February 2012
1 post
7 tags
Bah Humbug
I have always suspected that the above expression was a load of hooey.
After all, I’d rather spend my time on the beach in Costa Rica than on the plane on the way there. Although I’m not a mom, I’m guessing holding a baby is more edifying that the swollen ankles and nausea of pregnancy and having gone back to school for interior design, I’d rather be standing here...
January 2012
1 post
7 tags
My Latest Before and After: I’m a Little Bit...
What on earth does this super funky duo have to do with my latest “before and after”? I’ll admit, the connection is tenuous, but let me explain.
Unable to resist the latest bit of facebook navel gazing that prompts us to post fascinating things about ourselves, I found that my mother earned my undying gratitude by refraining from bringing me into the world the...
November 2011
3 posts
6 tags
My Backyard Shame
You’ve taken back the night…You’ve taken back your streets…and now I’m going to take back my backyard. Why? Because my name is not Sanford and I do not have a son.
Not me…yet.
Here’s a current inventory of the detritus outside my backdoor:
· * Leaves dating from fall 2007.
· * Dog poop.
· * A pile of stained, shredded carpet tiles that...
6 tags
Before and During Shots Cuz We're Not at After Yet
Boy, that title is super poorly worded, n’est-ce pas?
Because everyone likes progress, I’m giving you some during shots…and some hints about what these pics actually are.
Weird, dark, paneled back room BEFORE
This room features an off-center door, inappropriately large window, and lovely acoustical ceiling tile.
DURING
On our way…we’ve...
10 tags
The Choice is Yours - Help Me Pick the Colors!...
OK kids…if you read my last post, you know that I was sort of stuck on paint colors. Here’s the canvas:
I’m going to let you help me narrow down the options. True, I might totally ignore you, unless you follow up your choice with a commitment to buy, but , if there’s an overwhelming surge in the direction of something I was going to pick anyway, I’ll gladly agree with...
October 2011
3 posts
3 tags
Paint Color Blues
I’m sort of feeling cross today. First of all, I kind of like saying, I’m cross. It kind of makes me feel like I should be a British school girl, with my arms crossed over my pinafore, nursing a furrowed brow and forced to sit in a stool in the corner. (I know the girl above is not in a uniform and she’s holding a basketball, but she’s...
3 tags
Where does "shy" get anybody anyway?
Few who know me would describe me as shy and retiring. I maintain that I am an introvert, for real y’all, but recently learned that does not mean “has a fear of vocalizing one’s wants and needs.” Check and check.
So, there are several pivotal points in my life where a lack of stage fright has paid off:
My Concord Tribune cover shot where I reminded Santa that there were only 18 days until...
5 tags
Everybody needs some support now and then.
So, as far as I’m concerned, things have been a little boring at Houston lately. They’ve been spending the last week or so making sure the bottom floor doesn’t fall in before we start doing all sorts of fun….blah blah blah – how fun is that?
I think this Jenga support pillar has a sort of character to it, n’est-ce pas?
Alas, abstract sculptures do not good support pillars...
September 2011
2 posts
Fun with Floorplans!
It’s time for me to unveil the new floorplan….pre-approved by my contractor and realtor.
A couple of priorities to bring this bungalow into the 21st century include better storage and a true master suite. This house is shaping up to be a great family home with room for a downstairs master bedroom and three, count that, three upstairs rooms and a full bath. That might not sounds super palatial...
5 tags
Groovy 50's Lustron Home - Kitchen Redo
How many of you have ever heard of a Lustron home? Until about a year ago, me neither. So, dust off your post WWII, baby boomer history, because this is one of those mid-century curiosities that still live tucked unsuspecting in neighborhoods throughout the country.
I got the call to design a kitchen in one of these pieces of atomic-age Americana over in...
August 2011
2 posts
7 tags
Roost Rehab. #2
Like cool breezes and turning leaves signal the coming of fall, murmurs of our country’s potentially eminent financial vortex can only signal one thing….I’m buying another house! Yipppeeee! Seriously, when God handed out interesting timing, I clearly wasn’t smelling roses and picking petunias….I was first in line, baby!
