Patio Love Seat- the makeover

 Since moving into a larger home, we have lots of new space to fill. While Wes is still finishing school, we are still on a tight budget when it comes to decorating...or basically anything. We decided to go check out some garage sales in our area and see if we could find some affordable furniture and decor to put in our new home. 

We found a little old man selling some awesome frames and small tables. When we walked around we noticed a cute little wood table listed for $25. It was neat, but we didn't think we had a place for it. The man saw me eying it, so he told me it went with the sofa he was sitting on. I took one look at the sofa and thought it was gross. No chance! So we got in the car to drive away. As we were pulling out, I looked at the sofa one last time and I had an idea. We got back out and asked the man the price. He said $75. I must have made a questionable face because he said after that "Or just make me an offer". So we offered him $50 for the sofa and the little table to go with it. He took our offer! We were exciting. 

When we got home, Wes tossed out the nasty cushions and began hosing off the bench. He found 3 black widows living in it. Thank goodness he took the time to clean the thing. 

Next we cut off the goofy looking knobs on the top. They just weren't working for me!

Then Wes did a coat of primer, a coat of white spray paint as a base, then brushed a white gloss finish on it to make sure the coverage was perfect.

We are thrilled with the results. Since the cushions were shot, we had to find/make new ones. In my head I would have loved to make some fun bright teal cushions, but I am not talented in that area! So I went on the hunt and found the cushions and pillow backs from Walmart.  After adding 2 little lanterns {$4 from Pier 1} we have an adorable seating area on our back patio. We are excited to make a cozy sitting area out here, and we will be adding more accessories and some fun lighting as we go!

Bigggg Bed!

Last weekend I mentioned to Wes that I thought Camden was ready to graduate to a real bed. He had been sleeping on a crib mattress in his crib/toddler bed. He is such a big boy it just didn't seem comfortable anymore. 

His crib was convertible to a full size bed with a head and foot board. I was talking to my Mom about it and was asking her where the best place was to buy a full size mattress for Camden. She said, is there a reason it has to be a full? I said I guess it is not totally necessary, I just figured since we had the head board we should buy that size. Well she told me she had a queen size mattress and box spring in their storage unit and she was more than excited to lend it to Camden for his new bed. 

I was thrilled that we didn't have to go out and buy a bed. Those things are not cheap!! Since I love searching the internet for ideas, I had already been planning what bedding I wanted him to have for his big boy room. I fell in love with this one from West Elm.

Cute huh?!

Well it would cost around $110 before tax and shipping for me to buy the duvet and shams. Not sure I was ready to spend that much.

I decided to google "gray and white striped duvet". To my surprise I found an exact look alike from Target. And...the best part?! It was in stock at the Target 2 miles from our house. 

I was thrilled!! 

The cost was only $30 for the duvet plus it included the shams. We also had to buy a matching bed skirt for $15. But with my Target Red card I also saved an additional 5%, making this a perfect deal!!

We set his room all up and surprised him with the final result. He LOVED it!! He couldn't wait to go in to see his new "bigggg bed" as he calls it.

His first sight of the new bed.

Trying to decide his best approach for getting on this huge bed.

Yep, that technique works!

He looks so grown up on this bed!

This was his little happy dance for the bigggg bed!! 

I love his name on the wall, it used to be centered with his crib, we may have to move it to a different spot once we redecorate

Dada was getting too comfy. He has already fallen asleep in bed with Camden about 3 different times.

He calls this "under covers"

He is ready!

Thanks Papa and Gigi for my new bed!

Grayson can't believe his brother has a queen size bed at only 2 years old!!

Now we just have to decide on a design for a head board. We want to make him a padded head board like ours. It is a cheap way to make a big statement in a room. We also plan to put some new stuff on the walls. 

Can't wait to turn this room into a big kid room.

Mama's Favorites: Senior 2012

My Mom called me the other day and asked if I wanted to take a few senior pictures of my baby sister. I was really excited for a chance to use my camera and practice more with the manual setting. I have had this camera for years and I am just now learning more about how it works. Practicing with my sister was the perfect opportunity to use it. 

So yesterday my sister came over and I styled her from head to toe. I have always loved doing this with all of my sisters. I did her hair, makeup, and let her play dress up with all my clothes and jewelry. And since I am the nail polish queen I also did her nails! 

We headed out to a shopping center with some pretty neat back drops. While I started on her pictures, my other younger sister painted the #1 and #2 that we brought to use for props. Every senior needs their graduation year in a few pictures. I am so glad I thought to bring those, I think they made some pretty adorable pictures!!

Here are some of my favorites from yesterday. Let me know what you think!!!!

How adorable is she?!!!

Congrats Alicia on graduating from high school!! I can not believe my baby sister is all grown up!

Interior Designer

Here are a few little facts about me that you may not know. I am an interior designer by trade. I have a degree in interior design and I have been doing design for about 8 years. It started when I was 15 and I began working for my Dad at Villagio Tile & Stone.

I started out as a receptionist, but very quickly decided that design was what I wanted to do. I graduated high school when I was 17 and started right in to the interior design program at Scottsdale Community College. Their program for interior design is one of the best in the state, and they were one of only a few accredited colleges here in Arizona. I received my associates degree from them in 2 years, and went on to get a professional degree in my 3rd year. After finishing school I continued working for my Dad. I have done tile and stone design in multi-million dollar homes and worked with countless designers and custom home builders.

I love doing design for many reasons:


I love the challenge of working with a budget. I completely understand wanting a comfortable, beautiful home, but not spending every penny you have to achieve it.


I love working with what we have. If you have existing pieces in your home that can not be moved or replaced, then we work with that! I love the challenge of incorporating old and new. 

I love designing around your lifestyle. Everyone has a different idea of how they want their home to feel. If you have kids, you might want a home that is simple, easy to clean, and won't have to be replaced when one of your kids rides their bike through the house. If there is just two of you living in the home, and you love to entertain, then you may want your home to be elegant, as well as comfortable for you and your guests. If you have a love of animals and have countless pets running around, then you would want easy to clean surfaces, scratch resistant furniture, and floors that won't stain or show footprints. Design is all about you....what works for you, may not work for your neighbor.


When I was pregnant I had always planned on returning to work. I didn't know how much I would enjoy being a stay at home mom. Now that I am returning to work next week, I am very sad about not being with my son all the time. I am hoping that because I have such a history in the design world, (and I have this wonderful blog to get the word out), that I might be able to land a few interior design jobs on the side, in hopes that I may be able to do a lot more work from home. I have never owned my own business, and I don't know if this is even the right time with our economy to start up a design business. But I want to try!


I would love to hear your feedback! I don't have a lot of pictures of my past work, they are all on my work computer. Most of my work has been tile and stone, and I love to design with tile and stone, however that is not my only strength. I have a really good eye for color, and my ideas are endless. (Ask my poor husband who is constantly doing handy work around our house to accommodate my design ideas.) I would love to specialize in baby nurseries, bathroom remodels, and kitchen design...those are some of my favorites!

To get my portfolio started I want to offer my design services at a discounted rate. Wes and I are working on getting a website up and running, as well as writing up a contract agreement. If you know of anyone who is in need of an interior designer, or if you want to hire me, please email me at MoCherieDesigns@gmail.com

Please spread the word, and as soon as I have a few jobs, I promise to keep you posted on my work. Along with providing some before and after shots so you can see my designs.

It is my goal with design to give you a home that is inspired by you!



Thank you!!


Moriah