My Inspiration Word for 2016
Happy New Year y'all! I hope everyone had a blessed and happy holiday season full of love and laughter. The holidays are bittersweet for me; fall through Christmas is my favorite time of year, and the time of year most filled with our family traditions, which are so important to me. But, it's also difficult because my mom shared my love of the holidays and traditions, and she passed away exactly 3 weeks before Christmas. Focusing on sharing the joy of Christmas & the other holidays with my girls helps me to push through my sadness, and also is a great way for me to share a part of my mom with them. I both look forward to and dread the holiday season every year, but this year the scales seemed to tip just a bit more towards joy, and for that I am grateful.
Like most people, I have spent the past couple of days reflecting on 2015, & thinking about what I want out of 2016. I've never chosen a word of the year before, but I as I was thinking about my goals, one word kept leaping out at me: FOCUS. I want to focus more on the people around me, and less on the distractions of everyday life. I want to focus on my time management so that I can spend more time making memories, and less time on my to-do list. I want to focus on my ideas & goals in order to complete the things I start, and not leave half-completed projects and partially fulfilled dreams in my wake.
I have another post for tomorrow detailing more of my plans for 2016. Until then, I'd love to hear if you have a word for the new year!
Like most people, I have spent the past couple of days reflecting on 2015, & thinking about what I want out of 2016. I've never chosen a word of the year before, but I as I was thinking about my goals, one word kept leaping out at me: FOCUS. I want to focus more on the people around me, and less on the distractions of everyday life. I want to focus on my time management so that I can spend more time making memories, and less time on my to-do list. I want to focus on my ideas & goals in order to complete the things I start, and not leave half-completed projects and partially fulfilled dreams in my wake.
I have another post for tomorrow detailing more of my plans for 2016. Until then, I'd love to hear if you have a word for the new year!
ORC Week 6: We Made It! (Literally & Figuratively)
Well, we made it to the end of our first One Room Challenge, and I am SO glad we did it. It was exhausting: 2 am has become our new normal bedtime. And it was a tad stressful at times. But, we worked hard as a team, and I am so proud of my husband and the skills he honed along the way. I'm also proud of us for setting a goal and sticking to it. We tend to meander our way through projects around here (I'm looking at you, uncaulked & unpainted crown molding installed 6 months ago in our daughter's room). It's amazing how much you can accomplish when you don't binge watch a show on Netflix.
For those dropping in for the first time, we committed to making over our laundry room, mudcloset, & garage entry, and we turned a pantry into an office nook in the kitchen hallway. You can see our intro here, design plan here, and play catch up here, here, and here. Linda of Calling It Home created this wonderful blog program, a 6 week exercise in design (& a little insanity). It was so fun, and we've already come up with ideas for at least 3 other rooms. I'm not sure we will participate in 3 more ORCs consecutively as budget does play a huge factor in timeliness. But, I am sure we will do this again, and hopefully soon. Ok, enough talking. On with the pictures.
As a reminder, here is a before shot of the laundry room.
It wasn't bad; in fact, most people who visit our home comment on how much they loved the laundry room walls. But, it just wasn't for me. I spend a lot of my day in the kitchen, which has a direct view of the laundry room, and I needed it to be a place that felt "me". So now it looks like this:
We painted the walls, stenciled, and installed beadboard. We also installed new hooks, cabinet pulls, an accordion-style drying rack, and a wall-mount utility tub. This last one was important because the legs of the old sink pushed the dog's bowls out into the doorway - now we can actually close the door. Hooray! We scrapped the idea of shelving over the drying rack & washer/dryer. I may go back and add that in later, but I wanted to get a feel for the use of the space before adding more clutter into this small room.
This space is so tight that we had to forgo the beadboard on the back wall. That tiny difference in depth was enough to cause the new sink to stick out into the doorway. So, we painted the drywall to match the beadboard, and kept the top trim piece to provide continuity. I'm pretty excited that this new drying rack won't smack me in the head each time I use the sink, unlike the previous rack that was way too big for the space.
Up next is our "mudcloset". This space is only 36" wide by 10" deep. So not even a full foot of storage space depth. Argh. But, it is better than the option of walking across the house every time you need shoes or a jacket. I had planned on stenciling the walls of the mudcloset to match those in the laundry room. But hours of hard work ending in imperfections and frustration convinced me that easy-to-install beadboard might be a better choice, and it is definitely more durable against wet jackets and muddy shoes. We also removed the inefficient top shelf, added more shelving/shoe storage at the bottom, and raised all the hooks so that our jackets weren't completely covering those of our girls.
Now on to the office nook. This was a random idea I threw in at the last minute, after we had already decided to tackle the other areas. Luckily, hubby was game to try his hand at building a floating desk, and I am SO proud and impressed by his talent. Time and space constraints prevented us from building the cubby system I had originally designed, but I think this one is a suitable replacement. I love the character the World Market sconce adds to the space, but the best part is my babies watching over me from the chalkboard wall. I adore looking at those precious faces while I'm working.
And finally, a before and after of the whole space.
After painting the slivers of wall next to the garage door white, we decided it was a little boring. A last minute decision (as in this past weekend) was made to continue the beadboard and trim out here, and I'm so glad we did. I think it really is the key to providing continuity between all the spaces.
