If you read our Glencoe Project reveal, you know this home was all about creating a timeless foundation that could grow alongside a young family. From the architectural details and custom millwork to the wallpaper, furnishings, and layered textiles, every space was designed to feel classic, comfortable and collected.

A lot of the details in this home were custom to the project, but I’ve rounded up as many of the sources as I can below. Consider this your closer look at some of the pieces that helped bring the spaces to life.

Living Room

A warm and inviting space layered with classic furnishings, tailored textiles, and plenty of room for family life.

White Paint Color | Chandelier | Rug | Arm Chair | White Side Table | Ottoman | Tray

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One of my favorite parts of getting ready for a trip is planning what I’m going to wear. If you’ve followed me for a while you know that I am very organized when it comes to packing, and I actually plan out my outfits ahead of time rather than throwing a bunch of things into a suitcase and hoping they work together once I arrive. It makes getting dressed each day so much easier, and it also makes packing much more efficient because I know exactly what I need.

For our France trip, I put together outfits for both Paris and the South of France, thinking about everything from dinners and sightseeing to beach days and long lunches. I saved all of my outfits into a few Canva boards before we left, which made it so easy to reference what I had planned once we were there.

Top | Shorts | Sandals | Necklace

And then, of course, there was a little shopping. I always love purchasing a special treat for myself when I travel, something that will remind me of the trip long after I get home. This time, it was the Dior Cigale Bag. I knew the second I saw it that it was going to be the piece I brought home from France.

Here is a look at what I packed, what I actually wore, and a few of the pieces I picked up along the way. You can shop everything I wore and purchased through my ShopMy here.

Striped Dress | White Bag | Sandals | Pink Necklace | Bracelet

Top & Skirt Set | Bracelet | Clutch | Heels

Vest | Shorts | Bag | Earrings | Cuff Bracelet | Chain Bracelet | Sunglasses

Dress | Sunglasses | Watch | Bag | Sandals

Dress | Heels

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If you read Part One of our France trip, you know that we started in Paris, and after several busy days in the city, heading south felt like the perfect change of pace.

For the second half of our trip, we made Nice our home base and filled our days with a mix of beaches, little towns, day trips, long lunches, and time on the water. It was such a different experience from Paris, which was exactly what I loved about pairing the two together.

While Paris surprised me with how easy it was to bring our kids into the things we wanted to do, the South of France surprised me in a different way. There was so much for all of us to experience together.

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After sharing bits and pieces of our France trip on Instagram while we were there (are you following my personal page? @briahammel) I knew I wanted to put everything we loved (and learned!) in one place. But we did so much between Paris and the South of France that trying to fit it all into one post felt like too much. So, I’m splitting our trip into two parts: Part I: Paris with our Kids, and Part II: South of France with Family.

First up: Paris!

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Paris several times (read my most recent Paris trip Substack here), but this trip felt completely different because we experienced the city as a family. And honestly, some of my favorite parts were the things I wasn’t necessarily expecting to love as much as I did.

Our kids are also at really fun ages for travel right now. They’re old enough that we don’t need to build an itinerary around traditional “kid activities,” but they’re still young enough that we wanted the trip to feel exciting and special for them, too.

Instead of trying to check every Paris landmark off the list, we found a few things that worked really well for our family, and a few that I will absolutely repeat the next time we travel with them.

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Every spring I tell myself I’m going to try something completely different. And every spring, I end up planting almost the exact same things.

I’ve learned that gardening is a lot like decorating a home. You can chase every new trend, or you can lean into what you know works. After a lot of trial and error, I’ve figured out what grows well in our garden, what my family actually eats, and what brings me the most joy when I look outside.

So here’s my formula.

I always dedicate one raised bed entirely to herbs. It’s probably my favorite box because we use something from it almost every day. Basil, rosemary, chives, cilantro, and lavender all have a place. While herbs tend to be the most easy to care for in my beds, there is one that always throws me for a loop.

Cilantro is forever my problem child. It comes in beautifully, gives me about a month of hope, and then promptly decides it’s done for the season. If anyone has figured out the secret to keeping cilantro happy, I’m all ears.

Another bed is dedicated to tomatoes and peppers. I always plant one heirloom tomato and one cherry tomato, then tuck in bell peppers and jalapeños alongside them. They seem to love growing together. I also like weaving annual flowers throughout the vegetables. It makes the whole bed feel a little softer, fuller, and more beautiful instead of looking like a row of crop.

