Imperfection is Beautiful
I often wonder about the societal obsession with perfection. Indestructible surfaces that won’t scratch or show any signs of age, faucets that won’t patina, and pristine homes.
Why shouldn’t using natural materials be the foundation of all design? Design, like nature, should be imperfect, as a hint of eccentricity is far more interesting than predictability.
I find joy in the unpredictability of a tarnished floor with age narrating a bygone era or an original wood ceiling in a mid-century modern home with unparalleled warmth and beauty. It’s the difference you can’t point out but can feel.
Embracing imperfections and impermanence in beauty evokes emotion. The asymmetrical petals of a wildflower or weathered stones along the shore, the perfect mossy green hue of a copper patinaed gutter or an unlacquered brass faucet, furniture with nicked edges or sofas with wear—these are all beautiful signs of a well-lived life.
Why can’t we put zellige tile on the floor or marble on the counter without fear? Why is the natural etching of a marble surface that comes with age undesirable? Why is a living finish faucet to always be avoided?
We need to feel comfortable living in our homes and embrace the imperfection that comes with living because I think what makes a home our home is the process of living in it and the beauty it results.
What do you think?
A closer look at my unlacquered brass faucet
Love,
Jaclyn
A Few Thoughts About Rugs
Oriental and Turkish rugs have a way of always working. They are bold and rich, often with intricate hand-woven floral patterns or motif designs in glowing colors.
I think these rugs are unchallenged in design because they’ve been around for centuries—like artifacts with history.
An interior design metaphor similar to the predictability of a timeless evergreen landscape. They are there; they have always been there—adapting to diverse settings with an enduring allure.
In the avant-garde ambiance of an ultra-modern space, the juxtaposition is evident and unexpected, but—it works.
To genuinely appreciate anything, I believe it’s essential to notice everything for the unique impression it imparts.
Whether gracing the grandeur of a rock concert stage, in a city loft, or the hallway of my 1880 Italianate Victorian home, sitting proudly and effortlessly beside a Scandinavian rug, they are exquisite.
Getting it right is about noticing when your eye tells you something isn’t right and trusting it when it tells you it IS. Returning to our minds and referencing all the pictures and experiences we’ve stored away—stringing them together like a wonderfully curated collection. Weaving a narrative through space and time and trusting it.
See my vintage Turkish rug here
Love,
Jaclyn
Bedside Tables
While I love big curves and unexpected details, I find an equally profound love for the elegance of simplicity.
I designed tables for the main bedroom. While I adore old Victorian homes, they often have oddly shaped rooms.
These tables were made for the space on either side of the bed to add functionality, beauty, and balance. We used solid white oak wood, mimicked a timeless Parsons shape, and built them to the exact size and scale of the walls.
Reinventing the wheel isn’t what makes a piece extraordinary.
Instead, sometimes the magic lies in the straightforward beauty of clean lines and familiar shapes— appreciating the details in a slab of wood and letting those details shine without any rival.
They are perfect, and as always, my husband built them.
Love,
Jaclyn
See them HERE
Inquire about your own HERE
Pier Mirror
My home is starting to look like a Parisian apartment.
I like mixing old with new, white walls, art, and big statement light fixtures. I adore floor-to-ceiling wall paneling, parquet or herringbone wood flooring, and marble mantels. If I were to describe my design aesthetic, it would be just that, a Parisian apartment entwined with a streamlined eclectic vibe.
Last November, I thought my living room needed a large mirror. Once I got the idea, I became obsessed with finding one and ultimately, designing and building one.
I didn’t have a vision for what I wanted it to look like, but I knew how I wanted it to feel. The reflective nature of mirror and what it does to a space is powerful; after all, pier mirrors were built before electricity to bring light in and often hung between two large windows.
I jumped right into building it. After several trips to the decorators supply, a massive library of historical moulds, the inspiration unfolded. As I rummaged through rosettes, crown mouldings, capitals, corbels, and large pieces of reeded wood, I was confident I’d come up with something great.
I didn’t.
I left with materials but didn’t know where the design was going.
At one point, I imagined it would be a French gothic piece reminiscent of Notre Dame Cathedral—tall and light, with a transcendent pointed arch.
I love this design style.
It has some attributes of this style but stands distinctively on its own.
