This is a guest post from Kelly Westover of balance., and Westover Designs. Kelly is also the first person to request a private commission print from me. I was really drawn to the story of her inspiration and asked her to share it here with you all:

Not too long ago I gave birth to the most adorable baby boy on the planet. Okay, I might be a little biased, but look at those eyes!

He has been a source of inspiration and motivation that nothing on earth could have prepared me for. I wake up in the morning and stare into his face and nothing can possibly get me down or shake my core. He builds me up with just a smile, a look, a wave. Seeing his growth and progress brings more joy to my life than anything. The growth of our little family has been a beautiful adjustment-in-the-making that inspires my hubs and I to ‘get out’ and ‘do more’. We take the time to go to the park more often, and when his development proves to be at certain point we take him to explore new and exciting things, like the aquarium.

A month or so ago we took a weekend trip down to Cambria and San Simeon to visit Hearst Castle. I’m not going to lie, this trip was mostly for me. I love architecture and exploring old homes and museums. Textures, scents, textiles, finishes… are all guilty pleasures of mine. I would gladly sit in a room full of fluffy pillows and the smell of fresh fruit or candles for days. (As long as there’s some food in there too, I LOVE food). I even love the smell of old. Old paper, old carpet, old linens… Hearst castle was all of these things, plus salt water. Gently hugging the coast line with poise and tranquility sits a mammoth of a castle that easily rivals those in Europe. Which is fitting given that W.R. Hearst, the owner, was mostly inspired by what he saw, smelled and lived in Europe. [Read more...]