Lauren Liess Textiles Launch & Giveaway!

I'm so excited- the Pure Style Home online shop is UP!  wahooooo!!

If you have some time, I'd love for you to check it out:  http://www.purestylehome.co/   (And be careful because it's ".co" not com.  )  And, going live later today, if you click on the top right "SHOP" link at the top of this blog, it will also lead you to the store.  If you're reading this in email form, and you want to access the shop from the blog, just go to the blog itself (http://www.purestylehome.blogspot.com/) and click on the top right SHOP link.

Included in the shop in the FAQs and POLICIES sections, you can read all about the fabrics & their uses, how to open a trade account if you're an interior designer, and how to order.  (it's easy! :)  On each fabric page, I described what I was thinking when I designed the fabrics & a little bit about what's behind them.

An important thing to think about when looking at our fabrics is that I washed many of the fabrics in the photos to give them a softer, more timeworn look.  I created the designs with this in mind & it's how I envision people using the line, but it's really up to you whether you wash the fabrics or not.  Some people like a crisper look, while others prefer the softer look with a bit of patina.  I have used them both ways for different clients, depending upon their preferences.  Washing the fabric, softens it and slightly fades the patterns.  Many of my patterns have been intentionally mottled to give the feeling of age, but washing them adds another layer of that timeworn quality, which I love.  It changes the patterns with darker backgrounds the most because the fading is more apparent.  For example, I washed this fabric below, multiple times on the "heavy" cycle of the wash with towels to roughen it and left it wrinkled to give it this look:

Those patterns with light backgrounds aren't as "aged" by the wash and it's hard to even tell the difference between washed & unwashed:

I'm thinking about doing a duvet cover for out bed in one of the fabrics with the light backgrounds...  The fabrics do not come washed so that part is up to you.... Just something to think about. 

ANYWAY, to celebrate, we're doing a giveaway!!  There will be two winners and each winner will receive 2 yards of a fabric of their choice each.  (A $240 value each)  I decided upon 2 yards because it's good amount for a couple of pillows, a body pillow or for framing fabrics like I did in this project a while back. 

{Filigree Chevron in Blue}

To enter the giveaway, just head on over to the Pure Style Home shop and come back to the blog & leave a comment in the comments section saying which is your favorite fabric pattern.  Be sure to leave your email address too so I can get in touch with you if you win.

You can get extra chances to win the giveaway if you:
-tweet about it or
-mention it on facebook
-or mention it on your blog. 

(For a total of 4 possible entries)  Just make sure that if you tweet / facebook / or blog about it,  you leave additional comments in the comments section for your additional entries. :)

I'll announce the {randomly chosen} winner Friday.

Good luck and thank you so much for coming along with me on this journey to getting the fabric line up & running.  I never would have had the confidence or energy to do this if it weren't for so many of you, encouraging me & just being there.  I really appreciate it & just knowing you're reading does more for me than I can even describe.  Thank you.   

Here's the link to the new shop: Pure Style Home Shop




photos by Helen Norman

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

Thank you so much to my amazingly patient web designer Emily Thompson of Emmarie Web Design who worked with me to create the shop.  If you need help designing your website or blog, check her out; she's awesome. More Info

Meringue Cupcake Cookies

For these pretty little meringue cookies, I used a recipe from HERE.  I started with room temperature organic egg whites, powdered sugar, a dash of cream of tarter and a tiny bit of color.  These dried in the oven for two hours on 180 degrees.  For my sister who is on a strict no grain, no dairy diet, these were a pretty little birthday treat for her.  The only problem (here in Texas) is that these meringues can become gooey almost instantly in humidity, but just pop them back in the oven for ten minutes and they will dry up.  Easy, fat free sweet! More Info

Lauren Liess Textiles Launch!!

The Pure Style Home online store is finally finished!! 

We are launching the shop itself and my new textile line on Monday so be sure to stop by! 
(Yes, as my mom has pointed out, the logo looks like a dirty paper bag.  I'm okay with that.  Actually I love it ;)

The shop is made up of four parts: my fabrics,  my upholstery line, rugs, and "uncommon finds."  The fabrics will be the only section launching Monday & the other three are on their way. 

{a peek at some of the fabrics... I think I've shown most of these before}

For the upholstered line, we have a couple of pieces finalized & ready for production, but I'm waiting to sell the them online until the first collection is finished.  (I'll keep you posted- fingers crossed!) 

{The Madhatter Wing Chair will definitely be included!}

I hope to have the rugs up in the next couple of months- they are mostly new although some are vintage-

{Washed & Faded-looking Rugs like the one I used above in a client's living room}

...and the "Uncommon Finds" Shop will only be open for select sales throughout the year.  It's made up of mostly vintage & antique finds with some new pieces & artwork.  The criteria for anything going into the Uncommon Finds Shop is that it's only made up of things that I'm absolutely crazy about & don't want to part with.  I'm trying to get everything photographed in time for the first sale in December. 

{The "Fog" Collection- LL Textiles}

I'll also be doing a giveaway of a couple yards of one of my new fabrics.  (Winner's choice)

Thank you so much to my wonderful (and extremely patient!!) web designer Emily Thomson of Emmarie Web Design who made the beautiful site. I'll be posting more about Emily on Monday!

Enjoy this gorgeous Fall weekend!!




