Homemade | Makers' Almanac From: Susie | Fall 2021

HOMEMADE The Fall Issue From: Susie

s eek ing l ave nde r l ane s w eet potato pie hom e tou rs diy ac or ns l ates t proj e c ts s aved b y g rac e . c o ta k ing root

sanctuary A PLACE OF

t he re f u g e i s s u e : a look at g r acious l i v i ng , true r e st + se l f care

THE MAKERS’ ALMANAC

susie robb

DR EAME R | D OE R | E M PA T H ri s k- ta ker, c om m u ni t y-l o v er, enneag ram t yp e 7

a note

W E L C O M E T O O U R FA L L I S S U E !

The season of abundance is here! As a designer, I always look forward to the vibrant, sensate experience of fall. And by far, autumn stands out to me as the season richest in textures. It can be seen in the deep, cognac tones of leather, where its masculine appeal is showcased beautifully alongside soft, feminine knits, throws and woven pillows. From dried florals and seed pods to feathers and rustic woods, I relish the opportunity to immerse myself in all of these seasonal elements that create the incomparable feeling of coziness inside, while reflecting the ripeness of the earth outdoors.

As we envelop ourselves in the wealth of the season, we are talking about recreating that same spiritual feeling of reprieve. To me, the bath is the sanctum of the home, where we naturally seek to retreat, renew and unwind. This season’s decor box features many of the pampering elements inherent to this space, like luxury spa towels, a modern twist on a vintage German breadbasket, stained footstool, handmade soapdish, dried floral wreath and an opulent handpoured candle.

Now, more than ever, we crave renewal. Our homes are no longer a place to merely rest our heads, but a space that must flex to become an office, schoolhouse, restaurant and so much more. Though none of us know what this next season may bring, we continue to collectively invest more of our time in our individual spaces. My hope is that you will see the beauty of this time within, and move forward with intention. May the beauty and rest of this season truly permeate your home, your mind and your heart.

HOMEMADE EDI TOR IN C H IE F, Susie R obb

C reat ive D irect o r, Ash ley Sla te r Pho t o g rap hy b y C o rt ne y Dani Ph otog ra ph y Pro jec t Man ager, Raege n Hain

Di rect o r of Mar k eti n g , L a u ren Si ga la D irect o r of Ret ail Services, Sa rah Gay O n l in e C o n t en t C reator, Amy Willia ms

C o n t rib u t o rs: Reveren d Vic t o ria R obb Powers No rm a Ro b b T ho m ason B en Mc C al l , 8 FD D esigns D eb Fo gl ia , Seek in g L a vender L ane L au ren Ashl ey Pho t og raph y W hit n ey Vau ghn , SavedbyGrace. co Han n ah Eb erly, HAKE Creative Tendency

Spec ial T han k s t o ...

JMG Rem o d el in g, LLC

Ka ri & Steve Haywood

K im & J o hn D w yer

3-Day Blinds

THE MAKERS’ ALMANAC

W E SU PP ORT

T h e Ma k e r.

Shopfromsusie.com has a heart for the American maker. Our goal is to create a collaborative effort that supports local businesses and provides our customers with quality goods for their home.

Whether domestically, or a world away, you will find goods here that are responsibly and ethically made. We pride ourselves on sourcing the unique, utilizing superior materials and promoting the talented home artisan .

Get to know Deb Foglia of Seeking Lavender Lane!

We sat down with the talented New Jersey blogger turned candlemaker for a candid interview on all things design.

Read more on page 116.

c o zy au t u m n c onte nts 18

bl e s s e d are y ou

A sermon by Victoria Robb Powers

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th e h umble s we e t potato

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fal l ac orn diy

42 53 60 75 100 111

Grandma's favorite fall pie

Crafting with Cuter Tudor s ave d by g rac e . c o

Meet Whitney Vaughn taking root

Thoughts on house & home th e dw y e r proj e c t

A behind-the-scenes look th e e urope an farmhouse

An interview with Deb Foglia th e h ay wood bath

Smart design meets function + aesthetics c re ate d to c re ate

Resin pieces by Hannah Eberly

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ser ene palet t es

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60

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a pe e k

ins ide

you r fa l l de c or b ox 30 dr i ed flor al wr eat h 59 v i n tage b asket wi t h ha n dl es 72 waffle weav e ov er si z ed s pa tow el 72 waffle weav e ov er si z ed han d tow el 90 hand-p our ed candle 98 handmade foot stool 115 ev er t r ay

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t he maker s' almanac

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Texas

AU T U M N

in

+ c ool nig h ts , bath ed i n fi r elight, ali v e wi t h ab undance and tog e th e rne s s . these ar e t he t hi ngs i an t ici pat e most...

pumkpin patcmagh natoliathien dallwacoas arboretum pumpkin spice lattes at starbucks haybales along the road t e xas st a t e fai r red rivercorillevgale rrusy +h tweekexas football watching thhalle coowwboeenys coplrany mazes on thanksgiving fall show at roundtop

a n ew s easo n

a book of golden days

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ful l o f sple n dor 16

# fa l l from susie wh at are y our mos t an t ici pat ed r i t es of fall? shar e + tag me on ins tag ram wi t h t he hashtag

#fallf romsusie

+ i’l l re post my favor i t es i n stor i es!

By Reverend Victoria Robb Powers

Blessed are you.

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When I was in my second year of seminary at Brite Divinity School I was tasked with writing my first exegesis paper. If you’re not familiar with an exegesis, it’s just a fancy word for a critical interpretation of a scripture. In an exegesis you take a text from the bible and research it – research its literary structure, its historical context, its theological context, and its pastoral context. And then, after all that research is done, you write an interpretation of what you believe the text means.

As I thought about it more, I realized that Jesus couldn’t have idealized these conditions.

It wouldn’t make sense. If being poor, sad, and hungry are what qualifies someone for being blessed, why would Jesus ask us to take care of the poor, or to comfort those who grieve, or to feed the hungry?

On the surface it seems like these exhortations that Jesus makes – blessed are the meek, blessed are the poor, blessed are those who mourn – are a list of conditions we should try and meet if we want to be blessed. Meaning we should try and be meek, or poor, or mourn if we want to be blessed, because as it reads, those are the conditions that qualify someone for Christ’s blessing, and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want Christ’s blessing?

I sat with the text for weeks before I finally asked myself: what if the beatitudes aren’t about a list of conditions we should try and meet to be blessed?

What if these are not instructive words but performative ones? What if the pronouncement of blessing is actually what confers the blessing itself?

I’ve been in ministry now for a little over twelve years, and I can say that I’ve been among the poor in spirit, I’ve sat with the dying, I’ve been I was assigned that fall semester of my second among literal poverty, I’ve seen the hungry and year with writing an exegesis on the beatitudes, the thirsty, and none of these things make anyone the scripture from Matthew 5:1-12. I’d heard this blessed. No one in their right mind would ask to scripture a million times in my upbringing, but be poor, or volunteer to struggle to find food, or this was the first time I’d really sat with the text ask to grieve unimaginable losses. And, to be extra to ponder its meaning. To be truthful, I really clear, those who do struggle to find food, or those struggled with it, and not because it was the first who have grieved tremendous loss, they’re not exegesis I’d ever done; I struggled because I blessed because of it. To say that they are, would found the scripture fairly troubling. be incredibly offensive.

