Look Back for a Second

Do you remember first learning to drive?  

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I can remember someone explaining to me how to change lanes on the Interstate.  You look back over your right shoulder - but only for a second!  Then eyes back on the road before you commit to the new lane.  Well, that's how I feel about starting a new year.  You can look back at the previous year's events, but only for a second.  Then you have to continue on your journey.  

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This past year brought some very unexpected events for me.  Looking back, even the events that seemed bad (like my Mom's diagnosis of breast cancer) were actually laced with lots and lots of blessings.  (BTW, for those who have continued to ask about my Mom, her recovery is going great.)  That's the benefit of hindsight - or a year in review.

So rather than rehash 2013 (you can go to my archives in the right side bar of my blog if you're in the mood to rehash), it will only get a brief glance today.  I want to focus on what lies ahead, "eye on the prize" as they say or what gets me out of bed and going in the mornings.  For me, the single biggest item is inspiration.  It helps me focus on what lies ahead.  

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Where does inspiration come from?  Well, lots of places for me - color, texture, music, what people say, treasured items in a client's home - it's a random hodge podge of things that swirl into the mix of creativity.  All that, plus one amazing inspirational tool - Pinterest.  Lately, I've noticed resentment towards Pinterest (sort of like the love/hate thing for Martha Stewart).  But not me, I could not do my job without this wonderful tool.  It's so interesting to me that a single idea in an image can spark the direction for an entire design.  Sometimes random pictures from Pinterest will pop into my head during a consult with a client.  The client might show me a piece of furniture they love and want in the space and WHAM - a Pinterest image pops into my brain of a great solution for the piece to work in the space.  

With that in mind, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite "go to's" for inspiration.  Here are my top five favorite inspirational Pinners on Pinterest.  By the way, if you're not sure what I'm talking about and want to have your world totally rock (and a great deal of your free time zapped), click over and see what all the fuss is about.   OK, so now for my top inspirational Pinners.

 Holly Phillips from The English Room.  She just celebrated her second blogiversary (which shocked me, since her blog is so well written it feels like she's been doing this for years and years).

I am always blown away by what Holly pins on her Pinterest boards.  The images are often times traditional but with an edgy something, something thrown in for good measure.  A sure cure for designer's block, no doubt. 

 Sara Kate of Sara Kate Studios is a stylist out of Oklahoma City.  She has such an eye for interiors and her style is incredibly fresh and unique.  

If I'm helping a client with styling their space, I love to go to Sara Kate's Pinterest page for inspiration.  It's total goodness.

Paige Schnell of Tracery Interiors is the owner/lead designer for one amazing interior design company.

What I love about Paige's pins - every single one has this sense of sophistication while still feeling casual and comfortable.  Go to her Pinterest page and see for yourself - she has impeccable taste. 

Laura Trevey of Bright Bold & Beautiful is one of the most successful lifestyle/entertaining/design sites on the web.  

Laura's Pinterest boards are wonderfully organized and chocked full of creative ideas anyone can incorporate into their own homes.  It's my go to for party planning inspiration every single time!

Monica Hart of La Famiglia Design is an Entertaining Stylist who lives in Seattle.  She has the most amazing style and every single pin on her Pinterest page is drool worthy. 

If you're on Pinterest a lot (which I am), you may have had this experience.  You are looking at your feed of pins from the people you're following and you see something you want to repin.  You look down to see who you are pinning from and 9 out of 10 times - it's the same person.  Well, Monica Hart is very often that Pinner!

Now, if you get stuck watching a boring bowl game, you know what to do.  Just grab your laptop and check out these amazing sources of inspiration.  Who knows?  You may have an ah ha moment on the very first day of the new year! 

Happy 2014 to all.  M.

