Neither are we. And with Christmas just weeks away – and school out even sooner – we’re cutting our fantasy decoration wish-list down to just the projects that will make the biggest impact with the least time and bother.
Like a great holiday wreath.
Hung outside or inside, wreaths are a one-step decorating wonder.
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To find gorgeous ready-made wreaths here in Nashville, we start at Import Flowers, 3636 Murphy Road, which offers a stunning range of wreath designs in multiple sizes. Check out the options online here, then stop by to see fresh samples in person. Monday orders arrive the following Monday; Wednesday orders arrive the following Wednesday.
Import Flowers, 3636 Murphy Road, (615) 297-0397
And for classic Nashville beauty, it’s hard to beat the The Tulip Tree florist.
The Tulip Tree, 95 White Bridge Road, (615) 352-1466
We’re also loving these fresh, simple wreaths by Nashville designer Elizabeth Earnest.
http://www.elizabethearnestflorals.com/shop
Feeling rich in time and creativity? There’s still time to make your own wreath. Find inspiration and advice (and a great party too) at these two Nashville workshops:
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, Sunday, December 6, 2015, from 9 AM to Noon. (Wreath-making led by Nashville florist Phillipe Chadwick, of Phillipe S. Chadwick Flowers). Register here.
Wreath Event at Kayce Hughes, Hill Center, Tuesday, December 15, 2015, from 7 to 9 PM. Learn how to make a fresh boxwood wreath, and take home a vintage ornament. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres provided! Cost is $40. Space is limited, so don’t delay. Register here.
It always sounds good, at first. Every year, in those quiet weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving, someone at home will propose that this time, finally, you should seriously decorate the house for the holidays.
No waiting till December 20th to nail up your one lonely wreath. Not this time.
Then there are neighborhood light extravaganzas, the ones that make for fierce competition in the annual Holiday Lights Contest run by the Nashville Metro Department of Public Works. (See last year’s finalists here). And don’t forget the individuals who’ve made light displays their annual gift to the community, like Bill Minneci of Sunnyside Lights in Grassland, and Chad Hoover of Franklin Christmas.
Everyone has favorites:
But before you try this at home, take a deep breath: ladders can be deadly. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control reports that falls from ladders cause almost half of all falling deaths each year in this country, and the fatality rate skyrockets if you fall from higher than about 10 feet.
When a homeowner calls on us to design and build out a major remodeling project, we’ll start by visiting the space to assess the existing structure—“the bones” of the room or rooms, if you will. For a recent transitional, eat-in kitchen renovation, we toured the home to find good, yet challenging, bones to work with. Beyond the basic structure, we quickly saw that the full scope required for the project would be immense.
The guts of the space required a total intervention in order to achieve the fashionable, functional transformation that homeowner desired.
Here’s how we rose to the challenge.
Rally for the Galley
The bones of the kitchen and dine-in area were galley-style, and that basic, long, relatively narrow shotgun configuration wasn’t alterable; we had to work within the existing structure. We opted to make the most of the heart of the space, removing structural obstructions, adding an island, and maximizing builtin storage along the two main walls. We added a skylight for more natural illumination, in addition to the windows at the far end of the space.
Revealing by Concealing
We revealed even more breathing and elbow room for the kitchen by concealing appliances within cabinetry. We masked the refrigerator and located other appliances within the island at easy-to-reach heights that are not immediately visible upon entering the room. With abundant builtin storage, including a convenient, roll top cubby near the stovetop, we made it possible for the homeowner to keep a more open, inviting aesthetic.
White Done Right
We met the homeowner’s preference for a white kitchen without going for any traditional conventions. With modern materials, we effectively blended the look to the overall, transitional style that exists throughout the house. We opted to incorporate two cabinet finishes, creating the cooking bank with white custom tilework and the main storage wall in stained wood. The wood flooring also added depth and contrast. We designed a custom stainless sink to span the entire width of the counter for added drama and function. The glass counter and abundant natural light provided a luminous glow that amplified the white features, as well.
