Notes from the Box

Because Everything Needs a Home Let’s face it—stuff accumulates. The meaningful things. The useful things. The “I’ll find a place for this later” things. And before you know it… you need storage. But here’s the good news: Storage doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, the right cabinet doesn’t just hold your things—it elevates...

Seeing the World Differently Some artists paint what they see. Others paint what they feel. For Elma Ells Dreesen, it’s both. Her work is rooted in a deep awareness of the natural world—its beauty, its fragility, and its constant change. And through her paintings, she invites us to slow down long enough to truly...

Love Shows Up in the Details Valentine’s Day has its traditions. Red roses. Pink champagne. Chocolate-covered everything. But beyond the gifts, it’s really about something simpler: Creating moments—and spaces—that feel warm, thoughtful, and personal. And sometimes, the best way to do that isn’t with something temporary… It’s with something that stays. Something you live...

Winter Is Still Here—Lean Into It Let’s be honest… We’re not out of winter yet. The days may be getting a little longer, but it’s still that season of slower mornings, earlier nights, and yes—wanting to stay under the covers just a little longer. So instead of fighting it… Why not embrace it? This...

More Than a Staff Member—A Creative Force At Out of the Box, the people behind the scenes are just as inspiring as the pieces on the floor. And few embody that more than Jackie Allen. If you’ve browsed our website, read our newsletters, or admired how pieces are styled and photographed—you’ve already seen her...

Cabin Fever? We Get It. There comes a point every winter when you just need a change of scenery. Not snow. Not ice. Not another freezing errand. Something warm. Something interesting. Something that gets you out of the house—and into a space that actually feels good. That’s exactly what a visit to Out of...

A New Year, A New Direction in Design Every new year brings a shift. And this year? It’s a noticeable one. After years of cool grays and minimal palettes, we’re seeing a return to rich color, warmth, and personality. Spaces are feeling more layered, more expressive—and honestly, more inviting. At Out of the Box,...

Where Life Naturally Happens There’s a reason everyone ends up in the kitchen. It’s not just about the food—though the smell of something baking or simmering certainly helps. It’s the feeling. The casual conversations. The leaning on the counter. The “just one more bite” moments. Whether it’s Sunday brunch, after-school snacks, or a full...

After the Noise… Comes Reflection The holidays have a way of filling everything. Our schedules. Our homes. Our senses. Between the gifts, the gatherings, the meals, and the celebrations, it can feel like a lot. And maybe that’s part of the joy. As Mae West once said, “Too much of a good thing can...