Magnificent Monday

After a somewhat disappointing weekend, finding out I didn't get the job at Ethan Allen, today has been quite a wonderful day.  I had another interview with a new company today and I think it went really well!  I was scheduled to meet for a second interview next week, so I'm hoping (fingers crossed!) that means she liked me and I have a good shot at this position.  I love the furniture and, from what I saw today at the store, I think I would fit in great with the employees.  I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, but I have a good feeling about this!

Not only did the interview go well, but I got my very first bubble necklace in the mail today!!!! I have been day dreaming of owning one of these necklaces ever since they came out at J Crew for $150.  However, those of you that know me, know there was no way I'd ever buy a necklace for $150!  I had seen a few on sale at other places for $50, but that still seemed high to me.  Then I saw an offer on facebook for the necklace at the low price of $9.99 AND free shipping!  I snagged one in navy, and even though I had to wait a month to get it, it was definitely worth it!!  It's my absolute favorite necklace and I can't wait for my ivory one to come next! This is the ivory one on it's way to my wardrobe from Ily Couture :) for only $16!  You can snag this deal on living social here!  Do it, you'll LOVE the necklace!!

And now as wonderful as my day already sounds, it only gets better tonight!  That's right folks, it's that time of the year when all of my favorite shows come back on TV.  While I may sound like a complete couch potato after telling you all of the shows I watch, just understand that if you start watching any of them you'll get hooked too!  And hey, seeing as how I'm unemployed at the moment, I am fully embracing my couch potato days and plan to enjoy every minute of these shows!  Although, I must say that I hate that all the good shows come on at the same time.  Once their sesaons end, nothing is on TV.  I wish prime time channels would space out their great shows throughout the year. But I digress.  It's going to be a good week, I can feel it!

On tonight:  Bones, Dancing With the Stars, Warehouse 13, Alphas,  & Castle
Tomorrow:  Dancing With the Stars, NCIS, & NCIS Los Angelos
Wednesday:  Criminal Minds (My ABSOLUTE favorite!  Everyone must watch it!), CSI
Thursday: Person of Interest

Happy Monday Y'all!!

Master Bedroom Makeover

A couple of weeks ago my sister's friend, Janice, contacted me for design help on her master bedroom.  She and her husband recently moved into a new home and wanted to update their bedroom from a traditional frumpy purple, to a cleaner more transitional space.  She and her husband had already purchased a set of furniture but wanted to change up the paint and decor.  After consulting on a paint color and getting the furniture in place, Janice and I set out shopping for bedding, window treatments, and accessories for the room.  She wanted something clean, with texture, and in the blue/grey/green family.  We found some beautiful selections from West Elm (a new favored store of mine that just opened at Southpoint, you should check it out!) and got the room all set up.  I really enjoyed working with Janice.  She was very pleased with how the room turned out, as was I, and I believe it will be a great bedroom ensemble for them to enjoy for years to come.  Here are some before, during, and after shots.  Enjoy!

 This is how the previous owner had the bedroom set up and displayed when Janice and her husband bought the house.

 How I first saw the room. (Sorry for the terrible quality I forgot my camera and had to use my phone)

 The master bedroom connected to their private bath which was painted in a beautiful green they wanted to keep.  We chose a blueish/green gray for the bedroom to tie in with the bathroom.

The finished product.  She has a beautiful wedding picture that will be going above the bed soon.

If you, or someone you know, would like design help on their next project let me know.  I am always looking for ways to expand my portfolio and get more design experience.  

Send me an email for more information on the services I offer, pricing information, and ways I can assist in your remodeling projects. 

allysonhemric@gmail.com

Gender Neutral Bedroom

Are you trying to find a style for your bedroom that will mesh your feminine flair with your spouse's...well...not so feminine style?  This can be a difficult task for any couple to achieve.  Trying to find that perfect blend of masculine mixed with feminine, while still remaining gender neutral can be a daunting task.  Not to worry however, the best way to find some neutral ground is through compromise!!  Ladies say goodbye to your over the top floral and lace items, and gentlemen put your sports memorabilia else where.  Neither of these items will find a home in a gender neutral space.  Save the lace for your personal office ladies, and guys save the sports items for your man cave.  The bedroom is a place where two become one and must equally feel at home.  Some easy ways to do this are:

