Well, I’m back from Nashville, and although I wish I could use fun words like “bright-eyed” and “bushy-tailed” to describe my current state of being, “red-eyed” and “bushy-haired” are probably more accurate descriptions. But MAN that was an awesome trip! I shopped with, talked with, walked with, and broke bread with women that inspired me to wanna make things, bake things and remember to give back more. I’ll cherish my time with them forever, and feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to hug ’em all!
(Just a few of the friendly folks (and flea market finds!) I had fun with this past week: Allison, Ashley, Beth, Chris, Edie, Erin, Kate, Marian, Myra, Rhoda, Sandra, Sarah, Shannan, Shaunna, Traci)
The Opryland Hotel was wonderful too. It’s amazing how quickly they were able to renovate it after the flood. I roomed with my friend Kate and was so surprised to wake up to a sweet feature over at this gal’s place one morning while we were there…
Holly, Melissa and I worked on her friend Hyacinth’s room (virtually) last year, but I had no idea she was going to write a post about our blog! (If you happen to be reading: Thank you Ree!)
Here’s one of the first presto-chango’s I created to help get Hyacinth’s creative juices flowin’…
(Move your cursor back and forth over the photo below to see it in action!)
She implemented lots of our ideas, and it was an absolute thrill to work with her. I was particularly stoked when I found out she had decided to clad her fireplace with dark wood flooring, just like I had shown in that first inspiration drawing I sent her!
(Hy’s new fireplace facade)
What a trip!
Which brings me to my next presto-chango related idea’r.
I was talking to my blog buddy Beth a few weeks back and she said, “why don’t you invite readers to submit photos of their spaces for you to do presto chango’s with and call it Pick My Presto?”
Smart as a whip, that Beth.
So here’s what I’m thinkin’. If anyone would like one of these guys, just for fun…
(Move your cursor back and forth over the photos below)
…send me an email to PickMyPresto [at] aol [dot] com titled, “PICK MY PRESTO”. Make sure to include your name, your blog name (if you have one) your design likes & dislikes, and one photo of the space in question. It should be fairly clear, and measure 400 pixels high x 600 pixels wide. (In other words: 4″x6″) Make sure it’s one you’re comfortable with me showing and writing about on our blog. Then, whenever I feel the urge, I’ll randomly select someone’s email and have a little fun creating some presto-chango/cottage-style inspiration. Oh, and since I love surprises, I probably won’t email you to let you know I’ve “picked your presto” unless I have a specific question for ya about your space.
I haven’t decided if this will be a weekly kinda thing, or a monthly kinda thing, but I do know that I would like it to be a stress-free kinda thing and a pretty regular kinda thing- so I’m hopin’ to get some photos to play with this week!
Whaddya think?
Anybody wanna play along?
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I’ll have to take some good photos first!
Glad you are back…you are a wonderful inspiration….can’t wait to hear all the fun had by all.
Julie @ lifeatfirelakecamp.blogspot.com…
It was PW who inspired me to check you guys out! I love your style! I am rethinking a lot of ideas I had for our old Alabama farm house. Thanks for your hard work. You are inspiring.
Fab idea! (that Beth…she’s a keeper!) 🙂 So glad you had fun at Blissdom! I’ve been enjoying the heck out of all the photos floating around in bloggyland!
LOVED your piece over @thepioneerwoman…how fun!
Now go get some sleep!:)
Hugs!
Missy
i Saw the feature Ree did, it was great.T he makeover you helped her friend do was amazing. I think the presto change o is a fun idea.I’ll bet you’ll be flooded with pleas for help.
Sounds good! I’ve got to get my photo ready and it will be on its way!
i wanna play!
I LOVE the pick my presto idea. We are looking for a place to buy this very moment. When we get into a place, I’ll definitely send in a pic. Until then I can’t wait to see what others send in.
Wow! I love your blog!!! It’s soooo amazing!!!! I love the pics u have edited, the before and after affect! It’s sooooo nice!!! I am totally following you!!! You guys have got some serious skills!!!
xoxo
Ahh…this sounds like SO much fun! Cannot wait to see the presto changos!
I love your room changes! Weekly pick my presto I say!
Really?!? Soooo excited. I wanna play, too! Will get photo ready first thing tomorrow. Glad you had fun in Nashville!
All I know is that gal in the upper left and bottom right sure looks like a lot of fun.
🙂
Great times rooming with you friend! Can’t wait to hug you again soon!
xo
Kate
Layla,
Welcome home! It was great reading about you on Ree’s blog! What a wonderful idea pick my presto is. Excuse me while I go get my camera. 🙂
Your Friend,
Deborah
Great idea- I neeeed this! But which room….
Sounds like you have been haven a great time with your girlies! I love your Presto idea. I’m off to take pictures of my bedroom. After remodeling our entire cottage, we still have the same bedroom furniture and comforter, etc., from our house from 6 years ago. I def need a cottage bedroom makeover. I’ll be emailing you soon. Blessings, Tia
Your talent never ceases to amaze me, El. Can’t wait to see your prestos! Maybe I should throw our ghastly master b-room into the mix?
