Cashier's Before

We made it back (in one piece) which is a miracle considering I drove most of the way and my sense of direction is well, lacking. We made a leisurely stop in Asheville for a last minute chair and a bite to eat.

Ann and I can agree on one thing. This is our favorite restaurant in NC. We are ahead of schedule and our trucks are safely on their way to Cashiers. Our plan is to beat them there so we appear organized. It must have been the brain fog from the scratch-made biscuits because after about an hour, I say: Isn't it amazing that we live on the coast of North Carolina and these beautiful mountains are in the same state? I mean, it doesn't even feel like the same state!" Cue this:

SO, I say: Girls, what DOES that say? It's hard to read going 70 mph and the fact that it's in cursive? We arrive 2 hours later than planned to the most beautiful blank slate I have ever seen. 

 This is the screen porch -- note the view.

After a quick inspection of paint/tile and details we have spent the last year picking out, it was time to unload three 26 foot trucks and you will not believe the end result. We know this is a tease, but that's the point! These are the before pictures -- we can't wait to share the afters. 

We were obviously happy with the result (and a little sleep deprived). Stay tuned!
Bye bye birdie,
~A&H

Highlands Here We Come!

We are leaving this weekend to move all of our fab purchases into the Cashier's mountain house we have been working on for over a year! Time flies when you are having FUN! We have 3 units at the warehouse full of amazing furniture, art, accessories, lamps, fabrics, oh the list goes on. We can't wait to show them to you! We may be out of the blog world for awhile, but rest assured, we will come back with tons of pictures. Just in case you are wondering what we are working with... take a peek...

 This green goddess chandelier is going in the dining room.

A pair of these are in the living room. I love that the cushion looks like a mattress. We tweaked them a little by recovering them in a rich coral velvet. 

Inspired by this....

This coral and green oushak is the centerpiece of the living room. 

A pair of these flank the sofa.

We wanted an ottoman in front of the sofa, but couldn't find what we wanted so...

we upholstered the top in a Highland Court green ikat.

Antelope will go under the dining table 

And isn't she lovely? Its a reclaimed pine base with a galvanized top. 

That's all for now! I'd show you the design board but it's very detailed and some of the stuff the client hasn't even seen yet! You'll have to wait for the big reveal. We're off to pack...

bye bye birdie,

~A&H

Hmmmm.....

A few days ago, I complained about my house... well... hmmm, still pretty much the same- couldn't get the leaf blower started so lets just say, it's still a wreck. My poor husband grew up in the CLEANEST HOUSE YOU'VE EVER SEEN and now he slums it with me in a chaotic mesh of dishes, laundry and children.

If you've never read this article that was supposedly in a 1950's home ec book, take the time to do so...(I knew I took shop for a reason)

1950 Housekeeping Article for wives:

*Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed. ...So I shouldn't send him for take out on his way home???

*Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

*Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.  ...I'll try to be interesting but I'm just so ....dull....

*Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dust cloth over the tables.  ...this is where the leaf blower helps

*During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

*Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet. ...vacuum?

*Be happy to see him.

*Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

*Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

*Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

*Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work. ...locks have been changed...

*Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

*Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice. ....we already have 4 kids, I'll hold off on the soothing voice thing....

*Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

*A good wife always knows her place. ....I can't even begin to address the last 2!!!

Ok, so once I master the good wife thing I will suddenly be capable of cleaning Jeff's castle?

hmmm....I think I just need more baskets from Home Goods. Thoughts? Anyone read this before? Were you totally cracking up and thankful you were born a few decades behind?

Happy Tuesday

Bye,bye birdie,

~A

Pretty.....

My house is a wreck!!! So bad that my husband walked through yesterday and asked if we needed to throw a party. He knows I'd bust it out if I thought (gasp) someone was coming over. Today is the first day all week that I can be home for 3 hours in a row. Hmmmm.... guess I have a date with Mr. Clean.


I need inspiration....

I found it in Richard McGeehan's get away "Hog House"

This is the room that got me... the walls, art, floors, red chairs, lights, door, lines.... Oh dear, I'm sweating (um..er..) glistening...

You would think concrete floors and all white walls would read cold but I find this room very comfortable and inviting...

I would love to show you more and tell you all about how great the March issue of Elle Decor is but you will have to run out and get your own copy because... I need to shovel out my own hog house.

Ever been tempted to clean the inside of your house with a leaf blower? I'll keep you posted...

Have a great weekend!

Bye,bye birdie,

~A

credit: March Elle Decor, designer Richard McGeehan

Closet Reveal!

I have been in the closet. Not in that way, but working on my boutique look. I can't afford to shop, so I figured I'd turn my closet into a pretty place to discover outfits I haven't worn in years. Can't say I'll look good, but at least my closet does. Last week, I showed you pictures of dream closets. I'm sick of Read's inability to keep his side neat. So, I came up with a solution! 

 I had some extra drapes from when we moved so I covered up the hanging clothes (because they are jammed in there) to give everything a neat, streamlined look. 

I added traverse rods to the face of the shelves so they would move easily. I love that the drapes have buttons at each pleat. Almost like a gown (or suit -- I told Read).

I filled the center shelves with pretty boxes (via Homegoods, $5.99) with scarves, belts and other things that make a closet look messy. 

I recently bought two of these at a local auction for $50 each because I adore the fabric and knew I would find them a home. 

 With pretty stick pins, I am able to organize my jewelry. Works much better than my previous system of digging through tangled necklaces in a drawer.

 I moved one of my favorite benches into the space and it fit perfectly!!

