Happy Thanksgiving

image via

Happy Thanksgiving.

I hope you have a wonderful day surrounded by loved ones.

xoxoxo,

Daniela 

Blue Toile Bedroom

Oh my...wouldn't you LOVE to snuggle into this bedroom this holiday? I wish this was my guest room for my own guests this week...actually, I just wish this was my bedroom. So warm. So handsome.

Photo by Ron Blunt, Design by Mary Douglas Drysdale, via Traditional Home

I think the inner small-scale dot pattern makes it. It's what makes it feel pretty and not too overwhelming despite the hefty dose of beautiful French blue toile. And the walls appear to be fabric as well - great way to push a bed all the way against the wall and make it feel purposeful.

I adore small rooms that are packed to the gills with goodness. Big scale in small spaces is a winning combination in my book.

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Green Wallpaper Dining Room

What do you think of this fresh and crisp green dining room?

Image via Elle Decor (and I'm going to guess Ruthie Sommers but don't actually know, so fill me in)

If you love it like I do, I have a dead-ringer for that wallpaper so you can recreate the look.  Scenic Vines by York Wallcoverings:

Yowza...that is some pretty paper.

I actually first came across this wallpaper when my sister and brother-in-law decided to use it in their foyer....and installed, I can say it's b-a-n-a-n-a-s. The apple green is so vibrant but the white silhouette makes is so easy to match with basically anything. LOVE all the white lacquer paired with it in the room above.

What do you think? Do you like how it's used in this dining room?

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Friday Crush

Because who doesn't need a toucan on their holiday table? I present Toucans by Hermes. You know me and birds and I especially love the thought of a colorful toucan gracing my table. The colors in this pattern are so vibrant - think about pairing this will red linens and blue and white porcelain (like Monday's post). Gorgeous, right? Your guests would be delighted.

Getting ready for a low-key weekend and can't wait. Hope yours is wonderful....see you next week!

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Little Nest William Table

SUPER-chic table right? Gleaming, glossy yellow top with amazing acrylic legs. So hip!

And guess what...it's for kids! Oh boy do I wish Ana Claire was ready for a little table with wee chairs because this would be an amazing find. It's the William Table from Little Nest and I actually spotted it on Zulily.com. If you are not familiar, Zulily is a flash sale site for kid stuff (much like a One Kings Lane to put it into terms we can all understand).

Can you imagine putting some wee Queen Anne or Louis chairs around this? Something tiny and traditional. Side note that I once saw a pint-size Louis chair and almost bought it but it was a total splurge. But I think AC might need one.

Back to the table - love it for a playroom. Get it while the getting is good because it will only be online for another day or two (and I didn't see it on the Little Nest website). If you aren't a member, you can join via my "friends" link - http://www.zulily.com/invite/dshuffler117 - because we are friends, you and I.

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Blue & White Traditional Thanksgiving

Still looking for Thanksgiving table inspiration?

HE-LLOOO gorgeous....

James Farmer knocked my socks off with this traditional table for Southern Living. L-O-V-E the blue and white porcelain with gorgeous florals and pops of cranberry red. I think this works for any fall/winter celebration, including Christmas.

Check out the beautiful details:

photos by Hector Sanchez for Southern Living

Vintage silver, traditional Spode china mixed with blue and white porcelain, gorgeous linens on a plain wood table. The dimension and texture of this table are just breathtaking...could you imagine walking into this room to eat dinner? I wouldn't be able to focus on the food...and that's saying a lot.

And I adore the clever idea of having some kraft boxes on hand with some ribbon to send folks home with leftovers. Definitely better than my beat up tupperware that I lend out. You'd have a very Martha Stewart moment with your guests if you broke out wrapped packages at the end of the night.

Check out the photos at Southern Living...and there is even a fun video! Great to watch if you want to see more details...

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Friday Crush

Photo by Crystal Downs

Have you seen Beth's laundry room makeover over at Chinoiserie Chic, done as part of the One Room Challenge? It's a blue and white Chinoiserie dream...I would LOVE to do laundry in a space like this! And that wallpaper...I can't get over it. Perfection.

Hope you have a great weekend ahead....enjoy it! See you next week!

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Chinoiserie Coffee Tables via Etsy

There are many vintage Chinoiserie coffee tables hanging out in my Etsy wishlist right now. Figured I should stop hoarding them and share them with you because one of you might want one.

Now, the shipping might get ya but the prices on most of these are pretty good. I can't decide which is my favorite:

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

Ok, I picked one. The wood one in the second picture is my favorite. Boy would that look fetching in so many different scenarios. But they are all amazing, don't you think?? Please share if you purchase one of these beauties - would love to know how you'll use it.

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Brick Foyer

Image from Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

How do we feel about brick flooring inside? Especially laid in a herringbone fashion? I like it!

Who knew brick indoors could be so chic? I know we've perhaps seen screened-in porches or maybe a mudroom with a brick floor but these home owners threw convention to the wind and floored their ENTRY with brick. Good ol' brick. 

But you know what the true genius is here? The velvet settee. That's why this works. Because the way the rest of the room is arranged makes you feel like the brick is a chic, deliberate choice that obviously pairs well with velvet. Like, duh.

And the brick goes a long way in warming up a space with really high ceilings. I love an unexpected twist to a space that makes it special. 

What do you think? Yay or nay on the brick?

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Caspari Imari

I have found the inspiration for my Thanksgiving table...

You probably think this is some crazy high-end china pattern that I am pining after. Unless you read the post title and know that Caspari makes PAPER PLATES. This is a PAPER plate. Can you even? I can't.

