The Final Countdown

I must admit this one snuck up on me, but tomorrow (Monday, July 1) Google Reader is no more. I've been meaning to blog about it but between summer fun and trips, I've dropped the ball. Here's the deal - if you've been following my blog via Google Reader, simply go to Bloglovin and follow My Interior Life there (or import your entire feed from GR).

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Or you can do the same on Feedly (which is another great RSS option). I just didn't want you to miss out on any blog posts (like I've written so many lately - sorry about that).

Of course, you can always follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook.  I'll be back soon with some actual decor inspiration, so please stay tuned via one of above mentioned avenues. As always, thank you for reading!

Did You Read Me On Google Reader?

If you did, hope you'll continue on Bloglovin' HERE.

(or you can subscribe by email over in the right hand column)

Hope you're having a great weekend, Michele

Great Jones Home - Always Inspiring

Whenever I'm in Seattle I always make a point to visit Great Jones Home.  Here's some eye candy from a few months ago.

And, just because this color combo is so pretty, here it is one more time. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Eye Candy: Ethereal & Lavender

This eye candy is from the Savannah home of Robyn Mizrack McLelland from matchbook Nov 2012.

This is heavenly.

 (photography by Jade McCully, more here)

The Scout Guide's Launch Party - No. VA

Do you have The Scout Guide where you live?   The other week I had a chance to attend a launch party for the second issue of The Scout Guide for Northern Virginia. From left to right here's Christy Ford, Co-Founder of The Scout Guide (you may also know her from And George in Charlottesville),  Sarah Steele, Editor of The Scout Guide Northern Virginia and Susie Matheson, Co Founder of The Scout Guide

The party was held at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria and all the furnishings for the event were provided by Stylish Patina of Falls Church, VA.  Love those brass tables.

The flowers by The Evergreen Floral Group were lush and gorgeous.

Right now The Scout Guide is available in these 28 locations. If you're traveling to any of these cities be sure to check it out - it's akin to an insider's guide to the best shops and services

Really Seeing It the 2nd Time Around

I had seen the entry of architect Gil Schafer's Nashville home that he collaborated on with designer David Netto in Veranda a while back.  But, I don't really think I truly saw it.  There's alot genius going on this space and it's at the top of my list of all time favorites.  Here's what I'm noticing:

- raw wood finish of dining chairs lets the bold green skirted table take center stage and also ties in with the mirror, lamp and flooring
- the light salmon upholstery on the chairs connects to the wood paneling and sofa in the room beyond
- the contemporary, graphic artwork and the mid-century look of the lamp create a welcomed contrast to the more classic pieces and shapes
- the blue from the vase picks up the blue in the art

What do you see and do you love this space as much as I do?

(image via David Netto's site here, photographer not known)

Home Again

I'm back from Memphis and somewhat recovered from the whirlwind of activity that included cleaning out all manner of cabinets and drawers, hanging out with some of my best friends, eating, shopping and visiting the zoo and museum. Whew.

I feel like we got a lot accomplished but, of course, there's tons more to do. My sister and I did manage to shop for some furniture for my parents' new home (some of their old furniture just won't fit - you know how that goes). We picked out the Brae sofa from Bernhardt . . .

That's my sister playing a blurry Vanna White . . . 

Not wild about the throw pillows, but those can be easily changed. I think the neutral fabric, nailheads and classic shape will work great for my parents. Dad liked it so much, he even bought the matching club chair and ottoman which will all go nicely with the blue leather club chair they already have.

We also scouted out some rug options for that main living room. I'm voting for something neutral with a hint of blue. They don't want to spend a ton of money, so handmade Persians are out of the question, but there are some good wool options online and in local stores including these . . .

My parents are fairly traditional so I'm thinking they'll pick something like the first or second option, but I'm loving the silk and wool ikat. Just my little opinion. 

And speaking of shopping, thanks to a Madewell gift card from my sister for my birthday (yes, I'm officially 40 now, whooppee), I got to do some for myself as well. Apparently, Memphis (well, technically Germantown just on the outskirts of town) now has a Madewell. Something Nashville still doesn't have (although we did just get an H&M so I guess I can let that slide a bit). Known for their denim, Madewell also has great dresses and accessories. However, I stuck with the classics - some white denim shorts and v-neck tee shirts . . . 

