Project Monday - All Time Favorite

Black Doors

I was really surprised to see that this post generated the most traffic on my blog ever! Crazy.

I would love to have tall beautiful doors with a gorgeous finish but it's not so right now. July of 2011 I decided to paint all of the interior doors in my house black. You can see the details here.  It took me a week and several coats but I was very happy with the results.  I found great inspiration on Pinterest, here are a few that got me to get to it!

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As I said in the original post I tried a Behr paint that is sold as a primer/paint all in one. I used that in my bedroom which has a total of 6 doors including entry, bath and closets and built-in vanity that I also painted. 

After 2 1/2 years the doors had chipped quite a bit. I just re-painted with the Sherwin Williams Black Magic All Purpose Enamel (green label), that I used on all of the other doors in the house plus two vanities. The paint is a little spendy but well worth the extra $$$.

Paint - the best 'face-lift' for your home.

Before

After

And after again...all walls are SW Crushed Ice.

 The Sherwin Williams paint has not chipped and still looks great. I will say that the black shows all dust and hand prints so lots of wiping down comes with the great look!

Even if you are not in your 'forever' home as we aren't, go ahead and make your nest uniquely yours.  If you don't own and rent, most landlords/homeowners are happy to let you paint if you pay for it and they approve color etc.  Being a military wife for many years I always made our house a home and left them better than when we got there, the rented ones too!

♥

Moore Designs is ready to help you make your house a home!

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Foodie Friday Favorites

This is a past Foodie Friday that was one of the most favorite by you all. 

A definite crowd pleaser and one that the edges will never be straight enough!

Butterfinger Cake

oh so yummy!

A few years ago one of my dearest friends made this decadent cake and it has been a favorite ever since.

Make a yellow cake according to the box instructions.

While the cake is baking, crush the butterfingers, I like big pieces so I roll with a rolling pin.

Mix together condensed milk and caramel sauce. Bet you can't keep your finger out of this.  Oh my gosh, it's so good.  :)

After cake comes out of the oven, 

poke lots of holes all the way through.

The more holes the better to take in all the yummy milk/carmel mixture.

Mmmm.  Start whipping up the heavy whipping cream.

Fold in the butterfingers.  I think I actually I used too many butterfingers - is there such a thing really?

Put the whipping cream butterfinger mixture between the layers. 

Need to keep in the fridge!

yellow box cake mix - make 2 layers or 1 9x13

(bake as directed)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 jar carmel sauce

heavy whipping cream (or cool whip)

butterfingers candy

How fun is this?  3 mason jars with white flowers tied together to make one bouquet?  You can do it!

♥

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Lifestyle and Living Beautifully

Flower Power!

Creating a beautiful life doesn't mean one has to spend a lot of money!  Through this series I want to encourage us - remind us - to live our lives in a beautiful way, not to show off at all, but to treat ourselves and our families kindly...graciously. Our children are never too young to learn, they will remember it one day!

Today we are going to start with bringing life into our homes with flowers!  I bought a simple bouquet of sunflowers ($4) which happen to be one of my all time favorites.

Go out into your yard and see what you can find. I cut some juniper and foliage from a gardenia bush and gathered some baby's breath and heather that I had left over from last week.  That stuff never seems to die!

Be sure and trim off the foliage from the lower end of the stems, that left on is what makes the water stinky!

I start with the flowers varying their height...

 I usually like odd numbers but today I made one taller than the rest as the center and started adding the foliage.

Make sure it looks pretty from all angles. I like sort of a 'wild' look with little branches coming out on all sides.

Now on my coffee table for all to enjoy!

$4 and a little bit of time.  You can do it too!

♥

It's a new year, Moore Designs is ready to help you with your projects large or small Don't live in Atlanta?  No problem, online design services available! Contact MD today!

New Year Reflections

Hello 2014!

It has been interesting for me to look back on the life of this blog.  It was started in the fall of 2008 after a move to a new state as an empty nester and no friends. I had recently begun my interiors business in Washington, DC, after being part of a professional organization community. The prompt to blog came from the monthly news mag of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), which said if you didn't blog you should. I thought about it for a few months, had no clue how to get started and googled 'design bloggers'. Joni Webb, writer of Cote de Texas was the first I saw, I truly believe she was one of the 'design blog' pioneers. 

