Hi Friends! Thanks so much to all of you that voted for Segreto Secrets. We will find out in a couple of weeks if we made the shortlist! My New Book, Segreto Impressions -the 4th in the Segreto Design book series- will be premiered(even before the launch party) at Roundtop for Marburger Farms Antique Show’s opening day. Come say hi and be the first to see! It is my very favorite to date! Next week on the blog I will give you, my friends, a sneak peek!!

We are doing some cool new things at Segreto and thought you would like to take a sneak peek!

This is a super cool addition going underway for clients of mine working with Jon Morgan of Mission Constructors and building designer Robert Dame. This is the start of an old carriage house turned into an office, man cave and guest suite.

The client’s inspiration is John Mellencamp’s South Carolina retreat which was featured in Architectural Digest!! If you haven’t seen the spread–do take a look!

When meeting at the job site, Jon had all sorts of fine woods to choose from. I suggested since the tone was dark that it might not be necessary to use expensive woods and that we should though in some inexpensive pine as well. We did glazes on woods from Home Depot grade pine to oak to antique pecky cypress and reclaimed pines. All in similar tones the finished samples were nailed on the framing for the client’s review.

Which would you choose? Can you tell me which wood is more expensive? One is 6 times more. Without knowing the price tag, the clients choose the less expensive route as their favorite look! I know you might think of finishing as an extra expense, but in many cases, like this one, well-done finishing can save on the total budget! Stay tuned, this project will be book 5 worthy!!

Have you ever had something beautiful that you just wanted to change up to fit with a new look you want for your home?! Well, Bailey Vermillion Interiors wanted just that for a client project they were working on so we were called in to create her vision.

We used our trademarked SegretoStone product to plaster over the mirror, creating texture while not losing the carved details.

I can’t wait to see it installed. It will find its resting place in a dining room which we plastered in a beautiful dark, blue–green-gray plaster.

I love our powder bath at the warehouse-pretty in pink. But there is still an eyesore here I want to work out. Guess what it is. That floor-eek!!

Looking for a durable plaster for floors, we are testing a product never been used before in the USA. We plastered the super ugly concrete floors with blush pink in the same tone as the SegretoStone waterfall basin and sink. It looks great with the walls and the door made from SegretoStone!

Will it hold up?! Time will tell! Because we are working to dress up the men’s room, it is out of commission so this pretty powder in pink will get lots of use from both sexes!

Since we are at the warehouse, I wanted to share a new venture that is up and running. In serving our clients better we have found that by making multiple sinks at a time, we not only are more cost-effective but they are ready to install. No more wait!!

For now, we are building our inventory! Eventually, we will have an e-commerce site and ship all over the country. Sink anyone?

I am loving all the transformations we are doing with brick both inside and out!! Here is the before brick for a home we are collaborating with Goodchild Builders and JJ Designs. They want to soften the look but not go white. We were brought in to create samples so they could make their clad window selection. We are often brought in at the beginning of projects as a home’s color palette is often the beginning of the design process.

Above is the existing roof tile and the selection for the new clad windows. We did many samples showing bricks peaking though, some heavier and some more transparent in feel. I love putting samples up and listening to reactions and thoughts. This process enables us to get the finish exactly right before we start.

Even Juan with Goodchild was super happy with the choices for his clients! Which one would you pick?

Thank you for letting me share what we have been up to this week! Do something that will make you smile! I bought these flowers for myself. They make me happy every time I pass by! Reminds me to stop and smell the roses, something I often forget to do!

SEGRETO IMPRESSIONS is going to Marburger Farms Antique Show!

If you haven’t been to The Roundtop Antiques you should definitely go. And the opening day at Marburger is what people from all over line up for. I am so excited and honored they asked me to be there for their opening day with my newest book Segreto Impressions!! With over 400 pages it is by far my favorite to date!

The Marburger Farm Antique Show has been a favorite source for antiques for over 20 years. This twice a year tradition located in Round Top, Texas, features more than 350 dealers from across the United States and the world.

Gates open at 8:00 am-Come see me before you shop!

Tuesday, October 1, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Early Buying Special, 10am – 2pm, $25.00 per person (Gates open at 8am)
General Admission, 2pm – 6pm, $10 per person. 2248 Texas 237, Round Top, TX 78954

You can see a bit about the areas and how to maneuver the fair in my past posts here, and here.

Next Monday morning I will show ya’ll a sneak peek inside Segreto Impressions!! I can’t wait to share!! Till next week and the big reveal! XO Leslie