Here Comes Santa Claus... But First, Let's Decorate!

Here Comes Santa Claus... But First, Let's Decorate!

My family is extremely tradition oriented around the holidays. There's picking out/decorating the tree, the famous Roger's Family Christmas Party (complete with a crowd rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas and maybe even a visit from Santa), and reading our favorite holiday stories before going to bed on Christmas Eve. I would never want to rush Thanksgiving, but I have to admit, as soon as the turkey is cleared off the table, I'm in a Christmas state of mind. 

There are so many amazing ways to decorate for Christmas and with resources like Pinterest, we're all putting our best foot forward! Here are some great ideas I've come across this holiday season. Granted we're only 9 days away from Christmas, but it's definitely not too late for some of these!

This is one of my favorites. If you have an exposed staircase, I'm sure you spend tons of time decorating the railing. The decorations look beautiful, I'm sure, but as soon as someone needs to hold on to that railing, all functionality goes out the window. This setup solves that problem. By putting the decorations at the bottom of the staircase, you create a beautiful focal point while still able to use the railing! The use of real garland in this location would ensure a lovely smell to wake up to!

If there's a secondary space where you'd like to put up a small tree, here's a great decorating solution. Instead of worrying about which ornaments would go well together, find one that you love and use it on the entire tree. Here's a close up of the ornament used on this screened porch: 

Perfect nesting place for the holidays if you ask me!

Even though it doesn't get too cold in Atlanta, I love hot chocolate just as much as the next girl. Have you ever thought of using this yummy holiday treat as a decoration? You probably have a glass vase or two laying around your house... if so, haul them out. Fill one with hot chocolate powder and the other with marshmallows. Add a couple festive mugs and you have yourself one super inexpensive (yet adorable) bit of holiday cheer! 

I'm pretty sure we've all seen the reindeer decorations available for the yard. While they create a beautiful ambiance on their own, think of adding some additional garland and ornaments for extra pizzazz! Adding a spotlight in front of this will be sure to have your house stand out among the rest on your street!

I bet you'll never look at a napkin ring the same after seeing this picture! If you're anything like my Mom, you've thrown a dinner party or two. Here is a great use for those random napkin rings that may have been collected over time. It's those small things that take an otherwise ordinary Christmas decoration and make it extraordinary!

Last but certainly not least, I have to give a shout out to the "Mom Tree". Growing up, we always had two Christmas trees. There was the family tree that had all of our homemade ornaments on it, and then, there was the Mom tree. Over the years, the theme of the Mom tree has changed, but the sentiment of both trees has always stayed the same. They represent family. At the end of the day, while the decorations give us something pretty to look at, to me, the holidays are about being with your loved ones and counting the many blessings we've been given. 

I have many blessings this Christmas, and if you've taken a moment to read this blog, then you're certainly one of them, so thank you. Thank you for your support of something that I truly enjoy and hope to continue for a long time to come!

Merry Christmas!

A Little Bit of Paper Goes a Long Way!

A Little Bit of Paper Goes a Long Way!

Sorry it's been a little while since my last post! Between Thanksgiving and tons going on at work, I've been one busy girl! This means that I'll have lots of new projects to share with you in the coming months! Today though... since Christmas is just around the corner, I wanted to highlight a gift idea that I love!
 

I'll be honest, Christmas is probably my favorite time of year. There's something magical and inspiring about the season of giving. Mr. & Mrs. Claus were always pretty creative when I was growing up (Mrs. Claus in particular)! I asked for a bell from one of Santa's reindeer. I asked for a bouquet of flowers from Mrs. Claus' garden (because, ya know, she has one). And, every year, my wish was granted! That thoughtfulness and creativity always stuck with me when it came to gift-giving!
 

When I was in college, one of my art classes had a project that involved cutting lots of paper and making it into something worth looking at. While that may sound elementary to some of you, I'll have you know... it was quite the task (especially for a semi-OCD perfectionist like myself). Once I got going though, I absolutely loved this concept, and I can assure you... with some magazines, scissors, rubber cement, and a little bit of your time, you could give one of the most thoughtful and creative gifts this Christmas!

