I went to Connecticut to visit my brother and left  them in 6" of new snow. It was cold, but fun, and left me craving summer, heat and punchy colors. While I was freezing my tail feathers off in the Northeast, Ann was sunning it up in our neck of the woods in 80 degree weather. Today, back home, I wake up to 50's and cloudy. Oh how I need sunshine and no more layers. However, this version of my summer dream room is layered with everything that makes me happy and just looking at it, makes me feel like summer is right around the corner 

Ann, wearing a fleece today and not happy about it, designed her dream summer look.They could not be more different. Which one is more you?

Untitled by annschutte featuring wet seal shoes

Wonder what would happen if our families shared a beach house... Hmmmmm. OK. Year 2020 (aka, never), our husbands let us buy a beach house (or a lake house will do) and we time share it between our families. Yes, it is brilliant. Oh yeah and here's the kicker (the real reason behind this summer home fantasy)... we get to decorate it. No budget, no opinions from loving husbands who just want to make us happy. This is a fantasy after all. So....what would you do?


Bye bye birdie,
~A&H

Kitchen Go Time!

 My kitchen needs a re-do... Let me give you some background info... We bought our house 5 years ago and were planning on living in it for 2. We are still here. When we bought it we would not tell our friends which house it was  for fear they would think we'd lost our minds. After a 6 week quick gut and repair we moved in and gave our friends our new address.(did I mention we were living with my parents until it was ready and I found out I was pregnant with baby #4?) I did a fast fix on the kitchen knowing we would be moving again soon. Again...We are still here. I have grown to love our house and am content on staying even longer however I am not sure I can stay much longer in my kitchen. So I am sharing my vision with you in hopes that someone out there in blog world will pester me to see the end result so I have to deliver. Hooper gets an idea and doesn't sleep until her plan is executed. Me... not so much. I am the A.D.D. project person. Or maybe I just get to many brilliant ideas all at once... 

It all started when I fell in looooove with this tile and then found it on overstocks. Woop! Woop!

 

While I was looking for it in pictures, I found this kitchen. Too funny because I have had a Benjamen Moore Whitall brown color swatch taped to my wall for 4 years. This is also the inspiration photo I sent Hooper that spurred her on to change her back splash to mirrors.... (in 1 day)

Ben. Moore whitall brown.... Looovin' you is easy cause your beautiful....dododododooo ahhhhhhhhhh...

Here is my kitchen floor. I painted 1 foot buffalo checks in several shades of cream and yellow. It's time to go... I was thinking 2 ft. buffalo checks in a few shades of taupe (on the brown side).  But then ....

The first time I saw this floor, my heart stopped. It was like the first time Hooper saw a metallic hide rug... Though I am not sure the lantern tile would go with this, I still love it in hopes it might show up somewhere in my house one day.

I sent this fabric to my sister-in-law as a suggestion for a place in her house. Ever since I did I can not get it out of my mind. It would be a sweet roman shade above my kitchen window.

Oh lighting...love this...so much to think about! Which color white do I paint the cabinets?....

 

Counter tops...hmmmm... Remember the bathroom vanity top that my brothers made out of barn wood for Hooper? I am thinking counter tops. Wouldn't that look killer? Anyway, I must get this done and fast. Please bug me to see the finished project. I won't let you down...

How bout you... Any projects you MUST tackle and soon? (I'll bug you if you bug me!)

Bye bye Birdie,

~A

credit to: Overstocks, Tonic living, Benjamin Moore, Shades of Light

I'm going to be an aunt... again!

My sister (in-law) is pregnant. It is quite the miracle every time, but with her it is especially so. We found out she is having a little girl which means my precious niece and nephew will get a sister! I can hardly wait and hope she will keep having babies so I don't have to.  She asked me to help her with her nursery and I am honored. Check out what I have put together. 

What do you think? Do you think she'll like it?
Bye bye birdie,
~H

Thank you, thank you

For the very sweet emails and comments about my "painter's outfit". I wanted to clarify. Paint on my clothes, shoes, face, hair is a totally normal occurance.  It wasn't the paint I was referring to... it was the fact that I went through the entire day with two completely different shoes on. Oh yeah. I'm starting a new trend. 
Bye bye birdie...
~H

A Whole New Look

The last few days, I have been stuck in my laundry room. Not that that would be different than any other day, but... Once I finished my kitchen, I was so excited about the new look that I started on updating the laundry room. Hence the late nights, sleep deprived days and strange looks from my husband. Today, I finally ventured out. It was at the end of the day when I finally went to put my feet up and something caught my eye. Yes, I said the END of the day. Can you spot it?

