my flower sculpture obsession

On my family's recent trek to DisneyWorld, we visited Epcot.  And, to my delightful surprise - Epcot had their annual flower show going on, which also included numerous Characters in Bloom!  "Hidden" in the gardens throughout Epcot were these magical Disney characters created out of floribunda.  And, quite honesty, some were so fantastic that I had to stop and take photos of them.  It kinda ended up being like a game for me - how many Characters in Bloom could mom find?  (apparently - too many)  My kids started to make fun of me for taking so many pictures.  Anyhow - this is Captain Hook!  I mean, seriously, he was a showstopper!  There was even a Peter Pan on top of the roof next door! (I mean, talk about creative!)

Of course, I LOVED the Alligator, Tick-Tock, too!  But, to me, he looked more like Louis, the gator in
The Princess and the Frog.  Great teeth!

The Lady and the Tramp dogs were sweet - and captured a lot of attention from passers-by.

My kids thought the Lightning McQueen and Mater sculptures were the coolest (well, WHO wouldn't?!)

And, here were a couple other sculptures that caught my eye......

                               But, as my sister might say......"Seen one sculpture, seen'em all!"
                                   Naturally, I disagree...but, there were quite a few of them!

For any of you that  might be interested, the Atlanta Botanical Garden has added more floral sculptures to its, now, permanent exhibit Imaginary Worlds - Mosaiculture.  I highly recommend a trip there to see some magnificent floribunda art!  or, read my blog post about it here.  I can't wait to go back!

The Ogre from the Atlanta Botanical Garden's "Imaginary Worlds - Mosaiculture" exhibit

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Overcoming my Fears

Sorry that I haven't been involved in the Blogosphere these past....uhhh...(I don't know...) about seven months!  I think I've just been paralyzed with fear about blogging.  I'm not sure why I'm so fearful - no one reads my blogs - so there's definitely no one to judge my blog posts.   Therefore, I've come to the realization that if I just write what I want to write about it'll be a helluva lot easier for me.  There won't be anyone that I'm trying to impress (except for myself).  And, in the end, I'll be conquering my fear of publicly posting.

One of my last written posts was the day I started my MBA Camp with Tobi Fairley.  I promised that I'd write more about that experience.  And did I?  Nope.  I think I was too exhausted and too overwhelmed for too much to register in my head.  But, seven months later - I think I have my head screwed on a little bit better.  I also know that I need to conquer some of my silly and unfounded fears before I can truly be successful in my business.  Of the 10 goal-setting tips - these are the four that I need to and am going to implement!
1.  Go Big or Go Home!
2.  Don't be paralized from Taking Action!
3.  Don't waste time trying to figure out the How - just DO IT!
4.  Be specific.

My goals:
1.  In 2015, I'd like to be asked to participate in a Designer Showhouse.  I am ready.  I am qualified.
2.  In 2015, I'd like to be published - somewhere, anywhere!  pu-leeze!  Of course, that means that I'll need to get more clients, have their rooms styled and photographed.  But, I'm definitely worthy.  Hire me!
3.  Immediately.  I want to send out my Barclay Stone Interiors newsletter ASAP.  Overcoming my fear of just sending it to friends - I've decided to send it out to so many more people than I originally planned.  Because, what have I got to fear?  If someone doesn't want to receive my newsletters, they can unsubscribe or delete. At least I'm helping myself to get my name out there.
Plus, I've got my awesome graphic designer, Carl Chiocca, working the newsletter template.  My first article is already written up - so, the big hurdles are kind of over - I'm ready to go!  And, help me out, if you are reading this blog right now, maybe you'll be kind enough to sign up for my newsletters?  Send me a comment and I'll add your name to my list - because I'm not certain that I've connected the newsletter sign-up correctly to my Mailchimp feed!

Okay.  So - I've thrown out there a couple of my big goals.  I think blogging will help me loosen up a bit.  I love writing.  I'll just write to my pretend audience out there and write about stuff that interests me and makes my heart tick.

