Southern Chateau

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T21:01:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year to all our friends, followers, and customers! May 2012 be the best year ever!

Christmas with a Silver Lining

2011-11-28T16:27:00.000-05:00

As I designed this display today for our shop window, it reminded me how much I love using silver, not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.

I love doing simple, yet elegant displays like this design, using a silver container, garland, a few inexpensive silver ornaments, and a pretty candle.

Mercury glass is another favorite. It is relatively inexpensive and looks gorgeous lit with candles.

Silver ornaments look beautiful among the green boughs on a Christmas tree. Paired with faux silver berries, it is stunning and classic.

This is another example of using a year-round silver container to hold shiny ornaments for a quick but classic decoration for a table or sideboard.

This is a table setting I did using red transferware, creamware, and silver baby cups from my collection. Using your collections in combination with ornaments or other holiday decor makes the design much more meaningful and personal.

Silver containers such as mint julep cups look so pretty containing amaryllis or paperwhites at Christmas time. I also love the look of this green wreath against the silver-finish mirror.

This is just a beautiful idea using a silver tray, a crystal cloche, faux snow, some pretty ornaments, and pearls. Easy but so elegant.

Remember to think outside the box with your holiday decorating and don't forget the silver!

2011-11-22T10:26:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Halloween!!

2011-10-31T09:42:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!!

Great New Design Books!

2011-10-10T18:54:00.005-04:00

Need a gift idea or a great new addition to your design book library? Go over to At Home Tennessee magazine and check out his months book review column, The Pick. It is written by my daughter Shana, who is also my right hand in the family design business. Shana knows a good design book when she sees one!

http://athometn.com/books/design-inspirations/

How Our Winner Used Her Bounty!

2011-06-11T08:46:00.001-04:00

We recently held a giveaway of two beautiful framed etchings from Wendover Art. Our winner was reader Marilee Dennis, who was very excited to win and e-mailed me after the drawing was announced that she had the perfect place reserved hoping she would win. She has sent me photos and I thought you would enjoy seeing where the prints went to live.

I think she did a beautiful job displaying the etchings! I love her dining room, with the pretty curtains, crystal chandelier, and of course the out of this world silver collection. A girl after my own heart!

I hope you enjoyed seeing Marilee's dining room and her use of her prize. Stay tuned, we will be giving away more fabulous things soon!

Daydreaming of Summer....

2011-05-27T08:04:00.000-04:00

With the holiday weekend upon us, it got me thinking about getting the house ready for all the family goings-on here at our humble home. Ideas are plenty, but funds to make all those grand schemes come to life sometimes aren't so large. But, that doesn't stop me from dreaming and planning, which is really a huge part of the fun anyway, don't you think? So I compiled a few images from my stash to get you thinking and dreaming along with me about the summer season that spreads before us.

I love greenhouses and conservatories of all kinds and if money were no object I would definitely own one. Some are really grand and would cost more than my house itself, but some are more in scale with what I think would go with an average-size house, like the one above. In my fantasy, I would come out here to my garden house with my coffee every morning and tend to all my lovely plants and flowers. In reality, I have a black thumb, so everything in there would probably be brown and dead. Oh well, this is a fantasy, remember?

Summer here in the South usually involves using any event as an excuse to throw a hen party, I mean a baby shower or bridal shower, or some other soiree where we can bring out our pretty glasses and dishes, eat tiny little sandwiches, and celebrate friends and family.

I am lucky enough to live by the water so I always love images like this one showing great ways to get close and personal with the water in style. Just love.

My house doesn't have a big porch, which really surprises me because I love them. This porch just makes you want to bring a good design magazine and a glass of iced tea and relax.

Now that I am thinking about all this, I realize I don't have a porch swing either. What was I thinking twenty years ago when we built this house. I believe this post is bringing me to an epiphany that I need to remedy all these problems in my life before it's too late!

Or you could always hit the road and go glamping (glamourous camping) in a decked out Airstream like this one. Again, copious amounts of dollars involved, but still dreaming.

Before I come back to reality I will pretend this is my backyard where I stroll daily.

A nice big screened porch overlooking the water would be wonderful wouldn't it?

Last but not least, while we are thinking of this summer and the Memorial Day holiday, let's remember what it's really all about.

Happy Memorial Day!!

So Many Fabrics, So Little Time!

