My Empty Room...the saga continues!

We moved into our home almost a year ago. It is a true work in progress. We have done many updates throughout the house; painted about every wall, replaced light fixtures and ceiling fans, replaced bathroom and kitchen faucets as well as knobs on the bathroom cabinets. We bought our very first dining room set this past fall that I just adore. The next big project in our home is furnishing the formal living room. I have been looking at furniture for a formal living room for over 3 years now. You see, in our last home we also had an empty formal living room! Never filled with anything but our Christmas tree once a year. I don't know how much longer I will be able to handle an empty room. To make matters worse, it is the front room of the house, the first thing you see when you walk in! Oh, the HORROR!!! My sweet husband has offered to buy me a chair for the room for my upcoming birthday, but I am still undecided about a sofa. When I design a space for someone else, I usually start with the biggest piece and work my way around from there. These are the sofas I have had my eye on for a few years now. I would love to know what sofas you like and what ideas you might have for me!! Maybe someone should just design this space for me so it will actually get done!! (All sofas are Martha Stewart for Bernhardt www.bernhardt.com)

Pretty in Pink

When I was about 5, my parents decided to move into a different house. The requirements were simple; bigger, better. I on the other hand, being the juinior designer that I was, had a much more demanding request. I had to have a pink room. Not just any pink, the color of bubble gum was my preferred choice. I don't remember any homes we looked at that day except for the one my parents ended up buying. You better believe that house had a pink room! Pink carpet, pink floral wallpaper, pink blinds. It was a junior designers dream come true! I can still remember the way my furniture looked in that room. I remember my dad tearing down the wallpaper to put up a new more subtle pink floral wallpaper that I had helped my mom pick out. I remember the bedspread I selected and the artwork on my walls. Especially the hand painted ice cream cone that said "Meredith" in pink letters of course. I loved that room and still to this day it makes me smile to think about it. If I had my way, I would still have a pink room in my home. Pink is one of those colors that just makes you feel good. Pink is a color that brings back so many wonderful memories for me. What colors bring back good memories for you?

Light and Breezy

We have been having such great weather lately. Sunny, mild tempuratures, slight breezes. It makes me feel drawn to images of rooms that appear to be light, breezy and cozy. The perfect places to curl up and read a book, take a nap or make a tall glass of iced tea. Ahhhh....spring!

Designing on a Budget

I often have clients who are scared out of their minds to hire me. While I am extremely intimidating (HEHE!! I wish!), it is just silly. They feel like I am going to come into their home, and FORCE them to buy a bunch of expensive items that they don't need and can't afford. Well, little do they know, I am actually on their side! I know what it means to work with a budget and even to work under that budget. That is part of my job. My job is pretty simple, to make your home/office into the space you want it to be, and do so while following your budget. That has always been my main goal while running my business. I want to help EVERYONE achieve the vision they have for their space, no matter how much or how little they have to spend. Its just what I do!

With that being said, I have a few tips for decorating on a budget. I believe spring is the best time to freshen up a room and make it an inviting and functional space. Sometimes the smallest changes can make a big difference in the way your home looks and feels. Here are a few ideas:

1. Choose one new color for your room and pull it into slipcovers, rugs, place mats or curtains. It creates a newness and cohesiveness. Spray paint a lamp base or a picture frame the same shade to tie everything together.

2. Dress up a wall by adding a tight group of your favorite pictures. Pull your chosen color in with the matting and the frames. Vary the width and length of the frames to add visual interest and depth to the wall.

3. Make or purchase new pillow covers. They are actually pretty easy to make. You would not believe what a difference new pillows make in a space!! And its really inexpensive!

4. PAINT! Painting is one of the most inexpensive things you can do to a room and make a really big impact. Your room will look and feel brand new!!

I hope this gives you all some ideas to freshen up your space, without spending a ton of money!! Maybe this will inspire some of you for that weekend project!! Send me a message and pics of what you design this weekend!!

Dash & Albert

Recently, I seem to be researching a great deal of rugs. Floral rugs, traditional rugs, stripes, you name it,I am looking for it. In my search I always come back to one of my favorite companies Dash & Albert. Named for 2 sweet pups, I think these rugs are really great to look at and even better to step on. They offer a variety of indoor and outdoor rugs, as well as bags and pillows. They remind me of summer with their bright vibrant colors. Please take a look at their website for more info and ideas: www.dashandalbert.com.

I Want a New Bathroom To!!!

For the past few weeks, I have been helping clients create dream bathrooms. Kind of makes me jealous and sad!! I deserve a new bathroom to!! Although, I do get great joy when my clients see their finished project for the first time! My master bathroom is perfectly fine for now, with newly updated faucets and a light fixture. (Thanks Grant!) But I still can't help but dream of the day I can curl up in a beautiful new tub and relax. Here are some bathrooms that are inspiring me today. Are any of you longing to create a new bath retreat? Let me know what your inspiration is!

My New Egg Pictures

It never fails. When I am shopping for a client, I usually find something for myself. Today I decided to visit one of my favorite stores, Lola Rue. This store has so many great finds. Old windows, distressed and painted furniture, beautiful linens, decorative pictures. You name it, she has it. I love this store and would really just like to move in and live there! It makes me happy and inspires me each time I visit. Today while shopping for accessories for a client, I found these little egg pictures and could not resist bringing them home. I have no idea what I will do with them or where I will put them, but I had to have them. There was something about the colors and the simplicity that spoke to me. Lately I find myself drawn to bird themed items. I am not sure why I feel this way. Maybe its spring, the birds chirping each morning, sitting on the trees in front of my house. Or maybe, it is the little nest of baby birds under our deck that my sweet husband has become obsessed with! (He is always asking me to come and look at the birds!) Whatever the reason, the egg pictures made there way into my house. I am thrilled with my $8 purchase and can't wait to find the perfect display for my eggs. I'd love to hear your ideas! What would you do with these pictures????

Wind Down to the Weekend

I often come across interior pictures that really inspire me. This has been a busy week, and looking at these fabulous rooms is a great way to wind down for the weekend. Hope you all have a wonderful and beautiful weekend!!