wedding weekend: ashley goodwin…
Posted: August 10, 2011 Filed under: business., cakes., personal., style & fashion., wedding... Leave a comment »it’s always exciting to be working with brides as their wedding day approaches… anticipation, excitement, there’s so much leading up to this most special day. this weekend i’m working with someone uber fabulous! ashley goodwin… not only did we grace the art institute together but she’s an INCREDIBLE interior designer turned photographer… honestly, i’m beyond words excited that she booked me {over a year ago!} to create her wedding cake… shouldn’t i be nervous?! this girl is amazing! be sure to check her out here and here and wish her the best as she and her new hubs head to hawaii in october… charlotte is sad to see you go!
we’ve come up with something fabulous of course and i simply CANNOT wait to see the mint museum uptown put together for this joyous occasion! i can already tell ya that i’ll be blown away… can’t wait to share it with you soon! happy wedding weekend ashley!!!! xoxo hg
polka dots and booties…
Posted: August 9, 2011 Filed under: business., cakes., party. Leave a comment »here’s a super cute baby shower cake i did a while back… everyone loves polka dots and booties right?! it may just be the most perfect way to welcome a new bundle of joy… it’s a timeless baby cake element with a looking glass twist.
be curious! hg
living small: de-clutter…
Posted: August 8, 2011 Filed under: interiors., living small., personal. 5 Comments »you probably already know that gil and i are big fans of living small… we LOVE our house. all 1300ish square feet of it. and we’re planning on living here for as long as possible {which to us means with cake supplies, guitar gear, a bunny and hopefully babes one day.} we have friends that think we’re crazy, but we really believe we’re on to something great for our future… don’t get me wrong, living in a big house with a big yard, big garage and big fancy kitchen would be fun but living small doesn’t have to feel tiny.
but, it does require a little extra planning and organizing which is why i’m going to start blogging living small tips… hopefully to help you re-fresh, re-evaluate and re-love your space.
1st tip: DE-CLUTTER.
this one is first because it’s probably the MOST important! i like to keep EVERYTHING, but when you’re living small you just can’t do it.
- start small, tackle messes one room at a time.
- once you’ve got a pile going grab a few cardboard boxes and label them according to where things are headed next. {goodwill, habitat for humanity, to a friend in need, buffalo exchange, to sell on craigslist etc.}
- start the “sell something to buy something” rule. gil and i are quickly becoming experts at this! we’ve made it a rule that we don’t buy something new until we sell something else to make room for it. also, it makes breaking even or even making money really fun. it’s a sure fire way to not end up with things you don’t really need. if there’s something you really must have especially furniture… then find a way to rid the old version first. it will keep your wallet happy and your space clear of clutter! {i’m trying figure out what i can sell to get …we’ll see.}
- we don’t have kids yet, but i know this is one thing we’ll do for sure. every few months, have your little ones go through their own rooms and find things they’d like to give away… kids end up with way too many toys and stuffed animals from who know where! talk to them about other kids who are less fortunate than them and then head to a shelter with the goodies.
- start a “small”
collection of reusable shopping bags {canvas, burlap, etc.} and keep a few in your trunk. having these on hand for shopping trips will cut down on piles of paper and plastic bags that you keep with the intention of re-using, but really NEVER do. - pretend like you’re moving: moving isn’t easy, but when it happens you get rid of A LOT of things you don’t need. moving puts on the pressure of only taking the things you HAVE TO HAVE with you. if you wouldn’t pack it and move it to a new house… get rid of it.
the gatch house to-do list…
Posted: August 7, 2011 Filed under: before & after., exteriors., interiors., living small., personal. 2 Comments »i’ve decided to keep a running “gatch house to-do list” on the blog… not only because ocd people like me LOVE making & checking off lists, but i thought it might be fun to see these projects come to life and come to pass in future blog posts as i complete them.
