Oak Branch Cottage: Let There Be "Gas" Lights

 When we first set eyes on Oak Branch Cottage, our minds immediately raced with ideas, plans, and dream projects. But among all the design boards and wish lists, there was one feature that sat firmly in the "non-negotiable" column: gas lanterns.

There is something irreplaceable about the flicker of a real flame. Gas lanterns are quintessentially Southern—they carry a rich sense of history, hospitality, and timeless elegance that instantly elevates a home’s exterior. They welcome guests before anyone even steps onto the porch and lend an unmistakable, historic charm to the entire facade.

Finding the Flame: The Monterey Style

For Oak Branch Cottage, we wanted fixtures that were built to last and crafted with genuine care. We sourced our lanterns through Gulf Coast Home, choosing a style made right here in the USA by Carroll by Design.

We ultimately fell in love with the Monterey style, known for its graceful curves and sweeping silhouette. We opted for the single-socket design, which allows the lantern's elegant form to really shine without feeling overly busy. Knowing these were hand-crafted with exceptional American quality makes them feel even more special—they align perfectly with the classic, intentional story we’re building at the cottage.

That Golden Hour Glow

While they look stunning during the day, the real magic happens when the sun goes down.

There is truly nothing like the warm, ambient glow of gas lanterns at night. Unlike harsh electric lighting, the soft, dancing flame creates a gentle light that washes over the entryway. It sets an instant mood—cozy, peaceful, and deeply romantic. Every time we pull into the driveway after dark and see that soft flicker framing the front entrance, it feels like an immediate "welcome home."

Adding these lanterns wasn't just a design choice; it was about honoring a beloved Southern tradition and creating an inviting atmosphere for everyone who visits.

What architectural or lighting elements are non-negotiables for your home? Let me know in the comments below!

Gas Lanterns, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

The renovations at Oak Branch Cottage in Carrollton are officially reaching one of the most satisfying stages: bringing the interior design details to life. Yesterday was all about reflection—quite literally—as the workers hung two centerpiece mirrors that anchor both the living and dining rooms.

Finding the right pieces for a historic Uptown New Orleans home takes patience, but seeing them mounted makes every hunt worth it.

The Crown Jewel: A Napoleon III Find in the Living Room

The star of the living room came from a favorite local haunt, Renaissance Interiors in Metairie. We managed to score a stunning antique French 2nd Empire / Napoleon III mirror featuring hand-beveled glass and classic Louis XVI stylistic touches.

The moment it was carefully hung above the living room’s marble mantel, the entire space shifted. The warm patina of the antique frame paired with the cool marble creates an effortless balance of texture and history. It reflects the light in a way only vintage glass can, fully realizing the vision I’ve held for this room since day one.

Timeless Elegance in the Dining Room

For the dining room, the goal was to keep things tailored, traditional, and understatedly elegant. I turned to Gulf Coast Home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and found a beautiful reproduction Louis Philippe style mirror.

With its signature rounded upper corners and clean, sculpted profile, it brings that classic French aesthetic into the space without competing for attention. Placed thoughtfully in the dining room, it reflects the surrounding details and pulls together the exact balance of historic charm and relaxed cottage comfort we're aiming for.

Progress Step by Step

Decorating an old home is less about rushing to finish and more about layering history, local finds, and personal style over time. With these two key pieces in place, Oak Branch Cottage is feeling a little more like home every single day.

Stay tuned as we continue tackling the next phase of renovations in Carrollton!

Mirror, Mirror, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: Let There Be Light!

If there’s one thing that can instantly turn a chaotic construction zone into a space that feels like a home, it’s lighting. This past Saturday was a major milestone for Oak Branch Cottage—our electrician was on-site all afternoon, and the transformation is unbelievable!

Illuminating the Details

The main focus of the weekend was getting the light fixtures installed and making sure the lighting plan finally came to life. Seeing the ambient glow in each room after weeks of work lights and bare bulbs felt like a total game-changer. Every fixture brings its own personality to the cottage, striking that perfect balance between cozy charm and modern functionality.

The Power of Small Details

Beyond the statement light fixtures, our electrician knocked out a massive list of finishing touches—including installing all the outlet covers around the house. It sounds like a tiny detail, but when you’ve been looking at exposed wiring and open switch boxes for weeks, seeing crisp, clean outlet covers flush against the fresh walls makes the entire place feel polished and complete.

