Leslie Sinclair's Blog, page 6

The Segreto Palette welcomes Fall trends!

Hi Friends! Autumn is the telltale sign that the holidays season of being with family and friends is fast approaching. With temperatures cooling down, we reach for experiences that bring us closer together such as sitting around a fire pit or gathering around the dining table.

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Using colors of fall in fashion, tabletops, and home interiors resonate with feelings of warmth and togetherness. Bringing the inside in, Segreto is on board with its Fall palette, with rich tones that look beautiful all year round!

Today’s featured fall colors have been trending for some time and as you can see mixing the deep tones with values on the lighter side of the spectrum will create a beautiful and interesting palette.

Bring the outside in!

On-trend this season is anything that brings the outside in; like this hand-painted mural we applied over a silver metallic in our clients’ dining room!

Use rich earthy tones!

Who doesn’t love a great transformation and no place is too small!! This laundry doubles as the back entrance and feels so utilitarian. Creating a dramatic effect in small spaces can impact and transform.

We selected our Segreto Paint in Augusta for the walls, ceiling and trim at full strength and a 25% lighter version for the cabinetry. Mixing a rich warm color, natural fibers, and reclaimed woods in this laundry room transformed this space. Greens make you feel optimistic and refreshed, so a perfect tone for a welcoming back entrance!

Not many tones embody earth like the rich tones of terracotta, given its name which in Italian translation is “baked earth.” Our artisan said he felt literally like he was carving these fluted panels from the earth.

Because it is formed from common clay and iron oxide which is found in most places around the world, terracotta seeped in history across every generation. It mixes well with whites, blues teals, and greens. This room will be featured in David James Custom Homes’s upcoming Luxe Showcase. He is known for his creativity, and has teamed up with designer Ashton Taylor so stay tuned to see how this space is furnished! Look to the Segreto Palette Santa Fe to give this richness to your interior spaces.

Bring a natural organic feel into your home in tones of camels, coppers, and browns lend a sense of stability and support. This lime-based plaster we applied to the surfaces of this shower gives a grounded and down-to-earth start to these clients’ day. This is from the same house as above so I will give you heads-up dates for the showcase. It is going to be one you won’t want to miss!

Use white to contemporize!

Bright white backgrounds, large-scaled patterns, or elements of texture will give a contemporary vibe to these earthy hues.

Designer Ashley Goforth had us create an ombre effect with a vogue worthy green!!

This is a great balance of contrast. Both rooms have plastered walls and ceilings and trim painted to match in colors chosen from the Segreto Palette. The moodiness of Illusion is a dramatic backdrop off of the softens of Moonbeam. Our colors have a hint of umber which subliminally tones brightness allowing for strong contrast as well as the layering of vibrant art, fabrics, and accessories.

Bring in natural woods and textures!

Designer Eleanor Cummings masterfully combines natural elements and textures in designing this home office/study. One of our stable finishes for her is our ability to leave the natural wood feel after it has been sealed, a process that typically brings out the wood’s orange or yellow undertones.

Natural elements also work well in formal spaces. Floor Designs of Houston installed reclaimed wood to this ceiling which we embellished with a worn hand-painted design. Framing an elaborate crystal chandelier this feels like an inviting space you would want to dine in daily!

Autumn tones bring beauty and a classic feel to so many of our finishes. As leaves drop blanketing the ground we are reminded to let things go and embrace new habits which will make our lives richer and more fulfilled. So let’s gather around with family and friends have some pumpkin-infused treats, and let the grateful attitude of this season embrace us! Till next time! XO Leslie

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A Fixer Upper Segreto Style – Part 2

Hi Friends! I hope you had a great week and enjoying this cooler weather! I can’t believe we are almost to October!! In my spare time I have been busy trying to finish my youngest daughter, Sammy and her husband’s new house.

Last week I shared some how a bit of paint and limewash transformed the exterior. This week we get to see how paint and plaster has totally change the look of their interiors!

Entrance Before:

A previous owner had incorporated the one car garage into a study/laundry and removed interior walls to create an open living/dining space. The tones were very gold-much more than shown here- and there was a large contrast between the woods, walls and trim.

Study Before:

Study After

Wanting a dramatic feel to Dylan’s home office, Sammy chose Segreto Paint Gallant Night. Painting walls, cabinetry and trim the same rich color gives a paneled feel to a sheetrocked room. Replacing hardware to larger spreads updated the built-in and the new tailored drapery and rods hung closer to the crown molding, well above the window frames creates the illusion of higher ceilings.

Laundry Before:

We call her laundry room a laundry closet. We were able to use the washer and dryers and put them side by side giving give her a counter for folding. The door swinging in blocked a narrow Ikea type cabinet-the only storage in the space-unless you went all the way in and shut the door. Claustrophobic for sure!

To solve this problem, the door was replaced with an unfinished barndoor from Overstock for $255. Starting with raw wood, we glazed over it with Segreto Paint Gallant Night and some warm gray-brown. The low weave wool carpet selected from The Great Rug Company made such a difference. They have a great selection at every price point and awesome customer service. I liked this carpet so much, I replaced a couple of tired rooms with it at my house!!

Although we are not finished hanging art and fluffing the spaces I wanted to give you a sneak peak of things to come. A dear friend and professional Amy Cunningham, owner of Artfully Edited Interiors came in to help organize the space and make this a functional home office for Dylan. Looks like Stella is on board!

The majority of the furnishings were from John and I and my mom and dad’s early marriage. Amy created functional storage by placing bins in this French piece I had purchased at an auction when I was 25!

They were fortunate to have wood floors original to the house but they were worn and orange. There is a heavy blown on texture on the walls and contrast in tone around the windows and doors. The wall color is darker and golder than it appears on the realtors photos-much! Notice on some of our photos thoughout.

Dining Room Before:

Dining Room After:

The change? The walls and ceilings were plastered in a lime based product from the Segreto Palette in the color tone Palmona, a warm white with a slight gray undertone. The trim was painted to blend in the same color- Segreto Paint Paloma. It has been amazing using the Segreto Palette deck and have the ability to blend plasters with paint. Floor Designs of Houston did an AMAZING job taking these worn floors and making them look pristine! They really nailed the color Sammy was looking for and now they are such a feature in the home. These two kiddos were gifted furniture, but the extras purchased would all have to be extremely budget friendly. Purchases: The white linen for the drapes (29.99 yd.) from Interior Fabrics , grass shades($89 per window) and rug($300) from Wayfair, and chandelier ($150) from Overstock.

