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Hello! Looking for an interior stylist for your home?

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Molly Ishmael Design

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Live Oak Acres Blog

My Favorite Farmhouse

Welcome to the Our Blog!

Design tips, DIY ideas, fabulous decor finds, and updates on our own new home build - it's all right here! After the craziness of 2020, we sold our house in the city and bought 20 acres of raw land on a dirt road. Follow along with our family's adventures as we build our new home and new lifestyle. I'll share all our DIY experiences plus design projects along the way! Can't wait to share with you all...

Created with Love by DIY Diva and Earthy-Crunchy Mom, Molly Ishmael

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September 2022 Update: The Black Doors are HERE!

September 2022 Update: The Black Doors are HERE!

September 2022 Update: The Black Doors are HERE!

This month, work picked up and we saw some exciting progress! Things slowed last week due to Hurricane Ian, but then we were back in...

Oct 2, 20227 min read

July/August 2022: Drywall and an "Alarming Update"... That Maybe Isn't So Bad?

July/August 2022: Drywall and an "Alarming Update"... That Maybe Isn't So Bad?

July/August 2022: Drywall and an "Alarming Update"... That Maybe Isn't So Bad?

This is the first time I've combined two months in one blog post. I usually send a little pictorial update every single month, but in...

Aug 27, 20223 min read

Why I Skipped Some of My Favorite Design Elements in Our Own House

Why I Skipped Some of My Favorite Design Elements in Our Own House

Why I Skipped Some of My Favorite Design Elements in Our Own House

In a previous post, I shared design inspiration and some specific choices we made for the new house design. But also, there were some...

Aug 6, 20223 min read

7 Ways to Reduce Harmful Chemicals in the Home (for free!)

7 Ways to Reduce Harmful Chemicals in the Home (for free!)

7 Ways to Reduce Harmful Chemicals in the Home (for free!)

What better way to spend these hot days than a few hours inside in the AC, cleaning out the house! Okay, I suppose there are a FEW other...

Jul 18, 20225 min read

June 2022 Update: Shingles and Chimneys and Fireplaces, Oh My!

June 2022 Update: Shingles and Chimneys and Fireplaces, Oh My!

June 2022 Update: Shingles and Chimneys and Fireplaces, Oh My!

Hello, summer! The heat keeps building and so does the momentum on our new build. Hopefully, end of August or early September will see us...

Jun 30, 20224 min read

Happy FIRST Birthday to Our Blog!

Happy FIRST Birthday to Our Blog!

Happy FIRST Birthday to Our Blog!

365 days ago, I started a blog called "My Favorite Farmhouse" to chronicle our new home build experience for anyone out there who's...

Jun 11, 20222 min read

20+ Ways to Style Above Ground Pools & HOW TO Create Your Own Backyard Oasis!

20+ Ways to Style Above Ground Pools & HOW TO Create Your Own Backyard Oasis!

20+ Ways to Style Above Ground Pools & HOW TO Create Your Own Backyard Oasis!

Years ago when we first met, my husband had a home with a beautiful in-ground pool overlooking a lake. We loved it. He used to take a...

Jun 4, 20226 min read

May 2022 Update - From the Front Door to the Second Floor

May 2022 Update - From the Front Door to the Second Floor

May 2022 Update - From the Front Door to the Second Floor

One of the biggest warnings that our builder provided from the very beginning was that windows are extensively delayed right now. They...

May 28, 20228 min read

5 Ways to Create Every Day Glamour in Your Home (in 5 Minutes or Less)

5 Ways to Create Every Day Glamour in Your Home (in 5 Minutes or Less)

5 Ways to Create Every Day Glamour in Your Home (in 5 Minutes or Less)

"See not the ironing board, but the rose." I wish I could properly credit the publication where I first read this quote, but I remember...

May 14, 20225 min read

The One Secret Designers Use to Transform Any House!

The One Secret Designers Use to Transform Any House!

The One Secret Designers Use to Transform Any House!

One trick works for every home... Read on!

May 7, 20227 min read

April 2022 Update: Raise the Roof!

April 2022 Update: Raise the Roof!

April 2022 Update: Raise the Roof!

Woo-hoo! It's really feeling like a house now! Despite some delivery delays, progress is still chugging along and we're inching closer to...

Apr 30, 20223 min read

Easy Ways to Live More Sustainably (and reduce your monthly bills!)

Easy Ways to Live More Sustainably (and reduce your monthly bills!)

Easy Ways to Live More Sustainably (and reduce your monthly bills!)

Happy Earth Day weekend! I'm sure we're all grateful for this beautiful planet God gave us to live on, care for, and enjoy. In honor of...

Apr 23, 202210 min read

21 Perfectly Petite Pieces for Small Spaces

21 Perfectly Petite Pieces for Small Spaces

21 Perfectly Petite Pieces for Small Spaces

Do you live in a small apartment or compact condo? Or perhaps you live in a large home but there's a room or two that feels cramped. When...

Apr 16, 20228 min read

7 Common Hang-ups When it Comes to Clutter and How to Overcome Them

7 Common Hang-ups When it Comes to Clutter and How to Overcome Them

7 Common Hang-ups When it Comes to Clutter and How to Overcome Them

For a short while I worked as an organizer, and in that time I heard some pretty interesting reasons for hanging on to clutter. While...