Then I have a box for cucumbers, lettuce, and onions. The cucumbers and lettuce are dependable favorites, but onions? I’m still undecided. They never seem to get as large as I’d hoped. Maybe I’m harvesting too early... or maybe I just don’t have enough patience.

I haven’t grown it the last couple of years, but one thing I miss planting is garlic. It’s one of my favorite things to have in the garden because you plant it in the fall and then forget about it. By the time winter is finally starting to loosen its grip, those little green shoots are already popping through the ground. There’s something so hopeful about looking out the window while there’s still snow melting and seeing fresh green life waiting for spring.

Lately I’ve also started using my flower boxes as a bit of a “testing ground” for perennials. Instead of committing them straight into the landscape, I’ll let them establish in the raised beds first. It gives me a chance to see how they perform, and once they’ve matured a bit, I transplant them into the garden around the yard. It’s become a really easy way to experiment without feeling like I’m making a permanent decision.

As much as I love gardening, keeping everything alive isn’t always easy with how much I travel.

My mom has become my garden’s unofficial caretaker, stopping by to water while I’m away. Last year, though, we finally added irrigation lines to every raised bed, and I can honestly say it’s been one of the best investments we’ve made. I don’t come home to stressed plants anymore, and it takes so much pressure off during the busiest parts of the summer.

Gardens have a funny way of teaching the same lesson every year. Not everything works, not every experiment is a success. But once you find what thrives, there’s something comforting about coming back to it season after season.

I’d love to know, what’s one thing you plant every single year because you know you can count on it?

Questions about this post? Drop a comment and I’ll answer any of your questions!

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Our goal was never to reinvent the house. Instead, we wanted to honor its traditional architecture while creating spaces that felt brighter, more functional, and better suited for everyday family life. From reworking the floor plan to introducing timeless finishes and thoughtful details, every decision was made with longevity in mind.

The result is a home that feels as though it has always been this way, blending classic design with the comfort and practicality a growing family needs.

Exterior

A fresh coat of paint gave the home's exterior new life while preserving its timeless curb appeal. It sets the tone for the warm, welcoming spaces found throughout the interior.

Foyer & Staircase

The foyer introduces the home's layered, collected feel with timeless wallpaper, updated lighting, and an antique chest the homeowners already loved. It's a beautiful example of blending existing pieces with new selections to create a space that feels personal from the moment you walk in.

One of the most transformative architectural updates was the staircase. Along with reconfiguring the entire first-floor layout, we redesigned the stairs and added a classic runner, creating a more welcoming transition between levels while honoring the home's original character.

Kitchen

The kitchen became the heart of the home.

A generous island with seating on two sides gives the family plenty of room for breakfasts, homework, and everyday conversations. Durable Taj Mahal quartzite was selected for both the countertops and backsplash, offering the beauty of natural stone with exceptional performance for a busy household.

Arched openings connect the kitchen to neighboring spaces, reinforcing the architectural language carried throughout the renovation and creating a softer, more timeless flow.

Living Room

The living room was completely transformed by opening the ceiling to its full vaulted height and widening the windows to bring in more natural light.

Layered with new furnishings, lighting, millwork, and window treatments, the space feels bright and welcoming while maintaining a tailored look that reflects the family’s style. Rather than leaning overly feminine, we incorporated rich textures and classic patterns for a balanced, timeless feel.

Office

Designed for working from home, the office balances beauty and function with custom built-ins, timeless wallpaper, and hardwood floors that feel perfectly suited to the home's age and architecture.

Powder Bath & Mudroom

Adding a powder bath to the main level greatly improved the home’s functionality while creating an opportunity for charming architectural details, including classic wainscoting and timeless finishes.

Designed with everyday family life in mind, the mudroom combines practical storage with beautiful design. Built-ins, wallpaper, and a generous bench create an organized space that’s as hardworking as it is welcoming.

Primary Bed & Bath

The primary bedroom feels calm, warm, and quietly layered. Custom built-ins, thoughtfully placed windows, and timeless furnishings create a retreat that feels both elevated and comfortable.

A complete renovation transformed the primary bathroom into a space that’s both beautiful and practical.

An undermount soaking tub makes everyday cleaning easier, while custom cabinetry, a spacious shower, and a graceful arched detail above the tub bring softness and continuity to the home’s architectural language.

