Happy New Year to You!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!
I love the New Year...
a time to reorganize...
set new goals...
rethink priorities.

Especially while the kids are out enjoying the snow and I can think for a minute!

Enjoy your celebrations!!!

Happy New Year to You!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!
I love the New Year...
a time to reorganize...
set new goals...
rethink priorities.

Especially while the kids are out enjoying the snow and I can think for a minute!

Enjoy your celebrations!!!

Hydrogen Power

I have a dream.I have a dream that someday soon Hydrogen will provide all the energy we humans will ever need.It will be cheap and clean.Will it happen?For decades, NASA has relied upon hydrogen gas as rocket fuel to deliver crew and cargo to space.Many companies are working to develop technologies that can efficiently exploit the potential of hydrogen energy.In fuel-cell conversion, hydrogen

Hydrogen Power

I have a dream.I have a dream that someday soon Hydrogen will provide all the energy we humans will ever need.It will be cheap and clean.Will it happen?For decades, NASA has relied upon hydrogen gas as rocket fuel to deliver crew and cargo to space.Many companies are working to develop technologies that can efficiently exploit the potential of hydrogen energy.In fuel-cell conversion, hydrogen

Top Ten Projects of 2010

                            

In keeping with tradition, I have created a line-up of my favourite projects (decorating or personal) that I tackled in 2010. I didn't do as many hands-on projects this year, which I think is a reflection of the fact that we have been in this house longer than any other home we've had AND my having spent so much of the year in front of my computer...working.

Here is my list:

1.  My $65 bathroom make-over, inspired by the funky wallpaper, above.

 

2. My new "office", Les Nessman style: 

 (above photo, courtesty Matthew Mead)

3. Well, not so much a project, but still something new. My new Ikea chair, which my three cats haven't managed to ruin yet:

 

4. A little Halloween craft: 

 5. My dining area make-over. (Trying to get in touch with my more youthful side ;-)

With my new light from Ikea:

 

6. Decorating Sophie's playhouse for Christmas...why didn't I do this before now?

7. The free $10 light I made for my sister:

8. Christmas snow globes:

9. My Murphy Bed, built by the handyman!!

10. And last but definitely not least, I am so proud of my part in this:

I wrote a large number of the articles, tended the blog, tackled the many letters/emails and questions we received, and had so much fun on the photo shoots I was involved with here and here, and the many other duties that came with my position. Stay tuned to our blog for an exciting announcement (coming soon) about what is coming up next.

Happy New Year, everyone! 

Thank you for following along with my decorating and family adventures in 2010 and I am so grateful for your kind comments, emails and friendship. That is what truly makes blogging a gift.

Top Ten Projects of 2010

                            

In keeping with tradition, I have created a line-up of my favourite projects (decorating or personal) that I tackled in 2010. I didn't do as many hands-on projects this year, which I think is a reflection of the fact that we have been in this house longer than any other home we've had AND my having spent so much of the year in front of my computer...working.

Here is my list:

1.  My $65 bathroom make-over, inspired by the funky wallpaper, above.

 

2. My new "office", Les Nessman style: 

 (above photo, courtesty Matthew Mead)

3. Well, not so much a project, but still something new. My new Ikea chair, which my three cats haven't managed to ruin yet:

 

4. A little Halloween craft: 

 5. My dining area make-over. (Trying to get in touch with my more youthful side ;-)

With my new light from Ikea:

 

6. Decorating Sophie's playhouse for Christmas...why didn't I do this before now?

7. The free $10 light I made for my sister:

8. Christmas snow globes:

9. My Murphy Bed, built by the handyman!!

10. And last but definitely not least, I am so proud of my part in this:

I wrote a large number of the articles, tended the blog, tackled the many letters/emails and questions we received, and had so much fun on the photo shoots I was involved with here and here, and the many other duties that came with my position. Stay tuned to our blog for an exciting announcement (coming soon) about what is coming up next.

Happy New Year, everyone! 

