Monday, August 27, 2018

4 Tricks for Sneaking Storage Into Small Spaces

Limited storage is often the lament of home dwellers everywhere, no matter how many square feet you’re working with. Whether it’s narrow closets or awkwardly sized cupboards, you’ve likely run into the dilemma of “What can I possibly store in this small space?”

But those small spaces may not be so small after all - they may just need a little focused attention from you to create the optimal space you need.

Try these organization tips to make the most of those small closets and storage spaces.

1. Think vertical

More often than not, you can double your available storage space by going up.

Tall bookcases and shelving can be the answer to your organizing woes. Use this prime real estate to store cleansers, clothes or organized craft bins.

2. Look behind the door

Like those vertical spaces, doors are another opportunity for storage on the sly.

Try a behind-the-door storage option with pockets or hooks. They can hold just about anything you can think of - jewelry, hair dryers, dog leashes, cosmetics, cleaning supplies and more.

3. Put it on wheels

This tip works particularly well for hard-to-reach storage spaces, like a slanted, poorly lit cupboard under the stairs.

Store items on a wheeled moving dolly or in storage bins with wheels. This gives you easy access to the rolling storage piece - at your height, with room to move and view your belongings in plenty of light.

4. Embrace the caddy

Think back to your college or camp days - you likely had a small shower caddy to carry your toiletries to and from the bathroom. Why not try this at home?

If multiple people use the same cramped bathroom, have everyone take out what they bring in. It allows each person to keep track of their favorite toiletries, and the bathroom stays more organized.

Bonus tip: Keep it simple

While these small-space storage tricks are useful, you’ll find that the best way to create more space in your home is to simplify your life.

Start by making a quick list of what you value most in life. I call this "organizing by your values." When you set priorities in your own life, your home and belongings will reflect your choices, allowing you to eliminate the less important or less valued items.

As part of this exercise, you may want to evaluate how you spend your time. Take a look at your commitments, from work to kids' activities to volunteer projects to friends who need favors.

Evaluating your priorities (and possibly eliminating commitments that no longer make you happy) may just give you the extra time you need to review and organize those small spaces.

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Originally published September 17, 2015.



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10 Ways to Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger

Small bathrooms aren’t the easiest spaces to work with. They’re usually cramped and crowded, with limited natural light and awkward layouts.

Whether it’s your powder room or your apartment bathroom that’s cramping your style, here are a few tips for making any small bathroom seem bigger - no wall demolition required.

1. Brighten the room

Bring in as much light as possible. Light, bright rooms always feel more spacious than dark and drab ones.

  • Wall color. Paint the walls and ceiling the same light color to make the bathroom feel double its size. Multiple colors chop the room into different compartments, making it seem smaller.
  • Windows. If you have a window, use sheer window coverings to maximize the natural light.
  • Lighting. Install additional flush-mount wall or ceiling light fixtures to increase the light in the room.

2. Add mirrors

Install larger - and more - mirrors than you typically would in a bathroom. The reflected light will open your small space into one that feels more spacious.

3. Streamline storage

Keep all storage as flush with the walls as possible, because anything that sticks out will chop up the space and close it in. Install recessed shelving and medicine cabinets instead.

4. Eliminate clutter

Nothing crowds a space faster than clutter. A good rule of thumb: If you don't need it there, store it elsewhere. Pare what you keep in the bathroom down to the bare necessities.

5. Raise the bar

Raise your shower curtain bar all the way to the ceiling - it’ll draw your eyes up and make the ceiling seem taller, creating the illusion of a larger space.

The same goes for any window treatments. Raising sheer curtain panels to the ceiling also creates the illusion of a larger window, making the small bathroom seem larger.

6. Hide the bathmat

Having a bathmat on the floor all the time can make your bathroom feel smaller. Put your bathmats away when you’re not using them to expose the flooring and make the space appear larger.

7. Install a sliding door

Swinging doors can take up almost half the room, depending on how small the space is. A sliding barn door or a pocket door won’t encroach on your bathroom’s already limited real estate.