Kids Bedrooms & Bathrooms

For the boys bedrooms, custom built-ins create dedicated study space, while the loft bedroom incorporates family heirlooms, updated furnishings, and fresh finishes that will grow alongside them. The girl’s room embraces soft purple tones, wallpaper, and classic furnishings that feel playful without being overly youthful.

The boys’ Jack and Jack bathroom features full-height tile for easy maintenance and a more tailored aesthetic, while the girl’s bathroom introduces playful patterned flooring, layered textures, and thoughtful marble detailing around the shower window.

Upstairs Bath

Rich contrast, beautiful stone selections, and custom details give this bathroom its own personality while remaining cohesive with the rest of the home.

This project is a wonderful example of how thoughtful renovation can completely transform the way a home lives without losing the character that made it special in the first place.

By combining timeless architecture, durable materials, and family-focused functionality, we created spaces that feel beautiful today and will continue to serve this family for many years to come.

Architect: Boomgaarden Architects | Photography: Spacecrafting

Questions about our Glencoe Project? Drop a comment and I’ll answer any of your questions!

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FAMILY — One of the questions I received most before our trip to France was, “How do you keep pre-teens and teens entertained in Europe?” Honestly, I think one of the biggest reasons this trip was such a success was that we didn’t overschedule it.

We left plenty of room for wandering, people watching, and deciding what sounded fun that day instead of rushing from one tour to the next. We split our time between Paris and the South of France, which kept things feeling fresh since the two destinations couldn’t be more different. The kids loved experiencing both the energy of the city and the slower pace along the coast.

One tip I would absolutely recommend: take the train between Paris and the South of France. Yes, navigating the Paris train station was a bit chaotic, but once we were on board, it was one of my favorite parts of the trip. We played cards, enjoyed lunch together, watched the countryside roll by, and somehow the five-hour ride flew past. It was a much more relaxing (and memorable) experience than heading back through the airport.

I’ll be writing a dedicated Substack post where I share our full France itinerary. Everything from where we stayed and ate to the activities that were actually worth it (and a few we didn’t get to).

TRAVEL — Since we’re still on the topic of France, I have to share one of the best decisions we made for our trip, our apartment in Paris.

We found a two-bedroom apartment just a couple of blocks from the Champs-Élysées, and it was exactly what our family needed. The building felt more like a boutique hotel, complete with daily housekeeping, a front desk, and a concierge, but with one thing that’s surprisingly hard to find in Paris...space! Having room for all four of us to spread out after long days of exploring made such a difference.

I’ll be sharing all of the details, including where we stayed, what we loved, and why I’d absolutely book it again, in my dedicated France Substack. If you’re planning a trip to Paris, I think you’ll find lots of ideas to borrow!

DESIGN — One of the highlights of this month was finally revealing our renovation of The Clubhouse Project. We don’t take on many commercial projects, but when the members came to us looking for someone who could make their clubhouse feel less like a commercial space and more like a home, we couldn’t say no.

Designing for a committee comes with its own unique challenges, but this group was such a joy to collaborate with. They cared deeply about honoring the history of the club while creating spaces that felt warm, timeless, and welcoming for generations to come. Watching it all come together was incredibly rewarding, and we’re so proud to have played a small part in bringing this special place back to life.

FASHION — I’m planning to put together a full roundup of everything I packed for France, what I ended up wearing the most, and a few of my favorite purchases from the trip. But if I had to pick one MVP, it would be this matching set.

Paris greeted us with some seriously warm weather the first few days, and this outfit checked every box. It kept me cool during long days of walking, but I still felt polished enough to wander into a beautiful café or dinner without thinking twice. That’s always my goal when I travel, pieces that are comfortable enough to explore in but still feel put together.

I also carried a bag from my Vivrelle subscription almost every single day. It ended up being the perfect travel companion, and now I’m wondering...should I finally buy it? It went with almost everything I wore on the trip!

Shop the look here!

HOME — Coming home after two weeks in France meant one thing... my garden was absolutely bursting. It seemed like overnight every tomato, cucumber, pepper, and bouquet-worthy flower had decided it was time to be picked. While it was a little overwhelming at first, there’s something so satisfying about walking outside and filling basket after basket with things you’ve grown yourself.

While I was away, an Amazon tablecloth I had ordered also arrived, and it ended up being such a great find. It’s surprisingly difficult to find a tablecloth that’s long enough for my 9-foot dining table, but this one fits beautifully. I actually plan to use it mostly outdoors since it was so affordable that I won’t feel guilty if it ends up with a little dirt or a few wine stains after a summer dinner party. Sometimes the best finds are the ones you don’t have to be precious with!

