Well, thanks to a product called "Simple Grout", Kevin finished grouting the tile in our guest bathroom lickety split today. I'll go into more detail tomorrow, but basically you just smear it on and wipe it off. Easy, breezy, beautiful! As it dries, we thought we'd invite my Mom to write a guest post today! :-)
She's the first person I ever loved. She is my role model. She is my biological and emotional road map, and I am so blessed to be an extension of her self.
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"Lighting The Lettered Cottage"
While house sitting for my kids last weekend, I took a walk around their property to check out the woods and listen to the church bells ringing just beyond them. During my stroll, I spied an extension ladder in their neighbors backyard. It triggered an ambitious plan to hang white icicle lights along the roof line of their beloved Lettered Cottage. Unfortunately, soon after I devised my plan of attack, it started to rain.
So much for my surprise!
Retreating indoors, I couldn’t help noticing how the small, recessed spotlight above the fireplace lit up the sunburst mirror below just like the missing sun!
It made me realize how a simple lighting feature could brighten even the dreariest of days.
Kevin and Layla always seem to instinctively use lighting in so many wonderful, functional ways. Their attention to these types of details especially impresses me, because I’m all about COMFORT and PURPOSE.
As I walked toward the guest bedroom I stopped to enjoy the intimate, lamp-lit corner in their hallway...
It was not only a reason to pause and survey their tiny, tabletop treasures (and my rained-on hairdo in the mirror)...
...but it also led me safely through the house.
I experienced another special moment early one morning, before I even got out of bed. I was snugly sandwiched between their two pampered pets, Monkey (a.k.a "Bean") and Maximus. It was still pitch black in the room, but because there was a table lamp within arms reach, I was instantly able to see without having to leave the comfort of my covers!
Intrigued by their obvious love of lighting, I had my own private Q&A session with Layla the next day when they got home from their trip to VA Beach. I asked her how I could get better reading light from a short table lamp in our living room. And although she was completely exhausted, she immediately sprung into action at the very mention of a design dilemma.
:-)
She showed me how I could get the maximum amount of light to spill out from under the lampshade by elevating the lamp on top of a taller side table.
(What a great excuse to go shopping at my favorite flea market!)
Don’t you just love learning from your kids?
:-)
I’ll leave you now with a peek into Kevin’s latest lighting venture. It involves creating ambiance with a remote-controlled light switch. I can't wait to learn more about this one!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
Jude (a.k.a. Layla's Mom)
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(Photos 2-9 were taken by Amanda Sowards for the Montgomery Advertiser)
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18 comments:
What a lovely post! I really enjoyed that. Has given me some thinking to do about what I can add to my home in the way of lighting. Kevin and Layla's home is beautiful :)
Lighting is sooo important and many people neglect it... I know I do! I LOVE your milk glass lamp, we have one similar, but yours is prettier. ;D
so true! i mentioned yesterday that i'm mulling over recessed lighting in our new office ( http://tearinguphouses.blogspot.com/2009/12/before-after-historic-house-by-water_14.html ) hmmm...
love that white lamp base!
kelly
Can't wait to hear about the "Simple Grout". I thought I would never tile again, but you've given me hope! :)
BTW, great post Jude! And yes, I adore seeing my kids' creative minds in action. It amazing that these wonderful beings are offshoots of ourselves.
I've asked for new bedside lamps for Christmas; I love all of the options in this post :) such great ideas!
* Jude, you raised one precious & remarkable daughter~~~ you should be, & am sure you ARE, VERY proud!!! (And now we see from whom she gets her warm flair for writing, too!). I certainly enjoyed your "visit" here!!! Please DO come back for another "guest appearance"!!!
Many thanks,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
There are no more precious moments than the times you look at your children and want to cry cause you love them so.
There are also the most precious moments when you see and hear how much your children love you back.
Beautiful post from a beautiful mother who has a beautiful daughter and son in law too.
I can almost picture the excitement you had when you got the idea to string lights as a surprise. No matter what age our kiddies are,it still is such a joy to do something for them
Jude,have a wonderful Christmas.
You and Layla are very blessed to be so close and be friends also.
I am very blessed also with my 2 grown children.geri.
Your mom is a great writer, too!
Oh what a lovely post and your home is truly gorgeous. You really do use lighting to it's very best advantage to showcase your style. I hope you are having a Blessed Christmas Season. Hugs, Marty
Hi Miss Jude!
I must thank you...thank you for giving me such a special friend! Layla is just the sweetest friend I know and I only wished we lived next door. I fell in love with the both of you wayyyyyy bcak when. You had come over to help her out in her front yard for a flower bed re-do. That's when I knew yall were something so special. Your shell boxes are just beautiful.
Thanks for sharing such a sweet post with all of us!
Kevin...you rock too....but you already know that...ha!
Love you guys! Susie
What a nice post. I have a feeling you and your mom have a lot in common. Lighting really is important in so many ways. I really enjoyed this one. Thanks!!
I am so glad that your post was about the TLC lighting. Since I have began following your blog, I have noticed your lighting and love it. As I walk through our house now, I'm always on the lookout for a place to put a light!
Layla - How nice to have your Mom write a post! And such a lovely one too. It makes me wish my Mom could write me a post from heaven. I would like to think my Mom would like computers and all that they can do now (she was a typist!). To All Our Beautiful Moms - thank you for all that you gave to us!
Teacup Lane (Sandy)
Great post Layla's Mom! This lighting information is going to be very helpful in my own remodeling efforts! The Lettered Cottage is so beautiful - me thinks I've got a consult to purchase for the not so distant future!
Layla, I've linked to your blog over at mine. I hope you don't mind.
Hey Jude (bet no ones ever sang that to you before!)
It's so true, light plays such an important part of design and mood. I think your daughter and son-in-law have perfected it.
Loved your post! Do you have a blog?
So sweet to hear from your mom, Layla. You guys are the living definition of a family endeavor. I love that!! ;)
Excited to see the bathroom. Wow! That sounds weird out of context. lol.
XO*Tricia
AWWW. I loved this. Sooo sweet! Made me look at the house a bit differently... through different (and loving) eyes :-) Moms are the greatest!
what beautiful pictures! I love that shot outside the library/bedroom - what do you call it - I forgot!!! it looks so cute with the wood exposed and the glass door! wow.
ok - you dont have to buy a new table - just find two old, antique law books and elevate your lamp that way!!!!
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