It was finally time to clean up and set up the pool for another summer. Unlike many sensible people, we didn’t clean it properly in autumn. We emptied the water and left it outside all winter. With temperatures regularly dropping to -20°C here, I was too nervous about leaving water inside and hoping for the … More Pool Season Has Begun
This week we finally installed lamps on our huge window. They aren’t meant to be the main light in the room but more of a gentle mood light. I’ve been craving that kind of soft glow—something that doesn’t overwhelm but adds a quiet atmosphere once the evening sets in. Right now, I’m not sure how … More Lamps by the Big Window
This week was finally the moment we’ve been waiting for — time to install the decorative corbels on the arch! ✨ We had to make a few adjustments to the arch itself first. Nothing ever goes completely smoothly in renovation, but with a bit of grinding down and reshaping, we got it ready. We spray-painted … More Adding Corbels to Our Arch
The sofa pillows finally got their zippers! I’ve been slowly working through them, one by one, and after a few hours of careful sewing, almost all of them were done. There’s something oddly satisfying about seeing a row of neat, functional pillows ready for the couch. I had to cook dinner. The kitchen kept me … More Sewing, Zippers, and Little Surprises
Today I spotted the cat in the craziest sleeping position on the chair – he looked like he could slip down at any minute! It’s always amusing to see how flexible they can be. Finally, all the extra pillows arrived, though I’m still waiting on the fabrics. My plan now is to add more pillows … More Vacation Day 22 – Cozy Corners and Pillow Plans
The morning started in the coziest way possible — after breakfast I took my coffe in bed. Jānis drove to the Gulbene to by some stuff for renovation and I was sipping my “morning” coffee (around 2PM😅). Jānis took out the package from Omniva, and my fabrics, threads, and zippers from a lovely little fabric … More Vacation Day 7: Fabric Delivery, Garden Tasks & a Full Moon Walk
When it comes to making a ziedu vainags (flower crown), you don’t need wire, thread, string, or tape. Nature gives us everything we need. With just wildflowers and smilgas (bentgrass or other strong wild grass), you can make a crown that stays firm, holds its shape beautifully, and brings joy both in midsummer and long … More Make your own Flower Crown!
I know it might seem a bit early, or maybe not, but I’m already choosing wallpaper for our home! With most of the big renovation tasks behind us and the vinyl flooring decided (you can read about that adventure here), it’s time to focus on adding the finishing touches. I ordered a lot of samples, … More Is It Too Early to Pick Wallpaper? Maybe Not!
I’m excited to share that we will be starting our heating system this autumn! This means we can continue the renovation through the winter and move into the first floor. However, this post will focus on the decisions we made in September of last year (2023). As winter approached last year (2023), we faced the … More Post 5: Preparing for Winter: Reflecting on Last Year’s Renovation Decisions and Looking Ahead
The real work began when we started rebuilding from the ground up—literally. The original flooring, like much of the wood in the house, was beyond repair. But the issues didn’t stop there. Beneath the floors, we found clay, which is not good. So, we had to remove that and fill it with the sand. Since … More Part 3: Rebuilding from the Ground Up
Ilze and her family embarked on a transformative journey when they stumbled upon Chestnut Manor in 2008. After years of fascination, they finally became the proud owners of the 1880s farmhouse in 2019. Despite its neglected state, the unique craftsmanship and potential of the home instilled in them a deep sense of belonging and purpose. … More Falling in Love with a Forgotten Gem: Chestnut Manor
These are for my mom — she’s turning 60 this October!The idea of including chocolate in the invitations came to me over the summer. I bought a small Latvian chocolate bar (Laimas “Luks”) and started designing a glamorous outer cover to turn it into a sweet and elegant invitation. I’m really happy with how they … More 60th Birthday Invitations with Chocolate inside
This Saturday, I finally finished making the invitations for my daughter Nelle’s very first BIG birthday! Envelopes: Invitations: This time I chose white and pink, even though I usually prefer cream instead of white — it’s just more my style. But unexpectedly, this color combo turned out beautifully! I’m really happy with how everything came … More Invitations for Nelles 1st birthday