Livable Machine Interior Design Blog

Half Marathon

2012-01-21T15:33:00.000-08:00

Some pics from the Houston Half Marathon! I did it! In under 3 hrs! My time was 2:35:56, and that included some walking during mile 10-11 when I thought my heart was going to explode!!!

picking up my packet!!

gettin' ready

running, running, running (friends joining me)

finish line, friends, medal

hubs got me stickers and a rose and took me out for my fav dinner

Such a great day!

I felt so loved and supported by friends and family!

Plus I raised $600 for my charity, Living Water International!

I did learn some things though:

1) Do NOT take ibuprofen mid-race or your heart rate will drop andyou'll think you're having a heart attack;

2) Do NOT have a 2-hr massage the day after the race unless you wanna have mad toxins circulating, making you feel like poo;

3) DO drink lots of green juice and water the week after and get plenty of sleep, ah!

- SG, Posted from my iPhone

Happy New Year... 2 weeks in...

2012-01-14T12:55:00.000-08:00

I've got organization and decorating on the brain, big time right now. Big time. We are working on finding a new place to live, and I get a little excited with all the possibilities of new decorating schemes. I found all these unrelated, but lovely images on my desktop (I'm an image hoarder, what can I say) while I was organizing files on my computer (again, organization bug is hitting me big time). So here's some of my favorite eye candy.

Common denominator: grey walls & bright white walls, black and white, graphic patterns, rustic metal pieces, art, leather, textured fabrics, these are a few of my favorite things.

You might be wondering why I included some outdoor summery looking photos... that's because in Texas, our winters are actually quite beautiful. Especially near the gulf, our winters can even bring mild weather, perfect for finding a spot on a patio to relax.

Also, sort of befitting this style is the wool floppy hat. I bought one. Now working on styling it with the rest of my clothes.... here are inspirations:

source.

Tomorrow is my half marathon, folks. Tomorrow. I am giddy. At least that's what I tell myself when I start to feel terrified. I say, "self, that's just excitement." Hoping that works.

Pics to follow.

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

Scenes from Christmas

2012-01-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

So I accidentally posted a blank post instead of this one on Christmas Night... but I liked these pics so much, I'm going to go ahead with this post on January 14th. Sigh.

Our finished Christmas cards-

First year I sent them and man do I feel like a grown up!

Spent a few day with my family-

(hub is taking the pic, of course)

Christmas eve at my grandparents- here with all my cousins. They're fun. We draw names and do funny white elephant.

Midnight Christmas eve service with friends- wonderful!

Christmas morning at the inlaws. We were late because I was slow moving this morning due to a cookie hangover. Yep, for real. No alcohol, but mass amounts of cookies.

Annual gingerbread contest- this year, I brought my own material- homemade scamp pieces to make a gingerbread camper!!!

Drive through the lights on our way home.

Grateful for another year to remember God's Incarnation, the greatest gift.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

- SG, Posted from my iPhone

Christmas time is here!

2011-12-21T21:14:00.001-08:00

I've been a busy bee- getting lots of client homes ready for Christmas parties. But I have had some time to prepare ourselves for the holidays.

Here are some iPhone pics:

Our tiny Christmas tree!

My Christmas present- Nespresso!

Proofing and sending Christmas cards.

Movie night with hubs- hilariously accurate.

Christmas tree at the Galleria!

Stay tuned for some NYC pics! We are spending new year's eve there this year! So excited!!!

- SG, Posted from my iPhone

Pyerps

2011-12-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

My favorite color has been purple for a long time, but I never tend to use a lot of it in interiors. And the whole contrasting color scheme thing usually isn't my favorite way to do an interior space, but Mancuso Warner Miller did a great job with using purple and yellow, contrasting colors, both in bright intensities, and making it pop.

I do like the use of symmetry in the space. I think it grounds all the bright colors and gives a sense of order to a space that could feel a little "too." The pairs of matching chairs, pillows, mirrors and console, lamps, and even the valances are all very balanced feeling.

Love this styling: bowls, geodes, and lucite.

I usually discourage placing furniture in front of windows, but this chaise fits there so cleverly!

Great little console/desk and love that pop of sunshine yellow!

Really cool sofa table. Anyone know where that's from?

This might be my favorite view: that artwork and that buffet are wonderful!

Really, such a great space!