8. Think pedestal sink

The added bulk of a full vanity takes up valuable space, so try a pedestal sink instead. You may not have a place for soaps or towels on the vanity, but there are plenty of wall-mounted solutions perfect for bathroom accessories.

9. Choose light-colored flooring

Even if your walls and ceiling are light and bright, a dark floor will negate their effect and close the space in. Keep the flooring light to create a space with a bright and open flow.

10. Go frameless, clear and cohesive in the shower

Clear glass shower doors make the room appear larger, while frosted glass breaks up the space and makes it seem smaller. The same goes for a frame around the glass. A frame can make the area seem choppy rather than smooth and open.

Additionally, install the same shower tile from floor to ceiling. The seamless look from top to bottom adds cohesion and openness.

Just a few changes to your small bathroom can make dramatic differences in how open it feels. Once you’ve tried these tips and tricks in the bathroom, apply them throughout your home! It’s all about creating the illusion of space.

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Originally published October 18, 2017.



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Thursday, August 23, 2018

From Scraps to Sanctuary: A $700 A-Frame Cabin

To some, a pile of scrap wood might look like trash. But for Alla and Garrett Ponomareva, it was an opportunity to build something beautiful.

While vacationing on their family's land in Missoula, MT, the couple discovered some old window frames and spare lumber from a dilapidated structure on the property. Inspired by the debris, Alla remembered an online blueprint for a tiny A-frame cabin she loved - and realized they had just enough material to build it.

With just three weeks of summer vacation left, the couple immediately began building the 80-square-foot cabin.

A-frame cabin with two chairs outside

They constructed the base of the cabin inside their barn and moved it to the build site. The walls went up next, with their newly upcycled windows.

Finally, the couple installed the cabin's most remarkable feature: the wing wall. This translucent wall lifts up to expand the cabin's living space and welcome the outdoors in.

A-frame cabin with wing wall

The cabin has features designed to weather Montana's shifting seasons. A removable deck under the structure keeps the home elevated in summer and grounded in winter.

A-frame cabin with raised platform foundation

A grand tour of the cabin doesn't take long, but it leaves a lasting impression.

Outside, the cabin's stained tongue-and-groove plank walls almost blend in with their wooded surroundings. Inside, sunlight pours through the repurposed windows and glass wall, illuminating playful decor in shades of muted mint and coral.

A-frame cabin with twin beds and kitchenette

Like many remote retreats, the cabin is intentionally rugged. It has a small kitchenette, but no running water or indoor bathroom. Instead, there's an outhouse and a solar shower just a short, scenic stroll away.

Thanks to the cabin's off-grid location and seamless blend of indoor-outdoor living, it's the perfect spot to soak up sweeping views of the Milky Way. And the best part? You don't even have to get out of bed.

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How to Perform a Landlord Background Check

You’ve found the perfect new apartment or rental house. You love the neighborhood. Your application has been approved. You’re ready to sign on the dotted line, right?

Not so fast. How much do you know about your soon-to-be landlord, property manager or property management company?

There are lots of reasons why you should take the time to ask yourself, “Who is my landlord?” before you commit. Your rent payment is likely one of your biggest monthly expenses, and if you’re signing a lengthy lease, you should find out as much as you can about the person who owns and operates the place you’ll call home.

Check out these five easy ways to check your landlord’s reputation before signing your lease.

1. Make Google your friend

The internet has a way of quickly uncovering all kinds of misdeeds, so start with a simple Google search of your landlord’s name or property management company, as well as the property address.

Hell hath no fury like a renter scorned, so you’ll also want to peruse some of the many apartment and landlord review sites online that let tenants anonymously review their apartment complex, landlord or property management company.

2. Search public records

There’s a wealth of information about properties and landlords available via your local government agencies, and you’re usually able to check your landlord for free. Consider it your landlord background check!

Your county courthouse should have ownership records searchable by address, so you can find out the legal name of the person or company that owns the property - it may not be your landlord directly.

You can also search for code violations, foreclosure proceedings, evictions and small claims court settlements, all of which should be red flags for renters.

3. Get to know your (future) neighbors

If you’re moving into an apartment complex with multiple units, take a few minutes to walk around the grounds out of earshot of the landlord.

