From the title it sounds like this could be some kind of science fiction twist on the Underdog. Luckily, it’s not.  I really don’t think I could handle aliens invading the Underdog at this point. Maybe in a few years when things have settled.

Back when Handy Hubby was down with his septoplasty, he wasn’t able to work on the Underdog at all and it was killing him.  So, he came up with a tedious Underdog-related project to keep him busy until he healed.  May I present to you…ta dah!…The Underdog Files…

Although I’m more of the house/everyday living organizer in the family, HH is definitely the paperwork/bill organizer.  It works out well for us.  HH is very detail-oriented when it comes to ideas, projects, estimates, and costs for the Underdog.  He is saving everything that relates to the renovation.  To keep it all organized {and to keep us from searching through piles and piles of paper}, he put together this accordion folder complete with labeled tabs.

There’s a tab for everything:  insulation, plumbing, roof, landscape, electrical, HVAC, framing, windows, receipts, permits, inspection and loan.  While some tabs have very little filed under them {plumbing} others are already bulging with information {electrical}.  I guess that just shows where we are in terms of renovation projects.  {I.e., we feel we can live with outdated, ugly bathrooms for a while but we should probably get the electrical system upgraded to avoid any safety issues.}

HH’s folder is pretty impressive.  So much so, that I’m thinking of starting one of my own for all of the decor related projects for the Underdog.  It would definitely help me to focus on the task at hand while still gathering information and ideas for other projects.  The only question is ‘How do I label it all?’  Do I go the obvious route and label files according to room {kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc.} or do I keep decor categories separate {flooring, lighting, fabrics, furniture, etc.}? Or do I combine both methods, labeling each room with subcategories under them?  For example, the living room tab would have flooring, lighting, fabric, furniture, etc. subcategories.  How would you approach the organization of so much decor information?  Any suggestions are appreciated!

images:  Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

Once a month, I like to share an inspiring paint color with you.  Well, really, I’d like to repaint my walls once a month just because there are so many great paint colors out there to try…but that’s not realistic now, is it?  So, instead, I’ll stick with sanity and simply talk about the colors of my painted rainbow here.  This month I’m all about Benjamin Moore’s Newburg Green HC-158.

I’m normally drawn to light and airy backdrops, so this color is definitely off the beaten path for me. But I still think it’s great.  Newburg Green is a rich, deep teal that works well in different color schemes.  It’s moody but can be used like a neutral.  Without sufficient lighting and light furnishings, fabrics and/or accessories, it can steer towards dark and cave-like real quick.  Be warned!  Done right, it can take a plain Jane room to va-va-va-voom.

Take these guest house living quarters for example.  Paired with lots of white and cream, textured seagrass, rustic reclaimed wood, black gloss accents and a pop of orange, the feeling is cozy and fresh.  Notice all the natural light.

This L.A. guest room takes Newburg Green on a whole different spin.  With even more natural light {thanks to the region’s warm and sunny climate}, the hue comes across as blue-er and teal-er and doesn’t require as much white to brighten it up.  Instead, warm woods, hot pinks, deep plums, fresh chartreuse and shiny accents make for an inviting little jewel box of a room.  Take note of all the textures used to soften the feel of the colorful room.   There’s velvet, chenille and shaggy wool fabrics dressing the bed.  The tufting on the curvy side chair helps to soften things up too.

I’m not the first in blog land to take a liking to Newburg Green.  Apartment Therapy named this bedroom one of its Room for Color winners last November.  The owner used white bedding, woven ottomans, industrial lighting and burgundy accents in the masculine space.

Tamara over at Get It Girl Style used Newburg Green in her open living space to envelope the dining area.  Again, there are many lighter elements {tile flooring, dining chairs, trim, place settings} to counteract the rich walls.  A few pops of green and a woven veneer pendant work well against the moody backdrop.

I think Newburg Green would look splendid paired with denim, white and pops of orange in a modern nursery for a boy or even in an older boy’s room.  Throw in a few dark pieces like an espresso changing table or nightstand along with a rubbed bronze floor lamp to add sophistication.

Switch up the orange accents for pea green ones and the combo becomes a little beachy.  Still use it in a boy’s room or wander out to a young family room with it.  Fun!

