...end of the week interior grab bag

A Peek Inside...India Hicks

The other day I was at the gym and all the magazines were taken except Cookie- a magazine for new moms. If you know me, and you saw me, NO I am not pregnant, I know how these things get started. Anyhoo, I was thrilled to see they had an article on India Hicks in the issue. Between her designs, TV shows, fabrics, etc. I know we see a lot of India. But I loved seeing her at home with her family. The images are perfection.
Dark hard wood floors? Check. On the beach? Check. Cute little blond boy? Check. Office with character? Check. Parrot? Check. Yep, this is my dream home.I love all the personalities that come out in these pictures.
Yes, I too studied the background closely...
Hope your weekend looks like this....

Complete Set of Pictures and Full Article HERE.

Remembering to Breath....

The other night (during the Oscars) I saw the MasterCard Priceless commercial for owning your own small business. I of course loved it and you can see the whole thing HERE. I couldn't figure out how to get it on this post, but click on the link and scroll through the commercials on the side and you will see it.A year and half ago I started my own business, a life long dream. While it is priceless, there are a lot of days I can't breath due to the stresses of a business. I was very blessed to have a busy past few months, but now my big projects are wrapping up and the worst stress of them all is seeping in. Where is the next client coming from?
(image via Domino-tranquil rooms)

I know so many of you out there know this exact feeling. As fate would have it, I came across a post from Colour Me Happy which started with the following quote:

"People ask me all the time how can they get this life that I have where I do something I love, get to make my own hours, and support a family. Seems great, right? But that life also comes with this: having no idea how I'll get paid next. And it happens all the time." Penelope Trunk

Somehow, knowing that other people feel the way I do makes me feel better (not that I want other people to be stressed, but you know what I mean). You should go HERE to read Maria's entire post. One more thing I love about the blogging world, an instant support system.

(image from Veranda)

Okay, just feeling uneasy and need to vent to my blog world friends. Thank you for listening!

*If you are feeling some anxiety and need an outlet I am here!

**If you are in the Birmingham area (or even not) and in need of any decorating help (no job is too small or too big- I promise decorators don't have to be scary or ridiculously expensive) please e-mail me!

Sending Out an S.O.S.

Help me fellow bloggers and readers! You know it is bad when I do 2 posts in one day! Here is my problem. I pick out paint colors for a living, and I love it, yet one color I still have not mastered. I am looking for 2 colors- the first color is a really light true gray that won't turn blue at all. The second color is a light gray/blue/silver that won't turn BABY BOY/Nursery blue. The other day I was helping a Jessica pick out a dining room color with the second color combination in mind. But this is what happened...
Yikes! Not the look we were going for! We were looking more for a room like this from Domino-
Which is Smoke by Benjamin Moore-Or this room seen on Colour me Happy-Which is this Benjamin Moore Whirlpool-So please, if you can help me get these colors under control I would forever be indebted! I will take any and all suggestions!

Out and About

Just some things I spotted out and about while shopping for clients. This first piece is actually 4 REALLY old corbels attached on the back to make an almost cross-like architectural piece. It was love at first sight. Unfortunately, it did not work for my client and it is not in my budget. However, one day I am going to replicate this.....What is it with animal heads? My FRIEND must be contagious...
The head and these horses are from Z Gallerie. I have wanted these for a WHILE, but now in this green color I want one even more. Once again, I can't explain it...
Saw these paintings in an antique store, very similiar to my true love Hyche
These barley twist tables are classic and multi-functional...

Something about these chairs and the next one grabbed me. Maybe it was the GREAT price, or my love of tufting. Definitely in need of a good reupholster.
The suitcases made me smile because the initials on them are "RAT". Not sure how I feel about the light fixture.

LOVE! You should be mine. I could be so organized!
I have a thing for "Cane" furniture, don't know why...
Once again, is it the price? The tufting? I can't explain, I just heard it call my name as I walked by.
Narrow tables like this one are hard to find but so useful.
Random: Love these sheers from West Elm and the table from Target you have seen on here before, but now it is on clearance. How many times a day must I remind myself that clearance/sale is still not free!

So many good deals, so little funds...