Back from Cashiers

We had a very productive trip and tons of forced family fun. The morning we left, I literally bribed (um, gave my kids an incentive), threatened, and basically forced my family to go for an early am photo shoot. I had been eyeing a nearby covered bridge all week for this special moment. And I mean special. Boy were they excited - you can just see it in their little faces. 

So this looks a little dangerous, now that I'm looking at it, but objects on ground are closer than they appear. 

I just had to share some of the photos. We have a lot of family photos from the week, but some of them involve me being rescued in a canoe so....

Here are some of my other favorite images from the trip.

               The Episcopal Church in the Highlands

From a little jaunt to the antique shops... 

 One of my favorites... "Nest" is jammed packed with great finds that are well priced (for Highlands).

Acorn at Old Edwards Inn (Highlands). I love the sconces above the bookcase. Don't you?

Happy Monday, re-entry is tough!

Bye bye birdie...

~H

I heart barn wood....

 Sooo, I made it off the mountain (PTL for sea bands) I was seriously trying to talk Jeff into renting a helicopter to get me down. Lets just say the ride up confirmed that I am a beach girl... Don't get me wrong, I had a blast once I got there but the winding up the mountain part had me a little green! But I made it back just in time to see the table my bro's were finishing up for Michelle, an Etsy client. (see shop here) And it's GORGEOUS!

Above is the table shown on Etsy that Michelle saw. Below are the finishes she chose for her table. A gray stained top paired with a dove white base... pretty...simple. You might remember this combination in Hooper's bathroom here.

 My brother's own Sound Side Carpentry here in Wilmington. Although they do lots of different custom jobs  they love when they get the opportunity to build furniture using traditional methods. They were also 'green' before it was cool. They have always been strong believers in reusing and re purposing material. Driving to the beach one day, my son (then 4, now 11) shouted "Look it's Uncle John!"  "Where? " I asked. He answered  "Climbing out of that dumpster!" (I did get an antique 5 panel door with crystal knobs that day!)

When they start a piece of furniture, the wood looks like this

lots of choices... (notice the Guilford Co. cow skull...yikes!)

 The selected pieces for this table did not come out of a dumpster but from an old tobacco barn in a neighboring county.

 here is the geeky side of me that finds the pegged mortise and tenon brilliant and beautiful (they just don't make things like they used to)

a little sweep to the apron... look how the wood cleans up and reveals the original saw mill marks...

my heart skips a beat (I know... total geek) but  is this joinery or an art piece? Looks like some worms have been chompin' through the years...

A matching bench will get the same white finish and seat 3 at the clients next gathering!

I just had to show my cute bro's hard at work!

Here is the almost finished table... all that's left is waxing and sealing. This process will pop the grain on the table top and protect the wood for another 100 years.

and the dog ...does it bother anyone else that the shop mascot is a purse dog named Belle?

Of course I'm not biased, but my brother's are incredible craftsman and I am blessed to be surrounded by such talent and constantly inspired by their work.

Check them out on Etsy and keep them in mind for your next project...

Bye, bye Birdie,

~A

Sound Side Carpentry

soundsidecarpentry@hotmail.com

John White

Lindley White

910.231.0689

Cashiers Designer Showhouse

Greetings from Cashiers! Consider this your electronic post card. We made here and are having lots of successful meetings and tons of family fun. While we can't show you plans for the project we are working on (because the client hasn't seen them all), we wanted to show you some of the fab interiors that come out of this beautiful locale.
Check out photos from the 2010 Cashiers Historical Society Designer Showhouse. The 2011 Showhouse is right around the corner (as in, we miss it by 3 days).

Happy Weekend!
Bye bye birdie...
A&H


credit: Atlanta Homes Magazine

We're Off...

We are working on a project in the Highlands. It is a quaint (code for ritzy) area in the North Carolina mountains and supposedly gorgeous. It is about 8 hours away so we decided to pack up all of our fabric, tile and house plans and head west to meet with the client and get to know the area. Problem is we also decided to pack up our 7 kids, 2 husbands and drive off into the sunset. 

Originally, Ann and I thought it would be brilliant to just take "some of the kids" so we could all fit in one car. Let's just say this did not go over well. Plus, how do you choose (and our husbands think we are idiots). So... here is what we can expect:


"Are we there yet" 7 X every ten minutes for 8 hours
"I don't feel so good"... at least 7 times
"Who thought this would be a good idea again?" from our two very excited husbands at least once    every hour.
"Why did we need to pack large suitcases of tile samples?" at least 4 times
And finally.... 
"Who thought this would be a good idea again???


