Apple Harvesting

The first day of fall was celebrated harvesting apples at my parent's farm. How cliche! We gathered in my mom's kitchen over apple peelers and lemon juice talking about all the things we are going to make. Apple Butter, apple sauce, apple crisp, apple pie filling, ect. Only to find out that none of us really like most of that stuff and just prefer apple accordions. You know, what the apples look like after you peel them. There you have it!

We also decided that my parent's need to name their farm and have a sign. Being that their chickens now lay eggs and they straight up dedicate a week to harvesting all the apples from their small orchard. It's time to go ahead and make it official. All we could think of is semi inappropriate names in-between bites of apples. 

And it really occurs to me that I am in love with my family. Apples and all. 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend full of your loved ones and swear words.

Entryway Design

I started working with Ali and her husband, Aaron, a couple of months ago. And just a disclaimer that they are awesome and hip. And hilarious. They also have the cutest dogs. So basically, they are dream clients.

Anyway...They are newlyweds who recently built an amazing house, but they just wanted a some zing. It just felt a little too "new build blah" and they are way far from blah.  We started with the entryway, because it can really pack a punch and set the tone for the whole house.

Ali really loves a pop of color, so the ceiling inset was a perfect place to incorporate something fun and dramatic. The navy immediately grabs your attention when you walk in and draws your eyes upward to the funky lighting and copper medallion. We wanted to bring some of the navy to the floor to make it a little more cohesive, so we chose a graphic rug with blue tones.

Let's talk about this art and how I'm obsessed with it. First off, I love designing spaces, but what I am really passionate about is collaborating with clients.  The art is totally Ali. We were pinning images back and forth until she found this one. I mean all I can say is mic drop. And that is why I love collaborating.

The table brings in the midcentury feel that they love. We kept the accessories minimal and refined because we didn't want to overpower the space. As far as setting a tone, we totally achieved it. And if it is any testament, I got a text from Ali saying that a girl came over to pick up a table from craigslist and she told her that it was the coolest house she's ever been in. And I totally agree. This space really shows off their personalities and reflects their style.

We are finishing up her master bathroom currently and moving on to the dining and living room spaces. The house is getting a fresh coat of white paint in October and it's really going to show off all of her amazing furniture and accessories. Her new table is so, so good. As in I want to hang out and eat breakfast with them in the mornings. Would that be weird? I can't wait to share the rest when we are finished!




P.S. Send me an email if you are wanting design help! I would love to work with you! I offer a huge array of services from Pinterest Boards to hourly and room rates. I am working on getting all the information up in a separate tab, but you know how that all goes!

Master Bathroom Update

Something super pretty and hip and modern and amazing happened to our master bathroom on Friday! Phase two of our bathroom redo (ultra scary and embarrassing before photos here) is finished and I have been raising the roof all weekend.  I knew I wanted an accent wall of some sort and am so happy I decided (when I say I it means Evan was like "sure") to go with this awesome pergo flooring in Orchard Plum from Lowes.

I ended up ordering two mirrors from West Elm and love how they fill up the space. Not to mention that whole awkward area is now completely functional. As in I am putting my makeup on in front of it because I can actually get close enough to see!  Also, if you are building a house or needing to replace your mirrors, please order these.  I can't brag enough about how heavy and well made these are.  Before they were hung I made everyone try and lift them while saying "AREN'T THESE SO SOLID?" I apologize for my actions, friends. Oh and you can't beat the price.

One thing I wasn't really anticipating was the height that the wood wall added to the room.  The ceiling feels like it was lifted 2'.  I really dig the grain and color of the wood. It feels very modern hotel meets simple nature girl.  Which was my nickname in high school. So what's next? Why I have this cool little diagram for you.

My main focus is on what color to paint the base cabinet.  Originally I thought about staining it, but I am thinking that painting it is the way to go.  I keep going back and forth between white, black, and dark grey.  What do you guys think?

Then of course I need to change the terrible strobe lighting. I have a hunch that they didn't center the light above the sink, so I am really going to have to figure that little joy out.  That being said! The bathroom is SO much better to brush your teeth in now. The wood accent wall turned out amazing and I couldn't love the direction this whole thing is headed any more.  So basically what I am trying to say is come over and brush your teeth in my bathroom. :) Happy Monday!

Bread Making-September

Cooking involves me heating things in the microwave. Namely leftovers...From Resteraunts...I can cook, but I just don't jump out of bed in the morning for it if you know what I mean?  I actually do like baking, but is totally a seasonal thing with me.  I rarely make cookies unless they are going to be bats with goggly eyes for Halloween or pies for our yearly pie party. The only real reason I can get away with this is because my best friend is an amazing baker and she feeds me her treats at all times.

Anyways...I have always had a fascination with bread making. It's like on another level of Martha Stewart.  "Oh your cake is good. WAIT DID YOU MAKE BREAD? HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!" I mean that's how I feel about it anyways.  So here's my new goal-I plan on baking a different loaf of bread once a month for a year. That way I can really experience this whole bread making thing.  Plus I hope I come across some recipes that I will make forever.

