BEAUTY ROOM / OFFICE / WORLD HEADQUARTERS

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I am finally finished with my beauty room/office/world headquarters as I jokingly call it.  This room used to be a spare bedroom as shown here….. however, no one ever came to stay.  Like, ever.  Not only that, I desperately needed to move my computer desk to a quieter, less accessible area in my house.  It used to be here…..

My husband talks a lot.  When he isn’t talking, he’s making noise. Or turning on the tv. Or breathing.  It disturbs my inner peace.  Basically we decided that since he had his own home office, I needed one as well.

Unfortunately, everyone loves this cozy room now so I always have company!

The room is my place to do makeup, write, pay bills, organize my life, keep my camera equipment, hoard my makeup collection and it’s  still a work in progress but it’s a really good start. I still do occasional freelance makeup so I felt I needed a place for people to come. This is why there are two iron bar stools on each side of the makeup dresser/counter. Yes, these chairs were also locked away in storage for years. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be able to finally get that storage emptied out!

I went chandelier crazy this month because it all started with the chandelier in my beauty room.  It was a requirement. Then it seemed crazy to not also install some in the dining area and kitchen. I’ll share those revamps later.  I’ve been super busy because this home revamp thing started in November and as of last night, the last chandelier was installed!  I’m done!

I just wanted to share my own little escape pod with you because it has all of my favorite things in it! The furlicious office chair by PBTeen is something I’d wanted for 6 months before finally allowing myself to have it.  The other furry white pillows and throws came from Z Gallerie.  The dresser is something that’s been in storage for 5 years.  The antique make up vanity I had purchased about 2 years ago.  Everything else I had already owned.  The oil paintings were some that my mom had purchased 40 years ago, telling me that “These are your inheritance.”  Gee thanks, I’d thought at the time.  However now it’s great to have things she picked out surround me in my private space.

Actually, all of the crystal and white vases were also things she had once bought.  It was a struggle before to incorporate these things of hers into my decor, but with this room, I was determined to make it work.

We sold the previous bedroom furniture for $800. Then I gave myself a budget of $1200 for the chandelier and other items such as the rug and chair.  For $1200, this is my beauty room makeover!

-SDS

YOU MAY HAVE MISSED….

Stephanie Sjoberg, Luxor Living and Style, coton de telear, platinum Stephanie Sjoberg, pinkpanther1

 

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BEDROOM INSPIRATIONS FROM PARIS

Luxor Living and Style, Ascot Opera Hotel, Parachute Home, bedding, travel blog, decor inspiration, bedroom inspiration, Parisian style , press trip bloggerAscot Opera Hotel, Paris bedroom decor, Parachute Home, Luxor Living and Style Blog, fashion blogger, bedding inspiration, Luxor Living and Style, Houston decor, bedroom, contemporary decor, white duvet, Parachute HomeAscot Opera Hotel, Paris bedroom decor, Parachute Home, bedding inspirationAscot Opera Hotel, Paris bedroom decor, Parachute Home, bedding inspirationWhen my husband recently presented the idea of us finally going to Paris together, I finally started surfing the Internet for cute boutique style hotels to consider during this trip which may or may not take place in the future. (Due to time constraints, there is a Plan B.)

As I looked around for the perfect vacation spot, I found a place called the Hotel Ascot Opera Paris, which had the perfect location and the most adorable decor!  Most of the rooms have a huge Parisian mural behind the bed and a contemporary vibe.

I’ve heard a lot of my apartment seeking clients who want a “modern, sterile, hotel like feel” when thinking of their decor, so I can’t help but think of this modern Parisian style.  Here in the US, there is a bedding company which is geared more towards the sleek, modern European style called Parachute Home.  Parachute products are designed in Los Angeles but crafted in Italy and if this is more your style, check them out!  They even have an interesting blog forum on their company perspective for home, decor and things like the difference between percale and sateen.

For me, whether I will get to Paris or not this year, still working on it…we may just have a quick jaunt to the coast of Maine to eat lobster, clam chowder and reflect…either way I found this decor from the Ascot Opera Paris to be delightful and inspiring! It also goes to prove that in small places, sometimes a grand statement doesn’t shrink the room, and small places can have dramatic impact.

-SDS

youmayhavemissed

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CANDLE CRAZY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Nest, Fragrances, New York

Greetings, friends!  Since Christmas is around the corner, I figured it would be a great time to share some great gift giving ideas…. the gift of home scent!

I’ve recently been trying out some candles, because nothing is worse than spending money on a candle that is below par in the scent department!

The candle above, is from NEST FRAGRANCES and it is their Holiday scent!  I’ve also recently purchased other scents from them as well, and every one burns great, gives off tons of fragrance and the price point is not bad at all!  I find it especially interesting that the candle glasses are to be reused as either shot glasses, high ball glasses and there is a very large candle that can later be used as an ice bucket!  That kind of rocks!

Voluspa Candles

I also recently tried, as well as purchased for a gift…a Spruce Cuttings scented candle from Voluspa !  The container is great, and it also can be reused as a candy dish or another candle could be burned in it!  These come in a few different colors so I was sure to purchase a color that would go with my friend’s home!

Pumpkin Chai, candles, NEST

I also purchased some Pumpkin Chai scented candles from NEST.  I’d been told that they were a top seller for the company during winter so I bought a few while I could!  Amazing.  Rich.  Love.

I guess it’s worth mentioning that they also have a candle that is loosely referred to as the “BabyMaker.”  The proper name is Moroccan Amber and it’s a truly sexy scent.  Find out more about Nest here!  It’s also worth mentioning that they have magnificent room defusers as well for those of you who can’t remember to blow out the candle before you leave the house!

