nest egg

Can you hold this up for me?

 

 

That last one really does trump all. Dave forgot to tell me he was a former trapeze artist. 

 

I'll be back soon. Apparently I've been busy being bossy.

 

My Bathroom

 When we bought this little cottage we knew bathrooms would be an issue. We chose neighborhood over square footage and other amenities. So basically everything is tiny. I know it won't be long before we outgrow this but I love living small. It's the ultimate challenge- trying to make the most of every square inch. 

So we started with the bathroom...

The main floor bathroom was... not pretty. It was definitely liveable but the textured yellow wall tiles made me cringe every time I went in there.  

I was planning on having someone come reglaze the tile (more cost effective) when all of a sudden- OOPS- sledge hammer to the wall. 

And then OOPS, it fell on the floor! Only to find yet another layer of textured tile underneath. 

So I picked out some pretty marble basketweave tile for the floors, white subway tile for the tub surround and put the tile guys to work. 

The old tub wasn't in great condition but there's something about old cast iron tubs... to me they are so much more comfortable and solid than new ones. I didn't want to get rid of it. Even when the workers told me I was crazy and could get a new one for the same price. (Helpful construction tip: DONT listen to everyone's opinion. That's for another blog post.)

but DO reglaze old tubs...

As you can see one of the very first things I did was change the lighting- because it's always the most crucial! I had the overhead light moved and installed double sconces instead.

 

TIP: When the space allows always put sconces on the sides of your vanity- 66" off of the floor. It provides much more flattering light.

I then drew up something for my cabinet guy to build, found a calcutta gold remnant (I couldn't resist), and ordered polished nickel fixtures. 

 

I wanted to dress up the vanity with some funky mismatched jewelry so I found some oversized brass pulls from Liz's Antique Hardware. 

The mirror is from Ballard Designs. I love it. 

See shower behind me: I hung a shower curtain liner at regular height on a tension rod. I then installed a drapery rod up really high and got (3) white linen curtain panels from West Elm that ended up matching the wall color. Since this is the bathroom guests will most likely use when we are entertaining I wanted to be able to cover up the bathtub completely. We don't always close it but when we do it instantly makes the room feel cleaner and more elegant. 

Oh and just recently I put up some cafe curtains for privacy. 

  

Paint Color: Walls and Trim are Benjamin Moore's White Dove, custom vanity is Benjamin Moore's Fieldstone

Floor Tile: white marble basketweave with Delorean Gray grout 

Wall Tile: 3x6 gloss white subway with bright white grout

*all available through my friend Mary Elizabeth at Mission Stone and Tile 

Countertop: Honed Calcutta Gold remnant from Werthan Granite

Faucets: California Faucets Salina Series polished nickel; through Kenny and Company

Cafe Curtain Fabric: Amy Karyn; curtain hardware- custom- both available through us

Bath accessories/towel bars: Restoration Hardware, Vintage Collection, polished nickel

Sconces: Visual Comfort, double sconces, polished nickel- available through us

Vanity Hardware: Large Ring Pulls in Satin Brass; available through Liz's Antique Hardware

Mirror: Ballard Designs- This mirror is not on website anymore? but this one is similar

-Never skimp on tile installer- go with a great one even if they are more expensive

- Always put all lights on dimmers- yes, even in bathrooms.

- When it comes to subs don't settle for the answer: "It's just an old house". That is sometimes just an excuse. 

- Install can fans- recessed cans with exhaust fans built into them. You won't even be able to hear the fan it's so silent. This is sadly one of Hoyt's favorite things about the house. We'll have people over and I'll find him harrassing someone in the bathroom flipping on and off the switch going "Hear it? Hear it now?? wait, hold on.. NOW??!.. ITS AMAZING!!!'

-bathroom renovations take alot longer than you expect- if they say 3-4 weeks that's a lie. 

- Don't use tension rods. Go ahead and get one permanently installed to the tile. 

- Don't have your husband or brother install your toilet paper holder on a newly painted wall- because they'll probably install it crooked and leave pencil marks that you stare at every day. 

-Think through where you want your shower cubby/nook for shampoos, etc. well before construction- and if you want a built in medicine cabinet

- Check to make sure your faucet spout doesn't come too far out into the sink- or you'll hit your head when washing your face. 

- Main Thing: Try to get it as close to perfect as possible- everything from the paint touch ups to the grout to that one discolored tile that always bugs you... Your bathroom is the one place you spend the most time sitting and noticing these little details. (it's true.)

