Olive + Baxter

05/07/2026

Introducing the Spring/Summer 2026 Paint Collection

follow link to my website and take a peek at the 2026 spring collection of paints!!!!

Nine new colors from Olive + Baxter for the season ahead — warm, quiet, and a little bit romantic. Meet Absinthe Dreams, Lovers Sage, Sacred Hour, and the rest of the palette.

04/08/2026

Bring Home More Than Memories: Why I Buy Art, Textiles, and Pottery While Traveling

As an interior designer, I have always believed that a home should tell your story. One of my favorite ways to make a home feel personal, warm, and layered is by bringing back meaningful pieces from my travels. When I vacation, I love to shop for art from local artisans, beautiful textiles, handmade pottery, and special decorative pieces that can live in a home for years to come.

Anyone can come home with a T-shirt or a trinket, but I think there is something much more lasting and beautiful about choosing pieces that bring pleasure every single day. A hand-thrown bowl from a small pottery shop, a woven pillow from a local market, a painting from an artist you met in person, or a beautiful textile made in a region known for its craft can become part of the soul of your home.

These pieces do more than decorate a shelf or fill a wall. They hold memory. Every time you walk past them, you remember where you were, how you felt, and the experience of discovering them. That is what makes a home feel collected rather than decorated. It gives your space depth, character, and meaning.

I often encourage clients to think this way. Your home does not have to be filled with expensive things to feel special. It should be filled with things you love. Local artisan pieces often have a richness and authenticity that mass-produced accessories simply cannot match. Handmade pottery has texture and charm. Textiles add softness, color, and history. Original art gives a room personality. These are the pieces that start conversations and stay with you for years.

From a designer’s point of view, these finds are also wonderful because they help create a layered, timeless home. A vintage textile can soften a modern room. Handmade pottery can bring warmth to a kitchen. A small painting from a trip can become the perfect finishing touch in a hallway, bedroom, or bookshelf. Even one meaningful piece can change the feeling of a room.

Travel shopping also slows us down in the best way. Instead of buying just to fill space, we choose with intention. We look for beauty, craftsmanship, and connection. That kind of decorating never goes out of style.

So the next time you travel, consider bringing home something that will become part of your everyday life. Look for the local artist, the handmade bowl, the woven fabric, or the little piece of art that makes your heart happy. Years from now, it may still be one of your favorite things in your home.

That is the beauty of decorating with memories. You are not just filling a room. You are creating a life that feels personal, meaningful, and beautifully yours.

Olive + Baxter
535 S. Washington St, Suite 7
Naperville, Illinois
630-519-6277
oliveandbaxter.com

03/30/2026

Rule #44: Incorporate something vintage

Every home needs something vintage.

A beautiful home should never feel like it came straight out of a box. The rooms that feel the warmest, most interesting, and most memorable usually have at least one piece with a little age, soul, and story behind it.

That does not mean your whole house needs to look old-fashioned. It means mixing in something vintage to give your home character. Maybe it is an antique mirror in a modern powder room, a weathered wood chest at the foot of the bed, brass candlesticks on a clean-lined mantel, or a vintage rug that softens a brand-new space. Those touches keep a room from feeling flat and overly perfect.

Vintage pieces bring depth. They add patina, texture, and personality that brand-new items often cannot. They also make your home feel collected instead of decorated. Anyone can buy everything new. A truly special home looks like it was layered over time.

One vintage item can completely change the feeling of a room. A charming side table, an old framed print, a reupholstered chair, or heirloom dishes on open shelving can make a home feel personal and welcoming. It tells your guests that your home has heart.

The key is balance. Pair old with new. Let a vintage piece stand out against fresh paint, updated lighting, or modern cabinetry. That contrast is where the magic happens.

So here is the rule: do not make your home too matchy-matchy. Give it a little history. Give it a little charm. Give it something vintage.

Olive + Baxter
535 S. Washington St, Suite 7
Naperville, Illinois
630-519-6277
oliveandbaxter.com

03/23/2026

Spring Home Maintenance: Small Steps That Protect Your Home

Spring is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your home and handle the small maintenance items that can make a big difference. After a long winter, your home may need a little attention inside and out.

