nest egg

Best of both worlds

  

I have been a blog slacker. And I can only blame a) my work and b) the weather. Both of which I am extremely grateful for! But seriously.. the weather has been perfect. Has it not? 

Which brings me to today's blog topic:

Indoor/Outdoor fabrics 

 

Outdoor fabrics used to only consist of 5-10 boring colors and had the texture of a stiff rainjacket.

 Now... they are amazing. The lastest and greatest are so soft and comfortable that you'd never guess they were also bulletproof- resisting stains, fading, and mildew. Dirt washes off with just a little soap and water.

I find myself recommending them for indoor use as much as outdoor use.

 

One of my favorite outdoor fabric lines is Perennials. They have come out with some exceptional fabrics- from chenilles to linens to velvets!! (I repeat: Indoor/Outdoor velvet. I thought I'd never see the day.)

 

Although they are more expensive than the basic indoor linens and velvets you're paying for the durability... and peace of mind. 

...As you curl up on your white linen sofa with a big glass or red wine.

 + 
 
 The best of both worlds...

   

   

  
  
  

While researching I found that Perennials also makes pet beds! How great is that?? Pick a fabric, pick a size, and your dog will have an indestructible, stylish bed. 
 
 

Outdoor fabrics have come a long way...

  

Now you can have your cake and eat it too (on your stark white sofa)!

All images from Perennials website

  
 
  

  

Spring Awakening

Spring is upon us!! 

And the recent catalogs are showing it. 

How about waking up in one of these fabulous bedrooms?

Are you kidding?

This room is amazing. Restoration is killin' it, lately.

 
 
To shop the rest of this room click HERE.  

Meanwhile, Wisteria's latest bedroom is looking serene and welcoming...

  

 

 To shop the rest of this room click HERE.

West Elm is going with the all-white look. Can't go wrong with that!

  

And Pottery Barn is pairing white, cream and a pretty pale blue.

I love these colors together... very refreshing.

  

A then I came upon a lovely, spring-inspired room from Anthropologie... 

    

 

Garnet Hill's Eileen Fisher collection is one of my very faves. She's a staple in my book...

I'm loving all these bedrooms-- but loving being outside MORE!

I hope you are enjoying the spring weather too...

 

  

 

Haley's Room

I've had a few people email me asking how on earth to decorate a teenager's bedroom. So I thought I would share a project I finished recently...

Haley's Room.

Take Note

Haley: age 15, cowgirl, likes bright colors, PB teen decor, her pony, lots of natural light-not to be confused with Twilight- another love.

the Mom: a western Martha Stewart with edge; Exquisite taste but does not like bright colors, patterns or anything from PB Teen. 

the Dad: a musician; in decorating words: keep it interesting. But without color, please.

Me: in over my head.

 

Let's start from the beginning: the inspiration behind this room-

{ the wings }
  

These angel wings were picked up by Haley's parents on a road trip out West. We all agreed they would be perfect for her room.

So I made them into a headboard... 

 

  

  

Teenagers...... 

They collect,

They display.

With that in mind I designed a set of bookcases with a built-in desk and had them installed on the far wall. 

 

At one point I had these shelves 'styled' the way I wanted them but then quickly realized it wasn't fitting unless Haley did it herself...

 

Much better.

 

 

 

Chest of drawers from Manor in Nashville; charming chandelier by Stray Dog Designs 

 

 

The drapery panels were custom made with decorative ties to make them a little more youthful. Decorative hardware from Anthropologie.

 

A "boring" bench was slipcovered in a hot pink fabric. 
 
  

Custom slipcovered bedside tables- with a little feminine, bright? detail...

  
  

And my favorite moment in the room...

 

Why? 

1. The Painting

I commissioned a talented artist and friend, David Mcleod, to paint a portrait of Haley's beloved pony- otherwise known as Buni. He captured her perfectly... (click HERE to see more of his work)

 

Look familiar? You might have seen Haley and Buni in THIS famous music video !

2. The Chairs

 

Classy, bright fabrics?  Peter Dunham to the rescue!

Bernhardt chairs covered in Peter Dunham's Blue Kashmir Paisley. Love it. 

This cowgirl has quite the view from her bedroom... 

 

And quite a precious sidekick...

 

Fuzzy ottoman from West Elm

 
 
  
  
   

Dressing Rooms

This weekend I am planning on organizing my closet.

There. 

It's in writing so I am now fully committed to it- which is a good thing because mine is a DISASTER right now. Tidy closets are not my strong suit.
I have one fabulous client who cleans them out for a living as a wardrobe stylist. (Tina- this is a cry for help:) And another client who insists on having an entire 100 sq. ft room to call her 'dressing room'- preferably one suspended in the trees with windows and sky lights.(We're working on that!)

 As for me, I have a 20 square foot room that I share with this guY:  

Can't complain.... 

but I can daydream!!

 

 I really like this layout. (via elle decor)

 

I love the idea of having an island in my fantasy dressing room. And a flokati rug... why not?

