Friday Crush

Photo by Beatriz da Costa, Design by Ashley Whittaker, via House Beautiful's Insta

Before we fully plunge into Fall, let's take a step back to spring...mostly to look at that clever use of chandelier shades on a lantern. This room is lovely but I'm posting it here so we can learn this important lighting lesson. Who loves a lantern light? 🙋 But sometimes the exposed bulbs kind of turn me off, pun intended. But adding chandy shades is just plain smart. Totally warms up the fixture without ruining the look. Do people do this all the time and I just missed it? We are all now in on this secret.

Also, green grasscloth walls. On my mind. But I'm contemplating olive green. 

Happy weekend! We made it! Hope it's a great one...see you next week!

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Eight Years

image via Mimosa Lane

Y'all, EIGHT YEARS is how long I have been writing this blog. How is that even possible? That's a long time to do anything with any regularity. But it's a testament to my love for AO.

I've penned these posts yearly and the last several have been pretty uneventful. Life has hummed along...family, work, home...living, learning, loving.

But this year, I'm on the precipice of a lot of change. We have a move to a new home on the horizon. Which also means a farewell to our current home. Although the excitement of a new space for our growing family makes me TINGLE ALL OVER, the grief of leaving our current home - where we sweat, and built, and decorated, and loved, and brought home babies - literally guts me to think about. 

So I don't think about it. Or write about it just yet. 

Everything is still a bit up in the air but when it reaches finality and my brain can shift to sharing mode, I will. We will still be in Alexandria. One thing we've realized through all of our change is how much we love this town.

And A BABY. A new teeny child is joining us! What's great about not-your-first pregnancy is that you don't have a whole lot of time to sit and wait for the Christmas morning that is delivering a baby. Current kids and real life have a great way of distracting you. But the immensity of a new baby is slowly becoming real and I'm so excited about not only meeting this little wonder, but the idea that our family will be complete and it will be the beginning of forever.

So here's to an upcoming year of change. Not sure if I'm ready, but it's happening. Glad you are, and have been, along for the ride. xoxo

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Friday Crush

Photo by Thomas Loof

The jaw-dropper of the week, likely the month (at least). Designed by Miles Redd. Not surprising.

I can't tell you how I've been turning this color scheme around in my head for a couple of weeks. I have a pair of what are essentially light blue curtains with tiny touches of some darker colors and I just decided that to make them pack a punch, I need to pull out the olive green in a big way. And then this image popped up on Schumacher's Insta  and I was done for. Serious perfection. 

This space is in NO way near what I'm working with (#understatement) but boy is it inspiring. ALL the shades of green with varying shades of blue anchored by black, white, and gold. Thank you internet!

Fall. Hallelujah. Though we'll be struggling with some high 80s until next weekend, but I see the end in sight. I'm already hoarding my pumpkin candles but I refuse to light them until our weather holds steady at least in the 70s. It's my annual ritual. Enjoy your weekend. See you next week!

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Catalog Pick: Enameled Ceiling Light

Those of us living the 8 ft. ceiling life always appreciate a good close-to-ceiling fixture. Especially since they tend to be few and far between. Sure there are decent ones out there...but it's rare to find a ceiling light that is actually exciting.

But I found one!

Look at this beauty - the Classic Dome Enameled Ceiling Light from (my favorite) Shades of Light:

This is a worthy fixture. Imagine hanging several down the ceiling of a galley kitchen. Or a foyer. They are so simple but the rich color really makes them feel deliberate and not an afterthought.

And, the best part, is they are just over $100. Win.

They come in several colors paired with either pewter, chrome, or brass. Check them out here...

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Kerry Steele Pop-Up

Get those mouse-clicking fingers warmed up. A pop-up from one of my favorite artists - Kerry Steele - hits Furbish Studio's website this morning at 11 am.

Kerry now lives and works in Charleston, but she used to live in Virginia. During this time is when I got to know her and her work. Let me tell you, Kerry is a talent. A warm and inviting person whose vibrant personality shimmers in her artwork.

I own two pieces from Kerry...here is the larger one that hangs in our den:

I'm sure the sampling at Furbish this morning will be dynamite...so I want to make sure you don't miss it.

Click here to hit the sale at 11 am...

Those Furbish pop-ups don't mess around, so I hope you snag something good!

Happy weekend! See you next week.

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Cleveland Park Chic

We have some creative minds here in Alexandria, Virginia - including that of designer Susan Nelson. Love the colorful yet traditional touch she put on this Cleveland Park home in the District.

That lavender rug is wonderful. Let me talk to you about gray - I'm not a fan. I know. It's a darling, but it never sings to me. But here, it's working. With the doses of lavender and rich wood tones, it feels so classic and serene.

And who wouldn't want to come home to that Chinoiserie lantern in the foyer?

Check out more of Susan's work here - great use of color in classic spaces.

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Friday Crush

image source

Full-on autumnalness in maybe my favorite color combination available - green and lavender. The sofa is jaw-dropping. Olive green is having a moment on my radar and this sofa is pretty much fulfilling ever desire I have for the color. That wallpaper might give me a headache on the daily, but for this shot, it's killer. And that set of orchid pillows...👌

This fall is already starting out pretty hectic. Lots going on in my world. And baby is less than 3 months away 😳 Enjoy your weekend respite...see you next week!

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Couture Tabletop from Julia B.

Hold on to your hats. Have you seen the Quattro Mani tabletop collection from luxury monogrammer and home item purveyor Julia B.? It's out-of-this-world amazing and if I'm introducing it to you, I will feel extremely happy.

I can say it's like nothing I've ever seen before. It is a complete delight and a symbol of all my tabletop goals.

The color combos in the Firenze collection above are delightful. Little mustard yellow and light blue never hurt with lavender and coral.

And the autumnal vibes of Venezia above are begging to grace Thanksgiving tables.

There are two more patterns in the full collection - everything will shock you. And there is also glassware, flatware, and serving utensils. Go and enjoy.

Let's be clear this is DREAM tabletop. The lavender monogrammed salad plates are high on my wish list but way out of my budget. When you are this beautiful and special, your price tag is no joke and I'm OK with that.

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Friday Crush

Let's kick off the holiday weekend with this feast for your eyeballs. Designed by Society Social and found on Quadrille's Insta, this vignette is pastel perfection. Why does lavender have such an effect on me? But it always does. This is bringing more of a Spring feel than a Fall one, but I'll take it.

We are going to enjoy one last beach hurrah and then it will be time to welcome FALL. Thank the heavens. I'm not of the summer variety so I'm ready to move on. Hope you have a great holiday weekend - see you next week!

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