Wednesday, October 30, 2013

One Room Challenge - Week 5!

This week for the One Room Challenge (Here's an explanation of the blog feature, participating bloggers and the entire concept) I wanted to share the floor plan layout for the space. I'd love to purchase a new sofa for my living room but that's not happening until I've finished paying for my kitchen remodel! (which is well under way) The entry to the home opens right into the living room. This is usually the case for most smaller ranch style homes. It is not ideal but I can't change that right now. I've left a clear pathway to the rest of the home and designed the living room floor plan to be situated to the right. I own the two larger chairs and purchased a new rug. I'm having the ottoman reupholstered and adding some other fresh touches. Here's a peek at some of the new selections and others I'd eventually love to purchase. I'm also going to create an art wall over the two chairs. 
1. Sofa: I don't have quite as much room as pictured above.  My new sofa selection can't be too deep. I'm either going with a classic English roll arm in navy or light grey fabric, a chesterfield or an updated tuxedo style sofa. I'm sort of leaning toward a classic tuxedo style for the streamlined design and smaller scale.

Tuxedo
English Roll Arm



2. ARTWALL: I like both the traditional and modern take on these display walls. I'll most likely combine classic and modern influences with mine.



3. Layered Rugs

I purchased this rug in Natural (bleached is pictured) from Overstock but I'd love to layer some sort of moroccan rug over it! I'm still on the hunt for that one!

for similar options check Etsy

I love the layered rug look!

Be sure to check out the other lovely bloggers and their transformations below. I'm hoping and wishing for more time to work on my own home but my clients, family and Ace come first!!! xo

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Nina in NYC

I had the pleasure of spending four days in NYC last week. Working as Ace's Clark+Kensington paint line spokesperson continues to be filled with a number of great opportunities. It is an amazing experience and partnership!! Ace Hardware and all my contacts affiliated with the venture have been very positive. They are a top notch company and the Clark+Kensington paint line is wonderful! We are prepping to launch over a thousand new colors to the line next Spring! Stay tuned for all the details. I'm looking forward to sharing the news!

I spent three action packed and fun filled days meeting with the editors of the top Shelter Magazine's in the business. I also had a run in with Nina Garcia. She entered the Hearst Building when I was waiting in the lobby for my appointment. She looked as chic as you would expect so I thought it would be fun to take a peek at where she gets ready every morning! Here I've shared some photographs of her bedroom, closet and bathroom. Just look at all those fabulous blazers and vests! Wow!

Enjoy and have a great week! I also shot another television spot for Housesmarts television series. I'll be sure to share the video footage when it's available!

 All images via 

Monday, October 28, 2013

One Room Challenge - Week 4

I'm back from my week long trip to NYC and have a small update on my room design. I apologize to all the participating bloggers too. I've been out straight with managing my business and life that's the only reason I've been silent.
My poor new house hasn't gotten much attention these days. (I'm still not living there because the kitchen isn't ready) Balancing life as a single mother, teacher, design spokesperson and designer can be insane! I hope I can begin to post more on my blog. I truly miss it. Blogging keeps me grounded and I surely could use some peace and down time right now.
Please be sure to check out all the wonderful ideas that the other participating bloggers have been working on. Here's my quick update for week 3. Again, I was out of town last week. That is the only reason I wasn't able to post! I honestly didn't have any updates! I'm hoping to be back on track this week. xx




I would love to include some vintage and found objects in my living room. I recently found this parsons style stool on the side of the road and plan to have it revamped and use it in lieu of a coffee table for now. It's not as large as the ottomans pictured below but I think it will work but will also save space. I stopped by my house for a few minutes the other day and my kids were enjoying it already. I'm thinking a deep pink velvet fabric would work well with the other elements I plan to incorporate. (plus I own the fabric) Here's a bit of ottoman inspiration. I'm also having an issue deciding what to do with my TV. I don't really have a spot for it so it may end up above the mantel (for now!!). Look for more updates later this week.



Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Shelter Loves

Good God, it just took FOREVER to finish this blog post!! The wi-fi at my hotel is turtle slow! I've been in NYC all week. I've been lucky enough to visit the big apple for desk side editorial meetings with the editors from some of my favorite magazines such as Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Veranda to name a few! As most of you know I'm the design expert for Ace's Clark+Kensington paint line. We're sharing a new and fabulous concept that will be launched in the Spring of 2014. Stay tuned for the juicy details and fabulous new paint colors!!

With that said, my days have been completely booked. I did however want to share a blog post with you. *** My regularly scheduled "One Room Challenge" post will arrive on Friday. I'm not home and frankly haven't had two second to complete much there since last week. I did however choose and pay for my new counter tops!! Woot-woot!

Here's a snapshot of what is on my mind this week!!!

1. New York!! I love the energy of NYC city. I'm so inspired every time I visit. I feel so fortunate to be here this week. It's been an amazing design adventure!

2. With that said, I need a new leather work and travel bag. I want something large enough to hold all my goodies but also something durable and classic. I like this Tory Burch leather tote. ** and it's on sale.

