keeping it real - Holly Mathis Interiors

keeping it real

Jul27
15 Comments
Crazy misc…
Posted in: keeping it real, living with kids
Excuse the phone photos but it’s all I am up for right now. Isn’t it annoying when bloggers take photos of their “cute clutter” in an attempt to try to be real?!;; Or when they say ”I just don’t have time to blog or take decent photos.” Sorry. this is one of those days. And it’s real. very real. I have so much I want to blog about and share but too busy keeping people from drowning in toilets and choking on legos. So here is the reality.
I sort of feel like the monkey..”get me away from the legos!” Its chaos keeping the legos away from Henry when that is all Drew wants to do…we are about to move all legos upstairs!
Oh and Drew hates this monkey..he hates all monkeys..can’t believe he put him on the lamp like this… I am sure he was creating a “scene”..like the other night when he asked me to be a saloon girl because we are a western town now (too many Boomerang cartoons, not exactly PC) or the other night when I asked him if he was ready for his bath and he said “No but I would love a cigar!” GO pick up legos Butch Cassidy! Don’t you love the “cuddle blankets” situated near the TANK! (and yes it makes firing sounds!) mercy.
Seriously, it’s like a war zone around here some days, I am sure many of you can relate. Between the high chair “bombs” and turned over play tables..and the legos… Henry is about to walk..he has FOUR new teeth, Drew is LOSING teeth left and right…it’s nuts..no time to research pretty uses of bamboo blinds like on my blog to do list;; If I have to say “stop shooting at the baby” one more time! It’s just not right.
Yesterday I did attempt to do something “design wise” while Henry napped and Drew ran wild. It didn’t turn out. Precious time wasted. See.
Too crowded..they all need to be landscapes I think. This is the upstairs bath that will be “boy zone” soon..I may collect a few retro “paint by numbers” to hang here eventually…I will just chalk this up as a test run, and go back to scouring for legos!
On a similar note, Jenny at Little Green Notebook has an interesting post up about children and “nice things” on her blog..check it out..will be fun to see the viewpoints…My opinion depends on the day!;;
And of course at the end of the day, people are more important than things. And a home full of life is more beautiful than one full of treasures..my home was “straight” but without the sound of little people way too long so I get the what’s important thing BUT I also get the “mess is driving me crazy” viewpoint now too..and I used to think those moms were so whiny and ungrateful. ha!
Jul2
17 Comments
Switching gears..trying to keep up!
Posted in: baby boy, family, keeping it real, living with kids
So much has been going on this summer..hard to believe it is already July! (How many people did you hear say that yesterday?!) We have so much we want to do around our home (more on that later)..it is definitely a time of transition around here as Henry is crawling and about to walk. He is in to brother’s legos and army men, or he wants to be…it is constant toy mess. SO we have plans to rearrange a bit so we can function better, maybe have play room upstairs, regain my dining room..but again, the summer is FLYING and I haven’t even gone through their clothes to see what is too small..Ijust keep pushing aside the same tiny onesies looking for something to fit this BIG BOY!
SEE! Time truly does FLY! He is going to be ONE YEAR in two weeks! ONE YEAR y’all…hard to believe..seems like I was just posting fabric ideas on here for his nursery and now I am thinking about how to change it! Crazy mama!
Oh and yes that is a bit of the new master bedroom drapes you see in the background and no its not finished yet..I have two of the four panels up, haven’t put up the new rod, never even finished “glazing” the blue dresser..
But that’s okay..we are having fun and just trying to keep up! Next adventure, Henry’s first birthday party..stay tune for sneak peaks and little details next week..it is going to be so fun! My little Fourth of July baby is getting so big! So I am switching gears and trying to keep up!
Hope y’all have a safe and fun weekend..I adore July 4th..homemade ice cream, watermelon and flags!!!!
Jun24
6 Comments
play + work + big picture
Posted in: favorite things, friendship, good shopping, keeping it real
I have this issue. It happens when I “clean house”..it’s happening when I should be “tagging and packing” for the Mini Design Flea (coming up THIS SATURDAY!)..i get distracted and want to play. Human nature I guess. I mean surely it is normal to drag a mannequin outside and wrap fabric scraps around it and stuff book pages down its neck and then text someone a picture of it…right, that is normal?! I didn’t think so. I am sure the guy in the truck thinks I am interesting.
