A sneak peek!

So I announced this week, we officially bought an 1800's log cabin (actually, we closed today). This was briefly mentioned a few posts ago that God slapped us upside the head with a new path to our next home building journey. The pic above is a small sneak peek of a beautiful door in the living room of the cabin. So cute! Now, I must say, this cabin is old, so it is what it is....but let me tell you I see straight through the "OLD" and into the "OMG"!! It is absolutely beautiful and I can see so much potential. So funny thing is, we were planning on building another house next year and even had started the plans when this little lady showed up. Like I said before, I was raised in a historic cabin and never imagined I'd repeat this story. But, as God has it, that's exactly what I'm doing. After long discussions and many visits to this cabin, Charlie and I decided to do this thing and work it into the houseplans. Come to find out...it will be perfect and we will incorporate her right in to our design. I am chomping at the bit because I can see it all now...my mind is full of ideas and I have all my furniture in place already. I look forward to sharing more details with you as this journey unfolds over the next couple years...it will be so neat!

PS-Hoping to dig up some dirt on this pretty lady too! How cool to hear who nested there. I even found some initials carved in one of the logs in the kitchen. So neat! Stay tuned!

Save the Date!

Hello! As most have heard now, we are proud to announce the Handmade Harvest Fall Festival this fall hosted by me and my friends/fam! So stinkin' excited! This is something the gals and I have envisioned for a couple years and we finally bit the bullet! It's coming together so nicely...lots of great arts/crafts/handmades, garden decor, funky junk, antique tractor show, horse-made ice cream, BBQ, cobbler in a cup, produce, eggs, honey, jewelry, antiques, live bluegrass music...and much more!! It will definately be a fun day for our sweet community of Bethpage, TN. Hope to see you all there!

Looking into the future...

When I saw this picture, I felt like God read my mind and placed this picture before my eyes! This bedroom is absolutely PERFECT! If I could create my dream room, this would be it! I love everything about it...colors, walls, ceiling, light fixture (come on!), bed, textures....EVERYTHING! Beautiful! So tranquil and inviting! I can so see this in my future! Had to share with my other fellow dreamers...enjoy!

Butterfly Kisses

Recently, while working on our land, the most precious butterfly befriended us. This little butterfly fluttered and teased us for over an hour. He was something! First, he kept messing with me and then on to Kipp. He chased Kipp like a game of tag...so special! Those who know me well know how much I LOVE butterflies and what they symbolize to me. Butterflies are quite amazing and always lift me when I'm weak. Of all the butterflies I've encountered, I've never seen one quite like this. His love for my family was too cute...he even gave me "butterfly kisses" right on the lips (no joke)! As we packed my truck back up to leave...he even flew in the window and landed on Kipp's shoulder on the 3rd row seats...as to say...you'll never reach me back here! As I stated before, this little guy was a character! Unfortunately, we had to chase him off and out of the car. I had to explain to Kipp the importance of enjoying God's gifts to us, but also the importance of letting them go. What a special day!

PS-Please enjoy this fabulous quote by Miss Maya....

We Delight in the Butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty---Maya Angelou

Home is where the heart is!

Over the last week, I've had so much to think about regarding our future home. To my surprise (as God likes to do things), a beautiful home idea slapped me up side the head. It still is a secret, but I'd like to speak on it a little anyway. Basically, I think God is working on me and my husband is a funny way. He has presented this idea to us that has totally thrown us off course of our future home plans. Who knows really, but it is a cool thought I'll explain more about later. Anyway, in the last 2 years, I've really come to see how badly I want my future home to 100% reflect who I am and what I stand for. I will never again "pretend" I am something I'm not...but I will take the gifts and passions God has given me and put them back into my life. Sorry to vent so much, but I just want folks to know you truly should make your home your haven, your retreat. I grew up in an amazing old log cabin and it was always such a happy home. I plan on repeating that same story for my son and making our home our loving nest. It doesn't matter the size, the price, the location...but simply what you make of those 4 walls. As the old saying goes...Home is where the heart is! That's absolutely right! When all the stresses of life in this world are outside waiting, close the door and enjoy the warmth and love of your sweet home! That's all for today....

It may just surprise you!

These are a few looks I've seen lately that really catch my eye! The Farmhouse Style is so pretty and soooooo me!! It's cool to combine old with new, distressed lines with clean lines and outdoors with indoors! That's what I love about this style...you can practically combine anything and mixing materials, finishes and random findings is quite fun! I encourage you to walk outside, hit up the garage or shed and bring something inside...it may just surprise you!

PS-these are not my own images, just references for style!

Oh dear!

Howdy! This week has been a tough week for me. I have not felt productive, BUT am feeling a comeback! I have some new ideas up my sleeve and looking forward to seeing where it leads me. Like the message above states...I really ought to do something! Hah, cute and so true!

Bloom where you are planted!

I absolutely LOVE flowers...this time of year is so sweet! My yard is in full bloom! I encourage everyone to take time and plant something beautiful in your garden! This year more than ever I have realized how blessed I truly am. We don't always understand where we are in life exactly, but trust that all things happen for a reason! And, no matter what the circumstance....bloom where you are planted!

A few of my favorite things....

These are a few of my favorite custom furniture pieces we've done....they are beautiful! We can do media cabinets, hutches, harvest tables, benches, hall trees, toy boxes, kids tables, jelly cabinets and much more. There are many options...door styles, colors, trim, etc! Pretty, pretty!

Summer Yard Stakes

Summer yard stakes (and more summer iron) coming soon...let me know your needs!

Westmoreland Flea Market-May 14th, 2011

Here are a few pictures from our booth at the Westmoreland Flea Market! We had a super cute booth. Furniture, iron, art by mary Ann Watson, hair accessories by Casey Dyer, photography by Cooper Photography, etc....it was very cute! Thanks for all the support and we look forward to seeing you all soon!

One crazy chicken...

After the weekend, I just had, I'm feeling like one crazy chicken! Busy, busy! I have decided to sell some things to make room for more things and try and get more organized too! That's the problem with loving design and funky junk...you can't stop! I'm always wanting to move things around. Looking forward to clearing out some things soon!

Inspiration

Lately, my creative juices have really been flowing and that makes me so happy! It never fails, when I seek God and design, I find inspiration! The picture above makes me feel this way too! One afternoon, Margaret (my dear friend and cousin) and I decided to shoot some of my iron pieces out in the little red house behind my house....this shot was so pretty! So simple and so sweet! I love moments like this!

Speaking of dreams...

Speaking of dreams...this is where I'd like to do mine....beautiful! Please note, this is not from my personal collection...only a reference. I think this is such a beautiful setting! Thought I'd share the look with you....

You've got to dream, right?

I am a big dreamer...in many ways! My dream is simple...I want to live a happy, healthy, long and peaceful life! I want simplicity...I want to raise my son on a farm like I was....I want to design....I want to raise sheep....I want to sell pretty things and make people smile...I want my home to be small and beautiful...I want to sit and drink coffee with my husband on our hill each morning....I want to live my DREAM! Dreams can come true!

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my new blog for J. Alexander Home!! I'm very excited to finally get this up and running and please bare with me while I straighten out the kinks. As most of you know, J. Alexander Home is my creative baby. I started this business several years ago due to my love for all things design, home, decor, garden, etc. It's my outlet! I sell custom designed furniture pieces, outdoor iron for the garden and home and other beautiful things along the way. Hope you'll come back from time to time and roost a while! If you haven't already please "Like" my facebook store page too! Thanks bunches and Happy Spring!

January