Making A House A Home

Our Story
After relocating from Florida to Tennessee in 2026, my wife Lisa and I found ourselves furnishing and decorating a new home from scratch.
In an unexpected twist, the buyers of our Florida home purchased much of our furniture, décor, household items, books, and even many of our plants. We packed our clothes, our cat, and a few essentials and started a new chapter.
What started as a move quickly became a complete home-furnishing adventure.
From furniture and lighting to appliances, organization, decorating decisions, and room makeovers, everything featured here has been personally purchased, assembled, used, and evaluated in our own home.
Some rooms are finished. Some are still evolving. And some decisions are still being debated.
If you're creating a home of your own, I hope our experiences help make the journey a little easier.
All products featured on this page were purchased by us unless otherwise noted. Opinions are our own based on real-world use in our home.
Current Projects
Creating Our Living Room From Scratch
Starting with an empty room, we're selecting furniture, lighting, rugs, artwork, and décor to create a comfortable gathering space.
Building a Home Office
Finding the right desk, storage, organization systems, and workspace setup for everyday life.
Creating a Bedroom Retreat
From the bed and mattress to dressers, lighting, rugs, and décor, we're building a bedroom that feels comfortable and relaxing.
Organizing a New Kitchen
Choosing appliances, storage solutions, and everyday essentials for a functional kitchen.
Music Wall Project
Designing a music-inspired feature wall with artwork, memorabilia, and personal touches.
Making the House Feel Like Home
The finishing touches, decorating decisions, and lessons learned along the way.
Products We've Purchased So Far
Living Room
- Lamp ✅
- Chaise
- Rug
- Art
Home Office
- Desk ✅
Kitchen
- Refrigerator
Bedroom
- Bed
- Nightstands
- Lamps
Featured Reviews
Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
51" Dimmable Walnut Traditional Solid Wood Floor Lamp
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
✓ Personally Purchased: May 2026
Category: Lighting
Used In: Living Room
Where to Buy
- Amazon (check current price)
- Wayfair (check current price)
We purchased the 51" Dimmable Walnut Traditional Solid Wood Floor Lamp from Wayfair while furnishing our Tennessee living room from scratch.

Why We Chose It
When we moved from Florida to Tennessee, we started with an empty living room and needed lighting that would add warmth without taking up much space. We were drawn to this lamp's mid-century design, slim footprint, and dark wood finish.

What I Liked
- Easy assembly
- Attractive mid-century styling
- Small footprint works well in corners
- Stable once assembled
- Two brightness settings
- Soft, diffused light through the fabric shade

Things to Know
- Best used as ambient lighting rather than a reading lamp
- The tall cylindrical shade creates a softer glow than a directional light
- Works particularly well in living rooms, bedrooms, and sitting areas
Would I Buy It Again?
Yes. This has been one of our favorite lighting purchases so far. The two brightness settings make it more versatile than many decorative floor lamps, and the design fits perfectly with the warm, mid-century style we're creating in our Tennessee home.
Computer Desk with 7 Drawers, 57 Inch Home Office Desk with File Drawers,Executive Desk with Golden Legs and Handles
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4/5
✓ Personally Purchased: May 2026
Category: Home Office Furniture
Used In: Home Office
Where to Buy
- Amazon (check current price)
- Wayfair (check current price)
- Walmart (check current price)

Why We Chose It
When furnishing our new Tennessee home from scratch, I wanted a desk that looked more like furniture than office equipment. The combination of the white finish, gold accents, generous storage, and executive styling immediately caught my attention.
I needed a workspace large enough for daily business tasks while still fitting comfortably in our home office.

What I Liked
- Beautiful white-and-gold design that looks much more expensive than it is
- Seven drawers provide excellent storage
- Large work surface with plenty of room for a computer and paperwork
- File drawers help keep documents organized
- Sturdy and substantial once assembled
- Fits perfectly with our home's transitional style

Things To Know
- Assembly is time-consuming
- The instruction manual contains several errors
- Some hardware and parts were incorrectly identified in the guide
- Drawer rail illustrations were reversed in certain steps
- A few pieces were not clearly labeled
- This is definitely easier as a two-person assembly project
I made extensive notes directly on the instruction manual because several steps required troubleshooting beyond what was shown in the guide.
Would I Buy It Again?
Yes.
The desk itself exceeded my expectations. While the assembly process was frustrating due to inaccurate instructions, the finished product is attractive, sturdy, and highly functional. Now that it's assembled and in daily use, I'm extremely happy with the purchase and would buy it again.
Bamboo Bathroom Storage Cabinet
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
✓ Personally Purchased: May 2026
Category: Storage & Organization
Used In: Primary Bathroom
Where to Buy
- Amazon (check current price)
- Wayfair (check current price)
- Walmart (check current price)

Why We Chose It
We needed a narrow storage cabinet to fit in a small space between our shower and toilet. Most of the options we found looked flimsy or were made from lightweight materials, but we liked the look of this bamboo cabinet and decided to give it a try.

