Monday's Office

Hello there!  I hope you guys had a fantastic weekend???  Mine was nice!  Deirdre and I went to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Showhouse on Saturday in the cold and rain.  We've actually become quite use to this since our trip to Paris!  Anyhoo, it was a lovely French inspired, 18,000 square foot home that was designed to the rafters with awe inspiring elements.  If you live in or near Atlanta, make sure you go.  The last day is Sunday, the 12th (Mother's Day). 

 

Yesterday, Pete and one of his work buddies, Scott joined myself and my painter, Mr. Rice and his son Robert to paint my space at the Room Service Atlanta project benefiting the United Methodist Children's Home.  It went well!  When the first coat of Cosmic Blue went on, I began to have a serious blue moment!  I thought to myself, "Oh Dear Lord, Rhonda, what have you done?"  I literally had to leave the room and go visit Jessica who was diligently working in her space.  Bless her heart, she did the best she could to calm my nerves!  Folks, it is going to be the brightest, most energetic space in the cottage!  Which is exactly what I was going for, but...well after the second coat went on, I began to feel great about my choice!  Whew!  I can't wait for it all to come together!  The moisture in the air hindered the drying, so I have to finish up the trim today!  Wish me luck; so not my thing!

 

 

I chose this office today because of the use of color!  I love the mustard yellow upholstery on the chair, the coral of the draperies, and the indigo on the inspiration board!  Check out that rug!  The basket weave pattern is fabulous!  Fabulous?  When was the last time I used that word?  Hmmm, not long enough I suppose!  But I do fancy that rug!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images via Pinterest

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Monday's Office

How was your weekend?  Did you do anything special, out of the ordinary?  Was it AMAZING?  Well, mine was pretty nice.  I got to spend time with my family and laugh a lot.  I turned my phone off yesterday and it felt so good to disconnect!  I remember when I would do this at least one weekend every couple of months and I would feel so refreshed come Monday morning.  I need to get back to that!  If it's happening Friday after 6pm through Monday morning before 8am, it can wait!

 

 

I love the light that this office is getting!  Wow!  I was so a tree, plant, or shrub in a prior life!  Nothing energizes me more than the sun!  I'm totally crushing on these chairs and how they complement the draperies!  I wish I could see the chairs in the foreground.  I bet this space is beautiful.  I mean, just look at all of the other details in the room!  Those wide plank floors would have me as soon as I hit the threshold!  Speaking of threshold, have you guys checked out Target's new home interior's line?  They have some pretty great stuff!  I hope to use some in a project that I'm currently working on.  Check it out!

 

I'm feeling a wee bit sluggish this morning, but what better way to get past it than to get past it!  Keep it moving and...

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Image and Quote



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These Things I Do and Know To Be True...

My hope for you...you who are reading this...today...right now...is that you think upon these things.  Meditate on them.  Think of them often.  Do them always.

 

 

If, for whatever reason, you are not in a place where you can whole-heartedly think these things...believe these things...know these things to be true; just for one week, imagine you do, pretend you do.  After this one week, if it isn't easier, continue to imagine and pretend until one day you don't even think about it because now you do these things and know them to be true.

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Quotes via my Pinterest board "Words of Inspiration and Humor"



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With A Man In Mind

Today, I will let the quotes and pictures speak for themselves...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

 *Images via my Pinterest board All About Men



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Hello! Are You There?

Oh, hello!  Yes, I am still here!  I know that it has been over a week since my last posting.  Last week my daughter was on spring break and well, I decided I would take a break right along with her!  We had a pretty good week together.  She needed that time only a Mommy can give.  The time I spent away in Paris had taken it's toll on my little one!  She will not always want to spend time with me, so I have to enjoy every moment of it!  I pray that she and I will have the special mother/daughter relationship that I had and still have with my mom.  I don't know what I would have done without my mom, and I am so truly blessed that I didn't have to find out.

 

 

This is pretty much how I've been feeling for quite some time now; especially prior to my trip.  It just doesn't seem like there is enough time in the day for me to get things done.  Well, there really isn't...but thank God, in all of His infinite wisdom, he knew that if it can't get done in twenty-four hours, then it can wait until the next day!  I've got to begin practicing better time management.  I use to be so good at that!  Hmmm, not sure what happened... So NOT true!  I lost my focus!  I lost that tenacity to jump in and get things done.  The best way to get it back, is to get it back!

