Thanks and Cheers to the year Two Thousand and Eleven!

 

On this last day of the old year, I'm reminded of wonderful support.   Do you surround yourself with people that are positive and who believe in you and inspire you?  I sure hope so, because sometimes it just takes a few extra hands to help us stay on our feet.  I wouldn't be here, if I didn't have it.  Thanks for being my readers and thanks so much for your support and friendships!

I'd like to have a hand at rhyme now...  

Dear Two Thousand and Eleven, please be heaven.  

{That's not asking for much, is it? I could sure use a slice of it, though.  If it should be heaven, I'll gladly share a slice with all of you, too.}

Happy New Year!

xo

sharon

Mini-Me's, Please!

Out with the old and in with the new?  The past year has been full of many things that I plan on editing, and also cultivating.  Not just in the home, but in every facet of my life.  But, in my home right now, I crave fresh and green things at this time of year, don't you? Changes don't have to be big.  Maybe it's a  new color for the bathroom walls, a new set of drinking glasses to replace the mismatched glassware, or a new morning ritual that gives you a better kick start to your day. 

Life will always have problems that have yet to be solved, rooms that have yet to be finished, and finances to continually try to figure out, but I plan on making tiny gradual makeovers on those tired and worn out things in the New Year.  I'm going to start with my bedroom. New sheets?  Cotton...yes. And Pillows...yes!  One thing I'm a firm believer in though, is that these mini-me's do not have to break the bank.  Even some simple flower arrangements from the grocery store.

We are busy designing our own line of pillows that will be sure to bring freshness into your lives. I can't wait to show you, come January! I'm also busy planning an equestrian themed birthday party for 417 Magazine Home.

Goodbye to 2010 and Hello to New Beginnings and A Life that Cultivates Your Soul!

{images via fromtherightbank.com/}

Thanks for always reading.

xo
sharon

What to do?

The building is supposed to be finished in a little over two weeks.  In the mean time, I'm busy figuring out what to do with everything...shuffling, and scuffling my feet on things, furniture, and becoming a more organized business girl, which shocks me every now and then, because it won't be long 'til I have a legitimate space. 

I've been picking up furniture to take to the upholsterer, cleaning up messes, and rearranging my house with all the fun, new stuff.  We did a photo shoot of my freshly painted white living room that was stylized with some of the things I'll be carrying in the store.   Hopefully I'll be able to share the pictures soon. 

The first picture above is a piece of furniture before I took hold of it. Pressed wood.  I know.  It's really ugly as is, but I promise you, it's s.i.c.k. how good it turned out after a visit with some lacquer paint.  It's a wet bar cabinet with ambient lighting and an inset mirrored back.  I'll reveal it once I get her in her sweet place.

One thing I'm trying to decide for the store, is what to do with the floor.  It's been stripped down to the concrete, and I originally wanted to leave it all natural concrete and glaze it over with a polish.  Unfortunately, the concrete is not leveled in a lot of places, so it will have to be patched with quick crete, sanded, and most likely painted.  What color though?  The walls will probably be white.  Should I also do a white floor with a black geometric pattern, possibly?  The patterning would most likely be expensive.  So, what would you do?  What color?  I'm all ears.  If you have any inspiration pictures, I'd love to see them, too!

Good day to you all!

xo
sharon

It's a Wonderful Life

Sometimes I must be reminded of my blessings. During this pause at the end of the year I have had time to reflect, read, watch, and question what goes on in this world and what also goes on in my children's worlds...as we've all encountered hardships, indifference and hatred. What has touched me more than anything this year, is this Alice: one woman's life testimony {a video clip that was introduced to me on facebook of all places, through a fellow interior designer, Irene Turner}. Alice is a shining beacon of Hope. Optimism. Love.

While I leave you with this inspiring story, that had me completely moved and choked up, I must also share a few other things that will hopefully move you and move all of us to LOVE life and all others more fully.

1. A memoir called "I Will plant You a Lilac Tree." by Laura Hillman. This book was recommended to me by my daughter and is an account of a Schindler's List survivor.

2. Did anyone watch "The Sound of Music" on t.v. last night? Even though I've seen it a thousand times, I see something new in it everytime.

3. Every year on Christmas Eve, my mom would read to all of us kids, the tale of "The Little Match Girl". Never once, did mom finish the story without tearing up or weeping a little. It's a moving danish story of a struggling homeless girl at Christmas.

4. "Life is Beautiful".

5. One of my mom's quotes: "Never criticize, condemn, or complain."

Happy Holidays and may we all find the music.

With Love,
Sharon

Sweet Dreams...

Sweet Dreams.  Merry Christmas.  PEACE.  Joy.  LOVE.

xo
sharon & Family

Entertaining: Turn On The Music and the Bubbly!

Entertaining?  Well, here's what I have in mind for entertaining Mr. & Mrs. Claus should they happen to be guests stopping in at my house over the weekend.


1.  Chairs to have a nibble in: I think those two chairs up there would be only fitting for Santy to take a rest in.  {They are from my jellybeans project}.  Oh, and I'm setting out Eleanor's famous cookies for him too.  {Call us if you'd like to place an order for your special guests too.}

2.  A Monogrammed Package:
  
3.  French Music: French Musician Coeur de Pirate...she's dreamy.

4.  Berry, Berry Bubbly: 
Ingredients:
4 raspberries
2 blackberries
2 teaspoons sugar syrup
splash of vanilla flavored vodka
1/3 cup of champagne

*Make a simple sugar syrup by combining equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar has completely dissolved.

