Leslie Sinclair's Blog, page 14

Segreto-MILIEU & Designer Jill Egan

Hi Friends! I am so excited to share with you all this amazing house we collaborated with designer Jill Egan with on her very own home!! It is featured in Milieu Magazine to boot. Internationally known, this Houston based magazine started by designer extraordinaire Pam Pierce. They were so nice to send us their beautiful photography, and we added a few snaps of our own.

If you don’t subscribe to Milieu. , I highly recommend it. With one of a kind beautiful interiors, this is definitely a magazine of style that focuses on homes, gardens, and the way we live. Every store captures the look, the mood, the style of a place – it’s milieu.

Jill Egan is not only a dear friend, but has reinvented herself and followed her passions. From math teacher to interior designer she has allowed her imagination to take flight when she and her husband began planning the build of their new home. This was an amazing project on which to collaborate with Jill. Meeting at the planning stage, plastering her home was at the top of her list. Notice the plaster meets the floors with no baseboards.

From each intricate line in their plans, Jill left no detail un-turned! Together with Houston architect Kirby Mears her sanctuary began to unfold. I truly love the gap of the ceiling detail in the formal living. Well done Kirby!

Her very friendly pup, perched on her little antique stool, is as happy in her beautiful new home as the Egans are. The reclaimed fireplace from Chateau Domingue was just the look and scale that Jill was looking for, but not exactly her perfect tone. We were able to alter it, toning down its yellow case while respecting the age-old patina reclaimed pieces have.

The architecture of Jill’s home, with its mix of gentle
arches over the windows and clean lines throughout, allows for a beautiful flow
showcasing the refinement of the details.

The dining room’s Ochre crystal chandelier is an artful
showstopper. Wanting the cap to be flush with the ceiling, the plaster
application was complicated but well worth the thought and effort.

Beautiful, dramatic and understated, I was taken back on how lovely the
dining’s featured wine cellar looks through the crystals of the
chandelier.

One of my favorite wine rooms to date, we slurried the brick
and plastered its shelving unit! The design of the cabinet-truly brilliant.

Kirby Mears, thinking of everything, placed the Sub-zero
refrigerator in the butler’s pantry so that guests gathering in the kitchen
would feel it as a room rather than utilitarian. Open onto each other it is
both beautiful and functional.

Each time I go to Jill’s home I am struck by how EVERYTHING
looks so special. She is a master at arranging things-all perfectly composed
with an unforced natural feel. Go back and look at all her tables and
shelving-LOVE!

I have always been enamored by these chandeliers, and so
appreciated Milieu’s explanation of them. Made by the Australian lighting designer
Christopher Boots, the brass rings feature pieces of quartz crystal that are
magnetically held in place.

More beautifully composed accessorizing. Notice the matches have pink tips. Imported from France, every detail is well thought out! Although hers are imported, I did find some blush ones on Amazon.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as we did. Thank you Milieu for sending us such beautiful pictures and a wonderful write up of the thought and elements which went into the beautiful home. If you do not subscribe to Milieu, or follow their blog or Instagram you should. Inspiration at every turn!!!

Jill, you are simply amazing! I loved the entire process and
working with you was an inspiration to me! I look forward to seeing more of
your projects come to life! Thanks, Milieu for such an inspirational
publication.



Just a week to go before voting closes!! I appreciate your help in being
awarded Best Interior Designer Blog-International.
If you could take a moment to vote for us HERE
we would be so grateful!!   Till next week-xo Leslie

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Summer Gardens

Hi, Friends! With FRESH, ORGANIC, and NON-PROCESSED foods being at the forefront of how we should eat-why not grow your own? Growing up in Georgia, we had a family garden, something I miss living in a big city. I have thought many times to attempt growing my own fresh ingredients to see if my thumb is still green, and have found three lovely ladies to inspire.

Meet Jill, who lives in my neighborhood! She started kitchen gardening about 5 years ago when her dad “Grandan” built her first raised bed as a birthday gift! Wow, she has really found her passion!!

She has certainly expanded since that first plot and has been hooked ever since. She feels the hobby has given her back so much! Not only is she feeding her family the freshest veggies possible, but she feels gardening has taught both her and her family patience.

