Saturday Spotlight: Holly from Down to Earth Style

Hi, everyone! Every Saturday Kris (Junk Chic Cottage) and I each spotlight a blogger where they tell us a little bit more about themselves so we can get to know the person behind the blog.

Today please help me welcome Holly from Down to Earth Style!  Holly is an amazingly creative and talented DIYer! She has such great vision for repurposing; I love to see her fun creations and how she incorporates them into her fabulous decor!
Please sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Holly better!

 First things first....I am never comfortable being in the spotlight!  However, I do enjoy reading the Saturday Spotlight series at Junk Chic Cottage and Must Love Junk so I appreciate the invitation to share a little about myself. I wouldn't say that I am a shy person but I feel really shy right now. But... let's see if I can balance this post with "interesting" along with "not too much information". (Oh, where are my manners? Sorry...) 

Let me introduce myself. I am Holly, the blogger behind Down to Earth Style where I share my DIY adventures. 

I use the name Down to Earth for a few reasons. One is that I try to be approachable and "real". Secondly, I am a nature lover and try to keep our beautiful earth in mind by recycling and using natural elements in my spaces. Nature is a huge inspiration for my designs and for my spirit.  And last but not least - the definition, which I hope would be a reflection of myself.

I started blogging in the fall of 2011 to help convince my family that I really do use power tools & saws. Blogging is a journal of my home decor and projects. Not all of my family and friends can visit our home since we live so far away. My blog keeps them clued in on what I am up to (and why I am terrible at keeping in touch). I never thought I was "prissy" growing up but as a young girl I wasn't really into sports or exerting myself physically, maybe that is why some people that know me have a hard time imagining me building a kitchen island or a headboard. That  part of my lifestyle changed once I married my high school sweetheart, Marc, 20 years ago. I started running, mountain biking and other sports. None of which I stick with for very long periods of time. But I am still married to this HOT guy. I do stick to that, proudly.

We have two little boys (well, they are nearly my size)....11 year old twins. Don't they look exactly alike?  Noooooo.... People say one looks like me and one looks like Marc. Genetics are strange. All they got from me are my toes. My little family is my priority. I have been able to be home with my boys since they were born, thanks to my husband who works so hard to support us. During those wonderful days at home with them I found an outlet for my stress and hobbies in making my own furniture and home accents, partly due to our one income budget, but also for my desire to make our home the most comfortable place on earth.

When the boys went to kindergarten, I started taking on projects for friends and through word of mouth, before I knew it, I had a full schedule with new- found clients. I kept good relationships with my clients-turned-friends - even with a few accidental mishaps along the way.  I flattened one client's mailbox with my huge Ford Expedition, and I spilled dark walnut stain on another fireplace stone hearth. I can be a little clumsy. But I try really hard at making my work just right.

I wish I had taken more pictures during those busy days but I didn't start blogging until a few years later. The photo to the left was a "rug" that I painted on a wood floor. It was one of my favorite projects.

There's more if you are still with me...  :)

I love this saying that I found on Pinterest.

NPR news is all I listen to in my car when I am alone. I adore Diane Rhem. 

Alison Krauss has the most beautiful voice ever and I love to turn the volume up so high and let her lyrics and voice stir up my emotions.

I am an avid reader of books like Ahab's Wife and memoirs of WW2 survivors.

I was born and raised in beautiful Utah...The Best Snow on Earth is right. The best weather on earth all together, according to me.

I realize that I worry about my hair too much. I know when it's going to be humid because my hair has a super sensitive humidity radar. I want to move back to where every day is a good hair day and, of course, where my family is (Northern Utah).


I am the happiest when I am with my whole family in Utah where I get to watch my kids develop relationships with their cousins and grandparents.


I am not religious but I try to be humble, kind, giving and accepting of people however they choose to live.

My best friends are my sisters and my mom.

Isn't my Mom cute? I love her!!!

................................................................................

 I am never offended if somebody doesn't particularly like my decorating style. I feel more individual that way and certainly happy that everyone can express themselves in their own unique way.  However, I am truly flattered if I can inspire someone to try something new.