2011-05-20T11:18:00.000-04:00

Fabrics bring so much to a home. They bring color, texture, and pattern, but mainly they bring spirit and personality to a room like no other decorating tool. I love fabrics of all kinds and lately the trend has been leaning toward using plain, unpatterned linens, silks, and cottons at the window and on furniture. While I love that look, it can get boring after a while. A pretty patterned fabric will forever be current as far as I am concerned. Like classic furniture styles that will never go away, there are classics in fabric design as well. We are gearing up for a custom window treatment event and as I was choosing fabrics for the collection, I noticed that certain patterns seem to draw me in the most. I will share a few with you.

This Ikat-style pattern just hits me every time I see it. If you don't want a bold pattern such as this on furniture or drapery (although I would!), then a couple of clean-lined pillows done in it would be gorgeous!

I think this sunny Ikat look is just so cheery and pretty. I think would great on a classic French chair or any room needing a burst of sunshine!

Warm grays are so current now and I have talked before about the bird motif being hot as well. Here you have them both in this pretty print which has sort of a damask-like feel to it.

I really love the combination of warm gray, cream, and gold colors and this toile is a beauty. So classic.

Tree-of-life pattern fabric will never be passe. This particular pattern is so fresh with the soft greens and corals on an ivory ground.

And of course blue and yellow is another classic combo that I never stop loving. Here it is is expressed in this soft and beautiful toile pattern.

Paisley will forever live and when done in classic blue-and-white it sings.

This is another paisley done in soft shades of blue and gray. This just says to me it wants to live in my bedroom!

If you want to bring new life to a room, fabric is a great way to do it and can provide a wonderful starting point for your whole design scheme. If you have been living with plain fabrics for a while, consider bringing a classic patterned fabric in somewhere to add some beauty and color.

Be sure to follow Carol Raley Interiors on Facebook! We will be showing more fabrics and gorgeous hardware for our custom drapery event. Check us out!

Pretty Bedspreads for Spring and Summer

2011-05-13T17:50:00.000-04:00

I am a big proponent of changing looks for different seasons. One easy way to do that is with the textiles and soft goods in the house. In an earlier post, I discussed how pillows are a great, inexpensive decorating tool to change out with the seasons or to try a new trend.

But another great place to do this is with your bedding. I look I love for warmer months is the gathered bedspread, especially when they are done in light, flowing fabrics such as linen, cotton, or sheer organza.

Here I have gathered a few examples of this look.

This is a wonderfully cool and summery look in a semi-sheer fabric with a place to insert a duvet as well.

Here is a gathered bedspread with another light coverlet layered over it. I love the casual, slightly wrinkled look here.

These gathered bedspreads are paired with a gathered bedskirt so everything looks pretty and pulled together even when the spreads are turned down.

Of course, gathered bedspeads look fabulous when paired with canopies like these.

This is a gathered bedspread in my own house done in linen. I like it with the upholstered headboard.

This is also a gathered bedspread I did for a client's daughter done in white cotton with a contrasting welt around the top of the bed.

Flowing, gathered bedspreads in light, breathable fabrics just beckon you to come, plop down, and enjoy a nights rest in cool, crisp comfort.

Congrats to our Winner!!!

2011-05-06T17:01:00.000-04:00

We have heard from our winner! Marilee Dennis!! She is super excited to be the winner. Here is what she has to say:
"Dear Carol,
Thank you so much!!! I am so excited . . . you have no idea! This is totally unexpected. I already have a prominent place for the Framed Etchings in my home.
I also have been telling my friends about your website. All of them love decorating! Wait till I tell them what I won!
Thank you again!"

Huge congrats to Marilee and to all who signed up. Don't forget to visit our shop. We will post here when it is up and running very soon.

Thanks to all of our friends and readers for celebrating our new look and new exciting happenings at Southern Chateau and Carol Raley Interiors!

We Have a Winner!!!

2011-05-06T08:50:00.000-04:00

We have great news – our Framed Etchings Giveaway Winner has been selected! We have notified the selected winner by email and are waiting for an acceptance reply.

Unfortunately, we’ve also got some not-so-good news; due to some technical difficulties, we are not opening our online store today. While we sincerely regret the inconvenience, we decided that postponing the opening is in the best interest of you, our customers, as we want to make sure that your shopping experience with us is the best it can be.
However, we will still be sending out a 10% discount code to all of you by email when send our official winner’s announcement.
Again – we regret we can’t open today, but we’ll keep you posted on developments as we know them.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Time is Running Out!! Our Giveaway Deadline is Near!!

