Welcome Fall

I love fall!! The air is so crisp and the colors on the trees are so vibrant. It is absolutely beautiful! Now how can we bring that beauty from the outside in? Well, here are a few ideas...

All you have to do is cut some of your favorite fall flowers put a little bit of water on the plate and arrange them on your table. Simple and dramatic.



If there is one thing everyone knows about me is how much I love candles. I will definitely be doing this in my house. Go to Wal-Mart , Hobby Lobby or Michael's and buy some cylinder vases and wrap either with contact paper or just some pretty writing paper (glue the edges). Use some twine and get some fall leaves outdoors...or little sticks and wrap them and you got a new candle holder. How cool would that look on a mantle or a ledge by the window (as in the pic).




How adorable are these? My kids and I were at a neighbors house this past week picking up tons of pine cones off of their property. This will be a great craft for us to do. You need pine cones, artificial grass, sticks and some glue. Love this!!! A country modern take on
a topiary.




Pumpkin vases...so organic. Take the top off and clean the inside of the pumpkin. Next put a small vase with water and flowers and insert inside the pumpkin. So cool.


Here is something I did for a dinner benefit.





The shiny pumpkins I sprayed with a metallic Rust-oleum. The white pumpkins were not naturally white...I hand painted them white (could not find white pumpkins anywhere) and took leaves from outside and used mod podge (gloss) on the leaves and the whole pumpkin.

Welcome to fall, everyone!! I hope you feel inspired and share with me some of your autumn ideas...would love to hear them.



(thanks to bhg.com and midwest living)

The Look of Darryl Carter

Always in the search for inspiration I came across a designer who had a fresh take on design. I instantly fell in love!

Darryl Carter was an attorney who had no formal design training but he had passion. He began buying properties and rehabbing them. Soon people craved what he had. His style is known as "The New Traditional."

His work to me is delicate with surprising flavor you want to relish in.

If you want to see more check out his book "The New Traditional". It would be a great accessory for your coffee table.

Have a great weekend all.

Pretty Packaging

I love walls! What a way to make a statement in a room when they are packaged. Yes, packaged... with wallpaper."Wallpaper?!" I see the bead of sweat starting to form on that forehead but hear me out. This isn't your grandmother's wallpaper that has these ungodly bright floral prints

or the splash of watercolor from the 80's.


Horrible isn't it? (Can you believe that is in my house? It's going trust me. )

Check these out instead...

How cute is this?! This would be great for a teens room where they can have their friends sign their names in the already made frames or put pictures in them and can change them out when they want. Not only for a teens room but what about a family room? Great for all those family photos. To get more info..http://stylecrave.com/2009-02-23/the-family-wallpapers-by-lisa-bengtsson/


This replicates a forest and adds a feeling of openness in a basement area. Basements don't need to feel like a basement. The 2 stools give the illusion as if you are sitting in a state park taking in the views. Simply lovely.


Elegant. Nothing says richness than tasteful shimmer and subtle pattern.


I hope I have peaked interest or even changed your mind about the "revised" wallpaper. : ) All I can say is, "you've come a long way, baby."

Maybe You Need Some Cushion

Several months ago I was looking at my living room and noticing that even though I had warm colors on the wall and in the furniture it still was a room that didn't invite me in. The sofa, no matter how beautiful wasn't beckoning me to sit. The solution - pillows. Bought some from Ikea at a wonderful price. They have such great selection. Great for those of us who are on a budget.

The chairs on my front porch needed life and I got these at a great deal from Kohl's



for $5. I love great deals. : )

Pillows are a great way to be daring with color and pattern. Liven up your space with these pillows..

Pottery Barn - Olive Tree Pattern Pillow Cover

CB2 - Taxi Pillow


Pillows can add a place of comfort, style and a pop of color. Have a great week all.

Things I'm Loving Right Now

I love beautiful photography. Photography that transports me into the scene and makes my senses come alive.

My husband kept telling me that I needed to check out these pictures of a guy he knows. He said his work was amazing. Well like any normal wife, I didn't believe him. After a couple of weeks he brought it up again, and pulled the photos up on the computer. I was speechless. The pictures took my breath away. This guy captures the pure beauty of nature, and I'd like to share some of his photography with you.

His name is Steven Stryde and he's a forestry officer. Can you believe

that this isn't his full time profession? What an amazing gift!

Take time today to enjoy the beauty and design of nature and let your senses come alive.

Change is Good

"The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. " - Anonymous

I have a client that just got tired of the color they have in their home. They were looking for something different, wanting change but not knowing how to get there. How many times do all of us who desire change always seem to get stuck in the familiar? However, sometimes what used to be just doesn't work anymore and that's when the push of change comes in.

So, the old brown walls that her kids had a lovely name for..lol..

was finally primed!

A beautiful rich basecoat color was added.

A lighter color on top to add texture and depth...

We still have more to do and as we make progress more will be posted. Come with us on the journey of Change.

In Hidden Places

I have passed by this place a hundred times and never knew it existed. Sometimes all we notice is the big box office actors when the supporting actors can offer just as much value to the big picture. I decided to stop and take notice.

I opened the door and was greeted with a jolly hello and the warmest smile. He introduced himself as Vern and the owner of "The Nest".He has so many unique items - especially for those of us who like the mid-century modern design. Here are a few of those great finds:

1970's Pagoda chairs and whats awesome about these is that they swivel. Price $60 for both.

This chair $20...great in a modern living room space or office.

Credenza and 2 nightstands $250. The credenza could be used as a buffet. Would love to have this piece for my house : )

Blue Mid-Century Modern chair $50. I absolutely adore this chair.

So go see Vern and his wife Cindy at

The Nest

218 E. State St.

Rockford, Il 61104

It's in those hidden places that you'll find the most valuable things.