Monday, February 6, 2012

Searching for Balance

I think its something that we all struggle with…finding the right balance in life. Just speaking for myself, I have to say that I never really struggled with it as much as I have since having my son.
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Suddenly life became a lot less about me and a whole lot more about him. Nothing else mattered to me as long as his needs were met.
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After being a stay-at-home mom for nearly three years, I found myself becoming restless and quite frankly trying really hard to remember who I was as a person before wearing the “mom” hat.
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The internal struggle that I felt over wanting a career and wanting to be there for my child had me riddled with guilt all the time. I’d discovered a true passion for my new found business but that meant lots of nights away from the dinner table and weekends once filled with family outings were now left to Daddy while I rushed to design consults.
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I thought (and still find myself thinking) about design 24/7. Its really hard to turn off work when you love what you do so much… but I was allowing it to become my first priority in life.
I think lots of women feel the same way I do and struggle with the guilt of it on a daily basis….trying to keep a piece of your identity and yet still living up to all the expectations we place on ourselves as wives and mothers.
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Honestly, most days I truly feel that I’m just trying to keep afloat …rushing to get as much done in all areas of my life as I possibly can from 7 a.m. to midnight. (yes, midnight if you notice the time I’m posting this blog entry)
It’s been a year since the passing of my dad.
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We didn’t speak for almost six months before his death. Our fight was so pointless…over a phone call where he had asked for a little bit of my time to help him with his camera. I snapped at him that I didn’t have the time to help…thinking about everything that was on my plate that week and how I was going to stay afloat. I think about him at some point during my day, everyday. I can’t remember what was so pressing that I couldn’t help him out the day he called me.
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Life is crazy short. This is my personal reminder list for every time I need to be smacked over the head with what my priorities are…
1. I will Kick-off more to have dates with my son. Work will always be there…the kids are only little once.
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2. I will not freak out if there’s dust bunnies living under my couch and plastic dinosaurs invading my living room…a house is meant to be lived in. (I bet even Martha Stewart lets her hair down once a year and doesn’t make the bed, right? )
3. I will slow down and set realistic goals for myself…It doesn’t all have to get done today! I will still be successful if I have to wait a little longer to devote more time to my career. I’ll never look back and say I wish I missed more family dinners to work.
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4. I will take better care of myself. Recharging the ole’ battery is required and necessary….even Wonder Woman needs a weekend away with her best gal pals every so often.Smile
5. Take more family vacations…memories are like little snapshots in our minds and all that we take with us in the end.
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 If you are struggling with balance in your life, I hope that in some small way I've reassured you that you are surely not alone.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Swedish Mora Clock Love

Have you fallen in love with the antique Swedish Mora clocks like I have? I think it’s really more of an obsession that I have. I’ve actually been searching for one for quite awhile but can’t seem to find any under $600.

Sigh…they are so lovely!

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via Pinterest

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via Pinterest

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via Chole’s Closet

My good friend and decorator, Gamze Andrews, happened to have a great little clock sitting in the corner of her bedroom when I was over last week. It had the same look as one of the fabulous Swedish antique clocks. Although a reproduction, it definitely had good bones to it. I jumped at the chance to give it an Urban Farmhouse Makeover!

This is a stock photo of the clock before. (unfortunately its about 5 years old and they don’t make them anymore)

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…..and here she is with an Urban Farmhouse Swedish Mora finish.

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We now want to find a way to pry open the face plate so we can antique the face to give it a weathered look to match the rest of the European finish on the outside.

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I’m on the hunt for more of these clocks, so stay tuned and let me know if you’re interested in one with a custom finish!

Have a beautiful week!!!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Warm Silver Weathered Coffee Table For Sale

I just finished this coffee table and am truly LOVING how it turned out. This is definitely a “statement” piece for the living room!

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I like to call it warm silver because its not really all silver or all gold, but has highlights of both running through it.

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Measures: 50”L x 30”W x 19”H.

Price: $275

Email me: FarmStyleStudio@gmail.com if interested!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Fabulous Finds Get Beautified this Week

I’m back to work on some furniture transformations this week! This is an old dresser that had “great bones” as I like to say, but needed a fresh look.

Before

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After

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My client plans to use it as a media console under her wall-mounted t.v.

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This little side table got a brand new look as well in a yellow-toned driftwood finish. It will look great in my client’s study along with the large trunk as a coffee table.

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If your rooms or furniture need a new look…contact me at farmstylestudio@gmail.com for more info!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Wonderful Wingback!

Since I’ve been on this kick with color and patterns lately, I’ve really been drawn to upholstered chairs. My all time favorite chair style, hands down is the classic and sophisticated wingback. It is so versatile!

I found these lonely little cast aways today and thought to myself….oh, the possibilities!

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These were a steal and are awaiting their makeover to look fabulous in your home! Depending on fabric cost, the pair could be refinished and reupholstered for around $499 each! (A steal compared to the prices below.)

Contact me @ BaylorKLS@aol.com to snag these babies!

Take a look at how these wingbacks were transformed…

Driftwood Finish and Shocking Turquoise Upholstery….love the contrast!

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Courtesy Décor Pad

Trendy Subway Art Wingback

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Courtesy Pinterest

The Abigail Wingback $899

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Courtesy Z Gallerie

The Ikat fabric in mustard and yellow…sigh!

Velvet Touch $850

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Courtesy of Etsy

If you are interested in a custom upholstered and refinished wingback or two, send me an email at baylorkls@aol.com

 

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Bold Textiles for 2012

While busying myself with furniture orders and design consultations in the new year, I have completely forgotten to tend to my blog!

So for a quickie post this week, I thought I’d share a little design inspiration with my favorite fabrics that I can’t seem to get enough of this month!

Topping off my list is the oh so pretty Ikat pattern.

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It can be incorporated into so many styles seamlessly, from modern to French to traditional…

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I NEED this wall in my house!!!

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Hello Pink! I’m blushing…

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Next in line is the Moroccan Lattice, Trellis, or sometimes called a Quatrefoil pattern.

I definitely want to try this look on some antique French chairs!

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Hmm, maybe a wall stencil, but oh so time consuming!!!

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I see this throw pillow among some Ikat patterned pillows!

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And of course, how could I leave out the ever so popular Chevron Stripe!

Look familiar? The infamous Silver Chevron Chair Makeover, of course!

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Can’t tell if this is black or navy, but I love it either way!

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Mustard Yellow and Gray always seem to work together.

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Don’t be afraid to try some exciting bright, bold patterns to liven things up in your space for 2012, no matter what your style is!

As always, if you live in the Dallas area and need a little extra motivation with your space, I’d be happy to schedule a design consult to get the creative juices flowing!

Happy New Year!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Old World Charm to Ring in the New Year

Even though I tend to lean towards a French or farmhouse look with most of my work, I occasionally work with clients who have more traditional taste. Its fun and challenging for me to step outside my box so to speak.

Here are a few pieces I’m doing for a client’s formal living room.

These beautiful barley twist chairs were in a light wood finish before. After refinishing them in black, I had rubbed a metallic glaze over the carved areas to make them stand out.

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I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We had a relaxing Christmas weekend and Santa did not disappoint the dinosaur lover in our family!

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Happy New Year!!!

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