What's your take on contrasting colors as a color scheme?

xoxo,

Happy Camper

2011-11-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

This adorable camper renovation is brilliant.

I LOVE with the clean, light color palette, and the use of that Cole and Son wallpaper. Those Ghost chairs are so visually lightweight for a tiny space too! Such a great design!

Kinda makes me want to re-do ours...

via

I am also deciding to make this on Christmas this year. My husband's family always does a gingerbread house contest. This year, hubs and I are bringing out the big guns and gonna make one like this.... need to start the planning process.

My new running shoes feel like running on clouds. Not that you asked, but I wanted to share. ;)

SG

Weekend break

2011-10-17T10:48:00.001-07:00

Guess what we did this weekend....

We went Scamping!

Husband and I Have been so busy lately that we decided we needed a get-away! This is the prefect way to spend time together! We decided to head south to Galveston!

Our Friday night sunset self-portrait.

Here's the inside. After we watched the sunset, we got out Netflix and Hulu and watched some of our favorite shows and sipped some red wine. Ahhh, relaxation!

See how happy I am to have a relaxing weekend?

I was distraught to see all the terrible stenciled painting in the restrooms. They needed some designer help!!!

The next morning, we got up early to watch the sunrise.... Then went back to bed for a while. We have to sleep in, it's Saturday!

Panoramic view

We spent the day walking along the Strand.

Some yummy vegan Greek food (lunch!). We then headed back to the Scamp for naps, then an afternoon reading by the pool.

Our next door among neighbors were a retired couple who had a GIANT bus of a camper. We struck up a conversation with them and ended up joining them for dinner back in town.

The next morning was considerably cooler, so I spent most of it outside, drinking coffee, reading and journalling. So refreshing.

Ps, I doodled this while I was journaling.

Such a lovely weekend with my guy! We discussed how much we really loved our Little Scamp and want to take it out more often! I'm thinking a trip to Lost Maples sounds wonderful!

I envision camping like this (photos from - check out this entire engagement session!).

Fall puts everyone in the mood to camp, I think. Even Joni blogged about "Glamping" (the glam version of trailer camping) here. Thanks for sharing the link, mom!

Anyway, I definitely want to update our little camper. It needs some new AC and I'd like to put in an awning and some outdoor chairs- like this Ralph Lauren camper.

So much fun. I love my Scamp!

- SG, Posted from my iPhone

Beautiful Memorial Living Room

2011-10-14T11:46:00.001-07:00

Pardon the iPhone photos, but I just had to show this beautiful living room! Aren't those coral drapes gorgeous?! They really turned out well!

We reupholstered the client's old sofa and had the wooden frame refinished. The fabric is from Duralee, the pillow fabric is Etamine, and the geometric rug from Creative Flooring.

The Joseph Company did all our upholstery work. Didn't they do a great job?

Such a great coffee table!

The room isn't done- we are having some floating shelves made to flank either side of the fireplace and then commissioning some artwork to go above.

- SG, Posted from my iPhone

Don't go breakin' my heart

2011-10-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

You know how there are times that you enjoy design elements -like a great chevron patterned wall, or a lovely lucite table- but there are times that you fall head over heals in LOVE with something?!?! Like, it's so amazing, you almost feel desperate to have it in your home or convince a client, a family member, or even a passerby to implement it into their lives!

I feel that way about this wallpaper:

Beautiful beautiful wallpaper....
When I saw this picture, it was like being hit by lightening. I need a wall somewhere to have this.

So i see it at Schumacher at the design center and could hardly leave it there. It's so cruel to an apartment dweller as myself to drool at beautiful wallpapers and not be able to hang them.

Other colorways...

And green....

But my heart belongs to the silver.

Check out the lovely applications (photos from Pink Wallpaper)

This wild print (the pattern comes in fabric too!) makes a traditional banquette unusually cool!

I love this application. Perfect.

This isn't really my style, but doesn't it make a huge statement?!

Please please someone buy this wallpaper, or fabric. Or better yet, call me and I'll help you implement it's utter coolness into your life! ;)

- SG, Posted from my iPhone

Round Top

2011-10-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

I didn't go to Round Top this year (it's been unbearably hot!), but I did go last year with my co-hort and kindred spirit Katie. I never posted pictures so I thought I would now. Tis the season.