Waiting 30, 60, or even 90 days (potatoes, for example, take over 90 days) for a vegetable to mature is a long time. It has become a family-friendly activity for all to enjoy and bond.

If you are new to gardening Jill suggests starting small w herbs. Basil, rosemary, mint, oregano, thyme all grow well in Houston, but do a bit of research on what grows well in your area. As you master these move onto green beans and cucumbers, and then tomatoes. Experiment w Vertical gardening – trellising is a great way to keep the vegetables off the dirt and prevent disease. 

In Houston, Zone 9a, our hot summers are hard on vegetable plants. You can still grow many things in the hot summer such as okra, eggplant, watermelon, and cantaloupe. 

Fall and Spring Gardening is fantastic in our zone. Lettuce, kale, cabbage, and broccoli grow well in the Fall. Sowing seeds, tending to plants, pulling weeds, and even combating pests is a great way to start and end the day.  Jill even enjoys the monotony of watering. 

“Spending time in the garden and tending to plants bring so much joy!” says sweet Jill!  One of her favorite things about having a garden is sharing with friends and neighbors. Recently her parents came in town from Brenham and she was able to harvest some crooked neck yellow squash to give to her 95-year-old grandmother Mamaw who lives in Fort Worth. Jill has started an Instagram for full of gardening tips and photos @oliver__garden__

Meet Jenny, also a garden overachiever!! A super MOM she loves coming up with activities which she can do with her kids. The process of them choosing what to plant, caring for the garden, and eating the fruits of their labor sort-to-speak, has not only been a fun activity but so educational!!

Snap peas have been a success for them this year! The beautiful, rich color of the peas can be picked and eaten right off the stalk.

And talk about the kids getting into healthy eating, they even insisted they take their raw treasures into McDonald’s to pair with their Happy Meals!! Jenny has loved the experience of watching her active three eat and be so excited about veggies!!

Even salads have become an art form. With their harvest of lettuce, kale, veggies, and the most beautiful edible flowers each child builds their own creation at dinner time. Mixing organic olive oils and artisan balsamic vinegar for dressings the family makes a point to comment on each taste. They call it their adventure in a bowl.

Their daughter’s favorites are the cucumbers which she checks on every day. A piece of advice Jenny received from a close family friend was – if you get a third of what you planted, that’s a successful gardening season! He said, one third goes to the land, one third to nature’s creatures, and one third to you! I LOVE that!!

What is better than sitting in your garden, enjoying a Texas sunset, and a nice, homemade bowl of salsa?! My friend Stephanie, brings me so many fresh veggies from her garden, as well as delish salsa made from her produce. Never making salsa before I asked her to share her recipe with all of us.

Although all of her ingredients are homegrown, you could purchase all from your local store!!

All you need is about a gallon of mixed tomatoes. Cherokee, Purple, Cherry, Big Boy, and heirlooms are great choices–just mix and match. Slice 7 seeded large Jalapenos, 1 Large Onion or 3 small red onions and Cilantro and salt to taste.

Mix in a blender to desired consistency, taste, then add cilantro and sea salt. For an added flavor, you can add the juice of a few key limes. 

Chill in a tight container for the day or for the following. It is always the best the first and second day! Thank you to my three gal pals for sharing a bit of your summer garden with us!!

There is still time to help Segreto make the shortlist for Best Interior Designer Blog –International. The next step is to vote so we can make the top 5 to move into the final reveal in London. Vote Here and I would love it if you would share it with your friends! THANK YOU TO ALL!

This year’s sponsor of the Best Use of Photography Blog Award, Leica, has kindly donated a SOFORT camera for the voting competition. With your vote, you have a chance to win one of these beauties!! Vote Here

For more summer garden inspiration you can look back at two previous blogs! Organic Home Gardens and Herb Gardens Inside and Out

Happy Eating! Till next week. xo Leslie

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What Is Segreto Up To?

Hi Friends! It seems like from all the sweet comments on the blog that everyone loves seeing transformations! Maybe it’s on my mind with book signings on the horizon and a wedding coming up meaning I will have to fit into a dress. So as I share all the transformations in our client’s homes, I think maybe I can do a little transformation on myself.

