This post is written in partnership with Bali Blinds. All opinions are my own.

Curtains (or drapes, if you prefer) play a key role in the design of a room. Besides fulfilling the practical purpose of covering your windows, they are also a great way to also add color, pattern, texture, softness, movement, and height...all elements that are often exactly what a room needs. The right curtains can be that beautiful finishing touch that makes your room feel complete. So how do you make sure you choose well? Here are the top three things to consider when selecting curtains for your home.

1. Light & Privacy - The first priority is always functionality. What is the practical purpose your curtains will serve? How much light do you want to let in? How much privacy does this room require? These needs will determine the type of fabric that makes sense for your curtains. Do you want sheer, breezy curtains that maximize natural light? Do you need heavier blackout drapes to help you sleep? Or something in between?

For the best of both worlds, consider a light filtering Roman shade with blackout drapes layered over it. This is exactly what we did for our bedroom, and I love the flexibility. If we want privacy without blocking out light, we can close just the shade. If we want it to be dark for naps and bedtime, we can pull the drapes shut. It's fantastic. The two photos below are both taken from the same angle in the middle of the day. You can see how well the blackout drapes turn our room into a dark and cozy cocoon. And as the weather has gotten hotter, we've also noticed how well the blackout drapes help insulate the room, avoid hot spots near the windows, and make it so we don't have to run the AC as much.

Bonus: besides giving us more options for privacy and light control, layered window treatments are even better for insulation and energy efficiency.

2. Style - Now it's time to think about aesthetics. What look are you going for? Do you want your curtains to give off a casual, relaxed vibe? Or do you prefer a more formal and elegant style? Would you like your curtains to stand out and be a focal point? Or would you rather if they blend in seamlessly with the room overall? For a classic look that will never go out of style, go with neutrals or a color that matches your walls. If you love contrast and color, then don't be afraid to go bold. Once you've determined the overall look that you want, it's time to order fabric swatches. Bali allows you to order up to five swatches free, which I highly recommend doing.

For our bedroom, I knew I wanted a warm neutral, but I wasn't sure whether I'd like a pattern or a solid, a cotton or a silk. I chose five favorites from their thumbnails online, and eagerly ripped open the blue envelope when it arrived. Being able to hold the swatches in person made the decision so much easier! I quickly ruled out a few, and for the rest I could hold them up against existing elements like the Roman shade we already had in this room.

I went with Ludlow Palatial (the swatch I'm holding above). It's a gorgeous, slubby fabric and the color is exactly right...a soft, creamy, light neutral that's neither too warm or too cool. Yes, did you know that you don't have to do a dark fabric for blackout drapes? You can use any color with a blackout liner!

Another important decision is how the curtains will hang. Grommet, classic tab, and rod pocket offer a more casual look, while inverted pleat and pinched pleat are more tailored and traditional. Personally, I think back tab is the perfect happy medium. Classic and clean-lined, it's the hanging style I chose for our bedroom curtains.

For a signature, custom look you can also add on decorative touches like color blocking, banding, and trim.

3. Width & Length - Sizing your curtains is something that many people struggle with. After all, it's not as straightforward as measuring your window and getting a shade to fit. What is standard curtain length? How wide should your curtains be? Where should you install the curtain rod? These are all important questions. If you get the width and length right, your curtains can make your windows appear larger and your ceilings look taller...but if you get them wrong, the curtains can end up looking like a cringe-worthy mistake...yikes.

The first step is the curtain rod. For a designer look, aim to mount your curtain rod as close to the ceiling as you can. If your ceilings are really tall, then a good rule of thumb is to place the rod 6" above the top of the window frame. This will make your room appear taller and more spacious. You'll also want your rod to extend wider than the window (about 8-12" on each side). When your curtains are open they should sit outside the window frame and only overlap the window by a couple inches. This will make your windows appear larger and ensure that your curtains don't block the sunlight when they're open.

