Oak Branch Cottage: Settling In - Making Oak Branch Cottage Home

Moving house at 58 is definitely a different story than moving in your 30s or 40s! The body certainly feels the extra effort a bit more these days. But despite the tired muscles, there is so much joy in watching a new space gradually transform into home.

Over Fall Break, J and I took things little by little, slowly bringing in our stored collections of artwork, rugs, and furniture. And can I just say—having a true garage and storage area to pull from has been an absolute game-changer!

Placing the Foundations

First on the agenda were the floors. We sourced our rugs and rug pads through Gulf Coast Home, and getting them unrolled and anchored into their "forever spots" instantly made the cottage feel warmer and more grounded.

Once the rugs were down, it was time to address the blank walls. Hanging art is always one of my favorite stages of decorating—it immediately injects personality into a room.

A Distinctly Southern Living Room

In the living room, everything started coming together around the hearth. We hung a collection of hand-painted bird art in a tight grouping surrounding the fireplace, which creates such a cozy focal point. To complement the birds, we brought in hand-painted oyster pieces that add a lovely coastal texture and blend seamlessly for a distinctly Southern aesthetic.

Across the room, an Audubon blue heron print grounds the space and doubles down on that regional flair. We’ve added end tables, lamps, and comfortable chairs to complete the living area. Are they in their absolute "forever spots"? Probably not! But for now, they make the room feel complete, inviting, and ready for living.

The Joy of a Real Dining Room

One of the highlights of this move has been having a dedicated dining space again. We brought our "new-to-us" Duncan Phyfe dining table into the dining room, paired with upholstered chairs that add just the right mix of classic structure and soft comfort. It is so exciting to have a true dining room to gather in once more.

Primary Bedroom Sanctuary

Moving into the primary bedroom, things are really starting to take shape as well! A brand-new bed (headboard - Gulf Coast Home) and mattress are already promising sweet dreams after long days of unpacking. We’ve also installed new lighting and hung a striking sunburst mirror (also-Gulf Coast Home) that pulls the room together.

For the flooring here, we laid down a large seagrass rug trimmed with blue tape, and then layered an older blue-and-white rug right over top for an extra touch of softness and warmth underfoot. It gives the room a relaxed, coastal feel that makes it feel like a true retreat.

The Finishing Touches

If you know me, you know I am a total lover of accessories! Layering in those smaller decor pieces, table lamps, and treasures is where the real fun lies.

I’m certain things will shift and evolve as we bring in more belongings and continue settling into the flow of the space. But for now, this is how Oak Branch Cottage is taking shape—one rug, one painting, and one memory at a time. Movers are scheduled for the end of October. It's getting real, y'all!

Making a Home, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: The Magic of Custom Textiles

They say the details make a home, but custom textiles truly make it yours. When it came time to bring our vision to life—from window seats and drapes to shower curtains and accent pillows—J and I knew exactly where to go: Fairfax Fabrics on Magazine Street.

There is nothing quite like a Saturday afternoon spent browsing row after row of rich textures, vibrant patterns, and timeless weaves. But the real magic of Fairfax Fabrics lies in its proprietor, Patricia Daigle. Patricia has an unmatched eye for design and a depth of fabric knowledge that makes what could easily be an overwhelming process feel effortless. With her guidance, we paired colors, weighed textures, and mapped out a cohesive feel for our home.

Custom work leaves zero room for guesswork. Patricia and her team took meticulous measurements of our windows, shower openings, and built-in seating—measuring several times to ensure every custom rod and drape would fit to the millimeter. That level of care and precision makes all the difference.

Now, the wait is over and our custom pieces have started to trickle in!

The Living Room Window Seat

First up was the cushion for our living room window seat. We opted for a tone-on-tone leopard-inspired print, and it strikes the perfect balance between subtle sophistication and playful texture. It adds just the right amount of personality to the nook without overpowering the room. I styled it with a few accent pillows we already had on hand, but seeing it in place made one thing clear: a pair of custom bolsters on either end will be the ultimate finishing touch.

The Guest Bathroom

The guest bath shower curtain also made its grand entrance, and it is safe to say I am obsessed. We selected a stunning palm-inspired art deco fabric that brings a fresh, botanical energy into the space. To tie the room together, we added a blush pink ball trim along the edge, perfectly picking up the blush pink color-drenched walls and ceiling. The contrast between the tropical palm design and the soft, tailored fringe elevates the whole bathroom.

Seeing these first pieces installed makes all the measuring and decision-making completely worth it. A huge thank you to Patricia and the team at Fairfax Fabrics for turning our ideas into beautiful, tailored realities—we can’t wait to see the rest of the drapes roll in!

Custom Textiles, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: Laurel Wilder Plates {Side Hallway}

Little by little, Oak Branch Cottage is coming together! Every week brings a new layer of warmth, and last week’s focus was all about positioning artwork around the house to make each space feel truly intentional.

I turned my attention to the side hallway, pairing a new arrangement with our palm-inspired sconce. I decided to group together my collection of reverse-decoupaged plates by Laurel Wilder.

My love for these pieces goes back years. I’ve been sourcing them since 2008 from one of my absolute New Orleans favorite shopping destinations, Hazelnut on Magazine Street. Over time, my collection has grown piece by piece, and I realized they would make such a beautiful statement if displayed as a cohesive gallery wall along the hallway rather than scattered throughout the house.

The craftsmanship in these plates is just exquisite. Each piece of art glass is created using a meticulous reverse-decoupaged technique—hand-stamped with gold, frosted, sealed, and then individually signed and numbered. They have been released and collected over time. Not only are they stunning decorative accents, but they’re also completely food-safe and hand-washable! 

Shelley, an orginal artist from Laurel Wilder has retired, but you should definitely check out the new artist that is available now at Hazelnut. The new artist is doing many of the same designs but in a more casual way.

I’ll share more details on the rest of the side hallway soon, but for now, here is a peek at how it looks today!

Laurel Wilder Plates, y'all!