NEW GIVEAWAY: VERO LINENS!!!!

<font size="5"> <blockquote> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">You may recall a giveaway I ran a few months ago for a set of fine Italian cotton sheets.  Well, today is your lucky day!   If you didn’t win that contest – here is your chance to win again!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://www.verolinens.com/images/cat-sheets-0.jpg"></p> <p align="center">Vero Linens</p> <p align="justify">Cote de Texas sponsor Vero Linens has once again offered to gift a reader one set of their beautiful luxury linens.   The prize includes both a flat and fitted sheet along with a  pair of shams in the size and color of your choice.  </p> <p align="justify">Whether you win or not, Vero Linens is a great choice for bedding since the product is only sold online and is not sold through retailers, meaning there is no retail markup which accounts for a 225% savings.  Wow!!   Shopping at Vero is easy – the collection is small, so there aren’t dozens of dizzying choices to be made.  It’s simple – white or ivory or sable.  Stripe or diamante.  That’s it!   Before starting his business, the owner studied his competition and found that most sheets made of this quality are sold in either white or ivory, so why not offer only what people really want?  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://www.verolinens.com/images/cat-sheets-6.jpg"></p> <p align="center">Beautiful hemstitching</p> <p align="justify">Vero sheets – made of the finest textiles available in the world – are simply the best.    The 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, designed with beautiful hemstitched detailing, are crafted by “4th generation artisans in Northern Italy” and are designed to hug the mattress, as well as your body.   Of course, the fitted sheets also feature the extra deep pockets to accommodate modern mattresses.   Besides sheets – Vero sells down comforters and pillows.  </p></font><font size="5"> <p align="justify">And this is something that I never knew:   many bed linen manufacturers sell grades of Egyptian cotton containing as little as 10% of actual Egyptian cotton. These products often use high thread counts to appear as luxury linens while using these inferior cotton grades. The resulting bedding is rough to the touch and shows wear prematurely, including pilling - small balls of cotton forming due to wear - and, in some cases, holes or tears.  </p> <p align="center">  <p align="center"><img src="https://www.verolinens.com/images/cat-duvets-0.jpg"></p> <p align="center">  <p align="justify">Instead, Vero uses only 100% Egyptian cotton to provide the highest quality luxury linens available anywhere in the world. Sheets and pillowcases are machine washable and become softer with each cleaning: the quality of these cotton threads means these sheets will last for years and years. <p align="justify">  <p align="center"><img src="https://www.verolinens.com/images/cat-sheets-3.jpg"></p> <p align="center">Shams – shown in the Righetta stripe pattern.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Ready to Enter???</p> <p align="center">First, please visit the Vero Linen web site at <a href="http://www.verolinens.com">www.verolinens.com</a> and pick out which size and which style you would like – either the Righetta – stripe, or the Diamante!  </p> <p align="center">Once you have made your choice, please come back here and leave a comment telling me your choice.  BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IF YOU WANT TO WIN!!!</p> <p align="center">You have until next Tuesday at 11:59 pm to enter. </p> <p align="center">Also, check out the Vero Linens blog which has a lot of useful information including how to properly take care of fine linens – <a href="https://www.verolinens.com/blog/">HERE</a>.</p> <p align="center">Good luck!! </p> <p align="center"> And a huge thank you to Vero Linens for this most generous giveaway!!!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">NOTE:  We have a lot of giveaways planned in the next few weeks!  So, be sure to check in to enter them all.  AND, don’t forget to enter your house in the Aidan Gray contest!</p> <p align="center"></font> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p></blockquote>

NEW GIVEAWAY: VERO LINENS!!!!

  You may recall a giveaway I ran a few months ago for a set of fine Italian cotton sheets.  Well, today is your lucky day!   If you didn...

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WOW!! ENTER THE AIDAN GRAY HOUSE SEARCH CONTEST!!!

