The Blog House Returns

Do you recall the original blog house? Well recently, we've found ourselves back at work! The living room is declared finished! Just waiting to post pictures until after Christmas decorations come down and all returns to usual.  The exciting news is that the dining room is close behind and should be finishing up quite soon!  I figured I would post pictures of the exciting progress.  We now have a new painted rug, and custom floral ready for the completion of the room! Next up is refinishing the dining table and chairs, putting up bead board, and setting up the organization station.  SO exciting.

So here are the pictures of the progress that we've made.  Can't wait for some before and after photos in the next few weeks.


Here is the rug just after being freshly painted!  I wish you could see it in person. If you can, do. It feels so warm, and soothing, and ties the first floor together oh so nicely.

 The pillows are now purchased! This is one of the "after" photos from the living room. I love how this house is finally turning into their home. 

 Another sneak peak of the living room...don't mind the construction heap in the corner. This too shall pass.

 And I can't forget our cozy little corner...complete with a yard sale salvage (the chair) that the homeowner picked up long before this room came to be.

 This magenta silk floral was one of my birthday gifts to this homeowner, and I can't wait to see it on that table once the room is completed. (The teal in the background? That will soon be crisp white bead board.

 Ah yes. A bit blurry, but there is that beauty of a rug in its new home.  Not the rug I had initially planned, but I must say I am well pleased with the evolution of this project. Remember the funky multicolored fabric we plan to use on the windows? Let's just say, this is going to look FABULOUS!

That's all I've got for today. Tune in again soon, and if you are lucky I will have more progress to show!

Deck the Halls.....but don't spend money...fa la la la la la la la la

Sing with me! Deck the halls but don't spend money, fa la la la la la la la la. Designer and accountant make this convo funny, fa la la la la la la la la.

Now that we've established that warm fuzzy holiday feeling, I feel I must fill you in on my holiday history since I married Mr. Efficient (wonderful, savvy, globally conscientious Mr. efficient that is.) 'Twas the year 2008. A newlywed youngster, I had only been in my new home a few short months. The designer in me, however, had my decor planned out for, well, I don't know....EVER.  When the time of year approached, the dear husband discussed with me that he did not intend to have a Christmas tree (partly due to our heavy holiday travel, and partly due to his struggle to justify spending money on decorating for our savior's birth when many of his children find themselves unable to maintain sufficient nourishment on a daily basis.)  Enter guilt, and sadness, and feelings of selfishness, and also feelings of "darn it, he is so right....AGAIN."

But, the elf inside me couldn't go without a bit of festivity.  Enter rushed and forced creativity.  I whipped out some cardboard letters spelling "peace" and threw on some glitter, made a clay nativity scene in which Joseph's head falling off was a routine occurrence, found some tacky Christmas candles the previous owner left behind (for apparent reasons.) and called it done!  Looking back, that year will always hold a memorable and wonderful place in my heart.

Fast forward a few years, and I've improved my game quite a bit.  I plan ahead a bit more, and my quality control has vastly improved.  I got some FREE garland and a yard sale over the SUMMER, and saved up my cereal boxes.  Call it the year of cardboard and paint. You laugh, but I must say, I think this year is the most festive yet!

I'll try to share some fun and free (or VERY inexpensive) ideas throughout the month to inspire your own holiday festivities.  In the meantime, here are some photos of a few of my Christmas creations this year.

(Don't mind the training potty...and, well, the toys? Let's just say we are emulating Santa's workshop this year.) Take note of the free garland.  I did break down and buy stocking this year, mainly because my sewing machine is in need of repair.

 This is our Christmas Card shelf. Aunt Bonnie's card is featured as well as our good friends, the Zimmermans. I must say, these two families are exemplary. Got the cards to us by Dec. 1st, and now I can enjoy them all holiday long.  Anyway.......I painted the artwork on an old bathroom shelf we took down during home demo.  The 3-d stars are cereal boxes scored, folded, and painted, a few votive candles, free garland, and I'm on my way to a less tacky DIY Christmas!