If you’ve noticed a little more gardening, travel, and everyday life popping up lately, that’s exactly why I started my personal Instagram, @briahammel. Rather than filling our business page with all of the behind-the-scenes moments, I’ve been sharing them there as they’re happening. I’d love to have you follow along!

Linking the tablecloth here in case you’re looking for one too.

Questions about what I’ve been up to lately? Drop a comment and I’ll answer any of your questions!

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Not the grand rooms or the perfectly set tables (ok maybe some of those). It was the little things I couldn’t stop photographing. Fabric-covered walls. Paneled hallways. Fresh flowers sitting on a bathroom vanity. A chair tucked into the corner of a bedroom.

It’s funny how the smallest details are usually the ones that stay with you.

Coming home always gives me fresh eyes, too. Our garden is finally at its peak, the evenings are just a little slower, and I’ve found myself clipping flowers almost every morning just to scatter around the house.

As I looked back through my saved photos this month, I realized they’re all telling the same story. Homes don’t have to be extravagant to be memorable, I actually prefer the opposite. They just need thoughtful details, collected layers, and spaces that make you want to linger.

Here are a few of my favorites that inspired me this month.

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If you've ever looked around your home and thought, Everything is here...so why doesn't it feel finished? there's a good chance the answer isn't another piece of furniture.

It's the layers.

One of the things that makes our design process unique is that we have a full-time Interior Stylist on our team. While many firms treat accessories as the final step, or skip them altogether, we've always believed they're an essential part of the design from the very beginning.

When we present a design to our clients, the accessories are already there. Lamps, artwork, books, greenery, decorative objects, and tabletop pieces aren't added as an afterthought. They're intentionally selected alongside the furniture because they're just as important to how a space feels.

Over the years, we’ve seen it happen time and time again. A client moves into a beautifully furnished home, but something still feels missing. The room has all of the major pieces, yet it lacks the warmth, personality, and sense of belonging that make a house feel truly lived in.

That's where styling makes all the difference.

Accessories soften a room, add character, tell your story, and create the layered look people are often drawn to in professionally designed homes. They're what make a bookshelf feel collected instead of empty, a coffee table feel inviting instead of bare, and a console feel intentional instead of unfinished.

It's why we invest in styling from the very beginning, not the very end. It's easy to underestimate the impact of accessories until you see them removed. The foundation of this room is exactly the same, but the layered books, florals, artwork, and collected objects are what create depth, balance, and that effortless, welcoming feeling.

If your home already has the furniture but still doesn't feel complete, our E-Design team can help. Sometimes the finishing touches are the pieces that make the biggest difference.

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After sharing the full reveal of our Clubhouse Project, so many of you asked for more details that we knew we needed to share more. Like many of our projects, some of the most defining elements were custom designed specifically for this space, including much of the upholstery and pillows. Those one-of-a-kind details are part of what make each project feel so personal.

That said, we’re excited to share as many of the sources as we can. Below, you’ll find furniture, lighting, paint, and decorative pieces that helped bring this project to life. Whether you’re recreating an entire room or simply looking for one timeless piece, I hope these selections inspire your own home.

Foyer

Designed to feel like the entry of a home, the foyer sets the tone with timeless architectural details, layered textiles, and a warm welcome.

White Trim Paint Color | Chairs | Pillows | Sconces | Vase | Woven Box | Candlestick Holders | Picture Frame

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Commercial projects aren’t something our team takes on very often. When we do, it’s because there’s a meaningful connection to the people behind the project and an opportunity to create a space that truly reflects how it’s meant to be lived in.

This clubhouse renovation was exactly that.

Designed for a private country club with a close-knit membership, our goal wasn’t to create something that felt overly formal or commercial. Instead, we approached it the same way we would one of our residential projects, thinking about how each room could feel welcoming, comfortable, and beautifully layered while supporting the many ways members gather throughout the year.

Because the clubhouse is intentionally intimate in scale, many of the spaces function much like the rooms within a home. There are places to gather before dinner, quiet corners for conversation, flexible dining spaces for celebrations, and comfortable seating areas that invite people to linger a little longer.

Throughout the design, we looked to the club’s history for inspiration. An existing painting of the clubhouse became an unexpected guide, influencing much of the color palette and helping us bring back the feeling of the property as members remembered it years ago. Garden-inspired greens, soft blues, natural textures, and timeless architectural details helped create spaces that feel both refreshed and deeply familiar.

