Equally Blank Slate

Today, I'm sharing the areas of the first floor where my parents live out their more private lives. This part of the home is absolutely stunning in functionality and design.

Their bedroom--where my mom is sticking with the black and gold tones of their previous home.

Their master bathroom suite is absolutely amazing. Here who can see "Her" side of the bathroom and the large tub in the middle.

Here is a glimpse of "His" side as well as the window seats...and another view of their fabulous bathtub.

Dad's closet also serves as a kennel. :) The dogs even have a TV.  This area was originally meant for a treadmill or exercise bike, but the dogs fit perfectly. Notice what it feels like to have nothing to move...not even clothes.

Mom's closet has a vanity and a three way mirror. Such a fabulous closet for any woman!

Unfortunately, the dogs are smart enough to figure out how to open the plantation shutters to see out. My mom's closet is at the front of the house, so hopefully she can avoid too many embarrassing moments when neighbors walk by!

My dad spends plenty of time in his front office. It's his hideaway and a very comfy one at that.

This essentially finishes the ground floor (minus the laundry room, entry hall, and other bathrooms). My parents have commented over and over again about how livable their new open floor plan is. I think it's gorgeous!

Updates to the House

Indeed, it's been only about two months since I last shared my home with you. However, lots of changes have occurred since then. (As always!)

The Living Room

I finally finished the super awkward wall. My favorite thing is that is awesome "Antiques" sign. It was perfect size, color, everything! My mantle was handmade by a lady in Oregon. I bought it on Etsy. You can find an affordable one just like it here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/57635538/one-of-a-kind-distressed-mantel-shelf.

The Windows

The office and the dining room (and the pet room) french doors got new shades. Hopefully they prove to be a good investment when this summer's electricity bills arrive!

The Dog Room

I moved out of the storage unit and found some old pictures that I wanted to add to the walls. Next: replacing those already dingy bed linens/pillows (thanks pups!).

The Entry Stairwell

I put together this fabulous (if I do say so, myself) memory/gallery wall. I love every piece! Including: 

1. A cute little sign that says "When life hands you lemons, make lemon bars." Found at Uptown Country Home.
2. Sea glass bottle from World Market.
3. My favorite picture of Brewster.
4. A picture of the Eiffel Tower that I took in the spring of 2009.
5. A black plaque with a glazed chandelier.
6. Three of my favorite pictures of me: Northern Ireland in 2009, a photo shoot in 2009, and from New England last November.
7. Bee print I also found on Etsy. The best part is that it also has two greyhounds on it!
8. The large print in the middle that I found at Garden Ridge. I'd LOVE to have a group of girls to watch a sailing competition with/live close enough to the beach to do so.
9. Photo of the Louvre (taken by me from a Seine Riverboat tour)...my favorite thing in Paris.
10. Photo of the trees, taken by me, in the Newport, RI taken last November.
11. Photo of the Acropolis from spring of 2009.
12. Photo of the beach in Crete in spring of 2009.
13. Couture print that I can't ever resist, the beach and black and white and 50s/early 60s style--all of my faves in one print.
14. Photo taken at the Campgrounds in Martha's Vineyard.
15. Argyle plaque that I've had since I lived in Amarillo.
16. A small bulletin board with small cards that I like to change out depending on my mood.
17. Letter "B" times two. 
18. An old cathedral shaped mirror that I've had since I was in college.

So much fun to put together, and a great way to brighten my day every time I leave the house or come home!

That's What She Said

In light of the room I'm blogging about today, I've appropriately titled this one with my favorite quote from "The Office". Of note, "that's what she said" follows just about 50% of everything a surgeon says, and no, it has not gotten old.

My office occupies the "loft"-ish area at the top of my stairs on the 3rd floor. I love the french doors and all the natural light. Sadly, I'm not at home much during the daylight hours to take pictures to show you just how lovely that natural light is.

BEFORE:
A bright mix of colors that complimented the painting. ("Godzilla" by Jonathan Revett) I loved this room, even though it was somewhat more traditional than my current taste. It was comfortable and bright, but the new remodel off this room wasn't really working with all the primary colors. More on that later...

AFTER: 
The black and white scheme takes over, and yet I was able to keep some of my favorite pieces--like that artwork, the color red (of course!), and especially that anthropologie lamp shade!

My desk is actually a kitchen island that I picked out from Ballard Designs. It used to serve as a kitchen island in a previous home, then as a sideboard in another home, and now it's my desk. Who knew a kitchen island could be re-purposed so many times, and do it all so well? 

I love the French, vintage, and little bit of narcissism I have mixed into my "work wall". This wall is fabulously functional AND feminine. 

I added in tulips (another favorite) to bring the yellow from the painting across the room, and for a daily "pick me up".

With all that red, black, and white, I couldn't help but throw in a little plaid (another favorite, thanks to my Scot-Irish roots) in the form of a pillow (another favorite). There's plaid in the dog bed too! Have you noticed a theme here? Perhaps I should have titled this one "A Few of My Favorite Things". I spend a lot of time in this room when I'm at home. So, I figure, I might as well surround myself with tokens of love--even if it's a somewhat narcissistic kind of love. (Winning!)

The Container Store contribution was significant here. Do you KNOW how much trouble that place can be?

Lastly, I found that fantastic urn at White Elephant Antiques when I first started my project of redecorating the house. I apparently couldn't live without it (add it to my list of my favorites as well). My friend Kendall (over at Lower Oak Lawn) gave me the rather self-descriptive quote with its perfectly colored frame--if only it were about vodka rather than champagne!

Again, the office is just at the top of the stairs, so I'm sharing my stairwell at the same time. The first piece I commisioned from one of my best, and most creative, friends, Mrs. Anna Jones. The others are the remnants of my more traditional decor (notice their earthy tones) that I wasn't quite ready to part with. They all seem to have a happy home on this wall together.





















Once again, I find myself up way past bedtime. (Which definitely does not equate to winning.) Productivity was severely lacking after arriving home at 7:30pm and indulging in the new episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. In fact, I even lost the time to soak in the tub again tonight (another favorite). Here's to enjoying a few of your favorite things...even if that includes sexual innuendos followed by obnoxious counts of "that's what she said" and bi-winning, Charlie Sheen remixes.