June 19, 2024

Let's Meet Hilary Prall

June 19, 2024/ Meryl

Today’s interview is a dear friend - Hilary Prall. I’d been hinting for a while to Hilary that I wanted to include her here and today’s the day!

Hilary Welcome to the Chalet my dear! Hi Meryl Thanks I’m really happy to be here.

Awesome - So tell the readers about yourself. I’m Hilary Prall, I’m 45 and I live in Ankeny, Iowa with my husband Jason and our dog Cooper and cats Sheldon and Howard.

I’ve always been interested in decorating. When I was growing up I loved changing my room around from an early age. I would move my furniture and decorations often. Pretty sure I ruined the carpet in my bedroom from dragging the heavy furniture around. When I would stay the night with friends, I always wanted to organize and decorate their rooms too. Our house was always well decorated. My mom made-do with what we could find at garage sales, family pieces she’d inherited, and a few new things—we had a lot of art from Home Interiors.

Hilary you’re a gifted thrifted. When did thrifting start for you? In high school, we would go to the thrift store to find clothes and accessories for funny dress up days for homecoming. Once I got married, I started going more regularly (there was a great Goodwill by our house) because I wanted to decorate but didn’t feel like I should be spending a lot of money.

I got really into thrifting around the same time that Instagram was really taking off. That was the time that you followed just a few people and we all had similar interests. It seemed like everyone was posting their recent thrifting hauls and it made us all want to buy more and more stuff…to show off. I do love vintage, so shopping at “regular stores” doesn’t make a lot of sense for me on most things. Especially since the stores are getting so silly expensive. I tend to love estate sales most of all. I enjoy getting a peek into someone’s life…romanticizing their story. We also frequented garage sales years ago but that was way before the internet, and you could still find really good deals. Now, everyone thinks their things are precious and it’s harder and harder to find a gem for a decent price.

**Hilary and Jason’s basement filled with thrifted Flags, Paint by Numbers, Metal Globes and so much more!**

Any antidotes from childhood you’d like to share? Not decorating related, but I have always been an entrepreneur. I can remember making and selling friendship bracelets at recess for a long time in elementary school. I’ve always had friends, but always stood outside of the crowd too. I liked having a way to bring people to me in a creative way. It didn’t make me sad to make a little money too.

Tell us where and what you studied in college and what was your former 9-5 gig? I received my undergraduate degree in Public Relations from Drake University. I really wasn’t ready to be in college or to know what I wanted to do in adulthood, but that was just the track I was on. I ended up going full time with the grocery store chain that I’d worked at in high school and stayed there until I left in 2016 to pursue the decorating business I’d started. I’m definitely a comfort driven person, so working the same job for so long was easy for me to do…even though I wasn’t truly happy. I was able to start the decorating business purely through social media, which is still amazing to me. I decided a couple of years ago that I couldn’t do that and content creation very well at the same time, so I closed the decorating side of things. I could always go back to it (I still have people reach out), but it didn’t really light a fire in me, so I don’t think I ever will.

Hilary I really appreciate how many areas you speak to on Instagram - tips about DIY, Home Décor, Fashion, Plants, Thrifting and your Health journey. I love to share the things I’m enjoying in the moment, so all of those fall into that category. One of the reasons I think I haven’t been able to grow a huge social media account is lack of consistency, but I don’t really care. Anytime I try to narrow my path, I get very unsettled. This way, I can be as authentic to myself as possible.

**Hilary’s amazing Vintage Santa Mug Collection**

How did your Website/Blog start – what was the light-bulb moment you said – yeah I’m doing this. I had my first blog hosted on Blogger in like 2010. They were all the rage, I like to write, and I thought it would be a good outlet for me. I didn’t know anything about blogs or how to create one, but I got obsessed with figuring out all the different add-ons: stickers, music, buttons… Then, when I started my decorating business, I knew I needed one for that. I again built my own through Squarespace and eventually hired a virtual assistant to help me with the things I couldn’t figure out. I just recently went all in on having a true web designer build a beautiful and professional site for me. I’m so pleased with it and can’t wait to see where it goes.

What led you to design your Photo Editing Preset? Again…I see what other people are doing and want to do it for myself. Presets were very popular a few years ago and I knew I could recreate the settings I was using to edit my photos and make that available for purchase. I’m always trying to find different sources of income, but want to make sure they’re actually helpful for people.

