A Peek into a Current Project

What I've been up to lately!I guess everyone thinks I have disappeared! No, I am just working on a very large, whole-house project, which these days are few and far between. The family has moved out and our crews are busy at work. I will keep you up to speed on the transformation I promise.

Monday Musings

My husband and I decided to take a drive up into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this weekend. Since we live within a half-hour's driving distance you might think we do this often. We don't. Because of the beauty and majesty of our mountains, it is one of the top vacation destinations in the country. We locals are proud of our mountain heritage and it is the rare East Tennessean who takes the privilege of living here for granted. That being said, most of us rarely visit our precious National Park because of the traffic and the tourist-trap kitsch.

But we decided to take advantage of a beautiful late summer afternoon and headed up with a small picnic. What a blessing! The cool air and curvy roads brought us back to why we are so proud of our mountain home. As we rode with the sunroof open and the wind in our hair, we laughed and talked and made plans for the future just like we did so many years ago. Life is far from perfect but it is still good.

photo credit: flickr/ben pierce

Southern Chateau Evolves

I love my blog. I really do. But lately it seems that somehow it was not completely relevant to my life. Design is a huge part of my life, there is no doubt about that. But it is just a part. I often feel that to just report on decorating and design trends was not representative of me as a person. I am a designer, yes, but I am also a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, and a daughter. Real design is this way as well. It does not exist in a vacuum, as many magazines and blogs would suggest. It is part of a greater whole, which is life itself.

As a result of much thought, I have decided to let my blog reflect me more as a person, not just as a designer, because my craft as an artist and designer springs forth from my inner self. I always appreciate my readers and especially my commenters because then we are connecting! Please hang with me. This blog will bring design and decoration thoughts, but my human experience as well.

Thanks to all who read.

Carol

photo credit: flickr

Happy Labor Day!

Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee


So sorry to be MIA for so long! I have a very large project I am working on which involves not only decorating and design but demolition and renovation as well. I spend so much time there I'm thinking of taking a sleeping bag and saving the commute!


Anyway, I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend and I will try to post again much sooner.

And before I forget, GO VOLS!!