GHBA Networking Event

By Design Interiors was invited to a GHBA (Greater Houston Home builders Association) networking event. It was hosted at a natural stone supplier, Cangelosi's who was celebrating their 40th anniversary in business. Their showroom was full of beautiful examples of granites, marbles, limestones and photographs of amazing examples of their work.

The event was a great opportunity to meet other people in the industry, designers, contractors, product representatives, painters, etc. This fellow, believe it or not, is from Michigan.

Cindy socializing.

Great food!

Larissa and I. Larissa has been helping me as I have been developing social media for Cindy, the designer I work for. I visit her office at least 4 or 5 times a day with various questions and she is always so helpful.

Amber and guys.

Various product and company representatives.

Working for Cindy at By Design has already been an amazing experience; I am doing and learning things I never imagined I would (like website design) as well as working on the interior design things. I love going to work everyday, I love the people I am working with, and I love the things I am doing. Doesn't really feel a whole lot like work in the end!

The network of people involved is so much larger than I ever thought, (there were over 200 people at this event alone!) and everyone is so excited to help everyone else.

If I ever thought interior design was not the right choice for me....that idea has been permanently blocked from my mind!

All we need is Love

With Valentines Day coming soon, its time for a little love.

"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love." ~Albert Einstein

Adrienne had seen a great way to add some pink, red, and white to the house and we headed out too Hobby Lobby for the supplies.

Concentrating very hard on adding some decorative stitching to some hearts.

"I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon." ~Author Unknown

Doing what we do best while crafting....making a mess!

Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart. ~Author Unknown

Valentines day needs to last more than just a day!

Dallas Market

On my second day of work, some colleagues and I headed to Dallas to attend the Dallas Market Home and Gift Show. It is only open twice a year and is when manufacturers get to show off their stuff. We walked around for hours admiring just about everything. Global Views, Cyan, Arteriors, Tozai, Two's Company and Eighteen Karat were just a few of our favorite showrooms.

This was one of my favorite things of the day! It was so creative, a family tree created on a wall out of frames and colorful paper. We thought of so many places this would be great in a home and can be constructed anywhere!

Notice the cheese puffs used as decor! Although most showrooms offered complimentary food and drinks, it was so hard not to sneak a few treats!

Taking a break!

The market was a great way to see how furniture, colors and accessories are being organized in spaces, the scale of various items and fun new color pallattes. It seems like creativity never ends as new and creative products are constantly being introduced.

Not a can of sardines

Just to prove to everyone that we are not living crammed in the house like a can of sardines, I took some pictures of my new bedroom. I have already unpacked almost everything I need and the boys had to add some more plywood to the attic for the rest of my things. We are like one big happy family who loves to play Nintendo Wii all of the time :)

Today was my first day of work and I was plunged into the deep end within the first hour. Already I am working on a couple bath remodels and a kitchen remodel. Tomorrow, a few of the designers and I are heading to Dallas to attend the Home Decor Market Show.

New job, new state, new background, new toothbrush!

I must apologize for not posting in a couple of weeks, but life has been full of a whole lot of crazy! Between Christmas, New Year, visiting with friends and family, packing, moving, and of course, learning about insurance, I just haven't had the time to post an entry.

Christmas came and went so fast, I can't believe I am already settling myself in Houston, TX. Before leaving, I did all I could to catch up with old friends, visit with family, and spend lots of time with the rents. Old high school friends, Emily and Lisa after catching up at the Tap Room. Its amazing how in just 5 years, all of us have ended up all across the US: a couple in New York, one in Massachusetts, some in Indiana, and now Texas! Before leaving Michigan, my old friend, Meggie asked me to photograph her with her horse for her soon-to-be-launched website. I couldn't resist and although my toes were frozen almost instantly, we both had a lot of fun. Meggie and Hank.

For Christmas, AJ got me a Rice Crispy Treat Holiday House decorating kit. I loved it! We spent over an hour making the houses and decorating them with frosting and little candies. The houses lasted only until I could photograph them....then everyone enjoyed deconstructing them! Even Brenner! The night before I left Michigan, AJ's roommates, neighbors and other friends had a holiday party. We each cooked a different dish, had some presents to open, and played a quick game of 'Partini.'

Sara and Laicee enjoying all of the food.

AJ's brother made the most amazing looking stuffed peppers!

JR, James and Laicee.

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when people and places have been so good. But I am determined to only think of it as a 'see you later' not a 'goodbye.' I think Texas will full of opportunity and hopefully soon, some warmer weather!

This pic is for you Emily! He loves the 'healthy snack' song!

Dallas Market, Global Views Showroom