please click back over here and tell us your take on natural rugs..particularly if you have dogs or small children and your experience with caring for them, cleaning up messes and softness..i think that is really an issue for people with small children that have kids playing on the floor a lot!

I will say that i often recommend the flat braided jute rug from PB..i like the look and softness but it is THICK which can make furniture sit uneven.

but its a accessible and soft like i said and comes in large sizes!

I will also say i have heard the natural rugs from Ballard ravel really bad..is that true or is it a certain rug they sell?  I also know that overstock sells some for great prices…as does IKEA..anyone have experience with the ikea or overstock rugs????

The rug below i recently boough for my boys..from PB…its the Chunky Wood and natural jute blend and very soft and warm but thick!

It looks very natural but is really more wool…like i said, i am happy with it but its light!  hasnt been an issue YET!

OK your turn…what is your experience with natural rugs in your home..faves??? and thanks Lauren!

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TO YOU and if a kitchen could say the same, this is it below…hello red lantern and brass hardware!

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God bless you all in 2012!  And a personal thank you to my readers, clients, referrers and advertisers!  You make it possible for me to have my dream job AND be home and I am thankful!

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The latest issue is available here.  It is colorful and fun and jam packed!

Thanks Janell for posting my wrapping ideas..i love kraft paper as yall know…

 The issue is full of color and ideas..i am really getting excited about Christmas and wanting to rerun my fave inspiration photos soon…

.in the meantime check out the cute Kym Miles from Hgtv!

As usual House of Fifty is perfect..every page..Janell is doing a great job..i mean just look at this shot!

this girl is so talented..her kitchen

which was featured in Country Living recently,  is one of my all time faves….

below more from her tea party shoot…such a stylist!

check out her blog and etsy shop..it is all so charming and creative!

To enter the contest just visit her site and leave a comment saying you are from Holly Mathis Interiors!

Have a happy monday!

I love this little bed in Rachel’s room,

 And yes those blue walls..original…and i love that she had to have them haul in an extra air conditioner so she can sleep at night!

 Antique baby gate..swoon.

Outside at the “prairie” ..Rachel said her property here in Texas, aside from being a bed and breakfast, will also serve as a gathering and distribution point for her goodies that she finds at Round Top and then needs to disperse to her stores for displays etc…

I love how she added her touch to this old truck..the logo is so perfect..casual and easy not contrived just like Rachel.

I just kept touching the samples in her store…such a medley of sweet vintageness!

 Love the Texas pillow of course…wish i had bought one!

 Again, i love how the samples are displayed on these cornices.

 So many other bloggers did such a good (better i admit) job capturing the day..great post HERE if you want to see more..

All in all it was a delight! can you tell by the goofy grin on my face here i was slightly enjoying myself!;;;

The food (by Royers Round Top Cafe of course) and atmosphere were amazing! 

The luncheon was full of old friends and new…and I have been known to put a bow on taxidermy at Christmas or even a pictureframe around one’s neck but Rachel truly edified the Texas deer mount to a new place! 

It was great seeing Annalee, one of the sweetest bloggers out there and niece of my bff Camille! I love Annalee’s post on the event too!  Check it out!

My new friend Vikki and I had a great time riding together and hanging out! Click on her post about the day..she tells some great stories that Rachel related to the group about her anxiety and journey to shabby-fying the place.

And hearing about Dwell with Dignity..a portion of the proceeds from the event went to this fab charity in Dallas! My friend Christi, Rachel Ashwell and Bud Royer are listening to the ladies talk about how they furnish apartments for familys in need down to two pairs of sheets (peacock alley no less) and food in the crockpot.  Very inspiring.

 Oh what fun…great food and company and getting to meet an amazing author and designer and entrepenur PLUS tour her 1880s home and couture store and hear about an inspiring charity..yep one more thing and i might have bust!

And that is when it happened!

The battery on the camera went DEAD, this is a blogger’s nightmare..yep see me looking down frantically trying to figure out the camera my friend Christi grabbed out of her car for me…I missed some shots but she led me snag some off of her blog. THANKS CHRISTI!

Her shots are better anyway! Don’t you love the blue trim on the house!  Built in the 1880s!

Below, one of the most beautiful things i saw the entire week of Round Top..thanks for capturing this Christi, i did not even see it the day of the tour! Love this image.  Sums up the day..simple touches, not overdecorating just adding your touch to the natural beauty of a place..maintaining history and integrity…good stuff.

