fess up friday - design indulgence

Today is a real treat as we have one of my all time favorite designers and funny ladies, Sherry from Design Indulgence. Sherry is my neutrals idol. No one can do white and black better than this lady and she also just happens to be one of the nicest and funniest ladies I've met in this little corner of the world (wide web). So Sherry, fess up!

Elizabeth.....you funny girl...thanks for asking me to join in on "fess up friday"....I think:)

I thought about all kinds of things I could confess to..... like I have a couple of hairs on my chin that seem to grow 4 inches in one night.  Seriously one day nothing and the next day Rapunzel.

Or that I HATE my curly hair....it has always been a pain in my ass.  

That is me [25 years ago] with Gene Simmons hair.  Ridiculous.

Or....I am totally petrified beyond anything of spiders...large or small.

But I guess the real thing I am confessing to is this....how scared I get when I post about a design project I have completed or share pictures of my own home.  

Seriously people I feel so vulnerable...."is it OK....are people thinking WTH is THAT?"  She needs to keep that mess to herself.   It's like I have that syndrome where someone can't recognize faces....only I can't recognize if it looks good or not.  Epic fail?

On the one hand people tell me they like it..... but what if they really don't know?  We have all seen when someone leaves the house thinking "BAM....I look good!"  And....you wonder 

what. 

were. 

they.

thinking.

Whoever said "I like it and I don't care about anyone else's opinion" is a liar right?  Of course we care or we wouldn't keep changing it.  

So there....it's out.  I have stood on the mountain [like Moses] with a bullhorn and hollered "it's a crap shoot over here:)".

Keeping it real.....Sherika

farmhouse kitchen is famous thanks to kitchen + bath makeovers magazine

Today is thrilling for many reasons.

First of all I get to finally share a secret I've been holding on to for close to a year - a big load off. Secondly, I get to share this info with all of you lovelies. And finally, I get to show pictures of my work that are more true to life than anything I am ever able to produce. Proof positive that I am NOT a photographer.

But enough chatter, let's get to the good stuff. The farmhouse kitchen that I shared with you last year is featured in the summer edition of Kitchen + Bath Makeovers magazine!

photo by Alise O'Brien for Kitchen + Bath Makeovers

photo by Alise O'Brien for Kitchen + Bath Makeovers

What the what?! I know, right! Pretty cool. I always wonder how these shoots come to be, so I thought I would share a bit about my experience for any that are interested.

Not long after I posted about the kitchen I got an email from Meredith Field Editor Bonnie Broten saying that she would like to submit the kitchen for publication and would I be interested. Uh, yeah I would. And with that email began weeks of back and forth phone calls and emails between Bonnie and me and my clients', the Franks. Additional pictures from every angle imaginable are requested as well as a rough before and after floor plan (which I'm sure they pinned up on the bulletin board in the break room at Meredith so that everyone could laugh at my rudimentary drawing skills), budget information, information about me and the Franks'. Everything.

And then, we waited. And waited. Until one day it was official - we were on the editorial calendar and the shoot was a sure thing.

A week or two before the shoot a shot list is sent which is what the field editor and photographer use on the day of the shoot to make sure they are getting just what the magazine wants. It basically will give a picture of a certain angle of the kitchen and then directions for each shot (add more color, open window, make sure to show the floor, etc.). Then Bonnie and I got on the phone and went thru the shot list together, making sure nothing in the kitchen had changed since the original shots were taken, ideas we had for accessories, photo direction etc. Bonnie has shot with so many amazing people and spaces over the years so of course she was full of great ideas, but was also so open to any suggestions or ideas I had.

She came into town the day before the shoot and we were able to spend the day shopping for accessories that I had scouted beforehand and getting more flowers that I've ever bought at one time. Perfect day material if you ask me.

Then after months and months of talking and anticipating the day finally arrived and we took over the Franks' house for the day.

Each individual shot is set up, tweaked, photographed, tweaked again and photographed again. Then, you move on to the next shot and do the process over again. I found the whole thing thrilling and soaked up every bit of knowledge I could gain from Bonnie as well as from Alise O'Brien, the amazing photographer, and her assistant TeAnne. It was a long, full day of work and by the end I was both exhilarated and exhausted. And any other words that you can think of that start with 'ex'.

Bonnie checking out a shot

Then several months later the writer for the article, Mara Boo called to talk about the kitchen, the process, the pictures etc. It was just as thrilling to read the article as it was to see the pictures. It was something I will never forget. And even better, I've been able to do some additional scouting for Bonnie since then and helped with a few other shoots. I am nuts over the whole process and I could do it a million times over. What a thrill.

