The things on my mind this week including what we did on our recent trip, my friend’s shop that you’ll love, Natasha’s childhood kitchen makeover, the history of our home items, how you can shop everything I own, upcycled fire hose cabinet hardware, the end of millennial aesthetic home decor, a climate change food calculator, what’s inside of everyday objects, my February playlist, and more!
Read MorePodcast time! Now live is part II of my episodes on the podcast True Tales From Old Houses! During part II, Stacy and I are talking all about how and why my home received historic designation, the amount of money I don’t pay on my property taxes anymore, gentrification and issues with Mills Act, city permitting challenges, neighbor disputes, and what I’m allowed to do and what I have to do to my historic home.
Read MoreOne of the most thrilling parts of demolition is finding evidence of yesteryear! So often remnants of the previous renovations are left in the walls, or old mechanical systems are uncovered, or things mysteriously end up in weird places. Wanna see what we found during demolition?
Read MoreDemolition started last week! The kitchen renovation and bathroom addition have been such a long time coming that it doesn’t even feel real that this new space is actually taking shape. Well, at this stage it isn’t taking shape so much as it’s losing its shape and becoming a big empty box. But that’s progress!
Read MoreRoss (my husband) is a mysterious member of The Gold Hive and you folks are curious about him! He travels for work a lot so he doesn’t often make appearances on the blog or Instagram, but he’s around here and there. I invited Instagram followers to ask questions for Ross (and for the two of us), so we sat down to answer your questions!
Read MoreMy kitchen renovation kicked off this week but other things were on my mind, too! Like a multicolored kitchen, other renovations you should follow, a new furniture line, a volunteer organization I’m looking to join, my favorite striped sweater, bees, my podcast episode, and what I’m gearing up for next week.
Read MoreDemolition has officially begun on the kitchen this week - yaayayayyay! I’m sharing all of the play-by-plays on Instagram Stories so please follow along there for the most up-to-date happenings. But before demo commenced this week, we did lots of prep work to get ready for the big day. With a goal of being tidy, efficient, and eating healthy, we took a few steps to maintain our sanity while living without our cooking space for a few months. Here’s what we did.
Read MoreI sat down with Stacy of the blog Blake Hill House who runs the podcast True Tales From Old Houses to record an episode! We chatted about old homes, energy efficiency, sustainable improvements, modern upgrades, old window efficiency, and weighing the pros and cons of green updates like solar panels. This was a great conversation because I got to share some things that I’ve never discussed in much length on the blog or on Instagram. You’ll definitely want to listen! And I guess I’m overly chatty because Stacy had to split up my interview into two parts! In part two, I chat more about my experience living in a designated historic district, so stay tuned for that.
Read MoreThis week on my mind is thrilling news of my upcoming renovation, Alison’s bathroom makeover, beautiful embroidery, a unique kitchen, a movie I’m looking forward to watching, a quilted jacket, a docuseries I recommend, questions for Ross, commenting PSA, and my playlists!
Read MoreI’ve been talking about my kitchen and bathroom remodel for ages. And we’re finally going to get started on the remodel next week! I want to use this blog post to recap the process of getting to today and then loop you in to some of the latest updates and final decisions. Demo has kinda sorta started, so now is the time to get well versed in what’s happenin’!
Read MoreGuess what!?! Ross found us some archival footage that I completely forgot we had from before we ever moved in! After I published last week’s 2020 house tour video I was wishing we had a recording of what the house looked like five years ago before we moved in. And we do!
Read MoreThe inspiration and happenings this week including special visitors you’ll recognize, a podcast on the simple thing to change the world, thoughts on going grey, a gothic church turned home, non-cheesy Valentine’s Day cards and art, antique light fixtures, home tours, a favorite show, a $10 tool I recommended to two blogger buds and now you, an illustration that’s perfectly me, and more!
Read MoreHammocks, cookbooks, gardening, sewing, and the other things I’ve been up to on my impromptu break, and more.
Where I’ve been, shooting on film, my dream house, retro costume inspiration, energy rebates, a magic cake, textiles I don’t need but want, a lampshade DIY, my best defense against mosquitos, a new podcast, what’s killing home remodelers, best decision-making advice, overheard parenting, Little Women on acid home tour, best marble etch remover, and more.
If you like florals and color, this bathroom is for you. If you don’t, well, maybe scroll through and you’ll be converted? Or not? Either way, here’s the reveal of a bathroom addition that’s finally here - after a whole three years of construction.
My baby is two! Time’s flying… we wish we could slow down these years… I can’t believe she’s two… and all those other cliché things to say. We celebrated her second trip around the sun in our backyard with a small gathering of friends.
What I’m binge watching, the things I ordered for summertime fun, an incredible legacy, ranking films, a dozen things to say to your kids daily, design decisions, sibling bonds, and more.
I have such love for my historic house, but I’ve shamefully been neglecting the exterior paint. The tired finish was peeling and the faded colors did no justice to the architectural beauty of my 1915 craftsman bungalow. It was time for a change - a transformation that would honor the home's history while infusing it with fresh energy.
The thrill of renovating outdoor spaces is they always get better with age. We overhauled our backyard last year and the plant growth during this last trip around the sun is wild! Get ready for lots o’ photos.
Ashley has been restoring her craftsman bungalow since early 2015. The Gold Hive chronicles the journey of DIYs, restorations, renovations, and stories.
I'm Ashley, a type-A homebody fixing up my historic home at a snail’s pace in California. I share home improvement DIYs, tips for sustainable living, and renovation stories - all while aiming to add more color and present real, lived-in spaces.
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What I’ve been up to - from gardening, to film photography, and the books and shows we’re enjoying. Plus a house tour that requires a closer look, grass seed to always have on hand, cedar shake excitement, historic window screens, and the privilege I’m reminded of daily.