Get all Nate Berkus like with a masculine color scheme of deep teal, warm white, gloss black and a camel tone.  Tone.  Not toe.  I could see this palette going over well in an office, study or den. Classic and timeless.  Just don’t forget good lighting!

How about throwing Newburg Green in with white, linen and doses of raspberry?  Bring in the raspberry with fresh flowers, artwork, pillows and printed fabrics.  This color combo could take a girl from crib to dorm just by mixing up the accessories.  Very fresh.

And no pictures of this one except in my head.  What if in an all white kitchen you painted an island in a glossy Newburg Green finish?  It’d be a happy surprise for sure.  Can you imagine white walls and cabinetry, mocha floors, stainless steel appliances and a shiny teal island in the center of it all? Possibly topped with a chunky wood top?  Mmmmm.  I’d also like to note that Newburg Green is a good option for builder, cookie cutter homes.  With the light cream carpet and white trim and white doors that seem to come standard in most of these homes, a rich teal could really cozy up an otherwise blah room.  Do you have any ideas for using a deep, moody teal somewhere in the home?

images:  1) Benjamin Moore 2 & 3) Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Christmas House 2009 4) Reed Davis for House Beautiful 5 & 6) Apartment Therapy 7) Get It Girl Style 8-11) Benjamin Moore paint collages by Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

As far as house plants go, I’m all for easy and low maintenance.  ’When was the last time I watered the plants?‘  Let’s be honest, if you were a plant in my house, you might think you were living in the Sahara Desert…I rarely turn on the ac and it could be weeks before you see a drop of water come your way.  So it should come as no surprise that I do pretty well with succulents.  Lately, I’ve been hearing a little about ‘air plants’ too.  Air plants require no soil, just indirect light and water on their leaves.  Seems easy enough.  Then I came across the Etsy shop, Tortoise Loves Donkey, and now I’m completely hooked.  Making teeny terrariums with succulents and air plants is officially on my very long to-do list.

From the petite concrete planters to the botanical science experiments in narrow glass tubes, I’m head over heels for Tortoise Loves Donkey.  What inspiration!  The shop even offers terrarium and air plant wedding favors.  And the shop owner is funny too.  Just read any of the product descriptions.  Take the Hunky Chunky Corked Set of 3, for example…

“Some days, you just need a little zen in your life. To stare at dial-tone-in-the-brain-like*. For a long time. These are great for that. You know how I know? I’ve had a few days like that. And I can’t guarantee it, but it’s quite possible that these are better for your soul than coffee. That’s saying a lot from a chick whose coffee makers (types, alone) outnumber her, oh, 6 to 1.

But seriously. Zen.

One awesome terrarium with its own little (no fuss easygoing) air plant. And cork…I’m looking at you, cats-who-knock-things-down-from-ledges. And care guide (it’s short, and easy, we swear). Measures about 2 1/8″ high and just over 1″ wide.

Set of 3 (some things are just better in threes).

*Do cell phones have dial tones? I never noticed. Are the young folk gonna be like “you’re so old you know what a dial tone sounds like”??! *sigh* I’m going back to staring at my wee plants.”

I like humor.  Especially on Fridays.  Anyhow, I think it’d be fun to try my hand at something similar: small concrete planters or itty bitty terrariums.  And if I fail, I can always buy from this Etsy shop, right?  I do love supporting small businesses and starving artists.

Speaking of DIY terrariums, did you happen to see this tutorial for terrarium magnets?

It hails from none other than a wedding planner’s website/blog called Ruffled and I think it’s fantastic.  Must do it.  The tutorial was created as a DIY wedding favor idea but I could see it making its way into mainstream DIY decor.  Terrariums must be all the wedding favor rage right now.  Man, I feel old.  Back in the day, we just gave our wedding guests some matches and sparklers to play with and called it a day. Nothing says, ‘thank you for sharing our special day’ like singed dress clothes and burnt fingers.  Do you ever wonder what your wedding would be like if you had to do it all over again now?  Of course, that’s a question for people who have been married for nearly a decade like Handy Hubby and me.  Hmmm…that would be a fun blog post.  Not that my wedding was lame.  It wasn’t.  Especially since I ended up with a Handy Hubby.