<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><blockquote><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqT0086l7B4j0SyT6y0Be1ZWPOp1gpFBRGtX8Q4VRPm3SaxQECSO7OLiYE6KTvucHjJNuxbllMagS-YRWSQo9veyuzZba7MHJTzkneHaXZUoTSs493XXmMtGvds7ojfW90EDQPqk7doK4/s1600-h/image70.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="412" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-76fg3Mxyeqg/UEZ5bRZ7sNI/AAAAAAABd-k/M_LXIDh4Lik/image_thumb26.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1204" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Aidan Gray – from their 2012 catalogue showing various products.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">As you might already know, the popular décor and furniture company - Aidan Gray - is a sponsor on Cote de Texas.  Because I am such a huge fan of their company, I was thrilled when I got a message from the owner, Randal Weeks, asking about running an ad on the blog.  I’ve been using their products in clients’ houses for years and have truly always been impressed by the quality of their designs,  and their excellent customer service.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite item is their Italian chandelier – <a href="http://www.aidangrayhome.com/index.php/lighting/chandeliers/italian-chandelier.html">HERE</a>  - which I have placed in my own guest room and in clients houses.  The price is reasonable and the look is fabulous.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Italian Chandelier" src="http://www.aidangrayhome.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/615x800/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/6/l69_1.jpg" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The Italian Chandelier</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SWUzVUmR3qI/UEZ5dsBVHVI/AAAAAAABd-s/5bJsVi8-m2M/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MDzMWAdQD9o/UEZ5giS1cNI/AAAAAAABd-0/0_cqHLD9E6c/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1045" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Here, I used the Italian Chandelier in this client’s family room.  The lamps are from Aidan Gray too. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">Aidan Gray has been successful over the years because their merchandise stays above the trend - they have just the exact product you want to buy, now.  The catalogue is updated and edited regularly so that merchandise is always fresh.  Randal has an uncommon ability to know exactly what the market desires and this ability has made the once small start up company into the large business it is today.  </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a real person touch to the company.   This year, I was so surprised when he informed me he had designed sconces based on those he had admired in my dining room – and named them, the “Joni.”   These new sconces are now is stock and I’m curious if they will sell well.    The important message is he sees inspiration everywhere and he then acts on it.   </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Joni Three Light Sconce" height="480" src="http://www.aidangrayhome.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/615x800/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/w/l/wl270.jpg" width="371" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The Joni lighted sconce.  It also comes in a two arm version <a href="http://www.aidangrayhome.com/index.php/lighting/sconces/emiliano-sconce.html">HERE</a>.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">In another instance, I casually mentioned to Randal that they needed to reproduce an antique French lantern which would be reasonably priced.  “You’d sell a million of those,” I easily promised him knowing my business acumen would never be tested.  Randal just informed me that the lantern has now been designed and will be available for sale shortly!  Oh My God!   What if it flops miserably????  </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">But, this is the kind of businessman and designer Randal is.  