Mackinaw Road

Travel-Inspired Design, One Trip at a Time

  • Travel
    • A 2-to-4-day Vancouver Itinerary
    • 6 Kid-Friendly Christmas Activities in Chicago
    • 6 Kid-Friendly, Rainy Day Activities in Boston
    • Banff: Something for Everyone
    • Chicago with Kids: Can’t Miss Places and Restaurants
    • Islands
      • 007 in the Bahamas
      • Island Travel Interveiws- Australia, Take 1 (Sydney)
      • Island Travel Interviews, Australia (Gold Cost)
      • Island Travel Interviews- Caribbean Islands, Take 10 (St. Barts)
      • MUST SEE Grand Cayman
      • Top 5 Hilton Head Activities with Kids
      • What to do on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
      • A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas
      • The Cloisters on Paradise Island, Bahamas
      • Where to Eat When Visiting Paradise Island
    • Michigan
      • 24 Hours in West Michigan
      • An Afternoon in Grand Rapids
      • A Long Weekend in Northern Michigan
      • A Few Hours in Saugatuck
      • Global Christmas and Holiday Traditions in 2 hours or Less
      • Leland Gal
      • Places You MUST SEE in Northern Michigan
      • Traverse City Wineries
      • What to Do in Charlevoix, Michigan
      • What to do in Leland, Michigan
      • What to do in Petoskey, Michigan
      • Where to Eat in Traverse City, Michigan
      • Where to Stay in Saugatuck: Judson Heath Colonial Inn
    • Midwest Christmas Tour
    • NOLA in 2 days
    • Philipsburg, Montana, Philipsburg Blue, and How They are Related
    • Top 6 activities in D.C. with Small Children
    • Top 5 Delhi Attractions
    • Top 4 Best Spring Break Beaches
    • To Plan or Not to Plan
    • A Weekend in New York City
    • Wandering in NYC
    • NYC in 48 Hours
    • What to do in Asheville, North Carolina (in 24 hours)
    • What to do in Monterey, California
    • What to do in New Orleans
    • What to do in San Antonio, Texas
    • What to do in Savannah, Georgia (in 3 hours)
    • What to do in Washington D.C.
    • What to do in Winter Park, Florida
    • Where to Eat in Chicago: Restaurants for Every Kind of Getaway
    • Where to Eat in Denver
    • Where to Stay in Denver: Hotel Teatro
  • Beach Cabin & Home
    • A Hotel-Inspired Guest Room Makeover
    • An Airbnb-Inspired Fridge Obsession
    • Christmas House Tour 2016
    • Cottage Kitchen Nook | ORC Week 8
    • Cozy Autumn Living Room
    • Decorating with Travel Trinkets
    • DIY Design: Cane Console Makeover Look for Less
    • DIY Ottoman for the Beach Cabin
    • Easy, Cost-Effective and Time-Efficient Flooring
    • Entryway Wallpaper : Serena and Lily Wallpaper
    • How to “Tile” A Fireplace with Wall Stencils and a GIVEAWAY!
    • Inexpensive Backyard Patio Ideas
    • Inexpensive Flooring: How to Stencil Concrete Floors
    • Kitchen Styling: Spring Shelves 3 Ways
    • Kitchen Shelf Styling- Autumn Decor
    • Living Room Plans: A Sectional and Accent Chair Options
    • Modern Traditional Laundry Room Makeover
    • Thanksgiving: At Home and Abroad
    • Travel-Inspired Shared Bedroom
  • SHOP OUR HOME & BEACH CABIN
  • SHOP MY CLOSET
  • About Me
    • Let’s Chat
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, and Privacy
