Tile love!

This is a random post today...but I felt necessary to share it because my husband and father-n-law worked so hard yesterday that I had to give them props! Long story short, we've been trying to put in a new bathroom floor in our master bath for MONTHS!!! We've been walking around on a bare concrete floor (very cold) for what seems like forever after we ripped up the hideous sheet vinyl...so here it is today:

It is a travertine stone laid in a "brick layer" pattern! All it needs now is the grout so that's what I will be doing Friday morning! Happy Thursday!

Home sweet home...

Well, we are back! My family and I spent a week at the beach and it really was wonderful! It was the first time since high school that all my siblings were able to be there! Here are a few pics...more to come! Happy 4th! talent show...Liv wearing my nephew's cowboy hat to sing "Shake Your Groove Thang" with backup from cousin Emma! On the beach to snap family pics... This photo was taken by my eight year old...pretty good I think...I never have pics of David and I!

Searching for peace...

Yeah, it's Friday!!! The last few weeks have been a bit crazy for me and my family! It's almost the end of June,halfway through Summer break, and I am ready for our vacation! We (my family and I) are going through lots of changes...some big decisions need to made and I wont lie to you - I am in need of some major PEACE right now! God has been working on me for over a year now in several areas of my life...work, family, children, school - I could go on, but I know that each area is connected! So I am looking forward to a week of PEACE and a time of seeking God for his wisdom and direction! Speaking of peace, I am praying for just that between these two: For the most part my kids are great pals...they get along well....BUT there are those moments when all they do is pick and fuss at each other!!! So I was so glad to read about this over here at A Holy Experience. I think I might need to change our "timeout" corner to a "peace retreat"...especially since our timeout corner has turned into a graffiti wall for taking out their frustrations on! Oh yeah, I can show you some great artwork up on those walls! Praying for peace this week - Happy Weekend!!!

The goods from HOME GOODS!

OK, so I was asked to post pictures of the items I scored at Homegoods for a staging job...so here they are: Nourison Rugs 5x8...I purchased two in order to make one larger rug - they are really divine...soft, plush - perfect transitional rugs and you cannot get much better than Nourison! Next up, a pair of lamps...ceramic, creamy white...with solid white drum shade that have a silver foil lining! The design is very "West Elm"! Next, we have another rug...this one is a soft jute rug measuring 4x6 and it has a brown cotton border!

Mirrors!!!! I have three of these babies....they are square and so unique with a deep teal color with gold accents...I used these together - stacking one on top of the other to visually make it read as one tall mirror!

Next up, the artichoke vases...I have two of these - used them on a mantle! The scale is wonderful...you could fill them with flowers if that's your thing! The color is a wonderful apple green - muted with bits of brown and cream showing through a crackle finish!

Plates are up next...these are by a wonderful company called Moonlighting - they do decoupage and I am not even sure if they are still producing...this set has wonderful primary colors and would be great for any kitchen!

Last, but not least...this wonderful little lamp which is currently resting in my kid's bedroom....it has a shiny white finish with a silky, drum shade....I am tempted to keep this one - just like I'm tempted to keep all the rest!!! I also have a bench - wooden and rustic in a deep brown/black tone....I haven't photographed it yet but will do so today! If you are interested in any of the above, please send me an email or leave me a comment and I can get the details (measurements, pricing , etc) to you! Happy Thursday!

Summer days...

My summer days have flown by so far....work has kept me busy along with trying to finish up some projects around the house! This is what my week looks like:

• Going through closets to "edit" and take the loot to Habitat Home...although it's been some time since I've purchased new clothing...my closet is full of items I don't wear and I've held onto them for YEARS...so I'm saying "goodbye" and I pray they will be a blessing to someone else!
• Finishing up cleaning out the garage ....well, that has been totally my husband's job over the last week and a half (I'm a lucky girl)! I must say he has done a terrific job of cleaning it out - even got the kids involved while I was working! Gotta post some stuff on Craig's List!!!
• Finishing a design job - windows, reupholster sofa, accessories...all going in this week!!!
• Returning some FABULOUS items to Home Goods that didn't work out for a staging job - I'm tempted to keep them...but we are in a simplifying mode! If you are interested in some great lamps, rugs, and accessories - give me a shout and I will post pics and pricing!!!
• Getting ready VACATION!!!! Yes, my family is leaving for vacation soon...to the beach we go and I cannot wait!!! I guess I should hurry up and find a bathing suit!!!

Photo credit: Spring Storm/ Flickr Happy Tuesday!

Happy Birthday to my boy!

Happy 8th birthday to my boy...eight years ago, on June 19th you came into my life and changed it forever! An easy baby, a challenging toddler, and now growing into a sweet, young man - you make my life wonderful! I cannot wait to see what another eight years will bring! Happy birthday B, I love you!

On the road...

