creole thrift

When I'm doing research for a project I start with a folder on my desktop called "design inspiration." It's full of random images I've collected over the years - my pre-Pinterest solution to saving digital images. Colors, interiors, typefaces… I scroll through them making notes and attempting to sketch a layout. And then I step away from the computer completely. Hurts my eyes and everything can start looking the same! Time to look around the house, open drawers, open books, and get the mind cooking. I was brainstorming on a job this week and found an old favorite book tucked away. Creole Thrift. I remember my mom brought it to our house in Beersheba and I was consumed with it all weekend. I loved the design and the layout and all the quirkiness within. 

The author, Angele Parlange writes about her growing up in a plantation house in Louisiana. The house is beautiful and moody inside. She gives ideas on printing fabric, sewing shower curtains with home photos, and reupholstering junk. "Premium Southern Living Without Spending a Mint." Isn't that adorable? Although they were clever, I never did any of her crafty ideas. What appealed to me was just her storytelling, the colorful personality, and the texture of the images in the book. Made me feel good.

So I got totally distracted from the project I was working on and ended up flipping through the book all over again for at least an hour. Easily distracted? Yep. But, I did come away with some ideas in the end. At least I think I did. Even with all the beauty online, books remain my go to for creative inspiration. And pink roses on your desk certainly don't hurt either.

not quite fall

I'm ready for Fall. Got my boots out, sweaters down from the closet, and made some pumpkin bread this morning. Now, if only the weather would cooperate. It's like a high of 94 today and my feet are practically getting a tan underneath my desk window. Durn.

It's fine I guess. At least last week was better and we were able to step foot outside and enjoy our new patio. Oh, except that we don't have any patio furniture.Whoops. So, since we couldn't exactly sit and relax outside, not that we could do that with a 2 year old anyway, we decided to finally clean the garage. It was one filthy, messy thing. So we pulled everything out, swept like mad, and even decorated her a bit on the outside. Old girl is feeling mighty fine now! You know, there is some real satisfaction in working on a house. Our list has seemed so long and daunting, but you just gotta chip away at it and boy does it feel fabulous when you do cross something off. I even got around to filling all my Ikea frames with stuff, buying a front door fern, and fluffing up the place a bit. Now all I need is some visitors. Hint, hint my friends :)

bathroom re-do : part 1

The thing about buying a new house is you go in with all these expectations. Things you want, things you don't want in a home. It's so personal. Then, if you're me, reality sets in and you quickly realize you can't have all the lovely things you want. I wanted a house that was pretty much ready to go. It didn't have to be big, didn't have to be fancy or new, but I didn't want to buy a fixer upper. Fast forward a few months and we've kinda bought ourselves a fixer upper. Yep, apparently I was looking for a challenge and just didn't know it!

The master bathroom is our first project and demo started the day after we closed. Because we were on such a tight timeline before move in it's all gone pretty fast. It's a really small space, but it's been a bit stressful for a newbie re-doer like me. All was going smoothly and looking good, until I made my first mistake. We picked a classic basket-weave tile for the floor. Easy enough and it looked amazing once they laid it all out. Then they asked me to pick a grout color. I reached for the gray, they reached for the white, I studied a second, they said use white, I said ok, and it was decision made. Except that once it was all grouted… I knew it was all wrong. I totally should have used gray. The white makes the basket-weave less pronounced and the whole reason I picked that tile was because I looooved that pattern. Well, hells-bells. The one time I didn't pick up the phone to ask my mom a question and this was it. Always listen to your instinct, not the contractors. They are not interior designers. Lesson learned loud and clear… it's all in the details. I'm just sure I'll make more mistakes, but c'est la vie. Still, this is going to be one good lookin' bathroom we can call our very own.

Here she is before - lovely orange walls & frosted windows into the living room

… and here's some of what we're working with. cross your fingers for me please

the nursery

I was over at my friend Katie's this weekend checking out her nursery. The sheets were on the crib, the changing table all set up, and rows of teeny-tiny clothing were all washed and hung in the closet. Everything in place just waiting for the arrival of baby Hitt. I got home and started to get Moosh settled in for her afternoon nap. I drew the curtains and turned on the noise machine and we rocked. Same chair and same crib, but not the same nursery. Not the same spot I brought home the nugget to. Not that she knows the difference, but it made me nostalgic over my the sweet little Greenville nursery I'd worked so hard on. I nested and prepped and bought a few special things just for that space. It was nothing designer or fancy, but it was our spot and I  lurved it so. We clocked a lot of hours in that room and I'll never forget it. So, even though this is a bit past due I thought I'd share some images I took before we moved.