Kitchen Before:

Sammy and Dylan, both love to cook and were fortunate the kitchen was large. They knew they could paint to change the cabinet color, but could not afford to rip out the floors and backsplash. I wanted to test a new plaster flooring product which could go right over tile and asked if they would be our test site. Of course they were all in!! Notice the cabinets to the left and right are painted the same color, the cabinet hinges are black and that the trim above the cabinets are painted white. Get ready for the after!

Kitchen After:

What a difference!! The carvings were removed and new larger cabinet doors were installed over the oven. The rest of the transformation involved paint, plaster, and beautiful new hardware and faucet from Acero Bella! The cabinets were painted in Segreto Paint Ocean Break @200% and softly glazed. Trim was painted the same as the rest of the home- Segreto Paint Paloma. Painting the crown attached to the cabinets and the hinges on the cabinet doors the same color as the cabinets makes a huge difference. We are all over-the-moon excited about how the plastered floors turned out! What do you think?

The tile was glazed over to take out the gold and embellished with a Gracie style mural!

Using longer pulls updates and creates a cleaner feel. Ultra long ones can be used to hang dish towels! Sammy fell in love with these traditional pulls and knobs from Acero Bella, The black granite, which Sammy wasn’t sure she liked, looks beautiful surrounded by a new color palette. I do need to get my eye spy guy out to paint those plated and plugs!

Kitchen Before:

Kitchen After:

We decided to paint the pantry and the wall of cabinetry to the left Segreto Paint Paloma to blend in with the walls expanding the space. The reflective quality of the plaster creates the illusion of a 9 ft. ceiling rather than its actual 8 ft. ceiling height.

The cabinets were lightly glazed and extra long pulls from Acero Bella selected.

Bar Before:

We are calling this side of the kitchen the bar and decided to treat it differently.

After Bar:

We painted the backsplash and cabinetry Segreto Paint Paloma and embellished the bead detail with silver leaf to feel like a polished nickel inlay.

Painted tile looks great and such a budget friendly alternative to ripping out and replacing it.

Guest Bath Before:

Guest Bath After:

It is amazing how just paint transforms. Using the main house color of Paloma, this feels like an entirely different space!! I did notice that the lighter colors do not mask the heavy texture on the walls as much as the darker shade of the study did. Always use a flat or washable matte paint when you have texture. Eggshell or higher sheens will make it stand out even more!!

Master Before:

Master After:

Deciding the main part of the house was the best place to spend for plaster, the master bedroom was painted in Segreto Paint Sterling, the carpet replaced with a selection from The Great Rug Company and the same drapes and shades installed as for the rest of the home. Clean, crisp and inviting!

Master Bath Before:

Sammy was grateful the master bath had two sinks, tub and shower, but the heaviness and ornateness of the space was not her style and a complete demo was not in their budget. We decided to take the mirror out, paint the vanity and apply SegretoStone over it’s granite top and plaster the tile, walls and ceiling all in the same tone. Because I didn’t want the tub to stick out, our plaster color was formulated to blend!.

Master bath in transition:

We have not finished this space, but its easy to see how impactful plastering over tile can be. Sammy and Dylan are so happy and thankful to Diane Kingshill and Barbara Mujuca from Compass Real Estate for helping them to find then that special first home. Figuring out how to furnish with so many gifted pieces with mixed styles has been challenging, but give me a month or so and I will show you the final reveal. Happy Fall! Till next time. xo Leslie

The post A Fixer Upper Segreto Style – Part 2 appeared first on Segreto Finishes.

A Fixer Upper- Segreto Style Part 1

Hi Friends, I use to think when my kids were young they would prefer their mom own a toy company, a golf course, a clothing line, or a car dealership. In those days I was personally painting daily and I used to show up at class parties, school activities, or sporting events, covered in paint. Now with Kirby, a designer for Segreto and Sammy, leaving her teaching job to join the family business I know they are both mesmerized with the transformative effect finished have in the world of design. Follow along to see a fixer upper- Segreto style!

Chris Bailey Photography

Sammy and Dylan had their wedding planned during Covid and started looking for houses before the pandemic hit. When their wedding was postponed, so was their hunt for their first home! Who knew that you would need to make a decision on the spot or that the prices of homes would skyrocket. Marrying in December (see here), we re-started the house hunt early this year.

They found this home, built in the ’50s in a transitional neighborhood close in, and fell in love with its lot and potential.

I was excited that they asked me to be a part of the hunt and when we all saw the backyard we were all sold!!

A previous owner had taken out some walls, closed in the garage, and made some updates throughout. You can see where there much have been a wall separating the entry and the dining room. To the left, the double doors lead into a study, a space that was previously a one-car garage. The little hall leads to a hall full bath and a separate bedroom.

There is also another full bedroom and bath on the other side of the couch. The house has three bedrooms and three full baths another feature Sammy and Dylan loved!

This is the study. It had a small coset to the left which had room only for a stackable washer and dryer. The entire home has a heavy texture, gold walls. You can really notice the texture on the ceiling in this shot.

The kitchen was in the middle of the home and acted as a walkway to the back den, master (left), and porch. Definitely an unusual floor plan, the kitchen is seen from the front door so the challenge would make it feel like a furnished space.

Here is a view looking towards the front door. The cabinet straight back is the pantry.

The den is a walkthrough room that leads to the master and the entry to the back yard which will make furniture placement challenging. Notice as well the inserted tile floor by the back entrance-another element which encroaches on the furniture placement.

The master bedroom is a really nice size with one small closet and one walk-in. Sammy was excited about that!!

The master bath was an interesting renovation. The feature they really liked though is two sinks. One thing we didn’t notice before we purchased the house is that all showers only had rain heads. Something difficult to workaround if you don’t want to wash your hair.

We were all so excited when they closed on the house- a champagne toast was in order!! Sitting down with the two of them on budgets was a bit more challenging. Thankfully, they had decided to save part of their wedding funds to use on a house renovation- so we started getting numbers and making a plan. We knew we wanted to refinish the wood floors, paint, carpet. I was able to google the price per square foot in my area for those services, then add 30% to get rough numbers and be able to make a plan.

