Celebrate National Ice Tea Day

June 10, 2016

Today is National Ice Tea Day so I thought I’d get you in the mood to enjoy a glass of tea southern style by sharing some beautiful southern porch inspiration.

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No southern porch is compete without classic rocking chairs. No matter what type of seating you have on your porch, patio or deck, add decorative pillows for color and comfort and lots of potted plants and flowers for southern charm.

Country Living

I dream of having a daybed or porch swing one day. This porch has all the elements that create a cozy spot to enjoy a lazy summer afternoon–wispy drapes to shield the sun, a painted ceiling to add a sense of coolness and loads of pillows to add a welcoming touch.

Country Living

Just like you do with your indoor decor, develop a color story for your porch decor. This is the perfect time of year to showcase your American pride using red, white and blue decor.

HomeGoods

A chic sun umbrella and a stylish chair is all it takes to create a relaxing spot on the porch or deck. If your umbrella doesn’t have trim, you can easily add your own outdoor trim and waterproof glue.

Country Style

Keep the heat down by hanging a ceiling fan on your porch and using an outdoor rug to keep your feet cool.

BHG

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Here in the South, National Ice Tea day is something we celebrate every day of the year and our pantries are stocked with all the essentials to make the perfect glass of southern ice tea.

SOUTHERN ICE TEA ESSENTIALS

Original Mason Jar $4.99 // Decorative Paper Straws $4.99 set/25 // Paper Cocktail Napkins $5.00 set/20

Melamine Ice Tea Spoons $12 set/6 // Wood Serving Tray $19.97-$44.95 // Luzianne Ice Tea {the best tea to cold tea}

Shop my favorite ice tea pitchers here

Budget Decorating: Basket Decor

June 9, 2016

If there’s one thing you are guaranteed to find in any thrift store you shop at, it’s baskets. There is always a wide array of shapes, sizes and designs to choose from and for just a few dollars you can buy a great decorative accessory for your home. When it comes to decorating with baskets, they are one of the more budget friendly design elements you can incorporate into your home.

BASKET DECOR

Large baskets can be customized with a light kit and turned into stylish lighting. African baskets are ideal for this project because of the beautiful colors and designs they boost. Here’s a great DIY basket light tutorial.

With a collection of flat baskets you can create a really stunning and impactful wall statement. Combine different textures and weave designs to create lots of visual impact.

{it’s easy to paint baskets to create a colorful mix}

UpStyle plain storage baskets using paint and use them to hold item all around your house.

Let these beautiful painted pieces inspire you…

{painted basket DIY here}

During spring and summer, baskets can be used to hold floral stems or branches to add an organic touch to your decor.

Lidded baskets can be stacked to create a unique side table and give your added storage.

Place houseplants in baskets so they blend effortlessly into your decor.

I use baskets all over my house for both storage and as a design statement and consider them one of my essential decorative accessories.

The next time you go thrifting you might want to take another spin down the basket aisle.

image source: 1) Lonny 2) unknown 3) hgtv 4) Natalie Fuglestveit Interior Designs 5) Completely Coastal 6) Tracery Interiors 7) Far & Wide 8) The Inspired Room 9) Completely Coastal 10) BHG 11) Top This Top That

My Favorite Party Decor Items

June 8, 2016

Decorating and entertaining are two of my passions and one of the key components to a festive and stylish party is the decor. No matter what type of party you’re hosting, there are a few decorative elements that are guaranteed to add a touch of cheer and a pop of party fun.

Today I’m sharing my favorite party decor pieces, some party inspiration and my go-to sources for shopping party goods.

Party Pinwheel Decor –when you want to make a big impact at your party, pinwheel paper fans will do the trick. Hang them free-floating or anchor them against a wall to create a fun photo backdrop. Layering different sizes and patterns is the key to a lavish look.

My Wedding

source unknown

Tissue Tassel Garland –tassel garland is a great way to infuse color and texture into your decor. And the garland can be draped just about anywhere, adding a festive accent to furniture, walls, doors or hanging over the party table.

Ruby May Designs

Flowers and Folk

Confetti Balloons–when you want to add an unexpected touch to your party try confetti balloons. These oversized balloons will look great floating around the party space and when its time to make a toast or celebrate the birthday girl, pop the balloons and let the confetti fall.