For September, I made a a no knead bread.  The process was super simple and the bread turned out delicious! My friend Blake, who is a boss at bread making, told me about using your dutch oven to get the perfect crust.  So I was really excited that this recipe used that process. And the crust twas chewy and perfect. Plus it shapes your bread into the most beautiful artisan circle, causing people to believe you are magic.

I love setting tiny little goals like this. It's nice to set aside a little time to fine tune something random and new.  Like the time I made root beer floats out of different sodas all summer.  I should do that again...Do you guys set mini goals? I'd love to hear them!

California Recap

Since this trip turned into something a little unexpected, we were able to rent a car and drive all around California which was absolutely beautiful.  We devoted one day to the beach where we drove through the mountains, stopping whenever we felt like it to take pictures and soak up the view.  I was totally devoted to swimming until I stuck my feet in the water. It was freezing. So, the rest of the day was spent chasing the tide and trying not to fall. 

While Evan was in rehearsals, I was able to spend a lot of time with my cousin Mattie who lives there.  We walked around the Venice Canals which is this neighborhood of amazing houses that face a series of canals.  Can you imagine waking up and drinking your coffee on your rowboat? I mean...This is what life is for! We went back at night with Evan and it was even better.  Twinkle lights everywhere, people sitting on their back porch with their living room doors thrown open talking about their art shows.  It was all very romantic.  

I had the best diner coffee of my life at a retro place called Franks Restaurant. It was this wonderful midcentury style place with deep tufted leather booths. They just happened to be closing early because they were filming a movie inside. Our sweet waitress told us that they filmed "Gone Girl" there.  I actually just finished the book and was excited for the movie, but now I am even more stoked to spot our little place.  I hope they sat in the same booth that we did!

California Dreamin'

California! You ole dog! What was supposed to be a short trip turned into an extended one. And to top it off, Evan's rehearsals were called off three days into the trip. The days were long in the best way and we soaked up time together as well as time with family and friends. There was also a night where we holed up in our hotel room watching True Detective until 6 am.  I kept saying "WHAT ARE WE EVEN GOING TO DO TOMORROW?! LET'S START ANOTHER EPISODE!" A solid argument, which prompted Evan to press play.

It feels good to be back in Missouri with the weather starting to hint that fall is near, but I will miss those awesome mountains and all the tropical plants. Ahh the cacti! 76% of the pictures on my phone from the trip are strictly cactus. I'll be back next week to share some more photos!

Mixed Media Abstract Art DIY

As much as I love art, it can be crazy expensive.  Especially abstract art!  And although I dream of owning a home full of original art by my famous artist friends, it's not happening at the moment.  We do have some pieces from our friend's who are artists, but it's a slow process to build an art collection that is cohesive and interesting.

This is actually a mixed media abstract.  Which I love because it is less daunting and more cost effective than painting your own piece.  The process is super fun too!  

Supplies:

Tissue Paper

Mod Podge

Acrylic Paint

Bristol Board

Gold Leaf & Accesories

Paint Brushes

Squirt about a tablespoon of paint into your bowls and then add about a cup.  Make sure your paint is mixed well.  Then tear off pieces of tissue paper and dye it.  You can add more paint or water depending on how saturated you want your piece to be. Or you can let it sit for a longer period of time.  Place the pieces on a paper towel to dry.  Have fun with the process! It's totally like dying easter eggs.  Except your priorities have shifted from plastic eggs to original abstract artist.  Mini you would be so proud.  Also how cool are you?! 

Mix about a tablespoon of Mod Podge with 1/2 cup of water.  Brush the mixture onto the paper in sections, being careful to not soak the paper.

Apply the tissue paper and smooth with fingers.  This is where the art really comes to life. You can layer pieces of tissue paper over each other to create contrast and texture.  Try tearing the tissue paper into different sizes and shapes.  To me, my pieces started looking like mountains.  Kinda cool, right?

After the piece is dry, apply the gold leaf adhesive. I picked one "line" and followed it along the edges.  

Apply the gold leaf.  It doesn't have to be perfect! It kind of takes on an organic shape, which I love.

Brush off the excess gold leaf.  Let the piece dry overnight & then frame.

I really like how they turned out.  It sort of feels like a water color meets Japanese Ink Art.  The paint sort of blends and does its own thing while you are applying the tissue paper.  For how easy it is, it looks complicated and interesting which is totally my jam.

And if you want it even easier, you can win one that I made complete with the frame!  I always make a couple of the projects that I share, so why not share the love? There's two ways to enter:

Follow Be Home Soon on bloglovin'

or

Follow me on Instagram and comment on this photo with where you would hang this if you won it

The winner will be chosen totally at random & the giveaway ends on Friday, September 5th. 

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

Happy Labor Day! Here's to Netflix binging in pajamas all day long!

P.S. And as always thanks to my best friend Lyndi, who comes over at 9 am to let me boss her around while I take pictures.