Jack's Firefighter Bedroom

I have to admit that although I truly do enjoy designing all kinds of spaces, I hold a special love for nurseries and kids rooms.  I suppose it's because it often begins with a special dream; a vision.  A few years ago while working on a whole house project, I was asked to design a bedroom for my clients' 6 year old boy, Jack.  This is a boy that after wearing a uniform all day at his private school, would swiftly change into another "uniform" of sorts, that being the closest thing his Mother could recreate to resemble that of a Firefighter/Paramedic uniform. She even had special badges made for him.  Jack and I have become forever friends, and due to his passion for Firefighters, I was given the privilege and the challenge of creating a room that could fulfill his dream, but also be respectful of this incredible profession.

I was adamant that this room would not be "childlike." I wanted to pay respect and hopefully give Jack the room he could love and enjoy for many years.  I hoped to create something that would not be too cute. My first thought was to try and find authentic pieces to incorporate into the design. I always knew I would add color, lockers, signs, etc...What could I add that was unique? I decided to start searching on Craigslist.  I was looking for any type of old Firefighter items. Within a day or so, I found a post about some old Firefighter boots.  I was intrigued.  I got a response from a man that became the most integral part of this project.  The boots belonged to his departed Father, and after he and his siblings had gone through all of his personal belongings from his years of service, they decided to share a few special items to someone that might really appreciate them.  He loved my story of the boy that was enamored with anything and all Firefighter related, and thought this would be the perfect fit.  We met, and as they say, the rest is history. He was so impressed by Jack's passion that he donated the boots, turn out gear, old brass fire extinguishers, a lamp that sat on his father's desk for years, badges, tie clips, patches, tools, and a most treasured helmet. I really wanted to find a fire hose to incorporate into the room, and a local firehouse came to the rescue.  My handyman created the ultimate holder for it.  I had window treatments made, and bedding with a custom logo including Jack's name.  One of the favorite additions was the fire pole that Jack quickly learned made for a better way to get out of bed.  Words can never express how grateful we all are at the generosity of this man and his family.  This room is loved and cherished by a wonderful young boy, but most importantly, the special items have been given a new life.

Never underestimate dreams...Sometimes with a little help and God's will, special things can happen.

Thanks for visiting!

The more I know people, the more I love my dogs.

When I decided to start this blog, I vowed that I would share more than just design posts.  I hope to give you an insight of how life truly is "At Home With Veronique."  I simply want to share things that bring me and my family joy, in turn sharing bits of my life that have enhanced my journey, one of those being my dogs.

Our current dog, Jack.

And of course little Maddie.

Napoleon, Bonaparte, and Sarge, all childhood dogs. A beautiful buff Cocker Spaniel and two amazing German Shepherds.  "The more I know people, the more I love my dogs."  A quote directly from my Father.  Funny how after over 20 years of his passing, I can still hear him utter those words.  I suppose he just felt such comfort from his dogs; no conflict, no challenge.  Pure love, respect and dedication.  Why can't it always be the case with humans?  The love of a dog is of the purest kind; unconditional.  Think of all the incredible stories we hear of Veterans being reunited with their military service dogs months and years after their completed service.  The bond is forever, the memories set in stone, and the love and connection eternally embedded in the hearts of both.  I never tire of those stories.  Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

With the exception of only a couple of dogs, we have always turned to "rescues."  The others were special situations that although not through rescue groups, there was a reason they entered our lives.  More recent gifts from rescue groups were Reggie and Allie.  Reggie, 115 lbs of beautiful English black lab, age 4-5 when he joined our family, was listed as needing a strong male figure.  That certainly was fulfilled with my husband.  We saved him, but in the end, he saved us.  We lost him recently at the estimated age of 12.  Allie, a beautiful female Airedale. What a joy and gift she was.  Having lost her elderly owner, she was in need of love and a family.  In the short 1 1/2 years she was a part of our lives, she gave us more love and laughs than I could ever express.

Allie. Gone way too soon.

Reggie

Reggie's last days...

Jack and Allie

I simply cannot imagine my life without dogs in it.  I now have grandchildren, and it is my hope and desire that they learn the value and respect having these creatures share their lives.  Fear not the crazy jumping due to you carrying in a new stuffed toy or colorful cup.  Let alone bring in a new ball into the mix.  Or the intense and incessant need of that last singular puff left in the highchair.  He/she will protect you to a fault.  I promise you that.  Don't lose your marbles because they bark at pretty much anything, including all those crazy commercials on tv that insist on using doorbells in their advertisements.  Or that pesky little squirrel that they are certain they could catch if only the window was not keeping them from the attack.  Or those people that drive in big brown trucks and deliver boxes to our front doors.  Let it go!

