Project Independence: almost finished!

If you haven't had the opportunity to participate in Project Independence- our effort to help homeless female veterans- you have until Friday, September 24th at 5pm when the registry will be officially closing.

All of the people involved have been working really hard to put together some nice transitional rooms for these women.  We demo'd the old rooms, spent several hours painting the walls and ceilings a beautiful new color and are making window treatments to add some color and happiness to each space.  

If you'd like to purchase something from the registry, please click here!

Sultry Master Bathroom

I know you've already seen this space once....but the professional photos turned out so incredible, I had to share with you again!  

Its tradition! We always get a photo of ourselves in our spaces :)

Click here to view on HGTV!

Houston's Best Awards 2010

Saturday night was an incredibly fun night...and a rewarding one as well!  The Greater Houston Builders Association hosted their annual awards gala where Houston area builders, designers, remodelers and other associates vie for the best designs, marketing, advertising and much more.  By Design Interiors, Inc. submitted 8 entries to the GHBA Houston's Best Awards and came out with 5 winners!

Cindy, me, Lucas, Adrienne and Amber

Never quite sure how the judging is going to go, we all rubbed Amber's husband's head for luck before the awards ceremony began.  Notice the woman's face in the background.....little did she know that we were about to clean house with awards!

By Design accidentally purchased an extra ticket for the event and after failing to find a vendor or GHBA friend to go, I was able to give the ticket to Adrienne.  I knew she would be an epic leader on the dance floor! and boy was I right!

Cindy and Amber won three awards for their work with Mary Puskar; her dining room, family room and bedroom all won for Best Interior Design in those categories.

Peggy Fuller, the owner of By Design, won two awards for her entries in the Best Living Room and Best Bathroom.

Evan and I.....

After the awards ceremony, an 80's cover band entertained us for several hours.  Or should I say, we entertained them!  Several times our group was invited onto the stage because of our fun and borderline ridiculous antics. Here, our office manager Nancie, marketing director Chelsea and Cindy's man Scott are singing and dancing along with the band!

Cindy, Larissa, Amber and I taking a breather from the dancing!

Sunday morning I received a thoughtful text message from our marketing director Chelsea informing me that if I posted any photos of her prior to her approval, she would ensure my next few weeks at the office would not be enjoyable! :)  The professional photos have not been released yet, so don't think you've seen all of the pics yet!  

Bathroom 4-- Guest bath in Tile Heaven

Tile is undoubtedly one of my favorite things about my job.  I really love tile and all of the unique things you can do with it.  This guest bathroom is a great example of using tile in several different formats and in a variety of designs that accent each other in a small space.

Houston's Best Awards

We are going to have to take a break from the week of bathrooms...this weekend snuck up on me!  Today is the GHBA Houston's Best Awards Gala and we have entered several projects!  So, wish us luck tonight as we hope to win for the following entries!

Best Outdoor Space

In association with Brandon Lynch with Keechi Creek Builders and

Michael Harkins with Timeless Landscape Creations

Best Bathroom Remodel under $50,000

In association with Brandon Lynch with Keechi Creek Builders

Best Family Room

Best Bedroom

Best Dining Room

I'll post results soon!

Bathroom 3.... Simply Charming

I have to admit, the only involvement I had with this bathroom was selecting and ordering the vessel sink!  But what a cute sink it is.  This small powder bath highlights some tile that appears to be a marble mosaic.  Powder baths are the perfect place to reach a little out of your comfort zone; using a strong print on the walls, or a vessel sink and unique faucet, or a funky mirror are just a few ways to dress up this tiny space.

Bathroom 2!

While I can't take any credit for the design of this bathroom....I can sure admire it!  This is a pool bath for a new home- there is an entrance off of the backyard as well as one from the house.  The crackled tile design is interesting, adorable, creative, fun, inviting and well, fabulous!  There isn't a whole lot more for me to say, so I'll just let you enjoy....

Week of Bathrooms: Day 1

Recently, several bathroom projects have come to completion and I find it only fitting to share them all with you!  There are way too many photos to put in just one blog post....so this is the week of bathrooms!

First off, is a project I was fortunate to be involved; the bathroom was inspired by a vacation the clients took to Africa.  In order to suspend the mirrors from the ceiling, we hired a saddle and tack specialist to create leather straps to attach to the top of the mirrors.  

With new countertops, custom designed sinks, and faux finished cabinetry, the bathroom really took on a new character!

The shower is one of the most unique aspects of the bathroom with its ergonomic bench.

But my favorite part is the EcoSmart fireplace placed on the half wall behind the claw foot bathtub! 

To see more about this project....click here!

P.S. Cindy is doing a giveaway this week! Check out her blog and post a comment about the sweet spots in your life for a chance to win a bottle of wine!

Big Beautiful Butterfly!

On Adrienne's birthday, this big beautiful butterfly flew around our lawn for a little while and I was able to snap a few pictures!  It was so large, that we all thought it was a bird at first!

Pineapple Salsa!

Homemade salsa has become one of my favorite things!  It is an incredible delicious treat and it is really good for you! I have been making the same homemade salsa recipe for a few months now and I've finally started to experiment with new recipes.  This one for pineapple salsa is so fresh tasting with the perfect hint of spice! You have to try it!

Pineapple Salsa!