Okay, wow.  It must be Friday.  My brain is all over the place.  Now, what was I talking about?  Oh, right, the Sahara Desert.  I think I hear my house plants begging for water…

T.G.I.F!!!!!!

images:  1) Picnik collage by Dana Miller using Tortoise Loves Donkey images  2 & 3) Ruffled

We’re revamping the kitchen in the Underdog.  That means scouring the internet for images of beautiful kitchens is no longer a time waster but my new part-time job.  And totally necessary.  I’ll even go as far to say it’s research.  My lab is the living room sectional and my equipment includes my MacBook, my fingertips and Google.  A few blankets, a cup of coffee and I’m set.  Life is good. Here’s what my research has turned up so far.

Jenna Lyons’ kitchen is just about my fave ever.  With dark base cabinets, concrete countertops, open shelving, industrial elements, rustic woods and a simple design it’s not hard to fall in love with this one.

Loving the large, contrasting island complete with open shelving.  The symmetry of the kitchen isn’t exact but it feels well balanced with the hood taking center stage.

Green cabinets + black island + lime pantry shelving + upholstered stools + open shelving + schoolhouse lighting + chevron rug + coffered ceiling + white walls = a great mixed-and-matched kitchen.

Hello, herringbone floor tile.  You and your friends – black door, black window & contrasting cabinets – are welcome over at my new place anytime.

My fondness for white and gray is still very much alive.

Dark cabinetry that looks anything but in this light and bright kitchen.

Can you say “holy woven pendants!?”  I especially like the cathedral ceiling, glossy white wall tile, striped rugs, and the view to the outside.

Did you happen to notice a common denominator that is present in each of my inspiration kitchens?  As much as I adore classic, timeless white kitchens {I still love my current one}, it seems I’m ready for a little more contrast in the kitchen. As long as most everything else is kept white and natural light is allowed to pour in, dark cabinetry can work in an airy and bright kitchen.  We may just give the whole contrasting kitchen thing a try in our Underdog.  Hmmm…

images:  1) Melania Acevedo for Livingetc  2) Jessica Helgerson Design  3) Roger Davies for Cottage Living  4) Michael Graydon for Tommy Smythe  5) Decor Pad 6) Gridley + Graves photography, Sandi Holland design  7) Jean Philippe Piter Photography for Coastal Living

By far, the questions I get asked most frequently have to do with the paint colors in my home.  I wrote up a post devoted entirely to which paint colors are where here.  However, we painted our walls over 3 years ago and it seems the Bonsai/Magic Spell Valspar swatch and the Wet Dock Valspar swatch are hard to come by nowadays at Lowe’s.  Even so, my local Lowe’s still carries them.  Southwestern Ohio must be last on the list for a paint department upheaval!  Anyway, for the last few weeks, I’ve been picking up loads of paint swatches from all my local paint supply stores in search of Bonsai/Magic Spell/Wet Dock lookalikes. {I wasn’t able to get my hands on any Benjamin Moore swatches as the nearest BM supplier isn’t within my regular driving area.} I found some pretty convincing ‘fakes’ that I’d like to share with you today. Hopefully, they are in stock at your local stores!  {FYI – Due to the nature of this post, all images are original and unedited taken under natural light.  I always recommend grabbing swatches and taping them up on your walls at home with painter’s tape before committing to a color.}

• BONSAI {Valspar/Lowe’s} – This color covers the majority of our walls including our kitchen, sunroom, dining area and family room.  It’s a light, airy gray that changes throughout the day depending on the lighting, going from light gray when drenched in sunlight to a green-gray in indirect natural light to a warm, taupey gray under artificial light.  I found three Bonsai lookalikes available at Lowe’s and Sherwin-Williams that would make it hard to tell them apart from The Real Slim Shady.  {I didn’t have much luck matching up Bonsai at Home Depot.}

Some great Bonsai alternatives:

1.  Frappé – a Valspar color available at Lowe’s.

2.  Jogging Path – a Sherwin-Williams color.

3.  Linen – a Valspar color part of the Signature Colors/Eddie Bauer Home Lakeside Cottage collection available at Lowe’s.

• MAGIC SPELL {Valspar/Lowe’s} – This color is on the same paint swatch as Bonsai and is one shade darker than Bonsai.  Magic Spell lends a warmer, taupier feel.  It’s in our first floor powder room and looks amazing with white accents.  I was able to match up four Magic Spell-esque colors available from Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart and Sherwin-Williams.

