Written by Gillian Drummond

As I sit writing this, the leaves are just beginning to change color and I am packing up my house to move. My articles are due a month before publication, and I actually move out at the end of October. So here I am thinking about the holidays while the weather is still warm.

I start work on renovating my new condominium at the beginning of November and hope to be living there within three weeks. The lesson I try to teach my clients and through my workshops about having a good plan and following it is the only thing keeping me sane at the moment. I have scheduled all the necessary contractors to do the work that needs to be done before I move in. All my floor plans are finished, so that I know what furniture to keep, where it will fit and what to let sell. A box full of fabric samples and paint colors is standing by at my fingertips for me to work with easily through the whole process.

The popcorn ceilings are being stripped, skim coated and painted, the master bathroom gutted and new wood and tile floors laid before I move in. At the moment, it is rather dark and dreary, and I want a whole new feel of light and style. I will live in it a short while to get the feel of what I can accomplish through gorgeous colored paints and beautiful fabrics.

I promise I will have before and after pictures for a future article.

This brings me back to the holiday season. The words that come to mind are gratitude and generosity celebrated with joy. Gratitude for all that we have, no matter our circumstances, generosity to give to our friends, loved ones and our community in whatever ways we can and a celebration to share all of this with family and friends.

It has been a joy for me to give to Hospice and Habitat all the things I no longer need as I downsize. I am so grateful for the buyers who are buying this house I have called home and which I lovingly renovated from a house that had not had any tender loving care for over 40 years. Now I hand it on to make a loving home for new family.

I am also grateful for the condominium that gives me a new creative outlet to make it into a lovely haven for me to enjoy every minute of every day. This new home will fill my heart with loving gratitude for being lucky enough to have a manageable, safe, beautiful place to live and share with my friends. Hopefully, finished and furnished enough to celebrate Christmas with joy.

May your home overflow with love, warmth and happiness this holiday season.

Gillian Drummond of Drummond House is opening a new design studio in downtown Tryon, N.C. in the near future. You can see her website at www.drummondhouseco.com and reach her at info@drummondhouseco.com or call 828-859-9895 until then.