Thursday, August 29, 2013

Fresh + Fun Nursery Design

Happy Thursday! I am thrilled to be designing another nursery, this time with a very different, yet equally beautiful, aesthetic from #southhamptonnursery.  My latest client has hired me to help create a space for her baby boy that includes touches of bold color and pattern.  After our initial consultation and learning more about what she is naturally drawn to, I started working on my design plan.  While I was brainstorming fabrics, I kept coming back to Quadrille's zig zag for it's fun and youthful feel:







In fact, I would be hard-pressed to find a Quadrille textile that wouldn't look good in a nursery or child's room...


One of the elements the client wants to include in the nursery is a twin bed for her son to grow in to.  Right now, she just has the bed frame, so we need a headboard.  I love the handsome feel of a navy tufted headboard:


For my design board, I included Rose Cummings' zebra wallpaper as a possibility for wallpapering the ceiling or walls in.  The navy combined with the light blue and chartreuse in the Biscuit "Pete" bedding she already purchased seemed like a beautiful combination.  As I mentioned above, I also love the green Quadrille zig zag fabric and would love to use it to reupholster her current glider.  There are also two smaller windows in the room, so I picture doing two roman shades lined in a complementary green:



What are your thoughts on Quadrille's youthful textiles?  Do you like the idea of mixing pattern and color here?

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Wedding Wednesday: Aisle + Centerpiece Florals

Happy Wednesday!  I'm so glad the "We Love" series with Albertina is back for fall.  I hope you liked our posts yesterday!  Today's "Wedding Wednesday" topic du jour is florals.  Sam and I are thrilled to be working with Jacin of Lovely Little Details for our wedding flowers.  Although we have an overall vision, we are working together to define and refine the small details.  Our first decision is the wedding aisle florals.  Since our ceremony is planned to be outdoors, I love the idea of just having a small bouquet lining the aisle chairs and keeping the pathway natural:



Attaching a floral arrangement on each aisle chair creates a beautiful frame for the bride as she walks down the aisle:


But I also love the romanticism of petals strewn throughout the walkway...


Lining the aisle with a thick layer of petals makes a bold and beautiful statement...


We are also discussing centerpieces for the reception dinner tables.  I think we've pretty much decided that we're going to do unruly, overflowing florals in shorter vases.  Something similar to these in terms of style:




Did you (or do you plan to) utilize flower petals on your wedding aisle?  
What is your favorite floral style for table centerpieces?

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Albertina Loves: Coastal Living



So happy to be here at The Peak of Tres Chic again!  This is Albertina from Mimosa Lane, back for our seventh installment of the "We Love" series where Sam and I swap posts for the day.  Today Sam and I are focusing on Coastal living and beautiful things for you and your home, because summer hasn't officially ended yet and we need to enjoy those lazy last days of summer.  There are so many beautiful light, bright, and relaxed items out there that reflect that coastal vibe for you and your home!

I think blue and white really capture that relaxed coastal feeling.  This x-bench is perfect for any room (and there are so many materials you can upholster it with over at Ballard Designs).  Of course, we need this Lulu and Georgia lamp that is such a classic. And my go-to in faux florals is Diane James without a doubt- you will forget they are faux and maybe even lean in to smell them on occasaion. 

And for your coastal attire I spotted some amazing deals in this blue and white.  First off, this Tory Burch tunic dress is so chic paired with these perfect sandals (I have posted about them before....and I'm still in love with them.  Even more so now that they are on sale).  Add a cute bangle and clutch and voila! Ready to live it up these last few days of summer.

Come see what Sam's picks are over at Mimosa Lane.