Thanks for joining us on this journey. It was definitely worth it, and we will absolutely do it again (although I am so thankful that the next one is not any time soon. This mama needs some sleep!). Having time/budget/space limits required us to get a little creative in certain areas, and it also forced me to accept imperfections and constraints that would have frustrated me otherwise. Most importantly, my husband and I enjoyed working as a team, and this project cemented our love for DIY (although I'm a bigger fan of the idea part of DIY. I'm lucky the other half of my team likes the actual DIY). ;)
A big thanks to Linda for creating and hosting the One Room Challenge. My next post (hopefully early next week) will include sources for all the spaces. Until then, go check out the other 175+ guest participants! :)
For those dropping in for the first time, we committed to making over our laundry room, mudcloset, & garage entry, and we turned a pantry into an office nook in the kitchen hallway. You can see our intro here, design plan here, and play catch up here, here, and here. Linda of Calling It Home created this wonderful blog program, a 6 week exercise in design (& a little insanity). It was so fun, and we've already come up with ideas for at least 3 other rooms. I'm not sure we will participate in 3 more ORCs consecutively as budget does play a huge factor in timeliness. But, I am sure we will do this again, and hopefully soon. Ok, enough talking. On with the pictures.
As a reminder, here is a before shot of the laundry room.
It wasn't bad; in fact, most people who visit our home comment on how much they loved the laundry room walls. But, it just wasn't for me. I spend a lot of my day in the kitchen, which has a direct view of the laundry room, and I needed it to be a place that felt "me". So now it looks like this:
We painted the walls, stenciled, and installed beadboard. We also installed new hooks, cabinet pulls, an accordion-style drying rack, and a wall-mount utility tub. This last one was important because the legs of the old sink pushed the dog's bowls out into the doorway - now we can actually close the door. Hooray! We scrapped the idea of shelving over the drying rack & washer/dryer. I may go back and add that in later, but I wanted to get a feel for the use of the space before adding more clutter into this small room.
This space is so tight that we had to forgo the beadboard on the back wall. That tiny difference in depth was enough to cause the new sink to stick out into the doorway. So, we painted the drywall to match the beadboard, and kept the top trim piece to provide continuity. I'm pretty excited that this new drying rack won't smack me in the head each time I use the sink, unlike the previous rack that was way too big for the space.
Up next is our "mudcloset". This space is only 36" wide by 10" deep. So not even a full foot of storage space depth. Argh. But, it is better than the option of walking across the house every time you need shoes or a jacket. I had planned on stenciling the walls of the mudcloset to match those in the laundry room. But hours of hard work ending in imperfections and frustration convinced me that easy-to-install beadboard might be a better choice, and it is definitely more durable against wet jackets and muddy shoes. We also removed the inefficient top shelf, added more shelving/shoe storage at the bottom, and raised all the hooks so that our jackets weren't completely covering those of our girls.
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| The almost imperceptible marks on the sliver of wall to the right are my babies' growth charts. We will never be able to paint this section ;) |
Now on to the office nook. This was a random idea I threw in at the last minute, after we had already decided to tackle the other areas. Luckily, hubby was game to try his hand at building a floating desk, and I am SO proud and impressed by his talent. Time and space constraints prevented us from building the cubby system I had originally designed, but I think this one is a suitable replacement. I love the character the World Market sconce adds to the space, but the best part is my babies watching over me from the chalkboard wall. I adore looking at those precious faces while I'm working.
And finally, a before and after of the whole space.
Thanks for joining us on this journey. It was definitely worth it, and we will absolutely do it again (although I am so thankful that the next one is not any time soon. This mama needs some sleep!). Having time/budget/space limits required us to get a little creative in certain areas, and it also forced me to accept imperfections and constraints that would have frustrated me otherwise. Most importantly, my husband and I enjoyed working as a team, and this project cemented our love for DIY (although I'm a bigger fan of the idea part of DIY. I'm lucky the other half of my team likes the actual DIY). ;)
A big thanks to Linda for creating and hosting the One Room Challenge. My next post (hopefully early next week) will include sources for all the spaces. Until then, go check out the other 175+ guest participants! :)
ORC Week 2: Demo & Design Plan
Not surprisingly, the laundry room & to-be office nook look huge now that they're empty of junk. But they're actually fairly small: the laundry room is 35 sq. ft. & the office nook is only 4 ft wide & 18 inches deep. This means less area to work on, but it also means we have to be efficient with our space planning. I love the challenge of ensuring a design works as good as it looks, so this is one of the things I'm most eager to get to (& also what is keeping me awake at night). ;)
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| Removed all the junk & shelves, patched the holes, and now we are ready to paint! |
Below is my design board. It's a little different from the ones I send to clients; this is more of an inspiration board than a true design board. I'm taking elements from all of the images & giving them my own spin. So, what you see here will not exactly be what you'll see in the end, as opposed to a detailed design that I provide for my clients. But, it will keep me focused on not straying too far outside my ideas, something that can happen when I'm browsing my favorite antiques store, or let's be honest, each time I step inside Target or HomeGoods.
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| Clockwise from top left: Melinda Hartwright // Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze // Schoolhouse Electric Benjamin Moore White Dove // An Urban Cottage // Ladies Home Journal // This Old House // Boston Globe Magazine |
And finally, our to-do list. Phew! Seeing how many things there are still to be done is a little overwhelming. This is definitely going to be a 'take it one step at a time' process.
Laundry:
Install beadboard & molding // Paint & stencil walls // Install hooks on molding // New utility sink //
Entry:
Paint walls // New rug // New lighting
Mudcloset:
Repaint // Lower top hooks so shelf is more accessible // Add shoe storage // Add more hooks
Office nook:
Floating desk //
Chalkboard or pinboard // Lighting
Please check in on our progress again next week! Y'all are keeping me accountable ;)
And remember, there are nearly 200 other bloggers joining in on the fun, so go give them some love!
