Porch Swingin'

I'm working with a client on their screened in porch and I'm dying to incorporate a porch swing into the plan. Who wouldn't want to sit on their porch with a glass of sweet tea (or wine), a good book and swing their worries away?

Carter Kay from Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Ginger Barber from House Beautiful

Beth Webb and Nancy Pendergrast from Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

House Beautiful

We are heading to the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly in Tennessee bright and early tomorrow morning. It will be a a relaxing, quiet weekend filled with lots of front porch swingin'.

I'll fill you in on what "the assembly" is all about on Monday. Have a great weekend!

High Five

Annie is 5 weeks old today and she just gets cuter by the day! I love her so much my heart hurts!

Annie and her Godmothers

5 fabulous living rooms designed by 5 Atlanta designers

Liz Williams from Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Phoebe Howard from http://www.phoebehoward.net/

Kay Douglass from House Beautiful

Suzanne Kasler from House Beautiful

Gretchen Edwards and me :) from Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Basket Lights

I saw this DIY basket light on Two Ellie and thought y'all might be interested. It sounds like a piece of cake to make and only cost a whopping 30 bucks!! I'm going to have to give this project a shot…
http://twoellie.blogspot.com/2009/07/diy-basket-light-pendant.html

It doesn't look to shabby!?



Or if you want to spend a pretty penny you can buy this one at South of Market (http://www.southofmarket.biz/) for a measly $1,250. For now I think I'll stick with the $30 DIY basket light! I do LOVE South of Market though and want everything in the store!



The SOM basket light does look pretty darn cool! Images compliments of AH&L-
http://www.atlantahomesmag.com/Atlanta-Homes-and-Lifestyles/May-2009/Cleverly-Conceived/


Kay Douglass Interiors

To Your Taste

One of my favorite design books is Celerie Kemble's, To Your Taste. Her designs are truly inspiring. I have flipped through her book a thousand times and every time I rediscover something in one of her rooms that I fall in love with. I heard her speak at ADAC a couple of months ago and her personality is just as colorful, easy going and lovely as her designs. I would love to work on a project with her!

I am so bummed because she didn't have many of the images from her book posted on her website. Here are the only ones I could fine compliments of http://www.kembleinteriors.com/…

These images do not do the book or Celerie's work justice. You must go out and buy the book to see for yourself!! Trust me you will LOVE it.

Celerie also has an awesome line of fabrics with Schumacher...

Celerie shared her list of favorite home products with House Beautiful...

FLOWER: Poppy
SOFA SHAPE: Tuxedo
COMFORT FOOD: Spaghetti with butter and Parmesan
LAMP: Vintage oddballs
ALARM CLOCK: Bose — black, with CD player and remote
CAR COLOR (EXTERIOR/INTERIOR): Dark green/tan
EVERYDAY DISHES: Same as my fancy — vintage china from Maddock and Sons
COFFEE TABLE BOOK: Tony Duquette
COLOR: Where green meets blue
ALL-PURPOSE GLASS: CB2 stacking tumblers — flat bottoms and taper
SOAP: Jo Malone Orange Blossom
ICE CREAM: Mint chip, if the ice cream is white
TOWEL: Restoration Hardware bath sheets. White with colored piping
CHAIR: A small Napoleon III-style slipper chair from 145 Antiques, NYC
WALLPAPER: Grass cloth in deep blue or green from Schumacher
SHEETS: Léron hand-stitched bamboo pattern
CLEANING SUPPLY: Mustela baby wipes in my purse
TOOTHPASTE: Marvis Jasmin Mint
VACUUM: Dyson
LIGHTBULB/WATTAGE: 3-way
KITCHEN GADGET: Williams-Sonoma baby food steamer and chopper
WORKHORSE FABRIC: Valtekz Torello faux-leather in dark teal, carried through Zoffany in New York
PEN: I like push-point pencils
ARTIST: Matisse

compliments of http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/celerie-kemble-favorites?click=main_sr.

Have a great week!