Here’s what I mean: Maybe Jesus is not saying you are blessed because you’re meek, you’re poor, This was troubling to me because this kind of or because you mourn or you hunger. What if interpretation leads people to romanticizing Jesus is just throwing out blessings lavishly on the the poor or romanticizing those who grieve people that surround him, which just so happens or those who are hungry. Suffering isn’t to to be the people that society doesn’t notice - the be romanticized. Not to mention, there’s a people that know something about pain, the grave difference between someone who suffers people who are thirsty and hungry? involuntarily and someone who doesn’t.

The Beatitudes Matthew 5:1

"WHEN JESUS SAW THE CROWDS, HE WENT UP TO THE MOUNTAINSIDE + SAT DOWN. HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM, AND HE BEGAN TO TEACH THEM."

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Maybe Jesus is actually just blessing people, not because of some condition they’ve met that qualifies them, but because it’s just his nature to bless, especially those who never seem to receive blessings otherwise.

the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who are afraid. Blessed are those who give up because they can’t handle the risk. Blessed are those who have failed again and again. Blessed are the unemployed, the retired. Blessed are the elderly who possess all the wisdom but are too Think about it – our world blesses the powerful, routinely forgotten. Jesus loves you and blesses blesses the rich, blesses the self-sufficient, blesses you. the strong, blesses the winner, the gold medalist, the performer. We have a tendency to bless the I could see him at our local non-profits, at one who’s most attractive, whose had the most Austin Street or CitySquare, shouting out success. We bless and praise the kings and queens, blessed are those who hunger and thirst. Blessed and we frown upon (if we even look at them at all) are the homeless. Blessed are the immigrants, the meek, the weak, the poor, the lost, the failure. the refugees, the families separated at borders.

Blessed are the starving. Blessed are those in need As I started thinking about it, I realized it would of water. Jesus loves you and blesses you. be pretty on brand for Jesus to show up and look upon all those that never get praised, that never I see him in Washington proclaiming the exact get blessed, and just start blessing them, left and opposite of what we too often hear, regardless of right. Doesn’t that just sound like something political affilitiation. He’s shouting blessed are Jesus would do? the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers.

Blessed are the ones who choose peace over I began to imagine him in the moment, in today’s profit, mercy over revenge, honesty over deceit. time, standing around blessing people. Saying Jesus loves you and blesses you. things like: I began to see him in the prisons or the local Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the schools or the orphanages, saying blessed are the kingdom of God. Blessed are the agnostics. persecuted for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who doubt, who wrestle, who Blessed are the incarcerated. Blessed are the teen don’t know for certain. Blessed are those who moms. Blessed are the disabled, the war veterans, are willing to admit that there is more to learn. the orphans.

Blessed are the spiritually impoverished who have no arrogance about their faith or their piety. I hear him saying this: Blessed are all of those who Jesus loves you and blesses you. have been forgotten, who never get the reward, who never get seen, who are never acknowledged.

I could picture him standing in the hospitals or at Jesus loves you and blesses you. the bedsides saying blessed are those who mourn.

Blessed are those who know something about As I continue to read this text, even now, years real pain. Blessed are those who have buried their after my first exegesis, I’m realizing that it’s not loved ones, who have lost their children, who a stretch to imagine Jesus here now blessing all have grieved enough to fill an ocean. Blessed are of us and all the things we try and hide or make those who can’t get out of bed because the force up for, or the things we insult in ourselves and of depression has paralyzed them. Jesus loves you others. Because it is not our strength and virtue and blesses you. that qualifies us for Christ’s blessing, it is our need for a God who makes beautiful things out I could see him in the streets claiming blessed are of dust.

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Matthew 5:2-12 in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, for they will be comforted.

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are you.

BLESSED ARE THE POOR

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER + THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, for they will be filled.

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, for they will be shown mercy.

BLESSED ARE THE PURE OF HEART, for they will see GOD. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, for they will be called children of GOD. BLESSED

ARE

THOSE

WHO

ARE

BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

PERSECUTED

BLESSED are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because

of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

So wherever you are today, whatever it is you might not be proud of, whatever it is you may be ashamed of, whatever it is you wish were different, receive Christ’s blessing for you and know that you are loved.

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a ry s a n sanctu c t u a ry a ry psalm ninety one |

he who dwells in the shelter of the MOST HIGH will abide in the shadow of the ALMIGHTY. i will say to the LORD, “my refuge and my fortress, my GOD, in who

i trust." for he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and the deadly pestilence. he will cover you with his pinions, + under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. you will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. a thousand may fall at your side, 10,000 at your right hand, but it will not come near you. you will only look with your eyes + see the recompense of the wicked. because you have made

the LORD your dwelling place - the MOST HIGH, who is my refuge - no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. for he will command his to guard you in all your ways. on their

angels concerning you hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. you will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “because he holds fast to me in love, i will deliver him; i will protect him, because he knows my name. when he calls to me, i will answer him; i will be with him in trouble; i will rescue him and honor him. with long life i will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

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the humble

SWEET POTATO

A quintessential southern staple, sweet potatoes are a favorite in our home. Their deep color, flavor and aroma always remind me of the warmth & richness of fall. Full of vitamins, nutrients and fiber, they are are an ideal, flavorful companion to any meal.

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IN T HE HE A R T OF Grandma's Southern kitchen is the congregative meeting place for our family, neighbors, club members and greater church community. It is the altar of memory, security, connection and comfort that binds each of us to one another. And it is here that we continually return to get our hands messy together and share in the collective rites of initiating the cooler autumn months.

At 88, Grandma Norma is from an era where food was primarily made and eaten at home. The mere mention of a store-bought pastry and she'll roll her eyes at the conveniences available to my generation. As a mother of five, she has made her fair share of baked goods, and her Sweet Potato Pie is known far and wide to draw a crowd.

This pie recipe is an utter celebration in the glorious simplicity of the humble sweet potato. The smell, texture and flavor is an exultant combination of warm spices and earthy brown sugar. It is the hero of any potluck dinner and star of the holiday meal, but our favorite thing about it is that it couldn't be any easier. You'll want to keep it in your fall repertoire for years to come. However, we do offer a word of caution: this treat does a swift disappearing act. For best results, we advise making two!

A SOUTHERN KITCHEN

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HOMEMADE I NG R E DI E N T S

1 1/2 cup hot, mashed sweet potato about 3 or use canned, mashed) 3 slightly beaten eggs 1/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed Pinch of salt 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp nutmeg 1/4 cup half & half 2 tbsp melted butter 1/4 cup brand, sherry or 1 tsp vanilla 9" unbaked pie crust

Pr e p T i m e : 5 0 m ins m inu t e s

Sweet Potato Pie INST RUCT IONS

Preheat oven to 450 F. Bake sweet potatoes until tender. Peel, slice and mash.

