Decorating from Zero

Six months into this whole suburbanite home owner thing, and we are still so, so, so happy with life these days. It's been a never-ending adventure. Sure, we are battling weeds in a yard and weird bumps in the night that never used to be an issue in our one-bedroom condo. But, it's been such a fun adventure!! One of the biggest things I have loved about being in our new home is that we can make it ours. From paint to furniture and wall decor, we are starting from a blank slate.

Well, maybe not a totally blank slate. Take, for example, the lovely recessed ceiling wallpaper border and dual-color paint job that came with the house in the dining room:

I couldn't even bring myself to take a picture of the window treatments that were also in this room when we bought it. They were poofy and pleated, and didn't match either of the paint colors OR the trim. Tearing those things down was the very. first. thing I did when we walked in after the closing, I think even before we poured that celebratory first glass of champagne!

The laundry room has some similar earth tones going on, this time in pea green. See photo at left below. So clean and cheery, right? And the upstairs guest bath, the photo on the right? I can't even. Thankfully, it at least matches our shower curtain and towels, although I would have preferred a happy moss green to this shade of ... brown. This room in particular is on the short term weekend to-do list, no doubt.

No home is without its decorating challenges, and while some might be overwhelmed by it, I take it as a challenge (say that with a nice Eurpean accent, "shall-ange"). I have been scouring home decor magazines for inspiration, and I know that a coat of paint and something on the walls can make a huge difference without spending a lot of dollars.

What to put on the walls is a statement in itself. In our kitchen, we have two large canvas photo prints from our honeymoon. Upstairs, we have our monogram "guest book" above the bed in our room, signed by all the wedding guests. I have boxed up the rest of our old black-and-white gallery wall for now (and may resurface the art in new frames soon) while keeping an eye out for other artwork to freshen up our space.

Have any of you tried out Minted before? It's an online marketplace of independent designers. It has the feeling of a boutique shop with the resourcing of an established big online store. What I love is that everything can come pre-framed, and they offer up a ton of frames to match your decor. So, if you are like me and loving the more rustic dark wood frames right now, they have you covered. Take this Georgia photo artwork for example:

Or this foil-pressed map. I love foil-pressed things for a subtle shine and some local personality. This one is of Atlanta's downtown streets. They have a large variety of other cities and states to pick from, too. I like how the gold pops against the "distressed cottage white" frame.

For rooms like my laundry room, I know I am going to be looking for something light and fresh to liven up the space, since there are no windows in there. Prints like this cheerful flower are right up my alley, and would look cute paired with another similar one, maybe like these pretty ones, once we repaint with a new color (I am thinking something very close to white).

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Minted's stationery line. Minted has gorgeous cards and invites for all occasions. They have a brand new Save the Date collection for all of you brides-to-be (or party throwers extraordinaire, for that matter). I am loving so many of these cards. This one comes in a variety of colors, but then you can custom pick a color, too! This would be so fun for a fun event of any kind, not just a wedding.

I love the phrasing of this one. It's not just "a" date, it's "your" date and you should make it yours!

I think what I love the most about their cards is the use of cursive or loopy handwriting fonts (my fav), and so many foil-pressed options! They all look so chic. And, the focus on photography in the cards is fab. For those of you with some killer engagement shots, this site has you covered so that you can focus on the image, vs. the copy. This one is a good example, where the copy doesn't take away from the shot:

So, whether you are home decor shopping, like me, or planning the next big event, go check out Minted! Let me know what you find! Have you shopped Minted before? What did you buy?

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post by Minted, but all opinions are my own! I was already shopping their site to begin with, too :) 

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