  • Travel
    • A 2-to-4-day Vancouver Itinerary
    • 6 Kid-Friendly Christmas Activities in Chicago
    • 6 Kid-Friendly, Rainy Day Activities in Boston
    • Banff: Something for Everyone
    • Chicago with Kids: Can’t Miss Places and Restaurants
    • Islands
      • 007 in the Bahamas
      • Island Travel Interveiws- Australia, Take 1 (Sydney)
      • Island Travel Interviews, Australia (Gold Cost)
      • Island Travel Interviews- Caribbean Islands, Take 10 (St. Barts)
      • MUST SEE Grand Cayman
      • Top 5 Hilton Head Activities with Kids
      • What to do on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
      • A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas
      • The Cloisters on Paradise Island, Bahamas
      • Where to Eat When Visiting Paradise Island
    • Michigan
      • 24 Hours in West Michigan
      • An Afternoon in Grand Rapids
      • A Long Weekend in Northern Michigan
      • A Few Hours in Saugatuck
      • Global Christmas and Holiday Traditions in 2 hours or Less
      • Leland Gal
      • Places You MUST SEE in Northern Michigan
      • Traverse City Wineries
      • What to Do in Charlevoix, Michigan
      • What to do in Leland, Michigan
      • What to do in Petoskey, Michigan
      • Where to Eat in Traverse City, Michigan
      • Where to Stay in Saugatuck: Judson Heath Colonial Inn
    • Midwest Christmas Tour
    • NOLA in 2 days
    • Philipsburg, Montana, Philipsburg Blue, and How They are Related
    • Top 6 activities in D.C. with Small Children
    • Top 5 Delhi Attractions
    • Top 4 Best Spring Break Beaches
    • To Plan or Not to Plan
    • A Weekend in New York City
    • Wandering in NYC
    • NYC in 48 Hours
    • What to do in Asheville, North Carolina (in 24 hours)
    • What to do in Monterey, California
    • What to do in New Orleans
    • What to do in San Antonio, Texas
    • What to do in Savannah, Georgia (in 3 hours)
    • What to do in Washington D.C.
    • What to do in Winter Park, Florida
    • Where to Eat in Chicago: Restaurants for Every Kind of Getaway
    • Where to Eat in Denver
    • Where to Stay in Denver: Hotel Teatro
  • Beach Cabin & Home
    • A Hotel-Inspired Guest Room Makeover
    • An Airbnb-Inspired Fridge Obsession
    • Christmas House Tour 2016
    • Cottage Kitchen Nook | ORC Week 8
    • Cozy Autumn Living Room
    • Decorating with Travel Trinkets
    • DIY Design: Cane Console Makeover Look for Less
    • DIY Ottoman for the Beach Cabin
    • Easy, Cost-Effective and Time-Efficient Flooring
    • Entryway Wallpaper : Serena and Lily Wallpaper
    • How to “Tile” A Fireplace with Wall Stencils and a GIVEAWAY!
    • Inexpensive Backyard Patio Ideas
    • Inexpensive Flooring: How to Stencil Concrete Floors
    • Kitchen Styling: Spring Shelves 3 Ways
    • Kitchen Shelf Styling- Autumn Decor
    • Living Room Plans: A Sectional and Accent Chair Options
    • Modern Traditional Laundry Room Makeover
    • Thanksgiving: At Home and Abroad
    • Travel-Inspired Shared Bedroom
  • SHOP OUR HOME & BEACH CABIN
  • SHOP MY CLOSET
  • About Me
    • Let’s Chat
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, and Privacy

