Where I Go

Every day I have to have a moment where I can be alone and just think, pray or be creative.

Are you like that?

I am a mom of 3 awesome kids but how many of you know that even though you love them to pieces you have to sometimes just close the door and go to that place where you can be filled up again.

I come here.

It's my quiet place.  I come and read novels.. design magazines.. get my ideas for my clients (with a good cup of coffee in hand.  I love coffee! )

The best thing about this spot... is the view!

  Creating your own oasis isn't hard..just surround yourself with things you love!  If you love books then create your own library with some shelves!  If you love plants..hang them or place them on tables in a grouping or solitary.  If you like to be cozy put a basket near a chair with throw blankets in them and perhaps a cute pillow.  Create an environment that gives you peace and can foster creativity.

Where do you go?

Sneak Peek

Good Morning!

I am still on my painting project in my living room/ dining room area.  I am looking forward to when it's done.  It is taking me so long with a three kids, homeschooling, business, and all my other responsibilities that I have to squeeze painting in small increments.  

The one thing I love is how it brings instant transformation to a space.

It satisfies the crave without having to spend a fortune.

This wall isn't completely done yet.  I still have to finish the second coat of trim today (I will be so happy!)  Tomorrow start working on next wall.  Can't wait to show you the finished product.

How's your Monday going?  Any spring projects on your list?

A Christmas Stroll (Living Room / Foyer)

Good Afternoon! 

I am here enjoying pumpkin chocolate bread from one of my favorite local shops here...so yummy : )

It's not fair that I can't share it with you all but what I can share is the decorating we did in our living room and foyer : )

For our family, I believe that everyone should get a hand in on the process.

Here are my daughters painting pinecones that we went and got from our neighbors yard.  (and yes, we had permission..lol)

and here are the pinecones put to good use..

On this vignette we added more candles, more pinecones and evergreen branches.

Coffee Table

The View

(see the marshmallow wreath)

Our Foyer

I try to use as much natural elements as possible and use decorations that I have been collecting in new ways.  One of the things anyone can do is to buy one new Christmas decoration every year or do a new Christmas craft and your home will feel fresh every time this season comes along.  That's what we do.

Hope you enjoyed this walkthru.  Have a wonderful weekend all!

Living Room Arrangement And A Wrap up

Good Morning to Everyone : )  

 

We have been hosting a lot lately and just recently there was a singer/songwriter's group at our house.  I love hearing the lovely sound of voices and instruments through my home.  

Having people over is more of an incentive to create an environment that people love to come to and enjoy.

Which leads me to our living room..

I spoke about it here.  In that post you will see the layout of the furniture before.

I decided to change it because just like the dining room that arrangement wasn't working for us.

The flow into the living room is so much more open compared to how it was before.  

I didn't want to block the view by putting the sofa in front of the window and making the windows seem smaller than they were.  That lamp on the table actually goes into my family room..hahaha.  

Now that flow has been established I will soon be able to add the other layers into the room : )

By the way, I do want to wrap up our basement situation.  If you haven't read about it check it out..

1.  Rising Water

2.  Demolition Part 1

3.  Demo Part 2 : Clean and Clear

4.  The Why and How

That situation had plagued us for quite some time and I am happy to say it plagues us no more.

This makes me so happy!  That rotten smell and pools of water will no longer be an issue.

Here Corey is filling it back up.  Now we have not cemented it back yet to make sure the pipes were in full working order.  I am happy to say no problems have arose.  Whew : )

  Hoping your week is full of creativity.

Can It Be: Living Room (and some cool news)

Hey Everyone!

The weather is beginning to change and my wood stove is working in full force in the evenings.  I wrote about ours here.  I love it and it saves us on our energy bills.

Let's do a recap of what has been accomplished so far..

Family Room (still a work in progress)..

(need new furniture..but my floors are done)

Hallway

Dining Room

Now we move onto our living room.

I wish I had the complete before pics but I don't.  All I can say is it had the same nasty, stained, beige carpet that was throughout the house.  Watercolored huge valance over the windows with the long 1980's blinds.  All the walls throughout the house were painted white except for the family room.

For those of you who have been around the blog for awhile you know what I asked for right away.. tear up that carpet and lets continue the hardwood floors.

We continued the hardwood floors from the family room..to the dining room and into the living room space.  We moved from a really small home and needed new furniture.  We got this at a steal from Slumberland.  The two white chairs are Natuzzi and they were a discontinued item that we got at an unbelievable price.  As you can see we continued the chocolate venetian plaster wall oppsite of the wall in the dining area.  I love the big windows!  I am the kind of person that has to have a lot of natural light in a space.

The floors came out beautiful and again my husband did a great job. 

Will let you know how this furniture arrangement faired.

SIDE NOTE:  

I wanted to share the announcement from Jane Tv from twitter

myjanetv Jane.tv

Att Chicago Area Janes! Keep an eye on www.jane.tv website for upcoming fun events in your area with your very own Chi Town girl @despar2

I will keep you posted on what this all entails..  Have a great week all!