Soap Creations

The girls and I decided it would be fun to try and make our own soap. We bought all the supplies and got to it. We had an absolute blast. I've decided that we are a project oriented family. When we spend time "doing" something creative we become closer. Kids love to spend time with their parents and I happen to love being creative with them so we all win.

We melted the bars of soap that we bought at "Michaels" and we added color.  We poured the melted soap into molds and added some fragrance (lavendar was our choice). I think they all look beautiful. I've got soap to last us all year through. The kids wrapped them up and are giving them as gifts. Proud as can be of course!

I've been using the soap myself this week and it actually smells wonderful!

All covered in paint!

My friends all make fun of me because I'm always found with a paint brush in my hand and paint somewhere on my body. Finding just the right combination of colors is always such great fun to me. I love the process of seeing something transformed. The greatest is when you actually have an inspiration piece that you can copy or have someone else copy for you!

This week I painted this mirror. It was originally a brassy gold and didn't go with the decor I was working with. What I really wanted was for it to go with the copper wall art that I had found for that bathroom. Below is the artwork I used as my color inspiration for my mirror.

After lots of layering; Gray, black, metallic cooper and hints of metallic gold, I got what I was looking for.

Just goes to show, don't throw out or pass up old brassy mirrors at garage sales, thrift stores, your grandma's hand me downs or even attic finds, etc. Look for mirrors that have character. If they have character they can easily be updated and transformed!

Don't get stuck with things you don't like. If mixing colors to get just the right color is definitely not your thing then "spray paint" it a different color, it's better than living with something you don't like. If you go to any home improvement store they have every color known to man, including metallic, hammered and textured spray paint.

Look around your house today....find something that you aren't that crazy about any more. I challenge you to spray paint it a different color and see what you think. If you love it, send it to me and I'll post it on my blog. Spray paint will cost you about $4.50 or less and you'll have a new TREASURE!

Happy painting!

Colors of Spring

I adore this time of year when you start to see signs of nature coming back to life after the cold winter. Seeing all the Bradford Pear trees blooming and all the oak trees getting their leaves makes my soul happy. Of course, here in Texas my allergies are about to kill me! I had the windows open the other day and the birds were singing like they hadn't sung in years. It was an amazing sound! It's so cool how Spring makes our lives feel like they are getting a fresh start. Everything seems new again.

I thought you would like to see some of the color trends for spring that are inspired by nature. I thought they were really beautiful.
Room Inspired by these beautiful flowers.
I love this room's pale pink color, it is almost grey. I also love the layering of the natural elements in this picture. The height of the sticks gives such incredible interest to the mirror and adds a softness to the room. The light colored basket under the table brings your eye to the floor and creates balance to the overall look. Mixing styles is also what makes this room amazing. The rustic tin cans add a bit of country and the imported carved furniture adds the eclectic twist. The shape of the mirror is also very striking and having it hung close to the table top is perfect. Notice how the height of the mirror is the same as the pictures on the wall to the left. Again this brings balance to this area. All the colors are so natural and soothing. I want to create this look for a client!!
For those of you that are taking time off for Spring Break like me, I hope you get to spend some time a part of nature. Maybe it will inspire you to start a project! May you feel a new beginning this spring!

I'm back!

Hi all! I've been busy moving and renovating my new house. It's been a LOT of work but lots of fun. We did it in 3 weeks; unpacked, remodeled and decorated everything. I took 3 weeks off and needed to finish in that time so I could get back to work. I thought I'd give you a sneak peak at what I've been up to. The contractors left yesterday. I used "Tommy Olquin" and his crew. They are fabulous and work with most of my client's remodel jobs. Thank you Tommy, Jesse, Josh, Israel, Juan and Alex. It was a pleasure having you in my new home each day. Thanks for showing up on time, being so respectful and for doing such a good job.

I would also like to thank several more businesses that helped me during this time. They are all contacts that I use and refer to my clients. Thank you Budget Blinds for the plantation shutters, shades and for adjusting some of my drapes. Thanks to Il Granito for repairing my granite contertops in my kitchen. Also to United Shower and Glass for installing my shower surrounds. Squeeky Clean did an awesome job cleaning all my windows and Paradise Glass installed my new windows. It's great to work with such great people. Contact me if you would like their phone numbers.

I also have to say a special "family" thanks to my nephews Bryce and Gunnar who have worked so hard in the yard as well as loading and unloading truckload after truckload. I do think they had fun driving uncle Dan's diesel truck.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE
AFTER

Mary Howe with "Divine Inspirations" did my entry wall for me. I've worked with her on several jobs this past year and she is amazing. I really wanted a focal wall when you enter and she really outdid herself. Thank you Mary!