Designers have needs too! The time has come for two of our designers to practice the art of design and renovation within their own homes!
Wow, talk about hiring a professional, where’s a good designer when you need one?! The month of January produced opportunities for Sarah and Tammy to rise to the occasion and work for ourselves! (Our poor husbands.)
You know the old saying, the cobblers children are the last to have shoes? Well, a designer’s home (at least ours) is the last to get painted, last to get new flooring, last to get artwork, furniture, accessories, wallpaper, cabinets and oh, window coverings….everything!
While we eat, sleep and breathe design for our fabulous clients, we can get choked up and deprived of time when it comes to our very own homes. Paint color selection is not easy, even for the professionals.
Finding the perfect shades of complimentary whites and earth tones has been Sarah’s challenge! Why is it that PPG, Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore cannot make the perfect shade of white Sarah needs?! There are only 3,000 shades of white to choose from – LOL! It only took Tammy five weeks to select her paint colors (there were only two) and she is still trying to discover what her “look” is. It’s funny how our ADD kicks in gear with the limitless exposure to our design imaginations that we can indulge in.
Project management comes naturally to us as a designer, yet preparing our homes for wall removal, drywall work, sanding and staining hardwood flooring, electrical contracting and new cabinetry has certainly afforded us the opportunity to practice what we preach to our own clients!
Living out of boxes, eating out, purging closets and inhaling dust gives us an appreciation for all we ask of our clients. We’ve found ourselves asking the exact same questions we do of our clients; what is our budget, priority, schedules and where is the best place to spend and save money – you name it, we have experienced it.
In the end, we see the light at the end of the tunnel. We have stayed positive, focused, on schedule and on budget. (With only a few surprises, which is always expected.)
Thankfully, we know a great team of designers who have guided us through the process, plus our terrific contractors who we cannot do without.
Cheers to supportive husbands who stay out of our way and let us do what we do best. All while moving furniture, packing and unpacking boxes, trips to Goodwill, getting carry-out and writing checks!
We cannot wait to see the end result. Our projects are still a work in progress, but grateful we have our terrific design team to coach us through the process.
Wow, can you believe the Holiday Season for 2019 is among us?
The hustle is on and the bustle is bustlin’!
Question:How do we get through another season of festivities, shopping, feasting, sipping, gift wrapping, decorating, cleaning, spending and memory-making all in one piece?
Answer:We have absolutely no idea!
We all love to entertain and be entertained, give and receive gifts and cook and feast. Making it all happen and appear to be effortless, on time and stress-free is the challenge. Where do we cut corners with time and money without making it appear that we obviously cut corners with time or money!?
We aren’t Pinterest Maidens but, we do appreciate all of the terrific ideas that can be found on this terrific platform. The problem is – how do you decide what to choose with so many options? It can be so overwhelming…
Do we need to feel guilty if we order our roasted turkey from the market and do not roast in our own kitchens? Is time saved in the kitchen more valuable than a homemade feast?
Which do you prefer, this or that…
Homemade pies vs bakery goodies
Instant vs real potatoes
Bag of bows vs hand tied ribbon
Gift bags vs wrapped boxes
Silver & glass vs paper & plastic
Gifts vs experiences
Cash vs gift cards
Clear lights vs multi-color
Help a friend out here people! We would love to hear from you.
What ideas can you share for making new Holiday traditions?
What family traditions do you still carry on from your childhood?
What tips do you have as a host for your Holiday festivities?
What gift giving ideas can you offer for that hard-to-buy-for person who has it all?
You see, we need to help one another through this blissful time of year and make beautiful memories together.
We would love to read your favorite recipes, gift giving ideas, time savers, family traditions, and anything else you would like to share with us.
Simply add your comments here, tag us on social media or message us to share.
Help us help you, from Christmas lists to Christmas miracles, Frosty to fruitcakes, and elves to eggnog, where do we start and how do we keep it fun & peaceful.
Now, lets rock around the Christmas tree with Frosty the Snowman, playing our silver bells while we watch mommy kiss Santa Claus!
As working women, we are all a combination of strong, independent, talented and resourceful achievers. Our personalities all vary which create the melting pot within our work family. Each of us have our own interests and outlets which we thought would be fun to share in this month’s blog. From recipes to rest – check us out and enjoy!
Leslie:
In order for me to do what I love and do my very best work – I must be my very best self and also the very best wife, mother, daughter, friend, co-worker and tribe member! Steps for me to be my very best self start with these little things that make a big impact on my daily life.
Give thanks and begin every morning with a simple, thankful prayer and a great cup of coffee. Believe in the miracles that are presented to me each and every day. My new favorite acronym is GDT – “God Did That”.