Recipe

Makes one cocktail.
Muddle the raspberries and blackberries in a large glass.
Add the sugar syrup and vanilla vodka.
Turn a smaller cup upside down and fix over the large glass to form a shaker. Shake until mixed.

Pour into serving glass and top with champagne. 

images by nathaliebearden.com/ 
image of coeur de pirate {unknown, and would really love to know who photographed this!}
marthastewart.com
justataste.com/


Cheers and Bottoms UP!


xo
sharon

Favorite Stocking Stuffer Thing: Prisma Colors

It's the countdown!  Now, even if you've crossed off everyone off your list, isn't there always a need for new, sharp prisma colors somewhere in the house?  I bought me some for my Christmas gift yesterday and treated myself to an hour of hot tea and an upcoming client project.  A sketch for a second floor family room.  Can you tell I'm loving color and my new colored pencils?   I think I'll go color some more happy into my life now.  Want to join me? 

Happy Countdown!

I'm Listening To: Holiday Music

It's a grey day, here.  This song by Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles fits my day perfectly. The only thing that make it more perfect is...SNOW.  This video is darling and just too sweet for words.  You just may want to add it to your holiday mix and curl up with your lovies, as well.  Wishing you love this season and all the way through 'til Spring.


Happy Listening.  And Happy Nesting. 

xo
sharon

SugarPlums: Logo Reveal + Before & After Project

Hello Dear Ones.  In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I hope you are taking time to really enjoy the season and treating yourselves and your loved ones with good cheer.  I'll be honest, I'll really hope I don't wake up January 1st, and feel like I've lost the time to really feel the glow and warmth of the season.  While I'm trying to keep the family traditions for my kids, my mind is so full of many decisions right now.  I am not only working my day job, but trying to get my new space off the ground, as well as oversee-ing the renovation process.  Some days are hairy, and can  be painfully slow with a toddler, but I have to say, I am seeing progress...sugarplums, are what I like to call them. 

Mostly, I call them sugarplums because they are "done" and crossed off my list.  That's one of the better feelings in life, isn't it?  I read the latest REAL SIMPLE, that said even making your bed every morning makes you happier.

To start with, is a chair make-over that's been in the works for a good long while now.  Finally getting it together, I did this project in three steps.

`1.  High Gloss Paint...I skipped priming, and boy was I sorry.  I think we did like ten coats all together over the cherry stained wood.

2.  I oxidized some mirrors.  Oxidizing is so easy!  All you need is Muriatic Acid, Gel-like Stripper, and some grey craft paint.  Lowes and Hobby Lobby purchase cost around $20 for materials. I still have plenty of these materials left for doing more oxidizing projects. Oh, and don't forget rubber gloves.   After I oxidized the mirrors outdoors, I took the chair and mirror to the glass shop and had their staffers cut the mirrors to fit just inside the oddly shaped geometric shaped side panels of the chair.  The glass company glued them in for me perfectly!

3.  I have a good friend from college who is an artist/college professor that does upholstering on the side.  She does such a great job and is inexpensive compared to most upholsterers.  Lucky me!

I went with a heavy weight cotton/linen blend and paired it with a black gimp and nickel brushed tacks. 

And, finally, my new logo reveal.  Created by my cousin Laura's husband, Brett Key.  He is a graphic designer by day and a freelancer by night.  He's been so patient with me...because I honestly, sometimes have the hardest time settling on one design.

What do you think? Would love to hear what you think!  What projects are you working on right now.  Do share.

xo and remember to feel the glow of the season!

sharon

IM BACK! With a Sneak Peak + a Special Announcement

Image by nathaliebearden.com/
Hi All!  It's time I come back and have a seat, dont'cha think?/??  Well, I hope you're as happy to have me back, as I am to be back.  Sometimes life just gets in the way, but I've made it a goal to keep up with my musings on lifestyle things for the rest of the season and beyond.

So, you remember my first commercial design project I talked about a few months ago?  Here's one of the first images ever released of the completed project.  I found everything from flea markets and ebay and I had them re-designed with a soft, playful color scheme.  The shoe display case, pictured above, is a reclaimed wine rack from the old Riverside Inn...just before the old building was demolished.  I love being "green" that way.  It's not only good for our environment, but it's more unique than anything purchased new.  I put a few local craftsmen to work on some of these projects as well.  I guess you could call that Aid to the Artisans too!  I hope you'll visit the sweet, locally owned, Jellybeans.  It's a real treat.

Now, for all of you who don't know me here, locally.  I have some big news to share.  I'm opening a design showroom/studio!  Just up the street from my home.  It's going to be called...little drum roll please...

Pickwick House.  My dream come true.  Nerve racking, big yes.  That's partly why I have not posted here in a long while.
 
I chose the name Pickwick House for two reasons.

1.  The old store front is located on the prettiest old maple tree-lined, neighborhood Pickwick Street.
2.   I grew up on Pickwick and now live next door to the home I grew up in, so it seemed only fitting   and true to not only me, but to this neighborhood.  It will hopefully be a place for everyone, as was my childhood home...growing up in a family of nine kids.  Our house was grand central station.

Starting out in mid-January {rough guess}, I'll be open by appointment and by chance.  I am really working forward to hosting events, workshops, art-walks, and of course, my main babies...booking for room makeovers/home-design/events!

Looking forward to connecting with all of you, locals, here, face to face...finally!  And, for those who live beyond!

I am so stinking excited and humbled by this new endeavor, that I never thought I'd have. Thanks to all of you, I'm here!

Love to you all.



xo
sharon