nest egg

My Office... In Progress

Seems like just yesterday I was posting about moving offices. Well, I'm on the move again because I've officially outgrown my previous space! Sooner than expected. In a matter of months I was spilling out into the hallway- gasping for air. It's TINY.

If you were a fly on the {tiny} wall you'd probably overhear a conversation between Amy and I that goes alot like this: 

What happened to that grass shade sample? -me

You're sitting on it.-Amy

Oh.

Could you hand me that CFA form that's right by your hand? No, to the left of the stack. The second stack, under the stapler.

 -RING RING-

Where's the phone? Are you sitting on it?

No... I'm still sitting on the grass shade sample. It sounds like it's coming out of the sheer fabric bin.- Oops.

 Anyway, you get the idea. I know I'll look back on my first office and laugh- and wonder how in the world I survived it. But after much searching I found the perfect spot for my little nestegg. As luck would have it- it needs some major help. 

The top 5 reasons I love it:

1. The location! Is perfect.

2. It's empty and needs help.

3. Tons of space.

4. The view... overlooks a creek and a floral shop.

5. Has an exposed brick wall! YEssss!

Here's my plan for the front space:

Messy, but looking better...

And what is most important??! LIGHTING!

How can I pick out fabrics and paint colors in fluorescent lighting? Atleast that's what I used as a "doctor's note" for my landlord.

I had the acoustical ceiling tiles ripped out- and Voila!! 13' ceilings! I don't mind the industrial look but I am going to have the ceiling painted dark brown/black so that all the ductwork, etc. disappears.

 I wanted better lighting in this room since it'll be the main studio/conference space so I picked out these pendants from Lowes for overall lighting (they'll sit up fairly high in the ceiling). These bad boys are only $35 from Lowes- can't beat that. 

I might paint them a color.... remember the pendants I saw in the bookstore in the Hamptons?? 

Yup- like those.

Then over the big work tables I'm planning on dropping down some sort of pendant shades- something like these from Restoration Hardware... 

because I want to be like Suzanne Kasler.... 

in her faaaabulous studio.

The Color Scheme

 

(from BHG Decorating book)

 Keeping in mind that there are a lot of colorful elements in my field of work (HELLO fabric samples) I want clean, crisp, white walls. And dark -almost black- trim and doors. Mixed with wall-to-wall seagrass and other natural textures I think this will provide the perfect backdrop for all my STUFF. Like this room by Kay Douglass-

I noticed that most of the working environments I was drawn to always had that crisp white incorporated in them.

Russell + Hazel studio via Traditional Home

 

Windsor Smith's studio via House Beautiful

 

Serena & Lily's studio via Traditional Home

Suzanne Kasler's studio via AHG

Abranowicz office via Martha Stewart

So I'm planning on hitting up Ikea for some basic white shelving. I also think this contrast will look against the exposed brick wall.

I also like some organization with a little color in it...

Tara Guerard's studio space via Traditional Home

<via Canadian H&H>

Lastly, I plan on having multiple inspiration boards...

  

(1) via A perfect gray (2) Barbara Barry via Traditional Home

 
This one is my favorite...

(via Elle Decor)

To be continued.... moved, and setting up shop in 2 weeks.! Yay!!! (and God help me!:)

 

Oh, and if you are ever looking for office space in the Nashville area call Char Ford. She's the best!! (charlotte.ford (at) colliers.com)

 

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm heading out to our farm for Thanksgiving with the family. I can assure you there will be: lots of eating, lots of napping, lots of football, and lots of fishing.

(flashback 20 years)

Oh yes. I could catch a mean fish with that (dirty) outfit. I know y'all want those boots but unfortunately I don't think they sell them online anymore. Or anywhere, for that matter.

I'm looking forward to spending time with loved ones and taking a breather. It seems that time is flying by lately and before we know it another year will be behind us.

This year I have a lot to be thankful for. And I felt like making a list. So here goes… (in no particular order)

1. My parents. Blog words cannot express how thankful I am for these two. 
2. My best friend. Happens to be good looking and really funny.

