Friday Favorite: Lighting

Let me just say 'I LOVE lighting!'  it is something I normally always notice in homes, and I truly believe that lighting can completely transform a room.  So when I first began the home building process I thought lighting would be a fun thing to select.  I am sad to report that lighting is quickly becoming something that is overwhelming me!
Our home is pretty open concept, but also has distinct rooms within that space.  So the issue that creates is selecting lighting that is not too matchy, matchy but has an overall style flow.  No problem I thought.  So what's the problem... I like too many things and I am having the hardest time deciding on which overall lighting feel I want.  And once I decide the feel I want then I am left with the question of what finish (antiqued gold, silver, black, bronze).  I find that I like some modern fixtures while still loving the country cottage look.  How do I decide and make all of my lighting styles work together???!!!
While I stress over something that really doesn't need to be given this many hours of thought, I will give you some of the fixtures I have my eye on.

Which of these do you all like?  Any lighting suggestions right now are so very welcome.  The hubby's opinion only revolves around price (men).  So I am turning to my talented designer Jessica Stout Design for some major guidance on this one- I am about burnt out on all this decision making.

On an exciting update, we have drywall installed and stone on the outside!!! Progress makes me happy!!

We had a slight nervous 'ahhhh' moment when we saw the stone mortar as such a dark color.  We want everything to be very light and blend all together... we have been assured it will dry MUCH lighter!! 

Our Halloween Recap

We really had the best Halloween this year.  Emersyn was the perfect age to really begin to understand the dressing up and trick or treating.  We checked books out from the library and began reading about all things Halloween at the beginning of October.
So after a few weeks, we talked about what she might want to dress up as.  Each and every time her answer was always the same...a witch.  So we borrowed an adorable witch dress from a friend and purchased a witch hat.  She even had down the cackle.  A witch is was... until...Emersyn found out her best friend Ellie was dressing up as Minnie Mouse.  Once Emersyn found that out she was done with all things witches and became determined to be Mickey Mouse.  HAHA- kinda love how her little mind works.
And I have to admit the two of them as Minnie and Mickey were pretty darn cute!!

First up Zoo Boo:

Emersyn singing Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!!!

Trick or Treating time:

I must say my sweet girl makes a pretty cute Mickey and she certainly had a blast! 

Now we are on to understanding Christmas and who Santa is.  The holidays with a little one are really like nothing else- pure joy!!!

Friday Favorite- Kitchen Inspiration

When thinking of our new home, the kitchen is one area that I had a very specific idea in my head.  I love that kitchens are the heart of a home and where everyone seems to gather.  In our floor plan, the kitchen is very open to an eat in kitchen area and the main living space.  I want our kitchen to be light and airy, clean and classic.  Here are some of my favorite inspiration pics from my Pinterest Board: For the Home

Items from my inspiration that have made the cut include white cabinets with a few glass details, grey cabinets on the island and in butler's pantry, marble subway tile back splash, and a few other touches I'm pretty excited about.  Can not wait until we get to the point where items I have selected actually start going into the home!  

There's nothing like a kitchen that makes you feel at home, comfortable, and possibly makes cooking a little more enjoyable.

A Design Trip

When your principal is also one of your sister's design clients and she asks you to go to Gulf Shores to stay in her condo to redesign it... you make is happen.  You arrange your schedules, explain to the hubby why he needs to hang with the little one for 6 straight days, and you convince your mama to join the round trip party!
Everyone kept telling me to have a fun vacation... this was no vacation.  We worked our little behinds off creating a space that the client would fall in love with.
It was a true HGTV style makeover: a tight timeline, a tight budget, and obstacles to overcome.

First let's start with what the condo looked like...

You may look at the condo's before pictures and think it looks totally fine.  Truth is- it is totally fine.  Keyword being FINE.  It probably looks like just about every other condo in the building.  I think that is why we were called on by the client.  We don't settle for just fine.  My sister is a fabulous designer who knows how to push the design limits but keeps it livable for the family as well.

So let's chat challenges. 

#1- we had 4 days to completely redo the space.  We had to start from complete scratch in a place we had never shopped.  So for the first 2 days we literally shopped every single store that little Gulf Shore strip had to offer!  We had a list of furniture we needed to buy and a budget to stick to, so we wheeled and dealed to find the best possible prices.  Not only did we need all new furniture, we also needed accessories and wall decor.  These are normally items you look at and think about- but for us it was a 'like it, buy it' no time to waste kind of shopping.

I think the furniture is a design element that we took some risks with and they paid off.  At first we had a tan couch selected- then we found a turquoise couch and decided 'it's a beach condo' you are allowed to have a little fun.  So to add to that fun pop of color we tossed in an amazing reddish/orange rug that we found for a steal at Target.  (we loved it so much we bought two more to bring home! for my mom)

#2- we had a condo of old furniture to get rid of.  This just took lots of phone calls and ultimately convincing some of the delivery guys to take some old furniture with them;)

#3- paint, not necessarily and challenge we weren't expecting, just one that needed to be done.  We love an impact wall and stripes always get it done.  Jessica had selected the paint colors prior to the trip.  So we hit up Lowes and mama got to painting. (no we didn't just bring her to paint, although she is a pro!)

#4- putting it all together.  No one is open on Sundays- so no deliveries, no furniture stores to shop, paint already done... so we shopped for us at the local outlet mall.  We would have preferred a day on the beach but the weather did not cooperate.

So we worked hard shopping, painting, planning, and designing.  I must say we were more than happy with the outcome!

After driving 12 hours there, working for 4 straight days, then driving 12 hours home- it is safe to say we were worn out but joyful with the project's results and the time to spend as a mama/daughters dynamic design team! ha

My sister will be doing more in-depth posts about our trip and the design process on her blog- head there now to check it out!  Jessica Stout Design Blog