Ivy & Piper Shoppable mag....GENIUS!

So we survived blizzard Nemo or whatever they named this most recent attack from Mother Nature on the bewildered East Coast. Where I live we got about 12" of snow. The winds never progressed as they thought they would and thankfully we didn't lose power. I sort of could have predicted that we wouldn't lose power because we got our generator delivered this past Tuesday (just a side note...we bought it after losing power for over a week after Sandy in November 2012 and it just arrived...)


As the delivery guy was lowering it into our shed I whispered to my husband..."this will pretty much insure that we won't lose power for another 5 years!" You know how those things work......

Source: mashable.com via Mark on Pinterest

Anyway, no school/work on Friday due to the storm so I was busy mommy-ing and on my computer this weekend with client work. Much to my surprise, Sunday evening I received this little Aussie pretty in my inbox:

They had me at "Summer".....and Navy....I am totally dying to do a navy room! But seriously, I do always enjoy when Ivy & Piper comes into my email.  And it looks like they stepped it up again- their newest issue is a SHOPPABLE LOOKBOOK! So clever! So sneaky...I can actually get into trouble this way!

I think my favorite spread is on page 30 where Ivy & Piper features a gallery wall and you can actually shop for almost all the art! I am high on the hunt for artwork for a client so I was clicking my heart out!




If you haven't wandered over to Ivy & Piper- get yourself over there! And you can subscribe so you are lucky enough to get this little pretty in your inbox!

Roman shades of the sort...

Things have been nutty but great! In the last two weeks I signed two new clients and I am getting uber-busy! Sorry I neglect the blog a bit but my customers get my full attention and sometimes I have trouble getting all wordy for you guys.

Anyway, a main sore spot for clients lately seems to be window treatments. They seem to get very overwhelmed and simply stick to the paper shades until they bring me in for some support. For two clients I am currently recommending some beautiful roman shades.

So, as inspiration I spent some time over at Houzz collecting some beautiful images. Here are the main things I consider when designing roman shades. Choose a fabric- one that will look good when the shades are pulled all the way up or down...usually a fabric without a very large pattern or repeat. You also have to think about the liner and choose the appropriate liner for light control. Another decision to contend with is the placement of the roman shade.And that is where photos come in handy!

Here we are with a wall mounted roman shade hung high up outside the window frame...closer to the ceiling....this designer knocked it out of the park over the picture window by using one large valance covering three smaller shades. Shows continuity but functions well because each window can be adjusted individually. Gorg!

Traditional Kitchen design by Other Metro Interior Designer Anna Baskin Lattimore Design

Now these little beauties are hung within the window frame. This technique shows off the beautiful molding but does keep some of the window covered at all times...depends on your needs and wants for the room. I love the bold pattern against the white trim!

Traditional Hall design by Boston Window Coverings Fabrika Drapery Workroom

I love this little pair because these roman shades are hung with a coordinating cornice box. Very neat...very tailored...great detail!

Eclectic Bedroom design by Atlanta Interior Designer Liz Williams Interiors

And then there are these puppies that are hung all the way up at the ceiling! Talk about drama!

Eclectic Bedroom design by Los Angeles Interior Designer Hillary Thomas Designs

Needless to say when addressing roman shades there are OPTIONS! I always have them custom made...in the world of roman shades, you get what you pay for so some of the retail options that are more affordable seem to malfunction or break rather easily. Window treatments are ALWAYS an investment in a room but, if done right, well worth the visual impact! Off to put together mood boards on the very same idea...

Really...Pier 1?

So I popped into Pier 1 the other day to pick up some tables I have been loving which are now on clearance....(more on these later...)

Pier 1 Greek Key Nesting Tables

and I happened to spot this when I walked in....the Natura Writing Desk....LOVE....

And then I bumped into this gorgeous glittery gal....the Crisanto Hall Chest....yum....

And just when I thought I had had enough.....I spotted this hanging with a bunch of other chests of drawers.....I mean I could just die that Pier 1 with their worldly exotic vibe is putting out a linen-upholstered chest AND ME WANTS! (If not for myself, then for a client...so if you hire me...I might have to sneak this in your home....with 15% off I might add!) It is the Lexford 3-Drawer Chest...it even has a snooty name! And this photo does not do it justice! Great as a pair of nightstands...entry chest...hall chest...just about anywhere!

And I also am considering these two for some manly office or den....what do you think...also on clearance....

Pier 1 Passport Chest

And then this beast....also on clearance...the Chadwell Faux Leather Chest....gorgeous...

So what do you think...is it just me or is Pier1 totally stepping up their design game? Have I got you running to your nearest Pier1? Damn, I should have negotiated some sort of commission.....just let me know what you buy so I can feel some sort of satisfaction! Happy Shopping!

Mary McDonald for Schumacher

So last week I went over to the D&D building for a little shopping....I was focused mainly on fabrics and wallpaper and as usual....did not leave empty handed! I saw some beautiful goodies from Kravet, Duralee, Clarence House, Ralph Lauren, Kathryn Ireland, Jasper, Sister Parish and of course, Schumacher...(I'll share some pics later once I get it all unpacked!) Now my office looks a bit like this...

