Meet Kim

in the garden with all the flowers

Hi, I’m Kim

the gardener, decorator, and storyteller behind Shiplap and Shells

Here is where I share life in our 1920 beach cottage and Pacific Northwest garden.

My husband and I (along with our two pups, Jax and Ollie) live on the Puget Sound, where we’ve spent the past 13 years renovating, reinventing, and adding charm to our forever home.

What started as a simple fixer-upper has turned into a cozy coastal cottage filled with vintage finds, a garden full of flowers, and a whole lot of charm and character.

From Decor Dreams to Gardening Dreams

I’ve always loved creating warm, welcoming spaces, but the real magic happened when we built our greenhouse and raised beds.

That’s when my gardening journey truly began.

When we first moved in, I barely knew the difference between a perennial and an annual — now I grow most of my flowers and veggies from seed!

I’m a self-taught hobby gardener who believes that with a little dirt under your nails and a lot of heart, anyone can create something beautiful.

Sharing tips, mistakes, and small victories along the way has become one of my favorite parts of this blog. If my garden adventures can inspire someone else to start their own, then that’s the best reward of all.

in the greenhouse holding a pumpkin

Fav Season to Decorate For:

Definitely Christmas — give me all the garlands, twinkle lights, and cozy cottage charm.

Coffee or Tea?

Always coffee — I make myself an iced latte every morning, no matter the season. It’s my special treat for the day!

Go-To Decorating Style

Cottage — vintage finds, cozy textures, and a lived-in, layered look that feels collected over time.

posing in front of boats at the marina

Life Beyond the Garden

When we’re not at home, you’ll usually find us out on the water aboard our trawler, Wildflower.

Exploring the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, and nearby Canadian waters is our favorite kind of adventure — and yes, Jax and Ollie come along too!

I share snippets of our boating life on the blog as well — from peaceful anchorages to dog-friendly island stops — because it’s all part of the coastal lifestyle we love so much.

on the boat in winter with two dogs on my lap

black dog in Hawaiian life vest in a green kayak

holding a cream dog on a dinghy boat

a few pinch-me moments

What started as a dream on Instagram has turned into more than I ever imagined. Our home and gardens have been featured in several publications — including Better Homes & Gardens Cottage Style, Country Home, and Cottages & Bungalows — and even on the TV show, Seattle Refined. It’s been an absolute dream come true and such a joy to see our little cottage story shared with others who love vintage charm and garden life as much as I do.

Fun Facts About Me

  • I’m happiest at home, in the garden, or anywhere near the water.
  • My favorite food? Anything with a potato.
  • You’ll usually find me listening to Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, or ’70s and ’80s classics.
  • My first job was at Nordstrom at 16 — somehow I ended up trading fashion for flowers, and I’ve never looked back.
  • I’m a sucker for twinkle lights, fresh-cut flowers, and vintage treasures.
  • I’m definitely not a fan of cilantro, cleaning the shower, or mean people.
posing in front of nursery with flowers in the bike basket

Welcome Home

Whether you’re decorating for the seasons, dreaming up your next garden project, or just looking for a little cozy cottage inspiration, I’m so happy you’re here. My hope is that Shiplap and Shells inspires you to create a home and garden you truly love — one that feels warm, welcoming, and full of heart.

Thank you for stopping by and sharing this journey of home, garden, and coastal life with me.

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