SO. If y'all remember right, I have a dear Cici (She's a bonus mom) and she lives in Georgia. She and RB have taken care of Drew and I since we were 22 years old. They sold us our first ever home. Then they took a pack of teenagers to that same house, circled it, and prayed over it, before we ever moved from Baltimore to Atlanta.
They have dropped food on our doorstep, taken us for our first-ever view of the Gulf of Mexico. They've been in the hospital every time Drew had a life-threatening catastrophe. They've prayed and cried with us through the angst of not getting pregnant. They've sat in the hospital while I was in labor. They've moved us a million times. We've all shared about 394 bowls of grits at Flying Biscuit. And 4,493 chips at Chili's. They have poured concrete and helped us design porches and decks and every other big renovation-dream you can think of. They've never stopped encouraging Drew in his calling and they've never ceased in pulling my dreams out of me.
RB's famous words: "Ash, what's your dream?". And Drew always got the same question. Every time we were all out to eat (weekly). Every time we were sitting around a bonfire. Every time we were up way too late in their living room: "What's your dream?".
I'll stop and take a minute to say, that if you don't have friends that ask you this question weekly, then try and find that next level with your friends. Or find new friends. RB and Cici are the type of friends that don't believe in stagnation. Not with personal spiritual walks, not with Drew's calling to be a pastor, and certainly not with passions and God-given creative talents.
Let me stop and say...that this is a like being in a pack of dreamers. Mostly RB and Drew (Holly you're in there too). Cici and I tend to be the "let's just get it done" girls (you too Kass). But dreaming is biblical. And wasting time isn't. RB and Cici are the type of people who want to see everyone succeed. There is no one quite like these two.
Anyway. It's an honor to decorate whenever they need someone to "play around the house". So during our leisure trip to Georgia, I got to play in their upstairs for a bit. And it's my love language so I'm usually hard-pressed not to do it. Prior to flying down, Cici, Kassie and I had FaceTime'd paint colors.
LIVING ROOM BEFORE:
KEEPING ROOM BEFORE:
AND here are the After photos!!!
LIVING ROOM AFTER:
Cici had also FaceTime'd from the store when she was picking out sofas. She loved this set and I completely agreed.
LIVING ROOM AFTER: This make-over really was a re-design. Most of the accessories I had helped her pick 2 years ago when we re-did her basement. We decided to use all those pieces this time. These lamps had already been updated 2 years ago when I painted them and found new shades.
LIVING ROOM AFTER: 2 years ago I had painted, aged and glazed this round table that was a family heirloom.
LIVING ROOM AFTER: 2 years ago I had also had Drew build Cici multiple pieces including the orchard ladder and TV table. We also re-used the home-made wreaths I had made her.
LIVING ROOM AFTER:
Drew's tv table is also filled with Cici's dad's books.
LIVING ROOM AFTER:
KEEPING ROOM AFTER:
Drew had made Cici this table 3-4 years ago. We also decided to paint the mantle. Drew had also made Cici this chalk board. The bookcase was hiding in the basement but we brought it up right away. I used Cici's family crocks to make centerpieces and we used simple architectural pieces to simplify the fireplace.
KEEPING ROOM AFTER:
KEEPING ROOM AFTER:
Cici found these copper bottles at an antique store. I love them! She has such a good eye!
KEEPING ROOM AFTER:
KEEPING ROOM AFTER:
KEEPING ROOM AFTER:
An eclectic mix of family heirloom chairs sit comfortably on a highly-durable grass rug. Cici and RB do have a grandbaby (and a bonus grand daughter). Durability and easy functionality is still the most important.
Love you two!
See y'all next time! We'll dream up something else to decorate during our next Atlanta visit (wink wink!)
XOXO Ashley