7 Things that TOTALLY made my Week!

Drumroll please...

 

 

Steve and Jill McKenzie were so awesome to not only share with me in the success of my first ever show house, but also to present me with this incredible cotton canvas bag made from his own signature fabric!  You've go to stop by their showroom if you live in or near the Atlanta area!

I like Nathan Turner on Bravo's Million Dollar Decorator!  He's the hilarious good friend of one of my favorite designers, Mary McDonald.  It is such a great book to have!  Stay posted for my upcoming book review.  This book can also be found at Steve McKenzie's, where they have this and many more books you'll want to snatch up and take home!

 



 

Gillian and I were perusing TJ Maxx looking for a zippered shoulder bag that I can wear across the body for my trip to Paris next week, when while standing in line we spotted this incredible gift wrap!  I love wrapping paper and will buy it when something great catches my eye!  And for only $2.99, are you kidding me!  They knew I was coming!

 

Well, I wanted a Burberry trench, but alas this one from Old Navy will have to do!  Hey, I'm not complaining!  It looks good on me, you would never think it was from Old Navy (as I tend to make everything look expensive), and it was $34.99 with an additional 30% off!  I am cracking myself up!  But you know I really believe that, right? LOL, for real!

 

 

I've not been a big shopper of Ulta until one day I just happened to saunter in.  Yes, saunter!  You can picture that, yes?  Anyhoo, last summer I decided I would step out and try a red nail polish.  Oh my Lord, Pete went banannas!  So, I went back and bought another bottle, as well as a bright red lip (I've been practicing wearing it, as it kind of requires a bit of maintenance), and a popping red gloss.  I thought how tres chic it would be for Paris, yes?

 

While in Ikea, I spotted these succulents for like $2.99 and decided, hey for that price, if I kill 'em; oh well!  I bought three and I'm praying that I can do right by them!

 

This is the new do I just got yesterday!  Very rarely do I have those moments where I get out of the stylist chair and not feel like I've got to make some sort of tweak or adjustment to what she's done.  This time she outdid herself because I felt like Alicia Keys, "This Girl is on Fire"!  Man I hated to go to sleep!  Well, of course I had to tie the sides down with my little wrap to make sure the sides and the back laid smoothly this morning, but that did mean some of the rest got a bit flattened out!  I hope I can keep this going at least until my next visit!

 

This quote has to be for someone out there!  It's great to have potential and even for others to acknowledge that potential, but then what?

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda



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Happy March and Have a Wonderful Weekend!

You know, this is one of the things that I love about a new month; no, it's not a new year, but it is a chance to do better, be better, and get it right!  You may not be able to start completely over and change some of the mistakes or misteps of the previous month, but you can take what didn't work and grow from it.   

 

March brings with it the beginning of spring.  Spring for me is like a refreshening of sorts.  This is when I am most motivated to clean not just my house, but my head, and my way of doing things.  Starting, of course, with my house!  Clutter, dust, and dirt in my environment always wreaks havoc on my psyche!  It signals a time of renewal.  The trees and flowers are in bloom, and so it is only fitting that there be a sort of blossoming of new ideas, energy, and fire inside of me to accomplish more and go further.

 

 

While in Ikea today I bought some succulents and an orchid.  I've bought all of these really cool planters and vases over time, that I've not ever planted anything in or rarely, on occassion, place flowers in.  I want to do better with this!  I want to try to keep plants and flowers in my home going forward.  I will count it a personal accomplishment if I can keep them alive!  This may not seem like that big of a goal, but it is definitely one for me!

 

 

One of my favorite rooms in any home is the dining room.  There is something about this room that draws me in and makes me want to sit and spend time.  This one is beautiful.  I love the green leather chairs with the dark finish of the table.  It is set with three lovely floral centerpieces in fresh white florals with striking green leaves.  The wallpaper and chandelier are truly gorgeous and totally finishes the space in the most elegant way.

 

 

Do you have any plans for spring? What type of spring cleaning will you do? Whatever this new season brings, I hope you take the time to make the most incredible moments and memories in your life and in the lives of others.

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images via my Pinterest boards



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Sorry I'm so late, but...

Don't you hate it when people say that!  Well, I am sorry!  For the last couple of weeks I've been in the depth of show house oblivion.  Of course, I've thought about you and have missed you considerably!  I'm back now and I vow that going forward, I will let you all know when I will have an extended absence.  As my very good friend Deirdre says, I am overwhelmed by opportunity and I am trying to find that balance that I am going to need to get me through this new year!  I do hope you hang in there with me and come along for the ride!  I think this year is going to be one filled with many adventures.  Next on the list of adventures is my trip to Paris in March!  More on that in a later posting!