I wore boots hoping for fall weather (dont worry- I switched to some heinously ugly flip flops later.)

Here's me and kindred Katie

Katie, obliging me by posing on an orange velvet sofa.

Some pretty linen pieces...

Some pretty concrete planters

Raw fig pizza! I brought some raw vegan lunch fixin's. No meat on a stick for us!

Katie hunting for goods in one of the tents.

Me squinting in the sweltering sun in some Saarinen tulip chairs (hello, ugly flip flops and ponytail).

Cool signage

More fun junk!

We saw lots of Airstreams! I guess some people were parking out there for the week! How cool!

I'm a sucker for letters and metal/industrial pieces!

Cool lights.

Clutter- the booth I wanted to visit most!

Due to excessive sweating and walking in the sweltering august sun, we called it quits around 4pm. We headed back to the parking lot only to find Katie's car was missing- it had been towed! Two kind ladies who had saves their own car from a similar fate volunteered to help us (one of the ladies threw herself on her car as the tow truck man was hooking her car to his big mean hook). They drove us faaaaar away to where Katie's car was impounded. Instead of pay over $200 to the towing co, Katie turned on the water works and gave such a great performance, which convinced the man to give her back her car for cheap.

It was a Fun day! Completely exhausting and we didn't find anything we could live without, but fun nonetheless.

What about you? Any fun stories or good finds from Round Top?

October Dreams

2011-10-12T10:33:00.001-07:00

Hubs got a new studio! And of course he relied on his designer wife to pick out some (cheap) furniture. My artistic man uses several media: photography, graphic, web, and video. And he is sharing the space with an artist friend who is a painter.

We split the rectangular space in half, giving each guy his own work station and putting a lounge area in the center for guests ti enjoy the art gallery displays.

Here's the furniture! Vintagey and easily cleanable! Can't get much better for two dudes, can it?!

Sofa is a leather craigslist score and the two grold (green+gold) vinyl chairs are vintage from the '60's.

Of course while searching for mid century reproductions, I found a super source for womb chairs and now I can't get them off my mind! I want one for christmas for my apartment...

Should I get orange? So classic...

Or beloved green? I do have a lot of green already... But I LOVE it!

Womb chairs are so versatile. Awesome in a living room (check out that loud mcm aqua!)....

And great in a subdued, neutral space. This citron color is the bomb too.

Any ideas, friends???

Ps- look how much pumpkin spice I've gone through in 2 weeks....

I put it in my pumpkin pie green smoothies: almond milk, canned pumpkin, apple, spinach, green powder, raw protein powder, Stevia to taste and LOTS of pumpkin pie spice! Yummmm!

What's that pretty nail polish color, you ask...

OPI Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It. A lovely orange-red. inspired by Joslyn over at Simply Lovely.

- SG
Posted from my iPhone

A day in the life...

2011-09-28T09:43:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd post some pics of what a good day in the life of a residential interiors person looks like. Just in case you think I'm an errand girl, cad monkey, or glam diva shopping, here's what my iphone photos prove I do:

-Throw down a green juice for breakfast.
-Scurry to the office to pick up a list of to-do's from the boss-lady.
-Today, I meet some faux-finisher an electrician to work on a dining room (chandelier!).
- Write one zillion requests for proposals, client estimates and invoiced, approvals/payments for materials, draw room layouts (see crazy face)
- Chomp a green Smoothie for lunch.
- Run to the design center to find pretty pink trim for a tween girl's room.
- Shop for wallpaper for another little girl's room, but get distracted with this little David Hick's number...
- Drop samples back to the office and make a dash for a workout class at the Y before dinner.

Yea folks, that is my glamorous life. :)

Mcm house in Cali

2011-09-28T08:46:00.001-07:00

Cali gets all the good mid century modern stuff, don't you agree?

Check out this Ranch style renovation from House Beautiful.

I love the openness of it all. All those picture windows make the home feel bigger than it really is and adds that element of nature.

The kitchen looks like it would be a dream to cook and congregate in. That cabinet in the dining area and genius.

And the overall colorscheme feels updated. I quite like it. (although I feel the color scheme is a bit too matchy for my taste- I'd throw in some punches of unexpected color).

What do you think?

A Sleepy Sunday in Green

2011-09-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

daily breakfast green juice

Today was rainy and overcast- so nice for a change!

