The Letter

One week ago yesterday, we walked into an office, keys in hand. The night prior, we stood in an eerily empty living room, hearing our footsteps echo against the bare wood floors and voices ring on the bare concrete walls.

When we walked into that office, pens were raised and names were signed. In just an hour, my very first home that I purchased all by myself almost exactly six years prior, wasn’t mine anymore. We went from that office, to another, and did it all over again. Except that time, we left with the keys, rather than leaving them behind.

One week ago yesterday, Brad and I sold our condo in Buckhead, and bought a home in the gorgeous suburb of Roswell, GA. What followed have been seven days of absolute whirlwind, only just now slowing down now that we have most of the boxes unpacked. I find it hard to think that all of these things once fit around us in 1,000 square feet in the sky! Where did I keep these things then?!

Before moving in, six years ago this summer!

These days, we are going to bed hearing the sounds of crickets, and waking up to the sounds of chirping birds. It’s amazing how quickly one can adjust to new surroundings, if it’s something you have been waiting for. We loved the hustle and bustle of town. But something about this change, right now in our lives, is just right.

It was really hard to say goodbye to our first home. It seems like just yesterday, I was sitting in the middle of an empty living room, only a TV and a camp chair to be had. I was so proud and so happy that my hard work had paid off, and that the condo was mine. Today, we feel similarly. This home is ours, and we can’t wait to fill out these rooms here, too.

In honor of our first home, I have a letter to share. Our (amazing) realtors suggested that we write a letter to the visitors coming in while the unit was on the market, sharing why we loved the home, and what made it special. A little personal touch when we couldn’t be there in person. A single unit in a high-rise might not seem extraordinary. But, ours was, and we hope it will be for the next homeowner, too. 

And you know what? The letter worked! The buyer said she loved it, and it was one of the reasons that made her want to buy our place! So, lesson learned, y'all, for anyone else thinking of selling soon. Write a letter!

XOXO I will miss you Buckhead! More to come soon. From the ‘burbs :)

The Letter

Welcome to the Paramount!  We are so glad you stopped by. We’re excited to share with you a little bit about why we love this neighborhood, this building and, most importantly, this amazing home in the city, Unit “XYZ.”

The Paramount is a perfectly situated high-rise, located right in the heart of Buckhead. Buckhead is known for its celebrities, shopping and restaurant scene. But we love Buckhead and Paramount Unit XYZ even more for the less-noticeable traits.

• Quiet weekend mornings on Peachtree Road, perfect for an early morning run or a quick stroll to the nearby Starbucks.
• Late-summer dinners on the patio, overlooking the amazing sunsets against the Buckhead skyline.
• Quick walks to Bistro Niko, our favorite restaurant in town. The patio and the mussels are to die for, and the staff always makes you feel like a VIP.
• Lazy weekends spent reading outside in one of the cabanas, with the breeze blowing past as if you are at the beach.
• Hardwood floors, granite countertops, built-in desks and shelves, arched doorways and tray ceilings; a modern feel, but with a traditional touch.
• Summers spent grilling out with friends on the Viking Range, or laying poolside, gazing up at the skyscrapers.
• Living at the start line of the world’s largest 10K, the Peachtree Road Race. And even better, living here for one of the city’s biggest fireworks displays, that 4^th of July night!
• Early mornings or late nights spent in the gym, with the in-house trainers ready to go whenever you are. 
• Taking MARTA into town for the football game on a fall weekend, to the airport early on a Monday morning, or just to the office in Downtown.

On the last day. <Tear>

As we prepare to make the move closer to our families, this is a bittersweet time. This home has meant so much to us. It was our first home, and we have loved hosting friends and family here for events both small and large.

But, most importantly, not many homes can credit introducing a couple. This home did that for us. Brad came as a friend of a friend to Katherine’s housewarming party, nearly six years ago, and, as they say, the rest is history!

Unit XYZ will always be in our hearts. And we hope that soon, it will be in yours, too.

Brad and Katherine Lehmann 

Thirty, Flirty and Thriving

A few months into my thirties, and so far, so good. Not much changed overnight, of course. I didn't wake up with wrinkles, and I long ago switched to 10PM bedtimes on weekends. In general, life continues to zoom past. It feels like just days ago, I was turning 25, really understanding what John Mayer sang about a "quarter life crisis." Ha.