So with that, I think I've reached my gush quota for the day. I'll stop, I promise but first - a million thanks to my wonderful clients who not only have been a joy to work with for the past year and a half but were brave enough to trust me on so many levels and just let me 'run with it'. Thank you also to everyone at Meredith and Better Homes and Gardens, Mara Boo, Alise O'Brien, and especially Bonnie Broten. You are one in a million Bonnie!

Ok, now I really am done. Thanks for letting me indulge in a bit of horn tooting. And now you know, when someone says to me, "don't tell anyone yet" I lock that stuff in my iron clad vault. I'm a secret keeper like no other.

So go out and pick up a copy of Kitchen + Bath Makeovers for more photos and information and join me tonight for a celebratory cocktail! Cheers to hard work!!

back in the swing of things

Happy Tuesday/Monday all. I hope all of those that had one were able to enjoy the long holiday weekend. Between vacation last week and then the holiday weekend this week I don't know what time OR day it is. I'm completely out of whack. Anybody else feel like this as well?

Speaking of vacation, the hubs and I had a beyond wonderful time. We spent time in Sedona, AZ as well as a resort/spa in the desert south of Phoenix. It was spa, pool, hike, pool, explore, spa, pool, spa for five glorious days. I discovered the bliss of an amazing facial and we have made a pact to vacation without the girls at least once a year from now on. A damn good way to celebrate 14 years of marriage to this guy.

Now its back to the real world. Work, the last five days of school, and a mountain of laundry that I've been neglecting. Where is that maid I keep wishing for?! Be sure to check in tomorrow as I have a BIG announcement to share, aka exciting news.

So spill it. How was your weekend? Spend anytime at the pool? Why have you never told me how wonderful facials are??!!

fess up friday - comfy cozy couture

Thank god for Fess Up Friday, or I would have not even known what day it is! I'm still in a bit of a post-vacation haze. I'll update you on all the vacation fun next week, but for today I'm happy to focus on the oh so lovely Dominique from Comfy Cozy Couture. I've long loved Dominique and long envied her style - girlfriend knows how to work it. When that winning lottery ticket lands in my lap, I'm calling Dominique for some hard core styling advice. Let's hear what my dear has to share today - Dominique, fess up!

Hey lovelies, Dominique here from Comfy Cozy Couture! Thanks to Elizabeth for having me over today for "Fess Up Friday!" I've always loved Elizabeth's crazy good style and ability to complete a fabulous DIY right before our eyes! Oh and the fact that she's hilarious is the cherry on top!

Okay, so I can't drag it out any longer...it's Fess Up time. Now I will admit I was so excited when Elizabeth emailed me about participating but that was immediately followed by nerves. Like omg, what am I going to fess up about but if you follow along with CCC you know that I recently announced the Mr. and I are expecting a baby in December.



And since "fessing up" is all about being honest well I'm terrified about this baby...not about the labor or how this said baby will come into the world (I'm pretending like the stork is going to drop it off for now) but more about what's going to happen to my body and that I will be responsible for another human being. Don't get me wrong I am so thankful that God blessed us with this baby as we tried for many many months and I think pregnancy is a beautiful thing! But as I try to prepare for the crazy changes that are about to happen to my body or the fact that my hormones are on a constant roller coaster ride...and the numbers on the scale are going to start creeping up I can't help but feel anxious and vulnerable.

But I'm vowing to put my negative thoughts aside and try to embrace this pregnancy thing along with all of the changes because I know in the end it will all be worth it or so I hear! Alright my confession is over...Whew, I feel better. Thanks for having me, I hope some of you readers can relate...tell me you can? I'm not alone here right?!

rest and relaxation

Do I sound really far away? I feel really far away.

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The hubs and I have escaped to the desert for some quality spa and pool time and anniversary fun. I'll be back on Thursday but in the meantime, see what I'm discovering about the desert by following me on Instagram.

Cheers!

fess up friday - crazy wonderful

Raise your hand if you are thrilled it is finally Friday! Now get ready to raise the other hand up and do a little dance because today Shelley, from Crazy Wonderful is over for Fess Up Friday. Double Wahoo! Shelley is one of the sweetest women I've (virtually) met and I have loved following her build and move into their new house. So Shelley, Fess up!

Hey guys!  My name is Shelley, and I blog over at Crazy Wonderful.  I luuuurve a good DIY and am currently in the process of making our new house a home.  Once you're done reading this you'll get a better sense of the "crazy" part of wonderful.