 One part of my design business that I absolutely L-O-V-E is making custom silk floral arrangements.
(To see more, visit my facebook page Kimberly Musser Design Consulting.) Anyway, these red roses were in my stash, and were begging me to become a festive touch.

 Enter cereal boxes once again! I made a Christmas tree forest to use as a long centerpiece.  I would love to have a burlap runner under it all.....but haven't found free burlap or random burlap laying around the house yet.  Either way, my little forest makes me smile each time I catch a glimpse of it.
And for those of you who are thinking "wow, she is SO creative".......stop, seriously stop that train of thought. Seriously 98% of these ideas came straight from the Pinterest queens.  Of course, I added my own creative flair......but these were SO NOT my original ideas.

Hudson gives an approving smile and Elliott gives Christmas a thumbs up! He is so excited about it all, and it is really fun to watch. Every time a new decoration comes out he squeals " YOOK MOM! IT'S MORE CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE!"

  

May your days be merry and bright, and my your Christmas preparations be enjoyable and memorable.  I'll give a few more festive tips throughout the month, so keep checking back in!

Transformation- a thing of real beauty

It  has finally clicked.  I've always had a hard time putting words to exactly what it is I love about being a designer. Usually when people ask, I simply ramble out something like..."wow, yeah, I mean, It's just so great to be creative, you know?" Truth is, the longer I am in this line of work, the more I am able to see the aspects of my God in the creative transformation process.  In fact, my God is in the business of transformation.  He takes things that are broken, and ugly, and dingy and offers help and transformation to those who will take it.  When Jesus offered his life, He did it knowing full well that in doing so, he would unleash the possibility of a life of transformation for all who would accept it. 

Please, I must be very clear that I am not putting myself on the same level of transforming ability as my savior. But when I read in the Bible that we are made in His image, I kind of get that when I look at WHY I enjoy design.  I enjoy taking spaces and breathing new, fresh life into them.  I find great satisfaction in watching how changed spaces actually change the way people live. Isn't it also neat to see that in people? Bad habits broken, or poor decisions redeemed?  

Anyway....that may be a bit of a long explanation to give people when they ask why I love design so much, but I thought I would at least share that with you in this forum.  If you believe that all of the Jesus business is a bunch of malarkey, perhaps you can at least appreciate how wonderful transformation of any sort is when you experience it.  I truly do enjoy the art of transformation.

With that being said, I will get down from the pulpit.  No seriously, I need to step aside, because THIS reveal is of my Pastor's home.  He and his wife came to me a while back telling me they've been meaning to paint their house for over 10 years.  I was so excited to help, and now I bring you a few pictures of some of the results (and some before pictures if I can find them.) Some of it is still a work in progress, but I'm to impatient to wait until it is all done....

Enjoy the pictures of early transformation....hopefully I'll update with more throughout the remainder of the process.


This before picture shows you the white walls and layered window treatments. I did a pretty lousy job of documenting before pictures on this one...(I did most of the work w/ my little munchkins as escorts, so I will use that as my reasoning in this scenario.) Anyway....this gives you somewhat of an idea of the original tone of the room.

 This photo is of a piece in the dining room.....I suggested it be painted black to bring some visual weight into the room. I love that the pastor and his wife were willing to try anything, and trusted the plan even when they couldn't picture the end result. (I could probably go into another spiritual parallel here, but I will spare you.)

 One of my challenges was making the lighthouse artwork fit into the design scheme.  This piece had a lot of meaning to the family, and so it actually became our inspiration for the room. This is one of the "after" pictures showing the progress. We still have to add a few plants, lamps, and accessories, but I believe it is coming together quite nicely. 

 Remember the "before" shot of the window and white walls?  Here is an "after" shot showing you what that portion of the room currently looks like.  I must tell you, it is starting to feel SO warm and inviting.....They may have a hard time getting people to leave now!

