Free Giveaway for Local Realtors

I am sponsoring a FREE GIVEAWAY for local realtors (The Woodlands, northern Houston vicinity) who become followers of my blog in the month of January! A FREE PHOTO SESSION with a professional real estate photographer for one of your properties. Cathi Taraboi, of Cathi Taraboi Photography in The Woodlands will provide a photo shoot up to one hour, up to 32 photos, a virtual tour slide show of all photos set to music, and a link to upload your virtual tour to HAR. A hi-res file of photos for flyers and a lo-res file for internet upload use is also included. A $150 value!

I've included some of the photos she's done of my projects as an example of her work!

A teen suite bedroom close-up.

Kitchen Remodel

Powder Bath Remodel


Kitchen Remodel

Powder Bath Remodel Close Up

Kitchen Remodel

Master Bath Remodel

Here's how to sign up!

Become a follower with either networked blogs on Facebook or Google Friend Connect. Then e-mail me and let me know you are a follower! carla@astondesignstudio.com

You will be entered to win this fantastic giveaway to help sell one of your properties fast! You must sign up during the month of January to be eligible. Winner will be notified on February 1, 2011 and after your photo shoot, your photos will be featured on my blog and Cathi Taraboi's FB page. You must take advantage of this win within the months of February and March 2011, property size limited to 3800 s.f.

Good Luck!

Christmas Trees

Christmas is around the corner and I love to take a look back at some of the beautiful Christmas trees published in my stash of design magazines in years past. The one above is one of my all time favorites. From Southern Accents 2006, a tree by Ray Jordan. The paneling and red curtains just frame it beautifully!

Also from Southern Accents 2006, this quietly adorned tree sparkles in the corner of the room. I love the turquoise ribbon!

Nothing says Christmas like red! Southern Accents 2007, Barry Hutner

This tree is so creative with copper tubing, glass ornaments, and fresh flowers. Designed by Billy Milner, Veranda 2008

A Christmas tree by the beach from Traditional Home 2008.

I love this children's tree Tobi Fairley published this year on her blog. So cute with the sock monkeys and bright color!


What fun!


Having lived in Australia for two years, there's nothing like Christmas in the summer. You just don't feel like red velvet and lots of heavy greenery. This tree from Anna Spiro's shop, Black and Spiro in Brisbane, Australia, was created by Brisbane artist Sue Ching Lascelles. Fresh, bright, and inventive! Her blog, Absolutely Beautiful Things describes this tree.


Cute little critters running up the tree!


Another Southern Accents tree, December 2005.....stunning!

Bathroom Remodel Progress

We are making progress on this master bath remodel and I'm so pleased with how it's turning out! The limestone tile is in and I love the natural texture and random variation on the floor.


Here is my design sketch and how it will look when finished. A short wall was constructed along the back for wall mount plumbing and a ledge for bathing items. Limestone tile wraps up the short wall from the floor and a limestone counter will be installed this week on the ledge. A smooth, creamy soft wall surface with all mouldings same color as the wall will envelope the space and in the middle of all this will sit a gorgeous solid surface soaking tub.



Beautiful, creamy white smooth tub to sit on top of all that texture. It's a subtle difference in textures that is the key design element throughout this house and in the bathroom.


Here's what we started with! It had good bones....a lovely arched ceiling, nice window, ample space, etc., it just had some bad applied details. The columns that support nothing, the mauve pink walls paired with a yellowed cultured marble tub surround, and the chunky applied moulding destroyed the space. Very bland and just....wrong.

Demo....yea! Get that stuff out of there!

Short wall is built, plumbing stubbed in, walls primed, tile begun. You can see the feel of the room changing. The ceiling feels higher with no moulding and the curve of the ceiling really softens the room and envelopes the space.

Here we are today. Can't wait for the limestone counter to arrive and then paint. House Beautiful here I come! :)