It is sooo easy to get caught up in appearances.  Especially in Blog World.  You may read a blog and think, "Wow.  She really has it together.  Her house is perfect, children are perfect, blah, blah, blah...  And, I now feel like crap about myself."  Yuck.  Ok yes, I'm sure there are weird people out there that have it all together.  But those people are few and far between.  I certainly don't have it together.  And the last thing I want is for someone to feel that way when they read my blog.

For instance... my living room.

Really looks like this.  Toys and pillows tossed around.  A collection of remotes hanging out.  A still uncompleted gallery wall with random frames leaning against the top of the TV (can't believe it hasn't fallen yet) and paper taped to the front of another frame.  Leftover sippy cup from last night.  And more likely than not, a few Cheerios smooshed into the rug.

I do have some pretty striped candles hanging out on my fireplace.

But if you were to see the backs you'd notice the stripes are actually pieces of washi tape.  I was trying it out to see if I liked the look before buying real striped candles, which I do, but honestly I'll probably just leave them as is.  Nobody needs to know but us girls ;)

Let's see what else...  Oh!  So do you want to know why I haven't posted pictures of my kitchen that I love so dearly yet?  It's because there is a constant crap pile that hangs out on the counter.  I can feel my blood pressure rising as I look at this picture.  Drives me INSANE.  Insane, people!!!  I've tried cleaning it up, but this thing breeds when I turn my back.  One of these days I will tame it.  One of these days.

I made this really cute art out of plastic animals for Sam's nursery.

Fast forward 18 months to a little boy who likes to stand while he gets his diaper changed, and you get this.  Not so cute.

There is just something about me and incomplete gallery walls.  A few weeks ago I started one at the top of the stairs.  Not only is in not done.  It's literally falling apart.  And it will look like this for a good long while before I get time to deal with it.

And this nightmare is currently happening in my bedroom.  Awesome.

 I assure you this is just a taste of the norm around here.

Despite what you see here, I love making things pretty.  When I post a project on my blog I assure you that it really does look like that.  It just only looks like that until Sam's nap is over, Izzy comes home from school, I start in on another project, or life kicks back into high gear.  But hey, that's life and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Ok, I could do without this:

Did you see that?!  That thing is eyeing me ;)

Thank you so much for having me over to fess up today, Elizabeth!  It feels so good!!!

home office makeover - the beginning

We use every inch of our house and that is how I want it to be (I've talked about that here). Occasionally though, it does result in some creative thinking when it comes to carving out a new space in our little cottage.

Case in point - I need an office. I've worked from home for almost a decade now and originally I had a huge office. Then Amelia and Eve came along and over time my whole office was eaten up to make room for a family room/play room. So for the past few years, I've been a nomadic worker. Thanks to my laptop I could work at the dining room table, on the couch in the family room, outside on the deck, even in bed (shh, I know that's 'bad for you').  But a nomadic office leads to traveling office papers in every corner of the house. Things were getting lost, and colored on.

Then several weeks ago my computer went to the big help desk in the sky and I got myself a shiny new desktop. "Uh, Elizabeth, that was kind of a foolish decision - you can't carry a desktop around the house with you." I know, but it was like when you buy jeans a size smaller to encourage you to loose weight. That desktop was the push I needed to get started on the office I've been meaning to tackle for a long, long time.

There is a spot in what we call 'the basement basement' (aka - the unfinished portion of the basement) that makes for a natural office. It gets great light in the afternoon, has a closet and is screaming make me over.

So because we are friends, I'm going to take you into 'the basement basement', a space houses guests are never allowed, in order to show you the frightful before.

Totally screams office, don't you think? Me too.

So the plan is to spruce this space up and create a space that I will want to get, well, creative in. And if that wasn't exciting enough the plan is to use only what I have in my stash. This is partly due to the fact that I have a million and one estate sale purchases that need to be put to good use and partly because I don't want to spend big money down here.

Goals for the space:

- brighten it up

- fix and paint the floors

- do something with the exposed ceiling

- replace the window to let in even more light

- girly this place up to create a happy, adult work space

- add more light

- use what you HAVE

- get organized girl!

How long will this take? Good question. I'm guessing as long as it takes me to get annoyed with having a desktop at the creative station of the family room.