 

3.Boots. All shapes and sizes.

4. A good cup of coffee.

5. Sweet animals… who love you even when you torture them.

*We lost Hobbes (our orange kitty) this past summer. :( I guess I haven’t wanted to admit it on the blog. But I am thankful for Hobbes- thankful that he was our ‘little buddy’ for 3 years. He will be missed.

6. Sleep. Gotta love it.

7. Iphones. Sometimes I curse the day they were invented but I have to admit- they do make life/work a lot easier.

8. My younger brother, Cooper. We used to fight like cats and dogs when we were younger- now we compete together for our parents attention. Us vs the cats and dogs. 

9. The little things in nature that are so beautiful I have to stop and take a picture.

 10. Music!

11. My friends (old and new). I don’t know where I would be without you guys. This picture is from our wedding and although it doesn’t include everyone I think it accurately illustrates my friendships.

 12. Hoyt’s side of the family. My in-laws, his brothers and their wives, his sweet grandparents… I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch. And we miss you all this Thanksgiving!

13. This includes my painfully cute nephews and nieces. This pic was a while ago (and it's only half of them!) but I love it. 

14. Fabric samples that show up at my doorstep. And when I find the downtime to sift through them, oooing and ahhing.

15. Help. I’m thankful for Amy who works her boots off in the office and is my right brain. And Leslie who is my part of the brain that I think I was born without- the accounting and bookkeeping part. Thank the Lord for them!

16. My clients! I’m thankful that doing what I love results in lasting friendships. It makes everything worthwhile.

17. A booked schedule.  Although at times it’s overwhelming, I’m thankful for work.

18. Funny youtube videos that have me in tears from laughing.

19. Photo Booth, Yearbook Yourself, FatBooth (Ohhh the tears.)

(anonymous freak)

20. A comfortable bed.

21. My only living grandparent- Elsie Lee, aka “Mimi”. She’s adorable and hilarious. She inspires me to stay young at heart, and I’m thankful for that.

22. FOOD!!! Good, good food.

23. Running Water. (I just asked Hoyt to insert one and this was his.)

24. Marrying a utilitarian. :)

25. Good wine, good conversation.

 

26. Scrabble with Friends (the real life version). Ok, and Words with Friends (I’m addicted.)

27. Shelter magazines and design blogs.

28. YOU. Seriously… thank you for reading. And for always being encouraging!

29. God’s grace. (See evidence: #1-28)

   

Happy Thanksgiving! 

 

 

 

Easy Art

ART: 

a must have in the home.

Cannot be forced.

Tends to be expensive.

With that being said, there are some easy and affordable alternatives to dressing up your wall. Although a little elbow grease IS involved. But just think- a trip to Hobby Lobby and 4 glue sticks later you could be on your way to becoming the next Picasso.

(And just to clarify- These pieces of art below are all valuable. And I do not discredit the artists! I just see things like this and think DIY. Do it yourself, it doesn't look too difficult.

Easy silhouettes...

A framed tapestry...

Chalkboard Art...

Blow up a photograph or print on canvas...

Lauren from Pure Style Home sent her favorite print (which was originally an 8x10) to be enlarged at wizardprints.com. (I've used it before too- it's great!) Look at how much of an impact it makes in her dining room now...

An 8x10 print, now a 4'x7' piece of art. Amazing!

Here, Palmer Weiss blows up charming photographs in a girls room and hangs them above each bed...

 

OR you can display the small photographs...

Framed Foliage...

(I saw on Little Green Notebook that she found these 2 prints above at Art.Com- see here.

Framed wallpaper or fabrics:

Framed Collections...

 

Erika from Urban Grace framed a collection of match boxes she found at a flea market... It adds so much to the room!

Recently Elle Decor featured a home where a collection of old clipboards was displayed in the hallway. I love this idea! How unique...

 

Aerin Lauder's breakfast room features her kids' artwork... Tastefully, ofcourse.

Organized color...