Some great Magic Spell alternatives…

1.  Gray Silt – a Valspar color available at Lowe’s.

2.  Olivewood – a Glidden color available at Walmart and Home Depot.  I noted the swatch number for each store above…be careful, they’re different!

3.  Ethereal Mood – a Sherwin-Williams color.

4.  Porch Gray – a Glidden color that’s part of the Better Homes and Gardens Editors’ Choice Paint Colors available at Walmart.  I didn’t see it at Home Depot even though Home Depot carries the Glidden line.

• WET DOCK {Valspar/Lowe’s} – This color is still in the gray family but has a creamier tone to it than Bonsai.  I used it to paint two, wide horizontal stripes on our TV wall in the family room for subtle contrast with alternating Bonsai stripes.  I was able to find two Wet Dock stand-ins at Lowe’s and Walmart.

A few great Wet Dock alternatives…

1.  Bay Sands – a Valspar color available at Lowe’s.

2.  Geneva Swan Gray – a WM119 paint swatch color available at Walmart.

And that’s the extent of my paint swatch hunt.  I really think any of the colors mentioned above could be used pretty worry-free for a nice, neutral backdrop.  They are good Bonsai/Magic Spell/Wet Dock alternatives if you happen to live in one of those cities that’s already had their Lowe’s paint department revamped.  If anything, maybe they will save you some legwork.  Like I said, my local Lowe’s still has the original Bonsai swatch in stock.  In fact, I happened to grab ~20 of the Bonsai/Magic Spell swatches on my hue hunt so if you want the real deal shoot me an email and I’ll be happy to send you one as long as you provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope. First come, first serve!  Which brings me to another paint point…just because you grab a swatch from a certain store doesn’t mean you have to have it mixed up there. Feel free to take your desired color swatch to the paint department of your choice and have it color-matched.

What a gray post, right?  It definitely wasn’t anything pretty to look at but hopefully it was practical and useful.  I’m crossing my fingers that these alternatives are available at your local stores. Happy painting!

PS – If you have an idea for a blog post you’d like to see on House*Tweaking, please feel free to send me an email at danarmiller {at} hotmail {dot} com.  I find that many of my readers have similar questions, styles and interests so it’s sometimes helpful to address certain topics in the form of a post…for instance, suggestions for alternative Bonsai paint colors.

images:  Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

Welcome to House*Tweaking’s first ever S.M.I.L.F. Week!  What’s that?  You don’t know what a S.M.I.L.F. is?  Well, it’s a stylish mama I‘d like to friend, of course.  And I’ve got a long list of them. They are blogging mamas with incredible style, great senses of humor, inspirational blogs, cute kiddos and beautiful outlooks on home life and beyond.  In honor of the impending Mother’s Day holiday, I asked some of my favorite S.M.I.L.F.’s to answer a few questions related to design, kids, and life in general.  I’ll be sharing their answers with you throughout the week.  I know with kids AND work AND house projects AND blogs these women are busy bees, so I’m very grateful to them for taking the time to participate in my nosy little interview.  Thank you, S.M.I.L.F.’s!

Kirsten from Simply Grove

Kirsten writes the blog Simply Grove and her style is to. die. for.  She can style a vignette like nobody’s business!  She has an uncanny ability to mix vintage with modern.  Although her home’s pallete is mostly neutral {grays, whites, blacks, browns}, Kirsten has a way of adding contrast, warmth and texture to keep the space feeling totally comfy and livable.  And it seems her kiddos have picked up on her design sense. They contribute their design picks regularly over on Kirsten’s blog.

H*T – What do you do for a living, where do you live, and who all lives in your home?

Kirsten – My name is Kirsten Grove and I am an Interior Stylist/ Decorator/ Blogger.  I live right outside of Boise, Idaho with my husband, 2 kids and dog, Bear.  My son just turned 6 and my daughter will turn 5 next month.

H*T – What’s your #1 piece of advice for mixing kids and style together successfully under one roof?

Kirsten – Don’t take your home seriously.  Meaning, if you are going to have little ones running around, keep your space light hearted and fun.  With that, it can still be a beautiful space!  My friends always comment on how homey my homes have been but how stylish they stay, in the midst of chaos.

H*T – What’s been your biggest surprise since becoming a mom?

Kristen – How little you start thinking about yourself.  You realize that before children, life was wrapped up around you you you.  After having my kids, I noticed that my stupid little temper tantrums about petty issues grew less and less.

