"Behind the Designer Feature"

I've just returned from a glorious weekend at High Point Market, followed by a quick trip to Chicago for the day job.   Now I'm putting the finishing touches on my latest project that will be installed this weekend.  Busy, busy!

I thought I'd pop in to share with you a recent feature on a fellow Charlotte creative's blog. 

Several weeks ago I was approached by Anne Neilson of Anne Neilson Fine Art Gallery here in Charlotte.  She's a friend and follower on social media and was interested in interviewing me on her blog.  I graciously agreed and promptly provided her with some details about my business, my background and really my life as a whole.  She and her team did a fabulous job pulling the whole post together and I'd be remiss if I didn't share it with you. 

Head over to the blog and check it out.  There are lots of fun tidbits and pretty pictures!!

CLICK HERE

"Behind the Blog"

 

 

Hi y'all!  Hop on over to the Confetti Style blog where my friend and fellow blogger Shelly is interviewing me for her popular Behind the Blog series.  I'm dishing on where I find inspiration, how I balance it all and MORE! 

 

Read the Confetti Style post HERE

Guest Post: Behind the Scenes

First of all, thanks for all of your kind words related to my previous post.  I'm feeling relieved of the pressure already.  I really appreciate your understanding.  Of course wouldn't you know, the same week I move to once per week posts, I actually have more than one to share. Figures.  Oh well, consider it a bonus.

 

It's hard to believe that I've been blogging for Habitat ReStore for over a year now.  I just love my ReStore blog sisters.  We got together last week for a little strategy session and I'm excited about what's in store for the remainder of this year.  Hop on over to the Habitat ReStore blog to get the inside scoop.  I'm sharing a little more about the whole gang. Click HERE.

Left to Right: Me, Lauren Shaw, Rachel Sutherland, Jennifer Burnham and Donna Scott

 

Guest Post: Take Two

As a designer and small business owner, I can't tell you how much I rely on social media to establish brand identity and to attract new clients.  However, one of the biggest benefits has been developing a social network of like-minded, design enthusiasts most of whom I've never met.  I get so much inspiration, encouragement and support from other designers through social media.  It has truly become a virtual support system.  One of the perks of connecting with other bloggers is the opportunity to guest post on each other's blogs.  Since we each have our own dedicated followers, it's nice to mix things up a bit and feature other design professionals. 

Apparently, it's a guest post kind of week, so I'm over on fellow Charlottean, Beth Barden's Design Post Interiors blog sharing in her Take Two Series.  Beth asked me to share the answers to two thought provoking questions an one pretty fun bonus question.  Click HERE to check it out and this photo will make a little more sense.

Happy Friday!!!

ReStore Guest Post: Field Trip

Happy Friday! I recently explored a new Habitat Restore!  Stop by the ReStore blog to read all about my experience. 

Don't forget, only 6 more days to register to win the Modern Masters Front Door Paint giveaway! (Click HERE)

Guest Blogging with Sarah Sofia

Ever wonder how to find the "good stuff" when at thrift stores, antique malls, yard sales, etc.?   Well, you're in luck.  I'm over on the blog of fellow Charlotte blogger and event planner, Sarah Sofia, sharing a few of my tricks of the trade.

Head on over to Sarah's blog to check it out.  Click HERE to be redirected.  Happy Friday!

ReStore Guest Post: Faux Bamboo Lamp

Remember a few weeks ago when I shared the best Friday Find EVER?

Well, head on over to the Metrolina ReStores blog to find out what happened next.  Click HERE.

ReStore Guest Post: Go-To Accessory

Hope you all had an awesome Easter!  I'm over on the Metrolina ReStore's blog, sharing another one of my go-to accessories that happens to be plentiful at the Habitat ReStores. 

Here's a little hint...



Click HERE to link to the post.  Happy Monday!

Guest Post: "Easy Peasy Gardening with Containers"

Thanks so much for your well wishes on Friday.  My install went great and I can't wait to share the reveal with you.  However, today I've got a special treat. 

Hard to believe it's that time again, but it is.  I'm so excited to have one of my best friends, Bonnie Moody back again this year to share some of her gardening wisdom.  Nearly seven years ago, Bonnie taught me everything I needed to know about gardening and I've been hooked ever since.  Let's hear what great tips she has this year....