Nantucket Tropical Coastal

Nantucket Tropical Coastal by barclaystoneinteriors 

Palm Beach Coastal - Living Room

Palm Beach Coastal - Living Room

I'm playing with Polyvore today!  I just spent some time and put together this Preppy Palm Beach Living Room decor for Linda at Calling It Home's blog Polyvore contest.  I truly appreciate Linda having this contest because it helped motivate me to learn how to use Polyvore.  It's a fantastic tool and will enable me to show all of my client's mood boards for their projects.

Hmm.....I happen to love this room!  Preppy, cheerful and pink!  All of my favorite colors!  Wish I had a small pied-a-terre near the beach to decorate!  Anyone on the coast need an interior designer?  I'd love to help you!!

HGTV's CANDICE OLSON & SARA PETERSON in Atlanta

HILARIOUS!
Okay - maybe not so hilarious!  But, I just learned how to create mood boards with Polyvore.  And, I've become a near-fanatic when pinning new items to Polyvore!  But, I had absolutely NO idea (until this VERY instant) that every item that I'm pinning is going directly into my Blogger account and becoming a post!  Yikes - I better check my Facebook account next to see what's happened there.  Clearly, I didn't "uncheck" something in Polyvore...  Oh - well.  I'll figure out how to stop it (eventually).  At least....I guess, I'm posting frequently - I mean, it WAS my 2014 resolution!

Next topic, please!  The Design Bloggers Conference was held in Atlanta for the first time!

I debated and debated whether to go or not.  It was a hard decision and not going - won.  I didn't feel like I warranted a spot at this bloggers convention.  Not yet.  But, I'm going to sign up for the 2015 Conference, which, happily, will be hosted in Atlanta again!  Yea!  and Yea for me!

In the meantime, I was thrilled that Candice Olson, Canadian designer and host of HGTV's "Divine Design"  and HGTV Magazine editor, Sara Peterson, came and spoke at ADAC  (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center) on Tuesday.  Candice Olson's first television show Divine Design (with Chico) was inspirational for designers - because in 23 minutes - she showed us the real-life process of how she assembled her design plan and sometimes, the show would show us un-avoidable mishaps that are bound to happen on design jobs - like a sofa not fitting through a doorway.  Her shows are fun and charismatic.  But, ultimately, the after-product is usually a stunning room that her clients thrill to see.  But, one of the reasons why I love Candice's show so much is that she is an extremely talented rendering artist.  Her  2-D renderings always make me drool.   I've always wished that I could emulate this unique talent.   Candice and Sara, as predicted, were fun to listen to and very approachable.  Sara seems to be a master editor for her HGTV magazine.  I very much look forward to my copy when it arrives every month.  Sara makes sure that it is packed with lots of information and new ideas.  I agree!  As a designer, I enjoy seeing the unique ways in which stylists, designers or home-owners put a new twist on everyday things - to make them more unique.  If you don't already, read HGTV!

Blackland Road Living Room concept

Wow!  It's been a long while since I last blogged!

Please pardon me while I dust off my keyboard to start writing again - (and what kills me is that I deliberately accepted Linda's Calling It Home  One Room Challenge last summer to force myself to write more).
But, I have some good news!  Over at The Pink Pagoda it's the March: Blue & White Bash!  So, I thought I'd take a page (again) from Linda at Calling It Home and learn how to do Polyvore this morning.  There are a few quirks that I couldn't iron out - but, overall, it was super-silly easy to learn.  And, I love it!  Look at the concept board I created.  And, it just happens to be blue and white!  So, I may take this baby and link up to the Blue & White Bash!  Come join me - it'll be loads of fun!

Happy Birthday Kendall!!

TOBI FAIRLEY: MBA DESIGN CAMP!!

Good Morning All!
I am SOOOOooo excited this morning.  I'm here in Little Rock, Arkansas getting ready to start Tobi Fairley's MBA Design Camp!  I'm hoping that this experience will be an eye opener and help me tremendously.  Already, I've met some incredible designers who are here to share the experience!

Stay tuned - I'll let you know what's happening this week.  Can't wait!