He is willing to talk with those out in the field to get their opinions and ideas and listen to what they want, what they are looking to buy, and what they say.   Have an idea for a product?  Submit it to Randal and he will consider it.  I can’t think of another company that would be so open.     So, everyone, please order that lantern!!</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxif7EVnF4zqq7STNEyo3q4HrqWcqLRhzidIg4gdAMXXNVrk_Dd05AImne33phfvp-vkb9JdLDpXodmQnCVB1U92jJQ68eS4nyH3STtFZteOq6xrXcAQ_NIYvlniCU5C4rCrL675DJ8vE/s1600-h/image79.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="413" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PJZT1MT9z74/UEZ5mGrf1bI/AAAAAAABd_E/-cbGjH6ncK4/image_thumb31.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1204" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">A page from the new catalogue showing some of their furniture.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">And so, one day recently when Randal came to me with a wild idea, I was flattered and all ears.  After all, he is the brilliant businessman, of course I would listen.  Each year, he told me, a new catalogue is produced.  And each year, Randal’s own home has been used for the photoshoot.   The Weeks house was built for the Aidan Gray line, so naturally, all the furniture looks great in it.    But, now, Randal is looking for another stage.  He asked me -  “how about we hold a contest to find two perfect Cote de Texas readers houses where the 2013 catalogue would be shot?”   Needless to say, I was ecstatic at his proposal and thought you would be too!</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I_uDIVM81tw/UEZ5o48v4nI/AAAAAAABd_M/5m7hgnZahiQ/s1600-h/image80.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cd8aLYf2S_g/UEZ5rMkqIHI/AAAAAAABd_U/HjWQVwR7aCo/image_thumb32.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="529" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Randal Week’s house with its stunning steel doors and brick walls provides the perfect backdrop for the Aidan Gray line.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">Randal proposed that we run a contest to find two houses for the new catalogue photoshoot.  Readers would enter their house – and Randal and I would pick the two winners.   </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the scenario for the photoshoot:  In a few months, Randal and his crew would come to these two houses, with an assortment of chairs and tables and lamps and together with the homeowner’s own backdrop, the new catalogue would be photographed.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: large;">Randal would be at the photoshoot  continuously for the day or two that it would take.  All the homeowners possessions and the house itself would be carefully protected and cared for under Randal’s watchful eye.  The Aidan Gray photoshoot would be no different than having your house photographed for a décor magazine.  Except for one important detail – the homeowners would receive a generous compensation.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">First place winner would receive a $5,000. gift certificate to Aidan Gray.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Second place winner would receive a $2,500 gift certificate.  </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">ARE YOU GAME??????</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">DO YOU WANT TO ENTER YOUR HOUSE INTO THE CONTEST????</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PEnddxG_lgw/UEZ5ud-TpLI/AAAAAAABd_c/kRpyruL7vzU/s1600-h/image65.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2JLtwXJNRZUaCKEBS5KxFgw1YiUvZ1OvTpR0dNY2jAKHkJ5lRKrlNK8K3WAKblB03ChMZRUEbv_fCXvlphJOlfwPIYdLlxOcnXERsLXH4VRaKsPTG4Wz0xlUi3POarI4Tty4PkaCJGc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1204" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Randal Weeks house, as it normally is furnished, filled with products from Aidan Gray, some still in the current catalogue, other pieces discontinued through the years.  </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_FViIftQJPk/UEZ5zSuWhiI/AAAAAAABd_s/Hpp026agsW8/s1600-h/image4.