(via domino)

 

TTN: Windsor Smith's stylish dressing room featured in House Beautiful this past year. Her effortless style carries throughout her home and into her closet- even her clothes complement each other!
 

James Radin (the set designer behind Something's Gotta Give!) is an interior designer by trade. This is his client's dressing room/dream come true.

 

If this was MY closet I would:

a. be motivated to keep my shoes organized 

b. need new shoes. (10 yr old new balances wouldn't look fantastic up there- just sayin)

c. store my mismatched socks in the little drawers on the chaise.

.. am I ruining it for yall?

Moving on.

 

TTN: the beautiful hardwood floors and detailed, mirrored doors

(Dan Carithers via Southern Accents)
            

 

Life must be hard for Nicky Hilton. I love her shoes that match her dress that match hercoat hangers. Very niiiice. (via La dolce Vita, seen in In Style)

 
Simplified and chic. (via cottage living)

 

A closet after my own heart... centered around a light fixture!! Love it.
(Rabaut Design Associates via Things that Inspire)

 

(via elle decor)

Can you imagine having a closet this spacious and glamorous? 

I would take FOREVER to get ready in the mornings. 

(sigh)

I'm ruining it again.

Have a great weekend!

 
     
      

Communique

 

I've been anxiously awaiting Bobby Mcalpine's new book The Home Within Us that is due out mid April. But today I was reading {one of my new favorite blogs} Limestones and Boxwoods and received some great news.

What would be even better than a Mcalpine book???

His diary?

Oh yes.

Communique is a new online journal (fancier way of saying blog?) created by everyone at Mcalpine Tankersley Architecture and Mcalpine Booth and Ferrier Interiors. They say in the intro: "With this new media our aim is to create an outlet to show, on a regular basis, exactly what we're up to.... This is a regular letter to you- a peak into our diary."

Are you kidding me? This is music to any stalker's ears.

 Who needs Lonny when we have Bobby??  

 

 
This is a picture of their Nashville office... It's almost as clean as mine. :)

So when the world keeps shutting the doors on our beloved magazines we can still hold on to the hope that our favorite designers and architects will find alternate ways to inspire us.

To see more of Communique Issue I click HERE.

 

ETSY art-- affordable finds!!

I started looking around ETSY for some good artwork and could. not. stop.

There is SO much affordable art out there!! So I'm here to share some original paintings I found and liked. All of these are under $300!! 

And if you are one who thinks "I have a traditional home, I can't pull off modern art. (or vice versa)" I am here to tell you- YOU CAN. When it comes to artwork I believe you should go with your gut. If you see a painting and it sings to you then believe me- your home will find a spot for it. 

Since most people have a hard time visualizing paintings in a space I included some photos of rooms with similar artwork. In other words: I'm proving my point with magazine photos. (something I do quite frequently :)

  
 
  
 

RozArt, click HERE for her shop.

 Can't visualize a cow in a living room? ... 

 

via House Beautiful, artist Linda St. Clair

 
 Nature and Art's "The Crossing", click HERE to shop. 

Could be paired with neutral paint and furnishings making a statement like this:

 

via Things That Inspire, artist unknown

 

 
Jenny Shultz, click HERE for her shop. 

I couldn't find a picture in a room like these but just visualize that lovely ballerina painting in this bedroom:

 

I'm loving these watercolor portraits...

 
  

Corinne Galla portraits, click HERE for more.
 
A collection of these in a dining room?

 

via Elle Decor, designer Nanette Lapor
   
 

Siiso abstract City painting, click HERE to shop.

The piece above reminded me of a painting I have in my own home. It was passed down from my grandparents because I loved it so much growing up. Something about it has always intrigued me... And now I get to see it every day!

  

via yours truly

 

Kaylee Hull's abstract painting, click HERE for her shop. 

Reminded me of this awesome bedroom..
 

via urban grace; artist unknown

Nancy Hughes, click HERE for her shop.

And here, a similar traditional painting in a modern setting...

via elements of style, artist unknown   
 
          

 

Abstract pieces by Sarah Giannoble, click HERE for her shop.

For some reason it reminded me of this room by Steven Gambrel...

 

via Steven Gambrel website  
    

  

  Lollie Belle's "Waterscape", click HERE for her shop.

This is my dear friend Laura. Remember her from this post?  As you all know I LOVE her work.. almost as much as I love HER. Here is a small landscape (same size as above) in my own home. I put it in my kitchen to add some color and make me happy while I cook.

 

Amy Haught's modern painting, click HERE for her shop.

Suzanne Kasler designed the room below using a very similar modern piece. I know I know, Suzanne can put anything together and make it beautiful. But atleast you get the idea...
 
via Things that Inspire, artist Dusty Griffith 

All of these beautiful original paintings can be found on etsy along with MANY others. I'm thinking about getting one myself... 

 

Screener

Pretty soon I won't be talking about fires and fuzzy sweaters- I'll be talking about green grass and bare feet!!! But while we're still here, moping around in the cold,  let's talk about fire screens. Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn have come out with great looking screens. I recommend them ALL the time. Simple, functional, handsome - all you need. 

