Thrifting For A Cause–Thrift With Tyler (part 1)

May 21, 2018

If you think going thrift shopping with a group of 50 people would be daunting, think again. When the thrift outing is part of the Thrift With Tyler event, you’re in for a whole lot of shopping fun. After a couple years of not being able to attend due to conflicts, I scored a ticket for this highly anticipated yearly event. In addition to being a day of shopping fun, the event was an interactive fundraiser for The Georgia Trust, a great organization that works to preserve and revitalize historic homes and properties throughout Georgia. Shopping for a cause–it doesn’t get much better than that!

We started the day at the Waiting For Martha Home in Vinings where we were treated to Mimosas and a lite breakfast. I was excited to see some of my design friends and also got the chance to make new friends before we boarded the bus.

p.s. I’ll be back on Wednesday to give you a little tour of the Waiting For Martha Home store and share a few of my favorite things.

Once we all boarded the bus, we headed out for our day of shopping. Other than telling us we were headed north of Atlanta, Tyler didn’t let us know where we’d be stopping. That added to the fun. In total we stopped at 6 antique/vintage stores in Marietta and Woodstock. The stores ranged from smaller shops and boutiques to large antique malls with multi-dealers under one roof. There was definitely something for everyone when it came to shopping.

I’ll include a list of the stores at the end of the post but for now, just sit back and take a look at some of the goodies I saw.

THRIFT WITH TYLER GOES NORTH

I collect and buy ironstone for my Etsy shop and saw lots of great pieces. This soup tureen was really stunning and had the most beautiful details. It was really heavy so I passed on it because shipping it from my shop would have been costly.

When I saw this china cabinet, I imagined it painted a blog, vibrant color with wallpaper on the back wall.

Most of store we stopped at were having sales, many of which I think continue through the Memorial Day holiday.

Staffordshire dogs are in big demand right now. This guy was large both in size and price.

The silver-plated toast rack is my one shopping regret. It was a little more than I wanted to pay so sadly I left it for another day.

I love older things that people have used and cherished. They have personality, character, and soul. ~Anna Hillegass

If you’re in the market for vintage dinnerware, now is a great time to go shopping. All of the multi-dealer antique malls we visited had tons of dinnerware sets for sale.

The set below was gorgeous!

Blue and white pottery continues to be a hot commodity and I’m seeing less and less of it in stores because it’s getting snapped up so quickly. I did see a few nice pieces.

tip: don’t pass up pottery pieces just because the lid is missing. Ginger jars without lids are great to use as flower vases.

There was lots of vintage furniture and several people on the tour ended up buying some great pieces.

I wanted to buy this chair except is was a little rickety and really couldn’t be used for seating. It would look great as an accent with a stack of book on the seat though.

Loved this unique curved bench.

Anyone else remember these wicker fan chairs from your high school prom? They were a big hit in the 80’s.

Artwork was really popular with our group. I spotted several pieces that I loved. These set of two original oil paintings was just $23 and so pretty.

Beautiful framed crewel work piece.

Can you believe all this goodness? I snapped a ton of pictures so instead of overwhelming you with it all in this post, I be back later this week with part 2 of our adventure. I’ll share the rest of what I saw while shopping AND what I ended up purchasing. Now for what you’ve all be waiting for…

WHERE WE SHOPPED

In the Marietta/East Cobb Area

Marietta Antique Mall–this is a large store set up with multi-dealer booths. The products range for true antiques and vintage to vintage reproductions and hand-painted furniture.
A Classy Flea–This is a smaller multi-dealer store with a great selection of furniture and decor. The store has been open since 1994 and just announced today that they will be closing their doors soon. If you’re looking for some deals you’ll definitely want to check them out as they are have things on sale in anticipation of their closing.
Fur Kids Thrift Store–this store is located across the parking lot from Marietta Antique Mall. Its’s a small store but they have a nice selection of furniture, tabletop and kitchenware, lighting and accessories.
Nancy’s Vintage Shop–this shop was a great surprise. Nancy recently opened her doors and sells vintage clothing, jewelry and collectibles. If you love vintage clothing and handbags you’ll definitely want to stop by for a visit.