With home’s moving from dark and Mediterranean to a lighter brighter look, many of my clients are starting from the outside in. The color samples this homeowner had chosen were very bright white and looked stark next to the slate walkway–something she wasn’t planning on changing. I was called in for a color consult to transform this home from dark to a more modern translation.

First looking for the right white for the home, we put samples up on all 4 sides. This is an important process as sunlight plays such an important part of how we see color and selections will look very different on each side of the home. We settled on Benjamin Moore HC-173 Edgecomb Gray, which happens to be what I painted my office exterior with. What a difference already!! One of my expert artisans, on the front porch, is working on samples for phase two of the project–altering the stone!!!

A totally different home!! We have tinted a lime wash to mask the undertones of the stone without changing its natural appearance. Getting the color and the perfect coverage just right is the tricky part, but well worth the effort!

Editing is one of the most important elements of today’s design. If you notice on the before pictures there are lots of color changes. The dark stucco color, the lighter outline of the windows and doors, the dark windows, the contrast of the stone and the different material on the walkway. By simplifying finishes, this home’s existing architecture is brought current! Next phase–refinishing the front door.

Something aged with a bit of color might be nice…or stripping and bleaching is always a pretty look! Which would you choose?

I wish I had the before shots for the entry hall floor we did with Floor Designs of Houston for Designer Cindy Witmer. What a difference it made in this entryway

The floors were painted white, to begin with, and then we laid out 18 by 18 squares on the diagonal with pencil, taped them off and began to paint. Who said you never use the geometry you learned in high school?!

We were on a deadline to finish these beauties before the homeowner arrived back in town. Doing the rest of the stained floors in the house, Floor designs of Houston sanded and put the base coat on these for us. When we finished the design they put two coats of an acrylic polyurethane on top so they would hold up to wear and tear over time. Acrylics topcoats are non-yellowing so I prefer them over an oil top clear when you are going over a white painted surface.

I love transforming spaces as I fee they give people a new outlook on their daily lives. Collaborating with designer Patty Hemingway, this client/friend is at the hub of creating so many of all our favorite cookbooks. She uses her office ALL THE TIME and wanted a lighter softer feel, which speaks to her happy place, giving her strength to push through all of her many publishing deadlines. Heavens………… I understand that.

Oak is making a huge comeback, so why paint? Its natural grain is so pretty so all we had to do is lighten it up and change the tone!! We applied a series of transparent glazes, first ones were to mask the orange color and the last ones were to tone the wood to her favorite color. Ready for the transformation?

My friends at Organized Design sent me this picture after they had styled her shelves, and neatly organized her files and papers. What a major difference. To make her room feel larger, we plastered the walls and ceiling in the same tones as the wood. Beautiful, and a lovely place to work!!

I constantly seem to be working on personal transformations which will enable me to live the life I want to the fullest. For me, it seems to always be taking better care of myself so I sleep better, look better and have more energy to accomplish things, be in the moment with family and friends and truly enjoy each day. Anything you are thinking about?

EXCITING NEWS! Because of all your love and support, we did it again. This year we were nominated for Best Interior Designer Blog – International. I just can’t believe Segreto Secrets made it amongst this talented bunch. The next step is to vote so we can make the top 5 to move into the final reveal in London. Vote Here . I would be ever so grateful if you would spread the word! While visiting the voting site, take a look around at all the amazing blogs from across the globe. I have found some of my best inspirations, and favorite bloggers from this incredible group of design bloggers!!

What transformations would allow you to truly enjoy and embrace your best life? We can do it! Till next week! xo Leslie

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Maps of Love!

Hi Friends!! I am so excited to share the journey of a friend/client of mine who has reinvented herself or……in her case may be gone back to her original passions and developed her own career out of a beloved hobby.

I met Susie when my daughter Kirby became friends with her son Kyle in elementary school and have been blessed in keeping up with her through decorative updates in her home. Now a grandmother, ( I know she looks way too young), she has followed her passions and started her own art business of hand-drawing maps for special occasions.

Born with a natural artistic ability, this New Orleans native taught herself to write her name in cursive by age four! She continued her love of art in college where she graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in Interior Design. Her favorite part of her education was creating watercolor renderings of her beautiful interior creations.

She started her career in both Commercial and Residential Interior Design until the birth of her third son, where she decided to be a stay at home Mom. She never stopped her passion for art, however, frequently volunteering at her sons’ schools for art-related projects.

