nest egg

First Home! And Opinion Game-Take 2

Happenings in the Halvorson Household: Hoyt and I bought our first home!!! We are beyond thrilled to be new homeowners. We have lived in 2 rented places over the past 3.5 years. Obviously, we've been comfortable but my heart has never been in either of them, which has driven me  c r a z y. (Good thing I can take my creative energy out on everyone else!!) But I knew that God had a plan for us and so we waited patiently until the time was right. A few weeks ago a tiny, old Tudor home in a fantastic neighborhood became available so we jumped. I walked in and immediately had that good feeling (which I believe goes a long way in home buying!) We are currently refinishing floors and painting everything so we can have a clean slate to move into in a few weeks. There's a LOT more to do- the old house needs work!- but I PROMISE I'll post before/after pictures as soon as the paint is done. Y'all will probably want me to shutup about my little cottage by the end of it. (click to unsubscribe?)

Anyway, all that to say- we are SO EXCITED and can't wait to share the process with you! In the mean time, I've realized that Hoyt and I have never really made many joint "design' decisions together. As visions of Jill Brinson's house dance in my head, I have to remember that only numbers are jumping around in Hoyts. So I thought I'd bring back the Opinion Game, a game I invented to help me figure out what my husband likes and dislikes. And apparently it was a hit- or so some of you say! (if you missed out on the first one: Opinion Game 1)

Here we go.
(I'm in PINK)  (Hoyt's in BLUE)

Hoyt, do you like this room? (I hold the computer in front of his face)

That's awesome. Nothing bad to say about that…

I take that back- The goose over the table is a little weird.

It's ART.

What about this room?

Absolutely not.

Really?? ! I like it.

Looks like a hotel room in Vegas.-Wait, are you making me play that blog game again?

NO…….

What about this?

That's awesome.

Does it remind you of anything? Any.. STORE?

… Nope.

It's a Restoration Hardware room. You really don't even glance at the catalogs- do you?..

Do you WANT me to??

Moving along.

 
Everything is great, except those chandeliers. I just don't like chandeliers.

Yeeaaahhh….. that's going to be a problem.

Why?

I LOVE chandeliers. We WILL have them in our home.

Ugh...I just don't like them. They make me think I'm old.

I'll make you change your mind- just wait.

Love that. That's really neat.

I'm not surprised you like it. A man designed this room. Do you want to guess his first name?

Mikel?-- I don't know... somebody Polish.

Vincente Wolf- he's genius.

Of course. Vincente would have been my second guess.

She's pretty hot.

I'm talking about the floors.

I actually think that's really cool.

Still talking about the floors….

OK, yeah- I like the floors.

Umm, I REALLY like that room. -Hoyt

It's pretty masculine, but a gorgeous room. -me

I love books… I mean, I LOVE books. They're the easiest decorating pieces-… right?

Riiight. (may or may not have rolled my eyes)

You like this kitchen?

YES.

Do you like the hardware?

Not particularly.

I like the simple, sheer roman shade….

(silence from Hoyt's end)

Do you know what a roman shade is??

Yes..A shade from Rome.

Ha! I love you.

.. But we're getting nowhere with this game.

Is it a bedroom?? I mean, WHAT room is that?? I'm so confused.

Babe, it's a den.

A den?!!!….I don't get it. It's a BED covered in painter's cloth.

You're right- it might be a bed.

These people need to make up their mind. Is it a bedroom or is it a den?? (clearly flustered)

*Note to self: Don't let our bedroom look like a den, or our den look like a bedroom. Husband. might. fall off his rocker.

I like this kitchen- you have an island and a table all in one spot. -me

Yup- that's awesome- Wait,.. is THAT a "chandelier"??? (points to the light above the island)

YES.

LOVE that!!! So.. I DO love chandeliers!! -Hoyt

I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I couldn't hear you.

 

Aaaaaand my work here is done. :)

 (1) Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles (2) via Elle Decor (3) via Restoration Hardware (4) Vincente Wolf via Rue (5) Tory Burch Home (6) via Saladino (7) via House Beautiful (8) via domino mag (9) AHL via delight by design 

 

The In-Between Season...

has me cussing at the weathermen longing for spring. 

Here are a few pics to whet your appetite…(OR have you running to the nearest Walgreens to purchase a SAD lamp.) -hey, no judgement here.

 

  

(from Children's Letters to God- have you read it? It's priceless.)

 

 

 

 
 


 

 

Dear God,

I agree with the children- please don't forget! But thanks for making February the shortest month of the year. You know us well...

