PINCH ME

I HAVE BEEN IN THE CLOUDS SINCE 2:00PM, FEBRUARY 27

That was the HOUR I found out that my nomination of Melanie Turner had been chosen as one of Traditional Home's 10 NEW TRAD DESIGNERS 2012!!! This year the editor of Traditional Home wanted the Designers to be nominated by Bloggers!!!!

Melanie and I worked together in preparing her entry back in January. She sent me photos of the work she wished to be included, along with her Bio. My part was to write why I thought she was a New Trad Designer..... THAT WAS EASY....SHE IS NEW TRAD!!!! and my Bio.....That was HARD! We made sure the rules were followed... perfectly!!!!

Jump to this past Monday....... the winners were announced and WE WERE AMONG THEM!! I am so happy that Melanie is in this ELITE GROUP!!!! AND, I am so honored to be among the nine other bloggers in the Country !!!!!

I found out that a photographer would take pictures of me for the formal announcement in the May issue of Tradition Home, and also for the entire feature, with all of Melanie's work, in the Spring Issue of New Trad Digital issue.

Melanie invited me to her home this morning for the picture taking!!!! That was the ICING ON THE CAKE!!!

After the initial "shock" ........all the important questions rushed in.....
WHAT DO I WEAR.....WHAT ABOUT MY "HAIR"!!!!!!

My treasured hairdresser, Shanda Littlejohn of Star Salon in Griffin, was fabulous. She quickly moved her schedule around and fit me in yesterday afternoon. What a relief!!!!

I then tried on three different outfits, had MC take my picture in them and sent them on to my trusted judges, Patti and Erica. The decision was made.
White suit with soft blue cowl neck blouse!!! Hands down!

I didn't sleep last night!!!!!!

Early this morning, MC and I drove up to Buckhead. We gave ourselves plenty of time for traffic, leaving at 8:00 am to be there at 10:00 am!!!! It's less than a 45 mile trip!!!!!

It is impossible for me to find the words to describe my morning!!!! We pulled into her wonderful driveway, drove up a winding, long hill, parked, walked up to the door, rang the bell........and the WONDERFUL DAY BEGAN!

Melanie..... what can I say...... She is absolutely GORGEOUS.... and .....one of the warmest, sweetest persons, I have ever met!!!

When we entered, we were greeted by Daisy May and Jesse, two of her three adorable dogs. She called us to join her upstairs where she was in the middle of setting up bedrooms, that the photographer was planning to shot. She was dressed in sweats, AND...she looked..... Fabulous!!!!!! She was on the floor tugging two rugs into different positions under a bed!!!! Of course, we then shared our furniture moving tips and discovered we used some of the same techniques......Oh I love this girl!!!!

While we waited for the photographer to arrive, Melanie invited us to see her home....... OH IT'S GORGEOUS !!!!! It has all of Melanie's gracious ingredients, AND at the same time, welcoming and inviting...

MC WAS ESPECIALLY FASCINATED WITH HER TABLE CENTERPIECE!!!!

The photographer, Emily Followill, arrived, and the real fun began!!! We decided to take my picture by a sofa in the seating area of the living space. Emily was so much fun to talk with and made me feel completely at ease!! She took many shots while MC took pictures of the entire event!!!!

ALL MY POSES!!!
LOVE THE BLUE OTTOMAN!

CHECKING OUT THE BACKGROUND FOR COLOR

LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT SHOTS

MELANIE IN BLACK SWEATS!!!

Then Melanie came downstairs and asked what Emily thought she should wear for her shot. They decided on a long flowing blue gown. In FIVE minutes, Melanie was transformed into pure GLAMOUR!!!! What would take most women hours of prep time took Melanie a flip of her hair and a dab of lipstick!!!!!!

MELANIE AND ME......LITERALLY LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE SHOT WITH HER IN THE BLACK SWEATS!!
NOTE THE BRACELETS.....AWESOME...

YOU KNOW, I HAD A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL DAY.....

THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH MELANIE......

I CAN NOT CLOSE WITHOUT SAYING.....MELANIE HAS THE MOST FANTASTIC CHANDELIERS........

NOW THE WAIT FOR THE MAY ISSUE OF TRADITIONAL HOME TO BE ON THE NEWS STANDS!!!!! AND THEN THE DIGITAL ISSUE NEW TRADS 2012 LATER THIS SPRING!

#2 AND #1

#2

ERICA'S ART.....

I am so fortunate to have Erica in my life. What a Dear!!! As a Granddaughter she's PERFECT!!! and..... she grew up to be so, so talented!!!! I had an "Epiphany"!!!! I asked her to do an art piece for a bare wall in our kitchen. She did, and has continued over the years....I now have a wonderful collection of her beautiful work!!! I am a very lucky Grandma.....Here are just a few ....Thank You Erica!!!




This is a very special piece. Erica took our family Christening Dress that dates back to the late 1890's, attached it to a canvas and did her magic to preserve it. It hangs in the foyer of our home, and is by far, the STAR!