Dressing Your Home & Yourself
Fall
is by far my favorite season. And my home & clothes tend to reflect
that: lots of cozy textures, warm neutrals, & subdued prints with hits of
color here & there. I always prefer my fall wardrobe over any other
time of the year. I tend to think that while we can appreciate the
colors, textures, scents, & sounds of multiple seasons, we all probably
have one season that we favor over all the rest. Knowing this can help
you in dressing both your home & yourself.
For
example, I love the ocean and the colors blue & green. Both are found
throughout my home & wardrobe, more so than any other colors (except
neutrals). But, I could never have a "summery" house because I
need that warmth that only fall type colors can provide. Below are some
examples of rooms that I think tend to give off the vibe of certain seasons:
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The "winter" room is full of soft, muted colors with
just a hint of shine. Think snow & icicles on bare tree branches, or
the glint of champagne in a crystal glass on New Year's Day. If you prefer
winter, your wardrobe (or home) might include creamy whites, golds, tans,
greige, & lots of texture (cable knits, faux fur, etc.).
The
"spring" & "summer" rooms are similar, but there are
differences. The spring room's warmer tones & drapery show the
transition from cold winters to hot summers. The colors are still a
little muted, like spring buds that are emerging but haven't quite blossomed
into bright colors. Spring wardrobes may include both whites &
off-whites, lighter hues of color (lavender, spring green, robin's egg blue),
& softer textures (like thin cotton sweaters).
You
can see the difference in the "summer" room immediately. The
whites are pure, the color in the room is both brighter & cooler in hue,
& the textures are smooth & slick (the chairs) or rough like the outdoors
(the wood table reminiscent of driftwood). This feels like a room that
would provide cool relief from the hot summer sun. There are no drapes,
& only one of the windows shown has any type of coverage at all.
Summer wardrobes hope to counteract the heat of summer: gauzy linens,
lots of white, bright colors (inspired by the ocean, sky, 4th of July, etc.),
& favor any texture that feels cool to the touch.
Finally, the "fall" room is full of the colors of harvest time.
Books & throws, cozy fabrics like the velvet on the sofa, creamy
paneling, & darker toned woods invite you to snuggle in & prepare for
longer days & cooler temps. But, it's not a dark room - the overall
color (on the paneling, built-ins, & rug) is still a light neutral, the
paint just barely darker than off-white. It is the accents in the room
that provide a cozier feeling. Fall wardrobes might consist of jewel
tones, darker neutrals, leopard prints, leather, etc.
As I
mentioned above, the favorite items in my home & wardrobe are
"fallish" in feel & color. To give you an example of how
wardrobe can influence home decor & vice-versa, I created an outfit based
on the fall room above (designed by the talented Gil Schafer). The outfit
was inspired by the room's feel, but is not an exact copy - the colors refer to
each other but aren't matching.
What's your favorite season? Is it reflected in your home &
closet?
Happy Monday!
Taking Chances, Part 1: Haven Home/DIY Blogger Conference
Ok, I lied. I said I was going to take a break from blogging for a little bit (& if I was smart, I wouldn't be using packing time to blog), but I'm afraid if I wait I will forget all the wonderful things I learned last weekend at the Haven DIY/Home Blogger Conference.
Let's start out with this: I am not a risk taker. At all. My husband likes to tease me & say that we met during my 6 weeks of rebellion in college. I like tradition, stability, routine. Ironic for a military wife, huh?
The positive side of this is that I tend to be fairly organized & I invest a lot of time before I start any type of work project. The negative is that I don't like taking chances & if I don't feel properly prepared for something or assured of success, I'd prefer to just not do it at all. But, as I've said before, my mom's example of a well-lived life encouraged me to take the risk of starting my own business & blog, even though I have no way of knowing the outcome. But thank goodness I finally took a chance, because it has led to some great (& some surreal) moments, including the conference.
I read a lot of blogs, at least 25-30, maybe even more. I don't read each one every day, or even every week, but I like to check in fairly often to see what's going on in the DIY/Home blog world. Blogs provide me with a ton of education & inspiration, more so than any of my design classes, maybe because they are written by real women (& men) who have decided to take their passion & just go for it. They write about both the successes & the setbacks, and I try to learn as much as I can from them. So when I saw a chance to attend the Haven conference, I just had to go for it. I was nervous to attend because I am such a new blogger, & because I didn't think I would know anyone else going, but I knew I would kick myself if I didn't attend. And I am so glad I did!!
I met so many wonderful people, including this great group of bloggers & artists below. I was super nervous (as I usually am in social situations), & was grateful to meet these sweet ladies the first night. Our time together was filled with laughter. Thanks for making my first conference a great experience!
I also met some of the authors of blogs I have long read & admire. Ashley (The Handmade Home), Erin (Two Story Cottage), Sherry (Young House Love), Katie (Bower Power), Sherry (Design Indulgence), & Emily (Emily A. Clark) were so incredibly nice. I put my foot in my mouth several times (as I often do), & they all graciously ignored it. Thank goodness for other people's ability to sense my good intentions. :)
Let's start out with this: I am not a risk taker. At all. My husband likes to tease me & say that we met during my 6 weeks of rebellion in college. I like tradition, stability, routine. Ironic for a military wife, huh?