H*T – What do you and your hubby do to keep the spark alive?

Kirsten – We try and have one date night a week.  Now that doesn’t always happen but it is our weekly goal that we try and maintain.  We also alternate who plans the date and who gets the sitter.  Traveling alone can also keep sparks going!

H*T – What’s your favorite activity to do at home with your kid(s)?

Kirsten – We all love to cook and eat together!  My daughter will want to help in the kitchen while my son gives his 2 cents on what foods look good.

H*T – What’s your favorite time of day and why?

Kirsten – I love the evenings.  Its nice to wind down after a busy day, sit on the couch with the family and just talk.  We all have alot to say!!

H*T – What home-related items would make it onto your Mother’s Day wish list if money wasn’t a concern?

Kirsten – I really need a sideboard for our dining room.  I recently saw a cork sideboard that looks totally cool and modern.  The price tag isn’t that cool but if money wasn’t an option, I would bring that baby home!!!

Thanks, Kirsten!  You can see Kirsten’s amazing home here.

Thanks to all my S.M.I.L.F.’s for inspiring me and motivating me every day and for finding a few minutes out of their hectic schedules to answer my questions.  Happy Mother’s Day to all you mamas out there. Have a very stylish weekend!

image:  yanphoto.com via Kirsten Grove

Now that you’ve seen our Underdog, it’s time to share our plans for upgrading and renovating it. There are many projects at the top of the list that need to be completed before other projects can even begin.  This is what we’ve got going on…

Projects Up Next

• radon mitigation:  The house failed the radon emissions test we had conducted so a professional will be coming in to install a radon mitigation system.
• electrical service upgrade:  Currently the home is serviced by an original 50 amp electrical box…complete with screw-in fuses.  The electrical box is located in the den’s laundry closet. The plan is to relocate the electrical box to the garage and update it to 200 amp service.  We’re also going to bury the overhead electric service line that comes into the house for a cleaner look.  Handy Hubby will be DIYing these projects with the help of a family friend who has extensive knowledge and experience in the electrical field.

• tree removal:  As much as we love a yard full of mature trees, there are many trees in the front and back yards that are either dead or planted too close to the house.  Our home inspector also mentioned tree removal as a way to avoid further termite infestation; the trees are shading the home and it’s not able to ‘dry out’ properly AND the roots are keeping moisture in the ground…perfect conditions for welcoming hungry termites.  While we plan to keep a few trees that are in good condition and in appropriate locations, the rest will be removed professionally.  We like to DIY but some of these trees are over 50 feet tall and their removal is beyond the scope of our DIY skills.  We’ll have the stumps and roots ground up, too.
• termite control:  While there aren’t any active termite invasions at the moment, there is evidence of previous infestation…luckily nothing is wrong with the house structurally though. By removing the aforementioned trees, we hope to prevent further infestation.  We’ll also be looking at safer methods {other than dousing the house with pesticides} to control any future termites.

• laundry room/bathroom ventilation:  As-is the dryer in the laundry closet vents into the attic. Not exactly safe.  {Upon accessing the attic from the garage, the attic ladder is laced with 50 years’ worth of dryer lent!} While it’s an interesting way to insulate your attic {ha!}, dryer lent attracts and retains moisture…another way our Underdog probably attracted termites in the past.  Each of the bathrooms are without a fan that vents outside.  Handy Hubby plans to vent the dryer out through the roof and add fans in each of the bathrooms.  {It’s a miracle there isn’t any mold or mildew in the house with all these moisture-related issues!}

Projects On Deck

• interior wall removal:  You know we love open, casual floor plans!  As many of you guessed, we’ll be opening the kitchen/living room/dining room up into one big multipurpose space.  We know it’s not for everyone, but wide open living is the life for us.  So, yes, you’ll be able to see the kitchen from the front door but we have plans to make it aesthetically appealing.
• vault great room ceiling:  Handy Hubby and I have always agreed that we feel more comfortable in modest spaces with higher ceilings.  So once the kitchen/living room/dining room is opened up, we plan to take the 8′ ceiling out and replace it with one vaulted up to the rafters. This central great room will eventually be the hub of the house.
• add skylights:  To let in as much natural light as possible, we plan on adding 2-3 skylights over the kitchen area of the great room on the back side of the house.