Ingredients:

• Juice from one lime
• Approx. 1/2 of a pineapple, chopped with juice
• 1 jalapeño, seeded
• 1 Serrano pepper, seeded
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
• salt

Method:

• Blend!!!!!!  That's it!  Put all of the stuff in a food processor or blender and mix it up!  This stuff tastes awesome!

Memo Boards

Last week, I got to do a really fun hands-on project...not something I get to do that often at work.  Most of my design work is done on the computer and then the physical creating is delegated to someone else!  But this time, I got to make some really adorable memo boards for a kitchen desk area...that I also designed.

After selecting and purchasing some batting, I had a builder measure and cut some plywood boards that would fit perfectly in the back of the desk.

I cut out the batting so that it was slightly bigger than the board, wrapped the edges of the board in the batting and stapled it down.

After choosing which part of the fabric pattern I wanted showing, I did the same with the fabric.

Using some nailheads and ribbon, I added some decorative touches!

I can't wait to show you the rest of the kitchen!  The update for the 1950s ranch-style home turned out so adorable with some really classic materials!

Project Independence Reminder

Because I believe this is a really great project and an opportunity to help those in need, I am reposting about Project Independence, a truly remarkable cause.

By Design Interiors, Inc. has teamed up with HomeAid Houston to remodel and refurbish seven apartments that are going to be used to assist homeless female veterans. We have created a registry at Bed Bath and Beyond and would love your support to help these women get their feet back on the ground.

You can learn more about the project by visiting:
Chair-ma: Project Independence
Here are several ways you can help….

*Purchase items from the registry:
Bed Bath and Beyond Registry
First Name- HomeAid, Last Name- Houston.

*Send us a monetary donation:
Make checks payable to: HomeAid Houston
Mail to:
Bette Moser
HomeAid Houston
9511 West Sam Houston Parkway
North Houston, TX 77064
(please include By Design Interiors in the memo).

*Use your talents and skills to get involved:
These spaces are in need of a fresh coat of paint and additional storage.Feel free to contact me with any ideas you have on how to improve these spaces.
For more about Project Independence see:
HomeAid Houston: Project Independence
Thank you so much for your support!

Texas Home and Living, Sept/Oct. 2010

Be sure to check out the next edition of Texas Home and Living, the September/October Issue for 2010.  By Design Interiors, Inc. has been featured in several areas of the magazine highlighting talented Texas designers and builders.  The magazine features architects, designers, builders and remodelers, outstanding homes and gardens, and style and lifestyle trends throughout the state of Texas.  

The kitchen design featuring the antique transfer ware tiles is featured in the "2010 Kitchens" section.  An article written by Jack Frink discusses some of the difficulties of new construction, aspects of designing large kitchens, and designing in a style that best suits your clients.Click here to see more photos of this amazing French-Country inspired Kitchen!

Peggy Fuller, the owner and founder of By Design Interiors, Inc. is featured as the "Designer of the Issue!" Peggy discusses her favorite aspects of being a designer and how she has built By Design Interiors to be the award-winning firm that it is today.  To get the full article with all of Peggy's Q&A's, you can pick up the next issue of the magazine at any local retailer.

Stuck in the Mud!

When I say I am an interior designer, I often get responses along the lines of "ooh....how fun!" or "I would just love to look at fabrics all day!" And although it is an incredibly fun job that I feel lucky to have, I usually don't spend much of my day searching through materials.  In fact, much of my time is spent doing less-than-glamorous things.  Recently, I have developed amazing skills in high heels; I can walk backwards carrying a box weighing well over 30 lbs. through a construction site all while wearing my favorite pair of shiny black heels. 

Although most of the time I can get away without wrinkling my dress, sometimes the down-and-dirty aspects of this job make themselves wildly apparent.  While meeting with a client and builder at a construction site recently, it began to downpour and storm like the best of them.  On one hand, it really cooled off the mid-construction, non air-conditioned space during our 2-hour meeting.  On the other hand, the torrents of rain created a really disgusting mud trap of the front yard of the home with now way around it.  

We had to walk through it.  

And we sank.

I took a few moments to photograph my slime covered shoes to show that while our end results are beautiful, sparkling and stunning, the process to get there isn't always clean and tidy. 

Adrienne's Birthday!

I have to apologize for the lack of posts lately- things have been rockin' busy...but so many good things have been happening.  This week, I have posts highlighting some of the really fantastic events, publishings and projects that have been going on!! 

First up....Adrienne's Birthday!  On Friday night, Greg's family surprised Adrienne with a birthday party.  If you know anything about Adrienne at all....you know that she is damn near impossible to surprise.  We all schemed together and surprised her with a fun night of fajitas, margaritas, and cupcakes.

Mike and his girlfriend, Kelley did a fantastic job frosting the Funfetti cupcakes.

Adrienne and Greg!

Boo really enjoyed blowing the candles out and we had to relight a few over and over again! He is going to be a candle-blowing champ by the time his birthday comes around!

Project Independence

By Design Interiors has teamed up with a local charity called Houston HomeAid for a remodel project. The project is to provide housing for a growing number of homeless female veterans.  We have registered for new items at Bed Bath and Beyond and would greatly appreciate any support!  Click on the invite below to head to the registry.  If you would like to learn more about Houston HomeAid, click here! 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have! 

Thanks!