Life Lately In 5 Photos {designing, shopping & reading}

July 24, 2017

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend and were able to stay cool with the summer heat that’s plaguing the country. It was hot as blazes here in Atlanta and I feel like I drank about 10 gallons of water every day just to stay cool and hydrated.

My life has been a fast-moving train the last few weeks and I feel like a juggler with lots of balls in the air. But it’s all good stuff including a little secret I’ll be sharing on Thursday. For now, let me get you up to speed on some of the things that have been going on in my world and keeping me so busy.

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Life lately…

No. 1–This is the beginnings of a design plan that I’ve been working on and one that is very personal to me. The main floor of this home is an open concept with hardwood floors, white walls and a soft grey ceilings. The goal is to create a space that is sophisticated with traditional undertones and pops of color. I’m love where the design plan is going with grey and black as the foundation and a little animal print and brass to jazz things up.

No. 2–This fabric is for furniture for client who wants to spruce up her living room. The client found a sofa she loved at Haverty’s so we went shopping there the other night to pull together the fabric plan. The natural fabric will be used on the sofa and the navy will go on two accent chairs. And the abstract fabric is for pillows for the sofa. The iron side table with black granite top below will sit between the chairs.

p.s. Haverty’s has some nice accent furniture pieces at good prices if you’re doing some decorating.

No. 3–In route to an appointment the other day, I popped into one of my favorite consignment stores. It’s been a while since I’ve been thrifting and the thrill of the hunt hit me the minute I walked in the door. Right off the bat I found these two beautiful urns which were only $7.50 each. This was a major score because the urns are about 14″ tall and are in great condition. I also picked up this pretty brass bowl for $5.00.

No. 4–I’m sure you all have been seeing this bamboo purse on every fashion bloggers blog. I’ve wanted one ever since I first saw it but didn’t want to pay the over $100 price that most people were paying. After a little research, I found a great source on Ebay that sells both the small and the large size. And you won’t believe the price…the small is $32.99 and the medium is $34.99.

I have to tell you that I had never ordered from Ebay before so I was a little nervous about ordering this bag. And because the purse was shipping from China, I was nervous about the quality. The shop and the product had good reviews so I went ahead and placed the order and when it arrived, I jumped for joy. The quality is great and the purse is exactly as described. I love it so much that I just ordered the larger size in black.

p.s. I place my order on July 8th and my package arrived on Saturday, 7/21. Pretty fast coming from China and getting through customs.

No. 5–After an exhausting weekend, I took some time last night to flip through the July issue of BH&G. So many inspiring ideas starting with the cover image. I want those chairs, that coffee table and that ottoman. #ilovebamboo

Those are just a few highlights of my life lately. I’m off to shop for carpeting and then I’ll be back at my desk tackling my mile long to-do list.

I’m wishing you all a fantastic week. I’ll be back here tomorrow with my take on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale since it’s the talk of the town.

3 Great Sources for Removable Wallpaper

July 17, 2017

via haute look

I’m a fan of wallpaper but I know not everyone is. Wallpaper can be expensive and the labor involved to install is can be daunting. And then there’s the thought of what if my design style changes in a year or two–all that paper has to be taken down.

If you love the look of wallpaper but want a more cost-effective and less-permanent solution, then removable wallpaper just might work for you. Temporary wallpaper has come a long way in the last 10 years and now you can get the look and feel of real wallpaper without the cost and hassle.

Removable paper is ideal for small spaces like closets, powder room and hallways. And I love using them on ceilings to a dramatic design detail.

If removable wallpaper is on your design radar, I’ve rounded up three great sources for you to shop along with my favorite picks from each site.

via home polish

Affordable DIY Design Solution:

Removable Wallpaper

Tempaper is a great source for removable wall coverings in abstract patterns and chinoiserie designs and all of their products are 100% made in the USA. Their designer collections include styles from Genevieve Gorder, Bobby Burk and Cynthia Rowley. And if you can’t find the design you’re looking for, you can design your own paper and have it printed and manufactured by Tempaper. And check out the Tempaper blog for loads of design inspiration featuring their papers.

Hojas Cubanas Banana Leaf // Garden Chinoiserie Floral // Wood Plank // Brass Belly

Chasing Paper sells a variety of designs from traditional to whimsical patterns. And I love their feature which allows you to shop papers by color. Their designer collaborations include Sabrina Soto, LABL Studio and Rebecca Atwood. For inspiration, the Chasing Paper blog is filled with creative decor and craft ideas using their papers.

Fancy Four Sides // Green Leaf // Speckle // Sunburst

If you love bold, artistic designs then you’ll definitely want to check out WhatisBlik. Unlike the other brands which sell their products in rolls, WhatisBlik sells their wall coverings as wall tiles. The tiles are cut into square or rectangular pieces making them ideal for small spaces and DIY projects.