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z9X0EsZDjJc/UEZ52cBWq_I/AAAAAAABd_0/c3qkyrfwtEk/image_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="568" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div></blockquote><br /><div align="center">Here, the same room, shot for the catalogue.  </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OqMX2F99T40/UEZ53tR64FI/AAAAAAABd_8/KfL0u9BLQv0/s1600-h/image8.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5KygnEyHRas/UEZ56qpBaFI/AAAAAAABeAE/KxcgA-IFgyw/image_thumb4.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="537" /></a></div><div align="center">The same room, pretending to be a dining room for the catalogue.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w2wRydCRNsw/UEZ587WlGCI/AAAAAAABeAM/C15BE27kMao/s1600-h/image81.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ivYHznHSRqc/UEZ6B6na3VI/AAAAAAABeAU/r7FoE1u1KMw/image_thumb33.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1204" /></a></div><div align="center">And, yet again, a totally different look for the same space created by using different products.   It’s hard to believe this is the same living room in all four photographs.    </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kZ36tWnatJcL6zf2rx5vlgHnhYbOJarlVW2tnJyjtGKP0x9QfWb8GhyphenhyphenyslD3MjjMFeK2nZAODqSTHyBRIoT-9IW_M67m85EVtXo33bSTH4bnQgd8SY2JLNWD0Ktwp0TIer0HOJLRctJw/s1600-h/AGLIFESTYLE-230-7Medium4.jpg"><img alt="AGLIFESTYLE-230-7(Medium)" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LdB61CJVoco/UEZ6Dz9kZfI/AAAAAAABeAk/MuaTiU6ylMU/AGLIFESTYLE-230-7Medium_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="AGLIFESTYLE-230-7(Medium)" width="537" /></a></div><div align="center">Some photographs will be of just a chair or lamp – this picture was taken in the same living room at the Weeks house.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c2RFr4_cUyQ/UEZ6HU5Z7KI/AAAAAAABeAs/_ls0p8R-Hoc/s1600-h/image82.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9LhuTfvZHoc/UEZ6J0-BY6I/AAAAAAABeA0/k0snw6RsvqE/image_thumb34.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1204" /></a></div><div align="center">If you have a romantic kitchen, like the Weeks, – that would be a plus!  Be sure to include a picture of it with your entry!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CxCsDwmoCcw/UEZ6Lc2FbiI/AAAAAAABeA8/N9GXTHswjZY/s1600-h/image83.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yuj5yJS3RCs/UEZ6NJMz86I/AAAAAAABeBE/lg-kuBxiThQ/image_thumb35.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="537" /></a></div><div align="center">Or, do you have a beautiful bedroom?   Take a picture of that too!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuqmpXMUtinRirY77xO4CKqW56tmS9TyTeqe7N5iJNrh8-PS02gXe3c5RJKT0nweZbso3_i4DLwWRvZ7XlWnmCpCPTJxcrpEsvxZ1sSuEL8wwk1xg7W5yzJ3o5nDhbBfzzZ9qUBchobk/s1600-h/image84.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="1156" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EXrCw2w3zD0/UEZ6SrsU-dI/AAAAAAABeBU/YF6cfPLpLdc/image_thumb36.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="772" /></a></div><div align="center">A small corner is turned into a stage, filled with all Aidan Gray product.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lt9DVOCWRv0/UEZ6T1mC-jI/AAAAAAABeBc/xv6A2Xgz2pY/s1600-h/image85.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mRLM9WyOnX0/UEZ6VPNMTNI/AAAAAAABeBk/8ZYj0wxuoJM/image_thumb37.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="537" /></a></div><div align="center">With a different curtain, the setting looks completely new.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UdAy_yKdmH8/UEZ6WUBu-NI/AAAAAAABeBs/6LUSAy9GSK8/s1600-h/image87.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1xQ1tJVRgbg/UEZ6X39vn9I/AAAAAAABeB0/jmTetyb85fo/image_thumb39.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="537" /></a></div><div align="center">Just an interesting table top might be enough to create several beautiful pictures.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tOWu00YctIc/UEZ6acxjpWI/AAAAAAABeB8/20Us8tA9Big/s1600-h/image88.