Friday, August 30, 2013

Little Brother isn't so little anymore!

One of the most difficult things about living in Texas is being so far away from family and old friends.  I'm pretty sure I say that every time I create a post about family....  Being in Texas for almost 4 years now doesn't make it any easier.

So, it was high-time that my little brother take a visit down to Texas to spend some time with myself and my sister. He stayed with us for 10 whole days! Several of those I put him to some good work.  But, here are some of the more fun highlights....
My sister's dog acts like he gets no lovin'..... he adopted Travis immediately and snuggled whenever he possibly could.

Evan, myself, and Travis at the epic Diaper Party for our big sister :)

Getting Orange Leaf (family tradition) with nephew Boo. It's really uncanny how similar their silly faces look to each other......


Saying 'goodbye' to niece, Lil 'A.  Every time Travis and I would head to my sister's house, our niece and nephew would get SO excited! Lil 'A would grab my hand and yell "HIDE!" I would grab A and Travis would grab Boo and an epic game of Hide and Seek would begin.  

At first, our hiding spots were pretty rudimentary, but by the end, we would get pretty creative..... Squished behind the sofa cushions, buried under a pile of clothes, inside a cabinet, Travis even managed to get inside A's crib!

Super fun to have Trav in town! :)  Can't wait until his next visit.... Christmas, maybe? :)

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Sneak Peak: Stunning Master Bathroom

If you've known me during my design career, you probably have had at least one heated discussion with me about tile/stone.  Throughout my time as a designer, I have become obsessed (maybe to an unhealthy degree) with these amazing products..... 

There is so much you can do with tile far FAR beyond a standard 12x12 in a grid pattern.  Mixing and matching, creating beautiful patterns, inlays, accents. Tile can completely transform an otherwise boring space into the stunning, drop-dead gorgeous, spa-like retreat it deserves to be!

So, when I walked into one master bathroom I have designed that finally has its tile installed, my heart skipped a beat! The bathroom is 90% complete and takes your breath away!
Above the tub, I created a little tile frame using a mix of travertine field tile, Light Emperador liners, and a beautiful crackled glass and stone mosaic. The Light Emperador tub deck is not only stunning and rich, but coordinates with the liners in the frame. 

The crackled glass tile is so beautiful that I used it in several areas including creating this tile pattern within the floor in front of the shower.

The furniture-like vanities add to the richness of this space. The deep stain color adds beautiful contrast to the light colored travertine and Light Emperador counter tops.  In order to not overwhelm the bathroom with too much glass mosaic, I only did two rows as the back splash lined with the same chair rail liner as the tub tile frame. 

Here was my "angels signing heavenly notes" moment... The shower focal wall will be seen through the glass shower door (not yet installed) and is also visible at almost every angle in the bathroom. The tile frame coordinates with the frame above the tub while not being exactly the same.   I used the glass mosaic to help create the frame this time and used a travertine set in a herringbone pattern inside the frame. 

"Her" vanity, reflective of his vanity but a little larger and with a cute spot perfect for getting ready in the mornings.  The amazing natural light makes these materials look even more rich and beautiful. 

While I can pick materials and draw out exactly where they should go, I most certainly can not lay the tile, build and finish cabinetry, install lighting, or even paint well.  So, a huge thank you to Monte with Flair Homes (check them out here!) and Ronnie with Buffaloe Flooring (check them out here!). Without them.... such a space wouldn't exist.

So looking forward to placing some final touches and taking some beautiful photographs!

Monday, August 26, 2013

And then God said, "Let there be baby #3"...

My sister is, (drum roll please).... expecting baby #3!  Her and her husband already have two little munchkins, I'm sure you'd seen their cameos throughout, and have decided to have #3 be a surprise. 

Already having all of the necessities for a boy and a girl, I decided to have just a general party to celebrate and gather some much needed diapers.  What better place to have a party... than the local pub!   Friends and family headed to Kilburn's with a box of diapers to eat, drink, and cause a minor raucous on a Saturday afternoon. 
Behind the desserts table, we let the boxes of diapers pile up :) Adrienne estimates they got nearly half the diapers they're going to need for the new little one!

If you haven't heard of Nothing Bundt Cakes, I suggest you head here to their website, find the closest one to you, and get yourself one of their amazing treats!

Sister-in-Law Kelly also made some delicious goodies, an adorable cookie cake and peanut butter chocolate balls that were to die for! Thank you so much!

Other Wamhoff women helped out as well! Greg's mom Joan and sister Katie picked up the balloons and helped me decorate the tables. 

Sister-in-Law Danielle and my mom gathered some awesome materials to do some personalized onesie decorating!  I didn't think many people would get involved in the onesies - but people took it really seriously! There are some amazing creations... click here to check out my sister's blog with more pictures.... 


My little brother and me :)

Wamhoffs everywhere!

My adorable sister and her equally adorable friend, Stephanie. 

Yes! Fist pump for diapers!

Travis getting his onesie on!

