Have a sense of humor...

Okay so some people have a hilarious sense of humor. They talk and you just nearly pee your pants (I have never, but I’ve heard about this on Chelsea Lately). Anyways if you have a good sense of humor, but aren’t too funny to talk to, how do you express yourself?

I have found some great products that are just funny.

This would be a great way to freak out your guest. The bath mat turns blood red when it gets wet. Gross, but I bet hearing an in-law scream after they get out of the shower would be pretty funny.

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Now I am not a fan of too much just overly kiche stuff. But if you love something or think it’s just super funny, then go for it. It’s your house. You’re the one living there.

For example, I don’t really like to do stuff that is trendy. I mean it’s a trend it will go out before you know it, and then what do you do with the stuff. However, I am loving all the Keep Calm and Carry On stuff. Love it almost as much as I love Harry Potter, which is a lot.

Wikipedia.com

Keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

So if you want to add a funny twist to your space, look for stuff that makes you laugh.

 - Erin

MARKET!!!!!!!!!!!

So twice a year in High Point, North Carolina, the furniture capital of the US, the showrooms open their doors to the trade. It attracts all sorts of people from furniture store owners to interior designers. This year we got to go and tour some great showrooms and see some awesome products! Check out these great finds!

Arteriors - Table

Cyan Design

Moe's

Me at Uttermost

 - Erin

December craze...

It was about this time last year that the blog postings started to wane.... December is always one of the craziest months for a designer; everyone is excited about their stuff and is hoping/praying/begging to get it done before the holiday.  And when they say they would like it by Christmas - what they really mean is that they'd like it before their Christmas party... which is several days/weeks before December 25th :)

While compiling my 'to do' list for the week, I suddenly gasped as I realized that I hadn't been paying much attention to the blog lately.  But it's here again... the December craze and the time to post just isn't anywhere to be found.

So, please excuse the sparse postings. But do keep in mind, that there's so much amazing stuff going on right now that when the posts start coming back - they won't disappoint!

This is some amazing tile!

As designers we love new, different and interesting products. No one wants the same old thing any more. Everyone wants their space to be beautiful and unique. It is a constant search for the next big thing.

Recently we have discovered this awesome tile company. It is called Unalun Tile, it can be seen at unlunatile.com, and it is AMAZING!!!!

Check out these awesome pictures!

unlunatile.com

unaluntile.com

unaluntile.com

Country Wedding

Weddings, weddings, and more weddings!

Evan and I have been to... count them.... 7 weddings throughout the past year.  Correction... EIGHT weddings!

Here's another... that was incredible and special in it's own right :)

Christmas is coming!!!!

I LOVE Christmas! It brings such joy and happiness (if you are able to avoid the crazy shoppers!) 

Chi Chi Loius

Just another day at work! Meet Chi Chi Louis!

While installing some window treatments for a cowgirl client, she pulled me aside and paused a moment... then asked, "Erika, do you think your installers could hang something else for me?"

My installers will hang just about anything, "of course!" I responded thinking it was a piece of art or a mirror.

She began to try and describe to me what we were about to hang, then gave up and said, "I think I'll just have to show you." She led me up to the game room and there, hanging proud was the head of a true Texas Longhorn. "That?" she asked again.

Of course I was surprised; I had never (in a million years) thought I'd be hanging a mounted cow.  But it fit the client and her new space perfectly. She is a cowgirl complete with boots with spurs on them (I discovered that following her one day and could hear the rattle every time she took a step). 

Chi Chi Louis (as my client's grandson named the Longhorn) is perfectly placed!

Fun fact... This is a true Texas Longhorn. The longhorns you see with the giant horns are actually hybrids :)

Yes A Apartment Can Be Cute!

Okay so I am fresh out of college, which means that I am used to apartments that are…let’s say not so great looking. Let’s face 3 or 4 early 20 somethings living in a college apartment does not a cute room make usually. Unless it’s a sorority house, but I digress.

Apartment Model Project

Most of the time, I find that people do not try to make their apartment something special because they view it as a temporary place or because it is not really theirs. I totally don’t agree with this! The better your place looks, and the more you like it the happier you will be!

So if you are not sure what to do to make your apartment your home try these few tips.

First, see if your apartment complex lets you paint an accent wall. A lot of places do and it is a great way to brighten up a space.

