still grateful & Jill Brinson

So Happy Thanksgiving!  This is me, thankful for a clean and quiet home.  There is really no other way to scrub and clean and organize for a shoot than kicking out my husband and the boys.  We are having Thanksgiving today at my in-law's place at Lake Lanier....so I just pleaded for them to head out early.  I was so happy to walk around in a clean and ready house that I had to pull out the camera at 9 pm.  It is like spotting the Lochness Monster.  When you have little boys, no one would ever believe your home was clean.  You try to catch a shot for proof.

Sherry came over and spent about all day with me.  I wish I had before pictures of my office.  (Just insert "Hoarders" here and you can imagine.  When they came to scout our home this was where I threw everything without a home.  You couldn't walk in it.)

She took everything out, organized and put it back in (beautiful) order.  I am so thankful for her help!

She really is like a mentor, too.  She's been designing for fifteen years, and been published often, so she has so much information to share and I am like a little sponge when I'm with her.  She gives me tips on what she does with clients, shows me hidden resources in Atlanta and spends hours with me in ADAC.  Why?  She is just that kind of a person.  While she was working I was trying to organize, but mostly I was pulling out old tear-sheets and saying, "Look, Sherry!  Couldn't you eat this room?"  She would oblige and then continue cleaning up my crap.

I am not a real fan of color-coded books in libraries, but LOVE them in an office!  So calming on the eye.

Why didn't I think of putting lamp shades with lamp shades?

And Elle Decor with Elle Decor and Country Home with Country Home?  This decorator is so happy.

She even pulled out a roll of burlap from her trunk and cut me a runner for my desk on the spot.  (I'll get a  pic next time.)

It is weird (and good) being in the house alone.  I won't lie.  

I pulled out my heavy, velvet blanket...

Found Julia on demand...(little tidbit here.  I used to teach at Campbell High School where she went.  I even taught English with her former teacher, Mrs. Romanchuk.  Some good stories there.)

Found another friend....

And one of my best friends.

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And about Jill Brinson--I am such a dork.  How did I not know that the photographer, Rob Brinson, is married to her and lives in this home?  I just didn't put two and two together.

Sherry told me this.  I hope I can act a little normal around him.  His wife has perfect taste--there are not many homes where I love everything about it.  

You know this home....forget football and pie, here is your after turkey snack:

Can you pick a favorite from this kitchen?  I think the lights and the windows.  And this table/island?!  What do you love?

(All from Housebeautiful.com)

And next time I'll be posting it will be from milkandhoneyhome.com (almost done)

Enjoy your families today...I'm off to the lake to kiss my boys.   

Julie

This and That Friday (eye candy)

So glad it's Friday today.  Aren't you?

Here is a little treat from Denmark.  One of my favorite blogs in the world, Sanctuary, posted this sweet and colorful kitchen the other day.  Do you not love the blue & green, the square tiles, and the rusticness?  (coined a word there)

I can't get over how much my aesthetic is born from all things from Sweden and Denmark (and that is my heritage...I mean, generations ago)  I know I will always love white.

On another note, yesterday I was receiving an abundance of emails.  Now I know why.

Those little Homegoods scouts must be sneaky.  They didn't tell me they were going to use this blog to help advertise their lamps.  Hope I can help....I do love Homegoods  

(feel free to contact me for my address so you can share the love, HG.  Just kidding...kind of)

Thanks to Sherry for sending me the link!  Y'all have to see her blog...and her work.  (Here is her bathroom below:)

Next, Anisa wishes to sell her table and chairs seen here.  (White round table & four woven chairs with white cushions, $400)

Lastly, I am trying to locate the wallpaper on the bottom left.  Can anyone help?  It it silver mylar with the cream graphic.  (Here is Frank Keenan from Cottage Living--Fran, if you or your friends may happen to see this post, I would love to interview you, too!  We love your style.  I can't find you...I've tried)

Have a great weekend!!!  Julie & Anisa

good bones, baby

This is a listing of a charming home in Mobile, Alabama.  Why am I looking at homes in Mobile, you ask? Good question.

Well, Katie (my online client there) was telling me a story about a home for sale in her hometown whose owners have some killer style.  I had a moment so I poked around to try to find it.

I didn't find that home.  But I did find this gem with a beautiful schoolhouse 10-light door and ebonized floors...

And some pretty amazing lighting.

double fireplaces!!

I find it really true that if you start with good bones...it almost doesn't matter what you put in the home.

It is like Giselle.  Put her in a paper bag and she's still a knockout.

                                Sometimes it is fun to look at real estate.  I did it for SO long, though, before we          
                                bought this home, I think I have had enough for a lifetime.  Are you a stalker?

this home is sooo Athens

My daddy and all his kinfolk were born in Athens, Georgia.  Even though I didn't go to college at UGA, Chris did.  My soul bleeds red and black.  But it's not just football.  Athens is like a little Europe in the south.  The old homes, the quaint and quirky downtown with its ubiquitous "townies", the good food, the cheap beer.  I lived there briefly with a boyfriend I later married for 92 days.  (Yep, was married before.  I knew better...but didn't know better).

When I saw this home in October's Southern Living Magazine I said, "Yes.  Lindsay Bierman knows what he's doing."

This home has soul.  You can tell artists live here.  And that is soo Athens.

(Sorry no Darryl Carter post yet.  I had an "electric margarita" a la Urban Electric and then proceeded with two Liberty School chardonnays.  I am hurting too much to deal with downloads.  I know I can only have one glass.  I need to grow up.  I am a mom!  I can't do that.)

(Lucy, the homeowner who worked for Hable Construction, even looks like my friend from Athens, Rachel)

And the Athen's band:  (Do you have to ask?  If I were stranded on an island this would be the band I would take...and Murmur would be the album.)

And a quick update on a project:  We're almost done with her home!  Here Kate is finishing up the leopard stencil in champagne again.  (Can you tell I am loving stencils lately?)  Isn't that cool?  Happy Halloween Friends!!!   Julie