How Resourceful

Oh blessed Friday, how sweet it is to soak in your presence:) I love how the entire office is always in a better mood on Fridays. I was just handed a cinnamon-sugary bagel with cream cheese which is, I'm assuming, 8 trillion calories but I will eat it gladly because..it is Friday and all is well. On the docket for this weekend:

1) Finish resource journal

2) Visit flooring store to get info for resource journal

3) Finish resource journal

4) Frisbee Golf

5) Finish resource journal

I need to do as much this weekend as possible towards my journal which is a compilation of both samples and information regarding all materials and sources used for design. It will be a decorating "bible" of sorts that I can continue to add to throughout the rest of my classes. It is worth 150 pointilones (Spanish for "points").

One more thought...how extremely creepy is this CrewCuts ad? The intertwined braids and the misty mountain background are a bit too Stephen King for me...

Top 5: Interior Designer # 3

It just occured to me that my "Top 5" posts could have started the other way around...5-1 instead of 1-5. I would have liked it better that way as a countdown rather than a count-up. I am sure you care, ha.

So as for my designer to showcase today, I have to admit that last week when I covered #2 I had someone completely different in mind to talk about this week. In between then and now I have become familiar with Erika McPherson Powell's blog, and her portfolio, and decided I just HAD to introduce you to her. That is a great picture of her above and if you check out her blog you will see that she has a little one growing inside her at the moment!

Erika owns Urban Grace Interiors. I feel refreshed looking through her work. One room in particular- the dining room below- struck me in such a way that I wouldn't stop talking about it for like an hour. And here I am doing it again. I have been thinking for MONTHS that putting a small couch or bench in my teeny tiny dining room would be fabulous because the table could then be closer to one wall leaving more space for the buffet to be admired. It would also allow for more seating. I kept questioning my sanity though... wondering if this would make my not so formal formal dining room look even more like a breakfast nook. Well now I see that it can be done in a very chic way that completely solves my space issues.

In the famous words of Sesame Street, her designs "are brought to you by the letter S"; they are southern, stylish, simple. She also lives in Florida, like moi, which makes her even cooler.

Anyway take a look for yourself and tell me what you think!

Love the stain on the floors!

This kitchen makes me want to get up out of my office chair and skip around the lobby...

Couch in the dining room= divine.

Ok now I am officially out of my chair singing "Wouldn't it be Lov-e-ly" like Audrey in My Fair Lady...

Image of Erika from Re-Nest; Images of her work from My Home Ideas

The Skirted Round Table talks with Anna Spiro!

Well, well, well...what a treat! Check out Anna Spiro's interview at the Skirted Roundtable this morning for a cup of good Australian cheer. Anna is the owner/interior designer at Black + Spiro in Brisbane, Australia and also the author of the blog Absolutely Beautiful Things. I was required to check out Anna's blog for an assignment awhile back and have been hooked ever since. It was so good to get a chance to hear her voice on SRT and hear what makes her the designer she is today.

I love her style because it is so cheerful. She uses a lot of the classic blue and white but mixes that look in a way that brings it into the millenium. It's also very girly without being too girly if you know what I mean. Oh and I adore her dog, Ned. I'm convinced Darby will marry him one day;)
Photo from ABT

Mad About Monday

These shrimp would be the perfect guests at my next outdoor party!

From Etsy shop: RicRacandButtons.

The Headband & The Hat

Have you ever been there before? At a crossroads between branching out and trying an accessory that is out of your comfort zone completely? Talking with a friend yesterday, I see that this is the plight of most girls. We want too much to be "that girl" who can wear "that headband" or "that hat" or "that ..."

I tried on the hat shown above and though I could not locate a mirror in the hectic (but cool) mess that is Urban Outfitters, my sister tells me that it was perfect for me. There is a dilema though because what would I wear with said hat? Would it go with my usual khaki capris and polo shirt a la JCrew...probably not:( It seems like making the jump into the world of "girls who can wear hats" might require a lot more of me than I want it too...but I want to...so should I?

My friend actually tried out a headband similar to the one pictured and received mixed responses. That is something to consider as well. But you know, maybe it is a good thing if not everyone is head over heels about your appearance. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger eh?!

image 1 found at http://www.saks.com/ / image 2 found at http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

Top 5: Interior Designer #2

My design style board (see below) is covered with it...my house is covered with it...my wardrobe is covered with it. I am a BIG fan of blue + white anything. Especially fabrics. Today I want to showcase a designer that speaks my language: T. Keller Donovan.


Donovan offered this advice to anyone who is redecorating a bathroom and I was interested to hear it considering we begin our renovation in two weeks!
"Pick one fabric, and run with it. Or paper the walls with Chinese newspapers, playing cards, pages from a book. A stool is a little luxury. It can be an end table for the tub or a place to present a pile of guest towels.
Don't stick with one set of matching towels. Collect a variety and mix them up.
Don't go to the bath shop for accessories. Look in antiques shops and hardware stores, and find alternate uses for things. A Murano glass ashtray makes a great soap dish. "
Images and quote from different articles at House Beautiful

For Little Projects

My Style...an assignment

This is a board (and description below) that I made for an assignment to help show my decorating style. Just turned it in...you'll recognize some images from my older posts.