- Oh and that air register cover in picture below? That little detail makes me happy.These random vents in old houses will make you crazy- until you realize that instead of trying to cover it up with plastic you should just Own it and do something decorative. Restoration Hardware's register cover in satin nickel. 

- Despite what anyone says... If your dog insists on resting under your feet everytime you're in the bathroom it's NOT because of the cold tile- it's because he loves you!

What valuable lessons have you learned through renovating bathrooms? small spaces? Would love to hear. 

 

Running with Cookies

First of all, thank you for sending in your resumes! I have been reading through them and interviewing like a mad woman and am happy to say that the position has been filled. I have found someone that I think will be a great fit! More later. But I can't thank you enough for your interest- it means so much to see people excited at the thought of joining our little team. I'll hang on to the resumes I received and keep you guys posted if anything opens up in the future.

In other news.....So Instagram sold to facebook for 1 billion dollars... Which leads me to believe that people really DO just want to see pretty pictures. Pinterest? Fasting growing website EVER?! Pretty pictures.

Pretty pictures + personal pictures. 

Which all happen to be on our phone. My phone pictures fall in these categories: Finley, orders that come in damaged, furniture finds, my clients kids, concerts, food, and trees. The billion dollar industry at it's best...

You know you live around great people when you try to go for a run and you end up outside your down-the-street neighbors house with a bag of homemade Snickerdoodles.

Crap, now I'm the girl that runs with cookies. 

I found this old front door for a job just outside of town...

I took Finley with me to see the progress...

He did not last long...

Why doesn't he get tired of digging a hole to China Murphy,the lab next door? 

Speaking of a minor disaster...A little rearranging in the office...

A tornado-warning-turned-hail storm while stuck at a client's house...

 

And then I furberized my puppy... and pretended we had created a new friend for Finn. He was not into it... AT all!! I guess it would be like if your hairdresser sweeped up all of your hair after a big haircut, put the hair in a bag, and continued to show you how to play peakaboo with your mound of old, wet hair. 

Yuuuup. I deserve this look...  

Oh, this is when I go shopping at Scotts in Atlanta alone and feel sorry for myself. I send pictures of the moon at 5am to Hoyt. 

I end up having a foggy recollection of what I buy this early in the morning. Like these chairs for example... 

Don't be fooled. This is my golden hour!! I have high hopes for these two. 

Went up to NYC and Brooklyn...

Got to spend quality time with best friends I haven't seen in years,

 

  
and go to our friends "gig" at Madison Square Garden... (which was amazing!)

After a weekend of partying with the rock stars I found myself in the middle seat on the airplane staring at this SkyMall man with envy. To heck with the tool belt, I'll take a SkyRest thanks.

 And a teepee in my backyard...

 

   

On the way to Easter in Birmingham I crammed my car full of things to take down to Alabama for delivery. 

 

Finley was pushed to the front seat where he quickly realized he is too big to curl up anywhere so he began to bob in and out of sleep looking exactly like an uncomfortable human on an airplane. "I've been there, I told him. Trust me- I took pictures of the SkyRest and am now blogging about it. Try pushing your face on the glass."

While taking this packed SUV down to Montgomery I made a pit stop in Birmingham to see my family... who welcomed me with LOSER signs on their foreheads.. how nice.

Over Easter break I did a lot of... laying around with dogs. My work weeks are overwhelmingly busy so it's nice to go home to my parents house and be able to REST, eat healthy and recharge. Which is exactly what I did...

 

Then I went on to Montgomery, where my newly pregnant client thinks it's appropriate to sit on the toilets in the Fergusons showroom and read the news. Anyone want to tell her she can't sit there? ... didn't think so.

    

I wore a Brazilian headdress and did my neighbors zipline upside-down this week. Chicken with its head cut off? The girl that runs with cookies?

Might be best to stick to blogging. 

But before you go....

I stumbled upon this in my photo library- it has been making me laugh for weeks.

A self portrait of the Finn man himself: 

Hmmm... a mystery how he managed to hold the camera out in front of him with muddy claws and no opposable thumbs. But nevertheless, the best picture in my phone. 

**to follow me on instagram

for all of you who have emailed or called recently- thank you for bearing with us. We are working hard to get to everyone. We have been transitioning email accounts so if you haven't heard a response please try re-emailing us at mary(at)rachelhalvorson.com. Thank you!

 

Fashion

This week in Nashville we are celebrating... Fashion Week ! 

And I have been asked to be on a panel this year. Me??? Fashion and public speaking?!! I had the same reaction.