Once you've determined where your rod will go, you can figure out the right length for your curtains. I wrote a curtain length guide awhile ago if you want to learn all about the different options and how to choose curtain length. The short version is that unless you're doing cafe curtains that stop at the windowsill (like for a small kitchen window), your curtains should probably go all the way to the floor. The most common curtain length options either hit right at the floor (this is the standard curtain length I recommend), or go a couple inches longer for a puddled, romantic look (this is what I chose for our bedroom). "Highwater" curtains that end a few inches above the floor will make your curtains look cut off and too short.

That leaves us with the width! To determine the right width for your curtains, measure the width of your window and multiply by 2. If you're doing two panels, that means each panel ends up being same width as the window itself. This will ensure your curtains look full and luxurious, whether they are open or closed. If they can barely cover the window, the panels will look too skimpy when they're open and won't have those beautiful folds.

Do you have any other questions about curtains? Let me know!

This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.

If the coronavirus pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that even the most stable and secure households can find themselves thrown into financial trouble with little warning and through no fault of their own. So, it’s worth thinking about how you would alter your lifestyle in order to minimize your spending and keep costs low. And even if things are still okay right now, perhaps it's smart to make some of those alterations ahead of time instead of waiting until financial trouble hits. Before we had Ian, although we were both working, Ben and I practiced living on one income so that we knew we could do it (this also helped us build up some savings as a cushion). Cutting our expenses ahead of time gave us the confidence that let me quit my job after Ian was born. Now, it seems wise to practice living on even less than one income, to give us that peace of mind and assurance that we'll be okay if times get tough. 

Figure Out Your Essential Costs

When we’re doing well and earning plenty of money, we can get used to comfortable lifestyles filled with little luxuries. But it’s important to be aware of what our truly essential costs are, and what we can do without. This will help us to determine the minimum amount of money we need to get by. Essential costs generally include day to day things like accommodation (rent or mortgage payments), energy (gas or electric bills), food, water and medication. These are the bare basics. You may then have costs like transport (to get to and from work), childcare, a phone bill, WiFi and other things you may need in order to be able to work. You can also include circumstantial essentials like an immigration solicitor into essential costs if you happen to have them.

Cut Down on Luxuries

If you do hit a hard patch, you’re going to have to cut down on luxury spending. That includes big ticket purchases like vacations, expensive bags and shoes, and eating out in fancy restaurants. But it even includes little luxuries. When it comes down to it, anything that doesn’t fit into the essential category can generally be deemed a luxury. You may need to cut down on things like fresh flowers, gym memberships, going to coffeeshops, or other things you may have grown used to as standard in your day to day life when funds were flowing more freely. You could also consider selling some of your more expensive "toys" that you no longer use: everything from recreational vehicles and electronics, to furniture and clothes. When times are good, it's easy to find buyers for these things and their value is higher. Later, you may find yourself trying to liquidate them when everyone else is also struggling, and their value is much less.

Cut Down on Essential Spending

Now, you can’t just cut essentials out. You’re going to have to spend money on them to some degree. But often, you can actually reduce the cost of your essential spending by quite a bit if you try. You need to buy food, but you don’t necessarily need to buy branded food. You can opt for generic options or lesser known brands. You can cut back on snacks, or make them yourself instead of buying them. You can get meat in bulk and divide it up to freeze and store, instead of getting smaller portions that are already conveniently packaged (with a higher cost per pound). You can’t cut off your electric and gas, but you can use price comparison sites to find a provider who has a better deal. You can bike to work instead of driving your car. And (this one's a major change, but it also makes a major difference), if your house is bigger and nicer than what you really need, you can consider moving to reduce your housing costs ahead of time.

Making these changes now can make all the difference if (and when) hard times hit. Living below your means and cutting down your costs might sound miserable, but it's actually freeing. Your monthly expenses are a huge weight on your shoulders...by lightening the load, you unburden yourself psychologically. Instead of scrambling and feeling stressed when things get tough, you'll be at peace knowing you'll be fine. And if you're already in a position where money is getting tight, I hope some of the tips above can help you figure out a way to get some breathing room in the budget.

This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.