Foyer

We wanted the foyer to feel like walking into the entry of a beautiful home.

Updated wallpaper, new lighting, larger crown molding, and refinished hardwood floors immediately set the tone for the rest of the clubhouse. Every detail was intended to feel warm, welcoming, and residential, creating a first impression that feels timeless rather than institutional.

The Living Room

The living room became the heart of the clubhouse.

New built-ins, a redesigned fireplace, painted brick, and updated architectural details transformed the space while honoring its history. One of the most meaningful pieces in the room is an existing painting of the clubhouse, which became the inspiration for many of the colors used throughout the project.

Knowing the club is celebrated for its beautiful gardens, we wanted to bring that feeling indoors. Soft walls allow layered greens, blues, and natural textures to take center stage, creating a room that feels bright, relaxed, and connected to the landscape just outside.

Every furniture selection was also made with flexibility in mind, allowing pieces to move throughout the clubhouse as different events and gatherings take place.

The Dining Room

One of the biggest goals for the dining room was making it feel less like a traditional banquet space and more like an extension of a home.

Rather than filling the room entirely with dining tables, we introduced intimate conversation areas at either end using woven seating that gives the space an airy, porch-like feeling perfect for a summer club.

One of our biggest priorities was flexibility. We developed multiple different layout options that allow the room to transform for everything from everyday dining to weddings, showers, and larger gatherings, all using the same thoughtfully selected furnishings.

The dining tables themselves were thoughtfully selected in multiple shapes and sizes, including round, square, and rectangular options, making it easy to accommodate both everyday dining and larger celebrations.

A custom nylon carpet anchors the space, with a patterned design that not only adds warmth and color but also helps disguise the wear that naturally comes with a highly used gathering space.

Existing buffet areas were reimagined with new cabinetry and improved functionality, creating better flow while preserving artwork and architectural details that were meaningful to the club.

The Private Dining Room

Because this room is reserved for smaller gatherings, we had the opportunity to take a slightly bolder approach.

A richly patterned wallpaper brings personality to the space, while updated hardware, lighting, and furnishings make it feel special for everything from family celebrations to club events.

One of our favorite details is the artwork, painted by a member of the club committee, adding another layer of personal history to the room.

The Grill

The Grill serves as one of the clubhouse’s most casual gathering spaces, particularly after a round of golf.

While we introduced lighter furnishings and updated finishes, it was equally important to preserve elements that had become part of the club’s identity. The existing dining tables, handcrafted by one of the members, remained in place, while the wood ceiling beams and trim were thoughtfully coordinated to create continuity throughout the room.

New banquette seating offers greater flexibility for families and larger groups, while performance materials were selected to stand up beautifully to everyday use. A durable rug grounds the seating area, thoughtfully placed to withstand one of the highest-traffic areas in the clubhouse.

Although this room carries a slightly more masculine character, it still feels bright, inviting, and connected to the rest of the design.

The Bathroom Vestibule

Even transitional spaces deserve thoughtful attention.

The vestibule outside the restrooms became more than simply a hallway. With seating, a coat closet, and carefully preserved original signage, it functions much like the entry hall of a home while honoring details that have long been part of the clubhouse’s story.

The Restrooms

Both restrooms were completely updated while maintaining the timeless character of the clubhouse.

In the women’s restroom, lattice detailing serves as a subtle nod to the surrounding gardens, paired with a fully redesigned vanity, updated lighting, and a larger mirror that brightens the space.

The men’s restroom carries a slightly more tailored feel while continuing the same light, welcoming palette found throughout the clubhouse. Repeated design details, including spindle accents seen in the foyer console, help connect every room and reinforce the cohesive design language throughout the project.

What made this project so rewarding wasn’t simply designing a commercial space. It was creating a clubhouse that feels deeply personal to the people who use it.

Every decision, from preserving meaningful artwork and handcrafted furniture to introducing flexible gathering spaces and timeless materials, was made with the hope that members would feel just as comfortable spending an afternoon here as they would in their own homes.

To us, that’s always the goal of good design. Whether we’re creating a family home or a clubhouse for an entire community, the most successful spaces are the ones that invite people to gather, linger, and create memories together.

Builder: Detail Custom Homes | Architect: Bryan Meyer | Photography: Spacecrafting

Questions about our Clubhouse Project? Drop a comment and I’ll answer any of your questions!

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One of the questions we receive most often is, “What wood floor stain did you use?”

