designer dad

You could say that design was born in me a little. My Mom's degree is in interior design and my Dad designs roofs. He's actually pretty awesome. He designs them and bids on them. He used to be a lot more involved in the building process than that but he is unable to get on a roof anymore. 

The last roof he was able to stand on that he designed happened to be this one.

Isn't that one beautiful copper roof!? 

Yes, my Dad designed that. It is The Grand America Hotel. It's also the location of Alt Design Summit. So it's been on my mind the last 24 hours or so :)

When I was growing up, we would take road trips to see the different roofs my Dad designed and built. I remember thinking it was kind of lame to take the always take the scenic route out of our way to see these buildings. Now I find myself always pointing out his handiwork to my family while we are in the car. Every time we go to Salt Lake we pass this hotel on the freeway and every time I talk about how cool their grandpa is.

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And just a reminder to please go LIKE and RE-PIN my little crown pin. I'm starting to get closer but my ticker seems to not be working past 21 re-pins when there has been over 50. Sooooo especially if you were one of the first 20 pinners you might want to help me out with another pin. I really, really appreciate all the love and support on this contest. I have some great competition.

PIN IT HERE

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

 

where did you go

Remember me? I used to blog here :)

Truth be told my family has needed me a little more than usual. There has been lots of doctor tests, juvenile hypothyroidism, one little surgery, a job promotion for my hubs that included lots of extra hours, a school bully and a bunch of new adventures over the last little while. While I was at it I kicked my house into major gear. Seriously, it's sparkling right now. With amazingly clean closets to boot! Speaking of, the toy closet really has rocked my world, best decision ever!

Now that life seems to be a bit more manageable, the stress eating has stopped. And I feel like I can have fun with design again.It was always there in the back of my head. And I did get some magazine fun at the hospital and doctors office too. The most exciting thing is my fancy new business cards, that I am soooo excited about.

See

They need to be shot in the daylight, which may not come today. But they are fantastic! Thanks Bridgette! Keep your eyes out for a little blog redo as well. 

All in all, I feel like I'm me again. And my family has been well attended to. Thanks for being patient with me. Back to delightful designing tomorrow!

i love the outdoors

Lately we've been trying to soak up as much of the outdoors as possible before it gets too cold here. I LOVE fall in Boise. It's the most gorgeous time of year. 

My little guy has been wearing his pirate hat everywhere possible lately :)

I would have had more pictures of a pretty picnic but as soon as we sat down we were attached by a swarm of bees, we picnicked in the van instead. Next stop: pumpkin patch!

new baby

This weekend we finally went from a one car family to a two car family. Ahhhhhhhh. So happy! And I am not ashamed to now be a van mom. 

Isn't she pretty!?

Do you have any idea how much furniture I'm going to haul in this thing? Look out thrift stores I'm coming!

tiny love

Once upon a time, I lived in a teeny tiny, overpriced apartment in LA with my husband and 2 kids. All I wanted was a little home of my own. And somehow I had convinced myself that we should buy land and put a tiny house on it until we could afford to build a real house. It was a good idea in theory. This little house could serve as a guest house on our property someday. 

This could have been our floor plan.

Totally doable right!? It was a good idea in theory. At the time, tumbleweed made all the homes and shipped them to you for $2 a mile. Now it looks like they sell more home plans than houses. I was trying to say how this wouldn't have worked for my little family...but part of me is still bummed we didn't do it. My husband couldn't be convinced and was also worried about earthquake safety. Always a thinker that one. 

Today more than ever I wish I could have made this tiny house our own. Because this picture makes tiny houses look like a million bucks.

source

There is definately something to be said for simple living. Which I am learning more and more as I am reorganizing all my storage upstairs. I still love this idea but man am I grateful for my home and the chance to host a party or two inside of it. We could have had the biggest yard in California with that tiny house on it though :)

unfinished

Well, it's official, one week until school starts for my Kindergartner. Then I will officially have two kids in school and a lovely three hour nap from the two year old. That's when I will be able to start projects for my house again. I've missed it a lot. There has really not been time lately. Soon enough I can get to a slew of projects I have had on the back burner. 

