Dreamy

I'm sure many of you have already seen Rebecca De Ravenel's sunny abode in Domino, if not, you're in for a beautiful home tour.  If you've already seen it, I am sorry you have to see these pictures again, but I couldn't resist not sharing on my blog.  It's that good.

I have to admit this room's paint color has me completely rethinking the paint color I picked for my living room (FB Blackened).  I was all set for a very pale gray with blue undertones, but now I see this and I am rethinking my decision.  Ugh.  I hate when that happens.

If I ever win the lottery, I would love to own Paule Marrot's piece of art called 'Clouds' seen above over the tortoise looking console.  In my dreams, I know.   It is so beautiful, calming, serene and feminine.  

Back to Rebecca's home.  I love the white octagon coffee table and bits of rattan.  Hillary Thomas' shop has a gorgeous white lacquered octagon table (just like this) (on super sale) here.  If I had the space, I'd snatch it up! 

Of course, I spot all my favorite designer's fabrics in my favorite colors.

So much goodness - woven shades, Lulu DK art, ticking slipcovers, awning stripes, raoul textiles…..the list goes on! I love how the decor is so effortless and eclectic.  

Ahh…the bedroom.  Blues and pinks.  Love it all!   So many things to study and to look at.  Do you remember her NY apartment published in Vogue?  See below.  This is how her bedroom looked back then.

And, here is more of now.

Raoul's blue and white Kashmir delft gets me all the time!  How wonderful does it look on that little tufted settee and in her bedroom!  And, the pink shaded sconce?   I remember that settee in her NY apartment which was in her living room.  See below.  

It's always fun to see how designers re-purpose their furnishings.  The settee looks great in both settings.

If you're interested in seeing her NY apartment in Vogue, go here.  It's always fun to see how her style has evolved and how she switched things around!  

Mixing It Up

It's funny how certain things that you are currently loving can be randomly thrown together and work quite effortlessly in a room.  Kinda like a blender drink, no?  Throw all the things you love in a blender and bam, you got one fabulous smoothie or a great frozen cocktail!

I realize that isn't always the case and editing is involved, but I was playing around with things I am currently loving lately and this is what I came up with.

Paint: Happy St. Patrick's Day! Loving emerald green lately probably because I used a darker hue in a client's living room, but I want to use this color more.  So classic.  I would love to paint a den or study in this rich, classic color.  It has me questioning my own LR and DR color schemes! Ugh!

Drapes: I've been a long-time lover of Brunschwig & Fils classic print, Les Touches and would love to use it in a project.  It's SO classic but fresh at the same time.  I can see them in a dining room as drapes - they would make such an impact.  And, if, that isn't in your budget, buy a yard or two for your chairs or as a tablecloth!

Rug: I guess I've been hiding under a rock, but just recently found out that Fibreworks is based in Louisville.  I recently met with a representative to get some of their Bakari samples.   Love this oversized graphic diamond pattern and it would look super chic in a dining or living room.  It keeps the room from feeling too formal or stuffy.

Pillow: Another fabric I'm just dying (DYING) to use and I might need to get it for my own home.  Brunshwig & Fils Chevron Bar silk warp print.  They have a beautiful blue colorway too!

Tortoise:  I NEED more tortoise in my home.  I realized I don't own a single piece.  What is wrong with me?

Lamps:  While I love me a beautiful gourd, these super chic lamps are so gorgeous, no?  They have a beautiful crackle finish.

Lastly, I apologize for the absence from this blog and IG.  Both my kiddos got hit with the flu these past two weeks and when that happens you go into survival mode.  Thankfully, we have a healthy family again and this will be our first week back to school!

Wishful Gift Guides for the Home

I hope you all enjoyed your wonderful Thanksgiving.  Ours was relaxing because we didn't have to host this year and so we got quite a bit of down time to relax with family and do some fun winter activities.  I didn't start any Christmas decorations other than planting two dwarf evergreen trees in our planters flanking our front door.  I plan on cutting some magnolia branches to add to the planters as as well.

I did have some time to make up some 'wishful' guides the home!  Ha!  Priorities, right??  These are all things I love and would welcome as new additions to our home.

I've noticed over the year, when it comes to receiving/giving gifts, I much prefer to receive/give a gift for the home.  Personally, I don't want clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc.  I would much rather be gifted a piece for our home whether it's candles, a lamp, mirror, vase or throw.  

