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Archive for the ‘HOUSE BEAUTIFUL’ Category

I hope you had a great weekend.  I was able to get a little thrift shopping in but was slowed down by the pinched nerve in my neck with is causing numbness in my right (writing, do-everything) hand!  I start physical therapy this week so I’m hoping that will solve the issue!  Wish me luck!

One of the other things I did this weekend was catch up on some magazine reading and while flipping through the latest issue of House Beautiful,  a PBTeen lampshade caught my eye.  It intrigued me enough that I immediately headed over the PBTeen website to see what other things they had to offer.

After spending some time on their site, I was amazed at how many cool things they had that were not only appropriate for a teenager, but also great for someone like me who is about to celebrate her 21st wedding anniversary this week! 

Here’s what caught my attention:

Wood And Wire Wall Multi Basket

Wood and Wire Wall Basket–Great for storing magazines or paperwork in the office.  I love the industrial feel it has and the numbers give it some added style.  $99.00

Scroll Border Mirror

Scroll Border Mirror–This would look great as part of wall gallery wall display.  I love the slightly distressed finish and the beautiful teal color!  $98.99 On Sale.

Bone Frames

Bone Frames–So great looking.  The ethnic patterns and color combinations are so on trend right now.  What a great way to add a splash of pattern and color to a tabletop vignette.  $24.99 to $28.99 On Sale.

Braided Shade

Braided Lampshade–This is a super chic lampshade for a teen store.  I love the rope trim detail!  $38.99 On Sale.  I just might have to pick one of these up!

Teardrop Chandelier

Crystal Teardrop Chandelier–Stunning!  A great piece over a bathtub, vanity or in your home office.  $109.00 On Sale!

Ruffle Rings Shower CurtainRugby Stripe Shower Curtain

Shower Curtains–Loving their collection of stylish shower curtains.  $38.99 to 69.50

 

Kaleidoscope Kilim Rug–Love, Love, Love the colors, pattern and texture.  $169.00 to $699.00

 

Furlicious Desk Chair–Ok, I just lost it when I saw this chair.  So fabulous and a great buy at only $299.00.  This baby may end up on my Christmas List!

The Ooh La La Swivel Chair was my other favorite. How great would this look in a girly office or craft space.  $238.99 (for lime green) $349.00 for other colors!

 

So I know I’ve got you ready to hop in your car and head to the closet PB Teen store. 

First one there wins! 

Happy Shopping!

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When it comes to decorating, there are certain rules and guidelines I tend to follow whether I decorating my home or designing a space for a client.  I know that many of you probably have some “rules” you follow as well, adapted maybe after a difficult project or two or possibly after spending lots of time reading design magazines and books.  Wherever your design rules come from, they are the principles that allow you to achieve the look and feel you want in your own home. 

Last months issue of House Beautiful included a great article entitled 101 Designer Secrets.  The article was a listing of the tricks, tips and techniques that the country’s leading designers rely on to create the beautiful spaces they do. 

After reading the article, I must admit a learned a few new things and wanted to share the best of the best secrets with you, so you too could add them to your little black book of decorating!

 

 

Always use lead-free Starphire Glass for glass shelving, surfaces of occasional tables–regular glass  gives off a green cast from its edges. 

Carolyn Espley-Miller

To create flattering light, have your lampshades lined in soft pink, or use GE soft pink 100-watt bulbs. 

David Scott

Bleach your floors before staining them to avoid that zebra-stripe effect.  Bleaching the floor first will kill the color in the darker sections of the wood, and then when you apply the stain it will absorb more evenly. 

 Sallie Giordano

 

Thank You House Beautiful for adding to my knowledge base and helping me achieve  my BUSINESS GOALS  and PERSONAL GOALS for 2012!

 

Do you have a design tip that you swear by?  I’d love to know!

 

 

 

 

 

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Have you checked out the collaboration between House Beautiful and HSN (Home Shopping Network)? 

While I’m not a big TV marketplace shopper, when I read that House Beautiful was involved, I couldn’t help but be intrigued.

House Beautiful has partnered with HSN  and developed the House Beautiful Marketplace.  Every month, HB creates a curated collection of their favorite items, all available for sale on HSN.  With the HB endorsement, you’ll find some really stylish and on-trend pieces, at a great value. 

  Here’s a grouping of  my favorite items from this month’s HB picks!

Safaveih Hampton Pillowtop Bench  $359.95

Liora Manne Ikat Diamonds Pillow–$41.99-$48.99

Layfette Clear Crystal Table Lamp–$340.20

Mercutio Acrylic Nesting Tables–$179.95

Paisley Armchair–$469.95

Floral Brocade Pillow–449.95

 To learn even more about the HB Marketplace, check out this piece by HB editor-in-chief Newell Turner!

 

Happy Shopping!

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While I’ve never really decorated in a blue and white theme, I’m always attracted to spaces utilizing this color combination.

What draws me to this space is of course the pop of yellow which gives the room a fresh, updated feel but also the combination of one blue and one white sofa.  The white sofa floats in front of the bay window with ease of comfort, allowing your eyes to move effortlessly the view. 