Start by checking gutters and downspouts to make sure water is flowing away from the house properly. Look for cracked caulk around windows and doors, inspect exterior paint for peeling, and check walkways for any shifting or damage caused by freezing temperatures. Inside, spring is a great time to replace furnace filters, test smoke detectors, clean ceiling fans, and look for any signs of moisture where it should not be.

Home maintenance may not be the most glamorous part of homeownership, but it protects your investment and helps prevent bigger, more expensive repairs later. A little time spent now can save a lot of stress down the road.

At Olive + Baxter, we believe caring for your home is just as important as remodeling it. A well-maintained home is the foundation for beautiful, functional living.

Olive + Baxter
535 S. Washington St, Suite 7
Naperville, Illinois
630-519-6277
oliveandbaxter.com

03/13/2026

A Thoughtful Remodel Is About More Than Looks

When many homeowners think about remodeling, the first thing that comes to mind is how the finished space will look. And yes—beautiful finishes, updated materials, and a fresh new style absolutely matter. But a thoughtful remodel should do much more than create a pretty room.

A well-designed remodel should improve how your home functions, increase your everyday comfort, and add lasting value to your investment.

That is where smart remodeling truly makes the difference.

A home should support the way you live. If your kitchen feels crowded, your bathroom lacks storage, your family room does not flow well, or your layout simply no longer fits your lifestyle, those issues affect your daily life. Remodeling gives you the opportunity to solve those problems in a meaningful way. Better storage, improved lighting, smarter layouts, more durable materials, and carefully chosen finishes all work together to make your home easier and more enjoyable to live in.

Comfort matters too. A thoughtfully remodeled home feels better. It works better for your routines, your family, your guests, and your future needs. Maybe that means creating a kitchen that makes entertaining easier, designing a bathroom that feels more relaxing, improving organization in a mudroom, or selecting finishes that make the space feel warm, calm, and inviting. Good design is not just visual—it is something you feel every day.

And then there is value. Remodeling is an investment, and when done well, it can bring lasting benefits to both your lifestyle and your home’s worth. Updated kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, lighting, and functional layouts are all features that homeowners appreciate now and buyers notice later. Even more importantly, thoughtful design helps avoid costly mistakes by making decisions with purpose instead of rushing through the process based on trends alone.

At Olive + Baxter, we believe remodeling should be about creating spaces that are not only beautiful, but also practical, comfortable, and lasting. The best projects are the ones that look amazing and make life better at the same time.

If you are considering a remodel, think beyond the surface. A thoughtful remodel is not just about changing how your home looks. It is about improving how it lives.

At Olive + Baxter, we guide our clients from concept to completion with thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, and a process built around function, comfort, and value.

Olive + Baxter
535 S. Washington St, Suite 7
Naperville, Illinois
630-519-6277

03/09/2026

What to Pick First in a Remodel: The 7 Selections That Keep Your Project on Track

One of the biggest reasons remodeling projects feel stressful is not the construction itself. It is the decision-making. Homeowners are often excited to begin, but once the process starts, they quickly realize just how many choices need to be made.

At Olive + Baxter, we help our clients move through selections with confidence so the remodeling process feels exciting, not overwhelming. From concept to completion, our team is here to guide every step.

The truth is, making the right selections in the right order can keep your project on schedule, protect your budget, and create a finished result that feels cohesive and thoughtfully designed. When selections are delayed or made out of order, it can slow down timelines, create confusion, and lead to costly changes later.

Here are the seven selections we believe matter most at the beginning of a remodel.

1. Cabinetry

Cabinetry is often one of the first major decisions because it affects layout, function, storage, and overall style. In a kitchen, bathroom, mudroom, laundry room, or built-in project, cabinetry sets the tone for everything that follows. The door style, finish color, wood tone, and cabinet configuration all influence the look and feel of the space.

Cabinet decisions also impact timelines because they often have longer lead times than other items. Getting these selected early helps move the project forward smoothly.

2. Countertops

Once cabinetry is moving in the right direction, countertops are the next important choice. Your countertop selection influences color palette, edge detail, maintenance level, and the overall visual weight of the room.

Whether a client loves the look of quartz, natural stone, or something timeless and understated, this choice helps connect the cabinetry, backsplash, flooring, and paint into one complete plan.

3. Flooring

Flooring is one of the most important foundational selections in any remodel. It affects durability, comfort, maintenance, and flow from one room to the next. It also plays a huge role in how warm, light, or modern the finished home feels.

