Master Bathroom Reveal

Is it odd that I'm showing you my bathroom?  I haven't shared this room because I wasn't sure. Until today, only my family and a few very close friends have ever seen our master bathroom.  It's en suite;  through the  dressing hall, past our closets. It has french doors to allow the natural light to fill what would otherwise be a dark hallway.

How to Make A Four Generation Family Tree

I have a question for you.  Have you ever made a four generation family tree?

Over the years, my sons have made more school projects than I can count and certainly more than I even remembered...until recently. You may wonder why I'm telling you this.

Did I mention that we're getting our home ready for sale?

We are...and we're cleaning out closets

Home Tour: Living Room

I realized this morning as I was walking to the kitchen  trying to make my way past the boxes to pack lunch for my youngest that our formal living room is one of my favorite rooms in our home.

Do you want to know why?

                                                                                                        It's not what you might think......

Summer Urns and Container Gardens: Tips and Tricks

I've been designing and planting gardens, urns and planters for over thirty years and my favorites are still  That sounds like a really long time, doesn't it?  

Changes in Attitudes, Changes in Latitudes: A Quick "Hello"

Hi! You're probably wondering where the heck I've been....

.....at least I hope that you've missed our two or three times a week "chats", I know that I have.


While I can't give you details just yet, there's are some pretty significant changes happening here at the Refined house.

Our oldest will be home from college in about 72 hours for about a week...then he'll be moving to Georgia for a summer internship.

Our youngest graduates in three weeks.....and....in the middle of it all, we're selling our home...and purchasing what will likely be a smaller, older home in need of rehab....because, let's face it,  both of my sons will be gone this fall, our current home is finished, and I need a new project.

So, right now, pretty much every room looks like this...and the garage is full....

...and my life feels like a Jimmy Buffet song....

"With these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Nothing remains quite the same

With all of my running and all of my cunning

If I couldnt laugh I just would go insane

If we couldn't laugh we just would go insane

If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"

There are some changes coming....
                                                            ....and yes, so far, I'm  laughing...and packing.

xo,