Organization Intervention
Before the remodel, the kitchen surfaces were a collecting ground for clutter. We redesigned the space to reduce potential pile-ups and provide copious storage for keeping the area in good order.
Fine Lines in Design
To enhance the visual appeal of the long space, we used linear hardware on clean-faced cabinets that are void of decorative detail. We kept the island sleek and refined yet punctuated with a smooth, round edge in clear view when entering the room. Our collaboration with one of Nashville’s finest interior designers Landy Gardner , gave the project the polish and finish that completes the transformation. His genius created the eat-in area which matches the aesthetic with a back bench and tailored seating that guides the eye to the beautiful back window.
This transitional kitchen is designed and built to evolve with the family that uses it everyday. With thoughtful touches throughout and a fashionable style that defies trends, this space offers the flow, function, and aesthetics that help to make the kitchen the heart of the home. See even more images on this project on Houzz.
Wills Company is your partner for home updates large and small. Whether you need simple repairs or a major renovation, our team is ready and able to help. Call on us to discuss options for maintaining and updating your living space and properties.
Though we at the Wills Company are always more than happy to hear from our clients, we’d love to help those we serve avoid the need to call regarding water problems related to exterior sprinkler system malfunctions during cold weather months. Sprinkler systems can be irreparably damaged if proper steps aren’t taken in advance of winter.
Before cooler temperatures settle in, prepare your exterior sprinkler system to weather the chill—and prevent more costly, complicated issues such as bursting pipes and shattering sprinkler heads. Here are some key tips that you and your irrigation system provider can address.
Blow out the water from the system.
It’s essential to blow out all/drain water from the irrigation system. This ensures water won’t freeze and expand in the pipes. Landscapers or irrigation system providers may use a commercial compressor to accomplish a full flush.
Disengage the timer.
To keep the pipes empty, be sure to turn off or unplug your timer. Any system water blow-out would be for naught if the timer is still on, sending water through the system. If you chose to unplug the timer, be aware that you will need to reprogram it come springtime.
Turn off the main water valve.
The shut-off valve for your sprinkler system should be located in a place that can’t freeze. Still, you will want to turn off the main water valve at the meter with a manual shut-off. This is an effective measure to prevent freezing. If your system doesn’t have a main shutoff valve, consider having one installed in advance of the winter months.
Remove backflow preventer and valves.
Your system’s back flow preventer and valves are located above ground and, thus, subject to freezing. They should be removed each winter, as even the smallest drips of frozen water could damage internal parts.
Protect your pump.
If your system is fed by pumping water from a well or pond, take steps to care for the pump during the cold. Some professionals recommend putting 1 to 2 cups of RV anti-freeze into the pump to keep it from freezing. The anti-freeze won’t harm the landscape when it is ejected once the system is turned back on (though precaution should be taken for pets and wildlife).
Insulate above ground pipes.
Make it standard procedure to wrap pipes that are above ground and exposed to the elements. Be sure to insulate your valve if it is located in a place that might be compromised by frigid temperatures.
Scale it back.
Even if temperatures remain above freezing, reduce watering times and frequency during cooler temperatures. Most plants and grasses adapt to cooler temperatures and shorter days by curtailing growth, or going dormant when it’s cold out. Proper pacing of water during all seasons results in healthier plants year-round.
Don’t forget outdoor showers and fountains.
Similar precautions apply to the care of outdoor shower and fountains during winter months, as well. Systems should be flushed of water and valves disengaged and insulated to weather the cold without incident.
Rely on the professionals.
If you need specific assistance or more details, we recommend you rely on your irrigation system provider or knowledgeable landscaper.
The Wills Company partners with homeowners to ensure homes look and function well both inside and out. We are happy to connect our clients to specialists as needed to address various aspects of home care, as we strive to make “home” as sweet a place for families to live long term.
