Random Thoughts and Thankfulness

Random post today of assorted thoughts and thankfulness. 

I have been contentedly busy (new mantra for 2015 for me). Not feeling guilty when I have time/days off and not feeling overwhelmed when I've over-comitted myself.

I am learning to say no when I feel like my soul and spirit are dying a slow death inside of me.

I am learning to say yes (without guilt) to the things that feed my soul-

like weekly coffee dates with friends.

 Yes. I need that. 

And community.

And game nights with my teenage girls.

And movie nights with my husband.

I'm not sure if this side of Heaven, I'll be able to proclaim like my fave apostle Paul did, that he discovered  the beauty of what it meant to be content in any and every circumstance, but this year, it will be my goal and my heart's desire to try.

I am finding balance and it fits me just right. 

(Unlike this pair of skinny jeans that are fitting too snugly on my thighs as I type this).

We are still catching up with custom orders these past few weeks.  Thanks to all of you who keep thinking of fantastic Christmas gifts to give. I have lots of sign orders to fill and will be posting the latest here and on instagram.  Here are some pine benches that Ken made that coordinate with some farmstyle tables he made a month ago for clients.

Pre-stain:

 Here's Carmen's classic gray one:
-excuse the mess in the booth bench. (Another item of resolve....don't sweat the small stuff).

 And Debbi's shorter walnut stained one:

I've been having fun wrapping up some of the master bath remodels that I've been working on this fall.

This isn't one of 'em, but I had to show you this pic I snapped from a magazine of free standing tub underneath a window. Some of my clients have/had this exact configuration and I like how the windows are treated with a translucent frost that adds privacy but still allows light to penetrate.

Of course I also loved the drama of the drapes in a bath, which you don't see often as well, but I just might incorporate soon somewhere for someone.

 I just started hauling out a few Christmas decorations. I won't be over-doing it this year. I'm going for a white, wood and rustic look around here. Plus, our darling but curious kitty seems to think all the trimmings are toys.

 Here she is again below: Look close. She is so wishing she could chew on the ends of that candy cane. We now know the meaning behind the phrase "curiosity killed the cat". We are hoping she has 9 lives, 'cause we love this little stinker.

I was walking around UBU in Grandville yesterday with a client and spotted a basket of these wooden NOELs. 

Thought they were so cute and mentally 'pinned' that idea for next year's pirated Christmas crafts. :)

 Finally putting the paint brush down for a while other than signs and smaller projects. I recently painted the windows in my kitchen to coordinate with the ones I had done in our front parlor/living room. I love the depth and richer look and feel. Why didn't I do that years ago?
(sorry the lighting's so awful-I promise my walls aren't peach). 

We had so much fun a few weeks ago, visiting my old nephew Alex at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. where he is a sophomore.

 They look like a bunch of goofs right here, but we loved the family time and are looking forward to more of it this Thursday for Thanksgiving!

On the way home that Saturday, we stopped in Chicago to spend the night and do a little shopping.  Ken had price lined a great hotel price and location and we felt so spoiled staying right on Michigan Ave. in a swanky historic hotel.

 S'cuse the "selfie"

 Super thankful to be healthy, reasonably happy, and striving my best to be holy. 
Love you guys. Thankful to have you in my life and my business. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!

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It's Beginning to look.....

Ugh! I had written a long post yesterday but my computer locked up and I lost it! 

You're welcome. :)

Anywho, I still wanted to post some pics of my booth from last weekend's Holiday Open House at Not So Shabby. There was a great turnout (thank you) but also great treasures left and new items will be added weekly. Check it out sometime. Maybe even today (Thursday). I'll be working from 11-3. Come say hi.

Although I won't fault you one bit for not wanting to hit the roads, what with this early Michigan winter white out happening today. 

Stay safe and warm. 

Be back here soon.

