Black and White Bedroom Design Plan

I had the privilege of designing a bedroom for a 13 year old girl named Avery. I sat down in Avery's room and talked with her about what she wanted. She is a girl who knows what she wants.....and I like that. 

She new she wanted all white walls with one wall having a black design on it and she knew she wanted only black and white.

I specified black scroll wallpaper, a new platform bed, bedding, a new white dresser and night stand, window treatments, black leather chair,  rug, and a gallery "selfie" wall for images of her and her friends. 

Along with this e-design board, I gave Avery and her mom a Recommendations Sheet that listed links to where everything could be purchased along with a layout of her room showing where to place all the elements. 

Here is the plan:

If you are interested in having a room designed that you can execute yourself, please let me know. I would love to put a plan together for your space. (If you live out of town, you can send me pictures of your space).

Happy Thanksgiving Week...gobble gobble.

I Love My State.

I love my state....the state of North Carolina. Today I was able to go on a field trip with my son Jake and his 4th grade class to the NC Capitol Building in downtown Raleigh, NC. When I venture downtown, I am reminded how much I love it. 

The NC Capitol Building was completed in 1840 and is a beautiful example of the Greek Revival Style architecture. 

Image from Raleigh Skyline

In the Rotunda stands a 1970 copy of Antonio Canova's original statue of George Washington. 

(pictures are taken with my iPhone...my very old iPhone....haha)

Looking up into the rotunda

Bust of Samuel Johnston

Southwest Suite (Governor's Office) Since 1840, these rooms, which feature furnishing of the 1840-1865 period, have served as the offices of North Carolina's governor. The massive 1850s-style armchairs were hand crafted, as well as the pier table, believed to have been crafted by the free black artisan, Thomas Day of Caswell County. Nineteenth-century style window hangings suspended from gilded wooden rods and a fine Wilton weave reproduction carpet, featuring classical motifs, complement the office furnishings. (NC Historic Sites)

Governor McCrory was not in today so we were able to take a sneak peak inside. 

House of Representatives Chamber - Look at the detail of that ceiling....amazing. 

Senate Chamber

I am in love with this light fixture.

What an enjoyable day with Mrs. Hinton and this great group of 4th graders from Wake Christian. I feel so blessed to live in such a great state and to be part of such a great school. 

Christmas with Target

I know. I know. It's not even Thanksgiving yet but I had to. I had to look through Target's Christmas decor and I am sharing some of my favorites. I am sure this will be the first of many Christmas decor post for 2014.

Assorted Pillows - $19.99

Jute Snowflake Placemat $15.99 set of 4

Tabletop Deer Head $24.99

Star Tray $24.99

Gold Pinecone Wreath $29.99

Birch Christmas Tree $24.99

Knit Monogrammed Stocking $13.00

Bonjour Yuletide Garden Salad Plate

Fair Isle Throw $29.99

You surely cannot decorate without some good Christmas tunes. My favorite this year is by my man...Darius Rucker. He can come to my home any Holiday!

Home for the Holidays $11.99

Easy DIY Staircase Update

I am currently working with a couple who is selling their home and need to make some updates. One area that needs updating is their staircase. They have dated, light oak rails with white spindles. My recommendation to them was to simply paint the rails black.

It is a very inexpensive way to give your staircase a dramatic update. It adds contrast, character, charm, and sophistication. I can not wait to see my clients finished product.

In the meantime, here is an example of a before and after project to show what a difference it can make.

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There are several tread options that go well with black rails:

Dark wood treads

Light wood treads

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Wood treads with carpet runner

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Black landing and treads with carpet runner

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Black treads with carpet runner

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 If you have updated your staircase or are planning to, I would love to see the before and after images.

In The Wild I Will Stay

Wandering in the Wilderness

Not all who are wandering are lost. I heard that statement the other day and thought, oh good....maybe I'm not lost.  Just because I am wandering amously around doesn't mean that I am lost. Hahaha.......not. I feel lost. I am standing in the wilderness right smack dab in the middle of a crossing and I don't know which way to go. Will the left lead me to the promise land or is it the right?? I don't know!!!

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My prayer for the past year has been that I would be on the path of His purpose. But, I don't know which path to take and God is not helping me out any by telling me. He is just silent. This morning I was reminded that though He seems silent, He is listening. 1 John 5:14 "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (NIV).

So, in the wild I will stay..... as I continue praying, seeking, begging for God to reveal which way He wants the Britt's to go and I will continue in the confidence that prayer makes a difference and He hears me. I will have peace while I wait for Him to reveal His plan, His good plan. His perfect plan.  I will embrace the wilderness.

Who knows, maybe my next project will be to design a cabin in the wild....I have always had a wild side!!

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Nursery Essential List

Today I designed a simple modern nursery with just a few items that are on my "nursery essential" list for nursery design.

The list is:

• Chandelier or Pendant Light
• Monogram of some type......on the wall, a pillow, bumper pads, etc.
• Rocker
• Rug
• Pouf
• Dresser / Changing Table

Chandelier / Pendant 
(Lights are essential so why not have one that is fabulous, right.)

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Monogram

(Not actually an essential but everything is better when it's monogrammed)

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Rocker

(Yes, an essential. You will spend a lot of time nursing and rocking the baby to sleep. There are so many options that are not only comfortable, but stylish too.)

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Rug

(A soft service is important when the baby starts crawling and it can tie the nursery design altogether)

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Pouf

(Essential? Not really but it is so nice to be able to prop your feet up when rocking and nursing the baby and is a great way to add a touch of color and/or texture to a space)

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Dresser/Changing Table

(You don't have to have a "changing table". A dresser with a changing pad on top is a great alternative that offers lots of storage space and as the baby grows, the changing pad comes off.)

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