The positive side of this is that I tend to be fairly organized & I invest a lot of time before I start any type of work project. The negative is that I don't like taking chances & if I don't feel properly prepared for something or assured of success, I'd prefer to just not do it at all. But, as I've said before, my mom's example of a well-lived life encouraged me to take the risk of starting my own business & blog, even though I have no way of knowing the outcome. But thank goodness I finally took a chance, because it has led to some great (& some surreal) moments, including the conference.
I read a lot of blogs, at least 25-30, maybe even more. I don't read each one every day, or even every week, but I like to check in fairly often to see what's going on in the DIY/Home blog world. Blogs provide me with a ton of education & inspiration, more so than any of my design classes, maybe because they are written by real women (& men) who have decided to take their passion & just go for it. They write about both the successes & the setbacks, and I try to learn as much as I can from them. So when I saw a chance to attend the Haven conference, I just had to go for it. I was nervous to attend because I am such a new blogger, & because I didn't think I would know anyone else going, but I knew I would kick myself if I didn't attend. And I am so glad I did!!
I met so many wonderful people, including this great group of bloggers & artists below. I was super nervous (as I usually am in social situations), & was grateful to meet these sweet ladies the first night. Our time together was filled with laughter. Thanks for making my first conference a great experience!
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(L to R): Cheryl (New House to Home), Dana (an incredible artist),
Brandi (Toodlelou Designs), me, & Allison (Soiled Rotten) (photo courtesy of Brandi Smith)
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In addition to meeting some of my favorite bloggers, I learned SO much. Most of it was helpful, but some of it gave me anxiety because I learned all the things I'm doing wrong or that I should have done already but haven't yet. My to-do list when I got home was a mile long. I am looking forward to growing & improving this blog/business armed with all my new knowledge. A big thanks to the ladies who put together the Haven Conference; it was a wonderful experience & I am so glad I took the risk to step outside of my comfort zone!!
Balance (& being a Master Designer)
Don't we all strive for more balance in our lives? If we tilt too far in one direction, the ripples can be felt in all areas of our life. There are 2 things I have struggled with since starting this business - the balance of family life & work, and the balance of greedy consumerism vs appreciation.
First, the balance of family & work. For the six months after I had my girl, when I went to work, I didn't always want to be there, but while I was there, I focused on the task in front of me. And when I was home, I focused on my family. I was mostly balanced. Then I was blessed to be able to stay at home for the next 18 months. And my family was my work, so I was mostly balanced again. But there was a small part of me that felt like, even though staying at home had always been my desire, I needed something just for me. I began to feel off-kilter. Working & being a mom is HARD, no matter if you work outside of the home, from home, or in the home. I have done all 3, & I am here to tell you they all have their pros & cons. So let's stop beating other women (& ourselves) up for their (our) choices, okay? Sorry, tangent.
Anyway, I figured that starting my own business & working from home would give me the flexibility I needed, the ability to be home with my girl, & the creative outlet that I craved. BUT...it has been so much harder than I thought. I'm not saying that working from home is harder than working outside or inside the home. I'm just saying it has been much harder for me personally to find the balance. Because my days still primarily revolve around my child. But, my phone dings constantly with emails, phone calls, & texts from clients. I zealously read books, magazines, & blogs for education and inspiration, and Pinterest has become an obsession. My phone is both a curse & a blessing. Because I can be reached 24/7 in all manner of ways, & inspiration is all around me, I feel like I'm never truly not working. I knew I wasn't doing a good job of balancing it all when CC asked me to put my phone down & play. Guilt overload. I'm working on doing a better job. Because she is what truly matters to me. And if she ever thought that my work was more important than her, it would do me in. So I've learned to let things go. My house is a mess. Our meals aren't very detailed or creative anymore. All of my DIY projects have been pushed to the side. And I often go to bed around midnight or later because I work after she goes to bed. Right now, it's worth it. And when that doesn't work anymore, I'll figure out a new balance. But man, achieving that balance is hard & constantly evolving. She's so worth it though. How could I not give my all for this sweet face?
First, the balance of family & work. For the six months after I had my girl, when I went to work, I didn't always want to be there, but while I was there, I focused on the task in front of me. And when I was home, I focused on my family. I was mostly balanced. Then I was blessed to be able to stay at home for the next 18 months. And my family was my work, so I was mostly balanced again. But there was a small part of me that felt like, even though staying at home had always been my desire, I needed something just for me. I began to feel off-kilter. Working & being a mom is HARD, no matter if you work outside of the home, from home, or in the home. I have done all 3, & I am here to tell you they all have their pros & cons. So let's stop beating other women (& ourselves) up for their (our) choices, okay? Sorry, tangent.
Anyway, I figured that starting my own business & working from home would give me the flexibility I needed, the ability to be home with my girl, & the creative outlet that I craved. BUT...it has been so much harder than I thought. I'm not saying that working from home is harder than working outside or inside the home. I'm just saying it has been much harder for me personally to find the balance. Because my days still primarily revolve around my child. But, my phone dings constantly with emails, phone calls, & texts from clients. I zealously read books, magazines, & blogs for education and inspiration, and Pinterest has become an obsession. My phone is both a curse & a blessing. Because I can be reached 24/7 in all manner of ways, & inspiration is all around me, I feel like I'm never truly not working. I knew I wasn't doing a good job of balancing it all when CC asked me to put my phone down & play. Guilt overload. I'm working on doing a better job. Because she is what truly matters to me. And if she ever thought that my work was more important than her, it would do me in. So I've learned to let things go. My house is a mess. Our meals aren't very detailed or creative anymore. All of my DIY projects have been pushed to the side. And I often go to bed around midnight or later because I work after she goes to bed. Right now, it's worth it. And when that doesn't work anymore, I'll figure out a new balance. But man, achieving that balance is hard & constantly evolving. She's so worth it though. How could I not give my all for this sweet face?
