Guest Post: Ana Atunes

I'm all giddy to introduce you to this guest...Ana is a blog friend that I met through my portuguese blog surfing and my awesome meter was put *WAY* over the top seeing all her amazing work...

And then I found out she is a rockstar.

No really, she is the producer/director of the Portugal equivalent of something like Extreme Home Makeover. It doesn't get any cooler than that!

She is only sharing her home here today, but I'm *so* head-over-heels-hit-me-with-a-shovel-cause-I-can't-stop-staring in love with her office, you have to check it out, too!

Hello Everybody!

I'm truly honored to include Aubrey´s blog series: thank you for the invitation! This blogging adventure is totally new for me. And in just a couple of weeks i´ve met people from all over the world that pursuit the same passion. For a Lisbon-based blogger this is amazing because it suddenly feels that - despite the fact we all live oceans apart in so different cultural backgrounds - we all share a love for design and a love for All things bright and beautiful! (great name by the way, Aubrey)

These are my labels; 

TV Executive Producer

An Artist´s daugther

Author of the only home makeover show in Portugal

A 5 year old dear boy´s mother

Became a decorator on my own tv show

Beach lover

Wife and family protective
Very persistant

Christian believer

Workaholic in a positive way

Blessed to be doing what I love
I-nternet, i-phone, i-pad and all i-gadget´s addict
Fashionista, from my fashion designer uncle's side.
Passionate about life.
Love to keep surprising people 

(that is what I do in the show).

About my home and 'How to make your home your own'
here are some ideas...

 1. Find the house of your dreams:

Believe it will be yours, and it will happen. 

This is the house i was dreaming of for 2 years 

(I used to walk this 19th century-homes street everyday, making plans to live in it)
One day it happened!

I guess I always had a thing for finding unique houses.

2. Modernize. But respect it´s original soul.

(there´s allways wise ways to mix old stone details or wodden floors

with modern kitchen appliances)

3. Live and share it, as much as you can.

(I love to entertain and it's also a way to share 

beauty and special moments with friends)

4. Find a special spot and  fill it with pictures of

people you love or your family history.

It works better to draw people's attention
to one special spot than spreading them all over the place.

In these shelves I have family photos and, framed on the wall,

records of special family events (baptism book, weddings invitations, etc)

5. Create favourite-object´s families in diferent places around the house.

(they will make you smile, dream or remember  everytime you pass by)

Mine include flowers, candles, chocolate, and favourite colors...

(I couldn't decide if I liked better Designer's Guild´ candle or the package so i kept both!)

6. Use color and patterns you've allways loved.

(you will be less likely to get tired of them)

I've had Nina Campbell´s  birds wallpaper in my kitchen

for 4 years and did not get tired at all.

The same with the imperial trellis lamp shade.

That is my favourite pattern ever!

7. Use books or magazines to create height.

There´s life beyond shelves, so use them also by the sofa.

They can be used to entertain you guests, to let them know

what your interests are and set a vivid conversation theme.

8. Create focal points. 

Draw your guests´ attention when coming into a room.

You have the power to decide where you want people to look at.

9. Spread nature around your house.

Fresh flowers in the entrance hallway will always wellcome people

with fresh scents and happy colors when stepping in.

A little tree in the house will have an amazing efect on you.

Mine allways makes me feel very alive.

It's a symbol of my persistance against everybody who told me

it would die because it wouldn´t survive indoors. 

IT DID. It's been there for 4 years!

10. Make you home your own special touch and style.,

It's the least you can do for your family

to make them feel loved, safe and unique.

Thank you Aubrey for the opportunity 

to share my home and family with your followers!

Ana Antunes 

from 

home-styling.blogspot.com

Just pure, unadulterated joy with that one...and if you want to see more of her work and one of the most amazing before/after pictures, you should see the pictures from her last project on the show!

Thanks so very much to all the bloggers who participated in the series this week, it was so much fun!!!

HAPPY WEEKEND! WOO HOO!