But really- I'm quite honored that I was asked. 

I will be debating the importance of social media in developing a brand. Don't get me wrong- I'm a little nervous. I'll be discussing this topic with 4 industry PROS including Mike Wolfe from American Pickers and Susie Crippen, cofounder of JBrand jeans. (Seriously, putting me next to Mike Wolfe is like putting a 4th grader next to Oprah. I'm getting flashbacks of my highschool drama teacher: "Rachel, make eye contact, articulate, and try not to say "Uhhh" or "like" so much." )

But the beauty of this discussion is that my story is simple: my brand created itself. It's true. In fact, it's hard to even call it a brand because it's just me. By simply sharing my passion through this blog and staying true to myself I have gotten to where I am now. And, ofcourse, the amazing support and encouragement I've had along the way. I am truly humbled.

That's what I plan on saying anyway.

And this is what I plan on wearing: 

Oh wait, it's what I wear pretty much every day.

1. The Elizabeth high waist jeans from Imogene + Willie... Love.

2. Aviators from Urban Outfitters (because I am rough with my sunglasses- these are only like* $15.) 

3. Clarks Water Row Ankle Boots... I've worn these to death this year. Super comfortable.

4. Burt's Bees "Peony"- a staple for sure

5. I wear this little gold necklace every day. I love how simple it is. I got it at The Perfect Pair here in Nashville....and I have no idea who makes it. They'll know- contact PP if you're interested. It looks great with any other necklace but most of the time I wear it by itself. 

5. The cuff in my picture is also from Urban Outfitters. I couldn't find it online but they always have inexpensive, funky jewelry. This turquoise cuff looked similar. I think I might need one.

6. My purse- chock full of non-stylish things like* receipts and broken finials. Available through The Perfect Pair. 

7. Imogene + Willie's new "Jeanne" blouse... The material is perfection. Feels like* you're wearing a top that has been washed and worn thousands of times.  It's actually longer and hits across the hips but I tucked mine in to my high-waist jeans... Because, Uhhh, I'm stylish like* that. ;) The Jeanne is coming soon to I+W store and website. Call ahead for pricing and details. 

*** If you're interested in coming to these discussions it's not too late! Click here for easy registration. Panel Discussions start at 10am and run throughout the day. All panels are free to attend and those who attend have unlimited access to galleries for the day. All the info can be found on Nashville Fashion Week's website. If you do attend feel free to make funny faces at me, shout about nesteggs, and tally up the amount of times I say LIKE*(-4)

Calling All Designers!

Yup. I need more help.

I'm looking for a designer who is...

• interested in a full time position
• has previous design experience
• skilled in Autocad as well as hand drafting
• is organized and pays close attention to detail
• wants to be part of the team!

**UPDATE 4/18: THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED! BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND  INTEREST IN THE COMPANY! If you sent in resumes l'll hang on to them and let each of you know if anything opens up in the near future! With kindest regards, Rachel

Thanks!

Flush Mounts

 

There are thousands of fabulous lights out there right now. You flip through the catalog and get excited about a fixture and then realize Oh, it's WAY too big for my house. So I keep running into the same issue with clients: why can't these fixtures just be shorter??

Most of my clients (including myself) have 9' ceilings so unless we're hanging something over a table the fixture shouldn't be over 24" high. Ideally you need something around 10-20" high. Which leaves us with... the flush mount category. I bet for most of you when you think of flush mounts this image pops into your head: 

Which we like to call "the boob light." I'm sorry but it's true. 

There are better options out there... Here are a few of my favorites:

(Basil Flushmount; available through circa lighting; pictured in 1st photo- via things that inspire; photo by Emily Followil) 

Classic schoolhouse flush mount- circa lighting

Rustic flushmount @ Solaria Lighting, available through RH Designs

 

Ralph Lauren's cage light, @ Circa Lighting

star flush mount; available through circa lighting

Federal ceiling light; @ Shades of Light

One of my favorites.. Soleil flush mount, circa lighting

Satellite 3 @ Schoolhouse Electric

A little glam? Robert Abbey's Bling Flushmount @Lamps Plus

Gear Mount @Shades of Light.. would look cute in kids room/bathroom

small sienna flush mount; circa lighting

 

Chisolm Passage @ Urban Electric (available in all Benjamin Moore colors)- see in room: 

Capiz Shell flush mount- @ Worlds Away. Teenage girls love this light! Available through RH Designs

Brass Tiered Pendant @Urban Outfitters for $64! - I haven't seen it in person but from the room picture it looks pretty cool-

Simple. linen drum shade @ Shades of Light

Classic Semi-flush Bell Jar, circa lighting

Mary McDonald's Classic Ceiling Light @ Shades of Light

Restoration Hardware barn pendant

Clark Ceiling Light , circa lighting

I put these in my own house down our hallway. When we moved in there was a track light that drove me crazy so we took out the track...

 and installed 2 flush mounts...

