The Man Cave & The Hogie Chair

We are making progress on the man cave design project! A few months ago I picked out a gorgeous fabric in North Carolina to recover the infamous "Hogie Chair."

 The Hogie Chair is seriously the most comfortable chair .... Ever. It was previously used in Michael's mom's living room. When Michael and I were dating I fell in love with this chair and the incredible napping place that it offered. Hogan soon took claim of it and it was forever known as the Hogie Chair! It's everyone's favorite spot!

It's huge and can fit 2.5-3 people and is THE place you want to beat anyone to after any Thanksgiving meal. And now.... It's been passed down to us! Pam was so sweet and went with me to pick out the fabric!

It is the starting inspirational piece for a Michael's man cave! He absolutely loves it as much as I do, so that's always a win.

Here it is now, all beautiful and recovered!

I'm in the process of picking out some grey paint color for the room. So far I've sampled all Benjamin Moore colors; Stonington Grey, Revere Pewter, and Grey Owl. They're all gorgeous but we haven't quite made up our minds yet!

Stonington Grey

Grey Owl

Revere Pewter

As far as other plans for the room adding red lockers is at the top of my list instead of the black boring bookcase that is in there now.

I also am framing one of Michael's shooting targets to add to his gallery wall he has started.

I'm not sure yet, but an American Flag Pallet in muted colors with distress is another element I'd like to add. Maybe it'd be cool to do a pallet as the thin blue line instead...?

Modern Spin

I'm currently trying to hunt down an old picture of him as a kid playing " cops n robbers". I'd blow it up and frame it to add to the gallery wall as well.

It will be awhile before the room is done because we are currently redoing our downstairs half bath! More on that project soon!

Kitchen Island Inspiration and a Smeg Fridge Fetish

Ever since we've moved into our new house last February I've been dreaming up ideas and little plans here and there for each room of the house. We actually have done very little to the house so far...no paint, no renovations, not much at all. I have one big reason why we haven't done much of anything.

My aunt gave me some advice that I took to heart and am so glad that I did. She told me to just live in your house for at least a year before you do anything to it. She said that it can take time to really know and feel a space out. It takes time to decide what you like, don't like, and to have time to be inspired to move forward with decorating.  She is like me when it comes to wanting your house to reflect who you are. I don't want to just throw up pictures on the wall because I want them to be exactly what I want and where I want them.

In March we were extremely close to installing granite counter tops in the kitchen but we decided at the last second that we just were not sure of the over-all look we were going for. I also have had my heart set on hardwood counter tops for a very long time and that was a completely different "feel" than a granite surface. I am probably THE slowest person at decorating because I know it has to be just right and feel like it fits the personality and soul of our family and home.

Wood counter top examples. I just love this look!

So yes, it's almost been a year and I have been staring at a blank (but beautiful) kitchen endlessly thinking about ways to make it ours. I finally had a break through moment last night about what to do with our island! I am so excited!

I was inspired last week while eating at one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Greenville, Blue Ridge Brewing Company. If you've been there you're probably familiar with their tabletop designs. Each booth has the floorplan of the resturaunt printed onto the tops of the table. I have been going to Blue Ridge since I was a freshman in college and have always loved studying the blue prints. Another random fact: I really wanted to be an architect most of my life! I collected hundreds of house plans and loved watching my Dad draw plans for the homes he was building. I even was one of the two girls in my high school drafting class. There is just something awesome about blue prints. It's the bones of a house or a structure and I find that very intriguing.

So back to the island. I would like to have a wooden counter top with the blue print of our own home transfered to the surface. Not only would it be a great conversation piece but it would add such a personal touch to the center of the kitchen.

 I had orginially just wanted a blue print framed of our house for a gallery wall (which I still would love to do as well) but this idea completely wins me over! It's my inspiration for the rest of our kitchen design! Realisticaly we will not be doing any sort of kitchen reno anytime soon, but I do think the island counter top could be changed out to get us started!

Besides the island top I'm really eying a Smeg fridge. I know...wipe the drool please! Which color would you choose?

I know that eventually the whole kitchen will come together one day but I think Michael and I agree that this starting inspiration will help us move in the right direction over time! Here are two more kitchens that have some elements I love!

Cabinet colors and the sink! Oh my!

White cabinets, bead board island backing, and sea glass back splash. I'm all about light colors with pops of the sea colors!

Our House's First Christmas

This Christmas season we are finally in a house of our own! Last year on December 24th we put in an offer on this house and it was accepted! This year I have been so excited to decorate knowing that this is, God willing, where we will be for a long time. I love the thought of adding to my Christmas decoration collection over time!

Here are some pics of the house so far. And yes, that means I'm not done yet!

The front porch! We have our wooden rockers on the right side of the porch. I had to put my Adirondack chairs back on the left side because I had the bright red cushions!