Mirror, Lamp, Throw, Vase, Stool, Accent Table, Bowl

I noticed a theme in my choices - lots of white with touches gold, blue, green and natural wood.

Art, Lantern, Ginger Jar, Rug, Ottoman

Over the break, I thought long and hard about our living room and kitchen which haven't been touched since we moved into our home.  Our living room still sits unfurnished with only a piano and just primed walls (no paint).  Many of these choices are influenced by those ideas - neutral base with touches of sky blue and sea foam green.

Hook, Pillow, Vase, Chair, Wine Bucket, Accent Table

Hope you enjoyed!  And, while these gift guides are fun - mostly dreaming on my part, I don't want to forget that yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent and the Advent season has begun.  :)

Coastal Chic for a New Client

It's been a while!  Summer has started and everyday is a fun filled day with my kiddos! :)  Swimming, baseball, BBQs and a little tennis thrown in for good measure!  Moreover, right before Memorial Day, I started working on a new project for a young family's great room.  Coastal chic with a bit of prep is what this young mama with two boys wants and I've been working on her design for several weeks now.

Like every young family, affordability and durability are of the upmost important and I tried to do that without sacrificing too much originality.  Above is a very high-level snippet of the whole design.    Their space definitely posed challenges, so it'll be interesting to see this all come together.  Hope everyone's summer is off to a great start or just about to start!

A Quick Fix - Before and After

Moving stuff around (#MSA) the house gets my creative juices flowing.   Nine times out of ten it is all I need for the room to feel 'fresh' again.  

This week I found a window of time and decided to freshen up our built-ins in our family room.  I recently purchased a Ralph Lauren blue and white porcelain lamp from HomeGoods and wanted to see if it would work well in the space.   So, here is the after (with lamp in picture)….

After

And, here was the before. 

Before

Major improvement and I am definitely keeping the HomeGoods blue and white lamp.  See how moving stuff around #MSA works!!!  Nothing is new (except the lamp).  

Of course, now I want to paint the back of the built-ins a blueish color.   I played around yesterday with samples and here is one option (see paint swatch behind lamp)…

I like it, but I think I want darker! :)  Now, just to find the time to do this!  Happy weekend!

This year, I resolve to...

Happy New Year!  I can't believe it is 2015.  I really can't.  I was just thinking where did the fall go?  And, is spring and summer really coming up??  I'm in disbelief.   Needless to say, over the Christmas season, I had some quiet time to reflect a bit about my home and where I'd like to take it.

Resolution #1:  Add Color

I think over the past couple of years, I've strayed away from color because I didn't want my home to become too trendy.

But lately, I slowly want to add bits of colors;  especially, colors blue, green, and do I even dare to say a tiny bit of red??  I want my interiors to be bright and fresh, but, all the while…..remaining true to my traditional and classical sensibilities.

Resolution #2:  Add more slips.

Slipcovers are a fantastic way not only to add a dose of color, but to inject some pattern and softness to a room.  And, if you find a great seamstress, many times they can be affordable.  When my home is all said and done, I won't be surprised if I have slips in every room!! 

Resolution #3: Grow my blue and white collection.

I love blue and white porcelain and I really love it when it is displayed as a collection.  I'd really like to add a couple of more pieces to my collection this year so I can group them like below.  But, first, I also need to find a secretary/hutch.  :)

Hi Dad….if you ever tire of the Delft vase, you know where to reach me! Ha!  We also plan on getting a contractor out to price out some bigger renovations we'd like to start planning.  It's something we won't start this year, but perhaps in the next year or two.  Well, there you have it……let's hope 2015 is a fulfilling one!  Happy New Year!

Green Street Loves...

First, thank you all for your very thoughtful and kind comments regarding my little girl's room.  I was so touched! :)

So, what else have I been loving lately besides E's room??

Lately, I have been inspired by all things green, aqua, gold, fresh and bright.  It's gotta be this cold front we are experiencing, because why else would I be pinning furnishings and fabrics in aqua tones??

Could it be I am already yearning for warmer weather and we haven't even hit winter yet??  Boy, I'm in trouble.  How about you?

Pillow, Velvet Pillow, Painting, Frame, Mirror, Rug, Lamp

See what I am loving...

Happy Friday!!  