No Widgets found in the Sidebar Alt!

Decorating, Uncategorized

Inexpensive Backyard Patio Ideas

Our lake days are coming to a close (although I’ve decided that summer really isn’t over until September 21 and there have to be some sandy-toed days yet to come).…

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August 27, 2018
Interior Design

Colonial Home Primary Bedroom

*This post began as a bedroom lighting article. However, nothing is quite that simple with me when it comes to decorating. Read on for the bedroom lighting I love and…

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November 15, 2022
Necessities, Uncategorized, US Travel

Top 5 Travel Hacks

Hi all! I feel like it’s been awhile. It’s just incredibly wonderful to feel the spring sun and watch the beautiful flowers in bloom. Also, we’ve been out traveling twice in…

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April 25, 2017
  • Modern Organic Bedroom
    Styling

    Modern Organic Teen Girl Bedroom

    August 19, 2025 /

    Over the past year, we have slowly updated our teen daughter’s room. This has included a new dresser, rug, and bed. Oh, and the vanity is fairly new too. It looks so grown up! But, I guess that’s the way time works.

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    Dining Room Whimsical Christmas Table

    A Whimsical and Vintage Christmas

    December 20, 2024
    Cozy Christmas Living Room

    Christmas Living Room Styling

    December 16, 2021
    Airbnb: Martin House Traverse City Main Bedroom

    Where to Stay in Traverse City: An Michigan Airbnb Farm

    November 29, 2020
  • Montreal
    International Travel

    What to Do in Montreal

    July 28, 2025 /

    Let me begin by saying that if you enjoy discovering new restaurants, boutique shopping, and gallery browsing, then Montreal is for you. I have never been to a city where I want to step inside every single restaurant because the food looks delicious and the ambience is on point. There were two major shopping areas that our daughter and I hit up while the boys found the cutest little village to fish in. Read on for more details on What to Do and Where to Eat. What to Do in Montreal It took us a minute to figure our what to do with our tween and teen in Montreal. R…

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    You May Also Like

    Where to Get Great Views of Lisbon: Largos das Portas do Sol

    Lisbon in 5 Days

    April 25, 2023
    Bahamas Turquoise Water

    A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas

    May 9, 2022
    Best View of Florence

    Italy in a Week

    July 13, 2025
  • Best View of Florence
    International Travel

    Italy in a Week

    July 13, 2025 /

    Italy in a Week What a whirlwind! One week I was express renewing my passport in Chicago and heading to Montreal with our family of four, and the next our daughter and I were in Italy. It came together quickly and was absolutely perfect.  Read on to learn about our time in Florence, Lucca, and Rome.

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Where to Get Great Views of Lisbon: Largos das Portas do Sol

    Lisbon in 5 Days

    April 25, 2023
    Montreal

    What to Do in Montreal

    July 28, 2025
    Bahamas Turquoise Water

    A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas

    May 9, 2022
  • Uncategorized

    The Quarterly 05

    July 7, 2025 /

    The Quarterly 05 Welcome back and HAPPY SUMMER! My favorite time of the year 🙂 We have a lot to catch up on. A couple of trips. Some really good books. Summer Clothes. Flowers. Summer Projects. It’s that fun and games season! **This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase, I may receive some compensation. Thank you!

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    Caught My Eye

    February: Things I Wore, Things I Read & Everything Else

    February 25, 2026
    The final touch/the perfect bathroom rug

    Mackinaw Road: The Quarterly 02

    August 22, 2024
    Early Spring Living Room Decor

    February Updates on Mackinaw Road

    March 2, 2023
  • St. Thomas: What To Do
    Island Travel

    St. Thomas: What to Do and Where to Stay

    April 22, 2025 /

    St. Thomas and St. John exceeded all expectations. The people were wonderful, the water breathtaking, and the activities abounded. Read on to learn what we did, where we stayed, things to know, what we would do differently next time, and what we would do exactly the same. And lastly, all of the design inspiration we gathered!

    read more

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    The Cloisters Bahamas

    Back in the Bahamas

    April 12, 2024
    Bahamas Turquoise Water

    A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas

    May 9, 2022
  • tried-and-true beauty products
    Uncategorized

    Tried-and-True Beauty Products

    March 27, 2025 /

    Tried-and-True Beauty Products Yes- this is still a travel inspired design blog. That said, many of us are traveling to warmer places, and even if we aren’t, that spring and summer sun is getting stronger every day. What better time than this to switch out winter wear for warmer weather make up. (Truth be told, I use these products all year long and somehow the shades work for sunned/haven’t seen the sun in months skin.) Read on for my current tried-and-true beauty products. **This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase, I may receive some compensation. Thank you! Far from a beauty blogger (you won’t find…