The other big thing I have struggled with is maintaining my inner compass while working in a field that is, on the surface, about external beauty. I'll admit, more than once, I've gotten a case of the gimme gimmes. I would stare at the walls of our military housing & dream of the days when I could have my own house with everything just the way I wanted. But you know what? This turned into constant planning for our "someday" house. Dreaming & planning is great, but when you can't also enjoy the present because all you can think about is how if you could just change X, Y, or Z, then you'd be happy, that's not so great. The struggle of enjoying beautiful things while not becoming consumed by them can be difficult.
Luckily, I found the Master Designer Manifesto. Darlene Weir, of Fieldstone Hill (the same designer/blog I focused on during my Design 101 posts), has it figured out. And she kindly added me to her Master Designer blogroll, & asked me to share about it here.
Here's the thing. True happiness doesn't come from material goods. But you can still appreciate them, as long as you remember what really matters in life. I struggled to find this balance, because I sometimes felt like I was being materialistic by enjoying design & dreaming about it.
I think my favorite part of her design manifesto is "I appreciate fine and lovely things, but they are not my treasures. I know what is truly important, and I do not aim to 'store up my treasures here on earth' {Matthew 6:19}". I have worked as a pediatric nurse for very sick kids. My husband is a war veteran. We have endured miscarriages, infertility, & the much too early passings of my mom & Army friends. I share all this only because it is these experiences that have taught me what life is truly about, & it's not the beautiful things that I work with everyday.
Thank you, Darlene for once again inspiring me. I am proud to be a Master Designer.
Holly
Design 101: The Aha Moment! Discovering Your Style
I had planned on creating a whole series on how to determine your style & what to do with that knowledge. But, as mentioned in my previous post, I stumbled upon Darlene Weir's Style Bootcamp, & was so blown away by what an incredible job she did that I didn't think I could do it any better.
Instead, I thought I'd expand on what I learned (& what you will too!) from her series. Go on, grab a coffee, visit Fieldstone Hill, & come back to me when you're done. I'll wait....
Pretty great stuff, right? Let's talk about my favorite aspects of the Style Boot Camp: the personal style words & the signature style board.
Instead, I thought I'd expand on what I learned (& what you will too!) from her series. Go on, grab a coffee, visit Fieldstone Hill, & come back to me when you're done. I'll wait....
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Two things surprised me when I finished this exercise. One is the fact that none of my style words are visually descriptive design words - in other words, you can't use my style words to paint an exact picture of a room in your head. Instead, they describe how I want my home to feel; this is much harder to pin down, but also much more helpful in making decisions for my home.
So what are my style words? Classic, charming, kid-friendly, sentimental, joyful, cozy. My next post will delve further into what these words mean to me, & how I achieve them in my home.
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| Via http://pinterest.com/hcbinteriors/cozy-classic-character/ |
The other thing that surprised me was the pictures I ended up choosing for my signature style board. I went through Pinterest, & chose the pictures that made an instant connection. I didn't think through what I liked about them, or if they would go together in a collage. If I loved it after a quick glance, it went into my "favorite images" file. Narrowing those favorite pictures was harder, but I finally chose the ones that drew me in over & over. Again, I didn't think about why I liked them until the whole process was over - I didn't want to put too much thought into it, because then it wasn't as likely to be a gut reaction. And this is what I came up with:
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| Via http://pinterest.com/pin/210402613813719896/ |
What surprised me about the pictures I chose? They are full of blues, a little bit of green, creamy whites, warm woods & metals, and natural textures - all things I have said before are my preferences for a home, so no shocker there. But when I compare it to my previous homes, even though there are a lot of similarities, I can see that there is way too much brown & beige (the safe neutrals). If you look at the above collage, brown grounds most of the pictures, but as an accent, not as the main color. Even the one picture that has a lot of brown neutrals in it, as seen close-up below, has lots of white, warm metal tones, & some pattern. I do not have any colorful patterned drapes in my home - only neutrals - and I am ready for some fun! It's time to cast aside the safe stuff & go after what makes my heart sing.
In trying to be safe (because I tend to "tweak" my house a lot), all of the big items in my home are brown, tan, etc. The reasoning behind this isn't necessarily bad; my thought was that the more expensive items in my home should be neutral so that I can add in accents that can be easily changed out (& I still think this is a good plan for a lot of people). But here's the problem - my accents ended up being neutral also! Too much color can overwhelm me on a busy day, but not enough can lead to my home feeling flat & blah. Finding the happy balance is the solution.
I think the style boards are a good idea not only for discovering your personal style, but also for planning a room from scratch. As an example, when designing a kitchen, I prefer painted (usually white) cabinets, wood countertops &/or floors, and lighting that makes a statement. However, mixing these 3 things could create millions of different combinations. So, creating a kitchen style board can give me a good starting point for my overall design.
All of the pictures above have at least two of the three elements that I mentioned. In addition, blue cabinetry/wall color, open shelving, & lots of natural light can be found in most of them. This helps me narrow my preferences down even more. Seeing some of my favorite kitchens side by side also helps me determine those aspects that I don't really care for & would leave out of my planning.
I hope that this information has been helpful in guiding you toward determining your personal style. I know the process was helpful for me! Stay tuned for the next post - we'll figure how to translate your style words into design ideas.