Byy Byy July // Deep Blue // Ten // Trees

The ideas for using removable wallpaper are endless so get creative and have fun decorating.

Entertaining Style–Summer Solstice Tablescape

July 11, 2017

I love creating pretty tablescapes so I’m excited to share my summer inspiration with you as part of the Summertime Tablescape Blog Hop.

The talented Chloe of Celebrate & Decorate pulled together a great group of bloggers for this fun blog hop. Starting today through the end of the week, the group will be sharing table settings to get inspired for summer entertaining. I’ve included a list of all the bloggers at the end of this post so make sure to check out the beautiful tables everyone has created. Now let me show you my summer table…

SUMMER SOLSTICE TABLESCAPE

I was brainstorming a concepts for my summer table and the idea of a summer solstice theme came to mind. Fire and Sun are two elements that represent summer solstice and they are what inspired the colors for my tablescape.

Orange and pink are two of my favorite colors and combined with blue and white equals perfection in my book.

A secret weapon I have for an inexpensive table runner is to use wrapping paper instead of a cloth runner. I found this plaid wrapping paper in the dollar section at Michaels and the colors were perfect for my summer solstice theme. And when I went looking for dinnerware to work with the paper colors, I was thrilled that I had just what I needed in my kitchen.

The Fiesta dinnerware was a wedding gift from my mom 25 years ago. I still love it as much today as I did back then and know I’ll have it for years to come. I purchased the blue melamine plates are from Hobby Lobby last year and the floral bread plates (no longer available) and bowl (below) are from World Market.

Orange Placemats (similar here) // Fiesta Dinnerware // Blue Melamine Plates (similar here) // Floral Plates (similar here)

Nomad Flower Bowl (pattern also available in mugs and dinner plates)

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times…layering is one of the most important elements of any tablescape. I always layer my dinnerware starting with a placemat or charger. These round placemats from HomeGoods added texture to my table and the color was spot on with the paper runner.

entertaining tip: combine solid colors with plaid and floral patterns to give your tablescape loads of visual interest

My favorite faux bamboo flatware added more texture and the dark handles popped again the colorful dinnerware. p.s. If you haven’t picked up a set or two of this flatware you should because you can’t beat the price.

I purchased the napkins at Pier 1 a few months ago and can’t believe how great they work with my table theme.

entertaining tip: If you come across pretty napkins at a great price, buy them. You can use them as a placemat or down the center of a table as a runner.

I used a pair of vintage brass candlesticks to add height and a shiny accent to the table. The light green taper candles were in my stash and are the same color as the hydrangea. #connectingthedots

I used a grouping of three vintage blue and white jars to complete the centerpiece.

entertaining tip: here’s an easy way to remember which side your flatware goes on: Fork has 4 letters and so it goes on the left which has 4 letters AND spoon and knife have 5 letters so they go on the right which also has 5 letters.

Collenette Dinner Candles (one of my favorite taper candles) // Glasses from HomeGoods

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed my Summertime Tablescape and feel inspired to do some entertaining of your own.

And be sure to stop by the other bloggers on the tour for more entertaining inspiration.

Tuesday, 7/11

ConfettiStyle | Celebrate & Decorate | Everyday Living

Wednesday, 7/12

Charleston Crafted | Hunt & Host | Bluesky Kitchen

Thursday, 7/13

PMQ for Two | Rosemary & Thyme | A Casa Di Bianca

Friday, 7/14

Supper Table Talk | Panoply | Living with Thanksgiving

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Favorites Of The Week | All The Beautiful Things

July 1, 2017

Another week has flown by and it’s hard to wrap my head around that fact that we are almost half way through the year. Wow, where does the time go? Even if time won’t slow down, I hope you’re able to enjoy a relaxing and leisurely weekend. Here are my favorites from the week. Enjoy!

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FAVORITE POSTS

This bathroom makeover shows you how a few cosmetic changes can change the look and feel of a space. Wow!

One of the best things about summer are fresh berries from the farmers market, perfect for this summer recipe.

A lesson in JOY.

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FAVORITE PINS

This week all of my favorite pins are from the Alice Lane Home Collection portfolio. So many beautiful images.

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FAVORITE PRODUCTS

At Home has tons of great decor right now. This picture frame, this mirror and this desk (I’d use it as a console table) are my favorites.

I’m loving the Stockholm Serving Bowls from Ikea. So many ideas on how to use these.

Enjoy your weekend!

