The Holiday Whirlwind

I guess it probably seems like this every year, but this year seems extremely whirlwindish in terms of the holidays coming up quickly. 
At work, our past month (or 2) has been jam-packed with client installations & presentations and it has floooown: 


{mid-installation day in a living room}


{a dining room}


{sneakity peek of the adjoining living room}


{a master bedrom}




{a sliver of a family room}

{the neighboring breafast room with kids' art gallery}


{an almost-finished master bedroom...  will be sure to post a new pic with artwork, styling & new bedding}

...And there are a few more that I just can't post quite yet... but it's been ca-razy.  (And thank God for my assistant, Meghan.)

At home though, we've tried to take it easy and we've been leaving our weekends fairly open so we have time with each other.  I've been coming out of the first-trimester pregnancy coma and am almost halfway there till baby arrives.  (NOT that I'm wishing this time away...  I know this is the probably the easiest my life is going to be for a loooooong time ;)  But we've been slowly adding Christmas around our house.  One of my favorite simple ways to make the house feel festive is to put hack cut white poinsettias & place them in containers around the house:


{I mentioned last year that I'd seen it in an old Better Homes & Gardens article & it really is sooo fast & pretty.  It's the perfect 1-minute centerpiece.}

We also strung up COLORED LIGHTS outside our house.  I know, I know.  But the kids love them...  And I sort of do too.  (shhhhhhhh ;)

I'm extremely behind on Christmas shopping, as always.

..And...  we celebrated Justin's 2nd birthday last night with my parents & grandparents.   
 I can't believe how big my baby got!! 

{This is a picture of him just after triumphantly annoucing to the table "I'm two!"}

Above, that's his Pop Pop/ my step dad Tom  is making sure he doesn't dive off :)



We celebrated with a caramel cake sent to us by our friends at John Rosselli in Georgetown.  My mom topped it with rice krispy treat snowmen- oh my:

{As you can see, it's tough to have to blow out two whole candles.}
My little sister, "Auntie Morgan," is on the left holding Christian.
 
Anyway, I hope you're enjoying your own whirlwind.  I've realized that life never really does seem to slow down so you have to make your own moments to savor.  We've been trying ourselves & I hope you've gotten some in at your house too!!


xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

26 comments:

My Dog-Eared Pages said...

Beautiful rooms and such a charming photo of the kids with snowman cake - just adorable. Happy whirlwind, Lauren! ; )

Acquired Objects said...

Justin's cake is so cute...Happy 2nd Birthday! Love the sneak peek of the rooms and can't wait to see more. Christmas is here for me, just gave the husband an early gift to get hm out of my studio!! It'll keep him busy over the next two weeks he's home!

Leslie said...

You've been one busy lady! I still love that dining room, and the master bedroom that you're working on looks great. Happy birthday to Justin; your family is so precious!

Unknown said...

Lauren,
Your installations are beautiful and we thank you for sharing all of your life and your family with us. You are truly inspiring, and a lovely person. We here at PowellBrower wish you the very best of holidays and New Year to come!
Thank you also for inspiring us to start up a blog and decorating business after, for me, a 25 year hiatus from a career in decorating. When my daughter Bethany connected with and lead me to you , we have been on fire since.
God bless you and your family, and Merry Christmas!

Nancy
www.powellbrower.blogspot.com

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

lovely! the grasscloth in the LR is my fav. is it PJ? just installed a similar shade {arrowroot} in a dining room!

Merry Christmas to you and the fam!

Headed to the conf in LA?

xo,
cristin

The Buzz Blog @ Diane James Home said...

Just love seeing all of the rooms you are working on and their progress! I hope you will have time to put your feet up a bit and savour the holidays. Wishing you and your family a very merry one, Cynthia

Windlost said...