Thank you for following along with my decorating and family adventures in 2010 and I am so grateful for your kind comments, emails and friendship. That is what truly makes blogging a gift.

My Murphy Bed...

I just realized I forgot to share the photos of my new Murphy bed the handyman made for me. With both our families living away, we really needed to eke out some sort of guest room and with no extra space hiding out anywhere, well, a Murphy Bed was our solution. Using the hardware kit from Lee Valley, the handyman loaded up his big a*s truck with wood and started working his handyman magic. I had shown him some photos of beds I liked, but he said he had it "all under control" and with the fancy pieces of moulding I saw poking out of his stash, I figured he just might.

Well, he worked away and before I knew it he was standing in front of me with a paint can and brush, passing off the proverbial handyman baton (he doesn't do paint), and with a sigh and a shuffle, off I went. I painted the outside, but the inside will have to wait. Also, I plan to wallpaper the area behind the bed, just to be all fancy-like. But I was too lazy to do it when I should have. Besides, Christmas shopping was calling to me, and would you rather paint/wallpaper or shop?

So here is the inside of the bed, in the "down-right" position:

 And this is how the bedding stays in place:

 And 2/2 guests report it is comfortable!

My Murphy Bed...

I just realized I forgot to share the photos of my new Murphy bed the handyman made for me. With both our families living away, we really needed to eke out some sort of guest room and with no extra space hiding out anywhere, well, a Murphy Bed was our solution. Using the hardware kit from Lee Valley, the handyman loaded up his big a*s truck with wood and started working his handyman magic. I had shown him some photos of beds I liked, but he said he had it "all under control" and with the fancy pieces of moulding I saw poking out of his stash, I figured he just might.

Well, he worked away and before I knew it he was standing in front of me with a paint can and brush, passing off the proverbial handyman baton (he doesn't do paint), and with a sigh and a shuffle, off I went. I painted the outside, but the inside will have to wait. Also, I plan to wallpaper the area behind the bed, just to be all fancy-like. But I was too lazy to do it when I should have. Besides, Christmas shopping was calling to me, and would you rather paint/wallpaper or shop?

So here is the inside of the bed, in the "down-right" position:

 And this is how the bedding stays in place:

 And 2/2 guests report it is comfortable!

2010 Projects - A Year in Review

Wow - 2010 flew by!

Sometimes I feel like I'm not getting anything accomplished with our crazy schedules but going through my posts from the year - I see that we have done so much this year!

My favorite and most memorable project began on New Year's Day 2010.  The family helped out create 54 hand painted signs with inspirational quotes for a Domestic Violence Shelter in NYC - a project sponsored by Martha Stewart and Enchanted Makeovers.  See the entire post HERE.

As far as our own home projects. Here is a fun one - transforming an ugly garage entry door and getting in on the whole chalkboard paint trend.

The project post is HERE.

More fun with chalkboard paint.

A reorganization of my creative space also took place this year. Brought it up from the dreary unfinished basement space and into my living room. See more photos HERE.

Paris Dreams...Our oldest daughter desired a Paris themed bedroom - this was a creative project that she was also involved in - we really had fun in here. See the before and after pics HERE.

A true "trash to treasure" kitchen table redo was also on the list this year. I "borrowed" our old one for a new work table in the studio - so we had to replace it. This one was perfect!
See what we did to it HERE.

The final project of the year? The wedding. My husband and I were involved with the decor for my brother's wedding. Here are a sample of pics from the big day. More details HERE.

So, that's about it for the year 2010. We did accomplish a lot this year.

On the agenda for 2011? Lots of home improvement to come - laundry room renovation still in progress.
Then, the kids' homework/study room. Too many books, projects, etc. ending up on the kitchen table. So  we will be redoing the office to create a space just for them to get all of their work done!

How about you? Any projects on the list for the new year?

Stop by Rhoda's at Southern Hospitality for more 2010 project reviews!

And Savvy Southern Style's Best of 2010 Party!