 Another view of the room progress. By the way, I am in love with the rug. It brings out colors from the lighthouse print so nicely. I am so glad they went with it! The front door will soon be painted red, and we will add some wall art and plants....but all in all, this room is well on its way to completion.

 Oh....and speaking of transformation: This is the piece they painted black.  Once we get paint on the walls in the dining room, this space will have a whole new feel to it. I love seeing it all happen before my very eyes!

That is all the blogging I have in me for today. Keep checking back though, I'm trying my best to update you with all of the fun more often.  Until next time, find your own way to contribute to the transformation of the world around you. But I must warn you, it can be quite fun and addicting once you get started!

For Your Benefit...

I am just now getting around to updating this little blog of mine with some photos from the benefit I helped with last month.  The event turned out so well, and it was really such a wonderful thing to be surrounded by people who wanted to take part in bettering the lives of others.  I also just love the feeling that accompanies us in those special moments when we find ourselves in the exact moment that the Lord intended us to take part in.

Limited time and limited budget can make it difficult to decorate amply enough, but I think we struck just the right balance in this instance. Enjoy the photos.

*special thanks to some of my youth group and church gals for their brilliant artistry and assistance in some of these time consuming projects!

Enjoy the few photos I remembered to get, and until next time, enjoy this fall season and embrace the spirit of thanksgiving that accompanies this time.  How can YOU give someone else a new reason to be thankful? 

 

Proof is in the Puddin'

Want proof that I'm staying busy? No? You don't?.....Well, can you at least pretend so I can post pictures and be excited about the recent accomplishments of my day? Great, thanks.

Today was the birthday of my hubby dearest. BLAH. A Tuesday birthday? Weekend birthdays (or at least Fridays) are far more fun........but I was determined (with the help of my boys of course) to make this Tuesday birthday special, and we did the rootin' tootin' best we could (and I think we pulled it off.)

Elliott put his artistic skills to work and decorated a special coffee mug for his papa. We baked that sucker at 350 for 30 minutes (per suggestion of a brilliant post on Pinterest ) Now, daddy has a piece of home with him during his long work days. I've documented Elliott's creative process below.  Please be assured that Hudson ran a strict quality control department. ONLY the best for Dad, he said... He didn't let anything slide,even though Elliott attempted bribery  by giving him good boy stickers.  Nope, won't work for Hudson.  He runs a tight ship.

So that was the start of it...(oh, and the cupcakes I whipped up)

Then, I painted a little something for his office walls (which...will be a whole new blog one day.  You'd never know his wife is a designer if you were to visit his office...but we are working on that.)

 

 I also somehow managed to sanitize and deep clean our washing machine AND dishwasher, do the laundry, clean the house, AND do business work and some work on the benefit decor! PHEW, when energy pays me a visit, I don't send it packing. I love the days when no task seems too great or too daunting.  

Below are some pictures of some of the DIY decor for the benefit. BUT I must say I didn't DIABM (do it all by  myself)  Turns out one of the perks to being a youth leader at church is that I now have a slew of energetic young ladies who enjoy crafting as much as I do....(please don't report me for child labor, I really do think they had fun.) I will try to post pictures from the event when all is said and done,

 

Just had to post this "boss" picture. It has me in quite a hearty chuckle. Hope it brings a smile to your face as well.

That's all for today......I'll fill you in on more soon!

HOLY BUSY BATMAN!

I know everyone is busy, and we all feel like life is "just so crazy", so who really wants to hear anybody else talking about how busy they are? But...I'm going there. I. AM. SO. BUSY.
But, I'm not complaining about this.  I seriously am usually happiest when I am jam-packed with things to get done and places to go.  I didn't say I never stress about it, but I do enjoy being occupied. Sometimes overly so.