i recently re-tweeted a great quote: “a dream without a plan is just a wish…” that’s good right?! you’ve got to have a plan & the “i must get it done attitude” to see your dreams come to life… the dining chairs i just finished were a huge dream that i had and i am SO excited to have that checked off the list… but there’s always more right? so here we go…
find baskets to line both sides of our bed frame {since it’s so high, i want to camouflage the fact that we have stuff hidden under there, & use the baskets to store things like books, gift wrapping supplies etc.}find and refinish new antique dining chairsfind an antique tall round end table to replace the basket end table that henry chewed up- paint master bath mint green {i have the paint, just have to find the time!}
- start installing glass knobs on kitchen cabinets
- find and install new hardware in both upstairs baths
- organize the attic… {also add floorboards for more space… this might be a fall project!}
- get hooks and etc. to organize garage walls {hang up tools and such}
- find and install ceiling medallion in dining room
start english ivy up the front of our housepick new paint color for main house {lightish grey} and find a painter that can paint our super tall stairwell!shorten the curtains the bun chewed and move them to the guest bath {man, is this bunny just TRYING to create more work for me?!?}- find at least 3 wooden apple crates to make new storage in guest bath
research hardwood floors {for christmas?!}- finalize & have hardwoods installed
- research granite countertops
find out about building a small deck in place of our patio.& have deck built {hopefully by the end of the summer!}find a way to kill the weeds overtaking our backyard!- then, start mapping out the french garden… which will now be in pots!
- look into attaching a window box to the front brick {guest bath window}
buy a slipcover for our couch {i’m thinking this one.}find two matching wingback chairs to replace our chair & a half.build a no-entry entryway, complete with new white trim, hooks for coats a mirror & a console table of some kind.- find a record player table that will hold our player & records… also, get record player fixed
- sell the large black armoire in our dining room on craigslist to replace with a “new” antique china cabinet.
hang our hanging pot rack- find an old wooden ladder for living room
- replace two light fixtures: back door downstairs & stair foyer.
i found my dream couch…
Posted: August 7, 2011 Filed under: favorites., interiors., personal. 2 Comments »but… i didn’t really find it. i stumbled across this photo on one of my favorite blogs. it was a post about displaying your favorite travel photos… great idea right?! but all i could pay attention to was THIS couch. it’s THE couch. the one i’ve had dreamt up in this little head of mine. now i actually know that it exists and i have no idea where to find it. bummer.
i’m hoping one day i’ll track it down or hear someone mention where they’ve seen it, but until then i’ll just drool… and keep my eyes peeled.
*photo courtesy of apartment therapy.
before & after: cane back dining chairs…
Posted: August 6, 2011 Filed under: antiques & trinkets., before & after., how to., interiors., personal. 3 Comments »well, it’s finally time to show all of you the new finished dining chairs! it’s also my first before and after… yay! {i’m excited for this new category} and let me just say that i have a new found respect for anyone who works with furniture… it is NOT easy work. sanding, cleaning, scraping, painting, ripping, pliering, cutting, wrapping, and stapling. it’s intense and i never knew my hands could be so sore. it’s been a labor of love this entire week as i’ve worked like crazy to get them finished…
remember the 4 months of searching?! well, i finally found these beauties on craigslist… i convinced the seller to sell them to me minus the matching table and i got the deal of a lifetime! pocket change for six chairs!! {2 arm chairs and 4 side chairs} the husband was sweet enough to head with me to Salisbury on a sunday afternoon to pick them up. initially, it’s hard to look past the things you immediately aren’t in love with but, i knew the vision i had for these chairs would eventually come to be… monday i started sanding and painting… tuesday: more, wednesday: even more, thursday i started the reupholstering and even though i finished it, i’ve decided i don’t want to see a staple gun again for a VERY long time. friday: finishing touches and now we can sit in them! we’ve been patiently sitting at our coffee table every night for dinner…
honestly, they turned out much better than i expected and my expectations were HIGH! i remember saying while sanding the very first chair “”gil, i’m not sure these are “the ones” yet, but i think they’ll turn out nice.”" he laughed, of course and i kept at it… but now i’m positive. they are everything i wanted and more… and i’m a very happy lady! i hope you like them!