 

My bestie, Tomeko and I at the Cathedral Antiques Inspiration House premiere party.  Bless his heart, he came immediately after leaving work.  He stayed for quite a bit while I was greeting people, talking about my space, and posing for pictures like these.  All without so much as a grimace!  I love him, I do!  He and I have been friends for many years.  A friendship that began while we both worked at Louis Vuitton.  He has since moved on to the almighty Hermes; yes my friends, you read right,

H-E-R-M-E-S!  I can't wait until he decides to focus and publish his first novel!  It is going to be an amazing read, I promise!



 

Jacqueline Glover and I at the premiere party.  Jackie is the pro sales manager at Floor & Decor, Southlake in Morrow, Georgia.  She is the driving force behind not only securing flooring for my space in the Inspiration House, but also the counseling center for the Cathedral of St. Philip.  She and her team at Floor & Decor are one of the corporate sponsors of this years Inspiration House!  Their very generous donation has made all the difference in the appearance of the center and everyone is so excited and couldn't be happier!  

 

Renae Walker and I at the premiere party.  Renae is totally fabulous, and a fellow designer (to be)!  She is completing her formal training at the Art Institute.  I can't wait to see what she has in store for the design world!  Renae is truly a great person, and is as tall as I am!  That is pretty rare around these parts!  I'm always so much taller than everyone in pictures (in a room), so this is so refreshing!  I had such a ball with her at the party at the house and afterwards, when she joined me, my great friend Deirdre, and a few of my designers friends for a mini celebration of our own.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life!  It was so nice to be supported and celebrated by such a dynamic and successful group of women.

 

Railroad ties with real bird nests and bird nest paintings hung above by local artist Janet Gannon.  Janet is a very talented artist who does beautiful oil on canvas paintings.  This composition is located in a hallway that has extremely low ceilings, so being creative and simplistic was a must.  It really complements the elements that can be found just beyond those doors. 

 

This vignette is in the stair hallway that sits atop an oak coffee table/bench that is finished in a liming wax.   

 

The drinks cabinet is by Grange and can be found at Steve McKenzie's.  The painting is an original, painted by Steve McKenzie himself!  Steve and Jill are the most incredible couple.  Their sense of humor is infectious and they are a riot to be around!  Their shop is filled with wonderful furnishings, accessories, works or art, and fabrics that are also designed by Steve!  Can I tell you how much I adore these two!

 

One of my absolute favorite vignettes and I cannot wait to have it professionally photographed!  I can only show you snippets for now because Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle magazine will publish pictures from the Inspiration House later this year and we want you all to gasp at the loveliness of each and every room!

 

Oh my gosh, I got a lot of comments about the books being turned this way!  My response to that is I didn't want people seeing some of the smut that I read!  Ha! Nah, it's not too bad...hmmm, just bad enough!

 

 

I love this view of the outdoor entry from inside!

This bird cage is a faux bois concrete!  Psych!  Everyone thinks it's wood!

 

Okay, so that's what I've been up to for the last couple of weeks...pulling my space at the Inspiration House together!  My space had to undergo construction because it's the lower level hall where the Cathedral Counseling Center is located, and I needed to install temporary walls, baseboards, replace the flooring, build a cabinet (in an elevator opening), etc., etc., etc.  By the time the other designers began work in their rooms, I had already been there weeks earlier!  But boy let me tell you what a difference it has made!  Sooo, am I forgiven?

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

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Happy October!

Wow!  Today is the first day of October!  I love this month!  The Fall season begins officially for me in October!  I cannot wait to see what this month holds.  Let's kick it off with a few pics to get us all in the mood for what I know is going to be an amazing month...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images

 

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Color Inspiration: Black, Gray, Orange...

My apologies for posting late today.  I am a bit overwhelmed by opportunity (as a very good friend of mine would say)!  Therefore, this posting will be brief and without it's usual story.  I'm not quite sure how I happened upon this topic, but oh my gosh, how lovely are these colors!  Fall is my most favorite season and living in an area where I am able to see the changes in the landscape, and appreciate all that it is is an incredible delight.  Have you ever driven down a tree-lined street and found yourself held hostage by the beauty of the warm, glowing, and sometimes moodiness of the colors?  Do you pause for a moment to really take in how humbling a sunrise or sunset can be?  Perfection, pure perfection.  Hmmm, maybe it's just me and maybe you need to...just maybe!

 

 

 

 

 

The source of my color inspiration.  Isn't it breathtaking!  How can one not appreciate the beauty and magnificence of all that the eyes are able to see?  It is a blessing; one not to be taken lightly, and one that needs to be acknowledged and enjoyed every second of every day!

 

 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images via Tumblr



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The Last Official Weekend of Summer!