For this reason, my blogging output has been quite shameful.  But, I may as well fill you in on the hectic happenings so you don't feel like I've simply given up on the blog world.

1) Feeding, bathing, clothing, napping and occupying 2 boys eats up quite a chunk.  But when they are this cute, I am happy and thankful for the opportunity to do it all. Oh, and did I mention the never-ending battle to keep my house clean at the same time? Can I get an AMEN?

2)Designing for clients and addressing the inevitable glitches along the way means phone calls and paperwork out the wazoo (all while feeding, bathing clothing...etc.)

  3)I really and truly do LOVE what I do....so when a friend is working on a project, I can't help but to butt in..........so, there is a fair amount of that going on. Plus my kids are always happy for an excuse to go terrorize...I mean, play, with their friends.

4) (Might wanna get some popcorn, this could take a minute for me to divulge.)
About a month ago I was up LITERALLY all night feeling this urgent need to plan and host a benefit auction and dinner.  For what cause? I didn't know. I just felt extremely compelled.  My husband reminded me that I was crazy, and that I had a few other minor things on my plate. Realizing he was right, I dismissed the idea (with quite a bit of regret.)........Fast-forward a month or so; I was at Pier 1 Imports picking up a few things for a client when a random woman and her friend were striking up friendly conversation. We chatted, I told them about my business.....and THEN....you ready for this? THEN she said "Well I do hate asking people, but I am currently on a committee for a benefit auction for a local shelter for men.  Any chance you'd be willing to help in any way?"
 B-I-N-G-O. I do believe I've found the reason for my sleepless night.
THUS, I've added the benefit to my plate (but not NEARLY to the extreme I initially thought.)
I'm helping with the decor of the event as well as contributing some design services to the auction.  I could go on for a pretty long time about how good God is in guiding us in his plans....but I think that story serves as a quick and fairly brief way of getting my point across.

5) We are in the exploratory phase of potentially building a house. I hesitate to go public and post it because nothing is set in stone or official at this point. BUT, I would be lying if I didn't confess that the planning, dreaming, and design framework ideas haven't found their way into my daily schedule.

6) I am in the early stages of teaching voice lessons to a girl from our youth group (which I failed to mention we started being leaders for.) I'm really excited to warm up the pipes again all while getting to watch a budding vocalist flourish! It should be really fun. And one day, when she makes it big time, you better believe I'll TOTALLY mention it in the blog.

Anyway.........the blog seems to have fallen in the number 7 slot, which means when neglect arrives, this is the place.  But what it also means is that once things slow a bit, there will be A LOT to blog about.

I would love to hear form you and what you'd like to hear about/read about in the future of the blog. So please, contact me with questions, or any topics you would like me to elaborate on. 

I hope you've all been staying well.....
Don't forget to write! (Oh wait, that is the advise I'M supposed to heed.)

Quick Change, Big Difference

Blog house two underwent the first phase of transformation.  PAINT.  The soon-to-be oasis is going to transform the way this house functions.  Going from sharing living room/playroom/dining room in one, to gaining what will feel like a lot of new space will certainly change the way the house is used.

Now that you've already seen the reveal of the plan, here are some before and after images showing the difference a bit of paint can make.  Trim comes next, and THEN furniture.  Enjoy the photos...

...After a brief distraction that is.....Hudson is starting to sit up!...Ok, back to your regularly scheduled blogging.

BEFORE: HUDSON WORKING ON HIS SITTING UP SKILLS

 

AFTER: HUDSON EXPERIENCING TRIAL AND ERROR

BEFORE: PERIWINKLE WALLS

 

AFTER: TONED DOWN WALLS WITH A POP OF COLOR ON THE DOOR

 

BEFORE: CORNER VIEW 

 AFTER: CALM CORNER (ACCESSORIES WILL LIVEN UP THE SPACE AS WELL.)

I could add more before and after photos, but I think I'll keep you on the edge of your seat this time.  Until we meet again, enjoy the simple pleasures. 