Around the shop:

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Cheerleader for Change

You guys are too great.  I had so many people email, comment or stop me on the street regarding my last emotional blog posts regarding painting my trim!  I think the post resonated with people because we, especially as women attach emotion to our surroundings.  I remind myself of this often when I start feeling like this design gig isn't making a difference in people's lives.  Women constantly reassure me that it is.  We seek solace and comfort and sometimes approval in how we decorate our homes and many times I hear people say that some small updates gave them the confidence to entertain or offer hospitality to others. 

I've always told you that's what I love best about doing what I do. Connecting with you guys and hearing your stories.  I feel honored that you also validate mine through this blog and in person.
Thank you!

On that note, I gotta show you some of the amazing things you do-without me! I try my best to render you helpless so you have to hire me to help, but some of you are just too talented. :) Or some of you don't know you're gifted with decorating and hire me anyway for confirmation. What? Yes, it's true. Many times, I've entered the homes of you Champs and asked "What am I doing here"?

As was the case here:

This is Jennifer's living room.  
Breathtaking.  Subtle color scheme, just the way I like it.  Calming and beautiful! She hired me for help with her pre-teen daughter's room, but as I left, I wanted to ask HER to come home with me and help me with my house! :)

I actually left this place that day, went straight home and scrubbed my baseboards for three hours!! I was cleaning manically trying to get it to shine like her house did. Why do I do this to myself? 
How does her trim look brand new 9 years later? 
How do her slipcovered sofas stay spotless and dog-hair free?
How many more years will it take for me to stop coveting people's homes and lives? :)

And another example:
This one I can at least take a little credit for.  This is Sheila's main floor half bath & laundry room which used to be oak.
You can tell by the outside trim in the left of the pic.
Sheila is also meticulously clean and everything in this house shines as well. Her husband is an amazing craftsman and retro-fitted this space with new upper cabinets and crown molding.  The small cabinets to the left and right were oak but we added the beadboard and upper cabinets to give this room a bit more presence. 
Sheila and I finally convinced her husband to keep right on rolling into the kitchen and paint all the oak and trim in there too! Time consuming winter project, but it will be so worth it!
Super talented people. 

 These were all oak.

And Tricia's house which I posted before. 
This girl has great vision and organizational skills, not to mention incredible artistic talent. 
Again, "Why am I here?"

And this one:
Nephew Physical Therapy-
I had so much fun getting to know Melissa this summer. She had asked for help with some custom signs and some accessory advice and she is so faithful about shopping my booth at Not So Shabby. She had Diane Becker, a local interior designer and all around great gal, together worked on this character rich build -out. 
Diane and Melissa had a vision for a warm, welcoming office space that isn't sterile or commercial. Mission accomplished.
The only thing I contributed is the rolling industrial cart and lots of ooohs and ahhhs while viewing this space. :)

 This girl is awesome! Go see her for your aches and pains or if you want another friend you pay to have. She's worth it.

And yesterday, walking up Heather's driveway I spotted a welcoming fall vignette on the front porch of her amazing vintage farmhouse.

Again, can only take credit for Ken's custom cut pumpkins, but it was her order that prompted him to make a full pumpkin patch to sell.

This is the same house I walked into three years ago to this rustic and beautiful dining room and adjacent living room.

Once more, "What am I doing here"?

 

And Marcia's condo: Don't even get me started on her ability to SHOP and accessorize! Everytime I see her, I ask if I can shop in her basement! She has fabulous taste AND has the skill to DIY it!
Here's her condo's full bath:

She framed that mirror herself, people! 

Sometimes I think you guys hire me for my dramatic reaction of appreciation for all that you do. I am reluctant to admit I was a cheerleader in high school and college and frankly I don't really think I've ever outgrown that role. Maybe that's why you need me. To see your skills, your vision, your spaces and cheer you on in the right direction. 
If that's what you need help with this fall, I'm the gal for the job. 

A big ol' shout out to all you Champs who teach me a thing or two every time I'm with you. 
Now fire up!! There's some rooms that need changing!

"Change on 3! Change on 3! 1-2-3 Change!!"

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