Lavender Fields

Friday, December 13, 2013

Tour Our Home for the Holidays

We are so excited this year because a top magazine came to shoot our house! It was such an honor and as soon as we can reveal we will. For now enjoy a tour of some of our decorations. Ava Rose and I enjoyed decorating each room. Our wonderful friend Dawn from Hydrangea Home helped put on all the finishing touches as well as create our favorite Welcome to Rose Cottage sign. Nancy, for those that know her from the store and from living locally helped us dress up the outside with lots of greenery and wonderful ideas. It was so great to work with such talented women. I feel honored and blessed. Not every year has been easy with the ups and downs of life but this year we are making it special and enjoying every single day. Beyond the decorations and shopping we are enjoying friends and family. Ava Rose and I are watching old movies, baking and just keeping to old traditions. I like to savor each day. It is so easy being in retail to make this season flash right by but not this year. This year I am slowing down and enjoying every moment. Ava Rose's 1st school play was so great as well as her first big school trip to see Frosty the Snowman, her fun crazy Christmas sweater day was today. This weekend we are going to try ice skating. Life truly does go by so fast. The only way I learned to slow it down is live for the day and make each day a little fun. I hope this holiday season no matter where you are, and no matter how you decorate and celebrate you are blessed as well. You can tour our home and projects on our website.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Finding the Perfect Pet Proof Slipcovers

With a house full of pets and a 5 year old that loves to snack on the sofa my quest for the perfect slipcover began. It was not easy. I did hours of research on what fabric will be Harry proof (our rescue dog that likes to eat the sofa when he is left alone), Ava proof (my five year old that likes to snack on the sofa), Cat proof for our kitties that think it can be a scratching post.

I love a well designed home that is livable. I do not want to obsess about the slipcovers. I do not want to ever dry clean. I want to throw them in the wash and dryer once a week. So my search for the perfect fabric began. I wanted a solid this time as I currently have Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic slipcovers, I wanted that relaxed look and I wanted them to be soft to touch and easily removable. I considered cotton duck, twill and chenille. I read article after article on how pets can destroy all 3. I don't use leather and I do not want any micro fiber.

I am my pickiest customer! After a solid week of research I selected Sunbrella. I read countless blog posts and message boards how Sunbrella will hold up with pets and children. Easy to wash and easy to spot clean. So my fabric is on the way. I will let you know how it works out for us in the next few months. Hopefully these slips are bulletproof!

Lavender Fields offers Sunbrella fabrics and also custom slipcovers.
Contact us to speak to a designer on staff.

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Tuesday, December 03, 2013

My Bedroom Makeover: Part 1 Refinishing Vintage Furniture.

It seems as a designer we save our homes for last. I was inspired by my new pillow from Jennifer Lanne and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. My furniture is being transformed by Dawn from Hydrangea Home this week and my Bella Notte Linens bedding.

Almost 9 years in my house and my bedroom seemed to always get pushed to last because of an urgent project. This year I decided to treat myself to a beautiful bedroom.This is where it all starts.

I took over a guest bedroom in the house since it is my favorite and converted my old room into Ava Rose's playroom.

The first project was to paint my parents 1950's furniture. It is beautiful solid wood furniture with lovely curves but the top coat yellowed over the years and though it is hard to see in these photos it also turned green in places.

Not a pretty vintage patina at all. So in comes the amazing Dawn from Hydrangea Home www.myhydrangeahome.com. Dawn worked her magic with Annie Sloan paint and without having to sand it down she painted right over the pieces.

It was fun to see my furniture transformed and I now I love it! I also had fun with Dawn working right out of my house and catching up on shop talk, design projects and tips on balancing raising children with running a business.

Dawn is a true inspiration.

If you have not visited her blog and website please do.

www.myhydrangeahome.com

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