Friday Crush

Photo by Rustic White for Waiting on Martha

Are your buns actually intended to go in those hands? Or is it sculptural in the look-don't-sit kind of way? That is a real question.

Regardless, I am enjoying this entry vignette. My tastes usually don't skew this modern but I'm liking those hands. IRL, I would probably have some upholstered bench situation under that console and nix the gold objet for some blue and white porcelain but let's be clear that this 100% works for me as-is.

Arrangement is art, folks. And this would be a killer entry to your home.

My social calendar is busy this weekend with my gal pals and I'm excited for some girl time. Hope you have a great weekend. See you next week!

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «

Southwestern Runner Under $100

I have been waiting for a project to come along where I can use this runner (that also comes in a rug version). I've seen it floating around various places on the internet but I just spotted the runner on Overstock for $87.

So time to share it:

THE PINK ONE. RIGHT???

And the brown one.

The pattern is crazy good. And it's WOOL! I love wool. I've gone with the fakey rugs before to get a good price and they are not my jam. Wool can be a little scratchy but at least it feels substantial.

And back to the pattern. It's so lovely. Every single colorway is calling my name - I could definitely do full spaces based on these rugs. And these are just four colors of six.

You need to get in on this and then tell me how you are using it.

In other news, we have dug out of the snow. But now my week feels all out of whack. I'm hoping February is real calm-like.

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «

Friday Crush

^ I believe this is Miles Redd + Gil Schafer ^

As the impending snow approaches, I wouldn't mind being holed up in a sumptuous country mansion like this one. I like that apple green, turquoise, and animal print are made to feel so fancy in this space.  And I love the black fireplace mantel (is that granite?) Wouldn't be the same if that was white painted wood. 

There will be plenty of fires in our fireplace this weekend, albeit not as fancy as this one. We are stocked with wine and food so as long as we keep our power, we should be good to ride out the blizzard. Hope you stay toasty, safe and warm this weekend. See you next week!

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «

Fabric Find: Brunschwig & Fils Treganza Chintz

This ridiculous chintz by Brunschwig & Fils called Treganza (I think) is for sale on eBay for some great prices - 5 and 6 yard pieces for around $200. I SO wish I had a chair that needed upholstery.

The blue colorway is listed here for $210 for 6 yards.

The yellow colorway is listed here for $175 for 5 yards.

Those are some good deals for such a vibrant fabric. Look at all of those colors! I would upholster a small club chair in either of them (though, if this is your plan, definitely check that's enough yardage as I imagine that pattern is tricky).

If a whole chair won't work, dining room chair seats would be bananas. Enjoy!

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «

Design Tension

Years ago, I dragged Carter to a talk by designer Michael Smith at the Corcoran Gallery.
Michael had many gems of wisdom to share but the key take-away that stuck with Carter Shuffler (and me) was his thought on "tension".

Michael preached that every space should have some sort of tension - something that isn't quite right to, in a way, throw the room off and engage the eye.

Image via Quadrille, design by Charlotte Barnes

Like this lamp. I think in the land of "perfect" design, a gold or white gourd lamp would be great, yes? But taking this black/gold/gray vignette and adding a blue and white porcelain lamp with a boho lavender pleated shade make the space come to life. A lamp. That's all it took to take this space from lovely to spectacular.

This though has stuck with me (and Carter) for years now and I think it's such a great little piece of advice...just as you wrap up a space, ask yourself what your tension is. If everything feels perfectly placed and in harmony maybe you need to edit something to give it some gusto.

p.s. That is Quadrille's Zebra Embroider fabric on the chair and it is a new favorite! I'm such a huge fan of black and white. I think this pattern on a chair would work in almost any room as a neutral. And the wallpaper is Quadrille's Persia Wallpaper.

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «

Friday Crush

A delightful children's bath sporting Albert Hadley's iconic Fireworks wallpaper and a sweet Dr. Seuss print. Is this Ashely Whittaker? Someone set me straight. I also love the herringbone tile floor and a peek at some lovely monogrammed towels. A perfectly whimsical space for a child that any adult would want for themselves.

January is proving to be productive thus far so I'm hoping to keep the momentum going this weekend. You'll find me organizing my house. Probably every weekend until March. Hope your 2016 is off to a good start. See you next week!