 Read's side has a full length mirror (which I find him looking in A LOT)... 

His side is totally covered and hides (suits, suits and more suits). Did I mention Read is a clothes horse? Also hides his balled up clothes that he attempts to fold.

 Finally, I removed the florescent lighting (not good for trying on clothes) and added two of these ($99 via Lowes). My closet is complete! What do you think? I'd love to hear from you! 


Bye bye birdie,
~H

Bedroom Reveal

You may remember this shared girls room. The parents switched rooms with their girls in order to transform the space into a cozy master. The client's style is eclectic and layered. She wanted their room to feel organic and calm. Take a peek....

We added custom drapes, reclaimed wood side tables, and moved their wrought iron sconces from their "old" bedroom. 

 I love the reclaimed door to the closet. 

 We recovered a foot stool with Dwell Studio gate fabric and added a linen chair so she could have a reading nook. 

 Did I mention my client's husband is a master craftsman as a hobby and not only does amazing wood-working projects around the house, but built this beautiful boat? The images were so cool, that we blew them up and mounted them on the wall. Port City Signs did a beautiful job!

Take note of the desk area... we recovered a family heirloom chair and her hubby framed the small window with a cool design that brings even more personality to a small space. 


Happy Monday!


bye bye birdie,
~H

Happy Birthday To Graham!

9 years ago today, my sweet Graham was born! I can't believe she is growing up. 

 Happy Birthday Graham! We love you!

Closet Make Over

While Ann is contemplating a home office (practical), I'm contemplating a makeover for my closet (impractical). We (my husband and I, not Ann), share a closet. His and Her's. Sucks. 


Not because it isn't big enough... it is (if there is such a thing). I am very grateful that we each have our own space. Here's the problem: I keep my side neat (you know, label makers, baskets and bins and make-you-puke organization). 


He hangs up his clothes (God forbid they wrinkle), but then leaves the dirty clothes, worn shoes, stuffed in a bin. Needless to say, it seems to infect my side with messiness. What to do? I'm envisioning a boutique-like closet. You know, every girl's dream....

 I simply adore the color-coding, but let's get real. That would last a day and just the thought of a pink shirt getting out of order gives me anxiety. It gives me anxiety to think that a pink shirt may get stuck in with a red. This is out. Plus, Read is color blind, which explains why he never notices when I paint a room.

 Ok, this feels more like me, only with slightly less shoes. 

This might be my favorite. Mainly because it LOOKS organized. Everything is tucked away. There could be balled up shirts and things stuffed every which way, but you can't tell because it's hidden. I can't afford cabinets. Hmmmm. Stay tuned. I have an idea. Uh oh...
bye bye birdie,
~H


credit to Pinterest

Home Office?

Hmmm.... I think I need an office. Hooper has one, a great one right off of her foyer. It's pretty too... a little blingy and high style (shocker!) My "office" is in bags at the bottom of THE ONLY CLOSET IN OUR ENTIRE HOUSE. Our house is old, apparently no one needed to store anything back in the day (or, ummm 1970).

 While in Chicago at my sisters (have I mentioned I went there?) I was inspired by her home office...

Her husband has an office upstairs (a whole room) and Beth's is downstairs in a closet in her kitchen... At the center of it all! And when necessary (dinner party etc...) she can shut the door. It does help that her storage square footage is the same amount as my entire house. Still, if I could sacrifice OUR ONLY CLOSET this would be a great option.

Love the wallpaper in the closet, office. But the floating shelves would never give me enough storage!

I think I need a whole building... Maybe Jeff would like this in our backyard...it goes with our farmhouse so well...But I do love it.

Simple, pretty, raw wood and painted floors...this office is my speed... Until we add on our move, The crammed bags in the bottom of the closet and the back of my car will have to suffice!

A girl can dream...

Bye, bye birdie

~A

credit: Google Images

Sista...sista...

I'm baaack! Jeff and I are home from our trip to Chicago and Indianapolis. Though I have never left the kids for that long, we had fun! My sista is in Chicago and we got to visit before J & I headed to a wedding in Indy.

While we were there, I had to snap a few pics of my sista's VERY ECLECTIC COOL HOUSE! She loves color, art, layers, Buddha, photos, books... you'll see!

This is the view from her foyer... color, texture, art EVERYWHERE!

Don't forget your window sills! If there is a horizontal surface, it is an opportunity for something! I am diggin the wooden heads especially when you can see them from outside.

The bar is our great grandmothers tea cart. My sistas southern roots show through all over the house. The booze sits on a pretty silver tray while a turkey platter from my grandmother fills the bottom shelf.

Buddha, a bible, some random relative, our great grandmother's  mink stole, and longhorns all live in harmony in her bookcase. Less is more is not welcome here. I love her ability to layer. Don't you think it all works?

I spy... the leather chair from the barn sale!

Her dining room is simple and pretty. Though she is DYING to replace the light fixture, the craftsman vibe of it seems to work. The room is anchored by cow hides (see, we are related) while photography from some the greats line the walls...

Her cabinet is filled with china and crystal. When we have wine, I get to pick my glass... She always asks  if I want to be one of our Grandmothers or great Grandmother... (I like drinking from my great grandmothers glasses!) The pheasants were always on my grandparent's mantle and I have the matching lantern from my Grandmother.

Beth's (Elizabeth to some) house is fun and filled! Her house is a perfect reflection of the fun family with in! (I'm not biased) I loved being with them and can not wait to show you more of her space... stay tuned!

Happy Tuesday

Bye, bye birdie.

~A