What I Liked
The biggest surprise was the quality. This cabinet feels much sturdier than I expected for the price. Once assembled, it feels solid and stable rather than lightweight or wobbly.
The bamboo finish is attractive and works well in our bathroom. I also appreciate the slatted design, which allows for airflow while still keeping toiletries, cleaning supplies, and extra bathroom items hidden from view.
The adjustable shelves make it easy to customize the storage space, and the narrow footprint allows it to fit comfortably in smaller spaces without feeling bulky.

Things To Know
Assembly was straightforward and took less time than expected. The cabinet is best suited for smaller items such as toiletries, extra toilet paper, hand towels, and cleaning supplies. Be sure to measure your available space carefully, as it is designed for narrow areas.
Would I Buy It Again?
Absolutely. This is one of those purchases that exceeded my expectations. It looks more expensive than it is, provides useful storage, and feels much sturdier than many small-space cabinets I've seen.
Chenille Non-Slip Bath Rug
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
✓ Personally Purchased: May 2026
Category: Bathroom
Used In: Primary Bathroom
Where to Buy
- Amazon (check current price)
- Wayfair (check current price)
- Walmart (check current price)

Why We Chose It
We originally purchased a different bath rug for this space, but it wasn't very absorbent and didn't perform as well as we had hoped. After returning that rug, we decided to try this chenille bath rug instead.

What I Liked
The first thing I noticed was how soft it feels underfoot. It provides a comfortable place to step after a shower and does a great job absorbing water.
The size is perfect for our bathroom. We have a relatively small space between the shower and vanity, and this rug fits beautifully without making the room feel crowded.
I also like the color combination, which works well with the natural tones in our bathroom. The chenille texture gives it a plush look while still being practical for everyday use.

Things To Know
If you're looking for a thick, highly absorbent bath rug for a smaller bathroom, this is a great option. The rug includes a non-slip backing and has stayed in place well during normal use.
Be sure to measure your space before ordering to ensure the size works for your bathroom layout.
Would I Buy It Again?
Absolutely. After returning another bath rug that didn't meet our expectations, this one turned out to be exactly what we were looking for. It's soft, absorbent, attractive, and fits our space perfectly.
The Bedroom That Helped Sell Our Home
Making a bed look beautiful doesn't have to be complicated. When we were preparing our Bryson Loop home for sale, a few simple styling changes transformed our bedroom and helped create a polished, inviting space. Here's exactly how we put the look together.

When we decided to put our Bryson Loop home on the market, I wanted every room to feel welcoming, polished, and move-in ready. Like many homeowners, I spent a lot of time focusing on furniture, paint colors, and décor, but one of the biggest transformations came from something much simpler: the bed.
At first, our bedroom felt clean but unfinished. The bedding was fresh, the room was tidy, and the furniture looked nice, but the bed lacked the layered, inviting look you often see in model homes and real estate photography.
Over time, I added a few carefully selected pieces, and the room began to come together. Looking back, these simple changes helped transform an ordinary bedroom into a space that felt warm, welcoming, and photo-ready.

