Hi

Looking forward to a visit this weekend from this little sweetie, and of course my daughter and son in law

It's gonna be a fun one!! Hope yours is equally blessed!!

Coffee lover

Anyone who nows me know my about my coffee addiction. Although my decorating is not all about the coffee, I recently feel in love with a couple of coffee cup prints at CSN stores. As luck would have it, I won a CSN giveaway over at my friend Debbie's giveaway blog.


When she told me I won, I was so excited!! I had to think for  a minute (okay about a second) what to get with my gift code. I ordered these very cute prints and, here they are looking so cute above my refrigerator

Thank you Debbie for making my day with a very fun win!!

Defining your style (rerun)

When it comes to defining your taste and style in decorating, I have found most people don't know where to begin.

I often meet people who want to make a change or redo a room but don't really know what to do first. I have heard women say "I know what I don't like but I am not sure what I really want". If this sounds like you, I can help. My advice for clients I meet is simple. Start a notebook filled with magazine pages. Not just any magazine page mind you, specific pages. Gather up your favorite decorating magazines, and as you flip through them tear out pages that have things on them you like. Even if there is only one item on the page that grabs you tear it out anyway. (I know that destroying a magazine is going to be hard for some of you, but bear with me it is so worth it). It could be a whole room on a page you like, or just the sofa on another page, perhaps there is a vase, or a painted chest you love. Work on this over the course of a few weeks, don't do it all in one day. Doing it over the course of a few weeks will be a more realistic picture of your style verses doing it all in one day where your mood that particular day may sway you one way or another. You can also take pictures of vignettes in your favorite decorating shops. Always ask permission first prior to snapping pictures in retail stores. Most retailers don't mind, but I have run into a few that would rather you don't. During the course of this project you will begin to see a common theme occur. For example, you may notice that almost every page you picked had brown walls, with white trim work. It would be safe to assume that you would then be drawn to that scheme. Maybe you picked pictures that contained lots of antique furniture or pictures with wood floors in them. Maybe you are drawn to rooms with draperies and lots of pillows etc.

You will begin to narrow down your likes and dislikes and as you go through your notebook again and again you will definatly begin to see your unique style. I have done this process many times over the years. It always amazes me how many times what I think I might like to do, changes by what I see in the pictures I find. For years I thought that when I remodel my kitchen I wanted warm cherry cabinets. As I began the process of tearing out pictures of kitchens I loved every single kitchen I pulled had antique ivory cabinets. I would not have realized this without the process and could have been disappointed with the result of cherry cabinets. See where I am going with this? It really does help you to define your style.

If you are still having trouble, I do offer online decorating services, leave me a comment and I will get back to you with details and pricing.

You can see how this process will help you figure out what it is you really like, helping you create a home you'll love coming home to.

You don't want to miss this!!!

There is an incredible deal in the outlet this week. I just don't want you to miss it!!!
This tray table is normally $129.96 and this week only $32.96.
Edited to add that it has sold out(by 11:00am) but take a peek at these other great deals

More great deals in the outlet just click on the image and place your order today!!!!

It's the ultimate blog party

It's party time around blog land and I'm ready to join in!  Starting today and all next week it's the 5th Annual Ultimate Blog Party happening at 5 Minutes For Mom. The Ultimate Blog Party is just that — the ultimate place to party and meet new friends,  Go check it out...discover tons of new blogs and enter to win prizes too! 
If you are new to my blog Welcome!! I am a Willow House design consultant, Decorator and Home stager. I am a wife, mom to 4 grown daughters and a great son in law as well as Grandma to one wonderful grandson. My blog is often about decorating and design tips as well as about life in general.
You can read some random tidbits about me here.

Oh, and One of the prizes you can win over there, is this great metal cookbook holder from my Willow House collection