Stay Home Style is a home design blog created by Ashley, born from her passion for interiors and the desire to inspire others to cultivate spaces they love. Her fascination with design began in childhood, leading her to explore her style as she and her husband built their first home in 2019. During the pandemic, Ashley embraced the opportunity to transform their new house into a home, diving into design resources and ultimately enrolling in an Interior Design Certificate program. She launched the blog in November 2020, combining her experiences and the concept of creating a home that makes one want to stay in. The blog has since evolved and expanded to Instagram, but its core mission remains to encourage others to design spaces that reflect their personal style.

Ashley and her husband recently completed a significant renovation of their entire house, including enclosing a screened-in porch to expand their kitchen and laundry room. This major project involved two complete gut bathroom renovations, new hardwood floors throughout, and an entire kitchen overhaul. Despite the ambitious scope, they faced considerable challenges when their initial contractor became a scam artist, leaving them with subpar work and financial losses. After a lengthy search, they eventually found a reliable contractor who corrected the previous mistakes and finished the project, which had extended from an anticipated few months to a year and a half. Among all the spaces, the kitchen renovation posed the most significant design challenge due to their older home's reconfiguration and unique aspects. Still, they were thrilled with the final result.

During their renovation, they faced issues with their exterior doors, including a broken knob that could only be opened with pliers and a front door hardware set that had peeling finishes. In her search for new hardware, Ashley desired high-quality, beautiful pieces that would complement the Tudor-style home while offering durability. After extensive research, they chose Grandeur Hardware for its solid brass construction and timeless designs, ultimately selecting the Arc Tall Plate Entry Set with the Eden Prairie Knob in Timeless Bronze. Ashley was particularly drawn to the egg-shaped knob, which added character and uniqueness to the overall look, and was further enticed by a finish that would not peel over time.

The whole home renovation ended up taking a year and a half to complete all in all, but the hardware installation happened in a day. In addition to upgrading the door hardware, they also painted the exterior doors, which were done over a couple of weekends. Investing in quality door hardware is worthwhile for functionality and aesthetics. Since door hardware is used daily, the materials and finishes significantly impact appearance and performance.

During a renovation, Ashley told us it's advisable not to install high-quality door hardware until the project is complete or to protect it thoroughly during renovations. By the end, two-thirds of their exterior door hardware was damaged despite being intact initially. To avoid this, purchasing inexpensive temporary hardware from a local home improvement store is a practical solution.

Ashley describes her design style as an eclectic mix that has evolved over the years, reflecting a keen appreciation for various aesthetics. Through her study of design, she grew more confident in identifying her true preferences, particularly favoring European interiors that evoke a collected and lived-in feel. She enjoys incorporating antiques, original art, earthy and moody colors, natural stone, handmade pieces, and functional yet beautiful items to achieve this European aesthetic in her home. Travel, design books and magazines, design podcasts, and social media inspire her.

When starting a project, Ashley organizes and plans by creating a Pinterest board to gather inspirational images, which she calls her “Design North Star.” She utilizes Sketch Up to draft scaled drawings for larger projects like kitchen or bathroom renovations, helping her determine the best layout and furniture arrangement. Once she has a solid vision, she compiles a comprehensive design brief using Canva, including floor plans, mood boards, and material selections, serving as a valuable resource for herself and the contractor.

Ashley has some tips for those interested in extensive remodeling projects. Firstly, it is essential to conduct thorough research when hiring a contractor, including obtaining multiple quotes and verifying licenses and insurance, rather than simply taking a contractor's word for it. Seek recommendations from friends, family, and the city's building department and check references and reviews from past clients. Understanding the necessary permits for the project and ensuring the contractor secures them is essential to avoid fines or work stoppages. Lastly, while hiring a designer is beneficial, having a detailed plan can help contractors provide more accurate quotes and prepare for potential delays and unexpected costs.

The next big project planned for Ashley’s home involves replacing the front windows and painting the exterior. The windows at the back have already been replaced, and the house, which hasn’t been painted in years, requires a fresh look. The brick will remain, while the stucco and Tudor half-timbering will be updated to a creamy white and earthy green. Ashley’s blog shares more detailed posts about her renovation experiences, including before-and-after reveals and helpful tips learned along the way. Those interested in following the journey can sign up for email notifications at www.stayhomestyle.blog. You can also get more updates on Instagram at stayhomestyle_.