Hi, I’m Jess. My husband Matt and I have been traveling the world since 2015 - two backpacks, one laptop (me) and one bicycle (him). We aim to travel light and leave small footprints. Now, we begin a new chapter with the renovation of a historic apartment in Tuscany. We hope you will follow the adventure and reach out to say hello!
I’m often surprised by the reaction when we mention restoring frescoes in our apartment. Foreigners and Italians alike confess they might not have the patience to tackle these projects. Our reply is always the same. But how could we not? For us it’s a dream and privilege to play a tiny role in the story … More Restoration of a Liberty Style Fresco, Before and After
Not long before her death at 95-years-young, my beloved grandmother Frances told me that she was coming back in the next life as a peacock. “Nothing could be more fitting,” I said, laughing and wishing it to be so. A jitterbug dance champion in her younger days, she was still lighting up the dance floor … More The Restoration of a Fresco, with Peacock Flair
When a great friend and former colleague asked if I would consider writing an Italian travel story for her gorgeous new magazine Huntsville’s CityLifestyle, I hesitated. The road has been long since I left professional travel writing to embark on the meandering-toward-disaster path of book writing. Before the sabbatical, I cranked out story after story … More Can 2025 Kick Off A New Era of Travel? Let’s Hope So!
The subject matter and tone of the last update were heavier and more emotional than most renovation stories, I realize. For this one, I thought I’d share some of the ridiculous situations and on-the-fly decisions inherent in any good reno project. And, because no one has ever appreciated silliness and spontaneity more than our late-friend … More From Bitter to Sweet: A Kitchen Transformation, along with a Dollop of Detours
Here’s the first in a series of “Before and After” stories. Transformation: Bathrooms. For weeks, I’ve struggled with how to continue sharing this renovation story. How easy it would be to let the before-and-after photos speak for themselves – and, I think these images communicate volumes, at least I hope so – but, my heart … More So Much More Than A Renovation Story.
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