Let go of expectations. Not much surprises me anymore and I just try to smile and roll with it! See the opportunities that are presented to me each and every day as a new way to stretch, grow and learn.
Disconnect and get outside. I love to run, ride my bike or catch an exercise class. Physical fitness always makes me feel better afterwards.
Finally, I love getting home, putting on my comfy clothes and giving thanks for a full day while enjoying my wine! My new favorite toast is “Thanks Be to God!”
And So It Is!
Tammy:
Yoga is my ticket to a healthy me.
Practicing yoga is an essential part of my life. It takes the focus off of life’s daily challenges, routines, commitments and overall “noise” that the day can present. Yoga supplies me with time to myself to be quiet and thankful for all things and people that surround me. It allows me to go somewhere else in my mind and focus on myself, unplug and put myself to rest.
Some days it may be a simple 10 minute stretch before I start my day with a few cat/cow, forward bends and downward dog. Another day may be a little more intense with 30 minutes on my mat. But my favorite time spent are the classes I attend at Heat Yoga. I am blessed with two great friends who are yoga instructors who have taught me the tools and techniques to experience the most from my practices. I can turn up my time with a Bikram flow or dial it down with restorative – whatever my body and mind need. I customize it for myself. I especially enjoy hot yoga and love a good healthy sweat. It feels like I have been cleansed from the inside out and walk away feeling calm and detoxed. Yoga works for me, after 10 years I am not an expert by any means, but in my world I feel confidant in my skills and feel stronger after each practice.
Namaste.
Dawn:
Staying organized is the key to my sanity.
If something comes in, something must go out!With clothes it’s easy to get overwhelmed quickly, so whenever I purchase something, I look at my closet and get rid of something.I use the “one-year” rule. Anything that hasn’t been used or worn within a one-year period is fair game!By doing this I’m able to keep my wardrobe manageable and my closet space needs to a minimum.
Go to the grocery store armed with a menu and a list!I spend a little more time at home to look for the items needed to prepare the menu meals, but I save time and money at the store. Meal Prep!I don’t mind leftovers so I will prepare one or two meals over the weekend and use them the following week as a main meal or a portion of my main meal.I try to keep a cut up salad or cut up veggies on hand to use as well since cutting veggies is time consuming and during the week I don’t have a lot of time to cook.This helps me eat healthier foods and stay away from the “quick meals” that can be very tempting, but unhealthy, when I’m tired and don’t feel like making dinner.
Whitley:
I’m a bargain shopper through and through. Clothing, furniture, home accessories and everything in between. I VERY rarely pay full price for anything – call me cheap, but I prefer resourceful! In addition to bargain shopping, I’m also a looker. I love to browse and wander aimlessly through stores (in hopes of coming across a great deal, of course).
Here are a few of my favorite spots to get lost.
*note: I’m a firm believer that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. I have a slight obsession with thrift/antique stores. Walking through these stores is like exploring a magical treasure trove. You never know what you’ll find!
Furniture & Home Accessories
Mellwood Antique Mall – If you’re local to the area and love thrift shopping, this is a must! Booth after booth and room after room, they have it all. Clothing, home accessories, furniture, jewelry – you name it!
Joe Ley Antiques – Again, another local must! Quirky and so much to see. I love the history behind old/vintage items and they have so many unique finds!
Peddler’s Mall – Commonly referred to as a “flea-tique”, some junk and some gold. That’s the thrill of the hunt!
Habitat ReStores – ReStores offer both new and used items. Profits from Habitat ReStores are used both in your local community and around the world, so a win-win all around.
HomeGoods – This one shouldn’t need an introduction. A good place to rummage for deals if you’re weary of secondhand!
I also love attending local arts and craft fairs. Check out Fleur de Flea or The Flea Off Market!
Clothing
Thrift stores – Louisville has A TON of cool thrift stores. Think more “boutique” setting and less Goodwill (although Goodwill can be a great option too!).
TJ Maxx – Many of my clothes come from here. Discount retailer with both boutique/designer brands.
Nordstrom Rack – I worked for Nordstrom for several years so this will forever be a favorite of mine. A vast majority of the merchandise here is from Nordstrom (AKA designer looks at a fraction of the original cost!). I almost always buy my designer shoes and handbags from here. Great prices/great quality on clothing and accessories!
If you feel up to the challenge, check out some of these spots!
Sarah:
Makeup Mania! I’m such a “when you look good, you feel good” kind of girl which is probably why I am such a makeup guru! I love cosmetics and skincare products.Yes, I am confidant in my own skin, but appreciate products that enhance my features, skin and complexion.