[home || image | Tory Burch dress (on super sale!) | Clutch | Sandals (also on sale!)| Bracelet]

Friday, August 23, 2013

Needing, Wanting, Loving: Bone Inlay

Bone inlay furniture gives a space an exotic vibe, and you can't deny the craftsmanship involved- the pieces are truly one-of-a-kind.  According to my research, the art of bone inlay is specific to the Udaipur region of India, where this meticulous skill is handed down from generation to generation. Three craftsmen are employed to make a piece.  The first hand-carves pieces of bone into delicate shapes; the second affixes those pieces onto a wooden furniture frame in intricate patterns, and the third fills in around the bone with the colored resin background. To create a piece of furniture, the process takes about 3 weeks.   Knowing the amount of time and detail that went in to creating a mirror, dresser, or chair makes the piece all the more special:







I've been contemplating adding a bone inlay dresser or chair to my home for a few months.  However, I haven't had the courage (or, ahem, funds) to shell out 2k just yet.   That's why I was thrilled to find a bone inlay box in lavender at Village Antiques here in Houston last weekend!  I added it in to my bedside decor along with some fresh roses:

{from my instagram}

Want to bring a little bone inlay goodness to your space?  Here are a few fun pieces to love:



I hope you find these pieces as gorgeous as me.  Have a lovely weekend, friends!  

XOXO,
Sam

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Baseball Hat Chic

I know what you're thinking.  That title is a total oxymoron.  Or is it?  Lately, I've been seeing some pretty chic representations of the baseball hat.  Whether dressed down with boyfriend jeans + Converse or paired with a casual sundress and wedges, baseball hats are going beyond just hiding a bad hair day these days...







Shop This Look:

Navy Lion Baseball Hat $24/Splendid Gray T-shirt $53/J Crew Cashmere Sweater $188/Madewell Leather Tote $218/Cropped Boyfriend Jeans $260/Converse $55

As a student, I am definitely a fan of this look.  Let's just hope I can pull it off!
What's your take on the trend?  Chic or not chic?

Monday, August 19, 2013

My Go-To's

After seeing interior designer Maggie of Bellisimo and Bella share her "go-to's" when it comes to decor and design on her blog, I loved the idea and thought I'd share my favorites with you, too!  Every designer has a repertoire of their go-to design elements, and here's a short list of mine:

Shaker-style cabinetry...


It's simple, yet so fresh and chic!  Clean square lines with flat, center panels.  Of course, I love them painted in a white shade with white marble or quartzite countertops.

I'm a big believer that the elements you shouldn't ever skimp on are lighting or drapes.  You can always tell when it was done on the cheap.  So if you are going to "splurge" on one thing, have a reputable workroom make your drapes.  Silk or silk taffeta with a 4-6" puddle are my go-to...


For lighting, my go-to is always Circa Lighting.  They carry beautiful chandeliers, pendants, table lamps, and floor lamps.  We used the small country chandelier in the Richmond townhome I recently revealed:


Abstract paintings are my go-to for artwork.  I have had a lot of luck finding pieces on Etsy or commissioning artists on Etsy.  One of my favorites is Elena's Art Studio:


She does beautiful work at great prices.  Another favorite artist is Kate Mullin.  She does still life, abstract, landscapes, and more:


I also love to routinely browse Segreto Finishes art gallery to see what's new!

{Kirsten McLean painting installed in Sally Wheat's home}

Here are my go-to gray paint colors + trim color:



For classic sisals, my go-to is Pottery Barn.  They have a wide array of choices, and they even have a special Stark collection that resembles the Stark Natura Diamond Rug:


You can see it looks very similar to the Stark Natura carpet we often see in designer interiors (one of my favorites, too!):


So, any go-to's of your own you'd like to share?

Friday, August 16, 2013

The View Through My Lens: 19

It's been a busy few hot summer months here in Houston!  We've been having fun planning the wedding, traveling a bit, and hosting some visitors (like Ms. Sadie + Stella!).  School and design projects are keeping me busy, but I try to take the time to enjoy the little things I see when out and about.  Like some gorgeous roses...


a fab gallery wall at J. Crew...


an antique bust at Jean-Marc Fray in Austin...


a tassel keychain from Biscuit Home...


Neon arrows + enlarged Slim Aarons photo in the latest room I finished for #projectrosecreek... I've been referring to it as a "man cave," but I feel like it's become so much more than that!


staying cool in the Houston heat with strawberry popsicles...


and prepping my #southhamptonnursery project for this subtle yet chic wallcovering from Cole & Son...


How has your summer been?  Are you excited for fall, or not yet ready to toast goodbye to summer?  I'm somewhere in the middle.

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