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The New Dwell by Cheryl!

Well today is the day!  Nope, not New Year's Day but New Dwell by Cheryl Website Day! 


Three years ago today, I set out to start a blog and begin to offer residential decorating services to a few people in my circle in an effort to get my feet wet in the area of interior design.  You can read my very first post HERE.  Things quickly accelerated into a full fledged business and haven't slowed down a bit.

I've learned so much in the past three years that it's hard to even quantify.  I still look back with a very critical eye at my early projects and shake my head at all the things I should've done.  I suppose that's normal since each project brings with it more knowledge and experience. I think it's also just what perfectionists do.

You can imagine that I've been working hard on the launch of the new site getting things just perfect.  I wanted a place to really showcase my work, and I think this site has really accomplished that goal. 
Special thanks to The Brand Effect.  They've been a pleasure to work with and have delivered beyond my expectations, which is difficult to do. 

I recently received a comment from a follower on Instagram that read..

"You always hastag '#budget decorating', but your results look like a million bucks!"
 
I thought about that comment for quite some time and it dawned on me that this statement pretty much summed up my entire mission; "Creating beautiful dwellings on real world budgets".   It provided the confirmation that I'm doing exactly what I set out to do.  I felt really good about that. 
 
Over the past three years it's become more and more clear to me that this is my gift and more importantly my mission.  It's easy to take for granted or even overlook the role that your home plays in your overall well-being.  I see this live and in living color at each and every reveal.  It's expressed in the deep sign my clients take when they realize that the space we've created is really theirs and just feels good.  I'm on a mission to take that feeling to as many homes as possible, creating spaces to relax, retreat, grow, be nurtured and....dwell.
 
The best is yet to come. 
 
Check it out at www.dwellbycheryl.com


Front Door Paint Giveaway!



It's been a year packed with successful client projects and a few projects around the house as well.  One of my favorites was painting the entrance to my garage with Modern Masters Front Door Paint.  You may recall me blogging about it HERE


I love seeing the pop of color from the inside of my home.  It was such a simple way to add a little visual interest to an otherwise bland surface.



Modern Masters has graciously agreed to offer another Front Door Paint giveaway in celebration of my 3rd Anniversary! Yay!!


The giveaway includes one quart of Modern Masters Front Door Paint.  You can browse the Modern Masters website to view the Front Door Paint colors.  Keep in mind that Front Door Paint can be used for interior and exterior doors and trim.  Plus, a quart of paint provides plenty to paint multiple doors.

It's easy to enter.  Just follow the blog if you don't already and leave me a comment telling me which color you'd select.  Be sure to leave your email if you comment as "anonymous". The giveaway will run through Saturday, January 3rd at 9:00 p.m. EST.  Winners of all this week's giveaways (yes, there are more) will be announced on Sunday, January 4th.

 

Cutting Edge Stencils Giveaway!

One of the most impactful DIY projects I"ve ever taken on was the trellis wall stencil project in my living room. 


That stencil changed everything and I'm so grateful to have had the great folks at Cutting Edge Stencils sponsor the materials needed for the project. Well, they're back at it again and are helping me celebrate my 3rd anniversary with a giveaway featuring one of their newest products.

According to their website, you can now create your own custom designer pillows with their new Paint-A-Pillow stencil kits! This innovative stenciling kit makes it fast, fun and incredibly easy to create personalized one-of-a-kind accent pillows. The Paint-A-Pillow stencil kit contains everything you need to quickly create beautiful designer pillow.

I'm pleased to announce that you have a chance to win a free Paint-A-Pillow Kit!

 
There are more pillow stencil options than you can count and a number of great paint colors to choose from.  I love that this product is affordable and seems really simple.  I'll be doing a product review soon.  I'm dying to give it a try. 
 
