A Royal Wedding Party!

My lovely friend Anne, a lifelong follower of the royal family, hosted the most wonderful wedding party this morning. Gathering at 5 am, we enjoyed a breakfast of scones, tea, strawberries and a bit of champagne, as we watched together. Anne's friend, whose husband recently returned from London, brought back charming wedding commemoratives. Pictured here though, is a Claudia Pearson tea towel. Absolutely love this all in blue!
Beautiful flowers...
Anne's exquisitely monogrammed linen...
lovely tea cups...
a just-installed Julie Neill Beatrice 2 chandelier, reminiscent of a crown and...
a lifelong collection of books on Princess Diana created the most wonderful atmosphere for our memorable time together. Thank you Anne!
p.s. Wasn't her wedding dress simply perfect!

Found

If you've read my blog in the past few months, you know of my deep desire to find vintage upholstered X benches. Well, I didn't find X benches, but some vintage benches that spoke to me just the same.

Not the most spectacular upholstery but as they were just $7 each, I grabbed them. Now, the daunting task of finding a fabric. 

My husband prefers them tucked under the Parson's sofa table (which is patiently waiting for its makeover). And, no, my floors are not as orange as they look in this photo. Although, they are too orange for my taste. Believe me, refinishing is on the list. The never-ending list. 

I thought the benches looked very similar to some that Angie Hranowsky used in a bedroom . . . 

Oh, how I love this room.

Okay, back to my benches. 

Sorry for the horrible lighting. You should know this was during the flood yesterday.

Since this room is fairly brown neutral, color is needed in a big way (as I mentioned yesterday in my post about pillows). Most of the color I have now is in my rug and accessories.

My kids tend to follow me when I start snapping photos.

Here are some fabrics I'm loving right now (in no particular order) . . . 

Robert Allen's Tioga in Paprika

this crazy-expensive but great Highland Court fabric

and this color-saturated vintage Chinoiserie fabric from eBay.

I would love to do the Tioga on the benches and the Chinoiserie fabric on some pillows for the slipper chairs, but I don't think I can do Tioga if I get these beauties for Mother's Day . . .

That's just too much diamond/geometric pattern going on. So, if you have any thoughts, please do share. Any fabulous fabrics you've run across that might look great with the colors I've got going on (mainly a shrimpy/coral color, chartreuse and/or teal/turquoise)? Should I ditch the pillows in La Fiorentina and get the benches recovered in Tioga? Anyone? Help a sister out.

Sources: Angie Hranowsky, Online Fabric Store, Inside Fabric, eBay, Etsy

I Spy

I was at Pottery Barn and saw something that reminded me of this framed map.
They've come out with candles which are an exact match.
My version of the map happens to be page torn from India Hick's book, Island Living. I've never been able to find a reprint in a larger size.

To My Dear Family,

Since Mother's Day is coming soon and you're often asking me what I'd like as a gift (besides your love, of course), I thought I would give you an idea. One word: pillows.

Specifically, these pillows from Etsy. A little La Fiorentina in coral would add some much needed punch to our family sofa. See, it would really benefit us all. I'm being the selfless mother once again.

The zebra pillows from West Elm are looking a little worse for wear these days.

And of course, once the sofa gets a facelift, I'd hate to ignore the slipper chairs. Never fear, I found a little pick-me-up for them (and me) as well . . .

This ikat chevron/flamestitch pillow would fit the bill nicely. I'm loving the corals and chartreuse yellowy-green. I think it would coordinate nicely with colors in our rug . . .

Excuse my unstyled coffee table.

Unfortunately, there's only one available and we have two chairs. Slight hiccup. Not to worry, I'll find an alternative. Plenty of time until Mother's Day. I'm off to shop now . . . 

Love,

Mom

Sources: Etsy

17th Century Kitchen Sink

A 2007 addition to this historic circa 1810 Charleston home includes a 17th century marble sink. Love the width and the amazing wall mounted faucets. It all looks better for being paired with a Ceasarstone island edged to look like a thick slab and lucite stools.
All images from Carriage House Properties here. Hope you had a great weekend. I'm sitting here wishing it was still Saturday!

