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Throw That Party! (And Don’t Let Pinterest-Pressure Stop You): The Home Hour, Episode 70 May 18, 2017

Show notes

Thinking of throwing a party? Just do it! (And don’t let Pinterest-Pressure stop you!)

On Episode 70 Graham and Kirsten chat with party planner, Traci Chandler, owner of Oh Sugar! Event Design & Paperie about all things party planning.

Here are some beautiful party pics to get you in the mood for hosting! (And so many more on her facebook page)!

Since all three of us are moms, we first had to ask Traci about Children’s Birthday Parties! Have things become too over the top when it comes to kid’s parties? (Spoiler Alert: Traci says we asked the wrong person and she never thinks anything is “too much”) But in all seriousness, Traci tells us that if we do go to one of those outlandish parties, just enjoy it and be grateful for the experience! Don’t feel pressure to compete with that party. Just do what you feel comfortable doing!

Traci tells us a great story about what happened when the local train-park party venue accidentally double-booked her date and she had to make her own train parade at home for her daughter.

DIY Trains ready to be decorated:

Neighborhood Train Parade!

Traci’s 4 steps to throwing a great party:

Step 1: Pick a theme. This is the jumping off point and will help you lay the groundwork everything that follows.

Step 2: Invitations. Traci is a fan of paper invitations because it sets the tone for a party and is almost like providing a little gift for your guests right from the beginning. She says that paper invites don’t need to cost a fortune and recommends Etsy, Minted, & Tiny Prints as some great resources for invitations.

Step 3: Decor! Traci admits that this is where the time is spent because every party is different and each space is different. You don’t have to go crazy, but put in a little extra effort to make the space look special.

STREAMERS= Always a good idea!

Step 4: Plan food, fun drinks, and activities

A Little Ice Cream Social

We talk about how Kirsten first discovered Traci’s business when she realized that the annual ice cream social fundraiser at her daughter’s preschool had suddenly become one of the best parties in town! Of course it turned out that Traci had been in charge of the event and had been using her expertise to make it incredible!

DIY Carnival Games from the last few Ice Cream Socials

We also discuss grown-up parties!

Traci gives us some great advice to just let the stress go! Don’t let Pinterest intimidate you into not hosting. Traci shares great tips about hosting adults with kids such as hiring a sitter and setting up a kids “bring a ...

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Should you hire an Interior Designer? The Home Hour Episode 69 May 12, 2017

Show notes

Design your home yourself? Or hire a pro? And what’s the difference between a designer, a decorator, and a stylist anyway? On this episode, Kirsten and Graham chat with Interior Designer Terra Mimikakis about all what it’s like to work with a professional.

We talk about trends in design and how Graham & Kirsten both have what they would call “traditional taste” but worry they may sometimes look outdated! We discuss how things like wall coverings, crazy paints, or unique pillows are easy to change out after a few years and can freshen up a room, keeping it from looking stale. However, more expensive pieces like furniture should be timeless.

We talk about what happens when a designer and a client don’t agree on what looks good! Terra explains how examining things on paper and in drawings to really see the ideas visually before committing with real dollars can usually prevent mistakes and disagreements. But sometimes, in the end, it comes down to finding the designer who you mesh with style-wise before the project even begins!

We also learn that Terra lives in a very cool part of town, very close to the airport. (Yes, we hear about five planes land and take off in our interview!)

If you want to see some beautiful interiors that will make your mouth water, be sure to visit Terra’s website Terra Mimikakis Designs!

We also discuss Graham and Kirsten’s exciting weekend trips (sans kiddos!)

Graham and her husband went to Austin, Texas with friends for a 40th Birthday. They did their part to “Keep Austin Weird” by visiting the “Cathedral of Junk!”

Meanwhile, Kirsten tagged along with her husband on a business trip to Florida. While he was working, Kirsten stayed busy scoping out great places for Graham & Kirsten’s future “Golden Girls” style retirement!

Palm Trees + Pink Walls = Kirsten’s favorite!

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Hosting a BIG Party: The Home Hour, Episode 68 May 04, 2017

Show notes

The More the Merrier? Or Too Much of a Good Thing? On this episode, Graham & Kirsten take entertaining to the next level as we discuss whether throwing a big blow-out party is really that much more work than hosting a small gathering? Kirsten just threw a backyard crawfish boil for 400 guests and we devote this episode to looking at what went right, what went wrong and whether or not she would to it again!

Links we mention:

Powder Cheese (to make mac & cheese for a crowd!)

Louisiana Crawfish Company

Catering from a grocery store deli

On Episode 68, we get down to the details about hosting large parties and Graham gets the scoop from Kirsten on how her party got so huge in the first place?

Crawfish Delivery!

We discuss why Kirsten chose to throw a crawfish boil, who was there to help her, how she entertained and fed the kids, and what was the surprisingly messiest part of the cleanup. We talk about how we both think differently than our spouses when it comes to what think makes a party great.

Graham and Kirsten also share some of their favorite hacks for feeding a crowd.

Kirsten’s not the only one entertaining this week (or killing crustaceans for that matter!) We also get to hear about the Graham’s latest event “Ladies who lunch” turned “Ladies who Lobstah!”