I admit that I get way too attached to our homes and have a very hard time leaving them. I even get homesick for living with my Mom and Dad, still. Marc and I have lived in 6 or 7 different houses during our journey together while following career opportunities and  while we break away from the "norm". I put a lot of love into each home (Utah, Georgia, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut & Virginia).

Lake Tahoe and Yellowstone are the best vacation spots for me. I love the mountains.

Having down time keeps me sane or close to it.

My kids say "My mom loves to party"....only because our house is open for a good time, anytime. We even use a karaoke machine to play Dancing Queen...I have no idea the lyrics but I am determined to learn them before our next New Years party.  (I was not blessed with musical talent like my husband and kids were)

Please do not count how many times I said "I" in this post - it's embarrassing. I thought of writing this article in third person to avoid the "I" and "me's" but then you would all think I was super weird like that Seinfeld episode where Elaine's guy friend called himself by his own name all the time. Did you see that one? Seinfeld episodes make me laugh....actually, lots of things make me laugh. Humor and love make the world go 'round!

Actually - 'HAPPINESS' is one of my favorite words, and although every single day isn't filled with happiness, I wish it on all who I know in life and my web friends that I am so lucky to have.

Well, Susan and Kris, thanks for allowing me to be all self-centered for a day.

xxxx,

Holly Down to Earth Style


Holly, thanks so much for stepping out of your comfort zone and sharing more of yourself with us! (And I do remember that Seinfeld episode-hilarious!)
Please visit Holly at Down to Earth Style, then head over to Kris's blog to read about Rita from Panoply! :)

A Brighter Hallway

Hi, everyone!  With our dark floors and some dark furniture, our first floor sometimes seems kinda...well, dark.

I've been craving a lighter look.  I started with our mantel, which I showed you here.  Then I created a new lighter vignette beside the fireplace, which I showed you in my last post.

Next I changed some things around in our big front hallway.
This little area is right outside of our office and it looked like this at Christmastime...

...and like this before that...

First I replaced the dark shelves with this small chippy white table.  I got it for a steal in the fall at an antique shop while visiting Amish country.  I wasn't sure where I was going to use it, but it was too cute to pass up!

For the top of the table I 'stole' a huge antique metal dough bowl from my shop and filled it with dried hydrangeas. (I have to credit my mom-she displayed it like this at the shop and I was smitten and had to bring it home!)
This bowl has the best rusty patina!

On the bottom shelf I placed a heavy wire basket that I got in the summer at the flea market.  The dealer who sold it to me said it's very old.  I just love that crimped wire!
I'll be adding more magazines to it.

I brought my dress form over from the corner it had been in, and placed it beside the table.  I attached the feather wings to it that I had on my Christmas tree, which you can see here.

I also moved my huge clock from where it was to this wall.

There was already a nail higher on the wall from before so I took advantage and added another clock face to echo the large one.  This is just a little different configuration of how it was before in the living room, here.

So what do you think of my new lighter area?

Here is a view toward the living room.

I feel that this does brighten up the hall a bit.

So, mission accomplished!  I'll be showing you some more changes soon.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day :)

Saturday Spotlight: Jeanette from Creating A Life

Hello! Every Saturday Kris (Junk Chic Cottage) and I each spotlight a blogger where they tell us a little bit more about themselves so we can get to know the person behind the blog.

Today I'm so pleased to spotlight Jeanette from Creating A Life!  Not only is Jeanette beautiful on the outside, but on the inside, too! On her blog you will see her fun decorating style, and you'll also be inspired by her positive, uplifting attitude!

Please sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Jeanette better!

I've really been enjoying this series with Susan and Kris, and I'm so happy I was invited to participate! 

I thought I'd share a little of my background and bring you along on a bit of my journey to Creating a Life. 

I really am a born "junker". I grew up in southern California, and from the time I was very young I can remember picking up castoffs and picking through things in my dad's garage, collecting "junk" and thinking, "what can I turn this into...?"

 

I have a distinct memory of going into a second hand shop with my grandmother and thinking that I couldn't imagine anything more fun than having my own "junk shop" when I grew up!  : )

In my late teens, I began taking more of an interest in decorating and design. I took a couple of design classes at the community college while working my way into a manager position at a fast food restaurant. 

