I bet you’re wondering why we pulled out the Christmas decorations a little early this year…
Here’s the reason: we’ve been invited to write a regular column for R. Home magazine, Richmond’s bi-monthly magazine focused on stylish home design and local interiors. The editors discovered our blog last spring and ran our before & after story earlier this summer. Following that feature, they asked us to contribute on a regular basis, beginning with the upcoming holiday issue — which explains the sudden surge of ornaments in our photoshoot this week.
We’re honestly thrilled about this opportunity. Moving from the blog to a glossy print magazine feels like a natural next step, and it’s both exciting and a little surreal to see our work prepared for print. The magazine’s readership and editorial approach align closely with the kinds of projects we share online, so writing a column gives us a chance to explore ideas in a new format while still staying true to the voice and aesthetic our readers expect.
What can you expect from our column? We’ll be sharing practical, real-world ideas drawn from projects we’ve completed in our own home, including thoughtful design choices, approachable DIY plans, and styling tips that balance beauty with everyday livability. We plan to cover seasonal decorating, small-space solutions, budget-friendly updates, and honest before-and-after case studies that show both the creative process and the lessons learned. Because the magazine is bi-monthly, we’ll have room to dive into projects more deeply than a single blog post often allows, while still keeping the content practical and actionable for readers.
This first column appears in the holiday issue, which will arrive in local mailboxes and on newsstands around Richmond in November. If you’re local, look for the issue at neighborhood retailers or in your mailbox; if you aren’t in Richmond, don’t worry — we’ll also share the same seasonal content here on the blog once the weather cools and the decorations make more sense. We want the ideas to be accessible, whether you prefer print or digital, so we’ll republish highlights and step-by-step guides online for readers everywhere.
The photoshoot for the holiday spread went surprisingly smoothly. We experimented with a few different styling approaches, brought in several favorite handmade ornaments and layered textiles, and tested lighting setups to make the textures and colors sing on the printed page. Shooting for print requires careful attention to color balance and detail, and working with the magazine’s creative team was a great learning experience. Their editors and photographers helped us translate the look and feel of our home into something that reads beautifully in a glossy format.
Beyond the immediate excitement, this column gives us a new platform to reach fellow homeowners, renters, and design enthusiasts who enjoy practical inspiration. We want to use it to promote thoughtful design that’s achievable, sustainable, and personal — projects that feel intentional without requiring an enormous budget or highly specialized skills. Expect a mix of inspiration and instruction: photos that spark ideas, paired with clear explanations and tips so readers can adapt projects to their own spaces.
We’re grateful for the opportunity and for the continued support from our readers — both those who follow us online and the new audience we’ll meet through the magazine. If you enjoy seasonal decorating tips, approachable makeovers, and honest design advice, keep an eye out for the holiday issue of R. Home in November, and watch this space for the online versions of our column pieces once the temperatures drop.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned — more behind-the-scenes stories and step-by-step projects are coming soon.