2011-05-02T12:00:00.004-04:00

City Engraving I

City Engraving II

To celebrate our upcoming grand opening of our new online store, shop.carolraley.com, we are giving away two beautiful framed etchings from Wendover Art to a lucky reader. These etchings are exclusives and work beautifully in any decor. They measure 15"x17" each, and have beautiful linen mats and black patina frames. They have a retail value of $250 for the pair.

To be entered for this fabulous drawing, just go to our website, www.carolraley.com and sign up for our Sales and Specials e-mail list between now and midnight (Eastern time) on Thursday, May 5. And to show our appreciation for signing up, you'll will receive a 10% discount on your first purchase through our online store!

On Friday morning May 6, we will announce the winner of the etchings and will send out the 10% discount code to all members of our Sales and Specials mailing list.

Thanks for celebrating with us as we begin anew at Southern Chateau and Carol Raley Interiors!

Trend Alert: The Year of the Peacock (and a Giveaway!!)

2011-04-29T12:05:00.001-04:00

Trends are good. Trends are bad.
Trends are fun in small doses and a very bad investment in large doses because when they are over, they fall with a very large thud.

BUT, back to the good part of trends. They bring fun, fashion, and color to your decor when used wisely.
Some of the best ways to incorporate decorating trends is in your accessories and soft goods. This way the hot new motif or color can visit for a while but leave without fanfare when it becomes a guest that has worn out its welcome.

A really hot trend I am seeing in the design marketplace right now is the peacock motif as well as a color I call Peacock which is a deep, green-tinged, inky blue. I have brought a few examples to show you.

This rug features a stylized peacock feather design with that beautiful "Peacock" color. I think this would be great in a dining room under a traditional style table or in a living room with a Lucite coffee table on it.

I particularly love this vase that hints at the peacock motif and colorway. Another good way to add the trend without investing too heavily into it.

Fashion gets into the act, too.

Greeting cards with a nod to the peacock trend would make a wonderful, stylish gift or look great sitting on your desk. So chic!

Again, pillows are an easy way to bring a touch of a hot trend into a room without major commitment.

Beautiful, large-scale peacock perfect for a shelf or a console table in an entryway.

Pretty blue and white interpretation of the peacock.

How about a peacock tonic cocktail?

I am in love with this large scale peacock motif fabric from JF Fabrics.

Look around closely and I believe you will be seeing the peacock being interpreted in many fresh and exciting ways.

Reminder!!
Be sure to enter our Giveaway celebrating our updated website and online shop!
(see link above)

credits: Peacock cocktail Martha Stewart (photo Simon Watson)
cards ParadoXx Art
blue/white pillow Cottage Cupboard
all others through Carol Raley Interiors

A Brand New Look and a Giveaway!!!!

2011-04-22T07:44:00.010-04:00

We are so excited to announce the launch of our updated website at http://www.carolraley.com/, as well as an all new look for Southern Chateau! Even MORE exciting: next Friday May 6, we will launch our online shop, shop.carolraley.com, where you can find all sorts of hand-picked items for your home, from accessories, to artwork and lamps, all the way to rugs and furniture! It has been a labor of love for our team and I am thrilled with the results. The new look reflects our design aesthetic so much better I think, and I hope you think so too.

To celebrate our upcoming grand opening, we will be giving away two exclusive framed etchings, Cityscape I and Cityscape II, shown below. They are matted in linen and have wonderful black patina frames. They work well in any decor. These are a retail value of $250 for the pair.

Cityscape I

Cityscape II

To be entered for the drawing, just go to our website and sign up for our Sales and Specials e-mail list between now and midnight (Eastern time) on Thursday, May 5. And just for signing up, you'll will receive a 10% discount on your first purchase through our online store!

On opening day, Friday May 6, we will announce the winner of the etchings and will send out the 10% discount code to all members of our Sales and Specials mailing list.

Thanks for celebrating with us as we begin a new chapter for Southern Chateau and Carol Raley Interiors!

You Need a Slipper Chair in Your Life!

2011-04-19T15:16:00.000-04:00

I love chairs of all kinds. I am known to bring home any stray chair that I feel is orphaned and needs a good home. Little antique French ones are favorites and are sprinkled around my house. But another type of chair that I cannot resist is a cute little slipper chair. Every house needs a least one somewhere.

Slipper chairs have quite a romantic back-story, as they are said to have served the function of giving Victorian ladies a low, armless chair on which to sit while putting on stockings and shoes. The lack of arms made room for the billowing skirts worn in those days. I just know that aesthectically a slipper chair is very pleasing to me.

