Hey There!

I’m Martina, the voice behind The Lived-In Look and I’m so glad you dropped by to learn a little more about me. But first, let’s start with you, and why you’re here.

Pour a glass of wine and lets chat, k?

If you’re anything like I used to be, then you’ve probably spent a fair amount of time endlessly scrolling through Pinterest, saving loads of gorgeous home inspiration photos. And likely, getting caught up in analysis paralysis wasting way too much time comparing your home to the picture perfect looks on a website.

Real homes

I have news for you, it’s all smoke and mirrors. Life isn’t perfect, and neither our homes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create something beautiful that your family GASP actually lives in. Yes, dirty dishes, scattered toys, unmade beds. It’s real life.

I’m here to help you create a Lived-in Look. One that’s uniquely you, imperfect a lot of the time, but still so beautiful and the place you love to gather and be proud of.

Just a girl with an obsession for rearranging furniture and changing up paint colors…

For as long as I can remember I’ve been dreaming up and designing spaces that I can call home in. And if I’m being honest, it’s a little more than a passion. I’d even dare call it an obsession. Just ask my super supportive husband how many times a day I come up with the next big DIY home improvement project for our house. The poor guy can barely keep up with me. What can I say? Some girls have a thing for shoes, while I can collect pillows and chandeliers like nobody’s business.

This is my creative outlet from the daily grind of the corporate world and I absolutely love the process of designing something beautiful for my family to enjoy. And speaking of family, I wouldn’t be on this journey without them. My patient husband supports every big crazy project I scheme up and works right alongside me to see it through. We are definitely total opposites in every way imaginable, but it works for us. He keeps me grounded and I push us harder pursue our skills along the way. Believe me when I say, one of the greatest tests of a marriage are home improvement projects. But it’s also pretty darn fulfilling when you tackle and create something amazing together.

My life…

Our blended family keeps me on my toes, so when I’m not diving into the next DIY project I’m busy wrangling a new teenager and a pair of toddler tornadoes. Seriously, there’s a reason their nicknames are “Hurricane Harrison” and “Earthquake Ellie”. This duo can level a playroom in 5 seconds flat. So what’s a design junkie mom to do when she craves a beautiful, pristine and magazine worthy home with a house full of people actually inhabiting it? I just roll with it.

I may post some beautiful photos of my home, sure, but I always promise to keep it real.

Our homes are so much more than the highlight reel on Instagram….

They’re meant to be lived in and enjoyed, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t picked up a few tricks along the way to help design a house that’s both functional and beautiful.

So please follow along and connect with me on my journey of designing and renovating house number 3. I’m so thrilled to help inspire you to create a beautiful home that you can be proud of!

xoxo

Martina