Good Riddance 2012

Source: witanddelight.tumblr.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

I'm thankful for a fresh start every year. Of course 2012 was filled with highs and lows, but for some reason I'm really excited to welcome in 2013 with wide, open arms.

Haddon Interiors had an exciting year last year as we started a few fabulous projects that I hope to have photographed some time this year (projects can easily take up to a year to be photo-ready), and my amazing new assistant, Lindsay, joined the team. The office is much more alive when Lindsay graces it with her presence, and I'm more sane when she is here. 

New house projects are on the way for the Ivey household too. After 2.5 years post 1st renovation, we are now heading into phase 2. I'm finally getting built-in bookcases in the living room, and our future guests will be delighted that they don't have sleep amongst the pile of books in the corner of the guest bedroom. We are replacing our dilapidated front walk with beautiful flagstone, replacing all our interior (hollow) doors with proper paneled, solid wood doors, and I'm hoping to squeeze in a few more surprise projects if the budget allows. It's a work in process. 

Cheers to 2013!

SH** Interior Designers Say -Ha!

I do apologize for the lack of posts this week. The holiday grind has begun AND my fabulous new assistant started this week, so I've been getting her up to speed as well. You'll meet her in a future post.

It's been a long week, and I thought I'd end it by sharing this cute spoof Traditional Home created called "Sh** Interior Designers Say." It features the lovely Amanda Nisbet, Nick Olsen, Eddie Lee and Carson Kressley. I have to admit that I'm guilty of a few of these!

Back to the Grind!

It's back to the grind after a relaxing 4 day holiday break, but would  you believe me if I told you I've been sick since my last post Nov. 14!? I finally got over my terrible cold, but got sick again on our way down to NC for Thanksgiving. I won't bother you with the details but my Thanksgiving included watching the entire Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in a "Heavenly" bed at the Westin coupled with the Mister salvaging our Thanksgiving with a lonely trip to the grocery store on Thanksgiving day in order to make a delightful meal. I was bummed to miss out on the family festivities, but I was able to recoup in my own house in my own bed, and we found some time to get up our Christmas decorations!

So now that the Christmas season has officially begun, I'm trying my best not to stress out about buying all my Xmas presents and making myself sick. Thankfully, I came across a handy dandy guide that makes holiday shopping a breeze! Check out the To&From holiday gift guide created by Katie Anderson of Modern Eve and Meg Biram. I think these girls may be my heroes this holiday season! The guide is broken into themes and makes finding that perfect gift so easy as they have curated a delightful index of items that I would be happy to unwrap on Christmas morning. Enjoy!

It's that time of year...

Cold season:(  I'm laid up in bed today trying to work, but through the sneezing, runny nose and little to no voice, it's been difficult. With several projects underway, this is when I wish I could call my boss and take a sick day. BUT since I am the boss, the show must go on!

The plus side of having a cold is having a good excuse to indulge in hot toddies! They always seem to do the trick to at least soothe my throat. So I'm leaving you today with a great hot toddy recipe I tried based on Joanna's recipe.

Source: tylerflorence.com via Yvette on Pinterest

Hot Toddy
½ shot Bourbon
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup hot water

A Parisienne Photo Shoot

I told you guys I was a dreamer, and I now have a new dream to add to my list....have a professional photos taken of me and my future offspring in Paris:) I was inspired after seeing these fabulous photographs taken by the talented Doreen Kilfeather of a mother and daughter in Paris. The photos are absolutely charming, and I love Doreen's artistic eye and how she captures the whimsical spirit of that darling little girl. A girl can dream, right?

all photos via

A thought...

Source: media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

I woke up today and made a vow. A vow to be present. I'm a bit of dreamer, and although I think dreaming is a a necessity, much like chocolate is in my life, I also don't want to miss out on the life happening right in front of me. Instead of wishing it was Saturday when Monday rolls around, I'm going to try and wait in expectation for what that day has in store for me. For better or worse. I'll let you know how this new perspective is working for me next week:)

The Everygirl

I only wish The Everygirl site had been established when I first moved to DC nine years ago. I was a bright-eyed, eager college graduate  anxious to see where fate would lead me in this crazy town.  Thankfully, I was able to figure out how to live in an expensive city on a first-job salary, but having a resource like The Everygirl would have given me more confidence.

Nine years, 3 different jobs, a husband, dog and fairly new house later, I have find myself owning my own interior design firm that continues to grow every year. I would never have thought I'd experience so much in a decade, but I'm thankful. Thankful that I can start and grow a company that I firmly believe in, thankful to have found my soul mate, and today....thankful that The Everygirl chose to feature my humble abode on their site. So please, come on in....I'd offer you a cup of coffee if I could!

http://theeverygirl.com/feature/kathryn-iveys-washington-d-c-home-tour/