The paint on my pants is a tiny hint of what's to come. Stay tuned... the new laundry room is more impressive than my latest outfit.


Bye bye birdie,
~H

credit to: sleep deprived moms everywhere

Valentines...shmalentines...

sooo... I am not a Valentines fan. Sorry, but it's true. I have never been good at it. My husbands one attempt of surprising me with bar-b-q when we were still dating proved he was no good at it either. It was at that point I began to loathe the holiday. Until... Feb. 14, 2003. That was the day my oldest daughter was born. Yes, I have a Valentines baby. Awwww.... Definitely awww. She is sweet and kind and so good and as of today...8!

For Her birthday we went to see the Justin Bieber movie with Hooper and Graham. Hooper has a BAD case of Bieber fever and I swear I heard her crying during the movie. She just loves him so much, I guess it hurts! The best part of the movie was hearing Lindley, Graham, (and Hooper) singing along every time they showed concert footage. The movie was super great and now I am officially a big fan. Such a big fan that Justin Bieber is our Valentine for this year....

Dear Justin,
Will you be our Valentine? We saw that picture of you online  holding Selena Gomez's hand. She's pretty cute, but you should definitely pick us. We saw your movie and went to your concert. That should prove our loyalty. Anyway, just something for you to think about. If you pick us, we will be 4 less lonely girls.... We heart you.... (if you want to get us something...here are a few suggestions...)

May all your Valentine wishes come true...and Happy Birthday Sis!


Bye, bye Birdie,
~A & H

credit to: etsy, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Stretsis at Maximilia, Kenneth Jay Lane, Samantha Wills, Le Souk...

A facelift

I am not above having a face lift. In fact, I may need it sooner than later. My little girl told me just the other day about a miracle wrinkle cream she saw on TV. I really should limit her TV time. However,  until my face just gives out, the only facelifts I get to worry about now, are the spaces that need a little updating. They can be relatively painless and oh so much fun. Check out this living room that needed a new look... This is the before. 

Viola! A whole new look. Young and fresh. That's what I want (need). 

A new color palette, some updated accessories and more current finishes and... 

a fresh coat of white paint on the fireplace with a new reclaimed wood mantle that floats. 

It brightens up the entire room and is now a focal point. 

The driftwood mirror opens up a large wall and adds light on a window-less wall. 

 Recovered sofas in a soft gray neutral...

A patterned custom rug and blue/natural zig zag drapes finish it off.

What do you think? Like the new look? Let me know, it's your comments that keep us going!
Bye bye birdie
~H


Credit to: Soundside Carpentry

To World Market, to World Market to buy a...

I went to World Market today. I have no idea why. Don't get me wrong, I love World Market. It's just that once I got in there, I forgot what I was doing. Perhaps I was going to buy some wine or strange foreign cookies? We will never know because once I walked through the doors, I was taken away and started doing what I always do. I decorated another imaginary room. Yep, I know it's a little weird. Ok, a lot weird. I have a meeting this week with a client who loves a collected layered look. She is well-traveled and very cool. In reality, I already have a room put together for her and can't show you first, that would be giving it all away. However, this could be a contender. After I got to test out, bounce, touch and quality check all goods, I went back to my computer to create an idea board. Oh so easy on Polyvore and it adds a price list when you finish the look. Check out client's new and improved family room...

I love the elephant stool and the arc lamp. So chic and the flokati softens the look.

 This chevron dining chair caught my eye paired with a...

Natural saw horse desk. I just loooovvvvvee this and a mom that works part time, surely needs a cool work space.

 Wouldn't a couple of these make a great coffee table?

 I have great resources for mercury lamps, but many are pricey. This is $129.99. Throw on a burlap shade and I just copied my $350 version. 

I would finish it off with this Ikat silk pillow. The turquoise would pop on the chocolate chair and add some spice to the room. What about you? Do you frequent World Market? You should. 
Maybe next week, I'll go back for what I needed. If I can remember what that was. 


