Breaking the Silence

Life is still moving forward, despite this blog being in a holding pattern.  Thank you for your sweet 'Get Well' comments!  I had stomach issues this past week and my poor family has had to pick up the slack.  I'm still not completely over it so bear with me.

Random tidbits from my world:  Luke loves to play superheros these days and constantly wants me to play 'Wonder Woman'...I wish I was feeling more like her these days!!  Other news, have you heard that Hillary Thomas has opened her online store?

It's very chic.  From finials (jewelry for your lamps) to pretty little things for around your home, you should check it out!

Truth be told, I have done nothing around my home as I try to get back on my feet.  I could totally relate to Kathysue's post "The In-Betweens."  That is where I am right now.  I did manage to get a haircut on Friday which was a super pick me uper!  Definitely recommend it when you're in a rut.  Here's to a new week....thanks for bearing with me!!

Designer To Watch-Stephen Gambrel

type='html'>You probably have seen Stephen Gambrel's work before, as he has been featured in several magazines. We thought we'd do a quick show of his portolio--Just so you'd have some eye candy for the day...

Images from Stephen Gambrel

Steele Marcoux's Cottage

In the most recent issue of Southern Living, I was delighted to see a feature on Steele Marcoux's, Coastal Living's design editor, quirky but cheerful cottage.  The thirty month remodeling project produced a stunning 1920's 1800 square foot cottage.  Let's take a peek.

So many things I love.  Where to begin?  I love the custom touch of the full-length lumbar pillow on her  Lee Industries sofa.   She seamlessly mixes high and low end furnishings by pairing her Lee Industries sofa with a West Elm jute rug and Target coffee tables. 

I have to say I haven't always been a huge fan of the honeycomb mirror, but it is perfect in this space!  And, yes it is the Pier 1 version.  Behind the sofa is a black painted console table that she upgraded by placing a mirror (instead of glass) on top of it.  Love that custom touch and all the touches of 'green' especially the green mini shades on the chandelier.  

Traditional meets modern with the antique secretary paired with the lucite stool.  Love it!  Steele lined the inside of the secretary with a cream wallpaper to lighten it up. Brilliant!

I love the color she painted on these walls - grayish pink called Calamine by Farrow & Ball.  I love the camelback sofa paired with the painted cane back chairs and all the pops of pink, green and brown (note the Ziggurat curtain fabric by Quadrille?).  

Love the chinoiserie meets Palm Beach feel of her dining room.  She introduces an unexpected pattern by adding wallpaper which is a great touch.   One of the things I found amazing is that Steele and her husband had almost nothing (very little furniture and small budget) when they moved into this cottage and yet their home looks like it has been lived in and effortlessly collected over years.  It's perfection if you ask me!

A new addition: An Elephant Planter

Browsing through the latest Lonny, I soaked up every detail especially the feature on Hillary Thomas' designs in Marlien Rentmeester's home.

While I browsed I noticed the elephant planter on Marlien's mantel.  How adorable!  Having always wanted one of these, but not having enough space for one, I thought why not get my elephant fix with an elephant planter??  Besides, I could use a little more greenery in our house.  So, I immediately went to Ebay and look what will be arriving very shortly.....

Isn't he cute?!?

PS:  Also, did you notice that Hillary Thomas is opening a store and coming out with a blog!!  Can't wait!

Color Inspiration: Peach and Yellow

Lately, I have been obsessed with this spring color combination - peach and yellow.  The colors in this combination create a dreamy, fresh, and vibrant feel!  Can you tell I'm done with winter and ready for spring??  I swear I was meant to live down South where it is warmer.

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Below you see a peach and gold color combination as evidenced by the wall color and the acrylic chair.  I would love to use this color combination in a girl's nursery or bedroom. 

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In the next photo, I love the color of the peach curtains paired against the yellow chair.  

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Kristen Hutchins creates a more subtle and softer look pairing these two colors by using a peachish, pinkish throw and pale yellow euro shams.  And, how much do you love the lucite desk chair?

Here, Kristen Hutchins picks up the two colors with the fabric on the sofa seat and the peach tulips - Just lovely!

