I swear it's the same room...

I love it when I get a chance to rework a room that starts out looking like this...

Almost like a time capsule from 1983 or something. :) So cool. 

This powder room is a part of a whole-house renovation I have been a part of since last summer--and the whole house was still back in 1983 or so. Fantastic!!!  It has been a very exciting project, and I can't wait to show you more in the months to come.

For now, this little bathroom was one of the first rooms to be completed, and here's what it looks like now: 

Hard to believe that it is the same space, right? However there is something in the room that never changed...

Because the original vanity was of good quality, and in good shape, we decided to keep it and paint it a rich charcoal color.

The old hardware had a nice patina, so we kept that too, and brought in the other elements--a funky new vessel sink, oil-rubbed bronze single handle faucet, lantern sconces, a gorgeous new mirror, a remnant of quartz for the countertop-- to bring the whole thing together.

So much fun. 

Maybe we should all share our photos of what we looked like back in 1983!

Ok...maybe not. :)

You'd better not mess this up...

What kinds of kind, encouraging stuff do you say to yourself (I bet it is really, really good!) when you are starting a new project around the house? 

I bet you say things like: 

"You got this, girl! This is going to be awesome!"

or

"I can't wait to do this! This is going to be easy and I am going to make this beautiful!"

WAIT A MINUTE. Why are you laughing??

Okay. So, I admit it.  I KNOW THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING TO YOURSELF is ANYTHING BUT KIND AND ENCOURAGING when you contemplate making changes around your house.

How do I know? Well, you have told me in many, many ways. 

I see the uncomfortable looks I get when you ask me a question about clutter. I see the sweat on your brow when you answer the door--you have been rushing around trying to pull things together before I arrive. You have told me the stories about all the things you have done in the past to make your rooms more livable--that didn't work out how you hoped, kinda fell on their face, and took the wind out of your sails--

 and you have even said things like:

"Shouldn't I just know how to do this by myself??"

Maybe you have been living in a house that has been disappointing you for years, with its drab rooms, stuff stacked in corners,  and lack of pulled-togetherness...

and you have been blaming yourself the whole time, since, you know, you're just supposed to know how to do these things...like intuitively, like without any effort, AND IN YOUR ABUNDANCE OF SPARE TIME. 

uh. no. 

I am here to tell you that it is TOTALLY OKAY NOT TO KNOW how to clear out draining clutter, pick the perfect paint color that will make a room sing, purchase furniture that will fit in a space and create an inviting conversation area, or know what light fixture would be gorgeous over your heirloom dining table (which you're not quite sure why you've kept all these years, because you aren't sure you really ever liked it anyway...). 

Because I know how frustrating draining rooms can be, I just wrote a new little booklet that can help you identify the mistakes we most often make that keep our rooms from feeling like home: 

You can get your FREE copy HERE.  

Go grab yours now, and see how the insights it contains can help you to rethink and rework your rooms in a meaningful way. :)

Good luck and enjoy! Blessings to you dear friends!!!

Your Daily Dose of Beautiful Simplicity...

It is really easy to think that creating beauty is hard. That's what keeps us from even trying most of the time, I think. 

I love all the sunlight, the clean off-white trim, the soft grey walls in the photo above.  This is the "maid's hall," a previously forgotten area of my clients' cottage I have been working on in Maine. This area was always meant to be plain and utilitarian, and I feel proud that the new paint colors we chose for the space have highlighted and enhanced all that beautiful simplicity. 

I feel like it just glows. 

What simplicity can you embrace and highlight in your home this week?

Think of things that are easy to do and will put a smile on your face right away (i.e. add a vase of flowers in your entryway, take down a picture you've never really liked, put five things away in a room of your choice, put a gorgeous bowl of seasonal fruit on the kitchen table, etc...) And then do them.

Believe me, you deserve a dose of beautiful simplicity each day. :)

p.s. By the way, have you seen the video tour we did of this house last summer? I have to say, I was shocked last week when my son informed me that we have now surpassed over 75,000 views for this on YouTube.

WHAT?!? 

75,000? Sheesh. I am not sure why, but I am glad. :)

If you haven't seen it yet, take a look!

A Quick BEFORE & AFTER

I love it when something with character and history can be saved & restored, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when my client found a pair of charming vintage chairs that perfectly fit the space we were working on in her beautiful foyer. 

Just because they looked like this at the time didn't deter us at all!

I got busy finding some fabrics to compliment the look we wanted for the space...

And soon enough they were back from the upholsterer's. We put them in place with the complimenting table and fun, funky accessories... 

With the large lantern making a statement at the top of this dramatic entry hall, and this quaint pair of antique chairs anchoring the space, the foyer of this historic home is coming together and feels more and more welcoming and inviting. :) 

It finally happened on Monday...

HOORAY! Finally it is here. Monday it was official! Even with all of the weird warm weather a few weeks ago, the fact that Monday was the first day of spring still makes me giddy. :)

With last week's snow,  I am willing to bet that most of the time you have spent on your front step or porch lately has been time spent shoveling....ugh and ICK.

Enough of that already.

It is time for an entirely different experience....

And it is time for a quick House Whisperer assignment aimed at helping you love your house a little more in 15 minutes or less!!!

Grab your timer, your broom, and your best tune to whistle. I'll meet you outside!

1. Set Your Timer--Just 15 Minutes: Once the timer starts, grab anything and everything that is still on the front porch that says "winter" (practically a dirty word at this point). No lingering pine cones, dead evergreens, decorations with snowflakes (what were we thinking?!?)--and for goodness sake, grab the snow shovel that is still propped there.  Put all of these things away wherever they go--either in the trash, storage or in your car to donate.
2. Sweep, Sweep, Sweep!!: Lift up the mat, pull out the porch furniture, get behind the pots... and sweep, sweep, sweep all of those old dead leaves and drab winter grit right out of there! YAY!
3. Hope You Are Whistling...it is required.
4. Just Before The Timer Goes Off-- straighten chairs, and put things back in place. Be sure to step back and admire your work!

Congratulations! You have just created a more welcoming entry for visitors, and most importantly for YOU & your family.  What a way to welcome SPRING! :)

FOR EXTRA CREDIT: Stop at your local garden center and treat yourself to a happy little six pack of pansies. Plop them in your planters or in the ground near your front door. They don't mind the cold, and will greet you with cheer and color from now until summer....

This House Whisperer assignment is supposed to be fun not overwhelming! Set your timer, and have fun. Can't wait to hear how it goes!

I hope that this month's assignment puts a smile on your face, as well as a song in your heart--whistling while cleaning is one of my favorites! :) Hope you will stop by my page on Facebook and comment about your sweeping adventure. Happy Spring!