I am a huge fan of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and I’m always amazed how the team and the hardworking volunteers build a home for a deserving family from scratch in one week ! And the homes are always gorgeous from top to bottom, both inside and out.  Don’t you just love that show?

One of the interior designers on the show, as you may know, is the beautiful and talented Tracy Hutson !

Tracy has spent her design career helping others beautify their homes, both on and off the TV screen. 

She was selected to be a style consultant and designer for ABC’s Extreme Makeover in 2003. 

No doubt you’ve seen the show and witnessed all of her incredible designs, especially the amazing kid spaces.

Tracy took a few minutes to talk with me last week over the phone. 

Q:  How did you happen to partner with the team from Extreme Makeover ?

I started my own design business in L.A. 11 years ago.  It was a stroke of luck that I was chosen to be part of the team by ABC, I’ve loved every minute with the show.  There’s nothing like witnessing the positive impact the show has on deserving families.  I’m really very blessed. 

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Many months ago while I was planning my own home office remodel, I wrote about how I was inspired by Tyra Banks’ office.  You’ve seen this image before, but here it is again. 

I adore everything about this office space, including the writer’s desk, the intense blue on the walls, the white cabinetry, bold print panels, and the  traditional accessories infused with modern color. 

This office was designed by 24 year old L.A. designer Kyle Schuneman.   Kyle wrote to me several months ago thanking me for the link and we’ve corresponded ever since.

Last month Kyle gave advice in Real Simple magazine in an article entitled  “Decorating with Brown”.  Personally, I think brown is a color many struggle with because it can quickly become dull. 

Not for Kyle.  Now this is how to decorate with brown !  You can read his other helpful tips in the Real Simple article right here. 

When I saw Kyle’s name mentioned as one of the twenty interior designers promoted on House Beautiful’s Next Wave List, I was extremely excited for him.  He has incredible talent and will no doubt be in the spotlight for many years to come. 

Kyle was kind enough to answer a few questions I posed to him.  Here’s our mini Q & A.

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Many of you know that I am on my way to the Blissdom Conference starting next week in Nashville.  At first I hesitated to go, but after some prodding, I decided to hop on a plane from California to attend this much celebrated and talked about event.  Plus, I’ve never been to Nashville and I’ve always wanted to visit that city.  And I really want to meet some amazing bloggers that inspire me.

Naturally, networking is a big part of these large scale events, and blog/business cards are a necessity, so I set my sights on purchasing a stylish card holder.   When a girl goes to a conference, she deserves something pretty to hold her cards, am I right ?

At first I shopped around for some modern cases.  Take a peek at some of these beauties, then check out my vintage Etsy find at the end !

Zebra Print Crystal Case

Tiffany Blue Patent Leather from Tiffany & Co.

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I’m a sincere lover of Mexican food – I crave it at least twice a month.  When I was in college, I would indulge at the local taquería in muy grande burritos and never gain a single ounce.  These days, if I so much as look at a burrito sideways, I gain five pounds.

Two years ago, Mr. CG and I were dining at our favorite local Mexican food restaurant.  He ordered the chicken tortilla soup.  I tried it for the first time, and fell in love.  All the flavor of a delicious taco, in a bowl, but healthier and lower in calories ?  Sign me up, señor.  Since the restaurant was reluctant to share their recipe, I spent over a year trying to capture the same flavor by tweaking my own recipe for sopa de tortilla de pollo.

On a cold winter day, there’s nothing I want more than a hot bowl of soup  And a nap.  But the latter is not happening.  Here’s my recipe for ‘taco in a bowl’.  It’s yummy yummy to your tummy.  Muy bueno.  Enjoy.

Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup

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