Slipper chairs are just so versatile because of their small scale. You can tuck them into so many places in a room. It can often be a good solution for treating an awkward corner. Pairing a slipper chair with a small drink table, as in the photo above, creates a cozy reading spot.

This is a cell-phone shot of a similar chair I snapped at a recent furniture show. This chair is from Lee Industries. I wanted to illustrate how, even when there is button-tufting present, a pretty print fabric such as this blue-and-white ikat style, looks great. So pretty!

I think this little chair is just so unique and stylish. More button-tufting and legs with casters, two of my favorite style details.

How about this for something truly different and utterly feminine? I love it in a neutral linen like this and it would be fantastic in a large scale print as well.

This is a little antique slipper chair I have owned for a very long time, from back when finding something like this was rare, before French reproductions became so common. It is done in needlepoint.

This slipper chair has a very classic, sophisticated feel which I think would look great done in a living room in a pair, side-by-side.

This was another one of my vintage finds that I had covered in a cotton fabric with a small fern pattern. It sits in my grandson's nursery at my house. (By the way, those walls are chocolate brown. Not the greatest picture.)

This is a more contemporary version consisting of cleaner, straighter lines and a little larger scale. I'm more of the curvy persuasion myself, though!

If something seems missing in your life, maybe adding a delicious little slipper chair to your decor will brighten things up. You never know!

Photo and vendor credits: 1. Suzanne Kasler Interiors, 2.Suzanne Kasler for Hickory chair, 3.Williams Sonoma, 4. Lee Industries 5. through Carol Raley Interiors 6. through Carol Raley Interiors 7. personal collection 8. Williams-Sonoma 9. personal collection 10. Williams-Sonoma

Home is Where the Heart Is: A Eulogy

2011-04-17T09:18:00.000-04:00

image via marys-view.blogspot.com

I make a living decorating houses. I live it and breathe it. I attempt to write about it here and share my passion for it with you.
But sometimes life reminds me that decorating and design is an underpinning to something bigger and more important.
And that is Home.

Home is where you came from. It is the springboard for your life. It is the place you will always remember all your days. You will forever walk through its rooms, even if physically it is long gone. You will remember its sights, sounds, and smells. You will see it in your dreams always.

Last week my dear mother-in-law passed away. She is at peace now I believe. Now we have only memories of her and the home that she made for her family. It was a place I became a part of when I was seventeen years old, before we were married. My earliest memories are of the immediate sense of warmth and welcome I felt the first time I walked through the door. Home-cooked Southern food was always on the stove and warm welcomes and hugs waited for me. I knew I had found my second family for life. The sounds of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren rang through the rooms.

Yes, beauty and order speak to me. I have longed for them since I was a child. But the thing that lives most in my heart and mind are memories of those intangible qualities that make a house a home. And those who make them happen.

In Memoriam

Joyce Jewell Raley

July 19, 1930-March 31, 2011

Chandelier Trends and Tips

2011-04-15T07:45:00.001-04:00

Lighting falls into the category of house jewelry. It says so much about a house and its owner. Nothing is worse than outdated light fixtures. It is what I will notice first when walking into a home. And nothing is a quicker update than changing out lighting. Let's look at some new trends that are in the marketplace. The chandelier above is from Currey and Co. and is a lovely mix of traditional styling interpreted in a modern, more natural way. I love the shape and the natural, aged finish. This look could work with so many styles of decorating, from rustic farmhouse, french country, swedish luxe, to updated traditional. Just love.

Here we see again the natural, aged finish and the pared-down elegance of another Currey design. This is reminiscent to me of the grand chandeliers hanging in chateaus and grand homes like Biltmore House. Simple yet so elegant.

Lantern style chandeliers are a hot trend right now and it is one of which I am a big fan. It's just a classic look and there are so many great interpretations of the design out there currently. This particular one is from Vagabond Vintage. I see it being equally at home in a dressed-up setting as well as putting some bling into a more casual or rustic decor.

How's this for rough-luxe elegance? This burlap chandelier from Zentique is the epitome of pared-down, artsy style. I can visualize this paired with dressy Louis chairs with modern fabrics and a farmhouse table.

Tara Shaw always brings it. Style that is. This fresh interpretation of Empire style is clean, airy, but elegant.

This type of chandelier will always be among my favorites.

