nest egg

Hobbes

This is my kitty Hobbes. Okay fine, this was when he was a baby. He's not as cute now (and attacks my legs every time I walk across the room) but this picture explains why I love him unconditionally. I was messing around with my blog, learning how to post larger pictures, etc. and I just put this picture in as a "test." But he's so darn cute I'm gonna have to keep him here.

My Favorite Bathrooms

So.... Spring is among us!! Thank the Lord. The change of seasons always inspires me. But this time (to my surprise) instead of daydreaming about creating my own vegetable garden surrounded by happy hummingbirds- I keep fantasizing about my dream bathroom... ?? I would analyze this for next several paragraphs but I'll spare you. Regardless of my "issue" please enjoy some of my faves:

 Usually my rule of thumb is:  keep it classic in a master bathroom and be bold in a powder room, but this picture bucks my theory. Somehow this mix of industrial/eclectic/daring design comes off as somewhat classy. Bravo. Love the mosaic glass tiles and the pedestal sinks... 

This bathroom just makes me want to take a nap. When designing clients' bathrooms I find myself always going back to this picture... for a little inspiration on what a bathroom should really feel like.

House Beautiful, January 2008

There are no words for this marble...

House Beautiful, June 2008

Why not make a statement in a bathroom? The tall ceilings, light fixture, drapery panels and french doors make this room feel like a continuation of the house.... 

House Beautiful, sometime last year

Elle Decor, January 2008

This is the bathroom of (fabulous) fashion designer Monique Lhuillier. She designed my wedding dress! Maybe that's why I like it so much: simple, clean lines, graceful details, letting the bathroom be a backdrop rather than the main focus. Hmmm.. much like:

Simple, classy, to the point: brush your teeth. And that cute little stool!

Domino magazine, RIP :(

I hesitate to even call this a 'bathroom'... it has the feel of a screened in porch, minus the free standing bathtub. This heavenly room was done by a very talented designer in Birmingham, AL: Mary Evelyn McKee. I worked for her for a while before I moved to Nashville and it was such a great experience. One summer with Mary Evelyn and you walk away with a better understanding of the history of design, a fresh approach to today's design,.. and a picture of a bathroom you can't stop thinking about.

From the cabinetry style to the bathtub faucet---- it's all beautiful. My fave.

Traditional Home, March 2005

(for more on mary evelyn, click here)

Last But Least $

go IKEA! I'm loving this look... click here to piece it together.

Okay, after all this bathroom talk I'm going to go soak in the tub.... maybe that is what God's trying to tell me this spring: Go relax in a bathtub. Take a load off. Spend more time in silence.

And get clean, Girl.

Ways to Organize Jewelry

Situation: A woman is getting ready for the night and, as always, is running late. “I promise I’m ready now!!” she yells to her husband who has been pacing at the bottom of the stairs for 30 minutes now. She takes one more look in the mirror before flipping the bathroom light off- But wait! She forgot to put on earrings. So she quickly rummages to the bottom of a drawer and pulls out a WAD of mixed metals: necklaces wrapped up in bracelets tangled around dangly earrings.... <woman inserts expletive here>

Oh, the joys of unwadding your jewelry in the car on the way to an event! Jewelry is one of the hardest things to organize and to keep organized. Not only have I found some practical ways to organize your collection, but you can now DISPLAY your precious jewels. Because after all, they are supposed to be our best friends. 

1. Frame It!

 I found this cheap frame at Big Lots (random, i know)-- painted it “Orchid” from Benjamin Moore, took out the matting and glass and replaced the entire back with screen, then got some trendy knobs from anthropologie and drilled them across the bottom. Voila! Jewelry Station. <you can also put a mirror in the center if you need less jewelry storage>

2. Display it like a teen!

You’ll find that I’m a big fan of Pottery Barn TEEN... it’s like shopping in the Juniors section of Macys to find equally great clothes for half the price. These dress forms are super cool- for a less “teen” look get one in the ‘natural linen’ color. www.pbteen.com

3.  Cup o’ Tea?

What else are you going to do with the old tea sets you got from your grandmother? Let’s be honest- not too many tea parties happening this day in age... Display your jewelry in tea cups and saucers- either on your dresser, or arranged in a drawer! 

<image from martha>

4. Branch it Up

All from Urban Outfitters

5. Make a Medicine Cabinet

Or if you'd rather just buy this particular one, click here.

6. Last But Least $

Convert this hand towel rack into a jewelry holder; displaying your necklaces and dangly earrings (much like the twig one above) Find it here. Only $18!!?? Well worth it when dealing with tangled jewels.

My So Called Blog

 

After one entire Saturday in my pajamas, I have done the unthinkable: started my own design blog. I do not have any cute kids to show off, or any adventures in a far-off country to document... so this could be a complete train wreck. But what I DO have is this:

1. a)a wonderful, sweet husband named Hoyt (who is nervous about this ‘blog thing’ taking over my life

2. b)a cat named Hobbes (we like to refer to him as our orange disaster)

3. c)a creative mind full of ideas
   

4. d)nowhere to put them (until now)

5. e)a rented apt. in the heart of Nashville

6. f)a love for simple pleasures

7. g) faith in God’s wonderful promises

8. h) an appreciation for photographs (and other forms of documentation)

9. i)a desire to share my thoughts and inspirations with YOU

So.. here goes nothin’.....

(and no, i’m not STILL in my pajamas)