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPXDBFBjTZOkJGAHkTbfzmhst6_sogftpKJqbmdbPfDadql3XWc8CMGbkSjVkVXvz6RE4EqVbqJgORhbK4gp-812Pg5Gi42uvZ11KxNybg44rf-TP195Z6Lz-F6X10UWJ_EcOJVexqGA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1204" /></a></div><div align="center">A pool, a pool house?  Both could be assets for the photoshoot.  Be sure to include pictures of your backyard, front yard and side yard if they are beautiful or interesting.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7zF490Ww3bY/UEZ6eBdIunI/AAAAAAABeCM/hgq2JFdBMFg/s1600-h/image89.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="804" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v1GfbpXw5iw/UEZ6fiqhxSI/AAAAAAABeCU/NXaHQ5Hudpk/image_thumb41.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="537" /></a></div><div align="center">Just a small spot in the backyard becomes a gorgeous photo in the new catalogue!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:</div><div align="justify">Ideally, the two houses picked for the photoshoot will be either architecturally interesting, romantic, or atmospheric.    But, if you have a cleaned-lined modern house, don’t hesitate to send in an entry!    If you have a smaller, second home on a ranch or a lake, send in those pictures.   Even if your house is small, it still could be the perfect stage.    Size shouldn’t be the deciding factor if you enter.   All houses entered will be considered.   </div><div align="justify">We are looking for an attractive backdrop that the Aidan Gray line will look fabulous in!   Perhaps you have brick or stone walls, a French fireplace, painted wood paneling, vaulted ceilings, luscious silk taffeta curtains, antique furniture or collections, stone or dark wood floors – or bleached or painted hardwoods – any of these would be an asset.   Think texture, think contrast, think interesting, eclectic, romantic, charming, exotic and picturesque.   If any of these adjectives describe your house, enter the contest.  And architects and designers, think about your clients houses.  If you know of a good one, enter it!</div><div align="center">Remember - t’s not the size, NOR what the house is worth – it’s strictly what the house would look like with the Aidan Gray merchandise in it.  </div><div align="center">Don’t be shy!   You never know what will catch Randal’s eye.  </div><div align="justify">Ideally, Randal would rather the two houses be in Texas, BUT he is willing to come to you if your house wins!  So, don’t let the fact that you live in New Hampshire scare you away!  Enter!!!   Perhaps you feel your house isn’t right for the photoshoot, but you know the perfect house that would be – try to get those owners to enter!!  We realize this might be word of mouth contest.</div><div align="center">THE RULES:</div><div align="center">1. Take photographs, during the day only, with the lights on, of your living room, dining room, family room, kitchen, master or 2nd bedroom, and the back and front yard.   Or, just take pictures of the spaces you feel would be best for the photoshop.  If you have a cute greenhouse or laundry room – let’s see it!</div><div align="center">2.  Upload the pictures via email to Cote de Texas at <a href="mailto:mrballbox329@aol.com">mrballbox329@aol.com</a> – you can use <a href="http://www.zoomfoot.com/">www.zoomfoot.com</a> if the files are big.  </div><div align="center">3. ONLY send in the largest images!  No small or medium images can be used!!!  </div><div align="center">4.  The contest ends  September 12th.  You have one week to enter your house.  BUT, if you need more time to get your photographs together, just let me know!</div><div align="center">That’s it.  </div><div align="center">  Randal and I are both hoping this will be a fun contest for everyone who enters.  We are both so excited and can’t wait to see your houses!!!    Remember, a rustic cabin might be as perfect as a French chateau.  </div>

WOW!! ENTER THE AIDAN GRAY HOUSE SEARCH CONTEST!!!

Aidan Gray – from their 2012 catalogue showing various products. As you might already know, the popular décor and furniture company - Aidan...

