Catching Anthro spring fever...

I usually start catching spring fever this time of year! I start scheming a few remodeling projects in my home and I will plan on getting new furniture and accessories after looking over the new spring catalogs....which are now arriving daily in the mail! This year, Anthropologie has caught my attention with their fresh new blue wallpaper, antique reproduction mirrors and lovely French furniture. In fact, I suggest visiting a nearby Anthropologie if you want to be inspired to decorate. They have the most creative displays of home décor from bedding to cabinet knobs. Below are a few of my favorites:

I am loving this gray lacquer desk with brass/glass square knobs.
The chair is also fabulously feminine!

Wall paper that resembles old world tile. I had to
take a double look to confirm this wall was really papered!

 

Different patterns of blue wallpaper on stairs.

One of my favorite headboards! It was inspired from
a carved boiseries in France from the17th century.

This floor mirror looks like an authentic antique piece.
This would make a statement in any room!

Art that I heart..

The most important part of decorating a home is using elements that have sentimental meaning to you. It could be as simple as adding your grandmother's dining table or displaying that awesome painting that you bought on vacation. Personally, I love to add original art to my rooms...partly because I'm an art major! I really feel that every piece tells a story and sets the mood for a room. Here are a few of my favorites that I have pinned on my Pinterest page.

I'm a big fan of Ellen Kelley McHale's whimsical style!
You can check out more of her art on her website, Nelly Kelly

 

 

Karen Fields is a former graphic designer who is an expert on color.
Her paintings radiate happiness! For more info, visit Karen Fields Studio on Etsy.

 

 Check out the Off The Map Art on Etsy. This is a wonderful mixed media collection
by the talented Leslie DeRose who paints travel theme art on vintage maps.

 

Illustration by Janet Hill. This artist is also the author of the popular Miss Moon books. All of her detailed illustrations seem so realistic as each tells an interesting story.

 

Let the games begin...

The party has started! Football fever is running wild here in the US. Fans are passionate about their teams and are predicting huge wins. In honor of football, I am posting some of my favorite man caves. I found these ideas on Pinterest, which is overflowing with tips and some very creative ideas for football themed parties. Here's hoping your team wins!

 Garage transformed into "man cave". Love how ceiling is painted red.

 Great idea for re-purposing those empty liquor bottles.

 Nothing spectacular about this one but bar area here is great.

 

 Another use for old corks. Protect those walls!

 The scoreboard fixture in ceiling is awesome!

My favorite idea...using old shoes, cleats for an over-sized clock.

Loving this Fixer Upper till the cows come home

Did you catch the latest episode of HGTV's Fixer-Upper last Tuesday night?

If not, it was a great episode where the Gaines once again worked their magic

on another "hopeless case" house...this time it was a barn!

 

Loving the simplicity of the front. A true modern
farmhouse makeover in black and white color theme.

 My favorite part of the kitchen was the B/W tile backsplash with concrete counters.

An unusual entry with a dining hall banquet style for entertaining.
Loving the oversized light fixtures.

 A modern staircase with wrought iron railings.
Great contrast of new black railings with old white shiplap on the walls.

This front door is a favorite of mine because
it lets the light shine through the house.

Simple work area with a modern floating desk and built in bookcase under the stairwell.

For more info on this barn makeover, check out Fixer Upper on HGTV.

Opposite attraction

I have a client that wants to discard a modern piece of art because she doesn't think it matches her traditional antique furniture. I say "No way! We can work modern into your predominate traditional themed house.". Actually, designers mix and match styles all the time. Sometimes we have to mix it up because of budget restrictions. But, most of the time, it's done because it is far more interesting to add the unexpected. Here are a few of my favorite examples of how opposites attract....

I like how Designer Lisa Hilderbrand painted the brick wall to focus
on the art and furniture (Traditional Home).

 

Love this traditional entry table paired with a great piece of abstract art
by Virginia artist Kiki Slaughter from My Notting Hill (Southern Living)

Incorporating modern into a nursery (Pinterest)

 

 Great example of mixing modern art, lighting and furniture into a traditional
house with molded ceilings by Designer, Tish Mills  (Traditional Home)

Timeless treasures for sale...

Lately, I've been busy selling some of my antique treasures online. Over the years, I've collected so many pieces from inheritance to also picking up a few items at auctions. On top of that, I still have tons of "leftovers" from the Charlotte and Rock Hill stores. When I realized that I could not fit anything else into my storage unit, I went into full panic mode and started photographing and posting like a mad woman! Below are a few of my "for sale" gems...

Set of 5 antique china RC Versailles finger bowls made in

Germany from 1891-1906 for sale on Etsy.

 

Gray vintage bachelor's chest. You might remember this piece from the store.

It's been safely packed and tucked away in storage for the past couple of months.

It's listed on Chairish.

 

Vagabond Thermos vintage ice chest. This was my Grandfather's from the 1940's.

It's in pretty good condition considering age.

It's also listed on Chairish.

 

Vintage Porcelier China Teapot made in the 1930's for sale on Etsy

 

Iron loop chairs for sale. These are reproductions that I purchased for a client
who decided against them because of lack of space. Feel free to contact me
if you are interested (brushed_bureau@comporium.net)