I mentioned yesterday that I've gotten disillusioned with decorating (and redecorating) the same spaces over and over. But to be fair, sometimes we just want to refresh our home a little bit, even if it's just for our own sanity. I think that's especially understandable right now, after several months of Covid-19 lockdown. We're sick and tired of not being able to hug our friends and family, of trying to stay six feet away from strangers, of not being able to travel...and we're done with looking at our own homes. If you're totally over your current home view, here are some smart and effective ways to refresh it without spending a bunch of money.

Clean & organize

The start of the lockdown roughly coincided with the dawning of spring, so many of us already took the opportunity to do a spring cleaning...but few of us could have imagined that we’d be spending sooo much time at home. Now, here we are in July, and things show no sign of returning to "the old normal" any time soon. If your home is starting to get messy, dirty, and disorganized again, there's nothing more satisfying than getting it back into shape. Take it a step further and go through your storage to really evaluate what you want to keep, and what you could donate or sell.

Shop your storage

While you're going through those boxes in the basement or garage, keep an eye out for decor pieces that you could still use. I always find a few good surprises when I go through our storage. It's almost like shopping my own personal thrift store of things I've forgotten about (already curated by my past self). And giving new life to your old stuff is a great way to refresh your decor without going to the store or spending a single cent.

Paint or reupholster an old piece of furniture

Another thing to look for while you're going through your storage? Any "project" pieces of furniture that are languishing there. Getting new furniture does not have to mean pulling out of the credit card. In fact, old furniture was typically built with better materials and more quality construction, so it's worth breathing new life into an old piece that's still solid, but a little run-down or outdated. By sprucing up what you already have, you can  save money and get the satisfaction of doing it yourself, to your specific tastes. Try applying a fresh coat of paint to your preloved dining table and chairs, or reupholstering your sofa instead of getting a new one (take a look at this guide).

Rearrange the furniture

Another way to make your furniture feel new--even if it's not? Switch up the arrangement! While you're at it, move pieces from one room to another. Look for things like end tables, baskets, benches, armchairs, rugs, and art that can work in multiple different spaces. Creating a whole new look with things you already own is probably my favorite way to redecorate.

Replace carpet with wood look vinyl planks

This one isn't cheap or free, but it's a worthwhile update that will make a huge difference now and will give you a great return on investment when it comes time to sell. Replace that carpet!!! If there have been years of feet and paws tracking dirt, dust, dander and other nasties across it, it's probably time. The good news is that nowadays, expensive hardwood is not your only good option. Wood look vinyl flooring has come a long ways; it looks and feels practically identical, and costs a fraction of what you’d pay for hardwood. Not only that, but it's nearly indestructible, which makes it perfect for households with kids and pets...and it means it'll still look fantastic for years to come. 

Update a wall

Sure, wallpaper sounds like a good idea on...paper. But when you want a bold and eye catching print that brings new life into your space, you may be suprrised by how much the cost jumps upwards. Even if you just need it for a feature wall. Instead, focus on adding a fresh coat of paint and a statement art piece to your wall. It’s not only more affordable, it can also be more impactful. 

Make your house smell good

Finally, an easy way to make you love your house a bit more is by making it smell nice. But wait, stop wasting your money on those plug-in deodorizers and expensive refills. Instead, invest in houseplants to improve the quality of your air and essential oil diffusers to spread fresh and calming scents through your home. More affordable, fresher smelling, and better for the environment, too!

I post a lot about house stuff on this blog. But for multiple reasons, I think that's going to shift a little. I'm sure I'll still share updates on our home and our plans, but I want to share more of my personal life too. After all, the personal posts are the most fun for me to look back on. My family, our home, our adventures, our travels; the photos and details that I want to remember. The point of a "personal blog" is giving yourself the freedom to chat about whatever you're interested in, right? And currently, to be honest, interior design has kind of moved to the back burner for me. It's still an interest of mine, but I've been more drawn to the intersection of design and money (adding value and investing vs. following trends in decor). That's probably a whole 'nother post though. For now, I wanted to share some photos from last month (June). Ben got to take it off as part of his paternity leave, and it was so refreshing and wonderful to have a month together as a family!