It’s a great question, but the answer is rarely as simple as naming a single stain color.

In nearly every project we design, the floors are stained on site rather than selected from a prefinished option. That’s because hardwood floors do so much more than simply cover the ground beneath us. They set the tone for the entire home. Before cabinetry, paint colors, furniture, or fabrics are finalized, we’re already thinking about the floors because they influence every other finish that follows.

The truth is, there isn’t one stain that works for every project. Every home has different natural light, architecture, cabinetry, and surrounding materials. A stain that feels warm and beautiful in one home can look completely different in another.

Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how we choose hardwood floors for our clients, from the wood species and stain process to the details that make a floor feel timeless for years to come.

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If there’s one design element I think people underestimate, it’s window treatments.

They’re often the very last thing people purchase. They’ve spent months choosing flooring, furniture, lighting, and paint colors, and by the time they reach this stage, it’s not uncommon to feel a bit of decision fatigue or even burnout from the process. Because window treatments typically can’t be ordered until millwork is complete and final measurements are taken, they naturally fall at the very end of a project, when both energy and budget can feel stretched thin.

But here’s the thing: window treatments shouldn’t be an afterthought.

They create warmth. They soften architecture, balance proportions, absorb sound, frame a view, and make a room feel finished. In many ways, they’re the difference between a house that looks decorated and one that truly feels like home.

When someone walks into a room and says, “It just feels so cozy,” there’s a good chance the window treatments are doing more work than anyone realizes.

Today I thought I’d share the exact framework we use when designing windows for our clients.

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Lately, it feels like shells are everywhere, and not just in coastal homes. I’m seeing shell-inspired pieces interpreted in a much more refined way. From lighting and hardware to tabletop, accessories, and fashion, designers are embracing the organic shape in ways that feel timeless, sculptural and surprisingly versatile.

We’ve incorporated shell-inspired pieces into several of our own products because they bring a softness and sense of movement that complements so many different design styles, not just coastal interiors. Like any design element, though, it’s all about restraint. The goal isn’t to create a room that feels themed, but to thoughtfully layer in pieces that add ch

aracter and a subtle nod to nature.

Today, I’m sharing a roundup of my favorite shell-inspired finds, along with a few simple styling tips for bringing this trend into your home and closet in a way that feels elevated, enduring and anything but kitschy.

Designer Tip: If you’re just starting to incorporate shell-inspired decor, begin with smaller accents like a candleholder, bowl, lamp or napkin ring. A few thoughtful details can add texture and personality without making the room feel overly themed.

1. Fan Shell Brass Napkin Rings | 2. Shell Serving Spoon | 3. Coastal Decorative Magnesia Clamshell | 4. Scallop Shell Taper Holder | 5. Ivory Shell Bookends | 6. Seaside Picture Light | 7. Tide Vase | 8. Tulip Shell | 9. Silver Triple Condiment Server | 10. Shoreline Trinket Dish |

Style Tip: I love bringing shell motifs into a wardrobe through accessories first. A pair of earrings, a pendant necklace, a woven handbag, or a sandal with shell detailing feels classic and effortless while letting the trend complement your style instead of defining it.

1. Freshwater Pearl Necklace | 2. Block Heeled Mule | 3. Clamshell Bag | 4. Charm Necklace | 5. Isla Earrings |

Questions about this post? Drop a comment and I’ll answer any of your questions!

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If there’s one paint color I’ve been asked about more than any other, it’s the green we’ve used on the shelving in our Brooke & Lou Charleston Shoppe.

Almost every day, someone asks us about it in the shop, and I’ve lost count of the number of messages we’ve received asking for the exact paint color after seeing photos online. It’s one of those shades that seems to stop people in their tracks. Soft without feeling pastel, right without feeling dark, and timeless enough to work beautifully year after year.

The color is Mistletoe by Benjamin Moore, and it has quickly become one of my favorite greens. It brings so much warmth and character to a space while still feeling incredibly versatile.

That said, choosing a green paint color is never one-size-fits-all. The right shade depends on your home’s architecture, natural light, and the feeling you’re hoping to create. Over the years, we’ve used a variety of greens across our projects, each with its own personality.

Today, I’m sharing Mistletoe, along with several of my other favorite green paint colors that we’ve used.

Questions about paint selections? Drop a comment and I’ll answer any of your questions!

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One of my favorite things about designing for children is that the space is never really just about the child. It’s about the memories being made there. The books read before bed, the backpacks tossed by the door after school. The family dog curled up nearby. The traditions, routines, and the little moments that shape a childhood.

