Citrine

On a recent trip to Bend, Oregon I spotted a chair (you know the ones for the men while they sit and wait) in an apparel store that caught my eye. I'm not much for yellow - but it was not the run of the mill soft, safe yellow you usually see. It was the most beautiful citrine color. Not quite yellow, not quite green - just the perfect fresh color that's exciting and strong yet subtle. So gorgeous and it would work with almost anything. Not to mention that it was a silk/linen blend which can never go wrong in my book.

I couldn't stop thinking about this chair and how I would like to use this color in a bedroom. Then I opened the new House Beautiful and there was the perfect room! The done in a day makeover by designer Amanda Nisbet. So Parisian in it's elegance and simplicity, but a touch of bohemian with the accent fabrics.

I love simplicity and personality of the room, but that headboard made me quiver. Gorgeous, and the perfect complement for that sweet citrine linen french chair.

I've got a few of these french chairs hanging around my storage unit. Who's really for a little hit of citrine in their life. Looks like maybe I am...

Attached

I've been running around like a chicken this past month, hence no posts. Last week was especially bad with the end of the school year and 5, yes 5, family birthdays in the same week. In between birthday celebrations, school events and work, I've been scouting for unique finds that I or my clients can't live without.

I grew up being dragged to estate sales and garage sales with my mom. Then I'd watch her work her magic and transform a well worn piece ( junk to most people) into a fabulous family heirloom. I guess you could say finding treasures is in my blood. Now my boys are being dragged along as well. I secretly think they like it even though they whine "not another sale mom. Can't we just go to the park".

Nothing makes me happier than finding something unique and giving it a new life. The problem is, I usually get attached to those pieces. Which is why I now I have huge storage unit full of chairs, tables, end tables, sofas, etc. You name it, I may have it. I especially fall hard for chairs.

Last week, I found 4 great faux bamboo chairs. They took my breath away. All they need is some fabulous new seat cushions and they will be the star of a room. Being as I don't need all these fabulous finds - a friend of mine bought the chairs for her client. I literally had to wipe the tears away as I watched them drive away. Note to self - I need a bigger house.

When one door closes another door opens. The next day, I spotted these hard to find barrel chairs. I can't wait to redo these and find them a new home. That is, if I can part with them.

My attachment problem is job security for the storage unit business.

I can't wait to see what I find next. Coffee, wine and furniture treasures. What more does a girl need?

Nate strikes again

I'm not usually into the makeovers done on the morning shows, but this one from Nate Berkus and the Today Show was terrific.
He transformed a bedroom/office of one of their newlywed couples into a beautiful and functional master bedroom. He also used one of my favorite items from his HSN collection - the dhurrie zigzag rug.

Check it out here.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Design Crush - Shawn Henderson

Today I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by New York designer Shawn Henderson.

While I was a fan of his sophisticated modern interiors before meeting him, I'm a bigger fan now. (Let this be a lesson to us as designers - humility is never lost on an audience). He was so humble, warm and gracious. Not to mention, incredibly handsome. I had to keep reminding myself to pay attention to what he was saying.

This interiors are a perfect complement to his personality. Honest, straight-forward, sophisticated, serene and unique.

Here are a few of my favorites. To see all his work check out his website.

It was a true pleasure having the opportunity to meet a designer of his caliber and integrity. And, did I mention, cute? I think I did, but I better tell you again :) Not a lot of that happening in the Northwest.

I can't wait to see the projects he's currently working on. You darn lucky folks who've hired him!

Romo, where have you been all my life?

I'm married to grass cloth. And happily I might add. It's always my go to wallpaper for any room of the house that needs texture or a little color. But, I may have to have a little side fling with Romo Wallpapers. They are gorgeous and just the right amount of pattern to make an impact but not overwhelm the room.

Grass cloth meet Romo. I think you two can live happily ever after together in one house. A little suburban and a little city. A marriage made in heaven.

You can check out the entire wallpaper and fabric collection on their website.

Here are a couple of my favorites.

Mimas - I love this pattern. So fun and hip yet so timeless. The colors are amazing too.

Caruso - A great modern take on a traditional stripe. Looks incredible applied horizontally as well. Go ahead, break out of the box.

Kiku - So glamorous. A nice modern floral. It would be amazing in any room. Especially a bedroom. Yes, please.

Kenzan - This is the one that tempted me to cheat on my first love of grass cloth. The perfect understated statement.

Marenka - This one reminds me of Hollywood and my dearly departed grandma, mom-mom. She would have done her Los Angeles breakfast room in this floral. A little California glam and East Coast tradition rolled into one.

What do you think? Do any of these tempt you to try a fun pattern? I'd love to know.

Hope you're having a good week.

Last to know

I must be the last person in blogger land that hasn't already seen or commented on Suzanne Kasler's office that was featured in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

It's times like these that I realize I need to keep on my on daily blog reads. Lately, I've just been trying to keep up on laundry. Yes, it's true and here's a story to prove it. My kids and I really want a dog. My husband and I have been telling the kids that they can't have a dog until they become more responsible around the house - sleeping in their own bed, putting their clothes in the laundry basket and not on the floor. Basic, expected things. Well, yesterday he told me that I can't get a dog until "I" learn to be more responsible. Code for "until I figure out how to work, shuttle the kids and, yes, do the laundry!" It's true so I couldn't be angry. He's just stating the obvious. So until I figure it out my blog and others have been falling to the back burner. Guess it's time to start getting up a couple hours earlier to try and fit everything in.

I read about Suzanne's office on Nest Egg's blog. While I died over the pictures, I laughed at Rachel's post. If you haven't seen it - check it out. I love her candor about her office space. Anyone who knows me personally will get a chuckle out of it.