I've been on the road today! Up at 6:30am, out the door around 7:30am and off to Cleveland,TN. with a truck load of 'stuff' to begin staging a house that is on the market! Now, it is 5:45pm - I just walked in the door and I'm waiting for my family to get home - they've been swimming!!! Summer is really crazy for us schedule wise....for me it is a time to pick up a little more work since my husband(who teaches HS math and coaches basketball) is home more! The trade off is that I am home more with the kids once school begins bc his schedule gets crazy once basketball starts full time...either way, I am very blessed to have such a flexible "job"! There was a day when I worked full time in the design industry - for someone else! Working five days a week...not getting home until 6:15 at night - and I really enjoyed it, I was passionate about it... but since having kids, well, they really have become my focus! Daily I am reminded of the precious gifts (Braxton and Olivia) God has entrusted to me...that is my purpose, that's my number one ministry - my family! So that is where I am content, that is where I am my happiest...and I am thankful for the design jobs that allow me to do that! Anyway, HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Where does the time go?

It is June 14th...I'm not sure how I missed the last two weeks, but I did....in a flash - gone! Our summer has been very busy so far...I am hoping to slow down after this week! Here are a few things on the "to do" list:

• plan a birthday celebration for my oldest - he's turning 8!
• going to the beach at the end of the month
• finish minor renovation in my master bathroom - new flooring and paint!
• CLEAN OUT THE GARAGE!!!!

In the meantime, here are some random images from my computer! Happy Monday!

Studio Calico Scrap Kit

Sisal or Jute - love them both!

Amanda Talley art

Noir table in a black, hand waxed finish - I want to do this to my kitchen table!

Finished concrete floors and slipcovers - simple and clean!

Trying to catch up!

Happy Tuesday! I've been absent, but for good reason! Last week found me in D.C. working on a design project - then back to my family to finish up the last week of school...so I've been busy!

My trip to D.C. was great....my sisternlaw, Melissa, and I made a trip to the Luckett's Antique Fair - which was amazing! She found several pieces for her new house at a steal...and it was probably good I flew up bc I found LOTS of things that I wanted to bring home - but couldn't! It definitely made me want to drive up with a van for the next one!!! One of my very favorite vendors was Chartreuse & Company...they had so many wonderful things....

(photos via Chartreuse & co.)

Wish I had taken photos...but it was raining all day - we looked pretty fun as we both had worn sandals and were covered in mud!!! If you are in the area...you must go check it out...you can go to their website here...

Off to D.C.

This last week has been a bit crazy!!! End of school, fieldtrips, programs, signs for VBS, etc.....have kept me busy - add to that, a little girl recovering from strep throat! So I am looking forward to a slower pace come next week - but for now - I am off to D.C. in the morning! Flying out at 7:00am to go do some design work!!! I am excited about the trip and the new design project and I am looking forward to seeing both my sisternlaws :) but I will miss my family...say a little prayer for all of us! See you next week! Have a great weekend!

P.S. Thanks for lunch today dad, Olivia and I will take a visit from you anytime! Love you!

This face...

This face...everyone says she is my "mini-me"...I will have to agree! She is feeling sickly this afternoon so please say a prayer that she will get rest and feel better soon! Hope you all enjoy the beautiful weather (at least here in East TN)

A prayer for Ashley!

The non-profit group that I work with, Kingdom Design Ministries, has done some wonderful rooms over the last few years! More than that, they have changed the lives of these children in tremendous ways! I just wanted to post a link about one of the young ladies who received a room a few years back...her name is Ashley Manes! A couple of months ago my friend Missy, who founded KDM, emailed me that Ashley's TNcare funds were being cut - meaning her father would have to pay for her medical care "out of pocket"! This is a young lady who NEEDS $20,000 in medical care...they depend on TNcare for those funds! Please view this video link and say a prayer that her case would be approved and her medical coverage reinstated! http://www.wsmv.com/video/23325640/

Beautiful Friday!

It is 8:06am and I am waiting for my youngest to wake up - yeah, that's strange...but we had a late baseball game last night!!! So I thought I would take the opportunity to post a few beautiful images for Friday!

Happy Friday!

(images Elle Decor, Design Sponge...)

The Next Five Minutes

Rain, rain go away!

Well it is a dreary Monday indeed...my husband and I woke up to a leak in our bedroom around 3a.m. (we've been waiting 7 weeks for a new roof). After my husband crawled into the attic to see if he could contain it...I got on my knees and prayed "God you are the only one who can stop this leak or stop this rain". Well the rain did not stop, but the leak did - and David had no explanation as to why...God is good! It is a reminder that he cares for us on a very practical level and we can place our trust in him! I couldn't go back to sleep...I kept thinking about all those people in Tennessee who have been affected by the massive amounts of rain over the weekend - some even loosing their lives! So I am sending up prayers for all of those people today and thanking God that he is covering our house with his hand until the rain goes away!!!