Clara specializes in mountain lodge aesthetics and bringing cozy, nature-inspired design to any home. She has designed retreats from Aspen to Vermont.
A good picnic charcuterie board is basically a little travel miracle: it looks gorgeous on a blanket and still survives the walk from the car. Round Board With Center Dip Bowl Round charcuterie board with a center dip bowl—perfect for tidy, shareable picnic wedges. For an easy crowd-pleaser, I build a picnic charcuterie board on a round board and nest a small bowl in the middle so everything radiates out in tidy wedges. I’ve found…
Balusters might be small, but they can totally change the whole vibe of your staircase or deck in a weekend. Double and Triple Baluster Clusters Double and triple baluster clusters add a designer rhythm—easy to lay out with a simple spacer. Grouping balusters in pairs or threes gives a stair railing a custom look fast—think double balusters with a slightly wider gap before the next set. I’ve laid this out with a scrap spacer block…
A free standing carport is one of my favorite builds because it protects your vehicle without having to attach anything to the house. Double-Bay With Center Truss Double-bay carport with a bold center truss—wide, airy parking and pavilion-level style. For a two-car free standing carport, I’ve built a double-bay layout with a beefy center beam so both parking spots feel wide and easy to pull into. Adding decorative truss details up high gives you that…
Modern front door trim is one of those small upgrades that makes your whole entry feel intentional and fresh. Minimal Black Trim Outline Slim black trim outlines the door like a modern frame—crisp contrast, clean Scandinavian curb appeal. A slim black front door trim outline is perfect when you want modern without making the entry feel heavy. I’ve used this trick on lighter exteriors, and it gives that crisp “drawn frame” effect from the curb.…
A great wooden playground feels like a real destination in the backyard—part fort, part adventure course, part imagination factory. Here are my favorite builds (from classic to seriously wow) that I’ve made, helped plan, or tweaked in my own shop-style way over the years. Two-Tower Setup With Bridge Two wooden towers + a wobbly rope bridge—simple, park-like play in natural timber. Connecting two platforms with a wooden bridge (even a short one) makes the whole…
Skirting is the little detail that makes a pier and beam house look finished instead of “floating.” Vertical Board and Batten Skirting Vertical board-and-batten skirting: farmhouse clean lines with hidden ventilation and a neat gap. For a farmhouse vibe, I’ve installed board and batten skirting that matches the house siding, and it instantly makes the pier and beam setup feel intentional. I always leave a small gap and add hidden ventilation so it looks tight…
A walkout basement door can be way more than a basic exit—it can turn your lower level into the brightest, most inviting part of the house. Sliding Patio Door for Small Landings A space-saving sliding glass door that keeps narrow walkout landings clean and functional. If your landing is narrow, a sliding glass door is my go-to because you don’t lose space to a swing path. I’ve set these in basements that open right onto…
An 8-foot privacy fence feels like the quickest way to turn a yard into a little retreat, but the price tags can get out of hand fast. Reed Rolls Over a Tall Backer Frame Budget 8-ft privacy fence: a simple wood frame wrapped in reed rolls for instant spa texture. A reed-covered 8-foot privacy fence is a fun budget move: build a plain tall frame, then staple on reed screening for instant texture and coverage.…
An ATV is too big (and too pricey) to leave out in the weather, so a dedicated shed is such a sanity-saver. These ATV shed ideas mix practical access and tough protection with the kind of woodsy charm you’ll actually want in your yard. Convertible Front Wall That Folds Open A front wall that folds down into a ramp—clean lines, bold contrast, and pure practicality. This one feels like magic: I helped build an ATV…
A small breezeway can be so much more than a pass-through—it can be your hardest-working little “in-between” space. I’ve built and styled a bunch of them, and the trick is mixing weather-ready function with just enough warmth that it feels like a real room. Wood Slat Privacy Screen With Light Gaps A slim wood-slat privacy screen that filters light and breeze—modern, warm, and handmade. If your small breezeway feels exposed, I’ve used a wood slat…