Oh, look who it is. :)

Finley says hi.

Tool Belts

Almost daily I find myself at construction sites saying things like "Where did I put my phone? Did someone take my tape measure? Can I borrow a piece of paper? Please excuse me while I dig through the dark corners of my bag to find my pencil." 

It's annoying. If everything were in hand's reach I would save hours* a day!               ^{*slight exaggeration}

So I've been thinking.... 

Sister needs a tool belt. 

And not just your regular one..

The Pens:

I have to alternate colors alot. It makes my day better.

The architect scale: for figuring out the dimensions of the plan drawings while on site. You can also use it as a weapon. It really came in handy when we were swarmed with cicadas.. like batting practice. 

The 7" hammer: (for effect)

A client gave this to me as a gift- isn't it the prettiest hammer you've ever seen? I've never actually used it but that's beside the point. It looks good and it plays the part for our stylish tool belt. You can get them here. 

A notebook: These hold up best. I prefer graph paper. 

Heavy Duty Tape Measure: If you ever find yourself on a jobsite trying to balance a cutesy tape measure 11 ft in the air while everyone stands around watching you're history. Believe me, I've been there. Get one that works...

Fat Max is your friend.

The chocolate: For your 3pm meetings...

This local treat is my current favorite. 

 

Burt's Bees: A must have. Do not offer it to workmen.

So there you have it- The Lady's Tool Belt.

Who's in?

Bunks

First things first-

The comments from my last post were so refreshing and honest- As I read through them all I laughed and cried. Thanks for taking the time to share the little snippets of your life that make you happy. Seriously... I am going to make y'all talk more often. 

On a totally separate note- I've been working on several bunk rooms and have been searching for inspirational images.

I'm referring to a bunk room as a room with multiple built in beds- they don't have to necessarily be stacked on top of one another. I guess I shouldn't call it a bunk if it's not stacked...OK now I'm curious...

Ahhh yes, a tier of berths. Thank you for clearing that up, Merriam. 

Anyway, you get the point. Maximizing the space to sleep as many children or traveling musicians as possible. Kids LOVE them.

If your budget allows I think building them out is the best solution for both function and overall aesthetic. 

Here are a few...

{above 6} purmamasquarespace.com; justine hugh jones; domino magazine; suzanne kasler; via material's girl; alys beach bunks via wide open spaces

{above 5}  via cottage living; via dwell; via elle decor; via flickriver/ pinterest, via swish and swanky

{above 5} giannetti via velvet and linen; bunks by Kelly Harmon; bunks by Steven Gambrel; Studio ohm via remodelista; bunks by Suzanne Kasler

{above 4} Tracery Interiors; Turner Davis Interiors; via pinterest; via nooshkids

{above 7} via marie claire maison; BPC architecture; via pinterest; Kristen Panich Interiors via twoellie; via the zhush;  Tracery Interiors; via Apt Therapy

(Bottom bunker 4 life)

Time...

Hello friends, Happy New Year!!!

2012 has snuck up on us.!! The new year always seems so eager- doesn't it? Like it's a pushy little kid in the lunch line bumping his way to the front before the cafeteria is even open.

As I look back on a wonderful but blurry 2011 I am amazed by how truly fast life passes us by. 

At the close of this past year I planned to do Christmas cards, a blog post for every holiday, return all my phone calls and emails, finish up my website, and start taking pilates again but have somehow managed to not accomplish any of the above. If only I had more time... that's what I find myself saying.

MORE.

TIME...

Like that image from my last post time is a big ole' freight train barreling around the corner... There's no way you can outrun it- and it's not going to stop for you. But we keep wearing ourselves out trying to catch up with it.

Over the holidays my mom gave me a wonderful book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp-

<oh and i just realized it has nesteggs on it! yippy skippy-I swear I didn't plan that.>

In the book she makes a list of 1,000 gifts- not of gifts she wants but gifts she already has. It's a wonderful reminder to be present and appreciate what we have now. Gratitude for the seemingly insignificant..

"Do not disdain the small. The whole of life- even the hard- is made up of the minute parts, and if I miss the infinitesmals, I miss the whole. There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing. The moments will add up."

