Texas-sized Mood Boards

My sister and her husband are about to close on a gorgeous home in Texas. We are all so thrilled for them.

I am particularly thrilled because she asked for my help to create some mood boards for her new place. Yipppeeeeee! Sign me up!

The Dining Room

This is how the dining room looked during their house hunt. It’s a nice, big space with lots of natural light and tall ceilings. A great blank slate!

I decided to start with the dining room because it’s a manageable space and easy to attack. I created a few different rooms to show her and her husband to give them some ideas for their formal eating area.

You can ignore the prices…there’s no way on earth that I would let them pay that type of money to decorate a room! But I wanted to find pieces that would give a certain look and feel. If they like it, then I know that I can find better-priced options.

On this particular board, I love the happy rug, green buffet, curtains, and chairs. The bird art just screams my sister since they have lots of ties to the North Carolina coastline. Luckily, she likes it, too! They also love the table, rug, and buffet. I think that we’re on the right track!

She is really searching for meaningful pieces and not just items to fill a room. I am looking to make each space memorable and meaningful to them. I love finding ways to make it special!

On this board, a few can’t-fail items are kept the same. But I changed the dining chairs, curtains, and lighting fixture. I love them all but have learned from personal experience that comfy dining chairs go a long way. (We bought ours at World Market a few years ago and still love their perfect look and cushy feel). I’m just not sure how comfy these chairs would be for a long dinner party.

I really love this light fixture over the table, too. Her style is rustic cottage traditional. I am trying to incorporate her tastes into a space that feels like them without going crazy in any one direction.

Apparently, I’m a little more comfortable with bright colors than she is. I loved these curtains, which had the colors from her desired palette (aqua, yellow, raspberry, moss green, and navy). I even saw them in person last week and liked them even more!

I think that it was a little too busy for her, and that’s OK with me. At least she’s honest so that I know what to do better to make them happy.

I switched out the green buffet to this wooden one, though I think that it is too similar to the table.

She loves big art, and these colors are so pretty. We might do something like it in another room (the family room?). I am tickled that she likes the bird art enough to keep it for the dining area!

The dining chairs were switched again as well. This time, these more-traditional French chairs came into play. I like how they make the room feel more elegant against such casual pieces, but they are still slightly rustic in their finish, too. It wasn’t quite their style, but I wanted them to see several options before they decided!

I took all of my favorite elements and made my ideal space. If I was to decorate their dining room using the hints of their style, these would be the choices that I would make!

Of course, it isn’t my house, so I am more than happy to do what they want. She put some color swatches in the mail yesterday to show me the palette for their entire house! It will be fun to shop with them in hand.

The Master Bedroom

This is how the master looked during the home tour. That ugly blue wall will be the first thing to go before they move in, thank goodness. So I designed a nice, calming space that used a lot of items that they already own.

Bright, fun, happy colors combined with lots of calming neutrals and natural textures. I think that this room could easily become the haven that they want. They already own that awesome white bed (we found it on Craigslist and she painted it white), the arm chairs, and the over-the-bed art print from Crate and Barrel.

I will use what they already have to tie in more elements of color and peace. The rug underneath the bed will be big enough to go on both sides and at the foot of the bed. I picked out a his-and-hers nightstands to add even more character to the room.

And those hanging bedside lights? I can totally make those, yo. Then we just add a few colorful accessories and lamps and voila! Done master bedroom!

The Family Room

It’s been so much fun to design a whole house. I’ve been working on more projects to help them like their new home, but the family room is where we are focusing next. They will spend the bulk of their living time in this area of the home.

Creating a room is so much easier when you have a starting point, like a rug, art print, or curtains, that incorporate a lot of the colors and/or style that you want to see in the rest of the space. So I found some contenders for potential rugs in their family room.

As you can see, I stole #3 to put in the master bedroom above. It is a gorgeous color and pattern but is still soothing and neutral for these sometimes color-shy folks.

I would have to say that #6 is my favorite out of these three. It’s such a large, bold pattern, but the gray behind it really brings it back to the reality of a nice, soft, family room rug. I like #5, too, but knew that it would probably be too modern for their taste. But the pops of yellow are fun.

And I heart #9. In fact, it might be my favorite out of all these possible rug options for the family room space.

Trying to please their neutral color desire while adding some texture and a bit of color, all three of these options would work well!

Subtle. Just like highlights.

I really thought that she would go for the rust-colored beauty of #13, but her favorite out of the whole bunch was #9 and this one, #14. The gold is very pretty and warm.

This whole experience has been fun so far! Rather than designing each room, we are going piece-by-piece from now on until the entire room comes together. It will be more time-consuming but this way will pin-point exactly what they want in the long run. I’m looking forward to the challenge!

Even better…I am headed there for a visit in April to help do some real decorating!