Time may be running past me ever quicker, but I have been trying really hard to step back and take in the little moments when I can.

Like the view from our couch, my favorite view in our home. 

Or, a lazy, impromptu lunch at home with my BFF and her 8-month old daughter. No need to worry about the menu in moments like these; chicken and roasted pepper roll-ups with a herby spread do just fine. 

Discovering the sassy feeling a lipstick can provide. Why this took me until nearly 30 to realize, I have no idea. 

Getting home early to make dinner. And having time enough to sit down at the table with my husband and eat said dinner over good conversation. 

Snapping photos of things that inspire me. Especially when budgets don't allow a splurge, I keep the photos as a reminder for the day that I have some fun money to burn. 

Open doors and windows as Spring peaks around the corner. Spring cleaning and purging. Late night conversations filled with dreaming and planning. Happy laughs with coworkers, at the office and after the office. Going to bed early on a weekend with zero FOMO. Hugs. 

It doesn't have to take a lifetime transition to bring happiness or change. What little moments are fueling your springtime ahead? 

Space Upgrades

Getting back into normal life is weird. Time has been simply flying by, and all of a sudden, we are about to hit a three-month anniversary. Wait, the wedding was already three months ago? Yikes.

The biggest thing we have focused on has been getting the condo back into working condition. The wedding prep months had this place looking a bit cray-cray, and we hadn't eaten a proper meal at the dining room table since the winter. A little organizing here and there later, and now we have everything back to it's normal (clean and organized!) state. This OCD gal couldn't be happier. It's been nice having friends and family over again.

Our first big purchase as newlyweds was an easy one. Living in a condo leaves us with limited storage space. We have had to be clever with what we have so far, utilizing a big IKEA bookcase for books and display in the living room, and racks in our patio closet to store out of season items. What has been lacking, though, has been somewhere for our nicer dishes and growing bar service wear. A new sideboard/bar was in high order.

Enter our new bar! We picked this one from Pottery Barn it because it provided space for wine while adding tons of surface and cabinet space.

I absolutely love it. Our china has a proper home, and we can have a "bar cart" style table top, too. It's wonderful to have a place to display our collection of decanters and Lehmann family crest-adorned crystal glassware.

I especially love the pull-out trays that provide space for drink prep, and the drawers that can hold bottle openers and other accessories.

My mom gave me this hint for storing china. I didn't want to box it up and put it away, never to be used. Along with nice dinner parties and fancy occasions, we like using ours for date nights at home.

She recommended that I use simple coffee filters to separate the plates, keeping everything safe while right at hand for easy use. Genius, and only $2 for the pack, instead of way more for fancy liners. Great idea, Mom!

Have you done any space upgrades recently? Tell me about them!

Inspiration from All Places

Even though we completed the condo paint job last year (can you believe it's been just about a year since then?!), I am always looking for inspiration for the home in all places. Little updates like a new throw pillow or an accessory for the bookshelf can lend a new edge to a space without spending a lot of money.

Photo courtesy of Pulp Home

Part of why I love following other bloggers is that they can lead me to inspiration in unlikely places. Take this pretty living room above featuring six colorful prints. They can be found at Pulp Home, a design company and shop which I found following the yellow brick road over from Aspiring Kennedy. I love the prints and how they compliment the painted blue wall. They would look so lovely in my dining room, which is a similar color!

Source: changoandco.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Yesterday, another design shop caught my eye over on Charm Home, a local Atlanta interior design blog. Cristi showcased photos from Chango & Co., a NYC-based design firm. Look at that space they designed on the Upper West Side! Those windows remind me of my own; I love how they take such a prominent place in the room. Those built-ins are dreamy for smaller homes where closet space is at a premium.

Sometimes you just see inspiration by chance in real life, too. Remember this model home that I toured last year with some family? That curved couch still catches my breath, as do those colors. I should have asked that day who created that look for the builder.

Have you ever hired an interior designer? I usually like to tackle such home projects myself, using inspiration that I find from all of those places. But if I had the resources about me (aka if I was a real-life Betty...), I would like to hire an interior designer to help me with one home project in particular -- my window treatments. We have (hideous) long vertical blinds on all of the windows and the sliding doors that came standard with all the units in our building. They remind me of the ones you'd find in an office building. Not so chic.

