Suggested Reading

 I have a book recommendation for you all if you are interested in Atlanta's history, "Formula For Fortune" by Ann Uhry Abrams, about the historic Candler family of Atlanta and how they made and spent their fortune.

I am not an Atlanta native so there was a lot in the book I was completely unaware of or unfamiliar with.  You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy the book, it has murder, law suits and infidelities, but most importantly, you will recognize many names and places and hopefully it will encourage you to go visit the landmarks created by this family.

  

I had previously read "The House The Rockefellers Built" by Robert F. Dalzell and Lee Baldwin Dalzell which describes the architectural journey of Kykuit, the famous Rockefeller home in the Hudson Valley and "Fortune's Children" by Arthur T. Vanderbilt II which spends a lot of time recounting their architectural extravagances.  Little did I know, the Candlers rivaled these families in their spending.  Where Nelson Rockefeller spent his money on art, Asa "Buddy" Candler spent his money on animals for his own private zoo.  A family tree would be helpful throughout both of these books as the family names are re-purposed in a different order and different combinations from generation to generation. 

I highly recommend it!!!  I think you will also enjoy the other books I mentioned so check them out and let me know what you think.  Please send me any recommendations you have.

 

Happy reading!

"Why We Keep Clothes We Never Wear"

Here is something lighthearted for your Monday morning.  I came across this article this morning in The Guardian magazine and it will either make you breathe a sigh of relief, that you aren't alone, or you might recognize some early signs of hoarding.

We all have a closet full of clothes that we never wear, mine are spread across three closets.  I liked the comparison of the closet to a library.  Let me know how you identify with this article!

http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/costume-and-culture/2013/aug/05/why-we-keep-clothes-never-wear

Happy Monday!!

The advantages of Houzz.com from a business perspective

I have had several of my clients ask if there is a real advantage to creating a presence on Houzz.com.  When you visit the site, you will probably find images of your work already there, uploaded from other sites, with no mention of your name.  Why not have your profile on sites like Houzz and Pinterest where you can properly label the images with your company information and any information about the project and even credit those who worked with you on the project.  Don't forget your photographers.

I tuned in to a webinar today on Houzz that describes the "new, empowered client".  There were a lot of statistics presented that I thought a lot of my clients would find interesting.  Here are a few tidbits....

They did a survey with existing houzzers and found that most people don't search for their ideas and inspiration in magazines anymore.  They found that 67% of the people they surveyed used houzz.com and only 11% referenced magazines and as little as 4% took referrals from friends and family.

Those who were planning to embark on a home project in the next year or two were for the majority (72%) planning to re-decorate while 40% were planning to add on or renovate.  Only 10% were planning to build from scratch.

Of the areas in the house to be renovated, the kitchen was number 1 with an approximate budget of 27 K.  The areas with the smallest allotted budget were floor or wall replacements and the addition of an exterior structure like a deck.

The professional hired the most was the General Contractor and what I found interesting is that 43% of the projects went over their remodel budget and 18% didn't even have a budget.

There is so much more information in the webinar specific to various professionals, and it is only around 25 minutes long.

My takeaway is that if you are a builder, kitchen designer, or interior designer, you should definitely be on houzz.com from reading these statistics.  As for every other professional in the design, architecture and built environment, you should also be on houzz.com because the more exposure the better, especially if you link to your website, facebook, linkedin and twitter accounts.

A good example for you to look at is the ROMA houzz profile that I have worked on for over a year now.  It is full of projects, great images and lots of information about the projects, who executed them and who photographed them as well.  http://www.houzz.com/pro/romabio/roma-ecosustainable-building-technologies

Here is the link to the webinar, http://info.houzz.com/proswebinar, and I hope this information has been helpful.

Today I am @.....

I am posting an article written by Chris Lewis, CTO of ROMA, which is very eye opening.  If this doesn't encourage you to stop buy the studio to learn more and try ROMA paints, plasters and finishes, I don't know what will.  You will recognize one of the paint companies in this article, they are a household name.  Click on the link below and read more.

Enjoy!!

http://romabio.com/newsstand/2013/03/08/the-ugly-truth-about-voc-disclosures/

Today I am @.....

...ROMA- Eco Sustainable Building Technologies

Be sure to follow us on Twitter, @romabio,  Facebook,  and read our blog.

Today I am going to be posting a story that was featured in the AJC on Sunday.   One of our favorite customers and friends, Lisa Vail, used ROMA paints throughout her home.  Stay tuned.