Here are a couple of images from a bedroom project that is, for the most part, completed.  I don't think I was suppose to put a comma after "is"?  It's a verb, so isn't there a rule about that?  I wanted that pause for affect though.  Shaking my head at myself...moving on!  There are still a few more items to get to really make the room sing, but the clients are pleased with the outcome and that is all that matters.  I hope to photograph it professionally and show you the before pictures.  You will literally fall out of your seat when you see these!  I am so grateful they listened to me and downsized from a king-sized bed to a queen.  What is it about having a king-sized bed anyway?  Pete and I had one when we first got married and I grew to loathe that thing!  If you and your mate feel you need that much space between you while sleeping, may I suggest counseling!  There are other issues in play here that really should be looked at!  Anyhoo!  The bedding for a king-sized bed is much too expensive and although our bedroom could accommodate it, it still took up so much space!  The orientation of this client's bedroom really didn't allow for a king-sized bed and now I am so excited that the room can have a sitting area because of this simple adjustment. 

 

Okay, so on Saturday a girlfriend and I went out for drinks at one nearby restaurant, where we sat for a few hours at the bar catching up and enjoying our friendship.  We then left there and headed not too far down the street to a new restaurant that had recently opened called Khalifa Hookah Lounge.  I've not ever been to a place like this before, but can I tell you how much fun I had!  Oh my gosh!  It was just my kind of place!  Very laid back, very calming...a place where I can go with friends and totally hang out and have a great time.  As you can see from the photo, a great time is exactly what I had!  It's so funny that some people see me so completely different from who/what I actually am!  I mean, I typically always have a smile on my face and will laugh at just about anything!  But when they see me out having fun or even photos like this one, they seem to be shocked!  I'll have to ask to see what that's about!

 

 

This is one of my favorite photos from my Paris trip.  I took it while standing at the top of Notre Dame.  Isn't it beautiful?  I'm learning to take each day as it comes.  There will be days that are just chocked full of things to do and then there will be others where some of those things are really not that pressing, and can wait for another time.  The most important thing to do is to stop for a moment, just a moment, and listen to yourself breathe...take in who you are, and what you want.  In that brief moment, reflect on those people, things, and moments that have made you happy and given you joy.  These are the moments that help me to get through my days and I take them as often as I can.  I've been told by some that I have it so easy...and yes, I suppose when you're on the outside looking in, it could quite possibly appear that way.  All I can say to that is thank you!  I'm glad I make being me look easy.  I take that as a compliment!  I never want there to be a time where my appearance; whether it is the look on my face, how I'm walking, talking, or even my dress makes you think anything less.

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda



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A Very Chic Apartment

Here in the last few months I've not had much time to peruse my favorite mags online or in hardcopy; but in trying to find inspiration for an upcoming project, I had to take a moment to see what I've been missing.  And as I suspected, I've been missing out on quite a bit! 

 

 

David Jimenez, vice president of visual merchandising and store design for the Hallmark company, is pinned as the "Mix Master" because of his artfully eclectic, yet very discerning way of decorating his apartment at the Sophian Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri.

 

 

It strikes me as odd that I am so captivated by all of the elements in his space and absolutely love it, while my design aesthetic leans more towards the minimal.  You would think that being as I am a little more minimal in my decorations, a room like this would make me feel bit overwhelmed?  It so does not!  It actually makes me want to venture outside of my box and try to incorporate more into my designs.  This aesthetic does take a very keen eye with great attention to detail.  I can see where editing is a major part of keeping this room from becoming "too much". 

 

It really is all about layering elements that complement each other in scale and proportion, as well as color, in order to strike just the right balance.  Natural lighting is truly a rooms best asset!  When you have great natural lighting, you are able to take bolder chances with different color palettes and furniture arrangements.  The use of a neutral palette in this bedroom is soothing and striking at once with the addition of the black leather tufted bench at the foot of the bed, which also provides a wonderful rhythm with the trim in the coverlet and bedding (note the wide trim flange on the euro shams).

 

 

A small kitchen is made to feel larger with high ceilings, again fantastic natural lighting, glass cabinet doors, and lovely white marble countertops with white subway tile backsplash.  I love the taupey/gray wall finish and the open shelving above an open countertop that's perfect for a stool!  I know the rest of the kitchen isn't shown and this probably doesn't matter so much for Mr. Jimenez; but where does he keep food?  Is there a nice little pantry?  I'm sure he probably doesn't cook very much!  Hmmm, nor do I, but I have a family who loves to eat, so food storage is a must!

