the next several weeks I encourage you to soak in all the family time possible. Enjoy making meals in the kitchen, playing games in the living room, letting your little ones do more than usual, and treasuring each moment. Time is fleeting and our homes are the perfect way to spend it with the people we love.
I hope that you love the space you get to celebrate the holidays in. If you wish it was more functional or aesthetically pleasing, make sure to give me a call after the first of the year and we will work on your design plan to improve it. Until then, I wish you the happiest of holidays!