About

The Blank Wall That Stared Back for a Year

For about a year, there was one wall in my house I could not figure out. It was too big to leave empty and too plain to ignore, and every time I walked past it, it stared back. I tried art, then a shelf, then nothing, before I finally learned that the fix was not something to hang on the wall but something to do to it: trim, paneling, a little architecture. That wall is why Clara Home Styling exists, and it is why the site believes a home should feel good to live in, not just look good in photos.

My name is Maddison Scott, I write every post here, and I organize the site around the surfaces and spaces I have actually had to solve, starting with the one that stared longest.

The walls that finally taught me

Walls & Flooring is the heart of the site, because it is where my year-long problem got solved. It is full of the thing most decor advice skips: what you do to a surface, not just what you put in front of it. That means wainscoting, beadboard and board-and-batten, shiplap in pine, whitewash and weathered grey, wall paneling and molding, accent walls that read as architecture, and hall and foyer walls that are hard to style. On the floor side, it compares real materials, like the best flooring for a living room. If a room feels flat, this is the category I would start in.

The kitchen, surface by surface

Kitchen is my largest category, and I approach it the same way: one surface at a time. It covers kitchen flooring in white oak, vinyl and tile, backsplashes, islands for small layouts, tables and chairs from retro to solid wood, and the lighting that changes everything, like sconces over the sink. It is decoration grounded in the surfaces you actually touch every day.

Everything that has to go somewhere

Home Storage & Organization is my smallest and newest category, and right now it is honest about that: nearly every post grew out of the kitchen, from organizing drawers and deep cabinets to tiny-kitchen storage, rolling carts and hiding the trash can. It is the category I am building out next, room by room.

And the spaces outside

Outdoor is where the same surface-first thinking goes out the back door: privacy fence landscaping, a small-yard fire pit, budget balcony and BBQ setups, outdoor potted plants that forgive a missed watering, and tidy fixes like an air-conditioner cover that still breathes. These are the outdoor projects a normal homeowner can actually take on.

What I am, and what I am not

I am not an interior designer, a contractor, a carpenter or an electrician. I am a homeowner who stared down one blank wall, learned to fix it properly, and kept going. Everything here I have either done myself or researched carefully before writing, and when a job involves wiring, gas, or anything structural, I say so and send you to a licensed professional instead of pretending it is a quick weekend win.

If a fact or a measurement in one of my posts is wrong, please write to me. I will check it and fix the post.

A few things off the trim board

I now notice the baseboards in every house I visit, which is not always a welcome party trick. I keep a folder of wall textures on my phone the way other people keep recipes, and I still think that first blank wall looks better than anything I almost hung on it.

Before you panel, drill or build

Everything on this site is general information from my own experience. It is not professional advice, and I am not a builder, electrician, plumber or structural engineer. Please treat these points as the minimum.

Walls, paneling and trim: before nailing or gluing paneling, molding or shiplap, check for studs, wiring and pipes behind the wall. Use the right fasteners and adhesive for your wall type, and remember that adding paneling can affect outlets, switches and door and window trim.
Older homes: in a home built before 1978, assume existing paint may contain lead until a test says otherwise, and old tile, plaster and adhesives may contain asbestos. Have them tested before you sand, cut or pull them up, and do not dry-sand old paint.
Flooring: subfloor prep, moisture and expansion gaps matter, and bathrooms and kitchens need water-resistant materials. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and acclimate wood and laminate before installing.
Electrical work: kitchen lighting, sconces, ceiling fans and any new wiring should be installed by a licensed electrician and meet local code. Turn off the breaker first, and use damp or wet-rated fixtures where moisture is present.
Fire pits, grills and outdoor power: keep fire pits and grills well clear of the house, fences, decks and anything flammable, follow local fire rules, and never leave them unattended. Use outdoor-rated cords and GFCI-protected outlets outside.
Fences, structures and digging: fences and larger outdoor builds can be covered by permits, setbacks, drainage and homeowner association rules. Check them first, and call 811 before you dig for posts or footings.
Plants and pets: growing conditions vary by region, so check your local extension service, and look up any plant before placing it where children or pets can reach it.
Measuring and ventilation: measure your space before ordering materials, and ventilate well and wear protection when cutting, sanding or painting.

Affiliate disclosure. Clara Home Styling is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through one of my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what I write or what I tell you to skip.

About Me:

Full name: Maddison Scott
Role: Founder and writer, Clara Home Styling
Email: [email protected]
Based in: Asheville, North Carolina
Pinterest: pinterest.com/clarastyling
Contact page: clarastyling.com/contact
Background: A homeowner who learned to style a house surface by surface, starting with one blank wall. No formal design or trade credentials.
Focus: Walls, paneling and flooring, kitchens, home storage, and outdoor spaces
Writing since: 2026