As we’ve been working on expanding Brooke & Lou’s Kids & Pets collection, I’ve found myself returning to the same question I ask when designing a home: How do we create a space where someone feels like they belong?

Children deserve rooms that feel special and personal, but I also believe those spaces should be able to grow alongside them. That’s why I’m always drawn to pieces that feel timeless, layered, and collected rather than overly theme-driven. Pieces that can move through different seasons of life while still feeling meaningful.

This collection is filled with items that do exactly that. They bring personality and warmth to a room today, while becoming part of the stories a family tells for years to come.

Here are five of my favorite items from the new collection:

1. My Mother’s Story Book

If you’ve been following along with my book journey, you know how much I believe that our homes are shaped by the stories we carry. This journal immediately spoke to me because it preserves something so important: the memories, thoughts and experiences of the women who came before us. It’s the kind of keepsake that becomes more valuable with time.

As someone whose own mother played such a significant role in shaping my understanding of home, this is the type of piece I would treasure forever. It feels thoughtful, meaningful, and beautifully designed enough to leave out on a bookshelf or bedside table.

Sometimes the most important things we pass down aren’t objects, they’re stories, and this book can help capture those for years to come.

2. Little Duck Study

I have always loved artwork in children’s spaces that doesn’t necessarily feel like children’s artwork. The Little Duck Study feels like something you might discover at a small antique market and instantly know you need to bring home. Between the plaid matting, rich wood frame, and understated palette, it has that collected quality I am constantly searching for in my own designs. This piece is also part of a series, so if we need to fill a wall you can add the whole collection together for the sweetest moment in child’s room.

3. Mother Goose Hook

This might be the most charming piece in the collection. I’m always looking for opportunities to make practical items feel beautiful, and children’s spaces need functional storage just as much as any other room in the home. The brass finish gives it an heirloom quality, while the sweet row of geese adds personality without feeling overly juvenile. I can picture this in a playroom, nursery, or bedroom holding everything from backpacks and jackets to dress-up costumes. It’s a small detail, but those are often the pieces that make a room feel memorable.

4. Golden Hour Collar & Leash

Anyone who knows me knows that our golden retriever, Hunter, is very much part of the family. As we expanded our pet products, I wanted pieces that felt as thoughtfully designed as the rest of the home. Why should pet accessories be any different? The soft sage color feels classic and elevated, while the warm gold hardware gives it a polished finish. It’s functional, durable, and beautiful—which is really the sweet spot for anything we bring into our homes. Because let’s be honest: our pets belong in the family story, too.

5. Harbor Cane Desk

If I had to choose one furniture piece from the collection, this desk would probably be it.

One of the biggest mistakes I see in children’s spaces is choosing furniture that only works for a very short season of life. The Harbor Desk is the opposite. The classic silhouette, cane detailing, and soft sage finish make it feel timeless enough to transition from elementary school homework sessions all the way through the teenage years. I love pieces that work hard and age gracefully, and this desk does both. It’s beautiful, functional, and designed to grow alongside the child using it.

Why Designing for Kids Matters

Children’s spaces deserve the same level of thought and care as the rest of the home.

In fact, I would argue they deserve even more. These are the rooms where imaginations grow, confidence develops, friendships are nurtured, and family traditions begin. They are often the first places where children start to develop a sense of identity and belonging.

1. My Mother’s Story | 2. Little Duck Study | 3. Mother Goose Hook | 4. Golden Hour Collar & Golden Hour Leash | 5. Harbor Cane Desk

When I design for kids, I’m always thinking about creating a timeless foundation. Beautiful furniture, quality materials, and thoughtful details, then layering in personality through pieces that can evolve over time. The goal isn’t to create a room they’ll outgrow in two years but instead to create a space that feels like theirs.

A place where they feel safe, loved, inspired, and known. Because at the end of the day, that’s what home should do for all of us. And whether it’s a keepsake book, a piece of art, a functional accessory, piece of furniture, or even pet accessories, I love finding pieces that help tell that story.

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DESIGN — One of the highlights of this month was completing a furnishing install for a beautiful new construction home in Westport, Connecticut. We’re still waiting on window treatments and a few finishing touches before it’s ready to photograph, but we already can’t wait to share it.

The clients were an absolute dream to work with, decisive, trusting, and excited to be pushed creatively. Their classic taste gave us the perfect foundation to layer in timeless pieces and thoughtful details that make a home feel collected over time.

