Hey gang, today I wanted to share with you 5 things that have been on my mind the last few days.
Starting with MY KITCHEN!!
According to gizoogle.com yesterday, it’s actually my fuckin kitchen. Not the best example, but be sure to check out gizoogle.com if you haven’t already. I strongly recommend you check out a blog you read, or some tweets. I had a good laugh. Okay, back to my kitchen. What a difference, huh? You can finally see the space start to take shape. Last night I wanted to twirl in that room. Or skip. Or just jump up and down. I was so excited that I even invited a neighbor inside to see the progress. Look at me. A regular Mr. Rogers.
This photo is of one of Mariette Himes Gomez’s vignettes from the Hickory Chair showroom down in High Point. While we were there, Christina and I had a chance to meet Mariette which was such a cool experience. But the even cooler part was that in the middle of our introduction, Mariette walked directly to this bed and started fluffing the striped duvet at the foot. Mid conversation. It was such a cool thing to see. A big time designer like Mariette, in her element, primping something that’s already perfect.
Real quick. While we’re on the subject of Mariette, this display also caught my eye at the Hickory Chair showroom. I was really intrigued by the traditional floral print and window treatment design as the backdrop for this contemporary mobile style fixture. Isn’t that a neat contrast? And it works. I like that black ceiling too.
In honor of new kitchen, David and I are throwing a White Party later this summer. Look at me. A regular Kyle Richards. David and his friends are even in the process of building a bocce court (a far less glamorous bocce court than what’s pictured, mind you). Whenever my mind drifts these days, I picture all our friends sipping signature drinks outside in our backyard under white paper lanterns. Wearing fun white party clothes, of course.
Have you seen The Great Gatsby? The new one? I pulled these images to do a Gatsby-esque round-up but stopped short when the movie hype really picked up. I felt like everyone was blogging about Gatsby. And Art Deco. And the 1920s. I also realized that these images are a much better compliment to the the original Gatsby movie. The Robert Redford flick. The new Gatsby looks flashy, over the top, and at times, kind of cheesy. I’m really not sure how I feel about that. I’ve never really liked change. But I’m still going to see it.
A million years ago when I asked you to fill out a survey for me, the one piece of information that I learned was that 100% of your come to my blog to see my work. My client projects. Thank you for that! So, I’ve been trying to come up with new and improved ways to document my projects for you. And more than anything, attractive ways to do so. Better pictures onsite and out in the field, more inspiration boards like the one I did for my fuckin kitchen. Those types of things. I have found this to be more challenging than I would have first thought. But I’m working on it.
Photo credits: Me, Hickory Chair’s Facebook page, Joey and Jessica, Design is what you can get away with!, Tory Burch, Avery House via The Sweetest Occasion and Elle Decor.
Big news, folks. Remember when I said I’ve been daydreaming about my kitchen?? Well, day dream no more. It’s actually happening.
The photo above was my original motivation for the kitchen. As soon as I saw this picture, something just clicked. Mostly because it’s just a gorgeous kitchen, but also because I knew something like this would fit seamlessly into our current home. There was also a part of me that immediately recognized ways to obtain a similar look for a lot less. As much as I hate to admit this, budget was the biggest factor in our decision making process. Our kitchen is original to the house. Like from 1947 original. So, we had no choice but to start completely from scratch. We’re going to move walls, change plumbing, and update electrical (in a big way). Not to mention all new appliances, cabinets and counter tops. Based on all these expenses, we were very interested in figuring out ways to cut some costs where we could. One way we did this is by using really good products at really great prices. For example, we went with stainless steal Kenmore and Maytag (on sale at Sears!) and even Ikea cabinetry (after much consideration). Once we decided to take the Ikea route, we enlisted the help of Mr. Doug Brooks of Wood N You who specializes in kitchen and bath remodeling. And Ikea products. And he just so happens to be Sarah’s dad! Mr. Brooks completely understood our approach to the the design of the kitchen (and our budget!), and has already been so helpful in offering advice and suggestions when faced with a tricky decision.
From there, Mr. Brooks worked out the floor plan. The dotted lines represent the current kitchen walls (photos of my current kitchen can be seen here. The photos were taken right about where that blue 1’5 is in the lower left corner)…
And I got to work designing…
1. Pendants: I selected these Industrial Glass Pendants from West Elm for over the peninsula. My first instinct was to use the Hicks pendant (isn’t everyone’s?) or some sort of globe, like whats in the original inspiration picture, but I went with these instead. I think the shape is more interesting. And I really love the bronze detail along the top. I think that adds warmth to an otherwise simple fixture. Digging the chrome tip bulb, too.