Bye bye birdie,
~H

Credit to: World Market, Polyvore.com

Created by hooperpatterson on Polyvore.com

Victoria Velvet Tufted Chaise, Chocolate - Chairs and Ottomans - World...
$600 - worldmarket.com

Baldwin Chair, Easy Walnut - Chairs and Ottomans - Cost Plus World...
$430 - worldmarket.com

Yantai Coffee Table - Tables - Cost Plus World Market
$270 - worldmarket.com

Twist II by Judy Paul - See All Wall Art - Cost Plus World Market
$200 - worldmarket.com

Lantern Floor Lamp - Floor Lamps - Cost Plus World Market
$200 - worldmarket.com

Flokati Wool Rug, Tan - Rugs - World Market
$119 - worldmarket.com

Novica Elephant Grace Celadon Ceramic Statuette - Figures and...
$100 - worldmarket.com

Cube Accent Table, White - Accent Furniture - Cost Plus World Market
$90 - worldmarket.com

"Meadows of Gold II" by Maxine Price - See All Wall Art - Cost Plus...
$80 - worldmarket.com

Be still my heart...

I am in love with the Texas home of Jamie and Larry Oliver. (apparently  designing duo extraordinaire!) Their home was featured on last weekends Etsy, Get the Look Decor . I am also in love with Etsy's blog and their genius Get the Look feature! They showcase homes and show you similar furniture, accessories, art etc... available on Etsy. Brilliant! Maybe I am the last one to know about this... (wouldn't be the first time!)

Anyhoo... I am diggin' the concept but really diggin' this house. Look.... Enjoy!

Thanks to sweet Jen (my super talented friend from Fotojenik) who sent me this link because she thought it would make me happy.... It did.

Have a FABULOUS weekend...

Bye, bye Birdie,

~A

Credit to: Etsy,Jamie & Larry Oliver

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

This all started because Ann sent me an inspiration tile photo for her kitchen (don't be mad Ann). Her photo had fabulous lantern tiles, but I did notice that the counter tops looked like mine. I have always loved my kitchen, but hated the tile. Could a tile change make all of the difference and make me love my counter tops?

It was the eyesore in a potentially amazing space. Well... let's just say, once I get an idea in my head, there is no turning back. Plus I'm the most impatient person on the planet and must get it done immediately. So, after buttering up my husband for some new penny rounds (I got nowhere), I was ready for a re-do. And my budget (set by angry annoyed husband) for backsplash: $0. Yep zero, zilch, nada. To quote my sweet husband: If it ain't broke don't fix it. You can get pretty creative on a budget of $0. I did some research (called Ann) and with a little elbow grease and a bottle of ceramic paint, I went to town. Oh yeah, add $4.99 for paint from local craft store. Not much more than zero.

Nothing to it. Husband thinks I'm crazy and there is no way this can work, but what else is new? Bye by checkerboard, hello new kitchen! With the help of a local glass company, I was able to get 3 mirrors cut to fit each section. In a few minutes, with some liquid nails and Krazy Glue, I had a new instant backsplash! $80 later, I no longer feel like I am serving up cheeseburgers at Checkers and can even check my hair while cooking breakfast. So $0 is really close to $80, right? I mean, $80 is practically free. Even hubby is happy with new look and price tag.

The mirrored tile below was $20 from Homegoods and adds some bling behind my range. Lucky me, it fits perfectly and gives it a custom touch.

 Remember my bug catcher? 

A new drum shade adds more drama and soft light. I look better in the mirrors in soft light. And I put it up myself so I saved on an electrician and impressed husband (sort of until he had to check my work). 

I painted Benjamin Moore's Covington Blue in high gloss on the backs of my cabinets for some color. Even added puck lights (yes, they stick on) to illuminate my fab Foo dog.

 The backs of the cabinets pick up the blue milk glass in my chandelier. I am loving my new stenciled hide in here. It's a crumb catcher and sweeps up easily. Can you see the Craig's List ghost chairs? My husband still hasn't noticed them. I paired them with a white leather bench (remember it from my bathroom)? I painted the base a soft gray and can now seat 7. Wanna come over for dinner?

Bye bye birdie,
~H


Credit to: Matkins Glass