The Quarterly 07
Hi and Happy New Year! We were just talking about whether it’s still acceptable to use that greeting so far into January. I think it’s fine. So, let’s catch up! Read on for our projects as of late, projects ahead, a random design board (because a little creativity is just what January calls for), the latest Things That Caught My Eye, recent travel, and the best books (yeah- I’m calling it already).
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Projects Lately
In true form, we finally decided to get the ball rolling with our basement makeover just before the Christmas holiday. Photos are coming soon but I’m so happy with our plan, the budget, and the outcome. Check, check, and check!
In The Quarterly 06, I mentioned that after several years, we decided to have the medicine cabinet installed. And new lighting. But that’s it. I am hoping to switch out the pedestal sink for a vanity in 2026 in order to add even more functional storage. Oh! And remember how I painted our bathroom Swiss Coffee? It was too warm for me so I repainted it in my go to color. I did something similar with our kids’ bathroom. Why do I keep thinking I can be a warm paint color person? I can’t. There, it’s documented. (I haven’t taken photos of this room either yet, but here is a picture of the mirror and light after they were installed. )
Projects Ahead
As you know, our house was built in the 1920’s. It comes complete with a back staircase, which we currently use as a pantry overflow. I’d love to do something with this extra space. (We never use the staircase.) I’m thinking a fun wallpaper. Or, I’d love to figure out how to do a secret shelf door. You know, one in which it looks like there are shelves in the space, but, if you push on the shelves, they open to the back staircase/pantry steps. I guess the middle of the road option is to do some sort of door system to hide out overflow messes.
While not really a project, I have slowly started looking to replace our kitchen table and dining chairs. This concrete overlay project was one of my favorite projects and it bought us the time we needed to save up for replacements.
Guest Room Design Board
Sometimes it is fun to just play around with different designs to see what is out there and stretch myself to try designs that aren’t my go to’s. And, a guest room is a room that allows for all of those things, whether you are experimenting on a design board or in real life.
Rug | Bed | Wallpaper | Nightstands | Table Lamps | Artwork
SHOP MY
In an attempt to become more organized in 2026, I have started saving favorites/things that catch my eye into different Collections on Shop My. I started with Wallpaper and Rugs (You can read my comments/descriptions as well; I noted if I have used the products.) I also have Posts and Caught My Eye sections to if you are in a shopping mood.
Chair with French Seams | Pen and Ink Tree Framed | Glass Lamp Candle Holder | Reversible Double Faced Jacket | Plaid Wool Rug | Asymmetrical Olive Tree | Jacquard Cardigan
Travel
We traveled more this past fall than those of the past. Over the Thanksgiving break, our family of 4 vacationed in Hilton Head. I have previous blog posts about the island that you can check out here and here. We really took at easy this time: lots of beach walks (our kids don’t even complain anymore- they just know that this is our way of life if there a long stretch of sand in the vicinity), hot tubbing, tennis, fishing, and eating. (Oh, and also a mini golf excursion– is even a trip to HH without playing?) We ate really well on this trip. We had dinner on Thanksgiving Eve at CQ’s, Thanksgiving dinner at Salty Dog, and a seafood boil at Skull Creek Boathouse.
I brought this unicorn of a sweater! It was perfect for the fluctuating weather. (Even my teen borrowed it!) There are a lot of color options, but I have found that the red can carry me from late November to Memorial Day in May.
In December, we traveled to Atlanta to celebrate my brother’s wedding. It was so lovely and the weather was perfect!! Of course, the best part was getting to spend the weekend with family and friends.
During the day, we checked out The World of Coca-Cola Museum. This museum held attention more than any we have been to before (well, maybe tied with The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago). It was incredibly interactive with smelling challenges, photo booths, the vault with the secret recipe, and (my favorite) getting to try different Coke products from around the world. (Raj and I really enjoyed Country Club from the Dominican Republic.)
At night we celebrated my brother and his wife at Rhodes Hall~ everything was so lovely! It was a quick trip but the perfect way to start the holiday season!
Books
Sometimes I read the things that people write about books and am so impressed! And yet, no matter how much I love a book, I end up having the most difficult time describing it or why I like it eloquently/serviceably even. So, this is what I’m going to leave you with…
I read My Friends at the end of 2025 and it was, without a doubt, my favorite book of the year. Life-affirming and Lovely.
At the beginning of 2026, I read The Correspondent. It took a second to adjust to the fact that the entire story is written in letters. But what a story! I find it hard to believe that I’ll find a better one in 2026!
I just finished Anatomy of an Alibi. It was really good and a quick read! It was somewhat predictable but we all like to feel like successful mystery detectives at some point in our lives, right?
In the Design realm, I just started this book. I love the writing, imagery, and messaging about our homes. Major bonus points for a designer’s toolbox at the back with allllllll the measurement standards your heart could ever desire (or that my non-number oriented brain will never remember).
Have a Wonderful January!
