Keep It Fresh

Day Four:

The last time visiting my mother in Alexandria, Louisiana, I snapped this photo.  My mother is the queen of "fresh".  

When entering her home you are greeted by this warm stately lady, tall and still pretty.  Most likely there is a roast she has prepared for you, with fresh creamed potatoes and gravy, fresh green beans, french bread and a nice dessert, usually a pound cake.

This photo is just a small example of her clean, organized, uncluttered home.  She is really good about getting rid of things.  That's a plus.  Too many things will just bring unnecessary weight to your life and a burden.  

My favorite place at my mother's is her freshly made up beds with ironed pillow cases, soft sheets and clean air.  There is usually something nice to read beside the bed and a lamp.

I wrote a blog post when first beginning to blog some time back on fresh touches for the home.  For more on this subject, I hope you'll click here for some "fresh" ideas.

Have a great Sunday tomorrow.  

Follow me via Bloglovin.  

This is my mother in her newly decorated room I did for her.

A Wall Collage

Day Three:

Gary and I worked in our home offices until about noon.  We decided to run a few errands and have lunch somewhere that was a healthy choice.  So it was, Panera.  Where we sat, I was facing one of my absolute favorite walls in that place.  I love the colors and the art is very themed and in a collage.  I love collages.  

Collage:  a combination or collection of various things.  In decor, it is usually a wall that contains a grouping of photos or art.

Although my favorite wall, I was terribly irratated by the layout.  The bold side of me called what looked like the manager passing by (and indeed was) : )  and complimented the wall and color but continued to tell him they just were not all hung right.  I explained that I was an interior decorator and would be happy to help them to make this wall look great.  He admitted the other manager just stuck them all up there and most likely would he would love the help. So...I am a bit excited to get this small job. And most of all enjoy this wall even more when it gets it's mini makeover.

Here is a few gallery walls I have done and find appealing.  The first is my own dining area filled with some Goodwill finds, some of my own productions and a few original pieces I own.  Once I completed this wall, the room invited me in.  So much more cozy and welcoming than the one larger art piece I tried to make work in this space.

This is a gallery I did in a client home:

"If you have a lot of small pictures and want to make a big statement, consider making a grouping in one area with a collage and you will get the wow factor of a one big look."

                                                                                   Donna Madden

This is another good example of a photo gallery.  I found this one on Pinterest.

Great sharing my thoughts with you today.  Hope I have given you a little insight.  Need a decorator?  I think I may have one in mind you may just want to check her out.  Smiles.  

Have a blessed day.

"...a hope & a future".

     Day Two:

     Once done with hubby to the eye doctor early this morning, breakfast at our favorite Mexican Restaurant in La Porte, I went by and checked on one of my houses being renovated from a fire.  I love the sea breeze smell that is in the air of this bay side home.  

     Although in rustic stages now, the hopes of beautiful surroundings for this couple is awaiting in their, hope to be, near future.  

     I thought you may enjoy seeing a few pics i used in my presentation on this job.  I have never done before, but felt I wanted to add a scripture to comfort them through this devastating time of their lives.  On this photo on the slide, it read "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Quick sketch of the niche area looking out at the water.

Window treatment inspiration for this niche window area.

Once this project is complete, it will be posted on my "Decorating for the Senses " business blog.

I am loving being a part of this couple's soon to be "red letter day" when they are able to return to their home full of all the things that define who they are and a place of refuge.

31 Days with a Decorator

Follow the links to each post.

Enjoy!

Day 1...here we go!

Day 2:  "a hope and a future"

Day 3: A Wall Collage

Day 4:  Keep It Fresh

Day 5:  Eclectic Sunday

Day 6:  Internet Glitch

Day 7:  Positive Input

Day 8:  Blood Moon in the Decorator's World

Day 9:  "whatsoever things...

Day 10:  Short & Sweet

Day 11:  "My" Flea Market Flip

Day 12:  Next Up

Day 13:  Blessed on Day 13

Day 14:  A Day Guided by a Color Palette

Day 15:  End of 2015 Tax Returns

Day 16:  Sleep

Day 17:  Simplicity

Day 18:  Surround yourselves...

Day 19:  This too shall pass

Day 20:  Color Inspiration

Day 21:  La Porte

Day 22:  A Summer Makeover

Day 23:  FMF Graphic

Day 24:  Homefront

Day 25:  Make a Statement

Day 26:  Today...

Day 27:  Abundance

Day 28:  It can start with the first line of a pencil

Day 29:  Creamy Loves

 Days 30 & 31:  A touch of christmas with fall still in the air

My 31 Days of Writing, Inspired by "The Nester"

Day One:     

     The first day of summer my husband and I went on our first cruise.  I decided to purchase "The Nester's" book to read while I was relaxing there.  I was pleasantly surprised that I found someone who has my belief system in decorating.  

     I believe that everyone's spaces should be beautiful and be surrounded by the things you love.  I am a firm believer you do not have to spend a ton of money to make your spaces beautiful.  I totally love decor.   

     I have decided to make my blog for October using:  "31 Days with a decorator". Want to know a little insight?  I hope you will join me on this journey. This has been my busiest time of my life ever, but, I really want to join this group blog writers 31 day journey.  Get set for some inspiration.

The Nesting Place Blog

This is a little look at what my to do journal looks like.

The Book

Take a look at my business blog.  I hope you will pour yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy the pages here filled with some of my favorite decor projects.  

A Visit to Thistlewoods

It is always such a treat to visit with my sister Linda and her husband, Owen and Leroy, their oldest pet dog and Ernie and Ella, their 2 spoiled little schnauzers.

I hope you will enjoy these photos I want to share the evening my Mother, sister, Judy and I went for a visit and for a wonderful country dinner.

 Making the turn off of the main road in Glenmora, this road leads to the home of Linda Walston Crowder and her husband, Owen Crowder.

 Here are some photos of loofahs, watermelon gourds, apple gourds, sugarcane, assorted colors of cotton, assorted flowers, cucumbers and roses.

Linda, in her typical "thistlewoods" wear.  : )

Her unique collection of Vaseline Glass.  It glows when put under a black light.

Linda loves beautiful furniture.

Hot, ready and waiting.  A country meal all produced right here in the garden.

Just after coming back inside from viewing the plants, Linda's shop and property, it began to pour.  It was actually a pictorial site.

Fresh purple peas, fresh green beans along with home grown potatoes,

corn, fried okra and corn bread.  The tea was also great.

 Followed by a fabulous home made pound cake.

After dinner, Linda, Judy, my mother and I sat around the table looking at old photos and keepsakes.  This is a picture of my grandfather I never met, my mother's Dad,  Willie Parker.  He was a handsome man.

This is a thank you note I had my son write when he was most likely 2 or 3 years old.

Linda as a little girl.

This is a picture we found that my son, Aaron made when he was 4 years old.  Love this.

Coming soon to Facebook.  Linda will be marketing a lot of her creations here.  She is starting with her hand made baby products, primarily hand made baby booties.  Super cute!  and unique!

The address will be Facebood/Thistlewoods.  The first site will be known as "Little Thistlewoods"  Linda Crowder Creations.

Thanks for stopping by.

Ottoman Makeover

Having a love for old thing and breathing new life into them, led me to this found large ottoman.  It had a faux leather upholstery and a dark stain.  I had it for some time just waiting for me to give it a makeover.  Some time back, I purchased 100% linen fabric from Kast Fabrics.  I have always wanted to try my hand at tufting.  This became my first attempt.  This is not for sale on Craig's list.