Tonight, I sit in the bar my husband painstakingly and perfectly created, to tell you the story of our shield.  I tend to write better when things are deeply personal. And when I have a drink in hand and good music playing, the cage that holds back emotion finds the key. (see the bar here) I think it best to start at the beginning, so hang in there. I will get to it. Fourteen years ago this April, Todd and I walked blindly into the world of the small business ownership.  It helps to be young and stupid when stepping feet first into an abyss that is completely foreign and really has no end.  I mean, thank goodness for all the brave fools who decide to own businesses. Small business accounts for some 60 million jobs which is roughly half of all employment. Seriously, half!  For most of us, business ownership starts with a dream, not so much a plan.  The plan eventually comes, but it’s rough and gory and pretty much like throwing darts while blindfolded.  Where the small business warriors lack sometimes in planning, we make up for in agility.  When things need to change, we change them.  […]

The screen is blank. As I stare at the curser before me, I am paralyzed by the task of finding the perfect words. How do you properly describe a project that lived inside a craftsman’s head for the past 20 years? Now it lives outside for everyone to see. A bar designed and built by the dreamer.   You almost have to adjust your lens when you first see it. You can’t expect the latest trend or some crazy use of color. You must instead understand the link from the past to this very present moment. The scale and detail that creates lasting architecture that will stand for 100 years. Unchanged. There is drama in its darkness.  There is mystery in its light.   What invites you to this place to drink and talk with friends? The answer is complex. This is not your typical basement bar. It’s nestled into the front porch, stealing its long length from a little more than half of the old screened in area. There are original glass French doors that lead directly to the formal dining room. Light comes from all sides, yet the mood is dark.   The beam ceiling was created from a dying white oak […]

Hello, friends! We’re back with another addition of “Friday Favorites.” We get asked all of the time about how and where to buy the best bar and counter stools, so today we are tackling the subject. When we are working on a design project, the bar stools are what complete the look. They are the shining beacon added to the island that says, “alas the project is complete!” What a sigh of relief when we get to this point, and I think that our clients would agree wholeheartedly. So, where do you begin?  There is such a vast assortment of stools out there that it’s hard to know what to do. Here are some great tips and tricks for choosing the perfect seats for your space. WHAT IS THE PERFECT SIZE FOR MY BAR STOOLS: The standard height of most kitchen islands is thirty-six inches high. When choosing your stool, you will want to go with a seat that is 24-27 inches high. This is a counter-height stool. Going with anything higher is going to be uncomfortable and look awkward in your space.  If you are choosing a seat for an island that is higher, such as a standard pub […]

Hi Friends! Welcome to “Friday favorites.” You asked for tips, and we listened. We’ll be sharing great ideas and inspiration to help you create the home of your dreams. Spring has sprung and we are ready to get outside! So, this week let’s talk about creating the perfect outdoor living space. It is very easy to create an inviting gathering area for family and friends with just a few easy steps. 1. Pillows We love pillows and adding them to your outdoor space gives you not only the perfect pop of color, it provides a sense of coziness and comfort. We suggest outdoor fabric to prevent mildew and dirt build-up. You can find them almost anywhere and in a large variety of prices to fit your budget. A few great sources are Target, Williams Sonoma, Wayfair, Overstock, Amazon, Ballard Designs, and Pottery Barn just to name a few, but there are loads of retailers out there. Outdoor pillows are a great way to use bold colors if you usually stick to neutrals, and want to change things up. Here are a few different looks for this season: bold stripes, colorful prints, geometric patterns, and pillows with icons are all great […]

“Every once in a while I take a giant step outside my normal confined “kitchen/bath lady” role. I agree to take on a project that includes an entire renovation from top to bottom. That means window selection, HVAC discussions, fighting for old doors to be used and dreaming of details that would do justice to a home. The thing that these projects all have in common is not what you might think. The thread that ties them all together is the people. Really dang good people. If you have been on a journey like this with me it’s because I really like you. I also at some point along the way have fallen deeply in love with your home. I am fully invested in its happiness. These pictures were taken yesterday. The day before move-in day. It’s one of my favorite days to be on site, listening to the panicked scramble and hustle and bustle. So much happens in this day. Lights get hung, paint gets a final coat and door hardware finds it’s home. I get asked a million questions about Where? How? When? and I love to make those quick decisions that keep it all moving. It’s where […]

I’m a sucker for a good quote. The ability to sum up an idea or concept succinctly is a very compelling thing. Words are powerful. String the right words together and they have the ability to heal, to hurt, to motivate and turn something on inside the soul. To me the digestion of words is therapy. When I just can’t, words help me do. They help organize my thoughts and emotions and motivate me to act. I have collected a few insanely well-written sentences and included my not so dynamic ramblings about why they are fuel to me. “Creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday.” –Ray Kroc I am often thought of as a “creative”. What does that even mean? On most days I feel like Ray Kroc hit the nail on the head. Plus, I like that really successful people use the word “highfalutin”. “Leave it better than you found it.” –Bruce A. Nordstrom This is a dang good way to allow yourself room to breathe. The redesign of a room can be rather suffocating at the start. The expectations of what you can and need to do can out […]

It is my belief that the “Craftsman” is becoming an endangered species. A nose to the grindstone, unassuming species, adorned with tool belts slung across their shoulders or hung around their waists, their name is “Craftsmen.” By nature, they are accommodating and analytical, and they produce highly precise and accurate work; but they have been hunted to near extinction by an aggressive and unhappy race of new consumers. Now they can be found wandering around alongside the giant panda, the Grus Americana whooping crane, and other endangered species. A person of this species is highly skilled at working in the manual arts and is motivated by the mastery of his trade. He is an artisan with distinctive, technical, tireless skill. He builds the infrastructure of our daily lives through the trades which include electrical, mechanical, framing, HVAC, finish carpentry, stone masonry, plumbing, and more. We believe these are jobs and people we must value. Let’s get to the “how do you kill them” part. To kill a craftsman, you’ve gotta hit ‘em where it counts. A true craftsman is highly skilled and innovative. He puts his soul into everything he touches. He deserves our respect. So, load your ammo and […]

A kitchen can be filled with beautiful cabinets, countertops and decorative accoutrements, but if the layout and space don't work well, it's not an effective design. In kitchens, more than any other room, a good space plan is critical. The most efficiently designed kitchens are focused around a “work triangle”.

A kitchen can be filled with beautiful cabinets, countertops and decorative accoutrements, but if the layout and space don't work well, it's not an effective design. In kitchens, more than any other room, a good space plan is critical. The most efficiently designed kitchens are focused around a “work triangle”.