nest egg

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. :)

Etsy Treasures

Etsy continues to be one of my go to resources. Lately I have been narrowing down my search to "Vintage" (from the drop down menu in the search bar) and coming up with some really great finds!

 When I'm supposed to be coming up with a blog post I am actually just getting lost in the world of etsy...or pinterest. Too many outlets, not enough time.

    I created a few Treasury Lists- a compilation of some of my finds. Considering it's the holiday season (omg.) these are also great gift ideas. 

So, now it's your turn-- get lost!

'Nestegg treasures' 

Return - Photograph of Paris... EyePoetryPhoto... $30.00	Art ORIGINAL Charcoal Drawin... vhmckenzie $85.00	vintage cameo bracelet whichgoose $20.00
Very Unique Vintage Chunky N... YourBouquet $15.00	CHA CHA Scarf in Orange- 100... CHACHALIFESTYL... $67.00	AGATHA CLUTCH- Made of Recyc... CHACHALIFESTYL... $97.00
indigo hemp silk scarf enhabiten $48.00	Art ORIGINAL PAINTING, Wate... vhmckenzie $450.00	SALE - Carnelian Trapeze - S... savagesalvage $22.00
Paris photography, Hearts in... EyePoetryPhoto... $30.00	vintage leather case enhabiten $85.00	Not So Much Living As Surviv... mincingmocking... $18.00
Entourage City Tote in Tobac... CHACHALIFESTYL... $240.00	ON SALE july pillow indigo enhabiten $40.00	Chevrons - White Bone Bead L... savagesalvage $24.00
Orbital - Brass Necklace wit... savagesalvage $18.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

'Mash Up' 

giant speckled metalmark but... GollyBard $80.00	Vintage purse. small brown l... nemres $28.00	Oil painting, Warhol's S... hypocondriaque $400.00
Hollywood Regency Lamp Pair ... AustinModern $550.00	Egyptian Fan Earrings seahagandwalru... $28.00	70's Glam Brass & Glass ... ubercasa $2100.00
vintage Teal and Sage Green ... SkinnyandBerni... $18.00	original small landscape sto... pamelam $20.00	Mini Cafe Chairs - Fine Art ... swedotorp $20.00
Purple and Gold Triangle Bur... heatherfuture $12.00	Carved Brass Table Lamp with... OldLightingSpo... $145.00	Artichoke botanical print or... RedDotPrintSho... $35.00
Original painting, abstract ... LouisestArt $75.00	2 vintage deco style metal h... Violetteslippe... $6.00	Parterre No. 3 original wate... GollyBard $175.00
Lady Daydream MariamSitchina... $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

 

Curtain thoughts

So before I go into my recent adventures to Chicago, Atlanta, and in bed with the flu- let's talk about what's really important: indecent exposure.

Apparently the entire neighborhood has been watching me for months now because I have YET to pick out drapery fabric for practically my entire house. And I have refused to put up the old dusty plastic blinds that lived there before we repainted everything. 

Throughout the house (aside from a few rooms) I painted the walls and trim Benjamin Moore "China White" and the french doors Sherwin Williams "Black Fox".

Hoyt keeps making fun of me when I'm looking at fabrics in my house (which is NEVER in case you were wondering- unless it's at 10pm crouching around a lamp). He says "Oh- Oh!! Let me guess... WHITE?!"

But it's true- so far I've painted everything a shade of white and only brings things in with little to no color. I can't tell if it's just that I see samples all day long and I want a blank slate to come home to, or if I am a wimp and won't commit to anything other than white. Maybe it's a little of both but we're not here to analyze that. We are here to make a decision. I need to figure out what to do with our window treatments before the neighbors see me in my underwear.(again) 

The problem is- I like a lot of different things. I make decisions all day long for my clients but when it comes to my house I freeze. Then quickly put it on the backburner. 

What I DO know is that I keep coming back to some of my favorite rooms with simple, light curtains that closely resemble the wall.  --- I apologize for any repeats--

(1)

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(5)

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These curtains don't call for drama.

They are sophisticated, soothing,  and simple. 

Are they safe???......YES.    -But I'm okay with that. :)

I was coming to look for some approval from you guys but ended up with Leo's blessing. I guess he trumps all. ??

Either way- I'm ordering some fabric!

1. design by Amy Morris, photograph by Emily Followill 2. Tommy Clements via Elle Decor3. Country Home via greige 4. Thomas Obrien via his website 5. Susan Ferrier via House Beautiful 6. via domino magazine 7. source unknown 8. source unknown and 9. Scaglioni, via House Beautiful 10. via Little Green Notebook 11. Source unknown 12. via Amber Interior Design

*last print by Natural Curiosities

happy, happy,

HAP P Y HALLOW E E N !!