Tape off a canvas in a grid and let your kids "color in the lines" with a few selected markers. Rip off the tape,

and Voila!

Easy art!

(1) via Elle Decor (2) via Domino mag (3) Carolina Irving via Lonny (3) Simon Upton via Elle Decor (4) Nate Berkus via Elle Decor (5) Lauren Leiss via Pure Style Home (6) Palmer Weiss via Lonny (7) Tom Scheerer (8) via Domino (9) via Cookie magazine (10) via Little Green Notebook (11) via At Home with Color (12) Domino via LGN (13) via Canadian House and Home (14) via Domino (15) Erika Powell via Urban Grace (16) Estershon via Elle Decor (17) Aerin Lauder via Elle Decor

Upholstered Headboards

Hoyt and I need a headboard for our bedroom. I've been saying this for years- and can't seem to make up my mind on what look I want. (Yes, all day long I make firm decisions for other people but when it comes to ME I can't can't even decide what socks to wear. Makes no sense.)

I tend to lean towards simple- but maybe it's a chance to go bold!...?

Here are a few images I've gathered over the years... OK, more like 40.

The Simple

 

Top Picture: Elizabeth Dinkil design; Simple: Erin Martin Designs; via Domino mag; via Decor Happy; Lee Kleinhelter via Lonny; Mary McGee via Domino; Laura Day via Lonny

The Studded

Phoebe Howard via HB; Annie Selke via HB; Phoebe Howard

The Patterned

 

Phillip Gorrivan via Canadian House & Home; Tom Scheerer via House Beautiful; Jonathan Berger via HB; via Lonny

The Bold , The Colorful

via Living Etc, Tobi Fairley, unknown, Sasha Adler via House Beautiful 

The Tufted

 

Bunny Williams via Lonny, Tracery Interiors, Annie Selke via HB, Gwyneth Paltrow's room via H&G, source unknown; Victoria Thompson via Lonny

The Shapely 

 

Melissa Warner via HB; Katie Ridder via Elle Decor; via BHG ; via Lonny

The Wrap-Around

all via House Beautiful

 

Now you see why I can't make a decision.

Which look do you prefer?

 

Piggy went to Highpoint Market

I realized today as I was looking back through my blog that I have posted 4 times in the past month.!! I really have been slacking. I'm going to get back in the game- not only for you readers but for myself! I need the inspiration-- the less I blog/catch up on other blogs, the less inspired I get. I start to feel stagnant. I try not to blog during work hours (which is why you may get a blog post before you get a returned email or phone call-sorry!), but it's important to me to make time for this creative outlet. And I'm trying my best to find balance... if that even exists.?

Soooo.... we have some catching up to do. Let me back up to a few weeks ago... when this little piggy went to Highpoint Market! I had never been before and it was quite the trip. This post could last for days (my intention,perhaps?) so I'll start out with my a few highlights:

In the Oly Showroom I had to pick my chin up off the floor... several times.

 

Feast your eyes!

Moving along to some more rustic finds...

One of my favorite spots was the Hickory Chair showroom- After a day of seeing a lot of "trends" it was SO refreshing to see quality pieces that stand the test of time. 

And the people!! Everyone that works there is so friendly and great (Ron!)... I could have stayed and talked for hours. Not only that but I was lucky enough to be in the presence of some of the most talented designers in the industry. STARS, if you will. :)

Then I found myself smack dab in the middle of them for a picture..?

Left to right: Barry Dixon, me (in heaven), Melanie Benecki, Mariette Himes Gomez, and Suzanne Kasler.!! Seriously... I'd like to get in each of their heads for a day.- even an hour. 

Suzanne and me- after I gushed about her furniture line, her lighting line, and everything in between. She couldn't be more friendly and gave me some great advice.

Then I met Alexa Hampton at her book signing- she's so down to earth..and hilarious! 

That blurry ghost of a human being on the left? That would be me. Doesn't that always happen when you meet someone famous? You muster up the courage to even ask for a dumb photograph in the first place- This is it. Don't blink, don't blink. The picture turns out bad but you're not ABOUT to ask her again: "Oh, hi- Alexa? Can you stand up one more time so I take another picture with you? This one looks like my face is melting off-Thanks." 

