transPARENTcy

before Let’s get real for a moment.   When I first moved into my house and was sitting in my family room, I felt like I should have been lounging in one of Hugh Hefner’s bachelor smoking jackets sipping fine port, reading a paper and enjoying the pleasantries of a cigar.   The room was encased in a gorgeous stained raised wainscot paneling, decorative wood coffered ceilings and a wood burning fireplace.   It especially felt like the Hefner den at night when it was dark outside and the lighting in my house was minimal as apparently in the 80s, lighting wasn’t as adored as it is today.   Disclaimer: my 12-year-old daughter would tell me to quit being so dramatic right now. It was just too much dark stain for me.   I wanted to walk into a white, soft, chic family room.   So, I had a choice to make.   Did I invest in a Redford cigar humidor or make some changes?   That was tempting as I love the smell of cigars and my awesome neighbor, G...

Come on in! Welcome to my home.   I bought my 1988 Cape Cod home almost two years ago with a big vision…to update our home one room at a time.   It is located in my favorite neighborhood in my city and the moment I stepped foot into it, I knew it was meant to be…I felt at home.   I thought I would have the entire house done by now, but didn’t anticipate how time consuming it would be, so I’ve learned to be patient and not overwhelm myself with the work.   The other dilemma I ran into was that the funds I had allocated to the remodel have been reallocated to my new and growing business, Crossing Arrows.   Even though the home was move in ready, I was basically walking into an 80s dream home filled with 80s upgrades that are now outdated.   Each room was highlighted with floral and lots of it, mauve walls, 80s wallpaper, pink 80s carpet, and small mosaic tile countertops (enter dry heave) but it was also so very charming with raised wainscot ...