The gamechanger was when I offered the option to test and train the Segreto team on new products! Dylan and Sammy gave a whole-hearted yes and I was given the opportunity to test new things for our clients!! Let’s start with the outside first! Sammy and Dylan wanted to lighten and brighten. They were not fans of brown or yellow or the heavy contrast in the variation of the stone.

Sammy is very visual like most of our clients so we created a mock wall in the front so she could approve her color tones before we moved forward. The shutters were transformed to a weathered warm gray, and siding and trim painted in our own Segreto color-Paloma. If you have a one-story home, keep the trim and the siding or brick the same tone to give visual height. Also what type of windows do you have? They have an inexpensive vinal white window, so blending the siding in a similar tone makes the windows look more expensive.

Knowing the exterior trim color is the first step to creating the right tone in a limewash. Now Michele one of our artists is going to teach a training class on how to limewash stone to our design/support staff. Putting up samples first, it is better to start sheer, as you can always add extra coats.

For practice, they were each given a column side. They are now better able to explain the process, a skill that has proven invaluable. What do you think about the transformation of the chocolate brown columns to a weathered look? Ready for the after?

Well, work in progress and quite a transformation! We painted the door Segreto Paint at dusk. The insurance company disclosed they would not insure the house with the crumbling walkway as it was a hazard! Yikes, one more expense.

As renovations progress make sure you consider the unexpected when budgeting. During all the rains, there was one leak in the roof after so a dark charcoal black one was installed.

I pulled some colors to paint the front porch-currently painted red- from to show Sammy. We selected a tone to blend with the shutters!

Now for the landscape! Dylan’s mom is a landscaper so she is going to handle the exterior. She filled in the walkway with grass and will add pavers for a walkway. Kirby uses a really cool app on her phone to photoshop ideas- Photoshop Mix and it’s free!!- My original idea was to have the columns match the shutters. I ended up painting them the house color as I felt that all one color heightened the feel of the porch.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Can’t wait to get the front porch painted and see what Dylan’s mom comes up with for the landscape and stepping stones!! Next time I hope you join us to see the interior renovation! Have a wonderful week. Till next time. XO Leslie

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Follow Segreto This Week – Pops of Color, I Spy, SegretoStone And More!

Hi Friends! First of all, my heart goes out to our Louisiana and Mississippi neighbors and friends as hurricane Ida struck Louisiana on Sunday on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Our prayers remain with you. As a send off to summer, I thought I would share what has been trending this summer at Segreto!

POPS OF COLOR!

Designer Jennifer Martinez, a master of infusing color, created a a space all of its own in this dramatic dining. We loved the effect of our plaster formulated to blend with Farrow & Ball Blue, but when we then hand-painted a mural on top- this room became a WOW!

I have always loved Jennifer’s ability to mix pieces and styles from different era’s seamlessly! The contemporary art marries so well with the traditional table, antique chairs and fixtures and transitional rug. STUNNING!

Wrapping the color into the bar, we created a  SegretoStone waterfall counter in SOFT TOUCH from our new color palette!

Here are my guys so proud after completing a Venetian ceiling for McGarr Design and Interiors replicating International Klein Blue, a shade of pure ultramarine that Klein claimed to have invented and trademarked.

In the same house we removed the carvings and plastered over a gold travertine fireplace with a rich black tadelakt plaster! What a huge before and after!!

Daily Howard was a dramatic feel to her clients main powder. Using Benjamin Moore Cactus Green 2035-20 as inspiration, we applied a rich venetian on the walls grounded by a floating SegretoStone counter with integrated sink.

PAINTED FLOORS!

The WOW factor! The custom hand painted design over white oak wood floors created a welcoming impact in this entry. I love the wood showing through with the mix of grays, white and blue! We loved being apart of this home and seeing designer, Laura Weaver’s vision through in this entry. A great job from our decorative team!

PAINTED, PLUGS, VENTS AND CANS!

Now for our favorite game of “I Spy”! Can you spot the switch plate we painted to blend in this stunning bar designed by Trisha McGaw?

Well done!! One of Segreto’s talented artists makes his living making things disappear!!

What a difference it makes to mask these utilitarian necessities. Alex loves the challenge of disguising plugs, speakers and vents throughout a home no matter what surface they were on.

Now you see it, now you don’t! Blending away plates on so many different surfaces, mixing paints to match the exact color and pattern.

Before and after! The speaker really took away from the statement the wallcovering created in this space. 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!!

SEGRETOSTONE!

It wouldn’t be an update from Segreto without a spotlight on some of our SegretoStone pieces! Here is a sneak peak of this custom SegretoStone table before the room is complete. It measures 11 feet long!! Can’t wait to see the chairs placed!

This small powder packs drama with its hand-screened paper and custom contemporary SegretoStone basin with integrated sink and mirror! The rich blue was taken from the most pigmented parts of the waves. Although we have 23 signatures colors, Segretostone can also be customized in your perfect shade. Builders West was instrumental in customizing the box we applied our SegretoStone on top of!

We were so excited to create their vision for the tabletop!! Set on the homeowner’s existing table base, this SegretoStone tabletop gave this piece an easy refresh for their outdoor entertaining area. SegretoStone is an amazing product, whether going over what you have or starting from new, this all natural lime based product, is more durable than concrete or marble and can seamlessly be repaired in place.

Thank you for letting me share a few of our summertime trends! I can’t wait to see what we will be up to this fall! Till Next Time!! XO Leslie

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English Garden Memories-Luxe Magazine

Hi Friends! I hope you are all having a wonderful week. I was so excited to see this month’s cover of Luxe Magazine! It features a beautiful home of which we had the honor of being apart. Inspired by memories of growing up surrounded by English gardens this home is timeless and classic with a fresh twist. The article was so beautifully written by Paulette Pearson and photographed by Kerry Kirk that I decided to repost it as is with a few notes from me! Our part? We plastered the interiors to connect the reclaimed elements and surfaces and consulted on color. I know you will enjoy viewing this stunning home as much as we enjoyed working on it with the dream team of Newberry Architecture, Bailey Vermillion Interiors, and Goodchild Builders. Go to each of their websites for a design treat!!