Combine eggs, sugar, salt, spices, brandy; pour into 9" pie crust.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 350 and bake for 30 minutes until filling is baked and crust is browned.

If crust is browning too quickly, cover with foil.

Cool slightly and serve.

Tota l T ime: 9 0 m inutes

Yield: one 9 " Pi e

these

darlin g momm y & me a pron s ets ar e part o f our new fa ll collec tion + can only b e foun d on shopfr omsusi e.com!

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| dr ied f l or al wre ath | Andaluca; Southern California This beautiful wreath was made by Andaluca in California just north of Los Angeles. This company has a deep love for natural botanical creations which shines through this fall creation. Each wreath is handmade using real flowers.

Care: To remove the wreath from box, cut cable ties securing wreath and gently remove from the box. The dried natural materials used in the wreath are intended for indoors display, avoid direct sunlight and excessive heat, which will cause the materials to fade and become fragile. It is natural for the colors to fade and leaves to curl slightly if kept outdoors in sunlight.

Minor shedding may occur during shipping. To clean your wreath, lightly dust its leaves with a soft paint brush or feather duster.

To store your wreath, lightly wrap in tissue paper and store flat in the box which it arrived. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Keep away from flames or any direct heat sources. Avoid exposure to direct wetness.

Dimensions: 20" Retail: $68

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DIY

FALL

acorns a simple , se asona l craf t t h at wi ll add b e ati f u l t e x t u re s & di me nsion to your au t u mn ta b le sca p e

by amy william s of

cuter tudor

DIY

d iy aco r ns You won’t believe that these acorns are made from plastic eggs!

However, you can also stain wooden eggs for this project, too. The key is to ‘dry brush' several layers of paint in order to create a more realistic appearance. Dry brushing is a technique in which the paint brush is loaded with a small amount of paint, then lightly brushed off before applying to the painted surface. This creates brushstrokes that appear almost scratchy and create a layered texture. Lastly, top these faux acorns with jute and a real twig!

ste p on e

1

2

Place foam or plastic eggs onto wooden

Spray paint with a white primer

skewers. Then, push skewers into a

in a well-ventilated area,

styrofoam block to hold in place.

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ste p t wo

Then, allow to dry.

Paint eggs a warm brown color with acrylic paint. Dry. Then, ‘dry brush’ lighter shades of brown paint to create texture.

3

ste p thr e e

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DIY

4

ste p fou r

tip: display your acorns with pumpkins, gourds, dried florals and strands of wood beads or tassles. they look great in dough bowls or nestled in a seasonal wreath.

ste p f ive

Cut jute and coil into a tight circle about the size of a dime. Next, hot glue the jute onto the rounder half of the egg.

5

lastly, clip a few real twigs from outside + hot glue in the center of the jute-wrapped egg.

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DIY

ready for more design, recipes & diy's?

Head over to susierobb. com/blog for our latest tips, tricks, crafts & more!

With Fall approaching... it’s time to add pumpkins, seasonal stems and chunky throw blankets into your home. Plus, this earth-toned, nature-inspired Fall craft will blend beautifully with the rest of your seasonal decor. Simply, make these DIY acorns and place in a wooden bowl for the perfect Fall touch!

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"SEASON OF MISTS & MELLOW FRUITFULNESS, CLOSE B O S O M - F R I E N D O F T H E M AT U R I N G S U N C O N S P I R I N G W I T H H I M HO W T O L OAD &

BLESS WITH FRUIT THE VINES

to aut umn b y john keat s

T H AT ROUND THAT R O U N D THE T H E THATCH T H AT C H EVES RUN RUN

TO BEND WITH APPLES THE

MOSS'D

COTTAGE-TREES , AND FILL ALL FRUIT WITH RIPENESS TO THE CORE; TO SWELL THE GOURD, AND PLUMP THE HAZEL H AZEL S SHELLS HELLS W WITH ITH A SWEET KERNEL; TO SET BUDDING MORE, AND STILL M O R E , L AT E R

FLOWERS FOR THE BEES,

UNTIL

T H E Y T H I N K WA R M DAY S W I L L N E V E R

HAS O'ER-BRIMM'D THEIR CLAMMY CELLS. CEASE, FOR SUMMER HAS O'ER-BRIMM'D

Where are the songs of spring? Ay, where are they?

Think not of them, thou hast thy music too, while BARRED clouds bloom the soft-dying day, and touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue; then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn among the river sallows, borne alof or sinking as the light wind lives or dies; and full-grown lambs LOUD B L E AT f r o m h i l l y b o u r n ; h e d g e - c r i c k e t s S I N G ; a n d now with treble soft the red-breast whistles from a g a r d e n - c r o f t ; a n d G AT H E R I N G s w a l l o w s t w i t t e r

to aut umn b y john keat s

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store? Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find thee sitting careless on a GRANARY FLOOR, thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind; or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep, drows'd with the fume of POPPIES, while thy hook spares the next swath and all its TWINED flowers: and sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep steady thy laden head across a brook;or by a CYDER-press, with patient look, thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.

in the skies."

[ WRITTEN AFTER A WALK NEAR WINCHESTER ]

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w h it n ey vau gh n w hit n ey vaugh n: art di r e c tor , w or k -i n-p rog r e s s + fait h- fil l e d ow ne r of s av e d b y g r ace co.

“YOUR HEALING GIVES OTHERS HOPE.” -ROBYN RUTH Humble, focused and wholly genuine, Whitney is the creative force behind Saved

by Grace Company. For years, her vision has been to create a brand that uplifts and empowers women to be their most authentic selves, while pursuing faith above all else. Pushing aside fear and doubt, she has crafted a career that is thoroughly her own.

Describing her business as a calling, she ministers the beauty, trials and triumph of living with the faith of a mustard seed. Over time, this seed of faith has grown into something more sustainable than she ever could have imagined for herself and her daughter. Here, she opens up about the journey of embracing an imperfect process.

company profile :

f ootpr i n t : roanok e, va-ba sed; fem ale -own e d + op e rate d s mall bus i n e s s

i ndus try : graphic design, m ercha ndi s e + appare l mi s s ion: upl if t + inspire w om en of fai th through cus tom go od s

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gui di ng pr i ncipl e: phil ippians 4:8 “ fi na lly, broth e rs a n d s i s te rs , whatev e r i s tru e, whateve r i s nobl e, w hatever is rig ht, whatev e r i s p ure , whatev e r i s lov e ly, wh at ev er i s admi r ab le —if a n y thing is excel l en t or p rai s eworth y — th i n k a bout s uch th i ngs .”

