A Storied Transformation: Zoe's House Remodel, Part 1

Sometimes a house has a deeper story to tell. Zoe’s little cottage in the heart of Homer had been in our family for nearly 25 years as a rental. I’d always dreamed of giving it a full refresh, and when Zoe decided to move in, we finally got the chance to reimagine it completely—making it truly her.

This remodel was also a complete family affair. My husband Chris, Zoe’s dad, did all the drywall work himself, applying a fresh skip-trowel texture throughout the home. It gave the walls a soft, clean finish that felt both elevated and appropriate for its coastal location. Zoe’s grandpa Norm joined in to help install the new kitchen cabinets, interior doors, and closets—including a reworked closet off the living room to extra pantry space and a creative utility closet that fits extra shelving, her vacuum, and even a small freezer truly making the most of this smaller living space.

Zoe and I rolled up our sleeves to paint the entire interior of the house together—a labor of love that truly made the space feel like hers.

From there, we chose a neutral paint palette with a very light cream on the walls throughout, with a semi-gloss white on the trim and interior doors that kept the home feeling light and open. For now, we chose sheer white curtains—an affordable option that worked perfectly with the decorating budget and lets in as much natural light as possible (a must in small-space Alaskan living). Down the road, we may upgrade to something more tailored, but for now, they do the job beautifully. It’s a great reminder that budget-friendly choices can still feel intentional and stylish while leaving room to evolve over time.

One of the joys of working on a small home like this is how intentional each decision needs to be. Every finish, color, and layout choice matters. Zoe’s cousin John who is a carpenter, installed the vinyl plank flooring for us in a medium tone with a blend of grey & brown color which was perfect to bring warmth and grounding to a space with very light walls.

We also installed all new windows, exterior doors, and swapped outdated trim and fixtures. One of our favorite finishing touches in the living room? Painting the interior side of the exterior doors a rich charcoal. It’s a small detail, but it gives the living room a grounded, custom feel.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive into how we designed this home for real life—with a kiddo, pets, and a love for hosting.

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See our before and after pictures of the living room.

5 Small Styling Updates That Make a Big Impact; Simple ways to bring beauty and comfort into your coastal Alaskan home

Living in Homer means being surrounded by natural beauty—salty ocean breezes, dramatic seasonal shifts, and ever-changing light. Whether you're watching the tides roll in or hunkering down during a spring storm, your home should feel like a sanctuary that reflects both your personality and the place you call home.

At Storied Interiors, we love helping people make small but meaningful styling changes that bring more joy, comfort, and realistic style to everyday living. Here are five of our favorite updates that make a big difference—especially in coastal Alaska homes, whether you're soaking up the long days of summer or cozying in during our short winter ones:

1. Paint Your Exterior Doors Inside and Out a Color (Not White!)

In our northern light, white can often feel stark and cold. A painted door adds warmth and character—especially during long winters. Try a deep moody green, soft slate blue, or warm charcoal to ground your space and highlight architectural charm. And don’t forget the inside of your exterior door—a grounding color that complements your interior palette can truly elevate the look and feel of your home.

2. Swap Your Throw Pillows Seasonally

When you live by the sea, your palette changes with the seasons—so should your textiles. Add soft coastal tones in the summer (think sand, driftwood, sky) and richer textures like wool or velvet in winter to stay cozy. It’s a simple swap that keeps your home feeling fresh.

3. Layer Your Lighting

In Alaska, we know how much light affects mood. Layering lighting is key to creating warmth during the darker months. Add table lamps in varying sizes in creative areas of the home; reading nooks, wall sconces in cozy corners, kitchen counter tops and even tables. Use soft bulbs that mimic natural cozy light to create a glow you’ll love year-round. Avoid ‘daylight bulbs’, the light is too cold and harsh, opt instead for ‘soft white’ bulbs.

4. Upgrade Your Entry with a Mirror + Bench

We come and go in boots, rain gear, and maybe a few pebbles from the beach in our pockets. A small bench, a mirror to catch the light, and a place for gear creates a welcoming and functional entryway. It says this is home—not just a pass-through.