Source: statigr.am via STEVE MADDEN on Pinterest

In any case, the very next day, I received some exciting news from Schumacher...Mary McDonald (of Million Dollar Decorators) has launched her own collection with Schumacher. Now, I didn't see any of it when I was there the day before...perhaps I was on a fabric high and just didn't notice...although it would have been nice of someone has given me a heads up while I was there...I would have loved an advanced sneak peek! Anyway, here is some eye candy for you to enjoy....

From the Schumacher website...
"Mary McDonald, one of today’s most sought after and celebrated designers, has created a collection exclusively for Schumacher. Blending her love of Chinoiserie, color and bold patterns Mary reinterprets traditional textile designs in a clean and graphic style. Enhanced through dramatic scale this collection brings a strong sense of glamour and sophistication to any space.

Exquisite cut velvets, matelassé and delicately detailed linen prints are embellished with embroidered tapes and appliques creating a sumptuous and elegant mix. Color adds both softness and intensity in clear shades of orange, jade green, aquamarine and blush pink or rich hues of bittersweet brown, ruby red and jet black. "

Chinoiserie........to die....I would line my walls with these fabric panels....



Exquisite appliques for pillows....draperies...upholstery...etc....

Here are some of my favorite fabrics all compliments of Mary McDonald of Schumacher....

     

For more yummies go visit Schumacher. These items are available to the trade only so if you interested, send me a shout!

Thinking about starting a business?

I started Homestyling101 several years ago while in the midst of diapers, potty training, sleep training (did I mention that took 6 years for my daughter?) etc, etc. I started very timidly, very slowly and I was very naive. I had never worked for another Interior Designer so I was new to the ins and outs of starting a small business.

Source: Uploaded by user via Red Instead on Pinterest

When I started, I focused mostly on home staging and vacant properties because I felt that was a very targeted market and I wasn't quite ready to tackle large and continuous design projects or the world of wholesale. Needless to say- it was all "on the job training" since they teach you very little about business in design school.

Source: marykatemcdevitt.blogspot.com via Anne-Lie on Pinterest

And that brings me to today's lesson....I am going to share this amazing series from one of my favorite blogs, Hyphen Interiors, where designer Kristy Swain talks about the details of starting your own design business. It is an 8 part series covering all the important stuff! Boy, if I'd had these when I started, you'd be watching me on Bravo right about now....

Source: youtu.be via Ross on Pinterest

Anyway, for those of you considering starting your own business...or in the midst of it- this is a great overview of what you need to do.....and of course, it varies from state to state and this girl's a brilliant designer, not an accountant or a lawyer so stop with the expectations....but she tells you like it is from a small business owner's perspective and that is priceless.

Definitely worth checking out...and subscribing for all the juicy design deets she shares on the regular! And Kristy, thanks for all the time you put into this series...you are going to help many small business owners get started!

I have issues...House Beautiful Feb 2013

Is anyone else drooling over the February 2013 House Beautiful? The cover is just so vibrant and gorgeous!

House Beautiful Feb 2013

And flipping through the pages is just as delicious. One of my favorite sections of every House Beautiful is the Color section where they feature favorite paint colors. In this issue they feature favorite colors for painted furniture! Brilliant! Here are a few of the faves mentioned...and what I love most is that you can search the color on Pinterest and see some amazing examples of people who have used that color!

1. Benjamin Moore Onyx (photo pinned from Carmen Murphy-Cicin)

Source: Uploaded by user via Carmen on Pinterest

2. Sherwin Williams Real Red.....Always a sucker for this color....photo via Jennifer Galbraith

Source: houzz.com via Dawn on Pinterest

3. California Paint in Clementine...so tasty via Amy Campbell

Source: thisoldhouse.com via Ashley on Pinterest

4. Benjamin Moore Patriot Blue...via Angie Ortberg

Source: hudsonbabydesign.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

5. Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue...this one is all over Pinterest as a fab wall color...here is one of my fave pics...via Genia Kudolis

Source: dulcious.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Check out House Beautiful Feb 2013 for more deliciousness! 

Have you painted any furniture? Do you have any favorite colors...please share...I am getting inspired!

Ready for 2013...sort of!

Hi all! I am back from my unannounced, unscheduled hiatus and I am ready to tackle 2013! On January 1st, 2013, I woke up early and wrote down my goals...I listed personal goals and then business goals. They were great....well thought-out...measurable....quantifiable and relevant. Only one problem...now I can't find them...

Source: someecards.com via Joanne on Pinterest

Which has lead me to re-write them. Now I am down to one big goal...GET ORGANIZED!

Source: someecards.com via Joanne on Pinterest

I digress....I have been a reader of Tobi Fairley's blog for a while now. (For those of you who don't know her, Ms. Fairley is an extraordinary Interior Designer and she has had one of the most spectacular years...both professionally and personally.)

Besides her fantastic posts on design deliciousness, I also have come to covet her posts on confidence, life solutions, motivation and ORGANIZATION. Ms. Fairley not only grew her business to amazing heights but she lost 38 pounds in the process. So here is Ms. Fairley's latest post on organization with a 21 Day Organization Challenge from Holiday Sparkle:






#10 scares the living cr#p out of me...this step may take me 21 days alone but I am up for the challenge! And when I find my original list of Goals for 2013...I'll be sure to share! Happy Organizing!

Let me know if you are up for the 21 Day Challenge...I hate doing things alone :(