In Woodstock

Woodstock Antique & Consignments–I love this store. It’s massive so plan on spending some time when you visit. It’s a multi-dealer store with a great selection of products in every category. You’ll also find new but made to look vintage items for sale.
Woodstock Market–this store is located across the street form Woodstock Antiques & Consignment and was my favorite stop on the tour. The store is huge and filled to the brim with goodies and the dealer spaces were organized and easy to shop.

For more thrifting advice and inspiration, check out this post…

Becoming An Expert Flea Market Shopper

My Favorite Tablescape Hack For Styling A Beautiful Table

May 15, 2018

Does anyone else love creating beautiful tablescapes but hate the process of washing and ironing cloth napkins and table runners? I’m with you. That’s not to say that I don’t own my fair share of cloth linens and used them on a regular basis. But I also know there’s a super easy ways to dress a party table without hassling with washing and ironing.

TABLESCAPE HACK: Wrapper Paper As A Table Runner

A few years ago I started using wrapping paper as a fun table runner alternative. You can see how I used it to create the pretty summer solstice tablescape above.

Wrapping paper is inexpensive and I love that when it comes to patterns and designs, the options are endless. Another bonus to using a paper runner is that it doesn’t require any care or maintenance. When the party is over, all you have to do it toss the paper in the garbage. Clean up is breeze.

poinsettia wrapping paper (similar here)

I use wrapping paper throughout the year when I’m creating a tablescape but especially love to use it during the holidays. I use the same paper to wrap gifts which makes it easy to create a consistent theme with my holiday decor.

There are so many more creative ways to use wrapping paper as a decorative element. I shared a few of ideas here.

If you want to give paper table runners a try, here are some of my favorite designs for spring and summer entertaining.

Blue China

Rainbow Squares

Yellow Casablance

Casablance

Gracefull Blooms

Confetti Dots

Marble

SHOP MY FAVORITE WRAPPING PAPER: blue china // rainbow squares //casablanca // graceful blooms // gold confetti // marble paper

Furniture Trends: Currently Loving Rattan

May 14, 2018

Hi friends. I hope Mother’s day was amazing for all you moms. I wasn’t able to spend the day with my mom but made sure she felt loved and pampered from afar.

I’m popping in today to share at little info and inspiration for one of my favorite furniture styles–rattan. And because I want to you have the 411 on rattan, here’s a little background info.

Rattan furniture has been around for thousands of years but gained its popularity during the Victorian era. While many people think of wicker furniture when they think of rattan, they are in fact two different things. Rattan is a material that comes from the rattan plant and wicker is the method of weaving woven materials together.

source

One of the reasons I love this furniture style is because of the organic but refined vibe it has. Just like a little black dress, it can be dressed up or dressed down and works beautifully with every design style.

When mixed with traditional decor, rattan adds a sense of refined casualness. And in casual, informal room settings, it can add an eclectic, hand-crafted feel to the space.

Since rattan is a natural plant fiber that is very durable, it is also a great design option for covered outdoor spaces.

source

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Here’s a round up some of my favorite rattan pieces ranging in price from $69 up to $600.

SHOP THESE RATTAN LOOKS:

1// With or without a cushion, this chair is a great style for a sunroom or causal living space. And its affordable at just $98.

2// I love this more classic styling of this armchair and could envision a pair of these in a living room, library or den. The darker finish gives this chair a more formal fee. $299.99

3// The craftsmanship of this end table along with the leather top is what makes it so unique. It’s a bit pricing but would definitely makes a statement. $609.99

4// I’m on the hunt for a bench for our guest bedroom and I’m considering this beautiful garden bench. $386.65

5// I couldn’t believe the price of this bench from Grandin Road–on sale for just $229.97! A great accent piece at the foot of a bed.

SHOP THESE RATTAN LOOKS:

6// I shared some of my favorite pieces from the OpalHouse collection at Target and this rattan side table was one of the items. Such a great accent piece anywhere in the house and you have to love the $69.99 price. Also available in black.

7// If you’re looking for a casual coffee table for your family room, sunroom or covered porch, take at look at this coffee table. I love the classic style, dark finish and the price! $168.97

8// This rattan stool is a great by at just $129.00. Use it next to a garden tub to hold towels or in a living space with books on top. A pair would also look great at the foot of a bed.