Sadly, they don't usually live as long as we need them to.  Oh, the pain of dealing with the loss of our dogs.  It simply never gets easier.  When you lose a dog, you lose a certain constant in your life that you never quite realized was holding you up.  You realize how important it is to love everything the way a dog loves you, but you learn it just a few minutes too late.  Whether the loss is of natural causes, a tragic accident, or an unexplainable illness, the pain is always crippling.  It eases with time, but the memories never waver.  As a matter of fact, those memories often are accompanied by smiles and wonderful stories, eventually.

As I remember the many dogs that have given me the privilege to share their lives with me, I have visions that they are all up there romping around to their hearts content.  Napoleon, Bonaparte, Sarge, Spencer, Lester, Bailey, Emily, Molly, Sarah, Reggie and Allie, thanks for the memories.  I think I'll go take my dogs for a walk...

Thanks for visiting.

Veronique

What's for dinner?

As I continue sharing blogs about me, my work, family and food, you will learn that food is such a significant part of my life.  More specifically, cooking.  I have already mentioned that I am the daughter of a French Chef, and although not a chef, I gained such vast knowledge from him and most importantly he cultivated the fulfillment I get from sharing my love of cooking.

Although I believe my ship has sailed regarding ever doing a TV show for the Food Channel or HGTV, this blog is proving to be the next best thing.  I dreamed of that for years, and for my cooking show I would have focused on the basic comfort foods I was raised on, always adding personal touches about my heritage.  The reality about food, in my opinion, is that most people truly do enjoy the family favorites of their youth.  For me the first meal that always comes to mind, whether that was in my own childhood home, or dinner around my Grandmother's table in Belgium, is Roast Chicken, French fries (actually Belgian), homemade mayonnaise, and for dessert, cream puffs.

I do believe that if my children were asked, this would be one of the first meals requested after an extended period away from our dinner table.  I suppose there are a few little secrets to preparing the perfect roast chicken, but it honestly is one of the easiest things to make.  I will be sharing my recipes on my Pinterest page in the near future.

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There is nothing better than French Fries (frites) with the accompaniment of homemade mayonnaise; a staple in the Belgian household.  I believe a Belgian woman cannot marry unless she knows how to make frites and mayonnaise!  I have reversed the minds of many at my table who believed that ketchup was the only condiment for fries.  In Belgium you will still find small food vending stands that serve frites with a dollop of mayonnaise on top.  A nice cold Stella also works well with this meal. :-)

Cream puffs (choux a la creme) are probably my favorite dessert.  I have literally made thousands in my lifetime!  So simple and light, and of course topped off with melted Belgian chocolate. 
  
Remember that food is not just a means to fill our bellies, but a way to share and create lifetime memories.

Thanks for visiting!

Veronique

Miss Scarlett!

As any of my clients will attest to, I LOVE window treatments!  When I first learned I would be moving to the Atlanta area and reinventing and building my business in a new place, I feared I would only be doing "Scarlett O'Hara" draperies!  I couldn't get that picture out of my head of the old Carol Burnett skit with her coming down the grand staircase wearing a brass drapery rod on her shoulders and green velvet panels hanging upon her with large gold tassels tied at the waist.  Classic...

"I saw it in the winda and I just couldn't resist it!"

Fast forward five years... I actually have nothing against velvet draperies, as a matter of fact, sometimes they are the perfect fit!  These days most clients prefer a more simple or lighter look. Stationary panels made out of linens or blends, cottons, textures, raw silks, and of course a bit of pattern is always welcome.  Remember, I survived being a designer in the 80's and 90's so I did my share of swags and cascades, antique satins, ceiling to floor operable draperies, and embroidered sheers.  Those days are thankfully gone along with the accompanying hair dos of the day.

Drapery hardware has also become less fussy through the years.  Today I prefer using simple metal/iron rods, often black in color, but other finishes are used when complimenting existing fixtures.  Wood rods are also an option, but again much simpler finials are being used rather than the very large, ornate and carved selections of the past couple of decades.

Be it classic and traditional, contemporary or transitional, the look of stationary panels softens the windows and in my opinion completes the entire look and feel of the space.  I simply do not feel a room is complete without them.

Happy Easter!

I absolutely love holidays as you are quickly learning.  It gives me an excuse to design a new tablescape and share another memory with my family, and now with all who follow my blog.  But seriously, Easter means so much more to me, and at this time it is my hope that we stop and reflect the true meaning of the day.

Jesus paid the price for all our sins.  When we repent and believe in Him, we can change, and a better life begins. Easter stands for a second chance for us to choose to put things right; if we repent, and really believe, our record is polished clean.  Easter signals new beginnings; new growth, life, friendship, peace and giving.  The spirit of Easter is all about hope, love and joyful living.  If I could share my wish, it would be for all of us to live our lives as if everyday were Easter.

