Hi, my name is….not Laurel. It’s Beth (Kinda want to say Slim Shady right now!) I’m a wife and mom of two boys, ages 15 (W) and 8 (Beau). I have a full time job I love at a non profit. My husband, Michael, is the funniest person you will ever meet. We live in the Athens GA area, and are huge Georgia Bulldog fans (like seriously, I was telling Michael the One Room Challenge schedule in October, and he said, “but that’s football season”).
In Savannah- one of our favorite places.
Michael made these robes, and the boys wear them on Bulldog picture day. He is infinitely more creative and artistic than I am!
I love design- but I am definitely an amateur. Don’t worry though! I’m currently completing my education through a combination of design books, shelter magazines, and a whole lot of Bloglovin.
So why “Avenue Laurel”? A couple of years ago, our family made the decision to downsize from a larger home. As our boys were growing, we seemed to find ourselves more spread apart- our teenager was usually in the basement rec room, our younger son was in his playroom upstairs, I was on the main level working, my husband was outside working on the pool. It felt like we were spending our entire weekend either cleaning or on some maintenance project. Did I mention the pool? Although it had seemed like our dream home when we bought it 10 years prior, that wasn’t how I had envisioned our family life becoming.
We sold the house. Our agent showed us a home that was 120 years old that had been in the same family since it was built. We called it the Laurel House. It was clear that, while the house needed lots of updates, it had been well loved and very well cared for. Plumbing, electrical, and the roof had been updated, but most of the original features (high ceilings, original fireplaces, moldings, wood floors) were intact. Best of all, it was exactly the right size, all on one level. It has a good feel. So far- no ghosts! (Lots of people ask us that!) While it hasn’t been all roses, and we miss our best friends in our old neighborhood, “Laurel” is the “avenue” to the family life we want.
Other random stuff: 1- I hate having my picture taken. I had my 8 year old take my profile picture because it was less embarrassing than having another adult do it. Also much more fun (Smile Mama! I’ll give you some jelly beans!) 2- I am an RN, and I graduated nursing school with my mom in 1999! She was by far the better student 🙂 3- The only television show I watch regularly is The Walking Dead 4- I truly appreciate almost any design style. My Pinterest boards are a mishmash of modern/farmhouse/traditional all mixed together, and I love them all!
Awkward “hurry up and get me out of here” smile. Bird poop on the swing. Not a perfect after. Photography by Beau.
I hope that Avenue Laurel can help those of you who are like me- who love design, who maybe tinker with DIY a little bit, and want a little bit of inspiration or just some commiseration. Above all, I want AL to be real. I don’t want AL to be a blog that only shows the perfect after. Because, what’s the fun in that?