  

2012 in Review

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 So glad to have shared 2012 with each of you, and I'm certainly looking forward to all the musings of 2013.  Yesterday, I pondered the year past.  It seemed to fly by for me.  I can't believe 2012 will be over today.  While it was a busy year for me with interior design work,  I have loved every single minute of it.  I do think there is something to the idea of finding work you love.  It just does not feel like work to me.  I have to make myself stop at the end of the day and never did I feel like that when I was practicing law.

Also, I just adore the clients I've gotten to know.  They are truly some of the most interesting people I've ever met.  What makes my work so interesting is with every new job, there is a new challenge - from combining cherished family pieces of different styles/eras in a fresh new way to creating the perfect furniture layout for an architecturally awkward space.

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Believe it or not, I have found there is one common thread for all my clients.  They want to love their spaces.  I know this may not sound like a huge revelation, but it's true.  We want to look forward to what we are coming home to at the end of the day.  Regardless of the budget, each yearn to have a wonderful space welcoming them home at the end of the day.  A space they are proud to invite family and friends into when entertaining.  I feel so honored to be a part of that process for so many of you.

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So, a small toast to 2012!  Here are a few projects, that I checked off the list at my own home last year. Of course, the list goes on as there are always fun things to improve on!  But these were two biggies for me.  I encourage each of you to think about putting a few home/interior design items on your list this year.  The projects below have changed how our family lives in our space and have brought us so much joy.  So, without further ado . . . 

Our Media Area 

We kicked off the year with a project to transform the media wall in our family room - Project in Progress - My House.  This was a Christmas present from my sweet hubby last year.  As you can see, I had thought about this project for quite some before he agreed to pull the trigger!

After a month of dust and a few set backs, the change was complete.  I have to say this small change has totally transformed how we live in this space.  As an aside, we added Apple TV to our entertainment set up and things totally changed in this space.  With this tiny device, we are able to play all our music and pictures from the computer on the TV screen.  We started buying more movies through iTunes.  Now we can watch something wholesome as a family in this new space.  The number of family movie/game nights we have had this year are too many to count!  And, to think, I was opposed to having the TV over the fireplace.  One of the best compromises ever!

Here are all the details on the "after" - Project in Progress Media Area - Before and After

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Kitchen Paint Job

Then, in the Spring, we focused on my kitchen.  It went from this . . . 

To this . . . 

With the addition of paint and new hardware for my cabinets, it feels completely new.  We have loved the change, and when I look at the "before" pictures, it's hard for me to believe that was my kitchen.  This proves you can transform a space on a budget!  As an aside, I'm getting ready to add some lighting over my island. I'll be sharing all the details on this with you in the next month!  So, the process continues . . . 

 Happy New Year!  I hope 2013 is a wonderful one for you. M.

Project in Progress - My House!

For Christmas, my husband gave me one of my favorite types of presents - a project!! I love home projects and this year, he's agreed to a "freshen up" of the bookshelves/media area our family room.  As background, some of you may remember my post about the purchase of a fabulous piece of artwork from Ashley Terrell, a Mobile artist, if not click here.  My initial plan was to use the artwork in a clever way to disguise our very outdated vintage TV.  Well, I think all the talk about the pathetic vintage TV finally got to my husband and he suggested we upgrade to a flat screen with all the bells and whistle.  Also, he did not want to cover up all this new technology once it's in place (the compromises we have to make, ladies).

So, my new piece of artwork will be moving to my entryway, and the intaglios (currently in that spot) to the dining room.  This is an entirely separate post, so, more on these moves later.  

For now, here's the plan for the family room (very excited about this)!

The new TV will stay in the spot above the fireplace.  However, the wall will be pushed back (no need for the gigantic hole any longer), to accommodate a mantel (big smile here).  Here's the mantel in it's raw form. . . .

Little history on this mantel - This was the mantel in my home growing up.  It was cut in the 1920's and used as a foundation board in the original cotton gin for the city of Laurel, Mississippi.  My Dad managed to get it when the gin was torn down in the 60's.  He kept it and used it when we built our home in 1975 as our mantel.  It hung out there until 1999 when my parents house was struck by lighting and burned for a complete loss.  