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «

Studio Apartment Design from Katie Rosenfeld

Decided to check in on one of my favorite designers - Katie Rosenfeld - and the new-to-me images in her portfolio did NOT disappoint.

Like this phenomenal studio apartment. Would have been a dream to live in a space like this when I was single and fancy-free.

I love the creativity that goes into a small space - using every nook and cranny to make a space feel vibrant and bigger in personality than its square footage suggests.

The Vase wallpaper in a small kitchen is brilliant. And the freedom of a small space is you can splurge on that expensive paper because you don't have much wall to cover!

So much inspiration here...Katie is a master in deliciously vibrant and warm spaces. She owns color and nothing she designs ever feels stuffy.

Check out more of her work here...

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «

Mirrors: Urban Outfitters Edition

Urban Outfitters is bringing a strong mirror game at the moment. Behold three great options with delightful price tags.

1) Taj Wall Mirror - $64

Who doesn't need a Moroccan mirror? That is a serious question. And this is a serious option. I actually haven't seen something exactly like this at a luxe price tag. A powder room would love this mirror as would a little girl's bedroom. For that price, I want to buy it and squirrel it away.

2) Edith Mirror Shelf - $79

Every budget bathroom renovation in America needs this mirror. It is so ridiculously chic and functional with that shelf. Might be a tad small but I would make it work.

3) Pipe Standing Mirror - $189

I have found myself looking for or needing a floor mirror on many occasions - they are so useful in a bedroom. And the typical options (search cheval mirror) are incredibly lacking. Your best bet is to find something vintage with some character. Which is hard. But this one is sleek and lovely with a touch of cool.

4) Umbra Oversized Hub Mirror - $160

Love the black border and oversized scale. The scale is what makes it special and it's the perfect way to take up a big chunk of wall.

I haven't bought something recently from UO but I'm always finding cool things...it's a great option for finding that one trendy piece to help your room along. And since they cater to the college crowd, prices are affordable.

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «

Friday Crush

Well, now, here is a Chinoiserie feast for your eyeballs.

What is it? An illustration you can buy on Etsy based on antique Chinoiserie wallpaper. As in, you can buy this for $2.95 and print it at a 10x13 size. I'm not sure what to do with myself. I wonder if the artist could make it even bigger...could you imagine this blown up, hanging sassy in an all-white foyer? Me too.

In other news, a big thank you to Krrb for noting AO as a good blog read in the DC area. Check out their other great recommendations here...

Y'all, I thought I wasn't ready for the holidays to end. But now I'm seeing that I SO was. I'm ready for 2016 to get going. How about you? Or are you in a post-holiday depression/rut? Either way, have a fab weekend. See you next week!

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «

Schumacher Classics

Schumacher's Instagram feed has been teasing us with their new "Schumacher Classics" collection - a round-up of some of their most iconic prints redone in some amazing, fresh colorways.

Like my beloved Lotus Garden - the fabric I used in our master bedroom - is now this bananas jade green and orchid situation:

Isn't it magnificent? This will forever be one of my most favorite prints so I love to see that it's been given new life via color.

Here are some other previews, all just as gorgeous:

I am so excited to see these new fabrics start popping up with designers - I'll be keeping an eye out. The fabrics will be available in showrooms starting January 9th.

See the Instagram bits here...

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «

2016: Year of Delight

We spent the holiday visiting my in-laws in South Carolina. Every morning, I put sugar in my coffee using the most delicate, lovely sugar spoon (per my mother-in-law's attention to detail). It was a daily delight.

I'm going into 2016 with that mindset. Make the little things delightful. The big stuff is hard to tackle. But can I pull out my pretty sugar spoon for morning coffee? Absolutely.

If you, like me, are in the roof-over-your-head-food-on-your-table demographic, we have a lot to be thankful for. And the big resolutions are important as we all want to make the most of this blessed life we are living. So I'm setting some lofty goals, but I also want to set some small goals to achieve this afternoon.

I'm looking for daily delight in 2016 for me and for my family. With an ever-present gratitude for what we have and what we can hope to have.

You're welcome for getting heavy with the first 2016 post. I had a nice little vacation over the holidays and feel refreshed and ready to enjoy 2016 and all of the design loveliness it will offer. Hope you are too!

p.s. Those darling spoons above are on Etsy here...

» Click Here to Leave a Comment «