Right Now - 10 Things

Hello friends,

Last week, I read a post by Chris at Just a Girl, that summed up some of the things that were catching her eye, and I loved it so much that I'm going to piggy back it with my own twist.

What I'm wishing for:

Even the raging allergies that Spring brings along with it - I still can't wait for the earth to come back to life.

Source:  http://beautimperfect.blogspot.com



What I'm wishing would go away:

What I made:

Source: sites.google.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Lemon brownies ala Pinterest.  And yes, they were delicious.

What I'm dreaming of:

St. John - USVI.  Paradise on earth.

Source: islands.com via Jessica on Pinterest

What's annoying me right now:

What's making me laugh:

If you haven't heard of "Bad Lip Reading" - you're in for a treat.  The name speaks for itself.

Source: someecards.com via Jenny on Pinterest

What I'm smitten with:

Pink and green are two colors that I just love seeing paired together.  This serves as an inspiration photo for some work I'm doing in my half-painted daughter's room...

Source: perfect-wedding-day.com via Jenny on Pinterest

What's inspiring me:

Source: repinly.machsrichtig.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Why didn't I think of this?

Source: 29.media.tumblr.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Custom tables created by covering wooden boxes with Lily Pulitzer fabric and adding glass tops.  Adorable!

What's on your "Right Now" list?

Master Closet Progress and Plans

Hello!

Progress continues in my master closet, and I've finally gotten the nerve to come clean and show you what it looked like before the clean up began.  And no, you didn't see me on a 'Hoarders' episode, I promise.

Are you ready?  We're all friends here, right?  A judgment-free zone...  ((deep breath))

Clothes and clutter removed and I got crazy and painted the closet since it was empty.  After a visit to Ace Hardware, I gave it a fresh look with Benjamin Moore's "Pale Oak".

And here it is now.

Another horrific before.

And a glorious after.

This is probably the worst of it.  And yes, that's my wedding veil you see hanging up there.

This area is going to have the biggest transformation when it's all said and done.  

This corner section has never really "worked" for me, and as you can see, I wasn't really using it, so I decided to take it down and repurpose it in my husband's office closet to free up space for bigger plans.

What are my "plans"?  Here is what I have in mind.  I would like to get a frameless mirror and mount it on the wall and then frame it out, since we really don't have a good space for a full length mirror in the master bathroom.  Then, I want to add a pegboard on the adjacent wall so I can organize my jewelry, purses and bags.  Can you see it?

Something along these lines...  Brilliant, no?

Source: abowlfulloflemons.net via Jenny on Pinterest

Suffice to say, I feel much better now that my master closet is getting whipped into shape.  I have two huge trashbags of clothes that I'm donating and threw out a bunch of stuff as well.  The only downside to all of this is that our bedroom was a temporary train wreck during the organizational process. 

I share with  you since I know this is a safe place among friends. :-)

Ridiculousness.

This is much better.

So there you have it.  My dirty laundry aired for all to see - literally.  But now it's a space that makes me happy and I don't have an anxiety attack walking in there to get dressed in the morning.

Linking up:
Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesday

 

Mastering the Master Closet

Hello!

We have hit a bit of a lull in kid activities, so our weekends aren't (quite) as jam packed as they usually are when we're in full swing.  It's been great for tackling indoor projects that have been taunting me - like my master closet.

Until we bought this house, my husband and I have always shared a master closet and my husband would complain about my less-than-stellar organizational skills.  I would joke about how he would see how organized I could be if I had my own master closet.  But alas, old cluttery habits die hard.

So, in preparation of tackling this master closet monstrosity, I got inspired by pinning some amazing closets.  It's a great place to start, right?  I always get motivated by looking at inspiring spaces - especially when it's a project I'm really dreading.

I'm digging the ladder in this closet so you can access the upper cabinets and still use them.  A dressing table completes this space - that's something you don't see every day!

Source: newhousebuilder.com via Jenny on Pinterest

This closet is just jaw-dropping, really.  And who wouldn't love an island in their closet?  Notice the glass top - I'm guessing you'll find jewelry and other accessories on display in there.

Source: iheartorganizing.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

I love the glass-front doors and the fact that you can fit an ottoman in here!   

Source: bhg.com via Jenny on Pinterest

And then there's this closet with an island and an ottoman.  I love how everything looks like custom furniture here - crown molding at the top, and trimmed out to perfection.

Source: houzz.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Isn't this hidden jewelry space AMAZING and oh-so clever?  I love it!  I'm guessing there is a mirror on the front of this door, taking it to the next level of awesomeness.

Source: houzz.com via Jenny on Pinterest

This closet, complete with a window and sparkly chandy could be a room in and of itself!

Source: hammersmithatlanta.com via Lauryn on Pinterest

Just when you thought it couldn't get any crazier - check out this two-story closet!  This space is bigger (and much nicer) than my first apartment!

Source: houzz.com via Grace on Pinterest

This space is drool-worthy too, don't you think?  Let's see, skylights, three hanging lanterns and what appears to be speakers catch my eye by looking at the ceiling alone!  Although this space would benefit from a ladder like that first closet.  And I'm curious as to why there is a door that leads to the outside...  But still, gorgeous.

Traditional Closet design by San Francisco General Contractor Dijeau Poage Construction

While my closet won't live up to these standards, it is coming a LONG way from where I began, and I am going to add some new elements to maximize storage and functionality.

