Emerald Green

There is a new color on the rise according to Elle Decor and Habitually Chic Blog...

EMERALD GREEN!!  From Runways to Drapes green is the new color in design.  Although technically it's not a new color it's just the "IT"color.

What do you think??

interiorgallerydesign.com

thelennox.com

thelenox.com

theinteriorgallerydesign.com

(love how they are running the subway tiles two different ways!)

This color is also leading into the Fashion world.  So girls, if you've got some green FLAUNT IT!



Hmmmmmm... An Idea

As I have said before my husband and I live in a 50's style brick ranch style house and to spruce it up we are going to paint the exterior!  We are definitely waiting til the weather cools off a bit but planning in advance always helps.  We aren't doing anything snazzy... just an off white with a shade darker for the trim and shutters.

I was watching an episode of Curb Appeal on my fav channel HGTV and they spruced up a Victorian house by painting the front door red.  And it looked SMASHING!! I don't think I can do red but I was thinking of a yellow or maybe a blue.  Hmmmm...  but this Apple Green is pretty darn Fabulous!!!

creamylife.com

Creativeconceptsandcontracting.com

housebeautiful.com

homecurbappeal.com

manolohome.com

simpliefiedbee.com

After seeing these pics I'm definitely leaning towards Apple Green or the Bright Vibrant Yellow.  It will depend on which looks better with paint colors! This is SO exciting!  Fall hurry up and get here!!!!

Hurricane

For those of us here in the USA and especially on the East Coast we are all preparing for Hurricane Irene.  With all the talk about this hurricane it gave me a post idea...

Glass Hurricanes

For my wedding we used these to line the walkway into the reception.  My mom and I filled the bottom with
ocean stones (very smooth stones in colors from white, cream, gray, and black) and then used large/fat white candles.  It was very welcoming!

And these are great for a dining room table... outside or in.  A great way to add a comforting feel!



oddityinc.com

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lazysusanaustralia.com

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Please have a safe weekend!!! 

Eric Abrecht

Being the manager of a Trade Showroom really has its perks!  One of them is seeing all the amazing art, furniture, and accessories that are out on the market.  There is a particular artist whose work has always had an effect on me... Eric Abrecht.  Darnell & Company, where I work, has represented Eric since I have been working there.  Currently there is also a painting at Decade here in CLT and it's gorgeous!! If you are in the area I definitely suggest stopping by Decade and checking it out.  The colors he uses are fabulous.

loucksgallery

rebekahjacobgallery.com



Finds

My Momma came to visit this weekend for what we like to call a "work weekend."  She comes and helps do projects to the house from time to time, plus it's fun to have a visit with your mom!  The plan this weekend was to patch the crack in our bedroom ceiling and then repaint.  Turns out that is a bigger process than we originally anticipated so instead she helped rearrange furniture to accommodate a new piece of furniture (more on that later) and to lay weed mat in a flower bed.  

But of course you have to have a little fun so we stopped by a couple of the stores in Charlotte we love to visit.  We stopped by Cotswold Market Place and found a lot of great things!! Below are just a few that we snapped photos of.

Ok.. how great are these vintage glasses and ice bucket?? Would make a great start to a table setting!

And pair the above with these glass plates with trim in matching primary colors??

And top of the table setting with these AMAZING Vintage Napkins!! Love the Retro look~

Ok... On to other things

Love these sea fans! I am not a purple person but in the last few months I have been crazy about it!!!

Love the metallic lamp~ Amazing!

Driftwood

Driftwood... natural, sleek, beautiful and it's not just for the coast!  The natural aging process of driftwood makes it a beautiful material to work with.  It can be made into lamps, chandeliers, tables, benches, etc. 

And on your next beach trip why not pick up a piece for your mantle or sideboard??  A great accessory and guess what the best part is... it's free!

veranda.com

homedosh.com

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alldriftwoodfurniture.com

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Happy Friday!

Go Green

And by that I mean get a house plant!  What better way to add some color and also get interest in a room.  We have several plants in our house... a rubber tree, lipstick vine, Christmas cactus, and the lovely tropical plant I pictured yesterday (I have no idea what it is but it's stunning!)

I'm not talking about cut flowers or greenery.  Now don't get me wrong... they are a perfect touch to add pizzaz to a room! But a living plant will last for years and it's spectacular year round. 

Here are some pictures to help inspire...  Please notice that a house plant can be used in any type of design decor.  If you're traditional use a ficas tree but if you are leaning a little more contemporary try a fiddle leaf tree (pictured below.)

via asishome.wordpress.com

via housetodesign.com

veranda.com

via elledecor.com

via nuhomez.com

via bedroomsdesign.net

via homeofus.com

And don't forget an AWESOME CONTAINER!!!  That can make or break it~

Guest Bath Renovation

Before and After

When we moved into our house there were absolutely no renovations.... I'm talking pink and Carolina blue tile all over

We had the floors and walls glazed and it took two coats... the blue tile was a little stubborn.  Replaced the vanity.  Removed the old school nasty medicine cabinet and replaced it with a large bamboo mirror (makes the room feel much larger.)  Replaced the light fixture.  Removed built in tile soap holder and toothbrush holder above the sink (these tiles had to be completely removed and replaced.)  Oh, and also removed the handle bar to the left of the window.

Love my shower curtain... So many colors!

The new vanity was such an easy improvement.  Gave us much more storage and it's great looking!

New Mirror

Artwork from our trip to Harbour Island.  Nice way to remember an AMAZING trip!! 

New tropical plant to add some color

You can see where we replaced the tiles (I just finished yesterday.)  I'm going to touch up the glaze in a few days once the grout is completely dry.  Also... can you tell where the original vanity was? It was centered between these two tiles.  It was way too small for the bathroom so the larger vanity is better for the space.

One last shot!

all images via ME

Friday WOW day

As I was perusing design blogs and magazines this morning over coffee I came along this fabulous picture.  Take a good look... what is the first thing that jumps out at you??



image via House Beautiful

What I LOVE in this photo is the charcoal sketch of what looks to me like a Chinese Robe.

I minored in art and I took a charcoal studio class ~ it was AMAZING!  Very messy... but so fun.

In taking this class I really learned about how light touches objects ~ when you only have one color to make lights and darks you have to focus. 

If you have some extra time and you are looking for a hobby sign up for an art class! They have classes at local colleges but also independent Art stores have one day classes that last a couple hours.  A great way to spend a Saturday AND take a piece of art home.

Happy Friday!

Great Day

I was so excited yesterday when I checked the mailbox and pulled out not one but TWO new magazines!!! Veranda and Traditional Home. 

After cleaning the house I treated myself to a glass of Merlot and flipped through Veranda.  One article stuck out in my mind and I even thought about it when I woke up this morning...

The designer is Kay Douglass out of Atlanta and although I could not find pictures of the Veranda spread to share with you this is what I loved about it. 
There are pops of bright color scattered all around the house built on top of a neutral pallet.  The grey walls in the dining room look STUNNING with long Kelly Green linen curtains.  The seating area nearby uses velvet pillow in the same Kelly Green but pairs up with Chartreuse do give the room extra pizazz.

There is a bedroom again in all neutrals but with a throw and pillows on the bed in a vibrant yellow with a bathroom to match!!  It all just makes me SO HAPPY!!  Please go buy the new Veranda and let me know what you think.

(the opening pages also have a few very stylish cocktail tables...)

Here are some pics of Kay Douglass' work

brassworksblog

(we just sold this console off the floor at the Showroom!!)

projectsajchomeowner

pinkwallpaperblogspot.com



whitehaveninteriors.com

PS ~ I'm saving Traditional Home for tonight ;)