We helped throw a brunch for some friends, then came home to relax before church.

I made some fresh juice- spinach, celery, cucumber, grapefruit.

little green house next door

We napped while it rained.

green hobby

I worked on a crochet project and had some mint tarragon tea in my special tea cup (thanks, KIM!)

It was while noticing all this green, that I realized even my shirt and the accent wall behind me were green. I was going to title this post "it's so easy being green." Too much? Nah.

xoxo,

Friends are great

2011-09-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

Really enjoying this latest season of friends. Such a blessing.

Here we are hanging out at the Green, listening to some good live music (There were many more people here, the photo happened at the end of the night.). Downtown Houston is pretty cool. We are really happy here, this second time around. After that year of wanderlusting, we were sure we'd find a cooler place to live, but family and work brought us back. People make the place, don't they? And these are some pretty great peeps.

More great peoples at Girl Breaky- the best way to start a day. We meet up before work, get morning quinoa porridge (SO freaking yum!) and some java (see below... how can I resist a cheat here and there?), listen to French music. we chatter, we giggle, we talk about plans for the day. It's lovely. So very lovely.

soy latte, so delicious.

Aren't people great? :)

xoxo,

Hello Teecino

2011-09-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

My friends and family know of my long lived addiction to coffee. I mean, I love it in any form and have sipped it ritually every morning since I was 14. We even had Starbucks cater our wedding 4 years ago (it. was. awesome.)!

enjoying my java

So when T and I decided to embark on an alkalizing health journey after reading The pH Miracle, I knew my cherished acidic beverage habit may be in danger. If you want to read about the benefits of an alkalizing diet, I recommend this article.... or go ahead and dig into the pH Miracle or Crazy Sexy Diet.

Also, as a final push into veganism, we watched Forks Over Knives (a movie explaining the findings of that giant book that every vegan talks about called The China Study... we smarties over here like to watch our books if there's an option. lazy). So we are committed to reclaiming our health through a vegan, alkaline diet which means green alkaline plant-based foods! Hooray!

Anyways, so check out this chart:

alkalinesisters

Coffee... you're a -25 in the acid range?

*sniff sniff*

I'm not convinced about giving coffee up forever (I love it so!), but at least while we are working on kick-starting our alkaline lifestyle, it doesn't make sense to keep drinking my fave acidic bev.

Here's where Teecino comes in:

Y'alls... this one is good. My baby took me to Whole Foods yesterday to grab this stuff (10 bucks a pound, which isn't much different from coffee), so I could try it this morning. I bought the loose grounds so I could make it in my French press... and it's good! I guess the most delicious part is the smell. This stuff smells like sweet chocolate candy with a coffee edge. Sign me up!

I'm sipping the stuff as we speak. While it's not exactly like coffee, it tastes good enough to act as a stand-in for the time being.

This little coffee addict might just be ok....

xoxo,

Welcome to ... Fall

2011-08-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

I HATE the smell of burnt popcorn.

Hate.

Like, worst smell ever.

And right now, my apartment is FILLED with the stench because I tried making my own *from scratch* (ie, in oil over the stove) to be healthier. UGH!

I've really been trying to be healthy (recipes I've been hoarding on Pinterest). Why is that always a struggle? Why is eating junk SO much easier?

Anyway....

Enough griping. Life is beautiful. Life is full! My summer has been wonderful! Here's what I did all summer:

-Spent a ton of time with friends and family, here, there, and everywhere

- Joined a new church that I am gaga over!

- Joined the YMCA and am loving BodyPump.

- Vacationed in Puerto Vallarta with my darling for a cousin's wedding- FANTASTIC. (
We lived in that pool.)

- Remembered the existence of libraries and have been/am reading a zillion books- mostly on gardening, herbal remedies, raw/vegan lifestyles, and natural childbirth (HEY, I'm just going my research!)

- Bought a water ionizer (they are CRAZY good for you- hello, alkalinity!)

- Worked on decorating a LOT of people's homes with my design job- rich people are crazy, yo.

- Had my 4 year anniversary with my INCREDIBLE husband! I am so googely-eyed for him.

- Watched the entire collection of seasons of Scrubs with my guy.

- Suffered from a summer over 100 degrees for a million consecutive days in a row (too hot to even swim).

- Tried giving up coffee.... and failed. I love the fricking stuff too much.

