With Christmas just around the corner, we will be posting blogs with different ideas for decorating, party planning, hosting family and shopping tips. Pretty much just like a lot of other design blogs. So we’ve decided to get a little personal and talk about our own holiday traditions, wish lists and recipes. Kind of a “get to know us” series. After all, we are a group with different interests, tastes, and even decades (our ages)!

I’ve never really considered myself a girly-girl. I mean, I like girlish things, but I can handle getting dirty, locker room talk and I love me some NFL football. Even my taste in home decor tends to be more on the masculine side. What does any of that have to do with Christmas? Well, what I want for Christmas is something I never ever considered I would need, let alone want. Here’s a little backstory.  I recently moved into a new house- basically a production home that allowed for some customization. In the original plan, the Master Bathroom has a makeup vanity. I haven’t sat down to get ready for the day since junior high, literally last century. Now that I hit the big 5-0,  leaning over a counter propped on my elbows isn’t going to be as easy to do in a few years.

So what do I want for Christmas? A vanity stool. So, what’s so special about that? They’re are sold all over the place. You can even use a desk chair or bar stool. No biggie.  You would think I would have noticed on the plans that the only vanity stool that would work would have to be custom made. The counter is too high for a standard size vanity stool or chair. The center drawer is too low for a counter height barstool so there is no where for my legs to go. I’m gonna have to have one made. So, this thing I never thought I would want, or need, has become an obsession. It’s really easy to design for other people- I can think clearly because there is no emotional attachment involved.  Being a designer is a blessing and a curse when it comes to my own house. I have access to all  “To The Trade” items you see in fancy decor magazines. I want them all. But just like we mind our clients’ budgets, I have to mind my own.

With so many choices out there how do you narrow it down? I’ve gone through so many different options from an upholstered mini club chair to a sleek metal stool with a padded seat. But I still keep going back to this beauty. Custom lucite furniture is definitely a splurge. And the fabric? Of course I have fallen in love with a super pricey pattern. Ugh- where’s a bucket of cash when you need it?

So there you have it. I will now consider myself a girly-girl. I know this seems  materialistic when there is so much hurt and suffering everywhere. So Santa, you take care of the rest of the world, I’ll hint around to Matt. For now- I can sit on the floor to dry my hair.

Next up, I’ll share my family’s Christmas Dinner tradition- Beef Wellington. It’s not as difficult to make as Gordon Ramsey makes it out to be on Hell’s Kitchen.

What do you want for Christmas? Do you have a design dilemma, like me? We can help you create something unique for your home and solve that problem- and we’ll even put in a good word for Santa.

I’ll be back soon ~

Debbie Pratt

P.S. I am also on Instagram and Houzz if you want to follow me!