Friday, September 28, 2012
Classic Weekend Eye Candy
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Stuff
Over the past couple of days, I have been furiously cleaning out all our upstairs closets in preparation for new carpet that we're getting in our children's bedrooms and the guest room. As a result, my house has looked a bit like this . . .
Pretty, right? It is amazing how much junk our family has accumulated over the past six years of living here. It's really rather disgusting. Why do we have so much stuff?? These bags are filled with Goodwill donations and literal garbage. And yes, I know a lot of you out there don't like carpet. Well, I don't love it either. In an ideal world, I would have hardwood floors everywhere and area rugs. However, I live in the real world where my suburban home has an open floorplan that is very echo-ey (not a word) and the carpet helps soundproof or at least muffle some of my children's running and general tomfoolery. Plus, my kids like carpet because it's "soft, cushy and cozy." So, there you have it.
There's also a Sidewalk Sale I'm preparing for at my friend Jennifer's shop, tag, in the Bellevue area of Nashville. She's celebrating her shop's one year anniversary . . . quite an accomplishment, in my opinion. Here's my pile of goodies for that . . .
There will be lamps, mirrors, art, fabric, brass accessories galore and much more. My friend Brandy from Chateau a Gogo is also participating, so you know there will be tons of treasures to be had. Add that to the beautiful things Jennifer already has in her store and a couple of estate sales just down the street, and you have the makings of a great Saturday morning. So please come out and see us - tag, treasures, antiques and good stuff, 8333 Sawyer Brown Road, Nashville, TN 37221, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (I may not be there all day, mainly just in the morning as my son has a midday soccer game).
Oh, and while doing some last-minute shopping yesterday, I picked up this Mid-Century Curtis Jere-style metal wall sculpture.
I was on the fence about whether to keep it or sell it when I saw this listing on V&M:
Um, maybe I'll keep it.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Light & Dark - a beautiful contrast
Designer Candace Barnes is a master at playing dark and light off each other. Hope you enjoy these interiors. On an unrelated note, I haven't mastered new Bloggers "centering" function. Any tips for me? (photographer not known) 
Monday, September 24, 2012
Inspiration Under the Sea
My husband recently returned from one of his diving trips, and this time instead of bringing me back a souvenir he brought home something much more important - inspiration through his beautiful photographs. This trip focused on the corals and teeny, tiny little creatures that can barely be seen with the naked eye, but with the help of his macro lens, they explode with color and texture. Words aren't really necessary. Just enjoy the color combinations, textures and patterns only Mother Nature could create.
There are so many more images that you can see on his blog Making It Up As I Go. I hope you've been as inspired as I have.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Must See Georgetown Row House!
The Washington Post's Jura Koncius hit it out of the ball park yesterday with her feature on decorator Michele Evan's Georgetown row house she shares with husband Council member Jack Evans and their six children. Tearing down the walls of the 18 foot wide first floor, a large living area was created with this incredible kitchen taking center stage. This may be my favorite kitchen of 2012. Notice how Michele repeats the strong rectangular lines throughout the space. Love those spot-on perfect pendant lights. (Photography by Katherine Frey)
In addition to being beautiful, the kitchen is unique and functional. There's a built-in coffee maker and a potting area with a soapstone sink and fabulous brass bridge faucet.
A dining area with a limestone table is nestled in the front bay window overlooking the street.
A neutral palette of soft creams and grays with touches of caramel create a restful living space. I'm noting the balls in the fireplace - wonder what they are made of?
Michele created an incredible backyard with large dining and outdoor tv lounge area. The article notes that with their patio heaters they can use the space 8 months of the year and last year hosted Thanksgiving dinner outside for 18.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Cheap Leopard & my DIY Ottoman
This Laura Ashley ottoman started out as a blue/white check which never went with anything in my house but at $300 I didn't want to pass it up. Many years later and I've finally "reupholstered" it myself with a purple gray linen to play off the sofa covered in Kelly Wearstler's Fern Tree (bought at discount from Haute.)
This summer I bought a purple gray leopard scarf from 2 Chic while on vacation in Marblehead. House Beautiful just did a spread on animal print. For only $20, this scarf was a cheap way to bring in a fun print (and protect the linen from daily use).
But, with the leopard it just didn't sit quite right in it's old place.
So here it is in front of the other sofa in the family room. As you may be guessing, my family room is a bit eclectic; furnished and decorated not by an upfront master plan but rather from a "let me try to piece something together..."I've never shown my whole family room and have it as a goal to post about it in the next month.
Rope a Dope
Once again, my rut was broken by a find. It never fails to revive my spirit. I know, I'm easy. Well, not that kind of easy. But, I digress. Remember when I was pining over a piece of rope furniture in this post? Well, I found a side chair. Now, it's not the rope and tassel/Hollywood Regency style, but more of the 80's style, but I still am loving it. Without further ado, here it is . . .
The fabric is not even in bad condition, just a bit dirty. But, I would still love to reupholster it. Just have to find the right fabric. And the finish doesn't bother me either. At first, I thought I might paint it black or gold, but it's kind of nice to have a different wood tone in the mix. So, I'm still thinking on that as well. I actually found a similar chair at an estate sale recently, but it had a caned back and was much more expensive, so I passed.
Oh, and I got some "emerald" earrings at Target that make me happy . . .
My birthstone is emerald, and I love all the jewel tones for fall, so for $12.99 they're the perfect pick-me-up.
The weather here is gorgeous, so I'm excited to be out and about today. Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!
Monday, September 17, 2012
Rut
I'm officially in a blogging rut. I tried to ignore it, thinking topics would just come to me in my sleep, but no such thing happened. I will say I've been pinning on Pinterest like a fiend. So, if you're interested in what's inspiring me, please follow me on Pinterest. Here are some of my recent pins (just so you'll have something pretty to gaze upon):
Can you say Design ADD? I hope to get back into the blogging groove soon. It's just one of those slumps where I feel like I've said it all before and who cares anyway . . . blah, blah, blah. I know we all go through these phases, so I'm just going to wait it out and hope it resolves. I do plan to share some of my husband's amazing underwater photos soon (he has to upload them first). The colors are so inspiring, really. Crazy color combinations only Mother Nature could envision. Until then, please check out my blogging buddy Ashley's (Meet Me in Philadelphia) beautiful apartment that is featured in the new issue of Ivy & Piper. Her design aesthetic is fresh, clean and unique . . . I'm so glad she's getting recognized for it!
Eye Candy: Juicy Color in the Kitchen
Forget a cup of coffee ( or OJ) in the morning, the juicy color in this kitchen will be sure to give you a boost. My favorite is the orange Viking stove - pairs well w/the butcher block and neutral counters.
Designer Mark Molthan Via Dallas Home here.Thursday, September 13, 2012
The St. Regis, Virtual Clint & Me
I don't think I would ever get tired of having a tv "in" my bathroom mirror or staying at a St Regis.
Similar to the room at the San Francisco St. Regis, the bath area opens to the bedroom space. Makes me wonder if I'd like something like this in my next home (the doors close and their is a separate water closet).
A great fridge area in the entry.
The furniture seemed to be from the Barbara Barry collection.
Rooms with entries alway feel better. This one was practical too with two closets and a fridge area. Isn't it nice when hotel rooms are beautiful and make you think about design ideas?