All pictures from Nest Egg and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle Magazine.

Great functional (meaning washable) chairs paired with a stylish work table, seagrass, and gorgeous oversized drum shade. Sigh.

The always chic, Suzanne. Her work table sums it up. Classic.

Dying over the organized baskets. I will be dreaming of these for years. Not kidding.

Dreaming of a crew too. A girl can dream can't she? I was excited when I put a flat screen t.v. in my studio. I might have a heart attack if I had a crew. And a crew all dressed in black!

I'll also be getting a subscription to Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. There's nothing better than clean, simple designs that come out of the South.

Must have...

I stumbled upon this beauty today. Vintage McGuire chaise. Needs to be reupholstered and maybe painted a neutral color. Down cushion. So comfy. Need I say more. It had me at "Vintage McGuire" - it just makes my heart patter.

You. Must. Be. Mine.

At least long enough to return you to your original glory.

I promise, I'll find you a good home.



Excuse the pictures. You can't always ask for beautiful merchandising when you're looking for a diamond in the rough.

In & Out

I'm crazy for China Seas fabric and wallpaper. It's so fun and modern yet still has a great traditional vibe. But, I'm especially crazy for some of their prints that they offer in both fabric and Sunbrella. Now that's the way to keep your house looking gorgeous on the inside and outside. No more boring mass chain outdoor pillows for you this summer!

It's especially great for those of us who want a hardworking, durable fabric for our pets, or in my case messy children!

Here are a couple of my favorites. There are too many to post - so go check out their website if you want to see the entire line.

Aga reverse in turquoise

Aga Reverse shown in chocolate on gorgeous french chairs on the cover of House Beautiful. Brilliant for dining chairs. Who cares if anyone spills.

Double Cross (one color)

Edo in New Shrimp. This would be wonderful in a little girls room.

Island Ikat

Lyford Background in Dark Turquoise

Lyford Diamond Blotch

Fiorentina



I think I have a thing for turquoise outdoor fabric this year. Now, we just need to bring on the sun!

Modern Coastal

I love this modern Pacific Palisades beach house that was featured in Coastal Living.  The family has six kids,  yes six, so the house has to be very durable. But, designer Maya Williams shows us how durable can still mean beautiful and modern.    

Hello gorgeous dining room.  Those bamboo chairs with the white x-base table are so airy and peaceful. Spills are easy to clean up in this room.  

This is the room that stopped my flipping fingers.  White high gloss polyurethane floors - the same material used on basketball courts.  It makes the whole space so light and airy. Plus, when the sun streams through you won't see all the dust bunnies.   But I love, love, love the marine blue runner on the stairs. This is the perfect balance to the white floors and won't show any dirt or juice stains.  Brilliant.  I also love the whimsy of the faux bois table against the pinstriped wallpaper. 

Very casual and relaxing living room.  Great driftwood table paired with a clean modern sofa and neutral silk rug. Not super kid friendly - but every house needs at least one room that's off limits to the kids.  Otherwise, where are you going to hide. 

The master bedroom.  The bed extends beyond the mattress to hug the bedside tables.  It extends almost 17 feet. Definitely creates impact and high drama without a lot of visual clutter. 

Another view of the master bedroom. Love the Oly chandelier and simple fireplace with the beach inspired grass cloth walls.   What a peaceful retreat away from all the kids!  

The other side of the bedroom.  I like how Maya infused the blue palette from downstairs into the room with the floral drapes.  I also like that they didn't install carpet in the upstairs - they continued the white wood floors.   

Now this is a modern, coastal retreat.  Well done Maya. 

Project Update

Just a quick project update. The rooms still aren't finished, but here's a quick look at some before and afters.....

Staircase before:
This was the first thing you saw when you walked in the house. The stairs were clad in outside siding. The post is structural so it needed to stay.

Family room before:
Again, the outside siding was used for the fireplace. The room was being used as a playroom for the kids. There was no furniture for relaxing and watching t.v. This room is the main living space on the first level as it borders the kitchen. It really needed to be an inviting a usable space.


Staircase after:
We opened up the wall. Removed the carpet and put in hardwood floors. Added columns to the structural support beam. Now the staircase is a focal point in the room. We also added hardwood floors throughout the entry and bathroom.


Family room after:
T.V. still needs to be installed and accessories and pillows added to the room. We built a new fireplace surround that ties into the look and feel of the new staircase. Also, we added wainscoting to the entire main floor which again ties into the look and feel of the fireplace. We painted out the brick. We left the curved fireplace doors as they are unique and the homeowner loves to build real fires. All the furniture is new as well. We did white slip covered swivel chairs so you can see the t.v. or turn and talk to someone in the kitchen. I love swivel chairs. The sofa is also a white slip covered piece. The coffee table is an antique bamboo piece from the 60's. That table makes me swoon.

The homeowner has already gotten paint and markers out of these slipcovers. Another testimony to how wonderful white slipcovers are.



Another angle of the family room.

I wish I had a picture of the before bathroom. It was a typical 60's bathroom. A huge vanity that was too big for the space, old linoleum, bad light fixtures and plain walls. You had to turn sideways to go into the room! This was the powder room so it desperately needed an update.

We added the same wainscoting that we did throughout the main floor. We installed a 24" vanity with an open chrome base to add lightness to the room. The open base is also a bonus as the kids step stools slide underneath.

Blue is one of the homeowners favorite colors so we did a pale blue grass cloth wallpaper. It's so gorgeous you almost want to move into this room. Then we added clean, modern sconces and had a custom silver bamboo mirror made.

As the finishing touches are done, I'll post more pictures.