Celebrating Success

Good Morning!

I am one of those people who get excited seeing others succeed and their dreams coming to pass.  I know that it only comes with hard work and persistence.  I also believe that the harder you work for something the more you value the triumphs along the way.

As most of you know I am a huge fan of Angelo Surmelis.  His story and mine have very similar elements...we both grew up in less than fortunate households and design and creativity was a part of our lives since we can remember.

 

So, Angelo, we celebrate in your success and thanks for being an inspiration.  

Please check out the video for exciting news : )

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 : )

Doors ~ The Gateway To Beauty

Hello Everyone!

I have come to know Lynne Knowlton over the course of this year and may I say what an inspiration she is to me.   She is a strong woman with such a positive outlook on life.  I don't know about you but I love to surround myself with people like that.  She really takes life by the horns and makes life what she wants it to be.  I feel like Lynne is a long lost girlfriend and I know that through her blog she is like that to her followers : )  I am privileged to call her friend.  Be inspired : )

I am an Interior Designer.
Crazy about Travel,
Design
and Blogging in....
DESIGN THE LIFE YOU WANT TO LIVE

As a designer, I see inspiration around me
EVERY SINGLE DAY
I would have my camera surgically attached to my hip, if I could.
I suppose that would result in a few odd looks at the grocery store.
I'm ok with that.  If it meant I could capture a good photo.
 

 I like to LAUGH every single moment possible, of every single day.
I am just like so many of you out there...a Mom, a wife, a lover of life.
Hey, clearly I am also a poet and I didn't even know it.
I am happy to share this blog post with you on
~ DOORS ~
THE GATEWAY TO BEAUTY 

I ADORE~ ADORE ~ADORE travel.
Did I mention that I love to travel ?
Because I believe that when we realize how big and beautiful this world is that we live in....
Our big problems seem small.

 I say this with beauty in my heart.
Our world is full of abundant beauty.
I draw inspiration from it as a Designer.

I started my BLOG...
DESIGN THE LIFE YOU WANT TO LIVE .by Lynne Knowlton.
Yup, that's me.

 So I could share my design inspirations, my crazy life happen~in's, and to share my laughs along the way.
AND BEAUTIFUL THINGS HAVE HAPPENED...

 MANY DOORS HAVE OPENED
Like...
Kelly came into my life.
I was new to TWITTER.
My BLOG was just beginning.
Kelly seemed to find me amongst the clutter.
Many of us have spammers, and grey matter on the Internet, and just STUFF.
Every once in a while, a soul just stands out to you and screams
HELLO
YOU ARE INCREDIBLE.
WE WILL BE FRIENDS.
That is how Kelly and I began.
So here we are today, I am a guest blogger.
Writing for Kelly.  What an incredible pleasure.
She noticed me AMONGST THE MAYHEM and I will be forever grateful for that.

 As I considered my guest blogging ideas....
I thought
I am like a kid in a candy store.
I have so many ideas to share that I could barely decide where to begin.
FREAK OUT !!!
 I mean that in a very exciting, good way !!!!

 One statement always stands out to me in life....
WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES
ANOTHER DOOR OPENS

 We all have difficult moments in life, but let us not forget that when that difficult door closes, one magnificent one may open.
I wholeheartedly believe this.
 I live it.
Like this next photo…
Makes me want to jump in there and have a nap…
Livin’ the dream 

I keep my eyes on the prize.
I keep my heart open to the doors that may open in life.

THE DOORS WE OPEN AND CLOSE EACH DAY,
DECIDE THE LIFE WE LIVE ~ Flora Whittemore

Like life, there are so many beautiful elements to design...
Doors are the beginning of a new space.

 A warm space, an open door, can set a welcoming mood.
A girlzzzzz road trip to Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte was one fantastic place to experience just that.
I travelled with a long time friend, and fellow designer....
Who likes to keep her fame wrapped under her wings...
However, note the gorgeous doors :)

 DOORS are an opening to a new journey.
~ Your first impression to almost any space ~
It means something.
That door you are walking through has deep meaning because it sets the tone for the rest of the space, the mood, and the environment.
Your first impression is essential.
I believe, as a designer, we should pay attention.

Rousillon, France


They don't have to be fancy.
Seriously, I mean that.
Most of the doors in my own home are reclaimed, recycled doors.
Character builders, I like to call them.
Or free.
That is another word that works :)

 I am all about reusing, recycling, vintage hunting, dumpster diving...
Whatever it takes.
Using a door in any creative way possible....
Kudo's to the designers at Truman Handcrafted.
Why didn't I think of that idea ?
It is BRILLIANT.

Photo courtesy of trumanhandcrafted.com

That is way more fun than buying a plastic door in a big box chain store.
Sorry big boxers.
Character should rule.
I threw a kink in the wrench by using a street sign for my door pull.
Sorry folks who live on
EVERGREEN HILL RD
I have no idea where your street sign is.

The doors shown here in our TREEHOUSE were reclaimed doors.
Repurposing doors is a funky thaaang to do.

 I am not delusional. Delirious with door design excitement, but not delusional.
There are some doors and entranceways that are worth a truck load of money...... bazmillions of dollars.
Those are the ones that we find INSPIRATION from.

 May you find beauty and inspiration from all around you.
FOLLOW YOUR BLISS AND THE UNIVERSE WILL OPEN DOORS FOR YOU WHERE THERE WERE ONLY WALLS ~ Joseph Campbell  

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Design Inspiration Is Everywhere..... (lynneknowlton.com)