 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images via architecturaldigest.com



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My Countdown to Paris has Begun!

Wow!  What else can I say, but WOW!  Last year was a fantastic year for me!  Not all of it smelled like roses; but does it ever?  Anyhoo, it was just a year where Rhonda E. Peterson experienced tremendous growth and incredible awakenings.  Now, here it is barely two months into 2013, and I am already realizing dreams and goals that are taking my breath away.  One such goal is my trip to Paris next month!  I am finally beginning to get very excited about going!  As I was browsing through my Pinterest boards searching for images, I became totally giddy with excitement, so please excuse me if I just show pictures of places, architecture, and elements that will cause my heart to skip a beat everyday that I am there!

 

 Paris vista

 

 Eiffel Tower

 

 Champs-Elysees

 

 Musee de Louvre

 

 Paris Pont (Bridge)

 

Montmartre

 

 Palais Garnier (Opera Garnier)

 

 Cathedral of Notre Dame

 

The Gardens at the Palace of Versailles

 

The River Seine

 

 Pont Neuf (Paris' oldest bridge)

 

 Le Procope (Paris' oldest cafe)

 

Parisian residence (Art Deco at it's finest)

 

I can totally see myself standing here wanting to split myself into, so that I can see it all!

 

The best part of all is that I get to share this experience with a person that has truly supported my dreams, goals, aspirations, and all those things that make us who we are at the core of our being.  Those types of friends are so rare, and I'm so glad Deirdre is mine!

 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*All images via my Pinterest boards



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Sunday Inspiration

I'm sitting here thinking about all of the things I would have missed out on if I had not taken one chance, one leap of faith, and done something that scared the crap out of me!  Do you have moments like that; moments when you throw caution to the wind and just go for it?  If you do, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.  If not, my hope for you is that today is the day that you will!

 

 

This is a line from one of my favorite movies, when George Bailey is walking Mary home from the prom and he asks her what does she want.  He then continues with the kindest, most wonderful expression of what she means to him.  No matter how many times I watch this movies, I always get this goofy grin with a warm feeling inside. 

 

 

I've never I had a problem with asking for what I wanted because I always thought, (1) all they can say is NO, and (2) why would they tell me NO?  No shortage of self esteem here, huh?

 

 

Oh my gosh, this is so true!  We seem to fear the unknown and tell ourselves all of the reasons why it won't work out; but in that brief moment, you know the one where you're kinda having an outer body experience, and before you know it you've said or done something that goes so against what you would have typically done or said?  I live these moments now!  Not because I'm fearless (or wreckless), but because I don't want to look back and realize I was the only one standing in my way!

 

 

We've all experienced doubt.  Sometimes we're even paralyzed by it.  This is how I've conquered it; if I have done all that I could possibly do, then I have to let it go and let the cards fall where they may, all while expecting nothing but positive results.  Now when I say positive results, I'm not necessarily talking about the results that I want, because sometimes it is not up to me.  I'm speaking more about the joy and confidence that comes from the sense of accomplishing something that I probably doubted I would.  I hope that makes sense to you!  Obviously, it made a lot of sense to me!

 

 

Sometimes I do wish there was an easier way to success.  I wish it didn't take so much work, and frustration, and disappointment, and all of those other things that come along with it.  But then I would have missed out on all of the growth, and the experiences, and the opportunities to be the best me.  Here's the thing, it can be the most amazing adventure!  One that you look back on fondly and recount the memories of times not so bad, as well as those that encouraged you to hang in there and keep going.  It really is all in how you look at it...

 

 

We can all relate to this I'm sure!

 

 

Wouldn't it be just awful if you give up on your goal(s) and/or dreams only to find out if you had just hung in there a little bit longer and pushed a little bit harder, everything that you had been working for was about to happen?  Wow, I just felt all of the air leave my lungs!  Totally deflated!  This is what keeps me going day after day after day!  Now, I may not do all that I need to do in that day; or even all that I should do, but I always do something that puts me a little bit closer to getting what I want!

 

 

What makes all of this easier for me is my ever increasing faith in God and His love for me, and the people he has placed in my life to encourage, motivate, and inspire me to greater things.  I am surrounded by people who see great things in me.  Sometimes, when I'm not feeling it or seeing what they see, I will act on what they see because in that moment, that has to push me until I am able to push myself. 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

All quotes found via my Pinterest board "Words of Inspiration and Humor"



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