WHAT MY DAUGHTER TAUGHT ME

"I have a daughter who is going to medical school next year, the economy seems to be in a permanent state of crisis and instability and my husband's job is ever changing. But my creative muscle will not stop itching and I finally decided to scratch it...hard..."

Let me just start by saying that I am not am impulsive person. I think, overthink then second guess everything in my life. From which can of tomatoes to buy, to where to place one single chair to….should I stay or should I go.

In May, my daughter had a cancerous tumor removed from her gland and underwent 2 surgeries. Something happenes to you while you are sitting in a surgical waiting room, waiting as they open up you daughters' face, sew it back together and hand her back to you, slightly recognizable and incoherant and wrapped in bandages. Life has a way of putting things into perspective really quick.

We pray. We keep praying… and giving thanks, of course. We know it will get better if we keep trying. We remain positive because we will be better. She will get better!!!

Guess what? It does.

I drove by the most exclusive subdivision in Macomb Township, I impulsively walked into this amazing home being built. As I stood in its amazing kitchen I looked out the window, I think I stopped breathing for a second. There it was….the unbelievable view I've been looking for. I started imagining furniture, paint, flooring, staircase trim and, “Lord Jesus look at the fireplace!” I walked in every room 6 times. I stopped back into the kitchen to check out the view

again and again and again.

OK. Enough said. We bought the house. An incredible - I can’t believe its mine…PROJECT?? How can we possibly do this? I mean just last year we were counting nickels. I’m selling shoes. REALLY? SHOES? I’M A DECORATOR! I’M CREATIVE! WHAT AM I DOING?? I’M NOT EVEN A “SHOE PERSON!

What my daughter taught me…

Life is full of its ups and downs. Sometimes more downs than ups. We muddle through. We tell ourselves that it could always be worse. We stay positive even when we don’t want to, just as my daughter did throughout her ordeal. But we remain positive!! By the way, this week I finally found a great job. NO MORE SHOES!!!

When we get nervous, one sister makes a pot roast while another fixes a computer or someone else’s life.

Me? I find a decorating project. AND BOY DID I EVER!!!

My Idea Folder That Keeps Expanding...

There are so many beautiful rooms to gaze at in my magazines that it is hard to concentrate sometimes. Here are only a handful of my recent favorites. Every single one of these rooms has so many elements in them that make them special that I could stare at them all day.... I thought I'd share them with you.......ENJOY!

Who says you have to eat in the kitchen...

The rich tones in this room are perfect for a dining room. Its what makes you want to sit and stay a while over a great glass of wine and good conversation.


Classic traditional....shabby chic...french country????? I don't care. I'd love to have coffee in this room. Completely monochromatic. This room is a great example of one color - 4 different tones of it.



So calming...just classic. No bold colors here. Just a simple color scheme. Add a dose of pattern... Sometimes simplicity is just the best!

Blue and white does not always mean "nautical".

I call this one "simply" amazing...

Just soak in the details in this room. The chandalier is amazing how it manages to change the entire feel of this room. Now imagine it with a ......ceiling fan??? How about recessed lights...nope, sorry... wouldn't have the same feel.

I need some waterfront property so I can decorate it with wicker and rattan. It can be comfortable you know.... I'd live here!

Sometimes all you need is a little inspiration...

Ann

Traditional Home ®

Decorating 101: Just For Me

Decorating your interiors or Interior Decorating should never be about impressing others. When it comes to your home, ask yourself these questions: What is it that makes you smile.

The design channels are filled with shows of beautifully designed rooms done by some of the best interior designers in the world. They scour every inch of the town, from design centers to flea markets, filling the spaces with beautiful objects. So much of their design plans are about “impressions your guests.” Let me ask you; at the end of the day is that what we’re most worried about? When you come home after a long day, where do you want to retire?

Do you enjoy collecting and reading books? Does the idea of a room filled with novels you’ve read give you a feeling of accomplishment? Or are you a garden lover? Do you enjoy the great outdoors, relishing every moment you can spend nurturing your garden or simply sitting on your patio surrounded by greenery and appreciating the hard work and sweat it took? Maybe what gives you calm is to simply to be able to walk into a room that is in perfect order to contrast with your perfectly disorderly lifestyle, where everything around you makes sense, from the calming colors to the simple patterns and just the right amount of toss pillows - infusing perfect symmetry into your world.

For me it is the kitchen. It is the gathering place for all who live and visit in my house. This room is where my day begins and ends and everything in between. It is the dumping ground for kids and home central for all activities….This room is also where my daughter and I practice recipes seen on the cooking channels and where my son sits patiently while telling us about his latest video game challenge, faking interest in yet another new dish that he’ll be forced to eat. Yes, this room is definitely my favorite.

My point is this: forget about the house and focus on the home. Your home. Find a room. Find several rooms. Realize these spaces and surround yourself with things that you love and make you smile. Because, lets face it, at the end of the day the only person that I’m worried about impressing…is myself.

TAKING A BREAK

To those of you who have been following me, I'm sad to report that I will be taking a little break from blogging to refocus and/or possibly reinvent myself in the coming weeks.

My website:

http://www.homeimpressionsdesigns.com/ is still available for viewing as most of my past and present projects will be available to view there.

The new year has brought with it some new challenges and opportunities in which to explore. I owe it to myself and my clients to explore them and an hopeful that "Impressions For The Home" will be back to post some new and exciting articles and pictures in the near future.

Thank you to all who have followed me.

Ann

Impressions of Emily

Since the "deChristmasing" is over (and let me tell you how depressing that was", I thought I'd share with you some photos of my 16 year old dancers' bedroom that I redecorated right before the holidays began.

She had a few requests...

1 - That the wall were painted "Tiffany Blue......"

2 She wanted a vanity for makeup and hair. And of course the mirror had to be big enough to dance in front of. This mirror came from mom. I painted it chrome to match other accents in the room. Its great lighting!

3- She wanted a place to hang out with friends. I moved her bed under the window, horizontally and placed 2 upholstered storage ottomans in front for extra seating for her friends.

4 (and most importantly) - She wanted a dancers theme.

Emily has danced for 5 years and wanted her room to reflect who she is and what she's accomplished. I took her most recent competition photo's and copied them in black and white, framed them out with white matting and balanced 5 of them on her wall over her dresser.

Her room was a lot of fun to decorate. Teen bedrooms are all about drama and this one has its share. See my next post in a couple of days when I did another dramatic teen bedroom and as always....

Thanks for visiting!

Ann

Do I Really Need To Take The Decorations Down?

A view from the hall....

Just jazzed up some sprays I had with beaded fruit and ribbon for the staircase posts. I didn't have time to do elaborate staircase garland. Definately next year though...and I'll take what I've learned from my friend Sherry who does an amazing job. Check out her blog at creationsfrommyheart.blogspot.com.

The living room Mantle. The magnolia's are plucked from the current arrangements in the room. They'll get plucked back in when I take everything down.

Played with some more ribbon for an old wreath that my son brought home from cub scouts.



My hall table...simple....maybe too simple. I think I'll do something with the lamp shade.
Always a project....

My buffet counter. I think I purchased Santa from Hudsons about a hundred years ago and the mini tree and hurricane came from garage sales.







Thanks for visiting...

From my family to yours......HAPPY NEW YEAR!!