A Few of My Favorite Things...

The following items are a few of my favorite things that I have collected over the years. I am definitely not one for cluttering up a space with accessories, but sometimes things just speak to me and I HAVE to find a place for them! I do love a number of natural things, as you will notice, and some of them usually trash to others. But I see beauty in even some of the simplest things.

First, we have my dead bush sculpture. Many may think this is just trash! Actually, my best friend's parents were out doing yard work one day and they had uprooted a dead bush and had it out by the driveway. It stood out to me. I just had to have it! There was something so sculptural and beautiful that I saw in it. So I asked them if I could have it- and with bewilderment they said of course, but couldn't understand why I would want there trash! I took it home and did a metallic spray paint treatment on it. To her suprise, she was amazed at what her old bush became. What do you think??

Next is my coral collection. I just love coral. I am especially fond of white just because I think it is so striking! So over the years I have collected a few pieces. My first piece was given to me when I was about 10 from my grandpa (farthest to the left). Obviously you don't have a collection unless you have at least 2, in my opinion, so I officially started my collection when I was in 7th grade and my science teacher, who was retiring, was having an "auction" in her class room. I had eye-balled her mushroom-looking coral (middle- upside down with shell in it) the entire year and was so excited to get the chance to have it! I worried whether I would get it or not, unlike any regular 7th grader who is usually not concerned with such things. And to my enjoyment, I ended up with it! My other large piece of brain coral came from an antique booth in Round Top during the bi-annual Round Top Antique Fair. It wasn't cheap, but I just had to have it! Notice I also have a couple of other small pieces in the apothecary jar that have been gifted to me :-)

Here is one of my favorite mirrors I own. I have an obsession with mirrors, actually. One day I plan to have an room with just mirrors hanging everywhere. Perhaps a dressing room of some sort. It was a gift from a dear friend for my 21st birthday. I just had to have it and she bought it for me.

Out of all my accessories, I think this piece is probably one of my most favorite. I found it at Ross, of all places! I think I could design an entire house around it. Actually, I design my entire bathroom around it for starters. Blacks, browns, and golds are just so wonderful together.

Taking second place in my bathroom are these awesome coral plates I found several years ago at a ZGallerie. They were on clearance for like $5 each. What an exciting find. I love making plates and platters into art pieces. And what could be better than coral plates!

This small luggage collection of mine is actually more of a personal thing than an actual collection of luggage. The large red piece and small blue piece are both gifts from my grandmother. Notice how I topped it off with a little piece of coral :-) She had these pieces when my mom was little or even before she was born. The red piece was a piece she bought she was traveling in Arizona and had to buy a piece of luggage to fit all the other stuff she had bought! The blue piece is even more special, as this was her vanity case she carried all of her make-up and valuables in. She once accidentally left it at a hotel and didn't realize until they were a couple hundred miles away the next day. They drove all the way back and got it! They just have so many memories. I think it is so special that she gave them to me and I treasure them. The "Gucci" looking piece is actually a piece that had always been in my dad's closet. I grew up seeing it in there and one day decided to ask if I could have it and he gave it to me.

This old fan is something I stole out of someone's garbage! It still works (even though I'm afraid to actually use it) I just love the shape of it and think random items like this can add such warmth to a space.

I just love this porcelain artichoke that I found that my best most wonderful friend Jenny bought for me :-) The botanical prints book was also a gift and the old faded navy blue book was a find in the attic. Also, notice my little brass owl that I have had for at least 15 years. I remember my grandma letting me go through her resale shop and getting all the brass items I wanted. I just love him :-)

This next item is also one of my favorite finds. Actually, I didn't find it, but some good friends of mine who lived on the lake had drug it out of the lake one day and used it as decoration on their patio. I eyeballed it for years, and when they moved she asked me if I wanted it! Of course I did! I just love the movement and the thought of it floating in the lake for years, developing it wonderful shape. Now it is one of my most prized pieces. See, some of the best things aren't expensive or cost even a dime- at least to me :-) I guess I'm just simple minded about some things.

Before and After

I was thinking that it would be nice to reminisce on some of my past projects today. I hope you enjoy looking at these before and after pics as much as I enjoyed the project in itself :-) This first posting is of a foster care agency children's therapy room, in Corpus Christi. I had previously redesigned their lobby and children's room in Houston, and they had such a good experience they hired me to do their main office in Corpus Christi.

But its never fun to travel by oneself, so I asked my best friend Jenny to tag along with me. We actually weren't best friends at the time, but I admired her work ethic and thought she was a fabulous designer, so I figured two heads were better than one! And to my excitement, she agreed to help me out with the project! Not only was she a huge help (and still is), but it was so much fun traveling and exploring Corpus with her.

You will see in the before pictures that there wasn't much to work with. Plus... we only had a budget of $1700! So we had to get real creative!




I used a very inexpensive sofa solution (it actually came in pieces) but great for a children's room. There is storage under the entire piece and all upholstery is removeable, stain resistant, washable, AND re-orderable, just in case you get an unexpected rip or tear.

Me and Jenny also searched for hours and hours for the perfect rug. And actually the one I wanted was out of stock! Story of my life! But we lucked out and found this one at a HomeGoods by my house, along the with shaggy green one in the playroom, and they worked out perfectly! I think its the perfect amount of pattern.






Before- little or no seating. Blah carpet, Blah walls, Blah lighting, Blah, Blah, Blah...





One great way children can express themselves is through art. The client had already bought this chalkboard and I thought it was the perfect touch. Since there were no closet doors, what better idea than to just do fabric panels. Except... I never could find any fabric I liked, so I went with pre-made table clothes that I hemmed and folded a rod pocket into. This really cleaned everything up. Now all the toys were in the closet, and they were hidden by these fabric panels.