 From there I traveled down her blog roll and began reading. I don't consider myself a 'writer' but attention to detail in correct grammar and spelling is very important to me. I gradually made 'blog friends' and have met several in person.  There is something about like minds loving beautiful things and wanting to learn from each other.  Since my business was new and I don't have a formal design education (I took an online design program and got a certification), blogs became my school.  I have always decorated for friends and when I was organizing, decorating always came next.  There are seasons in our lives that prepare us for other seasons.  For example when I was a young woman I did the 'Color Me Beautiful' color draping, teaching people what colors look best on them for wardrobe and make-up. There I learned undertones of color, cool vs warm, etc. Who knew years later - after 20 years in the fitness industry - that season would be now in design.

Building a business in a new community and Atlanta of all places where there are design mega-stars is tough. It takes time - lots of time - years. But God is good and small projects have led to larger ones.

So...new year...new features!

Based on popularity 'Project Monday's'

 and 'Foodie Friday's' ...

...along with pretty tables are keepers.

 In our hurried life of technology and interstates, many times we don't take time to live life beautifully. I want to encourage us all in that so that our children will grow up with those special little details.

Here are my boys 20 years ago. Cloth napkins and flowers on their trays!

They grew up using cloth napkins at every meal! One of my high school girlfriends' recently reminded me of this image she had in her mind! Hmmm, I think some of those colors from the early '90's are coming back.

I love flowers and treat myself regularly!

I'm looking forward to a great 2014, how about you?

♥

Foodie Friday

Summer Tiramisu with Strawberries = YUM!

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It's been a bit crazy around here at MD, I think I forgot how to blog!  

I'm up to my eyeballs repurposing some furniture with paint and upholstery for a client and loving every moment of textile overload!

Today I have been in my office trying to unbury my desk and get the dreaded paperwork in order and I am dreaming of something decadent and yummy.  This tiramisu looks just perfect.  I dare not make it because the MR is on business and I would probably keep 'straightening the edges' until it was all gone.  Best to make it and share with peeps!

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Bring some pretty flowers in to brighten your weekend!

♥

Do you need help designing, redecorating or updating spaces in your home?

How about a 'paint-lift'? Let me know, ok?

Bicycling

It's no secret that I enjoy cycling and ride with some girliefriends with different groups.  Summertime is tough for me with the temps reaching 90 or above and the humidity factor. I'm looking forward to fall to get back out.

You can find us on on our skinny tires, clipped in and helmets clasped.

When traveling I enjoy renting this type of bike and tooling around.

I need to tell the MR that I want a this type of gate in the backyard!

Do you remember your tricycle?

Road bike for 5?  Would your kids sign up for this?

I'll bet this bike has quite a story to tell...wonder the miles, the people, the places.

Nice 3-wheeler, perfect for village shopping.

Did you ever have a basket on your bike?  I did, pretty sure there weren't flowers in it! This is a great garden ornament.

Tell me about your bicycling adventures!

♥

Do you need help designing, redecorating or updating spaces in your home?

How about a 'paint-lift'? We are ready to help you! 

Sources for bicycles

Foodie Friday

One of my girlfriend's shared this recipe with me last week and I'm on my second batch already.  It is so good.

Cumin Lime Black Bean Quinoa Salad

I made some revisions because when I first made it I didn't have carrots or green onions in the house.  I used red and yellow bell peppers, diced, and lots of black pepper and a few red pepper flakes.  For the dressing I omitted the garlic and cumin because I just wasn't feeling it that day and used agave syrup.  When the MR cooks he puts cumin and garlic in everything and I just wanted a break.  I did add grilled chicken and a bit more lime juice.  Perfect meal!

For the salad

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa (or 3 cups cooked)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans (or 1.5 cups cooked), drained and rinsed
• 1.5 cups cilantro, finely chopped
• 3 small/medium carrots, julienned (about 1.5 cups)
• 4 green onions, chopped
• fine grain sea salt & black pepper, to taste

For the dressing

• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
• 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

Instructions

• 1. To prepare the quinoa: Rinse quinoa in a fine mesh sieve. Add into pot along with 1.5 cups water or veggie broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low-medium, and then cover with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer for 15-17 minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and steam with the lid on for 5 additional minutes. Fluff with fork and chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.
• 2. In a large bowl, toss the quinoa, drained and rinsed black beans, cilantro, carrots, and green onions.
• 3. Whisk together the dressing in a small bowl or jar. Pour onto salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. I prefer to enjoy this salad chilled, so I usually throw it into the fridge for at least an hour. This is a great make-ahead salad too – prep it the night before and let it sit in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

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What's in your garden?

My hydrangeas are doing great this year, they have loved all the rain this summer.  Aren't the colors pretty?  These all came off of the same bush!

♥

Do you need help designing, redecorating or updating spaces in your home?

How about a 'paint-lift'? We are ready to help you!