Simplistic snowman, lighted tree in a pot I had, driftwood sled (yay Florida roots), wrapped Christmas storage boxes in muslin and sweater paper (beats re-storing them, right), and Bennett's red wooden chair from his room.

The foyer. I found the green pillows in NC. I think they really cozy up the space!

The foyer the other way.

Our Tree and Mantle (which is still a work in progress). My friend Sarah helped me make my custom stockings last year!

Family Room bookcase. Rag lighted garland with a 3D snowflake I made. Last year I decorated the store front window for Natural Baby in downtown Greenville and I did this same concept but in their teal and white colors.

My mother in law passed this down to us! I'm in love. This is in our dining room!

Bennett's tree upstairs in the alcove by his room. I love the sock monkey tree topper. :o)

My grandma, Hot Dot, is in town! Bennett loves her to pieces!

New pillow covers to soften the chairs, Stocking/mitten advent calendar I made, new framed photo from our family shoot by Jaime Huffman Photography, and reindeer key holder from Target (but I found it at Goodwill for 2 bucks!)

Thanks for stopping by! I'll post more (and better quality pictures) soon! Merry Christmas everyone!

The Catwalk: Baby Training Zone

Michael and Bennett are back home. I learned this weekend that a quiet house can be rejuvenating, but at the same time feel extremely empty and lonely. It was just Hogan and I these past few days and it felt a lot like college when it was just him and I. Needless to say, I didn't like not having a husband or toddler around. They fill up such a huge part of my life. Well...they fill up most of it, really. Tonight I am blessed for the noise, the spaghetti thrown on the floor, the smell of boots being polished, and sweet kisses goodnight from our little boy. I have no idea what I'd do without my family. God is so good!

As I watched the boys play on the catwalk before bed, it dawned on me that all of Bennett's biggest milestones have happened on that catwalk. Michael refers to it as the "Baby Training Zone." That is the definite truth.

We cheered him on from the end of the catwalk when he was learning to crawl in March. We watched him brace himself on the half-wall when he was learning to stand in April. His first climb up the mini-step into the "Man Cave" shocked us in May. He practiced his walking in June.  Currently he isnow bolting back and forth with Hogan at his side as he gets faster and faster at running each day.

It's nothing but a long strip of carpeted area suspended high in the rafters of our home, but to me, that catwalk signifies how fast Bennett has grown up. Tonight as he turned to wave "bye-bye" to us as he walked down the catwalk to his room...I knew that the saying "they grow up so fast" was painfully true.

The catwalk is a piece of the house that I never want to leave behind. Although some day we might have to, I know I can keep the memories of the "Baby Training Zone" locked forever in my heart.

Our Giant Family Measuring Stick!

Hello! I wanted to share another project I ripped off from Pinterest.

The need for a giant measuring stick is something that is very dear to my heart. When I was growing up my Dad always measured us on the same piece of wood. He has had it in every house we've lived in for as long as I could remember. It always traveled with us from Florida to Georgia..and now back to Florida. It normally found it's next resting spot nailed up against a door frame. We haven't done much measuring on it lately since we are all grown, but I know Dad still has the board with all of our measurements from over the years. It actually makes me want to tear up a little. My Dad has a huge heart for his family!

I knew I had to carry on his tradition and make one for our family. I love it can be taken with us where ever we go and document how fast we all grow up. So this was made in honor of my Daddy! I love you so "mush!"


How To:

1. Get a long piece of board. About 6.5 feet long....or 7 feet if you're family is on the tall side.

2. Stain the wood your choice of color. I used Rust-oleum in the "American Walnut" color. I think a colored & distressed one would be really fun and pretty as well. However, I knew I wanted ours to match any decor in any room we ever have. Sometimes simplicity is genius.

3. Measure out the feet and inches with a tape measure.

4. Use a black sharpie to make the lines.

5. Use 3" stencils to make the numbers. I got these at Hobby Lobby and of course used a 40% coupon from their App. I tried spray painting first..... it was a disaster. So use sharpie for this as well! It looks really good and easy to control!

6. Add a picture hanger to the wall and mount!

7. Start measuring and recording your family member's heights and ages right on the board!


What a keepsake to have over the years! I can't wait to measure Bennett tomorrow!

Thanks for dropping by!

Goodwill Goodies: The Cutest Cups on the Shelf

I love the Goodwill down here in Fort Myers. I swear it's one of the best Goodwill's in the Southern part of the United States.

Yesterday when I was there I found the most precious little teacup/ coffee set. Now.... I'm not big on tea OR coffee (because it tastes like liquid waffles and the terrible breath you get from it), but I know that other people who visit our home may be fans, so I had to scoop up this precious collection when I saw it.

I think they'll look good in our navy and green dining room! My favorite part of the set is the sugar holder. How adorable is that little rust-colored knob on top? My second favorite part about the set is that is was only seven dollars!

Now....can anyone tell me how to make coffee or tea? :o)