Photography:Kerry Kirk

Growing up on a property outside London with fabulous gardens and fruit orchards had a lasting effect on interior designer Sheri Bailey, who intuitively sought a similar feel for the home she and her husband, Camp, built for their family in Houston. “I love nature and being outside, and our house reflects that,” says Bailey. Their new residence, brought to life in collaboration with architect Ken Newberry, features an idyllic backyard setting where the couple and their children enjoy a pool, fire pit area and expansive loggia for both dining and gathering. “We maintained the largest portion of the lot possible for outdoor living,” recalls Newberry, “and wrapped the architecture around it.” Meanwhile, Bailey also tasked Newberry with giving the structure a timeless look—“as if it had been there forever,” the architect notes. “We went with an old-world style but on the fresher, more modern side.”

Photography:Kerry Kirk

The materials palette proved critical to achieving the timelessness Bailey envisioned. “These selections were most important—even more so than the furnishings—because they created the overall feel,” she explains. Headlining the mix are century-old antique white oak planks sourced from Massachusetts, used as beams in spaces like the kitchen and main bedroom as well as for the flooring throughout. “Their natural finish was perfect—we didn’t even need to stain them,” says Bailey, noting the distressed surfaces feel lived-in, yet still stand up to her active family and dogs.

Custom steel entry doors from Atelier Domingue lead to a foyer where a 19th-century French lantern from W. Gardner Antiques lights an antique table from Shabby Slips Home and sculpture from Found. Mirrors—also from W. Gardner Antiques—overlook benches in Tillett Textiles linen. The limestone flooring is from Farmhouse Stone.

Visit my feature on Farmhouse Stone and Bailey Vermillion Interiors here!

Photography:Kerry Kirk An eye-catching pillow in Rule of Three’s Stone Plum Starlight Night fabric from James contrasts the Holland & Sherry linen-clad breakfast room sofa near a coffee table from Area. The adjacent kitchen’s Rose Uniacke pendants light Mark Albrecht Studio counter stools from Holly Hunt. The large painting by Jessica Halonen is from M. Naeve.

Inside, Newberry turned his attention to circulation and utilized techniques like varying the ceiling heights and treatments. “This house unfolds with surprises experienced through not just the ceilings but also the circulation, views, centerlines and the sizes or shapes of rooms and how they relate to human scale,” he explains. The foyer’s plaster barrel-vaulted ceiling gives way to the antique white oak beams overhead in the living room, for example, where a wall of windows capturing picturesque backyard vistas ushers in a flood of natural light. All the while, Newberry says, “there are no ‘dead-end’ rooms.” Instead, the architect created what he describes as a circulation “loop” allowing foot traffic to flow from the foyer, through each main area, and all the way back around for easy everyday living and entertaining. 

Photography:Kerry Kirk

The walls and ceiling were plastered in a stunning grayish-blue color providing a beautiful backdrop to the gorgeous drapes, art, and light fixture.

Within these spaces, “some furnishings and details are European while others are modern,” explains Bailey, “and texture was important.” To that end, the interior designer scouted London’s Pimlico Road for statement lighting, namely the minimal Rose Uniacke kitchen plaster cone pendants and the elaborate Cox London bronzed iron oak tree dining room chandelier. She also mixed traditional and contemporary pieces like the architectural Roja marble sculpture set atop an antique black marble-top iron center table in the foyer and custom modern Belgian-style sofas flanking a round antique walnut table in the living room. As with the home’s materials palette, layers of contrasting textures—including the Calacatta marble backsplash, brass cabinetry hardware, and woven English bridle leather seat counter stools in the kitchen—help keep the aesthetic relaxed and interesting.

Photography:Kerry Kirk

The living room’s custom Belgian-style sofas in Holly Hunt fabric are accented with pillows in a Holland & Sherry custom-embroidered material. Interior designer Sheri Bailey chose a hand-blown lamp with a marble finish from Longoria Collection to top an antique walnut table from Liz Spradling Antiques.

Photography:Kerry Kirk

The kitchen’s Calacatta marble vent hood and backsplash from Walker Zanger frame a Lacanche gas range. The rug is from Carol Piper Rugs.

Photography:Kerry Kirk

A Robert James Collection Majorca bed, Made Goods chest from Ladco and Suzanne Kasler lamp from M&M Lighting mingle in the main bedroom. The Holland & Sherry velvet-clad sofa holds a Kelly Wearstler for Kravet embroidered silk pillow opposite a coffee table from Area. The rug is Merida.

Photography:Kerry Kirk

The formal powder bathroom’s Liaison by Kelly Wearstler Mosaics flooring from Ann Sacks echoes art by Michelle Avi a from M. Naeve. A Rocky Mountain faucet from Fixtures & Fittings, Apparatus sconce and Egg Collective mirror overlook a floating soapstone sink from Arizona Tile.

Of course, the cool Venetian multicolored plaster was by Segreto! This beautiful bath was featured in Segreto Impressions on sale here.

Photography:Kerry Kirk

These interiors flow seamlessly outside thanks to a combination of archways, reclaimed beams and wall-mounted gas lanterns. And Newberry devised multiple poolside “destinations” for the family to use both together and with guests. “It’s what I looked forward to having most,” says Bailey, noting the men often retreat to the limestone-top fire pit, while the ladies gather with wine and cheese on sofas near the loggia fireplace. “In the warmer months we’ve dined outdoors almost every night,” she adds. All the while, landscape designer Serena Gibson helped imagine a landscape that “didn’t look too manicured,” Bailey says. Hence, wisteria cascades over a pergola in the grill and bar area, Boston Ivy climbs the mortared brick and clusters of Peggy Martin roses burst with pink blooms on a gable wall over the loggia—creating a tranquil scene hearkening back to the English gardens of Bailey’s childhood. “Every Saturday morning you’ll find me outside reading my design books,” she says. “I love the sense of comfort and calmness this home provides.”.

Photography:Kerry Kirk

Architect Ken Newberry maintained the largest portion of the lot possible for outdoor living and wrapped the architecture around it. Janus et Cie Amari rattan armchairs surround a fire pit overlooking landscaping designed in collaboration with landscape designer Serena Gibson and installed by Kainer & Kainer Landscape Architecture. Cameron Builders, Inc. installed the pool and hardscaping.

Photography:Kerry Kirk

Eskayel wallpaper from Supply stars on the ceiling in this laundry room, which features an Arcilla field tile backsplash from Ann Sacks, cabinetry painted Sherwin-Williams Cityscape and quartzite counters from Arizona Tile. A rattan pendant from Found and rug from Kuhl-Linscomb add warmth.

