Merry Christmas Eve

If there is one woman who knows how to decorate for Christmas it's my mother, Anne Bailey!  Every year she out does herself with new creative and do it yourself projects.  Her arrangements this year all use greenery from her gorgeous yard (aside from the ameryllis.) Mom also makes her own wreaths from grapevine forms by using the scraps from the tree...  A very affordable way and they turn out so much fuller and thicker than the wreaths you buy at the lot!  So without further adieu...  2013 decorations by Anne Bailey Zschau!

Freshen Up

My bedroom and bath are driving me crazy!!!  I just can't seem to get it right... So my New Years project is to give our living quarters a much needed facelift.  It's not terrible now but if you can't be at peace in your own bedroom where can you??  Pictures of what it looks like now... (Pardon my quick iPhone snaps!)

Not bad - but I don't love.  The plan is to change the bedskirt and drapes, I have already ordered a white duvet and shams (the sea foam coverlet will stay) and I found the most awesome vintage sunburst wall sculpture for above bed!!  So excited about my find since I have been searching for years!  The bathroom is easy - I want it to look like this.

The plan is to install the beadboard after Christmas and I can paint the walls in a day.  And the best part???  I already have a gold mirror that will work perfectly! So pumped! 

Images via MMLDesigns and www.decorpad.com

Sitting Room Installation

Busy day today... Just got done with a big installation that was 2 months in the work!

Custom cornice boards with custom drapery panels.  I think it turned out FABULOUS!!

The Tulip table, Ghost Chairs, and seagrass rug were all existing.  Everything else is for the install today.  I played around with accessories quite a bit and the pink and white chevron bone tray was my fav.  It looked great on the sofa with Miss Pippa's Book (LOVE - if you don't have it go buy it) and on the tulip table.  I prefer it on the sofa and the gold bowl on the table for a wow factor. The black glass knot just died in the room but they are so cool - hand blown and come in the most fun colors and also a smaller size. 

The roman shade for the smaller window will be installed after Christmas (If you were wondering...)
 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Umstead

The ladies in my family went to the famous Umstead Inn and Spa over thanksgiving to celebrate my moms birthday.  We had a great time and the food was delicious!  They had gourmet chocolates in the gift store that were hand painted  - so mad I didn't take a picture to share but I bought one of each and they were a hit with my niece and nephew!

The flower arrangement when you walk in the front door was gorgeous!  Decorated with one of my favorite flowers... Amaryllis.  They were mixed in with pumpkins and gourds - very festive.

By the time we finished lunch and mom blew out her birthday candles the florist was there decorating for Christmas and the center table had changed.

Amaryllis again with pine cones, evergreen, and cut aspen logs. Love how the vases are different  heights adding to the interest of the arrangement.  This would be very easy to replicate at home!  Lowes sells amaryllis you grow at home -but if you want them to bloom before Christmas plant them today!!!  Also the pine cones would be great spray painted gold or silver...  Just a thought!

Thanksgiving Pie Delay

Homemade apple crumb pie...  What in the hell was I thinking???  Oh Marie calandra (sp??) I should have just gone with you in the frozen aisle!  At least I'm in good company...  She's just waiting for some morsel to fall off the counter.

Truth be told...  I decided to make my own pie this year for thanksgiving to get this cute little pie dish.  It might be a one and done...

Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving!!

BHG guide to a Merry Christmas

Christmas is right around the corner and I could not be more excited!!  Not about the gifts but about the tree, decorations, lights, and being with family and friends.  It's the one time of the year that adults can feel like kids again.  So in the spirit of this wonderful time of the year here are some ideas straight from Better Homes & Gardens!
 

I love this front porch décor! The orange and green is such a nice twist and pops off the white house.  And please notice the actual oranges in the planter! 

 

 

I love this  gold bay leaf garland and the cypress trees.  A modern twist on a traditional classic.

 

 Who doesn't want a fun craft for the kiddies that you can keep for years to come!

Make this Christmas Crafts for Kids: Mix 1/2 cup of salt, 1 cup of flour, and 1/2 cup of water until sticky. Roll the dough to a 1/4 inch-thick sheet and cut out snowflake shapes with cookie cutters. Use a skewer to make a hole for hanging. Bake for 4 hours in a 200˚F oven. then decorate with marking pen's.

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For sale

Vintage White lacquer cocktail table with inset glass top - rattan has been repaired and table is in great shape! New glass top and paint - 48"w x 22"d x 17"h.  $295. Let me know if you are interested!

Weekend project

Happy Monday!!  I found this vintage Thomasville piece of furniture last week and I love the bamboo trim - but not the painted bamboo on the front panels. My client also liked the piece for her nursery but we both agreed in needed some paint. She will use it as a changing table and storage...  Before and afters below!

Cleaned and taped the top (it's laminate)

Primed and ready for paint

Bright white paint - 3 coats

Hardware painted green to go along with our theme

 LOVE how it turned out!!  So cute ad affordable... The dresser was $156 and the paint was $40.  Job well done!

For the sake of Fall

Charlotte's leaves are beautiful this year! Around every corner is a burst of color - the sad thing is they don't last long.  Soon there will be no color just gray limbs contrasting on the winter sky.  That can get a little drab.  So in the name of color here are some rooms to remind you of the bright fall foliage that we get for a couple wonderful days each year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gender Neutral Nursery

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  What gorgeous weather!!  We enjoyed the outdoors  - long walks, planted our winter garden, washed Ol' Blue (our '79 Ford F100 pickup - Love!)...  wish we had just one more day. 

 I also managed to finish design project for a client - Gender Neutral Nursery

 

Mary Mac Lawrence Design

 

Paint - Prettiest Gray for the walls and the trim will be bright white

 

Fun Mobile - will bring a pop of color

 I'm NOT going to use the Casters on the bookshelf and we will use four baskets

Gorgeous bedding

 

I'll add fun pulls for the dresser to snazz it up

 



Mirror for above chest - gorgeous on the gray wall

Custom Glider... this is just an example.  A custom fabric will be used

 

 

 

 Love this geometric rug and it will totally brighten up the room



 

 Crib sheets - love these fun patterns

 

 

 

 

Throw rug for in front of the crib

 

LOVE THIS ART!! 

 

 For a custom design for your space email me at marymaclawrence@gmail.com