Dallas/Ft. Worth peeps, can you help?

I am traveling this week to Dallas/Ft. Worth with my daughter

for a soccer tournament.  While most of my time will be spent

on the sidelines of a soccer field, I always like to take the opportunity

to find some great home interior shops or local art galleries to check out.

Any recommendations local peeps?

We are staying in Ft. Worth so it's likely I won't get much

opportunity to get to Dallas.

And on a side note…..what's with your weather Texas?

Do I really have to plan for snow/cold/rain?

White Kitchen Love…...

I'm not even gonna state the obvious……{I've been m.i.a.}

My life and time have been full of the good stuff…..lots of 

challenging design projects with clients who want to love the 

spaces they live in, watching my oldest daughter get her driver's license {what?},

working personally on better nutrition and more exercise, enjoying

spring-like temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and in general

trying to keep on, keeping on….probably like all of you.

A friend who happens to be a designer and shop owner

{Wishbone Home & Design} asked me to take some

photos of her home last week.  A local publication

was looking for some shots for a story they are doing

on her business {btw, I don't claim great photography skilz,

but was happy to help}. My friend gave me permission to share the photos

here!  As you will see, her recent kitchen renovation is beautiful!

The countertops are white Quartz and the backsplash

is Carrera marble subway tiles.

The kitchen has lots of charming details like open shelving

and a butlers pantry nook.

This kitchen proves that white is NOT boring!

The mix of textures, wood, glass and lighting choices

make the space interesting!

What's your favorite element?

Design point of view…..

**Warning….rambling post coming.

During the past couple weeks I have had some

situations and challenges experiences that have lead me to really

think about how I design spaces, why I design a space a certain way

and what influences my direction and decisions.

Back when I spent way too much time only dreaming about

helping clients create beautiful homes, I was discouraged by

my own thoughts.  Could I really create a career in a field

that I lacked the proper training?

And while I fully acknowledge I don't know CAD, have

never drawn a space or possess other technical skills 

taught in interior design programs,

I know for sure that I have a design point of view. A point

of view that is unique to me but influenced by some of 

my design heroes…….

Like the Emily Henderson designed space below.

I am working on numerous client projects right now.

I am also designing a space basically, just for me.

I have had a lot to think about.

And while I can try and channel my best Anna Spiro {the room

below is her design}….I really can only channel Jill Hinson…..

it would be wrong to think I could be anyone else.

It's a fact…...I work well with vintage, neutrals,

unique art, accessories galore, pillows{!} and natural elements.

While I appreciate fancy furniture and finishings, 

most of my clients appreciate my ability to mix it up, 

find a bargain, stretch a budget and STILL 

create a beautiful, personal space.

When I find myself questioning whether I have what it takes, I look

around at all the 'famous' designers whose work I admire and study,

{like Jaime Meares, whose own living room is pictured below},

they all bring a unique point-of-view to the spaces the design.

A point-of-view that will appeal to some and not to others.

And that's ok.  Their spaces are their art - subjective and open to 

interpretation, eliciting emotions and reactions as much as

a priceless painting.

As a designer {or a decorator, whatever}….I respect the

point-of-view my clients bring to the table too.  I really believe

I am hired to curate how they want their home to look

and feel - it's not about me completely imposing my style on them.

I offer choices and options, all equally good ones.

Nothing made me think more about my role and my point-of-view than

working in my own home this weekend.  As much as I began trying

to be Emily Henderson as I designed my space, I quickly realized I can't BE

Emily Henderson….it felt awkward and too 'try-hard'…when

I let it go and began designing my space as me, it worked, it felt 

{for lack of a better word} right.  

I am grateful for the inspiration of others, I hope it makes me better.

And mostly I am grateful to my clients who trust me and

my point-of-view - I will never stop trying to be a better designer,

to offer creative, functional and affordable solutions.

I acknowledge that my point-of-view may not be

for everyone and that's ok.  Thankfully I have learned that

any rejection of my aesthetic is not a statement on my worthiness

as a designer but rather a difference of opinion.  

As they say, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

Just look at the home of designer Kelly Wearstler below!

{which I love, btw}

Congratulations to Ashley@Parsons Farm and Kristen Wall!

You each won a $75 credit to Minted!!!