So often, when we see hooks by the door in magazines and online, the contents of those hooks are very neatly curated.  Only the very cutest jackets, aprons, and bags will be displayed along with the trendiest shoes tucked underneath.  I do that myself when I’m working on a styled shoot.  A pile of Crocs and a mass of mismatched coats aren’t inspirational.  We can look at our own hooks by our own doors and see that.  But, I always think it’s nice to balance the practical with the pretty and the real with the styled. When I decided to put hooks by the side door, I knew it would be a magnet for clutter.  At the same time, I knew it would be practical.  You need a handy place to keep coats in the winter, drop a bag, and hang the dog leash.  And most people want to do

When I shared the new wall sconces/lamps in our living room, the thing I was asked most was about turning them on and off.  With a deep sofa sitting in front of them, they are a little awkward to reach.  You have to do one of those knee-on-the-sofa maneuvers, which can be tricky at times.  But, I wasn’t worried about it because I have a trick in the bag that I’ve used with difficult-to-reach lamps before.  It’s cheap, it’s easy to install, and it works.  It’s a battery-powered light remote. details about the sofa | curtains | European stag antlers | wall color | lamps There are available that will tie into a smart lighting system and allow you to turn lights (and other things) on and off with your phone.  We had those in our last house and, I must say, I do miss them!  But, we haven’t installed any smart