I alluded to these clients here and here, but never actually gave them a proper post! Ashley + Scott were married last July on a gorgeous day in the North Carolina mountains. We were privileged to help with them with their wedding, in addition to being their friends. Ashley and I worked together in interior design for four years, and she couldn’t be much sweeter, prettier or have better taste! Her style is evident in the way she curates her furniture and accessories booth – Haven Shop. Of course, Ashley planned a very classic and elegant day, which came to life beautifully.
We started with the Save-the-Dates, featuring one of their engagement photos. Chad created a little logo with their initials and a Greek key border. The wedding venue, Westglow Resort & Spa, incorporates the Greek key motif repeatedly… from their crystal to the stair runner.
We also created the cupcake toppers for their engagement party.
For the big day, Ashley asked us to design several elements. We coordinated the table numbers, place cards, menus + the seating chart to match each other with the Greek key border.
Unfortunately, we only had our iphones and point & shoot camera for the wedding itself. When will we learn to bring the good camera? The seating chart matched the other printed reception pieces.
We also created Mr. + Mrs. signs for the newlyweds’ chairs.
Some other shots from the day… I wasn’t kidding about the Greek key:
This was the ceremony view…
Cocktail hour on the front porch of the resort…
We were honored to be part of the day! It was such a fun weekend with some of my favorite girls.
To see more beautiful, professional images of the day, here is the photographer’s blog post. Smitten & Hooked captured all the sweet little details! Thank you Ashley + Scott!!
Some things I’ve discovered or have just been loving lately…
Our family gallery wall was hung the week before the baby shower. I mixed different styles of black frames with photos of our parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles. There’s still room to add on, but I LOVE looking at it every day.
This blog (appropriately named) is so cute and I’ve enjoyed the short daily posts. Melanie writes about gift + party ideas, “putting things in boxes” and her adorable little boy, Beck.
I love these boys! Finley is more grown up every time we see him… so is my little brother.
The look that Rigby is giving Cousin Finley is pretty priceless.
If you or someone close to you is pregnant, Chad and I crack up at The Pregnant Husband tumblr page. Some is a bit inappropriate, but it’s so true!
This table that I saw at Target last week. I was thinking of the nursery, but it would work in so many places!
Lastly, these rhododendrons that have just bloomed. For some reason it’s so much more exciting when things happen in your own yard.
Happy weekend!
We have now had two Sundays in a row of showers for Baby Martin. Unfortunately, my photographer (Chad) was only there to capture one of them… but they were both very special! The first was hosted by my college roommates in our home and was themed around my favorite book: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It was such a sweet day with high school/college friends and my dad’s side of the family.
The adorable invitation set the tone:
They transformed our dining room chandelier with dozens of paper flowers and all the food was mini-themed. Lots of my favorites!
Biscuitville’s mini ham biscuits… all the way from Asheboro!
The little twig signage was one of my favorite elements. Of course they had a signature drink for me.
The activity for the day was painting onesies. Now we have about 20 custom outfits for baby’s first year.
This banner is still up on the mantle… I can’t bear to take it down!
We were blessed with so many gifts, but the attendees were the best part of the day. Both grandmothers came… I’m not sure which of the three of us is most excited for baby’s arrival.
My own amazing Grandma Jones was there. I can’t wait for her to be a great-grandma!
The lovely hostesses who put everything together: Kendall, Allison + Kathryn.
And of course, the baby’s daddy.
This past Sunday was also a wonderful day with my Asheboro church family and my mom’s side of the family. Baby Martin is already so loved and we are extremely grateful!
Our first baby shower was hosted in our home by my college roommates on Sunday, so we had some extra motivation to get it ready. Of course it won’t be totally complete until our little one is here, at which point it will be personalized just for him or her. Chad took these shots on Saturday and Sunday:
The view from the doorway. That bassinet (on loan from a sweet friend) will go in our bedroom.
I’m so happy with our crib… the ONLY new piece of furniture in the room. I hope Baby loves “Leo” the lion as much as we do. The Pine Cone Hill sham is just hanging out in the crib until it finds another home. Elephant crib sheet is from Target.
The dresser is officially a changing table now (see below), but as of Sunday I was using it to display our little childhood mementos.
The lamb, baby silverware and monogrammed brush are mine. All the teeny little shoes are Chad’s.
Every time he walks in, Chad says, “We should have painted this chiffarobe a long time ago!” It’s the perfect size for the room. We’re still in need of a little table and footstool for the rocker. The polka dot pillow cover came from Lands End last summer.
The shell mirror and cross-stitched piece were my grandmother’s. I believe you’ve met “Brownie,” who belonged to Chad’s dad.
We are lucky to have some very well-preserved clothes from our own childhoods. The little Feltman Brothers outfits were ours (30-ish years ago) and happen to match each other perfectly! The christening gown was made for my mom and I also wore it.
Isn’t she sweet??
