Best Dressed Fort Worth Dining Room

It's been about 2 months since I met with my client to present her design plan for her dining room. She has been beside herself excited for installation day and has been waiting patiently.  Finally, yesterday was the BIG day.  I absolutely LOVE installation day because all the visions that have been swirling in my head come to reality! 

 Lesley (my assistant) and I started first thing in the a.m. prepping for their install.  We went over our checklist and made sure we had everything ready.  It is amazing what work goes into making sure all the details are covered and I'm so grateful for Lesley!  I spend many nights tossing and turning before a project install and often get up to write things down that we can't forget to take or buy for that special day.

  I like to take things that are precious, breakable or anything that needs extra care in my vehicle.  My installers take very good care of my items but I'm a protective mama.
  
Of course, it was raining on the day we had lots to load which was a challenge.  I'm so grateful for an amazing storage facility where I can back my car right up to it, making it easier to manage.
 Yesterday, as I was getting into the car, my tennis shoe slipped and I totally fell to the ground, I mean totally flat on my back.  I was a bit stunned at first because it happened so fast!  However, once I realized I was OK, all I could do is laugh and laugh.   When I got in the car I did say "Oh Lord, please don't let this day continue like this."
We headed out to Fort Worth with our coffee in hand, ready for GREATNESS.
When we arrived, we unloaded and placed the rugs.  We then anxiously awaited the arrival of all the custom built chairs that my amazing upholsterer and I designed. We dominated the freight elevator for a while, that's for sure!
 My client already had the table and it was AMAZING so we had 10 chairs made to complete the room. Just imagine the fun dinner parties that are going to happen around this table.  
BEFORE & AFTER
Check out that wine display cabinet, it was just finished up last month!  It is stunning in person, all behind glass! There is a lot of height in this room because it's a loft condo.  The arrangement on the table brings your eye up and adds a splash of texture and a bit of glam.
The captain chairs are a bit taller than the rest of the chairs and they truly add a special touch to the entire look.
 I'm crazy in love with all the colors, stripes and geometrics. The velvet is so soft and has a beautiful sheen to it.
It was a successful day without any other falls!  I am very sore today though! 
Stripes and geometrics make an amazing marriage don't you think?
 Keep a watch out for the living room we did in this home the same day.  
 Take a peek below!
Happy weekend!  I'm hosting a birthday party here at the house tomorrow night for my hubby.  Look forward to having my home filled with all the family! Barbecue is on the menu with blackberry cobbler & ice cream for dessert.
My new website will be launched next week too so I'm incredibly excited about that.   
Visit my Website to see my Design Portfolio.

Tips for Thrift Store Finds with DwellbyCheryl.com

All of you know that one of my favorite things to do is thrift store shop.  There are always hidden treasures that I am passionate about finding.  I so love the hunt and get all excited when I find something fabulous that I can transform, polish, renew, paint or reupholster for a client or for my own home.

When I was in Atlanta a couple weeks ago at the Design Blogger's Conference, I hooked up with Cheryl from Dwell By Cheryl.  We met last year and were instantly friends.
 We have the same philosophy on life and design and I feel as if I've known her for a lifetime. 

She also loves to decorate on a budget and is passionate about providing just that to her clients.

Doesn't she do an amazing job?

 During the conference, we were both so fired up about our passions, we decided to do a couple videos in our hotel room, giving tips for our readers. She is just like me in that she has no hesitation about sharing her passion and design tips.

 This past week, Cheryl posted the video I did with Decorating tips for spring.  You can see the video by going to her website DwellbyCheryl.com

 There is an art to finding the right things when shopping.  It takes time and talent!
Here are Cheryl's top thrift store shopping tips!
 Thank you Cheryl!

  You will be hearing more from her that's for sure!

Have a great weekend!

DecRenew Interiors and Design Bloggers Conference 2014

I just returned back from a wonderful few days with my Design Blogger friends in Atlanta.