1.  Pick a color you can both agree on.  Pink and bright blue probably aren't going to cut it.  Some great neutral colors are:  beige, grey, light blues, greens, and yellows.  My personal favorite color when combining styles is to choose beige or grey. They are timeless and will transition flawlessly as your design aesthetic evolves. They both can have a masculine or feminine quality depending upon the furnishings you place in the room.  If you or your husband are dead set on have a particular color the other can't imagine, try putting it in small areas as an accent rather than on the walls.  After all, pillows, curtains, and lamps are a quick, easy, and cheap fix for a new look!  If you get tired of that bright red or duke blue accent lamp a quick coat of spray paint can do wonders!

This floral curtains and tea set add a feminine touch, but when set against a masculine bed, comforter, neutral pillows, and sleek hardwood furniture the space becomes neutral.  Both genders are equally represented without overpowering the other one.

If you take the bed skirt, sofa, and side table out, this room would scream masculinity. However there are equal touches of both sexes here making the space appropriate for anyone!

2. Make sure you balance the masculine and feminine touches in the room. If you choose a very straight lined, masculine, wood bed, then soften it with a more feminine duvet.  This also goes the other way. If you purchase a hand carved, ornate, and luxurious bed frame, then tone it down with a masculine comforter.  This works the same for every other piece in the room as well.  Maybe all of the furniture and bedding has a distinct masculine flair.  You can easily add a soft touch through a crystal chandelier or lace throw pillow on the bed.  Making sure that you and your husband both feel represented throughout the space is key!  If every piece only represents one person, you will never create a cohesive design.  Some other great ways to balance the two: Add a rustic bedside table with a feminine lamp on top.  Also try a sleek leather chair he loves with a soft pillow on it.  There are many easy ways to mix the various styles into every area of a bedroom.  Remember that you must compromise!  For every feminine accent you add, he gets to add his own masculine touch somewhere in the space and vice versa. You'll be happily surprised how well everything will blend when you make  decisions together with the other person in mind!

This is a great example of how to balance the two perfectly.  The masculine leather tufted headboard propped against a soft and luxurious mound of pillows positioned beside a feminine antique chair is a combination to die for.  Both genders are equally represented through color, texture, furniture, and accessories.

This bedroom hands down wins my favorite gender neutral space of the night.  The architecture of the exposed wood beam ceilings above the dark gorgeous hardwood floors makes this a space any man would feel comfortable in.  Then you add a beautiful chandelier, a sofa, and side chair and it's a room fit for a queen as well.  The best part is that not only is each gender represented uniquely in some pieces, there are also key pieces that flawlessly represent them both.  Take the side table for example.  Its rustic exposed wood screams masculinity, but the curvilinear shape adds a feminine touch. Then you have the bed; clean sleek lines both genders can enjoy topped with a neutral bedding and pillows.  Simply breathtaking!

3. Choose neutral patterns. That Duke comforter he had in college, and your Hawaiian bedding are simply not going to cut it in this space.  Go for patterns such as stripes, plaid, houndstooth, or chevrons.  While plaid may sound very masculine and chevrons may scream feminine to you, both can be a very beautiful neutral choice if done in the right scale and colors.  Stripes are a pretty safe choice, but search around for other options you can both fall in love with.  Patterns are a great way to add interest to a bedroom without going over the top.

 A beautiful example of a neutral chevron.  This feminine pattern when paired down to masculine colors becomes a neutral palette both can enjoy! 

Great example of how to make plaid gender neutral.  Add a rustic vibe to your bedroom with this bedding but soften the look with a one-of-a-kind headboard and monogrammed throw pillow.

4. Add personal touches to your bedroom. My favorite tip for when designing a couple's bedroom is to include personal items you both made, bought, or found together.  Things like pictures of the two of you, souvenirs from recent trips, furniture you bought together, or decorative pieces you found scouring the flea market.  Whatever it is that you and your husband enjoy the most together, add something from it to your space.  Maybe you both love collecting old records; then create artwork out of some of your recent finds.  Maybe you're both photographers; frame a few of the pictures you took together.  Or perhaps you both love antiques; add your favorite find to the bedroom whether that be a side chair, table, or even the bed itself.  Adding reminders of all the things you love to do together in such an intimate space will bring you closer together and create a cohesive feel you can both fall in love with!

