DIY Design It Yourself

I think the best gift is one that is made by hand. It may be something from scratch or something altered to have a custom look. This past week I have been taking different glass cylinders (used for candles) and customizing them with vinyl letters and designs. We have all seen vinyl letters on everything these days! People use them everywhere. I am not a huge fan of "wall quotes" but I am a huge fan of finding new places for sticking letters and designs. They can even look like etched glass. Check out the ones I did below!

Uppercase Living! has the awesome etched glass look!

Simple Holiday Home

Come On In....

There's no family like a Snow Family!!

Every year I take something to represent the family. Last year they were gifts,

this year snow family!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

From Study To Dining Room

Many times when putting your home on the market, staging is a must. Converting a study into a dining room can be done pretty quick. In the space below we took a 48" round painted mahogany table the perfect size for this square dining room and added some parson chairs with new fresh natural linen slip covers. Next hanging a chandelier and adding a cabinet from an existing area of the home to create a buffet. Keeping an existing natural jute rug for texture and keeping the windows simple with real wood shutters create a great invitng space for the home!

Keeping Room With Lots of Personality

I have said it before it is always great to work with a friend. It was great to help out when my friend began to build their home. Using great accents and bold paint colors this Keeping Room is a sure hit. Pops of color, great art, and comfortable furniture draws people to the space. Check out the pictures!

More Of Christmas 2009

More To Come....

Christmas 2009

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. I have many memories of how excited I would get year after year when my family would decorate for the holidays. Just the thought of the holidays makes me happy anytime of the year.

Well the 2009 Christmas Season has started!!! Since well about a week before Thanksgiving I have found myself in and out of homes decorating for Christmas. I really enjoy helping out everybody and seeing what I can come up with for the Holiday Season.






Up On THe House Top... This paper house makes the perfect tree topper. It is light weight and just make a hole in the bottom and place it on top of the tree!








Peppermint Pendant! Sometimes there is not really any room to make statement in the kitchen. Most counter space is needed for food prep or serving during the holidays, well think about what you can add to your existing lighting. I took 4 Candy Canes and attached them to the down rod of the pendant then some ribbon and a few other touches and now the kitchen island is holiday ready.

Beadboard Backsplash

A beadboard back splash is without a doubt the easiest back splash one could install. It is simple and can add some color and cover up an older back splash that has already been installed. Such as a laminate back splash or an ugly tile back splash.

Beadboard is paneling with a vertical routed detail. Lately it has been very popular in homes and has been incorporated in many Creative ways.

A Calling Card That Measures Up

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Last weekend was really busy I gained another client and will start off the upcoming week with one more. I am always trying to find a new and exciting way to get may name out there. Well I think it is great to use something that really gets the client involved. Most of my clients love to join the hunt when it comes to finding the perfect art or furniture for their space. Here is a great tool to get them started!

Pretty cool and simple!

The Holday Season Starts

I think that once the clock strikes midnight on October 31 st there should be a huge gun shot! After all the Holiday Season has begun!! The next 2 months are my favorite time of the year. I have already started the season off right...

Making a house, into a home

Lately most of my clients have been seeking help with their existing homes. Time after time I find people who have been in their home for awhile and still are not sure what to do with their stuff! So I tell them THROW IT ALL OUT!! Just kidding that is what most think I will say when I get to their home. Sometimes it just takes a new set of eyes to see solutions to each room.

Iwas approached by a friend not to long ago with this same issue. They have been in a new home for about a year and a half, and struggled with certain rooms. One room to start with was the Living Room they had past issues with seating they did not want to feel overwhelmed with large sofas and wanted it to have a feel of more space and have functional seating that would really be used by all. Also needed just a few things to finish of the room.

After a consultation and some brainstorming a design was presented...They wanted more seating, but not a large sofa which would take up the room. The love seat seemed to fit well. The thought of 2 chairs was considered but could be a bit much, we were already keeping 2 chairs on the room.

With the ottomans even more seating if offered with additional function.

The Drapery panel style and color were inspired by an existing rug used in the room.

Throwing in a plant can really add to any room it is simple solution and something anyone can add it will always go with any room.

A few new lamps and some other existing pieces from the owners personal collection and now they call this living room home.

DIY Gifts

These days it seems to be worry for some when it comes to gift giving. With tight budgets it can be quiet hard to get the perfect gift for your loved ones and friends. I think it is a great idea to give a gift that shows one of your talents. It could be painting, scrap booking, maybe even gardening. Taking the time to create the perfect gift I think really shows how much you care for someone.

One great thing I like to give especially first time home buyers is a render of their home. Taken from a simple picture and designing it to look like a sketch! It makes a really great house warming gift. I have done it for many people and what I once thought was a gift I have done way to many times is now thought of as a specialty by my friends. Some have even requested the drawing to be their gift before I can even ask what they need for their new home. I really enjoy taking the time to create something they will treasure.

Here is one of my favorites I did for a friend, she actually passed it on to another friend to give them a housewarming gift. Currently I am working on a really cool one that includes a render of the home and the house plans. I will post a picture of it once it is framed.

I wonder what creative gift can you think of to give??

Coming In For A Landing...

Today I was thinking about one spot in the home that gets overlooked. The landing of a stairway can be a hard and tough place to put a piece of furniture, but why not make a focal point. After all the landing is a high traffic spot so placing some eye catching art or furniture is a real great idea.

One of my favorites...

A few months ago I got a chance to work with the wonderful designers at Signature Homes and any chance I get to work with my old friends it is great. This table found a perfect spot in the landing! The size is great and the color is fun.

Where might I pick up this table??? Well it can be found at one of Birmingham's newest hot spots for great furniture Nadeau located in downtown Homewood. Yes if you know me well I do work there and it is great to see all the wonderful pieces.

So take the time and see what you could do with a landing or small area in your home. I gave the same table above (painted red) to a friend for a wedding gift they found a perfect spot for it in their bath room. Another great spot to add interest. Maybe you could add a piece with character like the one above, or some really great art.

Looking To Blog

Well I have been thinking about starting a blog!! After spending many hours reading other blogs and seeing other designers talents and ideas I decided to join everyone else. It makes you wonder will others read your blog... will they enjoy it...Well only time will tell.

I have been out of design school for almost two years, I have always enjoyed design and had a good sense of space and proportion. While in school I began to understand a good designer is for the most part talent and desire. I have really worked with a lot of great people and continue to learn something new each time. Many times I know my clients think they have gained so much from working with me, honestly it is the other way around. Just the chance to help someone with their home is truly a gift to me.