I love the look of ferns on a porch in the summer.  I am thinking about investing in some ferns to hang on our front porches and a few for planters on the back patio…..  I just have to keep them alive!!

{Images from Pinterest}

Wishing all you WONDERMOMS a day full of adoration, appreciation and serious pampering.  We deserve it!!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

{Image found on Pinterest}

So, I think I mentioned that we had professional photographs taken of our old house before we moved.  Interior designer extraordinaire, Cathy Green, is featuring our Westover Hills house on her blog right now.  The pictures were taken by, her sister, the amazing Beth Furgurson.

The photos made me miss so much about our old house…

I adored the front porch and our red door.

{This picture was taken as we drove away on the day of closing.  Yes, they asked to keep the porch furniture and we agreed.  Pumpkins were complimentary.}

I loved the pane-less windows and the feeling of living in a treehouse.

I am so proud of all of our DIY projects, most of which remain with the new owners.

{Our DIY roller shades — remains the most pinned blog entry on spark!}

But most of all, I loved the house because of the people who lived there and all of the memories we made during the six years under its roof.

{Clare and her playroom}

{Sleeping Julia}

{Lazy summer days in my beloved orange kitchen}

{Dad reading with his girls before bedtime}

So, pop on over and see the professional pictures and Cathy’s really nice blog post.

And, stay tuned for pics of what’s been going down at the new house.

Follow me on insta for real-time updates (ada_marie).  :)

{Source for images}

I really soul-searched before our meeting and I asked her to help me with paint colors on the neutral yet warm side of the spectrum.  As I poured over images of my favorite rooms and spaces, I realized that I am drawn to rooms with bold color and “punch” used in the art, fabrics, and accessories, with the paint used in a supporting role.    Plus, that approach complements my ADD short attention span and tendency to constantly move and shift furniture, pieces of art, mirrors, pillows and accessories.

Sunny was wonderfully sweet, creative, funny, professional and full of amazing ideas.  I am still digesting all of our conversations and her inspiring suggestions, but here is some of our plan so far:

Entry hall, staircase and upstairs hallway: Farrow & Ball Blackened

For the family room: Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light

with Farrow & Ball Mouse’s Back behind the built-ins

For the dining room: Farrow & Ball Elephant’s Breath (pretty paint, weird name!)

For the master bedroom: Benjamin Moore Fanfare

For Clare’s room: Benjamin Moore Hint of Pink (1/2 strength)

For Julia’s room: Benjamin Moore Silver Satin with white stenciled polka dots

So, what do you think?  We are going to get started upstairs, probably with Clare’s room first.  I am so excited to try a stencil in Julia’s room.  Seriously, I am on a giddy design high!

{All images can be sourced here}

{Image via Dinner: A Love Story}

Sunday (New Recipe): Split Pea Soup with the leftover Christmas ham bone, crusty bread, simple salad.  This was really good!

{Image via MyRecipes.com}

Monday: Cooking Light Southwest Sausage and Rice and veggie platter with dip.

Tuesday: Giada’s Quick and Spicy Tomato Soup, superfast drop biscuits and Ceasar salad.

Wednesday (New Recipe): Baked Ziti with Sausage and Mushrooms (from Dinner: A Love Story cookbook).

{Image via Emily Bites}

Thursday (New Recipe): Emily Bites Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli, rice.

Friday: Cooking Light Turkey Tetrazzini, Greek salad.  

Saturday: Out of Town

What’s for supper at your house this week?  I would love for you to share your favorite quick and easy dinner recipes.  I need 4 more new recipes next week to complete the challenge!

For Christmas, I asked for and received a PAINT CONSULTATION!

{Love the polka dots for Julia’s nursery by Sophie Burke Design via Desire to Inspire}

I am both thrilled and slightly embarrassed.  Thrilled that I will get an expert’s opinion on each space in our new house and its function, while also focusing on the flow of the whole house and how each color and room relates to each other.

{Thinking about Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter for the entry hall, staircase and upstairs hall}

And, slightly embarrassed that I needed and wanted a second opinion!  For better or for worse (and I have really only had one true paint disaster, and let’s be honest, peach is a color best left to nature), I have always picked my own paint colors.  Because this house feels more like a “forever house” than any of our previous homes, I thought I may give some extra planning and consideration to the overall color scheme.

{Love Benjamin Moore’s Proposal for Clare’s room via Young House Love}

I have had a few people independently mention and highly endorse, the Richmond-based and nationally renowned, Sunny Goode.  Once I heard her name, I realized that I actually have blogged about her products (stencils) and never really knew much about her.

{Thinking about painting the brick hearth in our den white, but keeping the wood mantle a natural wood color; image via Pinterest}

So, she comes to the new house and all of it’s disorganized and disastrous glory on Monday morning.  I am like the world’s most intense helicopter mom on parent-teacher conference day.  I have copious notes on each room and my ideas.  Sunny is going to be sending SOS smoke signals and waving the white flag after two minutes!  

{Beautiful color for our bedroom via Pinterest}

I will keep you posted — she has been beyond sweet and flexible in our correspondence.  I  can’t wait to learn from her and work together on a great paint plan.  Stay tuned!  Happy weekend!

and I thought it was so festive.  When we moved into our new house, we have 2 fireplaces and we haven’t had a chance to get either of the chimneys cleaned or inspected yet. About a week before Christmas, I saw a lone strand of big, vintagey -looking lights at Target, and gave it a whirl….

We call it our “partyplace”.  I love it and am thinking of keeping the partyplace burning even after the Christmas decorations come down!

It is a great idea for a nonfunctioning fireplace or a festive summer party.

Have you actually put any of your pins into action lately?

Isn’t she wonderfully talented?  All of the pictures are from her website — go check out her entire portfolio for some serious inspiration!

P.S. Are you on Pinterest?  Come find me there!

{Striking Truths}