How long you’ve been in your home and what is your favorite space? We moved into this house in 2018. I had major surgery scheduled for two weeks after we moved in, so I knew I needed to get a few things done ASAP. I hired painters, had curtains hung, and then started game planning for after I recovered. We lived in our first house for almost 16 years and when we moved out, I remember being so disappointed in the projects we hadn’t done. So many easy things that could have been changed out…to enjoy the space more. I really do love our current home…except our master bathroom. It’s the one room that I’ve done a makeover to a few times, but it just still falls flat. I don’t know that we’ll put any big money into it, but I have some goals for it. The space I love the most is probably outside. I love working in the yard and it’s so exciting to see my vision come to life. This is the first time we’ve had a really usable and enjoyable outdoor sitting area…let alone multiple options for one. We’ve done mostly cosmetic things to the interior of the house: paint, wallpaper, a few floating shelves. Outdoors, though, we’ve had the house painted, a new roof and gutters installed, and a major landscaping project completed last year.

Talk about your design philosophy. I can definitely get pulled into what’s trending. Not necessarily because I love it, but because I’ve been chasing the elusive social media follow for so long. I have finally learned, though, that no amount of attention on social media can make you happy…least of all in your own home. I’ve always loved vintage, but what I’m drawn to has changed. Part of that is just the design and layout out of this house compared to our old one. Our first house was an updated version of a 4-square layout. There were built-ins, the rooms were smaller, and it was just older. I had more of colorful mid-century pieces. They didn’t feel right in this house, although, I still have some of my Pyrex. I’ve leaned into more of an eclectic look in this house, gold accents, more original art, lots of layers and textures. I don’t have a specific style…other than more is more.

I love your weekly IG Live: Coffee Talk with Brooke + Hilary Brooke and I have been doing this live for over three years, I think! We didn’t start out with the intention of doing it for so long, but people really seem to enjoy listening to us talk…even though we never have a plan for what we’ll discuss. It really is just like listening to a couple friends chat. People crave connection.

You offer an Instagram subscription. What things do you offer through your subscription? I jumped on the subscription program right away, but know myself enough that I struggle with keeping up with consistent sharing. For over a year, I shared the food I was eating on my health journey. I started dreading doing that, though, so I’m shifting toward giving my subscribers a sneak peek of my thrift finds. Not sure if I will stick with subscriptions or just let them go by the wayside. A lot of people don’t believe in paying for content…so that’s a hard opinion to change.

How has Social Media specifically Instagram impacted your brand? I have a love/hate relationship with Instagram…as I think everyone does. It has opened so many doors both financially and socially for me, though, so for now…I stay. I do want to turn my focus more to my website and evergreen content (blog posts, ebooks, courses, etc…even Pinterest posts to a certain degree. Things that live on beyond the short social media time span) …with Instagram being more of a platform to build community. Hoping I can stick with that and make it happen.

What’s on Your To Do List for the rest of 2024? Life has been crazy the last several years with some health issues and losing my mom in 2022. I’ve been working on her estate for two years and we’re mostly done with that now. I’m trying to refocus on my business and create a daily schedule for myself. That’s proving harder than I want it to be.

**Hilary not only shares thrifting pieces she incorporates into her wardrobe but, also awesome Walmart Deals**

I think it’s so neat you’re on local Television Hilary I mean come on! Yes, I do Hello Iowa once or twice a month. It’s a fun opportunity to connect with a different audience and helps encourage me to get a blog post done for each visit. Check out my appearances: Hello Iowa

Follow Hilary on Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, Like To Know It, Pinterest, Youtube, her Website and Sign up for E-Mails.

Hilary thank you thank you for taking the time to sit down and chat with me I really appreciate it my dear!

Til next time friends I’ll see you over on the Gram!

Images: Hilary Prall

May 22, 2024

Let's Meet Amie Buice

May 22, 2024/ Meryl

Amie Buice

Hi Friends this month my featured interview is the ridiculously talented Amie Buice; an Artist, Interior Designer and Art Teacher on top of being a momma to two sweet boys.

Amie thank you for carving out the time to pop by the Chalet with your very busy schedule - can you introduce yourself to the readers. Hi Meryl, thank you for having me! My name is Amie Buice and I am 37. I have two boys, Trask who is 8 and Oliver who is 6. We have a golden retriever named Posy and a muted calico named Clover.

