Boy's Room

Good Morning!

 How are you enjoying this Monday?

I am excited because this week the pre-bid meeting for the contractors will be happening on a commercial design job I will be doing.  More on that later : )

With our busy schedule and coming up with design solutions for our wonderful clients I can't forget about our house and the tlc that it needs : )

In an earlier post you can see the before pictures of my son's room.  It was important for me to have his input..after all it's his room and he needs to be happy.  Now I will say..I still need to get his bedding.  Those blankets are just there for the time being.

The carpet I won from Shadow Mountain from a giveaway on Facebook.  They were just at High Point Spring Market.

My son told me he loved blue and that's what he got : )

He likes to spend time outside with Daddy doing rugged activities so the lantern was a must and it makes for a great night light.

Captain America is his favorite.  The painting with the red and orange he created and wanted it hung in his room.  The picture above is a painting from Newfoundland where my husband is from.

Another love of his..dogs.

Football is another big thing .. quality time we all spend together.  Chicago Bears,  have to support the home team and ..

the Philadelphia Eagles from where I grew up : )

 the little train my daughter made for him.

Now onto prepping my laundry room for paint.

Hope your week is full of beauty : )

KBIS Show and Some Familiar Faces

 Good afternoon!

 Yesterday I was at the KBIS Show in Chicago and it was so much fun!

I met up with some awesome bloggers and interior design experts..thanks to Twitter.  Why?  Well, we all scheduled this meet up from there.  Thank God all I had to do was drive while most of them flew in.  These ladies are awesome and you all should follow them..will have their info at the end of my post ; )

There was so much to see and not enough time in my day..

Love these bikes..especially the one that's made out of walnut.  So sweet!

 How about some shine in your space?

 I was really taken aback when we came to a section called the "UNCONTAINED"

This area really showed the different phases of life that we go through and how design meets all of our needs in these stages.

 And this is what this home looks like..

 All of these spaces were made from storage units..how cool would this be to put a space like this on your property?

 For the couple who has busy careers and a new marriage..who love to cook together.

Here is that space..

 Families who want to spend time together..and starter homes

 I love the cork walls.  I really want to do this in my home.  Natural and simple.

The next UNCONTAINED container is how do we deal in design bringing in the older generation into our homes.  There is an answer..

 Weren't those containers amazing?

Here is something else that caught my eye..

 Yes, that is fire.  So many amazing things and my mind was going a million miles a minute.

As I was walking with my friend, Lynne (awesome blogger and interior designer) I noticed someone.  I decided to go up to her just to make sure..

Yep, it was Emily Henderson!  Design Star winner and host of Secrets From A Stylist.  She was so much fun to talk to.  She had me laughing so hard but those pictures I won't share.  I think I looked like a horse..lol.

Not only did I see her but the group of ladies and I met up with ..

Eric Stromer from "OVER YOUR HEAD" on Hgtv.  This guy is really hilarious and a joy to listen to in the session.  Loved meeting up with these gals.  

Here is their twitter handle from left to right ~

@MaureenCmodecor

@lynneknowlton

@Remodel_w_Feia

 

and none other than Robin Siegerman who is the author of Renovation Bootcamp:Kitchen.  I ordered the book : ) 

I was asked to do an interview about my whole experience.  I was so nervous.  If any of the tape gets used I will let you all know : )

Love Chicago and even though I live close I don't get in there enough.

I love this city!

The best way to end my day was to go to dinner with my family..

The end to a most perfect day!

Thank you, Lynne for everything!

 

 

Yep..It's Not Pretty

Good Morning!

My house is still a work in progress ( as I believe that statement applies to mostly everyone : )

I have been tackling my son's bedroom.  

Here is the tragic before pictures..

This is when we first moved in..yes, it's a hot mess!

What this room had going for it was the big windows and it already had hardwood floors.

The bad thing is the room is tiny.

Cleaned up his room a little bit.. it feels like a lodge prison..yuck.  Will be working on it and making it more into a room that a little boy wants to be in : )

The question is how to gather inspiration that would make this room him and not be just a nice generic bedroom..

I need to really listen to him and bring him along this process..