Apartment Model Project

Second, invest in some window coverings. Curtains or window treatments are a great way to complete a space and make your room warm and cozy. If you are afraid to punch holes in your wall, for fear of the security deposit later, just use some command hooks. With the right size and shape you won’t even see the hooks.

Apartment Model Project

The third tip is to accessorize! Adding some great pieces to a book shelf, like a vase or a floral or a frame, will really add some character to a room. Even better is adding art work to the walls. There are a variety of hooks and adhesive strips out there now days that will not damage your walls and will allow you to hang your piece.

So next time you want to make your apartment feel like a home, try these tips out.

-Erin

Worldwide Wood Manufactory and Market

There is always something to do in Houston... always!  If I played my cards right, I could attend an event almost every night of the week and still miss a few.

A few weeks ago, an invitation found its way to my desk that really caught my eye. It was to celebrate the opening of a new company Worldwide Wood Manufactory and Market and they were coordinating their grand opening with a private performance by the Associate Concert Master of the Houston Symphony,Violinist Eric Halen. 

And it was only a mile from Evan's house.  So I RSVP'd for two and kindly told Evan he was going to attend with me :)

Obviously, I need to still work on where to look at on the camera!

Worldwide Wood Manufactory is a small company that handcrafts wood floors, wood countertops, stair treads... and now custom tables.  One of the business partners scours the area for amazing old tables that have beautiful bases.  Then, the woodworker repairs and refinishes the bases as needed and then applies a beautiful table top. 

The possibilities are endless! You can have a thick table top, a thinner one, a picture frame design, small widths of wood, a mix of widths, etc. etc....

The wood is finished with a mixture of mineral oils and waxes that give it an incredibly soft, buttery hand!  

Then... the performance! I was really excited to see Eric Halen perform solo violin pieces and he certainly did not disappoint!! He was the kindest, most unassuming man and told amazing stories of the pieces he was going to play and his 400 year-old violin (it was made in the same year that Shakespeare died!).

As soon as he started playing... Evan and I were enthralled! The concert lasted about 45 minutes and I may have smiled and held my breath the entire time... it was such a treat!

The group is thinking about starting a concert series and both Evan and I signed up to get the alerts! (Evan didn't trust that I would let him know when they were :)

It's gone... Third time donating to Children with Hairloss

Well, my hair is long gone!! About a week ago, I woke up and started my normal routine.  Took a shower and then started working on my hair; it had become nuisance taking over 20 minutes to dry, and then attempting to style was a disaster.

So, it was time! Time to get rid of the locks.

Before... getting ready!

Before- it had been a long time since my last haircut.  This is the longest my hair had ever been!

I couldn't resist this picture! The stylist and his assistant helping getting the locks ready to chop off.

Ready!

First lock getting cut off! My sister came by to watch and take pictures.

Second lock getting cut off!

Last one!

The locks are being donated to Children with Hairloss, an organization based in Michigan.  Wigs are made for children who have lost their hair due to various illnesses. Hair has to be at least 8-inches long. Non-treated hair is preferred but they will take anything.  Anytime you're thinking of a serious haircut - please consider donating! You simply mail in your locks :)

Done!!! 

Here's Evan and I on Thanksgiving :) New and improved hair!

Swanky Fundraiser

A few weeks back, my friend Ashley invited me to a "swanky fundraiser" as she called it.  We hadn't had a girls' night out in awhile and I was in need of some swanky fun!  I really don't know what we were raising funds for, all I knew is that the food would be good, the venue would be unique, and a fashion designer would be showing off some new dresses.

Notice Ashley's beautiful dress.... one-of-a-kind by local designer..... (I don't remember who :).  Oh well, you win some, you lose some....

Ashley and her beau Tyler.

Notice the empty plates! I was correct, the food was good!

Here are Ashley and I in front of a really cool art installation. A local paper artist made these amazing paper flowers and covered an entire wall; it made for the perfect photo booth.

One of the dresses by the designer-who-must-not-be-named. (I am really, kind of ashamed of myself for not knowing more about this event; I really like to includes links to various places and people I come across. To be honest, I forgot about the event until a few hours before and was an hour away at a work appointment. I scooted myself to a nearby Marshalls and picked up a new dress and pair of shoes!)

I didn't realize until now that this guy is wearing Toms with his suit... awesome!