Now that my children are grown, I no longer make them Easter baskets, much to their dismay I am sure.  Now I have grandchildren to continue one of my silly little Easter traditions.  I started with my first child purely by accident including pretty girlie panties in her Easter basket.  I believe it simply was a trick for the beginning of potty training, but the tradition began that year.  The girls always looked forward to it, and although the boys thought it was kind of weird as they obviously preferred the peeps, they speak of it fondly today. Memories...

This years' Easter table was triggered by my discovery of the discounted lettuce plates almost three months ago.  I always buy 12 of everything whenever possible.  I had to go to three different stores to find my total, but I love them.  This sparked the entire look.  The dinner plates and bowls were also found at clearance with an additional 50% off! Orange napkins from a Thanksgiving years ago were folded to mimic bunny ears.  The placemats are actually from last year, but they fit the bill.  With a bit of imagination, I found the accent pieces here and there, used extra clay pots to house the fresh lettuce, and voila!  When one of my daughter's first saw it, she exclaimed, "Beatrix Potter!"  Not my intent, but I'll take it.

Rejoice in the spirit of Easter!

Thanks for visiting!

Veronique

Traditions...

As you will soon learn, I feel very strongly about creating memories.  More specifically, traditions.  This can come in many forms which I will share in future blogs.  I suppose I am a real "softy" at heart, although many people/clients seem to think I am so strong.  Beyond that positive, energetic business persona that I believe always comes across, lies such a home body who lives for the simple things in life.

One particular passion of mine will probably not come as a surprise.  I love table settings!  Yep,  something that entwines Design, Food and Family. Dishes, stemware, linens, centerpieces, flatware, flowers, candles, accessories, place cards, oh my!!!  Obviously I create special tablescapes for various holidays and seasons, but I strive to have my dining table look beautiful on a daily basis.  It can simply be beautiful placemats with compatible napkins tied in a knot and a casual center piece. Sticks from my yard in large clear vessels are setting the mood currently.  Whenever I am in any discount home store,  I leave no stone unturned in the clearance sections in hopes of unearthing interesting placements and napkins.  They certainly do not have to match, as a matter of fact they rarely do. I obviously can order any type of fabric, but I get such a thrill when I am in a discount fabric store and find just the right amount of yardage in the clearance bin to make that perfect tablecloth!

Easter is fast approaching, and I have been planning my Easter table for two months!  I am so excited about this years' design!  I found clearance/discontinued plates and bowls with an additional 50% off! Very discounted accent plates were found driving to three different stores to get the amount I needed.  They will fit the theme perfectly.  With my vast collection of linens, I am combining some that were used in very different looks.  It's all about re-inventing and having fun. I know that my family thinks I am a bit obsessed about this, but I believe if asked, they would say that they love what I create and look forward to what else can come out of this crazy brain of mine.  Most importantly I hope I am creating memories.  Traditions.  My two grown daughters are showing signs of inheriting this passion and it gives me great joy to see their unique creations.  After all, sitting around that dining table as a family enjoying a meal is one of the greatest blessings, and looking at a beautiful tablescape just makes it that much better! ;-)

These are photos of my last two Easter tablescapes. This years' will be posted on Easter!

Thanks for visiting!

Veronique

Why Mess With Perfection?

In honor of the first episode tonight of the final season of one of my all time favorite TV shows "Mad Men," I write this blog in hopes of keeping the classic dishes, (food, not women) of the 1960's alive.  Rick and I were watching a recorded episode of "Top Chef Masters" featuring two actors from the show (married) who were guests.  The theme of the episode is what prompted this post and what initiated my rant.  They shared that they are always asked to host and/or attend 1960's themed dinner parties, and they find the food of that time to be so boring.  WHAT?!?!?!?!?!? Classics like, Coq au Vin, Orange Duck, Beef Wellington, Veal Oscar, Steak Diane, etc....OMG!  The challenge was to take these classics and others, and reinvent them. Or as they say today, "deconstruct." Oh brother.... Why? Do we honestly need to see Veal cut into a diamond, the hollandaise sauce made into foam, and the asparagus shaped into some kind of flower standing on end?  I say NOT!  I certainly know that there are ways to individualize a dish, but today's chefs are going to the extreme.

Many of you know that I am the daughter of a "REAL" French Chef. (I have a feeling he is up in heaven helping me write this.)  I have never professed to be a chef, but I do believe that having been raised in the french restaurant business, I learned a thing or two.  I am simply a good cook.  I still love the classics that my Dad made, and I obviously have enjoyed experimenting with many different types of cuisine, but why mess with perfection?  Although I am an Interior Designer by Trade, I am passionate about cooking for family, friends, and now sharing all things related to HOME, one of course being food.  Via this blog, Pinterest, and my business Facebook Page, I will continue to post pictures of food from my kitchen, hopefully soon including recipes.

So tonight I'm making Chicken Curry.  Always a family winner.  It was one of my Dad's favorites......

Thanks for visiting!

Veronique