MUDROOM PROJECT UNDERWAY
For years I have desired a mudroom in our home. A place to drop book bags, shoes, jackets - and the storage it could offer us - tons of storage. Right off of our garage, and right across from our laundry room and downstairs bathroom, this space has been screaming for something. It's kind of always been a catch all of sorts, housing a small dvd cabinet and just a bunch of nonessential items.
For years I have desired a mudroom in our home. A place to drop book bags, shoes, jackets - and the storage it could offer us - tons of storage. Right off of our garage, and right across from our laundry room and downstairs bathroom, this space has been screaming for something. It's kind of always been a catch all of sorts, housing a small dvd cabinet and just a bunch of nonessential items. As a family of five, we need every nook and cranny in our home to be functional. And this little space was loaded with potential. See! So much unused good space. This shot was taken after all the junk was removed.
So I began this project.
My father-in-love is a master carpenter. If he lived closer I would torture him with project after project. I was afraid to tackle this one alone and I didn't want to hire a carpenter because I knew he could help me. I drew up a quick sketch with measurements, snagged a few inspiration photos, and emailed them to him. We had a plan. Well at least a starting point. Because I have a tendency to be a bit indecisive when it comes to designing for myself, I changed things up midstream. He wasn't happy to say the least, but he knows me and was prepared for my antics. I think! =/
There were a few bumps in the road because I changed things up and I could just kick myself right now, but I'm happy with the progress made so far. I just hope my OCD doesn't get the best of me down the road. It has a way of forcing me to change things when I have convinced myself to leave things alone. #iknowme Just leave well enough alone - I tell myself. =)
Below are a few in progress shots. I will be painting everything out in a nice bright pure white. Sorry, wood lovers. The grain is beautiful, but I don't want stained or natural looking wood here. I plan on lining the inside of the cabinet and open area under the bench seat with cork. I promise it will all make beautiful sense when you see it finished. I'll also add pull handles to the cabinet doors and dress up the bench seat with a custom cushion and accent pillows, custom art, and of course storage baskets.
I can't wait to share with you the final results.
Need a mudroom designed in your home? Give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to chat with you.
Making Home, Home!
Kathleen
PROJECT REVEAL | STARGEN PREP
A while back I finished a bedroom for one of my favorite preteens. He is witty, charming, sweet, and loves displaying his artwork. His mom asked me to overhaul his bedroom and I am so excited to share the finished project with you. The look I was going for was preppy, Polo Ralph Lauren meets classic boys club, but still for a young, creative fellow.
A while back I finished a bedroom for one of my favorite preteens. He is witty, charming, sweet, and loves displaying his artwork. His mom asked me to overhaul his bedroom and I am so excited to share the finished project with you. The look I was going for was preppy, Polo Ralph Lauren meets classic boys club, but still for a young, creative fellow. Below is the before. For more information about this space you can read all about where we started and what the space looked like after adding the architectural details. And let me tell you, adding something as simple and clean - lined as board and batten can really transform the look of any room. I also added so much more furniture in the room which actually made the room feel and look bigger rather than smaller. The room is adorned with custom accent pillows and custom drapes for the closet and window.
AFTER
Nothing makes a designer's day like seeing the faces of your clients light up when the project is done. And my day was totally made when they walked in the room.
LESSONS LEARNED MY 1ST YEAR IN BUSINESS
Launching Kathleen Mapson & Company has been one of the most exciting, terrifying, thrilling, and overwhelming experiences of my life. Although knowing that starting my business was absolutely the right thing to do, what I was called to do, and what I know I have been blessed to do, there have been many moments of self-doubt and uncertainty. Oddly enough, I even thought about throwing in the towel because of moments of frustration. And to be even more transparent, those moments have turned into months - seven months to be exact.
My Truth - Keeping It 100 When I wrapped my last project of 2015 back in December, I was kind of in a funk of some sorts. I was wrestling with my heart and mind about my business, having creative block (much like writer's block), and throwing myself a little pity party. Being a wife, mom, working a full-time job that could take up to 2 hours one way in this horrid Atlanta traffic, and trying to grow my design business was becoming too much for me. The time just wasn't there no matter how hard I tried. Going to industry events, shows, meeting with other designers, handling client projects - I just couldn't do it. And since I couldn't 'show up' the way I wanted to, I didn't want to do anything related to my business. And it was hard. Like really hard. And I was slightly devastated at considering closing up shop or putting my business on hold for awhile.
