1. Family. 

There is nothing better time worth spent then being with family around the holidays. Mom, Dad, brother/sister, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and grandparents. I love how we used to do the secret Santa on Christmas Eve, talking away with catching up on our lives and what we've been up to.  Oh and to also catch up on the latest gossip on people from your small town.  Does your family do that to?


2. Friends

There has been a lot of holiday parties around here. There have been great company of some friends and then making some new ones.



3. The smell of a Christmas tree.

Needless to say more?!
Wait a minute,... I have a fake one this year...

So my allergies are not so forgiving this season .. but I still love to smell them.



4. The smell of burning Yankee Candles. 

Ah! The scent of Christmas Eve was the one scent I grew up on. If you ain't smelled one, ya gotta.



5. Memories of Christmas Eve on Scotts Lane.

It was grandpa and grandmas Daugherty's house. It was an absolute beautiful mid-century modern houme on a beautiful piece of land. And Christmas Eve made that house was so magical. Open floor plan, cozy family room with the fire place roaring, HUGE Christmas tree all over looking the great wall of windows to the winter wonderland woods. It was one of the most beautiful settings you'll have ever seen.



6. Christmas Eve.

I remember growing up coming home from our family festivities of the evening, lighting candles, our family room lite by our glowing tree, and my dad reading to me T'was the Night Before Christmas.



7. Christmas Mornings.

The smell of cinnamon rolls, and breakfast casserole baking in the oven just before we would open presents. And not to forget drinking a cup of coffee with some Baileys.



8. If your lucky, a snowy evening on Christmas Eve. 

Have you ever experienced a perfect snow fall on the eve of Christmas? If you haven't, you should add it to your life's bucket list. It's magical, beautiful, and kind of serene.  And when you step out into it, it's so erringly quiet, even when your in the middle of town. You can even hear the snow sprinkle on the clinging leaves with some of the trees.



9. Christmas Movies

Miracle on 34th Street, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Christmas Carol

You know... the classics.



10. Christmas Music

The hymns, Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra.

So darn wonderful.


Hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas week!

Let's have a small discussion about hallways, shall we? Hallways is one of thee most lived in space, believe it or not. We always go through them, like, everyday. Therefore, they really should be a celebrated space, or at least, a space to really be a part of your home. Seriously. Think about it. Here are some of my favorite designed hallway spaces.

Source: Pinterest

Wainscoting. Beautiful, traditional use of space. Plus cozy.  Give it more a gem feeling by adding a statement piece through the use of pendant lighting. 

Source: Pinterest

Adding a collage of your most prized photos.

Source: Pinterest

Adding texture to the ceiling, contrasting colors,  but light and an airy use of space. 

Source: Pinterest

The one favorite thing that I love about this hallway is the shine to the ceiling and the drum shade lighting pendent.  THose pendents are my favorite now a days. 

Source: Pinterest

Ah! This space. Purely simple. This color is so underestimated but works so beautifully with the natural walnut colored wood flooring for contrast. Don't you think this space is striking?  Plus the vocal point really adds to the sparkle.

Hope this gave you some inspiration like it does for me. Lately, I've been obsessing a little of hallways and the "entrance" feeling it can give you. It's probably because I'm currently looking into an adorable modern/craftsman house to buy. Ever since then, I've been planning in my head what I would do to the inside. Right when you walk into the home is an hallway entrance.  Of course, I'm plotting the way to make it better. I will definately keep you posted whether or not we have purchased this home. 

See you Wednesday!

  

Being an emerging professional of interior design has its perks, don't get me wrong, but it also has its downfalls. The biggest downfall is that I'm surrounded by what I call "design couture". Great and beautiful things that I will probably never be able to afford. I've been to showrooms with rugs that are worth $30k! Yep, you heard me right folks, $30,000 rugs. Well, personally, I'd never ever spend that kind of money on rug. Anyway, there are so many other great finishes that are so beautiful and such a work of art and craftsmanship... I digress.

