Chandelier to love!

"If this is July, what precisely happened to June and a size able slice of May?!"
Where does time go,anyway? I've used this quote before, but as I look back over the beginning of this room for my cute friend and client, Monica, that is exactly what comes to mind!


We began her newly expanded family room over one year ago! What, you say? Well, as they say good things are worth waiting for. ((I'm sure Monica wondered about that several times along the way.)


After months and months of back-ordered fabric, two of these beauties were delivered, along with the tables, chair, media cabinet, and fabulous shag rug.



Shortly after, my assistant and I arrived to place the perfect accessories-carefully selected. It's always a rewarding day when lamps, art, mirrors and accent pieces are set into place and the client's personality finds a home in the room.


Finally, last week, after one year of waiting (indeed, one year!) Sneelock and I arrived to install this custom made chandelier. Perfectly perfect. One can't get any more perfect than that! Monica's last child, er, dog-Chelsea, was on hand to oversee the production. Obviously, she had staked her claim.


I was amazed (as usual) with Fred's skill in climbing the 12 foot ladder, chandelier in one hand, and then wiring it skillfully while hoisting it into place. I tried to pick it up several inches while on the floor and couldn't budge it with both hands!




Here is Fred (Sneelock) putting the last light bulb in...




Here is a shot of the room to give you the scale. I believe it is about 60" in diameter. We had spent a good deal of time searching for the correct fixture that would not be too large, too small or too dense for the room. Voila! (Remember, some things are worth waiting for...even one year!)



Monica's home has been a true favorite of ours to complete. I'll try to post more on her kitchen design another time. She did the basic kitchen design without our help and did a fabulous job. Creams, taupe's and neutrals all added up to a beautiful and serene setting. The photo above is a chest we found for her, along with the accessories from Black-eyed Susan. *sigh*




This is her mantle (tight shot) in the kitchen keeping room. What a luxury. Of course, I can picture it all in my mind, and I realize that I am just teasing you without the rest of the picture. I promise, I'll fill in the blanks soon with the remaining room design.

But, there you have it! One year later, and well onto completion...there are just pillows and draperies to go.

I'm waiting for reports from Monica on how the rest of the family and friends liked it! As for me, I'm hooked.

Thanks for a rewarding project, Monica.

Valentine Style

I like to celebrate Valentines Day with a double batch of my favorite family sugar cookie recipe...enough to give away to friends, family, staff, and retail clients alike. I've never found a recipe I liked as well...until tonight.

My friend, Autumn Prince, brought these beauties to our Church youth group activity.

Pure. Style. Valentine Style.

And, for the record-divine! Our recipes are very similar, although Autumn's remains a trade secret...after all, it is her business! I would say that after careful "test tasting" (well, I had to taste it to check out the competition, weight watchers points or not)... as I was saying, I would say that our recipes are so similar they could be twins. Autumn rolls her quite a bit thicker. And then there's the icing. Oh. My. That icing! Just look at how perfect it is! And look at the pure style of her designs! Sadly, I mashed the cute dots along the bottom of one by hiding it in my coat pocket.

I will tell you, they were perfectly beautiful. Autumn told me she does not use a spatula to spread her icing...it's all done with her professional icing bag and tip. I would love to observe that!

So...I have a new standard to reach for.

I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I highly recommend her home made,perfectly beautiful, perfectly delicious, designer cookies.

Yum.

I really mean it!