YOU COULD SEE GOD IN EVERYDAY PLACES? Sometimes, it's hard & I feel so far from Him on given days where things just don't seem to go as planned. In those moments, I encourage myself to be still and pray for God to surround me so that I can stay obedient to His word. In those moments we least expect or in places we never thought we would see Him, the Saved by Grace Co. shop is here to change that. From faith apparel, to home decor it's my goal to help you to see God in all things.

vu ln e rab l e m o me n t s

“ DID YOU EVER THINK

paradise found trust the process

Saved by Grace Co. began in the fall of twenty sixteen. After years of dreaming of running her own creative business, Whitney took the plunge and quit a successful corporate career in pursuit of her entrepreneurial dream. As a single mom, she was keenly aware of the risks. Despite having no sales experience, she decided to wholeheartedly trust that God was in control and had called her to go forward and embrace the unknown.

there is room for you

By self-admission, the journey has not always been an easy one for Vaughn. Growing up in a Christian home, she frequented church with her family. Through the lens of imperfection, she has learned to see the value of grace in her main roles as a mother, friend and shop owner. In her own words, she describes, “One thing I am sure of is that I feel called. Not just a small whisper or little signs here and there, but a longing, a supernatural feeling, no sleeping from waking up from hearing God nudge me, can’t stop thinking about it type of calling.

It even isn’t that God has given me gifts that magically appeared. What He did give me is the heart to try. The heart to trust Him and the heart to learn. The mind to know that things would never come easy and that in order to run His business the way it was intended, I would need to trust Him always. That no matter how discouraged I ever felt, that God said ‘Whitney, there’s room for you, too.’ ”

grace wins

Through doubts and fears, with faith and grit, Whitney has continued to build a thriving business that has surpassed all of her expectations. “Never in one million/billion years did I ever think I could sell one thing, create one thing that anyone would want, nonetheless make a living working for God. People always say you just need faith as small as a mustard seed.” And that has proven true, but perhaps seasoned with a little bit of grace.

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To follow Whitney, visit her IG @savedbygrace.co

s h o p favor i t es

shop the collection

s ave d bygra ceco. com

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supp o rt hand mad e

hey girl!

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taking R O O T

Thoughts on the closing of a chapter and the vulnerability required in finally taking root GRAPEVINE, Texas.

I

t’s ironic that I help people design their homes. I think I’ve been living vicariously through each of my clients when I help them design their dream spaces. In my own life, home feels like a fluid concept.

I moved many times in my childhood, had temporary homes as a young adult (a sorority house, a friend’s basement, my aunt’s spare bedroom) and even now, just moved in to my husband’s pre-existing home.

When I was 20 years old I interviewed for a job at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. With just my carryon, ballet slippers and an inadequate coat, I cancelled the return flight and set up “home” in Chicago. That 800 square foot apartment was decorated on a dime and was quite the cute studio, in my opinion, but I hardly spent any time there.

I did have a beautiful home with my ex husband. The one we brought our babies home to, and the one that ultimately would see us fall apart. I remodeled a lot of that house but it’s too riddled with pain for me to get nostalgic about.

I understand the concept of home, but I always prefer to stay gone than to come home.

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I

often feel like I was born on wheels and my personality lends itself to more of a nomad than a homebody.

And even with Whitby. The house that I spent the last four years in raising my children and growing my business. Even still I knew this particular home was temporary. I knew it would be a place I pass through.

I don’t have an attachment to that home but rather to the memories it housed. And if you asked those closest to me, they would say “the cobbler’s children have no shoes.” Meaning, that house was usually unkempt and

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a hodgepodge of decorations because I chose and still choose to spend my resources on other things like travel.

But maybe that’s all changing now. Perhaps I’m growing a deeper understanding of my craft but also of myself to know what it means to settle down and take root. To be still in a place and tend to the metaphorical garden so that refuge won’t be found in the going out but the coming in.

FA R EW ELL W H I T B Y

A R EFUG E + SAFE HARBO R

P

erhaps if I designed for myself this home with Robert the way that I do for my clients, I might even more so… let go. The perpetual movement is a defense mechanism, I know.

Always has been. Being on the move feels safest to me. Change is a welcome constant.

Ask me to settle down and lay roots?

That makes me squirm.

I write this through tears, because I know I’m subconsciously training my babies to be little restless nomads too… How odd, a designer who is uncomfortable with the concept of home.

I have debated sharing this, but I think it’s good to be vulnerable and show up for others in ways that I can. I don’t know what God is going to show me, teach me and grow me in this next chapter, but I know it will be in this area.

I’ve told my team that home is wherever Robert is, but now that my groom has carried me over the threshold, what if I let him put me down and I actually sunk my feet on these refinished oak floors? There will be balance. I won’t be clipping any wings! But if you want to watch the journey, stick around. xo

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FA R EW ELL W H I T B Y

| v i n tage b asket wi t h handles | 8FD, Decatur, Texas These Vintage Towel Baskets are hand-picked by Susie in Forney, Texas and originated in Germany. No two pieces are alike, as each is unique with its own special characteristics.

Made of rattan and they are stained by hand by our personal craftsman to achieve the beautiful dark hue. We added genuine Texas-leather handles to enhance its versatility and create an entirely one-of-a-kind look.

These baskets are perfect for holding your rolled hand towels in bathroom. They would also make a centerpiece for your fall tablescape to hold pumpkins and gourds. Use as a catch-all on a front table or place on top of books to create a layered look.

Care: Wipe gently with a damp cloth.

Dimensions: Approximately 14” L x 6” W x 3” H Retail: $35

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THE

DWYE R P r o j e c t soft

sophistication

texas

done

right

T h i s i s a third ho me fo r the Dwyers. As avid aviators, t hey own homes in multiple s ta tes , a nd re a lly wa nte d this one to st ylist ically represent t he look and fee l of b ei n g i n Te xa s. T he re quire me nt was to capt ure t he feeling of t he landscap e and c u lt u re, but no cow b oys, k itsch or spurs!

To me, Te xa s d o ne we ll is a strong, masculine look, and it lends it self beauti ful ly to c lea n line s a nd co nte mpo ra ry modernit y. In my mission to pay homage to th e loc a l s ur ro und ings, I re fe re nced t he emot ion of t he sacred Tex as H ill Co u ntr y a nd c l a s s ic, lo ca l Austin Sto ne for inspirat ion. If you’re unf amiliar wit h t he te rm , Au s ti n S to ne is the na me fo r the pale, whit e stone t hat was sourced here in Aus ti n i n t h e 19t h ce ntury, co mmo nly known around t he rest of t he count ry as Limes ton e .

It i s a p opula r ma te ria l typica lly used to adorn t he ex t erior of homes t hroug h out t he st at e, but we ch os e to show it of f insid e as a feat ure wall in t he d i n i n g room. This choice re al ly packed t he design punch t hat my client s wa nte d , and I have a feeli n g it will be a convers ation piece at dinner pa r tie s for years to come.

soft sophistication

the

62

dwyer

project

a

timeless

+

neutral

pallette

GR AY

BONE

OA TM EAL

feel

|

Contemporary, Texan

fixtures paint

|

+

finishes

|

gc

|

JMG Remodeling

Brushed Nickel, Mixed Metals

Sherwin Williams Requisite Gray

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unlikely O ne

of

designers alike

f ace

t he

elements challenge s

and is

that

home own e rs

reconcil i n g

and

int egrat ing ex ist ing f ur n i sh i n g s .

