Author: stayawhiledesigns

Jump Start on January

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Huge day over here! Not only is my fever down and I’m finally out of bed, but the boys and I got seriously serious about cleaning out and organizing this house! I had a long list, and honestly, I still do. I didn’t come close to tackling it all today and that is totally cool with me. One thing at a time for this girl. I feel proud and motivated and free of kitchen clutter and crumbs!

The boys each checked one thing off their lists too! E cleaned out his desk and V tackled his nightstand (woah, gross). Let’s just say we haven’t had a fish in this house for over 2 years so there’s no excuse for his drawer to be littered with fish food flakes. Yuck!

So…what’s on your list today?

I don’t know about y’all, but I can be a bit of a dish and glass breaker. I’m one martini glass down after the holidays and a few of my dinner plates have cracks and chips. This is a great time to order a few replacements and replenish supplies. I also cleaned out the spice rack and…yikes…most of them were expired. Heading over to spiceology.com to fill ‘er up.

Step Right Up!

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Come one come all…it’s PARTY TIME!  Oh did I have fun with the hot glue gun for this circus shingdig!  Once again, I was honored to be asked to decorate for UBC’s Welcome to Children’s Ministry Luncheon!  The goal is to incite curiosity, wonder and excitement for the incoming kindergarten and first graders as they Step Right Up to all the fun that awaits them in Children’s Ministry.

The chapel is a large room with incredibly high ceilings.  It’s always a challenge to make the space seem intimate and inviting.  Without careful planning, a room of that size can easily eat up your decor and all your hard work will go unnoticed.

In order to avoid the dreaded space-eating-decor scenario, I swagged colorful pennant bunting across the room in a random pattern and instantly brought the focus down to where I wanted it.  I welcomed all who passed with giant popcorn cups filled with yellow and white balloons and each table was set with a one of a kind circus themed centerpiece.  (I’m still picking off hot glue strings and glitter from my hair.) With a church event and a conservative budget, crafting and good ‘ol fashioned sweat equity is always the best bang for the buck.  Thanks again UBC, for getting me away from the tile and drywall dust for some fun with glitter and glue and a chance to Step Right Up for some seriously cute fun.

Rachel’s Renovation Part 4

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Y’all, 8 weeks is a LONG time! We’ve been so fortunate to have hubby’s parents let us stay at their beach house for 2 weeks and even their own home for a week but there’s nothing like being back in your own bed. (Even if it’s your guest room bed upstairs.) It seems like the to do list is still incredibly long but I know that the dust will soon settle and we’ll be home sweet home.

My office desk is being delivered tomorrow (yikes, there’s no place to put it) and the tub should be in Houston by Thursday! I have boxes stacked with lighting and door knobs and cabinet hardware, shelving and even circus decor for an upcoming party I’m planning. Gulp. Little by little it’s getting put back together. Trying to stay positive and remember that I didn’t come this far only to come this far.

Rachel’s Renovation Part 2

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Yes, this is uncomfortable and at times challenging but I know it will all be worth it. Thankfully, I’ve had enough experience to expect the unexpected. Cuz y’all, surprises pop up every single job. I’m not immune to it either. Mirrors break, pipes crack, and bathtubs are never delivered on time. So pour a tall glass of wine and surround yourself with your pretty tile samples because it’ll be over before you know it.

Rachel’s Renovation Part 1

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To all my past clients that I’ve put through a renovation, I FEEL YOU! This is for sure uncomfortable but I know it will be SO worth it!  I keep telling myself that it’s a much needed spring cleaning and a perfect opportunity to go through drawers and cabinets and closets that desperately needed organizing.  And wine.  Lots of wine.  There’s a vid below that walks you through my house and gives the details on the projects that are coming.  Thanks for enduring this with me.  Can’t wait to see and post some big changes!

Done! (almost, sorta, kinda)

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Really sorry for all the crying and blubbering but y’all, this one has got me all in tears.  Tonight, 8 months after the flood, she sleeps back home.

None of this would have been possible without all the amazing and generous donations of time, money, sweat, and free labor from friends AND strangers.  University Baptist Church and it’s members not only served for days mucking her out and sorting through her things, doing her laundry, ripping out flooring and drywall, but they also donated over $8,000 to pay for her appliances! My parents, without hesitation, let this kind stranger and her dog live in their condo while she waited for her FEMA housing.  My landscaper, Lorenzo Carbajal donated his time and labor to give her a new flower garden in the front and the back even in the midst of doing his own flood repairs.  heavydutypocketdoorframes.com donated a pocket door frame, including shipping and a flight down from Phoenix for the installation. Forgital USA donated funds for her garden.  Mindy Thompson spent hours listening, elbow deep in moldy muck, carrying, packing, folding, hauling, and listening some more.  I could NEVER have managed those first few weeks without her.  My girlfriends and my mom gave up afternoons to help clean out her garage.  Y’all revived and refreshed me and your support was so encouraging.  My husband let me borrow the work truck half a dozen times and did a TON of dirty, heavy lifting.  Thanks, babe.  Last but not least, there’s Pastor Steve.  It was your kind heart that saw a need and jumped in head first to meet it.  Thank you for dragging me along with you into this life changing adventure and for being there with wisdom and encouragement every step of the way.  You are an inspiration and I’m following where you’re leading.  Stuck with me, I guess.

Nita…that’s a long list of love.  I hope you feel it and are surrounded by it every day.  Welcome home, sweet friend.

Below is how I found her condo on the day I met her, September 2, 2017.

This is some footage of her complex from the week we met.  Her things are piled out there with the rest of the hurricane victims’.

Mood Boards

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One of the tools I often use when starting a project with a client is to create a mood board.  I do this for interior design and also party planning.  So many people have a hard time visualizing their space or their event with just words to paint a picture.  I’ve found that mood boards help a ton with this.  It gives the client something to see and allows my idea to come across more clearly.  Here are a few that I’ve done and used with my favorite mood board app “Morpholio Board.”