Never say never, right? Because one day a long time down the road, you might be eating your words. If you know me, you know that I hate sports. And sports is ALWAYS on at our house. It doesn't stop; baseball, basketball, football, golf. And if sports isn't on, Sports Center is. I sometimes feel like I'm in a boys locker room all the sports talk that goes on around here. Oh, and I can't forget the 36 NASCAR races every season. Oh, but then there's qualifying and practice too that is always on the TV.

A little bit of a back story. When Brad and I first met he wasn't into NASCAR, but then one day it seemed that he was hooked. His favorite driver was, and very much still is the number 48, Jimmie Johnson. I remember asking him how he decided to root for Jimmie and he said he has class and races fair. I could get behind that, so this non sports loving woman became a 48 fan for her husband. That's the first part of never say never. I went to a few races, even went to one pregnant with Asher. Maybe that's why he has such a passion for racing and Jimmie. He heard the roar of the engines and he was hooked. But I still wasn't a true NASCAR fan probably until Asher was about 3. That was when Asher really started taking a liking to it and somehow he understood that they weren't just "turning left", but there were teams and rivals, crews, and math involved. He is like a sponge relating to NASCAR. He'll remember that Joey Logano wrecked Matt Kenseth and so that's why Matt wrecked Joey a month later. Maybe that's the thing with passion, you soak as much of it that you can.

This has been a big year for team 48. Jimmie Johnson won his 7th Sprint Cup Championship. He now joins the ranks of Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty. So this is just crazy, how do I know all this?!! This non sports lady knows more than I ever thought I'd ever know about NASCAR. My dad chuckles at how much I know now. He says, "Never in my wildest dreams did I think Sonya Hamilton's daughter would be NASCAR fan."

Architectural Digest has featured Jimmie and his wife, Chandra's New York City apartment in their February issue. I couldn't wait to read this article and see their style. I knew there would be great art because Chandra owns an art gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina called SOCO.

How precious are their daughters, Evie and Lydia.  I also can't get over that mustard velvet vintage edward Wormly sofa. — How precious are their daughters, Evie and Lydia. I also can't get over that mustard velvet vintage edward Wormly sofa.

They enlisted the help of designer Shawn Henderson, who has also worked on their homes in Tulsa and Aspen. What's interesting is in their initial design meeting they didn't talk colors or fabrics, but instead how they live their life and how they want to entertain their guests. I think that's a true testament to Shawn honestly. I'm sure the Johnson's knew they would have an impeccable space because of their collaboration, but wanted to ensure that the floor plan worked best for how they live their life.

I can't stop looking at the border pattern in the foyer and those vintage Gio Ponti sconces.

Just look at the size and shape of that slider and windows.  I'm really digging these retro inspired pops of colors found throughout the home — Just look at the size and shape of that slider and windows. I'm really digging these retro inspired pops of colors found throughout the home

i love a vacation home that has lots of books.  it's practical, yet also reminds you to stop and relax, and maybe read a book, or flip through the pictures of a photography book — i love a vacation home that has lots of books. it's practical, yet also reminds you to stop and relax, and maybe read a book, or flip through the pictures of a photography book

I like the unique sconce found in the powder room

I tend to lean to oversized pieces so this Christophe Pourny Tv cabinet with it's bookmatched wood really gets my attention.  Well, that and the views — I tend to lean to oversized pieces so this Christophe Pourny Tv cabinet with it's bookmatched wood really gets my attention. Well, that and the views

The other side of the Living room with a separate seating area featuring the mustard sofa.  Again with those windows!! — The other side of the Living room with a separate seating area featuring the mustard sofa. Again with those windows!!

Ok, i'm a sucker for oversized art and this one has me.  Also note that had they put a neutral rug or a rug with the same colors but pattern over the entire rug, it would actually take away from the painting.  However, by bringing the colo… — Ok, i'm a sucker for oversized art and this one has me. Also note that had they put a neutral rug or a rug with the same colors but pattern over the entire rug, it would actually take away from the painting. However, by bringing the colors of the art to the border of the rug, it's pulling out the colors of the art even more and same for the rug.

I especially love the brass detail on the master bedroom's custom bed along with the floating nightstands.  Couldn't you imagine laying on that chaise and watching the hustle and bustle of the city? — I especially love the brass detail on the master bedroom's custom bed along with the floating nightstands. Couldn't you imagine laying on that chaise and watching the hustle and bustle of the city?

How sweet is the girls' room.  Can you spot evie? — How sweet is the girls' room. Can you spot evie?

Ok, so another reason why i like to watch the races, and hope that Jimmie wins is to see what Chandra is wearing.  She's always wearing such unique outfits.  her fashion seems to be an understated elegance.  she once was a wilhelmina … — Ok, so another reason why i like to watch the races, and hope that Jimmie wins is to see what Chandra is wearing. She's always wearing such unique outfits. her fashion seems to be an understated elegance. she once was a wilhelmina model and it's clear she loves fashion.

A little of our family's love for Jimmie Johnson below.

Our little Asher as Jimmie for Halloween, wishing for his 7th championship

The below video was taken when he was 4. I found him just looking at pictures of Jimmie's car. Can we say obsessed?

Ok, so this next video is another part of never say never. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be so into this. This was the last race of the season to determine who would win the championship. It got pretty intense about 10 laps before the checkered flag when 2 of the qualifiers for the championship wrecked. So it only left Jimmie and the 18 driver Kyle Bush. But what I really wanted was for Jimmie to win so I didn't have to see tears from Asher upset if Jimmie didn't win. (Side note: Brad goes crazy excited in this video. Embarrassing? I think so. ha!!)

Not surprising, my little competitive Asher wants to be a race car driver when he grows up. All he asked Santa for this year was a go kart. He was quite devastated when he came down and didn't see a kart. But Santa did come through. He delivered not only a kart, but a Jimmie looking kart. Watch the video below to see him perk right up once he found the kart. PS: Santa has suggested asking for something not quite so extravagant and expensive next year. ;)

So lesson learned. Never say never because you might change your mind down the road. Never did I think I'd be into NASCAR. And when I started this blog a year ago, I surely didn't think I'd be posting any NASCAR posts. The same could be said about your home. Be open to new things, or rethink about things you've said you don't like about design. For example, I always disliked canopy beds. However, now one is in the works for my master bedroom. I definitely didn't see myself changing my thoughts about canopy beds. Remember, we're all evolving, growth and change is good.

Thanks for reading!

Tucker

Jimmie Johnson's New York City Apartment