Knot and Bow

B. Lovely Events

Striped Washi Tape –I’m a big fan of washi tape and use it all the time when crafting and wrapping gifts. It can also be used to create fun party decorations like festive vases, pennant flag cake topper, wall decor and you can even dress up table linens.

Good Housekeeping

100 Layer Cakelet

Wedding Chicks

Circle Garland –another way to create a dynamic backdrop for a party is with paper circle garland. Drape it around a table, hang it over head or cascade it along a wall.

Colin Cowie Weddings

Pink Pistachio

Pomtree

Decorative Balloons–along with confetti balloons, I’m also a big fan of decorative mylar balloons in party themed shapes and designs.

Ruffled

Honeycomb Decor –I’ve shared my love for paper honeycomb decor here on the blog before so it’s should be not surprise that they made my list of favorite decor pieces. With so many shapes to choose from, the ideas for decorating with paper honeycombs are endless but I love when there’s a mix of design and colors.

Minted

Sweet Lulu

The Tomkat Studio

Crepe Paper Flowers–I remember making paper flowers when I was in grade school. These days the technique has been refined and you can find some amazing flowers that are ideal for decorating.

Style Me Pretty

Wedding Chicks

Catch My Party

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SHOP MY FAVORITE RESOURCES FOR FABULOUS PARTY DECORATIONS

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Knot & Bow–confetti balloons, loose confetti, gift tags, decorative candles, paper goods and a great selection of stickers.

Geronimo Balloons–giant balloons, tassel garland, party kits.

Cute Tape–the most amazing selection of decorative washi tape ever! They also have a project gallery full of washi tape decor ideas.

Save-on-Crafts–vases and glassware, paper fans, pennant garland, silk flowers and so much more.

Pomtree–decorative mylar balloons, decorative straws, tissue paper pom poms, honeycomb shapes.

Pom Love–confetti, streamers, tissue paper pom poms, paper fans, garland.

Shop Sweet LuLu–a mega shop filed with every type of entertaining decor you can imagine including paper crafts, serving pieces, kits and picnic party items.

Sugar and Cloth

Design Guide: Curtains 101

June 3, 2016

Every designer knows that a good pair of curtains can transform the look and feel of a room. Like accessories, curtains add color, pattern, texture and personality. Curtains can also enhance a space, giving the illusion of height, visually expanding the size of a window and enhancing the way light flows into a room.

Selecting a curtain style and pattern is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to adding drapes to your decor. Measuring for the right size and hanging your drapes in the correct way will make all the difference in how the curtains look and function in your room. Here’s your design guide for curtain decor…

MEASURE

The appropriate placement for window treatments is for them to hang above and outside the window frame.

WIDTH: The best placement for a curtain rod is to have the brackets sit outside the window frame. Anywhere from 10 to 12 inches beyond the window frame will work in most homes however you can place the brackets wider is you have a small window and want to give the impression that it’s wider.

To create fullness with your drapes, double the width of the panels for custom drapes or hang two panels together for off-the-shelf drapes. Sheer curtains will require more fabric width to create a sense of fullness.

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LENGTH: To draw the eyes upward and to give visual height to a room, add 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. Or, you can measure halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling.

To determine what length panels you need, measure from the floor up to where you plan on hanging the rod, then round-up to the closest panel size. You can always hem curtains that are too long but you have not options is the curtain panels are too short.

The trend for drapery panels is for them to ‘kiss’ or skim the floor. This look is classic and will work in more decor settings. For a more casual feel, you can allow the drapes to pool slighting on the floor (2 to 3 inches). If you want real drama, you can allow the drapes to puddle 4 to 6 inches on the floor but this length is not recommended for drapes that will be opened and closed on a daily basis (or if you have cats) 🙂

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THE DETAILS

The curtain rod and finials you choose for your home will add to the overall decor of your room. Think of these pieces like you do jewelry to an outfit and select a style that works with the style of your room. No matter what your price-point or style you needs, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for at big box stores or through catalogs. Here are some of my go-to sources:

Wayfair–a wide range of items including double curtain rods and decorative finials.