Here is some of the beautiful artwork she has created for a lovely couple I happen to know!! The idea of creating love maps came to Susie when she received a Save-the-Date card in the mail consisting of different New Orleans venues.

Her son was getting married so she decided to further this concept and included her son and his fiance’s Story of Romance into the map! Hand-drawing the invitation herself, she found something she LOVED to do.

Above is Susie’s Map of Love that her son, Kyle, and his fiance, Samantha, used as a welcome and put in the bags for out of town guests!

That was the beginning of what is now Occasion Maps by Susie! She was able to take not only her art and watercolor skills but her knowledge of design and architecture to create unique and personalized Wedding Maps for her clients!

The process starts when Susie emails her clients a form that gives her the details of where they met, the proposal details, their universities, hobbies, travels, and wedding venues. She even goes as far as adding the bride and groom’s monogram to the map! The creation does not involve just the form but photographs the couple sends to her.

She realized that many couples share pets, which are always included in her maps. Just like anything, the more information given during the creation of the map, the more personal and meaningful the map is for the big day.

What I love about them is that no two are alike and it tells the couple’s story!! What a beautiful keepsake for them, the parents and all the guests!! Once the personalized map is completed, the couple then determines how they want to incorporate it into their special day!

She has done versions for hospitality bags, stickers (for favors), tags save-the-dates and more!

So full of life and super fun, Susie you have inspired me by finding balance in your life and having it all!! We are never too old, or too busy to fill this one life we have with all we want to accomplish. What is your passion? It does start you thinking!

Don’t forget to check out all of the exciting, new things happening at Segreto Finishes by following us on Instagram- my daughter Kirby has taken it over and she has inspired me with her posts! Till next week! xo Leslie @segretofinishes

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A Segreto Home For Sale!

This breathtaking 5,358 square foot home is nestled in Tanglewood on a desirable tree-lined cul-de-sac street! I am proud to say that this home has been featured in Segreto Style and when you look at the photos you will understand why.

Greeted with wide-planked beveled flooring and warm and inviting plastered walls, a feeling of HOME hits you right when you walk through the door.

This was such a wonderful project to be a part of. The homeowner, a designer in her own right, loved the classic, timeless with a flair for Country French!!

Timeless it has remained, as we worked together in 2010 to develope finishes which have remained untouched! While most of the home is neutral, the dining room was plastered in a beautiful seafoam, which took its inspiration from the tone of the drapes.

This color we developed has remained in one of Segreto’s wheelhouse of plaster tones!! We have even created a signature paint color to match!!

These lovely abstract paintings, created for the homeowner by one of her friends also were a big inspiration for the color!! Soothing and elegant this room is one of my all-time favorites!!

The spacious butler’s pantry connects the dining room and the kitchen. Wanting it to feel like a room, the cabinets were glazed to bring in the warmth of the butcher block countertops and brick walls. Still beautiful as is, if your tastes are more to the light side, a few tweaks would totally change the feel of the space.

The brick could be plastered for more full coverage or…..

………lime washed to allow some of the brick to show through.

Imagine the countertops stripped bleached and glazed like the treatment we applied to this previously stained dark mahogany door!!

This kitchen, set for someone who loves to cook, is outfitted with high-end stainless steel appliances, a walnut wood island, honed black granite countertops and hardwood floors throughout. The same budget-friendly treatments could be applied to this space giving this space a totally different feel!

This open floorplan creates a family-friendly space perfect for hanging out or entertaining guests!! To create a more contemporary vibe, these high-end fixtures could be plastered in white SegretoStone and the island and bookcases lacquered to re-invent this beautiful traditional space into one which feels more transitional.

Bringing the Seafoam in with a beautiful wallcovering, we created a border on the ceiling to add a quiet detail to the space.

The master suite is large and so soothing!! With room for a sitting area, it definitely is a place to unwind and relax. I wonder if she would sell the furniture and that beautiful bedding?

With his and her sinks and vanity to boot, the classic marble tops give elegance to the space.

A mural was created to pull the blues from the bedroom while keeping the bath neutral.

