Strikingly Beautiful Image Stuck in My Mind

Inspiration can come from the most unlikely sources. A photo that has nothing to do with interiors, for instance. I can't get this image out of my head!

From AWellTraveledWoman.Tumblr via Pinterest

That water in the image above looks like glassy emerald tiles. So refreshing looking. Oh and how have I lived without a glove mold in my shower to hold my rings and jewelry? Not sure.

Cathy Robin of Heath Ceramics via Design Sponge

 Kelly Wearstler Interior Design

Indigo tiled bathroom and brass lighting fixture. Oh and now I want a velvet chaise and an antique rug in my bathroom...!

 Chris Barrett via Designers.ElleDecor.com

Dreamy! I can feel the breeze from here! I love all the neutrals and that Suzani-esque print on the bed and pillow.

 Douglas Durkin via Decorati

Sweet ornate carved headboard, reminds me of the papa-version of my little carved-wood trifold divider I used as a headboard.... must find picture as proof...

Elle Decor via The Roof Over My Head

Have you ever seen anything as fantastic? Such an escape! How 'bout the patina on the headboard. Yes!

 French Mag Art and Decoration via Desire to Inspire

 Missoni via Desire to Inspire then via Little Green Notebook

I almost can't handle how awesome this chevron tiled back splash is.

 Pinterest via Modern Palm Blog

Peacock teal cabinetry from a great D*S sneak peek. White subway tile is ALWAYS okay by me!

 Ramin Shamshiri of Commune via Design Sponge

Tribal prints and glam play nice...

via Glamourai then via Decorista 

Crazy cool Moroccan-style settee left by the home's previous owners. I know. Some people's luck!

 Heather Taylor via Design Sponge

More tribal prints playing well together and with *gasp* traditional!? Yes, ma'am!

 Peter Dunham designed the guest bedroom in the House of Windsor via A Caribbean Living Blog

Are we sensing a theme yet? ;)  Tribal, tribal, tribal!

Philip Gorrivan photo by Miki Duisterhof via decorati

Familiar looking nook, featured in a previous post about Autumnal colors. The rich hues and mix of prints looked too good in this post not to include again, IMO. 

 Abigail Ahern.files.wordpress.com via the brickhouse then via Brydie Brown

Thanks for tuning in and letting me share my inspirations with you. 'Till next time!

XO

Elizabeth

Here's one for my nieces!

Okay, I'm doing it. Even if it makes me look like a kook. In Emily Henderson's words, "If that sounds pathetic to you, screw you, and play with your adult sized toys, I don't care."

I'm joining the "I'm a Giant - Dollhouse Decorating - Challenge!" It will be an exercise in demonstrating how resourceful and creative I can be, plus at the end of it, I'll have a really sweet dollhouse that my nieces (and nephews) can play with. It would be more ideal to redecorate the dollhouse I played with as a child that my parents built toghether, but it is in New Hampshire and I am not. And I'm pretty sure it isn't sturdy enough to be transported down here.

So I found this purty one on CList for $20 and I'm waiting to hear back about it. I can't wait to get started!

Here's the fun thing about this: anyone can join! Emily describes the challenge well in her post from last week. Check it out! The dollhouses need to be decorated by December 15th. 

I can't wait to repurpose the errant scrapbook paper or scrap of fabric in here, not to mention dangly earrings that have lost their pair or a vintage broach that is waiting to be truly appreciated.

I love being an aunt and this will be a great project to do for the little girls in my family... (The little boys are totally welcome to play too!) On a semi-related note, I read a great article on the NY Times today called, "Let's Hear it for Aunthood!"

Stay tuned for updates as I have them!! :)

It's Party Time!

I'm in Outer Banks, NC to celebrate the wedding of one of my best friends!! Woooo! So excited for Toni and Josh. <3 Here are a few things that are reminding me of them on this very special day. :) 

Rockett St George via Erin Ever After

 Alan Kitching via DebutArt

Salt and Pepper shakers by Jonathan Adler via Casa Sugar

I almost convinced Boyf we needed a set of these... almost....

Smittens via Decorpad

 Mr. and Mrs. glassware via AshleyLoves.Wordpress

Congratulations, you two! So thrilled for you both. <3

Feelin' Artsy...

Recently all I've wanted to do is create art, which is really rather silly as I'm almost out of wall space in the house. Sometimes I see incredible pieces online, and think (rather cockily), "I can do that!" Here are some I've found that are on the top of my list to try, if not already started....

I had created that blue branch painting a while ago and it has always felt incomplete to me. I considered adding pink blooms, like cherry blossoms but never got around to it. When I found this piece (below) I thought, "Bam! That would be perfect!"

 via Pinterest

This seems doable and sweet and I think it looks much less "crafty". I'm all for inexpensive artwork, but I really don't want it to look like I made it. haha! Know what I mean? I also love this because the possibilities are endless! Song lyrics, inside jokes, names, addresses, dates, nicknames, etc etc!

 via Pinterest

Now this is also so sweet and homegrown looking. AND it would be a perfect use for my bajillion business cards from the old job. Yes!

 via Pinterest

Similarly, I could use my biz cards for this one too! I have already started cutting out hearts for this one. I picture a piece like this in one of my design projects. All painted reds and pinks. Love it! (Let's see if I can hand it over once it's complete... "My baby!!")

 via Pinterest

I've started this one too, because it's going to be a time-consuming monster. But how Bad A does that look?? I think, very.

Lee Gainer via Pinterest

I'd happily create one of the above for you on commission! Email me if you're interested!

