Get to know Ms. Applewhite

Linda Applewhite is a artist, writer, spokesperson and self-taught interior designer. Her goal is to always help her clients express who they are . . . it's more than just the placement of objects ,with Linda, it's "personal."

This is one of my all time favorite rooms. I remember the excitement that went through me when a client showed me this picture and said, "This is what I want, can you give it to me?" Could I ever, but in the end, she would not let me. When I brought her fabric to look at . . . she told me that they did not match! She got a room that she loved, but it was not a cool room like Linda Applewhite would do.

She uses color in unexpected ways. Often she will use reds and oranges together , then add a punch of green just to keep you interested.

I remember the first time I saw this room . . . I knew it was the genius of Linda, at work again. How cute are those slip covers? And the art . . . I could go on and on.

Her work has been featured in numerous publications. I know she would be one designer welcomed into my castle. . . Would you welcome her into yours?

Winter In the Garden

I garden from inside with a camera. . .

Style Maker

A " genius", when it comes to re-styling a piece of furniture.

A "style" that will make you look up and take notice.

A "Rate My Space" super star.

My friend, Kelly M. Get to know her . . .
http://muchtodowithnothing.blogspot.com/

My Swedish Inspired Headboard

It's a secret . . .

Meet my "Pier 1 ", $400 headboard.

Yeah, I'm that good . . . hehehehehe

Recipe for a Room ~ Step 5

Step 5* Accessories and Lighting : When it comes to Accessories, " Less is More." I love to find special things like these two antique books that I got at a local antique store. The top one is a old school book and it belong to a boy named , " Henry Osborne". It will make your heart stop to see how carefully Henry wrote his name , address, age and the letters and numbers that he knew. This kind of accessory has a story to tell. I also put out a picture of my grandparents, with my grandma's watch and a wedding ring that my grandpa had made himself .

The lamps came from a trade I made with a friend . . . remember the great deal I found on those "Aidan Gray" lamps for my living room? How I tried to make those work, but they were just too tall, so I traded them for these, also "Aidan Gray" lamps. They were lost in my living room, but perfect here. The only new thing I bought were these two concrete birds, love them! $30

I saw some botanical that I wanted for my room, but they cost $200 each, so I made my own. I have $110 in all six. I had my mother write famous quotes on each one. I added my own quote to this one , just for fun. It was perfect for this framed" weed". Those that take the time to notice, get a laugh at me , right there with all the greats, Churchill, Goethe, Thoreau . . .

I got this painting at a consignment store ! It is a oil painting that had the "feel "that I wanted. I made a promise to myself awhile back, that I would only bring "real" art into my home from now on. $35

This is the light that will be going in the room as soon as my husband gets in the mood. It's from Ballard Designs, $135 , I got it in the cream color.

This is the end of my recipe!!!! I am sure some of you are glad. I was getting a bit bored with it myself. I will do the "Bed" post next.

Thanks for all the sweet comments, everyone has been so kind.

Recipe for a Room ~ Steps 3 & 4

Step 3* Select Your Fabrics : I brought the "White" into the room with the bedding. It is from the Mary Jane Farm line, sold at Belk. $230


The fabric I selected for the drapes and throw pillows had the feel of most of my 5 words . . . cottage, warm, famine and I would even say patine, as it looks "old". It doesn't take me long to choose a fabric because I know what I want before I go shopping. When I find one that will work I stop looking!

Step 4* The Floor Plan : The first thing I always do is find the "focal "of the space, fireplace, window ect. In the case of a bedroom , the bed will most of the time become the focal. I try to always face the bed to the entry of the room. The main tip for floor plans is to allow for walk ways ect. and to not over furnish the room.

Make a list of what is needed. Can you bring in pieces from other rooms? Measure!

If you are not sure about the floor plan, make yourself a graph and move things around on paper, so much easier than moving heavy furniture around in a space.

I NEVER use sets! I also like to mix finishes, painted pieces with stained pieces ect. The only new piece I used for this room was the bed. I try to do this for clients as well and use pieces that they already own. New pieces can be the "kiss of death" to a room, so be careful!

I had a hard time finding a bed for my room and I think you will be surprise where I got mine. I plan to do a post on it soon.

Recipe for a Room ~ Step 2

Step 2 * Evaluate the box. Walls, ceiling and floor need to be addressed early on in a room design. I took up old carpet and laid wood flooring. I also textured and painted the walls. I wanted to tear the ceiling out and add a wood ceiling with beams and paint it white, but the budget did not allow for that. If you want to add any extra moldings ect. , this is the time .

I will also choose the rug and get it down, before bringing in the furniture. I got mine at Lowe's $300.00.

You will remember that "white" was one of my 5 words, but I did not paint the walls white. I do not have enough natural light for white walls, so the white had to come later. I painted my walls a cookie dough color and I am very happy with it.

* I have noticed that I am not getting the comments I usually get with a post. I may not continue with this recipe . . . the comments are how we bloggers judge how a post is being received. So if you are liking this type of post, let me know!