I grew up in a family of creatives. My great uncles were architects, many of my relatives were artists, and my parents have a great eye for all things design. Designing and decorating my childhood home is a passion of my mom Maria and she has a greater talent for and knowledge of design than anyone I know. My dad Bill also has incredible vision for architecture and landscape design. I was fortunate enough to grow up watching them build a beautiful home together, which is where I learned to love interior design. It is also where I first experienced the way your home’s style is a form of creative expression.

One summer when I was in high school my brother and sister were both at camp. During this time, while I was home without siblings (love you Will and Rainey haha), my Mom and I took on the project of redecorating my bedroom. It was the first time that I had a real say in the way that my room was decorated, and my Mom went all in with bringing my vision to life. We painted the walls a deep purple, the ceiling a dark blue with gold stars. The carpet was a gold shag (which I still stand by!), the light fixture was a star medallion and the bedding was black with beautifully embroidered flowers. It was a dream! We spend the week painting and decorating, listening to the Train album on repeat. I can’t listen to “Drops of Jupiter” without thinking of my Mom. It is one of my favorite memories, and my first hands on experience with Interior Design.

You studied art and interior design in college and recently you entered the world of teaching as an Art Teacher - can you share this evolution. I started out at the University of South Carolina (go, Gamecocks!) and graduated from the Art Institute in Charleston. Entering college, it was my plan to become an Interior Designer. I started out with a major in Studio Art and minor in business. Along the way I realized that I really needed an Interior Design degree, something that was still relatively new, so I transferred and graduated with a BA in Interior Design.

I worked in Interior Design for years under some incredible people and gained so much knowledge and experience.

In 2015, when I was pregnant with my first son, I decided to start my own business so that I could be home with my family as much as possible. I was able to make my own schedule and become more busy as my boys became more busy. Overall, I’ve practiced Interior Design for 13 years.

Over the years my business transformed from solely Interior Design, to also incorporating making and selling art, and eventually to painting decorative wall motifs in my client’s homes.

The evolution of painted wall motifs came from a project that I did in my own home. I had a vision of filling my boys bathroom with bug art (they are ALL boy), then decided just to paint the bugs on the walls. I was inspired by a friend of mine who had been painting walls (shoutout to Marian Pouch, a very talented Columbia, SC artist!), so I just went for it. I posted my progress on social media and immediately had friends and clients asking me to do something similar for them.

Boys Bath with Painted Bugs

Over the course of a year the painted wall motifs became a larger part of my business than the Interior Design. The motifs that I painted on client’s walls were inspired by textile designs, prints that I love, colors in the clients homes and working through a client’s vision. I have so much fun working through an idea with a client, and testing options until we bring what they have in mind to life.

PAINTED MOTIF OPTIONS

After 13 years of practicing Interior Design, last year I was ready for a change. For the first time my boys were both in school every day and I felt a shift in what was bringing me fulfillment. I really missed working with other people, and if I was going to change careers, I wanted it to be something that was practical for a life with my boys, where I could work and still enjoy them as much as possible. Teaching Art was something that I knew I could be happy doing for the rest of my career, so I started on an alternate certification route for Art Education. Last year was my first teaching Art at an elementary school and I have truly loved it. Next year I will be teaching Art at the school that my boys attend, which will be a dream come true. But, I still take on design clients especially ones who want hand-painted walls!

**Amie’s Students were studying Matisse and inspired her to paint this piece**

Amie can you tell us about your design philosophy – your brand is about decorative arts and personalized details for your clients. My design philosophy is that anything goes! I am a no-fuss type of person and that translates into my design style.

I think that a person’s home should be reflective of who they are, functional for the way they live and comfortable to them. Nothing should be too pretty or perfect, old things should be mixed with new things, hand-me downs are fantastic, thrift stores are like a treasure box and children’s artwork should be hung… if not on a wall then at least on the refrigerator! I also think that every room needs something that is “off” and unexpected.

Color Testing

Final Design

Will you share what your favorite space is in your home and why. My favorite space in my house is my kitchen. There is good natural light, the cabinets are blue and the floor is painted. There are old chairs around my grandmother’s table and a fabulous vintage rug that my Mom gave me years ago. There are plates on the wall, dog bowls and messy baskets with pencils, markers and paper for my kids. The refrigerator is covered in pictures and art. I love to cook so 5:00 pm in the kitchen with a glass of wine and music playing is my favorite place to be.