In my early twenties I spent about four years working in customer service at an office supply company and then at the ill-fated "Fashion Channel". Anyone here old enough to remember that? Sort of like QVC, but all fashion, all the time. If you ordered something and never received it, you likely spoke to me : )




I wish I had some photos of the first apartment my best friend and I shared! Picture lots of mauve and black lacquered furniture and plenty of Nagel-style prints on the walls. Hey, it was the 80's! 

My design taste has changed just a bit since then. 

The Fashion Channel went under, and I found myself working in a gorgeous retail furniture store that specialized in romantic country antique reproductions. Beautiful furniture, beautiful fabrics...sigh. 

What a dream place to work at that time. I still have a few of the furniture pieces I purchased while working there!

  

In a few years I had worked my way to being the store manager, but by this time I had had my first baby. I desperately wanted to be at home with her, but I was blessed to have my aunt (my mom's twin sister) care for her while I worked. 

 

 When my aunt was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I knew it was the time to leave my job. I was privileged to be her caretaker in her last year and to finally be home with my little girl. 

After my aunt's death we left southern California and moved to Colorado for work opportunities for my husband.

Fast forward to 2009. I was now the homeschooling (since 2000), stay at home mother of four children ranging in age from 1-17. 

In January my husband left us and the ensuing separation and divorce was the most devastating time I've ever experienced. 

I knew that God wanted me home with my children, but how could that be possible now?

Along the way when things have looked hopeless, I have literally stood on God's promise to provide and care for me and my children, and He has been so faithful! As I would step out in faith, another "stepping stone of grace" would appear.

Late summer of 2012, during a particularly down time, I felt I was being led to explore blogging, opening an online shop and selling through other venues.



My, then 15-year-old, daughter helped me set up the blog (humbling) and I shared my first public post at the end of October. Scary!
I opened The Penny and the Pearl on Etsy soon after.

I couldn't have imagined then what blogging would mean to me, but what I've found is that the encouragement and creativity of the blogging community has really been medicine to my soul.

The Lord has given me a gift of looking at things with an eye for possibilities my entire life.  

He has used a very painful time in our family to guide me into healing, and a new life of using that gift to connect with you all through my blog and shop. 

He's just so amazing like that.

I'm excited to see where this year takes us in our pursuit of Creating a Life!

Thanks so much for having me over, Susan! I appreciate you letting me share a bit of my story today!

Jeanette, thank you so much for sharing with us!  I really enjoyed your honesty in telling your story, and seeing your beautiful family!
Please visit Jeanette at Creating A Life, then head over to Kris's blog to read about Rosemary from Villabarnes! :)

A Cabinet and a Clock Face

Hello!  Thank you all so much for your kind comments about my 'house tour' at From My Front Porch To Yours-you made my week!  That's what I love so much about blogging...I can share my style with peeps who get me!

I'm continuing to freshen up my decor after the holidays.   

You might remember my favorite little cabinet next to the fireplace...no one has ever figured out what it was originally used for, but I use it to store lots of my mags.

(Looks like I need to organize that bottom shelf, huh?  :)

Well, it's now sportin' a new vignette.

(You can see it from Christmas time here.)

I'm trying to keep my decor lighter, as I did on my mantel, here. 

So I left up the chicken wire barn wood window frame that I had put up for Christmas.  Replacing the little Noel banner is a big clock face that I got at the cutest shop, Georgie Emerson Vintage in the fall.

I love the patina on this vintage oil can, and thought it would make a fun vase.  I filled it with some faux hydrangeas and mixed in a couple of tiny banners that say 'Paris' and 'Bonjour'.  I sat it on top of some old books for height.

Next I brought in my cream colored scale...

 and placed a nest on it.

I gathered all of this onto a tarnished silver platter.  I like the contrast of the silver against all the rustic chippiness.  

The tray also ties into the silver pieces on the mantel.

So there you have it!  The new vignette.

Here's a peek into the hallway, where I've changed some more things.  I'll save that for another time!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day :)