5. Bring in Outdoors

A sprig of budding alder in a vase. A bowl of rocks and shells. Greenery from nature —even in small doses—adds life to any space. Bonus points for using what's outside your door: driftwood or wildflowers in season. I love a grouping of spindly driftwood branches from the beach in a vase. I’m almost never coming off a beach walk that I don’t have a handful of found little objects to bring home.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a full remodel to make your space feel like home. A few well-chosen updates can reflect the landscape around you, celebrate your style, and create the kind of comfort that makes you want to stay in or come home to after a long day.

Here in Homer, we believe homes should be lived in, loved on, and casually designed to reflect the rhythm of life by the bay.

At Storied Interiors, we’re here to help you style your space with intention and ease—whether you’re staying, staging, or starting over.

✨ Ready to refresh your home? Let’s connect. We offer in-person and virtual styling consults to help bring your vision to life.

Celebrating Mom: 7 Heartfelt Ways to Make Mother’s Day Meaningful at Home

At Storied Interiors, we believe the most meaningful spaces—and moments—are the ones that tell a story. This Mother’s Day, we’re embracing thoughtful, memory-filled ways to celebrate the moms, grandmothers, stepmoms, and mother figures who’ve helped build the very foundations we stand on. Whether your gathering is big or small, here are a few simple ideas for creating magic and connection at home.

7 Meaningful Ideas for Celebrating Mother’s Day at Home

1. Memory Table

   • Set a beautiful table using photos from different eras of motherhood in your family. Add handwritten captions, floral clippings, and family heirlooms. It becomes a place to gather and reminisce—over coffee, brunch, or dessert.

2. A Shared Journal

   • Start a journal passed between generations. Each person can write a letter, a memory, or a note of appreciation to the mothers in their life. Pass it year after year for a tradition that grows richer with time.

3. The Story of You

   • Ask each child or grandchild to share a favorite memory or what they love most about mom or grandma. Record the answers on your phone or write them out on pretty paper to be read aloud.

4. A Cozy Home Movie Night

   • Light some candles, serve tea or cocoa, and gather around to watch old home movies or look through photo albums together. It’s simple, nostalgic, and deeply bonding.

5. Generations in the Kitchen

   • Invite everyone into the kitchen to cook a family recipe together. Have grandma share her secret touches. Even the littlest hands can stir or sprinkle—and everyone feels part of something lasting.

6. A Day of Rest

   • Sometimes, the best gift is the one thing most mothers never get—rest. Do you love a walk on the beach? A solo hour with a book? Hand over the chores, set up a cozy reading nook or bath, and take the time to just be.

Mother’s Day can come with a lot of pressure—pressure to plan the perfect day, show up with the perfect gift, or feel a certain way. But the truth is, life is rarely picture-perfect.

Some years we’re sleep-deprived. Some years we’re grieving. Some years we’re thriving—but still managing a thousand unseen pressures.

So let’s let go of the pressure.
Let’s make space for something softer, slower, and more meaningful.

Please hear this: you don’t have to earn this day. You don’t have to “do it all” first.

Take up space. Ask for what you need. Or better yet—give it to yourself. The laundry can wait. The world will keep spinning. This is your permission slip to honor you—not with perfection, but with presence.

From both of us at Storied Interiors, Happy Mother’s Day.
We see you. We celebrate you. And we hope these ideas help create tiny, simple & real moments that turn into meaningful memories—for you and the ones you love.

Wishing you a warm, love-filled Mother’s Day.
Tiffanie + Zoe
Storied Interiors

Meet the Heart Behind Storied Interiors: A Mother-Daughter Team Rooted in Homer, Alaska

At Storied Interiors, design is more than just making things beautiful—it’s about creating spaces that tell your story and make you feel completely at home.

I’m Tiffanie Story, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve loved home design. As a kid, we moved often, but no matter where we landed, I always made it a priority to decorate my little corner of the world. Creating a cozy, pretty space gave me comfort and a sense of control when life felt chaotic—and I’ve carried that feeling into every space I’ve designed since. I truly believe everyone deserves a haven—a home that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day.

