Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Design Board: Fresh Family Room

Long time, no blog. I know. This time of year is always crazy. I've just started with new clients decorating their new house that they will be moving into in January. They wanted to start from scratch and are giving the house a complete overhaul with new hardwoods, carpet, paint, tile...the works! And to go with all that newness, we are ditching the old furniture and starting fresh!

Here is the design board for their new family room.


Love. It. 

The sofa, chairs, and rug have already been ordered...and let me say, those green chairs are going to be amazing. We went with a sofa almost identical to this one and we are upholstering it in Sunbrella fabric, which will make cleaning it a breeze. The ready-made curtains will get custom treatment with that gorgeous greek key trim and their fireplace is getting a fresh coat of dark grey paint.

I can't wait for it all to start coming together!


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Part Deux

So after making my initial list of gift goodies last week, I have come across so many more great ideas! I had to share with all of you. Any of these would make a fantastic gift to give (or get).


I mean, this is the best thing ever.

Pedigreed Cookie Jar, Spaniel


I loooove this.




Sometimes DSLR just won't do.




Lulie Wallace has prints for a limited time!


So does Teil Duncan!



This is a super deal! Love her eyeshadows.

Bobbi Brown - Old Hollywood Eye Palette



Who wouldn't want this showing up every month? 
Lots of good gift subscriptions.



You know I love a good coffee table book. This is a super fun one.
Fifty Dresses That Changed the World



The hubs should totally get this for me. (amiright?)

I'm So Tired (Adult) T-Shirt





Wednesday, December 4, 2013

I Feel Like I Just Did This....

Christmas decor is up! It's kinda sad that it will be up for a very short amount of time this year. I usually get a good 4-5 weeks out of it. I also switched things up a bit this time. I found the cutest little starburst/urchin picks at Michaels and I cleared out the bin.


So cute, right? I love them. They come in a few different colors. I bought all of the gold/silver, black/silver, and orange/red. It brings something modern into my traditional mantel.



The stockings are also a new addition. These came from the hubby's late grandmother who had them hanging at her house every year. I'm happy that she was able to make myself and my daughter one before she passed away. They are a wonderful reminder of her and I am honored to have them.



This lady also got some bling for the holidays. 
(you can see my tree in the mirror...I swear that thing is crooked, but the hubs insists it's straight. Oh well. I'm certainly not messing with it anymore.)


My dining area got a complete makeover from last year. That's an artificial garland and wreath with pieces of fir tree from our yard woven in. And huge magnolia leaves from our trees. I love, love the way it came out. Oh, and it's also hanging with 3 thumbtacks. I decided to do this at 7:00 one night and I was out of command strips. Do what you gotta do. 



I used to have a whole set-up on the table with mirrors and candles and garland and little trees. I toned it down this year and went minimalist. Just brass and greenery. And black candles, naturally.


And finally, my favorite new ornament! And crap, a bulb is out.

Merry almost Christmas everyone!



Sunday, December 1, 2013

Turkey Coma

Hope all of you had a wonderful holiday weekend! I'm completely over all things turkey. We are STILL eating leftovers.

Since I made such a huge deal of my plans for my table, I thought I would share with all of you what I actually did...



I loved it. 

A few deets on the items I used...

Brass pineapple chargers - I found these at an antique store for less than $8. For a set of 10 solid brass chargers! They were in craptastic condition when I bought them but I knew a good polishing with Brasso would bring them back to life.

Tablecloth - Anthropologie. I bought this over the summer and finally got to use it. I am always on the hunt for good tablecloths. They make the table. 

Blue and White Plates - Spode. I am obsessed with these. I already bought the coordinating set so I have a full set of 12. Buy them here.

Gold salad plates - Homegoods. These were a last minute addition. I loved the pattern and for $3.99 a plate, you can't go wrong!

Gold flatware - Reed and Barton via Craigslist. Best. Find. Ever. 

Blue goblets - Another antique store find. $2 each. 

Wine glasses - Wedgewood

I usually like to keep my table decorated for at least a few days after Thanksgiving, but since Christmas is right around the corner, I had to take it down the next morning. But Christmas decor is up! And I switched things up this year.....next post? Probably.















Friday, November 22, 2013

Have You Started Shopping Yet?

Goodness gracious you guys...it feels like we just did the holidays. Like...yesterday. But here we are again. Not that I'm complaining, this is my favorite time of the year. Cold weather, boots, twinkly lights, mashed potatoes. By March I will be completely over it and dreaming of a day at the pool, but for now I am loving it.

Because Thanksgiving is super late this year (only 3 1/2 weeks until Christmas after you stuff yourself silly on Thursday), I am getting a jump on all my shopping. Which means I also put together my annual "I would't hate it if one of these showed up under the tree" list.

What's on it? All kinds of goodies. First of all, after getting a facial in Vegas, I decided I have got to get a Clarisonic. For real.

And yes, those are LV Mini Almas. Do I think Santa will throw one my way? Doubtful. The hubs thinks I need a new purse like a fat kid needs cake. But you never know, Christmas is a time for miracles.







Unfortunately that Sephora Superstars kit is sold out online. Sad face. Maybe there are a few lurking around our store here....



Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Happenings....

We were in Vegas last week. I am always floored by the decor in the casinos and hotel. No expense spared.

Like this Fornasetti wallpaper in our closet for goodness sakes...


Or this amazing marble floor in the bathroom at the Venetian...
 
 
This pink chandelier in the elevator lobby was bananas...


As was all the art throughout our hotel, The Cosmopolitan...



We had a fantastic time. Lots of shopping, eating, and gambling, naturally.

Also...big things happening at the parents'.....

Like new chairs being delivered...


New lamps finding a home...


Blue and white garden stools are showing up...


Shelves getting styled...

 
We can see the finish line! Sofa and chairs are being delivered after thanksgiving! 

Friday, November 8, 2013

Holiday Inspiration: Place Settings

With the holidays really quickly approaching, I have had place settings and tablescapes on the brain. My family decided to have Thanksgiving at my house because my parent's house just isn't suitable with all the decorating chaos. Not that I'm complaining...I love to throw a party. Instead of doing things like....I don't know....laundry....I have been playing around on my favorite site for all things table. Zara Home. They always have such a fantastic selection and the prices are crazy reasonable.

I'm not a "themed" holiday table setting person. I just like things to look interesting and out of the ordinary for a special occasion. The good thing about these place settings is that you could use them all year. No reindeer or turkey plates here.




I'm crazy for those bamboo plates, which is why i used them twice.

Look 1

Look 2


Look 3