If you are re-designing a kitchen or a designer who does kitchens- Cultivate by Williams-Sonoma is a site you must check out. It is like Pinterest for kitchens where designers post pics of their kitchen remodels.
They are currently running a contest to "pin" your favorite kitchens on Pinterest on a "Cultivate Your Style" board and you can win a $100 gift card to Williams-Sonoma. Check it out here....
I deemed my style both "Transitional" and "Eclectic" check out my board here on Pinterest...here are two that I selected...
I was reading the October issue of Real Simplemagazine yesterday and came across the article "The Wow Factor" where they reveal 21 design pros secret go-to pieces that transform their spaces. Some of them were surprisingly accessible! Here are a few of my faves...
Designer Tricia Huntley chose the West Elm Origami Coffee Table on sale now for only $319!! What a steal! It is a wee bit small at 28" diameter but the top is bone and at that price....truly a steal with the WOW!
Designer Kyle Schuneman selected what he calls the "little black dress of chairs" with the Hans Wegner wishbone chair at Design Within Reach. (Sorry for the blurry photo...couldn't get a large clear one off the site!)
Designer Dana Lyon chose one of my faves, the Faceted Mirror Side Table from West Elm. It is now on sale for $159...are you kidding? This can go in any room!
Designer John Call selected the Camille tufted linen settee from Restoration Hardware for its versatility. Gorg!
If I could throw my own faves in it would have to be the Jute Chenille Rug by West Elm. It is a go-to in my book and never disappoints!
Do you have any design faves that just always seem to work? I would love to get your inside-secrets!
Good morning! It has been a crazy week/weekend so I was a little light with the bloggin' I also missed a few Monday Morning Book Reviews because with the start of the school year- I think I lost track of my days! Anyway, today that biz is back on! The book I chose today I don't own but intend on buying very soon for my design library:
Good Bones, Great Pieces: The Seven Essential Pieces That Will Carry You Through a Lifetime
"Good Bones, Great Pieces" is written by a mother/daughter duo from my home county of Westchester, NY. What I love about the book is that they give a list of the seven pieces they feel are the most versatile and useable pieces for a home. (I just knew the dresser would be on there! I have used dressers in every room!)
This helps the decorating process whatever stage you are in....first apartment, first home, downsizing, re-decorating, etc. Besides giving the list of essential "great pieces" (you know how I love lists!) the book is also visually inspiring including spaces they have decorated along with other celebrated designers. And for less than $20 on Amazon I will probably be making this purchase real soon! If anyone already has Good Bones, Great Pieces: The Seven Essential Pieces That Will Carry You Through a Lifetime let me know your favorite tidbit!
Pottery Barn is having a major sale on drapes and rugs right now so get your shopping on! And if you are my client, give me a holla because you know I get a discount on top of that sale...and if you're not my client then give me a holla so we can change that and hook you up with this...
The Pottery Barn Beni Ourain Rug......I have lots of Pottery Barn wool rugs and they wear VERY well...mine are going on 9 years old and look brand new....two kids....one dog....husband with big feet.....great quality!
Will show you pics when my curtains come in! If you'd like to place a Pottery Barn order...shoot me an email and I'll hook you up!!
Have you ever noticed that sometimes you'll see the same item, the same pattern or the same fabric popping up all over the place? I feel like that is happening to me! I was at Calico Corners last week fabric shopping for several clients and I took a cutting of this fabric:
It is quite stunning in person. I took a clipping for a pillow possibility. The next day I was doing computer work and catching up on some episodes of my favorite show Sarah's House- not sure which season it is considered but it is the season where Sarah buys a home in a development and then invests about $100,000 in upgrades....(she shows how she spends the upgrades and puts the room together.) Low and behold, what fabric does the uber-talented Sarah pull out to show her side-kick, fellow designer, Tommy? This same fabric!! And she was going to do a whole chair in it!! I die.... I wish I could find a picture of the chair but I can't....anyway you must check out Sarah's site if you haven't - it is chock-full of goodies and an overview of her furniture line which they will ship to the US!
Here is an ottoman of Sarah's since I am an ottoman freak! This ottoman is $1,176 for a 48" x 48" (quite large!) and you can do COM (customer's own material) with no up-charge! Holla!
Oh and if you are interested, Belle & June has free shipping on any purchases over $50...check it outhere! I for one am going to figure out how to use this fabric since it has popped up three times already! It is meant for me.....
So last night I was doing a little shopping on Layla Grace for some clients....mirrors, tables, pillows, etc...of course the true shopper in me can never pass up a SALE tab so I started shopping around....here are some of my faves...
I have always wanted one of these self inking stamp/embosser. There are so many styles available- if you've been wanting one now is the time! And Layla Grace is offering at 15% OFF SALE ITEMS during the month of September with the promo codesaleonsale. Momma's gotta get shopping....order before they sell out and let me know what you get....I like to shop vicariously, too....it is a little easier on the credit card!!
Morning all! I have a few fun things to share this morning. Did anyone know that Restoration Hardware is now doing custom window shades and blinds? Crazy. I personally love that Restoration Hardware trademark look of worn linen, aged leathers and distressed woods. Their pieces all feel like they have a bit of history to them and I love to use RH in my projects. From flipping around online, it looks like their custom shades have the same rich feel....and the price seems fairly reasonable! Check these pics out...
Pretty amazing...right? BTW, this is not an endorsed post- I am just really loving these and wanted to share! Also sharing the new issue of House of Fifty....this issue is all about "Women, Interiors and Fashion"
I am so lucky to do what I love. Today I get to shop for granite counters, vanities, and lighting fixtures for above a kitchen island. Who is luckier than me?
I totally believe in this...
This is what I am loving....two tone granite and large lighting fixtures...
I love how there are three fixtures but since they are lightweight in color and style they don't overwhelm the room...
I am also looking forward to sharing some progress shots with you next week of some of the nifty projects I have been working on! Have a great weekend!
I hope everyone enjoyed their long holiday weekend! I am still recovering from my long weekend and first day back to school! I celebrated my birthday on September 1st so the hubs and I snuck away for a few nights to Mohegan Sun and saw American Idol in concert. Totally loved it and it made me feel like a 17 year old again screaming "I love you Colton" with the 'tweens around me.
We started school yesterday so to I am finally getting back into a little bit of a routine. While of course I adore my kids, I have to admit by the end of the summer I am ready for the schedule and routine to begin. Yesterday I was a little bit like this guy....
Anyway, since this is a design blog, here is a bit of a design update....my amazing sister got me these two books for my birthday....totally loving.... this one is HUGE and the illustrations are great. Haven't popped in the CD with black and white illustrations to use on projects but I hope to this weekend!
If you are a fan of House Beautiful this book is like a condensed version of all my favorite spaces they have featured....great to share with clients for inspirations and style discussions!
And I treated myself to this nifty gadget which I am going to use at my client appointment today....It is about the size of an iPhone only fatter and it ROCKS! I don't know how I lived without this thing!
And I think I may have selected a new couch....I am not ready to purchase just yet but when I am I think I am going to get this beauty from Pottery Barn. What I love about their couches is that you can remove the cushion covers (or slipcovers if you buy a slipcovered couch) and machine wash or dry clean the cushion covers based on the material you select. I don't think I can commit to a couch that says "spot clean only".
I am thinking about the Pottery Barn Carlisle in the upholstered version (no slipcover for the living room...I want to see those beautiful legs!) I am loving it in the Caramel Twill....and at 90.5" with such a narrow arm....you are talking major seating space....just what I am looking for!
