When I win

Park City Utah is one of my ALL time favorite places, which makes it totally convenient that HGTV is giving away the 2012 dream home in Park City...to MOI. It is the perfect size for my family and since I'm already familiar with the area, it is the perfect fit.  

 I have registered every single day and just know I am the winner. Plus, I can cry on cue, so when they show up to surprise me, it will make for the perfect giveaway show.

 I can sit in the family room and watch HGTV 24-7 while my family hits the slopes and I got some of these for Christmas, so I'm dressed and ready to go!

I don't ski and almost die each time I attempt it, so I will have plenty of time to...

prepare a lovely dinner for my friends that I meet here. 

Perhaps I will make Italian? That way, when George Clooney stops by, it will remind him of dining on Lake Como. 

 This room is perfect for Graham AND its her favorite color. It's a shoe-in.

 The guest room is very Ralph Lauren and I would love it if you would come and stay with me! The more the merrier. 

Robert Redford and I can sit back, relax and have a glass of vino on my back porch. 

Apre' ski (ummm spa), I can relax in my hot tub and look at design mags on my chaise. Please do come out and see us at our new dream home. We would love to show you around the coolest western locale.
Bye bye birdie,
~H


credit to: HGTV

A grown up room

I recently had the privilege of working on a college bound girl's room. She wanted to ditch her "tween" room and add some sophistication.  Before, it was lots of pink and green and too youthful for her liking. BEFORE: 

She gave her sweet mom a little direction by stating she wanted aqua and orange and that's about all we got. Her mom wanted her approval on the plan, but wanted to surprise her with the finished product, so we started with ditching the green and pink, polka dots and stripes

and wanted to transform her room into a retreat for when she visits from college. 

She had some great pieces -- like this simple chair and an antique walnut chest. The rest, got a new look. Check it out her reaction when she came home from school one afternoon to find her brand new room!

This is why I LOVE my job. And now for the AFTER:

Let me point out some of my favorite touches. The Missoni "pouf" at the foot of the bed is from Target is a must get. It was under $70 and is top quality... beautiful in person. The quilt is Serena and Lilly and the headboard and valances were made by my wonderful seamstress. I wanted their shapes to mimic each other.

 The chair got recovered and we gave panels from her old bulletin board a facelift with some fabric and hot glue gun. 

 I love the inviting new window seat...

 Notice the nail head detailing on the custom headboard.

Another fun makeover... What do you think? 
Bye bye birdie,
~H

Happy New Year (and back to reality)

Happy New Year!!! We rang in 2012 in Amelia Island, Florida. We took the children (for a 6-9 hour drive) down to the northern part of Florida for some R&R.  We totally lucked out with warm weather and 5 glorious beach days. Not to mention, my in-laws met us there with a brand new Wii for the kids for a Christmas gift. Let me tell you, it is the gift that keeps on giving. My kids played the Wii while Mommy napped every day. It was heaven. Now back to the design part of the post.... Most people pick their vacation rentals based on location, number of bedrooms, baths or budget. Not me. While all of those things are very important, I decided to go on "looks" alone. I found a precious little cottage that once graced the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. Check it out... it is my kind of beach house.

          

Isn't it divine??? This coastal beauty did not disappoint. The owner left the cottage stocked with all of the necessities to make us feel right at home. It was the perfect place to stay and we capped off 2011 in style. 

We took this shot on the pier on Cumberland Sound (ignore Flanner's pink coat -- he borrowed it from his sister).We had a blast and I must say, I am quite ready for them to return to school. I hope you all had a wonderful New Year and are enjoying 2012 (especially since school starts back tomorrow). 
Bye bye birdie,
~H


credit to: VRBO, Better Homes and Gardens Magazine Images

Happy, happy, joy, joy...(& the dentist!!!)

Hooper's out of town and I am taking 4 kids to the dentist this morning. hmmm...wonder who is having more fun? I can not believe Jan 1 is on Sunday. That gives me just enough time to cram all the sugar and carbs I can get my hands on into my mouth only to declare Sunday my New years resolution is to eat healthier. Maybe I'm setting the bar to high. Maybe my resolution will be not to rob a bank. I can stick to that one....

Anyway, I need a happy picture to get me through my morning...

What is this happy picture you ask? My new barn wood counter tops my hoty (husband of the year) and bro's put in. It was a total surprise! Jeff got me out of the house for 4 hours and when I got back, VOILA! They are old greyed out boards from a barn in a neighboring county. Jeff thought this was the extent of our kitchen re-do. Poor Jeff...

Now I need to...

1. paint the cabinets (thinking grey)

2. repaint the floor (thinking solid blue)

3. Install back splash...loving this...

Right before they put them in (I really had no idea) I painted the whole kitchen Ben Moore revere pewter. It looks amazing with the counters! This was my original inspiration when I first started talking about my kitchen (years ago)

Maybe I'll do the cabinets white... thoughts? (Can't wait to show you the finished product!!!)

Anyway, I have a lot of time to think about it while I'M AT THE DENTIST WITH 4 KIDS!!!!

Enjoy your Friday and have a safe and Happy New Years!

Bye, bye Birdie,

~A

Let's talk... tango tangerine!

So, the holidays are over and as great as they were I had no problems pitching my tree out the back door yesterday. The decorations are down around here. I'm not really an over achiever, I did have a tree up until March one year. I just had a few extra minutes yesterday and since our tree was only 4 ft tall it was easy to take it down...

January is right around the corner (4 days) and Pantone has announced the color of the year for 2012....

drum roll....(like you don't already know what it is)...