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Stenciling = Done!

Today I can breathe a big fat sigh of relief because this stenciling project is over! <br /><br />I started Wednesday night, and continued to work on it daily until I applied the finishing touches yesterday (just hours before guests arrived to our labor day pool party). Thankfully I was able to get it all done in time, but it was not a fun task, let me tell you.<br /><br />The stencils arrived in good shape (although curled from the shipping tube), but not wanting to waste any time, I immediately got to work.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkqRWt4mXz59MlZZY-L7mL2UOUZLBWL8idTZziIe6dGNSWcgmBeV1ZgiSDgb5Z_B_8QvdPUK7VvS-PwTzaDDbEtk3AXbCfBOJKzjm0IWHJkePLmCM4hTq5_TQ0LySYpk08PRtAr8gpMLe/s1600/IMG_8992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>Before proceeding, I made sure to read through the instructions at least 3x and watch every instructional video on their <a href="http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. The corner seemed like a nice level place to start, so I carefully taped it up and began.<br /><br />The stencil was not completely flat on the wall which worried me. I was tempted to use spray adhesive but the directions insisted that this was not necessary at all, so I cautiously proceeded as normal.<br /><br />The technique I used (as instructed) said to saturate a foam roller with paint, evenly roll it out, and then make a few light passes over a paper towel to wipe off the excess.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspB6OvjTocXbcXP9HmfngODdnYndaih0-ZStQibZlN_mCgnVoGNf7d_ovSaVPaHzBJsSLnbrmleXfLmkaybUUZTHiNeLXRzdGxXwWeBSN3hr3fxGRGKe9FSxVhXNpUjvAp4jYfVm3S6ED/s1600/IMG_9004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspB6OvjTocXbcXP9HmfngODdnYndaih0-ZStQibZlN_mCgnVoGNf7d_ovSaVPaHzBJsSLnbrmleXfLmkaybUUZTHiNeLXRzdGxXwWeBSN3hr3fxGRGKe9FSxVhXNpUjvAp4jYfVm3S6ED/s1600/IMG_9004.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />BTW, the color I used was the color that was previously on the walls and is also in my foyer—Valspar's Magic Spell.<br /><br />Once the roller had the appropriate paint saturation level, I used light to medium pressure to apply my first coat. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkqRWt4mXz59MlZZY-L7mL2UOUZLBWL8idTZziIe6dGNSWcgmBeV1ZgiSDgb5Z_B_8QvdPUK7VvS-PwTzaDDbEtk3AXbCfBOJKzjm0IWHJkePLmCM4hTq5_TQ0LySYpk08PRtAr8gpMLe/s1600/IMG_8992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkqRWt4mXz59MlZZY-L7mL2UOUZLBWL8idTZziIe6dGNSWcgmBeV1ZgiSDgb5Z_B_8QvdPUK7VvS-PwTzaDDbEtk3AXbCfBOJKzjm0IWHJkePLmCM4hTq5_TQ0LySYpk08PRtAr8gpMLe/s1600/IMG_8992.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Since one coat wasn't enough to fully cover, I had to wait ~5 minutes for it to dry, apply another coat, wait another ~5 to dry, apply a final coat, and then wait for that to dry. About a hundred times. <br /><br />After my first stencil area was complete, I nervously peeled it back to inspect the results...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1U1hsdkxhhVlIm9LJmZijxKJVg7hB2sdELFQLeFUw7VROzuVXlXry_SW_4N7HR8j8Kejn0QUTf40sP1MC5D3R6KeVmE-plqfmKeMJrK4_wQHpOU2lf-rtwAVXJdSdbPOa9fKy4bbWslP3/s1600/IMG_8993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1U1hsdkxhhVlIm9LJmZijxKJVg7hB2sdELFQLeFUw7VROzuVXlXry_SW_4N7HR8j8Kejn0QUTf40sP1MC5D3R6KeVmE-plqfmKeMJrK4_wQHpOU2lf-rtwAVXJdSdbPOa9fKy4bbWslP3/s1600/IMG_8993.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I wasn't thrilled. I guess I was expecting a clean smooth line, but there was just no way that it was going to happen. With the next pass, I applied spray adhesive to the back hoping it would do the trick, but there was absolutely no difference. Then I tried a slightly different roll-on approach to prevent the line seepage, but the outcome was the same every time.<br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />The stencil manual did warn that this would be a "hand painted" look, and it was not going to look like wallpaper. About halfway through the third day I wondered if wallpaper would have been a better route to take.