A Picture is Worth A Thousand Clients

When one is in the business of making things look good, the pictures that tell your story and show what it is you do should, after all,  LOOK GOOD! As you know, it isn't about the appearance of things that matters most to me, but rather the feeling one gets when they enter a room. How do you convey that to someone? How do you capture that in a two dimensional image??

Enter stage left: Mary Parnell of Picklepuss Photography!! Hooray!

Mary has been in the business of capturing the essence of her subjects for many years now, and I am so glad our paths have crossed. Her images of children and families are so beautiful, crisp, and playful.

Wonderful!

She even made me look good! :)

A few months ago we met and she snapped some amazing pictures of a few of my completed projects. I am very pleased with the way they turned out, and wanted to share them with you.

If you have been looking for someone to capture the cherubic cheeks of your little ones or create some lasting beautiful images of your family, give Mary a shout~and tell her I said "Hey" when you do!

The Master Bath Complete

Back in October I posted some pictures of a Master Bath I was working on. Do you remember this post? There were two rooms, really: a bathroom and a walk in closet. The design that we put in place removed the dividing wall and vaulted the ceiling.  Here is a picture of the room as it looked during construction:

The room was completed in December, and I am so proud of the way it turned out. My clients say they go in there often just to enjoy the room. "Perhaps we should put a church pew in there?", they said to me a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't sure what they meant, but maybe due to the cathedral ceiling and the beautiful view of the trees outside, it actually inspires one to pray??

I only have an image of the finished product that I snapped on my iPhone. It isn't as clear as I would like, and I am resolved to get some better pictures to share with you soon...nonetheless, here is the finished product.

I am especially proud of how the materials all came together to make a beautiful room that is so at home in this structure's wooded setting. The room feels very serene, as my clients had requested, and yet reflects the personality, organizational needs, and tastes of the two people for whom it was created. What a wonderful blessing and opportunity to get to do what I do each day.

What Are Your Intentions?

Over the summer, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, a 5000 acre plantation in Charlottesville, VA. Our family had been there once before, and couldn't wait to go back and share the experience with our cousins!

It is amazing to see all of the incredible attention to detail that Jefferson put into everything that he did. With clear thought and careful planning, he created a stunning, remarkable place where beauty and design perfectly intersect with function and purpose.

How about in your own house? I know that you and I don't live in a home as grand, but nonetheless, it is no less important that we "start where we want to end up" with our houses and all the spaces within them.  What are your intentions for each room? What do you want them to do for you? Have you thought about it? Named it?

If you are frustrated with a room, it could be that what you want it to be and do is totally different than what it is currently...like a laundry room that has become a catch-all and now has sports equipment at your feet as you try to put a load of wash in.  Or a master bedroom that you wish was your retreat, and yet you have a pile of papers you have been meaning to go through on the nightstand....

hmmm.

After our visit to Monticello, I came away with an even deeper appreciation for the importance of being intentional with a home's spaces. Jefferson was masterful at this, and we are still admiring the results 200+ years later.

I don't know that it was his intention that the verdant expanse of green just outside would be used for getting one's wiggles out after having to be quiet and patient on a long tour of the house....

but it works really well for that.... in addition to whatever he had put it there for.

Now, Henry, our intention is to get a picture of you. Smile!

Thank you, Emily, for your wonderful pictures of our day at Monticello.

A Saturday Drive

You know, sometimes you just have to get out of Dodge--even if it is only  for a few hours and not all that far from your own town. Getting out of the house and seeing different surroundings can be so refreshing.

And there is nothing like taking a stroll out in the fresh air with one of your favorite people in the world.

Even in the early days when it was just the two of us, my husband and I would  jump in the car and drive somewhere out in the country. My husband likes to explore old railroad grades and towns, and maybe ride a tourist railroad....

And I, of course, love the buildings and the HOUSES!

I always have a soft spot in my heart for the ones that seem a little lost and forlorn. In our family it is known as a house that "needs a friend."....Boy, wonder who would want to do that?!? OOH, just give me a chance!

The shadows are growing long, and we drive back home tired and happy....

and look forward to our next adventure.

The Reluctant Hostess

Yep. That's me. It is sad to admit, but lately I have noticed a total lack of enthusiasm on my part for hosting get-togethers. Strange, since I used to love it!  I used to view it as a chance to use a little creativity and set the stage for a terrific event.

Seems the weather today is in keeping with this post. Want to come over tonight for a glass of wine on the deck?

Here are some more inviting settings... this one is perfect for the Mother's Day Dinner I host annually.

On a beautiful Fall afternoon outside...this one would be great:

What would make the PERFECT party?!?  I know that I am not the only one that gets hung up on that P word when having people over. I would have no problem getting the room beautiful and setting the mood, but can YOU bring the food?

I was reminded earlier today that extending oneself through hospitality is about CONNECTION not perfection. I stumbled across a blog post about the book The Reluctant Entertainer by Sandy Coughlin.  Kristin over at We are THAT Family reviewed the 10 Commandments of Hospitality as outlined by Ms. Coughlin, and I wanted to share the ones that I found most meaningful....and the ones I need to remember as the holidays approach.

Commandment 1

Hospitality is not about you. It’s about making others feel warm and welcome.

Commandment 4

Avoid perfectionism. Put fear aside-it’s a robber of anything good.

Commandment 8

Be creative. Use what you have. Keep things simple.

Commandment 10

Life impact is everything. Experience intimacy and meaning in sharing a meal and gleaning from other’s lives.

Here's to the season ahead with all of its beauty and the many chances to be with the ones we care most about. May we all open our homes and hearts and bravely engage in hospitality, always remembering to keep things simple and meaningful as a gift to ourselves and those we love.