New on the Bookshelf

There are lots of new design books which have recently been released and as usual, I couldn’t resist adding a few new titles to my ever-growing collection of design books.  Here’s what new on the bookshelf…

Outdoor Spaces, produced by Coastal Living and is filled the stunning images of chic and stylish outdoor space.  I found inspiration on every page, from the accessories and pillows to the furniture layouts and color combinations.  With some many design books focused on the interior of a home it is great to add this outdoor inspiration book to my collection.

If you love to entertain and throw parties, you’ll definitely want to get The Art of The Party.  From small-scale events to larger galas and weddings, you get a fresh crop of ideas that will inspire your next party.

Ronda Carmen, the blogger behind the blog All The Best has compiled some of the most beautiful spaces that exist in her book Designers At Home.  All of the rooms featured are the personal living spaces of some of the nation’s top interior designers like Bunny Williams, India Hicks and Charlotte Moss.

Bazaar Style: Decorating the Market and Vintage Finds spoke to my love of thrifting and finding the diamond in the rough.  I love seeing how items from yesteryear are incorporated into stylish interiors for today.  This is the perfect inspiration book for my this years shopping trip to the Longest Yard Sale.

What books have you added to your bookshelf lately?

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A Few Things I’m Really Excited About

I can’t resist books so when I heard that Country Living has a new book coming out I immediately pre-ordered it.   The Little Book of Big Decorating Ideas is a compilation of over 205 of the magazines best design, decor, DIY and crafting ideas & projects. The book will be out in June.

These cute Chevron journals from C. Wonder.

I finished creating a design plan for an outdoor deck and presented it to the client. One of the elements that inspired the design was this pillow.  I love this pillow so much I had stop by the store and buy one for myself last night.

 

I was invited by the ladies that own Antique Traditions in Norcross, GA to be the guest of honor at their upcoming Ladies Night Out Event on May 1st.  I am so excited to meet Hazel, Lorraine, Taylor, Mary and Carolee and share a little of my design knowledge with their customers.  Stay tuned for more details about the event.

I was inspired by this image and am working on a fun DIY project to show you in a couple of days.

What’s exciting you these days?

 

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On the Hunt for Stylish Bookends!

 

Have you ever though that stylish bookends are hard to find?  Well, I’ve rounded up a few great choices that just might change your mind. 

 

I love this Crystal Finial/Bookend from Restyled Creations via Etsy.  Not only would that make a stylish bookend but it’s also a great tabletop accent!

A fun take on an animal themed bookend.  These Orange Lion Bookends would look great on a white bookcase!

These Retro Owl Bookends had me at hello.  I’m going through a bit of an OWL obsession at the moment so I couldn’t overlook these.

I love an easy upcycled vintage project.  Not only are these Old School Metal Bookends practical, they just became stylish with a coat of paint and a stenciled number.

This is one of the most innovative bookends I’ve come across.  The Wood Alphabet Bookend and a statement piece and a work of art.

If you’re looking for something a bit more unexpected, how about these Linen Bookends/Shelf Pillows with a silhouette image.  Fun and chic!

These High Five Bookends are great for a mans office or boys room. They’d also be pretty cool if you happen to have a where you make things by hand!

A nod to Parisian style.  These SpiSani Poodle Bookends are pretty stylish with their acrylic base and posh puppy!

One of my personal favorites.. LOVE Bookends!

And for a bit of a whimsical touch, how about these Bracket Bookends.  Love the color and love that they truly are unique!

 

 Now that you have some great bookend options, how about a little inspiration on how to use bookends and other decorative pieces in your bookcase displays!

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So, which bookends are your favorite?

 

 For even more bookend options, check out this post over at Design Tabloid!

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Just a Few Things

Happy Monday!  I hope all of you are enjoying the fabulous long weekend and spending some time doing things you love or just enjoying some R & R on the last weekend of Summer.   I thought I’d pop in today to share a few things that caught my eye over the weekend. 

Enjoy and be inspired!

Loving this fall gift wrap inspiration!

I saw this book at Pottery Barn and just had to order it for myself! 

The hubs and I are planning an October trip to this gorgeous beach destination!  I need one last walk on the beach before the year is over!

I love the look of these spaces using brick pavers!

I took advantage of this great sale and bought some of these!

 

The rest of my week is filled with meetings, project work, planning a design workshop and a trip to Scott Antique Market.  It’s gonna be a good week!

 

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On The Bookshelf–New Design Books for Fall

Books are truly an obession for me and I am always keeping my eyes and ears open to see what new releases are coming out. 

This fall there will be a load of fantastic new interior design books released.  Here are the titles I’m most looking forward to reading (and adding to my collection)!

Click on each book cover to read more about the book and pre-order your copy!

Available September 1, 2012–I know this book is sure to be filled with beautiful and inspiring images!

 

Available October 16, 2012

Available September 15, 2012–The preview showcases lots of colorful and uniquely design spaces.

