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We got a new sectional!

by Shalice Noel

Can you believe it? We finally found the perfect sectional for our new space! It’s everything we’ve been looking for and more. This beauty fits seven people comfortably, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to stretch out—no more fighting for a spot on the couch! Plus, it comes with built-in storage, which is such a game-changer. I love having a place to stash blankets, extra pillows, or even toys without cluttering the room. And the best part? The pillow covers have zippers, so I can easily take them off to wash or fluff them whenever needed. That little detail is going to make such a difference with the kids and how often we use it.

The beige color is perfect—it’s neutral enough to match the rest of our decor but still feels warm and inviting. I’ve already started picturing cozy movie nights, family gatherings, and lazy weekends lounging on it. After searching for what felt like forever, we finally found the one that checks all the boxes!

Our exact sectional in color beige

We move in two weeks but are gradually moving things in. Meanwhile, we’re soaking up every moment in the backyard and splashing around in the pool. We spent our first night at the new house on air mattresses and enjoyed frozen chocolate croissants in the morning. Making memories! We’re thrilled that we don’t have too many projects ahead. If you’ve got any landscaping tips, send them our way—we’re all ears! We can’t wait to finally settle in and stop the back-and-forth.

Our prayers have been answered, and we’re so excited for this next chapter!

My swimsuit top // bottom

My cover up white dress and sandals

After announcing our move, I received many questions, so I thought I’d share the answers here in more detail. Who doesn’t love a good Q&A session? Let me know if I missed anything!

Thanks for your support. We are thrilled. Also read more about our new home in the SNEAK PEEK blog post.

xx shalice

How big is the house? Will the kids have to share rooms?

The house has 4 bedrooms. Given our family size, the boys will share one room and the girls will share another, which allows us to designate one room as a guest room and office space. It’s not perfect, but this setup balances our need for personal space and practicality. Our girls will miss having their own rooms.

How did you find it?

Reid was searching for cabins on Zillow when he decided to expand the search area by clicking “remove boundary.” That’s when this amazing house popped up. It was an unexpected find, but it immediately caught our interest with its unique features and potential.

What room are you most excited about?

It’s hard to choose just one room because the whole house is filled with features I love. The filtered light throughout the house is beautiful and creates a warm atmosphere. The stairway is perfect for photo shoots, which is great for our creative projects. The kitchen’s proximity to the patio and pool is ideal for both everyday living and entertaining. And the city views are simply breathtaking. Overall, it’s the combination of all these things that excites me the most about the house and reminds me of our Pasadena house.

What are you not looking forward to?

The biggest challenge will be changing schools for the kids. With five children, there’s a substantial amount of paperwork and applications required whenever we switch schools or make any significant changes. It’s a lot to handle, but we know it will be worth it once we find schools that are a good fit for our kids and our new lifestyle. Any tips to finding new schools, hit me up!

Will you do any renovations?

Yes, we have a few renovation plans. We need to build closets since the previous owner didn’t install any, as the house was primarily used for photo shoots and short-term rentals. The gym also needs a glass window and door for better functionality. In the kitchen, we plan to replace the peninsula with an island to improve the flow and usability of the space. However, this is part of our long-term plan. In the meantime, the space is great as it is, with tons of natural light and quartz countertops.

Why aren’t there any closets?

The previous owner used the house primarily for photo shoots and short-term rentals, so there wasn’t a need for traditional storage solutions like closets. This setup worked for their purposes, but we will need to adapt the space to fit our large family and everyday needs.

Are the kids excited?

Yes, the kids are very excited! They’re looking forward to settling into the new house and making it their own. The change is big, but their enthusiasm makes the transition easier for everyone.

What are some of your interior design inspirations?

I’ve been deeply inspired by the works of architect Tadao Ando, whose projects exemplify minimalism and brilliance. His use of space and light is something I aspire to replicate. Additionally, I love incorporating bold art pieces that stand out against concrete and neutral backgrounds. This combination creates a modern yet warm and inviting atmosphere in the home.


Did I miss anything? Add it to the comments below!

As a family, we joke that we’ve lived in a variety of unique homes: the Chicago Salt Box, the California Craftsman, the A-Frame, the James Bond House, a Beach House, a Modern Farmhouse, and a Mediterranean. Which one was your favorite? With such a diverse housing background, finding our next home was a challenging task to top our past experiences. In fact, it took us two long years of searching. After many lost offers and not finding anything we loved, we gave up last year and ended up renting.

Now, as our lease is about to expire, we are thrilled to announce that we have found our next home.

It’s spectacular.

This home has a character of its own, and we are currently deciding on a name. It’s between “DUNE HOUSE” and “Villa Brute.” Which one do you prefer? What do you think, does it remind you of our Pasadena house? It does to me.

Let me know in the comments.

This 1970s architectural icon has left us in awe. When we tell people it’s a brutalist design, they are often shocked – and we love the shock factor. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter, blog, and follow us on Instagram for updates.


Chat soon,

Shalice

Vest // Blazer sz 4 // Weston Pants (tip: size down) // Loafers similar //

How’s your week? I’ve busy planning Levi’s first birthday party, managing school, work and it has been a full week! Shop my vest, blazer and pants look here in direct links and shop the post widget. I love hearing from you all. I compiled 3 big parenting tips that helped my week go more smoothly. Could you add one or two? I’d love to hear from you.