KIT INCLUDES:
  • Stenciling frame
  • Reusable pillow stencil
  • 17"x17" Cotton pillow cover
  • Pillow insert: linen/down alternative
  • Mini roller and 1/2" stencil brush
  • Paint tray and stirring stick
  • Illustrated instructions
  • Free mini stencil and practice fabric swatch
  • One free fabric paint (your choice of color)
 
It's easy to enter.  Just follow the blog if you don't already and leave me a comment telling me where you'd use your new pillows.  Be sure to leave your email if you comment as "anonymous". The giveaway will run through Saturday, January 3rd at 9:00 p.m. EST.  Winners of all this week's giveaways (yes, there are more) will be announced on Sunday, January 4th.
 
May the odds be ever in your favor.  : )

"Beyond the Blog"

I know I say this every year, but I cannot believe it's been almost 3 years since I launched my business.  When I began this journey, I never imagined that things would accelerate in the way they have, but God has a way of doing just that. 

If I had to sum this year up in a word, it would be "GROWTH".  When I look back at 2014's projects and experiences, I can clearly see the growth in my design ability, confidence, authenticity and brand.  It's been quite a year.  We'll recap things a little later, but I wanted to pop in to share with you that on January 1st I'll be launching my design website.  I've held off on this milestone until I had a body of work that I was proud to display. While the blog has been a great starting platform, a website is an investment that has the potential to set you apart as a true professional.  I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. I've been working for weeks to pull together project photos and videos to showcase on the site and I can't wait to reveal it to you. 


I've been working with The Brand Affect and they've been great at translating the vision for my new site into a reality.  Don't worry, I'll be keeping the blog and will continue to meet your here at least once each week.  However, I felt that it was important to have a proper landing for potential clients and others to view my portfolio and find out additional info. Basically, it's time to go beyond the blog.  The two sites will be linked together and the web address for the blog will change slightly.  The new Dwell by Cheryl Interiors website will retain the www.dwellbycheryl.com address and the blog will become www.dwellbycherylblog.com.  Hopefully, the transition will be pretty seamless, but just in case, bear with me if we experience any issues. 

On the day of the launch, I'll be including the latest project reveal, so you don't want to miss the first look.  Here's a little sneak peek.

The project includes a living/family room...


an eat-in kitchen...


and a formal dining room...


Lastly, in celebration of my third business anniversary, I'm teaming up with a few of my favorite vendors to offer some great giveaways. Be sure to stay tuned for details. 

It's the last week of the year, make it a great one!

"Restore Guest Post: ReStore Restoration"


I'm over on the Metrolina ReStores blog sharing another furniture transformation. 

This is the before...


Check out the after HERE

Happy Friday!

From Goodwill to Glam!

Well hello there!  I feel like we have so much to catch up on.  It's been a hectic couple of weeks, but with the Fall semester over, my last client project of 2014 complete, I'm back!
 
Today I MUST share with you one of my recent furniture transformations. I've been known to take a furniture with good bones and give it a new life through reupholstery and a fresh perspective, but I'm often doing that for my client's homes.  Well this time, it was all about me. 
 
My good friend Jennifer sent me a text about a year ago with this photo attached.  
 
 
She was out shopping at her neighborhood Goodwill and noticed that this piece looked a lot like my sofa.  I immediately inquired about the price.  When she responded with $14.99, I couldn't type "GET IT!" quick enough.
 
I'll be honest, it sat in my garage for nearly a year, before I finally found the right place for it and the perfect fabric.  Sometimes these things take a while.  Patience is key.  It wasn't until the night Baity's Custom Upholstery came to pick it (and another chair) up that I got really excited about the transformation.
 
 
I selected a velvet and cotton cheetah print.  Yes, a bit of a departure for me but I felt like my living room needed a little fun.   
 
 
I decided to up the prep factor with a contrasting welt in a rich gold I used previously on a throw pillow.  I almost flipped when I got this progress picture from the upholsterer.
 
 
This was going to be good.
 
 
I was right!  I'm obsessed with this chair.  It is exactly what the space needed.
 
 
I was obsessed with the bones from the jump.  I'm sure it had something to do with the fact that I'm a sucker for a Chippendale leg. The fabric is just to DIE for and add to that the contrast piping and I think I 've died and gone to chair heaven. 
 
