Friday, October 12, 2012

Today is trash talk: "Our American Colonial House Progress"

House progress:  Here's a snapshot of one corner of the kitchen before we got possession.  I've contemplated sharing it with you because it's a grossly descriptive glimpse into some of the living conditions of the home.  I'm not here to make judgements about it or the homeowner, but really just showing you for the sake of letting you get a grasp for what Will and his friend Creighton have gone through to get the house to where it is today.  It's still a long way from being done.




Will brought this chandelier over from the kitchen at the old house.  Which reminds me, a lot of locals have been asking me where we are living right now and if we are selling our current house.  We are still living in the old house while  renovations are going on and haven't decided whether we want to let go of the old house yet.  Between two houses, a storefront, kids, and business as usual, COMMUNICATION about the house renovations{between Will and I} can be very challenging, let alone agreeing on design decisions and things.  We've agreed for the most part though.  I will say that balancing our normal life before this, was challenging enough, but this is a whole new world I had no idea about until now!  I am grateful that we are not living in the house thru the process.  I think that would be really difficult.  I DO so look forward to the day we can simplify our lives.

Will has been manning the renovations full time and wants my design input, but it's really hard for me to find the time to focus on it outside of work.  It's definitely in my head and all I want to do is dream up plans about it.  I just need to get it down on paper and, Oh, find the time to source materials!   I hope to go check out marble this weekend, and choose a picket for the front yard.  Of course, the picket I want is not milled anymore.


This week, we had the lower cabinets gutted.  I wanted to keep them, but they were just beyond trying to keep. They had been infested with mice for a long, long time.  So you can imagine the smell that would waft out of them, when you opened the doors.

A wonderful mudroom and pantry right off the kitchen.   I'm in love with this part of the house.  We will have a really nice kitchen for the first time in our lives.


Will and Creighton and his mom finished painting the house.  I think it turned out great.  For now, we've chosen to leave the shutters off. The spindly hedges are now gone and we want to add a picket fence around the perimeter of the house for safety and for added curb appeal.  My pinterest board titled 'Our American Colonial Home Inspirations' has been blowing up with ideas I love.  Also, watch for uploads on 'Our American Colonial House Progress' board as well.
Here's a direct link to that page...Sharon Taylor Designs.


This is a shot of the boys  {Creighton, Will and bubs-ers} on the cherry picker that we rented for 24 hours to get the paint on all the up-high spots.  They took advantage of every minute of daylight in those 24 hours.  {Obviously, the light is waning in the pic.}

Hope I haven't bored you here.  I've been trying to figure out what you'd like to see more of here on the blog.. If it's more house updates on the blog, please let me know.  As always, I LOVE hearing from you.

Happy Friday!

xx
sharon

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Throwback Thursday: Mod Condo


Throwback Thursday:

Here's a mod-condo we did for a really cool single lady last year right after bubs was born.  The living room turned out exactly how we wanted it to.


This is one of my favorite spots in her condo.  An inviting spot for reading, listening to piano music, or admiring a worldly collection of nature.  I love her modern sofa with inviting pillows in tone on tone texture. Our client was extremely happy with the way her condo turned out.





We took a flea market console table and had an oxidized mirror placed on top to pull things together.





{All image by Scott Cotton Photography}
Hope you like what you see here.  If you are in need of residential or commercial design, give us a call!

xx
sharon

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Detail Love

Good Morning.  I'm posting pics today that I found while browsing thru wedding discs of our wedding design work.  These two are from the Elsie and Jeremy wedding that hadn't really caught my eye before until today.  



I just love the composition of this photo.  The form, textures, colors, and pattern are so rich, stylish, and happy.  


                                                               {photos via arrow and apple}
Sweet and simple paper detail love.

 Have a wonderful day!

xx
sharon

Friday, October 5, 2012

Three Ways to Style a Dresser



This dresser is one of my all time faves at the shop.  The brass hardware gives me crazy-highs it's so cute! {Cannot believe it's still here.}  This week, I wanted to get my juices flowing after having a brain freeze on a project, so I decided to give myself a little one hour furniture-moving retreat at the back of the shop.   Vignette above is called 'wicker-treat'.  haha.  I hope you get my corny joke.  And yes, everything pictured is for sale in all of these vignettes.


I call this one 'babe-changer'.



And here's the 'deep blue' vignette.

If you'd like to buy this dresser or anything else you see here, or maybe you want to have me come to your home to put a fresh spin on things for you, just give me a call. I'm selling the dresser for $450.


Happy Friday!

xx
sharon

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Throwback Thursday: Where to Save and Where to Splurge

I thought I'd use today to share an example of how I help clients decide where to save and where to splurge with the budget when decorating a space.

Let's face it, not everyone has a huge budget to work with.

Both the table and chairs here were inexpensive flea market finds I found for a client.  The table was painted to match the  Thomasville's chairs and we had them covered in a really soft remnant leather that's used as a liner for the insides of fancy purses.  {LOVE my local leather shop!} Some of the leather pieces had blemishes and faded out spots, but we chose to go with it anyway.  We figured the leather would become worn and weathered anyway. To me, leather only gets richer with age.

So, can you guess where the splurge was on this room??

If you guessed the chandelier, you're right.  This was a commissioned piece from a local glass blowing company.  Can you imagine the time it took to build it?  The installation was fascinating.

Happy Thursday everyone!

xx

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Things We're Falling For

Details we're 'falling' for today...  




Wouldn't it be fun to have a whole row of vintage bikes and wool blankets for a fall party or wedding reception?  A wonderful little bike ride stroll on some scenic property or maybe in a quaint neighborhood where the destination point has a great big roaring bon fire and hot cocoa awaiting...




f

Mugs of hot chocolates with rimmed graham crackers.  So pretty.



An onward from there, the group would ride back to the main house, where ever that might be, to an enticing and whimsical menu board on a paddle hints at what's sure to be a wonderful evening...


How pretty and simple are these sweet velvet ribbon ties?


And how inviting is this spot for dinner?  Oriental rugs, rustic harvest table setting with furs and throws thrown over the backs of rustic chairs.  Perfect for long and lingering dinner conversations over looking the great scenic outdoors!  Thanks for dreaming with me today:)

All images via pinterest.


Have a beautiful fall day today!

xx
sharon

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!



Hi everybody!  Fall is in the air and we have been sprucing up some clients homes with fun pillows, throws, and softer, warmer textures and colors.  These items above are some of my faves for this season.  Leapord prints are supposed to be the new neutral.  What do you think?  Love them or hate them?




Bubs is now climbing ladders on jungle gyms.  We've been enjoying these crisp fall afternoons outside.  My new work schedule allows me to take off from 2 o'clock on.  The plus side to that is I get to spend more time with my babies, the downside is I'm getting up far earlier.  


Will and I had a date night two weeks ago to celebrate six years. He ordered two dozen oysters on the half shell to mark the end of summer.   Goodbye summer and hello fall!

Have a wonderful week!

xx
sharon