Changes since Sunday include the addition of the changing pad…
…and quite an impressive little library, thanks to the book-themed shower. Speaking of which, it was so adorable that it will need its own post when I can go through all the photos. The hostesses really outdid themselves!
Thanks for following along with me on this journey! If you’re new around here, previous nursery posts here, here, here and here.
Some things that are happening around here…
I’m trying to remind myself that when this sweet boy brings me his ball to play, I should do it no matter how tired I am. Only a few more weeks with him as my only baby… and who can say no to that face?
A little peak at the “quick and dirty” version of my Photoshop design boards for a house I’m working on. Doesn’t look like much here, but I’m very excited about where this project is leading!
Our family photo wall is all laid out and ready to be hung. Can’t wait to see this every time I go upstairs.
I found these little gems today and they do indeed taste exactly like Samoas/Caramel Delights. Three packages for around $5 at Costco and you can have them year-round!
Our yard is in bloom and I absolutely love it! I feel like every time I walk outside I see something new.
After months of taunting me, the buds on the camellia bush finally opened up. Too bad they don’t last very long.
This tree is what we see out our bay window. I have no idea what it is, but it’s gorgeous and huge.
And finally, my current view. I think we’re running out of room here!
For the past two years, I’ve designed a tablescape for our Alliance‘s competition at the Southern Ideal Home Show. Here are recaps from 2011 and 2012. I really enjoy the challenge of putting together the table and combining the interiors + events aspects of my business. This year, I decided to make it even more challenging for myself and not spend any money. I normally special-order flowers from my local wholesaler and search for the perfect fabrics + accessories for weeks leading up to the show. Surprisingly, I had (almost) everything I needed right in my own house. After about 10 minutes, I had the beginnings of a Fourth of July celebration.
Here are the final results at the show:
I used a wood game table made by my Grandaddy Beck with my Grandma Beck’s tablecloth. I like to think it’s not the first time they were used together, but I have no idea. The chairs are a dumpster find from a year ago, which have been in storage waiting for a purpose. Some paint and fabric I already had (plus new foam and batting… eww!) transformed them into cute little accent chairs that we can use when we entertain.
The birdcage was used for our wedding, so I just added some votive holders and sheet moss (also from the wedding).
Everything on the table was gathered from our house, which only validates my need to “hoard” random items in case I ever need them! I did buy the flowers (red alstromeria and blue hydrangea) from Trader Joe’s for $9 total… and I’m still enjoying them at our house now. Those and the candy (which I’m also now enjoying) were my only purchases for the entire table.
The Nehi grape bottles are a nod to my Grandpa Jones’ affection for the soda. I always save cool glass bottles for times just like this, much to Chad’s dismay.
On Saturday afternoon, we had HGTV personalities (and The Bachelorette/ The Bachelor alums) Chris + Peyton Lambton come by to judge the tables. They couldn’t have been a sweeter couple and awarded my table “Best in Show!” Living on Cape Cod, they said that the Fourth of July was their favorite holiday… plus I think my Cheerwine bottle caught Chris’ attention.
I’m really looking forward to watching the second season of their show, Going Yard, which starts back in a couple of weeks. We actually have a yard now, and I think their combined landscape and interior design backgrounds complement each other well. It certainly looked like it from watching their yard presentation at the home show!
So that’s my almost-totally-free Fourth of July picnic in the country!
Today I’m spending a little time on my tablescape that will be on display this weekend at the Southern Ideal Home Show. I’ve created a table for their spring show (as opposed to the fall show) for the past two years… I really don’t know why, because I love fall. Can you guess what we’re celebrating?! I’ll share the completed table soon.
I’m also working on a little family photo project for our stairway. It was spurred on by some extra frames I’ve been hoarding and this photo (I’m 99% sure it’s from Lonny Magazine). I love a combination of formal photos and snapshots… and what could be better than family memories?
In baby news, we finally have a crib mattress! I was admittedly going a little crazy trying to pick a mattress (SO many choices), but I hope this one will last us through any future children we may have. You can’t tell, but it has a cute aqua sheet with elephants on it. The rocking chair arrives tomorrow…
I parked in one of these for the first time while picking the mattress up… so of course I documented the moment.
Chad and I spent Easter weekend at the beach on what will have to be our “babymoon.” We relaxed and enjoyed some alone time away, even though we had to wear jackets on our walks. There were $1 iced coffees, our very favorite pizza + salad, books, two suspenseful movies (Argo + Zero Dark Thirty… we’re a bit behind), baby name talk and no need for a schedule involved. Could a girl ask for more?
More to come from me this week!
First, I have to say that Rigby has been at his Gigi’s on vacation all week… and we really miss our boy. I never realize how much he completes our family until he’s not here. It’s been nice to have a break from the daily walks, the constant need for entertainment and the barking at everything he sees. Thank you, Gigi + Grandpa, for taking such good care of him for us! We’ll appreciate having our Riggles home again.