Choosing flooring early allows the rest of the design to build around it. It is much easier to coordinate cabinetry, tile, paint, and furnishings when you already know the flooring direction.

4. Tile

Tile is where personality and detail often come alive. Whether it is a kitchen backsplash, shower walls, bathroom floor, fireplace surround, or accent detail, tile adds texture, shape, color, and movement.

Because there are so many beautiful options, this is also where clients can get overwhelmed. That is why having a designer guide the process makes such a difference. Tile should not just be pretty on its own. It needs to work with the full design plan.

5. Plumbing Fixtures

Faucets, shower trim, tub fillers, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures may seem like finishing touches, but they should be selected early. These choices affect rough-in planning, finish coordination, and overall design consistency.

From polished nickel to matte black to satin brass, plumbing finishes help define the style of the room. They also need to coordinate with cabinetry hardware, lighting, and other details for a polished final look.

6. Lighting

Lighting is one of the most overlooked parts of remodeling, but it has the power to completely transform a space. The right lighting adds beauty, function, and mood. It can make a room feel elevated, warm, dramatic, or welcoming.

Selecting lighting early allows for proper electrical planning and ensures that decorative fixtures and recessed lighting work together. Great design is not just about what you see in daylight. It is also about how the home feels when the lights come on.

7. Paint Colors

Paint may come later in the construction timeline, but color direction should be considered much earlier. Paint ties everything together. It helps balance warm and cool tones, soften bold materials, and bring harmony to the entire project.

The perfect paint color is rarely chosen in isolation. It should relate to the flooring, cabinetry, countertops, tile, and lighting so the finished space feels intentional and complete.

Why the Order Matters

When selections are made in the right sequence, everything works better. The project stays more organized. Materials arrive when they should. Trades have what they need. The design feels cohesive instead of pieced together.

This is one of the reasons clients appreciate working with Olive + Baxter. We do not leave homeowners to figure it all out on their own. We guide the process, help narrow down choices, and create a plan that feels manageable and exciting.

A remodel should not feel like a guessing game. It should feel like a well-thought-out journey that leads to a beautiful result.

At Olive + Baxter, we help our clients move through selections with confidence so the remodeling process feels exciting—not overwhelming. From concept to completion, our team is here to guide every step.

535 S. Washington St, Suite 7
Naperville, Illinois

630-519-6277
oliveandbaxter.com

03/07/2026

Why Choosing a Remodeling Firm by Price Alone Can Cost You More

Your home deserves thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, and a process you can trust.

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is choosing a build + design firm based on price alone. At first glance, the lowest quote may seem like the best deal. But in remodeling, the cheapest option often becomes the most expensive one.

When a company’s entire pitch is that they are the lowest price, you have to ask yourself: Why?

Usually, it means something is missing.

That lower number may come at the expense of thoughtful planning, quality materials, experienced trades, strong communication, proper project oversight, or the level of design detail needed to make the project truly successful. It may also mean the quote is incomplete from the start, leaving room for costly surprises, change orders, delays, and frustration later.

At Olive + Baxter, we know remodeling is about far more than giving a number. It is about protecting your investment, guiding you with expertise, and creating a finished space that is beautiful, functional, and done the right way.

A well-run project requires vision, preparation, communication, and craftsmanship. It requires a team that understands design, construction, budgeting, selections, timelines, and the many moving parts that must come together behind the scenes. That kind of care is not built on cutting corners. It is built on experience, process, and commitment.

Anyone can throw out a low price to win a job. But not everyone can deliver the service, strategy, and results that truly make that investment worthwhile.

The truth is, what looks less expensive in the beginning can cost far more in the end if the process is rushed, the details are missed, or the workmanship falls short. We have seen homeowners spend more fixing mistakes than they would have spent choosing the right team from the start.

At Olive + Baxter, we are not here to be the cheapest. We are here to help you make smart decisions, avoid costly missteps, and deliver a result you feel proud of for years to come.

Because when it comes to your home, value is not about the lowest starting price. It is about the quality of the experience, the strength of the process, and the beauty and longevity of the final result.

Olive + Baxter
One Team. One Contract. Everything Handled.

