Thinking Outside the Box

The main reason most people stay in the box is because it is oddly comforting.  To step out can be scary.  I think it can be scary because generally people can be judgmental.  But here's the news flash - people will be judgmental regardless of whether you are in or out of the box.  So, think about that the next time you are considering stepping out as it relates to your home.

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If you do venture out, you may find it to be completing liberating!  But you don't have to jump straight away into the deep end.  With my clients, I usually provide little "pushes" that still work with the rest of the pieces in their home.  Just remember, stepping out takes practice.

The trick is to take small steps on occasion.  Then, the occasions will become more frequent; and before you know it, you won't remember where the box was or why you wanted to be in it.

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So, for those who need some suggestions.  Here are just a few ideas to try this Summer.  Let's get your feet wet.  Shall we?

Step 1

Host a gathering, and set the Bar up using your kitchen sink.  Try it, it'll be fun.

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Step 2

Add one unexpected Pop of color - maybe the color of the year?  

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Step 3

Host a dinner party and invite two couples you've never invited to your home.  Don't just stick with your besties on this one - step out.  

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These days most people got out for dinner.  So, believe it or not, the rare occasion when someone invites you to their home becomes very special.

Step 4

Rearrange your family room so the TV is no longer the main focal point!  

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I did this in my own family room last summer, and we never seemed to watch TV.  The main seating area was on the opposite side of the room.  So, we usually hung out and talked or played cards - very refreshing change for the summer.

Step 5

Consider restyling your accessories for the summer.  

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It's fun to go out and pick up some inexpensive accessories and then blend those in with your other things.  Or, look around your closet for something interesting to use - even a sun hat can be interesting!  I love switching up my accessories for the summer months.  Then, when Fall arrives and I pull them back out, they feel new again.  This also forces you to try them in new and unexpected places.  

Who knows?  If you step outside the box, you may create something wonderful. 

Have a great day! M.

Absolutely stunning bathrooms

There is something about a wonderful bathroom. You can shut the door and escape, even if it’s just for a short while. If you're one for rituals, undoubtedly a couple of yours take place there. For me it's a space where it's okay for me to say, "No, you can't come in," and enjoy some privacy and personal space. There is nothing like a bath, candlelight, and a good book.

Through and through I am a fan of white interiors, but there is something so luxurious about a small room painted in such a rich color. My tiny kitchen is navy blue and it makes it feel more expensive than it really is. And that chandelier! To me, anytime there is upholstery in the bathroom it feels elegant to me.

Love that showerhead! Even if you don't have the funds to renovate your bathroom, changing out your hardware and faucets can make a huge impact. Mira Showers Shower Accessories is one of several fantastic suppliers. I'm not usually drawn to the industrial look, but this is still clean and elegant. The gold sink hardware is nice to balance it out too. I’m also a fan of the wood paneled ceiling. This bathroom by a fab designer I just discovered - Summer Thornton

I have a weakness for leaded glass windows or anything that looks like leaded glass. What do you think of the prints hanging over the window molding?

The master bath in our new home has dual sinks, and I cannot wait! Finally sweetums and I won't be dancing around the sink both trying to brush our teeth at the same time!

That black tile is so gorgeous. And the simple glass shower guard doesn't disrupt from the view. I also LOVE having a window in the shower! I could never have a rain showerhead though, because I don't wash my hair every time I get in the shower.

I would prefer to see just one tile size used here, but the vanity top is perfect.

Even if you don't have a fancy glass or walk in shower, a lux shower curtain or an ottoman or chair can add a glamorous touch. The pop of color from the rug is cute, too.

Do you have any tricks to make your bathroom feel more glamorous or restful?

1. House Beautiful, 2. Houzz via Summer Thornton, 3-4. BHG, 5. Elle Decor, 6. Houzz, 7. Lonny Mag

disclosure*: This a guest post by Mira Showers

We're officially homeowners - and some adorable pics of our new puppy!

Yesterday we closed on our first home, and what a good feeling it was to have the keys in our hands!  My godson was also born yesterday, AND I surprised Chris with a puppy for his 30th birthday on Saturday - so an eventful week all around!

Our adorable furry bundle is named Sammy, and he's a 15-week half Boxer half German Shepherd that we rescued.  It was love at first site! We spent the weekend at my parent's farm, where he got to meet his canine cousins, Juno, Remi, and Storm, and all the other animals on the farm, which include pigs, chickens, turkeys, and sheep.

Adoring daddy

Wherever uncle Remi went, Sammy was sure to follow

We required lots of snoozes between playing

Sammy meets this year's rams.

We got Sammy from Must Love Dogs Rescue of Maryland, and they were absolutely wonderful to work with and took such good care of Sammy before he came home to us!

Eye on Art - Liza Hathaway Matthews

I was recently introduced to the beautiful abstracts of Liza Matthews, and I've been smitten ever since.  If you're looking for a bit of a Wow factor, look no more!   I'll let the art do the talking today.

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I hope you have marvelous day! M.

Curb Appeal - Before and Afters

Who doesn't love a good before and after? Am I right?!  And what better way to kick off Memorial Day than with a great example of the power of paint (and a little muscle).

Here's where the journey began.  My cute clients purchased this house about a year ago, and it looked like this . . . 

First, they enlisted the help of one of my all time favorite landscape architects here in Birmingham, Randy McDaniel.   His plans focus on highlighting the positives, downplaying the negatives and never allowing the landscape to upstage the house itself.  A very tall order!  Since this house sits on a corner lot (the other street is to your right in the photo), Randy worked hard to create primary and secondary focal points in his landscape design plan.  My clients are still working on installing the landscaping material; but here is a picture of the house following the clearing to ready the area for the new plantings.  

As an aside, my clients did a lot of the work themselves, but when it came time to cut the trees, they brought in the professionals.  The day before, they did this to the trees!  People driving by were stopping and looking in total confusion.

Then, for the paint.  Once we were really able to see the house, we got busy selecting paint colors.  It was clear it needed to be lightened up, but selecting an off white can be very daunting.  Too white and it feels stark and blinding.  Too warm and it comes off yellow.  A very fine line.  We narrowed the field to two Ben Moore colors for the body of the house.  In the end, here's the color we selected - China White.

 Then we selected a Farrow and Ball color for the front door.

If you notice, one of the issues this house had was two doors on the front of the house.  Here's a picture of it again for you to see.  People would have trouble deciding which door to go to when visiting the home.

The main door (to the right in the image above) opens into a gorgeous vaulted foyer, and the door to the left opens into the mudroom area with the kitchen beyond.  So, we decided to paint the secondary door the house body color so that it would disappear, giving the main front door all the focus.   I think it worked - paint is an amazing thing.

Also, notice we have removed the railings from the front entrance.  It looks so much bigger and more inviting with these removed.  The lighter paint in the alcove of the front door is also more welcoming.   The plan is to include some large planters on either side of the door, but patience!  All in due time!   I will post pictures once the front yard is complete.  You will not believe how pretty it's going to be once everything is installed.

Don't forget to hug a Veteran today!  Their sacrifices are the reason we enjoy the freedoms we do in this great country.     M.  

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