DESIGN PLAN: Tuscan Dining Room

June 29, 2017

I had the pleasure of creating a design plan for a young couple who have just purchased their first home. The goal for the dining space was to merge his traditional style with her love for rustic yet refined decor. They both love natural rooms with pops of color and wanted the overall feel of the dining room to be warm and inviting.

After dissecting their design styles, I came up with the theme, Tuscan Dining. My vision was rich, warm colors with a mix of dark and light wood tones. I also envisioned a mix of classic and transitional furniture, colorful textiles and lots of texture.

TUSCAN DINING ROOM: Design Details

No.1 & No. 5–A traditional dining room set will work best for this couple who loves to entertain. The oval table maximizing seating and helps with the traffic flow in and out of the room. The dark wood stain on the table adds depth and contrast against the lighter tones in the room.

No.2–To bring in a more modern touch, I suggested an upholstered settee for one side of the dining table. This larger piece of furniture will add softness to the room and can easily be moved to other areas of the home when needed.

No. 3–All of the lighting for this dining room is in a bronze finish which adds even more warmth to the space. The chandelier has lots of curves to it which create visual movement for the eye. And if the couple wants an even more traditional feel they could add shades to each arm.

No. 4–These patterned drapes are the wow factor in the room. The all-over damask pattern have a traditional vibe but the bold colors will help the room maintain a sense of playfulness. I also like that the drapery pattern/colors will give the couple lots of options when it comes to accessorizing.

No.6–A sleek round mirror over the rustic sideboard keeps the wall decor statement simple. Plus a round mirror has a more modern feel than a rectangular design.

No.7–Instead of lamps, wall sconces are another way to add lighting to a dining room and expand the wall decor statement above a buffet. These double arm sconces will provide ample lighting and visually draw the eye up.

No.8–I love a neutral colored rug with lots of texture. The subtle diamond pattern of this sisal rug adds a cozy and relaxed feel plus lots of visual interest.

No.9–A good way to create dimension and depth within a room is by mixing furniture with different finishes. The blonde wood finish on this sideboard ties into the lighter tones in the drapes and the rustic finish adds the dimension.

No.10–I wanted to pull in some navy to coordinate with the drapes and a pair of ceramic garden stools flanking the sideboard will do the trick. Plus I love the raised vine design which adds more visual interest.

Fab Finds at HomeGoods (Budget Friendly Decor)

June 28, 2017

I’ve spent a lot of time in my local HomeGoods stores lately looking for accessories for several clients. HomeGoods is such a great source for shelf fillers, tabletop decor and general accent decor. HomeGoods is usually picked over when I go shopping but on a my most recent trip I hit the timing just right. The shelves and aisles were over-flowing and I spotted so many great items.

HomeGoods Happy Finds

Let’s start with the furniture….

I loved this garden stool/side table. At first glance it looks like its made of concrete but it’s actually a resin materials so it’s not too heavy. If you’re into neutral decor, this would look great between a pair or chairs or next to a sofa.

I’ve seen the cube ottomans at several stores and thought they would look cute in a play room or nursery.

HomeGoods has some super cute chairs but they aren’t always comfortable. This animal print chair would be a great accent chair in a bedroom or kitchen desk.

The acrylic trend is alive a well at HomeGoods and this tiered side table was fun. The only down side about buying acrylic from HomeGoods is finding a piece that isn’t all scratched up.

I really liked this tufted bench. It was actually really comfortable and would be perfect at the foot of a bed.

tip: don’t overlook upholstered furniture pieces at HomeGoods. Their prices are so go you could have a piece re-upholstered and still spend less than buy a higher end piece.

This brass and marble-look side table was really cute. The top is made of a composite material that looks like a piece of marble. This table would be perfect between two club chairs.

This dining table caught my eye mostly because of the legs. This mid-century style would look great in a loft and because it’s so big, it could even be used as conference table in an office.

tip: if you see surface scratches or dings in a piece you like, ask for a discount.

This chest of drawers had a really great texture to it and I loved the clean lines of the design.

tip: if you’re considering a large furniture piece from HomeGoods, make sure to look it over. I often see scratches and missing pieces (note the missing drawer pull below).

Now let’s check out the accessories and other decor I spotted…

You can find spheres like these at several big box stores but they are usually in a gold finish. I love these in black with a touch of gold on the end of each prong. You can use these a tabletop decor or hang them on the wall.

The faux boxwood topiary at HomeGoods look pretty realistic and the ceramic containers make them look more expensive than they are.

This acrylic and gold-rimmed tray almost came home with me (tray hoarder)! If I remember correctly, it was less than $20 and it came in several colors including the champagne below.

This copper mailbox was really chic and a great size.

This metal stool is perfect to tuck away in a closet or kitchen to reach those high shelves.