The blue sofa and opposite navy and white chairs anchor the sides of the room giving the all white space depth and visual weight. I love how the eclectic mix of patterns, some traditional and others abstract and modern brings out the personality of this room.

Traditional navy and white with a dose of  “happy” yellow.

So refreshing!

 

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about our design services!

 

image via House Beautiful

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I love books, all kinds of books, but one on my  favorite book topics are books about entertaining and decor. And, the newly published book by Joe Nye, FLAIR, takes the cake. This is one of the most exquisite entertaining, design and style books I’ve come across. 

Flair

Exquisite Invitations, Lush Flowers, and Gorgeous Table Settings

Broken down in to four sections, Table Settings, Paper, Flowers and Essentials, FLAIR offers up detailed party planning information, accented by beautiful photos that will definitely inspire you to entertain. The Table Settings section will show you how to create beautiful centerpieces and unique place settings. In the Paper section, you’ll learn everything you need to know about invitations, complete with a great list of shopping resources.  When it comes to Flowers, Joe will show you how to use flowers to enhance your decor and creative ways to display them.  Finally, in the Essentials section, you’ll be reminded of all the basic party planning techniques, but will surely learn something new like I did.

As a Los Angeles based designer, Joe Nye has been named one of the 100 Best Decorators by House Beautiful every year since 2003.  Just looking through his book, I can definitely see why.

One of the things I love most about FLAIR, are the examples of how to mix old and new items together to create an eclectic and stylish look.  The book also gave me great ideas on how to mix home decor items with traditional tabletop/entertaining items, to create a real sense of personalization.  I’ve never been a big antique china fan, but this book has really given me a new perspective on how wonderful old china patterns are, and how they can really enhance a tablescape.

If you think Joe Nye’s design style is limited to the world of entertaining, think again.  He has an obvious love for interior design and has decorated his NY apartment with loads of personality and FLAIR.  Below are a few photos from the feature that appeared in House Beautiful. 

 

I can’t wait for Joe to publish his next book, but until then, FLAIR will be added to my favorite design book list!  This is definitely one book you’ll want to add to your bookshelf.

 

What’s your favorite design/entertaining book?

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As I walked around the Atlanta Gift Mart during the Summer Gift Show, I took notice that not only were lots of people wearing yellow, but there were alot of really great home decor products being shown in yellow.  I was thrilled since yellow,  the vibrant and intense version, is one of my current passions. 

I love how yellow can lift the mood of a space and how as a color, it works brilliantly with so many other colors in the color spectrum.

Take a look at these rooms, fully dolled out in yellow or just adorned with a hint of the colors.  Either way, these are some great looking Yellow rooms.

I love how yellow plays against a strong white wall or molding.

Even used as an accent, yellow makes a room feel cheery!

This room feels cozy and comfortable with yellow walls, a yellow ceiling and all the cabinets painted yellow too.

Yellow and chocolate combined is a fresh and current color combination.Try substituting yellow in place of a khaki or camel color.  It will definitely give a room more energy.

What can you say except lovely!

Yellow by nature is clean and crisp, especially when mixed with white and other primary colors.

 

A little touch of yellow goes a long way in making a statement.

 

Every outdoor patio needs a touch of sunshine yellow.

Bathrooms and Laundry rooms are a great place to use yellow. Rooms with little light will appear larger and more open.

One of my current obsessions is chairs upholstered in yellow fabric.  Aren’t these classic and fun at the same time!

 

One of the hottest color trends right now is canary yellow paired black and white or grey and white.

I am so glad that Yellow is part of a rainbow…it will always be in style.

Check out House Beautiful’s listing of the best shades of Yellow, here!

 

 
Photo Source:  Country Living, House Beautiful, Veranda, Elle Decor, Living Etc., Southern Living, Cottage Living, Jeffery Bilhuber, Coastal Living

 

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One of the best parts of attending the Atlanta Gift Shows each year (besides an afternoon spent in the gourmet food section),  is seeing all the new interior design and entertaining books that will be hitting the market in the coming months.  I was so thrilled to see so many incredible books hitting the presses and scheduled for release during the fall and winter. 

Get ready to add these gems to your reading list and coffee table displays.

In her third book,  Scrapbook For Living, Bunny Williams takes you on room by room tours of some the magnificent homes she has decorated.  You’ll walk away with creative ways to organize and add personal touches to your home, as well as create a  new list of fabulous design and decorating tips to reference for years to come.  Look for this book to hit book stores on Nov. 1st.  Until then check out Bunny’s wonderful on-line store at Beeline Home, here!

I absolutely love Chris Madden and her practical and understandable approach to design.  The Soul of a House is her latest book and will be available Oct. 19th.  I can’t wait to add this beautiful book to my ever growing collection of Chris Madden titles. And, have you seen Chris’ line of furniture available at JC Penney.  Check it out here!

Believe it or not, but this is Mary McDonald’s first design book, and just like the cover shot, the book is incredible.  House Beautiful has named Mary one of the top 100 designers on many occasions and rightly so.  Her expertise is in designing homes that are a bit old-fashion, a bit hollywood glamour, a bit whimsical and ever so timeliness.  If you love interior design, you are going to love Mary McDonald Interiors.  Make sure you pick up a copy when it hits book stores on Oct. 5th!