3. What's better than a beautifully made bed!? I miss my bed (and boyfriend!)
when I travel. I love layered pillows and soft linens! This is a beauty.

4. A stylish pair of engineer boots is on my wish list. They are perfect for the streets of NYC, and are practical and fashionable!! (I've been walking around in heels all week!!) This would be my dream pair!

5. Casey Matthews art work is beautiful!

6. My thought for the week!!

xx

I'll be back on Friday am!!! And I promise to post on my blog more often very soon!! It's been a whirl wind couple of months!!

Friday, October 18, 2013

Love the look



With the holidays right around the corner, (eek) the Fall season is the perfect time to invest in a few new baubles. Here is a round up of a few of my current faves. When I finally finish up and permanently move into my new home I hope to organize my jewelry area and gems!  I'll be in NYC all next week for interior design shelter magazine desk side editor meetings, I'm looking forward to this and am hoping I'll have some time to post and share some deets with you!!  Happy Friday! xx


1/2/3/4/5/6



Thursday, October 17, 2013

One Room Challenge - Week 3

Don't think for a second I forgot about my one room challenge post. I've been out of the office for most of the week!! Today I'm sharing some of the actual items you'll see in my finished living room. A few items may differ but this will give you a feel for the space. I need to order a new sofa and I own the white chairs in the photo below! Be sure to check out the progress of the other participating bloggers! xx



Starting to move "stuff" in!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Happy Fall Weekend!

It's the perfect weekend to enjoy a bit of exterior home decorating! A mix of white, orange, and gilded pumpkins are always a favorite for me. I'm heading up north to Vermont for a little leaf peeping, apple picking and family time! Have a wonderful long weekend! xx

image via: Martha Stewart

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Shelter Loves


1. I was at a design meeting in August discussing our predictions for the 2014 Pantone color of the year. My guess what a shade of deep blue. From what I've heard, it's a top contender. Blue mixes beautifully with so many shades.

2. I'm loving these malachite suede ballet flats from Tory Burch.

3. I'm thinking of creating a fun art - organization wall in my new kitchen.

4. I'd love my next trip to be to Paris!!

5. I love to entertain in the fall. These cheese knives from C. Wonder would come in handy.

6. A little white T and classic watch are staples in my closet!


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

One Room Challenge - Week 2

This week I'm sharing my inspiration board for my home design. I wanted to mix classic with laid back influences. My living room will layer texture, vintage pieces and dashes of color!! My design concept is New England Classic meets Southern Cali! Below is a photo of the wall color. I chose a high gloss paint finish from the Clark+Kensington (the color is very similar to smooth slate 5042) line for a dose of glamour. It has been mixed in a custom deep grey shade. I had the floors finished and stained a medium brown. They're richer and deeper looking in person and show off the floor grain beautifully!

Be sure to check in with the other participating bloggers! (see all the links below) I can't wait to share more details with you all next week! I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out! Eek!

20 participating blogger links and last week's post. ** links also below


Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Thoughts on home...



I wanted to share today's "new home" design choice with you. I'm going to install glass front doors on the largest cabinet in my kitchen. It will only house my mix of vintage and new dishes and glasses...Here's a peek at some beauties, various shades and my final color choice! eek!! Tomorrow's plan: Searching for my counter top choice!






Malachite Green shade by Clark+Kensington paint


Friday, October 4, 2013

The One Room Challenge = Week 1!

Hello, hello! My apologies for the lack of posts this week. It's been a busy one but I'm so excited to share the news and my posts over the next six weeks. A big "thank you" to Linda from Calling it Home for inviting me to be a part of the One Room Challenge series. Myself and the amazing list of bloggers above are going to be participating in the event and final reveal. Going forward I'll be sharing my progress posts of the room design every Wednesday morning! That just wasn't an option this week!

As most of you know I'm renovating my new home that I purchased over the summer. It's a ranch and was built in 1972. It is in the perfect quaint neighborhood on the marsh. It needed a serious over-haul so I've been working to pull it together on a budget. (with lots of help from my Dad!!) I'm a firm believer that amazing designs can be executed on a budget. I'm not going to lie, it does take a little cash but spending gobs of money just wasn't an option for this single mama!

I've decided to share the living room transformation with you! Each week I'll post my progress and inspiration photos and information. Next week my post will include my design inspiration board along with a floor plan layout.

My biggest challenge is that my current furniture was purchased for a much larger room and house. I can't purchase all new furniture so I'm going to do the best I can with what I own! I look forward to sharing my ideas and the rest of the bloggers spaces with you all!! Cheers!



Here are a couple photos of the room. I'll share a two more before photos of the East and South wall later today!

My plan is to create a multifunctional room to relax and entertain in. I have a three season room that I'm going to convert into a den over the winter so until then I'll need to set up a television in this room.

Here's a list of the other participating bloggers. Be sure to check out their first week One Room Challenge posts!



here's a sampling of a few spaces that I'm currently loving! I'm envisioning my home having a Southern Cal meets classic New England style!


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