Here's what you'll need: 

Ever wonder what to do with all those old magazines that seem to accumulate over time? Keep 'em!

 

Rubber Cement - This stuff is amazing!

 

Apparently, it wasn't until the ripe age of 21 that I understood exactly how to use rubber cement. For those of you that don't know... you apply the product to the two items that you want to stick together, then, you wait for it to DRY. Once those steps are complete, put both pieces together, and they'll be stuck forever! With just these two items, and a piece of cardstock, you have all you need to make one memorable gift!

 

Here are examples of some of the pieces that I've done recently!

 

Photo Courtesy of nadiadphoto.com

Original Photo: When my sister got married, I knew I wanted to do something special for her and her husband at Christmas that year... here is the gift that they received!

This is truly one of my favorites.

 

This one was a Christmas gift for a dear friend who had also just recently gotten married. I had it framed and now it sits in their new home. With twins on the way, I'm sure I'll have another project to take on sometime in the near future!

 

The steps to creating these fun gifts are pretty simple:

1.  Look through magazines and find large, uninterrupted chunks of colors that you like (don't worry about matching colors exacting... it's the layering of different pieces that gives the final product depth)

 

2.  Using a piece of cardstock, draw a rough (and I mean roughhhhh) sketch of what your final product will look like (I even trace mine sometimes just to get a general idea of layout)

 

3. Apply rubber cement to the magazine clippings as well as the cardstock

 

4. Cut the magazine pieces into small shapes (I prefer little triangles) and start making your masterpiece come to life!

 

I'll be honest, there is some trial and error involved, but once you get the hang of it... it'll not only be smooth sailing, but it'll be a gift that a loved one will treasure for years to come. Like we learned from The Grinch...

 

"What if Christmas... doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more"

 

 

Get creative this holiday season, my friends!

This Little Light of Mine...

This Little Light of Mine...

 For those of you that don't know, I'm a huge football fan. My team of choice is UGA. The Bulldawgs have had a bit of a rough season with injuries and what-not, but this past weekend, we were so close to beating one of our rivals, Auburn. And then... that play happened. The most freakish, only happens once in a million years play that gave Auburn a touchdown to win. You could hear a pin drop in my house. What does this have to do with design you might ask? Nothing. What does this have to do with me... Everything!

 

You see, after this heartbreaking game to which I devoted the majority of my Saturday afternoon, I was feeling a bit blue, so what did I do to ease my sorrows... a craft, of course! I took out my frustrations on... drum roll please... my Dining Room light fixture.

 

Check out that beauty. Or not. It's one of the only lights I didn't replace when I renovated my house. It was OK for the time being, but after that UGA-Auburn game... I could take no more! The color, the glass globes... I needed a remedy, and fast. I sauntered my way into Michaels, walked over to the paint aisle, and looked for one of my new favorites -- Antique Brass.

 

You heard me... Brass. This finish is not the old shiny stuff from the 90's. It's subdued and sophisticated, and it's going to start taking over the market. Now, I'm no electrician, so this bad boy was going to have to remain installed as I painted. I took the globes off and it was already looking a lot better!

Now that the globes were gone, I got to painting. I've never painted a light fixture but it was surprisingly easy.

 

We're getting there, people... we're getting there! This picture reminds me of the whole "Make new friends, but keep the old... one is silver and the other's gold". This is actually quite fitting for my house. I feel that you don't have to choose the golds or the silvers. You can merge both into one room and they can work together seamlessly!

 

As I finished painting, I decided that I really REALLY didn't want to put those old globes back up. I hopped on over to Home Depot and purchased three new ones! Between that and the paint... it hardly looks like the same light! Check it out...

I'm debating if I want to add a black glaze to it to give a more antiqued look, but I'm loving it right now, so I decided to leave it. I recently had an awesome find at Z Gallerie that I knew would look perfect with this revitalized light!

 

Voila! A depressing end to a football game led to giving this old light a new life! In the past, I hardly ever turned this light on in an effort of forgetting it even existed, and now... it's on all the time! I love it, and the way the seeded glass reflects off the ceiling is priceless! Eeeeks... yay for craft-time!