I just adore that little frame..no it won’t be for sale. But the mannequin is..she isn’t old and just covered in gray felt..she needs TLC..maybe cover in linen or decoupage with book pages. She would be so cute in a closet or bedroom corner holding necklaces. And the pedestal is wood and painted white. See y’all, it’s a problem. I get bogged down in details.
For instance, don’t you just love her Grace Kelly-esque fabric scrap sash? Well, at least I got this piece below cleaned up and ready to go.
Be sure and visit us in West U on Saturday if you have a chance. Directions here. Click here to read more about the event in the local news! Yes that is right, while I am busy bogged down in details and taking photos of a mannequin in my front yard, my friend Linsey at LLH Designs is thinking big picture. I am so proud of her and how her vision for this event has grown. I am honored to be a part of this project–we will be having fun and supporting a good cause! Come if you can!
Feb12
10 Comments
Crazy Valentine’s Day
Posted in: keeping it real, living with kids
We interrupt the “color posts” for Valentine’s Day..of course Valentine’s Day is not really until Sunday but all mamas know it was really today AT SCHOOL…so a little crazy this morning..Fortunately I had a huge blessing in the form of a friend who said “oh I am baking a ton of cookies for my daughters, just swing by and I will package up what you need for Drew’s class.” Wow, are you serious?? YES PLEASE! Totally kept me from having to get the baby out yesterday in the COLD RAIN to go to WALMART and get candy or pencils or something to go with the Lightning McQueen cards purchased weeks ago. I wish I had a picture to show of these cookies. They were so pretty, pink with white pearl looking sprinkles and cute long heart shape wrapped in cellophane and tied with ribbon (notice I am using the past tense and I have no photos to show you, the cookies are GONE, even the extras…) sort of funny..I am blogging about cookies, can you tell I am TRYING to stay on a sugar-free diet..hard week for that let me tell you.
Y’all I almost hated to leave those gorgeous cookies in the hands of those 4-5 year old boys…but then I saw the little girls with their blinged out boxes and I knew they would appreciate the beauty.
Too bad these did not arrive in time to slap on the bags..it would have been the ultimate “mommy coup”…like the time I took grocery store fried chicken to the church social but not until I switched it out of the greasy bag into a cute basket and pierre deux looking cloth napkin atop! So thanks Tiny Prints..I DON’T really need these stickers next week..oh well, I guess I can use them next year, his name will still be “Drew” after all…unless he decides to start going by Andrew! I suppose the dinosaur would have sort of ruined the beautiful pink cookie anyway..better no cards or stickers and they could all think they just came from some special Valentine angel…actually they did!
All of this to say, I am sure the Nester is busy today too but we will be back later in the weekend or next week to share her favorite colors and wrap this thing up!
Oh and I must mention, tomorrow, THIS doll baby turns 7 months…I can’t even believe..
Happy Birthday Henry…you have brought so much love and joy into our family! You are our precious Valentine this year and always!
Jan1
3 Comments
Grow
Posted in: keeping it real, perspective
Wishing you a Happy New Year..full of growth, prosperity, love and joy!
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:16-18
{magnolia tree + teacher gift from Seeds of Life}
Dec22
10 Comments
Christmas with kids
Posted in: Christmas, keeping it real, living with kids
I’ve been meaning to blog about this FAB article from Southern Living (the special Christmas issue), but this blog did such a great job I will let y’all just jump over there and read and enjoy the eye candy! So many things I love about this picture..the color, the ribbon, the linen sofa, the little boy in his jammies! My favorite thing is that huge lumbar pillow..wonderful. (and the drapes and shades and and..ok i like it all!)
{Photos from Southern Living}
The point is, this is a great illustration of living with kids, something I keep meaning to blog about (wait, I think maybe that is ALL I do blog about). Anyway, what better time than Christmas to share more from our “playroom” which is also my 5 year old’s bedroom! Because as cute as the above article is with its bright colors, floor cushions for the kids and other kid-friendly elements, we all know those glass jars are really just not all that practical on the coffee table. Ha! You think Mr. Cutie is grinning because he is about to kick the fab glassware off of his train table!
Well, here is my Mr. Cutie #1, and welcome to our playroom. Oh and BTW, this is the room just inside our front door (that is why I call it the “playroom” instead of his bedroom..ha! trying to make myself feel better about NOT HAVING A DINING ROOM..remember we moved him here when I was expecting Henry because they are too little to “live upstairs” and Henry gets the nursery)..ok so this is the room with the cool gate, WELCOME!