I was recently visiting my beloved city of Charlottesville and made my mandatory pilgrimage to the Caspari store. Per the usual, it blew my mind. The store is, simply put, Chinoiserie Heaven. And one particularly table was using this new-to-me pattern called Imari in all of my favorite shades of orange, green and lavender. With dragons.

AND THEY WERE PAPER PRODUCTS. MEANING I COULD BUY THEM AND NOT HAVE TO SELL ANA CLAIRE.

So I did. Buy some placemats and napkins. To layer with my Derby Panel Green china for Thanksgiving. It's going to be amazing.

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Friday Crush

Image via House & Garden (anyone know designer/photog?)

One day, I shall be disciplined and will paint my walls white. And then I will layer on the texture, color and pattern to create a rich space such as this one. I am digging this look...so warm and inviting despite the white backdrop. And there's that tobacco/cognac tone again...love it so much. Especially with pink.

I absolutely live for this time of year. I'm in my happy place from now until the New Year. We have a busy, fun weekend ahead. Hope you do too...enjoy it and see you next week!

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Waverly Chinoiserie Chintz

Waverly's new collection of chintz fabrics is a Chinoiserie dream! They have reinterpreted the classics -  pagoda toile, koi fish, and a geometric trells - in punchy colors that are just real easy on the eyes.

The patterns and colorways coordinate beautifully among these three patterns - Waverly Lotus Chintz, Waverly Peaceful Temple Chintz and Waverly Shoji Chintz. Check 'em out:

That pagoda toile in black and red is crazy, crazy good. I would totally use that as fabric wallpaper in a powder room with a black tile floor and marble vanity.

Any favorites jumping out at you?

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NEAT Method Closet Makeover

Picking out my clothes everyday is now like shopping in a store where the employees walk around at the end of the day and refold and reorganize everything for the next morning's shoppers. That is a great feeling.

Raelynn and Catherine totally rethought my small space and used every inch to maximize not only storage but function. I can see my clothes and accessories again!

I asked the ladies of NEAT Method DC to give us a couple of tips to rethink our own messy closets and get them in tip-top shape. I think this time of year is a great purging opportunity as you start to really bring out the winter wear.

Step 1) Take inventory of your space.
This is your chance to assess what you have and purge the items that you no longer love and don't need.

They let Ana Claire help with the jewelry sorting.

Step 2) Sort like with like.
This involves grouping your wardrobe and accessories into categories and assessing the volume of each category to determine appropriate placement of the items. 

  
Step 3) Color-code.
We always hang clothing by item and color. We hang and fold from white to black, and itemize the colors with ROYGBIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet... pink goes before red, brown and grey go before black).  Not only is this visually pleasing, but it will give you a better idea of what colors you need to start and stop purchasing.

Step 4) Product implementation is key.
Be sure to measure all of your drawers and shelving to make your trip to The Container Store more effective.  Always use the same hangers in a neutral color and hide odds and ends with chic bins.  Label anything and everything.

Step 5) Maintain
The simple adage we learned as kids, "put it back where you got it from" is essential to maintaining an organized space.  Also, be mindful of the items you use most frequently, and display them in a proper home that's at eye level or within reach.  This will ensure you're not digging around and making a mess while hunting for your favorite clutch. 

REALLY great, right????  It makes SUCH a difference to have an organized closet. Seriously. Has cut down on my morning stress AND I feel like I'm rediscovering items I totally forgot I had which is nipping the unneccessary shopping in the bud (for now).

I also realized that making a small investment in some bins/organizers/boxes really pays off. It has helped calm some of the madness with the bonus of helping me take better care of some of my stuff.

And let's talk about the color coordination...such a small little trick but it has helped me SO much in planning what to where with what. I used to sort (if you would call my previous closet sorted) by shirts, skirts, pants, etc....no, no, no. Totally wrong way to do it. Sort by color, y'all. It's the bees knees.

A huge thank you to Raelynn and Catherine of NEAT Method. They swooped in one morning while I was at work and by the time I was home, this was all done. They were like little closet-organizing fairy elves...really nice, pretty ones. Thanks ladies!!!

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Closet Woes

I told you the house tour was over, but I do have one more space to show you that recently got a facelift. From time to time, an email will hit my AO inbox that catches my eye. Such a thing happened a couple of months ago when I got a note from Raelynn Johnson of NEAT Method DC introducing herself and describing her new business venture in the DC area.

Raelynn and her business partner Catherine Zinn have a passion/obsession for organization. Closets, kitchens, offices, playrooms - you name it. They essentially show up at your house and help you get your sh*t together. As I read her email and checked out their website, I thought - I NEED THAT FOR MY CLOSET. Y'all, I may be good with the decorating but I'm about as messy as they come. Just ask Carter...actually, don't.

The closet in question (from my master bedroom):

Yikes.

So I've heard of professional organizers before, but something about Raelynn - the fact that she was a local gal, starting her business, and reaching out to me - made me want to actually do something about my closet woes this time.

So I invited Raelynn and Catherine to stop by my house and give my closet an assessment. Here are the stylish ladies (not in my house obvi...at a swanky DC party):

 Raelynn on the left and Catherine on the right

After a tour of the house and my mess of a closet, Raelynn and Catherine diagnosed it as completely workable. I was a little worried they were going to tell me that I needed to put about half of my things in storage but they seemed pretty calm that by just rethinking the configuration, I could keep all of my clothes and accessories out and accessible.

Here's what they were working with:

Oh hey messy.

Can you identify with me? Tell me your closet is a mess too? Or are you like Raelynn and Catherine and totally organized to the core? Because I am not. Obvi.

Sooooo the NEAT Method ladies completely worked their magic on my closet...check back tomorrow for the organizational makeover!

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