Living large outdoors with HGTV Smart Home 2016

Outdoor spaces are becoming the new family room. And, Tiffany Brooks designed the perfect outdoor living area for this year's HGTV Smart Home. This home features an awesome outdoor screened in porch with retractable patio doors, automatic skylights and screens. This space has all the necessities and extras. A few of my favorite design features are....

This fabulous living wall of succulents framing colorful abstract artwork.

Upholstered furniture is slipcovered...a necessity for outdoor furniture!

Double sided stone fireplace which also serves the master bedroom.

Herringbone "faux hardwood" patterned floor

Retractable skylights let in light and can be closed to control temperature during daytime.

The best part about the HGTV Smart Home is that you can enter to win it! Check out HGTV's site for your chance to own this fabulous home located in Raleigh, NC.

Ready, set, bid....

Are you familiar with Emily Henderson, HGTV Design Star, author and stylist? I've been a fan of hers since watching her win Design Star. I love her unique and quirky style of mixing different styles of vintage accessories/furniture. She rocks in my opinion because she is not afraid to do the unexpected! And, right now, you can bid on-line for a few of her vintage finds on Chairish. Here are few of my favorites up for bid....

Pink isn't just for Panthers....

I'm not sure if the color Pink is my style. However, I do know that Pink seems to be really hot right now in the interior design world and I do think this trend will be popular for awhile. I couldn't resist doing a post on this trend since spring is finally here and pink is everywhere. Some of my "favs" below....

 

Nice pink headboard paired with gold patterned décor. (Four Chairs)

Love this vintage inspired wood chair! (One Kings Lane)

Mod interior mixed with several pastel colors by Max Attenborough

This pink wallpaper would look awesome on an accent wall. (Anthropologie)

Traditional room done in pink, green and gold. (Better Homes and Gardens)

Thanks for asking!

I've had a few former customers ask if I'm going to open a new physical shop location anytime soon. And, the honest answer is..."I am still taking a break". The painted furniture business had taken it's toll....over a decade of painting furniture! However, I am missing owning and operating a store front. Not sure if I will continue to go the Blacklion route since I seem to have a lot of antiques to sell. Believe me, my storage unit is packed to full capacity! Meanwhile, I will keep everybody in the loop via this blog when I decide to open a new store. I really appreciate all the love and support that I've received over the years!!

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.