Great minds....

Have you ever had one of those dreams where your brother-in-law, your dentist, your first boss and your best friend from childhood all end up at the same party standing around, chatting together like they have known each other for years... and it doesn't seem at all odd...until you wake up??

I had one of those experiences, only in real life, this weekend.  I was online doing some research for a new project in Boca Raton (yes, I know...neither of us have ever lived in Florida...but we have our first "Boca" client...super excited...details to come!!) and I had that same "wait-a-minute-I-know-her-and-her-and-I-never-knew-they-had-met" moments...

I came across this blog post by Tobi Fairley highlighting artist Jane Booth.  Here is what Tobi has to say about Jane..."[She] is one of the most talented artists I have come across in a long time and now a new favorite of mine."

Blue Sky 56×60...Artist...Jane Booth

Well, you can see why she feels this way...even if abstract art is not your thing...you have to admit the colors are pretty breathtaking!!

Canyon Series: Leaving Paria  60 X 62...Artist...Jane Booth

So, it is not unusual to hear a nationally know designer sing the praises of a new-found "favorite" artist...but here is what made me go "wow"!!  Although we are not currently on a first name basis with Tobi or Jane,  we do have a small connection to them both...and that is just plain fun!!

This July, the ladies of AsterHouse Design are going to a "Designer Workshop" presented by Tobi Fairley...the intensive seminar is geared toward the business aspect of a designer's world!!   We are so very looking forward to three whole days of  gleaning from her many years of experience in our industry!!

And what about Jane??  Well, one of the great gems in our community is Strecker-Nelson Gallery (showcasing regional artists....such as Jane Booth!).  So, when a client fell in love with her work, we collaborated closely with Jay and Barbara at the gallery to put together a fabulous set of  Jane's smaller vignettes to fill a large feature wall in her space.  While putting the collection together for our client, we couldn't help but fall in love with several of her pieces ourselves...

[caption id="attachment_530" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Our "favorite things" wall...[/caption]

...remember our "favorite things" wall??  Top left...rich pinks, deep red, shots of gold and a little pop of green??  It is our "happy" art...it makes us both smile!!  And it is a piece from Jane Booth!!

So here is to Tobi Fairley and Jane Booth...being at the "same party"...what is it "they" say about great minds???

Behind the Scenes: A "Designer" Living Room

Every once in awhile, one must set aside time to "design"  a personal space.  The crucial phrase is "set aside time", because, between current client's projects, client's waiting for your time and then family life in general that can be a much bigger challenge than you might think!!  But for Amanda, it finally happened when her sweet and gracious husband asked if he could hire an interior designer to "do" their living room!!  wink, wink !!   Well, that will make a designer-wife "find time" like nothing else!!  So, in less than,  2 days...ok, it might have been 3...the plan was made...



...the fabrics selected...



 

and the furniture ordered!!  And then the wait began...do you know how long it takes furniture to arrive when you are the one waiting for it???  10 times longer than when it is for a client...not even kidding!!!

But it was worth the wait...(and these pics don't even begin to do the space justice...trust me!)

[caption id="attachment_675" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Chesterfield style sofa...wonderful layers...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_676" align="aligncenter" width="225"] extra seating...fabulous artwork...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_679" align="aligncenter" width="300"] ...interesting accessories...did I mention fabulous artwork??...[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_673" align="aligncenter" width="225"] ...a baby grand...gorgeous!!...[/caption]

 

...even room for a tidy desk area...

This space is done!!  And that makes this "designer"...and her husband very happy!!  Home Sweet Home!!

 

 

 

 

Rooms with a view...

We may live in a small Midwest town, but it has several great qualities...one of which is the hills that provide gorgeous views...

[caption id="attachment_660" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Overview of our community...hills all around...[/caption]

 

As our town continues to grow, the hills are being dotted with homes, retail centers and roadways...and although it is changing the "look" of Manhattan...the various elevations make for some amazing building spots...

[caption id="attachment_663" align="aligncenter" width="300"] New Spec home in the Lee Mill Heights development[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_662" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Who wouldn't want to cook in a kitchen with that view...[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_661" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A view like this??? Amazing!![/caption]

 

Here are just a few pics of our inspiration for this home!!!

[caption id="attachment_669" align="aligncenter" width="300"] With unique ceiling features and rich cabinetry this home will be stunning!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_667" align="aligncenter" width="245"] Stone fireplace, gorgeous creamy white trim....[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_668" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Custom millwork, gorgeous tile and a dramatic corner tub will make the master bath a private retreat![/caption]

Keep posted for progress pics!!  And get ready for a tour this June during the Parade of Homes!!

 

The "Konza Cape"

Amanda and I are always saying how blessed we both feel to be able to pursue our dream of creating gorgeous interior spaces!!  And we can also honestly say we have met the most wonderful people through this business...we have had the privilege of working with amazing clients and crazy-cool projects!

Each project begins a little differently.  We are brought in at various stages of each one...sometimes the client hires us before any contractor has been hired...or sometimes the contractor calls us toward the end of a project when the finishing touches are needed...and anywhere in between.  And we love them all!  However, we both will admit, one of our favorite scenarios is when we can be a part of the team from the infancy of a project.  We both love space planning and "visioning" a home/space before it is even begun...there is so much room to be creative when nothing is "set in stone" yet!!

This was the case with a recently completed project out on the Konza Prairie...