Wow, time really doesn't wait for anyone!  Can you believe we're already on the front porch of Fall!  Do you have a special way of bringing the season to a close?  Around my house we usually do some type of home improvement project, but not this year.  We are going to spend the weekend doing a lot of nothing!  The first bit of nothing on the list is to pay a visit to Serenbe, a lovely little community in Chattahoochee Hills, that is hosting several events over the holiday weekend.  It is also the site of this years HGTV Green Home Giveaway, that just happened a couple of weeks ago!  They are also hosting the Bosch Net Zero Home Tour this weekend that should be an inspiration to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The food at these three restaurants is soooo good and well worth the visit!  The Farmhouse is located inside the Inn at Serenbe.  The Blue Eyed Daisy is a special little place that serves incredible sandwiches and pasteries!  The Hil, I've only eaten at the Hil once, and it has been while; but what an experience that was!  What I do remembe,r is that most, if not all of the produce came from the serenbe farm and the menu is hand selected by chef/owner Hilary White.  If considering an evening out, visit the website for restaurant times for the Farmhouse and the Hil.  The Blue Eyed Daisy has more accommodating hours, especially on weekends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lovely images above are from the model home of the 2010 development the "Nest Cottages".  This model home was built with energy efficiency in mind.  It is a truly fascinating story!  To read more about it click here.  What I love about this community is just that, a wonderful community that is focused on the quality of life of not just the homeowners, but the business owners (whom I think probably reside there as well), and all who visit.  It's very lifestyle specific.  If you appreciate nature, sustainable design, footworn paths, fresh vegetation from the local farm, and everyone you pass saying hello; then this is a place you need to experience, if only for a day!  I encourage you to visit their website and read their blog to learn more about this amazing place that was born from the vision of Marie and Steve Nygren.  I have had the pleasure of meeting them both, once at ADAC and again on the property in summer of 2008.  They are so down to earth and incredibly warm and welcoming!  It you live in the metropolitan Atlanta area and are looking for something to do this weekend, make the trip to Chattahoochee Hills and enjoy a day you've probably not had in a long while!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images via The Serenbe Community



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Inspirations in Black And White With Dashes Of Gold!

I can't believe it's Friday already!  This week has gone by like the speed of light!  Wow!  I must admit, I am finding it very challenging to keep all of the balls in the air with the days flying by so quickly!  Good grief!  Time definitely does not wait on anyone!  The kids are out of school and I want to spend as much time with them as I can.  May I speak candidly?  Gillian, my seven year old, makes me tired!  She has a story for everything!  Dear Lord!  Don't ask a simple question!  Well, I guess she got that kind of honest, huh!  And I wouldn't have her any other way!  Noah, on the other hand, is my helper, assistant, and partner in all things needed!  He's a great kid!  

I have a couple of projects that need my attention, and I just can't seem to find my motivation.  Of course I am totally excited about them and I have put together some incredible inspirations!  But it's the sourcing for these inspirations that I don't enjoy!  At least not right now with everything else I've got going on!  I love blogging because I love to talk!  So this is my way of talking to you!  Sometimes, I really don't  have anything I want to talk about specifically, but I can always find something to talk about!  Even people who have only known me for a brief moment can attest to that!

One of my favorite places to visit!  I loved working at Louis Vuitton!  It is a great company and I totally embraced their philosophy, and use it in my own business!  I learned a great deal while working there!  One very important thing was not compromising the integrity of the brand!  Met many wonderful people and made life-long friends! 

I've always been drawn to a black and white checker board floor!  It is classic and when paired with the elements in this entry, makes for a welcomed greeting for all who walk through the front door!  This is what a home that has been "collected" looks like!  Random bits spread about here and there to make an incredible composition of loveliness!  This is what home should look and feel like!

Breathtaking!  What other word(s) would you use to describe such a sight?  Electrifying?  Surreal?  Powerful?

Absolutely stunning!  The lace bodice with flowing skirt on this dress is nothing short of stunning!  I would love to saunter down an old world street wearing this!  Her tan is the perfect accessory!

"Love"!  Simply said and beautifully framed!

I want this anywhere in my house, right now!  I love it!  This is what HOT is to me!

Classic.  Beautiful.  The detailing of this dress is...!  The expression on her face is...!  There is so much power in being a woman and owning all that you are! 

My office!  When I close my eyes, obviously!  A girl can dream!  I've always adored layering floor coverings!  The natural fiber rug with a zebra hide on top!  Check out the lovely curved chrome metal legs on the desk!  What gorgeous sleek lamps!  The bowl that holds the white roses is so refined!  Another HOT French chair, upholstered in black and white fabric!  Yes Ma'am!

How sleek, refined, polished, sophisticated, and modern is this bathroom! 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*via my Tumblr

*via my Pinterest

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