9// Rattan bar carts top my list of favorite accent furniture pieces and I’m in love with this rolling bar cart. For those of you that don’t drink, a bar cart like this could also be used as accent furniture. Available in 4 colors–$246.99

source

So what do you think of rattan furniture? Love it or leave it?

One Project At A Time: Outdoor Decor Plans

May 7, 2018

One of the many projects that I’ve been slowly working on around the house is our deck. I’m excited to get this outdoor space completed so we can enjoy the beautiful (and hot) spring and summer weather here in Atlanta.

We live in a three level townhouse so the deck is located off the second floor at the back of the house. It’s not a large space but spacious enough to create a cozy lounge and entertaining space.

One of the first things we’re working on is adding privacy. When you walk out on the deck, you’re looking at the neighbors behind us on one side and at the street on the other. For the side facing the street, we’re going to add a privacy fence to match the one between us and the house next door. And to give us some privacy facing out, we’ve added some potted trees. We purchased the pots from At Home and after quizzing all the garden pros in town, we decided on the JJapanese Privet, Ligustrum. We’ve also purchased an outdoor rug, umbrella and a few lanterns. Now the hard part–selecting furniture.

Just like when I’m working with design clients, I decided the best way to envision the space was to create an inspiration board (or three). If you’re working on decorating your house, I highly recommend creating an inspiration board. Having a visual reference will allow you to see the space in totality and make the best decorating decisions.

Here are three inspiration boards I pulled together with the furniture sets I’m considering. And at the end of the post I’m sharing a few outdoor decorating tips in case you’re decorating your outdoor oasis too.

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OUTDOOR DECOR–THE VISION

The vision for our outdoor space is to create a space that is conducive to lounging, entertaining and socializing. I want to maximize the seating as much a possible while still keeping the small space open.

Option #1: Neutrals with a pop of red since its my favorite color. The overall look is classic with the red and aqua color combo adding energy and spunk. The only downside to this plan is the seating is a bit limited unless I add an additional chair or two which could be an option.

Option #2: It’s no secret that I love blue and white so that’s what inspired this inspiration board. This look is subtle without being flat or lifeless. There are two downsides to this plan– 1) the design of the furniture is not my absolute favorite–I prefer furniture with a square frame versus rounded. And second, the blue furniture cushions are more limiting when it comes to switching out accent pillows.

Option #3: This third inspiration board is a nice mix of classic and transitional styling. I love the dark, rich colors in the pillows and also the metal garden stool. The only downside here is the color of the furniture–I’d love it if it were a little darker.

I really can’t go wrong with any of these designs, it’s just a matter of going with the one that feels the most like us. If you have a favorite design board, leave me a comment and let me know which one you think I should pick.

Here are those decorating tips I promised…

I’ll share updates as I work on the space over the coming weeks. My goal is to pull it all together right after we get back for our cruise in early June.

My (NEW) Favorite Way To Create Flower Arrangements

April 26, 2018

Don’t you just love decorating your home with fresh flowers? Me too, but buying fresh flowers can be expensive especially when you like lush arrangements like I do.

Earlier this week I was feeling a bit guilty for what I was spending on fresh flowers so I decided to jump on the faux flower trend.

If you follow interior designers and design bloggers on social media, you’ve been seeing more and more faux flower arrangements in their room designs. The faux flower trend is no longer taboo they are being used right alongside fresh flowers.

One of the main reasons faux flower decor is making a comeback is because the quality of has gotten so good. In many cases it can be hard to tell a faux stem from the real thing.

On Tuesday I created this arrangement mixing faux and real stems and I am over the moon with how it turned out.

The beautiful chinoiserie foot bath was a lucky find at an estate sale and I love using it on my dining room sideboard. Because the piece is large, keeping it filled with fresh flowers is not budget friendly so the mix of real and faux is a perfect solution.

Can you tell which flowers in my arrangement are real and which are fake? Keep reading to find out!

Today, I’m giving you tips and tricks on how to style real + faux flowers and where to buy faux stems.