Painted Doors and Why You Need One

I recently suggested painting the interior of a client's door to her patio a fun color. I'm thinking maybe black, maybe red. But I think she needs some convincing, so this post is for her! (xoxo Laura!)

Some of these doors are exterior doors, I'll admit it, but they still serve to show what can be done to doors. Since it's such a small bit of square footage, I am more apt to go a little bit further out there with it. A door is like an accessory waiting to be played up!

 Emily Henson

Lea Bawnager via Fryd Design 

 Archados de Decoracao via Wszystkieporyroku

Jeff and Carolyn Smith of Hourglass via Remodelista 

This one in particular is relevant and applicable. Man, Tia Zoldan knows what she's doing...

Tia Zoldan via Little Green Notebook

The door of a friend of ours...

Photo taken by yours truly (sorry it's so dark!)

Decor8 via Junk Garden Girl

So who's convinced!?

Rainy Day

So it's rainy here in Nashville so rather than fight the facts, let's embrace it. Take a look at some of the good looking umbrellas, umbrella stands, and genius ideas to contain rainy day mess. 

River rocks or pebbles in a tray (or shallow baking sheet!) to catch rain boot mess while they dry by the door.

 Genius idea from Martha Stewart

It occurred to me that I don't have an umbrella stand and I think it would be sophisticated and chic to have one. Here are a few beauts. By the way, in this case, utility trumps beauty for me: an umbrella stand that breathes = no moldy umbrellas.

From Horchow 

No ventilation, but it sure is cute!

 Via Martha Stewart

 From Pottery Barn

 From Svenskttenn.se

Here's a creatve idea: hang them in the mud room with pegs. I think it looks cute!

From Martha Stewart

Hope you find yourself singing in the rain today!

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!

I love how all of these spaces have some patina and a lot of personality. These spaces confirm for me that I could never live in a cookie cutter space that looks just like the one next to it. If I had to live in a ho-hum space, I'd make sure the interior styling sang! 

I love these vintage brass light fixtures in a kitchen by Tia Zoldan (design crush!) I also LOVE the black muntins and casings in the windows. So European and cool. I want these even if they are most likely insanely expensive.. 

Kitchen designed by Tia Zoldan, featured on Modern Palm Blog

This is the opposite of cookie cutter. I've enjoyed seeing more accessible bar spaces in interiors recently, no not for the booze factor, but for that old hospitality that was so common in the 50s and 60s (think Mad Men). Not to mention, the bottles add some sparkle and sculpture to a table top and do not take up precious cabinet space. Ha!

Bar set up from Rue via Erin Ever After

If you had asked me five minutes before I found this picture if I like exposed brick, I would have said, "No thanks." I should bite my tongue, because looky here.... I could move right into this space. The antique rug warms up the floor. That couch is perfection and with a fireplace and lots of cushions, you won't be left cold. Built ins and a library ladder? The icing on the cake. (And look, black muntins and casings in the windows again!)

Via pinterest, originally from Apartment Therapy

We've spoken about my love for reading nooks before.... And wallpapering a tiny space is genius. This convo reminds me of a great slideshow on Apartment Therapy on the topic. This trick is not prohibitively expensive and makes that small space special and distinct. 

The Bone Collector via Pinterest

Well, here are some more antlers.... I can't help it. I love them, as seen in this post, and this pin... And I am not over reclaimed wood installed as a feature wall. When these trends are over, I need one of you to take my by the shoulders and give me a good shake because I won't want to let them go. Promise you'll do that for me.

And ya know, black and white stripes are just right up there with the most accessible and hard-to-get-wrong  tricks. It goes with anything!  And while we're talking about black and white stripes, I want to give b&w chevron and zebra print a shout out. Same idea. Neutrals, people! But they are exciting neutrals. Yes.

Two images just above from Katie Bower on Nate Berkus' "House Proud" segment

Happy Monday to you! I hope you have a great week! And since I like to start off the week with a great quote, I had one more thing to add before I take off....

When you're trying to decide between the chevron rug or the beige carpet, between the boring art that could work in a hotel room or quirky ceramic antlers, or between the solid color throw pillow or the b&w striped one, keep this in mind:

Unknown creator on Tumblr. Found via Pinterest.

Autumn Love

To me it feels like the first day of fall here in Nashville. It was chilly a week or so ago, but today, there's a million leaves on the ground and it looks like it might rain again any second and I couldn't be happier. I love this season! I want to snuggle up with my favorite tea, Tension Tamer (Have you tried this stuff yet? Obsessed) and grab a blanket and my favorite sweetie and just snuggle up! Here are some interiors that imbue that sense of chilliness outside and cozy comfort inside at the same time. Enjoy!

 Windsor Smith in Domino Magazine

 Unknown Source

 Philip Gorrivan. Photo by Miki Duisterhof via Decorati

 After image by Sarah Feigleson via D*S

 Kids room from Fench Kids Magazine called Milk via Veronica Loves Archie then via Brydie Brown

 Library by Norwood Interiors via Decorati

 Chad Farquharson and Wayne McGill of We Live Like This Design and Styling in DecorMag then via Desire to Inspire

 Douglas Durkin photo by Matthew Millman via Decorati

 Office of Ashley Goforth Designs via Decorpad

 Unknown source

Robert Burke Todd Romano via Habitually Chic

 Katie Kirk via D*S

 Day Bed found via Elements of Style Blog

 Seen and Said from Greige then via A Nice Room