Those are my highlights..... onward to fall!

xoxo,

Green House

2011-06-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

Came across this article about a sustainable home in Venice Beach, CA. I think it's pretty cool looking and I'm always a sucker for design that maximizes cooling (check out all the windows and the atrium- bet you can get a killer breeze in there!).

A great view of Venice Beach wouldn't be too shabby either. ;)

How do you feel about green homes?

xoxo,

Clever

2011-06-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

Creative, French, Perrier = all things I love.

xoxo,

Summertime

2011-06-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

polaroid via

I've been spending some time laying out by a pool recently- it's done wonders for my soul! There's something magical about summer sunlight. It causes me to wake up excited about the day, wanting to hurry up and get my work done so I can be spend all my extra time outside! And the summer evenings... oh the summer evenings. After about 7pm, the breeze picks up and everything cools down a bit- and it's light out until 8:30 or 9!

I am just SO enjoying summertime right now. Are you?

Anyway, one of my favorite blogs is Brick House (Morgan's writing is hilarious and her MCM vintage flea-market chic style is bad-A).

Exhibit A

(CHECK OUT HER LIVING ROOM!!!!)

Anyways, she had the genius idea of making a pool for her backyard that doesn't cost 5 digits to install.

This is hers:

GREAT IDEA, RIGHT?!?!?! She wrote that the 10' tank cost about $500. You can then plumb it out and add a filtration system, like this and you have a real live pool! Texans, this is for you.

Check out these sexy pics of a gorgeous tank pool:

That deck built around it is perfect. Add a couple lounge chairs and I'd be in heaven! Filing this project away for when I've got a yard. :)

Thanks, Morgan for sharing your brilliant idea with the rest of us!

xoxo,

Laziness

2011-06-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

Pinterest has taken all of my blogging time. I'm newly obsessed with pinning all the cool things I see online to my Pinterest (check mine out!), rather than blogging about them. Sorry, y'all. Bad, blogger, bad! I hope you forgive me.

My guy and I have been rethinking the old apartment. It's ridiculously tiny, but we are perhaps thinking we could make it a small/cool space, a la Apartment Therapy.

Have a peek at fellow Houstonian and the most recent small/cool award winner's space. It's rad, I know you'll love it (It's all about good bones, I tell ya!).

{wide angle view}

{he space planned everything himself}

{Tiny Bedroom separated w/a screen}

{kitchen/bar table eating area}

{screen also acts as a movie screen- genius}

Just takes some fore-thought.

And a wide open space. :)

What are your favorite space-saving tricks and tips?

Have you ever lived in a space that was teeny, like this guy's 400 square foot pad?

xoxo,

Motivational Monday

2011-05-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!

Today I got my lazy butt out of bed for an early morning run. And it felt great! You know how when life and work get super busy, fitness just kinda falls to the wayside? Why do I always let that happen? If you don't have your health, then it's hard to feel happy and enjoy life in general. So, health and fitness, I'm coming back for YOU!

Sometimes, you just have to rally yourself into doing things. I'm always glad when I do. Instead of always using down time to veg out in front of some TV, use that time to stretch your creativity- draw, paint, cook, read blogs (play on Pinterest, my newest addiction)! Do something that you don't really want to take the time to do- you'll be so glad you did!

I always talk about wanting to host cute parties, but say, "well when I get a bigger/better/cuter place, I will." But why not get creative and figure out something cute now? I can have get-togethers elsewhere, if I don't want them at home! I'm thinking about a park picnic party soon. :)

Make time for alone time too. Read, pray, journal and reflect. Allowing God to nurture your soul, to speak to you, is so crucial for feeling at peace, I think.

My life-long pursuit of balance continues.....

xoxo,

I do love you, New York!

2011-04-18T09:55:00.001-07:00

Just some pics from my NYC trip last week! I got to boyo the Trad Home magazine launch party! So amazing!!! More on that later!

Warm Fuzzies

2011-04-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

This is such a sweet video. Makes me want to take my honey camping. What a sweet honeymoon idea! This reminds me of our year of scamping in our renovated little camper. such fun.

Do you like? If you're married, where did you go on your honeymoon? If you're single, where do you dream of going? Would you ever do something outside the box like camping?

xoxo,

Work

2011-03-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

via Chapman Interiors

I'm working.

Are you?

xoxo,