I started Storied Interiors after years of designing and staging my own properties here in Homer, including a couple of highly sought after short-term rentals that I owned, designed, and managed. Buying, remodeling, staging, and renting or selling homes has long been a passion and creative outlet, and it naturally evolved into helping others do the same.

Working in the family real estate business, I’ve had the chance to help many clients stage their homes—whether by styling a vacant property to add warmth or by advising sellers on how to highlight their home’s best features while still living comfortably. Whether it’s reimagining a living room or preparing a property to hit the market, I love helping people see the potential that already exists right in front of them.

Over the years, my own aesthetic has evolved and refined, but one thing remains constant—my love for creating spaces that reflect the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. Each space is unique and deserves its own moment to shine—supporting and comforting those lucky enough to dwell within it.

Now, I’m lucky to do this work alongside my daughter, Zoe.

Zoe was born and raised here in Homer, but before settling back in Alaska full-time, she traveled the world—teaching English in Cambodia, practicing yoga in India, hiking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, and collecting lifelong friendships and wisdom in every corner of the globe. She brings a fresh perspective and a spirit of adventure to everything she does.

Zoe has always loved creating warm, inviting spaces and is an entertainer at heart. After joining our family’s real estate company as a licensed Realtor, she quickly discovered how much she enjoyed the design side of the business, too.

Today, Zoe blends her global experiences with deep local roots to help clients find not just the right house, but the lifestyle they’ve been dreaming of. She’s a mom, nature-lover, foodie, and hostess with the mostest—naturally gifted at creating spaces that feel thoughtful, personal, and welcoming.

Together, we’re passionate about helping people find peace, personality, and joy in their surroundings. Whether you’re settling into a new space, refreshing a home you already love, or preparing to sell and move on to your next chapter—we’re here to help.

If you’re ready to breathe new life into your space, we’d love to meet you. Let’s create something beautiful together.

Home Styling vs. Home Staging: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between home styling or staging, and which you need—you’re not alone! These two services sound similar, and they both involve arranging furniture and decor, but they serve very different purposes. At Storied Interiors, I offer both, and today I’m breaking down what each one really means, and how to know which is right for your space.

Home Styling: Making Your Home Feel More Like You

Home Styling is all about helping you love the space you live in. Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or you’ve lived in it for years and want a refresh, styling brings new life to your rooms by reworking furniture, art, and accessories you already have—or helping you find new pieces that fit your style and needs.

Sometimes you don’t quite know why you don’t love your space, or how to make it look and feel the way you see others homes or the spaces in a magazine, but you just don’t quite know how to create that ‘feel’ that you are looking for.

Home styling sessions are relaxed, collaborative, and full of small “aha” moments—like moving a chair to the other side of the room and realizing it changes everything. It’s about comfort, function, and beauty. It’s also a great fit if you’re stuck in decision fatigue and just need a fresh eye and a little guidance to move forward.

Think of it as a creative partnership, designed to help you enjoy your space more fully. And yes—it works just as well virtually as it does in person.

Home Staging: Prepare to Impress (and Sell!)

Home Staging, on the other hand, is about preparing your property for sale. It’s strategic and buyer-focused. The goal is to make your home as appealing as possible to a broad range of potential buyers—and help them imagine themselves living there.

During a staging consultation, we walk through your home together and identify ways to highlight its best features, remove visual distractions, and improve flow. You’ll get a clear, actionable plan that you can follow to get the home ready for photos, showings, and ultimately, a successful sale for top dollar.

Staging is not about making the home “perfect”—it’s about making it feel open, inviting, and memorable.

So Which Do You Need?

Ask yourself:
→ Am I staying or selling?
→ Do I want to love my space more, or do I want someone else to fall in love with it?

If you’re living in it and want help making it work better for you, go with Home Styling.
If you’re planning on listing it for sale, it’s time to consider Home Staging.

At Storied Interiors, I believe good design should be approachable, personal, and practical—no matter the stage of home you’re in. Whether we’re styling your space for everyday functionality and living or staging it for a new beginning, I’m here to help tell your story beautifully.

📩 Want to schedule a consult or learn more? Email me here.