We took a little trip to visit Ben's family on the west side of the state. It felt so GOOD to finally see them in person. Audrey got to meet her cousin Thomas for the first time (he's only about a month older than her), our boys got to play with their other cousins, and we got to catch up with Ben's sister and her husband.

They live near the coast and we both had some time off from work, so we spontaneously decided to book a beach house together. We lucked out and found one in Lincoln City right on the beach that was available the very next day.

I love these photos of the kids in their sunglasses. And Emmett lounging in the wagon with his sandy feet...king of summer.

It was so great being right on the beach...the kids played happily in the sand ALL DAY, and we got to relax and enjoy this pretty, peaceful view.

Of course, the day we attempted to take a family photo was foggy, and none of the kids would smile. :D

Then we headed to Shoreline to visit Ben's parents. After being in Spokane for so many months, going a little stir-crazy at home, it was such a joy to see different people and different views...felt like a true vacation, even if it was just seeing family on the other side of the state!

We had the best weather there! So lucky. We had so much fun taking the kids to the beach in Edmonds, and riding the ferry to Kingston.

I loved seeing our boys bond more with their cousins...since we've gotten home they have talked about them pretty much every day!

Ian turned four while we were on the trip! He is turning into a BIG KID before my eyes...getting so tall, capable, thoughtful, and independent. As the oldest, he leads the play in our house and I love hearing him come up with imaginative ideas and detailed storylines. He is a mix of tough and tender: so active and adventurous and always on the move, but also super sweet to Audrey. He still loves to snuggle, and I am soaking that up as long as he'll let me.

Both the boys are very into construction trucks right now and could dig dirt and rocks ALLLL DAYYY.

Their other current obsession? Garbage trucks and garbage cans. It cracks me up so much. They request (daily) to see inside the cans, turn the wheels, and smell them (yes smell them) and they eagerly anticipate garbage day when they get to roll the cans to the curb and watch for the garbage trucks. It's so cute and hilarious and a little disgusting.

Ian had a great birthday at his grandparents' house, with balloons and presents, lots of cousin time, his choice of dinner (burgers and hot dogs and corn on the cob), as well as homemade ice cream and this very specific cake. He was very detailed about what he wanted: a blue cake that was white on the inside, with blueberries and raspberries in a circle, in a line, and ONE sprinkle in the middle. After he described his cake request, he asked "do you think that would be so beautiful?" Yes we did think so, and Ben made sure to give him exactly what he asked for.

This series of photos, I'm putting here just so I can remember, because it cracks me up. Ian is in this stage where when I ask him to smile, he gives me that "smile" in the first photo. So I tell him to say "poop" and he'll yell POOOP as loud as he can, resulting in a real and genuine smile. I think I might have scandalized his grandparents, but otherwise all his photos would have that hilarious grimace. :D

Emmett, darling Emmett...two is such a precious and adorable age. I love the way he talks, I love the way his hair curls, I love the way he runs (he gives it his all), the way he eats (with gusto), and the way he grabs my face so earnestly when he really wants me to pay attention (see below). He is just SO CUTE right now. He is full of opinions and ideas, he's eager to help, he loves his brother and sister, and he's brave and tough. This kid loves to run and climb, and he's fearless (which makes me very afraid).

Told you. GUSTO.

He also loooves his daddy and often requests "sho sho rides."

And I mean, that sweet smile. I just want to hug him tight and kiss those cheeks!!!

Audrey is also in such a fun stage. She's 6 months old! Sitting, scooting(!!), and full of smiles and giggles. And she has the BEST arm rolls and leg rolls! She adores her brothers and enjoys a lot of love and attention from them all day, although sometimes it's a bit TOO much!

She really is such a joy. My easiest baby (although maybe it's just getting easier because we have more experience now).

We gave her a little taste of mashed avocado (her first food) while we were at her grandparents' house...she was like, "nahhh." I have been lazy about feeding her solids, but I'm going to get more intentional about it now that we're back home.

I think that's a good photo to end on!

We also have some pretty big news to share, but that update deserves its own post...so check back soon. :) I hope you guys are doing well and staying healthy. Lots of love to you all.