Before- My biggest nightmare... CLUTTER! I can't stand clutter. They didn't like it either. Plus, clutter can really be overwhelming to some of these children. I needed to get rid of it and quickly!





This once-drab-room was instantly brought to life with a happy red wall (Jenny's idea) and fun stick-on wall murals. The custom leaf beanbags I created were a big hit and went well with the reclaimed tree-stump stools from Hurrican Ike (thanks to Jenny and her uncle for all the time well spent on those!)




Before- As you can see... BORING once more...





Fun custom window coverings that I made go great with the red wall, which helps them not get too crazy. A little green shag run looks like grass and the tree stumps are placed in a circle for the perfect story-time environment.





Before- dangerously sharp metal blinds hang in the window, which was also a security problem- Anyone could look it if they were open. Again, clutter, clutter, clutter.



This organizer turned out to be the perfect touch with the freshly painted cubby boxes. What a fun way to organize.


Before- This was really the only piece I had to work with, but again, NO color and very BLAH! But I had a few tricks up my sleeve :-)





Every playroom needs a play kitchen! That it exactly what I gave them, too. A little retro red kitchen to work with the once very retro space!

Curtains and Couches

I like to think that I design draperies, not just window coverings or curtains. I'll never forget about 3 years ago when one of my professors at school told us never to use the words 'curtains' or 'couches' in a presentation to a client. She just did not like the way it sounded when you are trying to sell a $10,000 sofa to a client and you call it a couch. She said you could go down to the furniture barn and buy a couch for $200! A sofa is a much more exquisite piece that sounds like an investment. Its the same with window coverings or draperies. The word 'curtain' just sort of depreciates their value. Now if you have a set from Wal-Mart, by all means, call them curtains because they probably are made out of thin, plain weave fabric with no lining. No offense to those curtain owners out there, but I can assure you if you hire me to do your windows, you will be investing into a gorgeous investment of draperies, which I usually construct out of beautiful silks, lined with blackout lining, and even sometimes add a cotton interlining for extra fullness. I also don't like to think of them as 'window coverings,' but more as an embelishment, because really windows are wonderful, beautiful thing to have in a home. Could you imagine living without natural light? It would just be so depressing. I like to dress the windows, not cover them. Now obviously you may want to close the draperies in the evenings for extra privacy, but come on, use your windows and enjoy the beautiful world outside!

Please take a look at some of my most prized draperies. I love doing different things with windows. I like to think of my drapery designs as beautiful evening gowns. Tell me what you think. You could be the owner of my next creation :-)




"Blue Wave" draperies done in blue iridescent silk, with signature pleated trim and tule

"Coral and Pearl" Dupioni Silk draperies

"Villa" draperies custom designed for a client, mustard colored linen and black chandelier beading.

Custom Black and Ivory Dupioni Silk draperies with signature pleated trim

My Many Recent Travels- Alabama

This yacht cabin is not your everyday beige and teak yacht cabin. My friends wanted this space to be glamorous and feminine, or at least she does :-) She has a picture of Marilyn Monroe that hangs in the bathroom of this cabin, which is what her inspiration was- Marilyn's Room. I designed and made all the bedding for this very awkwardly shaped mattress. Remember, the forward cabin is at the bow of the boat, which means the everything starts to get smaller. That is exactly what this mattress did! It took me 5 days to finish this bedding! But I think it came out great and they both were very happy with it. Next time I will ship my machine with me. No more using other people's sewing machines. That is the main reason it took so long- that AND the fact that its made from bridal satin, which is very slick and slippery. Anyways, I'm glad I did it and it really adds a lot to the space I think. I also helped her accessorize a bit to freshen things up and modernize a bit.

Also, I added in one of the beautiful sunsets I got to enjoy every evening :-)

My Many Recent Travels-Chicago

These are several pictures of me in Chicago at Millennium Park, right off of the Magnificent Mile, overlooking the beautiful Lake Michigan. Also, I have a picture of Frank Gehry's beautiful sculptured amphitheater.

My Many Recent Travels- Palm Beach

So, It has been a while since my last post (5 months to be exact), but since then I have done A LOT of traveling! I have been to Palm Beach to receive my national award for my kitchen design, I have gone to the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Chicago, then I spent 10 days with some good friends on their yacht in Alabama and made custom bedding for their forward cabin, then I went back to Chicago again for NeoCon. After that, I spent a couple weeks in the Ozark Mountains trying to rest up for my last quarter of school.

These pictures are from my fabulous 5 day stay at The Breakers in Palm Beach, FL. This is one of the most exquisite hotel/resorts in the country. In a city full of billionaires you can count on the best staffing and the most luxurious offerings. My room looked out to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, which was so blue and beautiful. I walked the beach every evening I was there-it was so relaxing. Sub-Zero/Wolf took care of all expenses, which made the trip even more enjoyable, because I don't think I would have ever been able to go if that wasn't the case. Room rates can top $2000/night here!

There was a huge gala honoring all the winning designers, including me- the national winning student! I was the only student there out of the whole world! It was absolutely fabulous and such a wonderful honor to be able to meet such amazing designers and receive such nice feedback from them.

In the two pictures where I am standing with another person, the man I am with is the very well known Jamie Drake from NYC with Drake Design Associates. He was recently seen in Luxe Magazine with a breathtaking bathroom. The woman I am standing with is Dalia Tamari from Dalia Kitchen Designs, a very large firm in Boston, MA. She actually has three showrooms in the Boston Design Center.