Darnell & Company - Opens to the Public... Limited Time Only



Iron & Leather End Tables

I found the PERFECT end tables for either side of my sofa at Darnell & Company.  Size is perfect and the look is perfect.  Iron bases with leather tops.  My boss even gave me the idea of having French Antiqued Mirror cut and placed on the tops (there is a lip around the top of the table.)  The bad thing is that my cocktail table is also iron... so I would have to find a new one.  why is it when you find something you love it leads to additional things you need to change!??! Always.

We decided to return the tables and wait for something else to come along.  Now we know what size we need.  Also, please notice the addition of the round mirror above the sofa... my Husband made that for me!  I love it!

Images via me

Updated Blue & White

I don't know about you but I grew up with blue and white everyday china, a mix between Blue Canton and Sacred Bird to be exact!  My mom has love in her heart for all things blue and white.  I had a metal tray painted blue with flowers surrounded by vintage/antique blue and white plates hanging on my wall in my College Bedroom.

The plates even came with me to Charlotte but as my tastes changed the plates took a trip back up 85 and back in to my momma's heart. 

However, I'm digging this modern take on blue and white china.

image via http://www.veranda.com/

I'm feeling a comeback!

The Sartorialist

While cruising the Internet I found an awesome blog, The Sartorialist.  A fashion photographer, Scott Schuman, who has been published in all the big mags takes pictures of ordinary people on the streets and posts them.  There are pictures from NYC, London, Paris, Milan, etc.    What a great way to see people just like you and me from all around the world caught in everyday life.

http://www.thesartorialist.com/

Travel in STYLE

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

I am hopping on the train this afternoon shortly after work and relaxing in comfort on the way to visit my family in Raleigh.

I can not wait! The train is my favorite way to travel for a weekend visit especially when it's just me.  Just to be able to sit back and read a book or do a crossword puzzle and not have to worry about driving or traffic (Friday at five o'clock trying to leave Charlotte on 85 North is a nightmare! ~ especially when it is a race weekend which it is this weekend.)

Does anyone remember back in the day when people actually dressed up to travel???  Everyone looked nice and it was actually a treat to travel.  These days I see people in ratty jeans and hoodie sweatshirts two sizes too big, people who look like they have just woken up with no shower, etc. and it really irks me.  I know we don't all have style or care what we wear but it would be nice to put a little thought into you outfit when you travel.  You NEVER know who you may meet or what adventure waits around the corner.

  I put a lot of thought into my travel outfit for today especially because I am being treated to dinner when I arrive in Raleigh.  Granted I based the outfit on my black skinny jeans but I have snazzed it up with black patent leather pumps, a vintage horizontal striped blouse, and my favorite leather jacket. 

It's no suit but I feel good!

Now it's time for inspiration photos

Sophisticated California Style

image via mackenziepages.blogspot.com

Let's face it... the girl always look good!

image via mssassyblog.blogspot.com

I LOVE this vintage Photo ~ Don't they look cute all dressed up??

Very Chic

image via adore-fashion.blogspot.com

Ok ~ This is not so realistic... it's a shot of Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love

(BTW I loved that movie!! It made me want to pack my bags and see the world.  You only live once.)

I would give anything to be there right now.  One day... very soon.

image via http://www.travelista.com/

 

Karl Springer

Last month the owners/buyers/my bosses of Darnell & Company went on a shopping trip for the showroom and brought back lots of great finds including a pair of goat skin lamps possibly by the great designer Karl Springer.  This was my first introduction of his work and let me tell you I was VERY impressed.

Karl was a designer and manufacturer of furniture and accessories and used shagreen a lot.  He was most popular in the 70's.  Below are pictures of a few of his designs...

image via moderndesignfanatic.blogspot.com

image via www.mondocane.com

image via www.spacemodern.com

image via www.artnet.com

image via www.okoloweb

image via 1st dibs

Fall Foliage

This weekend we packed a lunch and took off to the mountains to see the fall foliage. 

It was beautiful.  We drove to Linville Gorge and drove up to Wiseman's View... if you are ever in the area you have to visit! It's absolutely stunning even without the leaves and their many colors.



(Yup... That's me!)

Hawksbill Mountain

This is Table Rock... It's pretty hard to imagine we backpacked down and back up that a few weeks ago!!  All the way to the river... 

all images via Me 

March Of Dimes Designer Show House

The Premier Party for the March of Dimes Designer Show House was last night and Darnell & Company was invited to attend.  My husband and I went and it was fabulous!

7,000 Square Feet in the heart of Eastover and a few of the top designers participated. 

image via www.marchofdimes.com/northcarolina

A few highlights were...

This Pink Finial by Hillary Thomas was featured on a pair of Lime Lamps in a Girls Bedroom done by The English Room.  (We are anxiously waiting to receive our first shipment of these pretty little fancies for Darnell & Company and Decade!  They come in all kinds of fun colors!!)



image via http://www.chicshopla.com/

Artwork by Amy Sullivan (also can be found at Darnell & Company and Decade.)

"Charlotte's Winter Greenway"

Oil and Wax on Paper

image via  www.amysullivanfineart.com

Visual Comfort Garson Table Lamp in Circa's Room

(Can be found at Darnell & Company)

image via www.visualcomfort.com

Christopher Spitzmiller Lamps in Navy Blue with 24k Gold Gilt Base found in Barrie Benson's Living Room.

(Also available at Darnell & Company and Decade. The Spitzmiller Lamps have several different shapes and are available in a slew of colors. Special Orders available!)

image via www.christopherspitzmiller.com

 

 

 

If you are in the Charlotte area I definitely recommend attending the show house.  It's open for the next two weekends so mark you calendars!!

 

Ballard Designs

Ballard Designs new catalog came last night... Here are some highlights

Happy Wednesday!

Fall Containers

It's that time... time to plant your fall containers.  Pansies, Mums, Cabbage, ornamental Peppers, Rosemary, etc!  Take a look at inspiration photos...



image via http://www.turksgreenhouses.com/

image via http://www.wbtv.com/

http://www.sunset.com/

Below are pictures of the planters I planted two weeks ago... with some fertilizer they will fill in and be beautiful.  I'm not usually a big cabbage fan but I loved this lace leaf ~ very interesting.  I am also thinking I need to go back and add some ornamental peppers.... I'm digging the pops of color. 

I also painted my rocking chair this weekend... it used to be red and just blend in.  It makes the porch more welcoming painted this pop of green.

Happy Planting!