There was just one thing missing...

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I guess there was only one thing missing in my clients’ brand new, spa-like, luxurious master bathroom…

Minion body wash.

I love so many things about my clients, not the least of which is their joy for life and sense of humor. And I especially love helping them create beautiful spaces that feel like home to them—spaces where one’s Minion body wash fits perfectly on a custom inset marble shelf…

Minions and marble go perfectly together.

Stay tuned! I am so excited to show you the gorgeous Before & After shots from this master bath transformation next week. YAY!

Because you have been caring for everyone else...

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Earlier this month, as I sat in a room full of other successful women whom I admire, I was amazed to hear the common theme that came up in our conversation…

While we each were working hard to care for so many other people and things in our lives—parents, children, spouses, faith communities, school programs, volunteer organizations, and of course our businesses—the thing that was not on the list, or maybe was near the very bottom— was caring for and nurturing ourselves.

One of the women asked the follwing question:

“It is so easy to treat ourselves—do things that we would enjoy—but we still don’t do it. Why?”

Hmmmm…

Things like enjoyment, pleasure, beauty, gladness, contentment, satisfaction, & joy are the earmarks of a life well-lived, but many of these women admitted to waiting for permission, or waiting for it to be “the right time” before they felt they could pursue these amazing life-giving things.

Our houses show this hesitation to put ourselves first right away when we walk through the door.

It is obvious that we put our own nourishment and nurturing on the back burner when the rooms we live in every day don’t do anything to bring us pleasure or joy.

What are we waiting for?

The picture above is of an office I redesigned for a favorite client a few years ago—-right after she claimed space for herself in her house, recognizing that she needed color, light, beauty—a room of her own to add to her daily enJOYment.

Here is what that same room looked like before…

I love seeing this bright, cheerful transformation.

Now, go and claim your joy!—- TODAY! :)

My Morning Ritual

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I was preparing my cup of coffee the other morning, just as I do every day,  and I realized why this daily ritual makes me so happy.

First,  l love coffee.

Second, everything I need to get my cup of joe ready is all within an arms reach of my coffeepot. So satisfying.

This got me thinking about all the tasks we do on a daily or weekly basis, and how they can either be annoying and time-consuming, or satisfying and efficient.  Which side of things they come down on has everything to do with the way we set the whole thing up--this is the very heart of good design.

It sounds almost silly to say that you should store items where you use them, but the truth is often we don't.  The tools and items we need for daily life can be scattered about and we make getting throught he day so much harder as a result.

With a little planning, these day to day things can be almost effortless. Here are some ideas that you may already have put in place, but if you haven't, they can save you hours of aggravation each week:

  • A "landing strip" for your arrivals and departures--car keys, purse, jacket, work bag all stored together, as well as other daily incidentals--preferably right by the door you exit and enter the house.

  • A homework bin kept near the kitchen table containing sharpened pencils, erasers, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and glue sticks. (I did this last September just using the left overs from the previous school year. That bin came in so handy each afternoon, and easily went back in the cabinet when the work was done.)

  • A single place for all the tools you need to pay your bills each month--perhaps a drawer near your computer with stamps, calculator, pens, any bills that come in by mail, along with a list of your bills and when they are due.

  • For the pup--leash, waste bags, walking shoes, umbrella, biscuits all together at the ready for the daily walk.

A good test to see if a task area is set up efficiently is to see how little you need to move your feet to gather the things you need to complete it.

If you can stand in one place and get your hands on all the components, you win!

Powder Room Personality (A Quick BEFORE & AFTER!)

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What does your powder room say about you?? :)

I like to think of this small room in our homes as a great place to have a bit of drama, show off a little of your personality, and maybe be just a hint more daring with your decor...

This little powder room hadn't been shown much love since the 80's, but we saw that it had some good things going for it that just needed a bit of attention and updating...

Stripping the wallpaper & repainting the walls, refinishing the floors, and replacing the lighting were all great places to start in this room. The vanity was in great shape, but just needed a coat of paint, a new counter, and stylish sink & faucet to make it look completely updated. 

Lastly, we added the finishing touches with statement artwork, a dramatic large mirror, a soft & textured throw rug, and fun accessories-- and this powder room is now ready to pamper and impress both my client and whomever she hosts in her lovely home. 

Small, stylish, and full of personality! :)