<br /><br />Sometimes my roller was a bit too saturated, and this happened:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdMVGacfCHeF7ctj9RaAyRfw9f3aChXBRlhSVp9QXledTXseiDmFU7ov1NfQehDV5nm8QNMaa4il1udzAGGFYRczARp9KRnUMaLc6HMRXZ0roZMOFZJCX5n0hoWshINmtr8rH5TL0Wg67/s1600/IMG_8999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdMVGacfCHeF7ctj9RaAyRfw9f3aChXBRlhSVp9QXledTXseiDmFU7ov1NfQehDV5nm8QNMaa4il1udzAGGFYRczARp9KRnUMaLc6HMRXZ0roZMOFZJCX5n0hoWshINmtr8rH5TL0Wg67/s1600/IMG_8999.jpg" /></a></div><br />Oh, crap.<br /><br />It ended up happening a lot more towards the end, so I started keeping wet wipes on hand to quickly fix any snafus. (take notes, those of you who are about to tackle a stenciling project!)<br /><br />The open wall areas where I could spread the full stencil out (no corners or edges in the way) were quite easy and went relatively fast. <br /><br />But there were a lot of tricky parts, too...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbl-LSq1hLjB0Kvs1EHxxZf6QqyxSgntJnuBWj2fOtdKbtmf0dz_J3XtgBggsxR-e05KuKNd1SJmtdPPKAK6leFSav6-_sO3sZt4tCgyTXuje-qzap-_tMqRLCMrCLtUJH1J1iVgzENjD/s1600/IMG_8995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbl-LSq1hLjB0Kvs1EHxxZf6QqyxSgntJnuBWj2fOtdKbtmf0dz_J3XtgBggsxR-e05KuKNd1SJmtdPPKAK6leFSav6-_sO3sZt4tCgyTXuje-qzap-_tMqRLCMrCLtUJH1J1iVgzENjD/s1600/IMG_8995.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I just had to be extra careful and take my time. It did get messy though. And not everything lined up perfectly from one spot to the next, so sometimes I just had to fudge it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9_LtlaeLMSeb6XGxvqbMBYU15hK5E-P5Z6xFTXkjDhVkNlF4Z-gv5l_k5b3idkKDR7hgnnBSDdEF8FdMz1N5ggkz_oiIQjgqQ3uwWPvLGDhhMX5TA0qmZhELWbx5kiNYnlN6T1k-v3Od/s1600/IMG_8997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9_LtlaeLMSeb6XGxvqbMBYU15hK5E-P5Z6xFTXkjDhVkNlF4Z-gv5l_k5b3idkKDR7hgnnBSDdEF8FdMz1N5ggkz_oiIQjgqQ3uwWPvLGDhhMX5TA0qmZhELWbx5kiNYnlN6T1k-v3Od/s1600/IMG_8997.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Here's another tip: I noticed the edges were becoming less sharp as time went on. Layers of paint had been building up on the stencil, and I tried my best to continuously peel it off but it was a losing battle. I'm pretty certain this was the biggest contributing factor to the fuzzyness. So you can either wash the stencil off every once in a while (it's kind of a pain if you are mid-project) or deal with the fuzzy edges.<br /><br /><br />About halfway through, I used up my quart of paint and had to open up a new gallon. Earlier that week I had gone to Lowe's and picked up a gallon of Magic Spell, asking the paint guy to make sure it matched the older quart I had purchased several months earlier.<br /><br />I started painting...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbpZbMnwkniWTyGG8pYfEZQMj7H-PE8MnlqhFXjEPhy6faCjo9VPF_FaKkkpehCSvulVQF9URlwqnS9hTtTPpgtnnHFMyOzE8QTPceSEPsUxRl-wkNE6QVzaiiAevP2QPHEsG_xQ-CuVx/s1600/IMG_8998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbpZbMnwkniWTyGG8pYfEZQMj7H-PE8MnlqhFXjEPhy6faCjo9VPF_FaKkkpehCSvulVQF9URlwqnS9hTtTPpgtnnHFMyOzE8QTPceSEPsUxRl-wkNE6QVzaiiAevP2QPHEsG_xQ-CuVx/s1600/IMG_8998.jpg" /></a></div><br />and then I was on my fourth stencil move, when I noticed the paint wasn't drying as dark as it should have been.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9z2f9nZY9UJgDNitYuasYiMKNf-cKpMB1M7K4am3EN4ivdktqQOgFjuzYtlsPlItGRsdDElwlXZU7tHyda2MEMkztc6PU-QA_FXU19KNieV_K1OrJsLkzFPZ_hwctmYOMZn3uT_vEwZh/s1600/IMG_9000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9z2f9nZY9UJgDNitYuasYiMKNf-cKpMB1M7K4am3EN4ivdktqQOgFjuzYtlsPlItGRsdDElwlXZU7tHyda2MEMkztc6PU-QA_FXU19KNieV_K1OrJsLkzFPZ_hwctmYOMZn3uT_vEwZh/s1600/IMG_9000.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />See the lighter color at the top?<br /><br />I grabbed both paint cans to compare... and the formula numbers were <em>completely </em>different. Yeah, WTF. I was not a happy camper.