 After my parents rebuilt, this piece was salvaged and has remained in my Dad's barn.  When I learned we were going to be doing this project, I asked if I could have it.  And he said yes!!

At the present moment, it looks a little sad, but I promise it is really going to look fantastic once it's refinished and in place.  

In addition to the mantel, I'm going to be painting the insets of the bookshelves a dark color.  This will help to balance the very large black TV over the fireplace (which I am not allowed to cover up - Oh, right, I already mention that).  My hope is the dark color of the insets will draw your eye and the entire focus will not be on the mega screen.  Also, since I have several dark wood casement pieces on the other end of the room, this color will add some much needed weight to this side of the room.

Sort of like this . . . 

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Still debating how far I want to go with the dark color.  Would love your thoughts!!  

Should I only paint the backs?

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Or the backs and sides?

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  Or the backs, sides and shelves? 

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Or paint the entire wall of bookshelves?

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See what happens when you look at interior design details all the time - I really love the look of all of them, so it's hard to make a decision.  Sort of like the dessert cart!  

Also debating the perfect color for the job - really want a gray tone, but I have lots of warm tones in my house, so I have to pick a gray with warm undertones - it can be tricky . . . 

Really liking these . . . 

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BM - Kingsport Gray (a brownish gray)

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BM Herbal Escape 1487 (a greenish gray)

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P&L Silver Mink

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SW Sticks & Stones 7503

In addition to the new mantel and dark insets, I am going to be installing library lights over each of the four bookshelves.  I've always thought the arches were too deep and didn't make sense.  But with the addition of the lights (along with some restyling of the shelves), I think I will finally like the look of them.  

Here are some images of bookshelves with library lights . . .

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I've narrowed the field to these . . .

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Would love your thoughts on my project and your favorite picks for paint and lighting.  And to confuse me even more, if you have other paint colors you love, please share!! M. 

Christmas Aftermath

Take a deep breath and let it out very slowly.  Now, it's time to put the dishes away . . . 

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Clean up the wrapping paper remains . . . 

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And welcome in the new year!  I am full of hope and anticipation as to what this coming year might bring into my life.  How about you?  What big plans do you have on the agenda this year?!  Think about it.  The time is right. 

This week I'm cleaning like a mad woman and working on a couple of design projects for clients who will be expecting some fresh ideas in the new year!  So, I will be posting, but not every day.  In the meantime, I would love to hear about all your new year resolves, hopes and goals. M.

Megan Crase and Patricia Tram Awarded IIDA Scholarships

Congratulations! UNT Interior Design senior students, Megan Crase and Patricia Tram, received the 2013 IIDA Texas Oklahoma Chapter Education Fund Scholarships for Tuition Reimbursement for $3,000. Those recipients will be recognized as guests at the annual IIDA Texas Oklahoma Chapter Student Conference in February 2014 in Houston, TX.

Welcome Walter Harold Buehrle

Congratulations! Walter Harold Buehrle was born December 20, 2013 at 3:49 pm. Mom (Greta Buehrle, Faculty of UNT ID Program), Dad, and big sister Lily are all well and feeling blessed.

Walter Harold Buehrle

Thank You and A Winner

First, the winner of the Shabby Apple $50 gift certificate is Danielle with comment number twelve!  Congratulations, and I hope you get something extra special with your prize.  

A Great Big Thank You
 As Christmas is approaching, I'm filled with gratitude and just want to say thank you for continuing to visit my blog.  I'm always amazed by those who care enough to stop by day after day and read my musings!  You simply overwhelm me, and I could not be more appreciative.    Here's wishing you and yours a most wonderful Holiday Season.  

Now for that much anticipated long winter's nap.  

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Mixed in with a small bit of merriment making, I confess.  See you in the New Year! M.