Getting to the finish line…

Hope you all had a good weekend!

Last week went at a break neck pace for me, so it was perfect to end it by joining a bunch of ten year old boys for a game of paintball yesterday! Crawling in the mud, hiding in the woods, dodging paint bullets at a beautiful old Virginia horse country farm does wonders to stress!  I highly recommend it!

Do you ever feel like your house will never be done?  Either it’s a room that still looks bad, or items missing that keep it from looking right?  While I do believe homes should absolutely evolve over time, it causes a big problem when you’re in the design business. Another shoot took place at the house, which had me scurrying again to get some things completed.

But I really think I’m getting closer to the finish line…

The curtains are now in!! Margarita did a great job sewing the large panels.  It’s a faux citron colored silk with big wide black ribbon.

Hanging anything in the living room with it’s double height ceilings is always a bit difficult. And it’s always the tallest person who has to do it…me.  You have to climb fairly high on a latter.  A lot of times I feel adding curtains to a room is like adding hair on a person. It makes a huge difference!!

Jenny helped with the curtain pins. Something she pointed out they don’t teach you in design school!

I’m using the existing curtains rods which have a gilded wood finish. I always think the best curtains have a pinch pleat top. I really dislike most of the retail/catalog curtains you can buy because they have a straight flat top and it’s never as elegant, and the curtains never hang as well.

That’s why I’m adding already made Marmalade Design curtain to LiveLikeYou with pinch pleat top!

Have to show you a quick picture.

It’s a white linen curtain with black silk border along the sides, that I think would look great in any room. It comes in three different heights and double width as well.

It was night time when we got to hanging these curtains, and the colors really are not done justice in this flash picture!

Image Casey Collings

In the day time it looks fantastic – will show you as soon as it’s all done.

Jose hung the “Dorothy Draper” mirror. In the reflection you can see the old chandelier which will also eventually be exchanged. I want something mid century or a sixties glam chandelier.

Jose and his friend also hung a diamond print mirror next to the piano. It is super heavy it takes two strong men to even lift.

Here is a quick snapshot. It’s supposed to reflect the black and white wallpaper on the other side of room. Check out the wilted roses…. can you believe I forgot to put water in the vase??  Just too much going on lately…

I’m looking for just the perfect cool big urn to go on here to make it right.

Image Casey Collings

The foyer is pretty much done. The zebra felt cowhide is another item that’s going on the site. The felt backing on the zebra gives it a more finished look which I like.

I got these foo dogs for a client. We all were in love!! I had to get a pair for the foyer.

The bedroom…it’s still a bit of a mess.  I need a couch for the end of the bed, I need new bedside tables, new lamps.  I got these vintage Italian nightstands last week, that I’m redesigning.

It’s maybe difficult to see my drawing, but that’s the design I’m having painted on it, and I’m of course changing the color. The inside will be a surprise!

And finally the best part of last week.

My adorable mother arrived from Sweden.

It’s the best part of the year when she comes to visit!


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21 thoughts on “Getting to the finish line…

  1. WOW OH WOW! Is this coming together beautifully! The colors are extraordinary..I can so see this is going to be a showstopper of a room and cannot wait to see it totally done! Dying to see it..your mom and son? are both too cute! All great pictures and such a happy post!

  2. Jill, I feel the same way about my house NEVER being done…AND pinch pleats:) Your house is gorgeous, and I love the yellow, the cowhide rug…oh, and I have been known to leave water out of a vase too! And I know having your mother in town is so wonderful…Moms make everything better…and I do see a resemblance…she is beautiful. Sounds like it is shaping out to be a great week for you:) Have a great one. –G

  3. It's all very, very beautiful! Love the layering of the textures, colours, all the mirrors…It's really splendid and can't wait to see some daylight pics:-). You must be so thrilled to have your mom visiting-she is gorgeous!

  4. Wow Jill…you are the Queen of Color ;). It's looking fabulous and I miss your wonderful, adorable and sweet mom and Luke looks like he'll be taller than her in no time! Hope today went well! xx Danielle

  5. Hej kompis, you have more energy than anybody I know. How do you do it all? One second you are crawling in the mud, the next you are running up and down the ladder like a squirrel! And on top of it you are entertaining a jet lagged Mom! (Hon aer saa soet!)

    I am thinking I need those b/w curtains for my formal living room. Can I even afford them? I might need to sell some more boots quickly…

    Kram paa dig

    Mon

  6. Wow, this is looking nothing short of gorgeous!! Such fantastic work, the colors, the textures and patterns are perfection 🙂 Thank you for passing by today, I so appreciate your visits!
    Nancy xo

  7. Hello hello!
    How wonderful that 'mamma' is there with you. I know exactly how you feel and there is no better feeling than when a piece of our family comes to us, in our far-away homes. Enjoy this to the full! xx

    I agree with you on the curtains. Pleats at the top et all. However sadly we are an almost 'curtain free family' due to Isabella's asthma. It's simply impossible for us to surround ourselves with too many furnishings – at least whilst we still live here in Sydney where it is so humid and pollen-saturated. It's so sad, because like you, I like a finished and dressed look. Perhaps it's a Swedish thing..?! 🙂

    Can't wait to see the gorgeous yellow creations in daylight. I bet they look sensational!

    Stor kram

    xx Charlotta

  8. It's looking awesome! The gorgeous drapery panels will certainly add that fabulous touch (love the comment, it's like adding hair to a person, it's true) or like adding the bling to an evening gown. Did you know Jenny's shoes were color coordinated? LOL

    You mom is ADORABLE!! Clearly fantastic genes run in your family. Enjoy the time together.

    Looking forward to seeing more images.
    xo

  9. I love seeing your home. It's so beautiful and I adore all the colors and special touches. Hope you have a wonderful time with your Mom!

  10. You must have a huge house to accommodate all that furnishing. They are handsome pieces. You certainly have a good eye. Me, I hate arranging our house. Actually its not the arranging part but the mess the going along with it. I hate cleaning up (LOL).

  11. How BIG can I write LOVE!!! Those curtains are fabulous…and I agree…I like a nice header on top of curtains….also…congrats on you feature in TRAD! I bet you are still smiling 🙂

  12. Your curtains are so beautiful! Your home is looking stunning!! And yay for fun times playing paintball!

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