I need to get back to my bedroom... As a designer, I'm always looking to improve. I'm not even near the level I want to be at. So, I'll just practice some of those skills at home. My bedroom really needed to be updated but really can't afford (yet) of what I'd really love to do. Besides, it is a rental after all.

Here are the existing furniture:

- Bedroom set - Mine is fairly nice overall; it's a bit traditional looking.

Solutions:

- Keep the existing furniture then move furniture to the other wall, facing the window.

- Add more artwork to the walls.

- Add curtains.

- A reading nook chair in the corner by the window.

- A touch of contemporary

- Add more white to the bedding (This could be dangerous folks. If any of you know my husband, he                                                         is truely a mans mans and likes to get dirty)
- Do my own artwork, and photography. This will be added to the walls.

- Make this as affordable as possible!!

Now bare with me on this, this is may take a while for me to complete for the after. I've said this before, and I'll say it again, this should be and will be a home investment!

Here is my concept board (or inspiration board) for my room. My goal is to give it more of a contemporary feel but it'll be more of a eclectic feel due to the existing bedroom pieces which are a traditional style. The colors used would be black, grays, browns, with accents of silver, gold, and hints of soft soft pink to add just a touch of girly to the room. The room will have more of a rustic flare to just so my husband will like it more. Just so that it can have a mans feel to the overall space.

You're probably wondering what the room looks like now. Well I got to starting on this project when I totally forgot to take my before. All that was done was move the bed and night stands to the  other. Plus it is pretty messy right now. Hey, I think it'll give the end results more drama when the after is revealed. 

See? Pretty messy. I've already been working on the after, and I'm already very happy with the current results. Thank you for visiting!

K-T!

I bet you know by now that I love fall. There is no better way to add touches of coziness to your home with these few ideas that I put together for you. Here is are a few ways (and some afforable) that you can do now to make your home more cozy.

• Blankets. Lots and lots of blankets. Not just any blankets, but the one that are knit or faux fur to drape on chairs, your bed, or your couch. 

Source: Pinterest

•  Now you gotta have a lot of pillows to also cozy up to. LOVE pillows. The best kind are the down feathered pillows. And I think the best place to get affordable ones would be at Home Goods store or TJ Maxx. They are not only comfy but do fluff nice and hold a good shape.

Source: Pinterest

• Tea. Yes tea. Perfect simple way to make you feel extra cozy at night. 

• Lighting. I love how task lighting can actually make a home interior just glow inside.  Task lighting can be found easily by bed side lighting, lamps in the living room, or just simply dimming your lights. 

Source: Pinterest

• Candles. Lots of them. Unless you have children and you may be better using Scentsy. Back at candles, I love the warm glow and the scents. Yankee Candle is a big favorite of mine. Then of course, if you have decor lanterns, candle pillars or whatever grab some general candles for those to. 

Source: Pinterest

• Grab one of your vases and put flowers in them. Make it fit for the season. Just about anything will do for fall as long as it is fall-like colors. A no brainer right? Place them in you kitchen, on your kitchen table, on your bed side table, coffee table, office desk... Plenty of places! Keep in mind of scale to. Go big on kitchen table but go smaller on the bed side table and office desk. But really whatever you see fits. 

• Bake up some of your pumpkin or apple recipes! Yum!  This one is a favorite of mine or this one. By the way, they make your home smell A-mazing!

• Then lastly, pull out fall decor in general. Love bringing them out to start the season of the holidays! Don't forget to refer to this post or even this post to get your DIY juices going!

Thanks for visiting today! I hope your enjoying the fall season as much as I am. 

Much love, 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

1. This is cute lil twist to your bedroom mirror. Love the grey and gold touch. I think I may have to do this to my bathroom mirror.

2. Hollow out the lemon seems like a really cute unique idea. I may have to do this put them out on my patio. Or an evening to add a decorative touch when having guests over. 