{Photo by Lis Purdy, photos below by yours truly}
Notice below he’s used his own little DIY ”skills” for making the basic IKEA children’s table you know, more unique and his own! We like to personalize things around here..ahem. This tree has been drug all over the house. In fact, I know many of you have darling, nicely decorated trees in your children’s room and I think that is great. For us, these little trees are more like toys, “hands on Christmas activities”… in fact, last night I saw the red bead garland helping tow some tractors and trailers.
Below is tree #2 in his room, it has the classic “train around the tree” look. It also appears there may be a Christmas tree “battle” going on with the little people and the soldiers. And yes, that dresser is painted with chalkboard paint. It is a tad messy but helps if you use the chalk markers that have to be wet wiped to remove.
The only “hands off” area in this room is the top of the armoire and paper chain hanging across the top. I just told him the trees and chains on the ”closet” were hands off BUT that it is ok to play with his two little trees and “decorations” on his table and dresser..and he has been satisfied, hasn’t asked for those bottle brush trees once which has sort of surprised me I must admit. (they came from Big Lots a few years back)
We made the chains two years ago I think..ok I made them but he made the chains on the tree (like you couldn’t tell)! Also notice we have lots of stuff but I stay sane by buying cute toys, lots of wooden stuff and I purge often. I am strange maybe but cool wood blocks all over the place just dont stress me out like happy meal toys everywhere.
His bed has chalkboard paint too… i am looking for large casters to set it on still.
I hung a vintage faux candy garland over the bed, I think this came from the local charity shop. Wouldn’t it be cute to write words from the “Night before Christmas” on the headboard and side?! I’ll just add that to my ”to do” list..ha!
Dec1
8 Comments
Post without pictures
Posted in: keeping it real
I am glad yall enjoyed seeing the honeymoon cottage in the previous post. and yes, i do have some interior pictures somewhere i will try to scan and share sometime down the road…it will be funny to do see the evolution of my decorating..i remember using lots of fruit to decorate that year and learning two things…first, that fresh fruit is an expensive way to decorate when you are in graduate school and two, a rotten apple will fall off of a topiary form in a short timespan and just might roll under the sofa and really start to stink by Christmas..yuck!
yesterday’s post and the burlap post the day before also have me thinking about another subject..perfection and blogging..or image and blogging..what we put out there..i’ve actually been thinking about this a long time and have discussed with several people. i’ve never felt i could quite do this complex topic justice so i have avoided but i have invited a guest blogger to share something she wrote about it (and other things) soon and i think you will find it interesting.
the bottom line, we can selectively posts photos and snippets of our lives and work on blogs and create an image whether we realize it or not, i believe it is rarely on purpose and this “perception” often may have to do with the reader and their circumstances and thus becomes something the blogger has NO control over. but i still want to be careful to be very honest…as a blogger i take this seriously..i love people even more than fabric and pretty rooms…at the same time, there are private things about finances, relationships, and other matters that i really dont want to share with the entire WWW..so it is difficult to be really transparent yet prudent… it is also difficult to be positive but not fake…”authentic” but not negative or whiney. so usually i just post lots of pictures!;;;
but today no pictures and it feels really weird for me..like naked.
so while i posted a picture of that darling house yesterday i also have to tell you a little more about that time period in our lives..honestly that was a very hard year of marriage, poor Chuck may or may not have heard some yelling and crying on occasion while he was out watering the ferns.. and the rent may or may not have been a little above our means and honestly we might not do that again AND well life is just not perfect, i am not perfect (not that you think i am but go with me here) and there are just always layers, even to blog posts…just wanted to share a little more..i felt a tad fake just showing the pictures of the cute white house and going on about the marble shower; just a little too perfect of a package.
and in a Christmas decorating update (it i “tweeted” i could just twitter this but i dont so i will share here..did i even use those words correctly??) i am really enjoying just using what i have..tonight i half made a linen stocking on the kitchen floor (same color but less mess than the burlap) ..crudely sewn, simple and cute…funny how when you lay things down and get over obsessing, you can finally just enjoy a little!
Nov30
10 Comments
Honeymoon Christmas cottage
Posted in: Christmas, home, keeping it real
My burlap funk did not last long, your wonderful comments and emails keep pouring in..moms unite..no stress! please keep sharing.
and then Saturday on the way home from Nana’s house we stopped by here, 531 N. 33rd Street in Waco, Texas..my first home as Mrs. Mathis.