Moving Forward

Renovations are always a journey filled with waiting, planning, and endless choices, but days like Saturday make it all worth it. Seeing tangible progress—the kind you can literally turn on with the flip of a switch—is the ultimate mood booster.

Progress makes me so happy, and Oak Branch Cottage is one step closer to being finished! Stay tuned for more updates as we tackle the next phase of the transformation.

Lighting, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: The Front Porch - Let the Light In!

If you’ve driven or walked by the house recently, you might have noticed a major transformation underway on the front facade. The dark screens have officially been removed, exposing a completely open front porch!

I know, I know—a lot of you loved the screened-in look, and I totally get the appeal. But personally, I’ve always preferred a screened porch tucked away on the side or rear of a house for private lounging. For the front entry, I envisioned something bright, welcoming, and open to the neighborhood. From day one, I knew those front screens were going to say “bye-bye”!

Opening up this space completely changes the curb appeal and sets the tone for everything to come on the inside. Eventually, this porch will be an extension of our living space, fully furnished with a cozy outdoor sofa, comfy chairs, an ottoman, and classic rockers. It’s going to be the ultimate spot for morning coffee and evening wind-downs.

If you look closely at the recent photos, you might also spot a key update: the plumber has already been by to install our new gas lanterns! There is truly nothing like the soft, warm glow of a live-flame gas light to make a home feel inviting. I cannot wait to flick the switch and see them glowing at dusk for the very first time.

Stay tuned—there are plenty more updates coming soon as we keep bringing this home to life!

A Welcoming Porch, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: Painted Hood and a Massive Windowbox

Things are moving fast at Oak Branch Cottage, and the latest round of updates has brought some serious drama—in the best way possible. From striking paint choices to heavy-lifting curb appeal, here is what’s fresh on the renovation front.

Bold Contrast in the Kitchen

We decided to make a statement in the kitchen by taking a custom-built range hood and coating it in a rich, glossy black. The high-shine finish completely elevates the focal point of the cooking space. To keep the look cohesive rather than isolated, we matched the finish on the inside of the kitchen door. Painting both elements in the same deep gloss anchors the room, pulling the eye across the space and giving the whole kitchen a tailored, intentional feel.

Big Curb Appeal: The 8-Foot Window Box

Out front, the transformation continued with the installation of a custom window box under the front windows. Coming in at a massive 8 feet long, this thing is an absolute beast—sturdy, substantial, and built to stand up to the scale of the house.

A box that large couldn't stay empty for long. I made a quick trip over to Perino’s Garden Center to hunt for the right greenery. I landed on asparagus ferns, which turned out to be the perfect match. Their soft, feathery texture and vibrant green tendrils spill over the edges, creating a lush, airy contrast against the heavy wood structure of the box.

Every little project is bringing Oak Branch Cottage closer to feeling complete. Stay tuned—there is plenty more to come!

Renovations, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: Pumpkins

 Moving between homes is always a whirlwind, but when you throw a full renovation into the mix, the traditional holiday routine can feel a bit overwhelming. Those of you who follow along know how much I adore seasonal decorating, so it might come as a surprise that the usual urge to pull out the Halloween decor is passing me by this year.

With renovations in full swing at Oak Branch Cottage, the recent sale of Acorn Cottage, and our official move-in date still up in the air, decking the halls for a single spooky evening just isn’t in the cards. Instead of stressing over temporary Halloween setups, I am shifting my focus to a timeless Fall look—focusing on simple, high-impact touches that won’t get in the way of the renovation progress.

The secret to decorating during a chaotic transition is keeping it outdoors and working with nature. Here is how I’m bringing autumn to life around the property without cluttering up active work zones:

• Urn Pumpkin Stacks: Near the entrance to the side yard gate, I filled our classic cast iron urns with stacked heirloom pumpkins. Stacking different tones—like muted greens, creamy whites, and rich terracottas—adds immediate height and elegance to a transitional space.

  
  
  
  
  
  

• Fresh Garden Accents: I tucked various pumpkins directly into the freshly laid garden beds. Tucking them among the new plantings grounds the space and gives the illusion that the garden is already settling in.