Creating a gender neutral space is not difficult, it just takes some patience.  Remember to keep each other's wants and needs in mind when designing your bedroom and it will turn out perfectly!


Do you have a favorite tip when it comes to decorating for both sexes?


*Disclaimer: All pictures found through Google images. I do not claim these as my personal work, simply my inspiration!*

Life Update

It is 6:40pm on April 19,2012.  I am currently in Norton, doing nothing other than waiting for our Steakhouse reservation at 7.  I have completed, PDFed (yes I made that up), and submitted the last phase of my Senior Seminar project.  Aka I'm basically DONE!!!!!!!!!!! Ha!  And it's an entire day early (I think that's a first!)

While this day has been nothing short of chaotic, it has turned out to be a pretty great day.  I got some training in for Market, took a final exam, presented my portfolio, and submitted my project.  I'd call that a successful day!  Not only that but I also realized this morning that this is my last day of class.  Ever. 

Try to wrap your head around that for a moment......I know I can't either! It's absolutely insane! I never in a million years thought this day would come.  I still have a few minor things to do for my portfolio class, I have to present my Senior Seminar project, and take my sociology final exam, but basically I'm done with college.  Insane.

On another note, I have spent the last week working very busily in the Lazar Showroom helping set up for market. As you may know from past posts, I've worked in the Lazar showroom for the past three markets assisting the Florida sales rep with his clients.  This time, I contacted Debra Venti who is in charge of all of the fabric selections, applications, and setup for market, and asked to be a part of the premarket.  It has been an incredibly long week, but I have absolutely loved getting to see this side of market!! This is one of the first times I have actually gotten to have hands-on experience with design.  I was a bit hesitant and unsure of my abilities at first, but once we got into it I got really comfortable with things.  I learned floral arranging is not my strong suit, but I love to accessorize. Design is definitely not a glamorous job, but it is so rewarding! I learned a lot and took a lot of inspiration from Debra and how she set things up.  It's true, only 10% of design is taught in the classroom, the rest you learn in the field!

When we started the showroom basically looked like this, except it was completely empty minus a few tables and lamps:

As we worked and unwrapped all of the furniture that slowly came in, the showroom began to look a little more like this:

With a lot of this:

Sadly, that's only the wrappings from about 20 of the 240 pieces of furniture we unwrapped this week.  I told you, it's not glamorous!

For a while there, Debra was worried the showroom would not get done, but we did the entire space in 5 days! Kind of crazy, but so rewarding to see!  You'll have to wait to see the after pictures until later this week :)!

On a completely other random note, I figured I should update about my graduation challenge....or lack there of.  With the last phase of my project being due today, finals right around the corner, and market starting I have had very little time to workout.  Plus when there was time, I was so tired from running around High Point all day that I was just plain to tired and lazy to go workout. Does helping unwrap and move 200 pieces of furniture count at all?? I know, I know, those are just excuses.  I'm letting myself fall back into my lazy ways, but I'll get back on track after market!  I had hit the 10 pound mark, but unfortunately I'm back to more like 8 pounds lost now.  That's still progress, but not nearly where I wanted to be at this point. I just need to make the time to go workout and not let tiredness be an excuse anymore.  This summer Cassie and I will be workout buddies, so I'm hoping that will keep me motivated.  I can do this, I just have to put in the effort!

Speaking of tired, I think I will head to bed now.  Seeing as how I started this blog post at 6:40 and it is now after 11pm.  My first day of real market begins tomorrow!  Time to bring in the money!!

Goodnight!

Design Inspiration: Future Apartment Design

With graduation getting so close, I can't help but to start dreaming up ideas for my apartment.  I'm hoping to get a job near home so I can save money for a few months, but it won't be long before I get my own place.  Lately I have fallen in love with what I call "rustic modern" design.  I love the warmth of the colors, rustic accents, its homeyness, the simplicity, and the beauty in these designs. I've been saving pictures as design inspiration for months now and thought I'd share a few of them with you.  I'll probably have to buy new upholstered furniture pieces when I get my own place, but luckily my grandfather either owns or can easily find rustic antique treasures! Just the other day, Pa gave Erin and I some beautiful old window frames from his barn in the pasture.  While he got those out, I saw a bunch of old tables and furniture pieces that I'd love to fix up and have one day.  Pa told me I had to wait until I got an apartment, so well... it just added to my apartment dreams :)!  What can I say, I think it runs in my blood.  Here are some of my favorite inspiration photos:

