The Design Style of Charleston, South Carolina

September 6, 2012 1 Comment

What do you do or where do you go to gain inspiration for your projects? I know some people go for a run (yuck, I hate exercise), some take some quiet time to meditate, and others travel to a favorite place to inspire them.

When I think of my design style and from what and where I gain inspiration, I always think of Charleston. Though I am a native Floridian, you will often hear me proclaim the wonders of this beautiful city in my beloved adopted state of South Carolina. It has the best food, the greatest music, the nicest people, and the most beautiful scenery and architecture this side of the Mississippi.

Photo from Pinterest

Whether strolling down King Street window shopping or ogling out the window of your car at the beautiful homes on the Battery, Charleston has something to offer for everyone.

Photo from Pinterest

My favorite part of Charleston has to be the amazing architecture of the homes. Their wide front porches (perfect for sipping cocktails on a muggy summer day), their shutters that are both decorative and useful (hurricanes often threaten this city and you need those to protect your windows), and their beautiful colors always stop me in my tracks. The design of the homes in Charleston is much like Charleston itself —timeless, classic, and quietly elegant.

Photo from Fine Art America

What places do you enjoy visiting for their architecture? The concrete and steel skyscrapers of New York? The moss-covered brick homes in Savannah? I’d love to hear about new places I should check out!

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Dressing Up Your Table

August 29, 2012 1 Comment

As much as I love to decorate homes, I think I might love decorating tables more. I love creating tablescapes for holidays, birthdays, or just an ordinary Tuesday night dinner. I share this love of decorating my table with my mom who always used her wedding china and crystal, even if it wasn’t a special occasion. Meals are meant to be a time that you eat good food with good company, so there’s no reason why your table shouldn’t be up to par.

I’m planning a good friend of mine’s bridal shower, and I’ve loved spending hours poring over Pinterest, party blogs, and decorating magazines to plan the perfect tablescape to celebrate her impending nuptials. There’s just something so fun about taking a blank table and having your vision come to life. You don’t have to do anything fancy, just adding chargers or a vase of fresh flowers can make a table beautiful.

I LOVE Target’s collection of napkins and dish ware. It seems they’re always coming out with something new to decorate your table. Their serving trays are durable and sturdy…not to mention adorable! These are images I’m loving and would love to re-create soon!

Photo from Wedding Wonders

Photo from Pretty Stuff

Photo from Brunch at Saks

 

 

 

Filed Under: Decor, Inspiration!, Parties!, Party Planning! Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Stitch in Time: Behind the Bargello ‘Flame’ Stitch

February 23, 2012 Leave a Comment

I have recently fallen in love with Bargello needlework, a design that is also known as a “flame stitch” pattern. I think I like it because it looks like a faded version of Chevron stripes.

Photo from Decor Arts Now

I’ve recently purchased two chairs with this pattern to be used in the veterans’ home. The first is an easy chair with shades of blue, navy, and purple. The other is a rocking chair with a peach and coral color pattern. They’re so pretty and I think they add such spunk to a space!

Chair to be Used in Nautical Room

I did some research about Bargello needlework and found that the name “Bargello” comes from a set of chairs in France that had this pattern, thus it has been known as Bargello since then.

Photo from Rittenhouse Needlepoint

Traditional designs are very colorful, and use many hues of one color, which produces intricate shading effects. The patterns are naturally geometric, but can also resemble flowers or fruits. This is a difficult stitch to master because of the layering required to achieve the multi-hued look.

Photo from Satin Moon

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What’s Your Home Decor Style?

February 21, 2012 1 Comment

I found this fun home decor style quiz in Real Simple and I knew I had to share it with y’all. I think it provides a fun way for you to narrow down what kind of styles you like and what your overall design preferences say about you.

Take the quiz here and then start planning the decor for your new room!

Side note: The quiz said that my style was Sophisticated Classic with a touch of Vintage Eclectic. So exciting!

Photo from Real Simple

Filed Under: Color, Decor, Do It Yourself, Inspiration!, Style Quiz Tagged With: , , , ,

OMG Moment: Domino Magazine

February 14, 2012 Leave a Comment

Though it is no longer a monthly publication, Domino Magazine remains one of my all-time favorite home decor magazines. Its beautiful photographs and amazing design ideas make it such a page-turner! My aunt gave me all of her old issues and I’ve spent countless hours thumbing through their pages, dog-earring them for inspiration for future projects.

I was thrilled to learn that a special edition of the magazine will be published on April 17th. I’ve marked it on my calendar in huge letters (and hearts) because I plan to read it cover-to-cover. Y’all should definitely check it out!