So, once we arrive, we are ditching the kids and hubbys and going to the job site to check progress and triple check furniture plans. We have color schemes, layouts and plans all ready to show our client. We are so excited and can't wait to share more about this project in later posts. 
In the mean time, check out what is waiting for us in the mountains....

 We aren't staying here, it just looked so picturesque, I couldn't resist. 

 Hiking trails...

Lakes and sunsets...

Waterfalls... AND chilly nights and cooler days! 
Now does that sound like fun or what?


Bye bye birdie,
~A&H

credit to: VRBO, CashiersNC, Trillium

Project # 374....

So, Hooper and I are very different... Remember that time I asked you to bug me to see pics of my finished kitchen, so I would finish it? Well... we did hang the new lights... everything else?... pretty much the same. So I will have to show you pics of the finished product um, er... later. Hooper would of shown you her ideas and the next day shown you the finished project. Um, I think she's done that a few times... She can't sleep until what's happening in her head is translated into the space. Me? sleeping like a baby... I could not begin to translate all that's happening in my head! Anyhoo, I did take on a new project... The kitchen can wait and the toilet in a box in my dining room? It's not so bad...

new project:

Remember this cool camp bed Sissy from blue hydrangea posted? see here. I know you all wondered, who would buy that? well,.... ME! I got it and am sooo excited! I am putting it in my sun room for my kids to sit on while reading books watching t.v. I had to get a piece of plywood cut for the base and a piece of foam cut for the mattress. Our wonderful seamstress is making me a slipcover for the mattress out of this.. (indoor/outdoor)

 

too predictable? Maybe, but it is an old camp bed and I want it to have that whole camp bed sleeping porch vibe...

I heart Ebay... look what they mailed me... so kind. This is going on the bed with hopefully a few more like it.

All I have to do is find a spot for this that is taking up THE WHOLE ROOM. (This is what happens when you take your husband last minute shopping Christmas Eve.)

I am liking both these lamps from Overstock (never underestimate the greatness of Overstock!)

 Throw in a few outdoor rugs that you can hose down when the kids spill!(still looking for a plain one, but I like this one too...) And voila... Sun room makeover!

Now, PLEASE BUG ME so I can complete a project! I will show you in a month... promise! What do you think? Like the vision? Which lamp? Any luck with outdoor rugs inside?

May all your projects be completed in less then a year...

Happy Monday!

Bye,bye Birdie,

~A

credit to: Overstocks, Ebay, Fabrics.com, Sissy

Things that make you go Hmmmmm...

Design Gods, Karma, Good Fortune... call it whatever you like, but sometimes, you just get lucky. This morning my painter called in sick. I was bummed because he was coming to paint my front door today (thanks for all of your feedback, BTW). We all know how impatient I am, so I ran right over to Benjamin Moore to get a quick tutorial on how to strip paint. Armed with a pint of "Smart Strip" and some tool with multiple blades, I decided to have a little DIY afternoon.

Who knew there were layers and layers of pretty paint over GORGEOUS wood. I'm still stripping (not what it sounds like) and I know it is a little rustic, but the turquoise and white coming through and so pretty. Too rustic for my craftsman style bungalow near the beach?? Many of you asked the color of my house (because I forgot to tell you). It's a pale shell pink. It almost looks white but with just a hint.

I have these crazy Adirondack chairs on the front porch that I bought at market several years back. They are Mackenzie-Childs for Riverwood Casual and they no longer make them (not good news when I broke one standing on it to hang Christmas lights).  Ok, back to the task at hand. Do I leave the door as is, sand it an coat it in Poly? 


Do I strip it completely and leave it natural wood? I could white wash it or give it a limed finish... Or do I paint it the Tiffany Blue you all told me to paint it in the first place? 
Thanks for your help!
Bye bye birdie,
~H


Credit to: Riverwood Casual

Dwell and Global Views Sittin' in a Tree

First comes LOVE, then comes marriage, then comes ALL this in my shopping carriage!

My Global Views catalog just arrived and Dwell Studio has put out some amazing accessories for Global Views. I can't wait to see them at market in the Fall. 

I love how everything you see is a smart interpretation of their fabrics. Notice the peacocks! 

  

It was their peacock fabric that inspired the hand-painted wall in a recent client's home. See more here.

I would love a slew of these for the open shelving in my kitchen. A modern twist on hobnail vases. So yummy.

I love their Gate fabric in this tray. What a bright spot on a table or ottoman. 

 Everything looks so collected, yet current. 

It's Mad Men meets Hollywood Regency and I want it all. Have you seen it in person! Do tell...
Bye bye birdie...
~H




Credit to: Dwell Studio and Global Views