The Bold & The Beautiful

Oh, how I love some drama. Not the soap opera variety but the interior/fashion kind. If you've ever met me, you know I'm pretty laid back and not prone to drama in my relationships. However, I love showstopping rooms and outfits. While perusing some magazines and catalogs this weekend, a couple of things stopped me in my tracks. First, this small stairwell designed by Ruthie Sommers in the new Veranda . . .

Sorry for the quality of the photo. I snapped it with my phone. Veranda needs to post more photos online like some other shelter magazines. 

I don't always pick up Veranda, but a quick scan of the magazine in the grocery aisle brought me to this home designed by Sommers. Sold. Black lacquered walls, graphic Chinoiserie fabric-covered doors, abstract art. What's not to love?

Next, Anthropologie's catalog never disappoints. While I wouldn't always choose every outfit for myself, their styling inspires fantasy-filled escapism. November's whimsical winter wonderland theme was no different, and this dress blew me away . . . 

Source: anthropologie.com via My Interior Life on Pinterest

Does it really matter that I have absolutely nowhere to wear this dress?? Reality is no fun sometimes. Why can't I just wander through an enchanted forest where bunnies and masked children frolic while I rock a bedazzled dress without a coat (sans the birdsnest hairdo) before returning to my dazzling, colorful home decorated by Ruthie Sommers?

Okay, I'm off to get my oil changed. Happy Monday.

Luis Bustamante, A Master

Simply amazing.  Classic design at the master level.  Design by Luis Bustamante via his site here.      (ps, I want that sofa and everything else too)

Eye Candy: Enveloped

There's something special about a bedroom that envelopes you literally and figuratively.  This is Tory Burch's NYC bedroom, with Fortuny fabrics and walls stenciled in the same pattern.  (Decoration by architect/decorator Daniel Romualdez, images appeared in Vogue, photography by Francois Hallard)

Glimpses

This weekend my family and I traveled to my hometown of Memphis so the cousins could hang out and we could all do some relaxing. There may have been some estate sale visiting as well. That's how I relax. Don't judge. One of our major excursions was taken on Saturday morning when we drove an hour out into the country to help pick out a puppy for my sister's family. Oh, how I love puppies! Who doesn't? If you don't, I don't want to know you.

Here's my niece Maren holding their pick. Isn't she adorable?!! Oh so sweet. They're still deciding on a name as they don't bring her home until this Saturday. So exciting!

And as I mentioned, I did manage to hit a few estate sales. While I didn't purchase anything at the first one, I was loving the mid-century modern style of this ranch home. I snapped a couple of photos of its details. First, the dining room chandelier was really cool . . . 

Then, the piece de resistance, these Greek key pulls (what is it with me and Greek key?) on the built-in cabinets in the master bedroom . . . 

 

The second home was an interesting Spanish-style home in the middle of the suburbs . . . very unusual. Apparently, the husband built this house for his Cuban-born wife to make her feel more at home. Love stories like that.

It was chocked full of art, tons of art. The first day I went was already the second day of the estate sale so everything was 30% off. Of course, I grabbed a portrait . . . 

But, I had my eye on another piece as well. So, I returned on the third day and got the piece below for 50% off. Score. 

Another great piece there that I passed on was a Sligh desk with a brass accents . . . 

Can you see the sides?

Once again, couldn't fit it in the car. Oh well. 

We made it back home late Monday and were greeted with some items my husband picked up from a local estate sale online auction that I won . . . 

A couple of x benches and some Thonet-style bentwood and caned dining chairs. I just couldn't pass these up. I haven't decided if I'm keeping or selling them, so watch out for further details. Yes, I may start selling furniture/accessories again either on my blog or at another venue, but I will definitely let you know!

Don't Miss Out On This!

Just in case you miss the November issue of Southern Living, here's the ultra-chic and interesting Thanksgiving table setting by Charlottesville's Christy Ford, designer and proprietor of And George.  (Images via And George, photographer by Christy Ford)

Donna of A Perfect Gray fell in love with this beautiful painting and identified the artist, Kiki Slaughter, and put up a wonderful post up featuring her work.

Shark Car

Came across this Shark Car while in St. John USVI last year. How fun is this?! Hope you have a great weekend.

Treasure Hunt

I met up with my friend Arrione (and her son Miller) for lunch the other day in a part of town I don't usually frequent. So, of course, a little treasure hunting was in order. Before I met them, I hit a tiny little store that sells the contents of abandoned storage lockers a la Storage Wars (does anyone watch that show? I did for a while, but got tired of it after a bit). Anyway, about 98% of the stuff in this shop was true junk that I would have abandoned too, but this amazing Drexel Chinese Modern set made the visit worth my while . . .