We’re back in Montford, but NOT in the historic district part of Montford...
Better Homes & Gardens - Yeah That's Me- Part 2
About a million years later, due to blog issues (read: user error), here’s part 2 to a photo shoot that happened on June 16! Never let it be said that I don’t know how to build some suspense.
OK, onto the day. I woke up pretty scared out of my britches. These were some fancy people coming to my decidedly non-fancy house.
One source of anxiety….I found out the stylist assigned to...
June 2011
1 post
The Day Better Homes and Gardens Came to the Hood
So, as I’ve said on more than one occasion, it’s been a roller coaster year, and this was the cherry on top of it all. I’ll take you back to the beginning.
You know those days when you’re just randomly eating minutes by browsing the www? I was having one of those days, but instead of getting lost in the bowels of Perez Hilton, his website, not his anatomy, I was...
May 2011
1 post
2 tags
Starnes' Name Up in Lights! (in a manner of...
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times….2011 has already been filled with more highs and lows than I’ve experienced in my full 27 years on earth. That’s actually 27 plus 12 for those of you who insist on accuracy in the aging process.
One of the highs is a story in WNC Magazine, a pretty classy rag (here’s the article). Their sweet editor Rita Larkin...
February 2011
1 post
Roost Makes the Cover of Jessica Simpson's...
This article has nothing to do with Jessica Simpson, but I like to bring her up whenever possible.
I wrote a post about Meredith and Pete’s kitchen a while back and Meredith was approached about having the kitchen in the homes edition of The Wacoan. I think they liked the idea of a contemporary-ish kitchen in an old rancher. Little did we know that it would end up on...
January 2011
8 posts
The One and Only Meg Reilly: Our Featured...
Meg, Antonio and Alisa
This very special lady will be wearing two hats at the fundraiser on March 3. Not only is she one of Antonio’s beloved moms, she is a fabulous artist and photographer who will be showing her work and contributing a door prize.
Meg and Antonio at his first visit to the ocean.
As a sometime attendee at Antonio’s basketball...
Artist Profile #4: Molly Sieburg Courcelle
Memory Abides
I am so excited to have this next artist as part of this fundraiser…I have been crossing paths with Molly Sieburg Courcelle since college, when both of us were at Wake Forest. Molly is one of those people who can very succinctly be described as a kind soul…one whose talent comes as no surprise.
Peace Patience
Molly grew up the daughter of an art teacher,...
Artist #3: A Mini-Interview with Cheri Brackett
Next in our all-star lineup of artists is Cheri Brackett, a beautiful artist whose first ever showing was just at American Folk (not too shabby for a debut if I do say so myself!). I walked into the gallery and knew immediately that I wanted to invite her to participate in the auction. Luckily, she’s a kind soul, and instantly said yes!
With no further ado (that is really how you spell it, I...
Final Bungalow Progress Report Before the Final...
Are you finished yet?
Then why did you wake me up?
Oh, dog humor….something that, like my dog voice, is probably only endearing to me. But just look at that smushed up nose….how could you resist?
So, I wasn’t going to do another update until the final “ta-dah”, but I think there...
Art for Antonio: Featured Artist Genie Maples
(For this feature, I referenced the interview with Genie on www.wanderingeducators.com)
Red Rises
Well-known Asheville artist, Genie Maples, has her kids to thank for finding her true calling as an artist.
Having believed all along that she really had no artistic ability, Genie found herself rinsing out trays of paint that her children had mixed for an at-home art project. ...
Antonio's Army of Artists: Simone Wilson
Oh good grief, I’m real bad at doing this regular like….let me restate: I’m really bad at writing this blog regularly. Former English teachers have a hard time making fun with the language….no matter how much they hated their job. I remember my mom saying that one of her pet peeves was people spelling things incorrectly to be cute….I think this was because of a “Kountry Kitchen” or some such. ...