 

Available October 1, 2012–I love anything written by Kathryn Ireland!

 

Available September 1, 2012–Sure to be a classic in any design book collection!

 

Available October 1, 2012–Should offer up lots of new design ideas for window treatments!

 

Available October 1, 2012

Available October 16, 2012–The cover alone is so enticing and I know I’ll love learning more about Nate’s style and approach to accessorizing!

Available October 9, 2012

Available October 1, 2012 from the talented designer and Decor8 blogger, Holly Becker!

Available October 2, 2012

 

All of these titles are now available for pre-order through Amazon!

 

 

Which title looks to be your new favorite?

 

 

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The Fashion and Function of Settees

 One of my favorite pieces of furniture is the Settee.  Not only are Settees the fashionable but they provide function in so many home decor applications.

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The Settee is a perfect option for seating at the foot of a bed.  Because they are larger in scale than a chair they balance the weight of a bed and add visual impact within a bedroom.

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I love the idea of a Settee in a library or reading room.  It provides the perfect spot for lounging solo or sitting with someone special while reading.

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As an accent in a living room, Settees provide additional seating without overpowering a space. 

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Tucked in front of a mirror in a bedroom, hallway or pass through, a Settee adds the charm.  And, the Settee is the perfect piece of furniture upholstered in a statement piece of fabric.

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Replacing what would in most cases be a piece of furniture, a Settee keeps the space at the end of a foyer open and airy!

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Tucked into those often neglected alcoves, a Settee makes this space come alive and purposeful!

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Even in a more contemporary styled room, a Settee can make a statement and complete the look.  I love the curved details of this Settee amongst all the square and rectangular pieces.

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One of my favorite applications for Settees is as an alternative to dining chairs. This dining space is so much more intimate and cozy with twin Settees.

Image via Good Bones, Great Pieces book by mother, daughter author team Suzanne and Lauren McGrath! Available here!

In small rooms the Settee is a great alternative to a traditional sofa or grouping of chairs. 

 

If you’re looking to make changes in your decor or need to save on space, a Settee is a very practical and stylish option!

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my local design services or my Door-to-Door e-design service!

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It’s Never to Early to Plan–Thrift Shopping 101

While many of my weekends are spent shopping flea markets and antique stores, it’s all prep work for my big thrifting adventure coming in August….The Longest Yard Sale  (August 2-5th)

Last year the hubby and I dabbled in the Longest Yard Sale, making our way from Gadsden,  Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee in one day.  This year we have bigger plans, allocating three days for the sale.  Our plans are to drive to Kentucky, stay overnight with my brother in Louisville and then the next day start our yard sale adventure in Frankfort, Kentucky.  Over the course of three days we plan to make our way from Kentucky all the way back to Atlanta. Rumor has it that Kentucky has some of the best deals and items along the entire route!

The Longest Yard Sale Route

To say that I was a bit overwhelmed at the sale last year would be an understatement.  I didn’t know what to expect, wasn’t fully prepared for how hot it was and definitely did not dress the part of a Longest Yard Sale attendee.  This year I’m going to have all my ducks in a row and will shop the sale like a veteran.

Whether you’re shopping the Longest Yard Sale or staying closer to home, here are a few of the thrifting tips I use now and plan to use in August to make the most of my shopping adventure.

• Develop a Plan–when you hit the road to shop, it’s always a good idea to map out where you’re going, what stores you want to see and to check whether the stores are having events or sales.  I get emails from all my favorite stores and plan my shopping to take advantage of all their sale and promotions.  For the yard sale, we’re planning to cover a set number of miles each day ensuring we make it back home by Sunday evening.

 

• What to Bring–over the last two years of thrift shopping I’ve learned what to bring with me to make the trip more successful.

–Tape Measure: Make sure to measure an item not only to make sure it will fit in your vehicle but also through the door of your home. 

–Smart Phone:  A smart phone is always good to have on hand to compare prices on sites like eBay and Etsy and to check facts about antique pieces.

–Camera:  Thrift shopping is bound to expose you to lots of inspiration so make sure to take pictures of any and everything that inspires you.

–Photos of my home/client projects:  Helps you remember the holes you’re looking to fill in your decor and the other items that surround it.  In addition to item photos, make sure to take photos of the fabrics and textile in the area.

–Gloves:  Keep your hand safe for ragged edges, sharp points and the dirt and grime that often comes with thrifting.  Gloves are especially helpful when sorting through vintage jewelry.

–Wipes:  Keep your hands clean and wipe the dirt off items to see the makers mark.

–Hand Sanitizer:  Trust me, thrifting is not a clean sport and you never know where some items have been!

–Magnet:  Use on metal– brass won’t stick to the magnet but plated metal will.

–Notepad and pen:  For taking notes and jotting down ideas.  If you have an online shop it’s great to write down information you might learn from the seller, to use in your product description.

