How Do You Feel About Pot Fillers?

Okay, you know I probably shouldn't say this but I just have too...I think Pot Fillers are cool and I think they look oohhhh sooo sexy on that backsplash over the stovetop, but if you are seriously thinking it's going to save your back from hauling a heavy pot over to the stovetop you still have to haul it the other way after you are done cooking. :)

So do any of you have a pot filler and if so, do you use it and love it?

If not, would you consider one in the future?

Family Photos

This is wallpaper, isn't it cool?

It is from Sandpiper Studios and is called Versailles "Frames".

Here is a cool idea....You can cut to shape and paste some of your own family photos in these wallpaper frames for a creative way to show off your own family.

I love cool ideas like this don't you?

Oh and on a personal note..I broke my camera...Stupid me I rode with it attached to the horn of saddle the other day and when I got off it wasn't working, boo hoo...Sooo it's at the Drs (repair shop), no word yet on what is wrong..I am almost too scared to call and see....Anyway, I am delayed in taking recent photos of some great client jobs that are just now finishing up...So please have patience and I will try too, I can't wait to share them all.

Solution Soak

These tubs may not sexy by any standards but if you or someone you know can't soak in a tub for physical reasons does it matter?

All of us want to "age in place gracefully and safely" but most likely your or someone you know has medical reasons that just lifting your leg and balancing and not slipping into your standard tub is not going to happen without a lot of stress and/or injury.

If you or someone you know has problems like this, you need to check out this great company for walk-in tubs.  They are easy to use and comfortable.

I can easily get into and out of my bath tub anytime I want.  Quite frankly before some of my clients in the last couple of years inquired about some tub solutions, I had no idea that getting in and out of a tub would ever be a problem....Well it is....Read some of their  stories here, and be enlightened like I was.

If you think you don't have room for one, think again with 37 different models out there and most of these replacing your standard tub/shower these have been made to fit.

Don't we ALL deserve a nice soak once in awhile?

Winey Women

I love Kathy Womack's art and her "Women and Wine" series in particular.

Not only does she use great colors but I can relate to almost every one of her pieces from this collection....Whether it's my mom, me and my sister; or dear friends...

You can't help but put yourself in these paintings and that is why I think this particular series is soooo popular!

She has ones that represent baby showers, Christmas parties and birthday parties too....

I dare you to look through this series and not find one that represents you and and your girlfriends. ;)

Oh and of course she has the "girl trip" represented in Cabo with of course Margaritas in hand...

So next time your girlfriend, sister or mom has a birthday you may want to consider getting one of these for her....I love that even if you don't have the funds for an original piece you can get a stretched canvas  in various prices, oh and they ship too if you don't happen to be in Austin, Texas.

Sooo snoop around and let me know what one moves you the most, I would love to know.

Smooth as Glass

Have you ever considered a glass countertop for your own home?  Would you consider one?

I think as everyone probably knows at this point I LOVE glass!!!  See here and here and here, I can go on but you get the picture I am sure.

These are absolutely stunning glass countertop applications and I just had to share...

What a breathtaking approach for any kitchen, bathroom or any other bar area in your house.

Thinkglass sells them in 1.5", 2" or 3"  now that is a chunk of glass isn't it?  Also, if you are interested check out Ultraglas as well.

Glass is strong and durable.  The textured finishes hide dust, fingerprints and small scratches.  It's super easy to clean.  Glass is naturally heat resistant.  It's non porous which makes it hygienic too.

Sooo what's not to like?  These pieces make me want to touch, they look like huge chunks of ice don't they?

You have to admit these countertops are pretty darn sexy if nothing else right? ;)

I think this picture is my favorite...

So what do you think?  Would you consider it? ;)

Chalk it Up

I guess with our gloomy weather, I have had color on my mind lately.  Not that I don't love gloomy weather but I love color too. :)

I just found out about this and wanted to share with you....Finally there are some other chalkboard paint options out there other than your standard black and green, not that black and green don't have their places but let's all agree more color is well more exciting.

Introducing 100% acrylic, Hudson Paint!  It has a washable finish, it's low odor and easy to apply and oh isn't the CAN adorable too?

I haven't tried it yet but I may very soon, I think this would be such a great surprise addition to a clients home, think kids play area or even their bedrooms.....Ohhh and what about a kitchen too....

It looks like Design Sponge had some fun with it already, check out their creative ways of using it here.

You need to check out Hudson paint for no other reason than to see their 24  FABULOUS colors they offer, it really lets your imagination run wild and well takes the gloom out too at the same time, ha!

Have any of you ever used chalkboard paint before and if so what color did you choose?