These glass lanterns were really pretty and would look great on a covered porch, sunroom or indoors.

tip: unless glass is tempered, you don’t want to expose it to prolonged periods of hot sun or changing temperatures.

This artwork would have been perfect for a clients powder room but the frame was busted up. Hopefully I’ll run across it at another store.

HomeGoods has started to sell more abstract art. This piece had lots of texture and looked more expensive than it was.

Decorative and patterned lampshades seem to be a trend and there were plenty the day I was shopping.

It’s always challenging to find small lamps that can work on a bathroom vanity or on the kitchen counter. HomeGoods has lots including this pierced ceramic lamp.

tip: don’t pass up a lamp you like because of the lampshade. Changing the shade is an easy and inexpensive fix.

My collection of teacups from Anthropologie is growing. But now I have a new source because I saw several Anthropologie inspired styles at HomeGoods for a lot less.

The pillow section looked like a tornado had gone through it so I didn’t spend much time looking . I did see this beautiful needlework lumbar pillow which would look great on a bed or sofa.

One other thing you should keep your eye out for at HomeGoods–design books. I needed 9 coffee table books for a client and found some great titles for less than $20 each.

I follow lots of folks on Instagram so I know I’m not the only one spending time at HomeGoods.

Have you found any great items there lately?

Design Idea: Contrasting King & Queen Dining Chairs

June 27, 2017

Years ago when we bought our first house in Seattle, I wanted a cohesive and consistent look with my decor. I hadn’t really defined my design style and fell into the trap of buying an entire room grouping from a local furniture store. I thought the furniture group would give me the consistency I was looking for and I could then use accessories to add the personality. Over the years my style has evolved, my design skills have been honed and today I would never think of purchasing a package group of furniture. It’s also something I steer my design clients away from because there are so many other ways to create a cohesive design statement in your home.

The point I’m trying to make is that your decor should be just as multi-dimensional as you are. It should be a combination of things that give your home its personality.

There are lots of ways to add unique flair to your decor and one of my favorites is with mixing up your dining room chairs. If your style in eclectic and whimsical you can use a mix of different chairs around the table. Or you can replace your king & queen chairs with pieces that make a statement.

DESIGN PERSONALITY USING KING & QUEEN DINING CHAIRS

I love the look of this dining room with oversized king & queen chairs in a neutral fabric that works with the wallpaper and other textiles in the room.

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Contrasting king & queen chairs are an easy way to introduce bold patternwrok into the dining room. Using a similar chair shape as the side chairs creates a sense of balance and symmetry around the table.

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Upholstered end chairs help to anchor a dining table especially when the table is oversized or the side chairs are sleek and see-thru.

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These dining spaces just ooze personality with a mix of chair styles and banquette seating. If you’re considering switching out your king & queen chairs, upholstered club chairs are always a good choice.

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Just like drapes, upholstered end chairs will help to visually soften the hard surfaces within a dining room.

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Here are a few other inspiring spaces with contrasting king & queen dining chairs…

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I love the look for contrasting dining chairs. It’s a great way to put a personal stamp on your gathering space.

Stylish Summer Bags For Every Budget

June 26, 2017

Hi friends. I skipped out on you last week because I needed to devote every waking minute to design work. I’ve gotten over the hump and I back today with a post to usher in summer.

Now that summer is here I’m looking forward to wearing summer dresses and switching my leather handbag for a more casual style. My collection of straw bags includes everything from a classic tote and oversized shopper to a simple woven clutch. My newest bag is this black and tan shopper that my brother gave me for my birthday. It’s the perfect size to accommodate all my stuff and I love the drawstring liner that keeps my contents secure.

When it comes to summer fashions, a straw bag (or two) is one wardrobe essential I think every woman needs to own. Whether you’re carrying it to the beach or out to dinner, a straw bag is perfect for any summer outfit. Here’s a round-up of my favorite straw bags to fit every budget and every style need.

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SUMMER BAGS FOR EVERY BUDGET

1 // 2 // 3 //4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

Under $25: All three of these bags are great options for everyday use but I especially love the round tote. The only thing missing is a cute bag charm but you can add this tassel charm and still be under $ 40.

Under $50: The floral clutch is perfect to add a pop of color to a little black dress. And I love the size and shape of the black and tan tote.

Under $100: Isn’t that pom pom trimmed bag the cutest thing ever? I love the size and how colorful it is. And it has a drawstring liner to keep your contents under wrap. p.s. it’s should actually be in the under $50 group because this cutie is only $32.

Splurge: I’ve been known to splurge on a handbag every now and then and I’m tempted to pull the trigger on #11. I love the slim shape and leather handles and the tassels are pretty cute too.

So if you had to pick a favorite, which bag would it be?