I don’t normally write about heavy topics here, since this is a blog related to my business. You’ll mostly see pretty pictures or snippets of my personal life. However, sometimes I feel led to talk about serious things… which I think also gives more insight as to who I am as a person. Faith is an extremely important part of my life that trickles into every aspect of it. I am never separated from it, even if it doesn’t show through on this blog as much as it could.
With that being said, I read some things yesterday in my daily email devotional that really spoke to me. I like being in control and I have a lot of trouble giving it up. I know that I (mostly unintentionally) micromanage a lot of things in our household, simply because I like for them to be done my way. For example, I prefer the way I load the dishwasher. BUT, my way isn’t always best and I struggle with accepting that sometimes. I also try to anticipate what might happen around me when I’m out in public places… how someone will react or timing a situation to my advantage. That actually makes me sound conniving, which I promise I’m not! I have always worried a lot about what others think of me, wanting to be accepted and quick to try to make things “right.” Despite my best efforts, some people just aren’t going to like me and I can’t make them.
When it comes to our faith in God and our relationships with people, sometimes we have to give up control. To me, that means:
realizing that some things are out of my hands,
trusting that He will take care of me,
withholding judgement on others who are different,
waiting for the right timing (His timing)
and knowing that I may never feel completely secure.
These are tough things and I need constant reminders to live them out. I think the word I need to focus on is “surrender.” The timing couldn’t be more appropriate as we prepare for Easter and remember how Jesus surrendered His life for us.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend! I’ll be back next week with my spring tablescape for the Southern Ideal Home Show!
Since I am officially into the third trimester now, I thought it was appropriate to give a little update on the nursery’s status. This board was initially created so that I could show Chad my vision for the room, but has gone through several transformations since. We are currently looking like this:
The crib, dresser and chiffarobe are in place, although the chiffarobe (whose finish has seen better days) is going to get a nice coat of white. We have a crib skirt and solid white bumper. The walls are navy and I’m living with the existing greek key drapery panels from Pottery Barn… they may get changed to a solid white once things come together more. Missing from the design board is my great-grandaddy’s rocking chair, which for now is our only seating and still needs to make its way from my parents’ house.
This is the best image I have, courtesy of my mom’s phone. It already has a navy cushion set that I’m hoping to just spruce up with a throw pillow. If not, I have some yardage that would be perfect for custom cushions.
The biggest undecided factor in the room is the potential for adding a smallish IKEA sofa. We probably won’t have a chance to get there before the baby comes and I definitely want to test it out in person. So, that may come later.
I also need to narrow down the art selection, which will be eclectic. The Sarah Jane prints are too precious and we love that shot of Rigby. I have two vintage paint-by-numbers, barely seen in the photo below.
I’m hoping to tie up as many loose ends as possible before my first baby shower is hosted here a month from now. I’d love to have it mostly complete before the baby comes, but I know it will be an ever-evolving space… especially once we personalize it for a little boy or girl. You know I’ll bring in a touch of pink if we have a girl and, of course, Baby Martin’s monogram!
What do you think so far?
I think anyone who knows me well would say that I appreciate things like family, traditions and heirlooms. To me, an heirloom isn’t necessarily something with a lot of monetary value… it’s more about the sentimentality. My Grandma Beck kept EVERYTHING and my Grandma Jones tends to get rid of things, but fortunately has kept lots of important family pieces. There isn’t much that I like better than to display items from family members in our house.
Here are some examples of items around our home. I apologize for my overuse of Instagram, but it’s perfect for times when I don’t want to get out the DSLR and you can make any sad iphone photo look decent with it!
I found this crusty old sign at my grandma’s house. We’re still not totally sure what this means, but apparently my Grandpa Jones and J.W. Purdie planted a ton of corn in Dunn?
These binoculars from Chad’s grandfather are the real deal – leather and very heavy.
Our kitchen china cabinet is full of mostly items from both sides of my family… and the cabinet itself was my great-grandma’s. And yes, I actually use these pieces.
On top of the cabinet are part of my Grandma Beck’s shell collection, which I’ve mentioned before. We lost one of the jars in the move, but I’m so glad I still have these two.
When I originally came into ownership of these depression glass candlesticks, I found out that they might actually be worth something. I just really like knowing that they came from my grandma’s house.
This little vignette in the nursery currently sits on what will be the changing table/dresser. The pewter banks + books were mine and the one-eyed teddy bear (“Brownie”) belonged to Chad’s dad. Chad and his brother played with it at their grandparents’ house as little boys.
On a related note, I picked up this book at Barnes and Noble today for only $7. We bought a similar one a few years ago for Chad’s parents and this is a great price for a pretty good-looking book. I’ve always been interested in our ancestry, but especially since we started thinking of baby names. In fact, every single name on our current “short list” is from a family member.
There’s a lot more where that came from, but I think you get the point. I love helping clients add in heirlooms and I think they can be used in any style home to make it so much more personal. They tell the story of who you are and where you came from, aside from adding character. We also used a lot of family pieces in our wedding, which is such a thoughtful way to honor your ancestors.
If anyone needs guidance in either area, I would be happy to help!
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