We are delighted to introduce our 2022 Brand Ambassador, Kara Williams! After a nation-wide call for project submissions, input from our readers and much hang wringing over the talented finalists, Kara was chosen to represent Cottages & Bungalows this year.
Her column will appear in each issue where she will be sharing spaces and places, and as a professional designer, educating us with insider tips for your best home ever.
Beginning in January, Kara will also takeover our Instagram and Facebook accounts one day per week, sharing DIYs, tablescapes, recipes, seasonal ideas, outdoor styling-all things for the home, plus taking us along to design showrooms and giving us sneak peeks into design projects she is working on.
We asked Kara to take it from here, so with no further delay, please welcome Kara:
Greetings new friends! I am so happy to be here!
Is this real life? I am still in shock that I was selected to be the 2022 Cottages and Bungalows Brand Ambassador! It is a huge honor, and I could not be more grateful.
I am so looking forward to sharing all that happens here on Chestnut Street with you this year! My main passion in life is creating inspiring spaces and sharing them with others. I am constantly changing up my home to embrace each season and adore hosting and making each guest feel welcomed.
So, I would like to ask you to join me each issue this year as my guest. I hope you feel welcomed into my home, just as you would if you were personally here. And I hope you get a few ideas for your own home along the way!
Here’s to a fantastic new year of inspiration!
Cheers,
Kara
Get to Know Kara and her Home:
-We’ve lived in our home, built in 1901, for the past 4 years and have completed many projects to update it and restore some of its original charm. It was quite bland, but we saw its great bones and potential-it just needed imagination and work!
-We added all the shiplap in the piano room and dining room, updated the kitchen by painting the cabinets and adding hardware to them, installing white subway tile and open shelving, replacing the faucet and light fixtures, and changing the countertops by painting them to look like marble. We’ve also completed a renovation of the main bathroom, painted the fireplace brick white and installed a reclaimed wood wall above. We replaced light fixtures, updated the front porch, built a large barn door, added millwork, a fence, a firepit area, and a flagstone patio. We completely landscaped the yard, built a pond and we still have more on our “to do” list!
-I’m an interior designer for high-end residential new construction and commercial projects. I love collaborating with my clients from start to finish in creating their dream home.
-I eat, breath and sleep design and decor, but outside of that world, I enjoy spending time with loved ones, yoga, and being a born and raised Pacific Northwest girl, I enjoy the great outdoors.
-My husband of six years, Tanner, is a teacher, coach, and a talented musician.
-Our two Great Danes, Miles and Zeus have huge personalities often make appearances on my Instagram.
To see more of Kara’s creativity visit her on Instagram @littlehouseonchestnut.
Be sure to catch Kara’s column in each issue of Cottages & Bungalows by subscribing here.
Delaney Hardware
When I found out that we would be working with Delaney Hardware to update our front door hardware, I thought, why not just replace the whole door? It is something that I have wanted to do since we moved in and this felt like the perfect timing!
Originally, we had a simple white fiberglass door with standard hardware, and I have always felt that it needed a little more character. So, I chose a classic craftsman style door in knotty alder and stained it a warm, inviting tone inside and out. The Stonehenge entry set in Aged Black is the perfectly complement to our new door and I could not be happier with it! I absolutely love the clean, yet slightly rustic style and the Aged Black finish has such a richness to it.
Kara’s door “before” 
Kara’s door “after” with new Delaney Hardware
Delaney Hardware specializes in high-quality door hardware with exceptional service. Founded in 1992, from the basement of the founder’s home in Georgia, they now serve over 4,000 retail dealers from an 80,000 sq foot facility.
Learn more about their extensive line of beautiful options at delaneyhardware.com.