More plaid blazers

3 parenting tips for this week:

  1. Make a special snack or dessert. We picked up the cinnamon roll cake box from Trader Joes and it was not only a huge hit but also a motivation to finish school work and chores.
  2. Put music on! I play classical or praise music. It sets the tone at home.
  3. Give your teen and yourself grace. The truth is, you’re both going through a lot of changes. The challenges our teens face in school, and even physically are a lot. Our teens especially faces a lot of change with a cross country move (read more about that here). I had to preach to myself this week to give myself and my children grace. There is peace in that affirmation. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength – Phil 3:14.

It’s your turn, how could you add to this list, anything positive happened this week that happened as a result of a new habit or a new encouragement? I’d love to hear.

Shot on location in Los Angeles

Photography: Felicia Lasala

Hair and makeup: Morgan Grimes

Home links

glasses victoria beckham // washable silk robe camisole sleep pants and eye mask from haven well within // slippers birdie similar // mug // modular sofa // chesterfield sofa RH // Boucle pillow balls

Felicia came over to take pictures of the house and Lucca our golden doodle stole the show! We absolately love being back in California. What do you think of our new space?

It feels so good to be home. Shop my washable silk pjs below.

Hair and makeup: Morgan Grimes

Photography: Felicia Lasala

Los Angeles, CA

Fall Home Decor

by Shalice Noel

1 Arch brass floor lamp / 2 Modular sofa / 3 Art / 4 Throw blanket / 5 Bouclé Pillow Balls / 6 Swivel Chair / 7 Scented Candle / 8 Ceramic Vase / 9 Faux Florals / 10 Chesterfield Sofa

It’s like it switched to pumpkin and scented candle season overnight! Here are some of my favorite home fall decor finds like my modular couch that surprisingly works in our California spanish, classic arch lamp and faux florals to warm up a space. Which is your favorite?

Home is a Place

by Shalice Noel

Since moving last week, I realized home is a physical place. Read about that post here. I agree, home is where your immediate family is, but it is also a physical place that feels like home. Being back at our old stomping grounds in Los Angeles feels familiar with many good memories. We are thrilled to be back, including our kids who are begging to go to Lido and Laguna Beach.

We also learned that a place can bring our your worst and best. For us, California brings out our best. Maybe it’s the perennial sun, the business parters, or the friends we left here? All reasons that make this location feel more familiar. Despite the tax implications of this move, home brings out our best.

Are you home? Do you agree, home is a physical place and some places just feel more like home?

Chat soon,

Shalice

Sneak peek of our home

by Shalice Noel

Many of you asked to see our new home. Here are some snapshots of our favorite spaces from the large closet to moody primary bedroom. I linked the exact items below that you find in our rooms. How cool is this paint color? I know many of you will ask, the color is SW “Iron Ore” 25% less. The primary bedroom is one of my favorites. Which is your favorite room?

Happy Friday!

Table Lamp // Modular Sofa // Stack Art // Chandelier // Medallion // Round Vase only $35! // Clay vase // Duvet cover // Sheets // Euro pillows // Bolster pillow

My Speed Queen Review

by Shalice Noel

I absolutely adore my washer, and let me tell you why.

Over the years, I’ve tried various brands and several front loaders, which often ended up with unpleasant odors after prolonged use and forgetting to leave the doors open. When my family and I moved into our first house in Georgia two years ago, I found myself in need of a new washer and dryer. Despite hearing recommendations for different brands, I was repeatedly advised to consider a Speed Queen. Unfortunately, they were in high demand, and many distributors were sold out with lengthy waiting lists. As a busy mom of five, waiting six months for a washer and dryer simply wasn’t feasible. So, I reluctantly opted for an LG front loader, which never quite met my expectations in terms of cleaning effectiveness. Needless to say, I was thrilled to replace it.

Then came the TC5 top loader from Speed Queen. With its 30-minute wash option, heavy-duty performance, absence of odors, and even earning praise from Levi for getting out tough stains, I became an instant fan.

I did encounter one hiccup the week we moved in when I overloaded the washer with my duvet cover, causing water to spill all over the floor and tripping the electrical line. After Reid fixed the issue and we reset the wires in the basement, my Speed Queen was back to running smoothly.

Established in 1908 in Ripon, WI, Speed Queen, owned by Alliance Laundry Systems LLC, won me over with its claim that their washers last 25 years. Renowned for their durability, the brand attributes this to “ergonomic motors, suspension systems, and the use of only the best materials designed to withstand wear, tear, and abuse.”

More about our semi-custom home that we built in Georgia HERE.

Which one did you get?

Speed Queen TC5 Classic top load

Model:TC5003WN

SKU:6505836

Does the lid lock?

No, the lid doesn’t lock.

Pros

One significant advantage is the quick turnaround time for clean clothes, typically around 30 minutes! Many of my readers have praised the quality of these commercial washers and dryers. Some even mentioned that they work for warranty companies and seldom receive calls regarding Speed Queens, highlighting their reliability.

Cons

It can get quite loud during operation, so I make sure to close the laundry room door.

What do you think, have you tried a Speed Queen?

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