We would love more details on your business, Evergreen Kitchen. How did you develop it, and what sets it apart from the rest?

My husband is a freelance food photographer, and I work as a food stylist. A lot of our days are spent on photoshoots and creating content for other clients and brands. Evergreen Kitchen is our website where we share the recipes we’re making at home. We love eating and sharing delicious recipes ideas that will win over the entire dinner table, even the veggie skeptics!

Did you do a remodel on your entire home? Were there specific rooms that were more challenging than others? Why?

Yes, we are remodeling the entire home, down to the studs. Some of the most challenging work was all the services upgrades (plumbing, electrical, etc.). We are glad to have done all these upgrades, but sadly, this work costs a lot only to hide behind the walls! Some of the rooms we found most challenging were the bathrooms. Old homes tend to have small bathrooms, so it felt like playing Tetris to figure out where all the pieces would fit. We felt the most pressure to get the kitchen “right.” Because of my job, it’s pretty standard for me to spend 10+ hours in the kitchen on a given day. So, we wanted to strike the right balance of form and function.

How did you choose the hardware featured in this project?

For our exterior doors, we wanted new, well-functioning hardware that “fit in” with our heritage home. The locks that came with our house were well past their prime and in desperate need of replacing! We loved that Grandeur Hardware offered quality locksets that strike the right balance between form and function. They look great on the 100-year old wood door. We also loved that with Grandeur, you can have multiple locks keyed the same. We can use the same key on the front and the back door, which has been convenient.

Did you learn any tips and tricks about door hardware and/or hinges along the way that you think would be beneficial for others?

Door hardware and hinges are so often overlooked but can add a unique design element to your project.

What are some recommendations for readers who want to do an extensive remodel project in their home?

Take the time to write out your complete wish list. Then, prioritize what’s most important. Having this prioritization will help inform where to stretch and where to cut when the unexpected arises! And perhaps most importantly, if you’re hiring trades, make sure you’re partnering with people you trust to do good work.

What are some tips for readers who want to make a small transformation to their house?

There’s a lot you can do on a small budget. Things like new paint, hardware, art/décor/plants can have a significant impact. Also, while this might not be the most ground-breaking tip, it’s worth saying: a big clean-up/declutter is often the best thing you can do for your space (and it doesn’t cost a penny!).

What is your design style, and how do you incorporate those decorating decisions within your home?

Where don’t I find inspiration?! I find so much inspiration in the regular day-to-day. In the past, traveling was also a significant source of inspiration. Nowadays, it’s primarily virtual. Some designers I love watching right now: Amber Lewis, Jake Arnold, Heidi Caillier, and Jersey Ice Cream Co.

When starting a home project, how do you organize and plan for it?

I like to start with an overall vision, and from there, sort out all the little details. I’m a very visual person, so I usually have a clear picture of what we’re working towards from the start. That said, when renovating an old home, there will be so many surprises you can’t plan for. We try to stay flexible and get creative when it comes to problem-solving!

Other than your own home, are you working on any other projects?

The home has been taking up a big part of our life recently! But we also have some other exciting projects on the go, including a cookbook, website redesign, and a few other surprise projects.

What is up next?

We are hopefully finishing renovations soon so we can finally kick up our feet and enjoy our home!