Holly
In trying to be safe (because I tend to "tweak" my house a lot), all of the big items in my home are brown, tan, etc. The reasoning behind this isn't necessarily bad; my thought was that the more expensive items in my home should be neutral so that I can add in accents that can be easily changed out (& I still think this is a good plan for a lot of people). But here's the problem - my accents ended up being neutral also! Too much color can overwhelm me on a busy day, but not enough can lead to my home feeling flat & blah. Finding the happy balance is the solution.
I think the style boards are a good idea not only for discovering your personal style, but also for planning a room from scratch. As an example, when designing a kitchen, I prefer painted (usually white) cabinets, wood countertops &/or floors, and lighting that makes a statement. However, mixing these 3 things could create millions of different combinations. So, creating a kitchen style board can give me a good starting point for my overall design.
All of the pictures above have at least two of the three elements that I mentioned. In addition, blue cabinetry/wall color, open shelving, & lots of natural light can be found in most of them. This helps me narrow my preferences down even more. Seeing some of my favorite kitchens side by side also helps me determine those aspects that I don't really care for & would leave out of my planning.
I hope that this information has been helpful in guiding you toward determining your personal style. I know the process was helpful for me! Stay tuned for the next post - we'll figure how to translate your style words into design ideas.
Holly
Design 101 - What is Style?
One of the things I hear the most from my clients is that they're not sure how to define their style. Figuring out exactly what you like is a difficult task. I'll be honest - I still struggle with this. As a designer, being exposed to so many resources & ideas can give me design ADD. However, after a lot of experimentation & contemplation, I can finally discern the difference between what I actually like and what I admire as beautiful but isn't for me. Sometimes figuring out what you don't like can be just as, if not more, important as what you do like.
I take issue with the magazine articles that try to define your "style" in 10 questions. First, they usually only include a few (very general) style terms: country, cottage, modern, traditional, vintage or romantic. Those terms are way too broad to be of much help. Second, how many people can actually be pigeon-holed into only one style? Even if you know that you love all things country, what type of country are we talking about? Rustic, woodsy, Americana? French or English?
Oftentimes, a person's preferences will lean towards one or two major stylistic influences, with an appreciation for other types. For example, I love the cottage look, but for me, it has to be a mix of Southern traditional/prep + New England coastal with a dash of European influence thrown in. The fictional story line of my home would be a Southern belle who moves to a weathered, shingled cottage on the Nantucket shoreline & marries an English farmer. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it also provides the perfect visual image for me to know if I will love a piece of furniture or fabric for a long time, or if it will be a passing infatuation.
Cape Cod + Southern + English
I can't tell you how many things I have purchased in the past because I thought I loved them, only to give them away 6 months later. I truly liked the table, chair, pillow, etc. at the time of purchase, but because it didn't fit my overall design style, I ended up tiring of it quickly.
What stands the test of time for me?
So, how do you figure out your personal style? One of the best ways is to go through magazines (or the genius idea that is Pinterest) & tear out anything that catches your eye. Then, review your tear-sheets for any common ideas or themes. You should start to see some repetitiveness - maybe you chose a bunch of images of white slipcovered furniture or you notice that you seem to like clean lines & no clutter. This is a great way to begin your style discovery process.
For even more in-depth analysis, I highly recommend taking Fieldstone Hill Design's Style Boot Camp, by designer Darlene Weir. Darlene's process of determining personal style is the best I've seen & was incredibly beneficial to me. One step of the Style Boot Camp is to create a Style Collage. I have to say, I was surprised to see what ended up in my collage (which I will share in my next post), but when I actually took the time to think about my choices, the collage I made is absolutely me - I just didn't know it!
If you do participate in her boot camp & style collage challenge, please be sure to let her know I sent you!
If you would like more help with the process of determining your style or with any other interior design aspect, contact me at hcbinteriors@gmail.com. I would love to work with you!
Holly
I take issue with the magazine articles that try to define your "style" in 10 questions. First, they usually only include a few (very general) style terms: country, cottage, modern, traditional, vintage or romantic. Those terms are way too broad to be of much help. Second, how many people can actually be pigeon-holed into only one style? Even if you know that you love all things country, what type of country are we talking about? Rustic, woodsy, Americana? French or English?
The 2 images above show how subjective naming a style can be - they both appear in the same post about Americana style, but one is definitely country while the other has modern touches. By the way, this subjectivity is one reason why it can be helpful to hire a designer. If you went into your nearest home store & asked for Americana items, which of the looks above would you be hoping to get? A designer can guide you toward your preference without a lot of costly mistakes.
Oftentimes, a person's preferences will lean towards one or two major stylistic influences, with an appreciation for other types. For example, I love the cottage look, but for me, it has to be a mix of Southern traditional/prep + New England coastal with a dash of European influence thrown in. The fictional story line of my home would be a Southern belle who moves to a weathered, shingled cottage on the Nantucket shoreline & marries an English farmer. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it also provides the perfect visual image for me to know if I will love a piece of furniture or fabric for a long time, or if it will be a passing infatuation.
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| cottageliving.com - tammy connor id - the holiday movie |
Cape Cod + Southern + English
I can't tell you how many things I have purchased in the past because I thought I loved them, only to give them away 6 months later. I truly liked the table, chair, pillow, etc. at the time of purchase, but because it didn't fit my overall design style, I ended up tiring of it quickly.
What stands the test of time for me?
- Natural textures: seagrass rugs, burlap, & woven baskets
- Muted coastal colors (watery blues & greens, the browns & grays of driftwood) with accents of brighter colors (especially artwork)
- A mix of wood & painted pieces
- Leather or slipcovered chairs
- A mix of metals: brass & pewter, gold & silver
- Ginghams, Buffalo Check, & muted Toiles
I designed the Keeping Room idea board below based on my list above. The basics of this room would work for me for a long time, & I could easily change out the art & fabrics with the seasons or as my tastes changed.