 

 

Required Products:

- Paint -- $5/one small bottle

- Paint Brushes -- $4

- Glass Globes -- $6/globe

-------------------------------------

Total Project Cost: $27

 

 

So, the moral of the story is this. Next time your team loses, or you're having a bad day, or your favorite contestant gets voted off Dancing with the Stars... channel that sadness into something good (and crafty)!



These are a Few of my Favorite Things!!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things!!

With the holidays right around the corner, I've started daydreaming about all of my favorite things. There are shoes and clothes (and Candy Crush, of course), but I'm lucky enough to see a lot of my favorite things every day when I go to work. As you start to ponder your wish list, don't be afraid to consider some of these beauties... because, let's be honest, who doesn't want a new light or countertops for Christmas?
Without further adieu.... I present... some of my favorite things!

Favorite Thing #1:  Cambria Countertops

           

 Now, I don't want to shock you, but would you believe me if I told you that none of the pictures above are granite? Well, BELIEVE IT! All of these pictures are quartz countertops from Cambria. Granite is comprised of 30%-40% quartz and that is the hardest part of the stone... these products are made of over 90% quartz making them extremely durable! Quartz countertops require no maintenance and with colors like these, you get the overall look of a natural stone! What's not to love?

 

Favorite Thing #2:  3D Tiles

 

Tile can completely change the look of a room. Some of these 3-dimensional tiles would be amazing on a focal wall... or around a fireplace. The possibilities are endless. The texture shown in these Island Stone pieces creates visual interest in the room without being overbearing.

This tile from Porcelanosa just sets off everything else in this space. It creates something that literally draws you in and holds your attention, and that's what design is all about! Speaking of holding your attention... how awesome is that bathtub? I could relax in there for hours... but I digress. Back to business :)

Favorite Thing #3: Fiandre Precious Stones Collection

 Earlier this year I attended the Coverings Show in Atlanta. It is a showcase for all things tile. There were beautiful, innovative tiles all over the place, but the Fiandre display was packed and these slabs were the reason why...

Fiandre has taken images of actual semi-precious stones. These images are then ink-jet printed on to a slab of engineered clay. They are fired and ultimately result in a huge, porcelain tile that looks practically identical to the real thing. The slabs can be as large as 60" x 120" and are giving designers a way to create custom features at a fraction of the cost of the real stones. Don't get me wrong... you won't see these types of items at the big box stores as they are still considered high-end, but because they are only 1/4" thick, the weight allows for so many cool applications (I'm thinking a backsplash or shower with NO grout lines or perhaps a custom table top, just to name a few)!

Favorite Thing #4: Industrial Chic Lighting

Lighting is one of those things that sadly can become an afterthought when doing a renovation. There are so many things that need to be decided, and sometimes the lights play second fiddle to many of the other items. The lights can literally make or break a room, so be sure to give them the attention they deserve! Here are a couple I'm obsessed with lately. They have this wonderful old-meets-new, industrial chic vibe to them!

I recently saw this Troy Lighting fixture installed in a showroom in Minneapolis and instantly fell in love. The Menlo Park Collection features hand-worked iron that creates an anchor for the piece. This gives it a sense of uniqueness while the glass softens it and makes it incredibly versatile.

The Steam Punk Hanging Lantern is one that I'm actually about to install in one of my Kitchen renovations (more to come on that project in the coming weeks)! This house was the perfect home for this fixture. A 1920's historic home in the heart of Atlanta, this fixture is able to tie together the existing brass that's visible in the formal rooms of the house with the newly renovated and more modern Kitchen.

Favorite Thing #5: Vintage Industrial Furniture

I stumbled across this Phoenix-based company a few weeks ago while doing some research for a client and have been waiting to highlight them on the blog ever since. I was astounded by the items they create. I'm talking a total jaw-dropping moment! Their furniture is custom and a work of art in my opinion. The craftsmanship and unique characteristics set their products apart from any that I've seen.

Jaw on the floor?? See, I told you!! The tables can be built and customized to meet the needs of your home and with the intricate details on each piece, you're bound to find something new to love about it for years to come!

Well, I'm pretty sure I've bombarded you with enough of my favorite swoon-worthy products. If you know of a company with some unique pieces, I'd love to hear about them!