It is so easy to spruce up your deck, porch, pool area, or landscaping bed with containers.  They pack a punch and are super easy to care for and can be inexpensive.    I'm here today to share several tips that will have you whipping up your own spring containers. 

1.     Choose a container, be creative!  You will also need proper drainage for your container, potting soil, and preferably use polymer crystals.   

Target

2.     Pair plants that have the same needs and fit the size of the container you have chosen.   Don’t put sun loving plants with shade loving plants or plants that need lots of water with plants that don’t, etc.

3.      Use plants that thrive in the plant zone where you live.

4.      Use the Thriller, Filler, Spiller technique for containers.  A thriller plant is one that typically adds drama and height. Some of my favorites that grow well in our area (Plant Hardiness Zone 7) are Geranium, Salvia, Hostas, and Ornamental Grasses.  Filler is one that creates fullness and closes space between plants. Begonias, Million Belles, and Geraniums (yes it can be a Thriller & Filler). A spiller is one that falls over the sides of your container.  Ivy, Creeping Jenny, and my all time favorite spiller is Sweet Potato Vine (comes in a chartreuse and purple).There are so many options using this technique….

Southern Living

5.   But, don’t be scared to go bold and create a container with a single plant that you love! Ferns, Geraniums, Million Belles, Lavender, Succulents or my fav Caladiums…whatever!

 

BHG

Here are a few containers I put together this year to liven up my screened porch & deck.



I tend to be a lazy gardener and lean toward keeping things simple and easy!  My first pot is my Thriller, Filler, Spiller Technique…and keeping with my super easy, simple, and lazy ways I wanted something that would be useful year –round and would only require minimal upkeep. So I decided to use a tree that can live in a pot a couple years before being transferred to the landscape as my Thriller.   I love Coral Bark Maples – they have beautiful coral branches in the fall/winter and are beautiful trees when they leaf out.  My local hardware store had plenty in stock. 

Miniature Boxwoods as my Filler because they stay green all year, and I’m gonna add Purple Sweet Potato vine as my Spiller when the weather get warm enough. In the fall all I have to do is switch out the Sweet Potato Vine with Pansies and *boom* a beautiful Fall container.

Next, I added a few Autumn Ferns to a crate box on my patio table…  

 I literally just sat the pots that came in inside the crate on clear plastic water trays, and wrapped burlap around to hide the pots. 

Lastly I added casters to a galvanized tub and sat a hanging fern inside.  See … containers can be EASY PEASY!

-Bonnie

Great tips Bonnie!  I took your advice last year and it produced one of my favorite containers. 

 

Can't wait to get started this year!  Want to read more of Bonnie's Post?  Check out her past annual post below.

CLICK HERE to Read

 

CLICK HERE to Read

Home Office and Habitat's Help

This year, I'm converting my home office into a design studio.  Stop by the Metrolina ReStores blog to see how the Habitat ReStore is going to help. 

Just click HERE to check it out.

"ReStore Roadtrip"

 

 

Hi all! I'm over on the Metrolina ReStore's blog giving a rundown of my latest ReStore roadtrip.  Click HERE to stop by and see what I found this time.

ReStore Guest Post: Peg Board Storage

 

Stop by and check out my latest Metrolina ReStores' blog post.   I'm sharing my latest little project aimed at corralling a portion of my jewelry hoard. 

Click HERE for a direct link to the post. 

Habitat ReStore Post: ReStore Strat

...so click on the graphic above to be redirected.  I'm sharing my strategy for finding great deals at the Habitat Restore. 

Don't miss this one.

"Metrolina Restores Guest Post: DIY Bath Mirror Frame"

 

Stop by the Metrolina Habitat Restore's blog and check out my latest post. 

It's a project you've likely seen before, but with a special twist.  See me in action by clicking HERE.

Make it a great day!

Metrolina Restores Guest Post: "Indoors and Out"

It's that time again and ....

 

 

Stop over at the Metrolina Restores blog (CLICK HERE), where I'm blogging about creative uses for outdoor furniture, indoors. 

Happy Monday!

Habitat Restore Guest Bloggin'

...about my vintage sofa experience.  Check it out by clicking HERE.  Be sure to leave me a comment.  : )  

"Blogging Over at Restore!"

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I had been asked to be one of four regular contributing bloggers for Habitat for Humanity Restores in the Charlotte Metro area.  I'm so excited to announce that the blog launched yesterday and my first guest blog has been posted. 