By looking at the other units from the outside, I can tell that most of my neighbors haven't figured out a better option yet, either, but there are a few in the building that look to have upgraded theirs with new shades and curtains. I have done some research and it looks like there are a few vendors in the area ... but what if I could just hire someone to help me find the exact, right option for me? It's definitely on my home decor wish list right now :) 

Living Room Decor Complete

As my loyal readers know, I have been slowly hacking away at a full-scale condo redecoration plan. After four years in the condo, things are finally starting to look like "home," rather than constantly in a state of a mid-decoration scheme. The rooms flow from space to space, without looking too overdone or crowded, and I can sit on the couch and enjoy the view in the evenings, rather than mentally running through things I want to change.

For years, I have been documenting these things here on the blog. Nearly two years ago, I ran through a list of home improvement desires including pull-out drawers, track lighting and curtains/window treatments. While those items are still on the wish list (the window treatments will be the next big home purchase!), I did manage to cross off steam cleaning the couch and hanging all of our photos and art. It was amazing how much those two things made a difference.

My sense of decor style has been evolving through this whole process. I brainstormed about color choices in the condo for years, after starting with a blank beige template and black and white furniture. Things went from blah beige ...

to bright yellow ...

to the current dark and stormy gray, which I love so hard it hurts.

With the walls freshened up and paintings all hung, at the end of this past summer, I went all-in and scoped out area rugs to "finish" the look. After submitting an order for a punch of yellow (I guess I loved that yellow wall more than I realized?) to enliven the floors, I was really disappointed with the rug that I had picked out when it arrived. It was way too thin -- not at all the plush rug I wanted under my feet while relaxing in my living room. Back to the store it went, and onwards my search continued.

Thankfully, I happened onto RugsUSA.com during Black Friday sale time, and grabbed up an unbelievable rug at an even more unbelievable price.

Rather than $800+, I picked up this rug for only around $200. For real! I just can't get over what an amazing deal it was. It's wool, huge and super plush. Best of all, it finally (finally) completes the room look I was going for.

While we still have window treatments to upgrade, in the mean time, I can sit on my couch and just relax for once. Sure, the dining room needs a rug of its own and the kitchen drawers need some serious organizer trays, but at least the living room is done!

 

What to-do's have been dragging down your home wishlist for way too long? What's holding you back from checking them off? Price? Time? Logistics?

Home Decor Ideas: Zara Home Launches

When I studied abroad in Spain during college, I was an H&M addict. I stopped by their massive stores in Madrid multiple times while there, going on shopping binges you wouldn't think were possible if you then had to find a way to bring everything home with you (here's how: bring an extra duffel bag with you to check all the clothes in for the flight home :)).

H&M wasn't immediately in the Atlanta area when I returned, but I kept an open eye for it along with Zara, another favorite of mine while across the pond. I knew their high fashion designs and low price points made them stores to frequent as much as possible for any Betty-in-training. Sure enough, once Zara opened at Lenox Mall and H&M opened in Atlantic Station, I was making a bee-line over there ASAP to check out their American lines.

Zara makes news this week with the launch of their new home line, Zara Home. This home decor and design shop launched today and features items with a West Elm and Anthropologie feel but at a Target price point. For example, this trendy Dora Vase is a mere $35. This would look so chic filled with flowers!

Look at these paisley pillows, too. If I owned a dark gray couch, these would be on it in a hot minute.

A lot of the Zara items have metallic accents, which I really love for a high rise loft or condo as much as I do for a fun house in the 'burbs. This basket could hold magazines by the bed or doggie toys by a door as well as it could a throw blanket by the couch:

Zara Home breaks out their catalog by room of the house, which makes shopping easy ... or helpful if you are like me and need to restrict yourself to shopping for certain items rather than go hog-wild! This linen tablecloth, found under the "Basics - Tableware" section, reminds me of something I'd see in a Restoration Hardware catalog ... if they made table linens, that is.

 
So does this pub stool, a steal in comparison to Restoration though, at just $99. Love it!

Check out the full line over at ZaraHome.com. What do you think? Spot any items that are must-haves for your own home?

* Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this post. I was just impressed with what I saw in stock!

Decorating Wish Lists

Why is it that just when you finish a home decor project, you start to get the itch to do another one?

I absolutely love the new look of our condo with the updated paint job. I sit here in the evenings and on the weekends, just looking around and thinking about how peaceful and "together" it all seems now. The grayish blue of the living room is my favorite, a dark and stormy color that lets the blacks and whites and other colors in here pop against it.

Love the late summer evening sun in the living room :)

Of course, though, now my mind also then immediately goes to the other projects I want to work on in here. I am trying to focus on one thing at a time, because that way I can save some money for just one thing rather than get overwhelmed at how much all of this will cost all together :) Here is my current priority list.

1) Area rugs -- we have gorgeous hardwood floors in here that I love. They are a pretty amber brown, and when I actually Swiffer them, they shine in the light from the windows. But to tie the new paint job up with a bow, I need some area rugs to really "finish" the dining room and living room looks. The rugs will also benefit our neighbor downstairs since the wood + concrete echoes all noise something fierce. Here are the main rug I am looking at (and awaiting a sale for!). I can't wait to add to our living room!

Image via Home Decorators Collection

I had a choice for our dining room but am wavering on it now because I think the colors and pattern might be too much when placed right next to the yellow grid one. The two rugs will need to complement each other. Here is one option from Rugs USA that comes in a 6-foot round that I think might look awesome:

Image via Rugs USA

What do you think of those two, combined with the moody grays and blues I have going on in the condo?

2) Window treatments -- we have these gorgeous 10 foot ceilings in here complete with massive bay windows in the master bedroom and the living room. The only thing I have always absolutely hated about this condo are the vertical blinds that came standard on all of the windows and the sliding patio door. They are the bane of my existence. I have to turn them this way, or that, or open or close them completely at least two to three times per day.

I really, really want some motorized shades that I can control at the flick of a button to help block out the late evening sun and any nosy neighbor eyes from other nearby buildings. Ideally, they'd be see-through enough to let in the city lights at night (one of the reasons I bought in a high rise!), or have a bottom-up feature so that the skyline is visible but not down below.

Source: Uploaded by user via World on Pinterest

The shades are the biggie, but then once those are in, I'd like to add some drapes or a box valance at the top to help highlight the height of the room.

Source: decorchick.com via Katherine on Pinterest

3) TV -- ok this isn't really a decor thing, but we need a new TV. I was a little sad to have to watch this past two weeks' worth of Olympic events on this massive boxy TV rather than a sleek flat panel. A new TV would also take up less room if we can attach it to the wall on a hinge, freeing up the corner where it currently sits for a smaller, cuter accessory to hold the TiVo and cable boxes.

 

What are the priorities on your Decor To-List right now?

  

Let's Talk: Prepping for Guests

Despite the fact that I live in a one-bedroom condo, I absolutely love to entertain and host overnight guests while they are in town or just stopping by. I have a really nice queen-sized aerobed that I can pull out in a minute to set up a temporary bedroom in the living room, and tons of great pillows and sheets, too. Some guests are planned, like my cousin Erin who was just in town a few weeks ago, and others are more spur of the moment. My brother and his friends frequently crash here after a late night on the town, and sometimes the girls nights go all night, literally!

Even if this place isn't huge, I like to make it seem so by setting up a hotel-like environment for guests, no matter who they are. I straighten everything up, giving the house a quick vacuum and putting away extra clutter, and have the kitchen stocked with cold sodas and coffee for the morning. I have a "what's yours, is mine" mentality with house guests, and so I make every effort to set things up just right in advance so that they can enjoy their stay here. I want my guests to feel like they are at-home ... or better yet, at a hotel!

The only area where quarters are a bit tight when guests are here is the bathroom. While a generously-sized master bath, there's just one in here, so we all have to take turns with showers and getting ready. Last summer, I was lucky enough to host my BFF's bachelorette weekend here, and after an afternoon at the pool cabanas, all of the girls rotated in and out of the bathroom and master bedroom, prepping for dinner on the town. It was quite a production, but so fun to spend time with everyone while getting gussied up!

I was excited when this opportunity came up with Kleenex because no matter how big or small your bathroom, I think it's a really important area to have ready for guests! Here are some of my tips for readying this space, whether it's a main or guest bath.