The other day I was looking through all of my iphone pics, remembering the moments I took them, and smiling. In the spirit of cherishing time and all the little beautiful details along the way here are a few gifts from 2011: 

•  When you see your puppy on your porch swing. This one needs no further explanation. Kills me!

• The moments where you think Gosh, I love my neighborhood.  
• when your {anonymous} client has to crawl through her own doggie door while visiting the jobsite... 

Don't worry, I dove in soon after.

• or when a client wants a visual of the fabric so she pretends to be the chair next to the lamp.            "Hey, look at me! I'm a chair!"

• when you visit a new farmhouse jobsite on acres of gorgeous land ...

and the friendly neighbors summon you over to chat:

• when you get your first signage and you send it to your dad saying "Look, Dad- I'm all growed up!"           
• when the little girls who live down the street come over to play with Finley and leave drawings like this that melt your heart...

• or notes like this... 
• when your friend helps you shop at the flea market and you stumble across these chairs as if they've been waiting for you... 

 

• When you set up the timer to take a family picture, run back in my seat and yell"Hurry! Everyone act like they're having a good time!!"     *click*

                                            *click* - what is happening?

• when a light fixture you design turns out better than expected... 
• or a custom upholstered ottoman bench- sleek and classic: 
  
  
• when you try to make your puppy your "new, funny best friend"...  

  

• when you find one million pictures of rusty hardware in your phone because that old crap really does make you happy 

 

• when your friend sends you this picture and asks where she can find some platypus babies...

 

• getting to spend Thasnkgiving in Princeton, NJ 

• when green grows on beautiful old buildings  

•  when precious nephews love on you and ask if they can "go home with Aunt Rachel... Pleeeease???" 
• when you take detours to NYC and go for a night on the town with close friends

•  a flower by my toothbrush in the morning  

• when a new construction project finally starts to feel lived in...

•  when you sweet-talk a 200 lb tractor-drivin' workman to Carefully stand on a ladder like a ballerina and hold up a light fixture for you...

• when you get to spend time with good friends over holiday break  
• when you realize the gift of blog readers- YOU. All of you who have sent me emails or stopped to introduce yourself- it never ceases to amaze me that people are actually listening to my rambling thoughts. I'm so flattered and humbled... and proud to say I have internet friends.
• when you begin to measure time by how fast your puppy dog is growing.. :(

 

can you believe-

Here's to a Happy, and present, 2012! 

p.s. Everyone name a gift in your life (or something seemingly insignificant that you are grateful for), and drop it in my comment box. Just one. Something small. Just do it. :)

I come bearing gifts...

Here comes Christmas...

like a freight train.

My mom keeps calling me "Will you PLEASE just tell me what you want for Christmas?"

I've been avoiding it because my real answer is: NOTHING. I really don't need anything. But I also know that that answer will make any mother go insane 1 week before the holidays. !! <insert train horn>

So, fashionably late, I came up with a few ideas.

(And mom, I do NOT expect any of these to show up under the tree. This is just for fun.:)

1. Honeycomb artwork by my good friend Laura Roebuck

2. Patagonia Pouch

3. Rustic Leather Notebook/{or Diary}-depends on the day

4. Diptyque candle- this scent makes me crazy it's so good

5. Turquoise necklace

6. Foldover clutch

7. Jeffrey Bilhuber's latest book

8. OK I cheated and already got this for myself but the new Black Keys album is amazing. Gold on the ceiling. 

9. Some new jeans from Imogene and Willie- their new Elizabeth cut is higher in the waist and so flattering. These jeans are the real deal- they last forever and keep getting better with every wear. Most of my other jeans live the opposite life. 

10. Shagreen iphone cover

11. The Diana mini-camera- Cuz she's so darn cute. Who wouldn't smile for pictures if they're looking at her?

12. Jewelry travel organizer- (see #5 and #14) 

13. Cognac clogs from the Perfect Pair in Nashville

14. Gold feather ring

15. Cococozy throw blanket- pretty colors and they are really soft!

16.  Stemless wine glasses- handbuilt porcelain pottery from two of my favorite artists and friends- The Cravens out of Foxfire, VA. (I could go on but that's for another blog post) I love these wine glasses and could use a few more to add to my collection! 

Or you can always give back! There's never a better gift. Check out my favorite charities under "Share your nest."

I know the train is around the corner and everyone is frantically trying to pull off Christmas miracles to make everything perfect for the weekend-- but don't forget to love on each other. :)