Thank you to all the wonderful people I get to collaborate with each and every day and for them trusting Segreto with their projects. We are so grateful for all the opportunities and to be featured in this piece with Luxe Magazine alongside our friends. Congratulations to all Newberry Architecture, Bailey Vermillion Interiors, Goodchild Builders, and landscaper Serena Gibson for a spectacular home and feature! Till next time! XO Leslie

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Is this the same house?-Treatments for Brick and stone

Hi Friends! I hope you are enjoying the summer! Thank you for all your comments on our story on how to transform brick with limewashing!! This week we will see other options for brick and your stone! Whether it is inside or out, plasters, slurries, and limewashes can transform and update without major construction.

This is a lovely home right down the street from me! I remember watching it go up and thinking how beautiful it was. Well as time goes by so do the trends, in fashion, foods, design, and yes exterior surfaces. The new homeowners, so excited about their house, were lightening up the interiors and wanted the exteriors to reflect its fresh new feel. I was excited to meet my new neighbors, and help them with their family home!!

She had seen a post about an exterior transformation we had done for another home in the area with similar dark stone. Both clients loved the natural stone so they didn’t want to paint it solid, but wanted it in a totally different tone.

The transformation of this home was just what these clients wanted. My new client loved this home’s new softness, but wanted to go lighter, grayer, and more solid!

As you can see in this picture the stucco had already been lightened, which helped, but still was not enough change for the new owners. They wanted to blend the brick, stucco, and stone so they were different textures but the same colorations. I sent her photos of both slurry and limewash exterior brick and stone treatments we had done so she could understand the differences each treatment would lend to the home’s aesthetics.

Here is a beautiful example of a slurry we did over brick. Although you can’t see each brick’s variation it does have movement and changes as moisture is absorbed and released from the brick. She decided she loved the look for the brick and wanted to do a limewash over the stone so it still had a natural stone feel! We had our marching orders and began the color formulations, which on this home with the huge change in color was challenging.

Slurrying over the brick was the right option. I love how the design of the brick stands out more now and lends such a beautiful architectural element. When they were different shades of dark brick the design was barely noticeable. We use an all-natural lime-based product vs a concrete or mortar slurry. In general, lime is a versatile material that has good adhesion, is durable, breathable, and has a low thermal conductivity which means in cool climates it feels warmer than cement and in warm climates, it stays cooler.

The stone still looks like stone and does not look painted with our limewash treatment which is such a nice textural compliment to the newly slurried brick! Our limewash has no chemical solvents or artificial ingredients. An ancient finish dating back to Roman times, limewash is made from limestone that has been crushed, burned, and mixed with water to make lime putty. The putty is aged, thinned with water, and colored.

Here you can see the combination of all of her newly treated elements-brick, stone, and stucco!! Although over time, lime can decay, because it is more porous than cement, small cracks will happen and can be filled back in by a process called autogenous (or self-healing). Water penetration can dissolve the lime on the wall, filling in the cracks after the water evaporates. Also, as all buildings are subject to movements, lime develops many fine cracks rather than the individual large cracks which occur with a cement mortar or slurry. This allows for old buildings or ones on poor foundations to distort rather than fail completely. LIme is a magical element in building!! It’s why historical buildings have been coated with it for centuries!!

You can see lots of before and after’s in this shot! Stone before to the right and entrance stone is limewashed!! The brick element to the right of the entrance is complete where the second one over and chimney is still the original brown. As the home was taking shape, the homeowners did not care for the carved elements of the old surround or its golden tone. The homeowner called a stone company to see if they could remove the carved elements. They said she would have to replace all of the stone which was not an expense they were willing to incur so she reached out to me for alternative solutions.

My production team was able to remove the carvings for her and repair the stone. Then we mixed a color and applied our process to blend the limestone surround with the newly limewashed stone. What a difference!!!!! This process holds up well in Houston weather and although may need to be touched over time like any exterior paint in Houston, it would be a repair and not a total redo!!

And for the final revel- here is the before. And……………………….

……………the after!!! An entirely different look! Her new lanterns and the front door furthered this home’s new modern feel.

We even limewashed her pots for the finishing touch!

Before:

After!! I can’t tell you how much fun I had working with these so nice homeowners to create their vision for their new home!! It looks as if it has always been this way. We have used many products which are good ones. Wanting a lime slurry product that we could have readily available, tint to any color, with greater durability we have created our own Segreto Slurry!! The best part of my job is the challenge of being better tomorrow than we are today! What surfaces in your home can be transformed rather than replaced to give you the updated look you are wanting?? Til next time. Xo Leslie

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Is this the same house?? Part 1- The miracle of Limewashing!

Hi Friends! I hope some of you are having sunshine and rainbows! All I have to say about those of us in Houston is rain rain go away! For those who have been following for a while, you might remember in 2014 when John and I did our last renovation on our home. Taking me 28 years to get my husband open to change my exterior brick, I researched high and low to find the best alternative. Debating between a slurried brick finish (mortar or lime troweled or brushed a top of the brick), a painted brick, or a limewashed surface. I felt with the Georgian-ish style of my home, limewash would be my best alternative.

Here you can see the start of the renovation. Limewash lends depth and luminosity to flat walls, brick, or stone by creating surfaces that are mottled and matte with a chalky, nuanced texture. You can apply it, in a thinned-down fashion to show more of the bricks variation or heavier to give a more solid look! It’s so flexible. See more of the transformation here.

There are so many pros to limewash! Because it is breathable it will not trap moisture in your home which can degrade your existing brick and mortar!

And another great fact is that it can be removed or painted over if you ever get tired of the look. Although my home’s exterior architecture is not my fav, the limewashing really gave me a look that I was excited to see each time I pulled up to my home!! I must say that the landscaping also made great improvements to this old house’s curb appeal thanks to Michael Hutchins of Greentouch Landscape.

Here is a close-up of my coverage. My husband, although reluctant at the start loved the lighter look so much he opted for a heavier coverage!

Learning about how to apply limewash to mask the existing tones of the brick of my home gave my team and myself the knowledge to help others with theirs. This wonderful client of 15+ years decided with the help of designer Shelley Melody to give both her interior and exterior a facelift. Shelly designed the new stone porch, metal windows, and lighting.