We're all stocked up here- with festive trees, 

pumpkins and fall flowers,

and LOTS of candy!! 

that Hoyt and I have been "testing" to make sure none of it is poisenous. 

Busted with the skittles.

Busted spoiling my dog.

Busted making 2 normal jackolanterns and 1 really creepy/dead corpse one. 

I put Mr. Jolly in charge of Finley for tomorrow night for when all the kids come a' knockin. Mr. Jolly, meet Finn.

Finn, Mr. Jolly.

I'm starting to think I should have a sign outside my door that says "Please say 'trick or T-R-E-A-T (spelled out) else you're going to end up with a hungry puppy pummeling you to the ground."

Have a great night! Be safe! Eat lots of sugar.  

Happy Happy.

I SPY… MUSTARD

via lisa sherry interieurs

Top 8- all via pinterest

via coco kelley

via bellevivr

via bellevivr

via martha stewart living

via House and Home 2011

Had enough??

One more bite...

Seriously, do you like it? Lots of people are hatin' on yellow lately but I think this mustard is its own color all together. It's more golden, currey, warm and fuzzy. Makes me want to wrap myself in a wool blanket, start a bonfire, and sleep in the woods. Yup. That mustard just did it to me. The color- not the condiment. 

Have a great weekend!!

 

Life...

has caught up with me. 

I tend to stay busy and caught up in my daily hectic routine- we all do. It takes a funeral, a wedding, the birth of a child, to put things in perspective. There have been several of these moments this past month--where I've had to put work on hold and be with loved ones. But it's good for all of us to to be reminded of what is really important. 

One of my best friends in the world lost her dad this past week. I went down to Birmingham to be with her at this huge turning point in her life... It was definitely a reality check. It reminded me of how each day with the people I love is truly a gift. God has bigger plans for us than checking emails all day and worrying about our haunting 'to do' lists. We should do our best to live FULLY as if each day is our last.

Around the same time back in Nashville another close friend gave birth to a perfect baby girl. Her name is Carolyn...

(If the sequence of these events doesn't make you want to hold up a lion cub and belt out Elton's Circle of Life I don't know what does.)

It was beautiful and sad all at the same time. 

A few days later Hoyt and I celebrated our fourth year of marriage. FOUR. It seems weird to say that out loud.. I feel like it was just yesterday I met him in a bar-he was wearing adidas flip flops WITH black socks and his hair was sticking straight up. (True story) Granted, it was after he raced his bike but that's a minor detail. Also the fact that I fell for him in that attire is another minor detail. 

Our wedding was the best day of my life.

And by far the most fun!

My face hurt for weeks after our wedding because I smiled and laughed so much. But more importantly, I married my best friend. 

(I am full of one-liners tonight... just roll with it.) 

 For our anniversary we went on a date and had dinner at Margot, one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. It reminded me that I need to spend more time doing just that. 

Considering you all are apparently dog lovers I think you need a puppy update.

Finn is growing up!! Y'all wouldn't believe it! (cue lion king, again)

I just looked at the pictures I posted of him a month ago and wanted to cry. 

Remember when I talked about this sad face? 

Same face, 2 months later...

Do kids grow up this fast? Because if so I'm in trouble. 

 Finn has turned out to be one sweet dog. Sure, he completely butchers our hands, feet, and any possession. And we've already had our share of ER vet visits that involved subcutaneous fluids..

(He's okay now.)

But after that vet visit I'm finding it even harder to turn down a face like this in the mornings...That floppy ear does me in. 

So without further ado I'd like to introduce you to RH Design's latest intern...

He is great with construction workers, answering the door, and testing the durability of fabric samples.

(check out the latest from Schumacher! Love.)

While we are on the subject of work...

I got lots of emails and comments asking the details of the last project I posted. I'm so glad you like how the house is turning out! Although I can't share everything (in fairness to my clients) I put alot of details on Pinterest. You can find info in the captions of each picture. Click here to follow "my work" on pinterest. 

I have a few blog posts lined up for this week so don't go too far.

Here's to life, lessons,... and lifting up lion cubs. 

Before and Afters- and a few dog models.

Traveling fool here! Just got back from my client's home in Montgomery. The project I keep referring to as "whimsical and elegant.." Well things are looking GOOD down there and I have to tell you- seeing it from the beginning stages, during stages, after stages, etc. this home has come a LONG way. And it looks pretty freakin' fabulous.

Even though we are not completely done yet, here are a few before/after pics that I hope inspire you...

Breakfast Room- Before...

 

 

And this is Oscar ("Bean") who we come to find is a HAM for the camera. One of my favorite client dogs- he's soooo sweet. Look at the drama in his face. Ohhh Bean.....

