With over 15 years in woodworking and interior design, Emma brings expertise in natural materials and rustic aesthetics to every project she touches.
Mismatched dining chairs are one of my favorite ways to make a dining space feel collected, cozy, and totally personal. Use Two Styles in Balanced Pairs Two styles, one look: pair chairs two-by-two for a mismatched set that feels designed. I like pairing chairs two-by-two (like two of each style) so the look feels intentional and “designed.” In my own projects, chair pairs also make sourcing easier because I’m not hunting down six identical vintage…
Pantry shelves look simple until you start trying to fit real-life stuff like cereal, cans, and small appliances without wasting a bunch of air space. Make a Tight Can Zone
Cubby holes are one of my favorite places to tell a little home story because they’re both storage and a display stage. I’ve decorated everything from built-ins to upcycled crate cubbies, and the trick is keeping each cubby hole intentional instead of stuffed. Stacked Books With a Tiny Sculpture Bold hardcovers as a pedestal, topped with a hand-waxed mini wood sculpture for simple cubby style. A short stack of hardcover books in one cubby hole…
If your book piles are starting to feel like extra furniture, you’re not alone—I’ve been there more times than I can count. Window Seat With Built-In Books A cozy window seat with built-in book cubbies—smart storage and a serene reading nook. One of my favorite builds was a window seat with book cubbies on the sides, because it stores books and creates a reading spot in one shot. I always finish it with a cozy…
The right trim color can totally change how a log cabin reads from the road—either crisp and updated or extra cozy and rustic. I’ve tested a lot of combinations on real wood, and these ideas focus on how trim color plays with the natural tone and texture of log exteriors. Muted Sage for a Soft Cottage Twist Muted sage trim softens log cabin exteriors—airy, cottage-inspired, and beautifully grounded. If you love rustic but want a…
Swapping a tiny bedside table for a dresser is one of my favorite ways to get extra storage without sacrificing style. Here are my go-to dresser as nightstand ideas—from classic pairings to a few workshop-tested surprises. Hidden Charging Drawer Upgrade Turn a dresser drawer into a hidden charging station—cords disappear, bedside stays serene. I’ve drilled a clean cord pass-through and turned one drawer into a hidden charging station, so the countertop stays calm. This is…
Cookbooks deserve better than a wobbly stack that topples the second you reach for the salt. Here are my favorite cookbook shelf ideas that keep recipes close, use those awkward kitchen spots, and turn your collection into actual decor. Picture Ledges for Cover Displays Cover-forward cookbooks on a handcrafted oak picture ledge—practical, pretty, and easy to grab. I love a picture ledge because you can face the covers out like art, and it makes even…
If you love that crisp, modern contrast, black floating shelves are such an easy way to make a wall feel styled without feeling busy. Over-the-Desk Styling Shelf Matte black floating shelf above the desk—minimal styling for calm focus and contrast. I’ve installed matte black floating shelves above my work desk for notebooks, a little greenery, and a framed print. Keeping the bottom shelf a bit emptier makes the whole setup feel calm and focused. A…
A good workshop interior makes you feel like building something the second you flip on the lights. Add a Pegboard for Grab-and-Go Tools Grab-and-go pegboard perfection: outlined tool spots for effortless, satisfying workshop cleanup. When I’m teaching or bouncing between tasks, a simple pegboard keeps my most-used tools visible and easy to grab. I like outlining each tool’s “parking spot,” because it makes cleanup feel almost automatic. Maybe worth checking out: Wooden Pegboard Panel: Create…
If you’re craving a living room that feels bright, breezy, and relaxed, rattan is such an easy win. Anchor With a Rattan Sofa Anchor your space with a woven rattan sofa—light, airy, and effortlessly modern. I swapped a bulky couch for a rattan sofa with thick neutral cushions once, and my living room felt twice as airy overnight. If you keep the walls light and the lines simple, rattan reads fresh and modern instead of…