Ikea–a great source for inexpensive, basic rod styles, clips and finials. Also a great source for budget-friendly curtain panels.

Home Depot–this super store has a great selection rods and finials including Traverse Rods which are built on a track system and allow you to easily open and close curtain panels.

Restoration Hardware–I love their selection of classic rod styles especially their brass collection.

Lux Hold Ups–this Etsy shop specializes in acrylic rods and has some really chic curtain rings.

Another thing to consider when look at drapes for your home is the style of top treatment. Here’s a visual guide from Live Journal…

image via

While not all rooms call for window treatments, most rooms will benefit from the style, texture and visual impact that drapes will add to a space.

Summer Must-Haves–My Shopping List

June 2, 2016

Summertime and the living is easy!

I loving this beautiful weather we’re having. I trying to soak up every minute of these low humidity days because I know that in no time flat it will be hot, humid and sticky outside. A couple of weeks ago I purged my closet and organized it for the warmer months. I’ve also been doing the same with my decor. After all the organizing was done I made a shopping list for a few new things I ~~needed~~ wanted to help me usher in summer.

If you know me, you know I love colorful earrings, especially during the summer. I’ve got my eyes on these Baha Drop Earrings which happen to have two of my favorite summer colors in them–turquoise and orange.

I’ve had this book, It’s Not How Good You Are on my reading list for a while now and just picked it up to take on the cruise we have planned later this summer. I always enjoy inspirational reads when we travel because my mind is more relaxed and I can really absorb the content.

My favorite candle scent of all times is gardenia and this Gardenia Scented Candle is what I’m burning right now in my office. I wish you could scratch your screen and enjoy this amazing scenes with me.

I’ve never met a handbag I didn’t like and this Boho Clutch is not only colorful and cute, it’s only $9.99! The perfect piece for a weekend or to throw in a larger summer tote like the one below.

Target has some really, really fabulous tote bags right now and this classic Straw Tote with Tassel is perfect of all my summer activities. Available in 4 colors.

I spotted this Acrylic Monogram Bracelet when I was shopping for earrings and think it’s perfect for my summer wardrobe.

I started wearing readers a few years ago and have been on the hunt for reader sunglasses. My favorite reading eyewear company, Peepers has a great selection of sunglasses and great prices and these tortoise Reader Sunglasses are my fave.

I already own 3 pair of Converse sneakers and just ordered these adorable Converse Crochet Sneakers. They’re also available in navy.

I think I found the perfect dessert spoons for summer, Floral Dessert Spoons from One Kings Lane.

I rarely shop at Old Navy but popped in over the Memorial Day weekend because they were having a great sale. I bought these Stripped Linen Pants ($20) which just scream summer to me. Also available in a cropped length which would be really cute with your crocheted sneakers.

Design Detail: Stylish Acrylic & Brass Switch Plate Covers

May 18, 2016

The littlest design detail can make or break the overall look of a space, even something as simple and unassuming as switch plate covers.

The perfect solution for walls where you want the gorgeous wallpaper or beautiful paint color to be the star, is to replace those plastic plates with something stylish and chic like acrylic or brass.

I rounded up a few visuals for you and have pulled together a resource list to make shopping easy. When it comes to decorating, this is definitely a project anyone can pull off.

cococozy

the hunted interior

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SHOP SWITCH PLATE COVERS

Forbes & Lomax is a London-based business that has been in operation for over 25 years. They recently expanded their business and are now selling their Invisible Lightswitch brand in the US and Canada. Their plate covers are super chic and I love the unique toggle and push button designs they have. You can order a free catalog on their website.

Reprotique is a wonderful online shop I recently came across with the most beautiful Asian and Pagoda styled acrylic and brass switch plate covers. Their covers are not inexpensive but boy are they a statement piece. While you’re on their site, be sure to check out their acrylic light sconces…to die for.

Other resources for acrylic, glass or decorative switch plate covers:

SwitchHits–a full range of glass plate styles to fit all light options along with themes and decorative plate covers including leather.

WallPlateWarehouse–This resource not only carries a full range of acrylic switch plate covers but they also have covers in black, brass, bronze, chrome, copper, stone and wood.