Looking for an Outlet?

While some people might look for creative outlets, I prefer the retail variety. I see the word "outlet," and I automatically think "discount." So imagine my excitement when a postcard arrived in my mail with this photo . . .

and the words, Grand Opening and outlet. The Amy Howard Outlet, to be exact. Are you familiar with Amy Howard? 

She makes very nice furniture and is from my hometown of Memphis. 

Her classic, beautiful pieces speak for themselves.

 

So pretty.

I'm not sure I'll be able to afford these beauties even at "outlet" prices, but I can at least look and drool if nothing else. 

Until now, these pieces have only been available through designers and design showrooms. 

Now, I can just drop by and check them out any Wednesday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Grand Opening is this Friday, April 22 at 10 a.m., 2203 Bandywood, Nashville. I know I'll be stopping by.

Source: Amy Howard Collection

Outside at the DC Design House

The DC Design House is open through May 8th and in addition to beautiful interiors, the landscaping and exteriors are also a source of inspiration. The grounds of this home are significant and Scott Brinitzer of Scott Brinitzer Design Associates used a repeating theme of curving pea gravel beds to bring a classic and refined look to the gardens and koi pond.



Jeff Potter of J & G Landscape Design revived the Hollywood size pool, including an elevated dance floor (not pictured here), and added select plantings to create an enclosed, private feel.
James Rill of Rill Architects, PC did a beautiful job treating the Exterior Front Portico with the same level of attention given to interior spaces. A thoughtful selection of paint subtly highlights the original Tudor Style architecture.
This image by Leah Moss of Apartment Therapy
Exterior Paint: Farrow & Ball Mouse's Back, Stony Ground, Mahogany

Who Knew?

Thank you all for your sage advice about this "fish table." I really do appreciate you weighing in. So, did I get it?

Well, sort of. I don't officially have it yet. Because of my son's birthday party on Saturday and family visiting, I couldn't make it back to the estate sale. However, the nice estate sale lady is giving me until Friday to pick it up. So, on Friday it will be mine, or some other lucky person's as it is going straight from its old home to its new home in the antique booth.

And by the way, I tried to find some examples of these tables on 1st Dibs by searching "fish table."I found nothing. But, my partner in crime Bri, of course, found some for me. She's a super sleuth/treasure hunter. It turns out these are dolphins not fish. Silly me.

Here are some examples from 1st Dibs . . .

This table is pretty darn similar to the one I found. Except there are two of these. They are selling for $5,800 for the pair!

Apparently, these dolphin tables are considered Italian "Grotto" furniture, consisting of fantasy pieces that showcase oceanic subjects. You learn something new everyday, I guess.

More examples . . . 

And I knew this type of table looked familiar, and then it hit me. One of my favorite rooms by Celerie Kemble has a pair of "dolphin" lamp tables that I have long coveted. Of course, they are a Chinese red-orange and not brass, but if you're so inclined you can always paint them (as Naomi from Design Manifest suggested).

So, if you're looking for some fantasy in your own life, stop by my booth and the Grotto dolphin table is yours. I'll give you a much better deal than 1st Dibs!

Sources: 1st Dibs, Kemble Interiors

In Lieu of Southern Accents: This Charleston Home

I should have titled this post In Lieu of Taxes...as instead of completing my tax return I've been searching Charleston homes. However, it was very exciting to come across this home for sale and to recognize the kitchen that appeared in Southern Accents Nov/Dec 2004. I've always loved this space and have included it in posts about fireplaces in kitchens.
Does anyone know who the designer is? Update: Thanks to Midwest Snob and Kansas Farmhouse for letting me know the Southern Accents issue date and that the designers are husband and wife architects Mark and Melissa Marescu.
Would love to write more about my thoughts on this beautiful home but my taxes await...



To see more of this home, including the gardens, go here. (All images via Carriage Properties)