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

ps- All photos in this post by Helen Norman More Info

Decorating with the Iconic Orange Box

I gifted my sister a Hermes twilly for her birthday last weekend.  As she was opening her present, I realized that the little round box it comes in is as much a gift as the silk twilly itself.

More Info

Baby #3 & Halloween

WARNING: Total mom-post / pretty much NO design stuff

Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year & it's even better with kids. 

My children are now both throughly sleep-deprived & coming down off sugar highs.

{Batman & Robin...  I swear they both have two eyes.}

They drove the Bat Mobile around the neighborhood and then we had to abandon it because getting in & out took too much time:

I am also sleep-deprived and have a slight stomach ache from the disgusting amount of candy I consumed.  Ah vell. 

...And now onto our Baby #3 news: We're having another baby!!  He/ she's due in mid May 16th & I have about a week or so to go left of first trimester.  {anyone who has kids probably remembers being completely exhausted during her first trimester...  I literally go to sleep between 7 and 9 every night...  If I even make it that late.  -- I think my husband is actually more excited than I am for my second trimester.  He's the best.  -- 

{Exhibit A}

 ...And if you haven't had kids, be prepared for complete & utter exhaustion.  Like falling-asleep-sitting up-tired. Add in some nausea/ dizziness & you get the idea.   But of course it's all completely worth it.}

We're so excited about the new baby, but I have to admit, with two already in the house,  I sometimes forget I'm pregnant. {until I fall asleep at 7 PM.}  I'm pretty sure it'll be another boy & would love to have 3 of what I've got, but of course I would also love to have the experience of having a girl.  So we'll see.  (we're waiting until baby comes out to find out)  I did save all of my Barbies just in case.

{Peaches & Cream Barbie was quite possibly THE BEST.}

   

So far I've had pretty great pregnancies & labors & I'm hoping for the same with #3.  It's been interesting to notice the differences in my pregnancies though.  For example, with the 3rd baby, my baby bump has popped SO MUCH sooner.  I guess the belly's just more pliable eh?  But I have to admit, I am scared of how big I might get.  I gained 60 lbs with each of my babies.  I'm already up at least 10, which is right on par.  {eeeeeeeek!}   My grandmother talks about when she had her babies, how she walked out of the hospital wearing her pre-maternity pants.  HA! If only I could! 

Watching my boys develop a relationship & play together probably makes me happier than almost anything else.  I took Justin (my toddler) to Christian's (4 yrs old) preschool last week for pumpkin-carving and Christian was just so excited to show off his little brother & introduce him to all of the kids.  He held his hand and stayed with him the whole time.  Seeing them get along like that literally makes my heart melt.  (At home, half the time they're hurting each other & the other half they're laughing.)  SO, I'm really excited to bring another little one into the picture.  The boys are already talking about how they're going to take care of the "new baby."  (By "take care" I know they mean be really sweet at first and then start running him/ her over once they get used to him. ;)

Anyway, I'll keep you posted.  We don't really have any names picked out yet, but I've got ideas of a soft blue & yellow nursery. 

{Fern Star in Yellow, one of my newer textile designs...  I'm pretty sure it's happening in there.}

ps- On the online store/ fabric line launch front:  we are launching any day now.  My web designer just got back from vacation & I'm having her take a look at the site to make sure everything's up & running properly before we launch it.  I can't wait for you to see it!!

I've decided to keep control of the textile company myself (vs selling designs to another large company & going the royalties route) & to approach showrooms across the country about carrying my collection.   I'm in conversations with some showrooms right now, so I'll let you know if any of it works out.  Suffice it to say I'm squealing inside because I'm so excited to even be considered and insanely nervous/ anxious because of how much I admire these companies.  More Info

Halloweeeeeeeeeen!

We are having a costume party here in the office today.  There are only two of us.  And we're having a contest. 

{I am Pumpkin Head}

..And yes, that is a torn open bag of candy that I got into...

...And yes, I am pregnant...

And Meghan...

Is a ghost.

We're taking votes.

The winner will take this beauty home:

No, I'm just kidding.  I'm not giving Meghan my dog. 

But the winner will get THIS:

Happy Halloween!!  Feel free to cast your vote in the comments section.

ps-
If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love and you are not frightened away by this post, contact me about our design services.

pps- We just moved offices a week or 2 ago & are in the midst of redoing it.  Will be sure to post pics as soon as we have them! More Info

Terrariums- Why Not?

I saw a couple of interesting terrariums at High Point Market that I just loved.  You might remember that although I love plants & flowers, I have a black thumb when it comes to indoor plants.  (Although there is 1 plant in my house that has been alive for a year now!)  I've always liked terrariums and have never given them a shot.  After seeing some "easy" (according to their owners) beauties at Market, I think I'll try them out. 

{Europe 2 You's terrarium filled with a gorgeous oregano that looks like flower blossoms- who knew??)

Here's a more modern version filled with succulents & tropical plants:

{At Bevara Design House}

I love this one:

{image via Design Sponge}

...And I can actually do moss.  Sort of.

This one is whoah:

{image via theoptimisticmuse.blogspot.com}

...And this little ferny fern I could maybe handle:

{image via weegohome.com}

My window boxes are half dead ( I have plans to add in some mums to replace the ferns I killed) and maybe when I've finished with that I'll get some terrariums in the plant hospice (my house).

Have a great one!! 



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