You know all those people that have witty short snippets that perfectly sum up their life in bite-size chunks? That’s not me.
Maybe it’s because I like too many things. Or maybe I’m just not that in touch with myself. Regardless, I find it hard to condense my life into short catch phrases.
But I do like to talk. And write. So here’s a little bit of info about me.
I grew up in a small Texas town, and by small, I mean population 812. I didn’t appreciate it nearly enough while I was there, but there’s no denying that growing up in rural Texas had a profound effect on who I am today.
A go-getter with a strong perfectionist bent, I ended up getting a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. I proudly represented public school districts in Texas for 17+ years, but eventually I came face-to-face with the reality that while being a lawyer was a fine way to pay the bills, it didn’t feed my soul. After lots (and lots) of hand-wringing, I QUIT.
Whew. That was liberating.
These days I lead the operations and marketing for our residential real estate business – Homesville Real Estate — which allows me to do the graphic, photography, and video work I love. I remodel and stage houses for profit — six in Austin so far. When the opportunity arises, I take photographs and style shoots for local businesses; all of the photographs on this site are my own unless otherwise noted. I also enjoy planning and executing parties for adults and children alike. And most importantly, I leave plenty of time to be fully present with my two young children and my husband.
I have a strong creative vision, a keen eye for spatial relationships, and a fierce ability to focus on the details. That’s my sweet spot. Whether it’s a party, house remodel, styling, or some other project I’m working on, I take joy in bringing eclectic styles together in an unexpected and beautiful way. I guess that makes me a forty-something reformed lawyer who is finally pursuing my passion for the beautiful, the creative, and the fun. A Life More Beautiful is my creative outlet, a showcase for my projects, and a means of sharing those things that excite and inspire me.
My design aesthetic
I’ve come a long way from my country roots, but those humble beginnings had a deep impact on my personal design aesthetic. I like to break the rules and have a little fun, mixing objects from different time periods.
I’m personally drawn to muted forest colors like the kind I’d find walking in the piney woods of East Texas. I don’t think a room is finished without some fresh flowers in it. And I like to mix organic elements like a bird’s nest or bee hive right along with something shiny. The shinier the better in my book. I grew up in a trailer home, and we didn’t have a lot of money. As a result, I’m drawn to luxe and rich objects mixed in with a healthy amount of repurposed antiques and thrifty finds from big box stores like Target.
When you put it all together, I’d say my personal interior design style is eclectic with shabby chic tendencies. But I’ve never liked being put in a corner…
- Contemporary or transitional?
- Rustic or Hollywood regency?
- Bohemian or French country?
- Crisp and clean or bold and daring?
- Or maybe mid-century modern?
I have equal love for them all, and everything in between.
Interested in working together?
While I am based in Austin, Texas, I will happily travel near, far, or abroad for the right opportunity related to:
- Photo styling
- Custom images for social media or the web
- Design boards for your interior project
- Remodel consultations
- And more!
I tackle any project with grit and gusto. If you’d like to collaborate on a project, contact me for rates and availability.
Other tidbits:
- I believe that sequins and sparkles and shine make everything better.
- I know how to drive a tractor and castrate a bull.
- I had no social media accounts of any kind until the end of 2015.
Still curious? You can read more about my journey to find my passion here.
XO
Marquette
