Hooked on Fridays

Hi there, I am joining Julia at Hooked on Houses, today because I am Hooked on Beaches. We recently vacationed in Cozumel, Mexico and if you have never been there, the water is absolutely gorgeous.
The hotel was an all inclusive place. You didn't have to worry about drinks, food or entertainment. It was very lovely, Caribbean beach feel and definitely Mexican architecture.
All of the coverings had that thatched grass hut look. It did rain on morning and it didn't rain under the roof.
This hotel had the best beaches, wonderful servers, activity director and just overall very friendly. The maids would sculpt an animal out of towels. It was fun to see which animal you would end up with.This was the Bob Marley bar on the ocean side of the island. Look at all the t-shirts hanging from different people that had visited.
This is a picture of the inside of the thatched roof building where there was always food. This was a dinner entertainment evening.
I loved the bamboo lighting.
Look how they decorated the kids buffet line. It was just very family friendly, and fun. I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and if you have never been, that you too can experience the beautiful beaches, crystal clear water and swim with the tropical fish.


Don't forget to visit Julia at Hooked on Houses for more hooked on... adventures.
Expressively,
Sofia

Met Monday/backyard structure

Hi everyone, sorry to be gone so long. Life happens!. I wanted to show you the progress on the new outdoor structure we have had built. I have hooked up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to show the changes.This is what the room was as it is being stripped down. Pretty ugly.




This is the start of construction of the new arbor. Sorry bad picture quality.
This is the structure with the hot tub still under it, which was in the room before.
This is the structure as it is now. There is still much work to be done. The structure itself is very pretty. It is beautiful in the yard.
Here is the hot tub in its new home. Again alot more work to be done. It will get there eventually. I would like to have it done asap. We will see what happens.I will bring you updates as they happen. This is the progress so far. I hope you like this and make sure you stop by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for many more exciting transformations.
Remember to have patience when doing any type of construction work!!

Expressively
Sofia

Hi Trying to get back into the swing of things

Sorry to be away from this blog for so long. I have been busy with trying to redecorate a downstairs bedroom into a guest room and office. I am having difficulties finding the right bedding for a day bed that I put into this room. Funny how that goes.
Also we have been working on the new arbor that is constructed right now. Photos to come shortly. Thanks for your patience.

Met Monday/bench makeover

Welcome to Met Monday hosted by Susan from Between Naps on the Porch. Today I am featured a bench I reupholstered for a client/friend. Unfortunately since she was there I could not take pictures of the details of the change. I only have the before and after. This is a bench that was her father's and has had f0r a very long time. She wanted the exact same look only different fabric. I tried to get her to change the look a little also and not have the legs tops show but she liked that feature. You have to give the customer what they want even if you know it would look great a little differently.

So this is the before picture in a blue 80's looking fabric.

I did not take off the old fabric as it was glued to the bottom of the seat cushion. That made it harder to expose the legs and cut around them. I used a staple gun to the under side of the bench. Pulled and stapled as we went. When I reached the legs it took a little maneuvering cutting and tucking to get the leg to show and cover the cushion and the blue fabric.
It came out really nice if I do say so myself. The fabric is now updated along with the walls that were painted just recently. ( it was a mauve sponge painted look) Now it is a calming Benjamin Moore color of Powell buff. ( sorry I don't have the paint color in the picture)
The bench took about 2 1/2 hours to complete and she loves it.
Thanks for stopping by for a visit for my quick and some what easy Met Monday. Don't forget to peek at Between Naps on the Porch for more exciting transformations.
Expressively
Sofia

Hooked on Houses/My Friends

Hi there from Expressive Creations. Today on I am hooking up with Julia and Hooked on Houses. My hook this week are homes that my friends have purchased, one for retirement and one as a second home. It is so fun living vicariously through your friends.

I even get to help with the decorating, Of course my forte!

My friends Laurie has retired and found a home near Placerville CA. Below are some gorgeous views of the inside of the home. It is set on 5 acres over looking the Sierra foothills. This will be so much fun to decorate. There kitchen is fabulous. Look at all the windows with the spectacular view.
This is the room adjacent to the entry way.


Great room that joins the kitchen.They also have three bedrooms and bathrooms. It will be so much fun to help decorate.

The next home will be a second home for a friend of mine in North Carolina. This is an investment property for them.

This home is brand new and both are move in ready. Entry way looking into the living area.

Kitchen with breakfast bar, and master bedroom. I love all the paint colors and this should be easy to decorate.
Well thanks so much for letting me share my friends exciting new plans with you. Stop by Hooked on Houses to see many more hooked on houses stories.

Outdoor Wednesday/Outdoor Wedding

Hi and welcome. Today I am joining Susan from a Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. If you recall I had mentioned that I would be decorating for an outdoor wedding and then coordinating the event.
Here are some pictures of the backyard transformed into a wedding setting. The bride wanted just light pink added as color. We brought in an arch with tuling and the a floral swag as the centerpiece for the wedding.

I lined both sides of the arch with Shepard's hooks and baskets of florals. The arch also had a bucket with a larger Shepard's hook to add florals to draw the eye up and down.

We added white linens to all tables rented and owned so everything looked similar. I added ribbon and ribbon roses to the high boy tables.

I also lined with steps down from the deck to the ceremony area with tuling and pink ribbon. White impatients also lined the stairs.

In their kitchen garden window I transformed that into a wedding setting with a family photo, floral arrangement, basket with a plaque that says "all because two people fell in love", also the "R" initial framed for the families' last name.

Outdoor tables getting ready for floral petals and floral arrangements.


This is the table the food was served from. Just a floral and rose petals here to leave enough room for food.

The cake table was decorated with white, pink and tuling overlay. We added the fresh roses and rose petals as a finishing touch.
All in all it was a gorgeous day and everything went according to plan. The bride and groom was very happy and pleased with everything. Thank you for visiting and don't forget to visit Susan from a Southern Daydreamer.

Have a glorious day!

Met Monday - Garden Window/ Summer

Welcome once more to Met Monday hosted by Susan from Between Naps on the Porch. These weeks are sure going fast, it seems like we just had a Met Monday yesterday.
This was my spring theme garden window.

I have transformed my garden window once again to the Red, white and blue 4th of July theme.
All these items you see I have had. The basket I bought a few years back at Michael's. It is a flag look on the top of the basket. The silk geraniums also are great for a summer floral theme, they are inexpensive, most crafts store carry them and always looks festive.

I have joined the geraniums with the Flag barn star, and small flag, red and white check fabric, as well as red, white and blue star fabric. All the fabrics were purchased at Joann's about three years ago. Equally inexpensive especially when you use the 40% off coupons.



I have joined the geraniums with the Flag barn star, and small flag, red and white check fabric, as well as red, white and blue star fabric. Sorry my kitchen faucet seems to get in the way of pictures sometimes. but I can't do anything about that!


Well I hope you enjoyed my small transformation in the kitchen in honor of the 4th. Happy 4th everyone and don't forget to drop by Susan from Between Naps on the Porch, who has once again sponsored today's transformation. Oh by the way Anita at They call me Jammi is hosting a giveaway, stop by her blog and check it out.

Expressively,
Sofia