Oh how I love this one....She Titled it COCKTAIL FIZZ !

This was originally created to hang over a sofa in our high -rise condo in Charlotte. It's new home is perfect in MC's Library.

This one, what can I say!!! It's FABULOUS...LOVE, LOVE IT!!!!!

The paint.....It's Sherwin Williams, Silver Strand. I saw it, and knew it would work in every room of our home. It's the perfect pairing to everything!!!!!!

WE ARE AT #1

There is no question to my #1 Epiphany.......

You must know by now. Yes, it was my "EPIPHANY" the moment I met MC to keep him in my life forever!!!

TOP TEN ....CONTINUED

#6

The Kitchen Knobs:

Each one different..Went shopping for new knobs and came home with 34+.... all different. They were free....leftovers and discontinued models. Now, the best part. The family is gifting me with different ones when they find some that are unique. Fabulous!!! My one and only "COLLECTION"

THE FLOWER, CLOCK AND OVAL ARE MY GIFTS....FROM SOUTH AFRICA


#5

MIRRORS ON FIREPLACE SURROUND AND WALL

My Epiphany .....mirrors around the fireplace. The cost was over the top of our budget, so I said lets do MIRRORED TILES!!!! MC did a great job and the cost..... under $95!!!!!




#4

REUPHOLSTERING MY HENREDON 1968 SOFA

Patti and Mark were a huge help with this one. They had the sofa and were willing to part with it...actually Mark was delighted to part with it. It was an ugly duckling waiting to be a SWAN!!!!

THE UGLY DUCKLING

THIS IS THE SMARTEST PROJECT I HAVE EVER DONE. KATHY LOCKWOOD, THE UPHOLSTERER, DID A FABULOUS JOB. SHE VERIFIED IT WAS A JEWEL!!!

A SWAN

#3
WE'RE GETTING DOWN TO THE TOP 3

MIRROR OVER MIRROR

Mirrors over mirrors are one of my favorite design projects. I have done them over and over. Here is one of my favorites!

LOVE IT

Before I go any further, I would love to share with you the Post that was "Clicked" on the most!!! THE PERGOLA PLANS!
People from all over the World clicked to see the plans....it was UNBELIEVABLE. MC's Pergola has been built in India, Cape Town, Tokyo and who knows where else!!!

FAMOUS PERGOLA PLAN

TO BE CONTINUED........ #2 AND #1 JUST WAIT..... ANY GUESSES

PATTY'S EPIPHANIES TOP 10 ......

I thought it would be fun to list my 10 Favorite Epiphanies!

These are not the top 10 Posts!!! This "list" is what I found the most fun, challenging, and in my own mind pretty darn good!!!

#10

CHANGING THE COLOR OF THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT DOOR FROM WHITE TO BLACK.

WHITE

BLACK !!!! MC DID IT!!!

# 9

CONVINCING MC TO PAINT ALL THE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS FROM SILVER/WHITE TO GOLD..


#8

MC AND I ADDING AN ENORMOUS NUMBER OF CRYSTALS TO THE GREAT ROOM CHANDELIER.... AND THEN... A FEW MORE TO THE CHANDELIER IN THE DINING ROOM



MC AND I STRUNG HUNDREDS OF CRYSTAL BEADS ON WIRES AND FASTENED THEM TO THE PIECE......TOOK HOURS...ESPECIALLY WHEN A STRAND WOULD BREAK. CRYSTAL BEADS BOUNCED ALL OVER THE ROOM.
FINDING THEM IN THE CARPET WAS QUITE A CHALLENGE!

THIS TOOK ONE HOUR....!!!!!

#7

ASKING MC TO REFINISH THE LANE HOPE CHEST

HOPE CHEST CHRISTMAS EVE 1962
I RECEIVED IT FOR CHRISTMAS 1956.... WHEN I WAS "16"
oops...now you know my age

HOPE CHEST TODAY.....BLACK AND GOLD....
GREAT JOB...MC

TO BE CONTINUED...

WE HAVE NAMES!!!!

VERY DIFFICULT...BUT IN THE END...THE CHOICE WAS SO OBVIOUS ......

MC and I have marinated all your suggestions for two days. Everyone suggested great names!

Please welcome:

GEORGE AND GRACIE

GEORGE
You can see HIS strength!

GRACIE
Look close, she's cracked, broken and repaired. Perfect...
A LITTLE DITSY !

GEORGE AND GRACIE was submitted by my brother, Bobby, AKA... "PATCH"! For those who are young and "out of the loop".....George and Gracie Allen were the perfect married Comedy Act. They started in Vaudeville, went on to RADIO and finally TV!!!! George was the "Straight Man" and Gracie,..... well .....Gracie was a little "ditsy".....but in reality, the brains and success of the team!

Bobby you hit the bull's eye. Thank you .

MC and I want to thank you all.....it wasn't easy. Each pair of names had a loving feature!

