Precious Items

I just read a lovely blog post from "A Designers Tale" blogger, Lory, who recently lost a dear friend that she purchased many of her furniture pieces from.  Those pieces are very special to her and she will always treasure them.  I don't have many sentimental or special pieces of furniture or artwork in my home.  But two years ago, I was given artwork from a neighbor that I did not know before January 13, 2013.  This family consisted of a husband, wife, and 5 year old son.  The family moved to the US from China, California, and then Arkansas.  On that cold day in January 2013, my neighbor's wife left her home around 8:00 am with her 5 year old son in the back seat.  Her vehicle slid on black ice and went into one of the retention ponds in my neighborhood.  Sadly, the mother died that day and the son passed away in January 2015.  Unfortunately, he was in a vegetative state for the remainder of his life. 

The father wanted to move out of the house because he was so grief stricken.  I got to know him while his son was in the hospital.  When my neighbor was packing up his house, he offered me four pictures of needle point artwork that his wife made.  I told him that I could not accept that and he needs to keep it for his own memories.  He said it was too painful for him to keep. So, I took the artwork home and the pictures sat in my closet for two years.  I wasn't sure how I could use the artwork in my house.  His wife did four needle point pictures of the four seasons: winter, summer, spring, and fall.  The needle point pattern is Asian, and I don't have anything that closely resembles anything Asian in my house.  A few weeks ago, I was putting away boots and other winter items and I saw the pictures in my closet.  I decided to hang them in my dining room.  I had space on both sides of my buffet table, so I hung them there.  I don't know why it took me so long to hang this artwork, but I am so glad I did.  I think they look lovely in my dining room.  Although I never met the artist, I am grateful to have this artwork. 

Here is how my dining room looked before the artwork was hung:

Here is how the dining room looks after:

Thanks for the inspiration Lory!

Presenting My New Contemporary Bedroom!

Hello again!

I didn't think it would take me so long to get my room together.  For about 6 weeks, I had two dressers and two sets of nightstands in my bedroom.  I had to wait for my mother to move out before I could move the old furniture pieces to the new space.  My brother assembled  the new bed in my bedroom and the poster bed was placed in the garage.  I don't know how I was able to live in this mess, but it all turned out okay. 

I had upholstered bed picked out, but I knew that I wanted furniture pieces that did not typically look like bedroom furniture.  I have a good friend who manages a local furniture store and he also decorates on the side.  While I was looking for furniture pieces, I would show them to him to get his thoughts. 

I selected the console because I still needed a dresser, but I didn't want a traditional dresser.  This console is actually made for housing entertainment units (stereo, DVR, cable box), but with the three drawers and available shelving, I decided it would be perfect to use as a dresser.  Also, the console is equipped with infra-red, so that I can put the cable-box in the cabinet.  I no longer have an armoire.  That was a difficult decision to make because I never liked decorating with electronics, but I caved in and decided to show the TV.  My brother will mount the TV on the wall (hopefully soon). 

The night stands are actually entertainment chests.  They have no drawers, but instead have shelves.  That took a little getting used to, but I loved the look of the chests.  The lamps I already had and they go perfect with the furniture. 

I also needed a contemporary chair so the old one had to go.  And, I ordered new draperies, which have not come in yet.

Here is the end result:

 

 

 

 

I didn't think I would love the contemporary look for myself, but I really like how the room turned out.  My decorator friend gave me this advice, "if you are going to make a change, make a big change, make a splash!!"

 

 

Be sure to post a comment if you want!

 

 

Coming Soon....

At the start of 2015, I was thinking about what I could decorate next in my house.  My mother moved into her own place the first of April, so that meant I  had two bedrooms to decorate.  Yeeaahh!! 

I initially selected the upholstered bed to put in the guest room.   But, I have been thinking about changing up the look of the room. I've had most of the furniture in my bedroom since 1994.  I didn't want to get rid of the furniture, so I decided to move this furniture to my mother's former bedroom and redecorate my bedroom.  

I have always liked the look of contemporary furnishings,  but have always been afraid to use them for myself.  Well, I'm stepping out of the box and trying something new.  Here is a sneak preview of some of the pieces:

 

 

Queen Bed

 

Console by Hooker Furniture

Chest by Hooker Furniture

 

 

 

Chair by Best Furniture

 

Yep, I still have a pillow fetish!

When I put away my Christmas decorations,  I couldn't decide what pillows I wanted to place on my sofa and chairs. Of course,  I could always go out in my garage and pull pillows out of the storage bins:

I'm kind of embarrassed to show this, but hey, it is what it is!

So I went to my favorite store, At Home,  to purchase new pillows.  I did try to use existing pillows,  but it just wasn't working for me.

It's nice,  but kind of blah.   I wanted more color and ended up with this:

Flashback to my bathroom color disaster.  I thought the teal would look good with the chocolate walls.   Boy, was I wrong. So I bag up all the pillows and go back to the store.  Here's what I came home with:

The pillows are the exact same type and pattern as the photo above but a much softer color.  The best part is I only paid $53 for five pillows!  At these prices, this is why I have a pillow fetish. 

Don't be shy, comments are greatly appreciated!

Eureka! I found the perfect floor lamp!

I rearranged my living room several months ago.   The chair I sit in when I'm vegging out on TV or reading decorating magazines needed a floor lamp.  I had a floor lamp in my bedroom and I moved it to the living room.  The lamp wasn't doing much for my space.   It was functional, but it had zero WOW! factor.  The lamp has a straight post and a lampshade with beaded tassels.   

I placed the lamp back in my bedroom.  It's a nice lamp, but no "WOW!"

This week I was working in Helena-West Helena, AR.  The bank building I was working in has a wonderful interior design shop on the third floor of the building called "Imagine That Design".  You would have to know what Helena-West Helena is like to appreciate that a place like this even exists!

During my lunch breaks,  I would go to the third floor to see all of the beautiful furniture and accessories in this shop.  While there, I spotted a floor lamp that was perfect for my living room. It has a linen drum shade and crystal pendants for a touch of bling.

LOVE IT!!!

I'll be back there next week to see what else I can come home with.  I think I'm going to need a SUV!

Don't be shy, feel free to comment!

Just Wow!

I was invited to my friends' home the Sunday before Christmas.  I always enjoy attending parties at their home.  My friends are antique collectors.  The first time I stepped into the foyer, the house blew my mind.  There is so much to process in this home.  I have been a guest here at least a half-dozen times, and I always see things that I had not seen in the past.  It's always a treat to be invited to their home during the Christmas season because the house is absolutely gorgeous.  I can't describe it in words, you have to see it for yourself.  Although, the pictures do not do it justice.

Formal Living Room

Formal Living Room

Library

Library

Gentlemen's Den

Grand Foyer

Although this home is very beautiful, I would never want a home like this for myself.  I cannot imagine dusting and cleaning this house.  My friends have very valuable antique furnishings and artwork.  It's actually like stepping into a museum.

My Nephew's FIRST Paid Decorating Job!!!

My great nephew Ka'Run just had his first paid decorating job!!  He was recommended by one of his instructors to decorate a home in the Dallas area for Christmas.  He decorated two trees and did the banister on the stairwell.  He did a FANTASTIC job!!!  I am very proud of my nephew, as if you couldn't tell.  When he was younger, I would take him with me to see the designer show homes.  I wanted Ka'Run to have exposure to beautifully decorated homes.  I remember the first time I stepped inside of a house that was nicely decorated.  At that moment, I knew that I wanted a home with beautiful furnishings and accessories.  Sometimes I wondered if my nephew was paying attention to what I was trying to teach/show him.  Well, I guess he was.