Consulting to choose the perfect exterior color, it was decided to remove the shutters and limewash the home. I chose Benjamin Moore OC-24 Wind’s Breath for the trim and windows and formulated the limewash to blend! When the shutters were removed it was learned that the previous painter sprayed them in place leaving black overspray on her existing brick. If you are getting your own home painted, please ensure the painter removes the shutters, paints them, and then reinstalls them. This was not an easy fix!!

Can you imaging pulling up to this house now? It now not only looks classic and timeless but also like a brand new house!

Notice the stone above and between the first-floor and second-floor windows. Previously very yellow, we also toned those to blend better with the new stone at the entrance!! I honestly want to move in! I also like that we chose not a bright white but a softer tone- just beautiful!!

This next project was for designer Beverly Schaeffer. This home had a very textured brick so it was decided to go heavy on our limewash. She wanted the stone features to be at the forefront of the home’s design and did not want the variation of the brick to distract.

What a difference!! The brown doors will be painted to blend with the stone and the front door will be coated in a blue hue!! This home now would fit in in the French countryside!! Although it is more solid- the matte finish and subtle modeling of the limewash unlike a painted finish, lends a softer appearance to the home more in keeping with its style.

It’s amazing how beautifully this treatment transforms any style of home. Living in this new home, the owners felt the exterior just wasn’t quite right for them. Working with designer Laura Weaver we were called in to formulate a game plan.

Night and day difference! Both looks are beautiful but the limewash gave this home a clean, modern feel! Did you know lime’s high pH level means microorganisms can’t survive which adds a hypoallergenic quality and makes it naturally bacteria-resistant?

I do love even with a heavier coverage you still see the soft variations of the brick as opposed to painting which sits on top of the surface and is solid in tone. Not only beautiful but the mottled, shadowy effect helps hide dirt.

When we start a job, we always put up samples until the tone and variation are exactly to our client’s liking- or loving should I say!!

BUT HOW DOES IT HOLD UP?

After living with limewash for almost 8 years now, I have loved how the product has held up. Houston, with its humidity, is not easy on any exterior finish and no coating is no maintenance. I now need to power wash and spot paint or repaint the trim. The limewash has held up well, but where my sprinklers hit the brick the limewash is worn. It’s an easy quick fix. Just spot limewash in these areas. On my to-do list!! We have also found better bonders over the past 8 years. I hope you join us for our next post where we will show how this magical material will transform exterior stone! Till next time! XO Leslie

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It’s The Little Things in life!

Hi Friends! I have been thinking about the little things a lot lately, my child’s smile, a compliment, a beautiful job, a great meal,  a glass of wine, nature–there are so many wonderful moments to enjoy. As I get older I see that these little things make up the big picture of our lives. Sometimes, it’s also the little things we do at Segreto that put the finishing touches and make a big difference in the rooms we are a part of. We have an entire team, we name our magicians, dedicated to making things magically disappear. So, together, let’s play my favorite game of “I Spy” and discover the magical impact of the little things.

photograph by Laurey Glenn from Segreto Impressions

This beautiful room has so many amazing features which Goodchild Builders and Newberry Architecture pulled together. From Custom Floors Unlimited reclaimed flooring to the leather chandelier from Ngala Trading Company. it is a magical place to dine. Imagine the difference if all the cans vents and speakers in the ceiling were stark white. Where would your eyes go? In this shot of half the room there are 6 eyesores that would stand out. Can you spot them all?

Here is a close up of three. See how they now magically disappear into this lovely wallcovering from Stark?

We are currently working on a project with designer Eleanor Cummings, Architect Marshall Porterfield and Windham Builders. This home is beyond exquisite, and although our plaster and cabinet work is stunning, these finishing touches of our magicians are getting all the buzz. See if you can spot the plugs that were painted to match the tile. I spy two in this shot! If you have time visit all three of the website of this dream team. What a beautifully curated collection of homes and talent!!

In this shot I spy two as well. Do you?

Many of the ceilings in the home are constructed of reclaimed wood. Painting the lights, mini vents and diffusers made a huge difference! I spy 5!

This pecky cypress media room we finished is stunning. With today’s code requirements the plugs in the room spaced regularly really did stand out! Emulating the grain of the planks they rest on allow you to see the woods beauty without the distraction of these utilitarian necessities. You would spy about 15 in this room alone!!

What was done here? Can you guess? This is wainscoting which we stained in a fashion that removes all the natural orange undertones of the wood. Because it surrounds a cabinet made of reclaimed wood the design team felt it looked too new. We added hand-painted knots, cracks and worm holes so the new wood married perfectly with its antique counterparts. Loving the warmth and character it created, the windows in the upstairs bedrooms were treated in the same fashion!

Our magicians, or true artists have to match any surface they are thrown to match! This flat plug even looks dimensional!!

Now you see it now you don’t!! Look at the difference the light and diffuser make in the effect that this dramatic ceiling has when these elements magically go away!

They also have to be muralists!! This beautifully hand done uber expensive wallcovering looses some of its impact when white plates and plugs interrupt the design.

First you see them now you don’t!!

This wallpaper panel was taken off the walls from a clients old house and framed for her new one. In the process the paper was torn and the bottom 6″ by 6″ piece was missing!!

Can you spy how far this goes up? Believe it or not from the bottom left diamond to the second one up! Magical!

Can you spy what was done here?

I wish I had taken a before we started shot on this one!! This was a concrete base along the perimeter of an outdoor patio. No brick was there!! We lime washed the entire house to transform the red brick to a subtle gray. One of our magicians painted the concrete slab first to look like brick.

Then he lime washed it to get the exact look of the brick above.

Without the before picture, I don’t think you would be able to spy where these plugs rested on this intricate tile!! I had a hard time spying them when in the space!!

Can you spy what we did here? Look for the light switch to the right of the bed!

I hope you liked playing “I Spy” together!! Play more of my favorite game here and here. Look at the little things in your life that make such a big difference! Till next week! XO Leslie

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PaperCity Design Awards Houston 2021

Hi Friends! We are so excited to have been on the Paper Design Awards winners amongst a talented group of designers!! I want to share what project we submitted and show you all the other great designs from Houston’s Creme de la creme design community!!

Best in Wallcovering Design

We were super excited to submit this plaster sculptured art wall in which we collaborated with the oh so talented and super sweet Amy Murchison who heads up Wren Design in this mid-century modern home. Amy is a master of mixing a collective group of furnishings and art to create, one of a kind meaningful spaces. Selected from Segreto’s new pallet deck, in the color Kemwood, her plaster and paint are the perfect marriage of tones. This picture was taken with an iPhone just as Amy Was moving things in. When she is done fluffing we will certainly take some professional pictures! The house is simply AMAZING!

