Living and Life

Hi Sweet Summer Friends!

Via Pinterest 

I love this glass cabinet above.  We are working on having some similar looking moveable furniture custom made to put into a kitchen.

Via Pinterest 

I love this kitchen for the open shelving and classic lines and that viking hood and wolf range!

My interns, Robin, Sara, and Shelbi have been working hard to get my back room organized among other things. This clipboard wall of to-do's and projects is in the process being painted with black chalkboard paint so we can change project names under each clipboard.

Summer time is here and it always makes me a little sentimental for my own childhood days and .  I'm flooded with my mom memories right now and thinking on all the days of summer that were so structured with 3/4th work day and 1/4th fun.  We never got to go the pool unless the thermometer reading was 90+ degrees and it was only after we had completed painting some piece of furniture, hung the laundry out on the line, read a book, and prepped the evening meal that we were allowed to take off for a bit of time.

There is something about summer this year that has me thinking more about my own mortality.  Maybe it's turning 40.  Maybe it's having an 18 year old and a baby mixed with those "mom" memories.  

I'm reminded of the quote "Don't get so busy making a living, that you forget to make a life."  

....So, on that note, I've been taking off a wee bit early lately to go do the following...

Decorating and rearranging with Will at our house.    

My Baby! So curious =) 

 Syl chose to wear her american astronaut suit to school one day this past week. She chose to go against her standard every day pink dress.  Even if the pink dress is dirty, she still wears it.

Instagram pic of sprinkler babies.

My 16 year old Louis is scoring an amazing goal here at State Cup.  Unfortunately the other team won by a one goal deflection off of us and ended up winning state cup.  Oh well, maybe next year.  It sure is fun to watch him play.

Charlie was in charge here for a pre-fourth sparkler fest.

Eleanor under her Grandma Carol's tree that was dedicated to Rountree Elementary after she passed away.  It was Eleanor's idea to have her picture taken here.  Talk about tear jerking me!


Well, back to work this am, but are you taking time off to slow down and enjoy life this summer?  I hope so!  Happy early 4th from all of us here at Pickwick House!!


xx
sharon

Summer Dreaming + Scheming

Hi there.  Believe it or not, I'm back to being a somewhat narrative decorator again {for today anyway}.  My posts have been occasional and few lately because frankly, I'm swamped with work and managing all the things that come along with the biz.   I don't know where to begin on updates.  It hurts to think about the amounts of things we have under our belt.

We do have three new interns at Pickwick House that I'm thrilled to have this summer.   They've been extremely helpful in helping me update Pickwick House internally and externally.  I will be introducing them to you soon.

Things I am loving right now...

Sun drenched light and a good, cold frappe from Boca Mocha.  I'm SOOO happy to say we found the time to shoot that great little coffee/cafe shop #commercial space that we designed over a year ago.  Scott Cotton Photography

While it's hot out there, I really do dream of days where I can lounge by the pool and read a leisurely good book without the interruptions.  In the mean time, while my business is taking baby steps and strides forward, I am taking small bites out of this book below....

The Business of Design book by Keith Granet.  It's teaching me much-much about balancing creativity and profitability.  

OVERBOARD in a good way

{My instagram from Lindsay White and Caleb Johnson's Wedding Set-up}

Hi All... I know it's been a while since I've visited this dusty old posting site called "the blog".  This week I turn 40.  Many hoo-rahs and a few brouhahas...

Balancing is a never-ending challenge.  This image above is a good depiction of how "overboard" I feel inside.  Now overboard can mean a good thing and it can mean a not so good thing....

My oldest had a graduation party over the weekend.

Now when we were planning details out for the party, I told her we didn't need to go overboard on things with too many indulgent desserts for the party.  She replied with "Mom, I LOVE overboard.  I'm doing "overboard".

I decided I liked her playfully energetic response and challenge to my boring, reserved, tight self.  6 dozen different flavored cupcakes of hers were gobbled up at that party...all on her "overboard" proclamation.    

Grateful for all of the experiences and celebrations, and sweet people in my life that are providing me with some insight, true colors, personal challenges, and richer ideas.

With LOVE and wishes for a fun week for you all!

xx
sharon

4 Style Essentials: Part One

Oh hi there.  I'm back from catching up with voicemails and emails and babies, oh my.  And I also just stopped by LA too.  These are all good problems to have so I've decided to hire a part time manager.  I've had a lot of you asking if we're closing.  Nope.  Just working on projects.  You might find our door locked a lot more than usual lately. It's because we're working away in the back on projects for clients.

While in LA, I keyed in on 4 things I think we could use here in the area for ya'll clients/customers style fluffing areas.  Please feel free to add your two sense too.

First of Four:

Lanterns.  All shapes, metals, and sizes.  For indoor and outdoor usage.   They are well traveled.  Exotic.  Hip.  Timeless {and also the s.e.x.y. word}.  I've already ordered some in for the shop.  I hope they fly out the door.  

I'm in love with this moroccan chandelier from Downtown, LA. 

{WANT.  BAD.}

xx

sharon

Free Friday

Howdy there.  Are you enjoying spring?  These days and nights have been dreamy, huh?  The weather couldn't be any more perfect.  It's days like these that make me intensely wish I was a stay at home mom.