One More Fabulous Artist Added!
Cheri Brackett, currently showing at American Folk in downtown Asheville, is joining Antonio’s Army of Artists (I just made that up) for the auction!
2 tags
Art for Antonio
I don’t have all the details yet, but Starnes and I have something VERY exciting in the works and it involves this handsome fellow:
A couple of years ago, my friends Meg and Alisa met Mr. Antonio at a Lee Walker Heights Community Center photography class that Meg (a rock star photographer) was teaching. Anyone who has ever met Antonio knows that it doesn’t take long for him to win your...
December 2010
10 posts
I Like My Pictures Big
A mistake a lot of people seem to make with artwork is they go small. They get a polite little picture that you have to squint to see, matte the sucker out of it and hang it on a big ol’ wall….by itself….usually too high. Here’s what I say…..DON’T BE AFRAID TO GO BIG!
Playing with scale gives some oomph to your room and sort of plays funhouse tricks with your...
Dog-Proof Christmas Trees
I haven’t had a Christmas tree in three years. Guess what I HAVE had for three years:
Incidentally, I’ve had this princess for nine years, but she’s never curtailed my décor strategies:
I’ve given up on waiting for the big one to mature….I don’t think it’s ever going to happen, so I’ve put in some research for next year, because I miss my ornaments.
Now, I discover that something...
Dog-Proof Christmas Trees
I haven’t had a Christmas tree in three years. Guess what I HAVE had for three years:
Incidentally, I’ve had this princess for nine years, but she’s never curtailed my décor strategies:
I’ve given up on waiting for the big one to mature….I don’t think it’s ever going to happen, so I’ve put in some research for next year, because I miss my ornaments.
Now, I discover that something...
Pet Peeves Final Installment
Lameness, thy name is Leslie! If I want to dominate in the cut-throat world of amateur blogging, I cannot be skipping days like this. I’m back to my irregular posting schedule as of now.
So, here’s the wrap up of the friend submitted designer pet peeves. Remember, we’re all violators, so keep your sense of humor intact!
From Rebecca (a mother of two kids, 5 dogs, 2 birds and a...
So, Do You Think I Should Reupholster This?
That question is rhetorical….there are surely some cooties in there.
The more I look at this chair, the happier I am that I only spent $30 on it. Actually, I shouldn’t say that….it’s really solid, but pretty icky. Say what you will about the charm of old furniture or antiques, I hazard to say that part of the charm isn’t seeing the ghostly imprint of the former...
Travels in Forbidden Lands
I’ve already blathered on about my desire to “Sarah Richards” this flip, i.e. totally trick it out with furniture and other pretty things. My motivation for this is noble….most of the rooms in my portfolio are kitchens and I don’t just want to do kitchens.
Inevitably, clients might say initially that they want to work on the rest of the house after we finish their kitchen, but...
Bungalow Progress Report
The drywall is going up and the innards are, for the most part, no longer exposed! It’s actually starting to look like something:
The broken arch detail is a common thread running throughout the main floor. This is a nice change from the higgledy-piggledy elevations and cluttered trim that was a bit distracting before:
The main floor bathroom-still not Calgon...
2 tags
Bathroom Pet Peeves
I realize I’ve probably told you differently, but Starnes is actually much more of a DIY – I just didn’t want to intimidate my audience with my tool belt studliness. Here are two unflattering pics as proof that this really is a one woman job:
Notice, project manager Billy Ray humoring me in the background.
...
3 tags
How Green is Your Remodel? and People of Wal-Mart
Don’t worry, I’m not going to get all sanctimonious here. I’ll be the first to admit that it’s difficult to go totally green when you’re building or remodeling. That “stuff” whatever the stuff may be, can be darn expensive and girl has a budget you know.
It always seems ironic and unfair when the good choice is often unattainable. This is true not only with green building, but with healthy...
