CAD INTERIORS {Top Posts of 2015}

Hello there!  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and are enjoying the final days of 2015.  I know the holiday season can be a lonely or joyful time, but my hope is that you are experiencing the latter.  Things have been wonderfully low-key around here, with a bit of quality downtime with my hubby and kids, plus some fun time spent with the cousins!

Since 2015 was my first full blogging year, I thought I'd revisit and share my most widely viewed posts of the year.  Some of the year's most popular posts completely surprised me!  Here's a countdown of the top 10 most popular posts of 2015:

 BLACK EXTERIORS

black paint exteriors modern home exteriors design inspiration
original source unknown

I wrote this post to share my current fixation of bold and dramatic exterior home facades.  Little did I know that it appealed to you too!

KITCHEN MOOD BOARD & LAYOUT

mood board CAD INTERIORS kitchen renovation

mood board CAD INTERIORS kitchen renovation

CAD INTERIORS kitchen renovation

The highlight of our 2015 home renovation projects is definitely our kitchen renovation.  Remember the glorious before photos?!  You can read the last progress update here.  Full reveal is coming soon!

ENGINEERING THE KITCHEN

wolf convection range stove sub-zero refrigerator freezer stainless steel appliances

Appliances are the "engine" of the kitchen.  After all, a kitchen can't properly function without them!  I shared our appliance package (spoiler: we didn't end up with the appliances in the photo), and also briefly talked about when it makes sense to "invest" in professional-grade or not.  Here's a peek at my new favorite appliance in our remodeled kitchen!

FALL 2015 ONE ROOM CHALLENGE {Week One}
2015 One Room Challenge guest participant family room makeover

It was so heartwarming to discover so many (new) readers following along with our family room transformation, especially during the One Room Challenge.  My first ORC experience was nothing but positive and expectedly stressful!  Perhaps the best takeaway from the process was getting acquainted with new readers and new-to-me design blogs!

PROGRESS SNEAK PEEK {Kitchen Renovation}

Christmas holiday decorations tree decor classic traditional Christmas
You can see a full glimpse of the new kitchen in this recent photo!

The kitchen renovation updates were some of the most widely viewed posts this year.  Thanks for following along!  The room has certainly come a very long way from its original roots.  I'm excited to share the newly remodeled space with you soon!

DESIGNING WITH IKEA

design board e-design Ikea furniture accessories accent pieces
Okay, the popularity of this post completely surprised me!  I think it resonated because so many of us have real-life design budgets.  The "Designing with Ikea" mood board is a simplified example of how you could create a functional and well-designed space on a limited budget.

DESIGN TREND: MUD CLOTH & HMONG TEXTILES

design trends fabrics bohemian boho chic vintage

When I shared my affection for hmong and mud cloth textiles, I didn't realize that several of you have an affinity for them too!  These fabrics have gained popularity given the recent surge in bohemian and mid-century modern design.  I don't see the trend dissipating anytime soon!

MAIN BATHROOM REVEAL

main bathroom renovation classic modern bathroom design


The reveals of the main bathroom was long-awaited if you were following the renovation from the very beginning!  We actually completed the renovation in 2014, but I didn't get the reveal posts together until 2015. :)  This bathroom is the most used room in our home (we all share it since the master bathroom is half-demolished!).  The top-to-bottom gut renovation was well worth the lengthy process, as it has completely transformed how the room functions and serves our family of four!

FAMILY ROOM REVEAL

modern bohemian classic transitional vintage interior design decorating home improvement renovation room remodel

We finally finished up the lingering DIY construction details in our family room renovation.  The space came together in six weeks under the pressure motivation of the ORC.  I implemented a budget-friendly design (spending ~$250) knowing that the room would evolve over time.  We have been fully enjoying the comforts of the new space!

MAKING ROOM FOR LAUNDRY
The popularity of this post continues to surprise me, especially since it was from 2014!  Concurrent with the main bathroom renovation, we created an indoor laundry area by combining two small hallway closets.  The space has been "done" forever, but sadly, we still haven't bought the stackable laundry units!  Ha!  For now, it is coming in handy as a big storage closet. :)

As always, THANK YOU to all of you who read and support this blog.  I truly appreciate the time you take to visit here.  If something I share inspires you in the least bit, it makes all the time and effort spent in producing blog content all the worthwhile.

I also wanted to thank these blogs for featuring or mentioning CAD INTERIORS in 2015!


May the new year bring you peace, joy, love, and good health!  Here's to a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2016!!!  I'll see you back here on January 4th.

Merry Christmas

christmas quotes sayings happy holidays greetings

I am signing off for the year to spend quality time with my family.  Come follow me on Instagram to stay in touch. Warmest holiday wishes from my family to yours!!!  Have a peaceful, joy-filled, merry CHRISTmas.

'Tis the season for a simply classic CHRISTmas!

Hello there!  I can't believe Christmas is here.  My boys are out of school for winter break, so the holiday frenzy went up many notches around here!  Hence, part of the reason for the radio silence...

We kicked off their winter break with some birthday celebrating this past weekend.  My eldest turned eleven growing up way too fast, and we celebrated the actual day with a movie (Star Wars!!) and dinner.  The following day, we celebrated with family and hosted our first official gathering in our revamped great room.  It was the first time we entertained in our almost done kitchen, remodeled family room, and dining room.  It was nice to welcome family into our home and NOT be living in a construction site for the time being.