BEFORE:
AFTER:
i hope this inspires you to go on the hunt for something you’ve really been dying for. you shouldn’t ever feel like you have to buy furniture “just to buy” it. this is your home you’re building!! make it the most charming and delightful place you have to escape, a place where you and your family can really be at home together… go all out, give it your all, and make it your own. oh, and be curious… hg
how to: reupholster seat cushions…
Posted: August 5, 2011 Filed under: before & after., how to., interiors. Leave a comment »reupholstering is a somewhat easy {wink} way to update or completely change the look of furniture you may be a little tired of… one day i’d love to master an entire couch but until then i’ll stick with this simple how to on seat cushions. this was my very first attempt at it so i’ll walk you through the technique i came up with and hopefully it will get you curious about tackling your own upholstery project…
the seat cushions on my “new” antique dining chairs weren’t even cushiony. man… at almost 60 years old they were in dire need of an update. i could tell the latex foam inside was pretty much disintegrated so i knew i was in for a mess. here we go…
what you’ll need:
- fabric {i found mine at the oak street mill, yards and yards of upholstery fabric for only $30… mary jo’s in gastonia has a great selection, and don’t be afraid to search your grandmothers attic, use an unexpected print or go bold with velvet!}
- cotton batting
- chair stuffing {head over to your local fabric store to see what you like… i used 2 inch thick poly batting that i bought by the yard. it was difficult to cut, but worked great! there are lots of options when it comes to materials, thicknesses, and buying by the yard or per chair. have someone help you with your measurements too, just to make sure you get enough!} i also recommend taking an original chair cushion and your fabric with you… heck, i even layered mine up on the cutting table and sat on it, just to make sure it was perfect!
- a staple gun and staples
- a flat head screwdriver and pliers
- and a hard, clean work surface
im obsessed: with french style…
Posted: August 3, 2011 Filed under: antiques & trinkets., favorites., interiors., living small., personal., style & fashion. 3 Comments »i’m not sure what it is, but lately i’ve really been into french-esque style… maybe it’s because i can’t stop thinking about our honeymoon to PARIS next month! oh my! maybe it’s because the dream of a french garden in our backyard is eating me up! i can’t wait for it to cool down outside so i can get started on it… OR maybe it’s because all the fabulous photos i keep finding make me want to put a french twist on our casa as it continues to mold into US.
i know you’re thinking toile, but i don’t want french country… i want french chic’ with a modern freshness. worn hardwoods, velvet and burlap mixed together, cane back anything, pulled puff drapes, and curved feet on furniture, like this:
i have no words. i heart it all.
i heart cane back chairs.
haven't found the perfect ceiling medallion YET... almost.
Gil can we please!?!?!?!?!?
see, you can have comfortable and pristine...
ooh aah... bath time!
and who hasn’t daydreamed of being alive in Paris in the 1920′s… the sights, the sounds, the culture, the furniture!! and have you seen midnight in paris yet?! i have to admit i saw it twice, 2 days in a row… it’s fantastic. oh and let me mention that Owen Wilson’s name in the movie is Gil. how fitting? i’ve been chatting to the hubs about my new obsession a lot lately and i think i pointed out cane back at least 10 times while we were watching the flick… if you haven’t seen it yet, i highly recommend it! not only for the cute storyline, but for the breathtaking scenery, incredible costume and set design, AND you can thank me later for how it will inspire you. to paint, write, dance, explore cole porter, dress up, anything!
when i found this photo i squealed! first, what a perfect moment. oh, and notice the cast iron table bases {just like ours!} and the french cafe chairs… this became my new inspiration for our dining chairs… and what a work in progress that has been…
i missed my decade... i'm sure of it!
remember my post about the ghost chairs? well, i didn’t end up getting them after all… i seriously wanted them SO badly! i talked and talked about them, and even ordered them but, when you have an attentive, stylish and very much honestly interested in all things having to do with home or fashion, handsome husband like mine… his opinion matters. {we’re weird like that, i share my opinions about his golf gear too, and he let’s me!} and he HATED the ghost chairs. I could see where he was coming from of course, we could have bought 4 new sets of chairs for what they cost and they are made of PLASTIC. ok, ok, ok! so, i decided to wait… until i found something else i LOVED. something with more character and maybe something of a project.
although i didn’t blog about it, french inspired cane back chairs were what i was hunting for… FOR 4 MONTHS. for four months, i shopped online every where i could think of, i checked craigslist all the time, i trecked around every antique store within driving distance and most recently i even tried to convince Gil to let me ship some home from Paris itself if i found some there… but, i found them. and they are perfectly perfect in every way. i can’t wait to show them to you, but not quite yet!
i’ve been working hard and my goal is to have them finished and blog posted by this weekend. until then, share your favorite french style with me and be curious… hg
this blog post is dedicated to my sweet neighbors katie and taylor who let me borrow their mac charger. {mine was chewed by henry then bun… again! and i have to buy a new one stat!} thanks friends!!
