My Latest Obsessions

Happy New Year! 

I started off today wondering if anyone would read this if I only spoke about shower caddies- didn't think so.  My two latest obsessions are shower caddies and this stunning lighting made from Italian glass.

Obsession #1:
Shower Caddies are absolutely a bizarre thing to be in love with, but I currently am.  My shower is always in disarray with shampoo bottles, soap, razors- it drives me crazy.  Mostly when I am installing a shower with tile, I build in the shelves, but I think I love these wire shower baskets more.  (3) of them in the corner of my shower would be divine!  I love the other too!

Obsession #2:

Look at the photos...need I say more?   When I redo my master bath, I am definitely using the sky glass...LOVE-LOVE-LOVE.  Looking at them seriously makes my heart race!  They put off such beautiful light.

Green Everywhere!

I get so many magazines but don't always look through them right away.  Last night, I came across the September issue of Martha Stewart Living.  I am still looking at it this morning.  I scanned the photos so you can see her collection of Jadeite- which I totally love!  I haven't been too agressive collecting it but have acquired a few pieces that I managed to steal from my sister Anne.  After drooling over these photos...I am inspired to start my search.    Look at the Sunbeam  mixer- how cool is that!

Save Money for Art!

Hi!  Happy New Year to All! 
Hopefully the New Year will bring me more time to Blog...

I'm going to start of the year talking about art.  So many think of it as an after thought when decorating.  It is soo important though and cheap art (there's a lot of it out there) can ruin a decor (as can lighting but thats for a later date).
You should put a lot of thought into the artwork you hang on your walls.  It is a great way to make your house your own by choosing subject matters that interest you.  The art in my own home is so special to me because I know every artist- my sister Anne, my son Daniel, my niece Katie and my friends Madeline and Rob Longstreet (Longstreet Collection). 
Here are some photos of art I just installed for a client- Titled "Three Panel Flowering Dogwood" (Longstreet Collection)

We needed a large piece on this wall- Longstreet Collection is known for their oversized botanical prints which have been showcased in homes of many celebrities around the world.  Anyway, this client lives on a beautiful farm surrounded by nature.  These prints brought nature into the home.



Before Installation





After Installation (new area rug also)



ANOTHER BEFORE AND AFTER KITCHEN

BEFORE AND AFTER KITCHEN

Big Advice

Last weekend I spent a lot of time sitting on my deck looking through magazines- the weather was so beautiful!  The May issue of House Beautiful had a lot of great design tips so I thought I'd share and add a little too....

TOO MANY CHAIR AND TABLE LEGS CAN MAKE A ROOM "NERVOUS".  A SKIRTED PIECE OR TWO WILL MAKE IT FEEL GROUNDED
If you have a sofa and two chairs in a room, skirt the chairs and put legs on the sofa or vice versa

ONE PAIR OF PILLOWS LOOKS SKIMPY, USE TWO PAIRS IN CONTRASTING PATTERNS, COLORS, AND TEXTURES
and sizes

THE MOST INDESTRUCTIBLE FABRIC FOR DINING CHAIRS IS LEATHER OR VINYL
There are so many great looking faux leathers right now..They are my favorites for dining chairs or barstools

LOVE YOUR CLOSETS.  PAINT THEM, PAPER THEM, HANG PICTURES IN THEM TO INSPIRE YOU.  AND DEFINITELY LIGHT THEM.
I hang some of my kids art work in the closets...I love to open the hall closet and see the monkey painting Marianna did in third grade

SMALL SCALE FURNITURE ONLY MAKES A SMALL ROOM LOOK SMALLER.  TRY A HIGH BED AND A TALL HEADBOARD.  YOUR ROOM WILL GROW.
I love to wallpaper powder rooms.  Even if it is a small space, hang a big bold print.

CURTAINS ARE LIKE RUNWAY DRESSES. THE TALLER THE BETTER.
If you have an 8' ceiling, hang the pole right under the crown moulding

USE A RUG INSTEAD OF A BATH MAT.  IT WAS MADE TO WITHSTAND A LOT MORE WEAR THAN THE OCCASIONAL WET FOOT.

YOU NEVER GET TIRED OF A WHITE ROOM.

THE MOST VERSATILE COFFE TABLE YOU'LL EVER OWN IS AN OTTOMAN TOPPED WITH A TRAY.
I personally have one of these..though I wish my kids (all four of them if you know what I mean) didn't just dump the tray on the floor when they want to put their feet on it..

NOTHING SOFTENS A LONELY CORNER IN A BIG ROOM LIKE A POTTED TREE
Just make sure it's alive and pretty...and light it up with a $7.00 uplight from IKEA!  So cozy

My Favorite Things....

There are just some things I can't live without!
 
1.  Kenneth Turner Candles- they smell amazing

2.  Casablanca Lilies- they also smell amazing and are beautiful....one bundle from flower row goes a long way

3. Annie Glass- I love the silver and gold plates and bowls, so classic- the ruffled bowl is on my wish list

4.  All things down...everyone (who isn't allergic) should have the heavenly bed...feather bed, down comforter and a lot! of down pillows...

5. white orchids...and lots of them...I can never get mine to regrow but they last for at least three months and look beautiful

6.  Uplights from IKEA...I have them all over my house...they come in all different sizes and range in price from $7.00- $15.00

7.  Magazines....Traditional Home, Veranda, House Beautiful...oh and People

8.  Reflections Glass Tile from Dal...I love it but I have to stop using it!  It is simple, comes in a lot of colors and reflects with undercabinet lighting so beautifully (also shown in the kitchen photo posted on my "welcome to my blog" post)

9.  Gwen Frostic Notes...so simple, inexpensive, but so pretty and perfect for any occasion

10.  Green things...my kitchen and family room are mostly shades of brown and white but filled with subtle green accents...which I love!