A good designer at t emp ts to honor and meld t hese ke y pie ce s wit h t he desired look whi le al s o respect ing t he st yle of t h e home ’s archit ect ure. HGTV wou ld have you believe t hat most h ous e s are demo’ed down to t he s tu d s , rebuilt and redone wit h al l n e w, caref ully

chosen

f ur n i shi n g s .

But realit y is t hat everyon e h as a budget or heirlooms or pie ce s t hey ’ve become at t ached to ove r the years. The Dwyers specifically request ed to keep a few pie ce s of t heir own including t he l ivi n g room sof a and beds in ad j ace nt, secondary rooms. Alt h oug h it can be a dif f icult chal le n g e to combine every t hing, it ’s alway s one I relish, as I enjoy the tas k of joining unlikely eleme nts , and making t hem work togeth e r.

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harmony

in

action

One thing worth noting is that it took time for some materials and fixtures to arrive, as many products are currently backordered. One of my favorite pieces was the last to arrive.

As the finishing touch to the master bath, the free-standing, j e t t e d s o a k e r i s t r u l y t h e c r o w n o f t h e b a t h r o o m . We c h o s e d u r a b l e q u a r t z c o u n t e r t o p s f o r b e a u t y a s w e l l a s p r a c t i c a l i t y, a n d s t u c k t o s a n d t o n e s d r a w n f r o m t h e Te x a n c o u n t r y s i d e .

The mirrors were framed with carefully cut, beveled mirror pieces to create a soft, feminine vibe without becoming overly f r i l l y. T h e h o m e o w n e r s w e r e t h r i l l e d w i t h t h e f i n a l r e s u l t , and I'm so happy with what we achieved in this space!

soft sophistication

the

dwyer

project

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| wa f f l e w eave ove rs ize d towe l and handtowel | Luksin Designs, Maine Deeply textured and chunky, this linen/cotton blend oversized spa towel and hand towel are hand stitched from eco-friendly fabric, and pre-washed in small batches on the coast of Maine

by Daria at Luksin Designs. Luksin is passionate about using local, Maine-based stitchers and manufacturers to help produce the perfect products.

We adore the soft texture and luxurious feel of these special towels. Whether you're bathing indoors, heading to the beach or wrapping yourself up to keep warm, this towel will become an instant favorite. Use it as a throw or even as a baby blanket.

We are so proud to feature these ethically-sourced and made items that support sustainable and responsible living, and know you will love them just as much as we do.

Oversized Spa Towel, Dimensions: 43" x 73" Retail: $60 Hand Towel, Dimensions: 20" x 40" Retail: $40

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deb f og l ia of s e e king l ave nde r l ane on the f ron t porc h of h e r c h arming n ew jer s ey home th at ins pire d her to foll ow h e r dre ams .

t h e

m o d e r n

E U ROPE A N

fA r mh o us e a candid interview on life, entrepreneurship, dreams + design with Deb Foglia of

seek ing l aven der l an e

bel sogno : [ Italian ]

b e au t i f u l d r e a m .

FARMINGDALE, New Jersey | If you have spent any significant amount of time searching through the home decor sector of Instagram, chances are you've come across the sumptious and transportative account, Seeking Lavender Lane. Blogger turned Influencer, Deb Foglia, is the face behind the brand, and she is passionate about sharing all things related to home design, delivered through the lens of her stunning pastoral home.

and church yardsales. When I first encountered Foglia’s style, I was immediately drawn to her embrace of some of these familiar old world elements, delivered in a thoroughly modern fashion. I jumped at the opportunity to interview her and learn more about her aesthetic and process.

Join me as we take a bird's eye view into her life and home, including her tips and tricks for recreating her infamous European Farmhouse One of my favorite looks is layered with pottery, style, honing in on your own and a guide on how moody oil paintings and 19th century antiques to create an immersive experience in your own my mother had found trawling flea markets living space through the realm of the 5 senses.

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ar e y ou a de s ig ne r by trade ? how di d y ou dis cove r y our love f or in t er ior des ig n and an tique s ? c an y ou descr i b e the p roc e s s to me of c re ating your dr eam home and blog g ing about i t ?

It all started during those middle school years of catching the Trading Spaces show, falling in love with Vern Yip's classic style and watching every detail Genevieve would bring to her $1,000 update. I began to switch up my decor in my bedroom at home and being an only child I would even play musical rooms, I would just go from the back room in the house to the front so I could redecorate. My creativity always directed my paths and I decided to pursue fashion in college but later realized my love for fashion was more in home fashion. Once my youngest child was born I took a Home Decorating course on maternity leave and started to tap into some interior design for clients through Craigslist. About a year later I started my blog “Seeking Lavender Lane" to document the journey of the updates we would make on our first home. Through studying other designers, a ton of Pinterest consumption and too many hours watching HGTV, I taught myself how to better my design skills and truly hone in on my personal style. how did y ou c ome to own y our cur r en t hom e? Is th e re a s tory be hi nd t he prop ert y ?

Our current home buying process and renovation was truly an act of faith. We knew we wanted to eventually buy a bigger home but after selling our last house and then backing out of our contract we thought maybe it would be years before we would go through the process again. We never truly felt we were financially ready, but we wanted to find something that met more of our design aesthetic and home needs.

Our impulsiveness as a couple brought us to this ranch foreclosure home that had zero potential.

The one thing that got our attention was that it sat on almost an acre of property (hard to find in New Jersey) and a basement (also hard to find 78

in our town). Most of the homes here were built in the 80's and many of them were built on slabs without options to grow and renovate. We took a major leap of faith, prayed hard, and soon this foreclosure house became an unexpected dream.

Vision came through and we endured and one long, hard renovation process during th rainiest summer and fall season on record in New Jersey.

But it came to be our dream home! We worked with an architect and contractor to bring our vision to life and it truly was an exciting time to watch this run-down house turn into what we had imagined. It wasn't easy and truly this was not the perfect home on paper to renovate the way we wanted to, but we felt the tug, went all-in and never looked back. The most amazing part is we have a very long list of how many times God came through and delivered in that journey, and I think it was the journey and trust that made it the dream. You can make any house a home with some paint and vision, but the journey of faith and how much we relied on God in those months were truly special. It molded our trust in the Lord more than anything up until that point as a couple and family. what has b een most i nfluen t ial i n cr eat i ng your sense of st yle?

During the process of designing this house I knew I wanted it to truly reflect “me". I did not just want another typically-styled home.

I wanted it to have a unique Old World feel, and wanted every part of this house to feature something unique that would make it different from other homes we had seen. I started a Pinterest board and would save ALL the ideas that I loved. I started to see a pattern and sensed my style had much more of a European look than a “farmhouse" look, I originally thought.

