Time flies

How is it that October is almost gone? Time flies by so quickly sometimes doesn't it?

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Years ago when my husband and I were searching for our first home I wanted to find a house that we would live in forever. I had dreams of a place where my children would bring home their children some day. We found a starter home in the neighborhood we had dreamed of but could barely afford and I deemed it our 'five-year-at-best' home. We would start here and then look for that perfect 'stay-forever-and-have-the-grandkids-over' house, I thought. That never happened. This October marks the 24th anniversary of us living in our first and only home. It has certainly changed over the years. In fact there is not much that hasn't been changed. We pushed out and then out again. We added rooms and moved walls and changed wall colors more times than I can count. It is not big by today's standard and it is not the best lot in the neighborhood but it is the place where two beautiful girls grew up, took piano lessons, swam in the pool all summer long and loved three amazing dogs. There are so many memories tied to this 'five-year-at-best' house turned into our little 'stay-forever-and-have-the-grandkids-over' home that I can't imagine living anywhere else. Bedrooms have been turned into offices and the pool is not used as much anymore but last night I witnessed the most amazing thing. I watched as my daughter gave my new little granddaughter, a bath in the same bathtub that she had spent countless hours playing in with her little sister so many years ago. Time flies by so quickly.

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October marks another anniversary this year as it marks one year since I started blogging.

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It has been an amazing journey writing posts, reading other blogs and most importantly, getting to know some amazing bloggers who put their heart and soul out there for anyone to read - generously sharing their talents, ideas and passion for design and life itself. I have grown as a designer by being exposed to (and challenged by) so many wonderful ideas and I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of writing down and documenting my own ideas and thoughts this year. But mostly I have enjoyed getting to know you.

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Without you this blog would be pointless. I am so grateful for everyone who stops by to take a look at what I have to say. I value each and every comment left on my blog, those of you who email me, and even those who never comment but I know take a peek at what I am up to every once in a while. This last month I have not had much time to post as frequently and have missed keeping up with the many, many blogs that I love to read and even worse, I have not replied back to so many of you who have left lovely comments for me ... and so I wanted to take this opportunity to say how important you are to me, how touched I am that not only do you look at what I write but you take the time to leave sweet and encouraging comments. From the bottom of my heart .... Thank you! I hope you have a blessed Sunday!

"The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make his face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The LORD turn his face towards you

and give you peace."

(Numbers 6:24-26)

Harbour house reno: part two ... and a half

I love closure. I like to check off my boxes and cross off my lists. Before I "decorated" for a living, I was a dental hygienist. At the end of each hour appointment, the patient was completed and my job was done. Finished. Checked off. At least until they had to come back again. It was a little bit like doing laundry. Or dishes. You can completely finish the job, sit back and enjoy a task completed. And that feels so good. But it is not long until there is another dish to wash and more laundry in the basket. But, Oh! I soooo enjoy those moments when all is done and there is not a single towel to wash and the dishwasher is empty and every dish is put away.

{Dave Church}

Decorating is rarely like that. It seems there is always something that comes up just as you think you are done and closure is harder to find. Today was kind of like that. I delivered the last of the pillows for a remodel I started in the summer. The project had dragged on and on as cabinets needed to be re-worked (a contractor's miscalculation), then the re-worked cabinets had to be painted (again). There was furniture that took forever to be delivered and a table that never got sealed.

I shared some of the remodel here and here but I had not seen all the cabinets completed, painted and with the hardware on. I couldn't wait to see it all finished today. I excitedly brought my camera along to capture the completed job and was looking forward to posting "part three" of this reno. But that didn't happen. When I got there, some things were done, but some were not. So I did not get the finished photos I was hoping for. Or the closure. However,  it was nice to see what had changed since I was there last and even if it is slower than I would like, it is still progress. And I think that is just like life. You have to look at what is getting done, not what isn't.

To remind you, here are a few before photos:

And here is what it look likes today:

The cabinets are completed and the hardware installed:

New swivel chair delivered. This will be a perfect chair to sit in and enjoy that morning cup of coffee.

The mantle is re-styled ...

And the photo wall almost done:

But the gorgeous farmhouse table is still not sealed and it sits, un-used, with the dining chairs stored in the garage. Ah, I so wanted to see it done.

And again I am reminded ... "Genius is eternal patience." (Michelangelo).

Drapery install

The drapes were installed on this project last week ...



This was the room before:

It was heavy and outdated and ready for a change. A color palate was selected ...

Furniture was purchased and placed around the updated fireplace (see post about that here) ...

Accessories added ...

And finally ... the drapes and pillows made ...

I'm still waiting for the window seat cushion and woven wooden blinds but I am loving what the new fabrics have already done for the room!

No worries

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

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"Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear."

{or where you will live, or what next year will bring, or how you are going to do what you think you need to do ... and what if that happens or what if it doesn't ...}

"Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?'" (Luke 12:22-26) 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

A master closet

I styled the first phase of a master closet today. The closets were installed a few weeks ago and after the client put 75% of her clothes and shoes in, I came out and helped her decide what the best use of her new space would be. I measured for storage containers and accessories and brought them out today. As I usually do, I brought out much more than would be needed and then I "play". I need to pick up a few more containers, a couple of shelves need to be added and then I will come back and complete the closet.

The client wanted a girly closet. She lives with all boys (three little ones and one big one). This is the one room in their house that is all hers. My favorite things we put in are the carpet and the chandelier. The carpet was selected in less than ten minutes at a carpet store that my client had found near her house - the minute I saw it I knew that it was perfect! The chandelier we bought at Lamps Plus. The wall color is Benjamin Moore's Wythe Blue HC-143.

The table is from HomeGoods - it is lightweight and can be moved if she needs to access the drawers next to it which she is storing things she rarely uses. She wanted some place to throw clothes when she is in a hurry.

While we were shopping for ceiling fixtures, we found this great ottoman and it was the perfect addition to the master bath. I love how it is an extension to her closet and creates an area to sit and put on shoes. It also separates her vanity from her husband's giving her a more defined space.

I shopped at The Container Store for the storage boxes and baskets and HomeGoods for all the accessories. My favorite find was the mirror - it could not have been more perfect and I was able to get the manager to reduce it to $21.00 because it had some minor paint flaws - nothing that can't be touched up.

I love productive days like this. 

This gift you were given today

I saw this in one of my favorite stores on 2nd Street in Belmont Shore today, Blue Windows.

It made me think of this:

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom"

-Psalm 90:12 

"This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

{Book of Common Prayer - 1979}