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  My initial plan was to use the artwork in a clever way to disguise our very outdated vintage TV.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 . . . 

source

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

Should I only paint the backs?

source

  

Or the backs and sides?

source

  Or the backs, sides and shelves? 

source

Or paint the entire wall of bookshelves?

source

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 . . . 

source

BM - Kingsport Gray (a brownish gray)

source

BM Herbal Escape 1487 (a greenish gray)

source

P&L Silver Mink

source

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 . . .

source

source

source

source

source

I've narrowed the field to these . . .

source

source

source

source

source

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 . . . 

source

Clean up the wrapping paper remains . . . 

source

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.

Wishing You a Wonderful Christmas

I've decided to take a break this week from blogging to spend some quality time with my family.  

Here's wishing you all the joy, peace and comfort you are dreaming of this holiday season.

source

I'm filled to the brim with gratitude to all of you who continue to follow and read my daily posts.  You have brought me more joy, peace and comfort than you could possibly imagine.

source

So, before I get too misty or sappy . . . Peace Out!  See you next week.  M.

Cool Christmas Tree

Last week, I was greeted by this when I opened the door to my salon.  The creativity of the human mind never ceases to amaze me!  I had a difficult time getting the entire image in the frame (talk about an Amazon), but at the bottom of the tree there is gold tulle that finishes the dress.  The PERFECT tree for a salon, don't you think? 

I finished my last Christmas decorating job yesterday, and now I am full on - operation Christmas presents for the family.  So, wish me luck - not excited about facing all the crowds but it must be done.  Enjoy your weekend! M.

Antique Lesson - Heart Ex-Votos

Years ago, I saw an image that stopped me in my tracks.  Although I can't remember the specific shelter magazine,  it was an image of a stunning home and on a table was a very large collection of these.
I remember thinking, what in the world are those gorgeous things?  Why can't I collect something unique and cool?

via

I've since learned these beautiful objects are called Heart Ex-Votos and they actually have a religious purpose.  They are a form of votive offering to a saint or divinity.   These offerings are given in the fulfillment of a vow or in gratitude or devotion.   They are generally placed in a church or chapel where the worshiper seeks grace or wishes to give thanks. 

via

For the heart shaped ex-voto, many open like a locket and includes a prayer, note or thank you for the completion of a miracle.  So, the ex-voto is both public (since you leave it at the church for others to read for encouragement) and personal (since they usually include a very personal story about the giver). 

via

Although some are made of silver, the large majority were created out of tin and may include a picture of the bearer or of the person the prayer is in honor of when presented.  

via

via

Many shrines at the end of long pilgrimages, include large areas decorated with ex-votos.  These can take many forms of which the heart is one.  These have a Italian origin, but quickly spread to the New World by Spanish settlers. 

via

If you are considering a unique collection, I think these are amazingly beautiful and interesting.  Have a wonderful day! M.

PS: for additional information on these lovely objects go here and here. 

Christmas Fluff

The last couple of weeks I've been spending a lot of my time focusing on Christmas decorations for clients.  I know there are lots of interior designers who "don't do Christmas decorations" which is totally fine.  But I adore it!  I think it is such a fun creative way to style a home, and it only happens this time of year.  

I've done some bigger jobs (still have one to go) with the whole shebang from the outside garland with lights to all the mantels and entryways.  I love being able to create a feel for the entire home.  But, I've also been doing a few in the "Christmas Fluff"(totally made this term up) category.  It's sort of like going to have your hair blown out and styled (rather than a full on cut/color/highlight/straightner - and NO I don't do all those things to my hair!)  

For a Christmas fluff, the client will put up their decorations, and I will come in and zhush it up a bit with fresh greenery, ribbon, etc.  I will also put together arrangements and centerpieces for areas where they just want something new and different.

Here are a few pictures I took of a fluff I did for this super great family who were having a dinner party this past week.    For starters, they have an amazing home.  It's simply beautiful.  

We started by meeting last week and brainstorming on what she might like for her table.  She pulled out these crowns and the deal was sealed.

I thought they were the perfect solution for a low centerpiece that allows your guests to see each other while giving you some major impact.

Two of the crowns are different while the third type is a set of three in decreasing size.

I used my tried and true trick of three different types of greenery and she happened to have these dried white berries from another project, so I incorporated them to give the arrangements some contrast. 

I think they are simple yet still very elegant in keeping with her gorgeous dining room.

As for other rooms, I added some greenery to this bowl of Christmas ornaments in her family room - just a little zhush.

I thought the table needed something fresh to finish it off. 

Then in her breakfast room, we did some fun things with more color.  Sorry the picture has such a glare.  It was a very sunny, and the light was not cooperating with me!  

This sitting area is to the left of the breakfast room table.  So we put together this little container.  I think she picked up the cup on a trip to Scott's in Atlanta.  It's so simple to put an arrangement like this together if you are clever with the container you use. 

In this container we started with some floral foam covered with moss (this is a trick to help you use less greenery and flowers).  Then we added gerber daisies cut at three different heights along with some rosemary and holly from the yard.  super simple.

Have any of you finished your Christmas shopping yet?  If so, please don't say as I am far far from finished!  I only want to hear from those of you who have been procrastinating or have been too busy to pull it all together - I need to feel better about my delay! M.

2012 Color of the Year

It's one of my favorites . . . 

Tangerine Tango

via

I've been using shades of orange as an accent color in spaces I've designed for quite some time.  So, when I heard the news, I was thrilled.  I think this color has so many possibilities . . . 

via

It can be used in traditional and modern spaces and it goes so well with lots of other colors.

via

via

Look how yummy it is with blue.

via

via

You could be brave, like Kate Spade and paint the walls!

via

via

Or your front door.

via

Or you could simply bring it in as an accent color in a neutral space.  Look how amazing it looks with the dark chocolate walls.

via

Here with more gray tones.

via

via

via

via

No doubt about it, I will be incorporating this color into my family room after Christmas.  Love having something to look forward to after the holidays!  M.