In the process, my design ideas for mirrors kept evolving, and as the mirror was being constructed, my thoughts were bound by what I already had. In the end, I am left with many other mirror ideas I need to execute. Future business?
Ultimately, I ADORE it. It’s special and reminiscent of us—it holds the reflection of our love of this home in its frame—and is a genuine representation and testament to the house we are building.
I hope you love it. It’s a true work of art.
And…
If I didn’t know it myself, I’d be easily convinced that it was here in 1880 when this home took its first breath.
Love,
Jaclyn
or
1880 Staircase
A few weeks ago, we dismantled our staircase to its core and meticulously rebuilt it. Well, Steve mostly did, but in my way, I helped enormously. The 1880 staircase, a witness to countless moments, stood stoically unchanged. It was gritty, creaky, and OLD— it needed some TLC!
Beyond its functional purpose, the staircase is a metaphor, a visual representation of our home renovation journey—a powerful reminder that progress is made, one step at a time. A statement piece—proudly greeting you as you enter the home, setting the tone for what’s inside, and declaring, “This house is great.”
The sound of little bare feet descending the steps, announcing their readiness for the day. Or, the teenage whirlwind—each step a rhythmic cadence filling the house.
This staircase, untouched since its origins, is symbolic, holds a significant purpose, and is deeply emotional—it deserves our utmost attention and care.
So one stair tread at a time, the dust collected for 143 years, was uncovered, and we rebuilt it.
Fortunately, we could salvage the original spindles, newel post, and handrail.
It’s a classic, sweet Victorian farmhouse staircase that now shines bright.
Click here to see our staircase!
or HERE
Love,
Jaclyn
Victorian Porch
I lived in Southern California for a decade. I missed the four seasons and the feeling of rebirth that the changes brought. I yearned for the smells of a good thunderstorm, the equinox from hot summer to fall days and nights. I missed seasons so much that it hurt.
When I laid eyes on 724, I first noticed how the house is situated amongst the other homes on the block; the second was the front porch. I knew that if this house became ours, this porch would be the perfect front-row seat to the midwest seasons I so deeply missed—because what better place to watch thunderstorms and people?
The wave I receive from another mom as she passes me in her evening commutes while escorting her kids from one place to another is priceless. Or, the impromptu conversation with a wise neighbor that I leave feeling inspired—people are fascinating and if you take the time to listen, you learn…that we aren’t all that different. That shared wave and smile—the conversation—these are the things that make us feel connected and whole—these are important things.
Sitting on the front porch allows me to say hello to everyone, the regulars that walk their dogs and all the kids that live on the block, each eagerly inquiring about the whereabouts of one of my own children—all keeping tabs on each other like a secret society. This is the sense of belonging that everyone needs—these are the things that warm my heart—this is what it’s all about.
From the soothing hue of my Farrow & Ball green smoke-painted ceiling to my exquisite victorian spindles, the rustic pot my mom gave me holding a beautiful white hydrangea, the pair of twin fiddle leaf fig trees, the bistro table, the comfortable furniture, and lastly, the new rug, I’m ready for summertime.
Click here to see the porch transformation from dilapidated to beautiful.
Or HERE for even more photos!
XO,
Jaclyn
The “Little Black Dress” Aesthetic
Mar 8
My outfit is usually a little black dress accompanied by statement-worthy shoes. I wouldn't turn away a vintage fur shrug or some lucite jewelry.
I am drawn to rooms that exude a subtle elegance, natural and unscripted. Rooms that allow the home's integrity to take precedence, prioritizing natural light and the existing elements.
Rustic wood beams with the warm sun hitting them—large unobstructed windows that showcase rays of sunlight—the perfectly symmetrical oak tree outside the window is a focal piece of the room, bringing the outside in; these elements already exist and should remain on display. The 100-year-old street lamp outside a window is art in and of itself, and the aging marble fireplace tells a story of elegance and eras gone by. Without any decorations at all, a home already has a design aesthetic. In my home, I prefer to let it shine.
Our homes have a story to tell. They are stories of mornings and nights—birthdays, holidays, and nothing-special days. Stories that make us smile and reminisce. Stories that don't need to be told because they are felt and stories that don't just belong to US. These stories shape us and the home and, in time, remind us.
Dining rooms with black and white photos of ancestors on their wedding day that line the hallway or kid-made artwork, are the kinds of homes that draw me in.