I have a feeling this one is going to be a favorite, and I can’t wait to show you more soon.

TRAVEL — We wrapped up the month at Atlanta Market, and for the first time, Brooklyn came along with us. She had been asking to go for months, and she absolutely loved every minute of it.

She was such a joy to have by our side. Between the showroom visits and nearly 20,000 steps a day, she never complained once. I lost count of how many people stopped to tell us how poised and grown up she was, and as her mom, it made me incredibly proud.

There’s something so special about getting to share little pieces of what I love with my kids. I have a feeling this won’t be her last market trip.

FASHION — The night before our Westport, CT install, I snuck away for a little shopping in New York City. I always leave the city feeling inspired, and this trip was no exception. Everywhere I looked I saw feminine details, beautiful natural textiles, and timeless silhouettes that felt just as relevant in fashion as they do in interiors.

There was no shortage of pieces I could have brought home... thankfully my suitcase reminded me otherwise. Sometimes a little inspiration is all you really need.

A few things I had my eye on included this dress from Cami NYC, and this cute graphic tee and dress from J. Crew.

FAMILY — We spent part of the month in Charleston celebrating Father’s Day with my dad. As our family continues to walk through his battle with memory loss, we’ve become especially intentional about making time together. These visits have taken on a deeper meaning, reminding me that it’s often the simplest moments that become the most treasured.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was watching Brooklyn and her Papa together. The two of them spent hours laughing, swimming, and simply enjoying each other’s company. Watching their relationship continue to grow has become one of my greatest gifts.

This season has been a gentle reminder to slow down, be present, and never take time with the people we love for granted.

HOME — When we’re home in Minnesota during the summer, we spend as much time outside as possible. Between tending the garden, hosting pool parties, and eating dinner on the patio, every inch of our outdoor space has been getting used exactly as we imagined it would.

It’s one of my favorite reminders that the best spaces aren’t just beautiful, they invite you to slow down and make memories together. After a busy season of travel, there is nothing I love more than a long summer evening spent at home.

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A gathered skirt beneath a vanity. Fresh flowers clipped from the garden. A beautiful cabinet pull, soft blue florals, or a tassel tie on the back of a dining chair. None of these details are essential. But together, they’re what make a house begin to tell a story.

I’ve realized that’s true beyond our homes, too. Summer has a way of slowing me down enough to notice the things I usually rush past. A quiet bedroom in the morning, afternoons spent outside, getting dressed in pieces that feel timeless instead of trendy, or watching my kids enjoy another season of growing up.

I keep coming back to the same thought: belonging isn’t created all at once. It’s built through small, intentional choices that quietly become the backdrop of our lives. I hope these June inspiration images inspire you to pay attention to the little details in your own home this month. They’re often the ones that stay with us the longest.

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If you’ve followed our projects for any amount of time, you’ve probably noticed that I care a great deal about beds.

Not just because they’re beautiful in photographs, but because I truly believe the bedroom should be one of the most comforting rooms in your home. It’s where your day begins and where it ends, and should feel inviting, comfortable, and quietly indulgent.

Over the years, our team has made hundreds of beds for photoshoots, installations, client homes, vacation homes, and our own families. Somewhere along the way, we realized we had developed a formula. One that works every single time.

It’s layered enough to feel collected, never overdone. Comfortable enough to actually sleep in. Beautiful enough that you want to walk back into the room just to admire it.

That balance is what we’re always after.

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Every office has that one person who always seems to show up with something delicious. In our Minnesota office, that’s Taylor.

A few weeks ago, our resident baker brought in a batch of brown butter chocolate chip cookies, and after one bite, I was hooked. In fact, I think they may have been the best cookies I’ve ever had. They were perfectly chewy, packed with flavor, and somehow managed to disappear almost as quickly as they arrived.

Naturally, I immediately asked for the recipe and knew this was a one I needed to share with all of you.

Recipe

Prep: 1 hour 20 minutes | Cook: 12-13 minutes

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1.5 sticks)

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk

• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chunks

Directions

Brown butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often, until golden in color and brown bits are floating (5-7 mins). Cool 5 mins.

Mix the cooled brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Then add in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.

Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips. Scoop dough onto baking sheet and chill 1+ hour or overnight.

Preheat over to 350°F. Bake 12-13 minutes until edges are golden but centers are soft. Sprinkle with flaky salt and enjoy!

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