1 Year Blogiversary! Kinda...
Let's Celebrate and Reflect!
I know it's been awhile, but I'm finally back and I'm going to do better!
So I thought...it's my blogiversary today, but when looking back through my feed, my blogiversary was actually August 7th! How could I have forgotten such a thing? Sigh...But I will not fret, I will celebrate anyway!
The last year has been good to me. My family is doing awesome and my design business is taking off (details to come). We were blessed ten months ago to welcome a new bundle into the fold and he and his siblings are doing great. I love watching the dynamics of their relationships unfold. It's so beautiful, and pure, and honest, and true, and so very present and in the moment. I love it and I am kinda obsessed with watching them.
As I sit and reflect on this last year of pushing this design business forward, I can identify changes that needed to occur in order to make things happen (details to come on that soon too)! =) Over a year ago, I was blessed to have two conversations about the design business that changed my outlook on my business endeavors. Those conversations inspired me, provoked my creative thought, and left me asking myself some hard questions about what I wanted out of my business. Conversations that definitely needed to be had with people successfully working in interior design. I can't thank Erika (Erika Ward Interiors) and Dayka (Dayka Robinson Designs) enough; two extraordinary examples of what women in a successful business look like! And the fact that they look like me makes it even sweeter! Be sure to check out them out!
As I celebrate one year of blogging...well kinda because (let's look at the facts), I haven't blogged that much, but I'm trying to change that...I rejoice in the small things like - 1) I actually started a blog; 2) I actually blogged at least 20 times and 21 if you include this one; 3) I have completed a few design projects for 'real' clients since I started blogging; 4) I have prepared as best I can for the growth I know I am about to experience with my business and this blog; and all of this makes me super happy!
So with that said, I just want to thank you all for checking out my blog. Thank you for riding along with me this first year. Thank you for FaceBooking me and asking me why I have not posted. Thank you for supporting me. I appreciate every second, minute, or hour you spend out of your time visiting this blog or 'hearting' and liking my pics on social media. Thank You!! Thank You!! Thank You!!
Making Home, Home!
XO, Kathleen
The 2014 African American Top 20 Interior Designers
There was a time when I didn't even know we existed in interior design let alone actually making a living at doing what we love. I was searching for faces that looked like mine as affirmation that we too can succeed at creating and crafting beautiful spaces for people to live and make beautiful memories of their own. Ironically enough one day I stumbled upon the blog of Kimberly Ward, also know as Pink Eggshell, combed through the pages of her blog and found the African American Top 20. It was a list highlighting some of the top African American interior designers from around the country. Kimberly has worked diligently over the years to bring to light and share with the world some of the best interior designers. Does it stop at only twenty? Absolutely not! Since then I have learned about so many more and my list keeps growing. But from this you do get a glimpse of who we are, okay maybe not me yet =)), so I'll say who they are and the contributions they have made to the field of Interior Design.
This weekend in Atlanta these amazing designers are celebrated and being recognized for the accomplishments they have made, for the doors they are opening for all designers to come, and for just being fierce - finding their way, carving their niche, and making it happen in this big old world of design.
When you have a moment please check them out! For more information about these designers and the events going on around Atlanta in honor of them, please visit Pink Eggshell. Bravo to all the designers!
Need A Little Spring Pick-Me-Up? Start Here...
Here in metroAtlanta Spring has come and gone a couple of times over the last few weeks, but if you are decorating your home for Spring, go ahead and take the plunge. Let those sunny thoughts of Spring (or even Summer) warm your home from the winter blues.Now I will admit, I enjoy Spring-like colors all year round. I'm not the kinda girl that switches up window panels, pillows, and throws to usher in a new season. Now I will pull a switcharoo at any given moment, but not just for the seasons. =) Accent pillows are a quick and easy way to spruce up your home for Spring. So if you are in need of some lovely little Spring updates with bold color and graphic print, be sure to check out some of these affordable beauties for your home. Some are listed as outdoor pillows, but they could also be used inside. Also, if you are a snob pillow chopper like me, and those polyester inserts just don't do it for you, you can easily pop the stitch at the bottom of the pillow (or unzip in some cases) and replace the polyester inserts with a down or down alternative insert. The great news about all these pillows - they are off the shelf from big box stores or can be ordered online at super reasonable prices.
1. Room Essentials® Patterned Decorative Pillow - Yellow
10. Cabana Geometric
12. Havana Floral
13. Noonday Floral
15. Peacock Yellow
16. Deniz Ercelebi
17. Life's A Beach
18. CMYKaren Love 4
21. Geometric Orange
There are literally hundreds more, but I figured I'd give you a place to start! You can also check out some Etsy shops online. There are some great pillow selections out there.
Do you have any favorite spots where you like to shop for your Spring time pick-me-ups? What ways do you update your home for Spring or Summer? I would love to hear from you! Please drop me a line in the comments! Happy Spring time decorating!
Making Home, Home! Kathleen
Update: Home Office Makeover Sneak Peek
About a week ago I posted a little information about my home office makeover. As you can see, it needs some TLC. As I mentioned in that post (read here), we have converted our formal living room to a home office because we are veeeeeerrrrryyyyyy far from formal and a few other reasons you can read in the previous post. I will recap everything with the final reveal. =) So here is where we began (dark, organized clutter, and just plain ol' boring). So not our personalities, at least most days. =)
And here is where we are now! I'm only giving you a little sneak peek because it is not quite ready for a full reveal, but I'm getting there. There are a few DIY projects that I will share with you too!
Vinyl (yes vinyl folks), pops of color, some organization, lighting...it's all there! Just a few more projects and I am done! Stay tuned...
Do you have a home office or place in your home to work? If so, what are your absolute must haves? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for stopping by!
Making Home, Home!
Kathleen