Falling Slowly

The last few days have been a mix of cool air, bits of sun, and a mostly cozy gray sky that's inviting me into fall a little earlier than the Labor Day party we have planned would appreciate. But to be honest I'm ready. It'll be October before I'm inviting pumpkins and sweaters and the like, I need to savor the in-between season. Sept-ober let's call it. So for this week, I'm changing the geraniums in the pots for mums and grasses, I'm organizing the hall closet with tennis shoes and fleece jackets instead of Birkenstocks and beach towels, and I'm imagining life in a week packing lunches and having actual real-life routines. Here are a few things I'm thinking about as I mentally close out summer, savor this gorgeous month in the PNW, and get my house in order, literally and figuratively speaking.

Sept-ober Vibes

This whole home by G.P. Schafer and Rita Konig is one of my top favorites. It gives me the same feeling I had when I discovered Domino Magazine back in 2005 or so, just insanely inspiring and styled in a way that's approachable for the average person. It shows that given some time and experimentation, we can make our homes layered and warm. Nothing is static and everything is life giving and inviting.

Big Sept-ober vibes.

Quieting the house

Turning inward in this next season, I tend to do a fall "treatment" to my home. I think of it kind of like the movie Dan in Real Life, I'm closing up the house for the season. However, in this case, I'm getting ready for what's around the corner. We tend to spend May to September with our patio doors just wide open and all of the windows circulating air. This means lots of dust and kid and dog tracks from running in and out. I need to wash the windows, get the carpets cleaned, dust every surface, and so on. I love how Myquillyn Smith quiets the house every so often. Taking cues from her I'm paring everything back for a minute, then I'll then start to layer in the cozy. Bring in tree clippings, throw the blankets back on the sofa, fill all the votives with tea lights, and stash candles nearby. I'll restyle my shelves a little and then leave it till I'm ready to really embrace October.

Little People

I have 3 little ones and they're in for a bit of shock next week when we head back to school and sports and all of it. Honestly, I'm never really prepared for the whole thing and it feels like I need a month of chaos and cutting it too close at school drop-off before I really figure it out. They will have plenty of Septembers to share with their therapist in the future. And so speaking of therapists...I've found Raising Boys and Girls to be such a great resource as I learn to navigate raising these whole people I've been given. Kids inevitably come with new phases, and I find most days I'm on some sort of learning curve, and I'm so thankful for family, trusted friends, great resources, and quiet moments to process and pray and redirect myself when needed.

Things I'm Loving

Bring on the early late summer/ early fall vibes!

1. Sweet blue shade that would put off the moodiest evening light. Love it for a small kitchen lamp or in a little nook.

2. I need to upgrade my shears, and wouldn't mind holding these pretty things while I cut some branches off the maple tree in the backyard. Love some fresh stems and branches with height by the front door and on the dining table.

3. I'm definitely feeling this trench coat!

4. I just binged Capturing Home and I'm so into Kate and Amy's style. They rocked the Chuck Taylors and these guys will replace my 10-year-old off-white pair. (Although, I'll never throw them out!)

5. I'm on a hunt for a rug for Winnie's room. This one would be perfect!

6. With kids headed back to school, I need to upgrade lunchboxes. Winnie gets to pack one a couple of days a week and this is just too cute.

7. Can not wait for this book to come out later this week. Heidi Callier is all time.

Work Work Work

I have such a fun mix of projects right now! Currently in process:

• Wrapping up 3 bathrooms and a laundry for a local client in Edmonds

• Taking on a darling Gelato Shop in Couer d'Alene with distance design

• Doing a family room, kitchen, and foyer update in Eugene, Oregon.

• Installing a 2 bed/ 2 bath coastal new build retreat in Port Townsend

• Welcoming a client from Oregon who is flying up next week to spend a day at the design center with me so we can nail down some custom living room pieces in addition to a gorgeous built-in-nook we are installing in their kitchen.

I'll have some spots opening up in October so reach out today if you'd like to work together!

XO,

Ashley