Annie's 1 Month Checkup

Annie had her 1 month checkup today and everything went well (minus Annie screaming bloody murder when they gave her the Hepatitis B shot). She now weighs 9 pounds 12 ounces and is 22 1/2" long. She is in the 75th percentile in weight and the 90th percentile in height! Reg and I both are blown away by this considering I am 5'1 and he is 5'6!! Not sure where she is getting the height from. She is going to be looking down on both of us before we know it. She is just PERFECT and we love her more than anything!!

Her little face is filling out so much and her arms and legs are starting to look like the Michelin Man. I LOVE it!!

I told you she is long! Super Annie!

Oh Martha

After buying these planters at Smith and Hawken I received a free subscription to Martha Stewart Living. LOVE the planters…of course I've already pretty much killed the boxwoods I planted in them 2 months ago (that is why I cropped them out of the photo). When Annie was born they were neglected for a couple of weeks without water, roasting in the hot, hot sun. That will do it…oops! I do NOT have a green thumb!

I received my first issue in the mail over the weekend and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. As you would suspect the issue features tons of yummy recipes and DIY project. I thought the Naupaka flowers stenciled on cushions and lauhala mats were fabulous! When I find some free time I am definitely going to have to give this project a shot.

From:
Martha Stewart Living- http://www.marthastewart.com/article/stenciled-hawaiian-flower-cushions-and-lauhala-mats?rsc=also_try

Stenciled floral motifs patterned after Hawaiian quilts turn a porch into an open-air retreat.
Store-bought lounge cushions get a splash of cool hues, and umber tones grace the mats, woven from hala-tree leaves.
Stenciled Hawaiian Flower Cushions and Lauhala Mats How-To

1. Download the naupaka-flower template, and print it, resizing it as needed.
2. Make a stencil: Lay the printout on waterproof or stencil paper (you may need to tape a few sheets together to make a stencil large enough for the cushions), and tape them to a cutting mat.
3. Cut out the motif with a craft knife; discard printout and motif cutout. Place stencil on a cushion or mat, and dab fabric paint (for cushion) or acrylic paint (for mat) inside stencil with a natural sponge. Let dry before shifting stencil to repeat.

Upholstered Headboards...gotta love them!

You've gotta love an upholstered headboard! When designing one the sky is the limit…as long as you have a good upholsterer. Styles can range from a simple rectangle to a crazy curved silhouette. You can add tufting, nailheads and use just about any fabric under the sun. Here some headboards that make me smile….

Judy Bentley from AH&L

Jonathan Berger from House Beautiful

T. Keller Donovan from Southern Accents

Phoebe Howard from Southern Accents

Jacqueline Derrey Segura from House Beautiful

Stephen Shubel from House Beautiful

Lynn Morgan from House Beautiful

This is the headboard in my bedroom. It was one of the first pieces of furniture I purchased after I got married. I upholstered the headboard in a natural colored linen so it will go with pretty much anything...since I still have yet to decide on additional fabrics for the master bedroom!

This is the headboard my husband and I made for the guest bedroom. It was a pitiful attempt at a DIY project. It will do for now though!

I have and awesome upholsterer if anyone is the market for a new headboard! Just let me know.

We're Back!

Annie's first vacation to Ponte Vedra was amazing. She was a little angel, of course! I forget how much I love the beach and how relaxing and rejuvenating a much needed vacation can be. A special thank you to Reg's parents for such a wonderful trip!

If I had my own beach house I would jump on these summer sale steals from Wisteria! You have to check them out http://www.wisteria.com/departments.asp?dept=1072.

Nautical Flag Accent Pillows- $44.85

What a steal!! If I had a place for these in my house I would get them in a heartbeat.

Distressed Wooden Buoys- $25.35 each

Folk Art Fish- Set of 3 $181.30

Round Lorenzo Cameo Shadowbox- $99.60

Sea Life Shadowbox- $116.35

Coconut Chandelier- Coral $486.75
Absolutely LOVE this chandelier! It would be SO cool in a small foyer or maybe a powder room. I will definitely find home in my beach house for it!