(1) via Dress, Design & Decor (2) Jeffrey Bilhuber (3) Atlanta Homes & Gardens (4) via little green notebook (5) source unknown (6) Ruthie Summers via Domino (7) via greige (8) source unknown (9) tracery interiors

 

Missing Cottage Living

Looking back through some of my favorite cottages...

1. COZY COTTAGE:

I. LOVE. this kitchen.

 

*and this room- great mix of functional, comfortable and classy.
 
 

TTN: you could do this with an unused closet space; take off the doors, put up some curtains, possibly a light fixture, and create a special nook.

<Atlanta decorator Tyler Colgen; photography by Megan Thompson>

SIMPLE COTTAGE:

See the ghost chair in the background..??… Or DO you?? :)

Love the mix of materials in this room- subtle but plenty of texture.

TTN: Again, it's very subtle in color but the mix of textures keeps it from falling flat- and keeping it fabulous!

-love seeing that antique iron bench at the end of the bed rather than the standard bench. Sure, it's not as functional but it looks awesome.

 

<Chaffee Braithwate via Duchess Faire>

COZY COTTAGE:

Another one of my favorites.. Haskell Harris' (previous) home. She's the associate editor of Garden and Gun- so it doesn't surprise me that her style is impeccable. She has since moved from this adorable cottage (to Charleston!) but its' too good to pass up...

So cozy and classy.

<Haskell Harris via Cottage Living and Southern Living>

Eclectic cottage:

Lee Kleinhelter, owner of the Atlanta store Pieces, has lived in (and designed) some fabulous homes over the years. I like this one in particular...

TTN: Apparently Lee agrees with me-! (see texture quote above)

TTN: Swing in the corner? Check.

Lee Kleinhelter, via Cottage Living

Hacienda cottage:

 

Cynthia David and Issac Preminger's home via Cote de Texas

Dear Cottage Living,

we {still} miss you dearly.

 *if you haven't voted for your favorite Boy Room- be sure to cast your vote over the weekend! I'll be back with a budget makeover for the winning room.

 

Boys, Boys, Boys

Oh boys,…. People seem to get stuck with decorating boys bedrooms- whether they are age 3 or age 13. In fact, the difficulty increases with age. 

This calls for….. Voting time!!

 

So, please cast your votes for your favorite boys room!

 If you missed out on the previous Super-fun game ..(-sometimes I feel ridiculous saying things like that- like I'm turning into a crazy woman who forces her internet friends to play this weird game she made up -that may or may not include quotes by Bob Barker ??)     I digress. If you missed out and want to check out what everyone voted for click on these:: (white kitchens) :: (twin bedrooms) :: (nurseries)

And like these previous posts you voted on - I will piece together the winning bedroom on a budget! (to the best of my ability!)

So make sure you vote. (Even if you have no interest in boys bedrooms-(although some are clearly gender neutral) it's just fun to see what you guys like! :)

Here are the first items up for bid today  a few rooms that I think any boy (from tot to college Dude!) would like.

one.

two.

three.

four.

five.

six.

seven.

 

eight.

nine.

 

ten.

 

eleven.

 

twelve.

 

thirteen.

fourteen.

 

fifteen.

sixteen.

 

seventeen.

Then Peter Pan is forced into to growing up… and he starts to show his true colors. (hints: wood, metal, footballs, antlers) 

 

eighteen.

 

nineteen.

twenty.

twenty- one.

 

 

twenty-two.

 

twenty-three.

twenty-four...

 

twenty-five.

twenty-six 

 

Soooo...

Which one will it be??

 Cast your votes in the comments section below.

And stay tuned- Girls Rooms are right around the corner.! 

(Come on DOWN!!!)

(Please excuse me- I didn't have the energy to cite all these but if you click on the picture the info/source should be in the window title. I'll try to fix this later.. Night!.: )

Sneak Peak: Elegant + Whimsical Kitchen

 el·e·gant adj: tastefully fine or luxurious in dress, style, design, etc. 

whim·si·cal adj: Playfully quaint or fanciful, esp. in an appealing and amusing way.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I just got back from meeting one of my out-of-town clients where they are doing a major overhaul on an old, traditional home. It's going to be the perfect mix of elegant and whimsical- I can't wait to see it come together.We finally have the kitchen planned out and I'm so excited about it, I just have to share with you...

A simple, classy canvas: White Dove cabinets + white marble (Pretty white marble is hard to come by lately. We are still on the hunt for the perfect Calacutta Gold slab- Anyone seen one lately?)

With a gorgeous backsplash tile-

(drumroll please)

…..

Walker Zanger Ashbury tile in powder blue. Gorgeous.

 

Oh wait, I'm not done yet.

Centered in the kitchen will be this beauty, who lovingly refer to as "Frenchie"...