  
  
  

• Scattered Yard Placement: Sprinkling pumpkins in small clusters around the yard creates a warm, cohesive look from every angle, without blocking any pathways or contractor staging areas.

  
  
  

Embracing a broader seasonal look over a short-lived holiday decor setup has been such a refreshing shift. It allows us to celebrate the cozy beauty of the season while giving Oak Branch Cottage the room it needs to transform into our next home.

How are you decorating your spaces this season? Are you team Halloween, or are you keeping things classic Fall like me?

Pumpkins, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: Landscape Lighting

There is something truly magical about stepping outside after sunset and seeing a outdoor space transformed. Thanks to Jorge at JC Landscaping, Oak Branch Cottage has officially reached a whole new level of evening charm.

Jorge has done it yet again, proving that thoughtful landscape lighting isn't just an addition—it’s a game-changer.

Here is how the new lighting design brings the property to life when the sun goes down:

• Highlighting Nature’s Best: Strategic uplights have been placed around the trees, casting dramatic, soft silhouettes that draw the eye upward and make the yard feel expansive and grand.

• Welcoming Pathways: Path lights now border the driveway. They do more than just guide the way safely; they create a warm, inviting runway right up to the front door.

• Elevating Curb Appeal: Nighttime landscaping adds depth, architectural texture, and a cozy warmth that truly highlights the unique character of Oak Branch Cottage.

• 
  
  

Whether you're pulling into the driveway after a long day or enjoying a night outdoors on the porch, the soft, golden glow gives the entire property a serene, resort-like feel.

Huge thanks to Jorge at JC Landscaping for his incredible vision, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. If you've been thinking about upgrading your curb appeal or bringing your yard to life after dark, we can’t recommend JC Landscaping enough! But remember, he was ours first!

Illuminating the Landscape, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: Sugar Kettles, Essex Green, and Fresh Plantings

There is nothing quite like the feeling of watching a vision come to life in the garden, and yesterday was a huge milestone. After loads of rich, fresh soil were hauled in to prep the beds, the crew at JC Landscaping officially started getting plants into the ground. Watching the bare dirt turn into structured green spaces feels like instant magic.

One detail I hadn't mentioned yet—but am so glad we decided on—was painting the base of the house in Essex Green. The goal was to let the foundation visually melt into the surrounding foliage, and seeing it now against the fresh soil proves it was definitely the right call. The rich, dark backdrop grounds the entire house and lets the coming greenery shine without any harsh contrast at the foundation line.

As the beds were being planted, Jorge worked his magic with layout and placed a couple of our sugar kettles in key spots throughout the gardens. They add such a fantastic, classic focal point among the new plantings, giving the space an instant sense of history and scale.

To top off the day's excitement, I finally brought out my newest address plaque, Oak Branch Cottage. Seeing that personal touch in place makes the whole project feel uniquely ours.

The momentum isn't slowing down either—today is the big day for landscape lighting and a fresh layer of mulch to tie everything together. The difference lighting makes in a garden is always astounding, so I am counting down the hours until I can head back out there and witness today's progress.

Stay tuned for the next update—hopefully under the warm glow of the new garden lights!

Landscape Installation, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: The Landscape Takes Shape!

Yesterday was all about major progress outside at Oak Branch Cottage! While things were quiet on the inside, the exterior was a hive of activity as Jorge from JC Landscaping spent the day preparing our garden beds for an exciting new transformation.

We’ve curated a gorgeous botanical mix for the property, blending structured classics with lush southern favorites:

• Lush Layers: Hollies, camellias, agapanthus, hydrangeas, dramatic "tractor seat" plants (Farfugium), and creeping fig.

• The Framework: Over 400 crisp boxwoods arriving to frame and line the entire design.

• A Personal Touch: Jorge even set our prized fiberglass sugar kettle into place—a cherished piece brought over from our previous landscape at Acorn Cottage.

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

The heavy planting begins today! Tomorrow, the team will wrap things up by installing landscape lighting and spreading a fresh layer of mulch to tie everything together.

To round out the new look, I’m popping over to Perino’s Nursery this afternoon to pick up a few fall favorites to mix into the beds.

The outdoor vision is finally coming to life—stay tuned for the next update!

Progress in Landscape, y'all!