Remember that post I did a while back about the creative couple in Atlanta, The Beneckis? Ran into them there too... 

And for the record- they are not only talented (and attractive), but they are so sweet. As well as the girls that work for them. And they all read nestegg- which is crazy- and awesome!!! (hey guys!) 

Anyway, I loved the Hickory Chair Social Hour.. I would like to attend it monthly (minus) heavy market bags +(plus) cocktails. Ron Fiore?? Can you make it happen? :)

 

Much more to cover, but sleep comes first.

 

Tid Bits {take 1}

I'm back. From a long weekend at High Point market.... It was my first time and I had a blast! I have many stories and pictures to share with you soon.

In the mean time... I was unloading all of my iphone pictures from my camera (since I took a million at market- as in-I exceeded the limit) and found old snapshots of random 'tid bits' of my work. It's hard for me to let go of perfection when it comes to these crummy phone pictures ("OH no, there's a trash bag in the corner of this shot. Delete.") but I'm beginning to learn that, for me, it's the process that is most interesting. So I'm starting a 'tid-bit' series- in hopes that you might enjoy some of these random "along the way" pics with me...

{take 1}

This past summer I installed some new outdoor furniture for a dreamy pool area...

Relaxing much?

And here's a custom table I designed and had made for a client- (Thanks to Woodstock Vintage Lumber!) I was so pleased with the end result...

 

Can't wait to show you where this table ended up- pictures to come.

A small swing, mid-construction:

A gorgeous custom light fixture installed... (inspired by one I adore from Niermann Weeks- unfortunately theres was too small for the space so we had a similar one custom made in town)

I'm in love.

Another thing I love to do is draw and sketch. (I'd like to think I get this from my mom.) I sketched a series of black ravens for a certain project. Sounds eerie, but hey- Tis the season!

Exhibit A:

I had them framed with old barn wood and crisp, white mats....

Then hung the series in a powder room...

See, this is where the iphone doesn't suffice. I'll have to come back with my real camera so you'll believe it's actually a bathroom.

Speaking of sketches...

Apparently I parked illegally somewhere- or in front of a store that didn't appreciate me walking right past them to go to dinner next door. So I walk out an hour later and found a folded note attached to my car. Anticipating a HATE message I was surprised to find a nice little drawing... that got the point across clearly.

I laughed by myself for a good 5 minutes...I kind of want to frame it.

And I kind of want to end this tid-bit post on that note. 

Be back soon with Highpoint pics!

 

(and be careful parkin')

 

New Orleans style

I've been doing some research.

Me? Research??? Shocking, I know. This was more like "client research" as one of my clients is a New Orleans native living in the middle of Nashville, TN. Her style is chic, effortless, and very "New Orleans." So.. what does that MEAN exactly? How can I understand my client if I don't really fully understand this Creole style?

 

I borrowed a few of her NOLA books and went on a mini-mission to find out for myself.

< insert PROOF >

New Orleans style is so interesting to me because it's heavily borrowed from so many different cultures and styles but yet it's uniquely New Orleans at the same time. 

 A timeless aesthetic...

There is always something in a room that you couldn't find anywhere else.

 I learned that Lagniappe actually translates to "a little something extra"... which, in my opinion, totally defines the style.  

It's an eclectic mix of French, Spanish, African, Native American, West Indian, Creole, tropical, romantic, rustic, classical.. the list goes on.

But if you're anything like me, you're going to skip right over the history part and just look at the pretty pictures. Pictures explain it better, anyway.

A house by A. Hays Town, via Things that Inspire...

 

Interiors by Gerrie Bremermann that I snagged from Cote de Texas and Southern Accents..

And some more beautiful rooms by New Orleans interior designer Tara Shaw ...

 

 

In the book Creole Houses I found a lot of great insider info AND beautiful pictures... (photographs are taken by Steve Gross and Sue Daley)

New Orleans Home & Lifestyles magazine had some good pictures too...

