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Jessica Monroe

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You know what caught my eye last weekend while driving around? A gorgeous sage green house with black trim that literally made me slow down for a better look. Something about this color contrast is just so striking. Sage green house with black trim have become super popular lately, and for good reason. This color pairing has this magical way of looking both modern and timeless at the same time. You know, Sage green brings this calm, soothing vibe that feels connected to nature, it’s not too bold or too bland. While the black trim creates these amazing lines that highlight all the best features of a house. It’s like putting a frame around a beautiful picture. I thought I’d share some fantastic ideas for sage green houses with black trim. We’ll look at different ways to use this color combination, from shutters and windows to doors and roofs. I’ve…

A modern grey house with black trim creates a sleek, bold and high-contrast look. And the character of the house speaks for itself.What I love about this color combination is how it works with almost any architectural style. It just enhances the look. I’ve noticed something funny when driving around neighborhoods lately. So many homeowners want their houses to look different and unique, but not TOO different. This is exactly why I’ve fallen in love with modern grey houses with black trim. Grey gives you that neutral, sophisticated look while black trim adds just enough contrast to make things interesting. When a friend of mine was struggling with choosing colors for her new house, I suggested this combo and she really loved it. The balance between the calm grey walls and the black trim created this perfect harmony that made her house look both modern and timeless. In this post,…

Black houses with white trim create this amazing high-impact look that somehow manages to be both timeless and completely current. I’ve recommended this combo to so many friends and clients and it never disappoints, because it creates magic. Picking the right colors for your house exterior can feel like an impossible task. I can’t tell you how many times friends have called me in a panic with paint swatches spread across their kitchen table. That’s exactly what happened last summer when my friend was staring at about 50 shades of beige, looking totally defeated. “What about black with white trim?” I suggested. The look on her face was priceless, and three months later, her home was the talk of the neighborhood. What I absolutely love about this color combination is how it works on literally any style of house. From modern to traditional the contrast of black and white just…

There’s something so captivating about white house with black windows that makes you want to pull over and have to slow down for a second look because of the elegance and classic look. I’ve been designing home interiors and consulting on exteriors for so many years, and this pairing never goes out of style. A white house with black windows is timeless, versatile, and always making a statement without trying too hard. The magic happens in the contrast. White walls create this clean, bright canvas while those black windows add just enough drama to keep things interesting. It’s simple but not boring, classic but not outdated. I remember driving through a neighborhood last fall with a client who was confused for the exterior color of the house. We turned a corner and saw a stunning white farmhouse with black windows. My client really loved that contrast and I don’t doubt…

Gray house with white trim are absolutely popular over the past few years and the reason for it is just perfect. This classic combo works for so many architectural styles, from super sleek modern builds to charming century-old homes that need a refresh. I used to think house exteriors are just exteriors. Something you walk past every day without much thought. But after years of working with homeowners desperate to get their visual appeal right, I’ve completely changed my thinking about this. Gray houses with white trim are absolutely popular over the past few years and the reason for it is just perfect. This classic combo works for so many architectural styles, from super sleek modern builds to charming century-old homes that need a refresh. The contrast between cool gray siding and white accents creates this perfect balance that looks put-together without trying too hard. I took a walk around…

Black house with wood accents are everywhere these days, and I’m totally here for it. There’s something so striking about that contrast, the deep, bold black exterior against the warm, natural wood elements. I first noticed this trend taking off a few years ago but now it feels like I can’t scroll through Instagram for two minutes and see another gorgeous black home with cedar accents. What makes this combo work so well? It’s that perfect balance between modern and timeless. The black exterior creates this dramatic backdrop that feels contemporary and bold. Then the wood comes in with all its natural warmth and texture to soften things up. The wood elements keep these homes from feeling too stark or severe. They add character and dimension that makes each house unique. Here are 25 ideas to take your black house to the next level with wood accents. Whether you’re building…

I get so excited when I talk about direct mail for luxury properties because I’ve seen firsthand how a beautiful, well-crafted mailer can turn a cold lead into a warm prospect. There’s something special about holding a gorgeous property brochure in your hands that digital just can’t match. I know what you’re thinking – “Isn’t direct mail kinda… old school?” Trust me, I had the same thought until I watched a real estate friend of mine land three multi-million dollar listings from one targeted mail campaign. The truth is, luxury buyers aren’t scrolling through hundreds of Zillow listings like the rest of us. They want to feel special, exclusive, and personally invited to consider a property. That’s why, when I learned how to market luxury real estate, I litterally took direct emailing super serious. Let me walk you through why this “old-fashioned” approach is actually your secret weapon for selling…

I’ve been thinking about second homes a lot lately. Not just because they’re a hot topic in the real estate world, but because my sister just bought the cutest little cabin in Vermont and I’m straight-up jealous. Buying a second home isn’t like picking up a new pair of shoes though. It’s a big deal with lots of moving parts. Maybe you’re dreaming about a beachfront getaway where you can hear waves crashing from your bedroom window. Or perhaps you’re eyeing a mountain cabin where you can escape city noise. Whatever your vision, you need a game plan before signing on any dotted lines. I learned this the hard way when my friend Jake rushed into buying a lakeside cottage without checking flood zones. Two years and one flooded basement later, he wished he’d done more homework. So grab a coffee and let’s walk through how to make a smart…

Talking about mental health used to feel so taboo. Now it seems like everyone’s sharing their therapy wins on Instagram. Progress, right? But when it comes to the serious stuff—like suicide prevention—we’re still struggling to have the real conversations that matter. I learned this firsthand when my cousin spent three days in an ER hallway because there wasn’t a single mental health bed available in our entire county. Three days. In a hallway. With fluorescent lights and zero privacy while experiencing the worst mental health crisis of his life. That experience changed how I look at our mental health system forever. Mental health beds might sound like just another boring healthcare term. But trust me, they’re literally lifesaving spaces that we desperately need more of. What is the role of mental health in suicide prevention? Mental health plays this huge role in suicide prevention that we just don’t talk about…

Ever walk into a room with the honest intention of finding your favorite socks, and instead you find a box of tangled Christmas lights, two phone chargers that don’t fit anything you own, and a stack of magazines from when people still said “hashtag” out loud? Yeah. That. Clutter has this sneaky way of building up when you’re not looking. It starts small. A receipt here. A pair of shoes there. Next thing you know, your hallway has turned into a sideways obstacle course. And then there’s hoarding — which is more than just mess. It’s deeper. Heavier. And honestly, a lot more emotional than most folks think. So why do we hold on to things we don’t need, don’t use, and sometimes don’t even remember owning? That’s exactly what we’re unpacking today. What is Hoarding? Now, there’s messy, and then there’s hoarding. Messy is when your junk drawer doesn’t…