Winning Entry, Best in Wallcovering Design, Single Piece or Collection: Segreto Finishes

Firm: Segreto Finishes Lead Designer: Leslie Sinclair Interior Designer: Amy Murchison, Wren Design Project: Sculptured Plaster Wall in Segreto Palette, Kemwood

Judges’ Remarks:

“Three cheers for three dimensions! This white-on-white wall treatment is the perfect complement to the incredible view. It’s stunning without being distracting.” — Ashley Whittaker

“A clever choice of placement for a strong, sculptural statement.” — Corey Damen Jenkins

Please enjoy the other works of such a gifted group of designers, many of which we are so lucky to collaborate with on thier projects!!

Residential Interior Design Over 3,500 Square FeetWinning Entry: Residential Interior Design Over 3,500 Square Feet: By Design Interiors

Firm: By Design Interiors Lead Designer: Ayca Stiffel

Judges’ Remarks:

“Bespoke, curated glam at its finest. Love the application of textures.”  — Corey Damen Jenkins

“Wonderful work … clean, updated and handsome ” — Alessandra Branca   

“I admire the varied and well controlled use of materials and textures. I especially love the chandelier. I’d be happy to be invited for dinner!”— Matthew Patrick Smyth

Residential Interior Design Under 3,500 Square Feet (TIE)Winning Entry (TIE), Residential Interior Design Under 3,500 Square Feet: Laura U Design Collective

Firm: Laura U Design Collective Lead Designers: Laura Umansky, Shannon Smith

Judges’ Remarks: 

“Really, really, well done. Love the use of sculptural lighting and furnishings.” —  Corey Damen Jenkins

“Very updated Mad Men mid-century vibe. Love the play of then and now colors.” — Alessandra Branca

“Just when I think I may have seen enough of  mid-century style an interior like this one pulls me back in. There is a wonderful lightness here and yet it’s fully grounded.” — Matthew Patrick Smyth

Winning Entry (TIE), Residential Interior Design Under 3,500 Square Feet: Meg Lonergan Interiors

Firm:  Meg Lonergan Interiors Lead Designer: Meg Lonergan

Judges’ Remarks:

“Great work! Super clean and fresh … a design exhale! Big living in a relatively small space! Beautifully designed and quality building! LOVE it!”  —  Alessandra Branca

“I like the subtle rush that I get when looking at interiors that rely on things made by hand and are unique. This project does that for me! Nothing screaming out for attention … just a quiet chicness.” —  Matthew Patrick Smyth

Residential Architectural Design Over 3,500 Square FeetWinning Entry, Residential Architectural Design Over 3,500 Square Feet: Creative Tonic Design

Firm: Creative Tonic Design Lead Designer: Courtnay Tartt Elias Designers: Trisha Thornton, Avery Freeman

Judges’ Remarks: “This house is like a good Cajun crayfish boil – eye-catching color with a lot of spice!” —  Michael Imber

Residential Architectural Design Under 3,500 Square FeetWinning Entry, Residential Architectural Design Under 3,500 Square Feet: Adams Architects

Firm: Adams Architects Lead Architects: Joe Adams, Gail Adams

Singular Space: BedroomWinning Entry, Singular Space- Bedroom : Wills Design Associates

Firm: Wills Design Associates  Lead Designer: Lauren Wills

Judges’ Remarks:

“I’m not one for an accent wall, but in this instance it’s a home run! I love its rustic charm and the stained oak provides an instant sense of history. The fact that it conceals two 21st century rooms is an added bonus!” — Ashley Whittaker

“Nicely done … the jib doors are smart … the details are lovely. Well done!” —  Alessandra Branca

Singular Space: KitchenWinning Entry, Singular Space- Kitchen: Lauren Haskett Design

Firm: Lauren Haskett Design Lead Designer: Lauren Haskett Designer: Laura Hoppe

Judges’ Remarks:

“This kitchen’s chic design delights my inner Francophile!” — Corey Damen Jenkins

“Fantastic work … love the material mix … great design … millwork and planning were great! Loved this kitchen!!!!” — Alessandra Branca

“Classic and timeless are the words that pop up. Everything here is so well chosen. The accents in brass are a welcomed choice and add a nice warm and slightly glam dimension.” — Matthew Patrick Smyth

Singular Space: Bath Winning Entry, Singular Space- Bath: Benjamin Johnston Design

Firm: Benjamin Johnston Design Lead Designer: Benjamin Johnston

Judges’ Remarks: 

“A breathtakingly, gorgeous example of visual art. This bath is haute couture interior design at its zenith.” — Corey Damen Jenkins

Singular Space: Children’s Room (TIE)Winning Entry (TIE), Singular Space- Children’s Room: Marie Flanigan Interiors

Firm: Marie Flanigan Interiors Lead Designer: Marie Flanigan

Judges’ Remarks:

“Is there anything better than a child growing up in the great outdoors? This room lays the groundwork for a love of nature and its surroundings. I always say in children’s’ rooms choose one element and do it really well – in this instance the walls speak for themselves.” — Ashley Whittaker

“Very sweet and calm… love the painted walls … the mix of old and new… urban and country.” — Alessandra Branca

Residential Interior Design or Architectural Design, Singular Space- Children’s Room (TIE): Meg Longeran Interiors

Firm: Meg Lonergan Interiors  Lead Designer: Meg Lonergan

Singular Space: Dining Room Winning Entry, Singular Space- Dining Room: Nina Magon Studio

Firm: Nina Magon Studio  Lead Designer: Nina Magon

Judges’ Remarks:

“I admire the varied and well controlled use of materials and textures. I especially love the chandelier … I’d would be happy to be invited for dinner!” —  Matthew Patrick Smyth

“The illuminated wall sculpture is a knock-out! I want to have dinner in this room just to see the luminescence at night. The balance of textures between the hand-blown glass Adelman fixture, the rough-hewn walls and the matte plaster wall finish, provides visual interest but in a tonal palate which creates a calming place to dine.” — Ashley Whittaker

Singular Space: Living or Great Room, Entertainment, Recreation, Media Room (TIE)Winning Entry (TIE), Singular Space- Living or Great Room, Entertainment, Recreation Room: Marie Flanigan Interiors

Firm: Marie Flanigan Interiors  Lead Designer: Marie Flanigan

Judges’ Remarks: 

“Beautifully done … serene and comfortable … great work!” —  Alessandra Branca

Winning Entry (TIE), Singular Space- Living or Great Room, Entertainment, Recreation Room: Laura Dalton Design

Firm: Laura Dalton Design Lead Designer: Laura Dalton

Use of Small SpaceWinning Entry, Use of Small Space: Katie Davis Design

Firm: Katie Davis Design Lead Designers: Katie Davis, Mary Kate Carl

Judges’ Remarks: 

“I’m a sucker for a camouflage green wall (maybe I’ve been in Millbrook too long!). You walk through this entry and you know you’re going to have fun. The white starburst mirror, marble and brass lamps and vintage console all lend a sophisticated yet playful air to an otherwise formal space.” — Ashley Whittaker

“Inspired, fresh and vibrant! It takes a certain level of chutzpah to employ lacquer at this level — and in this hue. Well done!” — Corey Damen Jenkins

Hospitality Design: Hotel, Restaurant, or ClubWinning Entry, Hospitality Interior Design and Architectural Design: Hotel, Restaurant or Club: Rottet Studio

Firm: Rottet Studio Lead Designer: Lauren Rottet Project: Four Seasons Hotel Houston

Judges’ Remarks: 

“Simple luxury. I’d go there just to wear my new jacket.”— Michael Imber

Retail Design: Art Gallery, Boutique, Showroom Space, Salon, SpaWinning Entry, Retail Interior Design and Architectural Design: Art Gallery, Boutique, Showroom space, Salon, Spa: Gensler

Firm: Gensler Lead Architect: Doug Detiveaux Project: Thorntree Showroom

Commerical Design: Office, Theater, Spiritual or Public SpaceWinning Entry, Commercial Interior Design and Architectural Design: Office, Theater, Spiritual or Public Space: Mirador Group

Firm: Mirador Group Lead Architect: Todd Blitzer Architects: Jerry Hooker, Krystyn Haecker Lead Designer: Erica Baumgartner Project: Giorgetti Houston Lobby

Judges’ Remarks:

“An incredible mosaic of warmth” — Michael Imber

Historical: Restoration/Preservation, Residential Winning Entry, Residential Historical Restoration/Preservation: Jackson Warren Interiors

Firm: Jackson Warren Interiors Lead Designers: Aileen Warren, Kiley Jackson Project: Broadacres Historic Renovation

Historical: Restoration/Preservation Commercial Winning Entry, Commercial Historical Restoration/Preservation: Rottet Studio

Firm: Rottet Studio Lead Designer: Lauren Rottet Project:  La Colombe d’Or Hotel

Judges’ Remarks: “Hip History” — Michael Imber

Residential Landscape DesignWinning Entry, Residential Landscape Design: Creative Tonic Design

Firm: Creative Tonic Design Lead Designer: Courtnay Tartt Elias Architect: Michael Landrum

Judges’ Remarks:

“I’d love to see how the living spaces are arranged under this 52 x 58 terrace! It looks to be a great way to capture another view of the bayou.” — Tom Scheerer

Best Furniture DesignWinning Entry, Best in Furniture Design, Single Piece or Collection: Hallie Henley Design

Firm: Hallie Henley Design Lead Designer: Hallie Henley Sims Project:  Floating Lucite Ottoman

Best in Product Design Winning Entry, Best in Product Design, Single Piece or Collection: Maison Maison Design

Firm: Maison Maison Design Lead Designer:  Suzanne Duin Project:  Woven Collection

Judges’ Remarks: “Love these!” —  Alessandra Branca

Best Textile DesignWinning Entry, Best in Textile Design, Single Piece or Collection: Matt Cameron Rugs

Firm: Matt Camron Rugs Lead Designer: Sarah Tringhese Project: Between the Lines

Judges’ Remarks: 

“The textural quality of these handmade carpets would instantly create warmth in today’s modern interiors. The braided tassel fringe is another element which showcases its handmade quality.” — Ashley Whittaker

I hope you were inspired by so many beautiful rooms as I certainly was!! I wish I could have brought you all with me to the event!! Till next week! Xo Leslie

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Memorial Day-Grateful for those who have served!

HI Friends!! I hope your Memorial Day weekend is packed with good friends, loving family and great food!! This Memorial Day has really hit home to me as I have been in Santa Fe moving my sweet Dad to a retirement community where he can feel safe and enjoy his life. Serving our great county, I am so proud of his contribution and of so many others who are dear to my heart. The new friends we met shared their stories of being in the military and after so many years are still so very proud to have been able to serve all of us. Let’s take time to remember and honor those amazing individuals who have lost their lives and their families who have also sacrificed so much to protect what we hold dear!! And thanks goes to the military medical professionals and all of the members of the Armed Forces who have helped with the distribution of protective gear and the vaccine, leaving their families during this scary time to help us all during the Covid-19 pandemic. Here is a bit of history and some inspirational quotes to put us all in the Memorial Day spirit!!

Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers.-source

During that first national commemoration, former Union Gen. and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there.–-source

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Various Washington officials, including General Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home, among others, made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers, and singing hymns. Many also came prepared with a picnic lunch. The observance has since been expanded to remember the deceased soldiers of any and all wars.–source

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After World War I, it became an occasion for honoring those who died in all of America’s wars and was then more widely established as a national holiday throughout the United States.– source

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By the end of the 19th century, state legislatures passed proclamations naming May 30 as the holiday because flowers were in bloom across the country.

Origionally named Decoration Day, a day to decorate the graves of our fallen solders, in 1971 the name changed to Memorial Day.

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There is a National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day at 3 pm which asks that Americans pause in silence to honor those who have died serving the the U.S. This will become part of our families Memorial Day traditions!

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“Let their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.” – Daniel Webster

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And thanks goes to the military medical professionals and all of the members of the Armed Forces who have helped with the distribution of protective gear and the vaccine, leaving their families during this scary time to help us all during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We did not pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”- Ronald Reagan

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“We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”

– James A. Garfield May 30, 1868 Arlington National Cemeterysource

Let’s hold on to, remember and thank all the special brave people that have served our country and fought for our freedom. Have a wonderful week! Till next time-xo Leslie

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