Inspired by Italia!

Inspired by Italia!

 This summer, I was lucky enough to take my second trip to Italy with a couple of my friends. This will definitely be an experience that I remember forever! In fact, this trip is the reason I started this blog to begin with. Each day, I would write to my family and friends and talk about my day and what I experienced. It made me realize how much I missed writing about the things that inspire me... so here we are!

 

As a detour away from my normal posts about design and architecture in the home, I invite you to come on this journey with me as I reminisce on my experience in one of the most historically influential cities in the world: Rome, Italy.
 

Mass transit is a popular mode of transportation in many major cities all across the world. However... I can guarantee you that the view you have when you get off the metro at the "Colosseo" stop in Rome is like no other. 

I'm not kidding. THIS.IS.THE.VIEW.

 

The Colosseum is arguably the most iconic building in the world. It's estimated to have been able to hold between 50,000-80,000 spectators. I went to The University of Georgia and our football stadium holds just over 92,000 people. It's beyond impressive to stand in the heart of Rome and see the Colosseum. The one downside to visiting the Colosseum are the lines to get in... so here's a helpful hint: When you buy a ticket to the Colosseum, you also get tickets to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Here's the key to saving yourself quite a bit of time... buy your tickets at the Roman Forum (it's only 5 minutes away). You won't regret spending time in the Forum and I'm not kidding, the views from the top of Palatine Hill are amazing! Once you've basked in all this beauty, you'll get to walk directly into Colosseum!

 

Ever since my Art History class in college, I've been in awe of the Pantheon. It's not as well known as some other Roman architecture, but I actually got a little teary-eyed when I saw it for the first time in person (yep... I'm a girl who sheds tears over historic buildings... and I think that makes me awesome).

There are two things in particular that strike me about this building. The first is the oculus that's located at the top of the dome. An oculus is a fancy word for a "round opening". On a rainy day, there's nowhere else I'd rather be than watching the rain come through the top of this building! On to my other favorite part...

The doors.

I'm not sure what else I can say... but they are massive and amazing. I have a "thing" about cool doors. I'm pretty sure I could fill an entire photo album with the amount of pictures I made my friends take of me standing by amazing doors. The bronze doors at the entrance to the Pantheon were once covered in gold. Could you imagine alllllll that gold?!!

 

The next photo sums up one of the items I talked the most about when I got back to the states.

Say hello to my little friend, the fountains! There are hundreds of these fountains all over Rome and I'll be honest, when I was told that it was OK to drink from them, I thought it was crazy! After baking in the hot sun for a little while longer, I decided to give the fountain water a try. Holy life-changing experience! It was delicious. These fountains are fed from the ancient Roman aqueducts and provide some of the coldest, most fresh water I've ever tasted. If you take a trip there... buy one water bottle at the beginning of your trip and never buy another... just keep filling it up with this amazing H20 treat!

 

It's a good thing I discovered the fountains because water was seriously necessary on the climb to the top of St. Peter's Basilica. My friend Katie, who is a high school Latin teacher here in Atlanta, served as an incredible tour guide during this trip... but I'm not gonna lie... I totally gave her the "stink eye" about halfway up the 551 steps to the top of St. Peter's. We joked that they needed to have inspirational posters with a picture of Pope Francis saying "Only 200 steps to go" or "You're 400 steps closer to heaven"... all I'll say is that some kind of encouragement would have been appreciated on that trek!!

That "stink eye" I mentioned earlier disappeared the second I saw this view. It took my breath away (that also could have been the 551 steps to get here... but that's besides the point)! I would highly HIGHLY recommend climbing to the top. On the way down... we made a pit stop and I took one of my favorite pictures from the whole trip!

 

I mean, really. How much more picturesque can it get?

 

There are many, many things that Rome is famous for, but let's be honest... what's Italy without gelato? Nope, not ice cream... gelato. Gelato actually has less fat content than ice cream which is freaking awesome since we frequented Giolitti twice a day!!

Giolitti is the oldest gelateria in Rome and was founded in 1890. It lives up to the reputation it has created for itself. You literally can't have enough. I tried to be a polite American and order my gelato in Italian... I insisted on having a "cupola" of gelato. I suppose I should have ordered a cup instead of a dome, but hey... I tried!