Revealing the Grand Plan

Blog readers, I must confess that I have a bit of a feeling that trouble somehow follows my projects wherever they go.  Perhaps not, but this week, the homeowner of blog house TWO went under the knife for an emergency appendectomy.  (Some people will do just about ANYTHING to get out of painting.)  Anyway, I do have the room plan ready with our initial ideas, but just as emergency appendectomies are often not planned, there are also sometimes changes to design plans as progress happens and the room evolves. 

Like I said, we are working on a fusion of tradition meeting modern.  Such a combination which I think many people want to merge, but are afraid or unsure how to. So if you are one of those people who has a mishmash of old meets new, fear not, it can be done.  Follow this project, and I hope you'll see that with a few simple touches, amazing, fun transformations can happen. 

I also have some exciting personal projects brewing behind the scenes! (NO! I am NOT pregnant...geesh people) But perhaps you will be able to follow a few of my upcoming projects in the not so distant future.  Keep 'em crossed for me.

In the meantime, here is the project concept board and renderings for what will soon be the master bedroom.  I will update with project progress as it happens. Once the bedroom is done, we are creating a dining room space...but as usual, I am getting ahead of myself.  FIRST, I will show you the plans for our current project.

Curtains will cover the washing machine and dryer and add a nice soft texture to the space.

Our color scheme is also a HUGE factor in creating a calm space that unites tradition with modern flair.  Clearly, these views are conceptual, but they should give you an idea of where we are going.

This board shows the color and style schematic for the space.  I must say it makes me pretty excited.

Oh, and an update on blog house 1.  Dining room Flooring has been purchased!  Now the wall just needs patched and painted, and we can bring in the big guns.  Hopefully this means we are coming up on a big stretch of progress there. At least we'll get more done once the kids are in school....oh wait, all of our kids are 4 and under......it is the babysitters who will be back in school.  Nuts.  Wish us luck!

Hope you've enjoyed your preview of some of the fun things to come.  Until next time, go hug somebody who means a lot to you.  A simple act that makes two people happy at once. 



 

Hustle, bustle....and that's about it

In case you haven't noticed, posts have been a bit on the light side as of late.  I'm gonna go ahead and blame that on the massive amounts of hustle and bustle in the recent weeks.  Between working on potty training my 2 year old (and trying to keep a clean home in the midst of it), and running my business and family, things have been wild.  Throw in a few out of town trips (what else is new), and wallah, no blogs.

But I haven't been inactive in my blogging inactivity, I assure you.  In fact, a new project is underway!  Another good friend of mine is ready for some change in her house.  She decided she wanted to relocate and re- purpose  some of her current rooms.  When she mentioned her ideas, I was THRILLED, and more than ready to help.  So I guess you can say we now have 2 blog houses going on simultaneously. I hope this means that pauses and breaks at one will allow for posts from the other.  (Wish me luck with that one).

So...here is the new project at blog house 2.  This charming house has so much potential, but has the age old problem of being long and narrow.  Enter creative space use.  So what was once the master bedroom is soon to become the dining room.  And where does the bedroom travel to?  Well, off it goes to the laundry/back room of the house that was previously somewhat of a spare storage space.

Enter challenge #2: This sweet gal pal of mine got a BEAUTIFUL Amish quilt as a wedding gift.  It also just so happens that she has an affinity for clean modern looks.  So, we are getting funky and creative and pulling together Amish country meets New York loft.  Do you doubt me? Please don't, I assure you we are headed in a very fun direction.  But as always, before we get too carried away with results, I want you to see where it is we are starting.

We're planning to change up the paint color (and that's just the start of it!)

Pardon the lack of photo captions, but I think you get the idea. I will soon present the concept board so you can dream along with us as we move forward.

That's all for now.  Until next time, could you bake me some cookies and send them my way? Chocolate chip would be fantastic.