This was the actual listing photo used to market our Bryson Loop home.
The Headboard Hack That Saved Us Time
One of the first changes we made was adding an upholstered ivory headboard.
The headboard was designed to be wall-mounted, but because we were preparing the home for sale, we didn't want to drill additional holes into the wall.
Instead, we simply placed the headboard behind the bed and leaned it securely against the wall.
It looked exactly the way we wanted, took only a few minutes to set up, and avoided unnecessary wall repairs before listing the home.
If you're staging a house, renting, or simply don't want to mount a headboard, this is an easy option to consider.
The Unsung Hero: The Bed Skirt
One of the most overlooked pieces in this bedroom was the bed skirt.
While it isn't the first thing people notice, it helped create the clean, finished look I was after. The white bed skirt concealed the bed frame and anything stored underneath, giving the bed a more polished appearance and helping it feel more like a professionally staged room.
It's one of those details that people rarely notice when it's there—but they often notice when it's missing.
Why the Pillows Made Such a Difference
The biggest transformation came from layering pillows.
I started with large white Euro pillows, then added navy velvet accent pillows for contrast. Next came a pair of navy Greek Key patterned pillows that introduced visual interest without overwhelming the room. Finally, I added a soft Moonbeam Gray chenille lumbar pillow to bridge the gap between the crisp white bedding and the darker navy accents.
The result was immediate.
Instead of blending into the room, the bed became the focal point. The layered textures and colors made the room feel intentional, inviting, and professionally styled.
The Pillow Trick That Made the Biggest Difference
If you're wondering why the pillows on this bed look full and structured instead of flat, the secret isn't the pillow covers—it's the inserts.
When I started shopping for decorative pillows, I assumed I should buy inserts that matched the cover size. Thankfully, I learned that many decorators use inserts that are slightly larger than the pillow covers.
That extra fullness helps pillows stand upright, hold their shape, and creates a much more luxurious appearance.
Here's what I used:
White Euro Pillows
24" x 24" pillow covers
→ 26" x 26" inserts
Navy Velvet Pillows
18" x 18" pillow covers
→ 20" x 20" inserts
Navy Greek Key Pillows
18" x 18" pillow covers
→ 20" x 20" inserts
Gray Lumbar Pillow
12" x 20" pillow cover
→ 12" x 20" insert
The oversized inserts made a huge difference in the final look of the bed. If I had purchased inserts that matched the cover sizes exactly, the pillows would have looked much flatter and less polished.
Don't Overlook the Throw Blanket

Another view of the room showing how the navy accents tied the space together.
One of the finishing touches on this bed was a simple navy flannel fleece blanket.
What I like most about it is that it adds color and texture without making the bed feel heavy or overly formal. The navy coordinates with the accent pillows, helping tie the entire look together.
When styling a bed, it's easy to focus on pillows and forget about the foot of the bed. Adding a soft throw blanket creates another layer, makes the room feel more inviting, and helps the bed look intentionally styled in photos.
The Comforter Doesn't Need to Be Expensive
One thing that surprised me during this project was that the comforter wasn't the star of the show.
I used a simple lightweight white king comforter set with matching shams. The clean white bedding created the perfect backdrop for the navy pillows, gray lumbar pillow, and coordinating throw blanket.
If you're trying to recreate a similar look, focus on creating a neutral foundation first. Once you have that clean base, the decorative pillows and throw blanket can do most of the styling work.
Shop the Look
By this point, the room felt complete. The combination of layered bedding, oversized pillow inserts, and a few carefully chosen accent pieces created the look we were hoping for. If you'd like to recreate this bedroom, I've included the exact products we used below.

One of the biggest lessons I learned during this project is that a beautifully styled bed doesn't require expensive designer bedding. The look came together through thoughtful layering—a neutral foundation, oversized pillow inserts, decorative pillow covers, an upholstered headboard, and a simple throw blanket that tied everything together.
I've included the products we used below, along with the pillow insert sizes that helped create the full, structured look shown in the photos.
If you're trying to make your own bedroom feel more polished, inviting, and photo-ready, these are the pieces that made the biggest difference for us.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Headboard & Bedding
These foundation pieces created the clean, neutral backdrop that allowed the navy accents and layered pillows to stand out.
- Ivory Upholstered Headboard (King)
- White Comforter Set (King)
- White Wrap-Around Bed Skirt (15" Drop)
- Navy Flannel Fleece Blanket (60" x 80")
Decorative Pillow Covers
These four pillow covers created the layered look that became the focal point of the room.
- White Euro Pillow Covers (24" x 24")
- Navy Velvet Pillow Covers (18" x 18")
- Navy Greek Key Pillow Covers (18" x 18")
- Moonbeam Gray Lumbar Cover (12" x 20")
Tip: For a fuller, designer-inspired look, I used pillow inserts that were one size larger than most of the pillow covers. You'll find the exact sizes listed below.
Pillow Inserts
-
Utopia Pillow Inserts (26" x 26")
- Used with the 24" x 24" Euro pillow covers
-
Utopia Pillow Inserts (20" x 20")
- Used with the 18" x 18" velvet and Greek Key pillow covers
-
Utopia Lumbar Insert (12" x 20")
- Used with the 12" x 20" Moonbeam Gray lumbar cover
Final Thoughts
While no single item sells a house, thoughtful staging helps buyers connect emotionally with a space.
When potential buyers walk through a home, they're not just looking at square footage and floor plans. They're imagining themselves living there.
For us, this bedroom became one of the standout spaces in the house. The layered bedding, neutral foundation, and navy accents helped create the polished and welcoming atmosphere we wanted buyers to experience.
Sometimes the difference between a room that feels unfinished and one that feels professionally styled comes down to a handful of thoughtful details.
If you're preparing a home for sale—or simply want a more polished bedroom—these simple updates made a bigger difference than I ever expected.