While this week was a short week, it was a very productive week on the home front.  I felt like things were just clicking with my decorating choices.  Does that ever happen to you?  Where it just works and it feels like an 'A-ha' moment.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - I love this color scheme for a master bedroom.  It's a departure from the predictable blue, but I think it still reads serene and relaxing.  I would paint the walls a creamy white and then use the green on the trim.  This artwork has the perfect colors and the green pagoda lantern is my new favorite light which would complement the green on the trim.  The sister parish fabric would look adorable as a bolster on the bed and as window treatments.  I would used the PB oversized gilt frames as frames to add some gold touches.  I have used these frames before and I love them.   

6 - Would love a wicker umbrella basket for our entry way.  

7 - I need new flatware STAT and currently like this style.  Do you have flatware that you love?  Please share!  

Next week I will post the design board for our entry and show you pictures of our entry walls finally painted in the new color!  

My Etsy Faves

1. I am considering these box pleat linen euro shams for our guest room.  Just gorgeous!

2. I want to purchase a return address stamp.  Love this one. So many beautiful designs.

3. I love vintage seascape art and this one with the gold frame is perfect.

4. Blue and white catchall.  Perfect for an entry to hold keys, phone, and mail.  Or on your kitchen table filled with oranges or lemons.

5. Blue and white cotton napkins.  Perfect for summer entertaining.

6. PVE's customized monograms.  Isn't this one gorgeous?  A piece of artwork that you can treasure always.

Do you see anything here that catches your eye?

Blue and White

I love when I find design elements that influence me so much so that I want to try them at home.  I am currently on a blue and white kick.  Perhaps, summer is rubbing off on me.

via

An oversized fern plant in a blue and white porcelain planter.  That fern plant is huge!  (What size do you think that is?)  If you're interested in finding great blue and white porcelain planters, jars, vases, etc., go here.  I love her planters and am currently saving up for one!

Of course, I am also loving the antique pine table paired with the glossy black bamboo stool with ticking fabric and nailhead!

via

How cute is that blue and white vase holding those paint brushes?  I love the mix of metals - the brass pen holder and the silver julep cups.

via

I can't tell you how much I love this tablescape.  I love every detail!

via

I love how Amber mixed in blue and white pillows in a rather neutral color scheme (green, brown and black).  I think the blue and white pillows really make this couch stand out.

A little bit of this...

and a little bit of that.  This past weekend I drove down to Norwalk to Lillian August's flagship warehouse store.  Have you been?  Ten thousand square feet of pure visual stimulation.  I loved every minute of it!

They were having their Big Anniversary Sale.  I was on the hunt for a love seat.  I found plenty, but none in my budget! :(  It's the type of thing where a cool $1000 started to seem like a bargain after shopping there a while; oh well.  I did pick up a couple of accessories that were on super sale.

A little black urn lamp with a lucite base and textured lampshade, a decorative tin and a vintage mail holder.  I love all of my finds.  Now, I just need to find the perfect place for them!

Currently Coveting

There are SO many unique boutiques here in Vienna displaying budding artist's talent and work.  One boutique I came across the other day is called Feinedinge (Fine Things) which is a beautiful handmade porcelain and home accessories shop.  The owner and designer is Sandra Haischberger.

my photo

My favorite are her Alice Vases here in the forefront.  So simple but simultaneously so exquisite.  It has a jonathan adler-esque feel, but the colors are subdued (unlike jonathan adler).  I love them.  How about those 'cookie jars' in the background on the left?  Gorgeous.

my photo

I googled her store when I got home and couldn't believe that her work has been featured on Design Sponge, Oh Joy and on Decor8 blogs.  She sells her products in the US and though One Kings Lane.

my photo

Her design studio in the back of the boutique.  Each of her pieces are individually made by hand.  Amazing!  

BTW, I love the wallpaper!!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

A Short Jaunt to Jayson Home and Garden

I'm back from a wonderful vacation to Michigan and Chicago.  Lots of fun time with the inlaws - fireworks, boating, sunbathing, grilling and watching Luke have a blast with his cousins.

Kevin and I were able to get away to Chicago for a quick trip.  Having only been there once before, I was really excited.  An awesome city that offers both the city and beach life.  So cool.  We stopped at Jayson Home and Garden and while we there that place did not disappoint.  Here are some highlights.

LOVE!

So fabulous, enough said. 

Succulents were everywhere.  

Chrome chairs.  So sexy.  

I want, pretty please!!

Perfect shade of green.  Love the mix of modern & rustic.  

Acrylic antlers!!  

Inspiration for a DIY!

Love this fabric!  I'm kicking myself because I didn't find out the name of it.  

And, just one for good measure...I'm in my 3rd trimester - the countdown is on!