Day 2: My First Skimming Job & Staghorn

Earlier this summer I painted a wall in my kitchen and did some fresh styling.  My accessories were very rustic and I really wanted a fresh look.  I decided on navy and white.  Using an edited approach and sticking to my guns as I do for a client, I am in love with the new look.  

Today, finally (!), I have done what I have dreaded most....skimming the wall area to prep for the wall paper.  I have never done this.  I googled a little tutorial, watched and began!  Here is the video.

Here is the space:  The entire room is a cream color.  I used this wrap wall to accent some of the architecture of the space.  The small inset area that leads to the laundry room and the garage in another door straight in is the area I am wall papering.  The small door leads to the pantry.

Here is my wallpaper choice:

A closer look at my target area.  I am sure I will be done in October.  So ... we will post photos of the finished results and the styling of the room later this month.

I was with a client in the Decorative Center Houston a couple of weeks ago.  In one of the shops I spotted this plant.  I know it was a little sad but I still thought it looked artsy.  Thanks to a Facebook friend, it got a name, Staghorn Fern.

I searched online and decided to purchase the french longhorn fern.  Yesterday, I planted it in my own pot, cleaned the leaves and gave it some fresh soil.  I would say it is very happy now.

It is one of my cover features for my 31 Days of Writing.

Staghorn Ferns are noted for the use for being mounted on a wall.  Although not my favorite way to use, I will share this photo for the idea.

Spaces by San Francisco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Daniel Nolan for Flora Grubb Gardens

Good Night.  Back tomorrow evening.  Smiles.

Day 1: This Week's Design Project

Monday, I began my week with a client I have done quiet a bit of work for.  Latisha is a fun, vibrant lady that was the daughter of a missionary in Japan on three occasions.  I love her collection of authentic Japanese items purchased at antique flea markets in Japan.

Mark & Latisha Andrews, founders of Beta Academy and The Crash Church, Houston, Texas

This week we styled Latisha's office of her new location for her charter school, Beta Academy.  We rolled in Monday morning, took some measurements and photos, did a quick interview, then headed to my favorite place to shop for the best bang for the buck.  In about one hour, I put together 90% of everything we needed.  

From there, I took an hour or two to eat, pick up my tool box and head back.  Couldn't wait to get my hands on all that great stuff!

Here are a few photos of the space.  We are still working on the possibilities of custom valances and a couple of more purchases to complete the space.

We purposely shopped for 4 chairs in different styles but that related to the style aesthetics. 

We wanted it functional yet not boring.  Results:  interesting and reflected our client's "no fear" 

in design. 

Please note:  the Japanese hanging was not photo ready.  It still needed to be taken home and pressed and hung without the center space.  Also electrical cover still needed to be purchased.

Thank you Latisha for allowing me to share!

31 Days with an Interior Designer

Hi!  I am thrilled that you have stopped by!  I began blogging on this blog September 14, 2006 !  To date, we have had 43361 page views!  Since, I began a business blog, Decorating for the Senses, blogging photos of my work as it has unfolded.

I was a pastor/evangelist wife for 40 years marrying at 21.  Long story, I am happy to have my distinct identity now as an Interior Designer, recently completing college for interior design and starting my business in the process.  Love what I do!

Again this year, we have taken the challenge along with many other bloggers.  So many topics to write about yet, I personally thought it would be more interesting to keep it fresh and let the 31 days dictate our post.  Thanks for stopping by. 

You are welcomed to view last October's 31 Days of Writing while waiting for this month's to unfold.

Follow the links below for each day's post.

#my home

Since our days are consumed by interior design, we thought it may be interesting to know some of the things that make up our days.  Sometimes home stuff, church leadership things and clients that keeps every design interesting and diverse.

You can follow my post by clicking on this page or, My Personal Facebook Page or My Decorating for the Senses Facebook Page.  My website is:  www.donnamadden.me or my Instagram

Day One:  This Week's Design Project

Day Two:  My First Skimming Job & Staghorn
Day 3:  Happy Birthday to my Big "little" Sister
Day 4:  Give Me Your Inspiration
Day 5:  Inch by Inch Anything is a Cinch
Day 6:  Honoring my sister, Judy on her birthday
Day 7:  Everything Needs a Home
Day 8:  Super Tired
Day 9:  It's Never Too Late
Day 10:  Fall Fest
Day 11:  Clean Out The Ashes
Day 12:  Nothing Like an Inward Cleansing
Day 13:  Berry, Don't Be Afraid
Day 14:  Sarah's House One
Day 15:  French Kitchen Deco
Day 16 & 17:  Galveston & Meme Time
Day 18:  Top Five Basics To Own
Day19:  Decorating for the SENSES
Day 20:  Tiny Peak/Houston
Day 21:  A Good Day
Day 22:  Recovery
Day 23 - 26:  Busy
Day 27:  Tweak
Day 28:  Rebublican Debate, Rockets and Awesome Church
Day 29:  Window Treatment Install
Day 30:  I've Almost Made It, Challenge Accepted
Day 31:  My 1967 Red Letter Day

What REALLY inspires you???

