Tuesday, January 29, 2013

American Woman

I know everyone keeps saying Emerald is the 2013 color of the year after Pantone's announcement, but I'm leaning toward navy. I see it popping up everything...and now paired with a dark pink or red. Very American I must say...mmm, or British;-) Blair at Atlantic-Pacific pulled together a navy and red look yesterday that could easily be translated into an interior!

red blue striped coat blair atlantic pacific

meredith heron blue paisley curtains red coral fabric chairs
Designer Meredith Heron's victorican house in Toronto.

california home avalon red navy gray decorating
Going more modern in California.

warm living room with graphic navy print
Warm with some burlap on the walls.

chinoiserie red vase design living room
Open and airy.

silver starburst mirror decorating nightstand bedstand area
If you want to tone it down.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Aussie Style

A little international perspective is good in design and life in general. It keeps us open to new ideas, satiates our curiosity and challenges our creativity. St. Augustine wrote, "The world is a book, and those that do not travel read only one page." This is so true and I am SOOOOO over people who have or make I Love Paris stuff when they have never even been. I won't profess to being a crazy globe trotter, but I do love to see and experience other countries. Last year, I was lucky enough to visit the UK and Spain on two separate trips. But, my all time favorite will still be Australia for the people, culture and breadth of scenery the country provides. Oh, and this is all leading to some favorite Aussie rooms!

australian home design
Annie Benjamin.

pale purple white living room
Brendan Wong

navy and orange decorating living room
Diane Bergeron

green fabric curtains green black white bedroom
Diane Bergeron

pop of color in white kitchen
Ish & Chi

open airy historic apartment interior design

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Black & Gold DIY Love

I haven't put up a chalk board in my home or painted one anyway, but I absolutely love this idea from Dimples & Tangles blog. Using drawer pulls upside down to house small items. You could even do this with keys!
reverse drawer pulls for chalk

Speaking of black and gold, the popular 24K Wishbone painting now comes in black!

Art Print 24K Gold Wishbone on Black Painting Original Fine Wall Art by Jennifer Latimer
Available here

Monday, January 21, 2013

Designer Feature Sally Markham

I was enjoying brunch on Sullivan's Island the other Sunday with some wonderful friends and the discussion turned to the island's Art and Chef walk. The walk features food, art and all within fabulous beach homes across the island. So, three of my favorite things...Sullivans (where I lived for a short time), FOOD and Art. I didn't attend it last year and have been kicking myself ever since. Hence, I now have it on my calendar for this fall already! Anyways, the conversation turned to the ONE house they couldn't stop talking about. Turns out it was decorated by Sally Markham and featured in House Beautiful and photographed by Thomas Loof. Sally loves uncluttered, simple rooms...mostly monochromatic light walls with pops of color in her accents. Here are some pics of the house and other Sally Markham creations:

south carolina coastal decorating white blue beach house

black rimmed windows beach house white and blue decor

kids room bunk beds vacation home sally markham

fresh airy decor white walls beach photo art

floating vanity bathroom sullivans island

sullivans island kitchen design modern

modern design charleston bedroom
canopy skirted bed hermes blanket decorating sally markham
Photo by Amy Neunsinger (design by Mark D. Sikes and Michael Griffin).
polka dot bench bedroom aqua white green
Photo by Pieter Estersohn (design by Sally Markham)

Thursday, January 17, 2013

X Marks The Spot

I love small X benches. I don't have room for them anywhere, but love their utility for seating, table surface and pairing for a space. Here are a few good looks:

mirrors behind sofa black and white geometric rug in living room

entry, x- benches foyer
One of my all time favorite groupings!

x bench, oversize mirror, twin lamps console table grouping

X Bench under a console table

decorating a hall table gray and white decor ideas
Love this grouping. Go with this painting on Etsy to make your own console table super chic and pretty. 

Acrylic console + one x-bench. Perfect for top of stairs
Simple and pure. 

striped walls, x benches - love
Love the use of X benches at the end of a bed. 

 X Benches beige white lanterns interiors
If you don't have room for a desk chair, this is perfect to slide underneath to save space. 

blue white bedroom design beach island decor

floor to ceiling bathroom cabinets

Now, a few great picks!
The STEAL find at under $100! Found here. 

X Bench Picks




Tuesday, January 15, 2013

A Gilded Mint Party!

January is such a lull in festivities, that I felt the need to put a little 'party' theme out there just to tie us over until the birthdays, Valentine's Day and baby showers begin. Here are a few gold and mint inspirations to have you say "Cheers!"

mint turquoise gold party cake
A Martha Stewart Creation.

unique wedding bouquet gold turquoise mint vintage jewelry
A fabulous compilation by Confetti Daydreams. Can you believe that vintage brooch bouquet? It's from Zoe Grace Blooms on Etsy. AMAZING!

Mint green seafoam and gold hand dyed Fabric "rag" garland - Wedding & Party decor,
Gold and Mint garland from PenelopeandLala on Etsy.
turquoise gold decorating dinner party
Just a simple gold charger plate dresses up any party. Just add some turquoise or mint!

seagrass tent wedding white mint soiree charleston wedding design
Tara Guerard of Soiree here in Charleston is THE wedding planner currently (think Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds). I love the seagrass tent lining with touches of mint, white and gold chairs. 

turquoise pink party decor
Adding a little pink sets off the mint menus!

mint gold party design gold lanternsLove these little gold lanterns. 
table design wedding turquoise gold mint white
Mint on top of gold. Perfect accent. 

mint gold table design party decor

wedding design turquoise mint pink gold