If you see any tenants out and about, strike up a conversation about what it’s like to live there. Ask how long they’ve lived there - renewed leases are a good sign of a positive landlord-tenant relationship. Get a few pros and cons, ask how complaints are handled, and find out if they have any gripes about management.

If you’re moving into a single-family home, ask the landlord if they’d mind you having a conversation with the current tenants.

If you don't have access to any other tenants, find a neighborhood-specific blog or Facebook group to join. Tell people you’re thinking of moving into the area, and ask if they know anything about the property manager. In these hyperlocal groups, you’re likely to gain some invaluable insights for your landlord check.

4. Be the interviewer

Landlords ask you questions when you apply to live in their property, so why shouldn’t you ask them questions too?

Ask them how they handle repair requests. Find out if the landlord lives on-site, nearby or even in a different state. Ask how the move-in and move-out process goes. Learn more about their process for requesting entry to your unit.

They should be able to easily, clearly answer your questions and address all of your concerns.

5. Go with your gut

When in doubt, trust your instincts. If you experience any of the following:

  • The price seems too low for the apartment size, amenities or neighborhood
  • The lease terms are unclear
  • The landlord is hesitant to answer your questions
  • The landlord tries to rush you through the rental process

Think twice - and keep looking.

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Monday, August 20, 2018

DIY Backyard Tabletop S'mores: The Minimalist Way to Snack a Campfire Classic Year-Round

This resourceful twist on everyone’s favorite fireside dessert is the ultimate interactive treat.

Grab a few household items, gather some friends and family, and get toasty with these tabletop s’mores - right in your own backyard.

1. Line a terra-cotta pot with foil.1P0A8019

2. Fill the pot with charcoal.
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3. Light it up. (But be careful!)
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4. Toast marshmallows over the flame. Golden brown or totally charred - it’s up to you!
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5. Assemble your s’more.
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6. Enjoy!
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With this gooey goody, you’ll be the toast of your next block party.

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Originally published September 15, 2015.



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8 Fall Gardening Chores You Shouldn't Skip

The bad news: It's time to get your act together and clean up your garden before winter makes the task more difficult. But the good news: Fall garden chores don't have to be a pain.

Whether you love or hate fall gardening chores, this checklist will help you make them easier.

1. Make a compost bin

Composting sounds like a lot of hard work, but it's actually a perfect solution for lazy gardeners.

Have a bunch of weeds, grass clippings and branches to get rid of? Don't bother bagging it up and hauling it to the curb - just throw it in a pile and mix it up every month or so. Then surround the pile with landscape timbers or chicken wire to keep everything from blowing all over the place.

While you can make composting as complicated as you want, it doesn't have to be.

2. Rake leaves - or don't

That's right, raking the leaves isn't always necessary. But before you proudly share this news with your significant other to try getting out of your chores, here’s the full story.

shutterstock_232950250

Leaves in the front lawn are not desirable, especially when they blow into neighboring lawns. Leaves in the garden, on the other hand, are totally desirable and act as free mulch to protect roots and conserve moisture.

Another caveat: The soil around rose bushes and other plants that are sensitive to diseases like powdery mildew should be kept clean and leaf-free to prevent infection.

3. Collect fallen debris

We've all had a so-called trash tree at some point. You know, the Bradford pear that drops branches at the drop of a hat - or the Osage orange that bombs unsuspecting passersby with fruit.

If you're one of the unfortunate souls with a messy tree, now is the time to collect all that debris for the year. Collect sticks and twigs, too, but once you’ve gathered them, leave them in the garden to serve as perches and homes for wildlife.

4. Mow the lawn

Cut the grass one last time, and mow it short to prevent diseases from spreading. Collect the grass clippings and add them to your compost pile.

Now is also a good time to complete your edging and string-trimming chores.

When you're done mowing, winterize your mower and other outdoor power tools by draining the gasoline so it doesn't become stale and gunk up your equipment next year.

5. Prune damaged branches

Fall is about using the anvil pruners rather than the hedge trimmers. Prune out any branches that are diseased, damaged or dead so they won’t succumb to winds or the weight of snow and ice.