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| hcb interiors keeping room |
So, how do you figure out your personal style? One of the best ways is to go through magazines (or the genius idea that is Pinterest) & tear out anything that catches your eye. Then, review your tear-sheets for any common ideas or themes. You should start to see some repetitiveness - maybe you chose a bunch of images of white slipcovered furniture or you notice that you seem to like clean lines & no clutter. This is a great way to begin your style discovery process.
For even more in-depth analysis, I highly recommend taking Fieldstone Hill Design's Style Boot Camp, by designer Darlene Weir. Darlene's process of determining personal style is the best I've seen & was incredibly beneficial to me. One step of the Style Boot Camp is to create a Style Collage. I have to say, I was surprised to see what ended up in my collage (which I will share in my next post), but when I actually took the time to think about my choices, the collage I made is absolutely me - I just didn't know it!
If you do participate in her boot camp & style collage challenge, please be sure to let her know I sent you!
If you would like more help with the process of determining your style or with any other interior design aspect, contact me at hcbinteriors@gmail.com. I would love to work with you!
Holly
Big Dreams & Plans
I can't share all the details for another month or so, but I will soon be embarking on one of my biggest design projects to date (big as in an entire house. The budget is on the modest side). My wheels have been in constant motion, with ideas filling the pages of multiple notepads.
What's more, I will be following in the VERY talented footsteps of another Southern designer (whom I will share more about when it all becomes final). As a designer, I am excited to put my own stamp on these already beautiful interiors. As a design fanatic, I am nervous to change a space that has been published in shelter magazines on numerous occasions & is all over Pinterest. Will it seem like criticism if I make any big changes? Will people like my ideas, or will it seem like I've ruined a great design? My ideas are different from the current design - not better, not worse (I hope!), & not even hugely drastic changes - just different. I hope that when I am able to share the befores & afters, they will be seen for what they are: my personal perspective of a beautiful home. No two designers will see a space exactly the same way, & I think that's a good thing - variety is the spice of life, right? OK, enough justification. On to the planning. :)
I don't yet have pictures to share of the space, so I will give a verbal tour of some of the main spaces I've already begun planning, & fill in with inspiration images. In the near future, I will share the design idea boards for some, if not all, of the rooms.
First up - the Dining Room:
How often do people use formal dining rooms these days? Not much, I don't think. I am a big believer in not having empty or non-functioning spaces in a house, so for this room, I've created a design that combines dining with reading, music, etc. The room is fairly square, with a big bay window on one wall. I picture built-in bookcases filling the wall across from the window & will have them painted a nice gray-blue to draw attention to the importance of the books & art filling the shelves. If it's in the budget, I'm thinking grasscloth wallpaper for the walls; if not, creamy off-white paint is the backup choice.
I hope to find decently priced upholstered seating for the bay window that will pull double-duty as both a spot for reading and as the head chairs at the dining table when needed. The table will be a round pedestal table floating in the middle of the room so that it can be used for reading, display, & dining. These 3 images combined give an idea of what's floating around in my head. :)
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| Color - atlantahomesmag.com |
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| Creamy Buffalo Check & Round Table - southernliving.com |
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| Built-ins & Ambiance - mynottinghill.blogspot.com |
Living Room:
This is a light, airy space with board & batten walls, a cathedral ceiling, & a fieldstone fireplace with a glass door on one side of the fireplace & a window on the other side. The fireplace is the first thing you notice when you walk in, so I figure why not paint the door & window trim a dark color to pop with the fireplace. I'm thinking Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze for the trim. At first, I was resistant to choosing Urbane Bronze because it seems to be a trendy color right now, but I have to admit it's a great shade of dark gray with a hint of brown. I chose Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige for the walls for both light & warmth.
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| Accessible Beige |
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| SW Accessible Beige Board & Batten Regan Baker Designs - houzz.com |
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| Urbane Bronze |
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| Restoration Hardware |
 The Upholstery will include an English roll arm sofa in a neutral fabric & 2 vintage chairs slipcovered in this ticking stripe (from Walmart of all places!)I can't wait to get started on this beautiful home. Look for more details (& plans) mid-July. Happy Weekend! |
| Holly |
Lunch & Lessons
Last Friday, I had the honor of being invited to a luncheon attended by many of the Atlanta designers whose blogs I follow. I have to admit, it was a little surreal having my online world collide with the real world. Women whose work I have studied in numerous publications, & who I feel I know personally because I read their blogs on a regular basis, were in attendance. Of course, my natural tendency in intimidating social situations is to become practically mute & simply observe. I tried my best to mingle, but I was still a little in shock that I was actually a part of the shindig, so I'm not sure I said more than 10 words the whole time.
Sweet Julie from Milk and Honey Home was the one who so kindly invited me to the lunch, & she shared some bits of wisdom on getting started in this business. Although she was full of good advice, the main thing I took away was this: act like you're supposed to be a part of wherever you are, like you know what you are doing, and others will follow along. I can be a perfectionist at heart who does not take failure or criticism well. I have a hard time enjoying the learning process, & making mistakes just about does me in, but the only way to hone your craft is through continuous practice. Luckily, my mistakes tend to only be detrimental to myself, never to my clients. The good thing about design is that, unlike my previous profession, mistakes are not life or death matters, just embarrassing (& sometimes what starts as a mistake ends up being the best part of the design!).
