We all know how it goes. After a long day you come home, run in the door with your arms full, plop the mail on the counter amidst your keys, notebooks, magazines, and scrap pieces of a napkins with your upcoming appointments jotted on them. Ok maybe you’re not that bad, but we all know it can be tough to stay organized with all of life’s little details. But I have the perfect solution! Here are the things you need…

1. Bulletin Board: this is where you can pin everything upcoming; for example, concert tickets or a wedding invitation. 2. Calendar: you can write your upcoming appointments and events here. 3. Box or wall pockets: In one you can place any “to be paid” bills or anything important you need to handle. In another, place your magazines and notebooks. 4. Chalk Board: this is where you can jot notes or things you need to pick up.

You are so close to being organized! The Container Store, Ikea, and your favorite home stores have great organization options just like this. And they are stylish too! My personal favorite are these wall pieces from Pottery Barn (which come a la carte). No matter what you choose, you are on your way to staying organized!

xoxo Lindye Galloway Events

If you are anything like me, you need your essentials by the door. You know, those items you leave with every day: keys, purse, and favorite jacket. And if you are really like me, those things end up in a sloppy bundle on the floor by the door. So it’s time to give those essentials a spot of their own… in style! I love these hooks that bring practicality and design to any wall by the door. Put a few individual hooks up, or even a row! Check out your favorite home stores to find one in your style. Here are some of my favorites from Pottery Barn and Anthropologie, both priced well under $50!

xoxo Lindye Galloway Events

Oh fresh flowers…the varying colors, types, textures and smells! And let’s be honest, don’t they just make you smile?! I absolutely love fresh flowers and think they also add a touch of fresh design to your home. Go find a vase that matches your home and pick up some gorgeous flowers. Put the two together and voila! Put these flowers at your entry, in your kitchen, create a centerpiece for your table, or even plop a few in your bathroom. Make them big or small, elaborate or even simple. Change them out every week or two for varying looks and ultimate freshness!

Experience is defined as “knowledge or skill gained through being involved in or exposed to something over a period of time.”

We all recognize the value of a learned skill that can be applied efficiently and effectively to new situations.  However, sometimes a “lack of experience” can bring a fresh perspective.

This is a lesson that Peter Gruber learned when filming the movie “Gorillas In The Mist.”  They were trying to film a movie with 200 live animals.  The “experienced” method of write/film/edit was not working because the wild animals refused to follow the script.  That is when a young, inexperienced intern said, “What if you let the gorillas write the story?”  So they tried a new approach of film/write/edit.  They came back with phenomenal footage, wrote the script around it and shot the film for $20 million – half of the original budget.

As we build Trumark Homes we are blending the valuable experience of long time industry veterans with the fresh perspective of leaders from outside of home building and some young leaders who “lack experience”, but bring new ideas.  We are the new generation of home builders.

Happy New Year! I hope you have made your resolutions, and that you haven’t quit yet If you don’t already have it on your list, let’s make decorating your house (or even just one room) another resolution! This is the time to keep making your beautiful house a home! And of course we will be here for you!

Today we bring more design inspiration for under $50… unique shelving! Who said shelves just have to be practical? Well yes, shelves are practical to display your trinkets or other items, but they can be a piece of art too. Check out these fun, unique, and stylish shelves… then make your own! And you might find that you already have these items in your house, or something else that could work too. Get creative!

books as shelves…

shelves created out of wine crates…

skateboard shelves… perfect for a boy’s room!

xoxo Lindye Galloway Events

Happy New Year!! As we get ready for the start of another fabulous year, we wanted to bring a little new years celebration inspiration. And yes, this includes tinsel, party hats, and disco balls. YES, disco balls! Who would’ve thought, right? This is a table that I recently designed. You can do this entire table for a little get together  (or even just two of you) for under $50 (probably with some dollars to spare!). One tip before you go shopping: see what you already have to work with! You likely already have tableware, so you won’t need much.

This table is set with modern tableware, complete with tons of tinsel running down the center and gold sequined wrapped candles nestled in it’s midst. Suspended above the table are five disco balls, catching the glimmer of the fun decor around. Go ahead, take a peek at this new years inspiration, and be inspired! May 2012 be full of a lot of hopes, dreams and sparkle for you!

xoxo Lindye Galloway Events

Photos by Mark Brooke Photographers

For more photos and inspiration, go to my blog!

I love headboards! I think a good headboard can accent a room, bring definition to the bed, and bring the perfect amount of flare to an otherwise boring bed. But let’s be honest, headboards or even full beds for that matter can get really pricey. But don’t worry, I have the perfect creative solution for under $50! You CAN have a cool headboard without breaking the bank. These headboard decals are so unique, creative, cute, and a whole lot of fun! Perfect to accent any bedroom that needs some character. And for a kid’s room, order a decal in a pop of color! You can get these little lovelies on many stores online including Urban Outfitters, Etsy, and Amazon. Go pick your favorite…

xoxo Lindye Galloway Events

At a Trumark community, what you see is what it is! You will never find a “plug” on the community’s topography table.

There is a little, dirty secret in the new home sales world called “plugs.” It happens in the sales offices. It is the practice of placing a “sold” or “reservation” button over a lot on the neighborhood topography table even though the home is not sold or reserved. We think the idea is to give the impression that “the neighborhood is selling well, so you better not delay your buying decision.”

However, it does feel inauthentic to us. It seems to blur the lines of trust in the relationship. At Trumark, we desire to have a relationship of trust, transparency and authenticity with you – the homebuyer.
Sold means sold. No plugs allowed. This is our promise to you, the home shopper.

It’s time… pull out that shoebox of pictures! Pick out your favorite ones, and let’s put them on your wall. Today is all about artistically displaying photos in frames in your house! My latest obsession is a wall full of frames. Frames in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Frames that compliment one another and create art in itself. My favorite places in the house for this is the entry, a hall, or the wall up the staircase. But you can of course extend it to the room of your choice: kitchen, bedroom, or even a bathroom. I like to snuggle frames close together, but you could also go for a more simple look and space them neatly next to one another. My big tip with this little project is to intermix personal photos with art. So, get started by gathering some photos, art and of course fun frames. Ikea has great frames for great prices. You can do your whole wall for $50!

xoxo Lindye Galloway Events

Every couch needs some cozy, wouldn’t you agree? All you need is pillows and blankets. I know, so simple! By just adding some fun pillows and warm blankets to your couch, you can increase your couch’s style and comfort. HomeGoods is my favorite spot for these goodies. They keep it stylish and budget friendly. I have a couple tips before you set out to gather your new cozy… 1. If you have a neutral couch, add some color and pattern through the pillows. But if you have a patterned or colorful couch, find yourself some neutral items. 2. Get a couple blankets that work for different weather climates. Furry and thick for chilly days and thin blankets when you just want a light comfort. 3. Try mixing different textures, shades of colors, and shapes of pillows. Just be sure they all compliment one another. Now, go cozy up your couch!

and here is the perfect storage solution for those extra pillows and blankets…

xoxo Lindye Galloway Events