Make Space for your kiddos!

Its hard to make a space that everyone can live in! I know! You want your living room and play-space to work- but you don't want it to be cluttered with kids toys and "stuff".

My decorator helped me with this simple idea. Go to the container store- and buy these simple fold out/collapsible containers (by Scout). They come in all shapes and sizes. (He cautioned me to keep them simple though and the same color for continuity!)

Voila! We had a place for "favorite" blankies to be rolled up and stowed, one basket for each kids (girl, and boy) toys- and one basket for family board games and puzzles. We took the above shelves to display some on the kiddos favorite books (EYE LEVEL TO THEM) and higher shelves to display art, glassware, and items that could be easily broken if left at kiddos level, etc.

Simple, clean, clutter-free solution, and makes sense for our family.

Pumpkin House in Print

Paint Colors

We were recently contacted by a couple in Nashville, Tn. who restore houses there. They were interested in the color palette that was used on the Pumpkin House. I've included it here for your information.

This was a good exercise for us to document these, so thanks! Unless noted, they are all Sherwin Williams SuperPaint, Satin Latex

Siding: 6367 Viva Gold
Green Trim: 2238 Black Forest
Steps: 6048 Terra Brun (Enamel Gloss)
Yellow Highlights: Sunflower
Red Highlights: 6335 Fired Brick

These are custom, I'm writing down the weird grid thing that SW does with 02,32,64,128 values in a table

Skirting: Custom (marked "Manual Chivalry Copper")
Wt 18,59,-,-
N1 Raw Umber - .30,-,-
R2 Maroon -,30,-,-
R3 Magenta 6,3,-,-
Y3 Deep Gold 22,1,-,-

Main Trim ("Pumpkin")
G2 New Green -,32,-,-
R2 Maroon 2,62,1,-
Y3 Deep Gold 8,37,1,-

Houston Lifestyles Article about the Pumpkin House

Thought you all might enjoy reading an article that was recently written about the Pumpkin House! Cathy Gordon is a very gifted freelance writer that I enjoyed meeting this past year. She took a lot of time getting to know us and getting some great details that I always forget to mention when I'm showing people around. ENJOY!

Almost Tour Time!

http://www.houstonheights.org/holidayhometour.htm Read here for an update on all of the homes on the home tour.

Pics from the past

So things have been quite busy at the pumpkin house as of late! We've been preparing for it to be on tour for the Christmas holidays. We're super excited about that and cant wait to share all of the updates with our neighborhood and friends. Looks like we'll be featured in www.prime-living.com for their holiday edition.

here are some random shots that have been taken in the past year.

Look what we've been up to in Brookes room!

There are few things more cute than a pretty little girls room. I wanted hers to be "fancy" and smart, trendy and girly! (Plus, I'm Scotch Irish- so its patterned after the tartan of a clan in western Scotland!) We've just purchased the triple crown molding, which we'll be installing this week in the evenings. I'll post more pics as soon as we get it done.