House of Antique Hardware–-This online store sells switch plate covers in different antique design styles like mid-century, industrial, art deco and victorian.

HomeDepot is always a great source when you want to get the look for less.

Treasure Hunting At Scott Antique Market

May 17, 2016

It’s been quite a while since I’ve visited the Scott Antique Market and even longer since I’ve done a post about the market.

Last Thursday I woke up and decided to make the trek down to Scott’s to check out the show and see if I cold snag any great pieces. The Scott Antique Market is definitely one of my favorite antique shows and every time I go I’m wowed by all the vintage, antique and sometimes new pieces that the dealers have. This market I spotted lots of great pieces…

There were a lot of really great oversized mirrors. I can envision this beauty in a foyer or positioned at the top of a stair landing.

One of the great things about the Scott Antique Market is the number of custom furniture dealers that attend. If you have a challenging area or simply desire a custom piece, you can find many options at this market.

I loved this upholstered banquet which if just made for a breakfast or dining area.

The turned wood arm-chair with grey linen fabric. Perfect for a beach house.

My friend Julie whose an upholsterer and owns The Upholstery Fashionista is known for her faux animal skin upholstered pieces. She sells pieces in this fabric every month and these chairs were her newest pieces. She’s also known for the details she puts in every piece like the burlap back and sides of these chairs.

Cut stools in a fun fabric.

I spotted a lot of great farm tables this show.

A pretty bench cushion sofa with great lines and a tufted back.

I adored this bench and the fabric it was in.

The table would make a great kitchen island.

Lots of classic vintage furniture with beautiful hardware and details.

Check out the carved wood detail on this piece.

A beautiful buffet with gorgeous carved doors.

There is always lots of blue and white chinoiserie pottery. This bowl was oversized and I loved the octagon shape.

These foo dogs were super-size.

Lots of blue and white ginger jars and vases.

This dealer has the most gorgeous preserved flowers and arrangements and his booth is always packed.

I’m on the hunt for vintage Japanese calligraphy brushes but these were incredibly expensive so I passed.

One of my favorite dealers always have unique bottles and jars. Most of these were $35 or less.

If you love industrial pieces you’ll find lots to choose from at Scott.

May of the outdoor dealers sell vintage olive buckets which can be used for plants, magazines or just about anything.n

There is always an abundance of wood crates..some old and some reproduction.

One of the permanent outdoor dealers always have a good collection of brass door hardware.

I’d love to create a wall display with a grouping of these brass numbers.

I’ve mentioned before that the market is made up of two buildings so there are hundreds of dealers to shop from and you never know what you’ll find. There are a couple of dealers that I always shop with and here are a few of the pieces I scored this market.

I wasn’t really looking for anything for me this show but was focused on finding a few items for my Etsy shop. But I did find a few things I’m going to keep.

I sell a lot of these silver-plated toast rack so I buy them whenever I come across a great deal. I also bought this brass shell dish which need some major polishing and this pewter pineapple dish. All of these items will be going in my shop.

Vintage globes are hard to come across at a good price so I was happy to find this one for less than $10.

I bought this pair of brass candle holders for $6.00. Score!

And lucked upon this brass book stand. I’ve sold 3 or 4 of the in my shop before.

I scored this beautiful oversized blue and white vase for $10–another great find.

And I’m always on the hunt for Christmas items for the shop. These napkins were just .50 cents each.

And my favorite finds of the show were these acrylic drawer pulls for just $2.00 each! These babies and big and chunky and I’m keeping these.

And these Staffordshire Dogs which I scored for $20.

I must say, I had a pretty good haul this show.

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If you’ve never been to Scott Antique Market before but are planning a visit, here are few shopping tips:

Tips for Scott Antique Market:

* The market opens at 10:30 on the second Thursday of each month (but get there about 20 minutes early as they tend to let cars in early)

* There is a shuttle bus (Fri, Sat, Sun) that will shuttle you between the two buildings (runs about every 15 minutes)

* There are food vendors on site and some of them look really good.

* If you want a great deal, shop the outdoor vendors. Many of them shut-down when the weather is not but those that stay open are willing to negotiate.