I would say that my style is relaxed luxury. I love all things classic such as toile, stripes, english country prints, french country furniture, and old leather. My heart skips a beat when I see anything blue and white. I like antiques that can be updated and used for everyday activities. Sometimes I am drawn to furniture/decor from the early 60's (think the t.v. show Madmen) or furniture influenced by that time period. I love cottages and gardens. I love "bringing the outdoors in" with garden stools and such. I LOVE fabric. I didnt include any images really with an area rug but I am a big fan of those- even if the space is already carpeted. I love nuetrals and more muted colors but can stomach a pop of bright green or pink here and there.

Row 1: Brunschwig and Fils(my favorite) fabric image from Southern Accents, From blog Avingon In Photos, From blog Absolutely Beautiful Things, see older post.

Row 2: Assorted Silver from Southern Accents, White Kitchen from Southern Accents, From blog Absolutely Beautiful Things, B & F fabric from Southern Accents.

Row 3: My living room, Outdoor Party by Southern Accents, china bowl found via google images, Garden stool found via google images.

Row 4: Room by Timothy Whealon for House Beautiful, My Bedroom, White Kitchen from Veranda, Lady with Red Stripes...see old post.

A Little Yellow Goes A Long Way

I love how these simple, neutral rooms have pops of yellow...how cheerful!
(See images and more at Veranda)

Mad About Monday

Hello all:) I just leafed through a co-worker's new copy of Lucky and found exactly what to post this morning that I am simply "mad-about." Hayden Panettierre is apparently loving it too as you will see in the article about her (on page 86). It has absolutely nothing to do with decorating, but I will say that when I use this stuff the fragrance takes me to a land of espresso stained woods, white linen drapes blown by an ocean breeze, and fluffy blue pillows for lounging...

A special thanks to my sister, the BEST hair stylist in the world, for intorducing me to the BEST product in the world!!

Perfectly Bronze + Purple

This Friday as I look forward to another quiet summer weekend, I wanted to come up with a color scheme that is soothing and summery(just for fun). Shades of plum and bronze come to mind with hints of peach or cream here and there.

Think: Orchids. Silk. Shells. Vintage. Candles.

Orchid Watercolor Print on Etsy; Vintage knob on Anthropologie; Plum bedding by Peacock Alley; Scalloped Mirror on Anthropologie; Side table by West Elm; Lanterns on Anthropologie; Silk curtains by West Elm.

J'adore

These prints (and one original) are so feminine and sweet- I REALLY want the "Lady in Red Stripes" for our bathroom. Am I on my way to over-accessorizing the smallest room in the house? Quite possibly. See these and more at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5143499. The shop is called Oh, Kirby!

Top 5: Interior Designer # 1

I have several designers that I feel capture the type of looks I hope to create not only in my own home, but the homes of those I work for in the furture. Posts on this will be numbered, but technically I love something specific about each designer and so they are pretty much all equal. First up: Timothy Whealon!

These pictures are from a recent issue of House Beautiful.

Why do I admire T- Dub? His classic approach that is always smoothed over with a hint of modern. I think he has an amazing ability to blend fabrics and furniture from different era's and styles. If I could choose anyone to decorate my own home, this is the guy.

Mad About Monday...on Tuesday;)

Whoops! I forgot my "Mad About Monday" post...AGAIN! booo. Anywho, I have a love affair with Serena & Lily and adore their airy fabrics and simple prints. In particular I adore these Key Curtains in "sprout will."

It FALLs on a Friday.

Yesterday my husband exclaimed, "I wish it was winter already!" He loves it when its cold outside and I usually like it when it is hot. I had to agree with him this time. It is just so humid and buggy here in Florida that it can be overwhelming at times just to take Darby outside to do her business! When I got to work this morning there was another reminder of that blessed season of semi-coldness that is approaching...the JCrew "Fall Preview" e-mail!! I suppose you could say that as I near 30 years of age, I am starting to enjoy the best of every season (instead of having one favorite) and one of the highlights of a changing season is the ability to change your look. And change your attitude. And change your schedule.

A friend posted this verse on her facebook earlier in the week: Isaiah 43:19 "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Sometimes when you're in a season of waiting (like my husband and I are) it can be difficult to stay positive. The time, effort, and emotions that go into school and working can be taxing to say the least. It is also hard to watch everyone around us move on to that "next season"...you know- the one that includes starting a new career, starting a family- or both. As I read through more of the book of Isaiah I found this verse to:
Isaiah 42:9 "See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."

I know that God has new things in store, and I know they are good. I just need to keep myself focused on Him and be content in this in-between.

And as a side note- here are some of my favorites from the fall preview! Aren't they FABULOUS?!

Summertime Windowbox

Back to the Bathroom

This week has been a busy one for a couple reasons. One is because being gone all weekend in Steinhatchee (see prior post) left me with lots to do around the house like laundry and such. The second is because I have been working on getting my resource journal for my class up to date. I will post pictures soon- it is really coming along! I am on of those people that absolutely HATES scrapbooking with a passion but I must say there is something wonderful about being crafty with cute paper and samples of fabric! I'm happy to take a moment though to share how our trip to the Gulf inspired me even more for our bathroom reno.

Shells for a shadowbox? I also have to find something creative to do with the horseshoe crab and sponge I found too!

This is from today's post at www.desiretoinspire.blogspot.com . I Love, love, love this shade of blue and it is definitely going to be our paint color. All of the linens I just purchased are the same shades of red and cream so I think the end result will be fabulous!

A Golden 4th of July Weekend

Scallops, friends, thriller dancing, and sun....it doesn't get much better.