Look at all this paint waiting to be uses. I scored an amazing deal earlier this summer where I got 4 pints of paint for the price of 2. So much fun to be had. And there is easily four times the amount pictured. 

Clearance mirrors not on the wall along with a gorgeous hand me down waiting for a new stain. Or maybe it will be limed, we'll see! Lately it's just kicking it with the bikes.

And surely I will have time to finish that green bathroom already! I'm just one trip to the hardware store and about an hour away from it being complete. 

Most of my extra time has been filled with client work. So I really look forward to taking some time out for me and my house. My favorite thing to do! And of course I will have much more time to be here everyday and much more to talk about too! Who's excited!?! I am!

a lofty goal

Whew! Life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately. Good things, for the most part. But lots of happenings for sure. 

Do you know that I haven't had the time to read a magazine all summer!? Not the ones that have come to my house. Not even that one I picked up at the grocery store. Not an online mag either! That's a first for me! 

I think everything has calmed just a little. So I vow to read at least two this week....maybe three. That's a weekly goal that should be easy enough. At least it will mean I will be sitting down while I read. Good times!

first day

Life has been a bit crazy lately! But how could I not share this today!

Happy first day of second grade to my first born!!

2nd grade? Really?

if

If I were loaded and we had that beach house we always talk about I would be sure to buy one of these.

Sure it's a $9000 tent but it would host some brilliant parties. Probably even in a backyard. But, I am still shooting for that beach house.

yes!

Well to answer the last question, yes, yes it was a mistake to paint the bathroom. I love the color, the color was no mistake. But deciding to paint my bathroom the night before company came was a tremendous mistake. Especially since said company arrived 4 hours earlier than I expected and I was in my painting clothes from the second coat. And also my children were in their pajamas still and so on. Oh well! It's a good thing we are all friends! They ended up being minus a mirror in the bathroom for three days. Bad hostess!

But, you should expect that little diddy half bath to be finished up this week! Woot!

In other news, my boys' bunk bed is splitting apart and I am trying to find a storage bed that isn't cheap {well cheaply constructed} and that isn't ugly. It's a challenge!

I am thinking this is the layout I would like.

If only I could afford a custom one. We will have to buy made and diy a built in look I think. Man there are a lot of ugly storage beds out there :)

back in the habit

Well, that went by fast! I am home from my crazy trip. Crazy and fun. I've missed being here but it was by far the best choice to take a break. I cannot believe how busy it was. Vacation + kids + decorating is a very tricky combination. We made it work. And except getting bailed on twice for someone to come install a few things we are done. Sadly it will be finished up this week and I won't be there. Here's hoping my instructions were clear enough! The room has come a long way. And there will be plenty of pictures when all is said and done. I will give you a few projects this week though. 

Here is a sneak peek of some crazy cute window treatments that I decided to make up at 12:30 in the morning. I'm so glad the plans changed because they will be awesome.

Now I am off to unpack and catch up on my google reader {yikes!}

Glad to be back friends!

friday thoughts

I cannot believe this week is already coming to an end! It has been a really good one at our house. I have got to say that the chore charts have been working swimmingly. And I'm pretty sure that it's the smoothest, cleanest week we've had and that is with school out. All I needed to do was go on a weekend organizing rampage and ask my kids for help. Phew! It feels like a giant victory at my house.

I have also been busy reupholstering a chair {it will be awesome by the way}. And making and planning out a bulletin, magnet board, art display and chalkboard for the playroom. Getting some art matted and framed. And dancing around a lot with my kids. All very fulfilling!

In other news, I found this AMAZING new to me food blog, The Fit Cook. I love the simple, healthy recipes. You must visit! Isn't she gorgeous too! And the first two recipes I looked at, I already had all I needed to make them. Score!

For years and years I have wanted a trailer. In fact, I asked my parents to sell our house and buy a motor home when I was little. But lately I have been wanting one just for fun! My husband thinks I'm crazy. But seriously, they rock!

{via}

I want one

Did anyone else get a free Dwell magazine in the mail or was it just a random stroke of luck?