*****

Where To Buy Faux Flower Stems

You can find quality silk flowers at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby but for the most realistic looking faux stems I like to shop online.

Petals.com has a large selection of stems as well as pre-made flower arrangements. Their peony and cherry blossom stems are my favorite.

At Afloral you can shop flowers by color or variety which makes it easy to create a unique floral arrangement. They also have a great selection of bouquets that can be dropped into a vase for a quick and easy centerpiece. The peony & ranunculus bouquet is one of my top picks.

Balsam Hill recently introduced a line of silk flowers designed by blogger Courtney of French Country Cottage and they are just beautiful. They also sell a high quality (and a tad more expensive) collection of flower stems. My favorites are the set of 7 dahlia stems are set of 4 hydrangea.

Pottery Barn is another place where I buy faux flower stems. Even though the selection is small, their prices are good. If you’re looking for a good quality faux eucalyptus stem they have one currently on sale for $19.

What Look For In Faux Flower Stems

Material–the best faux flowers are made silk or polyester that have a soft, velvety life-like feel to them. Avoid stems that look and feel like plastic.
Details–look for stems that are bendable, have realistic stems and texture in the petals and leaves.
Color–when you look at a real flower you’ll see that it is not all one color. Real flowers have color variations throughout the petals. These are the same color details you should look for in faux stems.

Now that you know where to buy faux flowers and what to look for, here are my tips of styling a beautiful flower arrangement.

Ok, now its time to real the real vs faux stems in my arrangement…

Today’s design tip: Don’t Be Afraid To Fake It:)

Thanks for stopping by the blog today.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

April 24, 2018

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and will be here before we know it. Whether your Mom is super stylish, likes to entertain, or is that hard to buy for woman, I’ve got Mother’s Day gift ideas that will make mom feel extra special on her special day.

No. 1–There’s just something about a little bling that makes a woman feel special. Mom will feel like a million bucks with these beautiful Stella Hoop Earrings from Bauble Bar.

No. 2–I definitely got my love for handbags from my mom. This Rigid Handle Tote Bag from Zara is one of my favorites spring and summer bags and is perfect for the mom that loves fashion.

No. 3 –We all know moms love to keep their handbags neat and tidy. The Leather Triangle Pouch from Mark & Graham is a unique and stylish option to hold loose change, cosmetics or keys. The hard part will be picking a color or design.

No. 4–A great gift idea for the mom that loves to entertain. Charlotte Moss Entertains is filled with beautiful images, inspiring tablescapes and loads of party planning ideas. This book has quickly become one of my favorite entertaining and coffee table books.

No. 5–If entertaining is really mom’s passion, she’ll love the Ardsley Platter from the Aerin Collection for Williams Sonoma Home. When not in use at a party, the tray also make a pretty decorative statement.

No. 6–Pamper mom with Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Body Cream. I’ve been using DK Cashmere Mist products for years and always get compliments when I wear the body cream. The scent is heavenly.

No.7–Mom will be pretty in pink with this Sole Society Talisades Tasseled Clutch. I love the texture and abstract design, and the tassel is an added bonus. This cute clutch is also available in a natural color.

No.8–Treat mom to a picnic on Mother’s Day and gift her this adorable Woven Picnic Basket from the OpalHouse collection at Target. Fill it with all of her favorite treats to make the gift extra special.

No. 9–I recently discovered a new online floral delivery company called Bloom That and was smitten with their beautiful arrangements. Their arrangements are more artistic and stylized than what you typically find with online floral companies. I also like the fact that they guarantee no flower substitutions so what you see online is what you get.

No. 10–One of my personal indulgences is monogrammed stationery and I think it makes a perfect Mother’s Day gift. The Delavan Monogram Tablet Set from Paper Style is affordable and the monogram style and color can be customized to fit your moms style

No. 11–Help mom decorate and relax with this pretty Voluspa Maison Candle. Mom will love using this as she soaks in the tub or lounges in her mom cave.

Mom…She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders & made it look like a pair of wings!