Lauren, your projects are all lovely - wonderful work and kudos to Meghan too (assistants never get thanked enough but you always thank her, which is very thoughtful of you!). And thanks Dave! :)

Justin is sooo big! He is a big boy. I just saw a friend's two year old the other day and I said to her "he is such a sweet little boy" - he overheard me and said "I'm not little, I'm BIG!". Little boys like to be big I guess.

Good luck with the next few mos of pregnancy. I would use this as an excuse to eat some extra chocolate over the holidays.

I can't believe you are friends with the people at John Rosselli. You are so chic. I was in there on my last Georgetown visit and I think I only got an eye roll. You are connected sister (just kidding - I am sure they are very sweet...apparently if they send caramel cakes!!!).

xo's cousin Lauren, Terri

Kristy @ I Design Love said...

I have been crazy busy as well. From moving to a new home and work, I haven't had a second for myself. Looks like you have some amazing projects in the works. I can't wait to see them.

Kristy
Www.idesignlove.com

Gwen Driscoll said...

Boys are so PRECIOUS! Can't believe how fast they grow up. My baby is 11 today. Enjoy it my friend. It flies!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Awww...look at that carmel lipped big two year old. Geez...It DOES go by fast! Enjoy every zooming second! Love your installs...I am SOO happy for your flourishing business. Man, you are gonna go far!

bevy said...

even mid installation, it looks great!

happy 2nd to your son!

hope the pregnancy is treating you well. savor it for sure!

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Laurie said...

Wow you have been busy. Love the skirted bench in the master. Great images.

LindsB said...

I cant believe he is two already! I remember him as a tiny baby and now he is pretty much grown up! Good thing you will have another baby around the house soon :)

terri said...

Love seeing your projects come together and your fabrics are fabulous.....happy holidays!
www.decordose.blogspot.com

kayce hughes said...

Your boys are so beautiful. We are slowing down a bit. I love using this time to be more hands on creative. As in creative just for me not work.
Enjoy!

Unknown said...

love the master bedroom! The color pallet is simply soothing!

OH and I thought youd be interested in my "cashmere-soft" throw giveaway!!!

http://colorissue.blogspot.com/2011/12/five-days-before-christmas-giveaway.html

xoxo
Aarean

colorissue.blogspot.com

AnneHH said...

Thanks for sharing your projects--so exciting and beautiful! Gorgeous elements, especially the slipped bench in the Master! Love the shot of you, Morgan and the boys at Justin's birthday and bravo that you are chilling on the weekends. So important with two busy boys and such a thriving interior design business. So, so happy for you and Dave! Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!!
xoxo, Anne
ps Excited to share the changes around here! Will send photos soon.

traci zeller designs said...

Happy birthday to that beyond handsome little man!!! How did he grow up so fast?!?!!! Love everything you've been working on ... and love to your sweet family!

Oh, and my twinks want colored lights outside our house, too. ;-)

Lori said...

I love your work - you have a distinct style and point of view that is really consistant, but it's never contrived. Just beautiful and liveable. Awesome work.

Ness Lockyer said...

I just nearly died now when I realised that is Justin there! And Christian is SO BIG now!! I am so happy it is going well with your business Lauren, and your fabrics are stunning. I seem to see them so many places now. Gorgeous.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
Ness xx
Marley & lockyer

Melissa W. said...

Looks fabulous!!!

Holly Gruszka said...

How sweet Lauren - that last photo of you can your son and the cake - that's what life is all about and it seems like you're certainly enjoying it. It's so crazy how time flies, it really does...just gotta keep living it to the fullest. I saw it on Pinterest a while ago: "Carpe the HELL out of this Diem". Hope you're feeling well!

Sarah Elizabeth said...

Love the master bedroom with the sunflower bedding!

Melissa Marie Head said...

Love the kids artwork wall what a fun idea!

Lorri@ReturnToHome said...

I know this is a bit late in the game, but I'm dying to know where you got the zebra rug in the installation picture above! I've been looking for just the thing for my living room.
I love your blog by the way - discovered it a year ago and always look forward to taking a peek.