Coastal Design

Good Afternoon!

I am an East Coast girl and I can't tell you how much I miss the ocean and the sand underneath my feet.

Source: wunderground.com via Kelly on Pinterest

 I used to go to the shore all the time.  There is nothing like it.

I find coastal design to be very peaceful and even though I can't have the ocean on a daily basis at least interior wise I can have elements of it in my home.

Some pics that are inspiring me right now.

Source: houseofbliss.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Love the straw hats against the white paneled walls.  They add such a carefree natural element to the staircase.

Source: veranda.com via Kelly on Pinterest

The driftwood beams and shelving is gorgeous.

Source: ciaonewportbeach.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Of course you have to add in one of my favorite colors, blue.  Bringing the serenity of the ocean indoors.

Source: traditionalhome.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Bunk room for kids.  Nautical themed without going overboard..no pun intended.. lol.

(HGTV)

The simplicity of this space is very relaxing.  The sheer white drapes, the natural wood elements, and the rug the makes me think of sand is stunning and brings harmony.

I have brought sheers into my home too.  I love the way the space breathes now.

What do you think about coastal living?  Is this a style you would incorporate into your home?

Bringing Spring Color : Foyer

Good Afternoon!

I can totally feel spring in the air. Spring always brings a newness and I am bringing that into my foyer.

I am on attack and getting rid of my old wall color. It's time for something fresh and alive :)

You can see I have begun painting and the old color on the opposite wall. Benjamin Moore ( Pearl Gray) is my go to color. It has the underlying mint hue in it and I am in love. It gives just the right amount of contrast I need without going completely gray.

Wait til you see where the Tucson Teal is going...

Freshening Up

Good Morning!

I have gotten spring fever.  Yes, the restlessness I get when change is needed in my home.

A couple years ago we put in hickory flooring in our hallway, which I absolutely adore.  The paint color at the time I really liked and it went with just about everything.

Time has changed my mind.  I found that the yellowy undertone of the paint was picking up in the flooring.  I really don't like it.  It started making me feel sad.  Color can so affect your mood.

I have been so inspired by some interiors that have a lighter hue and the spaces feel so clean and fresh.

(Sara Gilbane)

So here I am painting a light color on my wall (which by the way scares me...)

First coat down and today I put second coat on.  I will carry this color into my foyer and living room.  The hallway already feels so much better and so do I.

Just in case you're wondering I am using Benjamin Moore "Pearl Gray"

Have you caught spring fever yet?

How are you sprucing up your home for spring?

BTW..

Today I finalize on trim pieces for tile for client.  Can't wait to see the installation on that.

DIY Christmas Wreath

Good Morning!

Every Christmas the kids and I add a new craft to our decor.

For ex.  we did this one a couple years ago.

Made of Marshmallows..which now hangs in my kitchen.  It looks the same as it did when we made it.  You can find out more about this wreath here

This year I kinda did more than our usual one craft.  I want to share with you one we have completely finished and was inspired by the famous Canadian designer, Sarah Richardson of HGTV.

Here is what you will need..

 Boa feathers..I got mine at Hobby Lobby.  I absolutely LOVE that store.  They were $7.99 and you need two of them for one wreath.  I made two wreaths.

Galvanized Steel Wire..I already had from a previous project.  Ace Hardware $3.19

 I wanted to add battery operated lights and purchased these from WalMart at $7.98 each and I needed two packages for the two wreaths. 

 Of course, a foam wreath.  Hobby Lobby at $4.99 (I bought 2)

 The first thing I did was to secure the battery pack to the back of the wreath

No one will ever see the mess : )

I then wrapped the lights all the way around and tucked the end into the wire.

Did the same for the boa..

 I then hung them on my windows with these..

Suction cups with hooks..you can purchase these at Home Depot for a couple dollars.

And here is the final product..

Now, I don't have a pic with the lights on because my camera just wasn't doing it justice.

What projects are you creating for the Holidays?

What Are You Thankful For?

Good Afternoon!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am looking back over this year and thinking about all I have to be thankful for.

This year has been filled with so many challenges and victories.

Earlier in 2012 my dad was put in the hospital and it was scary.  At one point we almost lost him but I am so grateful that he is doing much better.  Later in the summer my Dad & Mom, and my sister came to visit.  Happy for another year with them.

 And those lovely kids who give me the drive to do what I do.

 

 Then we got this little guy..an answer to prayer for my girl.

 (That's a story in itself)

Thankful for my extremely hot, husband!  

Who works so hard for our family.  Thankful for new work opportunities that came his way.  He has been such a big supporter of my dreams as well.

Which leads me to...

This year marked the official beginning of my business. 

Thankful for Sara who created my logo and just "got me" when we met.

She also cleaned up my site since I am technically challenged : )

For the new people I have met..

Project Ladybug

Eric Stromer and fellow Canadian Bloggers (Lynne Knowlton)

Emily Henderson (HGTV)

 

Also, for all my clients thus far!  Thank you for your trust in me for your homes and commercial spaces.  Looking forward to new clients in the coming year : )

Most of all I want to thank God (and no this is not like an AMA speech) for truly all He has walked with me through.  He gets my ultimate Thanks.

Hope your Thanksgiving is full of looking at the true joys of life.  God bless!

A Little Recap

Good Monday Morning!

I was so excited about a charity that I was helping out with called Project Ladybug.  It's a wonderful opportunity to give back and help the children who fight against cancer and their families as well.

About a month ago my friend and I went for orientation.

 There I am at the bottom of the picture (with the green jacket.. standing next to the silver car)

Wonderful volunteers who gave of their time to help such a worthy cause.

 I was able to take some pics before it all started but couldn't get any more because well, I was working..

How cute is this?  A ladybug car : )

 This is really a very small portion of the space.

And some of the great ladies I had a chance to work with.

Since my pictures don't do it justice..here is a video clip of the night.

Have a wonderful week : )

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!