• complete kitchen overhaul:  The original 1950′s cabinets are going, going, gone.  We’ll be switching up the kitchen layout, installing new cabinets, upgrading appliances {and even adding some…the house has no dishwasher} and carving out a little office area within the kitchen to make grocery lists, pay bills, and blog.  Because we’re downsizing, we won’t have an actual room to devote towards an office.
• new flooring:  The rust-colored and green carpets are outta here!  Contrary to popular belief, there are no beautiful hardwoods beneath those ugly carpets.  Believe me, we’ve checked. We’re not set on a flooring type as of yet.  It will all come down to cost.  If we have the funds, I’d love to install hardwoods.  But if money is tight, we’ll probably just stain and seal the concrete and use tons of area rugs until we can save up cash for what we really want.
• new roof:  Our home inspector said we’ve got maybe 2-5 years left on the current roof and a few small, active leaks.  But since we’re going to be adding roof vents {laundry room, bathrooms} and skylights {kitchen} we think logistically it may work out to just have a new roof installed once those projects are completed.  We’d love to have a metal roof put on for a cleaner, more modern look and for its environmental/maintenance-free benefits.

Projects in the Hole

• window replacement: Most of the windows in the house have been replaced already.  We’ll probably hold off on replacing the few older ones since they look to be in good shape.

• add central AC:  Since it’s looking like we won’t actually be living in the house for a few months, adding central air isn’t a necessity.  Plus, I think we could go one summer without air if we had to.

• update bathrooms:  Nobody in our family spends a lot of time in the bathroom, so these can wait.  If possible, I’d really like to furnish the bathrooms with upcycled pieces {I really want to include a claw foot tub if we can} and fixtures to cut down on costs…although I’m sure some new stuff will have to be added in.
• aesthetics:  This category will be an ongoing project as long as we live in the house.  It includes cleaning, replacing trim, painting {walls and maybe some brick??}, replacing the garage door, repairing the driveway, updating light/ceiling fixtures, decorating, installing new interior doors/hardware, furnishing, adding curb appeal, organizing, and tweaking ’til my heart’s content!  I’m working on nailing down a feel and color scheme for this house.  While our budget won’t allow for all new pieces and decor, I would like to challenge myself a bit more in the interior design department.  Handy Hubby and I would both like to incorporate more natural elements and upcycled items.  That being said, I’ve always been a fan of mostly neutral backdrops with pops of color, pattern and texture thrown in…so we’ll probably stick with that. In other words, you aren’t going to see a bright orange wall in this house.  FYI – Part of my work as a student of interior design at Sheffield is to design a room from start to ‘finish.’  I’m going to use a room in the Underdog as my school project and I plan on sharing each step with you along the way.  I think it will be fun to see how a room evolves in the hands of an interior design student. What do you think?

We have our work cut out for us!  And I’m sure I’m forgetting something.  I’m also sure it’s not going to be as easy as crossing things off the list one at a time and moving on to the next.  There are gonna be setbacks, problems, overlapping projects, and obstacles along the way.  In fact, we’re betting on it.  But we plan to tackle ‘em as they come.  True to H*T’ing form, I’ll be documenting each project here to share with whoever thinks this kind of stuff is fun.  Or with those people who just want to look at someone else’s old, dirty, outdated house and be thankful that they don’t have to deal with it!

When I get to thinking about all that we have to do I either:  1) start to feel a little overwhelmed thinking, “what are we doing?!” OR 2) get crazy excited about transforming our cheap, downsized house into a stylish home that we can pay off in the near future.  It’s not going to be easy and it’s not going to happen overnight.  I’m often reminded of this anonymous quote, “If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies.”  When I look at it that way, I imagine us wrapping ourselves and this house into a cocoon, metamorphosizing simultaneously, and then, when the time is right, both us and the house emerge more beautiful and more complete than ever before.  Here’s to change, chasing dreams, knocking down walls {physical and metaphorical ones}, getting dirty, learning and growing new wings!

images:  Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

Welcome to House*Tweaking’s first ever S.M.I.L.F. Week!  What’s that?  You don’t know what a S.M.I.L.F. is?  Well, it’s a stylish mama I‘d like to friend, of course.  And I’ve got a long list of them. They are blogging mamas with incredible style, great senses of humor, inspirational blogs, cute kiddos and beautiful outlooks on home life and beyond.  In honor of the impending Mother’s Day holiday, I asked some of my favorite S.M.I.L.F.’s to answer a few questions related to design, kids, and life in general.  I’ll be sharing their answers with you throughout the week.  I know with kids AND work AND house projects AND blogs these women are busy bees, so I’m very grateful to them for taking the time to participate in my nosy little interview.  Thank you, S.M.I.L.F.’s!