Weekend Wrap Up: Vol. 4

April 21, 2018

Hi friends. Hooray for the weekend. It’s been a busy week so I’m planning to spend most of my weekend indoors tackling a few projects. I have a few pieces of furniture to paint and I’m hoping to get some flowers planted on my deck. And the last piece of furniture for my office arrived this week so I can finally put the finishing touches on my office.

To kick off the weekend, I’ve rounded up a few things that caught my eye and inspired me (or not) this week. Enjoy the links and your weekend.

*****

STYLE INSPIRATION

Once I looked through designer Lindsey Lane’s interior design portfolio, I headed to her Instagram feed and was just as smitten. She’s definitely one to follow.

images via Lindsey Lane

Have you guys been watching the reboot of Trading Spaces? If so, I’d love to know what you think. I was so excited for the relaunch but so far I’m a little disappointed in the room designed. With a $2000 design budget and more affordable and stylish decor on the market, I was hoping for an elevated level of design. So far I’m a bit let down by the rooms that have been created. It’s only episode 2 so I’m holding out that we’ll see some amazing room designs in future episodes.

** Want to see how the designers have decorated their own homes? Take a peek inside the homes of the Trading Spaces designers.

Have you noticed that a silk scarf is the hot new accessory to add to a handbag? I love the look and found a great source for silk scarves that are just .99 cents each.

Since we’re on the topic of shopping, you might want to check out the One Kings Lane warehouse sale. There are so many great deals including this pillow set, this gorgeous headboard and this amazing crystal candelabra that’s on sale for $45.

I’m so excited about the new Good Company magazine by Grace Bonney of Design Sponge. If you loved Grace’s book, In the Company of Women you’ll definitely want to subscribe to this The magazine will hit newsstands on May 1st but you can pre-order a copy here (affiliate link).

Tips on How to Stretch Your Decorating Dollar from two of my favorite designers. Great advice no matter what stage of decorating you are in.

PHOTO: Julie Holder; DESIGN: Nate Berkus

Anatomy Of A Well Style Room–Revisited!

April 20, 2018

The key elements are in place and now it’s time to add the finishing touches to your decor. Where do you start with styling a room and what elements are needed to pull everything together?

Today I’m answering that question and outlining the key components to a well-styled room.

The first step in to putting the finishing touches on the decor of a room is to have a plan. Developing a vision for the space even before furniture has been purchased will go a long way to creating the space your desire. Create an inspiration board with fabric and color swatches, photos of accessories you like and images that reflect the overall feel you want the space to have.

Next, clear the room of all your current accessories so that you are starting with a clean palette. Take time to go through the things you own and decide which pieces you really want back in the room. Use only the items that work with your design vision and that you love, otherwise the room won’t bring your ultimate joy.

Once all the key elements like furniture and window treatments are in place, create a plan for accessorizing. Pull the existing items you’ve kept back into the room and begin placing them where you want. Once that is done, take stock of the room and create a list of the new items you need to buy. New pillows, a throw and even something a simple as a decorative tray can make a space come alive.

As you place accessories around the room keep these tips in mind:

Place accessories so that they enhance the focal point within the room, not compete with it. Hang a dynamic mirror over the mantel instead of placing it on another wall within the room.
Create groupings with your tabletop decor to add impact and interest. And remember that smaller accessory items look best with grouped together versus scattered around a room.
Group items of different sizes to create visual movement. Use books to elevate objects and create balance.
Spread collections around the room unless you have a dedicated display piece for them.
Accessorize so the eye has different levels to look at. This includes accessories on the floor, walls and in even the lighting at the ceiling.
Incorporate a living element like a plant or flowers to add softness and a sense of energy.
A well-styled room is about balance. Don’t fill every square inch of space–leave spaces where the eye can rest.
Use color as a unifying element within the room.
Every accessory mix should incorporate a variety of finishes, textures, materials, styles and a touch of black to help visually anchor the room.
Add a corky element to delight, surprise and bring a sense of playfulness to the room.

Don’t rush the styling of your home. The accessories and finishing touches are often the elements that take the most time but have the greatest impact of how the room looks and feels.

“An empty room is a store waiting to happen, and you are the author.”

Every room in your home is different so look at each area for what it has to offer and make the most of each space so in the end you’ll have a well-styled home.

all images via Domino

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