What things do you like so far? Which rug would you choose for the family room?

House Tweaking – Yellow Lamp Edition

   

I have had this lamp for years and years, and it was passed down to me from family when they moved out of our shared apartment to get married. I painted it green about three years ago to try to update the look of it.

But if we’re being honest here, and why wouldn’t we, I’ve never been crazy about this lamp shape. So Deseret Industries to the rescue!

I recently found this bad guy while we were out shopping some sales. Who knew that twenty years ago, they would know that this year’s design color is emerald green? As much as I love green, I’ve never been much of an emerald green person. But I saw this lamp and knew that it could solve all of my lighting dilemmas!

Especially with a price tag of $5.

    

It had potential, I must say. I was immediately imagining these brass pieces a different metallic finish. And I loved that the light switch was located on the base of the lamp, so it was easy to use without reaching up inside the shade.

Because that’s so much work?

I still haven’t jumped on board the brass wagon. But I did go outside of my Satin Nickel box today by trying some Chrome Spray Paint from Ace Hardware.

And may I just say…I am in love! Where has this stuff been the past few years?! A little hole in my soul was filled when I discovered Chrome spray paint…

I prepped the lamp by giving it a good cleansing scrub. Then I wrapped the bottom portion to prevent it from being chromed. It was a beautiful day to spray paint, so I headed outside to change the metal forever.

Oh my goodness. Really, can it get any better than this?! I love it!

The arch and entire top half got a great coating of chrome. I was so excited thus far, so it couldn’t dry quickly enough to allow me to do the bottom half!

I brought it inside for a few hours to “cure.” Already, it is an improvement. I love seeing projects as they get better right before my eyes. Maybe that’s the best part about spray painting? Instant gratification!

Later that same day, it was dry enough to tape up for the bottom half to get sprayed. I had picked a new color from Rustoleum…Marigold in Gloss. I don’t work with gloss paint very often, but this experience has also changed that thinking forever.

Gloss is awesome!

And in this case, it looks like a big, yellow school bus. I actually dig it, yo. But now I can’t wait to see it combined with the new shiny chrome on top!

But I’ll wait. Because it’s awful to mess up a paint finish by trying to remove tape and plastic before things are adequately dried.

Patience, right? I’ve heard of that…

From what I could see so far, though, I really liked it.

I brought it inside once again to cure overnight. My duck seems to like it, too.

   

I made some lamp switches throughout the two rooms to make the new School Bus Lamp feel warmly welcomed. This blue lamp, another previously-sprayed favorite of mine, got a new home on the buffet.

Stamp of approval.

I have always loved the shape of this formerly-brass lamp. And I get all of my shades from Walmart…they have a gorgeous drum shade in white that works to make every lamp look its best!

This lamp switcheroo is successful! Now, let’s see where the new yellow one is going to fit in!

Can you see it? That bright, fun, happy pop of color on the end table? If you feel like staging a spray-painting intervention, you’re too late.

How can you not love doing something so cheap and easy that makes such a huge difference?!

This is my present view when coming down the hall. And I like it quite a bit.

   

And Mr. Horse got a new home from the fireplace mantel to here. I just wanted some bright colors to wake up this little corner in here.

Green horses and yellow lamps fit that requirement perfectly.

Because I used gloss paint, the surface still looks wet and shiny. And I surprised myself by absolutely loving the effect! Maybe gloss paint and I need to get better acquainted these next few months?

I’m happy to report that the twist switch still works, too. And a wood ball adds some natural texture to this side of our home.

Wha? Green horses aren’t natural?

This is the now-yellow view from the dining room. I really love how we now have a pop of brightness to balance out the dresser on the other side of the living room.

I hate to toot my own horn, but I’m really loving all of this!

Toot toot! (oops)

I’ve been watching for some new pillows these past few months, so maybe we’ll be having a “House Tweaking: Pillow Edition” post really soon!

Being picky and cheap cost-effective is not a good combination when wanting to update several pillows in a home, by the way.

Another “natural elements” spot in the living room. Texture and green plant color. You can’t go wrong with that combination!

Especially if it’s sitting on top of some shiny bling!

These are my winter “flowers.” They are just twigs that Hubby helped me cut to size from one of the countless trimming sessions on our I-passionately-hate-how-it-sheds Honey Mesquite Tree out front.

You know, because nothing says winter more than some dead twigs in a vase…

And we have a family of ducks residing in the living room now. In fact, they are about to be joined by an additional family member, but I’m considering repainting all of them a fun color!

Do I have a problem or what?!

Any House Tweaking going on in your neck of the woods?

Consider These Halls Decked

Ah, Christmas. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a long wait for me for December to finally arrive. When it does, I am so excited to get these decorations up!

Sadly for Hubby, this means that he gets to do most of the work. It’s how I manage to spread the Christmas spirit very early in the season.