 

I always say that inspiration is everywhere... you just have to be open to seeing it. A trip to the other side of the world isn't necessary. One of my favorite quotes is this:

 

"Things don't have to be extraordinary to be beautiful... even the ordinary can be beautiful."

 

I challenge you to find something in the next day or week or month that inspires you! Once you do, I'd love to see it, so send me an email, or post a comment below!

 

Until Next Time... Stay Inspired!

All photos are my own. 

Design-Build... or Bust!

Design-Build... or Bust!

 If you're thinking of doing a home renovation, you might be asking yourself "Where do I start?" Remodeling can be a scary endeavor, but, like most things... if you're working with the right people, this experience should be smooth sailing across the renovation seas!
 

I am lucky enough to work for one of the top design-build firms in Atlanta, Renewal Design-Build. Let me explain the "design-build" philosophy as it may not be something you're too familiar with. Everything you need to complete a renovation, we have "in-house". We have renovation consultants, a team of designers and architects, as well as project managers and estimators. It is our sole focus to take your dream... develop it during the design phase... and make it a reality during the production phase! I know I may be a little biased, but when you're making investments as large as this into your home, it's important to be educated... and I think design-build is the way to go. Here are just a few reasons why.


A ranch renovation in Atlanta completed by Renewal. Take a look at Houzz.com to learn more!
 

This dream renovation of yours typically comes with the dreaded "b-word"...budget. When your entire team is under one roof, they are looking at the project from all angles to make sure all the bases are covered. I always joke that when we do our initial site assessment, each person that's there takes photos of different things, and that's because of their different areas of expertise. As a designer, I tend to look at the space as a whole... how does the house function, and how could it function better? Our project managers look at the structural and mechanical components of the house... does the existing electrical panel have enough room to accommodate the new renovation changes? We take all of this information into account in order to create a solid scope of work that fits your budgetary goals.

A couple recent renderings I completed for our clients. The 3D images give them the assurance that they know what the finished space will look like.

 

 As I mentioned earlier, making a big change to your home will likely come with a big price tag. Many design-build firms will offer financing for these projects. The renovation consultants at Renewal work with local banks day in and day out to make sure that the process of obtaining a construction loan is easy for the homeowner. Going through the process of buying my own home... I know first-hand how difficult, and sometimes frustrating, it can be to get through that process. Knowing that your remodeler is on your side and helping you reach the end result is amazing!

 

Many homeowners just keep their fingers crossed that they get to the end result. A big fear that they have is that they will sign their name on the dotted line and someone will run off with their money before completing the work. They have this fear because, unfortunately, it has happened to people in the past. Working with a remodeler that is a fixture in the community and has a storefront should be a big way to put your mind at ease. There is a place to go if you have a question and you can't exactly pick up an entire office and "skip town". Another fear is that your project will take FOREVERRRRR to complete. Renewal is actually one of very few companies (if not the only company) that has a Guaranteed Renovation. This means that if we don't finish by the date we give you in the beginning of the project... you get a monetary credit for each day over that deadline. If that doesn't settle your nerves, I'm not sure what will!

 

 

Awesome "before" and "after" project completed by the Renewal design-build team.

 

 Flexibility. This simple word is so crucial in the remodeling industry. A lot of the clients we work with lead extremely busy lives. We take as much stress as possible off of them during this experience. As a designer, I know which clients want to see every faucet option that's available... and I know which ones would like to see just three choices. The trust between the renovation team and the client is key... which leads me to this...
 

In my opinion, the biggest advantage to working with a design-build team is the relationships you develop along the way. You have a group of people that are not only interested in your renovation project... but also in your life. You're having a baby... your son is getting married... your daughter got 1st place at her gymnastics meet... these are the things that make us love our job! We are not only here for you throughout the duration of your project... but also years down the road.
 

If it wasn't obvious already, I clearly LOVE this setup. If you're considering a renovation and have any additional questions on design-build, please feel free to leave a comment below or email me at: aCLeaRdesign1@gmail.com 
  

 

All photos courtesy of Renewal Design-Build