I'm Back......after a VERY long time. Look what I've been doing!

So.......I've been away from the blogging world for quite some time, but hopefully I'll be sticking around for a while! 2014 brings new adventures and so far I'm loving it! I've started a new business as a home organizer. My business is called the Clutter Counselor. I help clients simplify their lives and get rid of the clutter!

For years, I've been helping friends and family organize their homes and closets, but I thought I would share my expertise with everyone! Sometimes I feel like I missed my calling as an interior designer......but, I figured out how to combine my passion for design/organizing with my experience as a licensed clinical social worker (hence the "clutter counselor"). I'm able to use my skills to help clients identify the problem, make a plan, then work together to solve it. As we work through the clutter and organizational challenges, I teach them how to maintain order in their daily lives....hopefully making their lives less stressful and more efficient. Lastly, I completely "practice what I preach"!!!!

So, here's an example of how I took my organizational ideas to the next level in my own home. This is my linen closet that got a bit disorganized over time. I find that when you try to stack things in piles, as opposed to putting them in baskets/bins, they get disorganized quickly. So, I bought these bins from the Container Store, added some ribbon and a tag, and voila!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Check back for more organizing ideas in the coming weeks!

Bed and Bath

When I was designing the bathroom, I changed my mind several times until I decided on this light, bright and calming design. I ended up with Carrera marble looking porcelain tile with glass tile accents from Sydney Glass Tiles. I really love the way it looks like marble, but it has the ease of cleaning/maintenance of porcelain tile. Again, I should mention that Reagan at The Floor Store of Acadiana was instrumental in helping me decide on the final product. Thanks again, Reagan!

It only made sense to continue this design into the bedroom. So, I retired the heavy, dark wood bed to the attic and bought a fabric covered headboard which changed the entire look of the room. As always, there are still several finishing touches that have not been completed. I have an accent pillow for the bed being made. I'm hunting for a new lamp for Lon's side table and new shades for both lamps. The benches need recovering and a monogrammed duvet is needed for the down comforter at the foot of the bed. The mirror is going to be another crafty project.....covering the entire thing with oyster shells. Oh, and I know it's kinda passe in the design world, but I love my juju hat above my bed. :)

I created the artwork by painting canvases, adding some shells (some found by us on vacations and some acquired over the years) and pouring a clear epoxy over them. It works for now until I can afford some original art. So, I'm off to obsess about the guest bathroom.

A Place to Dine......

Before I post photos of my dining room, here are a few of my Pinterest inspirations.

Source: traceryinteriors.wordpress.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: tginteriors.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: oncewed.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: shopgramercy.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: decordeprovence.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: gblane.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: melanieturnerinteriors.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: mixandchic.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: sarahrichardsondesign.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: veranda.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: thingsthatinspire.net via Ashley on Pinterest

As with the rest of the house, the dining room is a work in progress. Eventually, there will be white wing back chairs at each end of the table to add height and drama.

Source: ballarddesigns.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I love the view out to the courtyard, so I don't want to block the view. But, I would like white silk taffeta drapes to flank the windows.

Source: decorpad.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Here's a few photos of what the dining room looks like now.......

And, as always....more to come!

I'm Back!

It's been a LONG time since my last post. I've been doing lots of projects and continue to find more to do EVERY day. So, the living room is a work in progress. I still need a chair for extra seating and artwork for above the fireplace.

I made the sculptures on the mantle and I'm happy with the way they turned out. I took a break from pottery to focus on moving and unpacking, etc. But, I can't wait to go back in September-so many more ideas!

Just In Time for Spring

We FINALLY have landscaping! This was the biggest problem of the entire building process. Long story short-I decided not to use my builder's landscaper and go with another landscaper that was highly recommended. BIG MISTAKE! Lots of money later......and STILL no plants??? Finally, we decided to do it ourselves because we were tired of looking at empty beds and our time period for planting was getting shorter. My friend Glenda helped me decide what plants we should buy and where to put them. That was a HUGE help because gardening is not my thing! And then, our neighbor James who owns a nursery delivered all the plants. :) After all the hard work of my WONDERFUL husband and son, this is the final product.

Look at my sweet boy!

And my other sweet boy :)

P.S. I helped by "directing" and retrieving beverages :)

Keegan's Room

I LOVE the way Keegan's room turned out! I was so excited that my vision actually came out the way I pictured it in my mind :) Check out my cool rope curtain rods....an Ashley creation. I saw something similar on the Nate Berkus Show, but put my own twist on it. Thanks to Lon who executes all of my crazy ideas! 

I've been collecting several things for his room for some time. I love the boat box that I found at the Red School House in Washington, LA months ago. The bedside table came from World Market. The drapes and blue bedding are from Pottery Barn and PB Teen. The buffalo check shams and quilt are soooooo old, but are Ralph Lauren. I'm a bit of a recycler when it comes to design. I like to use what I have in order to save money and/or I can buy other things that might be needed to update a room, etc. Something that was used in a previous house might be used in a totally different way in this house. 

Keegan picked out his hanging chair this past summer which is from Ikea. Lastly, the nautical wall hangings are from my friend Suzanne who was going to donate them to Goodwill. They belonged to her late father. I told her that I loved them, so they've been cherished by us for years. Suzanne, I think of you and your dad every time I look at them! :)