isnt this the cutest little house?! just seeing our little honeymoon cottage all decked out and ready for Christmas made me feel great. I could go on and on about this place (and i am going to for a bit so settle in for some gushing). The bottom line is look at how well kept it is… that is because the owners are the most awesome landlords EVER.. His name is Chuck (his brother Harold has passed since we lived there) but Chuck still lives across the street and sends the most beautiful Christmas cards every year.
and I am not making this up, not only did he take care of the yard (still does just look at that huge fern), but he also decorates for Christmas (in fact he would prefer you not touch anything outside..he did allow me or i should say NOT THROW A FIT when i took down the questionable pink balloon shades he had covering the interior windows which i carefully stored in the attic) which was great for me..not an outside person as many of you know. Chuck even CLEANS THE SHOWER! Yep, he cleans the shower..you see this little house has a massive, SOLID MARBLE shower and Chuck had a bad renter one time that did not keep the shower clean and it was a mess when he moved…so after that Chuck decided to do it himself. a little odd i thought at the time but it sounds awesome right about NOW.

the house also had a MASSIVE fireplace, i think that was my husband’s favorite feature. and wonderful green and black and white tiles in the kitchen and of course wood floors….very tiny it was originally built in the 1920s in this historic neighborhood as a honeymoon cottage, so no just our honeymoon cottage but the original owners as well (are you gagging yet?;;)..they built it at the rear of the lot so they could later build a larger home in front…they never did. SO this little house has sat at the rear property line all of these years.
Chuck and Harold grew up in the home across the street (where Chuck still lives) and later bought 531 N 33rd and began to lovingly restore it. …Chuck has it landscaped beautifully and has built a lovely courtyard area between the cottage and massive garage. I noticed he has added some carriage looking garage doors since we drove by last..he is always working on some improvement or upkeep project. I think he has owned it for about 20-25 years!

just look at the little courtyard..the washer and dryer are hidden behind one of those doors. notice the little mirror treatments over the faux garage windows/shutters..Chuck told me he got that idea from Southern Accents magazine!
and 531 N. 33rd’s claim to fame…Billy Graham’s granddaughter lived here while in college at Baylor.. and lucky me, i found it in the newspaper weeks before we got married..the perfect place for us to start married life..even though we were stressed with law school and graduate school, it was a great time!
the only drawback..basically no closets…one teeny tiny. but no fear, Chuck furnished the only bedroom with two huge pine armoires..his and hers.
so see why this made me feel better..i also remember that while living here i suddenly began to care less about academics and finishing a thesis and suddenly just wanted to have babies and decorate! sound normal for a newlywed?! I am glad my husband “encouraged” me to finish the thesis but i am also very thankful i am living the dream of the babies and decorating…so fun to look back and see all God has done in my life! Not perfect but surely blessed.
{images courtesy of husband’s Blackberry}
Nov16
9 Comments
Fabrics for Pam
Posted in: fabric, keeping it real
These little swatches are for my client Pam to see…but i thought i would share with yall too..

these fabrics are so pretty…all very reasonable at good ol’ Hobby Lobby..the blue and the toile are linen..the damask too. actually they are all linen except the little diamond dot print.

we all know about HL’s coupon…and when these go 30% off or if they will allow you to use your 40% coupon..you can get these for around $12 a yard give or take..at that amazing price, these fabrics are great for big projects like long panels in the bedroom (the toile or damask would be so pretty on panels) or for shams or a bedskirt for a king bed…the little print would be great on armchairs….
So dont forget HL when looking for fabric..you might be surprised!
Oct17
3 Comments
simple + happy
Posted in: family, keeping it real, photos/frames
last post was crazy. these long posts are exhausting.so here is some simple inspiration for decorating with photos from Rebekah Westover…. enjoy!
i love this picture below on her blog..

more next week..my firstborn is turning FIVE tomorrow. cant believe it, keeping the party REAL SIMPLE but i will have a few shots of some simple touches i just had to do, discussion on a Connecticut entry, this fab gal, and more photo talk..coming soon
or i should say eventually, when i am not snuggling the sweetest baby on earth..he is such an angel. sweet, good sleepin’ baby = happy mama!
have a blessed Sunday! Holly