Rip out your bulky brass inserts...

 and update it with a sleek, attractive screen. 

 

Fireplaces are almost always the focal point of a room so a simple change like this will make a world of difference.

 

For PB firescreens click here.

For Restoration ones click here.

 

Drama

A few weeks ago my client handed me these pictures out of her 'inspiration file' and I gasped. 

Love it. 

The rustic, the antique, the elegant, the modern, the classical, and the drama of mixing it all...

 

 
 
 

Isn't it awesome?!

Speaking of drama... While Hoyt and I were at the beach we saw a beautiful sunset and the photograph turned out to be quite dramatic...

And then I got bored with my magazines and picked up.... Twilight. 

(dum dum dum DUM)

 DRAMA!!!!

Gotta go back to it. Can't help myself...

 *the first three photos are from Connecticut Home & Garden--I think?? The designer is Gretchen Mann*

   

Let there be Light

One of the best parts of my job is when I see things come to life. It's like a Disney movie, really. (I expand on this experience in this post)

 So, about a week ago I experienced yet another Disney moment....

One of my projects is a big barn.

(And in this Disney story I am just a weeee hobbit.)  ^me^

 As you can tell from the picture, everything about this barn is HUGE and masculine.  Remember the swing? Same place.

 In the great room there are 25' ceilings and a kitchen island that is over 13' wide. So looking for an island light fixture became a bit of a problem. 

 I wanted something large (obviously), industrial, and somewhat indigenous. And let's not forget: masculine. 

I had been sketching up ideas for a few months and nothing was clicking.

Then one day.... it clicked. 

 

Bingo.

So I color-coded a set of construction drawings for The "Boys" (what I like to call the extremely talented boys men that work on the property and can build almost ANYTHING in their sleep) ...
 
 

 

and the construction began.

 + + 
 With the help of The Boys, Tommy the electrician, the Client, the Knot Magician, (3) Restoration Hardware 16" Benson pendants, some old barn wood, a local welder, a large lift, and a bunch of other tools I don't even know how to spell, we were able to make it happen. (Note: this would NOT have been possible without these talented people)

Then two weeks later.... 

 It appeared right before my eyes....

 

<insert Hobbit for scale... seriously- look at my head, then look at the light. It's huge.>

  

 

Fits right in...

More pictures of the barn to come. It's not finished, yet. But you'll be the first to see them!

***********************************************

<I wrote this post a few days ago... and am now on vacation.!! >

 
A rainy day on the coast? I can't complain.

Have a great rest of the week!

Be back soon...

 

Santa Fe Home

Several weeks back I posted about my trip to Santa Fe and teased you with a few pictures of the beautiful home I stayed in. Like I promised, I am now back with more eye candy.

First, let me give credit where credit is due.

The Owners: Over the past few years I have had the pleasure of working with Janine and Ronnie Dunn. (Yes, the Ronnie Dunn from the rockin' country music duo Brooks & Dunn!) To say that I adore their family is an understatement. They are some of the most genuine people I know and it just so happens that their taste..? is impeccable. I went out to Santa Fe with them with the expectation that their western getaway would probably be amazing......

It did not disappoint.

The Designers: This home was previously owned by Renea and Greg Abbott. Renea Abbott and Barbara Carlton are the talented mother/daughter designers who own Shabby Slips in Houston, TX. (I have yet to be in their store but if it's anything like this house I'd be drooling at the doorstep.) So when the Dunns bought the home a few years ago-- they didn't have to change much.  

So that's the background. Now I'm going to do what I do best on this blog: let the pictures do the talking.... 

 

OK wait- one more thing...

One major selling point for them was the view. The back porch looks out over the entire city of Santa Fe. It's unreal! And you know how the sky is HUGE out west?? Well, it's even bigger from up there...

fun fact: The sun sets in the west over the Ortiz mountains. To the East are the Sangre De Cristo (Blood Of Christ) mountains- named for the red color they turn at sunset. 

 

One thing I LOVED about this place was the quirky floorplan. It's unique and very fitting for a home in Santa Fe. To orient yourselves: the backporch/VIEW is to the left of the sofa, the next hallway leads to the kitchen/breakfast room, the hallway to the right leads to the front door. 

 

Moving onto the dining room... 

 

 

The painting to the far left has been replaced. With none other than... a Joe Andoe original.

It's STUNNING in person.

 

The charming kitchen....

 

 
 
  

 

 

A little sitting room right outside the master bedroom...

Talk about a headboard! (Double click photo for the full effect)

 

The winning back porch... (that spans the entire length of the house)

 

 

 

Behind the house there is a path that leads up to a little chapel. 

Which was covered in snow when I saw it...

 

And here it is at night...

 Soooo pretty and peaceful....

'

The End. 

(for now, atleast)

 <photos by Ronnie Dunn ... and some by me. But the good ones are his.>