-SDS

 

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HOW TO DECORATE A SMALL APARTMENT

Houston Apartment Locator, free apartment locator, Luxor Leasing and Real Estate, Houston, decor ideas for apartments,

     Out of all the ways that I enjoy being creative, having a small Apartment Locator business in Texas is one of the most rewarding!

     It gives me the opportunity to challenge myself, meet new people and help them find the most well suited place for them to call home.

Houston Apartment Locator, free apartment locator, Luxor Leasing and Real Estate, Houston, decor ideas for apartments,      Where a person chooses to live is very important.  It will be the core of the business of running your life.

     These are pictures of just a few of the small but cozy places I have sometimes shown to clients.  

     I’ve always loved decor and get inspired when we go on tour and see the model apartments.  Everything is so perfectly neat and tidy it makes me want to run home and start throwing things out!

Houston Apartment Locator, free apartment locator, Luxor Leasing and Real Estate, Houston, decor ideas for apartments,

    It’s common knowledge that over the years though, apartments are generally getting smaller and smaller. Although it presents issues, most of my clients see it as a welcomed evil to challenge them into maintaining a sleek and streamlined existence!

     Small is acceptable to the very serious minded, it seems.  Proximity to work, ease of functionality and maybe, just maybe a good view is important, depending on the client.

Houston Apartment Locator, free apartment locator, Luxor Leasing and Real Estate, Houston, decor ideas for apartments,      I love the decor ideas on color to enhance a nook and add dimension as well as some of the space saving tips I see.

Luxor Living and Style, Top Houston Bloggers, Houston Apartment Locator, free apartment locator, Luxor Leasing and Real Estate, Houston, decor ideas for apartments,      Sparse and smaller framed furniture helps tremendously. Nice and slim but comfy furnishings are great but over sized sloppy sofas are out!

     A lot of times I’ve ended up referring furnishing ideas , paint colors and stores to clients and the decorator in me just wants to go with them on moving day and make them put things where I feel they should go!  I cut the cord, however and hope for the best.

Houston Apartment Locator, free apartment locator, Luxor Leasing and Real Estate, Houston, decor ideas for apartments,

      I try my best to figure out what is more important to the client, such as big closets or a view, and go from there.  I would have to have a nice view or it would crush my soul, but others might not mind.  This is a shot of the balcony view from a mid rise community I love to take clients, and I just can’t believe it if they choose something different! I love it!

Houston Apartment Locator, free apartment locator, Luxor Leasing and Real Estate, Houston, decor ideas for apartments,

   These are just a few of the places I show and see and they motivate and inspire me in the areas of decor, space saving and lifestyle!

Houston Apartment Locator, free apartment locator, Luxor Leasing and Real Estate, Houston, decor ideas for apartments,

     If you want to see more great places, you can go to my Houston apartment Locator site …  Luxor Leasing & Real Estate ! Or better yet…contact me if you want free help finding a great new Houston apartment!

-SDS

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MY ROOM AND BATH TOUR

LUXOR ROOM and BATH TOUR
Fun decor is one of my passions so after having the opportunity to recreate our bedroom, I decided on dark and romantic black Martha Stewart paint, and did the connecting bathroom as well! It’s a fun, dark and cozy room!   Although some of the photos from my bedroom and bath Makeover have been published here on the site before, I’m having fun branching out on my Youtube channel, so I decided to add a video tour as well!
 
     After discovering that a large percentage of people do not actually read, and only look at photos, I ventured into videos specifically for those friends, and the other video blog was a success, so I will try to feed more in here and there.
 
     This was just a quickie, nothing fancy…but it’s actually fun once you’ve finished up with the actual work involved.  It’s like throwing bits and pieces of yourself out into the universe, come what may.  It’s scary, risky, fun.  It’s like participating not bystanding.
 
     I still love my website and writing…especially on relationship fodder!  I feel like there is something to be learned from everyone’s mistakes and successes and that we should explore and share.  That holds true of not just decor ideas and cosmetics finds!  However, I will continue to add more videos for the many people who prefer not to be burdened with the stress they may feel from having to read!  ( Do you believe I even had a friend inform me that I TALK too much in this video???) It seems some people prefer to just see videos with a caption here or there and no words!  Due to that feedback, I will a;so try to keep all future videos under 6 minutes when possible!    
Thanks for your viewership!
Thank
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  Thanks for your viewership for now, and enjo
-SDS 
May 23, 2014
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MY CHRISTMAS 2013

      

Christmas Decor, Animal Print Christmas tree, black paint, living room

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and may God bless you all! My flu bug is fading away this Christmas morning, so I’m happy.

     I’d managed to prepare a prime rib roast, and it slow cooked itself in the over as we slept.  I was happy to see that the $70 cut of meat hadn’t dried out and burned itself, and instead was so juicy and moist, that a knife wasn’t needed to eat it.  Instead, it would just fall apart with a little probing by a fork!

     The rosemary/thyme recipe was one from a friend, Evangeleena, who is the most amazing cook.


    

      My snowman collection grew by one member this year, which is the tradition!  He’s the guy on the left with the red scarf!  They are so funny, happy and cute! I love them!


 

 After getting home from work, (yes, with the flu) I then took a two hour nap, took a lot of medicine, made our Christmas Eve dinner highlighted by the prime rib, and then rushed to the candlelight service at our church.

 

We have a very small family, so pretty much it’s just us!  It’s nice and peaceful this way.  There will be a movie date, later today, as well an an evening drive with hot chocolate and the babies, through a close neighborhood that is 100% lit up with Christmas lights!

I just wanted to drop a quick salutation to all of you on this special holiday!  Although mine is low key, that’s how we roll!

 

-SDS

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