Here are the things I'd do if I had a free friday:

1.  Look through old Cottage Living magazines and design books while sitting on my front porch with my baby.  Then go for a leisurely walk and end up at my sisters house to let Sylvia play with all her cousins.

2.  Dream about creating an outdoor space for my very own as amazing as this one above.  Can you imagine sipping wine and hanging out in this space?!!  That latticed fretwork gable!  The pendant light!  The depth of the bed!

3.  If I had enough time on my free friday, I'd love to go to a nursery and pick out some boxwood to fill some old urns for my back porch, and the storefront. Do you not just love this storefront's amazing awning and drapery above?  Notice the door has a handwritten note taped to it...I imagine my note would say something like, TAKIN A SPRING VACAY DAY.  Sometimes a day off is just what one needs!

How are you soaking up spring?  I hope you find your leisure spot to be exhilarating, uplifting, inspiring, and full of the sweet smell of lilacs.

(all photos sourced thru pinterest}

xx
sharon

Hello Spring Ducklings

Hello-Hello!  How do you like my new blog banner?  I don't know about you, but I've been in the mood for a dose of spring color!

We're so happy to welcome some of the small spring parties here at Pickwick House.  So far, we have booked some showers, birthdays, and graduation parties here in our light-filled showroom/venue.   

And, next week, I'll be doing a taped segment for Easter entertaining and decorating here at Pickwick House for KY3.  Yes, it's almost Easter.  Stay tuned! 

I'm loving Eddie Ross' fresh take on spring here in this Lonny garden party.  Such simple, yet fun centerpieces!  And, of course pink/salmon/coral/tangerine are the HOT colors this year!

I'll try to post more regularly...but should let you know that we are heading on a road buying trip soon.  Then to LA LA land in a few weeks with baby in tow.  Could use some tips on traveling with car seat, stroller, baby, and bags {yikes-ers}. Would also love to know what things you are on the hunt for.  

xx

sharon

One Room Challenge: Week 6

Long time no see!  I've had some REAL issues arise with internet at home and the shop.  It's a season of change for phone, internet, and utilities in both of my spaces.  I've been updating things both internally and externally.  But, hopefully, as of tomorrow, we will have U-verse and I won't be constantly trying to gain access thru a "sometime operable word they call "tethering"".  Fingers crossed {With as few glitches as possible}.

The one room challenge was a REAL challenge to complete for me in six weeks.  I want to thank the sweet and talented Linda for inviting me along for such a fun and fabulous ride.  Thank you Linda!

All in all, my one room challenge literally was done and complete by six weeks.  My last installation took place on week six.

I love it.  My client loves it and I hope it will be loved by many of you. What do you think?  You can reserve your comments for the real photography, in case it's hard to see or if you just plain hate it.  These are just snapshot sneak peeks by me.

See the tapestry that we decided to mount to a frame?  I found that at the Ozarks Greater Garage Sale for a song. That has been my most favorite find.  I think it ties so well with the drapes and bohemian styled console.

The drapes are by loniemae.  Kendra and her mom exceed my wildest expectations every time.  Quality work.  On a deadline.  With some slight hurdles.  Thank you ladies!  I love you and I love your work!!!

Pillows from sweden are from zincdoor.com/.  They are my absolute favorite.  $192 a piece.  Which is a bit expensive for my liking, but well worth it for tying all my colors together.  A little luxurious touch that goes a long way!

The bed is not quite ironed out yet.  We never found a screen to go behind it..  But I found the most amazing sconce thru one of my best friend's Joann, who's also an antique dealer.  I think the sconce screaming for tall kelley green candlesticks, like Barry Dixon shows in all his interior design projects.  I messaged him to ask him where he got his.  He was kind enough to reply!  Did you know he's from the Ozarks?  Check his work out if you have time.  He's an inspiration and a gentle soul.

Okay, jumping back to where I was...What do you think of the bed setting?  Maybe a screen behind it too??  Just haven't found a cool one I like as of yet.

The bedspread is by sferra {Fine luxury linens}.  The pillow cases are again my logo design template that I had screenprinted onto some overstock.com Euro shams.  I absolutely love how they turned out.

The wall art and bed-bench are from onekingslane.com/.  Ufan is the artist.  The bench is by by ottoman empire.  I love it's classic lines which transition from casual to luxurious so well.

The blue and white ikat duvet cover is from cb2.com/.  I feel like it mimics the Ufan water droplet-type prints.

So as you can see I love to use a mix of flea market finds mixed with online/new purchases.

What is your favorite part?  I'd love to hear.

DO please take a look at the other's final one room challenge end alls. They are quite inspiring!


Suzzanne ~ Saved by Suzy

Jayden ~ Dutch.British.Love

Nicole ~ Nicole Scott Design

Kim ~ Kim Macumber Interiors

Emily ~ Rue De Emily

Jennifer ~ The Pink Pagoda

Lisa ~ Trapped in New Jersey

Kelly ~ Refresh Designs

Danylle ~ Nana Moon Shop

Taylor ~ Taylor Morgan

Jen ~ Inside Ways

Linda ~ My Crafty Home Life

Janet ~ House Four

Tiffany ~ Living Savvy

I will be back for many more updates I've been dying to share with you.

xx
sharon