Kirsten from 6th Street Design School

You already know her as the totally talented interior designer behind the 6th Street Design School blog and if not, well, now you do.  I’m amazed by Kirsten’s ability to create fun, colorful, graphic and playful interiors that are sophisticated and grown-up at the same time.  Not everyone can do that! She’s a whiz at mixing patterns and colors alike.  Here’s what Kirsten had to say about being a mom and life at home.

H*T – What do you do for a living, where do you live, and who all lives in your home?

Kirsten – I am an Interior Designer in Utah. I live with my husband, son Jett ( 20 months) and our dog.

H*T – What’s your favorite baby/kid item in your home?

Kirsten – I love the curtains in my sons’ room. I’m not sure if those count as a kid item. But since they are in a kid’s room I think they could count! I think the fabric is great for a boy’s room. It’s modern, youthful and graphic.

H*T – What’s your #1 piece of advice for mixing kids and style together successfully under one roof?

Kirsten – Don’t get attached to things! I don’t think that you shouldn’t buy nice things but make sure it’s not going to be the end of the world if the item gets damaged. Buy lots of magic erasers!

H*T – What’s been your biggest surprise since becoming a mom?

Kirsten – That I can still follow my passion for design. I used to think that once I became a mom I wouldn’t be able to do anything of the things I loved. I have realized that isn’t the case at all. Now I’ve just learned to balance motherhood and Interior Design.

H*T – What do you and your hubby do to keep the spark alive?

Kirsten – We like to travel together. He is a pilot so we get to fly for free. It’s great to take little trips together so I can get away from work and blogging.

H*T – What’s your favorite activity to do at home with your kid(s)?

Kirsten – Jett is still really little so we can’t do a lot but we love to go on walks when the weather is nice. Our neighborhood is really beautiful and there is a big lake we can walk around. We get to take our dog and all be together as a family.

H*T – What’s your favorite time of day and why?

Kirsten – After Jett is in bed! I know that sounds bad to say but it’s when I finally get some things done and I can relax.

H*T – How do you unwind after a busy day?

Kirsten – I take my computer down by the t.v. and turn it on to one of my favorite shows. American Idol, Bachelor or Biggest Loser. Then I just sit down and relax and read through some of my favorite blogs. Sometimes ice cream is involved.

H*T – What do you hope to teach your child(ren) about home and family life?

Kirsten – The family unit is something that is extremely important to me. I hope to teach my children that our home is a safe haven.  I want our home to be a beautiful and happy place.

H*T – What home-related items would make it onto your Mother’s Day wish list if money wasn’t a concern?

Kirsten – New countertops in my kitchen!

Thanks, Kirsten!  How cool is it that her hubby’s a pilot…and they get to travel for free?!  You can check out more of Kirsten’s amazing home over on Apartment Therapy where it was featured as a house tour last month.

images: Kirsten Krason for 6th Street Design School

Welcome to House*Tweaking’s first ever S.M.I.L.F. Week!  What’s that?  You don’t know what a S.M.I.L.F. is?  Well, it’s a stylish mama I‘d like to friend, of course.  And I’ve got a long list of them. They are blogging mamas with incredible style, great senses of humor, inspirational blogs, cute kiddos and beautiful outlooks on home life and beyond.  In honor of the impending Mother’s Day holiday, I asked some of my favorite S.M.I.L.F.’s to answer a few questions related to design, kids, and life in general.  I’ll be sharing their answers with you throughout the week.  I know with kids AND work AND house projects AND blogs these women are busy bees, so I’m very grateful to them for taking the time to participate in my nosy little interview.  Thank you, S.M.I.L.F.’s!

Anne & Emily from Bloom

Today I’m featuring Bloom creators, Anne and Emily.  I love them for their simple and practical outlooks on life, for being honest and real moms, and for making life after childbirth beautiful.

{Anne and her family minus new baby}

{Emily and her family}

H*T – What do you do for a living, where do you live, and who all lives in your home?

