under stair storage

We have a small door that will be underneath our stairs leading to a hot water heater. There is some extra room beyond that I won't be able to access because the WH will be in the way and I was trying to think of ways that I could use the space. I love all of these creative ideas found on Pinterest:

*via Pinterest

i'm back

I'm back. Thanks for hanging in there with my lack of blogging and thanks to those of you who have emailed to check in. All is well. Everything went great with the move and we are settling into the upstairs at our new house while the downstairs is cleaned out down to the studs. Sheet rock should start going up this week and then I'll post some progress pics.

I don't think I realized how much time and effort went into a total home renovation. I've helped people with their homes... but as a designer I've learned that it is much harder to design your own. Much. I get overwhelmed with even the simplest decisions and can't make up my mind about a thing. I'm sure I will be asking y'all for help and your thoughts/opinions.

Here are a few images that have been inspiring me lately as I choose finishes, plan details, etc.

lots going on

Lots going on in our new neck of the woods. I just don't feel like I can catch up... hence the reason the blog has been on the back burner for a few weeks now. Sorry about that!

Here's a recap of a few things that we've been up to lately.

We celebrated Collins' first birthday at the beginning of June with a small family party at my parents' house:

We celebrated Michael finishing up residency at UAB:

We made a trip down south to the beach this past weekend to visit Aunt Abby and celebrate the 4th of July! Here is a photo of Collins relaxing in the pool...

We returned to find some progress being made on the house (as you walk into the playroom from the back door):

And the upstairs floors have been sanded and stained and are almost ready for us to move in (note- we'll be living upstairs while downstairs is still under construction):

One thing that I haven't gotten around to doing this summer is making one of my favorite recipes... Watermelon Salsa. I know it sounds odd but it is so very good. And best served with Tostito's Lime chips!

Here's the recipe...enjoy!

But there isn't time to make it this week because I must go pack. Michael and I are getting ready to spend a week away here... but more on that when we return!