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Feng Shui…Beyond the Rooster: The Home Hour Episode 67 Apr 27, 2017

Show notes

Totally Crazy or Totally Genius? What is Feng Shui anyway? On this episode we dive deep into the simple truth at the heart of Feng Shui: Environment affects us!

On Episode 67 co-hosts Kirsten and Graham talk to Feng Shui consultant Katie Rogers about this ancient practice. Here are a few links we discussed during the show — and keep reading for interview highlights, DIY success, and more!

Links we mentioned in Episode 67

* Katies’ website is fantastic and it contains a wonderful list of reading materials. Be sure to check her blog for some great articles.

* Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter HC-172 is a go-to warm gray paint color(Katie likes it at 50%)

* The Western Guide to Feng Shui: Room by Room, by Terah Kathryn Collins

* My Overlays (Kirsten’s DIY obsession)

Interview with Katie Rogers

We learn how Katie accidentally discovered Feng Shui when she began her first job out of college and couldn’t stand working in a sea of gray cubicles and florescent lighting. She had the idea that perhaps she could go into companies and change the spaces to increase worker happiness and productivity.

As Katie began researching interior design, she came across a book by Terah Kathryn Collins and her love for Feng Shui was born! She started experimenting in her own home and in her friends’ homes and began to see results.

As Katie sees it, the bottom line is that your home reflects your life. The space that you spend time in is actually having a really profound effect on you.

There are general principles to Feng Shui, but it’s also really specific to the individual client. The process begins with trying to figure out what the client needs in their life. More peace? More order? More creativity?

Kirsten asks for advice with creating more peace and less chaos when the kids come home from school and Katie says we not only need to make sure there is a space for kids to put their stuff, but moms also have to make it really easy for our kids to put their things away (i.e. not on the other side of the house). There needs to be a natural flow, which is a core principle of Feng Shui.

Katie always looks at floor plans, whether the client is remodeling or not, to make sure there is good flow.

Kitchens represent health and prosperity. Decluttering a kitchen is crucial! Having a cluttered kitchen could be preventing you from cooking healthy.

Bedrooms are also very important in Feng Shui. You should have nothing underneath the bed! Your subconscious is never asleep so by having things under your bed, you are distracting yourself and preventing rest.

Katie talks about having visited houses of clients who were actual hoarders and how bad that amount of clutter is to a space. We learn that we need to be intentional about the things we have in our home. It doesn’t matter if something was expensive or given to you for a wedding gift, if you don’t like it,

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Welcome to our Kitchens: The Home Hour, Episode 66 Apr 18, 2017

Show notes

In this first episode of the newly relaunched Home Hour, Kirsten and Graham welcome listeners into the room that is truly the heart of every home: the kitchen!

Kitchens are a big topic! In this episode, we explain what OUR kitchens are like, and how they may be similar or different from yours, our listeners.

Kirsten completely rebuilt her kitchen three years ago. Graham’s kitchen is still exactly the same as the day she moved in, but she is on the verge of a whole remodel. On this episode, Kirsten shares all she did right and what she would do differently when it comes to kitchens. Meanwhile Graham looks for answers about countertops, appliances, and how to add unique touches and beauty to a room that serves such a utilitarian needs in the house!

Some quirky touches in Kirsten’s kitchen:

Getting Gracious with Graham!

In this week’s monthly recurring segment, Graham shared some fun facts about the history of napkin rings.

Products we talked about on this episode:

Earthquake Handles from Signature Hardware on Kirsten’s Fridge

Copper & Brass Pendant Lights from Big Ship Salvage above Kirsten’s Island

Thanks for listening, friends!

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Meet The New Hosts! The Home Hour, Episode 65 Apr 10, 2017

Show notes

We’re BACK — and we’ve got big news! The Home Hour is relaunching with renewed focus on all things home: design, DIY, and gracious living. Co-hosts Kirsten Dunlap and Graham Smith have been busy behind the scenes preparing amazing shows, lining up interviews with experts in the home design/decor sphere, and freshening up this space with a brand new look and feel.

In Episode 65 you’ll hear Meagan Francis, the podcast’s original host and founder of the Life, Listened Podcast Network, chat with her good friend Sarah Powers (of The Mom Hour) about the changes to The Home Hour and the growth of the network. Then Sarah interviews Kirsten and Graham to find out some of their favorite home projects, what they have planned for their first few episodes, and how they handle common organizational challenges around the house.

Welcome, Kirsten and Graham. Welcome, new (and longtime!) listeners. Welcome back, The Home Hour!

Look for The Home Hour wherever you hang out online!

* Subscribe to The Home Hour in iTunes or on Android devices

* Follow @TheHomeHour on Instagram or like our Facebook page

* Send an email to welcome Kirsten and Graham to hello@thehomehour.com (or leave a comment here on the show notes!)

* Read the new hosts’ bios on this page

Products we mentioned in Episode 66

* The IKEA hack Kirsten uses for wrapping paper storage

* The elfa mesh drawers Sarah uses for gift wrap storage

Thanks for listening, everyone! Welcome home.

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