Design Inspiration :: My Georgian House Remodel

My sweet friend, Andrea, at THE GLAM PAD was just in town for a visit.  We had such a great time catching up and talking all things design.  She asked if she could write a post about the fabulous Georgian house my husband and I bought and remodeled a few years back.... Of course, I told her yes! 

Come and join us today over on Andrea's glamorous blog to see all the before and after pictures.  It was such a fun project... so much so, I am itching to do it again!!  Click here to join us... and don't forget to sign up for her blog while you are there!


                                                              xx, 

Design Inspiration :: My Fascination with Doors

Barbara Barry

William T Baker, Atlanta

Portella Doors

Andrea Brooks Interiors 

Jones Pierce Architects

Daniel Cuevas

There is something about doors I find wildly intriguing!  So much so, I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to the THE DOOR!  I am fascinated by not just the color but the design details such as the moldings, the glass, the hardware...even the hinges!  When I am traveling, I find myself taking pictures of random entrances and wondering what magical secrets must exist behind them.  In fact, the significance of the door shows up not just in design but in literary references, historical references, and even biblical references.

It is one of the first things someone might notice when they arrive at your house.  A door is not just a door... a barrier to an entrance....it is the opening into your your most intimate setting... so it is an important element of your house design that should not be overlooked. Be it in a tiny dark apartment hallway or a grand estate, your front door is a reflection of you and your style.

What does your door say about you? Is it clean? Is it freshly painted? Is it a color that is pleasing and enhances the front entrance? Does it have a beautifully polished knob? How does it greet you when YOU first walk up?

Next time you enter you home, take it all in.  I bet you will be surprised with what you see.

                                                    xx,

Design Inspiration :: The Return of the Skirted Table

Beth Webb

Matthew Frederick

Honey Collins 

Upon reading my collection of design magazines recently, I was so thrilled to spy a segment on Skirted Tables.  I must admit... I LOVE a skirted table and always have at least one or two in my own house.  With many design trends over the past few years leaning towards cleaner lines, the skirted table has gone by the wayside and touted as something from Grandma's house.  I beg to disagree... 

A beautifully skirted table is a design staple.  When executed in the right manner, it brings a sophistication and elegance to a room that cannot be duplicated. It brings a warmth and softness, if you will.... And as an added BONUS, can provide a secret place for storage underneath.

My favorite part of this design essential is that it can be any size or shape and work in any space in your house. 

Source Unkown 

Architectural Digest

Palmer Weiss

Design House

How do you feel about a skirted table?  I would love to know!

Happy Friday!

                                                  xx, 

Design Inspiraton: SOMBRILLA...The Greatest Beach Umbrella Ever!

Every summer, when my family and I go to the beach, we purchase a new beach umbrella at the local grocery store when we arrive.  I know that it will be the worst $20 I will spend all trip….and it will bring me hours of frustration when it only covers my feet or blows down the beach with the slightest gust of wind.  However, at my age and with my fair skin - i cannot afford not to have one.

Skye Hollingsworth and Claire Harris - the cute Aussie girls behind the SOMBRILLA at Hollie & Harrie -  have come to my rescue!   Every now and then a new product comes along and changes your life.  PEOPLE…. THIS IS IT!

I saw these adorable umbrellas on PINTEREST last year  - of course, AFTER we had gone to the beach, but I could not wait to get my hands on one this summer.  Being a total blue and white girl, I selected the Moroccan Blue pattern above but they are all super cute.

The Sombrilla designs are bright and sophisticated and made from 100% cotton.  Not only are these light weight and fashionable… they are a design HOME RUN!  You see… as the sun or wind shifts, so can your umbrella!  They are brilliantly designed to have two coverage settings and they provide 95% UV protection. Genius.  Pure Genius!

(And don't forget to think outside of the box… how many of you could have used this at your kids' sporting events or a family picnic??)

And if all of that was not enough… they come in the perfect carrying case!

   

I am so ecstatic about this umbrella - i have ordered a second one!!  Not kidding!  one for me… and one for everyone else…..

Here's to a fabulous, sun-filled… but properly shaded summer!


                                                   xx, 

All photos courtesy of Hollie & Harrie.

Design Inspirtation: The Flower Show

Hello, Friends!   It has been way too long!

This week, I am preparing for my annual entry into my garden club's flower show.  I always select the category of "tablescapes" since I love to entertain and it gives me a chance to marry two things I love… the place setting as well as the flowers.  Two years ago, I won first place… last year, i came in 4th… (out of 4!)… so i must make a good come back with this showing.  I am not terribly competitive but I defintely do NOT like to come in last!

The theme this year for my category is "Italian Wedding" and it can be anywhere on the spectrum from something casual to a formal affair.  My arrangement is due in for judging bright and early on friday morning and I have yet to start!  (Where does all the time go??!!)  I am still trying to decide which color direction to go….brown & pink?  pink and green?  blue & yellow?  a range of purples?  something else entirely??

At any rate, here are some beautiful images I am using for my inspiration. 

M. Elizabeth Events

Stone Blossom Florals 

Stone Blossom Florals

The French Tangerine Blogspot

source unknown…via pinterest

Wedding & Events Floral Design

Source Unknown… via Pinterst

What comes to your mind with an "Italian Wedding" theme? I would love to know.


xx,    

Design Inspiration: My house at Christmas

All photos by tiffany jones interiors

I have had several readers email me and ask how I decorate for Christmas at my house.  Here you go…In my world, simple rules….  

All my best to you and yours for a magical Holiday season.

                                                       xx, 

The Love of Entertaining: Last Minute Holiday Hostess Gift Guide

BEAUTY AT HOME by AERIN LAUDER

LAFCO Pastille Soaps

LE PETIT COQUEREL Savingnon Blanc

EAU D'ITALIE BATH SALTS

SPHERE WINE STOPPER
from Aerin Lauder's new home collection

In need of a last minute hostess gift this holiday season?  These are 5 of my favorites!

And when you really need something special, in my book…. there is no better gift than the beautiful Bacarrat crystal butterfly.  It is something I love to give and receive and comes in a fabulous color selection... perfect any hostess.

BACARRAT LUCKY BUTTERFLY

xx,

Design Inspiration: The Collection, Part 2

2013 Grand Baroque Christmas Cross

my own Christmas tree

In September,  I did a post on organizing a collection of like items as a way of styling and creating a bigger design impact. Well - here comes Part 2 and it relates to decorating for the Holidays.  

This time of year, many people have special collections that become part of their decorating.  I have seen Santa Clauses, nutcrackers, Christmas villages and ornaments…. I have a collection of  Wallace Sterling Grande Baroque Christmas Crosses.  I mentioned in my earlier post that through the process of collecting, you are better able to tell the story about why these items are so special and this post is making that case exactly.  

In 1996, Wallace Silversmiths made their first ever Grande Baroque Cross.  In November of 1996, my husband and I were married and Grande Baroque was our sterling pattern.  We graciously received one as a gift and at the time did not realize it would become a collection.  We now have all 18.

As you can see above, they look beautiful on the Christmas Tree but it does not allow me to showcase the collection aspect.  Through the years I have looked for more creative ways of arranging smaller groupings. (18 pieces is a lot of pieces to "collect" in one place!)

For the past few years I have made a display in one of the kitchen windows.  I really like it.  It is simple but I think makes a nice statement.  

(FAB blue & white jar from THE PINK PAGODA!)

Do you have a special collection for the holidays?

                                                     xx,