He appreciates it, I’m sure.

We’ve had this unbreakable ornament set from Costco since our very first Christmas together. I love them. They are the right colors and have lots of bling. What more could a Christmas-loving maniac like me want?

Then we went outside. Once again, Hubby is having to do lots of the work here. Who plans this stuff?

We’ve had the inside all Christmased up for a few weeks now. But only last night did we finally put our strand of lights on the house exterior.

He can’t do it without me, though. Someone has to hold the ladder while he climbs up on the roof. And someone has to say, “Is there anyway that we can close that gap there?”

Honestly, what would he do without my constant nagging me?

I really love the idea of putting up Christmas lights with palm trees in the background. It has been absolutely perfect weather for the past few weeks. We haven’t even turned on the heater yet! It will be cold this week…Friday only gets up to 58 degrees!

Yes, that is cold for us! Sheesh!

Simple, but very pretty. Ho ho ho.

Inside is rather festive as well.

I forgot to put the new beaded garland (from clearance a few years ago!) on the tree before all of the ornaments, so I had to get creative with what to do with it. I really love the result! I hung it on the mirrors  and am using it to hold Christmas cards that we receive in the mail!

Well, hello, Cute Cousin Andrew and his family. His wife, Megan, designs cards. She is also a photographer. And I designed her blog. You should probably go check it out.

Charloe, can you see how I’m holding the card to the garland? It’s one of your airplane clips that you gave me for my berfday!

Man, I love reflections of Christmas trees in mirrors. I just really love this month of celebrating. I would have it be Christmas all year long, if I could get away with it.

There is probably a movie about that, and it doesn’t work. But I think that we could make it work.

These were a post-holiday sale score last year, and I love them. Adorable beaded Christmas trees! They make me smile every time that I see them. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Smiling for no reason?

This is our beautiful tree. We’ve had this since we got married as well. Want to see how young we were four years ago? OK. Check it out!

I invested in some Christmas pillows this year and am trying really hard to not go buy a few more red ones. This room needs more red, and those couches need more pillows. Red pillows would be a win-win in my book!

But I am trying to be “patient” by waiting for the clearance sales after Christmas…

I cried and cried when I opened this from my Mama a few years ago. I have such wonderful memories of this advent calendar from growing up. She surprised me by sending it to me for my home to enjoy. Isn’t she awesome?

I love it. I talk to it when I move the mouse each day. That’s normal, right?

Of course, the dining room got a little Christmas spirit as well. I love the table but am still not thrilled with that fireplace wall. I have such fun ideas in my head as to how to make that wall a true feature piece in the room. Right now, it’s just busy. With a stocking or two. Too bad I haven’t used this space much this winter.

Now if I could only get a fireplace insert for there…

Another garland that didn’t end up on the tree! Truth be told, I love it just randomly scattered on our Christmas table this year. It makes eating dinner so much better!

See what I mean? My attempt to make it feel cozy has just made it feel busy. And my normal colors of apple green, teal blue, and bright yellow don’t mesh well with Christmas colors, huh?

My favorite addition from my fall clearance sales was this wire mesh basket for $9. They are $25 at Target! I love you, TJ Maxx…

Here is our Christmas mantle. With any luck, it will look even better next year. How is a girl to fit in so many projects? Man, I love projects.

And I’m still debating if this blue table is too bright for the eyes. Opinions?

Our gazelle gets holidayed up as well. I’m pretty sure that someone named her Beyoncé, as that is what she answers to.

I inherited this wreath when I moved to Phoenix (almost six years ago?!) to live with my sister. Somehow, when she moved out, I got lots of stuff that wouldn’t mix well in her new married life. I passed on a lot of it but kept some fun stuff, too.

I know that we have a fake tree, but you wouldn’t know it when this pine candle is going! Christmas trees are probably my favorite smell in the whole wide world.

And, though it isn’t the original like what we had growing up, Mama sent each of us this copycat book of a family favorite. I love this book. We spent hours admiring all of the beautiful pictures inside. So many elves to see! The original can be found here, and it’s pretty cheap! Maybe that will also be on my post-Christmas shopping list!

Please ignore the blocks. They are waaaaaaaay off. I forget to change this because I have a mouse calendar to keep me straight! Who wants to talk to blocks, anyway?

I really love our Christmas tree. It looks stunning at night. I will try to post pictures of that soon!

I got a new camera lens for my birthday, and it would be fun to get some Christmas bokeh with it!

I love our ornaments, too! Bokeh in the background with my normal camera lens!

All year long, I happily anticipate sitting in the living room with some hot chocolate while staring at the tree. I’ve done it many an evening so far and haven’t tired of it yet. This is certainly my favorite time of year, and certainly my favorite holiday.

Aren’t the cable-knit pillows fun?

Are you ready for Christmas? Decorated? Shopped?