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I have to say all tees are not created equal . . . I bought two of these (gray and navy), and they are SO soft and comfortable. Their cut is also great - not too roomy with just the right v-cut (not too deep not too shallow). I wear tee shirts a lot in the summer, so I'm hoping these hold up.

I also made it home with some flowers to brighten my home . . .

These hydrangea are from my mom's backyard. 

And some pink peonies from the grocery store because I just can't resist them!

Of course, cleaning out my parents house meant I brought home boxes of memorabilia from my childhood. So now, I've got to go store those somewhere. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer days!

Provincetown's Shor

We were at Cape Cod the other week visiting my Dad and took a trip over to Provincetown where I happened upon Shor.  So, while others were entertaining themselves in the nearby vintage book store, I was soaking in all this fabulous decor.

Riding boots as an umbrella stand!

Showing the way for making a velvet pillow fit right in with summer decor.

Notice the grand scale of those sconces!

More velvet-summer goodness.  Beautiful colors.

So if you're in Provincetown, be sure to stop by Shor.  

p.s. I did make it to the beach too :)

Provincetown, MA

A Greek Key Ceiling Mount!

We all know stylish ceiling lights are hard to come by. Well, here's one more to add to the list of those that look great - it's Ballard Designs new Greek Key Ceiling Mount ($199, more info here)

If you're looking for a different finish than bronze, just get out the Rub n Buff and you're good to go.

Random Nuggets of Summer

Just checking in. As you may have gathered, I'm on full-time mom/summer duty which means a lot less interior design material unfortunately. I still have tons of ideas and projects percolating in my head, just not as much free time to develop them into blog posts. So, thank you for bearing with me. Here's a shot from our Disney vacation from which I now need a vacation . . .

Disney is truly magical, but truly exhausting. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed some different aspects now that the kids are older. For one, I think they appreciated Epcot more which is a sure sign of maturity. But the teacups will always be a favorite of the kids no matter how old they get.

In other news, sadly, I have uncovered no great fixes to the missing embedded Pinterest photo mystery. As one Blogger message board guy responded, I basically had "hot-linked" to these photos (which to me sounded like I had done something illegal like hot-wiring a car) which is "a very bad idea because if that external site ever goes offline, changes their name, moves their files or renames their images then ALL your images that you have hotlinked will be broken. Pinterest has obviously moved their internal location of the photos which is why they are broken." Great. I assumed as much. I'm really just aggravated with Pinterest for changing something internally that messed up all my hot links. Why even have an "Embed" button? Live and learn. I guess I'll just have to go back and fix my old blog posts as I have time (because I always have a ton of free time to do fun things like that).

And just to prove that I know how to post photos properly now and really do blog about interior design stuff, I'll leave you with a favorite photo from the Moroccan home of Bruno Frisoni and Hervé Van der Straeten featured in the latest Vogue . . .

I hope everyone's enjoying their summer thus far. Now, we're off to Memphis to visit my family and help my parents sift through and pare down 30 years of stuff in preparation for their move to a new home. Wish me luck . . . I will need it.

Eye Candy: Apple Green with Black

I find the pairing of this apple green with black particularly pleasing. Including the elephant, there are five doses of black around the room.  Image from Charleston Real Estate here.

Reader Request: My Front Door Color

A few months back a reader left a comment asking if I'd share my front door color.  Well, I had so "carefully" stored the paint can lid w/the info that I couldn't find it until recently.  It's Sherwin Williams Purple Martin SW1819 in gloss.  Don't let the paint's name mislead you into thinking it's purple  because it's really a bold blue.  Guess it's name after this little guy.

Haute Fabrics: Lilly Pulitzer Tail Lights $50/yd!!!

Designer Fabric Alert!:   Haute Fabrics in Arlington  just got in 60 yards of this Lee Jofa Lilly Pulitzer Tail Lights and it's for sale at $50 a yard.  I understand it normally retails for about $190/yd so if you're in love with this fabric, you are in luck.  AND - you don't have to live in the area because Roxene at Haute is willing  to ship your yardage to you!   (here's my previous post on the Arlington location)

Scot Meacham Wood recently swathed his gorgeous room a the Penisula Volunteers Decorator Showcase House in this fabulous print.