In the business of my day, doing all the things that comes with my life, I stopped on my way home to pick up a few things at HEB.  On the radio a song came on that stopped me dead in my tracks and demanded my attention.  I love these moments when God comes into my day and causes me to stop EVERYTHING I am doing and close my eyes and embrace that moment.  This is the song.  Take a moment.  Let it arrest your moment and feel HIS presence.

What Inspires You?

Some of my favorite places to get inspirations is looking back at my Pinterest boards.  Under what I call my "White" board, is this photo. 

What makes it special?  I think it is natural light, buy subtle.  Candle lights, the plushness of the pillows and just serene look of the basics of a white space.

The addition of a sparkling chandelier, some charcoal pillows and the very soft pink roses are stunning.

Mimic the look on a budget:



Other spaces that give the same effect:









Simple and very easy to duplicate ....



Good Night ....

Christmas 2014

This was my first year to get our home decorated before Thanksgiving.  Time goes so quickly that I really wanted to get all done so I could offer my services to my clients. I knew December was going to be full.  I just wanted to enjoy this most wonderful time of the year as much as possible.

This year, I used a smaller tree in our dining and used all of our old traditional ornaments.

This is a most treasured ornament as it was one that my mother, sisters and I made years ago when I was a teenager.

We enjoyed a time with our TNT group at the Church Triumphant at a banquet with this group at a local restaurant.

Here is a view of our main living room all ready for the holidays.

The holidays included a staff party at Pastor Jason & Kimberly Sciscoe's Home.

Kimberly Sciscoe is an awesome hostess.  The food always fabulous and our entire staff is a joy to be with.  Here are some great shots of most of everyone there.  There was a contest for the prettiest and the ugliest sweater.

This was Christmas Eve night at the Madden Family get together.  I love this pic because it shows the new beginning of our growing family.  Hannah and Blake are now engaged and Abbey is now with us 2 to 3 times a month and every Thursday evening and other special times.

Laurie drew my name.  This is one of my favorite gifts this year.

At The Church Triumphant we had a beautiful service with drama and music.

The true joy of Christmas is having guest to your home.  This night we hosted a small party with close friends and our pastoral staff.  Results, fabulous!

The season is so busy but Gary and I found a time to go to an interesting spot for lunch one day.  This was a quaint little place we found and enjoyed some quality time together.

Christmas in Houston is really beautiful on Westheimer in the Highland Village area.  Love going here during this time of year especially.

Here is Abbey after her dance recital.  So cute with her Dad.  I rushed like crazy to get to this as I was an hour across Houston on a decor job.  It was super short they said and I missed the entire thing.  Just glad I made it in time to see this sweet girl.

My really sweet and enthusiastic Hannah.  A typical day going to work and college.

LaTayne Gott hosted our music staff party in her home. Hannah and I enjoyed being a part of this group and the party.  Fun party.

Abbey and I went shopping one day during the Christmas season.  Look who we saw.  LOL

Our day to make Christmas cookies.

We heard the famous ELSA from Frozen was going to be at a resturant right here near our home.  Abbey was so excited to see her.

 While waiting to see her.

Christmas Eve night at the Madden Family get together.  Hosted by Dianne Madden Del Sol and Lobo at the Cream of the Crop Learning Center.

Here is the dish I took for my contribution to the party.

Lobo shared pics of their COTC staff party.  He was dressed as Santa and took them to a fun place to paint and have lunch together.

Ready for Christmas Day at our home with our little family.

Looking for Hannah's mystery gift to Blake.

Abbey always requesting for Papa to read to her from the "coffee" book.  It has a pic of a cup of coffee but is a daily reading of a Joel Osteen book.

I love this memory of Aaron, Gary and me going over to Blake's home where he and Hannah made up cookies, apple cider, had Christmas music in the garage as they were decorating the outdoors.

Christmas evening we are heading to Alexandria, Louisiana to be with my family for our family party.  This is the Fred Hartman Bridge.

My Mother's Home, always fresh and beautiful.

My brother and his wife, Missy and family.

and more...  
...at our house