If any arm-width branches meet those criteria, use a saw. If any large limbs or trees look as if they’ll break when loaded with ice, call a tree surgeon.

Look at it this way: If there's anything that you think might fall to the ground on its own accord over the winter, remove it now.

6. Pull weeds

The last thing you want is a bunch of weeds spreading their seeds and taking over your garden in spring. Pull weeds on a pleasant day when it’s above freezing and the soil is a little moist - this will make the weeds come up more easily.

Since weeds have a tendency to shed their progeny all over the place, throw them on the compost pile or put them in trash bags.

7. Collect dead leaves

When cleaning and picking up indoors, you'd ideally leave things spotless. This is not the case in the garden, however, since seedpods, flowerheads and fruits add winter interest and provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Still, any dead leaves or other less-useful debris can be collected and composted.

8. Mulch beds

Mulching isn't necessarily a cleanup task, but it is necessary, because it protects the plants' roots over the winter and conserves moisture.

All of those raked leaves you saved will make an excellent mulch for your flowerbeds, or you can purchase the bagged stuff. Use a 1-  to 2-inch-deep layer of mulch, and resist the temptation to use landscaping fabric. Doing so might prevent weeds, but it will also prevent the soil around your plants from accessing rainfall or beneficial organisms.

Top photo from Zillow listing

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Originally published October 15, 2015.



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Friday, August 17, 2018

12 Tasks to Tackle Before Fall Arrives

The days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting cooler. The kids are trudging off to school again with their backpacks, and leaves are falling from the trees.

Yep, it's official: Fall is here. Now’s the time to finish up any last-minute maintenance projects and get your home and yard ready.

Take care of these 12 tasks to get your home clean, warm and ready for the cool days to come.

Exterior prep

1. Fix cracks in concrete and asphalt

Depending on where you live, these may be the last weeks this year when it will be warm and sunny enough to repair driveway and sidewalk cracks.

2. Clean out the gutters

No one loves this job, but we all need to do it annually. A few hours of work can prevent big problems later on.

While you're up on that ladder, visually inspect your roof for damaged shingles, flashing or vents. You can also inspect the chimney for any missing mortar and repair it by tuck-pointing, if needed.

3. Turn off outdoor plumbing

Drain outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems, and cover them to protect them from the freezing weather to come.

4. Start composting

If you don't already have compost bins, now’s the time to make or get some. All those accumulated autumn leaves will bring you gardening gold next summer!

5. Clean outdoor furniture and gardening tools

It may not yet be time to put them away, but go ahead and clean your outdoor furniture and gardening tools so they’re ready for storage over the winter.

6. Plant bulbs for spring-blooming flowers

Plant bulbs in October, as soon as the soil has cooled down, to reap big rewards next spring. If you’ve never planted bulbs before, select a spot in your yard that gets full sun during the day.

shutterstock_155900531

Interior prep

7. Prepare your furnace for winter duty

If you didn't already do it last spring, consider getting your furnace professionally serviced in time for the cold season. At the minimum, though, visually inspect your furnace and replace the furnace filter before turning it on for the first time.

8. Clean the fireplace and chimney

Clean out the fireplace, inspect the flue, and ensure the doors and shields are sound. Have the chimney professionally swept if needed. Now’s also the time to stock up on firewood!

9. Keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside

Inspect your windows and doors. Check weatherstripping by opening a door, placing a piece of paper in the entryway and closing the door. The paper should not slide back and forth easily. If it does, the weather stripping isn't doing its job.

Also, now’s the time to re-caulk around windows and door casings, if needed.

10. Light the way

Bring as much light into your home as you can for the colder, darker months. To accentuate natural light, clean your windows and blinds, especially in rooms that get a lot of sunlight.

Add lighting to darker spaces with new lamps. And consider replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs.

11. Create a mudroom

Even if you don't have a dedicated mudroom in your home, now’s a good time to think about organizing and stocking an entryway that will serve as a "mudroom" area for cold and wet weather.

