Foyer

foyer for a client...

 

We need a stair runner and this antelope has always spoken to me!! But I'm loving the geometrics too...  the rails will be painted high gloss black and the foyer floor is black and white tiles.  I love the wainscoting in the last picture and think it would be amazing to add that up the staircase and the walls of the foyer painted highgloss black to match the rails... AMAZ!!!

 

 

 

Consoles are ususally the go-to for foyers but I'm thinking a small settee would be fun and the seat in a fun fabric- a floor lamp on one side..

 

A round mirror will go above to soften the straight lines

 

And a throw rug

 

And last but not least this amazing light fixture: 

 

Fantastic finds

 I saw this dining room in a magazine and fell in love!  I love the low wainscoting and the large crown molding.  I haven't seen this combination before...  The walls look 10 feet tall!  Would be great for 8' ceilings. And don't get me started on those copper pendants - I'm dying over those!!! 

 I was out shopping for clients this weekend an saw several things I thought were great.

Large print - this would be great for the nursery I am working on.

Loved the metallic garden stools - very chic

Great table for beside a chair.  So much interest - my favorite find of the day.

This gold Ming chair would make a fantastic lamp

This fabric is amazing!  The upholstery company I use just introduced it in several fun color ways...  Love it!  Let me know if you need some new chairs/headboard/sofa!!

Golden Globes Fashion

Hollywood got dressed up last night for the Golden Globes and there were some dazzling ladies out there!  I liked a lot of the dresses but below is the list that I loved.

Lupita Nyong'o

I LOVED this dress!  The cape makes this simple silhouette dress and the neckline is gorgeous - showing off her shoulders, neck, and face.  Stunning!

 

Olivia Wilde

WOW!  love the long sleeve dress and the shimmer emerald color together.  This form fitting dress is perfect for someone with a figure and a great way to show off that baby bump.

 

 Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie may be my favorite outfit of the night!  Did you see the E News Red Carpet when Giuliana interviewed her??? She is so cute too! She seemed like someone you could actually be friends with.  This dress absolutely shimmered... the jewels on the sleeves and the upper waist are gem stones and when the lights caught them she sparkeled - GORGEOUS!  And I love the satin green Christian Louboutin's and the high slit in the skirt... she nailed it!

Looking back on my list it's pretty clear I'm over the big ball gown look... these simple silhouettes look more up to date and really show off this actresses great figures.  If you've got it you might as well flaunt it!

  

1/2/3

I can't wait for Fashion Police tonight on E!  Sure to be a good one!

 

 

GO PANTHERS

For those of you who don't know we gave a major event happening this weekend in the Queen City.  Our  Carolina Panthers will be playing the San Franciso 49ers in the second round of the playoffs, aka The Road to the Super Bowl!  This city is buzzing with excitement and it has been a lot of fun supporting our team.  The Panthers colors are black and a mix between light blue/aqua. Coach Rivera has called for a "blackout" - requesting fans to wear all black as the players will be wearing their black jerseys. For you gals going to the game or watching from home you can abide my the coaches requests with a slight twist - who wants to dress completely in black??  Here is outfit to consider while cheering the Panthers on!

 

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Sale/AllProducts/PRDOVR~04035/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20+225~~~0~15~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~black%20sweater/04035.jsp?isSaleItem=true&isFromSearch=true

http://www.polyvore.com/seven_for_all_mankind_classic/thing?id=80661159

https://www.maraisusa.com/products-page/boots/rover-bootie-black/
 
 
 

Www.freelogo.com

Real Simple - dinner party Iyalian style

Penn and I love to entertain!  From simple dinner parties to cocktail parties we are all about sharing good food and our home with friends.  So a key to entertaining is to have an easy menu so you aren't in the kitchen all night and instead are able to mingle with your guests.  I always am searching for new and easy menus and I stumbled across this menu for an Itslian style dinner via Real Simple. I love that magazine - everything they feature is actually simple... So nice. Their menu includes an antipasto platter, salad with Parmesan cheese, mushroom and spinach lasagna, garlic bread and for dessert olive oil cake with fresh oranges. Does that not sound fabulous?!?!  I am especially interested in the dessert... Sounds very interesting!

For the recipes visit their site via the link below:

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/italian-menu-00100000076106/index.html#8

You will also need a beautiful centerpiece, cool untensils/stem wear, and fun music.

I love this rustic table and chairs...  The green moss centerpiece is simple but effective- it's all over the design world right now!! If you don't have some you need a little pop of it somewhere.

http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.484184.907971.2724571.page

And these are just too fun for water or wine glasses!

Www.retroartglass.com

love the bamboo flatware and the white napkins with charcoal trim.  Simple yet elegant and both are on sale right now at Crate and Barrell!!  (Another favorite of mine)

Lastly turn up the tunes!  I love Pandora and for dinner try Nina Simone (piano jazz musician with a smoky voice - amaz!!). And for after dinner drinks my tried and true - Bruno Mars.

Happy Entertaining!!

Best rooms from 2013

Just a little post to celebrate some of the greatest rooms from 2013...

Everything in this room works.  The yellow sofa is amazing especially with that pop of purple o the chair and throw blanket - topiary adds the perfect touch.  And the "hard" elements (painted wood floor and stone fire place) are gorgeous.

The green drapes and chair just make me smile - bright and cheery!  Always love a cowhide rug

Isn't this a cute child's room??  The drape fabric is from ikea! Proving you can do a child's room on a budget and still look amaz!!

The rug in this nursery makes everything work - it is so fun!!!  And I love the dark French foors.

This is a picture I took from Elle decor- I love these bedspreads!!  Obviously customized for the bed - but this coverlet removes the need for a bed skirt. Would be great in a neutral like this but also in a fun fabric for a guest room or child's room!! 

Hello 2014

Wow! So the Holidays came around and I completely shut down.  Penn and I were busy back and forth between Charlotte, Raleigh, and his hometown Smithfield and had a wonderful time.  We even threw a New Year's Eve Party, attended an Amazing New Year's Day Party and then I topped it all of by attending a baby shower last Saturday.  WHEW! Like I said - Busy but SO FUN!

 

I am glad to be back in a routine and back to my 9-5 work schedule.  I am one of those people who needs a little structure.  While bustling around from city to city I began to think of my hopes and dreams for 2014.  This past year has been a great year and I have a feeling 2014 is going to be even better.  Of course I made those same NY's resolutions everyone makes... work out more, drink less etc. but there are a few things that I really need to work on.  One being to work more on this blog!! I get inspired a million times a day and for some reason I don't remember to click a picture or to make a note so I can post about it.  Maybe I should start carrying a notepad around and remember to click more with my camera... I promise loyal readers I will get better!

 

Another thing I need to work on is appreciating the small things.  A long walk with our pup Ellie... a warm fire on a cold night... a good book... a beautiful sunset.  We can get wrapped up in our everyday lives and life can pass you buy.  So I'm going to make an effort to stop and remember those special moments that can get lost in an otherwise busy day.

My design business has been steady and I am so thankful to have such wonderful clients who want me to help them!  It can be a scary venture starting your own business but I'm so glad I did it.  It's hard work and I have high hopes that this coming year will help me build my business and my clientele.