I wish this empty nest couple the best in their new phase of life and congratulations to the new family who will call this house their home!! Taylor Jackson with Greenwood King is the sweet agent who has this listing. Reach out to her with questions!! I hope everyone has a great week!! XO Till next time!!

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Reinvent!

Hi Friends! I love before and after’s! Who doesn’t like to see transformations! We all crate before and afters and reinvent things all the time. From rooms to landscapes to recipes, to hobbies, to ourselves!

When you look up reinventing, typically it focuses on reinventing yourself or that old adage reinventing the wheel.

To make over completely: “She reinvented Indian cooking to fit a Western kitchen and a Western larder”- (Irene Sax).

To replace (a product, etc) with an entirely new version

So today I have a few projects which we have reinvented!! something I love
to do with plaster and paint!

Bill Stubbs, a Houston celebrity
designer, spotted a kitchen in Segreto Vignettes designed by Julie Dodson which he used as
inspiration to show his client what he had envisioned for her range hood!

She loved the idea and was excited by the fact that her wooden hood could be reinvented to read like metal. Here is the before (above).

Here is the after!!!  Starting with a black base, we layered to top with a paint infused with real metal, then the strapping was hand-painted in a Trompe L’oeil fashion!

It looks so real!

And such a fun piece to reinvent!!

In this next project with designer Jennifer Martinez, two fireplaces needed a bit of love to work better with what was planned for this home’s reinvention! In the first, the knotty pine was too orange and needed to blend more with the tile surround.

By applying glazes, the rustic charm was apparent but the tones were much better for the room. Now the mantle becomes a beautiful architectural accent to the room and not the first thing you see, allowing the seating area to be focal.

In the second room, Jennifer wanted just the reverse–this time she wanted for the mantle to stand out more. Currently, your eye stops at the tile since the actual mantle, painted the same color as the walls, blends in.

The mantle was painted a darker color and glazed to visually expand its size.

Loving this kitchen for 10+ years, these homeowners just wanted a refresh! The entire home, in which we collaborated with designer Beverly Shaeffer was in Segreto Style. How does the same space look lighter and brighter?

Plastering the walls and painting the cabinets to blend, the perimeter brick, dark stained hood corbels, and gold-toned accent tile stood out.  By plastering the brick, glazing the tile and refinishing the wood, this kitchen was reinvented without the expense or mess which replacing items entail! Jerry, now, is toning the tile.

Two beautiful interpretations of the same space, the new version has been edited, by reducing the number of color changes in the space.

Figuring out how to change the color of stone without losing its natural feel has allowed our clients to keep what they have and reinvent their appearance. This homeowner loved her mantle but really disliked its peach undertone!

We neutralized it making it look so natural with her newly refinished floors and beautiful art piece!!  I love to reinvent! Whether it is trends in homes, styles in fashion or your life’s desires, nothing stays the same!! Think about what you love to look at, what you want to change and what you want in life and reinvent.

There are always ways to incorporate looks you want in your home and implement what you want for your life with REINVENTION! I hope you have a joy-filled week! Till next time!  Xo Leslie

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A Beautiful Showcase Home!

Hi Friends!! I hope you are having a beautiful day!! I just wanted you to know that I will do a post on how to make the wrapping paper in last week’s post. I got so many emails on “how to”. I am so excited to share out collaboration with this dynamic build, design team. Cupic Custom Homes has paired once again with Elizabeth Garrett Interiors and has designed a beautiful showcase home ready to call your own.

Pretty from the outside in, this stunning 7726 square foot new construction is located in Hunter’s Creek Village on a half-acre lot! Beautiful brick and cypress exterior with Blaylock steel front doors, copper gutters, and a gas lantern. Barbara Josephson from John Daughtery Realtors will have no trouble selling this one!

Through the unique steel front doors, you are greeted in the foyer with European white oak hardwood floors with hand beveled edges in a custom pattern. Love them!! Working with this team before-Thier previous showcase will be in Segreto Impressions, due for release in early October–Elizabeth is known for putting unique surfaces in places that you will remember.

The formal dining room with European white oak hardwood floors, Kravet wallpaper, and a steel window overlooking the front grounds will create the most beautiful setting for a dinner party!

The trim details are just one of the features which make this home truly custom. With access to the bar from the entry, den, and the dining room, it is set up for entertaining! Look at those beautiful windows which draw your eye to the lovely gardens which surround this home.