It was a fun filled few days with amazing speakers as you see above.
I so enjoyed getting to see Cheryl Luckett from Dwell by Cheryl.  She has the same passion for Design as I do.  She loves to renew, restore and revamp old treasures and enjoys the hunt of a good find.  Follow her blog, it is full of amazing transformations.
Watch this quick video to give you a quick glimpse into the fun we had!
Of course the highlight for me was meeting Candice Olson.  She is my Design Idol!  I absolutely love her design style.  She is brilliant, incredibly kind and fun.  Of course they took the picture while I was telling her I wore high heels just for her!
Here are my top 25 takeaways from the event:
  1. Even the best of the best have struggles in this business.
  2. Being an overcomer is key
  3. If you fall, get up and try again
  4. Find where you shine in this industry and stick with that
  5. Comparison is a bad word, everyone has a different walk 
  6. Be where you are planted and do that well
  7. There is insane talent in the Design industry
  8. Don't let fear steal your joy
  9. Videos are key in our market right now
  10. You don't have to be like everyone else, stand out.
  11. There are lots of tools out there for us to use that make our job easier
  12. Take time to rest or you will burn out in this business
  13. It takes years to build your brand. Stick to it, be consistent and it will pay off
  14. It hurts when you grow, get help and don't feel guilty
  15. Build a good team that represents you well
  16. Social Media is a must but choose the one you like best and be good at that one
  17. Trust your gut, don't be shortsighted
  18. Just say yes!
  19. Collaborate with a fellow designer
  20. Find your tribe and do this together
  21. Show a piece of your personal side
  22. Give your readers topics they want
  23. Listen to your readers needs
  24. Have rich content on your blog
  25. Show before and after pictures, they are incredibly effective

Decorating In A Day/One Day Design

This home has had a makeover over the past few weeks.  
It was time for new wood floors, tile in the kitchen, painted kitchen cabinets and then some updated decorating.  I chose all the flooring and the paint colors to make sure good choices were made.
I met with the client for an Initial Consultation and we determined her budget first of all.  I recommended we do a "One Day Design" which allows me to use what the client has as well as add some additional accessories, rugs, lamps and artwork.  I established her design style and had her approve some items to make sure we were on the right track.
A few weeks later, the client left for the day and we got busy transforming, starting with the entry.
The client has this piece in the entry and wanted to use it since it is what they had (budget didn't allow us to purchase a new one).   We added new mercury glass knobs and  painted the hardware to match. The mirror above the dresser was painted with a dry brush black finish and it made it look so much better.  You will see the before in the video below.
I stole a pillow from upstairs and found the chair in the corner in their game room.
She really wanted a family gallery wall.  I purchased some new frames for her and used some of the ones she had as well.  She will add her family pictures later.  I had the metal "M" made for them and then incorporated the other items from pieces I found in other rooms.  I especially love the vintage camera on the shelf (top right), it adds some charm.  I found about 5 of them in different cabinets around the house.  I placed them all together in their family room and now they are a great conversation piece and collection.
We also had the stairway spindles painted black and the handrail gel stained the color of the new floors.  This was a stretch for my client but she is super excited about it now!
 This wonderful airplane artwork was originally hanging over their couch.  It didn't add much to the room and it felt too masculine in their main living room.  We added it to the top of the stairway and it looks amazing there.  Kinda looks like it's coming in for landing when you stand at the bottom of the stairs.
The dining room got some new table accessories and a pop of color in the artwork we added. The funniest thing is that when the two young boys saw the new art they said "mom, look it's our new target practice."  Got to love boys!
A new rug lightens up the space and adds some amazing personality.
You can see the gold mirror below "before" we painted it.
We then headed on to the living room.  We added this geometric rug.  Kept all the furniture but just added accessories.  Isn't the ceramic frog adorable?  I knew their 2 young boys will really enjoy that.  I found it sitting in a cabinet upstairs all lost and lonely.

A collection of new down filled pillows really made this room feel refreshed.
They had the lamps and I found this carved elephant from their travels.  I also found some vintage medicine bottles upstairs that she had forgotten about.  Layered on a mirrored tray, it makes a nice little collection.
  I made a collage of places that are special to the family.  The Atlanta skyline where they met. The Dome in Florence which was one of their favorite vacations, a colorful scene from New Orleans  where they lived for 6 years. Finally, I included their favorite beach getaway. 
 I don't have a before but you can see the before video below!
This new rug added some color to the kitchen and married the living room and kitchen together.  The colors are beautiful with the framed artwork in the living room and they make her new tile shine!  Great to stand on while doing the dishes as well.
We put together a video of BEFORE AND AFTER.  It's fun to see the transformation.
Isn't it amazing what you can do with what you have?  Just by adding accessories we transformed the place.  No new furniture, just a beautiful refresher to this beautiful family home.  It is now a house that invites them in and welcomes them HOME.
Call me for  your "ONE DAY" DESIGN!  You won't regret it.
 