3. Owls. Nough said. 

4. I've been wanting these fringe boots for like years! But they are so much $$$!!! One of these days. 

5. Isn't this phone case pretty!? I love the geometric detail. 

6. Really, really need to get my hair done. Trimmed, touch of freshener of color. I'm confessing a sin right now and I haven't had my hair done since March! 

7. My anniversary is coming up, I'd really love to add this somewhere in our home. 

8. The "oh deer" sign, perfect to hang in home for the upcoming fall and winter season. 

Do you Pinterest? You probably do. 

Thanks for visiting today! Happy Friday!

There is something that has been bugging me for a while and highly take offense to. I would like to set everyone straight and just pour it out there. Okay. Here it goes... There IS a difference between Interior Decorator and Interior Designers people!! A gentlemen asked me recently what I went to school for, I said I majored in Interior Design. His response was "You mean to tell me you went to school just to learn how to hang up pictures on walls!?!" Needless to say, I had daggers coming out of my eyes at him. I was so offended! So I'm here to set everyone straight and to let you know what are the differences. We do have similarities but one is more involved then the other.

Interior Designers:

1 - 2-4 yr degree (4 yr degree seems to be preferred by most employers). Expect many long nights, days, and hours. Oh yeah and tears, sweat, blood. Basically a lot of hard work, but so worth it in the end.

2. Designers are responsible for the public health, safety, and well being in any project. I'm talking hospitals, government buildings, restaurants, etc...

3. We know ADA.

4. We also know building codes. Also, we have to make sure our finishes and materials are not only coordinated, but meet those code requirements.   Very tedious.

5. We. Spec. Everything.

6. Designers design interiors in a very artful, at times, unique ways. Like this:

Or this...

7. We know computer programs. CAD, Revit, Photoshop, InDesign, Illistrator, Sketchup,.. we pretty much know it and then some.

8. We work with a BIG team. The client, architects, engineers, contractors, product reps...

9. We have to be comfortable meeting and dealing with all kinds of people. Interpersonal communications are a must!

I say we as designers like to push the envelope of interiors. If we can... I mean if the budget will allow us to. I'd say it'd be worth the investment. Trust me.

Interior Decorators:

1  There is a certification program. I've tried it. Or try some courses if your college offers them.

2. They deal mainly on color, fabric, space planning, furniture styles, and more. Interior Designers also do this.

3. Decorators are more client focused. Whereas they help the client pick the style, choose the color scheme, furniture, and accessorize.

All in all, we are similar but we very different at the same time. But please be careful when calling a designer and decorator - we are not! And decorators, please don't call yourself an Interior Designer when you don't have the certification or a degree. Besides in some jurisdictions, it is illegal to yourself one unless you are NCIDQ certified.  Currently I am working towards my certification. Look into it!

Thanks for visiting today!

Fall is just around the corner, and believe me,  I'm ready for the season. Aren't you?  I've officially gave into my temptation of my fall decor. Am I the only one that brings out the seasonal decor out a little early? Please say that I'm not.  I love fall colors, the crisp cool air, the fashion, the smells... It's the best! Oh and pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING! Yes I am one of those fanatics that loves the flavor of pumpkin. By the way, I do have a couple of past posts here and here that are perfect DIY fall decor projects to display in your home. I've found a couple of really great inspirations into your fall temptation. Or just come and visit my pinterest board of more inspiration to get other fall decor ideas.

By the way, I've noticed that my Friday post didn't go up! OPS! I accidentally set it to the wrong day. Oh well. But thank you for visiting today. Have a great start of your week. 

Catie 

                Adding line to your design is a great and beautiful way to add texture, drama, sophistication, harmony, and simplicity to a space. There are many ways to add this sort of element to your home such as a wall covering, carpet, tiles, fabrics, paint... Lines do lean towards a more modern look but it could be a bit traditional as well. If you add line to your wall vertical it'll make an illusion of a taller space. If the the lines are horizontal they kind of "shrink" the space but they are calming and will give more of a traditional look. Here of some images that I love or find interesting of adding lines to a space.

Which one do you like?