This beautiful bar features Calcutta Black polished countertops, Ann Sacks tile backsplash, and my favorite–glass and brass custom shelving. Where is the wine?

The family room has reclaimed beams, and beautiful architectural details looking in every direction!

Open to the kitchen and the outdoor entertaining area, this open floorplan home has such a wonderful flow to it!!

With Calacatta marble countertops and backsplash, and ample workspace this is a cooks dream!

This collaborative team really doesn’t scrimp when it comes to finishes. The plaster hood offers a sleek balance to the inset more rustic wood and marble island top! Appliances include 36″ Subzero refrigerator, 36″ Subzero freezer, Ilve Majestic 6-burner gas range + griddle, Asko dishwashers, and Wolf convection steam oven and microwave drawer to boot!!

Notice the color change on the flanking hutches. The beautiful brass grillwork complements the brass lanterns and provides a beautiful display of yes-your dishes and glassware. I certainly can imagine living here!-You?

I love the small profiles to all the windows and doors. It really brings the outside in!!

The first-floor utility room with Ann Sacks glazed tile backsplash, Electrolux washer and dryer, tremendous storage plus a folding counter and drip dry area, under cabinet lighting and under-mount sink, is both beautiful and functional.

But wait, there are two laundry rooms!! The upstairs one features Ann Sacks tile floors and marble backsplash, quartz countertops and stainless sink.

So dramatic, we plastered the walls Venetian style in a rich tone contrasting the marble and brass 2-leg sink console. Even the Hunt Slonem bunny loves his new room!!

This true master bedroom oasis offers serene views of the rear grounds, built-in speakers and gorgeous designer chandelier. I love that there is room for two comfy chairs to sit and read or chat about the day’s activities!

Wow-so super stunning!! The plaster walls and ceilings really accentuate the groin details and the beautiful Ann Sacks custom stone mosaic floors!

This vignette is close up worthy!! The Calacatta marble countertops, mirror + decorative sconces and brass hardware are just to die for! Thank you Cupic Custom Homes and Elizabeth Garrett Interiors for trusting us to work with them on their over the top AMAZING projects!! if you are ready to move in reach out to Barbara Josephson from John Daughtery Realtors for a private showing!

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Creating Beauty Makes My Day!! What Makes Yours?

Hi Friends!! I think we all have to decide what gives us joy and try to incorporate that into our daily lives whether at work, play or giving back to our community, family and friends. I have always loved to create beautiful things. I adore the look on my client’s faces when we have reinvented a part of their home, their sanctuary really. I do feel that beautiful surroundings inspire happiness and contentment in our daily lives.

When I see something beautiful I can’t help but smile. It is my gage if the techniques for our clients are perfect? What is your tell sign when something strikes you as beautiful?

I found so many articles online which share the thought that surrounding ourselves with beauty makes us happier. Beauty comes in so many amazing forms and I want to share a few with you today. The dogwoods above are part of a project we are working on for the talented design group Marie Flanigan Interiors. First, hand formed from clay, molds were then made and hundreds of florals poured to create enough materials for an entire wall.

We used the tape to map out the flow of the design as we did not want to mark on our freshly plastered walls. Here is a snippet of the beginning of the design. I will let Marie’s group post the finished installation once the room is cleaned and fluffed!! Beautiful? I think so.

Knowing I love butterflies a favorite client of mine sent me a picture from her gardens in Vermont!! I am working on her Houston house while she is away. It makes sense that beauty in all forms makes us happy. After all, God created the most magical things of all. Beautiful? Yes Please!!

This room makes me happy just looking at it. The blush tones, dishware, warm woods and exceptional styling all work together to create something so appealing. Photographed by Julie Soefer, built by Elron Construction and designed by Dodson Interiors, this home will be in Segreto Impressions due to be released this fall. Beautiful? You tell me!

Beauty can start or be anywhere. It could be about the loveliness of a city, a feeling you get from a picnic in the countryside, a starlight night, artwork, food, breathtaking architecture or even in achieving knowledge. So you have to think to yourself… what is beautiful to me? Then surround yourself with a bit more of it!

The above image was a mural in a dome we did for designer Wendy Sharp in Waco. To read more about the house go here.

This amazing floral art wall needs a blog post of its own. Segreto’s consultant Andrea Condara made this massive piece of art from paper florals. Beautiful? To die for! I certainly smiled when I saw it. YOU?

“But just because beauty can begin with the appreciation of colors, cuisine, and colonnades does not make it a superficial pursuit. As the 18th-century French writer, Stendhal wrote, Beauty is the promise of happiness.” – The Atlantic

Love is also beautiful. When I am around people I love, I am definitely happier. Looks like my daughter Sammy feels that way too!!!

The homeowners of this lovely house in Houston didn’t feel like its exterior gave them that feeling that “this is home” when they pulled in every day. Wanting a change, they called us to slurry its exterior.

We began to transform its appearance a lime plaster and what a difference! A totally new home. Loving the softer feel the slurry created, they decided to tone the brick lighter.

You can see our plaster manager Frank loves his job and is artistically lime washing each brick. The before and after is stunning and the effect it adds to the house is quite dramatic. Beautiful? What do you think Frank would say?

I always enjoy crafting–its relaxing to me!! I am starting early this year for holiday time and am making wrapping paper. Super easy to do, kids would also enjoy it. Imagine even simple things like their handprints! For this design, I purchased brown floor paper ( home depot, or any paint store) and stenciled over it with a foam roller in a champaign metallic paint. Easy breezy and beautiful? Feel free to email me directly for more detailed instructions. Leslie@segretofinishes.com.

I love all that I do and feel so grateful to be busy with so many things which make me happy. But.. honestly, over the last month, I have felt overwhelmed. I have been sick, finalizing the book, training new people, and behind in serving my clients, leaving me feeling ineffective and disorganized. Months ago, I promised a friend, that I would visit Community Family Centers, where she is the director of development. I wanted to postpone to take care of so many undone items but decided to go ahead and go.

When I arrived there were people wrapped around the block with coolers, baskets, boxes, and umbrellas. It was a scorcher here last Friday and the wait can be over 2 hours to get through the line. There was no complaining just smiling volunteers and grateful people who were all happy to be there. Some were disabled, some worked two to three jobs at min. wages to support their families, others were raising their grandchildren on a set income. People were laughing, helping each other and were truly appreciative to be able to both give and receive. The Community Family Center’s mission is to equip families with the tools they need to become self-sufficient members of the community. They provide food, education, training programs and so much more.

For me, that was the most beautiful thing I saw all week and put life in perspective for me. Be grateful for what you have, surround yourself with all forms of beauty and touch the lives of others.

“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” 
― Anne Frank

More News!! I can’t believe it’s that time again!! The Amara Interior Blog Awards are open and taking nominations! Let’s see if once again, we together,  can make the shortlist of the best of design blog 4 years running! Nominate here. I always am so appreciative of your support–always!!

Till next week! xo Leslie

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What’s Up With Segreto?!

Hi Friends! I hope you all had a nice 4th of July!! It was a bit rainy in my neck of the woods, but didn’t prevent us from having fun!!

I know I have shown you this sink before when it was ready for the client to pick up. Now it is installed and looks beautiful in its new home!!

I love the flooring and how it mimics the round mirror!

With an integrated sink, a contemporary feel is infused into the space.

Before and Afters are always fun to show. This home is getting a total update. Decorated in tones of the Tuscan era, these homeowners wanted a fresh light new look and feel to their home without the expense and disruption of tearing out and starting a new!

Painting the walls in our new “Elegance” tone the floors which felt VERY golden before now take on a more neutral appearance. The fireplace, previously heavily fauxed, was repainted in the same paint as the walls and finished with a much lighter feel. A total transformation and at a fraction of the cost of a new mantle.

In the same home there was a tiled niche in the vestibule leading to the formal powder room.

We were able to plaster over it, still creating an accent element, but in a quite soft sophisticated way.

We are just beginning to revamp this home which was in my first book, Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors. It is still beautiful and current, but the homeowners added a new lighting system and opened up some walls to create larger gathering spaces for guests. With many of the finished needing to be repaired due to the construction, they have the opportunity to change the look of their home and decide to go lighter. The dark wood floors are being finished in a medium tone without any trace of red or orange. We are taking inspiration from the floors new tones and refinishing the beams. The above it the before.

Here is our sample of the after. The underneath is dry. The grain still shows through and the beams now look as if they are reclaimed! This entire process was done without stripping or bleaching the wood first!!

This bar is quite a statement!! We installed a beautifully toned Venetian plaster whichis dramatic, chic, and frames the tile accent wall to feel as if it is a piece of art.

As you can tell this is going to be quite a home!! Look at that amazing staircase!

Our new SegretoStone line is a wonderful alternative to cast stone or concrete fireplaces. I love that they can be custom designed and are available in so many different coloration’s!!

We take our ques from so many creatives-designers, homeowners, builders and architects. It has been so rewarding to help bring their vision to life.

We all face challenges in so many different ways. To meet those challenges, we just have to go after them, try them, and truly feel that there is no failure if we learn and grow as a person along the way. I am leaving you with a few inspiration quotes! Have a great week!! Till next time! xo Leslie

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

“The roughest roads often lead to the top.” 
― Christina Aguilera

“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s a day you’ve had everything to do and you’ve done it.” 
― Margaret Thatcher

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – Robert F. Kennedy

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Stars & Stripes Forever!

HI Friends! Fireworks? Sign me up!! July 4th is a great holiday —  I am always happy to celebrate all the graces Americans enjoy together with friends and family. So let’s ring the bell of freedom together, and wave the red, white & blue!

By July, it’s a tad hot here in Houston, so my July 4 party planning is super easy and breezy!

Décor!

Since my overall landscape theme is green and white (rosemary, roses, boxwood) – I am going to use BIG star stencils on my back lawn and fill them with flour!  Sunset  shows you how!

If you want a bit of color, you can use construction paint. It will eventually wash away or be cut with your next mowing.

A gathering of family and friends around the grill and the pool calls for some extra seating. Outdoor folding chairs dress for the holiday with the simple addition of canvas and ribbon! Love how crisp and casual! So, the 13”-wide chairs each use 2.5 yards of fabric (32”-wide fabric cut in half). Each seat needs 5’ of ribbon. Get how-to information from Sunset.

GOLD! Yes, gold star-shaped sparklers that give off a gold sparkle for the minute they’re burning! It would be so cut to put the 11” wires in metal French flower buckets of sand. Everyone can take a few as dusk falls. Wholesale Sparklers has a large selection!

Water is requisite in the summer and on July 4th, and taping or gluing flags onto water bottles is such a fun idea. The above are cloth, but plastic flags should work as well.

Food! Although decorating for me is more fun than cooking, what is a celebration without a fun 4th of July menu?

And what a better way to set the party tone than with individual July 4th Caprese salads! Swap out those often-sad tomatoes for watermelon slices cut with a star cookie cutter. Arugula is in the photograph, but I may use basil from my garden! Skinny Taste recommends a great bottled balsamic glaze (in case you don’t feel like simmering your own).

Every good Texan will start with guacamole and chips, BUT I am going to switch it up and make a healthy Avocado Hummus to serve with pita chips. Chickpeas and fresh avocados in the blender-super easy!

Our family of 5 loves the all American hotdog, so hotdogs five ways is the way to go! I am going to print each suggested topping combo on little chalkboards to stand behind a huge tray of ingredients. That Mexican Charred-Corn Dog is for me; my husband will take the Frank & Beans (with bacon!). Our daughters will love the options of a Hawaiian Dog (pineapple and red onion) and of a Fresh Flavors Dog (veggies soaked in vinegar and sugar). And our son will be all about that Reuben Dog in the back. The Noblepig.com has wonderful recipes.

Chopped vegetables (prep now; party later!) mix to make a fabulous confetti salad to keep the afternoon light (83 calories per serving) for those brave enough to put on a bathing suit!

I like the idea of having a grill going just for veggies and these roasted carrots with yogurt cilantro sauce and…

grilled lime sweet potatoes look great!!

To round out the event these cupcakes with fresh berries become Firecracker cupcakes with the addition of POP ROCKS sprinkled on the whipped cream. Hold up: add the pop rocks just before serving. But everything else can be on a board or tray ready to go! You may think you see pop rocks in the cupcake; however, those are rainbow sprinkles! I hope everyone has an amazing, safe and Happy 4th!  Till next week!!

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