Are you kidding me with those Greek key pulls? Have you ever seen such in all your life? I almost bought them right then and there for the pulls alone, but my husband frowns upon me buying stuff for the hell of it when I have no real place to put it. Hoarding cannot be far behind if that starts. Of course the finish was in terrible shape, but that's an easy fix with a paint job. It's things like this that make me want to get into the furniture-selling business. If you hire me to shop/decorate for you, these lovelies could be yours . . . just sayin'.

After lunch we hit Hobby Lobby (I know, don't get too excited) so Arrione could pick up some cellophane gift bags for a birthday party. I was surprised to find quite a few things that didn't have fringe or feathers on them . . . 

First, some classic white lamps with linen shades. Can't go wrong with these. Half price.

Some mirrors that were half price. Come to think of it, most of the store was half off.

A nice, cozy chunky throw for the fall/winter months ahead.

Buffalo check is having a major moment right now.

Some cute, cheap fabric to update your decor.

As we parted ways (her 3-year-old was over the shopping by this point), I hit up the Goodwill next door where I snagged an $8 Chiavari chair . . .

If you've ever been to a wedding and/or banquet, chances are you've sat on one of these chairs before. Design Sponge did a great little history of the Chiavari chair a while back if you want to read up on them. I just like that they're sturdy little chairs that you can pull up anywhere. I plan on painting mine a fun color and sticking it in my black office for some contrast. 

Next, I hit a little antique mall before having to head back towards home. I'll leave you with some of the goodies I found there . . . 

A wicker, faux bamboo, campaign-style lingerie chest. Wow, that's a lot of styles coming together. Would be great storage anywhere. And could be really cute as-is or painted a bright color.

Great, sculptural piece of driftwood. Nature's art.

Sexy black lamp with white linen shade. Classic.

Love the gold detailing on this black lamp. Have no idea what it is, but I like it.

Pretty little bowl to set on entry chest or vanity to hold your goodies.

The shape of these candlestick holders was so unique - very art deco.

Yes, it's another Asian panel, but with vivid peacocks I thought this one warranted a second look.

There were a pair of these Italian gilt shelves. Elegance.

There were also a pair of these mid-century modern lamps. Great, simple shape would work anywhere.

So, that concludes my latest treasure hunt. Did you see anything you couldn't live without? If you'd ever like help finding those special pieces for your home, please contact me!

Library Kitchens?

We all know library dining rooms are wonderful but what about a library in the kitchen?  When I saw this kitchen by designer Mary Evelyn, it had me thinking how successful a kitchen library combination can be.  Although these are two rooms, the strong connection between them makes it feel like one cohesive space.

In this case, books share equal footing with kitchen cabinets creating a uniquely interesting space.  (image from here)

In this small space, a cozy kitchen feel is added to by the proximity of this library dining area.  (Image from a Homeaway cottage rental here.)

Eye Candy: A Toasty Bedroom

Designed by one of my favorites, Nestor Santa-Cruz, this bedroom is a beautiful combination of coral, taupe  and brown.  Love it.

Weekend's Work

This weekend I painted the green guest room black. I'm not the best painter, and it seems to take me forever. Especially when I take numerous breaks to attend soccer games, police play dates, run out to estate sales, attend birthday parties and feed and spend time with my family. So, the painter's tape is still up, the furniture is in the middle of the room and the outlet covers are still off, but otherwise I think I'm done.

Here's how it looks in its current state of disarray. That's a huge glare on the wall from the light and windows. I can already tell it's going to be difficult to get a decent photo in here. Oh well. But, I love it. It's so enveloping and dramatic. And the black just recedes. I must tell you it's tricky and a bit creepy to use black paint . . . I kept have horror film flashbacks.

Oh, and that estate sale I mentioned, I swung by there on Saturday and snagged a couple of credenzas/cabinets at a great price (it sometimes pays to wait out an estate sale and go on the last day when everything is half off, then go back in the last hour when they take another discount). I thought one of these would be great in my new black office as storage . . . 

I love the medallion detail on the front of the cabinet doors. And, while they're in good shape structurally, they are stained and chipped with the creamy fly-specked paint looking rather dingy (I didn't take close-up shots, but trust me). So, they need a fresh coat of paint of warm white paint. Don't worry, I'm keep the medallions gold, but even those could use some touching up.

I wish I could use them both in my office, but I don't think they'll fit. But, I'm sure I can find a place for the other one. And as my friend Brandy (Chateau a Gogo) implored me to buy both and not break up a pair, I think she's right.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Did you get any weekend projects checked off your list?