 I want this coffee table!!!  ---^

Notice a reoccurring theme? I need to find an apartment with beautiful beams running across the ceiling. Unfortunately I don't think that's an option for an apartment, but maybe in my first house?!  I've also decided I have a deep love for white/beige sofas.  They may not be the most practical, but they sure are gorgeous!  Match a beige sofa with some beautiful warm browns, earthy greens, grays, and yellows and you've got my dream space.  Simply stunning.  

One can dream....not long until it becomes a reality!

Friday (Four &) Five: Baker Edition

Sitting at Baker today, I was trying to come up with an idea for my Friday Five, when it hit me that I should show you all my favorite Baker pieces.  As I walked through the showroom, picking just 5 items was a bit hard.  Everything is so beautiful here and ultra-comfortable. So instead of just picking 5 items, I chose my five favorite pieces, along with my four favorite spots/exhibits in the showroom (hence the Friday Four & Five title).  So brace yourselves to see some beautiful items and be prepared: This post will be picture overload!

My Five Favorite Pieces in Baker:
5.  The Anneau Table Lamp.  I love the organic curves and appeal of this lamp. It would go well in almost any contemporary or transitional space.  It comes in bronze or white and retails around $2,000 depending on the finish.

4. Thomas Pheasant Temple Console. This beautiful console table with classical column legs is perfect for an entry way, small buffet in a dining room, or as an elegant console table in a living room.  It retails around $7000.

3.  Thomas Pheasant Paris Bed. This is the perfect upholstered bed, with a tufted headboard, beautiful pillows, and elegant fabrics.  It's a king size which everyone loves and I think it is absolutely stunning! Retail price starts around $10,000, as shown its $13710 (I think I have good taste!).

2. Thomas Pheasant Etagere. These last two were a little bit harder for me because I love them both equally.  They are both, hands-down, my absolute favorite pieces in the ENTIRE showroom.  This etagere (or as you call it bookshelf) is absolutely stunning. It comes as one unit and while it is gorgeous standing alone, it is breath-taking when grouped together. See for yourself.  (I think I'm going to get Pa to make a knock-off version of this for me one day!) Retail price $9150.

 

I love the crisp white books and accents used on this grouping! (keep a lookout, you may see this again further down)

A smaller grouping with colorful accents. Stunning isn't it?

1. Thomas Pheasant Moderne Wing Chair.  Like I said, this chair and the etagere above are both my favorite pieces, but I listed this one as number one because of its comfort quality. You'd have to sit in it to understand, but this chair hugs you when you sit.  It's my favorite place to relax in the showroom and I would love to have it in my house one day.  I can picture myself curling up in a blanket on this chair with a nice cup of hot chocolate enjoying my favorite movie.  Oh yes.  I will own this one day! Retail price starts at $5775, as shown $7623.

Now for my Four Favorite areas in Baker:

4.  The McGuire Chair Wall: The very first time I walked through Baker, this is the display that stuck out in my mind.  I love the creative display for chairs. You get to see every style, finish, angle, etc.  Genius I tell you, and beautiful!

3. The Fabric Walls: Obviously with my major I have a true obsession love for beautiful fabrics.  This wall is one of my favorite places to explore, along with the sample fabrics to the left and right of it.  I love having access to high quality fabric samples.  It comes is very handy with my major. 

2. The Lamp Wall: Now come on, what designer wouldn't love this wall?? Fabulous I tell you! They've got pretty much every lamp Baker carries on display here and as stunning as it looks, it's even more fun to explore.  I can't wait until I can actually look with the intent to buy!

1. And my all time favorite place in the showroom.  Can you guess it?  The Thomas Pheasant Bedroom:  Surprised? Clearly since 3 of my 5 favorite Baker pieces are all in one room, this is my favorite place!  I want this bedroom setup so badly. It's perfect. (I was sitting in the Moderne Wing Chair when I took this)

Whew! I think that's enough pictures for one day! It's time for me to get up off my favorite chair and hit the road to go home.  Off to decorate Erin's apartment now!!