Clara specializes in mountain lodge aesthetics and bringing cozy, nature-inspired design to any home. She has designed retreats from Aspen to Vermont.
A concrete sunroom slab can feel chilly and unfinished, but it’s also a perfect blank canvas. I’ve helped a bunch of friends (and tackled my own) turn that plain concrete into a cozy, lived-in space with the right sunroom flooring over concrete approach. Wood-Look Tile That Won’t Worry You Wood warmth without the worry: wood-look tile over concrete handles sunroom moisture beautifully. For that warm wood vibe without the humidity drama, I’m a huge fan…
A painted screen door is one of those small weekend projects that can totally flip your curb appeal without touching your siding. I’ve painted more of these than I can count, and the right color (plus a few tiny details) makes the whole entry feel intentional and loved. Ombre Fade From Bottom to Top Ombre screen door: deep coastal blue fading to airy mist, chic protection where scuffs hit. An ombre painted screen door feels…
A Florida room is basically your home’s sunshine zone, so the flooring has to handle bright light, humidity, and the occasional sandy shoe without getting fussy. Indoor-Outdoor Rug Layering Over Hard Floors Layer a bold indoor-outdoor rug on easy-clean tile for a cozy Florida room sunroom zone. In my own projects, I often pair durable Florida room flooring like tile or vinyl with a big indoor-outdoor rug to soften the echo and define a seating…
Mediterranean front doors have this effortless mix of old-world romance and sturdy, grounded craftsmanship that I never get tired of building. Arched Double Doors Arched solid-wood double doors for an instant Mediterranean villa feel—simple, warm, timeless. Whenever I build arched double doors in solid wood, the whole front of the house instantly feels like a villa instead of a basic entry. I’ve learned that even a gentle arch plus thick stiles makes the door look…
A dark gray house has that moody, modern vibe, but the front door color is what makes it feel like home. Sage Green Farmhouse Calm Sage green farmhouse door on dark gray siding—calm contrast, clean lines, warm wood details. A sage green front door softens the edge of a dark gray exterior and leans perfectly rustic-modern. I’ve paired this with natural wood accents and simple black sconces, and it always reads calm and collected. A…
A bay window is already a curb-appeal superstar, but the right exterior shutters make it look finished and intentional. Angled Return Shutters That Follow the Bay Angled return shutters that hug the bay for a seamless, built-in exterior look. If you really want the shutters to “hug” the projection, I’ve built angled bay window shutters with small returns that follow the bay’s side planes. It’s more carpentry work, but the payoff is that custom, built-in…
A great farmhouse railing can make your whole entry or stairwell feel warmer, safer, and way more pulled together. Turned Spindles With a Modern Rail Classic turned spindles + a sleek oak handrail for a fresh, modern farmhouse stair vibe. Mixing slightly traditional spindles with a straight, simple rail gives you that “old farmhouse, updated” balance. I’ve reused existing spindles like this during a stair refresh, and it saved money while still making the farmhouse…
A great mobile bar trailer isn’t just a drink station—it’s rolling decor, smart storage, and a little woodworking flex all in one. I’ve built and refinished enough trailer bars to know the magic is in the details: warm wood, smooth workflow, and an easy setup that feels effortless for guests. Pop-Up Canopy With Wood Bows Bent-wood bows + canvas pop-up canopy: a shady, pack-flat bar trailer upgrade in minutes. For sunny events, I’ve built a…
Fall decorating outdoors doesn’t have to mean dropping a bunch of cash on brand-new stuff. I lean on scrap wood, yard finds, and a few classic fall staples to make a porch or patio feel cozy fast. Upcycled Ladder Pumpkin Stand Upcycled ladder pumpkin stand: a cheap DIY fall display that looks like chic farmhouse decor. An old ladder becomes a perfect outdoor fall display when I lean it by the door and perch small…
An enclosed covered walkway to the garage is one of those upgrades that makes everyday life feel calmer, especially when the weather’s being dramatic. Timber Frame With Exposed Knee Braces Exposed knee braces and reclaimed timber joinery turn a simple walkway into a handcrafted showpiece. A timber-framed walkway to the garage with exposed beams and knee braces delivers that rustic, handcrafted vibe right away. I’ve cut those braces from salvaged stock, and the joinery details…
