Vegas ... and other Monday Musings!

This Monday Rocks!  My bags are packed and I am traveling today with my good friend and Interior Designer Linda Holt.  We are off to Las Vegas to attend Design Camp! Which also means I will be going to the Las Vegas Furniture Market ... follow me on IG and Twitter to be one of the first to know what's new!

In the meantime, I have a little progress to share at #ProjectDownSize.

We have been contemplating what to do with the fireplace holes in our brick wall ...

There was a big push to put in a gas fireplace.

Ultimately, I could't justify the cost of the insert, running the propane line, etc. etc.

It is now People and Pet Friendly ...

  Wine Bar and Dog Bar ... all in one!

Last week I was jamming with clients so that I could leave town and I had to miss a wonderful opportunity to lunch with fellow NorthEast bloggers.

They sent me these ... how cute is THAT!!

My luggage tag is being put to good use today, Thank you Sandy!

You should go check out my sweet New Friends ... 

 Sandy, Tina, Elizabeth, Sue, Patricia, Karolyn, Carolyn and Cynthia and Melinda 

And the treat bag from Jeanne ... she couldn't make it (she is in Seattle!) either. But she sent treats any way ... yeah, I am officially a slacker!

Thank you so much Ladies!  Looking forward to meeting you all soon!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Nail Art ...

No, not what you are thinking ... but this.

As we continued our trek through Alabama, we stopped here.

Look at the nail line up.

Can you imagine the person that did this?

Such precision.

Rows and Rows.

Pride in Workmanship.

This person must be an artist.

You will never guess.

This was the inside of one of the oldest remaining log jails, circa 1868, in Alabama..

To keep the prisoners from sawing their way out,

the wood beams were lined with nails.

You know me by now.

And how I am moved by history and the art of day to day life.

What I find most interesting is that this place, meant to house those who were to be put away, there was still a pride in workmanship.

It's what draws me to the artisans of today.

Those that still take pride in their work.

Because, guess what, if you are lucky enough ... someone might have the opportunity to see your work in about 200 years.

What will your legacy be?  

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Day at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip-It's ... YaYa Style!

1.  Lisa always packs something fun for dessert!

2.  Lots of these!

3.  Cindy's Rockers that welcome us!

4.  Fun packaging to some Ya Ya Gifts.

5.  Yes, We did.  YOLO!

6.  My Ya Ya's.  Life Long Friends.  Family.

We always leave feeling inspired, motivated and energized by one another.  And the men in our lives deserve awards for putting up with us for the weekend!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

TBT ... Design Evolution.

 If you follow me on IG, you know we just returned from a RoadTrip.

 #massachusettstoalabama ... It was one crazy wonderful Ride!

Back at home and hitting the pavement running ... 

and while keeping several projects going I have also been putting plans in motion to update my Webpage and Portfolio.

As I looked through my online Portfolio, I did a little reminiscing about past projects and thought I'd share a few of my early favorites!

Here's a little TBT for you ... oldies but goodies!

I've said this about blogging friends and I will say it about my clients.  I have been so thrilled to work with so many wonderful families and the friendships that have developed make me smile.

In fact, the worst part about finishing up a project with a client is that I don't get to see them as much!

I've read several interesting blog sites lately about picking the right Client/Interior Designer.

One particularly good one was this by Lauren.

Absolute Truth. 

My best clients are the ones that have trusted me the most and let me create.  

The ones that have not worked out so well are those where there is 

no trust or "game" as I call it!

This does not mean that they do everything I suggest ... 

they do give me the rope to do what they hired me to do.

These photos represent the beginnings of a wonderful Interior Design experience and while I don't see them as much anymore they will always be a part of me!

I cannot wait to show you all the new projects ... photos coming soon!

In the meantime, thanks for coming along on my ride as I continue my goal to ... 

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Feeling the Heat ... in Hot Springs!

Yes, it is one of my favorite weeks in the year ... the YaYa week!  And we are Road Tripping.  We are driving from Massachusetts to Alabama.  Why you ask? Well, my favorite people in the world and I ask you ... "why not?"!

In our quest to make life fun, we decided to stop along the drive at the Homestead in Hot Springs VA.  When I was in the hotel business, I visited ... it was probably 15 years ago at least.  And I started telling Callie about it and how fun it was, families vacationing "old style".  And one of my favorite memories was going to the Jefferson Pools that have been there for over 200 years and soaking in the 

"healing" waters of the baths.  

After an 11 hour drive on Day 1, it just seemed fitting that we begin our celebration with some bubbly!

Now Callie is an only child on this leg of the trip ... so she got to pick ... we started the day with yoga.  Thankfully the class was small and we were all pretty much beginners!

Then off to the Jefferson Pools BathHouse ... 

It looked just like I remembered and couldn't wait to have Callie and I put on the Rompers!

Then the note ... 

I told Callie of the beautiful older black woman who gave me my romper to put on and she told me how she made all the rompers for the guests.  

She is no longer there and I have to believe no one else wanted to take up that task in today's world. 

I was sad not to see her and I hope she felt my love today.

The Mineral Pools have never been proven to really be healing ... but they are certainly good for the soul.

I loved thinking about all the people that have come there before us looking for something.

I hope they left happy like we did.

I truly don't think much has been done here over the years and there was a terrific loveliness in that.

Our Dressing Room ... 

I love feeling history ... and I mean "feeling" history.  We spent about an hour here and when we walked out there was truly a feeling of peace.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time. 

xo,

kim

Painted Kitchen Ceiling ...

Happy Monday Morning!  I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July.  Ours started out a little slowly due to Hurricane Arthur.  He sure knew how to stop the party here in New England ... and I did what any sane person would do when the party got cancelled.  Bought some new paint! 

So while I am marching forward in my "all white" kitchen.  Well, except for the Black counter tops and the Green Door and the Red Coffee Maker. 

Okay ... the walls are white.  

And I like it.  

Clean and Crisp in my little #projectdownsize kitchen.

But you know me ... I need a Touch of color.  Yes, a Touch.

And I, evidently, still need Gloss.  High Gloss.

San Pedro Morning.  Benjamin Moore. High Gloss.

And my absolute new favorite paint.  BM Advance.  

Still in progress ... and I can't wait to share when I am done.

It feels like Liquid Sunshine.

I think I am renaming the #projectdownsize house.

#TheGlossHouse might be more appropriate.

Life is short.  Why not make it Shine?

Go out and get some Shine this Week in whatever you do!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip - Its ...

1.  Cooper is enjoying his #ProjectDownSize deck!

2.  Saw these beautiful flowers last week ...

Milk Jug Vase and SeaShells at the bottom.

3.  Home Depot had these round wooden things. I like them.

4.  Anna French Fabric came in and is absolutely delicious!

5.  Happy Safe and Beautiful Fourth of July!

6.  Rumor has it that my Wine Guy might be back!

7.  FarmHouse Renovation in progress!

8.  Copper Top Table a client possibility.

9.  Aren't there days you'd just like this to be your only mode of transportation?  yeah ... me too.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim