How to Shop Your Own Home: A Fresh Take on Styling with What You Already Have

One of the most transformative (and budget-friendly!) design tools we love at Storied Interiors is the simple act of shopping your own home. Before heading out to buy something new, we always encourage clients to take a fresh look at what they already own. You might be surprised by the beautiful pieces waiting to shine in a different room. Whether you're looking to refresh a tired corner, change the vibe in your living room, or just fall back in love with your space, here's our step-by-step guide to reimagining your home with what you already have.

Step 1: Clear the Space Start by removing all accessories and taking down artwork in the room you want to refresh. This gives you a blank slate to see the space with fresh eyes. It might feel a little bare at first, but that's the point! Letting the room "breathe" helps you see possibilities instead of just the current setup.

Step 2: Rethink the Furniture Layout Now's the time to play with arrangement. Ask yourself: does the current furniture placement serve the way you actually use the room? Is there something too bulky or not being used that could be swapped out? Don't be afraid to "borrow" from other parts of your home. Maybe that spare bedroom chair would look perfect in your living room, or the dining area could use a beautiful old dresser for extra storage and character.

Step 3: Curate Your Art With the furniture in place, look at your artwork with new eyes. Consider bringing in a piece from another room or hanging things in unexpected ways. You might even discover that a favorite print you’ve had in the hallway deserves a spot in the spotlight. (And stay tuned for our upcoming blog post with smart, stylish tips for hanging art!)

Step 4: Layer in Accessories Thoughtfully Now for the fun part: pillows, throws, lamps, vases, and small decorative items. Bring pieces back into the space slowly, choosing only what adds beauty, function, or a sense of joy. You might find that leaving a surface a little more open actually gives your space a fresh, simplified feel.

Step 5: Bring the Outdoors In Don’t forget to step outside and see what nature has to offer. A bowl of beach rocks or seashells, a sculptural piece of driftwood, or a few fresh-cut wildflowers in a vase can bring organic beauty and a sense of place into your home. Even a few stems can make a stunning statement.

Step 6: Edit and Enjoy Don’t feel like you need to use everything. This is your chance to be selective and intentional. What makes the space feel good? What no longer fits? Styling your home is a creative process, and editing is a powerful tool.

Shopping your own home is one of the easiest ways to refresh your space without spending a dime. It’s sustainable, personal, and surprisingly inspiring. So take a look around—you might already have everything you need for a whole new look.

Have you ever tried shopping your own home? We’d love to see your before and afters!

Want more styling inspiration? Follow along at @storiedinteriors for design tips and before-and-afters from real homes here in Homer, Alaska.

Selling a Home While Raising a Family: How to Stay Ready and Sane

Selling your home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re still living in it—juggling daily life, kids’ activities, and unexpected showings. But with a little planning, you can keep your space ready to impress potential buyers while staying comfortable and sane.

Here are some simple steps to help you live in your home while staying show-ready:

🏡 1. Pack Away the Nonessentials

Start by packing up anything you don’t use daily or weekly. Think seasonal clothes, extra toys, small appliances, and rarely-used decor. Not only will this declutter your space for showings, but it will also give you a head start on packing for your move.

🌟 2. Create Designated “Living” Zones

Set up easy-to-maintain zones in your home. For example, give kids a specific area for their toys (and pack the rest away). In the kitchen, limit what stays on counters to just a few essentials that you use daily. This makes tidying up before a showing quick and manageable.

✨ 3. Develop a “15-Minute Tidy” Routine

Create a daily routine that everyone can help with—like wiping counters, fluffing pillows, and sweeping floors. Assign age-appropriate tasks to kids so everyone feels involved. This way, you’re always 15 minutes away from a showing-ready space.

📦 4. Keep Packing Supplies Handy

Have a couple of empty bins or baskets ready to toss stray items into before a showing. It’s an easy way to scoop up clutter at the last minute.

🗓️ 5. Keep a Flexible Schedule

Showings can pop up unexpectedly, so aim to be flexible. Keeping things tidy and packing up extra stuff will help you stay calm when that call comes in.

💡 Bonus Tip:

Label packed boxes clearly and store them in a garage, basement, or rented storage unit to free up living space and make the move easier later.

Selling your home doesn’t have to mean living in constant stress. By packing away nonessentials, creating manageable routines, and involving the whole family, you’ll be ready to impress buyers at a moment’s notice—and ready to move forward when the right offer comes along.

Kitchen Goals: How We Transformed a Cramped Layout into a Bright, Welcoming Space

Originally laid out in a tight U-shape, the kitchen in Zoe’s house felt boxed in and cut off the flow of traffic as you walked into the home. We wanted to open it up, create better flow, and make it a true gathering space.