Alexa Hampton is an incredible designer.  As the president of the design firm her father started in 1976 (Mark Hampton, LLC), Alexa has is a seasoned designer with a taste for traditional and eclectic design.  Her design book showcases rooms that make a definitive design statement.  I love her use of fabrics and attention to detail.  The Language of Interior Design will be available Oct. 5th.

This is the first and only book (to date) from Town and Country Magazine. Showcasing 30 high-end interior projects, you are going to love that At Home with Town and Country makes beautiful design look attainable for us all.  The book is full of advice and inspiration for creating stylish spaces that I often just dream about.  Available Sept. 7th.

This exquisite book by Suzanne Rheinstein, designer and owner of LA’s Hollyhock store, is a real treasure.  What I love about Suzanne is her eye for color, her impeccable taste and her sense of elegance and grace.  In the pages of her book, you’ll get to see some beautifully decorated room, including shots from her own homes in Los Angeles and New York.  Suzannes’ love for antiques is obvious in her work, but I love how she combines old items in a new and refreshing way.  You can pick up your copy of  At Home, A Style for Today with Things from The Past on Oct. 19th.

With over 30 years of design and architectural experience, David Easton has pulled together a classic interior design book.  Showcasing the best of traditional interior design, Timeless Elegance is a must if you love classic and timeless looks .  Available Oct. 1st.

During the Atlanta Gift Show, I had the absolute pleasure of attending a design seminar in which Jonathan Adler presented his ideas on “Staying Trendy & True to You.”  Boy was this a great seminar.  Jonathan is so engaging, with a real zest for life and love for what he does.  He shared some great design advice including his top design tip:  Every Room needs a Dash of Hippie and a Dolip of Socialite!”  His latest book, Happy Chic Colors is full of fun, vibrant and energizing design ideas. If you don’t pick this book up on Nov. 2nd, add it to your Christmas List.  It is a must-have!

Who doesn’t love Barbara Streisand!  And, who knew she has a real love for interior design. In her first design book, My Passion For Design showcases the design and decorating work that Barbara has done in her own homes.  There are a ton of photographs showcasing her collected treasures as well as her beautiful gardens at her home along the California coast.  This book is part design and part memory lane as Barbara shares memories of her life, from childhood through today.  On book stands Nov. 16th. 

Many people ( myself included) may not have heard of Madeleine Castaing  but she was one of the most influential designers of our past.  A French decorator and antique dealer, Madeline’s style was unique, classic and a bit quirky at times.  Above all, her work was beautiful.  Shelterpop.com had a great write-up on Madeleine Castaing that will give you a wonderful perspective on her work and who she was.  Madeleine died in 1982 at the age of 98. The World Of Madeleine Castaing is available Oct. 19th.  

MIX MISTRESS Madeleine Castaing's house.

This is Madeleine Castaing’s Home.

Yippie! Another book from William Yeoward.  I love, love, love anything that William Yeoward does.  As stated in the intro of his book, “William Yeoward At Home is all about enjoyment and the joie de vivre of living and entertaining!”  Each chapter covers a different style of entertaining, and William highlights all you’ll need for each occasion.  A British designer and entertaining guru, William Yeoward is one of my all time favorite designers and authors!  I can’t wait to get the book in my hand.  You too can get a copy beginning in August.  

And, William, the next time (ok, first time) I visit London, I want to do lunch!

This is an absolutely beautiful book.  An inductee into the Interior Design Hall of Fame, Victoria Hagan is a master at subdued yet impactful color use. I love that her rooms are full of personality, have a distinct flair and are original in so many ways.  Interior Portraits is destined to be one of my favorite design books of all time. Available Oct. 12th.

This is one of my “to-die for” rooms from Victoria!

Ok, I hope I’ve got you drooling over some of the new design books soon to be released.  If you don’t already have an account with Amazon.com, NOW IS THE TIME!  Happy Reading.

What’s your favorite design book?

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One of my current obsessions is BEAUTIFUL ACCENT CHAIRS.  I love to walk into a room and see one or two beautifully upholstered or artistically designed side chairs.  I really feel that a side chair painted a unique color or upholstered in a unique fabric can make a room come to life, and every other piece of furniture around it sing. 

This weekend, I plan to attend Scott’s Antique Market here in Atlanta, where I hope to find a worn and weathered chair that I can bring back to life.  I envision my chair with lots of curved lines, a fabric back and seat and some exposed wood so that I can paint it chinese red (my favorite color).  I’ll upholster my chair in a gorgeous fabric, maybe add a nail head trim and possibly antique brass casters to the legs.  Whatever my chair turns out looking like, it will definitely be a chair full of personality.  I’ll share before and after photos in a later post.

Until then, take a seat in your favorite chair and be inspired

by these OH SO BEAUTIFUL ACCENT CHAIRS!

 

 

Photo Source:  Brocade Home, Living Etc., House Beautiful, Lonny Mag, Sarah Richardson, Downtown 20, Elle Decor

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