From The New House : Next Time I'll Wear Safety Glasses

I decided to paint another ceiling blue.  I had a small accident. 

From The New House: Updating The Bath

Check out that lime green in the before picture!  Would you believe that in college I actually painted my bathroom that color on purpose.  Yep.  I wanted it to feel like Key West.  Hmmmm.  In the new house, there are 2 bathrooms.  Both are in need of varying levels of renovation, so we started with the one we do not have to immediately re-tile.  Before I could tackle those neon green walls with some fresh white paint, we had to replace that tiny vanity and tiny toilet.  Because the space is fairly petit (typical 5', 8' bath) and will eventually serve as a guest/hall bath, I elected to use a pedestal instead of a new vanity.  Storage is not a priority here and I like the small footprint a pedestal offers.  Plus, pedestal sinks can be a great place to save some dough, as there are not any moving parts.  The pedestal I chose is by Aquasource (available at Lowe's) and with its clean lines resembles Kohler's  slightly pricier Memoirs model.  We did go with a Kohler toilet.  Because the faucet is not a place to skimp - all moving parts, we selected this one by Delta.  Next up, the walls received a few fresh coats of BM's White Dove.  Then we switched out the old exposed bulb fixture above the mirror (how did such ugly fixtures get so popular?) with a new 3 - light fixture from The Home Depot.  I hung a shower curtain in lieu of the old shower door with some Thomas O'Brien for Target hooks.  So while the walls are still naked and I have a few punches left up my sleeve, it is amazing what a difference new fixtures and paint make in updating an old bath!

Remaining to-do list for the bath:

• Paint the ceiling light blue and door a dark navy
• Select pictures for frames
• Hang artwork
• Purchase bath mat and towels
• Replace existing towel bars

From The New House: Pictures Finally!

Welcome!

Annabelle making herself at home in the freshly painted living room.

BEFORE: The formerly -aqua- living room and mantle (with nasty tile) before my sister-in-law painstakingly stripped it.

FOR CONSIDERATION: paint colors for the walls, trim, ceilings and interior doors.  

The old HVAC system before getting hauled off by R.S Andrews.

Attacking the aqua with the warmth of Benjamin Moore's White Dove.  This shade will go on all the walls and trim.  So far, I have 4 rooms down and am really happy the hue.

It's been quite a while, Glossies!  Between work, the holidays, and all the projects over at the new house, I've neglected the blog quite a bit.  Starting now, I'm committing to posting pictures throughout our renovation as often as I can.  Feel free to pipe in with any questions and I'll respond as soon as I can.  As you can tell, the house is a huge work in progress and there is still much work to be done despite our massive progress.  We've had a great deal of help from family, friends and Thomas down at the Benjamin Moore across from The Wren's Nest. Since moving in on News Years Day, we've already replaced the entire HVAC  and electric system, painted rooms and trim, rewired light fixtures, patched drywall, pulled out and even re-plumbed a vanity, toilet, disposal and (you guessed it) the kitchen sink.  I'm enjoying every day of changes (though extremely grateful to be able to return to my still very in tact apartment during the progress).  I have big plans, y'all and I look forward to sharing their fruition with you.  In fact, stay tuned for progress pictures of the bathroom renovation coming tomorrow!

McAlpine: "American is a dream sewn up in cotton..."

McAlpine via Pinterest

 

Darryl Carter via Pinterest

Ina Garten's House via House Beautiful

unknown via Decor Pad

Robert Stilin, LLC

     "American is a dream sewn up in cotton, it's not silk or wool or stone or anything else. It's sewn in a common material that is provincial and it's lovely because it's so pure of heart. Maybe a little lacking of resource, maybe a little lacking of background, or credential, or bloodline or whatever. But there is something lovely about it ... it's loveliest architecture shows up through the naivety of it's natives."  architect Bobby McAlpine via Architecture Tourist  

Flipping through blogs today, I started thinking about mantles.  After falling head over heals for the scale and subtle beauty of the fireplace in the first image, I googled its well-known architect, Bobby McAlpine, hoping to find more.  Instead, I came across a quote by Bobby over at my friend Terry's blog.  I stopped looking for more images.  Bobby's words defining American style are too good not to share.  

Oprah Abandoned Us, My Other Favorite Holiday Gift Guide

This holiday season there will be no crazy screaming during the 4 pm time slot.  No nutso tears of joy streaming from the eyeballs of do good women hand picked to sit in an audience in a Chicago studio.  No televised coverage of such immense happiness I'm driven to dvr the stuff just to re-watch on a down day.

For this gaping hole in my holiday season, I blame Oprah.  Did you, like me, pick up the December issue of O Magazine, headline blaring "The Favorite Things Issue" only to feel jipped, as in this is all we get?

Though I always enjoyed seeing the gifts Oprah and her staff selected, that wasn't really it.  It was the joy she, along with her very lucky sponsors, supplied to the season during her annual reveal.  So, today as a small consolation of knowing my very favorite place to look for gifts of any kind,  NY Mag's Shop-A-Matic.

With items ranging in price from $3.00 on up, I always find something truly unique for everyone on my list.  Need enticing?  Here are just a few I'm eying, but be sure to check out the whole list at NYMAG.com.

Mrs. John L. Strong Stationary Holiday Stationary Set, $45.00;  Uncommon Goods Whiskey Stones, $19; Ettika Custom Glitter Bracelet, $45; Apt 48 Hobnail Bowl, $98; Laduree Holiday Box, $25.

The Voice of The Designer in Social Media : Digital Atlanta Presentation Notes

Digital Atlanta is a huge week long event celebration of Atlanta's social media community consisting of panels and seminars off over town with every industry represented.  The event, sponsored by social media giant Vitrue, attracts over 5, 000 attendees.  When Susan Barry of Hive Marketing asked me to speak at ADAC alongside my friends Kyle of She Told Two Friends Communications and Ally of From The Right Bank, needless to say I was completely honored and all in.  Also on the panel were Russell Sauve who does social media for the famed Fox Theater and Kimberly Ward of Pink Eggshell.

After a panel discussion on social media in interior design, we broke into groups to share our unique areas of expertise and experience with the attendees.  I really enjoy talking to other designers about social media, as well as hearing about their businesses and I also feel like whenever I present on these panels, we always seem to overwhelm audience members with information - so I've recapped my presentation here.  Thanks again to Susan for having me, Vitrue for the sponsorship and Terry for always showing up.  Ok, off to a new client meeting.  Wish me luck.

10 Things I Believe

Today, I'm sharing 10 Things I Believe over at A Curated Lifestyle!  Please do go check out my list and a big thanks to Capella for having me!