Welcome change!

Austin was buzzing this weekend due to the music festival in town.  Every year we have visitors stay with us for the 3-day weekend.  I guess it was just the motivation we needed to revamp our guest room.  So, here is the final product.  We still don't have any art on the walls, but I will probably make something to hang.  The wall color is a warm caramel and feels very calming in this space.  I repainted our antique pie pantry and love the way it turned out!

In Texas they say...

"It's hotter than hell!"  As we head into yet another 100+ degree day,  I am reminded of what our yard used to look like.  Just a couple of month's ago, Matt's Mom and Grandma came to visit and brought us this great piece of yard art.  It's a fancy red globe that changes color as the sunlight hits it.  Looking back at the picture, I can remember having green grass and a thriving flower bed! 

Welcome Change

 This is a piece of art I painted and embellished for the front entry hallway.

 I've been having a hard time finding a rug that I liked and then it came to me...

I'll use several of these throw rugs, to make one long runner.

I took three 2x3 throw rugs and stitched velcro to the ends to connect them as one, long rug. 

 Here's the final look.  I love it and it fits the space perfectly!

New wall color in "homemade butterscotch" that compliments the front door and floors perfectly if I do say so myself!  

Reasons to Celebrate

As an early Christmas gift from my Mom, we got a fireplace!  Since our move-in, we have talked about finding one for the living area.  After searching online, we finally came across this great piece.  Lots of interior designers use ventless gas fireplaces to add warmth to a room and we absolutely love the effect!  Next to our Christmas tree, it was such a relaxing night with wine and cheese celebrating Matt's review at Golfsmith.  We popped open the bottle we bought on our anniversary at the Hill Country winery, Stone House Vineyard.  This season has many reasons to be thankful for the wonderful life we are creating each day.

'Tis the season

We started decorating the house for Christmas.  In two weeks, we will be celebrating the one-year anniversary of our new home.  Last year, we didn't do any decorating because we moved in on the 16th and just thought it was more of a hassle than anything else.  This year, we bought a black pencil tree for the living area and used the small white tree for our guest bedroom.  We even put some lights on our grapevine topiary.  Our house is definitely feeling like the holidays.  I think it's making me fall in love with the house all over again.  We are loving this time of year!

The Globus Among Us

Soft grey leather and cold hard steel.  Two materials meant to coexist.  The combination of the two on this swivel chair harmonize beautifully.  Our anniversary is next week, so this was my 5th wedding anniversary present!  I may have picked it out, but isn't it nice to get exactly what you want?!  haha Matt wasn't complaining because it saved him from having to do any last minute shopping. (:   We created a great little sitting area in our bedroom.  Keeping the dogs out of the chair will probably be the hardest task.  Pretty sure Suki already has her eye on a new napping place.

Far Out Metal

Our newest addition to the living room caught my eye today while I was shopping in South Austin.  I haven't been in this area very much since we've moved east, so I had some catching up to do.  I popped in to a great little home goods store, Far Out Home Fittings, to see the latest finds.  A few locals run this place, and it's constantly changing merchandise.  All one of a kind recycled pieces, so if you see something worth purchasing, you have to grab because it won't be there the next time around.  I picked out this beautiful metal wall art that has capiz shell inlay.  Matt has been wanting something above the TV, so this was it!  I knew it immediately after taking one glance, it belonged in our home.