* Bring cash–a lot of vendors take checks but you’ll get a better deal if you’re negotiating with cash–{cash machines on site}

* Saturday night of the market there is an auction that takes place where great deals can be had. More details here.

* Bring your own tote bags or rolling bags. Most vendors have hand-me-down plastic grocery bags for you to put your treasures in.

* Plan on spending a full day at the show to see both buildings and the outdoor spaces.

Hope you enjoyed this overview of Scott Antique Market and hope to see you at the show next month.

My Favorite Ceramic Lamps

May 10, 2016

Shopping for lamps has become a whole lot easier since stores like HomeGoods now sell affordable and stylish table and floor lamps. While most of the lamps they sell are reasonably priced, I recently spotted a collection of Ralph Lauren table lamps at my local HomeGoods store selling for $499. They were gorgeous but definitely not something I expected to see in their store.

If you’re shopping for a single accent lamp versus a pair, you’ll have better luck at the big box stores since many times their assortments are picked over. When I need quality table lamps and want to ensure I’ll find what I’m looking for, I have several sources I turn to.

One of my go-to sources is Lamps Plus. Not only do they have a great selection of styles but they have free shipping and returns on most of their table lamps. When shopping Lamps Plus, you’ll find a wide range of price points, styles and colors to choose from which makes finding your style pretty easy. One thing to note is that many of their basic lamp styles are only sold in pairs which can be good or bad but usually their ‘pairs’ offer a great value.

Another source I shop is Home Decorators. I loved it when they had a store here in Atlanta but shopping from their website is the next best thing. They carry a variety of styles and their prices are good too.

Here’s a round-up of my favorite ceramic table lamps…

♦ I recently used this lamp in a design plan for a master bedroom and the clients loved the look, scale and detail. It’s a great lamp for a dresser and would also work great on a desk. Barbara Cosgrove Mid-Century Ceramic Lamp $129.99

♦ The Adrian Fluted Gourd Lamp {$79.95} is a great style for master bedroom night stands, a foyer table or side tables in a living/family room. The lines are a bit more feminine and the acrylic base gives it a slightly more modern edge.

♦ When it comes to classic gourd lamps, the Robert Abbey Emerald Triple Gourd Lamp is one of the best. It’s a bit more expensive at $299.00 but the design and style make is a classic piece that will last for years. And it’s available in multiple colors.

♦ You all know I love a blue and white lamp and the Amber Table Lamp is a favorite because of the blue and white design but also because of the antique gold accents. This scale is smaller so this lamp is best suited for a desk, vanity top or bar area. $91.00 { Alert–I just spotted a similar lamp at SteinMart which after the additional sale discount was $34}

♦ This classic Set of 2 Lillian Table Lamps is a good value at $248.00 for the set and in addition to the blue and white, it comes in red, black, orange and grey. This table lamp is ideal for side tables, a console table or night stands.

♦ I’m all about a chunky ceramic table lamp and love the silhouette of the Paris Ceramic Lamp. This style is available in 5 softer colors which make it great for a nursery, home office or bedroom. $143.00

♦ Diamond shaped lamps are popular right now partly because of the mid-century and retro decor trend that you’re seeing everywhere. This is a great lamp style for a desk, console table or foyer table. Robert Abbey Delta Brown Tea Ceramic Lamp $211.60 {available in 15 colors}

♦ If you’re looking for a pretty silhouette, then you’ll like the Wells Table Lamp. This lamp is available in a pale blue and soft pink so you know it perfect for a nursery or even a guest bedroom if you want a spa like feel. $195.00

♦ Here’s another classic gourd lamp. Sold as a set of 2, the Pamela Triple Gourd Lamp comes in 5 deep, rich colors including marine blue, Chinese red and fern green. $239.00

via Glitter Guide

If you’re looking for brass lamps, Lamps Plus does carry a selection but I’ve found my best source to be flea markets and antique stores. You can also find lots of vintage lamps on Etsy.

In a couple of weeks I’ll share my favorite floor lamps with you so stay tuned.

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Do you have a favorite lamp source I don’t know about? Leave me a comment and let me in on the secret.