Click right icon to go to my website to see more Before and After photo's as well as my Portfolio.

IF: Gathering 2014

This past weekend I was a part of an amazing retreat here in Grapevine, Texas. I also had the privilege of creating the "mood/ambiance" for the Saturday night dinner.  


 Anytime I get to use my gifts to serve, I'm the one who is blessed.  It is always an honor to serve along side such amazing people.  Serving is also a great way to make new friends that enrich your life.

The mood that the leadership team wanted for this event was the feeling that you were at a gathering in your back yard.  So,.we did our best to create that feeling (on a budget, of course).  I placed a vignette on the left side of the stage mimicking the feel that you were in your yard and could curl up and read underneath the hanging lights with your cup of tea and a good book.



Do you remember the pink bike we painted from last years retreat (see that post here). We used that again propped up against the wall. One of my friends found the rustic palettes so we used them as the backdrop for the vignette.  I blew up an air mattress and gathered some pillows and quilts from here, there and everywhere to make it feel inviting, cozy and colorful. 

My girls game room pillows had a new home for a few days because they had that pop of green I was after.
I purchased a bolt of frilly white fabric for the curtains and hung them with 3M removable hooks (my new best friend).  They acted as a frame behind the vignette.
We added christmas lights to the vignette and got creative by tying them to the microphone stands.

I ordered these cute little milk jars from Saveoncrafts.com.
I filled them with moss and wildflowers.  I wanted a bit of fragrance too so I added fresh lavender as well.  The kitchen smelled absolutely fabulous while we were making the arrangements.  100 arrangements in all, whew!  My poor intern Audra, broke out in an allergic reaction.  I wonder if she will ever help me with an event again!
Lots of helping hands made all these natural beauties!  8 hours later and we were all set up and TIRED!
We placed 3 arrangements on each table.  Of course, we made them nice and low so people could talk to each other without the arrangements distracting them.  Nothing like trying to talk through the centerpiece. I'm sure you have been to an event where the centerpiece blocks you from talking to your guests.
It's the details that makes a gathering come together and that doesn't have to be expensive.  Tying the tablecloths with burlap that matched the moss in the jars, brought the table colors and textures together.  We were into simplicity for this event!

Also makes it look more casual and less formal and pretentious.  
Sorry for the terrible lighting in the picture.  Hard to take a picture with spotlights shining down.
We also had this wrought iron table from last year.  We repainted it a nice pale yellow.  I layered a lace curtain panel (found at a thrift store) and a small pink floral quilt as the tablecloth.  I always love to add a shiny element to my designs, so the wild flowers were in a LARGE silver vase.    It makes a casual atmosphere have a little glam to it.  The vase really looked fantastic with the flowers and branchy, whimsical  arrangement. A bit of "shiny" goes a long way don't you think?
Each napkin ring had a bit of bling too.  We added a little dried flower to each wrapped napkin.  The details take a ton of work but they are what make the guests feel welcome.You want your guests to feel as though you thought about every little thing to make them feel comfortable and invited in.
We placed a few rocks running along the center of the table too.  If you look closely in some of the above pictures, you can see the mossy branches we added to the center of each table.
 

During the weekend, we all gathered in different homes in the metroplex.  We watched a live broadcast that was streamed live over the Internet all over the world (IF Gathering).  It was so much fun to have a variety of speakers.  Nothing like having a bunch of woman in a room together sharing life experiences and encouraging one another.
This was the first IF GATHERING and I'm sure there will be more of them in the future.  It was a powerful event for woman all over the nation.

I believe that we woman do better in small group situations.  I also think that meeting in HOMES is the key to us being vulnerable with each other.  It is more relaxed, comfortable and creates a feeling of safeness.  Doing life together is the best thing ever when you do it with woman you love and respect. We are all in different stages of life and when you get us all together it's amazing.

I encourage you to get involved in a group with other woman.  It is the best medicine for your soul.  Our bodies grow old and weary but our souls continue to strengthen and grow strong.  I truly believe that is what keeps our hearts beating.
Visit my website by clicking on the right.  You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram.  Join me as we talk about everything to do with HOME.