All posts filed under: Haven

The Framed House: The Grand Illusionist?

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You may or may not know that we are building a new house! We tore our 1950’s home down over the summer in July. We had lived in that house for 12 years. While it was updated and certainly nice, we (well mostly me 🤗) really wanted a bigger kitchen for entertaining and a larger master bedroom, bath, and closet. I’m so tired of switching out clothes for our 2 Texas seasons!! That comment was a tad facetious since we only have 2 seasons here and not 4! Regardless, I need all my clothes in one location at all times! I actually have 3 pairs of brown ankle boots just because I lost track of some from one Fall to the next, but then found them again! This has happened with others things in my closet too 😆 Initially our plans were to do a renovation of the existing house and add 1000sf. Well, it turned into a complete tear down, including a new foundation! The old house was demo’d, the lot cleared and prepped, …

2018 Design Trends: Kitchen

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Once upon a time kitchens were often hidden from sight. A place only to prepare meals and wash dishes. Now, and in recent years, kitchens have become an extension of our living spaces. Kitchens are a major gathering spot. Kitchens are a room to be adorned and showcased! Who doesn’t want a chic, swoon-worthy kitchen! Think Terrazzo, concealed vent hoods, and statement stoves, just to name a few. Most of these trends are carrying over from 2017, but are gathering steam and really taking off in 2018. Whether you implement just one or several, let these upcoming trends serve as design ideas for your 2018 kitchen renovation or new home construction. Herringbone Floors: Herringbone floors add an instant air of European refinement to any space and the kitchen is no exception. No Upper Cabinets: Still trending in 2018 is the lack of upper cabinets. Removing upper cabinets really opens up the kitchen visually and makes the kitchen appear much bigger and brighter. And, it allows you to utilize the countertop space more effectively. Turn your open spaces …

Feng Shui Colors to Create The Best Energy In Your Home

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Do you Feng Shui? Sounds kind of kinky, doesn’t it! While you may have applied some Feng Shui to your home by bed placement, moving mirrors, or clearing clutter, have you thought about the colors you use? When we look to feng shui to create a healthy environment and to cultivate the right energy in our home, we often only consider layout and furniture placement. But there are much more ways feng shui can help shape the look and feel of your home. One of the easiest ways to transform your home’s energy—without moving a single piece of furniture—is through color. In feng shui, there are five elements that are expressed through color. Working these feng shui color palettes into your home will help set the intention of the space and draw in those specific lines of energy. New seasons call for a refresh in décor, so why not make the most of it by planning out a color scheme that channels the energy you wish to bring into each room? Whether it’s bringing forth a …

Luck Of The Irish: Going Green in Interior Design

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Is green really the color of luck? ” In the Middle Ages, it was believed that green was the color of fairies and other “little people” who didn’t like the idea of sharing it with mere mortals. In Ireland, leprechauns notwithstanding, green is considered the luckiest of colors. It is also a lucky color for those born under the signs of Aquarius and Capricorn. Green signifies a positive change, good health, growth, healing, hope, vigor, vitality, peace, and serenity. Green is also symbolic of ones strive to gain recognition and establish ones independence. Money, wealth and jealousy are often associated with this color. Light green symbolizes brilliance.” St. Patrick’s Day 2018 occurs on Saturday, March 17, in observance of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. What began as a religious feast day in the 17th century has evolved into a variety of festivals across the globe celebrating Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and a whole lot of green! Since I love interior design, in honor of St. Patrick’s …

Pantone Ultraviolet Is The Color Of 2018: Ideas On How To Use It In Your Home And Life

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Purple Rain, Purple Rain! The Pantone Color Institute has declared ULTRA VIOLET as THE COLOR of 2018! A gorgeous shade of purple! Looking over this post before publishing it I thought, “wow, this is a really pretty post.” I need more purple in my life. Purple really pops! Have a look! Keep scrolling to get some “purple ideas” for yourself and your home. The color purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, power, and luxury. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Spiritually, the colors purple and violet represent the future, the imagination and dreams, while calming the emotions and keeping us grounded. Purple is also associated with independence, creativity, mystery, and magic. Prince was and still is synonymous with the color purple. He certainly had many of the attributes listed above. Creative, mysterious, imaginative, and somewhat magical. At least in my eyes… Beginning in the year 2000, The Pantone Color Institute names a particular color “Color of the Year”. This color then becomes the “it” color of that particular year. From, clothes, to jewelry, to home …