The living room: we don’t call it that for nothing! When is the last time you paused to give your family’s primary gathering space the refresh it deserves? We’re not talking “major overhaul,”here; often, a space can get the update it needs with simple touch-ups that enhance the style and improve functionality.
Here are four simple tips to bring new life to your living room, complete with helpful suggestions on local sources.
Shop Your House
One of the best (and most affordable) ways to update your living room is simple and free: shop your house! Consider rearranging decor from other areas of the home to your living room to add renewed personality. Perhaps there’s a wall hanging from a hallway that deserves an upgrade to the living room or a planter from the back porch that might add a fresh touch behind the sofa. Revisit some pieces of china or vases you’ve had stashed in a hutch; maybe the time is right to bring those out to create a new tablescape on the living room coffee table. Switch out picture frames, books, and candles. It’s amazing what you might find within the walls of your own home if you “shop and swap”what you’ve got.
colorful pillows from Redo Home & Design
At Home In Nashville Tip: Can’t find anything in your own inventory to swap out to renew your living room decor? We recently wrote about 11 local shops ideal for finding home accessories to add fresh touches to your abode. Click here to discover more about these great retailers.
Less is More
Minimalism is more in vogue than ever, and it’s easy to see why. A clutter-free space with a well-curated selection of decor and furnishings can be so much more inviting. In keeping with the popularity of books such as “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”and the tiny house movement that demands families to pare to down to the basics, it’s wise—and possibly liberating—to clean, sort, and reduce what’s in our living rooms and homes. This concept has become so popular that we noticed just TODAY one of our favorite book review blogs, Bacon on the Bookshelf covered it with an excellent review by Melissa Mahanes. You can read it here. As William Morris, a 19th century textile designer, famously said: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”Your living room will feel fresh and inviting –and you’ll spend less time dusting.
Follow @fashionablehostess on Instagram for inspiration!
At Home In Nashville Tip: Do you need inspiration on how to take a more refined, uncluttered approach to your living room design? We encourage you to follow Nashville’s own @fashionablehostess on social media (Instagram) for ongoing ideas. This talented local is widely renowned for her sense of streamlined—yet luxurious—style.
Add Some Life & Go Green
And we mean literally. Some studies have shown that having live plants and fresh flowers in your home increases happiness, reduces depression and anxiety, and increases levels of compassion and energy. Afraid you don’t have a green thumb? There are many low maintenance plant options to consider. Peace lilies, pothos ivies, and even succulents can add touches of color, texture, and life to the living room.
So many plant & floral options at Creekside Garden Center
At Home In Nashville Tip:Creekside Garden Center is a locally-owned, trusted resource for houseplants, specimen perennials and annuals, as well as a full range of supplies. Their staff can even offer advice on what selections would be best for your living room based on available light, room conditions—and your commitment level.
Lighten Up
Lighting in a space can make a world of difference. When’s the last time you observed and addressed the lighting needs of your family’s living room? We’re not suggesting you buy all-new fixtures and lamps; instead, we’re recommending you assess what you’ve already got. Are the lampshades dingy with time? Are the bulbs or globes of your hanging fixtures dusty and unpolished? Clean the light sources in your room. Switch out bulbs to get better, brighter, or softer illumination. Reposition lamps to enhance conversation areas or reading nooks.
Nashville’s Lumen Lamps will help enlighten your living space
At Home In Nashville Tip: Need help with your living room’s “lightbulb moment?” Visit Lumen Lamps, Nashville’s renowned experts on lighting needs for the home. Clay Isaacs and his staff are knowledgeable ways to illuminate spaces, and they have a seemingly endless array of designer shades to update the fixtures and lamps you already have.
The Wills Company is your Nashville source for design-build, home renovations, and handyman services. Our experienced, talented craftsmen are experts at designing, building, repairing, and maintaining residential spaces⎯-both inside and out. As part of the Nashville community for generations, we understand the unique sensibilities of longtime locals and Nashville newbies alike. Turn to us for home solutions that you and your family can live with beautifully for years to come.