We reimagined the layout into an L-shape with a central island—and it completely changed how the space functions. The island now serves as a prep space, a serving space, and a spot for casual meals or friends who stop by. We even tucked a wine cooler underneath for easy entertaining. Above the island, we added natural woven light fixtures to play off the warmth of the countertops. With very light walls, white cabinets, and a soft backsplash tile, these natural elements bring warmth to the heart of the home. We topped it off with brass knobs on the drawers and a brass kitchen faucet for a touch of charm.

To keep the kitchen bright, we continued the light walls that flow throughout the home and chose white cabinetry. We added warmth with butcher block counters and a beautiful tile backsplash. Upper cabinets are only on one wall—above the fridge and stove—and we opted for open shelving around the window to keep the space feeling airy and light.

A cabinet pantry was added to make up for some of the upper storage we removed, balancing function with design.

Every choice, from finishes to flow, was made with everyday life in mind. And thanks to a family effort—including Dad and Grandpa Norm (this is actually a home originally built by Gpa Norm back in the mid 80’s, so this house is special to our family) installing cabinetry, and cousin John lending his carpentry skills for flooring and more—the kitchen feels just as personal as it does practical.

🏡 5 Steps to Prepare Your Home to Sell—Quickly and for Top $

If you're getting ready to sell your home, first impressions matter more than ever. A well-prepared home not only photographs better—it also draws in buyers emotionally, which can mean a faster sale and a stronger offer.

Here are five key steps to help your home shine from the very start:

1. Simplify & Streamline

Buyers want to see the space, not your stuff. Walk room by room and remove anything that doesn’t serve a purpose or bring beauty. Keep what’s meaningful for the space, and pack up the rest, including personal items —you’re moving anyway!

2. Refresh, Don’t Renovate

You don’t need a full remodel. Focus on high-impact, low-cost updates: a fresh coat of paint, updated lighting, clean grout, or new cabinet hardware can go a long way in refreshing a space.

3. Maximize Natural Light

Open blinds, clean windows, and consider using lighter textiles to reflect more light. A bright home feels bigger, cleaner, and more inviting.

4. Define Each Space

Make sure each room has a clear purpose. A staged dining room feels more functional than a catch-all corner. Even a simple chair and side table can turn an awkward nook into a cozy reading spot.

5. Style with Intention

Add warmth and character with thoughtful, minimal styling. Think plush pillows, a vase of fresh greenery, or layered bedding that makes a bedroom feel like a retreat. Less is more—but the right details make all the difference.

💡 Let’s Make It Market-Ready

At Storied Interiors, we help you stage your home to sell faster and for more money—by creating a space that highlights your home’s best features, downplays any flaws, and supports the essential steps to making that critical first impression. We can work with your existing furnishings to make your home feel welcoming, intentional, and ready for the next chapter. If you're preparing to list, we’d love to help you tell your home’s best story.

📩 Let’s connect and create your personalized staging plan.
👉 storiedinteriors.space

Designing for Real Life: Style Meets Function in Zoe’s Home

Once the foundation was in place, we turned our focus to styling the space in a way that felt unmistakably Zoe—playful, cozy, and ready for everyday life.

The showstopper? A gold corduroy-textured sofa that instantly became the heart of the living room. We grounded its bold color with black and cream textured throw pillows and brought in warm golden wood tones through a bar cart and coffee table. Soft, washable rugs completed the look—perfect for a home that includes a busy preschooler and a couple of pets. The result is a space that feels vibrant, lived-in, and designed for real life.

This was also our chance to embrace multifunctional design. We added a blue chair and ottoman in washable fabric, the hue echoing the deep blue kitchen island and tying in with the artwork throughout the room. The ottoman doubles as extra seating when needed. A perfectly cream-colored accent chair with matching warm wood tones rounds out the seating area. None of the furniture pieces are a matching set, and yet, they come together beautifully—creating a cozy, cohesive look with open flow.

We commissioned Zoe’s sister Ashley Story, an amazing artist with a style that is perfect for what we needed to create a fabulous modern art painting that was perfect for one large wall space. The bright colors add fun spirit are a perfect reflection of Zoe’s personality in the space.

One of our favorite touches? A playful riddling rack on the far wall to store wine bottles—a fun nod to Zoe’s love of wine and entertaining.

With the living room, dining area, and kitchen all flowing together in one open space, it was important to create distinct zones while maintaining a cohesive feel. A small round kitchen table seats four, the island offers space for four more with barstools, and the living room comfortably seats six—plenty of room for hosting in a compact footprint. The layout encourages connection while still giving each area its own purpose. The best part? Seeing Zoe welcome friends and family into a home that not only reflects her style, but functions effortlessly for her lifestyle.

Next week, we’ll wrap up this series with a look at the heart of Zoe’s home—the kitchen. From cabinets to countertops, we’ll show you how this space came together to be both beautiful and highly functional. You won’t want to miss the details that make it a true standout.

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.

Loved this post? Sign up for A Storied Perspective and get inspiration like this straight to your inbox.

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.