My Colorado Hemma

06/18/2026

My little house finch babies are growing so fast that they seem to change by the hour.

Current stage: tiny dinosaurs with mohawks.😄

The first photo is tonight’s actual nest check. The second is a fun pencil-sketch rendering of the same scene.

A week ago they were tiny, nearly featherless hatchlings. Now their eyes are open, they’re stretching their necks high above the nest, and their first wing feathers are beginning to emerge. In another week or so, these awkward little fluff balls will start looking like real birds.

There are four babies in the nest, and all seem healthy, active, and very interested in being fed whenever Mom or Dad arrives.

It’s been a joy watching them grow up right outside my door.

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

One of the things I think about constantly during a remodel is whether I’ll still love a choice ten years from now.

For this basement, I’m leaning into natural textures and timeless materials rather than chasing trends.

Warm wood cabinetry. Stone-inspired tile. Sisal-style carpet. Layered together, they create a space that feels comfortable, welcoming, and connected to the overall vision on my inspiration board.

The sisal-style carpet is one of my favorite selections. It brings incredible texture and warmth to a room, but it’s never the product my contractors get excited about. This one even requires a specialty installer who will come in at the very end of the project. For me, though, it’s worth it.

Design trends come and go. Natural materials, texture, and thoughtful layering tend to stand the test of time.

Today I’m sharing both the inspiration and the actual materials that are making their way into the space. It’s always fun to see how a vision starts to become reality.

What material in your home has stood the test of time and remained a favorite?

06/12/2026

The fireplace arrived.

The shower system arrived.

The heated-seat bidet toilet arrived.

Suddenly I’m wondering if finishing my mom’s basement was actually a terrible idea, because I may end up wanting to move in.

Remodel progress is getting real! 😄

06/10/2026

We have babies! 🐣

A few weeks ago, a little house finch decided our front-door wreath was the perfect place to build a nest. Then came four tiny blue eggs. And now… baby birds!

It’s been such a joy watching this small miracle unfold right outside the front door. Mama has been incredibly dedicated, and somehow these tiny hatchlings appeared almost overnight.

Welcome to the world, little ones. We’re cheering you on from a respectful distance. ❤️

06/09/2026

One unexpected thing happened today.

We opened up the staircase, and somehow the whole house feels lighter.

The visual connection between the basement and upstairs completely changes how the space feels. It feels bigger, brighter, and more open—even upstairs.

The last photo is the inspiration for where we're headed: a Scandinavian-inspired slat wall that will define the staircase without closing it off.

Sometimes progress isn't about adding more. It's about removing barriers.

06/09/2026

Today’s progress was one of those fun remodeling milestones. This morning it was a bunch of measurements and lines on the concrete. By afternoon, framing was going up and we could finally “see” the space.

The future bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, office nook, wet bar, and living area are no longer just drawings—they’re starting to feel real. It’s amazing what a few studs can do for your imagination. And yes, Kalle has already inspected everything and approved the workmanship. 🐾🔨

06/06/2026

Long Drive Basement: Phase 1 ✅

Before the pretty finishes, stacked stone fireplaces, cabinetry, and furniture boards come the important things:

• Final floor plan approved
• Plumbing locations verified
• Concrete opened up to confirm the pre-plumbed lines work with our design
• Dumpster and porta-potty on deck

Not exactly Instagram-worthy, but these are the decisions that determine whether a remodel goes smoothly or becomes expensive.

The vision is a warm, light-filled walkout living area with a bedroom, bath, office area, wet bar, laundry, and plenty of room for family to gather.

It’s starting to feel real. 🔨🏡✨

05/31/2026

I get to start a couple of new projects this month — and first up is transforming an unfinished basement into a warm and inviting walk-out living space.

The vision:

• One-bedroom guest retreat
• Large cozy living area
• Office nook
• Wet bar
• Bathroom + laundry
• Lots of layered lighting, earthy textures, warm woods, and comfortable details designed to flow naturally with the upstairs of the home

The basement already has such good bones, so this project is less about chasing trends and more about creating something timeless, functional, and welcoming.

Sharing a few inspiration images because the dreaming and planning stage might honestly be my favorite part. 😊

Work starts in early June.

05/30/2026

Update on the little porch nest: it looks like our tiny visitor may not be a robin after all, but a mama house finch. 🪺

Apparently the blue eggs, cozy wreath nest, and her sweet little face all point to finch. She seems quite content tucked into her sheltered little corner of the porch — and honestly, watching her quietly care for those eggs has been a pretty lovely reminder to slow down and appreciate simple things.