Okay, now I am ready for some sun and warmth!  How about you?  Happy Friday!!

Catchin' Up

We're in Michigan right now relaxing with family and enjoying the lack of any type of schedule.  Sleeping in, playing ice hockey on the lake, eating home baked cookies and catching up by browsing some of my favorite home decor magazines.  I'm currently loving these pictures - great for some fantastic color inspiration....

SW Meander Blue (#6484)

BM's Wood Grain Brown (#2109-30)

BM's Hawthorne Yellow (#HC-4)

I also was able to catch up on the recent Renovation Style magazine featuring Meg Braff.  Here are two of my favorites pictures of her work...

Lastly, if you ever happen to find yourself in Ann Arbor, MI, you must go to The Treasure Mart.  My sister in law and I went there and it was amazing.  She walked away with a fabulous bamboo dresser for $75.  Not too dissimilar to this......

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I hope you all are having a relaxing holiday week.  I plan to be back in full swing in the New Year!!  Happy New Year's!!  

Have you seen?

the sneak peek of High Gloss Magazine?  All I can say is, "I want to see more!" 

I am pretty confident this is a sneak peek of Tia Zoldan's kitchen.  I remember when Julie from Milk and Honey Home interviewed her back in July and posted new pictures of her home.  Here is another shot of Tia's kitchen via Milk and Honey Home.

Isn't the herringbone floor amazing?!  I am anxiously waiting until January; until then, you can read High Gloss Magazine's interview here.

Annsley Interiors

Every once and a while, I like to profile an interior designer's work as a way to capture my favorite designs and designers.  Annsley McAlleer is no exception.  

The styling of these bookcases are perfection.  Notice the small nesting lucite tables?  How about the fabric on the chairs?  Looks like Albert Hadley's Fireworks for Hinson & Company?  Love it.

Who doesn't love a banquette with a zinc pedestal table and a chippendale chair?  Oh, and of course, french doors!

So relaxed, adorable and functional!  

I love the blue & green color combination! 

So serene!  Blue and yellow - I love it.  I'm curious as to what fabric she used for the curtains?

I love the sconce she chose for this bathroom!

I can't tell if the color palette is blue and green or black and green.  Either way, I love it.  Very dramatic.  All the above pictures are from Domino where they featured Annsley's home in Boston.  

Do you spy a blue ghost chair, David Hicks La Fiorentina pillow and I believe Alan Campbell's zig zag fabric on the chair?  I do!!  Hope you enjoyed her portfolio as much I did!!  To see more, go here.  

Western Interiors - Memorable Issue

With the recent demise of shelter magazines in this economy (Cottage Living and O at Home to name two) it's great when you see a magazine put out a stellar issue. Western Interiors Dec/Jan 2009 issue is one of their recent bests. I gauge that on the "fact" that I've picked up and sat down with this issue at least 4 times in the last day. The cover to this issue is misleading as the inside is full of a range of design that would appeal to many tastes. Features include a home by Kenneth Brown and a peek into Barclay Butera's Park City apartment.


These rooms were created by architect Richard Beard and interior designer Michael Booth. Photography by Matthew Millman.

Bedroom Crush

The design firm Feasby & Bleeks Design created this room using the paint color (Fern SD019) as their inspiration. 

What I like about it is the mix of elements. The subdued green paint wall color, the natural elements like the linen bedding, headboard, bedframe, and the textured drum pendant paired with the bright floral shams and asian influences.  

I like how the Asian influences balance the feminine floral fabrics.  The design team used full scale furniture (just less of it) despite having a small room.  

The designers put a bench underneath the window for extra seating.  Great idea if you don't have the custom built window seat. 

Personally, I think the shams are the piece de resistance!  I ADORE the brown grosgrain ribbon added to floral fabric - it balances it out.  Such an easy DIY to do to any pillow.  And, don't you love the little peak of nailhead in the background?  Moi, aussi.  


ps: Anyone else notice that they must of switched the curtain fabric?  The first picture the curtains are neutral, but in the second & third picture it's floral.  For more, see here.