Tango Tangerine! That just sounds fun! I was reading an article that said the blues and greys are too safe and it's time for them to go. We need color and freshness in our lives. So paint everything tango tangerine!? To me, that sounds like a complete disaster. The blues and greys are here to stay and this fun punchy orange is a great accent but don't get crazy!

You know I'm a sucker for a painted stair. See here. I might of done without the stripe on the wall but LOVE the stairs!

Works here! Although, I think orange makes you hungry. I wonder if you are allowed to eat in this room?

I know you are allowed to eat here! This is one of my fave dining rooms (for traditional!). I know, you wouldn't think so but I love the wallpaper, mirror, window treatments (can't see them in this image but trust me, they are great!)

remember when Hooper did this room? See here. The window treatments are AMAZING and the perfect dose of orange!

If you need to start out small, try a tray...and a lacquered one, bonus!

We've said it before, never underestimate the power of Overstock. Love this rug!!! 

And, I've also said... be on the lookout for red! We're dancing around it. Pink was last years color and now orange? hmmmm... Much to Hooper's dismay, it's gonna come back!

Orange ya glad it wasn't this year? (I crack myself up!)

How 'bout you, any orange in your life?

Happy Tuesday!

Bye,bye Birdie,

~A

credit to: Canadian House and Home, CB2, Overstock, Domino, and Southern Living

The best gift

Merry Christmas! This Christmas, I am especially thankful for the true meaning of Christmas and for the blessing of my family and friends. I have spent the last year reflecting on what is really important and have watched sadly as my mom has had a difficult year. At the same time, I have been inspired by her life-long friends that have stuck by her and been there for every laugh and every tear. 

One special friend, gave her one of the most beautiful gifts and I just had to share it. She collected all of her "moon stones"...stones we find along the seashore and make wishes on (if you grow up with my mother). 

She painted words of inspiration on each stone and gave them to her for Christmas in a beautiful bowl. May your wishes for 2012 be filled with contentment, laughter, new beginnings, gratitude, faith, goodwill and a bowl full of hope.

Merry Christmas!

~H

You Won't BELIEVE this!!!

It's a Christmas Miracle. Last night, after putting my very naughty children to bed, I did what all good moms do and prayed searched the internet for help. Well, I found it. 

Portable North Pole takes 5 minutes and emails you a live feed from Santa himself about your child's behavior. He calls them by name, shows pictures of them and says things like: 

"My elves tell me you have been throwing silly tantrums! "

We need some magic over here. "Elfie", our Elf on the Shelf hasn't moved in three nights because their dead-beat mom fell asleep early. 

Kids are out of control, and mama could use some magic (and I'm not talking the liquid kind). 

The magic "naughty and nice" machine takes their list and then determines their fate. Mine were all naughty and my husband made me re-do (ie:lie about their behavior) because he thought it would scar them for life. 

Dear Santa, please bring me a lifetime of professional therapy because my mom totally screwed me up.

Check out Hutson's here. It is amazing and what's better than watching their little faces light up with wonder, plus now that I have Santa's email, I can send him updates throughout the day (it's 8 and I've already sent three).

Merry Christmas Eve! May you have a very NICE day.

Bye bye birdie,

~H

Credit to: My very funny friend who posted Elf pic on facebook. Genius.

Our nest feathered for the Holidays and....

....A little Birdies Birthday! Today, Hooper is 25 for the 13th time! (More about that later....)

As for now... you asked to see how we decorate our own homes for Christmas. Will you be shocked to know ,very differently? One of us is less is more and one of us is more is more with some bling on top. hmmm.... wonder who that could be....

Come on in...

I'm definitely not a Griswald... And since we live down a little dirt road no one would see our lights anyway, simple pine garland and a wreath tied with burlap is all the decorating the outside gets!

You know you are a redneck when you want to decorate with antlers and all you have to do is call your brothers and they bring you a basket full.

Who's table could this be... lots of coral set in a silver bowl on a mirrored table reflecting metallic wallpaper...hmmmm

Feathers, driftwood and tree clippings adorn my Grandmother's sideboard framing my favorite tin nativity scene.

 It makes me so happy...

Hooper keeps her beautiful sideboard  very simple ....

 her mantle... not so much. But isn't it gorgeous? Driftwood, coral, garland, magnolia leaves, candles. It is over the top and pretty great! Also love the Norman Rockwell shot with the boys reading in the chair...

So for the past few years we have only used the ornaments the kids have made. 4 paper plate angels, 4 tongue depressor tiny baby Jesus, about 10 hand print reindeer,etc... There is no room for anything else and though our tree is a little Charlie Brownish- I LOVE IT and cannot imagine it any other way. (Especially with my new large colored retro bulbs!)

Hooper has a 2 story living room which allows for a very tall tree. Her kids ornaments are up along with all her other ornaments, starfish, ribbons and white lights. She has enough room for everything and it is stunning! Hooper's tree looks like it should be in a magazine. My tree looks like it should be in a Hallmark movie in the basement of a community center where all the children  discover the true meaning of Christmas by the end. Though our spaces are different, we both love the season and celebrating with our family and friends. 

speaking of celebrating...

Happy Birthday Hooper!

(you don't look a day over well, um, er....16.)

You are my kind, funny, beautiful friend and I am so thankful we are finally the same age again! Welcome to your late 30's! Yep, I said it... mid 30's are over. But 40 is still the new 20 so we have a lot to look forward to!

I hope you have a fabulous day and none of your presents are combined with Christmas!

L.Y.L.A.S. and...

Bye, bye Birdie,

~A