Put down an indoor-outdoor rug to protect the floor. A fun and rewarding weekend project is to build a wooden shoe rack, coat rack or storage bench for your entryway.

12. Home safety check

Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors. A good way to remember to do this is to always replace the batteries when you change the clock for daylight saving time.

Create a family fire escape plan, or review the one you already have. Put together an emergency preparedness kit so that you are ready for winter power outages.

Once you finish with your autumn home checklist, you will be ready to enjoy the season in your warm, comfortable home.

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Originally published September 20, 2016.



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Wednesday, August 15, 2018

This Woman Lives in Her Childhood Dream Home

When Rebecca Long Pyper fell in love with the charming Tudor on a quiet street in Idaho Falls, ID she wasn't in the market to buy a home - in fact, she was barely old enough to drive.

As a high school student, she'd pass by the storybook home with gingerbread trim and tell her friends how much she adored it.

"I always thought it was darling," she says. "This is a love affair that goes back 20 years."

black and white photo of historic home

Although Pyper left her hometown with no plans to return, fate eventually led her back to Idaho Falls in 2012 - just as her childhood dream home went up for sale. She and her husband Lonnie made an offer.

The couple soon discovered their new home had been occupied by at least 15 different owners since 1936.

"I felt like our home was a throwaway home," she says. "Never a treasured home." But that was about to change.

bright and cheerful yellow kitchen

Pyper and her husband lovingly restored their home to its former glory - and then some. Throughout the house, they salvaged the original doors, hardwood floors and trim. They bumped the kitchen walls out six feet, but kept the windows the same size to welcome the sunshine in.

bright dining room with gleaming hardwood floors

The couple considered both the home's past and its future when restoring the hardwood floors. To keep the care low-maintenance, they opted to skip the staining and just sand the old red oak and fir floors by hand. And to preserve the history, they took their time with the job - it was an 80-hour labor of love.

preppy olive green master bedroom

cozy and preppy little girl's room

classic little boys' room

Pyper wanted the home to feel like a preppy cottage steeped in history and charm, so she filled its cozy rooms with bright patterns and bold colors, like the olive green walls and trim in the master bedroom. Every detail represents a thoughtful design decision intended to bring out the home's unique qualities.

minimalist white bathroom

Although years have passed since Pyper first fell for her home, it's a love affair that's only gotten better with time. And it doesn't show any signs of waning with the next generation.

"I think the thing I like the very best is our house has a soul, and I think my kids can feel that," Pyper says. "They are proud we saved a historic house … They love to share the story, too."

Photos by Casey James Photography.

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Friday, August 10, 2018

This Urban Castle's Magical Design Will Have You Spellbound

An urban castle in downtown Minneapolis has the Muggle world intrigued. "It's kind of gone viral nationally - even as far as London - with references to it being the ‘Harry Potter House,’" says Coldwell Banker Burnet’s Jeffrey Dewing, the listing agent for the 4,547-square-foot home.

Just steps across the light rail line from the US Bank stadium, this ivy-walled property is the only single-family home within a 12-block radius. It's in walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and great city parks. But central location is only the beginning of its charm.

Built in 1911, this property has a long, storied history. "At the turn of the century it was a blacksmith shop,” notes Dewing.

“After that, it was used for a few different commercial uses,” he continues. “One of those was an electric company called Flash." On one of the building's outer walls, you can just make out a decades-old painted advertisement from when the building was home to Flash Electric Company.

In the early 1980s, Sage and John Cowle converted the building into a residential and dance studio space, at the beginning of the revitalization of the Mississippi River waterfront in downtown. The Cowle family sold the building in 2002 to musician and restaurateur Jeff Arundel, whose extensive renovations have given it today's whimsical castle look.

“It’s one of those houses that every time you go to it you notice some new and unique detail," Dewing says.

Some of the enchanting fixtures include an elaborate central wrought-iron staircase, stained-glass inset arches, a flagstone foyer, and rustic fireplaces in the living room and master bedroom. "Paul Tierney, who’s local in Minneapolis, made all of the metal work by hand," says Dewing.