 
Oh, did I mentioned it's comfortable too?


 
 I LOVE THIS CHAIR!  So, what do you think?  Would you have scooped up this deal or just passed it by without giving it a second look? 

Until later this week....
 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Gift Ideas: Dwell by Cheryl Favorite Things

The Christmas madness has officially begun!  I can't even say I've been caught up in it really.  I've been so focused on the upcoming weekend's client project install that I've barely even thought of Christmas.  I'm known for going a little overboard when it comes to Christmas decor, but this year, it's been all I could do to get the main tree up in the living room. I've been trying to photograph it for weeks, but I can never seem to be home during the daylight. 
 
Oh well! This is the best I could do. 
 
 
Hopefully, you've made a little more progress than I have. 
 
Today I thought I'd round up some of my favorite  gifts from Christmas' past.  I'm always impressed by those gifts that just seem to strike a chord with you.  Sometimes it's their functionality and other times it's because they're sentimental, but whatever the case, some gifts just have staying power.  Below are a few of my favs for various reasons.  Some were actually on my Christmas list when I received them and a few are items I never would've purchased for myself.  However, what they have in common is the fact that I love and use them all.
 


1. Barefoot Dreams Robe - This robe is the robe of all robes.  It's the epitome of comfort.  No, it ain't cute, but what it lacks in beauty, it makes up for in comfort.  I LOVE THIS ROBE!

2. Extra Large Zip Top Tote - This is the hardest working tote I've ever seen.  There would be no install day without this bag.  It holds ALL of my tools and install essentials.  When you see this bag coming, you know I mean business. 

3. African Banana Fiber Angel Ornaments Some ornaments are just special and these angels are among my favorites.  I usually forget I have them, until I reach down in the bottom of the Christmas bin and discover them.  I'm always excited to add them to the tree.

4. "I Love to Blog" Silver Charm- I have an old school charm bracelet and while I don't wear it often, it's one of my favorite pieces of jewelry.  I love receiving meaningful charms to add to it.  It's like having my life's story wrapped around my wrist.

5. Silver Friendship Ball- I have had this ball for years.  Too many to count.  My friend and I pass it back and forth each year (except when we forget) and I love that it's a symbol of our friendship that dates back all they way to middle school. 

6. Chandelier Night Light - This little nightlight had me at practical and pretty.  It seems silly to be on my list, but I use this light every single night in my guest bath and if it's not on, I actually notice.  It's the little things.

7. Apple Ipad- I mean, need we say more?

My goal with gift giving is to give gifts that will last the test of time.  Whether it's a sentimental gift or a useful one, I want the recipient to see/use their gift and think of me. 

What tops your all time fav Christmas gift list? 

See more of my favorite things HERE.

Friday Find: "The Nesting Place"

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I was blessed to be able to spend it at home in Mississippi with my family.  There's nothing like hanging out at home, eating good food, shopping and relaxing.  Love it! 

On the flight home, I intentionally brought with me two new design books I've been waiting to dive into.  There's nothing like the solace found at 30,000 feet to take in a good book.  I couldn't wait to board so I could get started. 

book
via Nesting Place
The first was the ever popular, "The Nesting Place" by The Nester (a.k.a. Myquillyn Smith).  I had heard great things about it, but had no idea that it would be such a page turner.  I was immediately sucked into Myquillyn's journey, and what a journey it's been.  There are so many parts of the book that resonate with me, but more than any, the section entitled "It's Time to Stop Apologizing" stopped me dead in my tracks.  She outlines an experience where she visited a neighbor's beautiful home and the neighbor proceeds to make a number of apologies for unapparent  "flaws" in her home.  She's shares the fact that she never even noticed the "flaws" until they were pointed out and admitted that it made her feel that if this lovely home wasn't good enough, then her home certainly wasn't either.

She says, "..I realized that when I apologize for my home, I'm declaring to all within earshot that I'm not content.  That I'm silently keeping score. That I put great importance on the appearance of my home and maybe, just maybe, I'm doing that when I visit your home too."

