Day 21: A Good Day

What makes a good day?  Not focusing on what you could consider bad but finding all the so very many good things in a day.  Top of the list today is the wonderful presence of my God in my home tonight.  I absolutely love when I feel Him so close and His loving arms all around me and those in my home.

I enjoyed some really sweet finds for my client I am enjoying working with so much.  And, FINALLY, I am done with my home wallpaper project.  I will post better pics a little later when there is great natural light.

It is so hard to not buy a pic you love yourself.  I fell for this one love at first sight.

It is going to be a perfect fit in it's new home.

Thrilled to find the perfect shade of green that will be the perfect fit for this decor project.

Today I picked up the art on the right.  I had to order an over sized mat for it.  This pic 

is not for everyone, but I think it is artistic and I love the colors.  And, we have this

little love affair for coffee.  So, it is in it's rightfully place in our home.

This small niche with now wallpaper has transformed my kitchen.  I am not a perfectionist

with this installation but saved a ton by doing it myself.  

My next project will be the seating cushions in desperate need of a redo.

Later....Good Night.

Day 20: Tiny Peak/ Houston

This gorgeous blank canvas is transforming and I am so anxious to share the results.  Just a sneak peak, no clues but one to follow.  Just so you know, try to find the sweet "little" dog that is so enjoying the new seating at this table, below.  This is the sweetest pic ever.  It happens every time they now sit down to eat.

This mixer color became a jumping off point for the color scheme.  I love clients who are not afraid of color.  Fun day shopping for this home and seeing the transformation.

We did not purchase this one, but this is an example of what you can find shopping with me.  This was only 199.  I love this tuxedo arm chair and the navy blue.

Another sneak peak ...

This girl is about to launch her own clothing line, LuLaroe.  Here is a skirt.  Plan to schedule a pop up show in your home and she will tell you how you can earn free pieces just by inviting your friends.  Hannah also has a business called "Styled by Hannah", a personal stylist consultant.  

Here is a dress that will be in her clothing line, prints vary:

More to come.  Have a great Tuesday!  Good Night.

Day 19: Decorating for the SENSES

When I began my business around 2008, I searched and thought and thought of the perfect name I would give my business.  At that time, I did not know for sure which talent would eventually make it's way to the top.  To cover my natural talents in decorating, organizing and entertaining, I came up with the 5 senses.

When I was a Sunday School teacher and also did some training to our teaching staff, I always stressed the importance of touching all 5 senses when presenting a lesson.  It would always make your idea much more memorable. Touching all 5 senses would assure that your student would capture at least one of your examples and retain your big idea for that lesson.

Using the 5 senses in my now decorating business, I love the way it helps me touch my clients needs at each level.

Here are 5 ideas of how you can touch the senses in decor:

The sense of  vision:

Art is one way that is visually stimulating.  The taste for art is personal for each client.  Here is one I have saved on a Pinterest board.

The sense of sound:

For a happy mood maybe while you are working, this is a fun youtube one:

The sense of smell:

Here is my favorite:

The Sense of Feel:

A velvet sofa is wonderful for a soft sense of feel.

Finally, the Sense of Taste:

So many ways to make your family and guest feel special.

Find ways to delight your senses....

Good Night.

Day 18: Top Five Basics To Own

I know this from experience.  If I knew what I know now, I would love to go back and start over and build pieces of furniture that would be great basic pieces for the long haul.  If you are newly married or just wanting to have workable items for your home, I am suggesting these finds.  Yes, of course, you will also get what is basic...a sofa, maybe a coffee table, your bed, side tables and chest of drawers, but after that, here are some suggestions.

You will want to use these ideas using your own personal style.  Whether it is traditional, modern, eclectic, mid century modern, french country, etc., these pieces can be workable for you.

Here is my 5 picks:

Number One:  Bombay Chest or Entry Table Size Chest

Number Two:  A Great Mirror

Number Three:  A Set Of Nesting Tables

Number Four:  A Set of Matching Lamps

Number Five:  2 of these:  Ottomans

Other Suggestion:  An Etegere':

Nearly every item here is from Wayfair.  Visit here for great buys.

Good Night.

Day 16 & 17: Galveston & MeMe Time

Gary and I left yesterday and caught a late breakfast in Seabrook on our way to the Marriage Retreat sponsored by our church.  Destination, San Luis Hotel on Galveston's beach front.  The weather was awesome and our speakers, Keith and Janice Sjostrans were fabulous.

View from our room:

One of my favorite vignettes in the hotel.

(Below) Sending pics to my stylist daughter to pick out the right ones.  LOL ...what happens when you are buying Ross found last season shades.

It was so great to get back home to sweet our Abbey.  Abbey has learned how to draw people.  You will see all of her important people in her life when she is with us.  She's a sweetie.

This is Abigail Summer Madden, my sweet granddaughter.

Good Night.

D A Y 15: French Kitchen Decor

Super busy day ending for me and my husband as he completes the October 15 deadline for clients who filed income tax extensions.  Today comprised of breakfast at El Ranchero, some work at home, styling a kitchen for a client, crock pot spaghetti and time with my sweet Abigail.  I am normally a real night owl but I think I will be getting to bed early tonight.  Tomorrow we look forward to a retreat in Galveston.

 Here are some photos of today's French Kitchen Styling:

Good Night All!

D A Y 14: Sarah's House One

As Ladies Director at the Church Triumphant, I was contacted by the director of Sarah's House of Pasadena.  They were hosting an appreciation luncheon and I was invited.  We had recently hosted a Table in the Wilderness event for our Heartstrings Ladies Ministry and contacted Sarah's House to be recipients along with others.

At this luncheon, we were exposed to the needs and ministry for homeless women.  They were moving into a new facility and we were able to tour.  Once seeing a once elderly home, I was impressed to bring my interior design talents to help bring a little cheer.

Thanks to others who caught the vision, we were able to raise funds to help facilitate our desire to help this worthy cause.

I decided to break up the dollars into several vignettes.  Here is the first one.  It is a simple seating area but brings in a lot of life and cheer to a very plain setting.

Here you are seeing what was once a drab heavy plastic type canvas stretched over a great frame construction.  This print will make more sense when you see the rest of purchased items.  We bought a little over 2 yards which made a perfect fit for this frame.  We stapled it tight and it made a great back drop for this seating area.

Chairs are from Marshalls found for $89. each.  The fabric from Hobby Lobby in the Duck Cloth section.  The table a find at Ross for 19.99 and the plant from Marshalls for 29.99.

I am looking so forward to bringing in the next area's decor.  Stay posted for Sarah's House Two.