+ this antique island on casters (found at ABC Home in NYC)

+ Kohler hi-rise bridge faucet + Rohl white farmhouse sink
  

+ Two of these lanterns in a custom paint finish…

Now you see why I'm so excited??!!!!

Finished product coming early spring.

Note to Year {2010}

Dear Two Thousand and Ten,

It's time to say goodbye.

Just when I got used to writing you down,

you leave me high and dry.

 

You were a good one, and I'll try to recap-

but there is no way to attest.

The adventures of this year- seriously-

I've never felt so blessed.

Market trips and antique shows-

I've become quite the scout.

But after a full day of shopping,

I'll admit- I get WORN out.

Wrapped up some projects and started new ones,

Taking (few) pictures along the way... 

Lots of work and travel, 

including a trip to Santa Fe.

Fell even more in love with light fixtures,

and porch swings- for an outdoor recline.

So I decided I wanted to make my own

and dabbled in product design...

 

We experienced a FLOOD in Nashville-

Boats were cruising down streets.

Then suddenly it was summer

and we fled to avoid the heat.

Went up to New York and the Hamptons, 

and on tour with Brooks & Dunn-!

Then back to Nashville to find a familiar face

on the cover of Garden and Gun. !

Spent some time outdoors,

fishing with my favorite guy-

Planned a big party and a "Haunted Trail" 

  

And that mask makes me want to cry.

 

I've moved to a bigger office, 

piles of fabric books galore.

But I don't care how messy it is,

I'm happy to spread out on the floor! 

 

This year I've struggled with balance-

business woman + friend + wife,

but I listen to the advice of my coffee mug-

"Don't let your inbox run your life!"

 

Just went to Sunny California to visit Hoyt's family-

it rained the entire time!

 

then down south to Alabama- 

first White Christmas since 1889.

 

(OKay it was 1880-but a girls gotta rhyme.)

For me, the best "recharge"

is time with the people I love.

So tell 20 - 11, I'm officially ready  !!

Well….. sort of.

 

Merry Christmas

Last Minute Gifts!

Long cashmere gloves from Jcrew...

Bookends from Restoration...

Moleskine anything... you can find these great litle journals at Barnes & Noble.

Games. Fun for all ages- Scrabble, Catch Phrase to name a few...

 

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc- it's the perfect bronzer that can also be used for eyeshadow, etc. I love this product...

Faux Furry Throws- I buy these ALL the time for clients. Not only are they the SOFTEST things you've ever felt they also add texture and coziness to any room. (West Elm has some very similar) 

Some great coffee table books...

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

This is so random but it's one of those things that makes my life so much easier. My lazy spoon... It's the only one I use when I cook. It's kind of sad how much I love this wooden spoon.

 

Cosmetic bags at Target- they come in bright, fun patterns and are the perfect size-

A good candle. Two of my favorites...

(1) (2) 

For all the people who are impossible to shop for because they "have everything"- donate to a charitable cause in honor of their name. 

 

Click here for some ideas.

 

OK- Off to go shopping!! 

(Queen of Last Minute Gifts)

 

Green and White

 

 
 

I have to remind myself this constantly during the holiday season. I recommend you do too. If you try to do it ALL during the holiday season, you'll miss out on what's most important!

I'm thinking about wrapping all of my christmas gifts up in these outfits this year:

Looks kind of boring so I might add some greenery to the top- 

Now I gotta go buy something to wrap!! Yikes! Am I the only one who's behind on Christmas gifts??

 

(1) via Your nest design (2) via Martha Stewart (2) via Better Homes & Gardens (3) Real Simple via Pure style Home (4) via Better Homes & Gardens (5) via Martha Stewart (6) via Your Nest Designs (7) via Simply Seleta (8) Martha (9) via Coastal LIving (10) Martha (11) Unknown **Etsy brown tags- from here; Green velvet ribbon- from here; white butcher paper from any supply store; cypress sprigs and berries from local florist.

Southern Flourish & a holiday mantel

Need some festive mantel ideas??

Southern Flourish (one of my new favorite online magazines!) asked me to contribute to their first holiday issue!

They had me put together a storyboard for a holiday mantel- my category being "Traditional with a Twist." 

 

Check out the latest issue to see the rest of the article (which includes several other mantels designed by talented ladies!) and all sorts of other holiday goodies.

Southern Flourish moved to a subscription based format of only $10/year BUT they are giving you readers a GIFT- If you use the code RACHELHALVORSON at checkout you will receive all issues for only $8!! (Cool huh.? Do a little nestegg name dropping and get a discount! :)

Thanks to Southern Flourish for including me in this festive issue- I am thrilled to be a part of it!