The Journal — Read Before You Renovate
Materials, budgets, upkeep — the lessons we've learned, written down.
95 articles
The Swatch That Changed Everything (a Love Story About Velvet)
Discover how a quiet Sunday afternoon and a single, overlooked square of green c...
The Playroom That Doesn’t Scream “Playroom”
Discover how to design a playroom that absorbs real childhood noise and mess wit...
Rugs 101: What Nobody Tells You About Pad Height
Discover the hidden secret to making a room feel truly grounded and comfortable ...
Southern Light: How to Dress a Window for the Lowcountry Sun
Charleston light does not behave like the light in standard design books. It is ...
The Living Room That Took Two Years
Discover why the best rooms in a home are the ones that refuse to be rushed. In ...
My Sunday Ritual: Coffee, Swatches, and the Fabric Book
Discover how designer Caroline spends her Sunday mornings away from client deadl...
The Throw Pillow Formula: Three Sizes, Two Textures, One Rule
Discover the simple formula to style your sofa like a professional designer with...
Why I Stopped Buying “Washable” Everything
In a quest for a bulletproof family home, Caroline once chased every promise of ...
Why Charleston Porches Are the Best Room in the House
In most of the country, a porch is an afterthought—a narrow strip of concrete wi...
How to Read a Curtain Like a Designer
Discover how to read a curtain like a professional designer without ever picking...
Welcome to the Ellington House — Here’s Why This Blog Exists
Welcome to Ellington House, a personal design blog by Caroline chronicling life ...