2. Paint color: I’ve recently fallen in love with Ben Moore’s White Dove (after testing it out for a client) and I think I’ll go with that. The family room off the kitchen is painted Revere Pewter which will be a nice match. Hmmm. Time to paint test samples.
3. Stools. I found the world’s most perfect barstool from Industry West but it doesn’t come in counter height. Ugh, I’m devastated. I will not rest until I find it. Give me that barstool!
4. Counters: OMFG. I am in love with my counters. This is Frosty Carrina from Ceasarstone. It’s new and it’s to die for. I went with Ceasarstone because I knew I wanted a pure white counter. And white counters don’t exist too often unless they come in the form of marble. Yeah right. Marble isn’t the best idea in a Kitchen. Especially not in my world.
5. Hardware: I found this cup pull and knob from Amerock. It’s the Highland Ridge collection in Polished nickel. I really like the transitional feel of the hardware. And the polished nickel is a tad more fancy than basic chrome.
6. Rug: I want this Dash and Albert rug really, really badly. I’m still deciding between a runner (that will sit in front of the sink by the back door) or an all over area rug. My birthday is in June. Just saying.
7. Cabinets: Here are the door styles and finishes we chose from Ikea. We’re using “medium brown” along the bottom (it’s a little darker than what’s pictured) and “off-white” along the top and fridge wall. The Adel style for both. Can’t beat a shaker style door front, if you ask me.
8. Floors: Right now the kitchen has this FUGLY laminate floor that no matter how often you scrub, it still looks dirty. So, we’re going to remove that an install hardwoods that will be stained in English Chestnut to match the rest of the first floor. It’s a little lighter than what’s pictured.
And there you have it! My plan is to update you as we go with lots of posts on the progress of the Kitchen (which is scheduled to start mid-month). I hope you’re as excited as I am!!
Photo credits: Aaron Leitz Photography, Floorplan designed by Wood N You, and Design Board created by me via Olioboard (my very first one!).
My love for DwellStudio, and founder Christiane Lemieux, is well documented all over this blog (as seen here, here and here), so it’s no wonder that I’ve fallen head over heels in love with Christiane’s Amagansett beach cottage featured in Coastal Living. Christiane has created a light and airy home loaded with mid-century flair. The combination is amazing. Every beach home should feel this clean, casual and cozy. And super stylish. Turns out I like mid-century design even more when it goes to the beach.
I want my kitchen to look and feel like this.
I suddenly want to paint my walls white.
David and I have two New England vacations planned this summer (amongst some other beach trips), so seeing these photos of Christiane and her family really get me in the mood for summer. And to be honest, I’m also now in the mood to decorate a beach house…
Photo credits: Coastal Living via The Studio Blog.
Cupcakes? That was so last season. Word on the street is that Donut and Fried Chicken shops are the next big thing. And, let me be clear. That’s the same place. Fried Chicken and Donuts for sale under one roof. Don’t mind if I do. As someone who loves the latest and greatest sweet trend (can we talk about Pinkberry for a minute), who once made a promise to herself to try all cupcakes brands in search of the very best (read about my pick here), and who has already blogged about donuts before (cause that’s not embarrassing), I can certainly get behind this fad. I kinda called donuts being the next big thing (no big), so I’d like to take partial credit for this. And for women wearing large men’s watches.
My first stop will be Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken. The scrumptious photos above are from Astro’s website. My brother first posted about that place on Facebook which immediately peaked my interest. Within a few hours, my good friends from ReadyLuck Photography instagrammed photos of their sweet and salty treats from another place named GBD. I’ll be going there, too. Any others I should try? Have you been to any fried chicken and donut shop yet?
For the record, I mean no disrespect to cupcakes.
Photo credits: Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Before we get into my favorite trends, I wanted to share with you the two best (and on trend) showrooms at High Point this season, according to yours truly. Major highlights for me. The first was Bungalow 5. I’m giving an A+ to Bungalow 5. Gold stars all around. I love their blue and white porcelain (which was a trend in and of itself) and I especially love it with that dark blue grasscloth. And then there’s the photo on the right. Look at all that going on! The gray-scale wallpaper, the hand-painted Asian panels, the glitzy faceted mirror and the white pagoda. It’s all so amazing.