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    Caught My Eye

    February: Things I Wore, Things I Read & Everything Else

    February 25, 2026
    The Best Dining Room Chairs

    Mackinaw Road: The Quarterly 03

    November 18, 2024
    Formal and Fun Dining Room Decor

    April Updates on Mackinaw Road

    May 2, 2022
  • Design Board Bedroom
    Uncategorized

    Mackinaw Road: The Quarterly 04

    February 21, 2025 /

    What a difference this winter has been compared with last year! We have had consistent snow on the ground. Every fall, when I’m still living in our technicolor days, I promise myself that I am going to embrace winter and its slower, colder days by living a Nordic lifestyle. And then, February rolls around and I’m ready to throw winter out of my life forever. But seriously, I am proud of our family for adding more and more days with winter activity each year. Skiing has been a major part of this season, and I am here for it. It is much easier to tell the kids to go outside…

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    You May Also Like

    Dining Room Accent Chair

    Mackinaw Road March Updates

    March 23, 2023
    Gift Guide: Gifts for Her

    Gift Guide: Gifts for Her

    November 11, 2022
    Christmas Kitchen Wreath

    Home Upgrades: Past & Future

    January 30, 2026
  • Ski Organization
    DIY

    Ski Room Storage

    February 6, 2025 /

    Hi there! While I slowly chipped away at our daughter’s room and seasonally switched out our house furnishings, Raj was busy transforming one of the last untouched spaces in our house. And I have to say, I completely approve of both the use of the space (we had a lot of unnecessary things that were purged) as well as his kitschy ski decor (Is there really any other way to do it?!). Read on for all the details of our Ski Storage Room.

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    Under $25 Grout Refresh

    Tips for an Under $25 Grout Refresh

    April 3, 2020
    DIY Concrete Overlay Table

    Concrete Overlay: A DIY Concrete Table Top Refresh

    November 18, 2022
    Stay at Home Watercolor

    Mackinaw Road Mondays: 5 At Home Art Projects

    April 20, 2020
  • Modern Colonial Outdoor Sofa
    Interior Design

    Home Upgrades Past and Future

    January 21, 2025 /

    Hi and Happy New Year! I think that maybe I skipped this post last year, but I’m back in 2025 with a list of Projects Past and Yet To Come. So, let’s get started! Here are the projects we completed in 2024… maybe they don’t all warrant the title “project” but they were home upgrades that were notable at the very least.

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    8 Design Books I Own and Love (and one I pre-ordered)

    8 Design Books I Own & Love

    September 22, 2023
    Coastal Boy Bedroom

    Coastal Boy Bedroom

    March 6, 2020
    Hotel-Inspired Half Bath

    A Hotel-Inspired Half Bath

    April 21, 2021
  • Park City Ski Lifts
    USA Travel

    Park City for Sort-Of-Skiers

    January 6, 2025 /

    Park City/Canyons Trails **This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase, I may receive some compensation. Thank you! **DISCLAIMER: This is a narrative based solely on our experience and should not be taken as any sort of skier/skiing advice. **ALSO… any photos taken from the top of the mountain or on a ski lift were taken by other members of my family. I was out of my element and not in a position to be taking photos whilst also in pure panic mode 😉 Going against every fiber of my beach loving body, we booked a trip to Park City, Utah over the break. It was…

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    You May Also Like

    Lake Winnipesaukee

    Mackinaw Road: Lake Winnipesauke

    October 11, 2021
    Airbnb: Martin House Traverse City Main Bedroom

    Where to Stay in Traverse City: An Michigan Airbnb Farm

    November 29, 2020
    Central Park NYC in Spring

    A Weekend in New York City

    May 5, 2022
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