Every detail show’s an artist’s personal touch: Several carved faces peep out from the home's intricate fixtures. A wooden face beams down from the staircase, and a metal face and hands point out from a downspout on the roof. An iron dragon sculpture keeps watch from the turret-topped entrance gate, as if waiting for a secret password.

"One of the things that’s wonderful about the property is all the outdoor space," says Dewing. Inside the cobblestone courtyard, a large mature tree shades the plantings below, and a porch juts out from the building to make space for a sitting area.

The building's roof deck affords great views of sunsets and the skyline. There's ample room for patio furniture - possibly even an owlery.

A window-lined first-floor hallway connects the house to a two-car garage. The kitchen boasts custom cabinets, and an island with bar-height counter, for mixing the most elaborate potions with ease.

The master bathroom's deep green tilework serves as the perfect backdrop for a relaxing shower, or puzzling out a mysterious cipher.

Though it has served for years as a residence, this property also has great commercial potential, for the enterprising witch or wizard.

Earlier this year, the property had been in talks to be purchased and made a brewery and taphouse.

Even in current showings, the interest has been almost an even split between residential, mixed use, and commercial. “People have looked at it as a restaurant space, a wine bar, and a commercial office space,” says Dewing.

This incredible urban castle is just waiting for the right people to harness its magic.

Photos by Spacecrafting Photography.

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The Tiny House That Love Built

While some couples might balk at the suggestion of designing just one room together, Lauren Shumaker and Scott Mooney are no ordinary pair. She's a construction engineer, he's an architect, and they're both wickedly creative. So much so that they collaborated to design an entirely unique dream home together.

Oh, and it's only 624-square feet.

The custom dwelling was built with the help of TaylorSmith Sustainable Construction in the enviable Richmond neighborhood of Portland, OR. Though the home is close to music venues, restaurants, and some of the best shopping in the city, what makes it so special is its clever design and sleek structural features.
"We both lived in many compact-sized homes over the years, but they weren’t as well laid out as they could have been," says Shumaker. "We knew with simple tweaks in the design, we could make small-space living function well for both of us."

The couple worked together to design a home that catered to their specific needs - for example, an integrated dog door leading to the bedroom.

Built-in storage lines the outside of the house, providing ample space for outdoor equipment and bicycles, and generously sized windows wash every last inch of the home in natural light.
All that sunshine did end up including one slightly unpleasant and unforeseen aspect, however.

"We opted to put a window in our shower enclosure for more light [and] air movement," Shumaker says, "but water accumulates on the ledge and if we had to do it over again, we would probably avoid putting a window in that location."

You live, you build a custom compact home with your spouse, you learn. That's how that saying goes, right?

Less is more

Despite the singular design snafu, the home is a triumph for the couple. The personalized space allows them to live in a beautiful home that's truly their own.

“We’re interested in living simply, economically, and sustainably, so living in a small, well-designed space fit our lifestyle," Shumaker explains. "My partner and I love our new house. Functionally, it works great for both of us as there’s equal closet storage, it’s easy to clean, and compact yet has enough storage. Neither of us feels like we've had to make any compromises in our ability to live comfortably together."

And something that helps to maintain that comfort? The classic "less is more" approach, according to Shumaker.
"We've found paring down is always the best policy, and we continue to be diligent regarding what comes in the house,” she says. “While we were previously living together in a smaller space, we still found ourselves going through round after round of purging before we moved into the new house.

“Fortunately, this enabled us to be thoughtful with what we introduced into our home, and now we’re happy to not have to worry about any additional clutter beyond what we use most frequently."

Ask any aspiring home designer what romance looks like, and visions of tidying guru Marie Kondo and custom closet spaces would probably dance through their heads. If fairy tales were modernized, minimalism and clean design would surely be part of every couple’s happily-ever-after.

But in our real world of endless dream house Pinterest boards and wistful home design shows, the Shumaker-Mooney family doesn't take their labor of love lightly.

"We feel lucky to have been able to see this through,” Shumaker says. “We love how the process of designing and building this home brought us closer together as a couple, [and] being able to enjoy the space we put so much heart into is the icing on the cake."

Photos by Olivia Ashton Photography.

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