A Good Reason to Make a Fresh Start

image belongs to Design Delights

 

Oops!  As you might have noticed, all the pictures on my blog including my header are gone.  I'm not sure what happened but I connected my blog with my Google+ account and I think I accidentally deleted all my photos.  I was planning on changing over to Wordpress or some other platform, because I wanted to make a fresh start.  I guess this is good reason to start right now!

 

On another note,  Seattle has the best summers and I've been dreaming about camping and boating and beaches and dinners on the balcony.  What do you like best about summer time?



Design Delights Events and Interiors

 all images property of Design Delights

 

A couple of months ago I submitted my entry on Coco + Kelley to win admision to Design Camp here in Seattle, and then...Surprise!  I got an e-mail two weeks ago letting me know that I had won!  That was the catalyst I needed to get me motivated. 

 

I officially started my own events and interior design business last year and for some reason all blogging came to a screaching halt.  With Pinterest and Google Reader and Instagram to keep me busy, I just wasn't sure why I was blogging and what I really wanted to blog about.  I also had a bad case of comparitiv-itis.  I was bombarding my mind with so many other ideas that it was hard to come up with my own sometimes.  That is until, Design Camp! 

 

I knew I was going to be exchanging business cards and I still had not completed my website or posted any of my work online where people could see it publicly.  So with that little boost of motivation, I created a Facebook Page for my business and am in the process of completing my website with the help of my web designer.  Go ahead, take a look at Design Delights Facebook Page and see what I've been up to, I think you might "Like" it. 

 

I can't believe it's been a whole year since I have posted here.  I've missed it.  I think it's time to start blogging again about those things that Delight us daily.  Come back and see me.  I've missed you in this place.

 

Signs and Blessings

I know it has still been few and far between when I come to post here, but I thought I would  share a blessing I received recently.  You can see my guest post over on My Wings Are Made of Faith.

A few home projects on my list for 2012

I thought I'd take stock of my pinterest account and do something productive in the way of the new year, so I created a new pin board for a few Home Projects I'd like to complete this year.  Starting with the easy ones first.

Source: frolic-blog.com via Melissa on Pinterest

1.  Organize the fridge and make it pretty.

Source: livethemma.ikea.se via Melissa on Pinterest

2.  Find cute storage like this little greenhouse from Ikea for all my teas.

Source: vanessaandvalentine.com via Melissa on Pinterest

3.  Linen for the back of the bookshelves in the dining room.

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

4. Reupholster my French Bergere in this fabric combo of burlap and velvet.

I wasn't sure I'd make it here today.  It seems so odd and so sad too.  Almost exactly a year ago my husband lost his youngest sister and today we got the news that his youngest brother just died.  This list just seems so trivial in the big picture of life and eternity, but sometimes it's the little things that help us keep our minds from thinking about the big things that make our hearts too sad to bear it.  I'll be back here again to share my lists, my projects, my hopes, desires and dreams.  I can't wait to catch up and connect again. 

Until then, soon my friends,

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays!

My son stopped by this morning with some Christmas hats for the dogs.  As you can see they are quite thrilled with them...haha!  I know it has been quite awhile since I have been here in this space but I wanted to stop by and wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holiday celebrations!  I've been missing this place and I plan on being back here more often in the New Year.

Lovely Clusters Spring Catalog

The new Spring Catalog by Lovely Clusters is now available.  All the items are curated by colors or themes which makes for beautiful glossy pages to admire.

Thursdays Creative Thrift

Repurposed Painter's Drop Cloth...Turned Beautiful Tablecloth

I just spied these on my friend Brooke's blog yesterday and absolutely love them!

Exersizing My Creativity

My first decoupage project ever!  It took my husband and I about 2 months to finish this project but we finished it this last weekend and now it's found it's place in our new home.  After striping about five different layers of paint, sanding and painting it a light gray, I decoupaged the drawers.  I had a few mishaps.  That's why the middle drawer looks different then the rest, but in the end I think it turned out just right!  Just needs a few knobs and it will be done.

Weekend Delights!

 Signs of Spring

 High Gloss Magazine

 New Decorating Books of Course!

 This pretty party

 This little pink lamp

Sneak Peeks

Delighting in blog reading again and all the decorating ideas.  Since living in my new place for about three weeks now, I think I have a feel for where things should go.  Working on getting things up on the walls and the house in order this weekend.  Hoping you find time to take a moment and find something to delight in this weekend.

Whitcomb & Company

In my never ending search on Craigslist for dining room tables and credenza's I came across this piece made by a company here in Seattle called Whitcomb & Company.  I saved the picture for the beautiful flower made with tennis rackets, but most of their work involves using reclaimed and salvaged materials to create furniture.

Organized Closets

We are downsizing and moving from our house in the suburbs closer to the city.  I've been selling things and trying to pick up a few new things that we will need for our new place that we are moving into this Saturday.  I'm really excited about the big walk-in closet we are going to have and when I saw this beautifully organized closet on morning's light, I went to work right away tracking down this Ikea Lack Shelf on Craigslist (I don't like to pay full price if I don't have to of course) so I can implent this idea into my own new walk-in closet. 

I'm a little excited and nervous and feeling a little sentimental about the move. Ideas are just swirling around in my head for our new space and new decor. You'll probably see many more of these ideas and inspirations here in the weeks to come.

{image via morning's light via The Order Obsessed}

Hello

As you might have noticed, I've been on a long break from this blogging space.  Since last May, it has been quite the year for life interuptions, but I see new adventures on the horizon and am feeling the inspiration again.  I look forward to filling this space up again with my dreams, desires and inspirations.  It might be a little slow going at first, but I hope to re-connect with you again very soon. 



{image:  Melissa @ Design Delights}

Happy Holidays from Design Delights!

"Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart."  (Psalm 37:4)

xoxo,


{image by Melissa Allam @ Design Delights}

Vintage Themed Ball

Karaoke with Nina

Learning to Swing Dance!

My decorating partner Elaine

With the girls who helped plan the ball

You might remember last year when I decorated for this masquerade ball.  We loved the dramatic look and feel of the fabric columns with lights down the center, so this year, with a different theme in mind, we changed up the tables and decor for a vintage themed ball.  I never attended the ball last year, so this year was a treat to eat a delicious catered meal, learn a little swing dance, join in with some karaoke (watching, not singing), and have fun with friends.



{images by Melissa Allam @ Design Delights}