SOCIAL MEDIA

About

Hi!  My name is Courtney and I am so glad you stopped by my blog today.
I love sharing ideas to help make your home a beautiful place without breaking the bank.  My husband, Billy, and I are avid DIYers who have renovated three homes in the NJ suburbs of NYC.  We are definitely not professionals, but we love the challenge (and satisfaction) of figuring out how to do things ourselves.     We have learned so much from reading other blogs.  Our hope is that with this blog, we can help you make your home a place that they can be proud of, affordably.  We welcome you to follow along with our many projects and adventures!

More about us:
I am a mom to three boys, ages 14, 18, and 21.  We also have 2 spoiled golden retrievers, named Keeper and Dax.  So we have learned a lot about what works home decor wise (and what doesn't!) in a house full of kids and dogs.  I am a certified elementary school teacher, but have been a stay at home mom since our first son was born (phew, those 17 years went fast!)   
Billy and I have been married 19 years.  For his "day" job, Billy is a retired police officer currently working in security.  That means we live a crazy life of ever changing schedules and no two weeks look exactly the same for our family.  
He makes this all worthwhile.  And he helps me.  With everything.  We love spending time in the Adirondacks with our kids and dogs.  And working on our house together.  Check out some of our DIY projects here.  We always have one that we are working on.

Our Master Bath is our latest project and our most complicated one to date.  We are very proud of it!
Blogging
When I started this blog, I had no idea how many opportunities it would bring into my life. I love the online community of talented people that I have become a part of.  Our home has appeared in Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Makeovers and This Old House magazine among others.  Please contact me if you think we can work together.

In my free time, I love to read, take pictures and hang out on the internet reading blogs and pinning 
ideas for our next project.  You can find me on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
 
Welcome to my blog.  I am so glad you're here.  

28 comments :

  1. I found your blog through a random pin on holiday home tours. I was immediately captivated by your homey style. I have three sons and our last dog was a Golden. Ironically, although I live in Texas, I'm visiting upstate New York today! Thanks for sharing your talents!

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    1. Hi Lisa! So glad you found my blog since we definitely have a lot in common. Enjoy your visit in upstate NY!!

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  2. Courtney -
    I just found your blog and I am so enjoying it. We also have three boys - and lived in Syracuse for seven years. We move into home #7 on Monday. Your home is beautiful.

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  3. Courtney - I just started following you...your home is beautiful and I love your golden stories. I feel like your home style is very similar to mine!!!...only I always hesitate to go for it and 12 years later our house is still very plain...any advice on how to just go for it? Also, we have an 8 year old golden girl...debating getting another one so our kids will always have a golden under foot...advice on moving from 1 to 2? Or should we let our girl be an only dog so she gets all the love? And boy is she loved!

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    1. Hi Susan! Thank you so much for following along. My advice in respect to "going for it" with your home decor is to fill your home with the things you love- that tell the story of your family. I am not afraid to put holes in walls to add pictures, because the holes can always be filled with spackle. I take risks and try things. You can always move things back or re-paint. Believe me, I have done that many times. As for my thoughts about 2 goldens, I LOVE having 2. There is definitely enough love for 2 in our family, and the dogs have each other. It isn't always perfect and there is definitely an adjustment when you bring a new dog into the family. But overall, I think goldens enjoy living with other dogs. I don't think I'll go back to just 1 for a long time. Just be prepared for double the dog hair!

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    2. Thanks Courtney...how did you know that I sweat putting holes in the wall! You are so right and I'm going to push myself. As for the puppy - thinking in the next year, I'd like to build a "play pen" in the barn first so that way they can swim in the creek and live it up w/out muddying up the house!

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  4. Hello Courtney, I found your blog by chance. I am happy that I did, your home and mine are very similar, multilevel house. I got interested by the style of your home and the picture of your dogs. We had to make a difficult decision yesterday morning with our beloved Daisy, cocker spaniel. She was part of our family for over 15 years and yesterday we had to had to put her to sleep, she was going to be 16 years in September. It has been very difficult and sad. Our boys are sad and my 2 year old girl asked me about Daisy this morning while we were having breakfast. It was nice to see the pictures of your doggies and how they are part of your family. Thanks for sharing your home, somehow brought a smile to my face.

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  5. Hi Courtney! Your blog is so enjoyable and your home is lovely, tastefully decorated, with so many fine personal touches. I will keep looking! Have a great day.

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  6. Courtney,
    I love the natural fiber rug in your family room with the fire place. It looks like there is a rectangular pattern within the rug which I love. Let's just say I've been looking forever for the right rug. Where did you get it? charlotteniceswanger@gmail.com

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  7. Hi Courtney! Just stumbled upon your blog. Love it! I am a mama to a 12 and 15 year old - both boys. Married to a firefighter! I hear ya on the schedule thing! So glad I found your fun blog. Merry Christmas to you.

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  8. HI! First of all, congratulations for your beautiful blog. I need your help please!! I'm writing from Italy and I'm looking for the the kitchen brand you illustrated in the "DIY Mantel Hood Tutorial". Could you help me please?????? thank you for your attention! Simo Golds

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  9. Hi Courtney, I just discovered you on Feature Friday at Southern Hospitality blog. I have been following Rhoda for years! Isn’t she just the sweetest. I love your blog and am following along on your IG account now. You have a gorgeous home and I can tell I’m going to love all your DIY tips! What a beautiful family you have!

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    1. Hi Sandy! Thanks so much for following along!! So glad you found me through the wonderful Rhoda - I have been following her blog for years too :)

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  10. Just great your work!
    Congratulations!

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  17. One of the best articles that I’ve read in a very long time! I Took notes and surely gonna implement and test bunch of stuff you talked about.
    You’re a beast! Cheers, Ash
    And don't forget to visit the motorbiker

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  18. Hello Courtney, I discovered your blog like mist of the comments I’ve read. I just happened upon your blog, your three handsome boys and your Goldens caught my eye
    I’m a mom of three incredible daughters, they’re all in their 20’s now . They all have finished college and starting their lives, I’m such a proud and blessed mom .
    My husband surprised me shortly after we were married with an eight week old yellow Labrador. It’s crazy how quickly you fall head over heals in love. We lost Otis at 14 years old. A year later our youngest asked for a puppy, We were blessed to get first pick, went for one and came home with brothers. One of the best things I’ve ever done, although it took me over 24 hours to realize it.
    Did I read you live in NY? I was born and raised in the Bronx and Rye.
    I moved to CA over 30 plus years ago
    Unfortunately I lost my husband last year, he was only 58 we were all devastated.
    I recently moved, not having my husband or my boys I wanted down size and focus on redoing my new home.
    I love your style, I hope you don’t mind but I’m taking some of your ideas for my new home.
    I saw in one of your posts a basket in your bathroom counter, it’s two stacked baskets . I’ve tried to find it online with no luck.
    Thank you for sharing , I look forward to all your posts .
    Take care and stay well

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  22. I love your taste in decor. Can you tell me the creamy color you used on your cabinets please? We are rebuilding after a fire and I’m trying to find the perfect color cream. Thank you!

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  23. Courtney, you have an incredible sense of style in your home decor. I am so jealous; I just don't where to start in my home. How did you develop your style?

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  24. I have been to the shop in Keene, NY. It’s great. We go after lunch at the High Noon diner. I’ve been looking for an Adirondack blog since I now live in the foothills of the mountains. You are the closest one and I’ve picked up many cool decorating ideas . Thanks.

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