Preggers were everywhere too.  Here's my friend Susan and Danielle, both expecting in December.... both upset about the drinks they can't have :)

The Wamhoff Development men tended to all congregate together..... I told them they always need to make sure to stand in height order.


Greg and his mama

Kelly and Mike :) 

Adrienne and Amy :)

Of course the afternoon wouldn't have been complete without a round of shots.  I don't think any guy escaped an Irish Car Bomb....


I can't really come up with a caption that would suit this photo!

Best photo bomb of the day! Greg didn't even notice his buddy Rico in the picture!

My sister and me :)


There were a couple little bundt cakes leftover... .little A had the pleasure of enjoying a red velvet!

Thank you to everyone who came out for such a fun time and huge thank you to everyone that helped out!! Can't wait to meet the next adorable addition to my sister's family in just a couple of short months!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Summer Christmas

I know it sounds crazy, but designers are already thinking about Christmas!  I stopped by my favorite floral place and they have begun their Holiday tree installations and they are shaping up to be amazing!!  You can check out For All Occasions here!

When you walk through the door, you're met with these life-size nutcrackers!  Beautifully carved, 6-foot tall guys :)

Getting in the spirit early, FAO has designed an Autumn tree. It is beautifully warm and inviting with its rich reds, golds, and brown colors. 



But my favorite so far, is the angel tree! She is amazing!


If you're interested in any Christmas or holiday decorations, give me a shout! They are incredibly beautiful and talented designers at For All Occasions :)





Saturday, August 17, 2013

It's getting hot in here!

Common knowledge... it gets really really hot in Texas in August.  In fact, when I moved to Texas, everyone I met was concerned how I would survive the excruciatingly hot summer.  But we treat it much like the winter months somewhere in the north; you don't go outside much and all of your interior spaces are air conditioned to the max.

While driving through downtown Dallas a week back, I couldn't believe the exterior temperature my car was reading. 

Holy cow! I made my assistant take a picture....

Then it got hotter....

And hotter!!!!

Thank goodness for air conditioning or we would have melted!  It didn't stay at 122 for long and dropped down to about 95 once we were on the open highway. 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Design Inspiration in Santa Monica

I'm not afraid to whip out my camera and take pictures of things that I think are amazing.... including bathrooms in restaurants!

While in Santa Monica, CA for a wedding, I couldn't help myself when I saw some really incredible interior design.... so, after using the restroom at the Redwood Grille located in the 3rd Street Prominade, I had to stop and take a really good look at the wall tile.  
It was awesome! It looked like cross sections of a tree trunk. The tiles are cut in different sizes from 6x6 to 18x18 and several sizes in between. Even though this was a porcelain tile, each piece was unique and distinct from its neighbor!  And when paired with a beautiful glass tile, stone counter top, and sparkling chrome fixtures = perfection!


So, if you're ever in the Santa Monica area and want to use an awesome bathroom....

REDWOOD GRILLE

District: Downtown and Third Street Promenade
395 Santa Monica Place #308
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: 1-866-593-9667 

I also couldn't stop myself from taking a photo of the lobby at the Casa Del Mar.  It was absolutely stunning but in a completely different way than the bathroom up above :)

So much attention to detail!

So my photo doesn't do this justice... what-so-ever.  So, please visit Casa Del Mar's website and tour the photos, they are breathtaking!

Casa Del Mar's Lobby..... beautiful! Courtesy of Hotelcasadelmar.com


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Santa Monica Wedding

In late July, the man and I had another wedding to attend.... but this time, we were heading to Santa Monica, California!  Of all of the weddings we are attending, I shouldn't complain about the amazing traveling we are doing for them.

Santa Monica has perfect weather, 70 and sunny.  Our hotel was one beautiful block walk to the beach where I would try to escape to as much as possible.  Here are some of the highlights from our weekend getaway.....
While Evan was getting fitted for his tux, I scampered off to the beach! I think you'll see my pink nose from laying out in the sun a couple of photos later....

As perfect as the beach was, the food was amazing as well. Fresh seafood and we stumbled upon the best Italian cafe I've ever been to! You can check it out here.....Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery!

It's no deli like I've been to; you walk into a small grocery store filled with all sorts of Italian treats and on one side is the deli. You take a number and peruse the menu and amazing looking salads in the cooler.  They call your number, you yell your order, grab your sandwiches, your salads, some cold ones, and a bag of cookies and you're ready for a picnic!

I couldn't help taking a picture of this little kid.... he must really hate the beach!

You know what's becoming the next big design trend.... dinosaurs! These amazing dinosaur fountains in various dinosaur species were cooling off the sidewalks along the 3rd St. Promenade!  I knew I was on to something!

I love flowers! Here's a closeup of one of the beautiful center pieces!

I love this picture! I wish it weren't so blurry... it's the groom's mom joking around with some fellow Michigan gals :) 

Slightly sun burnt, a little 'glistening' from dancing, full of good food and drinks, and smiling from ear to ear!

Congratulations Braden and Kristin! Beautiful wedding and here's to a beautiful life! :)