The CKD Blog

Where Sarah, and sometimes Steve, share design projects, renovation advice, and other project-related insights.

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How to Renovate & Keep the Original Character of a Historic Home

Purchasing a historic home requires more than just the “fix and flip” mentality, especially if you want to honor the home's history. True, a quick fix may seem appealing, but over time, any issues that were covered up will resurface. And a historic home usually has A LOT. This is why Steve and I refer to what we do as renovating for resale. Not flipping…

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Love Your Home Sarah Abbott Love Your Home Sarah Abbott

3 Easy Ways to Update Your ‘90s Home

The ‘90s have come and gone, and these days, our tastes and preferences have evolved to new heights. Now (if you’re anything like our clients), I’m guessing you dream about open, bright, airy rooms with functional, livable space. We all want more room to breathe and live! If you’re ready to embrace the 21st century, but your home is still sporting retro features, I have some ideas for you…

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Love Your Home Sarah Abbott Love Your Home Sarah Abbott

How to Update & Modernize Your Tuscan-Style Bathroom

If your bathroom is clad in floor-to-ceiling travertine and cherry wood cabinets, you’re probably thinking that it’s time for an update. But you also know that a complete renovation or remodel can be disruptive, time-consuming, and require a decent investment. Well, here’s the good news: you don’t always need a renovation to create the transformation you’re looking for. Here are 7 tips to modernize your Tuscan-style bathroom…

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How to Create a Home Beverage Center

It isn’t surprising that we’re seeing home beverage centers at the top of the wishlist during kitchen renovations. We’ve seen this feature take off in popularity lately, but even before COVID, we received constant requests for it. So…what is it exactly? What are the advantages? Why should you seriously consider it, if you haven’t before? Come take a look…

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Love Your Home Sarah Abbott Love Your Home Sarah Abbott

5 Ways to Transform your Tuscan Style Interiors Without a Major Renovation

Tuscan-style interiors were the trend of the ‘90s, with dark cabinetry, granite countertops, and travertine from wall to wall. But now, it’s 20+ years later, and your Tuscan-style home no longer feels like the reigning king of style. If you’re ready to trade those dark tones and dated materials for light, bright, and fresh, you’re in luck! Today, I’m sharing 5 ways you can make cosmetic updates that will give you the refresh you crave without requiring major construction…

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1940s Fixer Upper: Patience & Progress in Pensacola

Wow…it’s been 6 months since we’ve updated you on our 1940s Fixer Upper! If you had told us last February (when we closed on the house) that this would be a 12-month remodel, I would have said, “No way.” Yes way. Progress has been slow, patience has been at an all-time high, but after many months, we are finally nearing the finish line. We couldn’t be happier. Here is what we have experienced and achieved since the last update…

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