A few weeks ago we posted an updated HIVEhome tour. I am already itching to post yet another as we begin wrapping up our bathroom renovations and putting the finishing touches on this home studio project, in hopes to renovate and/or build many more HIVEhomes in the future. However, this next time around, I want to include before and after photos - who doesn't love before and after photos?!  Meanwhile, we have the pleasure of showcasing other beautiful homes + people in our continued HIVEhome Tour series.   

I'm delighted to start with Sheila Tran at Three Times a Home. If you look back at our HIVEhome Vision Board post here, you can see her handiwork in another collaboration of ours. She's so talented, a bliss to work with, and her home is a beautiful, direct reflection of who she is as an individual.  If you follow her on Instagram, you will gather much inspiration for a well-organized home as spring fast approaches, but though she may be organized she is not without whimsy as you can see in this adorable FREE Easter printable she has designed for us today.  In short, she's delightful, and I could continue sharing about this brilliant gal, but I'll let her do the talking instead.  

Please take the time to tell us a bit about yourself?

Hello! My name is Sheila and I live in North Dallas with my husband and three sons, ages 7, 4 and 2. I work from home as a freelance graphic designer and branding specialist, but I also really love interior design and photography. 

Tell us a bit about your family?

My husband and I have been married for 13 years. We definitely make family time a priority. With three young boys, there is never a dull moment! We love playing board games, taking walks, riding bikes,  and trying new foods. On the weekends, we love exploring our city!

Tell us about your home and why you chose this particular space?

Eleven years after purchasing our first home, we decided we wanted to build a new one. We had purchased it when it was just the two of us, and three kids later we had outgrown it. After ten months of building, we moved into our new home, last May. We have loved the advantages of a new home, particularly the low maintenance and low-energy savings. Our open floor plan suits our family of five and of course, I love the extra space!

If you had 3 words to describe your home what would they be?

What is your approach to design?

I love simplicity. Most of my home is pretty "clean" decor-wise. I don't like overpowering a space with a bunch of items, instead I focus on clean lines and adding interest using shapes, color and texture. My advice is to keep your larger pieces neutral and add style with decor. We all crave change and it's easier to restyle a space when you have a neutral base. I also enjoy functionality in my home, so I will often decorate with trays, lidded vases or bins, that can double as storage. 

Your home is very tidy in your Instagram presentation - how do you sustain a tidy home? Do you have any pointers? 

While my home looks tidy in IG, it is by no means like this on a day to day. I will say I try to accomplish at least a couple of things on my cleaning list every day. Teaching my kids to cleanup is important and helpful too. We teach them to help keep our home clean by doing little things like clear their plate from the table, place their clothes in their hamper, put toys and shoes away and throw away their trash. 

What is your favorite space in your home, and how does it serve your family?

My favorite space is definitely the kitchen. It is where I spend the majority of my time every day, cooking and prepping snacks and even just relaxing! Our kitchen is open to our breakfast room and family room. It's hard to tell from my photos, but the kitchen also gives me a great view into our upstairs game room so I can keep an eye on my little ones while they play! It's also nice to be able to do dishes and watch TV at the same time! 

Where might you attribute your favorite design decision? What was the most difficult design conundrum? Why?

It's a hard question! I loved being able to customize our home and getting to make design choices when it came to flooring, tile, walls, etc. I knew I wanted all the rooms to be bright and light. But some items, like painted cabinets, in lieu if stained, were considered an upgrade. I opted to save by doing stained cabinets in our master bathroom and laundry room, when I really wanted white or something light. My favorite design decisions revolve around our kitchen. I love the non-traditional shape of our island and the modern look of the shaker-style white cabinets. I also really like the warmth our light gray backsplash adds! I love that it's just a bit different than the traditional subway white tile.

It is evident per Instagram that you enjoy celebrations + gathering, and you use your graphic design skills so beautifully to create them. I love the sweet simplicity of the Easter Tablescape printables you have put together for us to share! That said, with Easter fast approaching, do you have special plans or traditions?

Easter is such a special holiday and one that our family truly cherishes. I love that we will be hosting our first Easter at the new house this year! The kids wake up to find their bunny baskets filled with goodies. We head to church and brunch and wait for family to arrive. We fill up the backyard with cascarones (confetti-eggs) and let the kids have an egg hunt, which is fun for the adults too! Dinner is such a special time to bond and I love making it a little extra special by having placecards and a written menu. These printables are an easy way to coordinate an Easter tablescape. I hope you enjoy the simplicity and ease of these to create a cohesive look for your gathering. 

If you could change one thing about your home, what would it be, OR what is your next home project?

If I could change one thing about our home, it would actually be the backyard! It's boring and needs a lot of work! Landscaping is not our forte but we love spending time out there. We eventually like to add some trees, and extend our patio. I would love to adds some patio furniture and really transform it into a more functional and enjoyable space!

How do you want to feel and be in your home on a daily basis? Do you feel you are reaching that desire? How do you strive for it? 

I think the most important thing is for your home to make you feel happy. It should be a place where you can relax and make memories. I want it to be a safe-haven for our family, free from everyday stress. I try to tackle each space and corner of our home with this in mind. I truly want to fill it with items that bring joy into our lives. 

Sheila Tran lives with her husband and three sons in North Dallas. She owns a graphic design and marketing solutions business, SimplePiece Designs. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas. In her spare time, Sheila finds time to relish the little things as she crafts virtual + authentic spaces of interest and design. Her home has been featured in social media by The Nest, Overstock, Safavieh, West Elm, Target, Hayneedle, and more. Find her on Instagram @threetimesahome as she shares her inspirations and personal lifestyle choices in a pursuit of joy and simplicity.  

credits:

Photos + Easter Printable by Shelia Tran of Three Times A Home + SimplePiece Designs

Previous collaborations:

Find our previous collaboration with SimplePiece Designs in our HIVEhome Vision Board post where we give you the tools to create, envision, and accomplish who you aspire to be and how you want to feel this year and always.