GREAT INSPIRATION FROM MELANIE

A Melanie Turner Salon

This is a photo shot of a Salon Melanie designed in a residence in Buckhead, Atlanta. The space is huge....must be at least 30' x 30' I just love the use of the space!
Similar to the HGTV shows that try and "copy" luxurious spaces, I find myself doing the exact same thing! I have tried to capture the two seating areas . Not as spectacular....but.... the good COLLEGE try!!!



Our Great Room is now inviting and welcoming

We hosted a get together for the homeowners who have expressed an interest in having their homes on the Holiday Tour this coming December. The room worked perfectly for the group of 14.

Thanks Melanie for all the wonderful rooms that inspire me!

You might have noticed the elephant has moved! I told you I would keep you up to date on any changes!

All four are inside and we are naming them.

MC and I have named this one DOLLY!!!! Look at those eyes!!!! Has to be a GIRL!




NOW..MEET JULIUS!



WE HAVE TWO REMAINING DUMBOS THAT NEED NAMES:

Please send in your suggestions......MC and I will pick names from one of you!!!

LADY'S DESK HAS A NEW PURPOSE!!!!

SURELY.....UNIQUE!

Not sure this "EPIPHANY" will make the favorite list , but it's worth a Post!

As always, it came to me out of the Blue! This time, 10 minutes before we were to leave for Sandy Springs, a suburb north of Atlanta, for a Doctor's appointment.

MC thought I was totally nuts, but there I was moving FURNITURE with my coat over my arm! I had to "see" if it would work!

I have liked the idea of a TALL table as a coffee table. The zinc one has worked beautifully. Only problem .... it's so similar to the other tables in the space.



and......

The Master Bedroom has mirror bedside tables and the glass console table. I recently had moved the UNIVERSAL mirrored LADY'S DESK into the room.
It worked OK, added Sexy Sadie, the black and white stripped chair. What bothered me.....all the glass and mirrors!



EPIPHANY.....SWITCH THEM!!! Took less than the 10 minutes...








THE LADY'S DESK

This one of a kind gem has had many, many uses. At one time it was a BAR!!! What a find, and what fun MC and I had bringing it home in the back seat of our car! Found it in Hickory, N.C. at one of the great furniture outlets! It's a Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams piece. It was in the outlet because all the corners are chipped and there are numerous flaws in the mirror top. To me....that adds to it's beauty ... CHARACTER! Not to mention, it made it very affordable!!!







The zinc table looks fine in the Master Bedroom. Makes a nice side table for the wing backed chair. MC looks pretty good on it too!!!




An added PLUS....We now have a PLACE for the remote.....the desk draw! Took MC forever last night to find it!!!

A VERY SPECIAL VALENTINE

TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

Everyone knows who that is.............the MAN WITH MANY NAMES !!!!!!!


Let's see how many names this handsome, young gentleman has?

MY HONEY/HON
DEL
EMIL
DADDY
GRANDPA
UNCLE EMIL
STEVE
MC
MASTER CARPENTER
MASTER CHEF
MASTER CRAFTSMAN
MASTER CARVER

*********I WAS JUST REMINDED THAT I LEFT OUT TWO NAMES:
MAJOR
MR. D.
Thank you Bobby!
***********Just got another "name" I forgot!!!
MY BEST FRIEND
Thanks Jennifer!!!
This man has more names and titles than anyone I ever met!!!!

The names don't matter, it's the man behind the names that does. Without My Honey, my life would be incomplete. We met November 25, 1955 and I have loved him every day since.......A few days more than others!!!..

This Blog that you all are reading would not exist if it weren't for HIM! He handles ALL the technical stuff.....

BUT EVEN MORE.....

HE PUTS UP WITH MY LACK OF PATIENCE!

How can we forget the many, many projects I have asked him to do!!!

Most times he has been a McGiver !!!!!

(some of you younger readers might not remember the TV show McGiver. The character performed ingenious solutions to rescue himself from all sorts of perils with duct tape and a Swiss Army Knife )

Just like McGiver, My Hon, has invented ways to achieve my Epiphanies!!!!

It works like this:

I come up with the idea.....EPIPHANY.....and he creates it!!!! SIMPLE!!!!

How about the time I wanted drapery panels hanging FROM THE CEILING on both sides of the tub!

HE USED TOWEL BARS ATTACHED TO THE CEILING!!!

That was an easy one.....we can get harder.....

WE NEEDED A DINING ROOM TABLE.....HE BUILT IT!

WALL UNIT WITH TV WIRES HIDDEN

WHERE DID ALL THE WIRES GO....

this masterpiece stayed with the home when we sold it......













Experience was the way we looked at having to leave it.....AND....it lead to this:



FULL WALL UNIT IN
BUCKET LIST HOUSE


Practice makes perfect....









THERE ARE SO, SO MANY MORE...
FIXING THE CHRISTENING DRESS---PAINTING ALL THE GOLD ORNAMENTS---
ON AND ON......

AND NOW HE'S HAVING FUN!

HE'S CARVING "LITTLE MC'S"

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY HONEY.....I LOVE YOU.....AND
THANK YOU