Trending: Velvet Crush

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Fall has come and gone, but I heard it’s coming back again in just a couple of days! It’s time to bring a little fall fashion into your home! One of the biggest trends this season, not only for clothing, is velvet! And it’s not hard to see (or feel) why. This luxe fabric instantly makes a room look more expensive and it feels divine! Ahhh, velvet! It makes everything seem just a little more luxurious. With it’s regal good looks and unsurpassed softness, it’s hard not to love it. Velvet is chic, stylish, and timeless. You can add velvet to your home in a number of ways, like pillows, sofas, throws, and accessories. And there are colors of velvet to suit just about anyone’s taste and style. Adding velvet doesn’t have to be super expensive either.  There are so many pieces of small-scale furniture and accessories out there, so no need to invest in a huge (and expensive) velvet sofa. Unless you really want to 😉 Like a melting pot, velvet has a lot of …

8 Clever Features To Add To Your Kitchen

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The kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether your building a new home, doing a complete renovation to an existing home, or just remodeling the kitchen, there are a few things you may want to add to make your kitchen more efficient and give it some flair. And, an upgraded kitchen is not a waste of money! Along with bathrooms, kitchens offer the best return on your investment if you go to sell your home. There’s so much available, and many of those tempting options may also be expensive. The first order of business is deciding what you can afford and what you cannot. Make a wishlist and do some research. To get you thinking here are 8 ideas for your upgrade wishlist. Keep in mind that these items are nice to have – not essential… 1. Drawers in the end of the island. So, there is usually “dead space” at the end of most kitchen islands. Why not put it to use with a couple of deep drawers like these. It’s the perfect place to …

Shopping The Round Top Texas Antiques Fair: Tips from a Pro!

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Hi friends! It’s that time of year again! Time for the Round Top Antiques Fair Fall show! And this year marks it’s 50th year of fabulous! In case you haven’t heard, the Round Top Antiques Fair is a bi-annual event with more than 20 venues and 2,000 sellers from all over the country and Europe— it is a mecca for design junkies and collectors attended by thousands of people! Maybe you have seen it on HGTV shows like Fixer Upper and Junk Gypsies. You can find just about anything here! For those of us that live in Houston and surrounding areas it’s an easy hour and half drive. You can literally leave in the morning and come back that same evening! It’s a great day trip to take with your girlfriends! Or book overnight accommodations and stay a while. My good friend Kate Pernoud who is the owner of Maison Pernoud has an exhibit of home decor items and antiques from France and Belgium. You can find her at the Marburger Farm show (Round Top Antiques …

Kate Pernoud of Maison Pernoud: Finding Simple Happiness in Antiques, Travel, and Meeting New People

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So, do you have that friend that travels the globe in search of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind home decor items? She spends time in French villages and eats great food and drinks French wine! Well, I have one of those friends! And while there is some “glamour” to what she does, there is more to it! Read on to hear her story! Today I’d like to introduce you to the beautiful and talented Kate Pernoud (just see her beautiful creations below), someone I am happy to call my friend. Most importantly, Kate is a mom to 2 great children, Grace (14) and Jonathan (12), wife to the handsome Chris, age withheld 😉 and fur baby-momma to Toby the Goldendoodle and Oliver the Maine Coon cat. By all means a happy and fulfilled life, but Kate had a passion all her own (I think we can all relate to that!). A passion for antiques, travel, and meeting new people. Born from that passion was Maison Pernoud, Kate’s own antiques and home decor business. I’d like to mention that Kate …

Home Inspiration: Modern Mountain Home By Studio McGee

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One of my favorite pastimes is looking at homes and finding design and decor inspirations. I was so excited the other day to come across an Instagram post by Studio McGee. I quickly went to my computer and pulled up their website and started perusing. Their work is absolutely stunning! This Modern Mountain Home really caught my attention. I like sharing gorgeous home finds with you all here on the blog! If you share my affinity for home design and decor then read on! While Houston is far from mountainous, I could totally see decorating my home here like this one located outside of Park City, Utah. It’s not what you would typically think of when you think of a home in the mountains. There are so many features that I adore. The clean white walls, the medium-light wood floors, the black framed windows, and the mixed-metal elements. I absolutely love the idea of mixing modern elements with more classic elements. And, this home does it well! Here are a few pictures to intrigue and inspire you… …