 Finally, Holly Mathis Interiors photography is back up and running just in time to snap a photo of an antique baby gate! Love that blue patina!

I hope to share more shots later this week, including the Couture store on the prairie…It is small but packed with beauty as you can only imagine!

Thanks again to Kelly Copeland of the Hidden List blog, Tara Royer and of course Rachel and her staff for hosting us..what a special day! And also to Texas Live Magazine and others for the swag bags and Tattered Style for the amazing name tags!

IN THE MEANTIME IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORE EYE CANDY OF THE DAY, click over here!  Amazing photographer Keely Marie Scott really captured the day as did The brown shed blog!

Well it is that time in Texas and many have already been scouring the fields around Round Top and Warrenton!  My oldest little boy and i may go explore a bit today and then tomorrow i will be here with Rachel Ashwell and bloggers!

As most of you know, Rachel bought a wonderful bed and breakfast in the area and has given it her special touch…All the locals have been a buzz with excitement she has come to Round Top and can’t wait to see what she has done to this grand old place!

Funny she has the Union Jack under the Texas flag!  She knows how to fit in around here!

I can’t wait to visit the store at the Prairie…I remember driving to Austin when pregnant long ago and frantic to get to her store there..now there is one just out in the coutryside close by..hard to believe..so fun!

And congratulations Rachel on this article in ELLE!  WOW! 

I just can’t wait to se the changes she has made to this local bed and breakfast….my  mom has stayed there over the years and iso i feel a connection to the place and cant wait to see the changes and additions!

I have a feeling the original spirit of the place will be in tact with just extra English rose charm to highlight!

I will be back next with my report on Rachel Ashwell’s new place on the Prairie in Texas! And hopefull some sources and information on these amazing wallpapers she used..does Shabby Chic Couture have wallpaper?? i WILL find out!

I mean just look..

And if you are looking for more info on where on earth to start when you visit Round top, here are a few online resources!

from the Brown Shed (watch this blog bloom, its going to be amazing!)

and the Marburger Farm blog!

The Junk Gyspey blog! Their lowdown on this years show here!

AND FYI Royers Round Top Cafe blog and they have a new place in Henkel Square called PIE HAVEN! Coffee, ice cream and PIE of course!  This is downtown Round top!

Great blog by Garden Antqs that sets up at Zapp hall and does lots of fun things including an Annie SLoan chalk paint demo TONIGHT!

The Rachel Ashwell blog and last but certainly not least, information on the original Round Top show here..Yall know i also love the La Bahia show!

WOW! I can’t believe this..My little ol blog is nominated for a Country Living Blue Ribbon blog award!  Click here to see the categorys. The winner wins a trip to NYC (uh this country girl has never been to NYC, pick me pick me!) for a luncheon in Hearst Tower! It’s in NYC!  Did i mention NYC?  ha!

Vote here for the Readers Choice Award! YOU CAN VOTE EVERYDAY if you wish..and i really appreciate you taking the time to vote, i know everyone is so busy.

 AND THANK YOU, i am not even sure who nominated me or how this started but i am humbled and excited. I have awesome readers and clients. I don’t really consider myself a “real blogger” i don’t plan posts, always use capital letters when i should, go to blogger conferences or take photos constantly but i do really appreciate this recognition and encouragement to keep doing what i do and not feel pressure to do things a certain way!

God is cool!   This blog all started as a new mom praying to the Lord to bless my business so i could be a SAHM and not go crazy but have some creative outlet and yet be at home with my boy (now two), He has taken that prayer and desire in so many directions over the last 6 years! I pray He always directs my ways and keeps me in check!

This is going to be so fun…Hope to meet some of you there! I love that this event will support Dwell with Dignity a great organization that i mentioned here in a previous post.

If you can’t attend but are interested in the work of Dwell with Dignity, consider donating here!

Bravo to Tara Royers and others for getting this event together! See you in Round Top, pray for cooler temps!

 The new issue of e-zine House of Fifty is now out…and i want to thank Emily A. Clark for including me in her article on short drapes!

Those of you who follow my blog may be sick of seeing this room…sorry!  I must say it was a thrill to be featured in an article alongside Erika of Urban Grace Interiors..i love her office kitchen below.  In fact, this style curtain over a kitchen sink has become one of my favorite looks thanks to her!  And those metal cabinets!

This issue is so rich, the darling Kim Miles has a column and you can go to her website and even help name it!

Congratulations to Janelle of Isabella & Max rooms, founder of House of Fifty, her vision has truly come to life. Check it all here including the first issue!