 

 

The exterior design of the home speaks to the feel of a traditional "Cape Cod"...and its location on the rolling Flint Hills makes it a "Konza Cape"

[caption id="attachment_648" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Love these lights!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_647" align="aligncenter" width="225"] From the exterior colors to the trellis and trim design, the home stays true to the original inspiration.[/caption]

When we were first contacted by the builder, the homeowner and his architect had just finalized the floorplan...so there was just enough time to collaborate on a few design features.  The biggest change came with the decision to  expand the small second floor dormers and create two "shed-dormers".  Not only did this allow for larger windows, capturing more of the amazing view...but it created two niche's that we were able to turn into dramatic focal points in the master suite...

[caption id="attachment_643" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Niche' 1: Cozy reading nook overlooking the hills[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_649" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Niche' 2: Dramatic "free-standing" tub....bubble bath with a view!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_651" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Master Bath[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_650" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Master Shower[/caption]

Originally the master bedroom was to be on the main floor, however, when the homeowner saw the views from the enlarged upstairs windows, he changed his plans and claimed this space instead!!

The master suite upstairs is a continuation of the main floor style...

[caption id="attachment_640" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Collected elegance in the living room[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_639" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Gorgeous painted cabinetry, true to a "Cape" aesthetic...with a few masculine touches thrown in for good balance.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_641" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Main Floor guest room...[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_642" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Guest bath[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_638" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Powder room...grass cloth wallcovering adds texture and keeps the fixtures from feeling too "sweet"[/caption]

 

The homeowner specifically wanted a space for his young boys to feel at home when they stayed, so we went to work creating a room they felt right at home in!!

[caption id="attachment_645" align="aligncenter" width="225"] We took advantage of the unused space under the eaves, carving extra square footage for the beds and allowing for custom built-in space.[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_636" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Gorgeous windows line the walls in every room...in the boys room, we created a study niche'...partner desk, fun seating and display walls for each boy.[/caption]

 

The overall look and feel of this home is so inviting...and although it is brand new, it has a feel that says...collected, comfortable and lovely!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspired by...SPRING

...I don't care what the groundhog said...he lied!!  But finally, spring is coming...the stores are filling up with swim suits, beach bags and all things summer...however, spring is my favorite and I don't want to miss a moment of it!!

Amanda and I did a quick trip through the aisles of Target yesterday (in the spirit of targetdoesitagain on Instagram...must follow!!)  for a shot of inspiration and we were not disappointed!!



 



 





 







The vibrant color is so refreshing after the months of dull winter vibes...the graphic patterns are fabulous accents...in the kitchen, for your wardrobe, on your table...anywhere that could benefit from a bold dose of "springness"!!  Go get your SPRING on!!!

AHD Office Update

[caption id="attachment_529" align="aligncenter" width="470"] Comfy on the backside...easy on the eyes!![/caption]

 

So this will be the second time we have remodeled our office...it is true that our own homes (and now our office) are our personal "experiments"...but two versions in one year is alot even for us!!  The reality is that the first spot was spacious...but it was right smack-dab-in-the-middle of the guest area in Eryn's home.  So as we began to see that we would be using this space alot, we began to make plans for a redo.  And to be completely honest, we never really finished that first office...we just got busy with "real jobs" and never got back to our space, which always drove us crazy!!

 

So, when we decided to relocate to another area of Eryn's home, we promised ourselves one main thing...WE WOULD FINISH IT THIS TIME!!!!  And we are well on our way!!  Here are a few sneak peaks of the progress!!

 

[caption id="attachment_530" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Our "favorite things" wall...[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_531" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Fabulous new rug for our desk area!![/caption]

 

Our original plan was to go with a neutral scheme and add shots of pink and orange....we came up with an inspiration board and began finalizing our plan.  But, I couldn't bring myself to begin placing orders, because something just didn't feel right.  The neutral pieces were perfect...but the pops of pink and orange???  Although very fun, neither of us really "do" pink or orange much!!  And so when I came across the fun art deco inspired rug with great blues and teals and shots of orange/yellow...I knew it had "Amanda and Eryn" written all over it!!  After that the details have fallen into place easily!!  Just a couple more items to be put in place and you can see it all!!!!!!!!!!  Stay tuned!

(Chairs...CB2 Rug...Joss & Main  Desk...West Elm)

 

"There is an App for that..."

Inside info...Amanda is the tech-ie...I am not...I know, right??!!  How did I get the job of "blogger"...*insert sarcastic smile*  Well, that is just how we roll around here!!  So, if I can't figure out my phone (we have the same phones, btw) or if I have computer issues (right again...bought identical laptops on the same day...with matching carrying cases printed with our fun logo) Amanda is the one to call.....NOT ME!!  So, I had to laugh when she sent me the idea to do a blog idea on our favorite phone apps..."OUR" favorite phone apps??  One of her favorite line is, "There's an app for that, you know??!!"  And you know what??  She is right!!

Her  Our very favorites are...

Pinterest and Houzz

are great all around...they are so user-friendly and when you need to find just the right picture to communicate your ideas to a client...or you need some specific inspiration on a project, they are both true "go-to's"

 

Who doesn't love a great kitchen...and Architectural Digest...all rolled up into one great app!!  (Hours of fun...look out kiddos...forget "Where's my Water"!!)

Many of the major manufacturers have raced to the app world..."American Olean" and "daltile" are two that have great resources for your handheld!!

Need a quick reference for Corian or Zodiaq color options, on the road??   Go straight to mySurface and scroll through their entire palette.

Another great source for inspiration, creating a virtual photo gallery of ideas and search for steals and deals in "look 4 less" guide.

 Great place to browse custom upholstery options from the great Bassett line...great ideas to get your thoughts for a room pulled together!!

How about you??  What inspiration/design apps are you addicted to??