So much character!

A recent Elle Decor issue featured a young, fresh New Orleans home decorated by Tommy Clements. I love that it mixed the owner's New Orleans heritage with modern elements. 

OK, Time Out- let's review the entire house because I'm OBSESSED with this place...

The bathroom is unreal. Everything about it I love- even the robe. 

I, personally, would not have chosen that artwork for the kitchen- mainly because it doesn't seem to flow with the rest of the house.. but hey, it's not a deal breaker. 

However, the dining room. Is. Awesome. That glossy trestle table paired with the unique, rustic chairs, the black/white photograph and the pop of greenery !! Love.

AND the bedroom!!! I can't even talk about it.

So chic. So interesting. SO New Orleans.

See, now that I've done my research <insert air quotes> I can say things like that: SO New Orleans.- I mean- NAH'lins.  

 At this point all I need is a shopping trip. Who's with me??

(image #1- via flickr, image #2- via Creole Houses, image #3- interior by Gerrie Bremermann, image #4-via House Beautiful)

A Chapel

In the heart of the woods in Birmingham you might find a chapel. 

It's private, unassuming, and in my opinion- perfect.

One of my relatives commissioned the incredibly talented architect, Bill Ingram, to design a quaint chapel tucked in the woods behind their house.

It's simply a quiet retreat. Where you can go to have alone time, pray, or just to be still. 

On Bill Ingram's website there's a wonderful statement about the art of restraint. I think it's quite fitting for this chapel, this architect, and this blog post... so here is an excerpt: 

"It seems that, somewhere along the way, ours has become a cluttered world.  

We inhabit cluttered spaces.

 

And, in many ways, our thinking reflects that environment with noise - with gadgetry and ornament.  

And the spaces we fill are distracting. 
 

We seek balance in our lives with things. 

But... balance is found in the art of restraint. 
 
   

By definition, elegance is the height of art. Elegance and opulence must never be confused - for one chokes the sensuality from the other.  

When a space is in harmony it resonates.

 

It beckons peace. 

Creates romance. 

 

 It gives quiet drama to our living.

 

 It enhances our spirit."

Well said, Bill.

Here's to finding a space in your home that brings you peace. 

pictures from me; quote from Bill Ingram Architect website

   

  

  
    

Mirror Shopping

After looking through my iPhone pictures I've realized something-

I do a lot of mirror shopping...

  

  

Either that or I like to take pictures of myself. 

(No really, try to take a good picture of a mirror without yourself in it. And while you're at it- try rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time.! :) Eeek.. trainwreck.

When flea market finds aren't enough I like to kick it old new school and surf the web for the hottest mirrors on the market. Here are a few...

   

  

 

     

   

 

  

 
 
 
 
                               

*And a special thanks to Liza from Style Blueprint for the lovely write up and nestegg mention in a new online magazine- Southern Flourish. Check it out! Her {super flattering} article is on pages 49-55. 

 

FIRST 6: iPhone pics via My So called life.

ROW 1: both from Ballard Designs

ROW 2: Levico from RHardware; Venetian from Wisteria

ROW 3:  Jacob Mirror from Clayton Gray Home

ROW 4: both from Crate and Barrel

ROW 5: from Made Goods; Rope Mirror from Jamie Young

ROW 6: Honeycomb from Pier One; Rope Mirror from RHardware

ROW 7: Crescent Wood Mirror from Aidan Gray 

ROW 8: Paris Mirror from Hickory Chair; from Currey & Co.

ROW 9: both from Wisteria

LAST LITTLE GUY: from Stray Dog Designs

 
 
 
 

Bathroom Envy

 

crisp white + 
 

an antique touch +

 

natural light +

clean white towels +

 

the shower to end all showers.

Heavenly, huh?

 (1) via heidi claire (2) Vincente Wolf via Elle Decor (3) Bates Corken via Things that Inspire (4) via Habitually Chic (5) via Nskwood (6) via House Beautiful