A Question of Color

I hear the buzz and I read a lot of articles about color, and how people are adding more of it into their lives.  I tend to agree with all of those, but when I read that people are actually adding more color to their bigger ticket items in their homes, I hesitate because I don't see that at all with my clients.  Most of my clients feel that they would rather add or change color down the road with everything BUT the higher ticket item.

(Neutral Sofa)

I agree people are getting braver with injecting color into their world thanks to HGTV, magazines, design stores, and other people around them.  With paint and pop of color accessories, it's been an easy and inexpensive way for people to introduce more color into their lives, knowing that you can always change those out for minimum cost.

(Neutral sofa with some pop)

So with that said, here is my question...

When you go to buy your next new sofa, will you still seek out a "safe" color such as beige or will you choose the color you love that may not be so safe, such as a blue or purple even?

(Sofa with some Pizazz)

If you have purchased a big ticket item in a non neutral color, what was it, what color did you choose, and are you happy with your leap?

Please let me know your thoughts and thank you as always for participating. :))))

Happy 2010!

We took some much needed time off to celebrate the holiday season at our dear friend's gorgeous ranch in California and boy did it feel great...No phone, no lights (that was only for 7 hours), no computer and no TV even.  All by my choice mind you, well not the power part but like I said that was only for 7 hours due to high winds. ;)

There was music however so of course there was lots of dancing to the oldies, like "Freebird", Born to Run from "The Boss", and singing, I will save your ears by sparing you the audio portion of that part.

There was a lot of riding, this is Tiny who isn't so tiny at 18 hands...Isn't he gorgeous, the horse that is. ;)

Lots of GOOD eating!  Here is the bakery we stopped at for a quick, yummy snack.

Lots of drinking, this particular one is my favorite and maybe Scooby's too...This is a Capt. Morgan's spiced rum with Ginger Ale....Oh by the way for everyone who is sensitive about these things, no dogs drank liquor at the party. ;)

There was lots of sleeping on of course 1000 count sheets...This is Scrappy with his new reindeer, I think he liked it don't you?

We explored the Mission San Juan Bautista, founded in 1797.  It lies just under the San Andreas fault line, lucky for us, that day the earth was quiet.

Here are some really pretty close ups of the mission itself...This is the largest California mission church and was named for John the Baptist.

Well it's 2010, a new year and a new decade for that matter, I have a great feeling about this new year, don't you?

It's nice to be back, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season as well...I would love to hear what you did so drop me a comment and let me know all about it.

Happy 2010!!!!

Congratulations Turquoise!

My love affair and earliest memory of turquoise began when I was a child.  My Grandma had a charm bracelet with her 6 grandkids represented by their birthstones on each charm and mine was a beautiful blue...Turquoise, see (blurry) picture below...My Mom has this now and took this picture with her camera phone, but at least the turquoise pops, ha!

Well anyway, turquoise was just selected from Pantone as the 2010 color of the year!

I apparently am not the only one who is in love with this color, check out House of Turquoise for more inspiration with turquoise, Erin has it bad but it's all sooo good. ;))))

And lastly, here are some pictures of some of my favorite vacation's....Do you see a theme?

How do you feel about turquoise? Love, hate or indifference?

Birthday Celebration!

(These 10' angels were everywhere in the small town of Salado, Texas).

Well tis the season...It was my birthday on Monday, Pearl Harbor Day, and to celebrate, my hubby and Calvin explored Texas with me last weekend.  First, they took me to Salado for the day, it was beautiful but COLLLDDD out....

(This was taken out of my sunroof, I looked up and saw this, wasn't the sky beautiful?)

(This was the outside of a little shop beautifully decorated for the season.)

The next day, they took me to San Antonio for a couple of days to be spoiled there, we had a great time walking around and exploring...

(This is the San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio isn't the tree pretty too?)

(This was the tree over at The Alamo, funny thing I didn't even see the ornaments on this tree until I took the picture.)

I have about 5 half written blog posts, I just haven't had time to finish them up and now that my birthday is over Christmas is definitely right around the corner now.  Don't get me wrong I LOVE the holiday season but it just doesn't work so easy for working full time and having complete thoughts to my blogging, am I the only one out there with this problem?

Oh and before I go here are some hero shots of Calvin posing for us, had to share....To refresh your memory here is another blog posting on Calvin.

(Calvin was such a good boy posing for this photo, he was leashless and just sat there, isn't he gorgeous?)  ;)

(Tired of all the shopping...Outside of a store in Salado.)

(Here he is on our hotel balcony with the sunlight just right.)

Sooo back to work I go, I hope you enjoyed sharing a little bit of my birthday celebration.