How has Social Media and especially Instagram impacted your brand? Social Media has played a huge role in my business. For Interior Design, many of my clients came from word of mouth but for art and wall motifs, almost all of them came from connections that I made on Instagram. I have a love/hate relationship with social media, as many of us do. But, I do love the friends that I’ve made through social media and the inspiration that fills my feed daily.

ARTWORK BY AMIE

**A creation Amie framed to KEEP AND ENJOY**

Do you have any plans for the rest of 2024. Oh gosh I’m not much of a long term to-do list maker! But to carry on this year I’d like to enjoy the summer with my boys and begin my next year teaching art with lots of inspiration and excitement. I’ll always find time to squeeze in some painting, too!

Amie thank you again for squeezing me in with your busy delightful life. I am so inspired by the art and life you’ve created where you live your passion.

I encourage you to follow Amie on Instagram and go check out her Website.

Til next time I’ll see you over on the Gram!

Images: Amie Buice

April 24, 2024

Let's Meet Amber Clark

April 24, 2024/ Meryl

This week I’m thrilled to introduce my friend Amber Clark she’s a Hospitality Specialist. Her focus is Connection Over Impression.

Amber Welcome to the Chalet! Thank you so much for your time. Please tell the readers a bit about yourself.

Hi Meryl - I’ve been married for 31 years to my High School sweetheart Tom and we are parents to three sons Graeme (Graham), Gavin and Ian. We’ve had our Springer Spaniel Lucy for two years.

We live in Holland, MI. I attended a small liberal arts college, Hope College, here in Holland.

Your town is such a special place. Yes, Holland, MI is indeed a special place! It, and the surrounding areas, were founded by Dutch settlers who came over in 1847. They were seeking better economic opportunities and religious freedom. The Dutch are known for their exemplary work ethic. There are many family-owned businesses in the area. Although we are not Dutch, we appreciate that ethic and launched our own deck building business in 2020.

There are Dutch-themed attractions in the area, including the De Zwaan Windmill that came from the Netherlands and is the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the U.S. Every May is the Tulip Time Festival, named the best Tulip festival in the U.S. There are events, parades and millions of tulips on display. Downtown Holland is our favorite. The main street has charming restaurants and shops. We do a lot of downtown date nights. Things are clean, beautiful, and safe. We love our downtown!

Will you share a bit about your family and growing up. I grew up in a small town in mid-Michigan. We lived in Dayton, Ohio when I was very young but it was becoming a dangerous place so my parents moved us to the small college town of Alma, MI. I grew up playing beneath a huge willow tree in our backyard. My mom Mary was intentional about creating traditions in our home, like waffles and bacon on Saturday mornings. February picnic on the living floor in the middle of wintry February with grilled hamburgers and brownies. I didn’t have the benefit of growing up with extended family around me but our small church became like family. My Sunday School teacher Mrs. Mayes would take me out to lunch when I was a teenager. She always dressed to the nines when we went out. Another took me out after a high school break up with a boy. These women were intelligent and gracious. They were replacement grandmothers in a lot of ways for me.

You started your Instagram account in 2016 with the above image. You have an entrepreneurial as well as educational spirit - am I correct did you once operate a tea room? It was always my dream to operate a tea room, but the timing never lined up. I have had a cottage scone baking business and catered smaller tea events for bridal/baby showers. I began collecting china with the idea of wedding rentals but there were downsides to that and the needs of my family at the time. It’s been a process but I’m finally at a place where I believe teaching hospitality is the best combination of my love for hosting and writing. My plan is to write a book on real hospitality to encourage women in our every day walk of life.

Oh Amber how wonderful! I want a copy of your Book when it’s published!

You have a terrific collection of China. Have you always collected it? When did you start. I began collecting teapots and cups/saucers many years ago when I was first married. I’m a huge Anglophile. That collection has grown over the years. As mentioned before, I collected more actively when I considered starting a rental business. I sold much of that off. Now, I have a beautiful Spode collection because a friend gifted me her mother’s collection in 2020.

I think you also taught baking classes. I did! I opened my home for scone baking classes in December 2019. It was a hit. Then 2020 came and everything shut down. I just felt afterwards that wasn’t where I wanted to invest my time. Again, publishing seems to make more sense to me in terms of reaching a larger audience.

