Homes, like people, come in all shapes and sizes, colors and styles. But most importantly, it's what's on the inside that counts. (Of course, exterior finishes and landscaping help with the curb appeal, like knowing what clothing colors look best with one's complexion.)

This current project is a home just over 8500 square feet. That's pretty big, by most standards. But when you have lots of children, and own your own business, the Not So Big House is just not going to work out.

As you can see, we are starting from scratch on this project; everything from the shingles to the sheets. That means most everything will be new to this home. So we must ask ourselves, "How does one make a large, new home into a home with the comforts and coziness of something old-world?"

Well, keep an eye on this page, and we will show you how this story unfolds.


This is a large home, but it's difficult to see that from the front. The basement is not visible from the road, which will allow for this home to be more understated than others with its square footage. Very tasteful, I must say.

Chelsea Morning is fortunate to have its home base in the in-town Atlanta neighborhood of Lake Claire. Situated under the shade of giant oaks, between the fragrant gardenias, and surrounded by neighbors young and old who have life sparkling in both eyes. Yes, I am lucky to have found this place.

In my appreciation of its welcoming arms, I have volunteered to run the Lake Claire Home and Garden Tour. This year will be its revival, after having a six year hibernation, so it takes an extra amount of "Let's Go!" than years past. Lucky for me, we immediately had several volunteers pop up to turn this event into a happening. And boy, talk about getting stuff done! These people are some of the brightest and best around, and they are ALL my Lake Claire neighbors! All of these hard working, nose-to-the-ground, creative people live within my proud little community where hippies and lawyers, filmmakers and nurses, musicians and doctors all come together to live and be happy.

So Saturday, October 2, 2010, from 1-6pm is our Lake Claire Home and Garden Tour. This event is NOT to be missed, let me tell you. Let us inspire you with our modest homes, eccentric gardens and the spirit of a community that blooms even more fervently than our dogwood-lined streets.

For more information, visit:

www.lakeclairehometour.com

Have you ever had the problem where you buy a new piece of clothing, and when you bring it home, you quickly realize that there is no room in your closet to put another thing? Do you get a daily workout from pushing aside all of your clothing to get to a shirt that is sandwiched too tightly between the rest of your clothes? Do you have troubles sleeping at night because your clothes are peeking out at you from the dresser drawers because there is no room at the inn? Well, you are not alone.



This is a picture of the innards of a closet that was having similar problems. This person's closet needed cleaning out because she had lost weight, needed new clothes, but had no room for them in her closet.

This closet belongs to one of the sweetest people on the planet, my husband's "Grandmommy." She is a North Carolinian, born and raised on a tobacco farm. She knows the meaning of hard work and simple pleasures. She raised two girls to be successful and happy woman, and cherishes her grandchildren, their wives, and her great-granddogs. She speaks with a sweet southern lilt that could not be imitated by even the most talented of linguists. She exemplifies Southern Belle, only not in that gross, two-faced way that so many of us know about these days, but just an honest to goodness do-gooder. When she is not quilting with her sisters or making her famous corn pudding, you could find her tending to her handsome husband, who she married at age 78, after both of their spouses had passed away. And if you don't think that is cute, well then, let me give you a picture of her surrounded by her lovely daughters who would do anything for their cherished mother!



So anyway, back to the closet. After hours of coaxing and trying on, we eliminated more that half of the clothes in her closet and sent them to the Salvation Army, so they could find a new home for people who need them.

Grandmommy has been experiencing back troubles lately, so would probably have not been able to do this on her own. So her interior-designer-daughter, Melanie (another "WE" - see below) and I pulled everything out that did not belong, inventoried the belongings for tax purposes, and hauled it to Salvation Army. It was a days worth of work, but now our Grandmommmy is the proud owner of a perfectly organized closet with room to grow (her wardrobe, that is).

In other news, it was one of many closets in this sweet couple's North Carolina home. So stay tuned!