 

And I cannot decide on little horizontal stripes

or little vertical stripes

I cannot decide mostly because it also comes with a very complicated installation. I am a little nervous about it truthfully. What are your thoughts...please!?

And that is what I am thinking about this week! Have a lovely weekend!

a tuesday adventure

Yesterday we had ourselves a little adventure! As you may know, our family just has one car. So that leaves me home...a lot. But every Tuesday we pile into said car at 6:20 and take Mr. Wallace to work. We come home and get ready. Get back in and have a morning appointment, then we try to function normally the rest of the day with tired kids. In short Tuesdays are always an adventure.

Well, since school is out we did this with the whole group all day. And for some reason, I thought it would be a great idea to take them all to my wholesale frame shop. And we did it! We turned a few heads in the process but whatever! I knew that if I didn't do it then I couldn't make it work until Thursday. In the end we piled in the car with one giant frame, {HUGE!} four large frames and two medium frames. Oh plus, glazier points and mat boards. A nice lady even felt sorry for me after my third trip and helped me out. Thank you nice lady. 

What troopers! The chocolate helped...

We had the four frames in the back. Two in the passenger seat. And the big one had to go in between the kids and me. Let's just say my right arm got pretty tired holding it all the way home. But I kinda like my kid's faces so it was worth it :)

And if you are wondering why this was so important that I had to cram it all in with these guys. The answers are pretty simple. For one, I'm a little crazy and two...

About a month ago I stayed strong and sadly walk away from this $45 beauty. But $25!!! I couldn't even believe it was still there. Look how big and awesome it is!

Have you ever seen my dining area? It's a little boring. But, it's mine! But back to the star of the day. Giant. Gold. Greek key. Cheap. I'm thinking score!

Me and this lover have big plans. I just have to wait for a few client projects are wrapped before I can think about it again. It will probably always be there in the back of my mind though. I think I'm in love!

Sorry for all the exclamation points!!

my weekend

What did you do this weekend? I hunkered down and cleaned, organized and did laundry. I practically didn't even leave the house. It was a giant load off my shoulders. And we've even kept it clean so far. Ahhh. Summer break came faster than I thought it would and I wasn't very prepared. But, I am now! 

Chore charts are printed and laminated!

 May got super busy for me with new projects. And if I want to get anything done with all three kids home this weekend had to happen. They are excited to start the charts and earn beans for their jars. I am going to try a new clean routine too. You see every afternoon used to be just me and my sweet little two year old, who takes a lovely three hour nap. That was good time for me to do projects, catch up and clean. Last week I tried to give the older two quiet time. It....did not work.

So now I can breathe again and I am really looking forward to this week with the kids. After our morning chores are done we will get busy. We will ride our bikes to the park probably daily. Go to the library. And hopefully crash someone's pool a time or two. And hopefully I can get a few things done in our spare time. I'm sure it won't be perfect but I know it will go smoother than last week now that I am more prepared. 

Happy Monday!

getting close

A lot of fun is happening at a client's house. We have been slowly working on things but are so close to finishing up. Once we put this huge wall of white and gold frames up in the stairwell things really started to feel real. It is such a pretty wall! Here is a peek of that.

In the meantime, they get the lovely task of filling every frame and finishing up a few silhouettes. It's a big job. Luckily they are troopers, who have been so wonderful about all the projects they've been doing. 

Here is a peek of another corner. Just waiting on another pillow and a few more accessories for this room.

So much fun and so close to a big reveal! I cannot wait!

And in other news

Happy NINE year anniversary to my wonderful husband!! It's been amazing so far.

art heart

One thing I haven't been able to collect much of in my 30 years is art. The last few years I have had a sense of urgency to get some. It takes time, sadly. But I am happy to say that my collection is starting out with a bang! Look what my sweet Grandma gave me the other day.

She painted it herself in 1972. And I love it! It will fit in perfectly in my office, {that is starting to come along nicely by the way. I will give you a peek on Friday :) }I just need to clean up the frame a bit.

She has done some amazing work and I am so lucky to have this piece. I also have an amazing and ginormous picture of the beach that she did. I am saving my pennies to frame that one because it is gorgeous. Plus, it reminds me of my life in California.