Contact Us
535 S. Washington St, Suite 7
Naperville, Illinois

Phone: 630-519-6277
OliveandBaxter.com

02/21/2026

Ideal TV Height for a Living Room or Family Room

The sweet spot for TV placement is all about eye level and comfort, especially for people who want a clean, functional space.

⭐ Standard Designer Rule
• Center of the TV should sit about 42–48 inches from the floor.
This matches the natural seated eye level for most people.

📏 Adjust Based on Furniture
• Lower sofas or deep sectionals → lower the TV toward 40–42”.
• Higher seating back / recliners → 48” is usually perfect.
• Over a fireplace → keep it as low as the mantle allows, but you ideally want the bottom edge no higher than 10–12” above the mantle.

📺 TV Size Matters

Larger TVs have a taller midpoint, so you might mount them slightly lower so the center stays at eye level.

Olive + Baxter
📍 535 S. Washington St, Suite 7, Naperville, Illinois
📞 630-519-6277
🌐 www.oliveandbaxter.com

02/18/2026

✨ From Orlando to Naperville: Why Olive + Baxter Attended KBIS ✨

This week, I had the privilege of attending the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in beautiful Orlando — and I didn’t go for the sunshine. I went for you.

As the owner of Olive + Baxter, and as both a general contractor and interior designer, I believe it is my responsibility to stay educated, inspired, and ahead of the curve. Our clients trust us with their homes, their investments, and their dreams. That means I don’t just rely on what worked last year — I actively seek out what’s next.

Why I Chose to Attend

KBIS is the largest kitchen and bath design expo in North America. It’s where manufacturers launch their newest products, where trends are born, and where innovation happens first.

I came to:

• Discover the latest in cabinetry design and storage solutions
• Explore new technology in appliances and smart home integration
• Test new plumbing fixtures and shower systems
• Study advancements in sustainable and wellness-focused materials
• Learn directly from industry leaders through continuing education sessions

Education matters. Trends change. Building science evolves. Product performance improves. And if I expect my clients to invest wisely in their homes, I must invest in learning.

What This Means for You

When you work with Olive + Baxter, you’re not hiring someone who scrolls Pinterest and guesses what’s trending. You’re hiring a team that:

✔ Sees products before they hit big-box stores
✔ Builds relationships directly with manufacturers
✔ Understands lead times and supply chain realities
✔ Knows which finishes are timeless and which are temporary
✔ Brings vetted, tested options back to Naperville and surrounding communities

Some of the most exciting things I saw this year include:

• Beautiful warm wood tones returning in cabinetry
• Thoughtful drawer organization systems that make kitchens more functional
• Integrated lighting solutions that eliminate dark corners
• Statement plumbing fixtures in brushed and living finishes
• Wellness-forward bathroom features that feel like spa retreats

And yes… I tested the shower systems personally. Research, right? 😉

Bringing It Home

Traveling for a trade show isn’t glamorous — it’s long days on your feet, studying details, asking questions, taking notes, and evaluating quality. But I truly believe it’s part of being a responsible design-build professional.

When I say we offer “Concept to Completion,” I mean it. That includes making sure the products we specify are not only beautiful — but durable, innovative, and worth your investment.

My goal has always been simple:

To bring out the design star in my clients.

Attending KBIS is just one more way I do that — by bringing the very best back home to you.

⸻

If you’re considering a kitchen or bathroom remodel this year, I would love to share what I learned and how these new innovations could elevate your space.

Olive + Baxter
535 S. Washington St, Suite 7
Naperville, Illinois

📞 630-519-6277
🌿 www.oliveandbaxter.com

Let’s design something beautiful — and built to last.

02/11/2026

🚀 BIG NEWS! Our New Website Is Live!

We’ve been working hard behind the scenes, and I’m thrilled to share that our brand-new website is officially launched! 🎉

👉 Take a peek, explore the pages, and let us know what you think:
www.OliveAndBaxter.com

Your feedback means the world to us — especially as we continue growing and serving our amazing community.

📍 Olive + Baxter
535 S. Washington St, Suite 7
Naperville, IL

🤗Thank you for all the love and support!
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

home services about contact luxury refined Our Mission & Values At Olive + Baxter, our mission is to redefine luxury in home remodeling and interior design. We are committed to delivering exceptional quality, innovative designs, and personalized service. Our values are rooted in integrity, creativit...