Ouch! I immediately closed the book and began to repent, because I know I've done the exact same thing on more than a few occasions. Certainly not because I'm ungrateful, but more likely because I'm a perfectionist, especially when it comes to design.   Honestly,  I've never given a second thought to how my feelings about my home's current state might make my guests feel.    Isn't it amazing how oblivious we can be?

There were several other concepts in the book that I loved like:

1. Quieting the Room
2. Giving Up on Perfect
3. Embracing the True Purpose of Your Home.

I can't say enough great things about this book.  It's the perfect gift for the design lover's on your list.
 
 
In fact, I'm about to go curl up with a glass of wine and a blanket and finish this one off.

You can purchase it HERE.  Until next time...

"ReStore Holidays"

We are quickly closing in on the upcoming Habitat ReStores event this weekend.  I'm so looking forward to hanging out with my blog sisters Donna Scott (Mod Bettie) and Jennifer Burnham (Pure and Simple Organizing) and sharing tips and ideas for holiday decorating, entertaining and organizing and more!  If you're in town (Charlotte, NC), you don't want to miss this super fun event.

We'll be at the Habitat ReStore in Charlotte on Wendover Avenue at 8:30 a.m. until noon.  We'll begin with a mini-workshop where each blogger will share tips in their areas of expertise.  Then we'll head over to the ReStore to shop with a special discount for our participants.  Tickets are just $10 and it promises to be tons of fun.


I had the opportunity to stop by WBTV-Bounce TV Studios Wednesday night to promote the event.  You can check out the video here....



One of the ideas I shared was incorporating the colors from your home décor into you holiday décor, something that seems much easier given the board selection of décor in many retail locations.  However, the Habitat ReStores are an awesome source for more budget-friendly holiday décor. 


I picked up these gold vintage satin threaded ornaments at the Gaston County ReStore and mixed them with fuchsia ornaments from a big box store.  I've placed them on display in a glass orb I picked up at a ReStore and the combo is the perfect compliment to my sofa's throw pillow. 

We do hope you'll join us on Saturday.  Register HERE.


"Project Earthtones Revealed"

Hey Y'all!  Dropping in today to share the results of my latest client project.  As I mentioned in my last post, this one was really just a refresh. 
 
 
I helped the client select a few key items to get started and then agreed to come back to pull it all together.  We put together this mood board to give a sense of the direction we wanted to go. 
 
 
The space was essentially a blank slate. The furnishings and artwork were great but it just fell flat beyond that.  Here's a look at a few before and afters.
 
 


 

 

 
 
It always amazes me how draperies can make a space.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
This project was all about layering on the earthtones and making things more cozy.  The room didn't have a fireplace and the client loved the idea of adding one for it's form and functionality.  The placement was tricky but I think tucked in this corner with a few treasures placed on top to create an eye-appealing vingette is perfect. 
 
 
So, what do you think? 
 

"An Earth Tone Refresh"

Hi there!  I'm dropping in to share with you guys a little client project I've been working on.  This one's actually a little different, in that the client wasn't looking to do an overhaul of the space.  For the most part, the furniture was set and the room just needed those critical finishing touches.  I put together this idea board to give us a general idea of where the space was heading.   
Earth tones were a must so we began with this hand hooked trellis rug in taupe and cream to ground the living space.
 
 
Lucky for us, a chance encounter scored us two of these lovely tufted wingbacks with a nail head trim.  

Joss and Main
 
And of course you know we're warming things up with fabric.  I'm particularly loving this faux bamboo shade with the greek key trim.
 

 The space currently has a few accessories and furniture details in a nickel finish, but I really felt strongly that the warm tones work so much better with brass finishes, so we're doing both.  It's all about mixed metals on this one.  It's a little harder to pull off than you might think. 


 
This was just a sneak peek.  I'm trying not to give it all away.  I'm installing this one this weekend and I can't wait to see how it turns out and to share it with you guys.


Stay tuned...
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