What do you think? Can I create something I'll want to spend any time in without spending the earth? Ever feel like showing your 'family only' space is a bit like posting a picture of your underwear drawer on Facebook?

design crush - tilton fenwick

With spring comes the desire for a fresh everything. Opening windows to let fresh air into the house after a long stale winter, bringing in some new pillows to freshen up a room, and finding new inspiration to freshen up your design-crazed brain.

And lately, that inspiration for me has been Titlon Fenwick. They've been blowing my mind since Anne Maxwell Foster and Suysel dePedro Cunningham started the firm in 2010, but now that they have a new fabric collection with Duralee my crush has been taken to a whole new level. Ever since I got to pet the fabrics in person, I've had them on my brain. I can't get enough of their fresh and fun style.

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I know. So very good, right?! I'm already scheming on how to work these fabrics into a new project I'm working on. And for extra inspiration, follow them on Instagram.

What gets you refreshed and recharged each spring? Do you have a new designer crush? Any new ideas that have you intrigued to shake things up around the house?

fess up friday - kim macumber interiors

Before we get to today's Fess Up I want to thank each and every one of you who visited on reveal day for the One Room Challenge and each of you who commented. I was so overwhelmed by all of your sweet comments. You do a girl good my friends!

Today's Fess Up Friday guest is my lovely friend Kim from Kim Macumber Interiors. I always love my conversations with Kim because she is such a calming and supportive force in this little blog world we live in. Those qualities on top of her amazing design career and her eye for style is why I'm excited to say, Kim... Fess Up!

Happy Friday my friends … I am thrilled that Elizabeth asked me to join in on Fess Up Friday.

It's about my struggles with Illusion and coming to terms with why I blog!

Well, okay … here you go.

Why do you blog? Don asks me occasionally.

Don: Do you get business from it? Me: mmm. No.

Don: Does it make you money? Me: mmm. No.

Don: It's a lot of work … what do you get from it? 

Me: I like the friendships and inspiration.

I will go out on a limb and state that I am probably not the only one who feels this way.

Blogging has given me a network of like minded women and men.  Who love design, to change things up, to create a beautiful life … for ourselves, our families and our clients and readers.  Also, working for yourself sometimes is lonely.  I feel as if I have a team with me on a daily basis through blogging.

So then the real question to myself.


Am I:

1.  A Blogger who Designs?

OR

2.  A Designer who Blogs?

Me: 

I am a designer who blogs, which took the ownness off of having to blog everyday. … so I have given myself a little leeway and sometimes only get one or two posts up a week.  My goal is 3.  But it is a self - inflicted goal.  No one is judging me or paying/not paying if I don't. Incredible amount of freedom if we let ourselves believe it.

But I will tell you … It's the Behind the Scenes that I have enjoyed and find most fulfilling.

Everyone posts such gorgeous photos … but there is so much more going on in the background of all of our photos and lives.

I happen to be in the Sandwich Gap.  Taking care of my 87 year old father, which could be a full time job.  Taking care of our four children.  Erin just out of college.  Callie in her first year at College.  Christopher about to head into his senior year in High School and Sammy beginning High School next year.

You all can relate to the prayers and time and effort to keep these people safe, making right decisions, keeping them healthy, hoping the guidance you gave them will ring in their ears when they are on their own.  Not being able to fall asleep at night until you hear the last one come in and come to say goodnight.  And a Father who now needs me physically more than the kids do … Doctors appointments, dentist appointments, medical needs, things I couldn't have imagined.

And through the Behind the Scenes lives of bloggers (like me) it might in reality look like this …

But we carve out a special vignette.  Just like we all carve out a special moment in our day to live and soak in the blessings.

A vignette that delights our senses and keeps us moving.

It's the client projects, the rearranging of furniture and painting kitchen cabinets and Challenges like Linda's ORC that keep me sane.  The friendships that develop through commenting that connect me to beautiful people like Elizabeth. 

Blogging has saved me time and money in a therapist office … through my projects, the pretty vignettes and the friendships along the way.  So when the real vision isn't quite so pretty … I know where to go to feel refreshed.

That, my sweet friends, is why I blog!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Here here Kim! So well said. So, if you are a blogger, why do you blog? And if you are a reader, why do you read (blogs)?

one room challenge - the bathroom reveal

The moment of truth has arrived! After six weeks (catch weeks 1 - 5 here) of hard work, several changes and more than a few cocktails, I'm proud to report that I have one completed bathroom ready to reveal.

I'm one to rip open my presents, I've never been able to gently unwrap anything, so I won't waste time with a lot of chit chat - let's get to the good stuff.