<br /><br />Annoyed, I drove all the way back to Lowe's and explained the issue. The lady said that Valspar had just recently changed its formula to add more primer (great...) and she would see what she could do. Before I left the store, I practically made her swear on her life that this new paint would be an exact match, and she assured me it would.<br /><br />Luckily, she came through on her word and it was like it had never even happened (minus the 2 hours out of my day). <br /><br />I spent the rest of Saturday finishing my stenciling, and Sunday morning on touch-ups.<br /><br />Touch-ups consisted of white paint, a small brush and a steady hand. It went surprisingly well, and I was able to smooth out all of the more noticable imperfections.<br /><br />Like this really bad one...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdMVGacfCHeF7ctj9RaAyRfw9f3aChXBRlhSVp9QXledTXseiDmFU7ov1NfQehDV5nm8QNMaa4il1udzAGGFYRczARp9KRnUMaLc6HMRXZ0roZMOFZJCX5n0hoWshINmtr8rH5TL0Wg67/s1600/IMG_8999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdMVGacfCHeF7ctj9RaAyRfw9f3aChXBRlhSVp9QXledTXseiDmFU7ov1NfQehDV5nm8QNMaa4il1udzAGGFYRczARp9KRnUMaLc6HMRXZ0roZMOFZJCX5n0hoWshINmtr8rH5TL0Wg67/s1600/IMG_8999.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />After:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xZmV9Q_2kU0HX9PzkRvQmjpr2TRKXnlieHqIbRnF_7V0mgzcNVSdRG_4ezMsWUUOiMbRtsEiseJDl5H9gs2fcNhdKwmcRkETH9eJEc7OwtuvdZVQxn5a4KLe4EmjNrL1vqcgmqfr3WfA/s1600/IMG_9010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xZmV9Q_2kU0HX9PzkRvQmjpr2TRKXnlieHqIbRnF_7V0mgzcNVSdRG_4ezMsWUUOiMbRtsEiseJDl5H9gs2fcNhdKwmcRkETH9eJEc7OwtuvdZVQxn5a4KLe4EmjNrL1vqcgmqfr3WfA/s1600/IMG_9010.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />But even with the fuzzy edges, it really looks quite nice if you take a few steps back.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEO4sDtb2mwXF8_IRWR55_NyL1W-ypsrcDUtPPjZTCJOmpJ_vO__5XvwbRdqTLVYCZzd5Va1Er-m3fovZGf5QtO5qN-iZ5CpdshPMMbjrMDkHK4LzbYedUlqRRXb2JFFCs0yf7ZfMVyqe/s1600/IMG_9006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEO4sDtb2mwXF8_IRWR55_NyL1W-ypsrcDUtPPjZTCJOmpJ_vO__5XvwbRdqTLVYCZzd5Va1Er-m3fovZGf5QtO5qN-iZ5CpdshPMMbjrMDkHK4LzbYedUlqRRXb2JFFCs0yf7ZfMVyqe/s1600/IMG_9006.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKr4UoEsw_KwbjBjgqo5EparxZohQjPT3BFMaK6DrL1IkW2ZEIKynCfgNtzR5AowptGSyu9wITeVI1IKnXwQPD7mSBda0gDj4dAJfwoPXge78lDJtBbydbe8OL_p2e3d0VPbWABlyqqBaG/s1600/IMG_9007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKr4UoEsw_KwbjBjgqo5EparxZohQjPT3BFMaK6DrL1IkW2ZEIKynCfgNtzR5AowptGSyu9wITeVI1IKnXwQPD7mSBda0gDj4dAJfwoPXge78lDJtBbydbe8OL_p2e3d0VPbWABlyqqBaG/s1600/IMG_9007.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio645VVirRP2dD37gtNbad662imqFgkU9j7eabI46qNrf_s6SsR6UkEXLqjJEMJs_1cZMg8KyV8RQx0C114H_2fqz4mfpSDEL9rijf8k95La8oT8fcy2n5a7l_k_-K4VDGG-rHyCdtvGoG/s1600/IMG_9008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio645VVirRP2dD37gtNbad662imqFgkU9j7eabI46qNrf_s6SsR6UkEXLqjJEMJs_1cZMg8KyV8RQx0C114H_2fqz4mfpSDEL9rijf8k95La8oT8fcy2n5a7l_k_-K4VDGG-rHyCdtvGoG/s1600/IMG_9008.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGDmvb6u8WPRzGVEgPEkDIeOLqSSjLyoCmCCE5-Z5KiBJATinwX3eITF46rzzHNu7H5UtW-hGp9-4bH8roW-YDQjZG9ShyphenhyphenhM3ynJhKq0CFk7AB8Qgm4nB3pD3eJfhuVkvCAJ5iS_BISw1/s1600/IMG_9009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGDmvb6u8WPRzGVEgPEkDIeOLqSSjLyoCmCCE5-Z5KiBJATinwX3eITF46rzzHNu7H5UtW-hGp9-4bH8roW-YDQjZG9ShyphenhyphenhM3ynJhKq0CFk7AB8Qgm4nB3pD3eJfhuVkvCAJ5iS_BISw1/s1600/IMG_9009.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I had just enough time yesterday to rehang my mirror/art/sconces before the party was underway, but I still have one more project to finish. That, along with the finally completed dining room, will come next week.<br /><br />What do you think? Have I convinced anyone to take the stenciling leap, or has this made you decide that wallpaper is a better option? I definitely don't regret it now that it's done... but next time, I think I'll just try wallpaper :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Stenciling = Done!

Today I can breathe a big fat sigh of relief because this stenciling project is over! I started Wednesday night, and continued to work on it...

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