And the second, Pearson. As usual, Pearson rocked it. Another A+ rating. For some reason, I didn’t take a lot of pictures of the showroom though. Just a few photos of that sectional above. I think I was too busy marveling. But I thought Pearson had the best use of color. Hands down. So many wonderful shades of blue and oranges. Blue is definitely having a moment (major Market trend), so I was not surprised to see it at Pearson. From soft cornflower shades to deep grayish slate, Pearson didn’t miss a thing. But here’s the difference. The blues were paired flawlessly with complimentary shades of orange, rust, coral and red. My favorite color combo at the moment.
The biggest trend I saw, by far, was gold. Like these little gold tables from Chichester Closet. I’ve always wanted a wheat table base but I could definitely settle for tulips too. Arm twisted.
No one, and I mean no one, does gold better than Worlds Away.
Velvet was all over the place, in both upholstery and pillows. Lots of velvet pillows. Like that cute little brown velvet pillow from Legacy Linens (on the left). Pearson and Worlds Away used a great deal of velvet in their upholstery, too. And Alexa Hampton used both in her Hickory Chair collection (seen on the right). Plenty of contrast piping where that came from.
More velvet pillows. See, what did I tell you. And if it wasn’t the entire pillow, it was used on the just the back.
I also noticed loads of marbled fabrics and wall coverings. I’d say it’s a tie between marbled patterns and true natural stone patterns, like malachite. I saw both. Like this Hable Construction fabric on a screen at Hickoy Chair. And the wall covering used in the new Emporium Home showroom. Check out those geode lighting fixtures too! The real deal.
Trends are in bold letters.
Photo credits: Me.
Today, Christina and I are off to North Carolina for the High Point Market (read about last year’s Market here). We’ll be like two kids in a candy shop, for sure.
I’ll be back next week to share my finds and the latest trends. In the meantime, you can catch me on Instagram and/or Twitter. I’ll be updating as I go.
Enjoy your weekend (especially now that those two LOSERS are off the streets)!
Photo credit: Johanna Ekmark via We Heart It.
Periwinkle? Okay, let me be clear. When I say periwinkle, I’m referring to the purply-blue shades of ALL flowers, not just periwinkle. Periwinkle Paint just worked the best for a title. Alliteration. Ever heard of it?
When I think of purply-blue flowers, I think of hydrangeas. They remind me of Cape May, New Jersey. The first real vacation David and I ever took together. They also remind me of Sue Brooks. I just love them. So, it would make sense that I’ve been using the shade in my work, and my personal life. Recently, I used Ben Moore’s White Satin (suggested by my friend and client Nancy Reid of Fly Your Colors) in another client’s Master Bedroom. That’s the paint chip in the top right corner, and my clients newly painted bedroom in the bottom left. The color was inspired by this floral fabric that we used in the room. And if that’s not enough, I’ve been painting my nails in this Essie color, Bikini So Teeny, all spring long. Seeing my nails and toes in this purply-blue hue makes me so happy.
What about you? What inspires you this season? Do you have a favorite spring color??
Photo credits: Aiken House & Gardens, Benjamin Moore, Me and Essie.
If you don’t have any plans tonight do yourself a favor and go see Jurassic Park 3D. Even if you do have plans, cancel them and go to the movie. David and I, along with a few friends, went to see it last night and had such a great time. Are you ready for geek out? The movie was incredible. Better than I remember! I cried. It’s a really great movie. And it’s amazing on the big screen, even more so in 3D. I was in suspense the whole time. Even the boys jumped during certain dinosaur attacks. Plus, there were so many underlying themes and topics that were totally lost on me as a kid that I noticed (and even understood) this time around. And can we talk about that theme song!?
After the movie we went across the street to grab a beer and rehash the movie experience. All of us remembered seeing the movie 20 years ago when it was first released, so we all had stories to share of our 10/11 year old selves in the theater. For me, Jurassic Park is one of the first movies I really remember. And even more so, I remember my dad’s reaction to a lot of the scenes. Cut to last night. David reacted exactly the same to the exact same parts. I married my dad. And again, we all commented on the fact that it’s just a great movie. Seriously, can you name another movie that everyone (grown-ups, kids, teenagers, boys, and girls) went to see? And liked?
I think it’s only showing through the weekend. So, go see it. Go. Go with a capital G. Go. And then tell me what you think.
Photo credits: David Abizaid
Be on the look out for this updated chevron motif this spring. I’ve been spotting it all over the place. Like in these West Elm “Bend” chairs, Serena & Lily shower curtains and in this fabric from the newest Zinc Textiles collection.
I’m hesitant to use the word chevron because this design is really more like a herringbone (with those vertical stripes). And the skinny diagonal lines and open background really make it look more like feathers, don’t you think?
Photo credits: West Elm and Serena & Lily