30A Style

While we were at the beach momma picked up a copy of her friends new book, 30A Style. Inside it shows this scenic highway in Florida where the New Urbanist movement really exploded along the coast. Seaside kinda started it all, but it's grown like crazy from there. But, back to the book! It's a peek inside some of these beach homes. Some are really fancy and beautiful, but my favorites are the ones with a little character. Not overdone or too staged. These are spaces that you truly want to live in.

 

…and then there's this lake cottage I may be a bit partial towards. Okay fine, I am partial because, I know the lovely folks that live here. But seriously, even if I didn't know them it would still be my favorite. Everything just seems so comfortable and inviting. Like you want to shimmy up to the counter with a cocktail and watch the chef do her thing. That's my kinda place. And the marble countertops, the yellow Le Creuset, and the cherry bar… oh, and the sleeping puppy… yessiree, don't mind if I do.

mayme baker's

I knocked one of the things off my Gville bucket list and went to Mayme Baker's store with a friend (hi Mary Bennett!). I went with full intention of looking, not buying, but what did I do? I bought. The good thing is I think I totally scored with this purchase. Only 35 bucks for this killer necklace. Big and gold and shiny. Yes, please. Think I'm going to wear it while I pack.

town greenville

I love flipping through the local paper & magazines, but most of the ones here disappoint. Sorry, Greenville News. However, I've kind of fallen for a new one called TOWN. Features on local artists, restaurants, and general cool things going on. One showed a place called Grits & Groceries and now I'm definitely planning a drive to the country. Anyway, I know most people skip right over the ads, but not moi and one of 'em (by Lindsay Carmody) caught my eye. So I went to her site and saw more of this friendly kitchen. Sure wish that window shade could make its way to my house.

design by nanny

Our little bungalow, while wonderful & charming is pretty small. Now, I like a cozy, lived in house with lots of stuff, but this is pushing it. And with baby girl around it's gotten crazy cramped. Plus we had no area outside the nursery for her to sit and play. I was constantly piling blankets on the hard wood floors to try and create a space and then cleaning it up at the end of every day.

So, since I was super busy and had no extra time I sensibly decided we needed a makeover. Naturally. Carlisle, my nanny, and I got straight to work moving everything around. She's amazing and the next thing I knew the house was in complete shambles as we switched rugs, moved furniture, changed lighting, and then switched it around some more. Hmmm, I knew this girl had an eye for interiors when every day the tv was tuned in to HGTV. Nanny / decorator / future med-school student, you could say I lucked out at the grocery store that fateful day. It's nothing fancy, but I can't even tell you how much better my house looks and now I'm wishing I had before+after pics. My husbands face, like what in the world have you been doing, was classic.

 {the new playroom with my downward facing dog baby cakes}

 To top of my new arrangement, my recent purchase, a little owl lamp from Target now had a spot. I was a little unsure when he arrived. Kinda quirky and larger than I'd expected, but now I adore him and smile every time I come and go.

interior dreams

Last Sunday was dreary and raining so when the baby went down for her morning nap, so did I. And when I woke up an hour later I was looking around my room wishing someone would sweep in and give me a re-do. I mean it's fine, but nothing special. Nothing like these bedroom shots I saw in Lonny.

The reality is we're not here for too much longer. Our house is adorable, but it's tiny. And more than anything, it's not ours. I definitely tried to make it cute, but knowing it's a temporary rental really put a damper on my decorating dreams. Maybe the next house, hubs? Crossing my fingers.

ps: guess I was onto something about Nashville being "the coolest" 'cause anthro agrees.

photos from lonny + decor8

the velvet tete-a-tete

Except for minor touch ups & tiny details the "new room", as we call it, at my parents home is finally finished. No more staining the floors 3 or 4 times and causing everyone, including one blind dog, to tromp through the side door. No more doors slamming, deadlines missed, and countless details to attend to. No more paint fumes smelling up the kitchen. And no more reggae blasting from the painters radio outside (though I rather liked that part). Whew! Now on to furnishing.

{obviously still a work in progress, but these two chairs are kind of perfect}

Momma & I have been playing decorator on my visits home. Moving furniture around, holding up paint colors, and flipping through magazines as we tear out inspiration. So fun, but I'm afraid I'm not a huge help. My artistic brain is quite opinionated, but not that helpful with interior design ideas. We were going in circles on seating. That is until we discovered this fabulous photo. I was taken with her outfit, but momma had her eye on that sofa. Turquoise velvet in a cool lounge shape. Ah-mazing. We figured the pretty lady sitting on it, being a southerner, might just give us some insider info if we asked nicely. Sure enough, her kind husband did. It's a vintage Edward Wormley by Dunbar. I can just imagine us lounging gracefully on each side and taking in the view. Somehow it needs to find it's way home and into the new room!