You feel a magical feeling in a home like this, but it can only be felt, not seen— and in the end, just like a little black dress, less is always more.
Love,
Jaclyn
Sometimes Paint It White
Peach in high gloss, taupe in different shades and sheens, beige with too many red undertones, and SO much lilac. These were the colors of 724. Overwhelmed, overstimulated, and confused about what color belonged where I painted the whole house white. Neither too warm nor too cool, Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. This color is a classic white that is fresh and sophisticated. My favorite characteristic of this color is its ability to reflect what's around it—what’s outside the window. White walls generate a sense of calm, balance, and harmony, and I LOVE a beautiful white room.
Without actually living in my house, I didn't know that the south-facing sunlight ignites the dining room and creates a magical bay window that glows warm and bright. This is where all of my plants thrive and the space I gravitate to most with my morning coffee. Only upon living there for a year did I realize that the perfect shade of green is what I wanted.
Until you know the house and all of its quirks—in all of its seasons, even for the sharpest and most experienced of eyes, it's hard to pick the perfect paint.
A flowering magnolia tree that sits outside a living room window encourages the decision to paint the walls a shade of pink like Farrow & Ball Pink Ground, even if that moment might only be for a short time once a year; this is what defines the room.
Or a gorgeous Japanese maple tree in September inspires you to paint the walls a shade of aubergine like Farrow & Ball Brinjal.
Beautiful skies outside the back door might provoke you to pull the blue in and choose a serene blue-green like Farrow & Ball Pigeon—or the 100-year-old pine tree loaded with pinecones outside your TV room welcomes a lovely shade of brown like Farrow & Ball London Clay.
Perhaps you feel more connected to the snow-capped pine tree in February so
white walls painted Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace it is.
You dream of a dark and moody powder room so you choose a color like Farrow & Ball Studio Green. It looks black but you feel that it isn’t, making it mysterious.
Or you are like me and want your bedroom to feel like an early 19th-century undergarment, so you paint it a beautiful rich blush color like Farrow & Ball Peignoir.
What’s outside the window is key when picking the right shade of paint because what’s inside and outside work best when they are in harmony. More importantly, figuring out what you want and how you want a space to feel takes time.
Maybe you want a room to envelop you and feel like a big hug; a deep rich blue color like Farrow & Ball Hague Blue might be the right choice.
Or you want a calm room that bounces light around, so a warm white like Benjamin Moore Simply White is just right.
The paint NEVER looks as it does on the swatch. Often, it's not even close. Sample and sit with it, and the answer will effortlessly emerge.
A color observed somewhere else may not translate the same in your home but will offer insight into what you want, so pay attention to what you like, as it will set you straight on your design path.
In the end, this is all part of the process. I am sharing all of the paint colors in my house below.
Love,
Jaclyn
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
Farrow & Ball Vert De Terre
Farrow & Ball Hague Blue
Farrow & Ball Green Smoke
Farrow & Ball Studio Green
Farrow & Ball Amonite
Farrow & Ball Peignoir
Sherwin-Williams Black Magic- exterior
Sherwin-Williams Alabster- exterior
All of my Farrow & Ball colors are copied by Benjamin Moore except the green dining room paint Vert De Terre
I Bake a Carrot Cake Once a Year
I am a nostalgic person. I see my past through a lens imbued with a rose-colored tint—wistfully yearning for the time when my kids were babies and any other significant life events. I am almost always living in a state of nostalgia, and while this can be exhausting, I've come to accept this is just ME. After all, I bronzed my kid's baby shoes and had paper cutouts of their profiles framed.
After my third child, August, was born, a good friend baked me a cake.
She and her two boys brought it over to me on a blue glass plate.
Extra frosting on the side sealed tight in a mason jar and blueberries on top in the shape of a letter A for August.
This cake is “the cake”— the one I still bake once a year—six years later—only on August’s birthday.
Was it the warm gesture of my friend—or the eating of the cake that happened while nursing my 3-day-old at 3 AM —leaning over the counter, fork in one hand, baby latched on the other side?
Maybe it was the moment in time that made the cake so special? That beautiful time after you have a baby is so dear it leaves a significant mark on your heart; you’d grasp anything that can bring you back there, even if it’s just a cake.
The cake my friend baked me 6 years ago
I am sharing my special carrot cake recipe below.
Love,
Jaclyn
P.S.