I left the luncheon inspired by the beauty of the setting (Lindsey Hene hosted - talk about a gorgeous home!), & by the creative genius of the attendees. I feel so lucky to have been included in the company of those who inspire me - being invited to an event like this honestly never even entered my realm of possibilities, so to be able to look back & record it here is more than a dream come true.
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Holly
Sweet Julie from Milk and Honey Home was the one who so kindly invited me to the lunch, & she shared some bits of wisdom on getting started in this business. Although she was full of good advice, the main thing I took away was this: act like you're supposed to be a part of wherever you are, like you know what you are doing, and others will follow along. I can be a perfectionist at heart who does not take failure or criticism well. I have a hard time enjoying the learning process, & making mistakes just about does me in, but the only way to hone your craft is through continuous practice. Luckily, my mistakes tend to only be detrimental to myself, never to my clients. The good thing about design is that, unlike my previous profession, mistakes are not life or death matters, just embarrassing (& sometimes what starts as a mistake ends up being the best part of the design!).
I left the luncheon inspired by the beauty of the setting (Lindsey Hene hosted - talk about a gorgeous home!), & by the creative genius of the attendees. I feel so lucky to have been included in the company of those who inspire me - being invited to an event like this honestly never even entered my realm of possibilities, so to be able to look back & record it here is more than a dream come true.
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Holly
Hi y'all!
Welcome to hcb interiors! I am so happy to have you visit, truly. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, & let's get to know each other...
My main inspiration for this blog & business? My mom. I mention her briefly in the "About" page, but even if I had infinite time & space to write, it still would not do her justice. She passed away right before Christmas 2011, & we have been adjusting to our new normal ever since. She was my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, & a positive force in my life. I know many people who would say the exact same about her - she had the gift of making everyone she met feel special. Mama accomplished almost all of her "bucket list" items before her mid-50s. Isn't that incredible? I, on the other hand, have accomplished very few things on my list. After she passed, I realized that I wanted to be able to say that I did not let fear of failure or the unknown stop me from fulfilling my dreams.
So, here we are. I have wanted to be involved in interior design since I was young, but, being oh so practical, decided instead that I needed to pursue a career in medicine because it would provide a steady job & a flexible schedule to be with my family. But the heart knows what it wants, & even though I LOVED my patients, I did not love my job. I spent hours outside of work getting lost in shelter magazines, decor blogs, & redesigning my home over & over again. Luckily, my husband's military career required lots of moving, & I have had the opportunity to design 7 different homes in the past 10 years. Each home had a different look & feel, but I mainly used the same items over & over again in different ways (a soldier's budget does not cover much when it comes to decor).
Over the years, friends & neighbors have asked for my decorating & organizing advice. I even had one lady ask me if I'd be interested in joining her home investment team based on the small glimpse she got of my house while at a garage sale! With all of that positive encouragement, I started slowly taking on clients, mostly helping with organization or home staging. Then, I had a sweet client bless me with the chance to be involved in her major home renovation, & things have taken off from there. My projects have included: home renovations, styling, helping newlyweds merge their styles, decorating a 4500 sq ft home simply by reusing the owner's belongings (no $ spent!), & helping young families develop short & long-term goals for their forever homes.
I love what I do, & I love the people I get to work with. I strongly believe that homes should be functional, and that they should reflect YOU - not the latest trend or what your dad's second cousin thinks your house should look like. If you would like to know more about how I can help you bring out the best in your home, please contact me!
Thanks again for visiting!
My main inspiration for this blog & business? My mom. I mention her briefly in the "About" page, but even if I had infinite time & space to write, it still would not do her justice. She passed away right before Christmas 2011, & we have been adjusting to our new normal ever since. She was my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, & a positive force in my life. I know many people who would say the exact same about her - she had the gift of making everyone she met feel special. Mama accomplished almost all of her "bucket list" items before her mid-50s. Isn't that incredible? I, on the other hand, have accomplished very few things on my list. After she passed, I realized that I wanted to be able to say that I did not let fear of failure or the unknown stop me from fulfilling my dreams.
So, here we are. I have wanted to be involved in interior design since I was young, but, being oh so practical, decided instead that I needed to pursue a career in medicine because it would provide a steady job & a flexible schedule to be with my family. But the heart knows what it wants, & even though I LOVED my patients, I did not love my job. I spent hours outside of work getting lost in shelter magazines, decor blogs, & redesigning my home over & over again. Luckily, my husband's military career required lots of moving, & I have had the opportunity to design 7 different homes in the past 10 years. Each home had a different look & feel, but I mainly used the same items over & over again in different ways (a soldier's budget does not cover much when it comes to decor).
Over the years, friends & neighbors have asked for my decorating & organizing advice. I even had one lady ask me if I'd be interested in joining her home investment team based on the small glimpse she got of my house while at a garage sale! With all of that positive encouragement, I started slowly taking on clients, mostly helping with organization or home staging. Then, I had a sweet client bless me with the chance to be involved in her major home renovation, & things have taken off from there. My projects have included: home renovations, styling, helping newlyweds merge their styles, decorating a 4500 sq ft home simply by reusing the owner's belongings (no $ spent!), & helping young families develop short & long-term goals for their forever homes.
I love what I do, & I love the people I get to work with. I strongly believe that homes should be functional, and that they should reflect YOU - not the latest trend or what your dad's second cousin thinks your house should look like. If you would like to know more about how I can help you bring out the best in your home, please contact me!
Thanks again for visiting!
Holly