Photo from Domino Magazine

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E is for Entryway

September 5, 2011 Leave a Comment

Ahh, the entryway! As your guests come into your home, this is the first area that they will see. It’s not just a place to hang your coat or take off your shoes; this space should also give a hint to your personal style as well as set the tone for the rest of your home. First impressions are everything, so you want your entryway to be all that it can be.

Entryways can range from a sweeping staircase (a la Tara in “Gone with the Wind”) to a half-moon table with a stack of interesting books and a fun lamp. No matter what your entryway looks like, it should be welcoming and warm to both you and your guests.

Photos via Pinterest

Filed Under: Color, Decor, Decor Alphabet, Inspiration! Tagged With: , , , , ,

C is for Chevron

September 1, 2011 Leave a Comment

I have always loved these amazing stripes, but never knew their “official” name. Now, I know and I want to spread the word! You can find these stripes everywhere these days! From walls to pillows to rugs to purses, chevron stripes make everything instantly chic. They update anything (a wall, a door, a rug), taking your space from drab to fab without a lot of money or time spent. These are a couple of decor pieces that incorporate my beloved chevron. In a few weeks, I’ll be teaching y’all how to make your own chevron rug…so get pumped!

Chevron Rug in Dining Room. Photo from House Full of Pretty by Jenny.

Chevron Art above the Mantle. Photo from Made By Girl.

Filed Under: Color, Decor, Inspiration!, Trends Tagged With: , , , , ,

Throwing a Fabulous Fourth of July Fiesta

July 1, 2011 Leave a Comment

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday because it involves the three Fs: family, food, and fireworks!

Fourth of July Tablescape

The food we always have on our menu includes watermelon, homemade ice cream, grilled turkey burgers, sweet baked beans, and corn on the cob.

 

We play a mix of patriotic and country music (after all, what’s more American than country music?) throughout the day. Around suppertime as the grill is heating up and the smell of barbecue fills the air, we make sure to turn on the Boston Pops to watch their annual Independence Day show.

 

Every year, I make a berry trifle for dessert. Its red, white, and blue color scheme is the perfect birthday cake! I use this delicious recipe from the Food Network’s Tyler Florence.

Homemade Berry Trifle...a bit Smushed!

 

I love decorating my table to celebrate our wonderful country’s birthday. My mom and I stick to a simple, rustic country theme: white flowers in red vases (purchased from Goodwill for $2.00), a navy blue and white striped table cloth, and white plates atop wooden chargers.

 

When it’s good and dark outside, our fireworks show begins! We “oohh” and “ahhh” over each beautiful burst of color as we compete with our neighbors as to who has the best fireworks display.

 

I hope y’all have a safe and fabulous Fourth of July holiday! Remember all of those who have served to allow us to enjoy our freedom!

Filed Under: Decor, Inspiration!, Party Planning! Tagged With: , , , , , ,

White-Washed: The Ultimate Monochromatic Room

June 29, 2011 Leave a Comment

 

Admittedly, I am a clean freak. I have to have everything spotless and tidy to relax (I promise I’m fun, I just like things clean!) I found these photos of all-white rooms and fell in love. While an all-white room might create a bit of anxiety for me regarding cleanliness, they’re just so beautiful that I wouldn’t mind the added need to clean. Looking at these rooms makes me feel so calm and peaceful.

All-White Living Room

White Bedroom, Photo by homedit.com

The various shades of white add depth and interest, which prevents the rooms from appearing boring and bland. The chandelier in this living room is to die for! Also, notice how a variety of textures are used to provide depth.

 

Lucite would be awesome in these rooms! Pops of color, by way of a simple flower arrangement, also add an element of visual interest.

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An Homage to Farrow & Ball

June 15, 2011 Leave a Comment

 

I have a confession to make, dear readers. I am absolutely, positively OBSESSED with every paint color and wallpaper that Farrow & Ball has ever made. I consider them THE source for color. Although they do not fit into my budget-friendly mission, I love looking at their colors and prints for ideas.

 

Farrow & Ball: Living with Colour, Photo by yossawat.com

I’m thinking my summer reading is going to consist of Farrow & Ball: The Art of Colour and Farrow & Ball: Living with Colour. These books will be amazing sources of inspiration for me as well as beautiful coffee table books!

 

Farrow & Ball: Light Blue, Photo by moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Filed Under: Color, Inspiration!, Painting Tagged With: , , , , ,
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