
Read the post

Read the post
Whether you’re planning a custom home build or designing a kitchen renovation, countertop selection is one of those decisions that carries real weight. And a common point of confusion I hear from my BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ clients is, ‘what exactly is the difference between quartz vs. quartzite’? I get it! When I first started hearing […]
Apr

Read the post

Read the post
Selecting a paint color (in general) is overwhelming. Selecting a white paint color can be even more intimidating because there are literally hundreds of options to choose from. Honestly, white can be one of the hardest ‘colors’ to choose, so I’ve narrowed down the vast amount of choices to 10 white paint colors that designers […]
Mar

Read the post

Read the post
Choosing paint colors can feel surprisingly overwhelming — especially when you’re standing in the paint aisle or trying to finalize selections before your builder needs them. That’s exactly why I’ve narrowed it down to eight of the most popular Sherwin-Williams neutral paint colors for 2026. I’ll walk you through each one — and explain why […]
Feb

Read the post

Read the post
Welcome back to the Before You Build podcast! I’m your host, Carrie Barker – aka Caroline On Design – and I am SO excited about today’s episode because I’m sharing my honest DesignShop review with you. I’ve been wanting to do this episode for a while because these products will be an absolute game-changer for […]
Oct

Read the post

Read the post
Serena & Lily’s coastal-style counter stools are gorgeous, but some of them are pretty pricey. Thankfully, they have great sales periodically, and this is a fabulous time to buy the stools, OR you have a second option … you can buy Serena & Lily counter stools: Look for Less dupes. I’ve scoured the internet to […]
Jun

Read the post

Read the post
This episode is for anyone out there who is building a lake house and, more specifically, looking for trending exterior paint colors for lake houses in 2025. I decided to record this episode because, ironically, a significant number of my clients inside BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ are planning to build a lake house. For some, it’s […]
Feb
must reads
Read the post
Read the post
Read the post
hey there,
I designed my own custom home from the ground up, inside and out. A home that is cozy, comfy, laid out perfectly for the way my family lives, and makes us happy every single day. Oh, and did I mention I did this all without going over budget?!
Yep, it’s true. I’ve been there, done that, and actually lived through it … and you will too. Pinkie promise!
Shop