Baby Shower= Diaper Cake

The last two baby showers I have been to, my sister and I made diaper cakes for the mommy to be.

Check them out below:

#1

Baby Boy - Jungle Theme

We went with an all natural theme

Lots of recycled materials and green products
#2
Baby Girl - Fairy Theme

We went with a glitter fairy theme

Lately

I have been working on a lot of project in the last two months. I just haven’t had the time to post any of them.

Here is a sneak peek into the last two months:

- Baby shower diaper cakes
- Jewelry frames
- Dresser
- TV stand
- Exterior entry makeover
- Finishing of the laundry room
- New/ old master bedroom set
- Wonderful and exciting lake house ideas
- Guest bathroom ideas
- Helped friends move and started gathering furniture ideas
- Paint scheme for client
- And of course I had to throw in a yard sale

I don't have pictures of the finished projects yet but here is one of my dogs sun bathing in the back yard.

School Work

This is my old entertainment center that I designed and built my sophomore year in school for furniture design class. I recently upgraded because the TV was upgraded and now I am looking for a new owner for this custom piece.

Parent's House

Nothing is harder then working for family, but I love it. When my mom asked me to find her some tile for their fireplace I got excited because she wanted glass mosaic. Well my step dad had something else in mind and thought glass was too contemporary.
There was my challenge, make my mom happy or please my step dad. After many samples and many comments I think I found the one. A little glass and a little stone mixed into one mosaic pattern.

And I think it turned out pretty nice...

Very old fireplace with lots of character...

Bankers Credenza to Entertainment Center

Before

After

This Week In My Shop

I have been working on a new entertainment center for my house. This piece I bought at an auction for $5.00. It is solid wood and built to last, it just needs a little face lift.

Come back next week to see how it turns out...

Sunday Dinner with Family

About a month ago I found a recipe on Martha Stewart's website that looked too good not to try. This last Sunday I finally pulled it out to impress some family that came to visit... this is how it turned out:
Now if you would like to try it here is what you will need:

1 1/2 lbs flank steak
2tbs olive oil
2tbs balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2oz shredded mozzarella cheese
4 scallions, sliced
1/4c roasted red peppers, cut into thin strips
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1. preheat oven to 450 degrees with rack in center. Between two sheets of plastic wrap, pound steak to 1/2-inch thickness with a meat mallet or heavy skillet. Using a sharp knife, score the steak on one side in a cross-hatched pattern. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, and garlic. Marinate at least 20 minutes or up to overnight (I started mine in the morning, so it marinated all day).
2. Remove steak from marinade. Lay steak on cutting board, scored side down, with a short end facing edge of work surface. Cover steak with cheese, scallions, and peppers, leaving 1/2-inch boarder at the far short end. Season with salt and pepper. Starting from closest side, roll up tightly. Using kitchen twine, tie steak crosswise. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Place, seam side down in a baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet, and roast until juices run clear, 35-40 minutes for medium rare. Let rest 10 minutes, and remove string before slicing.

This is worth the wait and the time, trust me I know my foods.

As I made my way through the updates on Design*Sponge (yes I do this eveyday), I stumbled on an amazing website.

After drooling over it for about an hour, I decided that what they are doing is exactly what I want to accomplish with Duo Designs: to teach others my passion, to sell my treasures, and to share my creative eye with those who ask.

This site has inspired me to work harder and push for my ultimate goal of working for myself in the design world someday... Thank you to the ladies of Spruce. Keep up the good work!

New Chairs For Tara

These two chairs were found in the front yard of someones house on free trash day. I have trained Tara well because she picked them up and brought them to my house.

The Before

The After

Now Tara has an amazing center piece for her Living Room.

Upcoming Chair Project:

a friend found these in the trash and after a little paint and fabric she has brand new chairs... come back later to see the before and after

Beauty is my Style

I love Style... a color, one piece of furniture, or an accessory inspire me, I love it all but getting my home exactly how I would like it has been difficult now after two and a half years I am finally happy with one room in my house...

The Guest Room

Here is my two year jump:

BEFORE WE BOUGHT THE HOUSE

AFTER MOVED IN, SHOWING OFF THE AWESOME $$$ SHEETS
ONE YEAR LATER, STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO

A LITTLE INSPIRATION
AND THE BIG REVEAL

Click on the image below to see the entire process...

12th Birthday Makeover

My youngest sister turned twelve years old this last weekend and as her present the family got together and preformed a major makeover on her bedroom. We went from dainty yellow daisys to a country and western cowgirls dream room.

Before

After

to see the full makeover select the image below