It's the Most Crazy Time of the Year

This time of year is over the top for a designer. We want to get our clients' projects and homes ready for their guests and get togethers. In my own case, I even do holiday decorating for a few select clients. We love being able to weave our design aesthetic into interiors we have completed, always trying to keep things new and fresh. Here is one of the several trees we did this season. We wanted a bit of "Winter Wonderland" kind of feel, so we added blue and aqua and flocked greenery to the tree. It turned out very nicely.

This is one of two 12 foot trees we do each year as well. 

While all this holiday cheer was happening, we also have a nice master bath redesign/remodel project happening. We are taking it from brown and drab to clean and classic. 

This is a peek at the shower niches in herringbone marble set into white subway tile. It's a look that I love!

We are also adding paneled moldings on the walls and curved pediments at the sink and shower areas. We are also adding feet to the cabinets. We are doing this work in-house, which is a special thing that sets us apart. 

And excited is not the word about the Brizo polished nickel faucets and fixtures going in here. 

May I just say, I love this finish ridiculously much!

Meanwhile, with all this happening design-wise, I must admit I am a little challenged with my own holiday decorating at home. 

A look at one of my own trees, standing lit but bare of ornaments. As they say, the shoemaker's children have no shoes!

Oh well, I'll get it all done. I always do. 

Crush du Jour

Just wanted to share this scheme coming together at the studio today. Chinoiserie, animal print, luscious trims, all come together in a fabulous tone-on-tone combo.

Then I would add in this great charcoal grasscloth for the walls for drop dead drama.  Stay tuned, because I will be expanding on this design in the coming days.

In the Shop

These beautiful needlepoint pillows are available!   

They have gorgeous shades of coral, green, saffron, French blue. Needlepoint fronts, velvet backs. 16x20. 

 

$180 each. 

 

Have a fabulous weekend!!

In the Shop

Original oil painting for sale. 34Wx46H

Beautiful landscape painting. I love the colors used. 

$800 plus shipping. 

E-mail for more info.

Carol's Spicy Chipotle Chicken Chili

 

 

 

I realize this is not a food blog, but I have had several requests for my recipe for my chicken chili so I decided to put it here so that it would reach more people who might enjoy it.

Ingredient List:
3 cooked chicken breasts, chopped
3 15oz. cans Northern white beans
1 can mild Ro-tel
2 15oz. Cans chicken broth
3 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped
Garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to taste
1/2 small can chopped green chiles

Cooking Directions:
Place all ingredients in large pot and bring to gentle boil. Reduce heat to low or medium low and simmer at least 30 minutes. Serve with chopped cilantro, sour cream, grated sharp cheddar, chopped onions, or any garnish of your choice.

(This chili is fairly spicy. You could probably substitute regular diced tomatoes for the Ro-tel and cool it down some. A little less chipotle pepper would also bring less heat, but that is where the great flavor in this chili comes from.)

Enjoy!

Never Chase After Anyone

This is good advice.  In all aspects of life.  Including online.  Do you chase after people online that never give you the time of day in return?  Never read your tweets, posts, updates when you constantly high-five them?

Then stop!! 

Stop feeding the egos of narcissistic people who feed off the joy of ignoring the people who admire them.  If the person is someone in your field that you like to follow, then admire them from afar, but stop giving them more fodder to make themselves feel more superior and you feel worse.

 

A narcissist is a narcissist is a narcissist.  They ain't ever gonna change.  So move on and give your attention to people who deserve it and care about you back.

There.  I feel better already.  Don't you?

New Year and Time For a Life-Cleanse

January 2 is for me like it is most people, I think.  After the holiday festivities, real life appears.  The New Year spread before us feels fresh and new. 
This morning I was thinking about the usual first-of-the-year diet I need to start, and it got me thinking about all the other areas of life that also need a good detox.  So I made a list;

First, my head.  Without a clearing of the mind, no other cleansing can take place.  Letting go of negative, self-defeating thoughts has to come first in order to make progress in all the other areas of life.

Second, my heart.  Old hurts and resentments, perceived slights by others, anger, it all has to swept out of the spirit.  New happiness cannot come in while these are in the way.

Next, my body. Fill it with things that are good for me only. And get up and move!

My home and office need a detox, as well.  Out with old samples and inventory.  Out with clothes we don't wear and, well.....just stuff.
                                            

 

 

 

Clearing out the old makes space for the new and the good.  So today I will take a deep breath and take the first step toward cleansing my life.

all images via pinterest