Interior Design Pet Peeves #2: Guest Bloggers!
The Estate of Things is a great design blog that I’ve become a fan of. These two friends, Sarah Farrell and Betsy Moyer, not only talk about design, but conquer rehab.-to-sell projects with beautiful results. Check out their Indiana House before and afters for some inspiration. Sarah and Betsy have generously contributed to my design pet peeves, and I’m glad to have allowed them to...
1 tag
Interior Design Pet Peeves: Installment #1
Man, I have opened the flood gates people.
I thought it might be interesting to branch out from the ramblings about Starnes Ave. to share some design pet peeves and let others weigh in with theirs. I’ve gotten so many contributions, I’m going to have to do this in installments. Who knew people were so opinionated?
OK, let me issue a disclaimer first. These can sound really elitist,...
November 2010
9 posts
3 tags
Kitchen Inspiration for Turkey Day
Happy Thanksgiving everybody! As I sit by and let my family labor in the kitchen, I’ll tell you about what’s shaping up in the Starnes kitchen, someone has to tend to the empire building after all.
I think the kitchen is going to be one of those pleasant surprises about the house. The comment that everyone seems to have when they walk into Starnes is that...
Purty Colors and Fancy Tiles
Exciting delivery today at Starnes Avenue! 1300 pounds of really really cool tile…which means it’s time for a bathroom break. Not that kind, I’m still here. The kind of bathroom break where we talk about the rest of my bathroom choices.
As I mentioned earlier, I was able to find some good deals on marble tiles online, so these bathrooms, and the kitchen backsplash for...
And the winner of the Spotted Dog Farm Lovely...
Anna Katherine Montgomery!!!!
Progress Report
I know everyone loves before and after shots. Clearly, we’re not there yet, but I can give you some before and midway-through pictures.
So, here’s what we’ve been up to:
· Replaced roofing.
· Scraped and primed.
· Replaced saggy front porch board.
· Replaced damaged front porch planks.
· Replaced damaged wood on exterior corner.
· ...
Battle of the Sexes
There’s a battle of the sexes of sorts brewing at 71 Starnes. It seems someone gave Arnold, my mustachioed contractor, a paint pen (I don’t think it’s an actual paint pen…I believe it has some construction related raison d’etre, but that’s beyond my pay grade), and he started feeling a little crafty. At first, he kept it pretty benign, a cute little skull and cross bones over our “no...
6 tags
Local Light and Sarah's House
Now I can be slightly self-righteous and put that sucker up.
I’m blowing this lighting allowance out of the water. OK, that’s an itty bitty exaggeration. The truth is, I’m probably going to come in about $10 under budget, but that’s 10 bucks that can go towards, say, one square feet of tile.
One surprise, is how many absolutely terrific, unique antique...
5 tags
Bungalow Bathrooms: Keep it Clean
If you do any research at all on early 1900s bungalow bathrooms, you’ll realize they look nothing like the Versaille-sized washrooms of today. These are not rooms where you’re going to install a coffee maker, a big screen tv, and a makeup vanity large enough to accommodate the entire Kardashian clan, Jenners included (yes, I know far too much about worthless pop culture – really, my mom raised...
6 tags
Bungalow Redo Week 3
Things are hopping on Starnes Avenue and never have I loved the sight of a dumpster quite so much:
Project Manager Billy Ray (should I worry that this man is in charge?):
We’ve barely started and I’ve already procured most of my plumbing and lighting fixtures. What can I say? I’m a little eager!
I’ve also been...
October 2010
7 posts
Faboosh Giveaway at Roost Interior Design!
“Like” Roost and Spotted Dog Farm and win a lovely lovely Lantern!!!
(I got all bordello with the red velvet)
Time to kick this blog into high gear and give away some stuff! What better way to promote your business than by promoting someone else’s too!
One of my BFF’s Sumner has a fabulous business called Spotted Dog Farm. Any business named after a dog is good in my book,...
2 tags
4 tags
4 tags