As a reminder, the plan was to make over my sister's guest bathroom. A room that had begun the construction process long ago but then stalled and became a dumping ground for other projects. Our inspiration for the space was simple and classic. Blue and White with some gray thrown in for good measure.

Here is the painful reminder of where we began. So grateful to not look at this picture any longer. Instead, let's look at...

the after. MUCH better. Let's be honest, there was nowhere to go but up with that before situation. Simply removing the multiple vacuums (why are there so many vacuums Rachel?) was a good start but my multi-talented uncle Rodger was willing to go a few steps further with me and we demoed the whole thing. And when I say "we" I mean he did it and then would call me and give me updates.

That horrible faux marble tub was removed and a new soaker tub was installed. And since the tub is just a hair shorter than the room (poor planning condo people) we moved the extra 'space' to the other end of the tub.

This gives room for shampoos and other goodies for all of your bathing needs.

The sink wall had a light/builtin medicine cabinet combo that we promptly ripped out. That horrible lighting was not doing anyone any favors.

Since this is a guest bathroom, storage isn't as important so a medicine cabinet was nixed for a fab oval mirror and pedestal sink. The oval mirror is the perfect height to accentuate the height of the room and breaks up all of the squares and rectangles that surround it. This room is NOT big, so it is wise to reinforce the positive, the vaulted ceiling, rather than wallow on the negative. And although our original sink choice didn't work out, I think this one works perfectly and offers a lot of counter space for a pedestal.

One of my favorite details is that the gooseneck in the sconce that we found at my dream estate sale repeats in the gooseneck of the sink faucet. Its all about the details, especially in a small space.

Sherwin Williams was generous enough to provide paint for the room and I am loving the color we choose for the bathroom, Passive. This color rivals the very popular Gray Owl (BM), which I've also used, but Passive is a bit crisper to me and looks excellent with blue.

The floor is also a massive improvement, especially considering we didn't have one before.

Another favorite trick of mine for small bathrooms - since you don't have much square footage to cover, go for nicer flooring. This marble basket weave is certainly more expensive but since we have so (very) little floor to cover, the price was small. Oh, and it looks damn good.

Another place to get a bit creative was with the lighting. Every bathroom needs good lighting, so why not have some fun with it?! Bathroom lighting is such a big yawn that I like to choose things that weren't necessarily intended for bathroom use (but can hold up to bathroom elements - wait, that sounds gross.) The lantern we hung was found at my favorite antique store and was dirt cheap...because it wasn't electrified. It was an easy fix to take it to a local lighting store who not only electrified it for us but also painted the new parts to give them the same patina to match the lantern.

It looks great during the day.

And smashing at night.

I also decided the hall'ish area outside of the bathroom needed to be spruced as well. My sister picked yellow originally, and then apparently thought better of it, as she never finished painting. 

Sherwin Williams Loyal Blue, went in the hallway and we were able to hang that wonderful pagoda shelf I found. That wonderful pagoda shelf that I bought when I was foolish enough to imagine it would fit in the bathroom. Silly girl. But the size is just right for the hall.

The needlepoint is from Furbish and is perfect for a long running inside joke my sister and I have. It makes me laugh out loud each and every time I see it.

We had a bit of extra fabric leftover from the shower curtain so I recovered some old stools to sit underneath the shelf. Trimmed out in hot pink. Of course.

So that my friends is my sister's new and improved bathroom! And I for one am spent!

A huge thank you to Linda for inviting me to play along on this crazy challenge. As always, I had a great time my dear. Thank you to Sherwin Williams for providing paint for this project. Thanks to my Uncle Rodger for going above and beyond, and to George for your excellent tile work. If you are in the St. Louis area, I'll be happy to share their information. Thanks to my sister and my mom who not only let me take charge (per usual), but also pitched in to help in a million different ways. And my biggest thanks to all of YOU for following along (and thank you to Carrie for not running in fear when I met you at the height of my ORC sweaty stress).

Now carve out some quality time to feast your eyes on the best eye candy on the internet today and check out each and every one of the amazing participants. I was lucky to be in their company.

Abby M. Interiors 

Because it’s Awesome 

Bijou & Boheme 

Calling It Home 

Chez V 

Chinoiserie Chic 

Copy Cat Chic 

The Decorista 

Design Crisis 

Design Indulgence 

Design Manifest 

The English Room

The Glam Pad 

Mimosa Lane 

My Notting Hill 

The Pink Pagoda 

Simple Details 

My Sweet Savannah 

Verandah House

Have a space that you would like to change? Contact me and lets create together!