{photo from here}

entryway

I tear our stuff from magazines all the time. I have intentions of organizing all the tear sheets into nice file folders, but the truth is they end up scattered around my house. Anyway, I tore out this pretty spread because of the great entryway. Our bungalow is very similar in that it doesn't have an entry hall. It just opens straight into the living room and we're always dropping things on the chair or dining table. This is much more stylish. Think I need to copy this girl.

{The golden retriever doesn't hurt either}

And her office makes me feel hopelessly unorganized. Making a note to get my act together asap. Maybe this afternoon. Better yet, maybe tomorrow.

photos from amy meier

favorite store

So we were casually walking around Rockefeller Center on our big trip and out of the corner I spotted the familiar logo. The one that makes my heart go pitter-pattern. Oh, how I love Anthropologie. It did not disappoint. The window displays were ridiculous. I could've wandered around for hours, but hubs waited patiently with my coat and bags while I tried to see it all in only a few minute. And I contained myself to one sweater, a top on sale and a baby dress. Yes, they even had a children's area. Sweet as pie.

happy home

I love happy spaces where you just want to take a seat and stay a while. This room totally fits the bill. Remember when I won some things from that cute store called Alice Lane? Well I checked out the blog and saw a room they just renovated for Stepanie Nie. Stephanie's blog is adorable and her story is amazing. She and her husband survived a plane crash last year. They are such a deserving family and hopefully this new space will bring them even more joy. I would hang out in this basement any ole time.

photos via alice lane

modern style

Organized chaos. I think that describes my style. As my husband can attest, I love a lot of stuff. But, sometimes a really pared down, minimal interior is appealing to me too. I could never pull it off, but I admire those that do. Anyway, I saw this cool modern house featured on design*sponge. And low and behold, the owner lives in Nashville + she has a fun blog called party perfect. Lot's of pretty party inspiration to check out. So fun to discover interesting people in your city!


Check out the play room… I would love to crawl in that tee-pee.

sixx design

I've succombed to yet another Bravo reality show. What is my deal? It's a serious problem, but at least I'm quick to admit my weakness. That should count for something. Anyway, I've had this image on my computer for a long time. I have no idea where it came from, but I'm in love with the yellow shutters + yellow curtains. Well I've come to find out this friendly looking couple, have a design business (sixx design) and a new show. 9 by Design. Hubs and I watched the preview episode last night and were fascinated by their business. Oh and they have 7 children. Yes, you heard me right that's seven. Yowza. I'll be tuning in.

bedroom dilema

Our bedroom is currently in a state of confusion. The curtains are too long, our new bed fills up the entire room, the rug doesn't go, my side tables are hideous, and hubs claims the bedspread from Anthropologie is like one of the tapestries I had in college. Harumph. I'm not a fabulous decorator by any stretch of the means, but I do think I have a pretty decent eye. Which is why it drives me batty to walk in there and feel like nothing works. I have been keeping a file of bedroom images from magazines and blogs and hopefully it will transpire into something glorious. Though I'm secretly hoping that when my mom & aunt Louise {who's an interior designer} come for a visit next month, they will be the ones to turn my mess into greatness. Or at the very least, something presentable… pretty please! We shall see.

images via domino * house beautiful * and unknown (so sorry!)

new additions

I've been waiting on this little number for months now. My grandmother was sweet enough to give me an old wing chair of theirs a few years ago. Only problem was it was pretty sad looking. The fabric was torn around the edges of the arms and let's just say it had "browned" over the years. I kept it in my bedroom for a couple years, with clothes piled on top to hide it's pitiful appearance.



Well, no more hiding. The chair got a face lift and it's so much happier. Now he just beams and kinda smiles back at me. Look how pretty he is! I found the fabric on sale in Nashville and had a little woman my mom knows, create a slip cover. I adore the sassy birds and sort of mexican style pattern. It suites my office just fine and has become a good spot to read and sip tea!

And another little nugget for my office : a hummingbird paper weight. My momma was in NY, so Christmas came a bit early for moi! Well this isn't just any ole paperweight. It's so cool and I find myself staring at it sometimes, like it's a crystal ball. That sounds weird, but I don't lie. It's by John Derian, who I now covet. I checked out their site and it is full of whimsical collages and ephemera. Kind of reminds me of some of our tenn hens designs in fact.

I especially love the petit fours wrapping paper + bird trays :