Wednesday, September 21, 2011

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!

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!?

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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!

 From Pottery Barn


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!

Monday, September 19, 2011

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.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

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


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

A few recent finds..

Hey guys! I'm busy today painting aka getting covered in paint... So I don't have much time to post today, but I wanted to share with you some really cool things I've stumbled upon recently...

Most original and do-able DIY idea I've seen in a while... I will recreate these!!

Incredible images from the NY Public Library's digital galleries and also the coolest source for vintage images, The Graphics Fairy.





And just some lovelies for inspiration...
 Charleston Cohler via the roof over my head

 via the junk garden girl

 belle vivir via decorology


Homes and Garden via Junk Garden Girl 




I hope you guys have a great day. Talk to you tomorrow!
xo, 
Elizabeth

Monday, September 12, 2011

Go ahead, go out on that limb.


If you're anything like me, you love this quote. It is so applicable to so many aspects in life; love, career, friendship. This quote reminds me that going out on that limb is risky, but with big risk, can come big reward. And it also reminds me that there's no gain in being too proud. Here's to putting it all out there!

Happy Monday!

xo,
Elizabeth