You seem to be a shining example of welcome but, how did the idea of Hospitality take hold? My personality in general bends towards encouragement and gathering people together. Our family regularly had people over for dinner. My parents made room for others in our home. I’ve always loved parties, coffees with friends, etc. In 2020 especially the desire to talk about hospitality grew as we were all separated. We saw what an emotional and mental toll that took. The other thing was that I noticed many young moms complained of feeling alone. They thought they were connected through social media but we know it’s not the same. People aren’t being taught how to host others in their homes and social media/television makes it look like you have to own a big home and live a perfect life to offer hospitality. People are starving for connection. I believe part of my role in this life is to teach and encourage people to reconnect through hospitality.

Do you have a signature go-to entertaining meal? I absolutely love brunch! It’s so easy and everyone loves it. When serving our boys and their friends, I love doing soups and pasta. I also love to make a simple cream tea (scones and tea) for friends from time to time.

**This Post on Instagram has been liked by 14,700 People. showing People want connection.**

You are a contributing columnist at Homemade Homesteading Magazine - how did this opportunity present itself to you? Jenna Smith (The Teacup Homestead), publisher of Homemade Homesteading, reached out last year to invite me to write for the magazine. This was after I really committed to defining my message on Instagram and took growing my account more seriously.

I also write regularly about hospitality for a monthly publication available only to our local community called Lakeshore Living and I’ve been published in Healing Homes Magazine Article “Tea Time With Littles”

Fall/Winter 2023

Spring 2023

Summer 2023

Zeeland Living

I’ve always been a writer - I received a B.A. in Communications and Minor in English-Writing from Hope College. My first job was writing copy for a small travel trade publication. I eventually became editor and did some traveling for the company. After starting our family, I still wrote for the company part-time. I also did some freelance writing. During my boys’ elementary years, I worked in our middle school library. It was one of my most favorite jobs – introducing kids to reading!

Why did you start your website A Cordial Home? Partly to feature more of my writing as well as grow awareness of how necessary hospitality is in our lives.

Amber there are several articles on your website I’ve enjoyed but, this one is so impactful!

3 Hospitality Lies You Need to Know

How has Social Media impacted your brand? When I really sat down in January 2023 and decided on my message of hospitality, followed some good marketing accounts, and started posting regularly, Instagram not only grew my following but gave me a place to practice and hone my message. It’s really neat when people share and adopt your mottos like, Connection Over Impression. Or message you about how they’re offering hospitality in their homes. I try to remember, there are real people on the other side of accounts I’m interacting with. I’ve also met so many wonderful people on Instagram. I think of everyone like a “pen pal.”

Recently you started a few new things on Instagram. The first is a Subscription feature - offering subscribers giveaways, wedding season sneak peaks, party planning and behind the scenes access. How has this been working out? I am enjoying sharing more details about our families upcoming wedding and more of my china collection and my storage, etc. and parts of my house that I wouldn’t normally share to the broader audience. I am learning as I go some, but I do enjoy it. The subscription is $4.99 per month but I also offer a discounted rate (half off) every couple months or so that remains the same for the life of the subscription :)

The second is a Series the Hospitality Conundrum. Can you tell us more about it. Yes, I often receive private messages from followers wanting my thoughts about a challenging hospitality issue and I thought with permission - that this might provide help for more than just the person asking the question.

So I share the Conundrum with my whole audience asking ‘What Would You Do In This Situation’ and they weigh in and share their experiences, collective wisdom and I too share how I would handle it. I’ve really been enjoying learning more about how others react to situations.

Will you share a recipe with us? Sure! Here’s my delicious Cream Scone recipe.

Simple Cream Scones: Oven 425*

2 cups flour
¼ cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
Whisk dry ingredients together
Add 1 ¼ cup heavy cream to dry ingredients and stir with fork until dough comes together. It will be sticky
Form a 2” round on prepared (sprayed with baking spray) baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar
Score into 8 pie-shaped pieces and pull pieces apart to bake 10-12 minutes

Serve warm with jam and lemon curd

Plans for the rest of 2024. I’d like to do more public speaking on hospitality in the coming year. Begin work on a hospitality book proposal. Lots of celebration coming this year as we see our middle son married in September and most likely another wedding for our eldest son in 2025! God is good!

Meryl Thanks for everything I appreciate your interest and support as always!

Amber how wonderful so much celebration and opportunities await you! Again many many thanks for stopping by the Chalet! Friends you can find Amber on Facebook, Instagram and A Cordial Home.

Til next time be well and I’ll see you over on Instagram!