It's funny after all of this work of finding my style I realized I could teach people to do the same. So in October 2020, I launched a design group called The Home Experience, where I teach women how to find their true style and how to implement that in their home with design tricks and lessons.

When pulling a room together I usually start with inspiration and what makes me excited about those design ideas. Sometimes it could be just one item that I want to work on. If I am not just designing impulsively (because sometimes I do that and that's fun too), I will create a design board to gather my ideas to really feel how I want that room to look.

I would love to say that travel has influenced my design, but really I have only been to Europe twice. Once as a child and again during college. I think they certainly were influential times and the feeling of Europe is something I will not forget even from a nine year old's point of view. I think much of it has to do with being influenced by other designers and then the lifestyle part has been something that truly has hooked me in. Not only do I love the look and feel of European homes but I also love the European lifestyle and that's something I truly try to do every day here. I call it “experiencing your home" and it's something about the way Europeans live. I have a lot of experience with this coming from an Italian family. My dad was born in Naples, Italy and, during my childhood, I guess I subconsciously absorbed much of the traditions and qualities that come from the Italian life. My hope is to eventually experience that full on and live in Europe for a year or two, once my children are grown.

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i’ d im agine y ou do quite a b i t of en t ertaining in y our hous e . how do y ou s et th e s c e ne f or c ompan y? do y ou s t r e s s ove r dinne r part i es or im p rom p tu vis itors ? how do you p ull it a l l tog e th e r?

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Hosting has become a new love/hate haha we have done a ton since moving in our new house.

It really is wonderful to host from, since it is an

open concept, we have a basement for the kids, and an island that we can spread all the food on. My best hosting tip is to have each person bring a little something...also to always have paper coffee cups ( I made that mistake too many times- after running the dishwasher and having a whole bunch of coffee mugs to wash after coffee and dessert). I like to cook, but don't love it, so if I can have some things catered or have mom bring 60% of the food that's a win!

how ha s moth e rhood impac t ed how y ou r view of in te rior de c orat i ng and hom em ak ing ?

I remember the early days of having our first apartment and our first house and many things were baby proofed. Our kids are older now 12 and 9 and so the days of having to worry about all of that baby proofing gone, makes it a ton easier. My house is definitely not baby proofed

so if we do have a baby visitor it's a whole new world for me again especially since I have a lot of "stuff". My kids know this is mom's passion so they are used to things changing all the time and that I like things styled and decorated, but I have to remember where to let things go and that having a "shoe" basket is very important for my sanity.

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" W E T R U LY L I V E I N O U R H O M E . o n e o f t h e b e l i e f s m y h u s b a n d a n d i h av e i s t o u s e w h a t y o u h av e . i f y o u h av e a p o r c h s i t o n i t , i f y o u h av e a g r e a t b i g d i n i n g s p a c e ? e n t e r t a i n with it. a pool? swim in it. an open concept home? be present with your f a m i l y . a n d i t e v o lv e s o v e r t i m e . i t r u l y f e e l d e s i g n i n g i s s o m e t h i n g i work on daily. i love to challenge myself to be better. it's something i really desire

and so pl aying

around with my

home and making

changes is some-

thing i thrive

on. i'm also

not afraid of

a lit tle paint!

i call it #im-

pulsivepaint-

disorder i just

love the feel-

ing of flipping

through paint

swatches and an

afternoon with a

paintbrush in my

hand. we spend

a lot of time

in the kitchen

since its the

most open area

of the house

and definitely

the heart of the

home. we love it

just as it is, but

still dream of

doing more. we

w o u l d l o v e t o e v e n t u a l l y h av e a p o o l , a d d s o m e b e a m s t o o u r m a i n a r e a , and add more light with some dormers in our back room. hopefully. this fall we pl an to add a gas firepl ace to our bedroom and eventually turn our garage into an extra bedroom as well as add a detached garage (big goals). honestly nothing ever stays the same in my house and i love it like that! it keeps things interesting.

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{ read mo re on t he blog } I have a blog post where I share about my favorite European Farmhouse pieces to decorate with (https://seekinglavenderlane.com/european-farmhouse-decorating/) and it truly has become what I normally stick to. It comes down to authentic finishes, true patina, beautiful weathered wood, and a lot of pottery!

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how t o de fine y o ur own st y le “Definitely dig into your style to truly find what makes your style feel like “you". From there start with the room that you spend the most time in and start either with a new paint color, or work your way up starting with the area rug.

Remember good textures and items that feel unique and “so you" will make your space become what you want it to be. When all else fails, a new light fixture and paint will always make a room feel fresh and rejuvenated."

t h e north e as t c an be a t r eas u r e t rove f or an tique l ov er s . if you’re c omf ortabl e sh a r ing , w h e re do y ou l ike to s hop ? w h at are y our be s t t i p s f or f in ding g ood vin tag e m ar k ets a n d an tique s ? wh at ar e y ou r favorite th ing s to col l ec t or us e as l ay e ring p i ec es ? d o y ou trave l far f rom hom e or take s hopping trips ov er s ea s ?

I u s ua l ly s ho p lo c a l ly a t o u r Al l a i r e S t a t e F le a M a rke t. It's 5 m in s f r o m my ho u se , a nd I' ve f il le d my ho me with to ns of $5 t r e a s u re s tha t bro u g ht my s t yle t o life . I j u st re ce ntly v i s it e d t he a ntiqu e ma rke t in Br im f ie l d , MA a nd lo ve d it. I c a n't wa it t o be ba ck. I have d o ne s o me thrifting whe n v i s it in g Na s hvil le a fe w y e a rs ag o , Ro u nd t o p, a nd of c o u rse lo c a l a nt i q ue sho ps.

Be in g s o c lo se to the shore , we h ave s ome g re a t a ntiqu e sho p s a t t he lo c a l to wns, bu t tho s e c a n b e price y a nd a fte r sp o il i n g my se l f for the l a st fe w y e a r s with che a p finds it's h a rd t o g o t o norma l “ a ntiqu e " sho p s t o p urcha se , bu t more for i n s p ir a t i o n . I a l so o cc a sio na l ly fi nd s o me t h i ng o nl ine a nd lo ve bro ws i n g E t sy for g re a t vinta g e fi nd s t o o . I eve n sta rte d sha ring on Fr i d ay 's my “ 5 Friday finds" on my I n s t a g ra m pa g e whic h u s u a l ly a r e a ntiqu e s tha t I find wh i le br o ws ing Etsy. I wo u l d lo ve t o e ve ntu a l ly have my o wn lo c a l b o o t h he re , bu t I ke e p p us h in g t h a t dre a m off with a l l the o t he r ave nu e s I j u g g le in my b u s i ne s s .