Have a wonderful and profitable week : )

This Never Happens To Me

How's your weekend going so far?

We went on a little getaway with the kids this past week..

celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary and the kid's birthdays.

We had a beautiful condo..

Our view : )

We had such a wonderful time..Corey and I said we have to make more time to do stuff like this.

Earlier this year I entered into a contest by Shadow Mountain Home.

I entered and I never think I am going to win anything.  Well, this time I did!

 I won a rug : )

So, I get to go on vacation and as soon as I get back a rug is brought to my door.  Here it is..

Lots of color.  I am thinking about putting it in my son's room.  

Hope the rest of your weeekend is awesome : ) 

Rolling Up Our Sleeves

Good Evening!

I am starting way late today.  I have a lot of things going on and I can't wait to share all of them with you.  

One of the things I am so excited about is Project Ladybug.  I feel so honored to be a part of this charity.  This chapter is based out of the Chicago area and is in direct correlation to Comer Children's Hospital The University of Chicago.

Little Atia who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the face of this wonderful project.  I am happy to report that she is now in remission.

Atia's Project Ladybug is there to help these families who end up dealing with financial difficulties, emotional support, comfort baskets, etc..

To see more of her story watch this..

http://www.cltv.com/blogs/living-healthy-chicago/wgntv-atias-project-ladybug-fund-20120412,0,475698.story

The good news is you can help!  

Atia's Project Ladybug is putting on their 2nd annual event and it's called Stars And Cars

Miss Dina Manzo (founder of Project Ladybug) will be there.  

She is the former star of the Real Housewives of New Jersey and is now the host of her own HGTV show called Dina's Party.

Meg Caswell

who was last year Design Star's winner.  She now has her own show on HGTV called HGTV's Great Rooms.

 and there will be other celeb sightings..

This will be a night where not only is it fun but we gather for a good cause and make a difference in the lives of these families.  Let us show our support and help in the aid to healing.

Hope to see you there : )

Have a wonderful weekend : )

Do You Smell That?

Good Morning!

I don't know about you but when I see pics of beautiful spaces..

(Restoration Hardware)

(Veranda)

I also envision myself in the room and the aromas that might be in the space.  A clean fresh breeze from the ocean, the smell of leather or the smell of fresh cut flowers.

I really believe scent is just as important as design is pleasing to the eye.

I want to share with you a couple of my favorite scents..

This is one who really lives up to it's name.  The fragrance is fresh and not overpowering.  It truly is like opening the window and hearing the seagulls in the distance.  It's what I picture being in a summer cottage.

The next one..

French Oak Room Spray from Restoration Hardware

This spray has a manly rugged tone but is in touch with his feminine side.  I bought one for my husband and he has taken it to his office.  Restoration Hardware hit the nail on the head with this one.

Try these and you won't be disappointed.  Your home will be a wonderful place to relax and take a deep breath in : )

I Refuse To Believe..

How are you all today?

I read in an article that they are saying books are a thing of the past.  That electronic books are the "in" thing.  

I personally believe that there is nothing like feeling the pages of a book.  There is a place where electronic books have their place..

But there is no beauty in the electronic book.. like real books that make you want to touch and explore in a space..

(image)

(image)

(image)

(image)

What do you think?

Some Things To Share And An Invite..

Good Morning!

I hope your week is going great : )

I have a meeting at my house with the design team preparing for Rockford Sharefest.  We have some really great ideas to help transform the schools and will bring a wonderful environment for the students and faculty to learn and grow in.

I can't wait to show you what we have up our sleeves ; )

Easter is this weekend.  For us it's a time for reflection and to be grateful for all God has done for us.

My husband is the music director for Heartland Community Church and he wrote a song recently that I would like to share with you all.  I really hope you enjoy it.

This Time Of Year ~ Corey Pelley

Catching Up

Good Morning!

I am so hungry.  My daughter is making breakfast for me..such a sweet girl.  

After the past couple days I thought I would never eat again..food poisoning.  Needless to say that restaurant will forever be off my list.

So, today I am playing catch up.

Painting my son's room.  Will show you the before on another post : )

How is your Monday going?