Welcome to House*Tweaking’s first ever S.M.I.L.F. Week!  What’s that?  You don’t know what a S.M.I.L.F. is?  Well, it’s a stylish mama I‘d like to friend, of course.  And I’ve got a long list of them. They are blogging mamas with incredible style, great senses of humor, inspirational blogs, cute kiddos and beautiful outlooks on home life and beyond.  In honor of the impending Mother’s Day holiday, I asked some of my favorite S.M.I.L.F.’s to answer a few questions related to design, kids, and life in general.  I’ll be sharing their answers with you throughout the week.  I know with kids AND work AND house projects AND blogs these women are busy bees, so I’m very grateful to them for taking the time to participate in my nosy little interview.  Thank you, S.M.I.L.F.’s!

So, without further ado, let’s get right down to it.

Sherry Petersik of Young House Love: You know her as half of the YHL wedded blogging duo, The Petersiks.  I love her for her optimism, wit, dangly earrings, energy {she cuts down her own trees for Pete’s sake!}, frugal style and smile.  She does have a lovely smile, no?  And I always get a kick out of her calling grocery shopping “food shopping.”  Apparently, it’s a Jersey thing.  Take a look at what Sherry had to say about being a mom and how it’s changed her home and life.

H*T – What do you do for a living, where do you live, and who all lives in your home?

Sherry – Well let’s see. My full time job is “stay at home mom/blogger” (my mom still doesn’t know what a blogger really is though). I live in Richmond, Virginia with my sweet hubby John, our adorable daughter Clara (she’s almost a year old) and our weirdo chihuahua named Burger.

H*T – What’s your favorite baby/kid item in your home?

Sherry – John made Clara some wall mounted book shelves that I love.

H*T – What’s your #1 piece of advice for mixing kids and style together successfully under one roof?

Sherry – Don’t sweat the small stuff. All those crazy colorful little blocks and toys are good stuff (they make Clara squeal with glee, so who are we to deny her). We just look for big bins and baskets to hide it all quickly if company happens to be arriving in T-minus two minutes.

H*T – What’s been your biggest surprise since becoming a mom?

Sherry – How full I feel. Of love and gratitude and fear and hope and joy. I know it’s cheesy but Clara has made my life. Not my day or my week. My whole darn life.

H*T – What do you and your hubby do to keep the spark alive?

Sherry – Home improvement. You think I’m joking, but we really love it. Nothing says romance like building or painting something together. I think there’s just something sweet about working together to blow off steam and make your house really feel like home. I’d even venture to say that house pride might be an aphrodisiac. Haha.

H*T – What’s your favorite activity to do at home with your kid(s)?

Sherry – We love playing “where’s the doggie” with Clara, which basically just consists of searching for the dog in all of his favorite hiding spots until we find him. Reading books on the floor and looking for flowers outside is also a good time.

H*T – What’s your favorite time of day and why?

Sherry – Whenever Clara gets up from a nap (usually around noon and four). She’s just so sweet when she wakes up. All squishy and quiet.

H*T – How do you unwind after a busy day?

Sherry – We curl up on the couch and watch some tube. We’re happy to admit that shows like Modern Family and The Soup make us die laughing. And I think laughter keeps us sane after a long day of blogging and baby-wrangling. So yes, I just indirectly suggested that TV keeps us sane. Haha.

H*T – What do you hope to teach your child(ren) about home and family life?

Sherry – I just want Clara (and any other future kiddos) to know that they matter and they can make a difference and they can do whatever they dream of doing. When you’re young you really do believe that you count and that you can do anything. But I think it’s so easy to grow up and feel like you’re anonymous and unimportant and all of your hopes and dreams are too big for you. But they’re not. I don’t want Clara to give up on herself. Cheesy but true.

H*T - What home-related items would make it onto your Mother’s Day wish list if money wasn’t a concern?

Sherry – Lately I’ve been dreaming of a Sawzall. Might sound unromantic, but clipping back tree branches in one minute with a mini chainsaw instead of 15 with a manual hand saw is about as romantic as it gets for a girl like me.

Thanks Sherry!  I hope John gets a chance to read this so he can make his lumberjacking wife’s dreams come true.  And I especially love the part about Sherry not wanting Clara to lose her inclination to dream.  I think we adults could all use a little more dreaming in our lives.

images:  Young House Love