https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog daily 1.0 2026-04-02 https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/welcome-home-yet-again monthly 0.5 2026-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/c02b9af5-4996-429e-ba19-7798b3900e60/Welcome+Home+...+Yet+Again+pic+1.jpg Blog - Welcome Home ... Yet Again - Make it stand out If we live here longer than 4.5 years, it’ll be a record for us staying put in one place in our adult lives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/f1b0ca20-5b81-4f0f-b7b1-c3594a1b429c/Welcome+Home+...+Yet+Again+pic+2.jpg Blog - Welcome Home ... Yet Again - Make it stand out Backyard makeover coming along. I’m no landscape designer, but this looks 10x better without the lumpy sad excuse of a lawn that we inherited. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/my-principles-of-interior-decorating monthly 0.5 2026-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/8063ed7c-9545-4a12-99a5-3d8bee720aaa/My+Principles+of+Interior+Decorating+pic+1.jpg Blog - My Principles of Interior Decorating - Make it stand out Here’s how our primary bedroom is shaping up (although the most current version can be found here). As a demonstration of tip #2 above, you can see how the canopy bed makes an instant statement, and the other elements in the room are lower profile so as to not compete for attention. Other rules at play are #1 (no clutter), #3 (getting the proportions right — see the high and wide curtains), #5 (variety in color, texture, shape, etc.), #6 (layering textiles), #7 (no atrociously fake-looking materials, even though there’s lots of “non-natural” fibers in here), and #10 (warm lighting). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/3b76d15c-8cf7-45e7-84cd-6f3ed8cf905b/My+Principles+of+Interior+Decorating+pic+2.jpg Blog - My Principles of Interior Decorating - Make it stand out I’m all for the blue hue. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/avocado-toast-math-renting-vs-owning-in-an-extraordinarily-expensive-area monthly 0.5 2026-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/d64f705b-d246-4a91-b7ea-456e8f8f6f74/Avocado+Toast+Math+-+Renting+vs.+Owning+in+an+Extraordinarily+Expensive+Area+pic+1.png Blog - Avocado Toast Math: Renting vs. Owning in an Extraordinarily Expensive Area - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/9282290c-3318-42c6-9452-3f2d810c5894/Avocado+Toast+Math+-+Renting+vs.+Owning+in+an+Extraordinarily+Expensive+Area+pic+2.png Blog - Avocado Toast Math: Renting vs. Owning in an Extraordinarily Expensive Area - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/3ff88a13-15c6-4086-a4be-9446c8a23060/Avocado+Toast+Math+-+Renting+vs.+Owning+in+an+Extraordinarily+Expensive+Area+pic+3.png Blog - Avocado Toast Math: Renting vs. Owning in an Extraordinarily Expensive Area - Make it stand out I love where we live, but these homes won’t become any easier to afford by scrimping on avocado toast. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/making-the-cut-moving-edition-again monthly 0.5 2026-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/04c28af2-4beb-42dd-b34d-8e28004eb73e/Making+The+Cut+-+Moving+Edition+%28Again%29+pic+1.png Blog - Making The Cut: Moving Edition (Again) - Make it stand out I probably consult this floor plan at least once a day, as I ponder how to stretch what we have in a 1,300 ft² home to suit a 2,200 ft² home. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/oops-i-did-it-again-i-purchased-a-house monthly 0.5 2026-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/d426bf16-907b-427d-b681-f42723f57f07/Oops%2C+I+Did+It+Again%2C+I+Purchased+a+House+pic+1.jpg Blog - Oops, I Did It Again, I Purchased a House - Make it stand out I can’t believe we’re not going to be apartment/condo-dwellers anymore; I had assumed that might never change. It’ll be so weird to have an attached garage, haha (but that’s the feature my husband is most looking forward to). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/9a245688-a9ef-4c47-b738-eca7d1f9f4fe/Oops%2C+I+Did+It+Again%2C+I+Purchased+a+House+pic+2.jpg Blog - Oops, I Did It Again, I Purchased a House - Make it stand out Another blank slate for me to start from … I’m feeling both excited and exhausted about the work that needs to be done. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/winter-wonderland-in-switzerland monthly 0.5 2026-01-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/a6a63fb6-a697-4a95-9b9d-69ba9de9a5fb/Winter+Wonderland+in+Switzerland+pic+1.jpg Blog - Winter Wonderland in Switzerland - Make it stand out Lucerne and its Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), the most photographed spot in Switzerland or something like that. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e7dd3613-1ed6-4fad-b741-8f453d0966c6/Winter+Wonderland+in+Switzerland+pic+2.jpg Blog - Winter Wonderland in Switzerland - Make it stand out The Alps as seen from Mount Titlis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/77f79617-833b-4eaf-b564-0369f7697408/Winter+Wonderland+in+Switzerland+pic+3.jpg Blog - Winter Wonderland in Switzerland - Make it stand out The largest glacier in the Alps, Aletsch, as seen from Jungfraujoch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/16cf6b7b-a67a-4478-927a-7dc2a205c7f6/Winter+Wonderland+in+Switzerland+pic+4.jpg Blog - Winter Wonderland in Switzerland - Make it stand out Meandering our way through Basel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/5bac6950-69d8-4a0e-af88-45c424746e95/Winter+Wonderland+in+Switzerland+pic+5.jpg Blog - Winter Wonderland in Switzerland - Make it stand out Final night in Zurich, which also happened to be New Year’s Eve. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/mix-and-match-recipes-roasted-sausages-and-grapes monthly 0.5 2025-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/817d37d4-d4a4-41f5-a344-bea2e1066736/Mix+and+Match+Recipes+-+Roasted+Sausages+and+Grapes+pic+1.jpg Blog - Mix and Match Recipes: Roasted Sausages and Grapes - Make it stand out This recipe is so easy and makes our place smell so good as it’s roasting. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/o-minimalist-christmas-tree-o-minimalist-christmas-tree monthly 0.5 2025-12-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/c18c58f1-da63-4d69-8ebd-f3e62bb13249/O+Minimalist+Christmas+Tree+pic+1.jpg Blog - O (Minimalist) Christmas Tree, O (Minimalist) Christmas Tree - Make it stand out What holiday spirit we have now, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/ec8f1aa3-27d0-42e2-b406-909415b4b71c/O+Christmas+Tree+pic+2.jpg Blog - O (Minimalist) Christmas Tree, O (Minimalist) Christmas Tree - Make it stand out Tree decorating in progress. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/let-there-be-all-the-lights monthly 0.5 2025-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/728e1cd3-c09a-4b13-a218-beb38ddafeca/Let+There+Be+%28All+the%29+Light%28s%29+pic+1.jpg Blog - Let There Be (All the) Light(s) - Make it stand out The light fixtures we now have in our home are a big step up aesthetically from what came with the condo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/908f2771-da11-4089-86c5-1051f2f0df9c/Let+There+Be+%28All+the%29+Light%28s%29+pic+2.jpg Blog - Let There Be (All the) Light(s) - Make it stand out Source: Shades of Light https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/822e8f92-1520-4f89-bfac-3c21483bf480/Let+There+Be+%28All+the%29+Light%28s%29+pic+3.png Blog - Let There Be (All the) Light(s) - Make it stand out Before-and-after. Source: Shades of Light https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/hello-sven-i-just-want-to-put-my-hands-on-you monthly 0.5 2025-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/724887ed-2d7a-431b-bd5e-1026f0ec5097/Making+the+Cut+-+Hello%2C+Sven+pic+1.png Blog - Hello, Sven. I Just Want to Put My Hands on You - Make it stand out Before-and-after with the smaller accent chair vs. the new solid armchair. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/4363c8f0-d83f-44ab-b83e-68c7501ec5f8/Hello%2C+Sven+pic+2.jpg Blog - Hello, Sven. I Just Want to Put My Hands on You - Make it stand out This bench pops off the rug, which is what I’d hoped for. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e1940ca2-bc35-432f-b107-8f71c553772e/Hello%2C+Sven+pic+3.png Blog - Hello, Sven. I Just Want to Put My Hands on You - Make it stand out Before-and-after with the dining armchair vs. the scalloped chair. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/lights-camera-academia monthly 0.5 2025-10-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/61b0d9ee-5c41-4df8-8ea8-dd14d66ce914/Lights%2C+Camera%2C+Academia%21+pic+1.jpg Blog - Lights, Camera, Academia! - Make it stand out We got a feel for Caltech last year during the “second visit.” (I suppose the first visit was the interview?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/6485cbe3-0d5f-4c0d-85e4-1074bd26f9a3/Lights%2C+Camera%2C+Academia%21+pic+2.jpg Blog - Lights, Camera, Academia! - Make it stand out We didn’t think hubby would ever be a professor at Stanford when we moved back to California five years ago, but sometimes things work out despite the odds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/a66d60e2-f71e-4e18-9cc1-7fef60f82f15/Lights%2C+Camera%2C+Academia%21+pic+3.png Blog - Lights, Camera, Academia! - Make it stand out Contrary to popular (incorrect) belief, tuition is only one small piece of the puzzle of university finances: you can see that “sponsored support” (i.e., research grants and external funding) is almost 1/3 of total revenue, investment income from the endowment is another 1/3, and tuition only makes up a measly 11%. People often complain that tuition is so high, like it’s going to pay faculty salaries – ha, as if! It’s quite the opposite: faculty have to bring in enough money to pay themselves and subsidize the students, actually. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/play-kitchen-for-keeps monthly 0.5 2025-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/7a921109-44ae-4341-bb29-c2c124bb94dc/Play+Kitchen+Playing+For+Keeps+pic+1.jpg Blog - Play (Kitchen) for Keeps - Make it stand out Throwback Thursday photo. I’m not sure my son ever knew what this play kitchen was. Everything was just one giant chew toy to him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/3fcafc04-79af-43c8-9bac-f2f7e27d41f8/Play+Kitchen+Playing+For+Keeps+pic+2.jpg Blog - Play (Kitchen) for Keeps - Make it stand out I found a spot for the birthday present in the kids’ bedroom, which I initially didn’t want to crowd with more toys, but was fine after I figured out a more efficient arrangement for the space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/220beea3-57c5-4ac5-83e5-125458b3d80f/Play+Kitchen+Playing+For+Keeps+pic+3.jpg Blog - Play (Kitchen) for Keeps - Make it stand out The toy basket that used to sit at the foot of my daughter’s bed is now under the hanging towels, which was an underutilized spot in the bedroom. I actually designed the room this way when we moved in to give my future self (why, hello there) options for filling the space when we needed more storage later. Good thinking, past self! https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/third-years-the-charm monthly 0.5 2025-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/81eb60fc-e7cf-45f8-9fd8-c456d03a6bf0/Third+Year%27s+The+Charm+pic+1.jpg Blog - Third Year’s The Charm - Make it stand out I paused my career for these two silly little people … and I have absolutely no regrets! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/6bec2f7e-3836-44d5-b268-1f7cc16144fd/Third+Year%27s+The+Charm+pic+2.jpg Blog - Third Year’s The Charm - Make it stand out It’s a stretch to call this “gymnastics,” but whatever floats her boat, er, balls. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/legoland-and-inland-empire monthly 0.5 2025-08-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/51f8adf0-c074-4204-ae23-7f113c222f3c/Legoland+and+Inland+%28Empire%29+pic+1.jpg Blog - Legoland and Inland (Empire) - Make it stand out I did not stress (much) about bringing the kids to Legoland. Travel with them is getting easier, although there’s of course still a long way to go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/f1c19c03-7b63-4de6-a5af-745d4876c7cc/Legoland+and+Inland+%28Empire%29+pic+2.jpg Blog - Legoland and Inland (Empire) - Make it stand out A child’s dream come true. Not my usual decor style, believe it or not. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/7efc1844-1864-4bf3-8bce-699f303f1bf6/Legoland+and+Inland+%28Empire%29+pic+3.jpg Blog - Legoland and Inland (Empire) - Make it stand out We tended to do the rides in the morning, when the lines were short, and hang out at playgrounds and Lego building stations in the afternoons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/520d5420-76ad-4a77-9722-be3af104d6c0/Legoland+and+Inland+%28Empire%29+pic+5.jpg Blog - Legoland and Inland (Empire) - Make it stand out What does my daughter see in him?? At least he seems happy and nice, although maybe that’s because his head is full of fluff. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/making-the-cut-no-lack-of-lacks monthly 0.5 2025-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e8240bb8-cfa2-4cdf-8bcf-7151259143d5/Making+the+Cut+-+No+Lack+of+LACKs+pic+1.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: No Lack of LACKs - Make it stand out No drastic changes in here, just the new drink tables (instead of garden stools to serve as sofa side tables) and LACK tables (instead of a bench to serve as the kids’ desk), but I think we’re making better use of the space now and adding functionality to the room that we spend the most time in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/9cbddabc-7147-46da-a084-3f0c97cf81b0/Making+the+Cut+-+No+Lack+of+LACKs+pic+2.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: No Lack of LACKs - Make it stand out Being used as intended. =) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/676bd9cd-eeb2-4ddf-86d9-9039c7bf8145/Making+the+Cut+-+No+Lack+of+LACKs+pic+3.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: No Lack of LACKs - Make it stand out These side tables provide the kids with more space to draw, play with stickers, make origami, whatever their hearts desire! Little sis just wants to be like big bro. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/1ce2dd38-744c-4f4f-9fd1-f68e6dfd0455/Making+the+Cut+-+No+Lack+of+LACKs+pic+4.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: No Lack of LACKs - Make it stand out The bench is back to being a bench! https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/let-there-be-lights monthly 0.5 2025-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/8004844c-07ce-475b-bbf6-de95eefcd88d/Exhibit+A+Replaced+lights+pic+1.png Blog - Let There Be Light(s) - Make it stand out Exhibit A: New and improved light fixtures in the dining room, flex space, and second bedroom. Now it looks like someone (me) actually gave it some thought, which is so much of what design is, after all. Source: CB2 (pendant light) | Crate & Barrel (semi-flush mounts) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/293966ef-4a05-4575-9079-d8b808279e13/Exhibit+B+Primary+bedroom+light+pic+2.png Blog - Let There Be Light(s) - Make it stand out Exhibit B: I don’t do a lot of before-and-afters, but they sure are fun to see! My husband says it looks like I used a virtual decorating app to change the picture. See if you can spot all the differences – I can identify at least three besides the light itself.* Source: IKEA (pendant light) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/8bd335e4-9cbd-4004-bb70-2339ca065840/Exhibit+C+Hallway+bathroom+tube+sconce+pic+3.png Blog - Let There Be Light(s) - Make it stand out It’s striking how the fixtures and color scheme of the “designer” bathroom (on the left) and ours (on the right) are so close. You might think the former inspired the latter, but our bathroom probably actually came first, as this condo was built in 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e36dd12f-c203-4393-8496-a26b8fa410d1/Exhibit+C+Primary+bathroom+tube+sconce+pic+4.png Blog - Let There Be Light(s) - Make it stand out Exhibit C: I have no idea where Stanford sourced our bathroom tube lights from, but it’s easy to find very similar ones everywhere these days. I can’t believe how trendy (and pricey) they are, as I’m doing my best to replace them with something else! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/418558fb-2811-4d0c-9f1a-009171c4ced8/Exhibit+D+Hallway+bathroom+new+light+pic+5.jpg Blog - Let There Be Light(s) - Make it stand out Exhibit D: This sconce makes a big statement in a small bathroom. Source: Rejuvenation (wall sconce) https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/from-bland-to-blue-in-the-bathroom monthly 0.5 2025-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/abc5685c-a968-4b1a-9302-f36513916a5f/Exhibit+D+Hallway+bathroom+new+light+pic+5.jpg Blog - From Bland to Blue in the Bathroom - Make it stand out Hello, new picture and new fixture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/11885ec0-e6c3-4fc7-b8de-ec8061f6597b/Big%2C+Bold%2C+and+Blue+in+the+Bathroom+pic+1.jpg Blog - From Bland to Blue in the Bathroom - Make it stand out Go big or go home. More like, go big and go in my home. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/the-easiest-kitchen-upgrade-i-never-thought-of monthly 0.5 2025-07-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/28869cd5-c542-4933-b577-5ae3783a9ca8/The+Easiest+Kitchen+Upgrade+I+Never+Thought+Of+pic+1.jpg Blog - The Easiest Kitchen Upgrade I Never Thought Of - Make it stand out How did putting peel-and-stick wallpaper on the island never occur to me before?? I was so fixated on the kitchen walls and cupboards that I neglected to consider other potential surfaces … or maybe it’s because I’ve never had a kitchen island before, so it escaped my notice? Either way, this is what I consider a smart and simple solution for a small space, not to mention “renter friendly.” https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/traveling-light-with-tykes monthly 0.5 2025-07-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/95658438-7f86-403c-96db-d3c87fe954d1/Traveling+Light+with+Tykes+pic+1.jpg Blog - Traveling Light with Tykes - Make it stand out Throwback Thursday photo. We can turn any surface into a dining spot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/27fac446-a477-48a7-84eb-19939c1d15cc/Traveling+Light+with+Tykes+pic+2.jpg Blog - Traveling Light with Tykes - Make it stand out An even older Throwback Thursday photo. We logged so. many. hours in that carrier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/54f6472d-4f83-49c1-b559-f4936eec2c28/Traveling+Light+with+Tykes+pic+3.jpg Blog - Traveling Light with Tykes - Make it stand out Once the kids outgrew their overnight feedings, we used the egg light as a nightlight in their room. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/slurping-up-scallion-sauce monthly 0.5 2025-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/7a6a1e01-2480-4556-bdec-bfb19f958197/Slurping+Up+Scallion+Sauce+pic+1.jpg Blog - Slurping Up Scallion Sauce - Make it stand out This flavorful ginger and scallion sauce is eagerly slurped up my bland-food-loving-son. I would’ve never thought it possible! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/3efa4986-0d11-460e-9264-848e6aa63245/Slurping+Up+Scallion+Sauce+pic+2.jpg Blog - Slurping Up Scallion Sauce - Make it stand out You know what they say: Give a kid a bowl of sauce and you feed him for a week. Teach a kid to make sauce and he’ll do it himself and release his parents from this task forever! (Such wishful thinking on my part) https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/spring-siesta-in-spain monthly 0.5 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/0f2b5f6f-9eda-407d-b1c5-055d53778bf8/Spring+Siesta+in+Spain+pic+1.png Blog - Spring Siesta in Spain - Make it stand out Madrid as seen from our hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/81bd96b4-8ddb-4c3d-9c53-7310692078aa/Spring+Siesta+in+Spain+pic+2.png Blog - Spring Siesta in Spain - Make it stand out The aqueduct that Segovia is known for. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/b337235f-5c11-46a0-85a7-772ba5c5898f/Spring+Siesta+in+Spain+pic+3.png Blog - Spring Siesta in Spain - Make it stand out Ávila’s medieval city walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/16fc8d63-1d03-48dc-8d43-04f886faa763/Spring+Siesta+in+Spain+pic+4.png Blog - Spring Siesta in Spain - Make it stand out Toledo on the Tagus River. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/2bb688e5-7987-4efb-88e4-04038e2ae0da/Spring+Siesta+in+Spain+pic+5.png Blog - Spring Siesta in Spain - Make it stand out The palace and gardens of Aranjuez. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e34d1e30-4b4c-46c2-b039-4dac85c76010/Spring+Siesta+in+Spain+pic+6.png Blog - Spring Siesta in Spain - Make it stand out Cheers to traveling sans kids for the first time in a long time! https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/finagling-our-fifteen-year-photoshoot monthly 0.5 2025-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/bd3e0a5a-6b87-461a-a325-0b840ed365e0/Fifteen+Year+Photoshoot+pic+1.png Blog - Finagling Our Fifteen Year Photoshoot - Make it stand out Looks serene, felt and sounded like a madhouse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/27ab8616-12c0-433a-bc07-a4d076ee300e/Fifteen+Year+Photoshoot+pic+2.png Blog - Finagling Our Fifteen Year Photoshoot - Make it stand out Photo credits to Patricia Rossi Photography https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/welcome-home-again monthly 0.5 2025-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/d4bebec4-3885-46c9-a0ed-52009547dac4/Welcome+Home+...+Again+pic+1.jpg Blog - Welcome Home … Again - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/high-ceiling-headaches-and-hacks monthly 0.5 2025-04-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/cebdad95-e06d-4953-8ade-9add03267fb4/High+Ceiling+Headaches+and+Hacks+pic+1.jpg Blog - High Ceiling Headaches and Hacks - Make it stand out Such a simple fix to just add a little trim along the bottom! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/4b4b03af-3048-4f11-8a41-54cdc40fed9b/High+Ceiling+Headaches+and+Hacks+pic+2.jpg Blog - High Ceiling Headaches and Hacks - Make it stand out These hooks can be attached to the curtain rings to raise my curtains an inch higher off the ground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/206a0870-47c2-498c-b6aa-94137630297b/High+Ceiling+Headaches+and+Hacks+pic+2.jpg Blog - High Ceiling Headaches and Hacks - Make it stand out Probably the easiest hack I’ve ever seen. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/functional-decor-ftw monthly 0.5 2025-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/a8a9853f-4737-42f2-aa70-01bb20e05a80/Functional+Decor+pic+1.jpg Blog - Functional Decor FTW - Make it stand out Here’s a sneak peak of our new home. In this shot, you can see rugs, pillows, stools/benches, lighting, a clock, books, and bowls of snacks and fruit employed as decor. Lots more to come once the whole place is ready for show-and-tell! https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/the-day-has-finally-come-were-home-rentowners monthly 0.5 2025-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/46a80321-8226-465b-8c5d-1d82041a9b1e/The+Day+Has+Finally+Come+-+We%27re+Home+Rentowners%21+pic+1.jpg Blog - The Day Has Finally Come: We're Home Rentowners! - Make it stand out An empty canvas for me to play with … kind of … we aren’t allowed to change most things in here, which is why it still feels like a rental when it comes to home decor and decisions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/a3579d8b-eb1c-436a-85a6-f4717371c535/The+Day+Has+Finally+Come+-+We%27re+Home+Rentowners%21+pic+2.jpg Blog - The Day Has Finally Come: We're Home Rentowners! - Make it stand out A quick search of Palo Alto on realtor.com shows the sheer unaffordability of this place. If you take all the prices of the homes for sale within the city boundaries (which matters because these are also the school district boundaries), the average price is $4M. The average person or professor cannot sustain that, hence why Stanford has to provide housing assistance to its faculty. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/making-the-cut-moving-edition monthly 0.5 2025-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/7022e705-f36f-4802-9483-8a1135178dd7/Making+the+Cut+-+Moving+Edition+pic+1.jpg Blog - Making The Cut: Moving Edition - Make it stand out This is what I’m basing all my plans on: a set of rushed measurements and a floorplan that I’ve noticed contains a few minor mistakes … but hopefully it’s close enough. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/the-kids-collage-corner monthly 0.5 2025-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/9b3f358d-8dcb-4b26-8647-461b89956283/The+Kids%27+Collage+Corner+pic+1.jpg Blog - The Kids’ Collage Corner - Make it stand out I’ve begun to tape up a gallery wall above each child’s bed, and we’ll see how it evolves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/726ec46f-98f1-4fcd-a953-eb3ac518179a/The+Kids%27+Collage+Corner+pic+2.jpg Blog - The Kids’ Collage Corner - Make it stand out I took oil painting lessons when I was 7, and my mom decided this was my masterpiece, which is why it survived. Otherwise, I wouldn’t expect to ever see it again, which is totally fine. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/mix-and-match-recipes-lazy-linguica-leftovers monthly 0.5 2025-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/0d5ee948-8314-46f6-a5dd-239c2fdbfbdc/Mix+and+Match+Recipes+-+Lazy+Linguica+Leftovers+pic+1.jpg Blog - Mix and Match Recipes: Lazy Linguiça Leftovers - Make it stand out Costco is one of my happy places, but the package sizes are not congruent with a minimalist lifestyle … unless your version of minimalism is one in which you eat the same thing every day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/d4882578-0c67-4023-8260-46959fd50a61/Mix+and+Match+Recipes+-+Lazy+Linguica+Leftovers+pic+2.jpg Blog - Mix and Match Recipes: Lazy Linguiça Leftovers - Make it stand out Panzanella before mixing the component ingredients together (bread, tomatoes, mozzarella, cucumbers, sausage, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, black pepper, herbs/spices) https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/why-i-redesigned-our-living-area monthly 0.5 2025-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e113bf94-569f-494e-b310-f8b3fac1df9c/Why+I+Redesigned+Our+Living+Area+pic+2.png Blog - Why I Redesigned Our Living Area - Make it stand out Here are photos of our previous living/sleeping area on both sides. It was functional enough, but I figured out how to make it even better after living in it for several months. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/19af968b-5e8a-4468-9d20-93f94db80fbd/Why+I+Redesigned+Our+Living+Area+pic+3.jpg Blog - Why I Redesigned Our Living Area - Make it stand out The main living/sleeping area today. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/picky-palate-problems monthly 0.5 2025-01-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/20022936-2e96-450e-9784-0a3be7365fb3/Picky+Palate+Problems+pic+1.jpg Blog - Picky Palate Problems - Make it stand out Proof that my son once ate octopus. Depending on how things go, it might never happen again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/8da5b9a3-56ae-4988-af53-3e06a9bcc274/Picky+Palate+Problems+pic+2.jpg Blog - Picky Palate Problems - Make it stand out This is the only pouch my son will touch, and the only way to get any vegetables into him. When he was a baby, he’d eat any flavor of purée we got him (over Greek yogurt, no less), but those days are long gone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/9f61cabd-17fa-4f3b-824d-13fc07d15689/Picky+Palate+Problems+pic+3.jpg Blog - Picky Palate Problems - Make it stand out This is our 2yo’s bowl of nibbles that we keep handy on the counter. Different kid, different (food) problems. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/a-simultaneous-stroller-switch monthly 0.5 2025-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/20e3f015-2c09-446f-aa7a-b0400185682b/A+Simultaneous+Stroller+Switch+pic+1.jpg Blog - A Simultaneous Stroller Switch - Make it stand out These are the two strollers we currently take everywhere: the compact but aging Mountain Buggy Nano on the left and the heavier but smoother 3D Quick Close on the right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/4ef0156b-2783-42d8-8dd3-0da2bb5fa41b/A+Simultaneous+Stroller+Switch+pic+2.jpg Blog - A Simultaneous Stroller Switch - Make it stand out This girl has a special affinity for blue cars. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/making-the-cut-no-tv-no-problem-yet monthly 0.5 2025-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/9fc753b4-42c5-4c34-bf9c-c69bcdd3e43a/No+TV%2C+No+Problem+%28Yet%29+pic+1.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: No TV, No Problem (Yet) - Make it stand out This is where the hypothetical TV would go in our living space, but I like it so much more as the kids table/ play area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e52f738d-a8c3-4081-99de-84b37a1bf2da/No+TV%2C+No+Problem+%28Yet%29+pic+2.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: No TV, No Problem (Yet) - Make it stand out We’ve got enough screens to go around for now, sans TV. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/toddler-bed-transition monthly 0.5 2024-11-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/f988fa75-a25e-46b5-8ec5-a8fd25c14008/Toddler+Bed+Transition+pic+1.jpg Blog - Toddler Bed Transition - Make it stand out No more cribs in this family! Everyone has a (kind of) grown up bed now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/bae31e37-ddd2-4947-a633-fba5e6ebfb15/Toddler+Bed+Transition+pic+2.jpg Blog - Toddler Bed Transition - Make it stand out Little sis is guarded by a lineup of stuffed animals. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/faux-tassel-chandelier-a-renter-friendly-decor-hack-that-requires-no-wires monthly 0.5 2024-10-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/83bf6420-4fda-45d4-acc9-2a72495b6e5b/Faux+Tassel+Chandelier+pic+1.jpg Blog - Faux Tassel Chandelier: A Renter-Friendly Decor Hack That Requires No Wires - Make it stand out Our dining area looks that much more intentional and finished with the faux chandelier overhead. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/b27a1185-a4dc-418b-945e-56d0804a1f68/Faux+Tassel+Chandelier+pic+2.jpg Blog - Faux Tassel Chandelier: A Renter-Friendly Decor Hack That Requires No Wires - Make it stand out You can see the approximate size of the tassels in this close-up, plus one of the tiny white ceiling hooks we used to hang it. In our current apartment, this “chandelier” only encircles a recessed light above our dining area, but in our last apartment, it did a marvelous job of hiding the dreaded boob light which protruded from the ceiling like a misplaced mammalian mishap. (PS With Halloween on my mind, these tassels also remind me of small ghosts! Haha) https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/toodle-oo-textiles monthly 0.5 2024-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/cb127cd4-79b3-42bf-9c33-cf20540cfd72/Toodle-oo%2C+Textiles+pic+1.jpg Blog - Toodle-oo, Textiles - Make it stand out As much as I like this look, I should probably move the framed canvas to a spot that’s not hanging over our heads in earthquake country. The hoop textile next to the bed was a DIY I made a few years ago that is now home to countless dust bunnies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/c8e1a3c5-a335-4205-ba39-8912d4525279/Toodle-oo%2C+Textiles+pic+2.jpg Blog - Toodle-oo, Textiles - Make it stand out Here is the new art configuration in our sleeping area: lightweight (and corner-less) sculpture over the bed, framed canvas scooted to the adjacent wall, and no more DIY textile (RIP — I really did like you, I just never wanted to touch you) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/4c8d1a1f-f033-4a4b-9b2f-1fd84b04dd40/Toodle-oo%2C+Textiles+pic+3.jpg Blog - Toodle-oo, Textiles - Make it stand out The kids room got a tiny tweak too: goodbye felt ball garland that was beginning to double its weight in fuzz, hello poster in magnetic frame. The DIY Star Wars canvas (made with nothing more than peel and stick paper) gets to stay because it’s rigid and therefore easy to dust. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/two-years-out-100-percent-in monthly 0.5 2025-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e2f275ed-73b1-4365-be73-f044251923dd/Two+Years+Out%2C+100%25+In+pic+1.jpg Blog - Two Years Out, 100% In - Make it stand out These two troublemakers sure keep us busy, and it’s been really nice to be present for all the fun (and less fun) kid things without having to jigsaw family time and work time together in a way that felt unsatisfying for both endeavors. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/family-planning-flubs-our-birthday-blunders monthly 0.5 2024-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/7f105fcd-3ce9-49e9-abcf-e2fd31764676/Family+Planning+Gone+Awry-+Our+Birthday+Blunders+pic+1.jpeg Blog - Family Planning Flubs: Our Birthday Blunders - Make it stand out Fall is a beautiful time to be born, but it’s too oversubscribed! https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/our-summer-micro-trips-this-year monthly 0.5 2024-08-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/5ff4d9ff-f9ae-4164-8e0e-cd04009255a0/Our+Summer+%E2%80%9CMicro+Trips%E2%80%9D+This+Year+pic+1.jpg Blog - Our Summer “Micro Trips” This Year - Make it stand out This is probably the most photogenic spot at Caltech — they’re all about function over form, it would seem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/1c6528f6-073d-4a6d-aae3-88f1e5d1e10c/Our+Summer+%E2%80%9CMicro+Trips%E2%80%9D+This+Year+pic+2.jpg Blog - Our Summer “Micro Trips” This Year - Make it stand out Second cousins, but who’s counting? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/c791653d-00f8-420e-89eb-cd89d5b80dc2/Our+Summer+%E2%80%9CMicro+Trips%E2%80%9D+This+Year+pic+3.jpg Blog - Our Summer “Micro Trips” This Year - Make it stand out We also “celebrated” my son’s 5.5 year birthday at the conference, which is just an excuse for him to pick out cupcakes, naturally. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/mix-and-match-recipes-summer-salad-season monthly 0.5 2024-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/dbff25b1-ea34-4251-948a-b77662a181c3/Mix+and+Match+Recipes+-+Summer+Salad+Season+pic+1.jpg Blog - Mix and Match Recipes: Summer Salad Season - Make it stand out This is the one I made most recently (#2 below: white bean salad). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/3903101d-d93b-4434-9a48-29ae4904f831/Mix+and+Match+Recipes+-+Summer+Salad+Season+pic+2.jpg Blog - Mix and Match Recipes: Summer Salad Season - Make it stand out This is my all-star capsule pantry lineup of spices (plus olive oil) that I use almost exclusively, the primary exception being Asian cuisine (which I don’t have a salad for, because that would be blasphemy). https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/half-a-lifetime-a-whole-life monthly 0.5 2025-04-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/2916257e-38d3-408b-b9b1-14fe0d0937c0/Half+a+Lifetime%2C+A+Whole+Life+pic+1.jpeg Blog - Half a Lifetime, A Whole Life - Make it stand out College sweetbarts. Get it? (Probably not, unless you’re familiar with Bay Area transit) Photo credit to my college roomie Lisha Wang, who encouraged/ forced us to let her take an engagement photoshoot. It turned out to be the right decision. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/847ebba1-6b58-43d3-9aed-e4bb8215f43a/Half+a+Lifetime%2C+A+Whole+Life+pic+2.jpg Blog - Half a Lifetime, A Whole Life - Make it stand out Perhaps we are finally settling down after 1 postdoc, 2 kids, 3 internships, 4 diplomas, 5 crossroads, 6 jobs, 7 years on the other coast, and 8 cities. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/return-of-the-professor monthly 0.5 2024-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/6e193452-788a-4cb8-b06b-61ecddaf12c8/Return+of+the+Professor+pic+1.jpg Blog - Return of the Professor - Make it stand out From Stanford PhD to Stanford professor, who woulda thunk? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e1d7ccba-0bde-45f9-8eb8-c98999e0cfa7/Return+of+the+Professor+pic+2.jpg Blog - Return of the Professor - Make it stand out We are grateful that we can finally make the Bay Area our “indefinite home,” where our journey together started 18 years ago. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/a-tailored-toddler-timetable monthly 0.5 2024-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/4b64f62f-3bfe-4636-b169-caa547ab22db/A+Tailored+Toddler+Timetable+pic+1.jpg Blog - A Tailored Toddler Timetable - Make it stand out Out and about on our daily activities. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/two-adults-one-family-laptop monthly 0.5 2024-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/03ffb848-daee-4ff8-a3e7-4a63b2be81d4/Two+Adults%2C+One+Family+Laptop+pic+1.jpg Blog - Two Adults, One Family Laptop — The Verdict So Far - Make it stand out Our iPad has a keyboard case that enables us to use it much like a laptop, although the case largely functions as an overpriced stand so our 5-year old can watch shows on YouTube after school. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/6dc98a46-e823-47a2-9aff-b29dbf06d93b/Two+Adults%2C+One+Family+Laptop+pic+2.jpg Blog - Two Adults, One Family Laptop — The Verdict So Far - Make it stand out Our very clean desk and charging setup, just the way I like it. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/our-toy-sharing-philosophy-is-a-work-in-progress monthly 0.5 2024-05-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/8911dd8c-4cef-4636-9fe3-9b52d0259dfb/tempImagezi5t2Q.jpg Blog - Our Toy Sharing Philosophy (is a Work in Progress) - Make it stand out What should be the rule for “hogging” toys for extended periods of time, like these Legos (Duplos, technically) on semi-permanent display? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/f0e1a914-8a3b-48cd-9950-0319bea81cc1/tempImage1IzWh4.jpg Blog - Our Toy Sharing Philosophy (is a Work in Progress) - Make it stand out Hey, double Cosmo. You’re ruining my minimalist rap. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/my-kids-are-minimalist-talkers monthly 0.5 2024-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/7573858e-3c74-421a-9ff3-e03b8d92c919/My+Kids+Are+Minimalist+Talkers.jpg Blog - My Kids Are Minimalist Talkers - Make it stand out He was probably saying “kkkkkkkkkk.” https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/our-spring-micro-trips-this-year monthly 0.5 2024-04-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/4bf05423-c734-4565-96b7-719443f8c383/tempImagedAqbSj.jpg Blog - Our Spring "Micro Trips" This Year - Make it stand out Monterey and our hotel were lovely. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/144c361a-c440-4b65-9199-9a2a2b7948ee/tempImagecAWlfH.jpg Blog - Our Spring "Micro Trips" This Year - Make it stand out Reveling in an hour of peace and quiet without any kids in sight (or earshot). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/2733ef23-f7e2-4a24-be66-23302fcd3200/tempImageEmlh3s.jpg Blog - Our Spring "Micro Trips" This Year - Make it stand out It rained at the beginning and end of our trip, but that gave us a week in between to enjoy the views with our wines. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/mix-and-match-recipes-sausage-white-bean-soup monthly 0.5 2024-04-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/0217ea69-7c47-418f-919f-f998a702a4e7/Mix+and+Match+Recipes+-+Sausage+White+Bean+Soup+pic+1.jpg Blog - Mix and Match Recipes: Sausage White Bean Soup - Make it stand out In this particular instance, I used a dollop of pesto and a sprinkling of Parmesan to give the soup more umami flavor, and leftover sweet Italian sausage from another meal — nothing gets wasted in this soup! https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/making-the-cut-rug-in-kids-room monthly 0.5 2024-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/b83f2eeb-7721-4c45-9cba-c79a56209e18/Making+the+Cut+-+Rug+in+Kids+Room+pic+1.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: Rug in Kids Room - Make it stand out Our new rug at home in the kids’ room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/66c6a8e2-f5dd-4aa0-b7c2-56e67d82a19c/Making+the+Cut+-+Rug+in+Kids+Room+pic+2.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: Rug in Kids Room - Make it stand out The kids started playing on the rug immediately, although little sis serves the role of Todzilla to demolish everything in her path whenever she stomps through. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/toys-that-earn-their-keep-in-our-small-space monthly 0.5 2024-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/ec5feaee-82f9-4a0b-b1cf-54f5a6b4f5ff/Toys+That+Earn+Their+Keep+in+Our+Small+Space+pic+1.jpg Blog - Toys That Earn Their Keep in Our Small Space - Make it stand out All of the kids toys are contained in this one picture (ignore the hanging clothes and boxes in the closet), so we make sure to only keep what is played with repeatedly and for many hours on end. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/eb511073-e6b1-4dcb-bf1b-2b82c1cbe6b5/Toys+That+Earn+Their+Keep+in+Our+Small+Space+pic+2.jpg Blog - Toys That Earn Their Keep in Our Small Space - Make it stand out The foam folding mattress was meant to be a makeshift bed, but the kids have figured out how to turn it into a play structure and fort. Good job making it more multipurpose! https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/how-a-minimalist-makes-her-bed monthly 0.5 2024-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/82fce3e4-e008-45d3-b890-d904797e4fbe/How+a+Minimalist+Makes+Her+Bed+pic+1.jpg Blog - How a Minimalist Makes Her Bed - Make it stand out My most recent bedscape experiment (no. 3), with a bedspread serving as a blanket. So far, this has been reasonably comfortable, aesthetically-pleasing, and quick to straighten up in the morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/8ee4cd45-ee83-4e24-b87b-a847557c92b3/How+a+Minimalist+Makes+Her+Bed+pic+2.jpg Blog - How a Minimalist Makes Her Bed - Make it stand out Left: Experiment no. 1 (2006-2019) – Comforter inside duvet cover. Right: Experiment no. 2 (2019-2024) – Duvet cover acting as a flat sheet, with large throw blanket on top. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/micro-trips-with-micro-humans monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/097042e7-4a87-41af-997b-98904083a874/Micro+Trips+with+Young+Children+pic+1.jpg Blog - Micro Trips with Micro Humans - Make it stand out We run on our kids’ schedules even during trips, where we make sure they get their meals, snacks, naps, and bedtime routines just as they’re used to, lest they become exploding balls of pent up rage. That’s why I don’t call traveling with kids a vacation, as nice as the change of scenery is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/5cfd6699-eaba-4e24-9074-c18ec8400f94/Micro+Trips+with+Young+Children+pic+3.jpg Blog - Micro Trips with Micro Humans - Make it stand out The hotel is the destination now, and we certainly pay for it. The prime views make it easier to be cooped up inside, and a balcony serves as an extra room to retreat to. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/creating-a-cozy-closery monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/6497a0c4-d5a9-4fa0-91e2-4d196dfc8d12/Creating+a+Cozy+Closery+%28Closet+Nursery%29+pic+1.jpg Blog - Creating a Cozy Closery (Closet Nursery) - Make it stand out Crib, mattress, and fitted sheet: Nestig | Peel-and-stick wallpaper: Amazon | Felt ball garland: Paper Source | Dish risers: Container Store | Curtain: IKEA | Tension rod and clips: Amazon https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/i-like-to-kiss-my-finances-that-is monthly 0.5 2024-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/2f3a5e01-7ab9-408d-912f-29f24983d8c5/I+Like+to+KISS+...+My+Finances%2C+That+Is+pic+1.jpg Blog - I Like to KISS … My Finances, That Is - Make it stand out I’m a huge proponent of taking a personal finance course at some point before becoming responsible for your own financial decisions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/c173bc68-3543-4f73-8046-12763c7d310c/I+Like+to+KISS+...+My+Finances%2C+That+Is+pic+2.png Blog - I Like to KISS … My Finances, That Is - Make it stand out Finance can seem complicated and intimidating, but we boil it down to the basics for our own personal purposes. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/its-the-most-wonderful-smelling-time-of-the-year-savory-edition monthly 0.5 2024-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/6e021d9c-c43d-4896-ac7f-7980112d9c78/It%27s+the+Most+Wonderful+%28Smelling%29+Time+of+the+Year%2C+Savory+Edition+pic+1.jpg Blog - It's the Most Wonderful (Smelling) Time of the Year, Savory Edition - Make it stand out The newest addition to our kitchen drawers, after the double-ended measuring spoon I talked about in my previous post. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/its-the-most-wonderful-smelling-time-of-the-year-sweets-edition monthly 0.5 2025-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/4d100173-5745-4971-931b-14c52488234e/It%27s+the+Most+Wonderful+%28Smelling%29+Time+of+the+Year%2C+Sweets+Edition+pic+1.jpg Blog - It's the Most Wonderful (Smelling) Time of the Year, Sweets Edition - Make it stand out Nesting with my nose. The cinnamon in this baked baguette French toast smells particularly cozy, given the season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/040d9393-1696-42b6-838c-5fa5f7e22d4a/It%27s+the+Most+Wonderful+%28Smelling%29+Time+of+the+Year%2C+Sweets+Edition+pic+2.jpg Blog - It's the Most Wonderful (Smelling) Time of the Year, Sweets Edition - Make it stand out This double-ended measuring spoon is the only item I acquired to enable my baking mania - I otherwise use general kitchenware (e.g., fork for whisking, mason jar for measuring, casserole dish lined with foil for baking) https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/our-approach-to-holiday-gifting monthly 0.5 2023-12-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/96c8e230-f53c-41b5-8507-31c12033e289/Our+Approach+to+%28Holiday%29+Gifting+-+We%27re+Not+Total+Gift+Grinches+pic+1.jpg Blog - Our Approach to (Holiday) Gifting – We’re Not Total Gift Grinches! - Make it stand out This is a rare sight around our home, and usually limited to kids birthday parties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/de562570-ef47-4e74-8ffe-f6d3e460b1f6/Our+Approach+to+%28Holiday%29+Gifting+-+We%27re+Not+Total+Gift+Grinches+pic+2.jpg Blog - Our Approach to (Holiday) Gifting – We’re Not Total Gift Grinches! - Make it stand out Consumable gifts are my go-to, for kids as well as adults. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/how-this-minimalist-manages-thanksgiving-dinner monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/92790813-1c3a-4564-a3b1-c6cf6fd911cf/How+This+Minimalist+Manages+Thanksgiving+Dinner+pic+1.jpg Blog - How This Minimalist Manages Thanksgiving Dinner - Make it stand out I’m like a turkey in headlights when I contemplate hosting for Thanksgiving, although I’ve attempted to de-stress and simplify the process by using my capsule pantry as a base to build upon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/eb6ec06e-5f25-4ebe-873f-80f9dade7822/How+This+Minimalist+Manages+Thanksgiving+Dinner+pic+2.jpg Blog - How This Minimalist Manages Thanksgiving Dinner - Make it stand out One example of a junk food pantry raid as a last-minute dessert are these ginger cookies that I turned into sandwiches with the addition of cream cheese frosting. Zero effort, infinite payoff! https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/making-the-cut-bench-and-kids-table monthly 0.5 2025-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/bb155084-4169-4331-9c81-a665b36ab82b/Making+the+Cut+-+Bench+and+Kids+Table+pic+1.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: Bench and Kids Table - Make it stand out The side of our main living space containing the hardly ever used kids table and chairs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/9dda52d4-47b1-424f-b8e5-3a26c70ebfd0/Making+the+Cut+-+Bench+and+Kids+Table+pic+2.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: Bench and Kids Table - Make it stand out Our bench is now the kids table, and the actual kids table has been transformed into a portable jigsaw puzzle/toy assembly surface for my 4-year old’s newest hobby. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-hauls-of-halloween monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/20b7a747-4aac-4231-8983-878c4aa1b052/How+to+Handle+the+Hauls+of+Halloween+pic+1.jpg Blog - How to Handle the Hauls of Halloween - Make it stand out Consumable paraphernalia are my go-to when I want to inject a little festivity into my life. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/swedish-dishcloths monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/b8a760a9-19fc-4cab-9f18-4446c26f18aa/Making+the+Cut+-+Swedish+Dishcloths+pic+1.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: Swedish Dishcloths - Make it stand out We keep our dishcloths out of the way by hanging them on our dish drying rack. It also looks less weird when they dry all stiff and bunched up if they’re suspended, rather than standing up on the counter. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/holler-if-you-hate-hosting-at-home monthly 0.5 2023-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/b12f33d7-4ba7-43b3-83a0-df4ac632cb01/Holler+if+You+Hate+Hosting+at+Home+pic+1.jpg Blog - Holler if You Hate Hosting at Home - Make it stand out A shared space where I like to lounge and eat with friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/5f82860b-e8ce-42c0-b92d-cf1f162daa04/Holler+if+You+Hate+Hosting+at+Home+pic+2.jpg Blog - Holler if You Hate Hosting at Home - Make it stand out We like playgrounds (indoors or outdoors) for parties because of the built-in entertainment for the kids. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/the-never-ending-evolution-of-our-dining-room monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/1169324e-aced-4912-9c65-95acd665be12/The+%28Never-Ending%29+Evolution+of+our+Dining+Room+pic+1.jpg Blog - The (Never-Ending) Evolution of Our Dining Room - Make it stand out The latest iteration of our dining area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/8c23e84c-6bdb-4750-aea8-d03ccdd0ca4e/The+%28Never-Ending%29+Evolution+of+our+Dining+Room+pic+2.jpg Blog - The (Never-Ending) Evolution of Our Dining Room - Make it stand out The dining area with the faux pampas stems (that my preschooler called “the big orange bird”) and the liquor ledge that was great in theory but drove me slightly nuts in reality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e86a2863-257f-4baf-b656-971960555197/The+%28Never-Ending%29+Evolution+of+our+Dining+Room+pic+3.jpg Blog - The (Never-Ending) Evolution of Our Dining Room - Make it stand out The leaning mirror that I decided ate up too much floor space and that I got tired of wiping, TBH. This picture also shows when we had the Tolix A56-style chairs with the high arms. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/34-years-34-countries-and-counting monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/57fcb79d-52d0-4738-8332-924e33f095b4/34+Years%2C+34+Countries+and+Counting+pic+1.jpg Blog - 34 Years, 34 Countries and Counting - Make it stand out Our first trip together, after graduating from college and right before our wedding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/5bec7115-710c-437e-8a5d-7f41baf2abfb/34+Years%2C+34+Countries+and+Counting+pic+2.jpg Blog - 34 Years, 34 Countries and Counting - Make it stand out Our most recent trip together, the “babymoon” before our daughter’s arrival. Hawaii is extremely photogenic. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/capsule-pantry-for-the-minimalist-cook monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e316d6fc-7d4b-4a92-b7e2-5e549a00f5eb/Capsule+Pantry+for+the+Minimalist+Cook+pic+1.jpg Blog - Capsule Pantry for the Minimalist Cook - Make it stand out Our entire “pantry” fits in the two cupboards to the left of the microwave. We only use 2 of the 3 shelves, actually. I won’t show you the inside (I’m not a neat freak when it comes to my food storage, apparently), but it’s clear that I can’t be a hoarder of food if it all fits in here, and with room to spare. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/9990cc00-f7b3-457e-aabf-f5ed1d64e067/Ingredients+table.png Blog - Capsule Pantry for the Minimalist Cook - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/b535c93b-72f3-400c-a4aa-ba26cfcfb21e/Recipes+table.png Blog - Capsule Pantry for the Minimalist Cook - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/breastonomics-101-breastfeeding-is-not-free monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/ea937369-f0a2-43e9-8484-7a16dbd30744/Breastonomics+101+-+Breastfeeding+is+not+Free+pic+1.jpg Blog - Breastonomics 101 - Breastfeeding is Not “Free” - Make it stand out 32oz ready-to-feed bottle on the left, and powder formula on the right. Both may be cheaper than the mother’s time. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/2-tier-dish-drying-rack monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/6221538e-9ada-44f5-b5cc-b2fee363885e/Making+the+Cut+-+2-Tier+Dish+Drying+Rack+pic+1.jpg Blog - Making the Cut: 2-Tier Dish Drying Rack - Make it stand out Dish rack: Yamazaki Home https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/trading-corporate-america-for-crazy-kiddos monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/4bb6b616-69ee-4ae0-ac44-e9f83ae67722/Trading+Corporate+America+for+Crazy+Kiddos+pic+1.jpeg Blog - Trading Corporate America for Crazy Kiddos - Make it stand out View from the McKinsey office where I started after getting my MBA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/cb9a7df6-a4f3-4fe1-bcd5-14e3cf242839/Trading+Corporate+America+for+Crazy+Kiddos+pic+2.jpeg Blog - Trading Corporate America for Crazy Kiddos - Make it stand out Four years and 31 A+’s later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/8671f639-d269-4233-a9c9-538efbe500d8/Trading+Corporate+America+for+Crazy+Kiddos+pic+3.jpg Blog - Trading Corporate America for Crazy Kiddos - Make it stand out Trading my full-time job to become a full-time parent. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/category/Parenthood+and+Progeny monthly 0.5 https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/category/Products+and+Possessions monthly 0.5 https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/category/Places+and+Perspectives monthly 0.5 https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/category/Projects+and+Possessions monthly 0.5 https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/category/Pantry+and+Provisions monthly 0.5 https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/blog/category/Plans+and+Possessions monthly 0.5 https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad daily 0.75 2026-04-03 https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/entryway-and-living-room-2026 monthly 0.5 2026-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/ff593d08-b367-4d73-a659-cc17389ffd88/Entryway+and+Living+Room+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Entryway and Living Room - Make it stand out Hall tree: Pottery Barn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/491a7a77-8ad4-4fd2-a9f9-affa49316089/Entryway+and+Living+Room+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Entryway and Living Room - Make it stand out Sofa: Article | Throw pillows: Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn | Drink tables: Target | Ottoman: Wayfair | Rugs: Lowe’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/c9c5ed1e-7fbb-4cfa-9ef1-f92dd82c5424/Entryway+and+Living+Room+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Entryway and Living Room - Make it stand out Piano: Yamaha | Sheepskin: IKEA | Canvas art: Minted | Arch lamp: Amazon | Stool: IKEA | Armchair: Article | Throw pillow: West Elm | Tension rods: Amazon | Curtains and rings: IKEA https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/dining-room-and-kitchen-2026 monthly 0.5 2026-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/486d73c7-c6c3-4fa2-9f9b-a15e9d6530e0/Dining+Room+and+Kitchen+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Dining Room and Kitchen - Make it stand out Dining table: Target | Dining chairs: Target | High chair: Stokke | Cabinet: IKEA | Gold tray: West Elm | Canvas art: Minted | Stool: IKEA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/f01241cf-19b5-4a27-8b25-dcc89a46a257/Dining+Room+and+Kitchen+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Dining Room and Kitchen - Make it stand out Pendant lights: Shades of Light | Fruit bowl: Home Goods | Water pitcher: HomeGoods | Dish rack: Yamazaki Home | Marble paper towel holder: Crate & Barrel | Gold bowl: HomeGoods https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/downstairs-room-and-half-bath-2026 monthly 0.5 2026-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/c701d3e5-6aac-4116-9c58-a2324690257e/Downstairs+Room+and+Half+Bath+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Downstairs Room and Half Bath - Make it stand out Scalloped chair: Wayfair | Cube storage unit: Target | Animal bins: 3 Sprouts | Wall art: DIY with contact paper | Play kitchen: IKEA | Rug: IKEA | Curtain rod: Rejuvenation | Curtains and rings: IKEA | Pendant light: CB2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/a488ec0f-4a00-4daf-8b9a-1db288c9a3e5/Downstairs+Room+and+Half+Bath+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Downstairs Room and Half Bath - Make it stand out Desks: IKEA (LACK side tables) | Chairs: Melissa & Doug | Poster: Paper Source, with magnetic frame from Michael’s | Rolling cart: Target | Wall hooks (not pictured): Umbra https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/4ade5d9f-1675-4d32-91b4-21b7a4ec8592/Downstairs+Room+and+Half+Bath+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Downstairs Room and Half Bath - Make it stand out Picture: DIY (materials from Paper Source, frame from IKEA) | Rug: Costco (Rifle Paper Co x Loloi collab) | Hand towel: Target | Wall sconces: Shades of Light https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/primary-bedroom-and-bath-2026 monthly 0.5 2026-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/fc9169fd-2aa7-4eb3-8fba-bbce44e879f3/Primary+Bedroom+and+Bath+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Primary Bedroom and Bath - Make it stand out Bed frame: IKEA | Pillowcases: Crate & Barrel | Bedsheet: Parachute |‍ ‍Bedspread: IKEA | Throw pillow: IKEA | Art: DIY (frame from Amazon) | Pedestal side tables: World Market | Table clock: Target | Table lamp: Article | Acacia bench: IKEA | Semi-flush mount light: Crate & Barrel | Curtain rods: Rejuvenation | Curtains and rings: IKEA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/cf72e131-35b0-4c7a-837e-6b2e71aa624c/Primary+Bedroom+and+Bath+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Primary Bedroom and Bath - Make it stand out Desk: Target | Chair: Target | Wall sculpture: Amazon | Sofa: Article | Throw pillow: Crate & Barrel | Picture: DIY (poster from Paper Source, frame from Michael’s) | Chindi rug: World Market https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/a6143ce9-e938-4f8b-8b37-a3d42e4ca1c7/Primary+Bedroom+and+Bath+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Primary Bedroom and Bath - Make it stand out Wall sconces: Shades of Light | Bamboo box: IKEA | Hand towels: Target | Rug: Costco https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/second-and-third-bedrooms-upstairs-bath-and-laundry-room-2026 monthly 0.5 2026-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/5cd1b7c0-3f95-49f6-9802-9a84099143ff/Second+and+Third+Bedrooms%2C+Upstairs+Bath%2C+and+Laundry+Room+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Second and Third Bedrooms, Upstairs Bath, and Laundry Room - Make it stand out Left bed frame: Crate & Barrel | Right bed frame: IKEA | Sheet sets: Macy’s and Crate & Barrel | Blankets: Costco | Dresser: IKEA, with knobs from Home Depot | Scalloped basket: Target | Pendant light: IKEA | Curtain rods: Rejuvenation | Curtains and rings: IKEA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/0ad26260-048c-4384-82f0-b5b87eb5f42b/Second+and+Third+Bedrooms%2C+Upstairs+Bath%2C+and+Laundry+Room+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Second and Third Bedrooms, Upstairs Bath, and Laundry Room - Make it stand out Stools: IKEA | Bed frame: IKEA | Coverlet: Amazon | Throw pillow: IKEA | Art: DIY (frame from IKEA) | Lamps: Target | Upholstered bench: Target | Leaning ladder: Yamazaki Home | Floor mirror (not pictured): Target | Pendant light: IKEA | Curtain rods: Rejuvenation | Curtains and rings: IKEA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/90fbb425-224f-40e8-9a7e-978c5773618e/Second+and+Third+Bedrooms%2C+Upstairs+Bath%2C+and+Laundry+Room+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Second and Third Bedrooms, Upstairs Bath, and Laundry Room - Make it stand out Shower curtain: IKEA | Rug: Costco (Rifle Paper Co x Loloi collab) | Art: DIY (frames from Amazon) | Hand towel: Target | Wall sconce: Rejuvenation | Bamboo box: IKEA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/c3a281e0-70a0-435c-909d-9a8e87dd6b64/Second+and+Third+Bedrooms%2C+Upstairs+Bath%2C+and+Laundry+Room+pic+4.jpg Peek at our Pad - Second and Third Bedrooms, Upstairs Bath, and Laundry Room - Make it stand out Vase and branches: Target https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/entryway-2025 monthly 0.5 2026-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/03aa7234-3252-4a24-a7e9-c9c06b970472/Entryway+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Entryway (previous) - Make it stand out Console table and shoe rack: Yamazaki Home | Floor mat: Target https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/0c6704ab-abc7-4fd0-806f-0ff58ab97493/Entryway+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Entryway (previous) - Make it stand out Hall tree: Pottery Barn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/b1f098d0-a658-4c7a-aefd-e1b97acfde21/Entryway+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Entryway (previous) - Make it stand out Flex space-turned-pseudo-bedroom off the entryway. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/living-room-2025 monthly 0.5 2026-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/42f8c771-65a6-476a-8bfb-fb00d0110c84/Living+room+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Living Room (previous) - Make it stand out Piano: Yamaha | Sheepskin: IKEA | Canvas prints: Minted ‍| Armchair: Article | Arch lamp: Amazon | Framed photo: DIY | Rugs: Lowe’s | Faux leather bench: Wayfair | Sofa: Article | Pillows: Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn | Drink tables: Target | Curtain rods: Rejuvenation | Curtains and rings: IKEA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/2103f5f0-5ae9-4e38-a2d6-b5f5a9a0163b/Living+room+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Living Room (previous) - Make it stand out In lieu of a coffee table, I opted for a lightweight bench that can be easily pushed to the side of the room to give the kids maximum floor space to play. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/3bf7c9e5-af31-409f-bb0a-d8c9edd0a8e2/Living+room+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Living Room (previous) - Make it stand out We do not lack for sunshine in here. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/dining-room-and-kitchen-2025 monthly 0.5 2026-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/7094cff4-d9dc-4e72-a853-cbbb12146df5/Dining+Room+and+Kitchen+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Dining Room and Kitchen (previous) - Make it stand out Table: Target | Chairs: Target | Highchair: Stokke | Bowl: HomeGoods | Wall clock: Target | Curtain rods: Rejuvenation | Curtains and rings: IKEA | Moon pendant light: Crate & Barrel | Canvas print: Minted https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/1903d82d-db44-4cc5-9aa3-c3a3bf5ce839/Dining+Room+and+Kitchen+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Dining Room and Kitchen (previous) - Make it stand out That corner window caused me quite a bit of consternation! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/11808461-dc6e-457d-9b85-5f41e7f6b938/Dining+Room+and+Kitchen+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Dining Room and Kitchen (previous) - Make it stand out Marble paper towel holder: Crate & Barrel | Dish rack: Yamazaki Home | Gold bowl: HomeGoods | Water pitcher: HomeGoods | Pendant lights: Shades of Light https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/flex-space-2025 monthly 0.5 2026-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/ebaa5cdd-f212-4175-8e24-77562ad8cb19/Flex+space+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Flex Space (previous) - Make it stand out Closing off the flex space with plantation shutters transforms our 2-bedroom condo into a 3ish-bedroom condo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/0c99eac9-dd28-48a3-95a0-c14983dd6dd4/Flex+space+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Flex Space (previous) - Make it stand out Folding mattress: Milliard | Folding bedframe: Walmart | Sheets: Nautica | Bedspread: Amazon | Stools: IKEA | Rug: Costco | Sunburst mirror: Amazon https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/primary-bedroom-and-bath-2025 monthly 0.5 2026-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/85c3f1d9-3c9d-49ae-8fb1-11a8f02b2529/Primary+Bedroom+and+Bath+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Primary Bedroom and Bath (previous) - Make it stand out Bed frame: IKEA | Pillow cases: Crate & Barrel | Throw pillow: West Elm | Bedspread: Amazon | Gold hoop art: Amazon | Lamps: Target | Dressers: IKEA | Dresser knobs: Home Depot | Table clock: IKEA | Clipboards: Target | Pendant light: IKEA | Floor runner: World Market | Curtain rod: Rejuvenation | Curtains and rings: IKEA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/8967ea83-0d4c-42dc-9763-a27285c3e6bc/Primary+Bedroom+and+Bath+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Primary Bedroom and Bath (previous) - Make it stand out Metal star: Amazon | Scalloped chair: Wayfair | Leaning ladder: Yamazaki Home | Throw blanket: Amazon | Picture: DIY, frame from Michael’s, background from Paper Source | Desk: Target | Chair: Target | Mirror: Target https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/a4cbdd44-4c00-4502-85fd-491335d054a8/Primary+Bedroom+and+Bath+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Primary Bedroom and Bath (previous) - Make it stand out The dressers look so much better with a super easy swap of the knobs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/f7ef2166-6887-48ad-87b7-93d154301472/Primary+Bedroom+and+Bath+pic+4.jpg Peek at our Pad - Primary Bedroom and Bath (previous) - Make it stand out Runner: Costco | Accordion hooks: World Market | Turkish towels: Amazon | Sconce lights: Shades of Light https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/second-bedroom-2025 monthly 0.5 2026-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/c18f259b-31b4-4cb0-844d-0df94f47e0f8/Kids+Bedroom+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Second Bedroom (and Hallway Bath) (previous) - Make it stand out Twin bed frame: Crate & Barrel | Twin duvet cover and sheets: Macy’s | Storage cubby: Target | Storage bins: Container Store | Poster: Paper Source | Magnetic poster frame: Michael’s | Rug: IKEA | Toddler bed: Nestig Wave converted crib | Toddler sheets: Pottery Barn Kids | Woven basket: Target https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/2179c6f6-4305-41c7-86f7-ed914380537b/Kids+Bedroom+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Second Bedroom (and Hallway Bath) (previous) - Make it stand out Curtain rods: Rejuvenation | Curtains and rings: IKEA | Chair: Target | Flower pillow: Target | Stool: IKEA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/d00a53af-7ac4-4241-947c-942b1a0ec3c0/Kids+Bedroom+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Second Bedroom (and Hallway Bath) (previous) - Make it stand out Towel hooks: Umbra | Towels: Target | Drawer unit: IKEA | Basket for hamper: Target https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/entryway-2023 monthly 0.5 2026-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/f374fc09-c2d7-491d-88a2-2906dc5b2c44/Entryway+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Entryway (previous²) - Make it stand out Shoe rack: Yamazaki Home | Console table: Yamazaki Home | Water pitcher: HomeGoods https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/34c4c8d4-b6f4-4e1e-a35b-128edfd8c2b8/Entryway+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Entryway (previous²) - Make it stand out Wall hooks: Amazon Basics | Red star: Amazon | Small bowl: flea market in Lisbon | Black wire basket: Target | Acacia bench: IKEA Skogsta https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/a74966a9-4f2a-404a-9174-c9bef10853c9/Entryway+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Entryway (previous²) - Make it stand out Turkish towel: Amazon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/bb8678b5-3e44-4f56-9c75-bb7026c5ab1b/Entryway+pic+4.jpg Peek at our Pad - Entryway (previous²) - Make it stand out 20x30” poster frame: Michael’s https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/main-living-area-2023 monthly 0.5 2026-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/98f44ce4-5cac-4c1e-976f-7ea0f37beb79/Main+Living+Area+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Main Living Area (previous²) - Make it stand out Couch: Article | Floor lamp: Amazon | Garden stool: Amazon | Sunburst mirrors: Amazon | Rugs: Lowe’s | Pillow inserts: Crate & Barrel | Pillow covers: Pottery Barn (blue stripes), Amazon (faux fur), Crate & Barrel (flowers) | Baskets: Target | Cabinet: IKEA Regissor | Bed frame: IKEA Bjorksnas | Duvet cover: Crate & Barrel | Sheets and pillowcases: Costco, Parachute | Gray throw: Costco | Framed picture: Minted | Wall hoop hanging: DIY | Outdoor table and chairs: Target https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e79a6872-48a5-462e-bb3d-fa79308764ed/Main+Living+Area+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Main Living Area (previous²) - Make it stand out Peel-and-stick paper: Amazon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/d56ddaf1-e0ac-47b5-94e5-2b08ee72ed92/Main+Living+Area+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Main Living Area (previous²) - Make it stand out Desk: Target | Chair: Target | Leaning ladder: Yamazaki Home | Throw blanket: Amazon | Wall clock: IKEA | Clipboards: Target | Gold tray: West Elm | Filing cabinet: IKEA Micke | Lamp: HomeGoods | Kids table: IKEA Sundvik | Kids chairs: Melissa & Doug | Picture ledge: IKEA Mosslanda | Framed pictures: Minted https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/dining-area-2023 monthly 0.5 2026-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/034fc9b9-ade2-4677-88ab-a642b1eec726/Dining+Area+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Dining Area (previous²) - Make it stand out Table: Modway (via Amazon) | Chairs: Target | Booster cushion: Amazon | High chair: Stokke Tripp Trapp | Water pitcher: HomeGoods | Tassel chandelier: DIY | Picture ledge: IKEA Mosslanda | Gold mirror: IKEA Svansele | Picture frames: Amazon https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/kitchen-2023 monthly 0.5 2026-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/7495b29d-d8af-48ad-9956-6c703754c141/Kitchen+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Kitchen (previous²) - Make it stand out White bowl: HomeGoods | Gold wire bowl: HomeGoods | Dish drying rack: Yamazaki Home | Marble paper towel stand: Crate & Barrel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e0b365a9-d3b2-4ed9-9bba-b4fbf8a654ec/Kitchen+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Kitchen (previous²) - Make it stand out Looking through the kitchen from the front door toward the dining area. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/bedroom-2023 monthly 0.5 2026-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/67c05464-2a94-46e9-9e97-899ec998bb8b/Bedroom+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Bedroom (previous²) - Make it stand out Twin bed frame: Crate & Barrel | Duvet cover & sheet set: Macy’s | Floor lamp: Target | Stool (used as nightstand): IKEA Bekvam | Crib: Nestig Wave | Rug: Amazon | Glider: DaVinci (via Amazon) | Throw pillow: Crate & Barrel | Banners: Amazon | Felt ball garland: Paper Source | Curtain rod & clips: Amazon Basics | Blackout curtain: IKEA Bengta | 4x1 storage unit: IKEA Kallax | Storage bins: 3 Sprouts (via Container Store) | Star Wars picture: DIY | Baby: DIY (jk, but she does make a good prop while napping) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/b344994d-16f6-4ee6-8f9e-6e2b93284fff/Bedroom+pic+2.jpg Peek at our Pad - Bedroom (previous²) - Make it stand out Feats of magnet tile and building block architecture on display. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/c588ba4f-6349-4b29-8dee-3b7818250681/Bedroom+pic+3.jpg Peek at our Pad - Bedroom (previous²) - Make it stand out Picture ledges: IKEA Mosslanda https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/e045ca8f-8078-486f-ab3e-6c3fe386e0a9/Bedroom+pic+4.jpg Peek at our Pad - Bedroom (previous²) - Make it stand out Hooded animal towels: Target | Over-the-door hooks: Umbra (via Amazon) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/4e6ead96-e334-4ff1-8a54-c60ded1cbb64/Bedroom+pic+5.jpg Peek at our Pad - Bedroom (previous²) - Make it stand out All the kids’ clothes (plus odds and ends) fit in these four mesh drawers in the closet. In case you’re wondering, the blue contraption sitting on top is our SkipHop baby bathtub, which my son used every day for years, but is now mostly for when we stay in hotels without bathtubs. https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/peek-at-our-pad/bathroom-2023 monthly 0.5 2026-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/9752c609-9920-4756-a4ac-954676a2af72/Bathroom+pic+1.jpg Peek at our Pad - Bathroom (previous²) - Make it stand out Shower curtain & rings: IKEA | Picture frame: Amazon | Canvas print: Minted | Towels: Target | Stool: IKEA Bekvam https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/about daily 0.75 2026-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6519fbe51d281d3e3e2ce453/f0ca571e-ebf4-477d-8712-cb3b15c5b5ca/2026.03+Profile+photo.png https://www.minimalistbayarea.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-05-08