Keep it fresh: Fresh flowers add so much to a space, and the bathroom is no exception. I love to put a small vase or bowl full of freshly-cut blooms next to the sink. Along with their fresh scent, they look pretty, too, and can make even the smallest space look fancy. This is a great idea if the in-laws or your parents are visiting -- they will definitely notice this nice touch. I love the blooms from Trader Joe's for an inexpensive bouquet.

Make like a hotel: You know how when you are a hotel, they stock your room with supplies, just in case some of your personal items got snatched up at airport security or left behind at home? I like to do that in my own bath, too. This is a trick that I learned from my mom. Whenever I travel, I take the complimentary samples of shampoo, conditioner and lotion home with me (unopened, since I usually also bring my own!) and then keep a basket stocked with these goodies ready for guests to use if they need them! A bonus, if you have room, is to add in extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, razors and face wash.  The bonus items from Clinique are perfect for this basket for any of your gal pals spending the night. Point out the basket and let guests know that they can help themselves to whatever they need. Sure enough, my poor cousin forgot her toothbrush amidst her travels, and thankfully, I had an extra one on hand for her to take!

A basket of toiletries makes any bathroom feel hotel-quality!

Light it up: Candles are a clutch accessory in the bathroom when guests are visiting. Since this condo sees a lot of dinner or late-night parties with all the girls or other couples, I make sure to light a candle in the bathroom before guests arrive to add a fresh scent and also provide some extra mood lighting. My favorites are the Yankee candles -- I am out of my favorite summer scent, Sand and Sun, but with my favorite season right around the corner, soon I will be able to pull out the Pumpkin Spice one :)

Pick your favorite scent to add mood light and freshness to the bath!

Provide the little extras: I usually overlook my bathroom cleanliness for longer than I probably should when it's just me here (don't we all??), but we've all got to step our bathroom games up for the guests. I like to spray the sink faucets with Windex to give them an extra shine, and while I take my own shower before guests arrive, I take the opportunity to spray down the curtain and tiles and give them an extra scrub down, too. A quick wipe-down of the counters gets things ready, and all of my everyday items get stored away in the cabinets, out of sight.

What things do you do in your bathroom to prep for guests? Do you have just one bathroom like me, or do you have a guest bath, too? Join the 14 million people who have already joined the Clean Hands campaign by using Kleenex Hand Towels, and click here for savings and more!   

I was selected for participation in this campaign as a member of Clever Girls Collective.

Patterns of Possibility

It's been so much fun being a homeowner. I have been in the condo for just about four years! I can't believe it sometimes. It seems like just yesterday my parents came along with me to the closing where I signed a bajillion papers, and then we popped open a bottle of champagne and stood (there was nowhere to sit, ha!) in the new place, dreaming of all that it would be.

Fast forward all these years later, and a lot of our friends and family have been busy buying homes of their own. It's been cool for us to check out the new places and watch as these homes transform from empty to cozy just like ours did with the additions of some furniture, some paint and some love.

This weekend we stopped by a local urban development with some relatives to check out their new townhome. While their place is still just beams and see-through "walls," the model home was fully decked out for us to check out and get a sense of what their finished product will look like. The home itself was gorgeous, but what really grabbed my attention was the fabulous decorating the realtor had done.

Can I just move in tomorrow? That little sitting room looks like a perfect blogging spot for a mid-afternoon break.

Seriously, it's as if they know me. This whole place was amazing. The colors and patterns are exactly what I would do if I was starting all over again. Don't you just love the grays and yellows and creams? It's all so cheerful!



That circle couch? Oh. My. Goodness. I have found my new love. Too bad that would take up a majority of the condo's living room, ha! I will keep this one in mind for "the next home" down the road sometime.

Hitting up model homes is a great way to find some great ideas for your own home, even if you don't have the means to re-do an entire space. After seeing the rugs in that townhome, I realized that a new living room rug would "complete" our own new look (I have been thinking looks like this or this or this), and that has moved up on the decorating priority list. The window treatments were also inspirational, and were easy-looking enough that I could potentially make my own! Summer project anyone?

Coming up tomorrow -- a foodie experiment that I can't wait to recreate and tweak! Here's a sneak peek: