Leslie Sinclair's Blog, page 17

Everything is Prettier in Pink!!

Hi Friends!! I love pink all year long but Valentine’s Day really has me thinking!! A blend of red and white, pink combines a need for the action of red, (Passion) and the softness of white (Purity.) The deeper the pink, the more passion and energy it exhibits. The word itself brings up a variety of different images and concepts such as romance, flowers, femininity, Barbie, breast cancer, childhood, love, and so much more.

Last year I pulled the most beautiful images all in pink like  this stunning photograph by Georgianna Lane – so soft and feminine. This year I thought I would introduce you to some amazingly creative women who also adore pink and show you a bit of pink I have sprinkled in my own home!!

Here is cute Julie head of Dodson Interiors styling a showcase home she collaborated with Elron Construction.  Her eclectic style, mixes pops of colors and one of her favorites is pink.  She studied at ‘Ole Miss where she received her Bachelor of Interior Design. Her inherent skills of fashion and design were honed while working with some of Houston’s top design firms including that of her mother, the renowned Trisha Dodson.

Recognized for her fresh approach on classical style—a sophisticated and harmonious mix of Hollywood glam and refined transitional design— Julie has adopted the phrase “Casual Glamour” as her trademark. In addition to her fabulous design work, Julie is a dog and animal lover and spends her time supporting animal rescue groups and  helping homeless pets find forever families.

Hints of pink accents in the paintings and in the pretty glass containers make such a subtle statement in this bath.  What you might not know about Julie is her giving heart!! She has participated in the Pink Ribbon Project which supports breast cancer research. Julie acknowledges that cancer has affected most of us in some way or another, and being a part of the Pink Ribbon Project is a way to help support further exploration for a cure.

Pink calms and reassures, negating feelings of anger, aggression, resentment, and neglect. Studies have confirmed that exposure to large amounts of pink can have a soothing result on the nerves. If you don’t feel comfortable with a totally pink room, sprinkle pink flowers like Miss Julie does in the bathrooms she designs–it can give you the same effect!! Exciting news about this project!!  It will be featured in my next book!! The home is amazing, and Julie and Rona from Elron Contruction did such an incredible job!! Famed photographer Julie Soefer took the pics!  Stunning!

As you know, I adore these Gracie inspired murals.  Throw in a pink flower or bird.  It will give you accents of calm and pacify your macho husband who may not want a totally pink room!!

At my own home, I have blush mohair chairs  whose fabric is by John Saladino  and can be purchased from Ken Kehoe & Company here in Houston!! The chairs were mahogany when purchased.  I like them so much better with their new Segreto finish.

Flowers are one of those ways which we all should treat ourselves.  I purchased these pink tulips for myself to put me in the Valentines spirit!. They really highlight the 1950’s  framed pink wall hanging from Mecox.

The second young lady I want to introduce you to is Sydne, the founder of Sydne Style. I met her when I went to Cabo with my husband and son. John and Matthew were playing golf and I said I would wake up early and get the cool seats by the pool. I honestly walked out in my Muu Muu (I haven’t worn a bathing suit in years) and picked some chairs next to two super cute girls. Sydne was one of them and I just was so impressed with her. Smart, super sweet, and family oriented. I started following her blog and have been inspired by Sydne. Here is her story!!

“I started this daily space in 2009 as an outlet to inspire women with aspirational but achievable fashion. . I began my blogging journey when I was a fashion editor at E! Entertainment and Style Network. My favorite memory was seeing a woman’s bright smile after styling her in an outfit that made her feel like a million bucks.” 

She talks about fashion, home and personal care with such a heartfelt perspective!! I loved this post of hers on floral arranging!!

“I accidentally stumbled upon my love for eucalyptus earlier this year. While doing my weekly flower shopping at Trader Joe’s (they seriously have the best selection!) I picked up a mixed bouquet. As the roses wilted and the daisies lost their petals, the eucalyptus stayed as fresh as ever. I picked the stems out and placed them on their own in a vase. They stayed in that vase for three months.”

EUCALYPTUS IS THE GREENERY THAT KEEPS ON GIVING.

I NOW USE IT BOTH FOR HOME DECOR AND FOR RELAXATION.

One thing we talked about is her love of painting. She share about her passion in her blog.

“So today I wanted to give you a closer look at my white abstract oil painting in case you were curious. My goal for the artwork was to create a piece that would blend with my home. So the bottom layer is full of pinks, peaches and grays with a touch of yellow and gold. I used a variety of techniques to layer with white so the color softly shows underneath depending on the light and where you stand. It’s hard to capture because it’s so full of layers and texture. But I hope the up-close photos give you a better idea. You can also watch this home vlog to see the process of the painting, as well as a closer look into some of the other art in my home if you’re interested!”

Like Julie she is an animal lover!!! What a sweet new pup she has!!

“I adopted Jack Jack five weeks ago and we’re inseparable. He’s such a bundle of joy and I feel so lucky to have him as my son. I’ve been getting so many questions about him over on Instagram (his hashtag is #jackjacksummer). So I figured I’d do a little Q&A today, along with pics from his first photo shoot. He’s already a natural in front of the camera!”

She also has an amazing fashion sense and not only shows how to put outfits together but where to find them! I love this coat and in Houston I would really get to wear it.

“They say April showers bring May flowers. Well, in LA it was March showers. It rained so much last month! I picked up this pink cute rain jacket and wore it non stop. It also comes in yellow and navy but I like how the blush adds a pop of Spring to any outfit (I often found myself wearing it with all black outfits during the rain).

My favorite part about my raincoat is the elastic waist. When it comes to longer jackets, I often look for ones that cinch the waist to create an hourglass silhouette. You can also achieve this through belts, like some of the trench styles below. Another way to show off your figure is with a clear coat. Transparency is a huge trend for spring, and a see-through jacket is another great way to show off your figure underneath. If it keeps raining, I might pick up this clear vinyl trench coat to add to my rain collection!”

Loving pink, we have our own signature SegretoStone blush pink counter-top in our line with 4 signature pink paint colors and plaster tones to coordinate!! It’s never too much pink for me and if the colors feel more muted they are amazing neutrals to use which complement all of our skin tones. No wonder I feel more beautiful in a room with pink!!

Look for more Valentines inspiration on my past articles, What’s Your Love Language?,  My Valentines’ Table Setting, and A Valentines Scavenger Hunt.  I hope you all have a wonderful week and a happy Valentines Day!!  xo Leslie

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What’s Segreto Up to?

Hi Friends!! I hope you all are having a wonderful week! I have been busy writing away on the new book. There’s still time to send your ideas or a compelling title! I couldn’t do it with out you! We have some great transformations this week. Hope these inspire you to see the possibilities in all things!!

This sweet young client of mine just purchased a new family home.  I had done quite a bit of work for her parents and was excited to work for the next generation!! Although she loved the home, the dark heavy look of the exterior was not her first pick. For her, the stained shutters and the gold tone of the stone just weighted down the exterior.

I let her know that we had amazing results with lime washing exterior stone for very reasonable pricing. And although she wanted distressed and aged shutters, we opted to pick a paint color that will look good now and could be aged in the future to give her some budget leeway for an interior project. We picked Sherwin Williams Mineral Deposit!! Stamped Concrete is also a great color and a bit less blue. Ready for the reveal?

She was thrilled and now when she pulls up to her home she smiles and feels-this is home!!  It is softer but still has interesting features which enhance its custom home feel!!!

This is her dining room before.  Honestly, the wall covering is from my friend Rusty Arena from Arena designs and I think it is beautiful!! She did love the pattern and had seen it in different color ways which she liked but this tone was not her!!  The trim, ceiling and drapes were all the dark gold. We brainstormed on things she could do that were budget friendly and would help this room feel more like her!!  She loves the Blaygeen-blue, gray, green- tones like what we picked for the exterior shutters!  She also wanted to dress up the console in the back which had been painted white. After brainstorming this is what we came up with…

I wish I had taken a close up of the finished console. We added gold leafing to the molding and lightly glazed the white which elevated the piece to an entirely different level!! This is a different piece we did in the same way-Imagine this bath vanity in solid white!!  Such a change!

Wanting to stay budget friendly, she had her painter prime and paint over the wall covering in Sherwin Williams Front Porch and we stenciled the top with a transitional geometric stencil with a pale metallic gold giving her an updated fresh contemporary feel.  She was so happy and ready for her big party!!

This powder bath designed by Trisha McGaw. It has a rich gray plaster background with an overlay of a silver metallic stencil and a polished layer of car wax to deepen the color and give the finish the most wonderful luster!

At the beginning we were playing with how dark to go with the plaster- haha I am learning how to alter colors on the computer so I thought I would show you two options-light and dark. Both are beautiful! Which would you choose for your home?

I love hand-painted designs!! I worked with designer Sallie Davis on this bathroom gem!! So soft and sophisticated and a fraction of the cost of hand-screened papers!! Fun part is you can personalize the flowers and birds to make it exactly the way you like!! This treatment I could have in every room in my home!! I have it in two!!

These chairs which were all dark mahogany got a paint makeover!! The shapes were so interesting and sizes perfect so revamping the finish gave them a a look perfect for an updated space!!

I should have taken a before shot of this fireplace. The paneling and exterior stone are both reclaimed but the inside brick was new and very consistent, taking away from the reclaimed feel the owner wanted. So Nest & Cot hired us to give a reclaimed feeling to the interior as well.

Starting with a consistent yellow firebrick this is the outcome after we finished. Even the dark patch in the back was added to insure the feeling that this has been used!

I hope you are opened up to world of new possibilities!!  I am constantly inspired by seeing how simply applying a painted “face lift” can reinvent  furniture pieces, rooms and almost any surface!! Just remember–all things have beauty and possibilities.

This is fun news!!  I was interviewed for Nosy Neighbor for The River Oaks Market Report and blog! Click the link to hear more about my journey and nosy info about me!! I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Till next time – XO Leslie

 

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Valentine Party Ideas!!

Hi Friends! It’s almost Valentines Day!!  John and I have gone out to dinner with friends and hosted small couples parties in the past, but last year I started a new tradition that I want to share.

 This celebration of love and affection often brings to mind young romance!   I decided  to host an event for another group I adore-my Mom, her friends and their daughters! After all, everyone loves celebrating love!!  My girls came to the party, and later in the day their boyfriends dropped by.  It is really simple to host two events in one day, as the house is clean and everything is decorated.

Here is a sneak peek of the set up!! But first I wanted to let you know a bit about why I really wanted to have this party. My mother had recently moved into a retirement community where her sister-my second mom- lived.  It is close to my house and I discovered so many people I knew had moms who lived there as well.  How fun to get everyone together for a luncheon/craft event!  After attempting to set a date for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Valentines seemed to be the time of year that worked. I was ready to plan the event!

I love crafting and Mom had said that she also enjoyed it.  I decided to involve my mom and aunt in the planning and take them with me to the dollar store to be inspired. I liked the idea of decorating frames or making wreaths for their doors. After going to two dollar stores we found heart shaped wreaths and red heart shaped vases. I bought both as well as silk flowers and ribbon to use as decorations.

I found white frames at Ikea that were perfect for 99 cents each.  At the event I took pictures of each mother daughter duo, and of the group and had them printed at Walgreens and placed them in the frames as  they left.  Although these ladies were slow to start the crafting, once they got going, they didn’t want to stop. The peel and stick foam hearts and stickers were great and so easy. Amazon had the best selection for any occasion!!

I love anything pink so setting up dishware was fun!! My Mom had given me the tall vintage frosted wine glasses years ago, which were my starting inspiration. I kept thinking I would use disposable for the fruit drink glasses, napkins, plates and silverware. After all, there are so many choices today that look like real linen, crystal or silver and this would be so much easier and  less expensive.

Then I thought of my grandmother who loved to entertain and was an amazing hostess.  I knew she would say paper napkins or plastic cups and utensils would have been a no-no for a special ladies lunch, so off to the internet I went and found the perfect blush glass at Ikea for 1.99 each.

The drink station was set up at my butlers/bar. I served Miraval Provence Rose.  My daughter had suggested it and I thought the bottle was beautiful.  People had the choice of wine,  or sparkling lemonade from Trader Joe’s mixed with fruit or alone. I typically like to set up the bar in a serve yourself fashion so the lemonade and wine were iced in copper and silver containers. The doilies and fun straws were from Amazon and Belgium Chocolates from Trader Joe’s!

Because crafts were being set up in my breakfast room, there was not place for a sit down lunch so I opted for a light buffet in the dining room. I suggested each daughter bring a dish to add to the spread!!  People love to contribute and it certainly was a big help to me, so don’t be afraid to ask!!

I mixed a set of  pink plates with a set  of cut crystal one that were my grandmothers.  The silver flatware with tiny roses, perfect for Valentines, were a wedding gift of my moms which she has since given to me.  I loved using passed down items for the luncheon. They brought back  fond memories for my mom and made the event that much more special. The napkins were really dish towels, purchased from Amazon with pink striping.  They are soft, wash well and can be bought in bulk! I arranged the flowers, and scattered heart confetti to finish the table. Remember Trader Joe’s gets a new shipment of flowers in each morning at 8:00.

I decided to use the heart shaped vases as party favors!! Easy to make, I just placed three roses in each vase and tied them with some ribbon I had left over from Christmas.

The bar cart from my dining room was perfect to use!! One of the guests brought these cute valentine cookies as treats for all!!

Sprinkling a few candles and flowers around the house encourages vignette seating rather than having a large group all in one space.

Here is the group! We all had so much fun!! Can you tell which daughter goes with which Mom?

I had three generations of my own family! My mom, aunt, cousin and my two gals!!

The second group had just as much fun as the first!! My husband John even decorated a frame. He left it for me on Valentines Day with a sweet love letter in the frame! So sweet!!

Here was my valentine to him!!

Your can still get these!!  I stopped by Back Row Home to say hi to my gal pals and saw their beautiful placements and dishware-perfect to set the tone of LOVE!  I bought the place-mats for this year’s party extravaganza, so stay tuned in to see how I use them!! Back Row had so many others to choose from, it was hard for me to decide!!

I hope you all picked up some great party tips for Valentine’s Day. For more inspiration on table settings look at a past article where John and I threw a dinner party. Remember to celebrate all those you love in you life!! Till next week!!  xo Leslie

 

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Pantone’s Color of the Year- Living Coral

Hi Friends!! I hope you all had a great week! The Pantone Color Institute predicts color trends that affect us all by forecasting what we all will be wearing, how we will be beautifying and accessorizing and without a doubt adding to our house fluffs!! Let’s see what we have in store!!

This year, Living Coral takes center stage with its vibrant nature and Pantone predicts this tone will encourage us to engage in lighthearted activity and joyful pursuits! I am all in for that!

Chasing the Green Faerie

I know that Pantone had the coral reef in mind when picking these tones, but nature has so many beautiful creations in the coral tones!!  Pantone describes Living Coral as “an animated, life-affirming shade of orange, with golden undertones.”

I have always liked coral as it looks good with my skin tone and honestly with so many different colors such as, navy, blues, tans and golds. My mom always said to follow the trends as they always change and come back in style! So… if you love coral, incorporate it in your wardrobe, makeup, or home. If not, sprinkle a few flowers around or buy a fun scarf to be “in!” This super cool photo found on the Scout Guide was from the 60’s and posted several years ago. This color definitely has come back around.

Images via Style -Elie Saab, Mathew Williamson, Fendi, DKNY – Spring 2014

These fashionable run-way highlights were found on the blog Cozy Stylish Chic  who was writing an article about Sherwin Williams paint color Coral Reef 6606 back in 2014. It is now Sherwin Williams’ pick this year to be the closest to Pantone’s hot new look!!

“Ever the trendsetter, Gigi Hadid stepped out in New York wearing the bright orange hue from head-to-toe. The style icon also opted for a bold beauty look: a light dusting of burnt coral eyeshadow covering her lids” reported the Evening Standard . “Wearing custom Ronald Van Der Kemp, the 23-year-old turned heads in the ’90s-inspired look which featured dramatic lace-adorned flares and a matching shirt, held together by a single button for a risqué finish.”

This is setting 2019’s trends year and is on the more vibrant end of Pantone’s Spectrum.

I must agree the whole pallet is energizing!! Here are some pick’s from around the web!!

Modcloth

“Recall those you cherish most with every glance at these leather slides from Seychelles. Rows of coral-hued hearts form the nubuck uppers of these pointed-toe mules, giving any look a hint of nostalgia and romance.”

 

I would take this Chanel grained calfskin purse in any color!!

Get the men in your life on board with this fun tie from Vinyard Vines.

StyleCraze Best Coral lipsticks

“While we all lust for those perfect coral lips, NYX presents us with this beautiful coral shade which is known as Femme.”

You can get the full spectrum with Bobbi Brown brick blushes sold at Neiman Marcus!

This perfect shade of coral-named “Happy” from Chantecaille is one of the seasons top picks from Vogue !

Butter London makes it their business to create each year’s picks in polish.  You can get this years color on line from Ulta!

 

 

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Even Apple is on board with its newly released IPhone XR case in Coral.

I love this packaging from Fauchon Paris! This would make the cutest gift that’s filled with candies! Pull up their website! They have so many creative packaging ideas from this Parisian chocolatier!!

And speaking of treats, this pop of color would add to anyone’s table decor from Juneberry-Lane Blogspot.

With so many paint companies all rising to provide the perfect palettes, here are a few beauties which might tickle your fancy!!

I LOVE this door which I had pinned years ago on my peach and coral color crush board on Pinterest. You can buy this photography on Etsy from Risamade Designs.

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Don’t be afraid to mix vibrant corals with soft pinks or peaches and the tone always pops on neutral backdrops and pops of gold!!

Marie Flanigan featured this dining room which we hand painted for her in her article Design with Living Coral. She has some great inspiration photos using this exhilarating tone in home interiors!  You should take a peek!

“This stunning dining room featuring custom paneled walls adorned in the Pantone Color of the Year with a rose-gold sheen. The panels are filled with a hand-painted, Chinoiserie-style mural, with delicate birds to represent each member of our client’s family. It’s a true work of coral-colored art beautifully complemented by the deep blue silk drapery that surrounds.”-Marie Flanigan

Seth Kaplan photographer

SO CUTE!! The coral is such a wonderful alternative to pink and could be used for both a boy or a girl!! Decorist did a fantastic job designing this nursery for fashion blogger Leandra Medine! 

Leandra wanted a whimsical, Parisian-themed nursery that balanced form with functionality.  And since she writes about some of the hottest fashion trends we knew that her nursery design would have to impress.  We paired her with Decorist creative director, Jessica McCarthy, who took the design challenge head on. Partnering with buybuy Baby, Jessica created a chic, soothing space that was packed with plenty of Parisian style. Read on to tour this adorable nursery and pick up some helpful design ideas along the way. Also, you can read more about it on POPSUGAR Moms.–Decorist-author Susan Glen

designed by-Lindsay Letters

Until next time, xo Leslie

 

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What’s New This Year with Segreto?!

Hi Friends!!  Thank you so much for those wonderful comments on the new book!  Keep them coming, I am so grateful for your insight and want it to be everything you hope for!!  This week, I am excited to share some new things that we have been working on that I feel are really unique.

One incredible thing about my job is experiencing the new products my artisans unveil first hand. My SegretoStone crew just completed these loungers that I feel are so beautiful that they look like sculpture!! They are contoured to fit the body’s natural curves and have a built in magnet in the headrest to secure a pillow. Picture these around a pool, in a garden or as a special chair inside. What would you name these pieces?

This table, one of two, are called collaboration tables and are going into commercial offices.

The inspiration for these were based on antique cigar rolling tables which were purchased for the clients home to be used as extra seating behind the couch when eating or working and watching TV.

I was really excited to see the table installed. Although, they will not host computers permanently, electrical and data source are installed on each side, allowing individuals to bring their laptop and power up!

We were so excited to create their vision for the tabletop!! Peck & Company fabricated the base and designer Susan Jackson masterminded the design. Brilliant!!!

I have been working on this next project with Dillon Kyle Architects and Windham Builders for over two years now. We have been through planning, construction and now we are starting the finishes. This project has been super fun and very unique. This is the ceiling of a dressing area adjoining his and her baths.

The homeowner’s concept was to have stripes on the ceiling in a tented fashion and this was their inspiration picture.

This house is so detailed, with beautiful custom wood work, jewelry-like hardware and incredible pink onyx  for counters and floors in her bath.

I felt the ceiling should read like fabric rather than painted stripes.  We added hand painted gold braid and tassels to really dress it up.

Also in this pic you can see we have started gold leafing the gold details on the beading and molding of the cabinets!!

Even when I am walking through I have to remind myself that this is painted and not actually fabric. That makes me smile!!

In a different home we are working in for the talented Julia Blailock there were two plain paneled doors hiding closets on each side of her entry door. With plastered walls and a beautiful wrought iron staircase the doors just seemed to be out of place in the space.  She had custom doors made using antique ones as inspiration and we aged them and painted a hand-painted design on top with colors to complement the tones in her fabrics!!  Reclaimed doors can have such charm about them, but often finding ones that will fit an existing space can be impossible.  These new doors made to look old really dress up this already beautiful entrance.

You know I always like our game of I spy!!  Alex did a beautiful job of blending in these light plates and has been busy training some of our other Segreto Artists to do the same.

Look how much better this looks on the wall covering.  Sometimes it’s the smallest tweaks we do that can enhance a design or camouflage an undesirable element to create a space that is simply stunning!! Stay in touch and let me know how your new 2019 dream adventures(goals) are coming!!  Till next time!  xo  Leslie

 

 

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I Want You to be a Part of It- A New Book is on the Horizon!!

Hi Friends! Welcome to the first full week of the new year!! 2019-so hard to believe! I am so excited to be in full swing on one of my goals, to get a new design book to y’all by October of this year!! I would love you be a part of the process! What inspires you the most? What would you like to see? What helps you in your own homes or projects?

Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors walked you though 31 full homes, where you could see the flow of how the finishes, surfaces and furnishings impact the over all allure of a home.

 

 

I wrote it from my perspective to educate readers on how the right color palette and choice of finishes can create a warm, inviting feel.

It has a small section on kitchens and baths and…

 

…sections describing the different types of finishes that use inspiring rooms as examples.

Every book has an extensive source section. Everyone loves that!!

Segreto Style was a tour of 39 homes start to finish.

It had a similar flow to the first book but I had all of the photos color corrected to insure you were seeing the rooms as they appeared in person! I learned though publishing the first book that photos have to be calibrated depending on printing press and paper used!! Who knew?

There were no sections on types of rooms or techniques but it did include before and afters photos of many projects and more specific color information.

Thanks to all of you, the first two books have sold out!

Segreto Vignettes, the latest in the Segreto Book trilogy, is divided in categories of types of finishes using beautiful rooms as examples. It speaks to what you can do to transform existing surfaces as an alternative to ripping out and starting anew.

There are large chapters divided by your favorite types of rooms; IE: kitchens, bedrooms and baths.

It also has sections on your favorite treatments, such as painted floors, beams, metallic and furniture finishes. It is the most educational and includes more perspectives from the designers, architects, builders and tradespeople who I collaborated with, and ends with articles about how to choose paint colors, pick a designer, builder and architect.

 A penny for your thoughts!

What do you like and what do you feel would be a good addition?

What would you leave out or change?

How would you like the books to be organized?

Do you like larger pictures and less of them, or do you like to see as many examples of each room and close up shots of the finishes?

Is $85 worth having more pages to a book (over 300 pages), or would you rather have a smaller book with less photography for $65 with 220 pages?

Do you read the text? You won’t hurt my feelings, or do you prefer mainly photography?

Do you like before and afters shots?

What would you like to know or learn?

New Topic Ideas:

How to update and keep your home current with minimal tweaks–I could go back to some of the homes from the first book to see if they have updated and how?

How to build in reclaimed elements. Re-purposing items and reusing them in creative ways is always so interesting to me.

The collaboration process with designers, architects and trades people.

[image error][image error]My passion is to create beauty, peace and tranquility in peoples lives by affecting their most personal spaces-their homes. If we feel safe, calm and see beauty at home, we will more easily be able to share those feelings with others during our day to day. I want this book to inspire beauty.   Feel free to leave a comment on the blog or email me directly at Leslie@segretofinishes.com. I really appreciate your insight and value your suggestions!  xo Leslie

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Make Your Dreams Come True-Let’s Make it Happen in 2019!

Hi Friends!!  I hope everyone had a Happy Holiday Season and is ready to ring in 2019 with style!  The start of a new year is a great time for us all to think about new beginnings and the adventures we want to embrace.

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“I dream my painting and I paint my dream.”

― Vincent Willem van Gogh

I love this quote and what a great inspiration to begin our journey on determining what our dreams really are and how we can accomplish them. If we can visualize them, we can live them. What are your goals? Be healthy? Make a difference? Have a job you love? Home school your kids? Re-connect with your spouse? Give back?

Start with the big picture!
Sometimes the hardest part is determining what your dreams are. What goal you want to start with.  Listen to your own intuition!  Think about what you truly want for yourself and don’t focus on what you think others want for you. What do you enjoy? What are you passionate about? What gets you excited? What, for you, brings that instant smile? Make a list and write it down. To see your vision for yourself come true, it’s important to consciously think about your dreams and then take action.

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”-Walt Disney

“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” ~ Jim Rohn

Be Specific and Write it Down!

Write a specific and clear statement that you can visualize and think about daily which describes what you would like to happen or achieve. It should be measurable and have a time frame attached.  USA Today found in a study of  New Year’s Resolutions, that people who write their goals down are 46% more successful at reaching them than the people who did not.

“The greater danger for most of us isn’t that our aim is too high and miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” ~ Michelangelo

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins


Outline the steps than will make your dream a reality!  
What do you need to do to achieve these goals? Do you need new skills or knowledge? Do you need more time? Determine what will need to be done and start with the item that will offer the most value. Write down a list, which can be added to to determine each week what actions you will take and always push forward daily. Doing something consistently, however small, will build momentum.

“The secret to change is one step at a time.” – Mark Twain

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” ~ Pablo Picasso


Don’t let yourself get in the way!

Stay positive!!  How many times have you dreamed what you want for yourself and then thought about the many ways it can’t, won’t or shouldn’t happen. I don’t have enough time. I don’t have those skills. I am not smart enough. I don’t deserve that. I am too old or young. I don’t have the money.  What if my family thinks it’s a bad idea?  Instead, decide what you want, believe in it, dream about it, take action steps towards it and commit to it every day! That may mean getting up earlier or enrolling in a program, but you can make anything happen! You are worth the effort!!

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.”- Henry Ford

“We hold ourselves back in ways both big and small, by lacking self-confidence, by not raising our hands, and by pulling back when we should be leaning in.” Sheryl Sandberg

 Never Give up!

Learning, for me, is one of the greatest gifts life has to offer.  Don’t let fear be a part of your decision making and prevent you from grasping all life has to offer! My parents use to always say the only failure is the fear of trying.  Mistakes are an inevitable part of success and turn into opportunities to learn, redirect, move forward and re-commit! Think of Thomas Edison, who made 10,000 attempts to develop the light bulb! Each failed attempt got him one step closer to his goal.

“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.” -Henry Ford

“Success is most often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.” – Coco Chanel 

“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.”-Babe Ruth

“Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it..that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.” -Dale Carnegie

Take time to applaud each step you make and others who help you get there!

Each decision we make contributes to building the life we want. For example, getting out of bed early to go work out may be a tiny decision, but each time you make that decision, you are closer to achieving your goal. You made it once, so you know you have it in you to make it again and again. Applaud your self, and your spouse who made breakfast for the kids or made sure you had gas in your car for that early morning drive to the gym. If you have a work out buddy-thank them for going with you and encouraging you to move forward.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Take one goal at a time!


This, for me, is the hardest rule of thumb and my biggest challenge.  There are so many things I want to do in this short life and I tend to take on too much. I know we all have been faced with this with school, volunteer commitments, friends, work, and charities.  If we take one goal at a time, and achieve it before we move to the next, it gives us more time to commit and work on it, insuring our success.  It also can give you a firm foundation of structure if one goal builds on the rest and a greater sense of confidence moving forward.

“You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook — try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless and above all have fun!” – Julia Child

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs


I wish for all of us to make our dreams come true!  We all have the power within us to make changes in our own lives which will positively effect ourselves, our families and all of those we come in contact with. Much love in 2019!  xo Leslie

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Portrait Perfect- Artist Spotlight David Larned

Hi Friends!!  I hope you are having a wonderful Holiday week! I am in Colorado now with my family and am cherishing the time together!! I thought this would be a great time to share an amazing artist with you. While I was working on a project for one of my clients, we started talking about a portrait artist she had met and wanted to show me his book. At first glance, I thought it was a book of portrait photography, but then I realized artist David Larned created some of the most beautiful painted portraits I had ever seen. I immediately had to find out more information about his beautiful work and contacted him!!

I always enjoy getting to know and share the stories of others who do what they love, and David Larned is certainly one of those people! Though he always painted, it wasn’t until college that David decided he wanted to make a life out of it. “I realized that art was the only class I was truly passionate about.  From that moment on, I never looked back.”

With his father in the Navy, David was accustomed to moving around the country every couple years as a child.  More geared to military bases than art museums, his family was in foreign territory when it came to their son’s proclivity for painting. “They didn’t know what was happening. Neither did I. But now that [my art career] has worked out, they take credit for it!”

David’s work focuses primarily on portraits, but also enjoys painting landscapes and still life. In a realistic, technical style reminiscent of the 19th and 20th century of European and American realists, his paintings explore what makes people and places so intensely beautiful.

After his first exhibition, he started receiving an overwhelming number of portrait requests and knew that portraiture was something to gravitate towards.

The first step in doing portraits is getting to know his subjects. In order to capture their personality in two-dimensional form, David relies on his intuition

more than factual research. “Portrait painters should be able to sense who their subjects are without having to rely on their resume.”

Small portrait projects start at $20,000 and usually take around 60 hours to complete while larger ones require up to 80 hours! The exceptional quality is worth the investment. Not only do you get a beautiful work of art, but it becomes a family heirloom to be passed down through the generations.

The process begins with an hour-long photo session since only very rarely does he come across someone who wants to sit for the full 60+ hours.

 

Back at his studio, David usually works on a couple pieces at a time. Always wanting to be painting something, he’s found that this approach keeps him busy – while one piece is drying, he can turn his attention to the other!

David has had a few unusual requests. He once was commissioned to paint a recognizable portrait of a woman who didn’t want her face to show! Somehow, he found a way to get the back of her head to look just like her!

His favorite projects are the ones where the client lets him do his own thing! “They always get a better product for it!” The fur on her wrap and on this beautiful pup, both look like you could touch it. You can feel its softness though his strokes!!

One perk of the profession that David never expected is the opportunity to work with an impressive array of celebrities, well-known businessmen and women, and other household names. Born in New York and most recently based in Chester County outside of Philadelphia, the artist has done portraits for the who’s who of the tri-state area…

And he is now getting into the Houston scene as well… As I was browsing through his portfolio, I was surprised to find the portrait of these clients of mine!!! Capturing their personalities, something so tough to do in painting portraits I was even more enchanted with his pieces!

What a treasure this one is!! It seems to capture the love George and Barbara had for each other, their kindness, and the love I think we all felt they had for us.

David’s wife, Sarah Lamb , is also an immensely talented artist. With a body of work comprising mostly still life pieces, Sarah has exhibited in solo shows several times at Meredith Long & Company here in Houston, as well as at Spanierman Gallery in NY and John Pence Gallery in San Francisco among other galleries.   She has been featured in magazines such as American Artists, American Art Collector and Southwest Art as one of America’s most talented young painter. She also does beautiful commission pieces!!!  This is definitely a power couple!!

Big thanks to David for sharing his story with me!  You can find out even more about David on his website, and if you are interested in commissioning him to do a portrait of you or your loved ones, you can email him at davelarned@hotmail.com.

Happy Holidays From Segreto!

With deep gratitude, I want to express my appreciation for you and the loyal support that you have so generously given me personally and the entire Segreto Team.

Your trust, feedback and inspirational collaborations have given me the privilege to follow my dreams to build a company whose fundamental passion is to improve our client’s daily lives by surrounding them with beauty at home.

I am so thrilled about what is to come in the New Year and am so appreciative of the hand you have played in our journey along the way. We look forward to sharing our future endeavors with you.

You truly are my extended Segreto Family!

’Til next week and the new year!!!

xo Leslie

 

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What is Segreto Up to?

Hi Friends!! I can’t believe Christmas is about a week away! I hope you are all ready! Me? … not yet, but I did made time for a few special events!! Segreto, however has completed a lot of projects just in time for St. Nick.

This is a piece I really wanted to take to my home!! Set on antique pedestals, this SegretoStone dining table for one of Eleanor Cummings projects is ready to ship!

This console made from SegretoStone is quite the statement piece! How was it made?

My stone crew, which I like to call Santa’s elves this time of year- first built a mold and poured a concrete base.

Here is how it looks in its concrete form.

The first coat of SegretoStone is rough!

After the second coat is applied and the piece is polished, the most beautiful luster appears!! This prototype is ready for a new home! Perfect for a statement piece inside or out! We are working hard to build sinks and furniture pieces ready for pick up!! If the size and color are perfect–there is no need to wait!

Trying to remain budget friendly, we stenciled this bathroom and hand embellished it rather than created it in a mural fashion.  Although I loved how it turned out, we found there was little flexibility with a stencil. In order to make it work, this bath took more time than if our mural staff had sketched it out and hand-painted it. Experimentation is fun! I learn something every day!

This was the inspiration designer Mary Groves sent us for a paneled entryway she was doing in Bellville!

It all starts with a sample board to get the colors just right.  You can see we have many ready to be picked up!!

Still in progress, we were able to mask the grooves of the paneling by the placement of the stripes and create a space full of color and whimsy!!

Remember that raised plaster accent wall we did for designer Diana Humphrey I shared? We had brainstormed about the elevator lobby for the unit and finally came up with a design she was thrilled with.

Although the lobby walls are all white, she had colorful contemporary art that we did not want to distract from. Hard to see the beautify of it from this picture, the floating bench is made from SegretoStone!

Our mission was to create something interesting and dramatic that would both hide the elevator buttons and complement the art.

We both loved the painted inlaid horn coffee table my daughter Kirby designed for  son Matthew’s new place in Dallas and wanted to incorporate this finish somehow.

First we measured out the width and decided to paint the horn on either side of the door openings.

Segreto’s artist Daniel went to work–he is a master of so many beautiful decorative finishes!

Chris was challenged with creating a rectangular graphic in the center section to mask the elevator panel plate. We used a paint made from metal shavings creating the most interesting effect!!

We bordered both spaces with a black pinstripes and added a earthy lime green line on the doors!! Totally unique and just the right amount of impact this lobby needed! Best of all, the client was thrilled!

I took a break to teach a class for Houston Community Colleges’ design department! What a wonderful and talented group!! Sunny, who graduated from UT and went back for her design degree now attends HCC! I liked her so much she now interns for Segreto! Welcome aboard Sunny! Small world, she also is one of my youngest daughter’s Sammy’s friends!!

A dear friend who knew I needed some holiday cheer invited daughter Kirby and I to a holiday night time shopping event!! It was so fun, and I was reminded your never too old to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what you wish for!!

One of my favorite parties of the year is our annual Segreto Christmas party at Cadillac Bar!  Some of my team came over to my house earlier in the week to wrap for the white elephant! Exciting news, our operations manager Isai’s family is continuing to grow. They are expecting a brother for Charlotte any day!!

Here is some of my team-filled with excitement. We did something totally different and fun this year which you may want to make a tradition of at your own family gathering.  To start the gift exchange we drew two peoples names and gave them identical empty boxes to unwrap. The catch-they had to use cooking mitts to do so!! The winner, in our case, won a grand prize, the looser got to start the white elephant- a great position as at the end, this person gets to see all gifts and do a final steal!!

I bought crafts for the kids to make during the event from Oriental Trading! Looks like these sister’s definitely have their Dad’s artistic talent!! Lots to choose from, they had adorable items which were so reasonably priced!!

Of course kids love face painting and balloons!! I used Blue Sky Fun Times for the event! I met owner Casey when I spoke to her art class about how to make a career in art! She took the talk to heart and opened her own company. Following your passions is what it is all about!

Well I loved that my family attended as well!!  From all of us at Segreto, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!! Till 2019!  xo Leslie

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Make the Season Special!

Hi Friends!! With the holidays fast approaching thinking of things to make the season special is a must! Homemade gifts, activities and unique table settings, add the extra touches which make the holidays magical. This post is a bit late for Hanukkah, but the colors below can easily be changed to use for any occasion.

Gifts:

Whether you are searching for the right little something for a teacher or neighbor, handmade gifts are always the most heartwarming.

I love the mason jar idea and the presentation of this one by Uncommon Designs really makes this gift extra personal. I adore the cookie idea, but if you’re a health conscience person, you could put together an overnight oats combo. The main jar could be one cup oats mixed with a ¼ cup chia seeds. ¼ cup hemp and ¼ cup of your chosen nut. You could opt to put a few extra ingredients in the bulbs like coconut flakes or dried fruit shavings. In addition to the sources for materials on her site, I have found a few more! Just click! and Mason Jars 

 

 

Marshalls, Home Goods and Tuesday Morning are great places to find fun dishtowels, but if you are an online type of gal—these were my best picks– $1.00 each on Amazon. They come in green or blue as well.

These painted jars by This Tiny Blue House are pretty cute too, and simple enough for your kids to make! You could put a candle in these, or candy rather than a full cookie recipe!

Super fun!  I found these jars on Pinterest. Fill them with desk supplies, candy, cotton balls and …what you glue to the top is virtually limitless!!

Teach while you craft!!

With my youngest daughter being a kindergarten teacher, I am always looking for crafts that are both fun and educational.  I stumbled across a mirage of activities using scrabble pieces that you can buy bulk on Amazon! Below are just a few. Use snowflakes, small rulers, Popsicle sticks, even ribbons as a base for your designs.

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Giving Back:

Doing things for others and giving back is what makes this season a time of hope and miracles. Plan these activities in a group and engage your children and friends in service opportunities.

Write a holiday greeting to someone in the armed forces. Being so far away from their loved ones, these messages can make a huge difference in each of our hero’s lives!! Your local Red Cross has a Holidays for Heroes program and will be happy to help!

Serving meals at a homeless shelter is always a wonderful activity but there are many other ways to help as well.  I found this post from Moments a Day and loved her story of not only how many people they had helped but also how giving back had impacted her family personally in such a positive way. You could even pack the care packages in stockings!!

Below are a few more ways that U.S. News suggests!

Bake cookies or casseroles. Cooking with kids isn’t the most mess-free option, but this is a really easy way to involve your kids in giving back with their time. As a family, pass out homemade cookies to your local fire department or police station, or take some frozen casseroles to an elderly neighbor or single mom.
Clean out the toy box. The holidays are a great time for kids to donate some of the games, clothing or other things they own – and clean out some clutter while you’re at it. Even preschoolers can pick a few lightly-used toys to donate to kids who don’t have any. As an alternative, take kids shopping for new toys they’d love, but will donate to a local shelter or nonprofit.
Visit a nursing home. As a family – or with a group of your kids’ friends – visit a local nursing home. Call ahead to schedule your visit. Take cards and decorations to brighten up nursing home rooms, or sing a few carols for the residents.
Adopt a family. Many local organizations and religious groups can help you sponsor a family in your area to shop for over the holiday season. Use some of your family’s designated holiday money to buy or make gifts for another family in need.
Donate to a food bank. Even little kids enjoy picking out food items at the grocery store. Take your kids on a special shopping trip to pick up their favorite nonperishable goods for a local ministry or food bank. They’re always in need of extra food around the holidays.
Baby-sit or wrap gifts for donations. Older kids and teens can offer baby-sitting or gift wrapping services in exchange for a donation. The money they earn can sponsor a local family or be donated to a favorite charity.
Take lunches to people who work over the holidays. Police stations, fire stations, hospitals and even retail stores are full of busy workers on holidays. Make some delicious sack lunches to take to the workers in your area who don’t get a break over the holidays.
Host a party. Sometimes hospitality is the best way to give back. Host a holiday party with your kids’ help, but focus on inviting those who are often forgotten, such as the new kids at school or neighbors and co-workers with no family nearby.

 

Tablescapes:

I thought this would be such a festive concept from I Gotta Create to use for the desert table—or making little bowls this way where you could serve the dessert on.

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Look how they made this edible winter forest! It would be so beautiful to create a peppermint dish and put a tree in each for a Christmas desert.

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One Little Project takes this concept and shows us how to make the cutest ornaments!  These would be great gifts, party favors or wrapped around each napkin for holiday pizzazz to your table settings!

I have posted many of Andrea’s artistic creations and here is one more I had to share! She is one of our lead designers, her creativity always amazes me. She is making these adorable, fun Christmas earrings! She only has a few pairs left for this season, but they are such a cute gift idea!

With so many styles to choose from, I think they would be such a conversation piece.

I bought these fun lights for the girls and some holly ones for my Mom and sweet Aunt Gayle!! They LOVE them!!

Here is beautiful Andrea modeling some of her creations!!  If these are your perfect gift or would add to your holiday dress, email Andrea directly to see what is still available– andrea@segretofinishes.com or follow her on instagram @andieseedesigns for updates on future holiday trinkets!

If you need a few last minute gifts we are offering free shipping in the United States for Segreto Vignettes!!  I am happy to personalize the gift for you, just leave me a note in the message box.  Let’s make magic this holiday season by creating special memories with your family and friends.  Make someone’s day by sharing a bit of yourself. A special thought goes a long way!!  Much love to you all this Holiday season and take time to enjoy the moment! Till next week.  xo Leslie

 

 

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