You can click HERE or the icon below to check it out. 

 

 

The blog post highlights one of my favorite finds from a recent trip to the Restore nearest me.  It also includes an item that I'm selling that I think you'll like. 

Interested? Find out more HERE.

Be sure to leave me a shout out over on their blog.  Make it a great day!!

 

Gardening Guest Post: "Go-to Plants for Spring"

According to the Farmers’ Almanac this week began the “The most fruitful days” to plant. However, how many of us actually want to wait until after April 16th to put in Spring flowers when the weather has been as gorgeous as it’s been lately? Me either! 

Cheryl asked me to share my “go to” spring plants. So I really racked my brain trying to come up with something fabulous, but…..brain block. So this past weekend as I was getting ready to put my spring plants in the ground (I know Mr. Farmer’s Almanac….non-fruitful days), I thought why wouldn’t I share what I’ve chosen. You see we moved into a home that had been vacant for 5 years, so last spring we spent cleaning up the yard, this year I was super excited to start putting down my foundation. Then it clicked; my “go to” spring plants is exactly what I was planning to plant. While they may not be extremely exciting or fabulous, they are beautiful and pack a punch alone or paired with other plants. So here goes:

#1: I’m a foliage girl! To me it’s beautiful and low maintenance. It looks beautiful in pots, the ground, cut in a vase, etc. Just think outside the box and look for the beauty in foliage. Hostas! They come back each year, spread like crazy, and are pretty much care free. Just a quick Pinterest search brought up the following examples: I’m doing the one in the galvanize bucket!

via here, here and BHG

#2: Next foliage choice would be Caladiums for the very same reason as Hostas – BEAUTIFUL. Now depending on your climate these can be perennials or annuals. You can dig them up and store the bulbs for the next year.

via here, here and here

Not going to bore you with just the foliage so … here are my flowering choices.
#3: Superbells. This year I went with the Lemon Slice Superbell. Million Bells and Super Bells come in several colors. They like sun, not to be too wet, and prefer living in a pot. Boy are the eye catching! Google resulted this image....


via

#4: Next on my flowering list is Mandevilla. This is a tropical style plant that likes the sun and has always been really easy for me to grow. They are annuals, but they can be overwintered if you’re up to it. Typical colors are pink, red, and white. This year I went with white.



via



via

#5: Lastly, my absolute favorite requires a bit more patience. It is typically bought in bulb form and requires a few years before they become blooming beauties. They come in different blooms, colors, and fragrances. But they are hands down the Queen of the Garden in my opinion; the Peony.  Cheryl blogged about it last year HERE. All you have to do in put them in the ground in a sunny place and let ‘em go!



via




via

Regardless of what you choose to plant this year, just remember to check the Plant Zone Map for your area and stick to flowers that grow well for your zone. When in doubt check your local USDA Cooperative Extension for your plant questions. 

Happy planting!

Bonnie

You can read Bonnie's post from last year HERE. Great tips!!

"28th and Jefferson"

In case you didn't know, I'm a very PROUD graduate of Tennessee Sate University.  Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University (TSU) is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant institution. It's Nashville home is a 500-acre main campus nestled in a beautiful residential neighborhood along the Cumberland River. READ MORE...

It was through Twitter during my Alma mater's Centennial Homecoming Celebration that I first corresponded with @28thandJefferson, the unofficial source of news and information for supporters of Tennessee State University. Ahhh, the wonders of social media...

 I just love their name.  Twenty Eighth Avenue and Jefferson Street are the cross streets at the campus' entrance.   Recently, I was asked to do an interview for the Alumni Spotlight.  Needless to say, I was thrilled and honored.  I love my Tennessee State University!

So, hop on over to the 28th and Jefferson blog to check out my interview.

Just click the picture above

Happy Wednesday!  By the way, is it just me or does anyone else need their hour back? 

"Goodwill Guest Post: Volume 2"

I'm so excited to be featured again on Goodwill's blog today. 

If you follow me on any social media outlet, you know my love for Goodwill.  They've become a staple in so many of my projects that I thought I'd share a little more about how I use them as a go-to for cool accessories.  So, scoot on over to read more about my Nautical Boy's Room project and to show your support.  Simply click HERE and while you're there don't forget to leave us a comment. 

Special thanks to Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont once again.