It’s sugar-free and DELICIOUS!
Carrot cake
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened plus extra for greasing the pans
3 cups whole-wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup honey
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 cups grated carrots
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F Line the bottom of TWO 9 inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Grease the sides with butter.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and sea salt. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, use an ELECTRIC mixer to mix the butter, honey, eggs, and vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture with the mixer on low until combined. The batter will be fairly thick at this point. Next, fold in the applesauce and carrots.
Divide the batter evenly between two cake pans and bake for 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center layer comes clean. Let the cakes cool before removing them.
WHIPPED CREAM-CHEESE FROSTING
2 cups heavy whipping cream
ONE 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup PURE maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Use and electric mixer to whip together cream cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Don’t panic if it’s not thick at first gradually increase the speed and keep mixing, it will eventually thicken up!
When the cakes have cooled to room temperature, (sometimes I leave them overnight before frosting) carefully transfer them to a large plate or cake stand.
6. When the cakes have cooled apply the first layer of frosting on top of ONE cake, then put the other cake on top of the frosted cake and frost the rest. Smother it on.
7. Add blueberries to the top in a design of your choice. I usually do a number or letter and sometimes just a border.
sixth birthday cake
Recipe by Lisa Leake from the book 100 Days of Real Food
It’s In The Details
Identifying the reason why you like something isn’t as easy at it may seem. I might drive past a house and think, OH, WOW, I adore that house, it’s so striking—so lovely.
The perfectly situated house numbers that are positioned just right so that when the sun hits them they shimmer… the hydrangea bushes and how they create asymmetry in the property line add interest for the eye…or the matte finish of a paint that allows the sun to penetrate the depth of color… the light fixture at the front door that sets the tone and proclaims, this house is grand.
In that moment when looking at the house, you thought it was lovely, but when trying to recall what specifically drew your eye, you only remember the feeling you had when you saw it.
It’s the little things that make design MEMORABLE. No detail is too small. You don’t need too many details, only the right ones.
This is what makes good design great.
You don’t have to have the skilled eye of a designer, only the desire and patience to seek the little things that are sometimes lost in the grander picture.
The effort and attention to figuring out what you like and what makes you feel good.
It’s not following a set of rules from a design book—rather allowing the design story to unfold organically in an unscripted personal way.
My design journey began as a little girl; I can remember studying homes—upon driving by I’d think what is going on behind those picture windows. Each front window I’d pass was like a photograph in a book that became a caption in my head. Curious, intrigued and consumed by the story.
This translates to design. A room tells a story. It reveals the story of the people that live in it, and where they’ve been—what they are about.
I’ve always admired streets with lush greenery and mature trees. Streets with signs of life, swings in the front yard, an abandoned tricycle. Streets with integrity so rich you could feel the years gone by and lives lived.
Streets with soul.
I’m fortunate to live on one of those streets. Our home was the first of five homes built on our block somewhere between 1875-1885.
Our house is OLD.
But while it’s old and nestled on a street with stories for over a century it’s very much alive. Every small detail felt or seen, noticed or unnoticed—it feels just right.
724 has taken me on an unexpected design journey. One that has only just begun. I hope to be a source of inspiration for you on your journey.
Wholeheartedly,
Jaclyn
724
What is a home? Is it a place you long to return to or a dream for your future? Is a home something you choose, or surroundings you're born into? Home for me has always been confusing. Only recently have I come to accept that home for me is a journey, not a destination. What's that saying...? All who wander are not lost. I relate to that. Maybe you do too?
A house can become a home, but a home is never just a house—it's emotional connection and unconditional belonging. A home has more square footage than any structure could ever have—it's a boundless inner world filled with life stories, trials and tears, magic and joy, love and beauty, and it's ever-evolving.
Home for me right now is a cozy place with wood floors so old that you don’t care about life's added scratches. It's a place surrounded by amazing neighbors who share similar values but offer diverse insights that foster deep conversations, smart minds, and bright futures.
Finding this house was a dream come true. While I'm not one who ever truly feels settled, I've started unpacking our inner world, bit by bit, room by room, turning this house into a home, nurturing this home for how ever long we choose to be here.
Thank you for being here with me on this blogging journey where I share all of my home-nurturing ideas and information with you wholeheartedly.
Love,
Jaclyn
the day we closed on the house 3/2021
12/2021