Apr 2, 20227 min read

Dining Room Mood Board & DIY Idea

Dining Room Mood Board & DIY Idea

Dining Room Mood Board & DIY Idea

Does anyone else have "saved for later" items in your online shopping carts? As we wait for our new home to be built, I admit I enjoy...

Apr 2, 20225 min read

March 2022 Update: Hello Walls, We're Glad to See You!

March 2022 Update: Hello Walls, We're Glad to See You!

March 2022 Update: Hello Walls, We're Glad to See You!

There's a house on our land! Okay, it's not quite habitable yet, but you would think it's our move-in day, we're so excited! Never miss a...

Mar 26, 20224 min read

Spring Decor Idea: DIY Succulent Wreath

Spring Decor Idea: DIY Succulent Wreath

Spring Decor Idea: DIY Succulent Wreath

Last week I made my first ever succulent wreath. Overall, I love how it turned out, though I learned some things along the way that would...

Mar 21, 20228 min read

Before Starting Any Design Project, do THIS - My #1 Tip for ANY Home Makeover!

Before Starting Any Design Project, do THIS - My #1 Tip for ANY Home Makeover!

Before Starting Any Design Project, do THIS - My #1 Tip for ANY Home Makeover!

Is anyone still looking for a good New Year's Resolution? It's not too late! I believe it's NEVER too late to set a worthwhile goal. No...

Mar 12, 20229 min read

February 2022 Update: We Have a Foundation!

February 2022 Update: We Have a Foundation!

February 2022 Update: We Have a Foundation!

Our update follows, but first, a little personal note... By this time, you probably know this blog is intended to be very much like I...

Mar 1, 20226 min read

Living Room Mood Board & Favorite Online Decor Finds

Living Room Mood Board & Favorite Online Decor Finds

Living Room Mood Board & Favorite Online Decor Finds

With our new house's foundation laid and the roof trusses sitting on the lot as we speak, we're inching closer to our move-in date...

Feb 19, 20225 min read

Part 2: 6 Challenges with Custom Builds - What Shocked Us & Tips if You're Building a Custom Home

Part 2: 6 Challenges with Custom Builds - What Shocked Us & Tips if You're Building a Custom Home

Part 2: 6 Challenges with Custom Builds - What Shocked Us & Tips if You're Building a Custom Home

This is Part 2 in the two-part "6 Challenges with Custom Builds" post series. In case you missed PART 1, click here to read! Never miss a...

Feb 12, 20227 min read

7 Ways to Create a Spa-Like Bathroom on a Budget

7 Ways to Create a Spa-Like Bathroom on a Budget

7 Ways to Create a Spa-Like Bathroom on a Budget

Valentine's Day and spas go together like peanut butter & jelly! Mindful of the upcoming holiday, I thought I'd share some little ideas...

Feb 5, 20226 min read

January 2022 Update: We're Building a (real) House!

January 2022 Update: We're Building a (real) House!

January 2022 Update: We're Building a (real) House!

The fast-moving progress continues this month. Although the summer and fall felt like ages (waiting is hard, right?) now this winter...

Jan 29, 20227 min read

2022's Color of the Year & 5 Fresh Color Combos to Try This Year

2022's Color of the Year & 5 Fresh Color Combos to Try This Year

2022's Color of the Year & 5 Fresh Color Combos to Try This Year

2022's Color of the Year has been announced, and in keeping with what seems to be a theme of the last couple years, the experts DON'T...

Jan 22, 20225 min read

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Featured Posts

Happy FIRST Birthday to Our Blog!

Happy FIRST Birthday to Our Blog!

Happy FIRST Birthday to Our Blog!

Jun 11, 20222 min read

The One Secret Designers Use to Transform Any House!

The One Secret Designers Use to Transform Any House!

The One Secret Designers Use to Transform Any House!

May 7, 20227 min read

7 Common Hang-ups When it Comes to Clutter and How to Overcome Them

7 Common Hang-ups When it Comes to Clutter and How to Overcome Them

7 Common Hang-ups When it Comes to Clutter and How to Overcome Them

Apr 2, 20227 min read

The Joy of Decorating

The Joy of Decorating

The Joy of Decorating

Jun 17, 20213 min read

Welcome to Molly Ishmael Design!

Welcome to Molly Ishmael Design!

Welcome to Molly Ishmael Design!

Jun 13, 20215 min read

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Recent Posts

September 2022 Update: The Black Doors are HERE!

September 2022 Update: The Black Doors are HERE!

September 2022 Update: The Black Doors are HERE!

July/August 2022: Drywall and an "Alarming Update"... That Maybe Isn't So Bad?

July/August 2022: Drywall and an "Alarming Update"... That Maybe Isn't So Bad?

July/August 2022: Drywall and an "Alarming Update"... That Maybe Isn't So Bad?

Why I Skipped Some of My Favorite Design Elements in Our Own House

Why I Skipped Some of My Favorite Design Elements in Our Own House

Why I Skipped Some of My Favorite Design Elements in Our Own House

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