Below... there was an awkward wet bar located in the middle of a long kitchen, so we relocated the bar to the breakfast room (above) and freed up this space for lounging in the kitchen. 

Before...

After!!!

"Bean. Stay.".....

... Bean!!... STAY." GOod boy.

Side Entry Before...

After!!!

Foyer Before...

Foyer After!!! Well, In Progress.!

OH. YES. they were able to get one of (if you're in with the blog world you know) the moth paintings!!! This one in particular is STUNNING in person. YOu can see it from all angles of the house. It makes you want to lay on the ground and stare at it all day. 

We are wanting to find an old, round center table- gilded gold or black or traditional with leather inlay top. With these stools underneath:

 

re-upholstered in this Schumacher fabric-

 

More to come....

We haven't even gotten to the best parts yet!!!

If I could only figure out how to get my puppy to let me type on the computer without biting my wrists or fingers or barking at the keyboard that would be MUCH more helpful. :)

Glad to you know my readers are animal lovers!! Because I have a LOT to learn. But boy is he getting cuter.!.. hard to do anything but snuggle him.

Mr. Finn

Last weekend we made an uexpected trip out to Fayetteville, Tennessee to bring home a member of our family. 

This was unplanned on Hoyt's part- totally planned on my part. :) You see, I've been wanting to get a dog for years now and since we finally have a house with a fenced in back yard it is TIME. So I looked for months, even downloaded the Petfinder App! and started my search. 

So Friday night I looked through adoptable pets (like I usually do) and came upon a new entry, a new sweet face. One I've never seen before on petfinder:

(Golden Mix?, 6wks., male) Something in my gut told me that this was our puppy. His little face!! But considering it was 11pm at night when I had this realization no one was too excited. So I called the shelter first thing in the morning and asked if the 2 puppies were still available- (mainly hoping it would be 'now Finn', #100)and she said that "someone had just come in and adopted the last brother" ( I gasped) She continued, "So... #100 IS the only one left!!! And since his brother left, weelll, he lookin' real sad! Like he's gone into a deep depression."

I put the phone down immediately and yelled WE GOTTA BOOK IT! while I raced everyone out the door to go to Fayetteville, an hour and a half away. The whole way there Hoyt is like "WHAT in the WORLD are we doing???" But once we arrived Hoyt saw that little puppy face and fell in love immediately.

 

I cradled him all the way home...

 

To think someone could neglect a face like this is beyond me!

But we are just so happy to be able to take him home and share life with us.  Which apparently involves:

 

Bath time, Finley!

Chew time, always.

 

Impossible scolding that involves this heart breaking face:

 

Sleeping on his back, always. 

 Following me around like a shadow. Everytime I move I hear this little scuffle right behind me. 

Not like I can talk! The other morning I found myself sitting on the kitchen floor with Finn teaching him about breakfast.

"This is cereal, Finley! This is what HUmans eat for breakfast. I put blueberries in mine but you can't eat blueberries."  

Look at his face- he's like please. stop. talking.

He has been such a good puppy so far. Sweet as can be...

I can't get enough of him and his precious wittle face and puppy breath!!!! It'll make a grown man cry. 

Needless to say- I'm in love. 

A BIG THank YOU to Lincoln County Humane Shelter for taking him in and nursing him back to health. To contact them or see what other animals are available click here. 

Finn, I have SO much to do today but guess what- I'm going to waste about 30 minutes just sitting here staring at you. Ok? Cool. 

Barn Love

I'm finally having some of my work photographed.

If you read this Garden and Gun article you saw a glimpse of Ronnie Dunn's barn. Located right outside of Nashville it sits on a gorgeous plot of land that overlooks a picturesque bluff. Needless to say, it has been a really fun project. I've loved working on the land, working with the Dunns, the boys on the farm, the peaceful porches, the fishing ponds and 4-wheeler trails, clear night skies and baby deer.. You get the point: I got alot o' love for this spot.

The photographs below are taken by the very talented Caroline Allison. She was extremely pregnant when on this photoshoot but still managed to crawl into tiny corners behind the camera and do a fantastic job.

These are just a few of my favorites. The rest will be on the website* soon...

 

 

There's something about this place that just makes you want to breathe deep, kick your feet up on the porch swing and never leave. And maybe listen to some country music??? Yup. I think so.

And if you need some new tunes Ronnie has a new solo album out- get it. It's GOOD. 

* To contact the photographer, Caroline, click here. And just in case you were wondering, last week she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Congrats to the family! And Caroline please hurry up and get back to work. :) 

* Calling all web designers. I am hiring. If you're interested please email your info and rates to rachelhdesign(at)gmail.com or leave a comment below. Thanks!

* If you are interested in purchasing a custom swing (like pictured above) email us for pricing and more information. 

* Ok I think I'm done. Bye bye now.