–Water- & snacks:  Keep hydrated and energized with granola bars or nuts you’ll be able to shop all day long.

• Make a List–I keep a running list of items I’m looking for in my purse and on my iPhone.  You can easily get overwhelmed when thrifting and having a list to reference will make sure your don’t overlook something or over spend.  My shopping list for the Longest Yard Sale is growing daily but includes things like vintage papers and ribbons, lamps, picture frames china and vintage jewelry.

• Dress Comfortably–It only took several thrifting trips for me to realize that wearing my cute stuff was not the way to go when “junkin”.  Thrift shopping calls for comfortable shoes and clothes.  The Longest Yard Sale is mostly outdoors, in extreme heat, so dressing comfortable is a necessity.  Closed toe shoes are also a good idea since you may be climbing over bad junk to get to the good stuff.

• Roll while you Walk–When I shop locally I carry a large tote bag with me instead of my purse.  A tote bag makes it easy to carry your purchases and keep your hands free for more shopping.  For the Longest Yard Sale I plan to carry a collapsible rolling cart that will make shopping a breeze.  A rolling cart is a good investment if you do a lot of thrifting.  Here’s the one I’ve purchased.

Jumbo Shopping Cart–Wal-Mart $44.00

• Negotiate–I learned with thrifting that you should always ask a seller if  “is the best price you can do”?   Nine times out of 10 they will reduce the price for you.  Don’t be afraid to negotiate especially if you’re paying case for something.  Cash is king and it usually will get you better deal.

• Break and Rethink–It’s always a good idea when you’re spending the day shopping to walk around a store once before you make a purchase.  Check things out and then take a moment to stop and think about what you’ve seen and what you really want to purchase.  Of course if you see something you absolutely love grab it up right away and then think about it as you walk to make sure!  During the Longest Yard Sale you’re driving from one spot to another so you’ll have to make decisions more quickly… back-tracking is really not an option. Last year I passed up a couple of amazing things because I was pondering the purchase and by the time I had made the decision to buy, we were already about 10 miles down the road. 

• Read Up and Research–I consider myself a pretty good shopper, knowing what details to look for in most pieces.  To increase my knowledge base for the yard sale I’ve been reading several books on thrifting and vintage goods.   All of these books offer great tips on shopping and pricing and have loads of creative ideas on how to repurpose vintage pieces into your decor. 

Lara Spencer’s book is AWESOME!  It’s loaded with beautiful images of her reworked flea market and garage sales finds and shows the price she paid for each.  Her favorite shopping spots are included in the book and she offers up some great tips to make the most of your money and shopping skills.

This book is loaded with great ideas on repurposing vintage finds.  My personal decor is nowhere near shabby chic or cottage but there is lots of inspiration in this book that will work with any style of decor.

 

Matthew Meads book is all about visual inspiration.  From entertaining ideas and displaying collections to restyling furniture and accessorizing, this is a book you’ll refer to on many occasions.  The book-a-zine version of this publication can be purchased at your local bookstore or you can buy the Amazon version which has about 10 added pages in it.

 

Another good book full of ideas and inspiration.  Also, check out the blog, JunkMarket Style that Sue Whitney pens!

 

My big trip is about 3 months away but it’s never to early to start planning!  I hope you find my thrifting tips helpful and that you find good stuff when you’re out shopping!

 

What’s your favorite part of thrifting or junkin?  And, what’s on your shopping list??

 

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Room of The Week

Color is one of the most important elements in the design of a room and where and how color is used can make or break the look. 

This gorgeous foyer designed by William Diamond and David Baratta, two of my design idols, is the perfect example of using color in just the right places to make an impact,  coming and going.

The painted doors are to die for!  It’s not unusual to see the outside of a front door painted, but painting the inside is so dramatic and will definitely leave a lasting impression.

The rug pattern is bold enough to grab your attention, but doesn’t overwhelm. 

I love the idea of using a pair of chairs in the same style but different colors to add a bit of playfulness.

The green carpet stair runner is an unexpected pop of color.

This space just oozes style and beauty and the use of color is the foundation!

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 I’ve had a great week celebrating my birthday and sharing some of my favorite things, ideas and inspiration with you, including this room by two of my favorite designers.

To end the week on a really festive note, I’m giving away one copy of the book, Diamond Baratta Design.  This book is filled with amazing room images showing color, pattern and styling inspiration that will blow you away. It’s one of my favorite design books.

 

 

****To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me what you like most about the Diamond  and Baratta room shown above****

For a  second chance to win, LIKE the ConfettiStyle Interiors Facebook page and leave a separate comment letting me know you liked the page.

Contest ends Sunday, April 15th at midnight EST and one winner will be drawn, at random and announced on Monday, April 16th.  Contest is open worldwide!

Remember to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Thanks for sharing my birthday week and good luck!

 

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note:  Diamond Bratta Design is now known as Anthony Bratta Design

 

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