As anticipated, the family room is where the post-meal birthday fun happened.  The room functions so much better and looks more current now that it has been remodeled.  Today, I'm welcoming you into our family room all decorated for the holidays.  It is where life is happening and lots of memories are being made!

traditional classic Christmas decorations

classic traditional Christmas decorations

classic Christmas decorations

Feeling a bit worn out from the ORC and kitchen renovation, I kept the holiday decorating simpler yet festive. There was no planning ahead.  Old holiday decor in traditional Christmas colors was sprinkled around the room.  It was the perfect low-stress method to get our home decked with holiday cheer.

classic Christmas traditional decorations

CAD INTERIORS holiday family room Christmas traditional classic decorations

My husband and I usually decorate the "main" tree since the kids have their own tree.  But this year, it was a family affair!

traditional classic Christmas tree decorations holiday decor

The tree is definitely the "centerpiece" of the room.  We buy an 8-foot fresh noble fir tree every Christmas... and every year, it seems to feel wider and taller!  This tree is huge and the perfect size for the vaulted ceiling height.  My husband actually had to buy a new tree stand since the trunk was too wide for our old stand.  Since Christmas happens only once a year, the effort of getting a REAL tree is fine with us.  Besides, nothing beats the fresh pine scent!

traditional Christmas tree decorations CAD INTERIORS holiday home
Sharing this blurry cell phone photo of our tree at dawn, my favorite time to enjoy the room in the quiet of the early morning!

CAD INTERIORS holiday home Christmas classic traditional holiday decorating
In my parts, noble and douglas fir trees are the norm.  We prefer the noble fir since it hardly sheds and the branches hold ornaments well.

We skipped the garland and mainly adorned the tree with gold and jewel-toned ornaments... plus glittery snowflakes of course!  The kids also added candy canes brought home from school as the days went.  This year's tree is certainly a departure from last year's tree.

Our son's electric train set was set-up around the base of the tree...

CAD INTERIORS holiday home family room traditional classic Christmas decorations

...and whimsical singing stuffed animals that were gifted from my mom over the years rounded out the reminiscent childhood touches around this year's Christmas tree!!!

pine cones red green traditional Christmas holiday decorations

More whimsical holiday touches that my kids can relate to continued on the mantel and built-in area...

traditional classic Christmas decorations Pottery Barn stockings

CAD INTERIORS holiday family room stockings stocking holders Santa stocking traditional classic Christmas decorations

Our advent calendar (top right corner) sits within easy reach on the built-ins.  It has been my kids' first pit stop every morning.  They look forward to reading the holiday activity planned for the day - sometimes it's as simple as enjoying a sweet treat.  They also stuck their letters for Santa in the big red stocking.  Our elf, Coconut, took the letters to the North Pole and back... saving us the mail errand. :)

classic traditional Christmas decorations whimsical holiday decorating shelf tablescape
Here's Coconut hanging around one day in our holiday dining room.

The whimsical holiday decor around our home is definitely reflective of this stage in our family's life!

holiday family room classic Christmas decorations

Finally, my FAVORITE, most meaningful holiday decorations sit right on top of our antique piano.  Read about our photo ornament tree and children's voice ornaments here.

real fresh Christmas tree CAD INTERIORS holiday home classic traditional decorations great room

Christmas decorations traditional classic red green pine cones garland children

'Tis the season in our home!  Our cozy family room is the center gathering area for all the snuggling, movie watching, and family game nights we've been having lately!  The space really comes to life under the warm glow of twinkling lights.

See more of our 2015 holiday home:


Christmas holiday greetings quotes sayings


Sharing with: Inspire Me Monday, Home Stories A to Z

JOYful MERRY Guest Bathroom

If there is one room in your home that your holiday guests will likely visit, it is the guest bathroom.  Adding holiday touches to the guest bathroom provides a welcoming touch to an otherwise utilitarian space.

CAD INTERIORS Christmas decorations 2015

Like the rest of our home, I reused holiday decor to add classic festive touches to the guest bath.

CAD INTERIORS holiday guest bathroom Christmas decor

The shelf above the commode was sprinkled with "JOY".  I've had these taper candle holders for years.  I must have been going through a bear phase at one point because they grace our dining room sideboard too.  The chalkboard provides a gentle reminder to "Be Merry" if you happen to need a mood adjustment. :)

CAD INTERIORS holiday guest bathroom Christmas decorating rustic traditional classic

A simple basket of pine cones dresses up the commode.

I slipped this little sleigh over a room fragrance spray to wish our guests merry and bright days ahead.

CAD INTERIORS holiday guest bathroom Christmas decorating rustic classic traditional decor

Christmas decorating rustic traditional classic holiday decor

Seasonal touches, even in a bathroom, can go a long way in making your guests feel welcome.  It will also leave them with a warm impression of your home!

Sharing with: Home Stories A to Z

Design Trend: White Trees

I have noticed a holiday design trend in recent years that leans towards white Christmas trees.  I'm not talking about snow-flocked trees.  I'm talking artificial white trees.

Christmas tree holiday decorating
Design to Inspire

Christmas holiday decorating tree
Emily Henderson

Christmas tree holiday decorating
Hunted Interior

I certainly love how they are styled in these spaces.  However, I'm not sure I'm going to be the next green-to-white Christmas tree convert anytime soon.  We buy a fresh tree every year after all!  That's not to say that I don't like to mix things up.  I guess I'm just a little bit more of a "traditionalist" at heart when it comes to holiday decorating.

What do you think?!  Do white trees appeal to you?