One thing our master bathroom area is lacking is a full-length mirror - there just isn't a good place for one with the way the space is configured.  So, I'm brainstorming, and thinking of adding one.  It sure would be nice to have something along these lines wouldn't it?  I have something less extravagant in mind, but a girl can dream...

Traditional Closet design

I'm saving my closet photos until I'm closer to being done.  Especially the "before" ones.  They're crazy awful and I'm positively mortified by the dumping ground it was for way too much junk!

Did you resolve to get organized this year?  How's it going?  It's exhausting, overwhelming and exhilarating all at once, isn't it?

Don't forget to enter to win a free mood board!  I'm going to keep the contest open until this Friday, so you still have time!

Linking up:
Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesday

January Party Features!

Happy Friday!

First off, come on over to Savvy Southern Style and where I'm sharing my favorite room.  A big thanks to Kim for inviting me!  I have to admit, I felt a bit star struck, since I've been a follower for a long time and love her blog.

Thanks to all of you who linked up to my January project party!  I always love seeing what people are working on, and you all did not disappoint!

Emily, from On the V Side shared her beautiful kitchen redo.  So many great touches to transform this kitchen from builder grade to beautiful!

Shannon, from Burlap & Lace gave a French Provincial dresser a modern makeover with it's gold dipped legs.  I love how this works as an unconventional console.

Can you believe how Bette at Somerset Lane turned this unused space into such a fantastic and functional mud room?  You what a smitten kitten I am when it comes to mud rooms.  Amazing!

Have a fantastic weekend, and don't forget to enter to win a free mood board to help inspire you with a room you're struggling with decoratiing.

Sharing the Love - A Mood Board Giveaway!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm sending in some fun Valentine's Day goodies with my daughter, and had more fun making them than I care to admit.  It was a fun mother-daughter project, especially since she has a great appreciation for creativity. :-) 

Aren't they cute?

We have a whole army of them to send in to her class.

One Kings Lane is getting into the romantic spirit, offering props and pieces from the set of Nicholas Sparks' new movie, Safe Haven.  Head over to the One Kings Lane Safe Haven Event to check out this amazing sale before it ends on 2/16! And an extra bonus, proceeds go to the Nicholas Sparks Foundation, which is a nonprofit committed to inspiring and transforming students' lives through education, curriculum development, and life changing international experiences, so they are prepared to embrace a life of being active learners and engaged global citizens. What's not to love?

And finally, I wanted to take this opportunity to show you the love with a giveaway today!  I told you earlier this week that I was starting to offer mood boards, and I'm offering up a freebie (similar to this) for one lucky reader. 

I'll keep the rules simple -

• I ask that you are a follower of my blog or "Like" me on my Facebook page.
• Leave me a comment and tell me the room that's in need of inspiration!
• Please include your email so I can contact you if you're the winner! (It's not shared with anyone).
• If you are the winner, I have permission to share your space and mood board on my blog.

That's it!  Good luck!

New Offer - Mood Boards!

Hello friends,

As you might have noticed, I've changed up the blog with a new design, and I owe a big thank you to Elizabeth from The Mustard Ceiling for her patience and mad web skills to make it happen! 

As part of this redesign, I'm offering up a new design service - mood boards. 

Do you have a room that you're struggling with and need a fresh set of eyes or a new perspective?  That's where I come in.  The only thing I ask of you is to provide photos of your space and an idea of what you like in terms of color, style and function. 

To give you an idea of what I have in mind - I'm going to start with a space that I'm helping with in real life.  My friend Kelly is looking to spruce up her kitchen, and I'm going to help her, in exchange for her mad photography skills.  

She's already added a graphic punch in her sun room area with these no sew roman shades courtesy of a Target shower curtain and my tutorial.  Cute, yes?

And here is her kitchen as it stands now.  She's ready to freshen things up and make some changes. 

I'm taking a cue from the fabric in her faux roman shades, and going from there with the mood board.  They're making changes in stages, and look to eventually change out the floors and appliances, so I have added my suggestions for those as well.

So, here is what I've come up with as a jumping off point for her kitchen facelift.

Using the fabric in the sunroom was a great place to begin.  Kelly wants to give things a more modern feel, and I think we can totally do that with pops of fun fabric and color throughout the adjoining spaces.  They're looking to add hardwood floors at some point, replace the countertops and add a backsplash, along with upgrading appliances.  A cool soapstone would be a great contrast to the white cabinets (that I'm going to paint), and a subway tile in some way, shape or form, was something Kelly suggested.

I think adding some polished nickel hardware will really make a huge impact in this space, and adding a pendant above the sink would add to the modern flair.  I'm still on the fence with a chandy of some sort over her rustic wood island - we'll chat about it I'm sure. :-)

As for paint color, I included different shades of gray as options, and am thinking a darker gray might be the way to go, as a nice contrast to the white cabinets. 

I added furniture ideas because their family room flows from the kitchen and she wants it to flow.  We could have another board that is dedicated to that space as well.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this project come together, as Kelly and I have been talking about it for awhile.  I'm also looking forward to our bartering agreement, as she has taken our family photos for years now, and can be credited for my blog headshot as well.  (Don't you love bartering?)  If you're in the Dayton-Cincinnati area, check out her website. 


Photo by Kelly Ann Photography Inc.



Although this one is probably my favorite.  Our dog, Martin, wouldn't cooperate for a family photo, so she got an adorable candid shot of him with the kids.  You can tell by looking how much they adore this big, furry rescue dog.

Photo by Kelly Ann Photography Inc.

To get things kicked off with this new service, I'm going to be giving away a free consult/mood board.  Are you game?  Stay tuned!