After sharing my thoughts with my tribe, they helped me bring things back into perspective. I realized that 'showing up' doesn't mean I have to do it all, all the time. It simply means doing what I can when I can, and being fully present when I decide to do so. It means saying yes to the events, outings, and client projects that work for what I am trying to build and saying no to what really isn't a good fit. It means not overwhelming myself when I don't have to and not overthinking every single little thing. I'm working on this one! If you know me, you know I am notorious for doing this. And it means being patient with my personal and entrepreneurial growth and enjoying the journey.
So, I'm back in the saddle. I've dried my tears, prayed over my fears, and have resolved within myself that the mindset of 'showing up for everything' and 'on all the time' doesn't have to apply here. And it is all good. =) Balance is key. Working through all that has also taught me a few more valuable lessons. I hope they will encourage you in your journey too.
What I Now Know For Sure
Starting and traveling through any uncharted territory can be scary. So I gave myself permission to fully feel and be present in all of it. What I now know for sure:
- Trust yourself and the power within you. Know that if it is burning in your heart and continues to do so long after you think you have gotten over it – maybe you haven’t actually gotten over it. Whatever 'it' is - get out there and try and give it all you’ve got. When you actually put effort in to it, rewards will come out of it.
- Just do it! Now that doesn’t mean to just do it. What it does mean is come up with a plan that you know you can execute. Long-term goals are great, but short-term goals are equally as important. And you get to celebrate yourself a little more along the way.
- Work with what you have and be okay with it. As things progress, so will you, your resources, your connections, and everything else. Don’t look so far ahead that you can’t appreciate where you are in the journey. Doing so may cause you to get off track.
- Do your homework. Whatever you desire to do starts with learning your business, it’s community, the movers and shakers, and those that you admire. Take courses, attend conferences, community events, and webinars not only about your specific business, but also on how to run a business in general – marketing, financing, social media, photography. You will be surprised at how many ‘free’ things you can find to get things going, but also consider those that have a fee. Good information is not always free. You should want to pay someone for their insight/knowledge if you know it can help your productivity and growth. This is also a part of investing in yourself and your business.
- Find a mentor in your industry. It is a wonderful thing to learn on your own, figure out your own way, and encourage yourself, but also consider talking to someone that’s been there and done it. It doesn’t mean your way will be the same as theirs. Actually, your way will be very different from theirs because we all have our own paths and bridges to cross. But we can all learn something from the successes and failures of others. It’s up to you to figure out what to do with that information.
- Build Your Tribe! Your tribe is your crew. You motivate each other to keep going, share goals and ideas, and cheer one another on. Your tribe is there to be a listening ear, help you navigate your situation, be honest with you when you least want to hear, and genuinely desire to see you succeed. You are not in this alone and you shouldn’t be. That’s what your tribe is for.
- Be legit. Find out what your state or county requires to operate your business legally. I know, I know…but that means I may have to pay taxes on what I have earned. Yes, you may. But also consider the rewards – you are operating your business legitimately, you can ‘do business’ with other businesses that may ask for your business information for their tax filings, and you can include in your taxes all the expenses that it takes to make your business operational. And let's not forget the peace of mind of doing things in order.
- Keep moving no matter what. The only time there is no success is when you are not doing anything. I believe that all those late nights, God sees you. All those sacrifices, God sees you. All the times you have cried, worried, prayed, yet remained faithful, God sees you. I believe as long as you stay the course, God will honor your request.
XOXO, Kathleen
CELEBRATING 1 YEAR IN BUSINESS!
Thank you to each and every one of you that have cheered me on, given me countless advice and encouragement, and trusted me with your money and overall vision. Today I celebrate one year of the official launch of Kathleen Mapson & Company. The journey has not always been easy, but certainly worth it.
If there is a dream that burns in your heart go after it - work through your frustrations, believe in your power, believe in God's power. And know that I am rooting for you too!! Here's to all of you that are celebrating your first year in business and the years to come!