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fleur & flame m ak er s potl igh t: hom e- h ea li ng + natu ral candlemaki ng wi t h

deb hand-p our s her luxury can dl es + enjoys t he p rocess of cr eat i ng a prod u c t she deeply b eli ev es i n .

fleur & fl fleur & flame

fleur & flame a new idea

c andl e s are avail abl e at s hopf roms us ie . c om

“I have to say that it was a God thing. Isn’t He a tricky God sometimes? I felt called to start a design group called Home Healing last year. Truly, it was Holy Spirit-led to bring this idea of helping women heal their homes through creativity, stretching outside their comfort levels in their homes, and using the senses to make their home feel better. I knew I wanted to add more to how the ladies could experience “home healing”, so I decided to start a candle -of-the-month box. I found a local candle maker here and we worked together for the first 9 months to create candles, package and deliver them to the subscribers. Like any new idea and business avenue, there were hiccups, stop signs, moments of sweating, and a big pause button at the end of the year.”

tak i ng a le ap of fai t h “It was a ton of work. I think my feelings got hurt everytime someone would unsubscribe. Seeking out new oils for every month was becoming a lot of work. By the time December came around, I was about to call it quits, but then one day I found myself staring at my French Lady candles (the packing has a vintage French lady painting and name on the lid), and felt this tug that I had already put so much effort into creating this product. I just couldn’t throw in the towel that early. So I decided to lift the “subscription” idea and take this other leap of faith and start selling them as stock candles. During that time, I had a local shop who wanted to carry my candles. It boosted my confidence and made me believe in the product more. Officially in February 2021, I launched it as a stock item with the option of

wholesale, but within a month, my candle pourer and I had to part ways. I scrambled, as I was just getting started, and I was selling out every launch. However, in that short span of time, I taught myself everything I needed to know about candle pouring and began pouring my own candles. I now have some help from a local college student (which feels like an investment into the future generation) . We keep chugging along here on this faith-train, again not thinking I would ever be making and selling candles. Now, I’m loving it, and wanting to grow this business into something special and unique in the candle market. Only God knows where it’ll all go, but I am excited for the journey.”

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| ol iv e & a m be r c andle | Fleur & Flame, Farmingdale, New Jersey Get ready to be transported. This season, we've collaborated with Deb Foglia of Seeking Lavender Lane and Fleur & Flame to bring you a handpoured, 4 wick luxury candle unlike any other. Its luscious scent with notes of woodsy olive and musky amber will make you think you've landed in Italy!

Reuse the copper container long after the candle is burned for toiletries and trinkets, or use it to add a decorative touch to open shelves.

Dimensions: 5.5" W x 2.5" H Retail: $38

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t h e r e ali ty o f en tr epr e n eu rsh ip...

I have clung on for 8 years to this blog journey.

During many of those years, I was not monetizing at all. I took the leap of faith 4 years ago and left my job. Many people in my blog circle thought I was killing it, but I was barely making anything from this “side hustle". I told my husband I needed to give it a try and he gave me 6 months to make my minimum to not have to “go back to work".

I had the opportunity to go on the Rachael Ray Show, Flea Market Flip, speak at multiple Country Living Fairs, yet I still wasn't monetizing the way I needed to be. I think when it comes to the business side of blogging, we are all on our own journey. Some of us are quicker learners than others, but my journey wasn't quick... I have had amazing opportunities and amazing friendships... but I'm still trying to figure it all out.

For a kid who had a dream to be an inventor one day, my entrepreneurial mind is set and creativity has a strong grip on me. I hope to one day be able to speak more about the journey, overcoming hurdles, not becoming an overnight success, and ulitmately staying true to my passions.

what 's up next for se e king lave nde r lane?

I have a lot of behind the scenes stuff happening. We are waiting for answers, so it's been a hard thing to speak about since we truly don't know if they will come to be. I like not knowing a bit about what's ahead, but I would love to one day bring my husband home from work to help with our brand,

bloom the fleur & flame line, and possibly launch something in print. We're thinking about writing a faith, family & food book, design book, or maybe developing a course. I am also working towards designing more products for home product companies and have my own curated lines that could bring more European style to the market.

We will see what the next few months bring!

E U R O P E A N FA R M H O U S E A

B R I E F

P R I M E R

the e u ropea n farmhouse st yle The European Farmhouse look is a great mix of European treasures and Old World feels with the casual and simple lines of the Farmhouse style. I think finding great European antiques, textures, muted colors, and finishes that have been around for 1,000's of years. I love warm and cozy and I think having finishes like copper, pottery, and earth

U S E

tones will bring that fall feel to the European style. Using dried flowers is also something the European showcase a lot of and of course the smells of fall with a great candle burning with European scent. The two I brought to the “From Susie" shop are with oils that were of European descent. Olive and Fig being two that I think of as Mediterranean fragrances.

Y O U R

S E N S E S

true patinas, weathered woods, authentic finishes,

SIGHT

muted color, copper, simple lines, european antiques,

SOUND

a g r e at p l ay l i s t c om p le t e l y t r a n s f o r m s t h e at m o s p h e r e i n a r o om . m y p e r s o n al f av o r i t e al w ay s includes french music.

SCENT

there is nothing more mediterranean and tranportative than the smell of fig + olive natural o i l s i n a c a nd le o r t h e d i f f u s e r.

TOUCH

textures should be comfortable and varied. I like to use cashmere, linen, rattan and wovens.

TASTE

no gathering is complete without incredible foodfor my big italian family, we love an italian meal complete with charcuterie + basil gelato!

baskets, dried flowers + tons of pottery!

A. BLACK Egyptian Ceramic Vessel A

B. BRASS Desk Clock

B

C. AMBER Apothecary Glass C

D. COPPER Vintage Copper D

Pot

E

E. WARM WOODS European Bread Boards

F

F. DRIED FLOWERS Floral Bundle

G

G. COZY TEXTURES Ta s s l e d T h r o w

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In partnership with

S E E K I N G L AV E N D E R L A N E a curated

line of european

inspired goods,

that capture the imagination.

Now available at shopfromsusie.com

t h e

E U RO P EA N

fA r m h o us e c o l l e c t i o n

now through October 8th,

take 10% off your first candle order of fleur & flame with code [SUSIE10]

shop small | shop local | shopfromsusie.com

| han dm a de f oots tool | 8FD, Decatur, Texas Made by hand in Texas by one of our favorite makers, this charming little footstool is the ideal marriage of form meets function. We believe you can never have enough pedestals! Use it as a perch to keep your favorite bathing accessories within easy reach. Whether it's one of our luxe towels or a glass of wine, this stool is the perfect component to create the spa bathroom you’ve always wanted.

Consider using it to prop up a plant, a candle or pair it with the Ever Tray and place it on the counter to hold your hygiene essentials. The possibilities are endless!

Care: Wipe gently with a damp cloth.