Also don't forget, 20% off on my website when you shop jewelry for the month of February!!

I hope this sunshine I see right now is an indicator that the forecast for rain over the next few days is inaccurate!!

Have a fabulous day!!

Today I was @.......

.......ROMA (formerly San Marco USA)

Have you seen the February issue of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles?  Run don't walk!!!  It is full of great rooms and designers.

 Here is Beth Webb's room with walls covered in a custom finish by ROMA (formerly San Marco USA).

You should really check out their paints and other surface coverings, you can get any type of finish you desire and the bonus is that the products are healthier than any other paint product on the market.  I promise!

Here is the upstairs den by Chris Holt of Holt Interiors.  

I wish that were my upstairs den!

I also wanted to say congrats to several folks for being chosen Best of Houzz 2013!

Bellwether Landscape Architects

Bradley E. Heppner Architect

Howard Design Studio

Clark & Zook Architects

The Belding Group

Dana Wolter Interiors

I am lucky to know such talented people!!

Have a great Wednesday!

Today I am @........

Kristin Meredith Jewelry Design Headquarters (ha ha).

Today I am sending a big box of jewelry to a new home in Memphis, TN.  Heather Cosmetics will be selling some of my jewelry and I am very excited to have it showcased there.  If you live in Memphis, please go by and check it out.  Valentines day is coming up too!

Here is a sneak peak of what I am sending, they look so much better in person!

Heather Cosmetics

4646 Poplar Avenue, Suite 102

Memphis, TN  38117

You can also shop on my website, www.kristinmayfieldmeredith.com.  Please follow me on Pinterest and Facebook.  I will be giving away a pair of earrings at the end of the month.  If you haven't liked Meredith Jewelry on FB yet, you still have time.  This will enter you into the drawing!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday!!!

Today I am @......

.....my house, getting caught up after being out of town for the weekend.

I think today's post should be called Shout Out Monday.  Too many people to recognize today!!

The most overdue would be a kudos to my good friends and Architects, Rodolfo Castro and Laura Depree who with the help of Interior Designers, Ed Belding and Beth Webb, created two beautiful homes that were featured in the latest Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.  Here are the two articles:

Charles Calhoun Fireplace Surround, Skyler Morgan wide walnut planked wall

 Charles Calhoun and Skyler Morgan collaborated on this bed!

Here is the home designed by Laura Depree and Beth Webb.  John Howard designed the beautiful Landscape.

 

 Well Done!!!

Have a wonderful Week!

www.beldinggroup.com

Today I am @.....

my desk enjoying my second cup of cappuccino.  Yummmm.

Happy New Year and I hope everyone is as optimistic about 2013 as I am.  Everything, from Thanksgiving 2012 and beyond, is a complete blur so I hope to catch you up on all of the exciting things I have discovered!

This post is about a friend of mine in Memphis, Heather Balkunas, who has started her very own cosmetic and skincare line and has opened her own boutique named "Heather".  For those of you have known me for a long time, you know my cosmetic background and I am hooked on Heather's products! 

She has already been featured in "Memphis Health & Fitness", I have attached the article below, and also in the "Memphis Commercial Appeal".

Heather's brushes are vegan and the compacts and products are eco-friendly. The largest palette is biodegradable with the exception of the mirror and the rest of the packaging is refillable which eliminates waste, thus making it eco-friendly.  

Here are my favorites (from top to bottom).......

1. Botanical shadow primer

2. concealer

3.eyeliner - stays on so well and achieves a great smokey eye.

4. Brow pencil is killer!!

5. One of her treatment products that evens out skin tone

6. Tinted Moisturizer!!!!

7.  Eye cream - love it

8. The concealer/eye shadow primer brush is awesome.

9.  A fine lining brush that is the best I have ever had.

10.  Last but not least, and not pictured here, is the lip primer which seals in moisture and keeps your lip color on.  It works beautifully and I never take it out of my handbag.

Wow, how is that for a top ten list.

Here is a pic of the container for your blush, eye shadow, liner, etc.

Don't judge, there are a few things in this case that are not Heather's.  The large round disc is her bronzer and the three small shadows in the top right corner are Heather's as well, the dark one being the eye liner.  I am confident it will be full of only Heather's color but for now I will just make do.

Maybe I can get Heather to come for a trunk show here in Atlanta and for those of you who live in Memphis, or close by, go see her, but you might want to make an appointment!!!!  You will have a great time in her boutique and no matter how busy she is, she still makes time for every guest who enters her door.