Love your heart, Girl. It’s just beautiful.
LoVe the makeover!! Awesome colors and textures…I want the chairs in there! “Pick My Presto” is a fantastic idea! Have a happy weekend!
Oooh! Pick My Presto! So fun and exciting! Would it be fair for me to send you a photo of every room in my house??? Yeah… didn’t think so. 🙂 Your trip looks like so much fun. What a great bunch of ladies!
We are so in love with this room! Bright colors are oh so fun!
LOVE this idea…I want to play too!!!!! 🙂 Your design ideas are such an inspiration and you make it seem so easy!!! 😉
Great idea! I’d LOVE to play along…will try to get my pics in order!
Wow! Now I just have to wait until tomorrow for some good light to take photos, and decide on the room. I love this idea!
the fun of blissdom is enough to make me want to start a blog! seriously…where will blissdom 2012 be held?
presto-changos sound like a wonderful idea! would a laundryroom(glorified closet) by too small…and would you want to do presto changos to unfinished rooms (aka like a future office..formerly planned to be a media room…over a garage) or would you prefer that it be a presently furnished room? i would just love to see what you can dream up for any of the spaces!
kelly (in georgia)
So glad you had a fun and inspiring time! I am going to try to go next year, was bummed to miss out on all the fun! I will be submitting my presto pics soon! What a great idea 🙂
Oh how exciting about being feature on Ree’s site. I was reading her blog way at the beginning. She and I used to be part of the same online homeschooling community. So exciting to see what’s all happened in her life! As exciting as watching all that’s happening in yours!
Aww – you are so sweet to include me. 🙂 I was excited to meet you. That fireplace ROCKS by the way!
I also learned about your blog from the PW’s post and so glad I did! I love your work – so inspiring!
I still love the rollover of your kitchen. The wall of windows, the gray cabinets, it’s all just so beautiful. I hope you get the dream kitchen someday 🙂
LOVE it! I am so glad Beth suggested the idea. I always love seeing an original space and then seeing what you could do with it. Can’t wait!
I would love to Get picked!
How many times can we play? Hehe
I have got lots of rooms to choose from that
Need a little magic wand(Presto/change)
Done by the Amazing Layla.
So glad you had a great time and you got home safely.
Happy weekend. Geri.
Loving “pick my presto”. The last image is amazing!!
LOVE your style ideas! Your Tybee Island decorating make me long for a beach cottage. So glad I found your blog through The Pioneer Woman a few months ago.
How exciting! I definitely want to send in some pictures! I bet your presto inbox is going to be full in no time!
Well, I hope to take a photo and send it in your direction! Great idea:) Looking forward to seeing the changes.
Are you kidding me – Wanna play along!??!
You will be receiving my photo as soon as it is light enough to take one!
I love those presto changos, but they look like a lot of work! I sent my pic to you, would love to hear your thoughts. And congrats on the feature over at the Pioneer Woman.
so sorry i didn’t even lay eyes on you this year at blissdom. the pioneer woman is a “regular reader”! go layla!
What a fantastic idea. I hope you keep doing it for a looooong time because someday, I’ll sell this house and buy another one and when I do…
If I submit a photo, I hope you design a lot of built-ins in your presto-chango magically instantly beautified room! If only it were that easy to make it come true. Snap!
So fun to meet you btw! You’re a hoot!
Welcome home, Layla! 🙂 And what a thrill to be sighted on PW!! Lovely review.
And I’m plunkin’ my pennies in my jar for next year’s Blissdom. I could barely stand staying home this round!
Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
I think you are definitely “on to something” with your virtual room re-do. I love it! I think you are going to be flooded with requests. Can’t wait to see how this pans out.
better get some sleep, you’ll be flooded with emails soon! Always loved you presto chango features, can’t wait to see more!
d e n i s e
I love the coffee table on wheels!!!! Where can I buy? How can I make? Oh, I’m in love!!!!
Oh my! LOVE this. Beautiful ideas. I need you desperately for my daughter’s room. I cannot decide what to do with her room, so i have done nothing. The room offers some great architecural details, but I can’t “see” the room for what it can be. I’ll be sending a pic soon, I would love some help.
Hey Layla… I want to play!!! Now just need to figure out which room. XoXo
I am totally going to Blissdom next year so that I can hug my favorite people, including you. I seriously pouted for three days. Ha! Love the idea of a little, random, Presto Changos!
(…and Hy’s new fireplace looks amazing!)
Heck yes I’ll play along!! 😀
this is such a cool idea!! you don’t have to twist my arm…i’m in!
I wanna play! Perfect timing, we just bought our first house and it has the most awkward angle living/dining room which could use some serious help! I’ll have to take some pictures when we move in!