Dimensions: 10" Square x 6" H Retail: $40

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T he HayWoo d Bath

SERENE SURROUNDS w e pa r t n e r e d w i th 3-d ay b lind s to give t h i s s pa c i o u s m aster ensu ite a smart n e w lo o k i n s h a des of gray

T he HayWoo d Bath

A P E AC E F U L PA L E T T E

OR IGA MI WH ITE

LA ZY G R A Y

f e e l | Calm, Serene, Cool

g c | JMG Remodeling

f i x t u r e s + f i n i s h e s | Brushed Nickel p a i n t | Sherwin Williams Lazy Gray + Origami W hite

pro tip: Don’t start construction on your home without having plumbing and electrical fixtures in hand. we are seeing delays of at least 16 weeks for special order items.

S H A D E S O F G R AY My clients wanted to update their bathroom but with cool blues and grays. I was commissioned to stay away from green and brown tones, to expand the master closet, and to utilize marble instead of the popular quartz for the stone surfaces. A large shower was a must-have and a jetted, drop in tub that the clients had already selected would need to be incorporated.

I went to work right away on the color palette. For this particular bathroom we chose Sherwin Williams Lazy Gray for the trim and cabinetry, and Origami White for the walls.

Origami White was the perfect white for this room, in my opinion, because it has no warm undertones. You won’t find a touch of cream or beige in this bathroom, and they wanted it that way!

Polished marble-look floor tiles with gray grout, and a combination of hexagon and glass tiles tied in the look perfectly. However, plumbing fixtures were a bit tricky.

My clients loved the Moen© line of plumbing fixtures, but their Brushed Nickel finish is hard to match with any other brand. We waited months for the tub spout, but we simply couldn’t go another direction. In the end, it was absolutely worth it as these fixtures are an added luxury to the already elevated space.

the

serene surrounds haywood

bath

103

S M A R T H O M E A U T O M AT I O N Custom cabinetry is where you’ll spend a lot of money in a remodel, but we needed creative storage solutions. I designed a custom corner tower cabinet with two pull down cabinets below a larger upper cabinet. Inside almost every drawer and door you’ll find outlets and USB ports. This is a wonderful solution to hide all of your toiletries and electric accessories and get them off the counter tops.

Speaking of countertops, we went with a popular 3cm marble called “Shadow Storm”.

However, my clients and I probably looked at 100 slabs before we found the two sister slabs that were just perfect.

One of our marble slabs had a spot in the stone that looked like an imperfection, but with clever measuring, we were able to cut the sinks out of that part of the slab. It really helps to work with a team of expert subcontractors to catch small details like this.

There was a happy accident in this bathroom and it turned out to be one of my favorite elements! Originally I designed sconces to be installed inside the wood panels that border the mirror. Our custom corner cabinet however, made this impossible. The doors could not open if we placed lighting that close to the cabinets, so the only option I could see was installing the sconces right on top of the mirrors. However, my contractor, Jose De Paz, did not appreciate the last minute change as cutting precision spaced holes into glass without cracking it is quite tedious! None the less, the crew delivered and I am just thrilled with the look. Not to mention that the mirrors now reflect the light back out which makes for an even brighter bathroom.

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designer tip: Be sure and check clearance of every cabinet door and drawer. If you’ve designed anything too close to a cabinet, you’ll want to make sure you account for the swing.

S H A D E S O F G R AY There’s a massive window in this bathroom with a beautiful view of the stately tree in the backyard. However, we still wanted some privacy so we opted for tinted glass and a motorized roller shade from 3Day Blinds. I’ve worked with 3Day Blinds in my own home and I love how the shade simply disappears when rolled up. The profile is so minimal and stream lined that it wouldn’t effect the look of the bathroom.

The clients chose a light woven fabric that coordinated beautifully with our color palette and provides that privacy we knew we needed. Please visit 3dayblinds.com/fromsusie to save 20% on custom window treatments! Our gift to you!

I’m doing more bathroom remodels than kitchens these days and each time I’m so tickled at how unique my clients are. Each project is a representation of who they are and what they like. It’s the most satisfying and rewarding part of being a designer; getting to deliver what was only a conception into an actual creation they will enjoy every single day.

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heke creative

created to create me e t h annah e be rly | pai n t er , r esi n art i st + jewelry-maker

I believe I was created to create. I have my degree in fine arts and am an oil painter at heart. I've tried my hands at many creative mediums, but clay and resin have touched my heart. I started my business, HEKE Creative Tendency in 2019 and I absolutely love where it is taking me.

HEKE Creative Tendency, my business name, comes from my initials and the fact that I have an innate tendency to create on a daily basis. On a typical day, I am able to work and create. I am a stay-at-homemom. I love that I have the opportunity to be at home with my young kids and still work a creative job. I have a few hours a day to sit down and create during my kid's nap time and bedtime.

I love putting my HEKE jewelry on everyday. When I put it on, I feel confident, I feel creative, I feel feminine. This is what I want for my customers. I love that I can help other women feel strong in who they are when they clasp on an earring or necklace.

In my 29 years, I've never before felt as close to women as I am now. This female closeness is essential, to me. As a business owner who provides goods to women everyday, I have the opportunity to infuse a dose of strength, confidence and feminity into their day and life. I absolutely hold this so near and dear to my heart. The community I've seen grow over the past few years is so incredible to be a part of. I especially enjoy meeting other local women business owners and encouraging and lifting them up. I really value giving proceeds of special collections to women owned businesses with a strong message or to groups of women in need.

There is another category of HEKE Creative Tendency other than jewelry. Resin catch all trays were created out of a need of my own! I feel peaceful, available, and joyful when I have a clean and curated home space. My resin trays have helped me feel all of these things! I too hope that customers can feel this when placing a few trays around their home or office.

I'm excited everyday to sit down and create jewelry and a few items for around the house and it's so fulfilling for you to be a part of my creative story and journey.

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| ev er t r ay | HEKE Creative Tendency; York, Pennsylvania The lightweight “Ever” tray is handmade by jewelry-maker, Hannah Eberly. The mediums she used to create this oval tray are resin, clay and pigment, which she also uses to create her unique accessories.

This versatile tray can be used as a soap dish in the bath, a station for pot scrubbers and dish detergent or a display for your favorite earrings. Use it by the tub to keep your jewelry safe while relaxing. We love it for it's durability and versatility, and think you'll find it’s a perfect fit for anywhere in your home.

Care: This tray should be hand washed and should not be placed in an oven or microwave. The trays can be subject to warping if left in high heat areas. If this occurs, they may be placed on a flat surface and will go back to their original shape after about an hour.

Dimensions: 14” L Retail: $38

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Three years ago, I bought a shop.

It was a risky move. As a single mom, I wasn’t sure what would come of it. Would all of the work and effort amount to something greater?

In spite of those doubts, I kept building. Brick by brick and room by room, I have watched it blossom into something beautiful, meaningful and purposeful.

I am smack-dab in the middle of a season of joy. It is my prayer that every encounter you have here would inspire and encourage you, and gently nudge you forward.

I’m forever grateful for your love and support. You have made this journey so worthwhile. I have so much to share with you in our final issue of 2021, including our destination wedding in Hawaii. I can't wait to share it all with you, be sure and stay tuned!

xo, Susie

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