I love experimenting with new products, techniques and looks, but of course have my favorites that I cannot live without.
I love Smashbox’s Studio Skin foundation. It’s a full coverage foundation, has a dewy finish, is cruelty free, and doesn’t break the bank!
My next go to is Kat Von Dee’s Shade & Light Contouring kit. I have tried a variety of different bronzers and this is by far the best formula in my opinion and is the most economical.It is easy to use and the results are flawless.
My favorite products that are a little more expensive, but worth the investment are Becca’s Champagne Pop Highlighter and Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. The Becca’s highlighter will give you a summer glow even in the dead of winter.Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray is awesome. Afteryou finish your makeup routine, mist on your face and you are good to go for the next 24 hours! This is by far my favorite and a must have.Being in our field, we are constantly on the go in the rain, snow, wind and heat, and this product will stay with you.When I am not working, you can usually find me outside with my Fiancé and dogs either boating, fishing, or camping. Needless to say that the Urban Decay setting spray is agodsend – no matter what I am doing or where I am at I’ll have a fresh look all day. #cannotlivewithoutit
Looking my best and putting in the effort makes me feel confident and the best version of myself.As women, a little polish is all it can take to bring out the best in us! #lookingpretty
Lauren:
I love to cook for family and friends.
I’m a fan of the Pioneer Woman’s recipes. They are usually easy to make and are crowd pleasers every time. I found this one to be a favorite of my husband’s, Cody.The Pig Cake. Don’t let the name fool you – it’s delicious, simple and perfect for any party or potluck!
FOR THE CAKE:
1 box (18.25 Oz. Box) Yellow Cake Mix
1 stick Margarine, Softened
1 can (14 Oz. Can) Mandarin Oranges, Drained, 1/2 Cup Juice Reserved
4 whole Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
FOR THE TOPPING:
1 package (4 Oz. Box) Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix
1 can (20 Oz. Can) Crushed Pineapple, Juice Reserved
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
4 ounces, fluid Frozen Whipped Topping (such As Cool Whip)
Extra Mandarin Orange Slices, For Garnish
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For the cake, combine cake mix, margarine, 1/2 cup juice from the mandarin oranges, eggs, and vanilla. Beat for four minutes on medium-high. Add drained oranges and beat again until pieces are broken up and small. Pour batter into greased and floured 9 x 13 inch baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Once cake is cool, blend juice from drained pineapples with the vanilla pudding mix. Add powdered sugar and mix, then mix in whipped topping. Stir in drained pineapple. Spread on cooled cake and refrigerate several hours. To serve, cut cake into squares and top each square with a mandarin orange slice and a smile!
We hope you enjoyed a peek into our fun-filled world.
When the time comes to consider what window covering products are best suited for your needs, the process may be overwhelming.
Determining what your individual needs are is the best place to start, whether it be privacy, light control, or simply decorative purposes. Manufacturers are offering a variety of products in fabric, woven horizontal and vertical shading systems, metal and wooden blinds, and motorized options.
Woven roman shades offer a simple privacy solution with added texture.Horizontal screens provide subtle privacy and sunlight control to this conference room as well as versatility to raise and lower.2” metal blinds are perfect for high traffic spaces. They offer durability and versatility with no interference to overall design concept.
Consider the rooms purpose.
We will educate you on each product and their suitability. With so many choices, each offering their own benefits, we can align you with the proper products and finished look.
Solar shades offer the perfect understated solution to this space. Motorized to raise and lower to meet the demands of the sun, yet subtle to compliment the wood walls and beams.2” wood blinds were the perfect solution for these elegant wood paneled walls.
It’s all in the details.
Fabric, trim and hardware build the perfect soft treatment by adding pattern, color or texture. This combination of silver metallic wooden poles, crystal finials, beaded trim, button detail, tiebacks and lush fabric produced a stunning custom window treatment scheme in this formal master bedroom.
The combination of silver metallic wooden poles, crystal finials, beaded trim, button detail, tiebacks and lush fabric produced this stunning custom window treatment scheme in this formal master bedroom.
A splash of color, pattern or texture on any window will add flavor to your room. Window treatments are like that perfect piece of jewelry to a favorite outfit, a room is just not complete without them.
Combine a sheer with a pop of color and bold stripe.Soft subtle texture.We love the way these smocked jute panels frame this sweet reading space.Asymmetrical draperies with custom bedding components.
We are proud to offer an extensive fabric library to customize drapery panels, valances, pillows and bedding. Let one of our professional designers put together a look tailored specifically for you!
$250.00 window treatment consultation is rebatabletowards purchases of $500.00 or more. Professional installations are provided.