The best part about this painting is that it has such sentimental value. And I know it will be cherished forever. I love having history in my home.

seven!?

I cannot believe it has been seven years since this little angel came into our lives. I could not have asked for a more thoughtful and loving little girl. The best big sister. A smarty pants little reader. A tender tiny thing who cries at movies all the time and is so small she fell off the growth chart. I am all teary just thinking about how wonderful she is and how lucky I am that she calls me Mama. Still. The best word ever as far as I'm concerned.

  I thought it would be fun to share her little nursery with you today. It was five moves ago so she probably has no recollection of it but it is a space I will always love. And I have to say it is the first room that I completely drew out on paper and turned into a reality. I was a bit obsessed! I was a lover of interior design but hadn't practiced much of it. We should have known then that I would be all crazy into one day. 

So here goes! Amber decorates circa 2005.

Her teeny 10 by 10 was not considered a bedroom but an office. So no closets. Naturally I went on the hunt to find or make shelves that would serve as hanging space behind her double doors.

While visiting my grandparents in San Diego my grandma took this photo and I ran to kinkos to blow up a big shot of it on foam core. Never will I do that again! I was ripped off. But I still loved it!

Her dresser is the first piece of furniture I ever painted. It worked great for so long. We sold it about this time last year. And it worked every place she lived even in that 6 by 6 foot walk in closet. Yep! I will try to hunt that picture down :)

Man I loved those lamps! Thanks Aunt Tracey!

My husband and father in law painted her room the softest pink and I stenciled words I thought would fit her all over the room.

Didn't my little makeshift closet rock!

And here is as much as I could fit in the french doors. The crib skirt and rocking chair hadn't arrived yet but pregnancy brain never reminded me to take new pictures. I even made the most random but perfectly functional slip covers for the rocker cushions. If only I had been blogging then :) Oh and that rug I seamed together out of two! I shouldn't have put it on a diagonal...but whatever!

Well there is a blast from my past! I wonder what a baby girl nursery would look like if I had another girl???
Too bad we will never know!

Love my little bug!

happy mother's day

This weekend I have big plans to unplug my computer, huggle my kiddos and not do any dishes :)

And most importantly celebrate the amazing women in my life.

Before we had babies I would tell my husband that he was to celebrate my womanhood on Mother's Day. So Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers and daughters out there. I hope it is a wonderful weekend.

balancing plans

Holy buckets it has been a crazy week so far. But crazy awesome! I am really trying hard to keep up with things at home and all things design as well. And I feel like I am kicking butt this week! Here's hoping my balance will continue. I somehow have gotten four new jobs this week. So much fun! And my mind is spinning with ideas. 

I was wondering if any of you out there have any tips on doing floor plans on your computer? I think Autocad has that but I'm not sure if I am smart enough for it :) Maybe my Dad can come teach me. Just wondering  if any of you had a brilliant suggestion for me. I will take it if you do!

A few of these projects are up in the air on the amount of rooms. I am secretly hoping for a little girl's room just so I can design around this awesome headboard.

What a steal! I really do love that O.co! Look it's even double sided. Brilliant!

I guess we will wait and see if the girl's room happens. The good news for you is a few of these other projects are needing to be bust out pretty quickly. You should expect some after shots in June! So soon!? That is why my head is in full spin up in here.

I'm pretty happy about it!

obsess much?

I will be the first to admit that I have a bit of an obsessive personality. There are many things I have been obsessed with in the past. Most are good things, others aren't bad but might be a tad embarrassing. Lately I've noticed a few obsessions creeping into my home that I wasn't really aware I had. 

Like I clearly have a new obsession with blue and white trays. Especially ikat ones.

I've wanted serving ware for years and since we didn't get any of the ones we registered for and also lived in tiny apartments for years I never did. So this obsession crept up on me slowly with sales and ikea. The most expensive was the seven dollar striped ikea tray. The rest were target or home good finds and less than four dollars each. But now all my parties will have to go along with this color scheme until I can start obsessing over more neutral pieces. Or let's face it when I find ones on sale :)

So there is the first of many obsessions I have. Maybe I'm a bit crazy! Oh well.

 What do you obsess about?