Another Tara Shaw beauty is shown here. An aged-finish wood lantern chandelier which to me is so Italian looking. I think maybe this is my favorite du jour!

Currey again here with a nod to the lantern style. This feels elegant and simple at the same time. It could work in so many different styles of decor as well.

This dressy lantern/pendant style fixture from Currey in a distressed pewter finish is one of my favorites. I used one recently in a clients office.

Gorgeous!

Choosing the right chandelier is the first task, followed by knowing how to hang it when you get it home. It is suggested by many lighting companies and designers that a chandelier be hung anywhere from 30-34 inches above a dining table in a room with 8 foot ceilings. If your ceiling is higher than that, the fixture should be hung 3 inches higher for each foot of ceiling. Truthfully, I often just eyeball where I think the chandelier looks best. As far as size and scale goes, it is suggested that the chandelier be 12 inches narrower than the table over which it hangs.

I realize these chain covers were in vogue for a while, but it is time for them to go away now. This is too fussy and just calls even more attention to the chain and away from a beautiful chandelier. Can you imagine this thing on one of the Tara Shaw beauties above? Sacrilege!

Another issue is cleaning and care. If your chandelier has crystals or glass, it needs to be kept dust and smudge-free in order to shine to its full beauty.

I will leave you with one more gorgeous Tara Shaw chandelier. This look is popular now and is one of my favorites.

When it comes to choosing lighting for your home, think outside the big-box store and your house will have "jewelry" that you won't see in every one of your neighbors houses.

Retro Brilliance

2011-04-11T11:24:00.001-04:00

Check out this wonderful home in Charleston Home magazine designed by designer Angie Hranowsky.

Here is the link. Enjoy!

http://www.charlestonmag.com/home/feature/retro_brilliance

It's Getting Closer!!

2011-04-08T07:38:00.000-04:00

Our Symphony Showhouse 2011 foyer

I am so excited about all the new things we are working on here at Southern Chateau. Next week we will launch our new look and I hope will you come and celebrate with me. I will be sharing some fabulous new products with you, as well as some great giveaways. Be sure to watch for my updates and announcements!

New and Exciting Happenings at Southern Chateau!!

2011-04-06T08:57:00.008-04:00

We are working on some new and exciting things at Southern Chateau and Carol Raley Interiors.

Watch for our new look, along with great giveaways, discounts, and promotions.

Check back here for the next big announcement!

Pillows! An Easy Spring Update

2011-03-31T08:53:00.001-04:00

Spring is here and I think we all want a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to update our rooms. One good way is to add new pillows or change out the ones we have. I'll show you some of my favorites right now.

I prefer a clean look now, especially for the warmer months. I have two of these on my sofa at home and they are perfect.

Get rid of the heavily trimmed and tasseled look like two above. I still love a nice needlepoint pillow like this one, but not for spring and summer decorating.

Turquoise and spa-blues are still on my love list and they look great on cream or white-slipcovered furniture. Large-scale center motifs are very current and fresh looking.

Two hot trends combined in one pillow; suzani motif and purple.

I love this look. Light upholstery and bleached wood finish punched up with a killer pillow.

How about this for a spring look? Such a cute little pillow appliqued with a dragonfly.

I used the dragonfly pillow in this teen girl's bedroom. She loved it!

Or maybe this sweet little bee pillow.

I love this cute little French scooter pillow.

So go forth! Get yourself some stylish new pillows and inject some fresh air into your home!

A Thing of Beauty

2011-03-28T08:50:00.000-04:00

I love beautiful things. I think any and all who haunt these blogs and websites do as well. Before I was a designer, before I was a blogger, before anything, I loved beautiful things. Be they grand or humble, I have always loved the thrill of the hunt and the subsequent finding of the "prize".

I know. The definition of the word prize is as infinite as the number of us devotees.

For today's enjoyment, I offer this.

This is a silver-plated hotel turkey platter and dome. It is absolutely huge, measuring 30" long x 20" wide.

It takes some muscle to lift it! It has a crest engraved on the front and the scalloped tray is substantial.

Something about a beautiful object that has been loved, used, and cherished by many before us makes it so much more meaningful than anything brand new.

(When I leave this old world, they'll probably have to pry this from my dead cold hands!)

Love List Friday

2011-03-25T09:02:00.000-04:00

On your Friday Love List is this fabulous, sensuous, French bergere from Chelsea Textiles.

Just looking at it makes me feel a little light-headed!

Contact me if you are interested in any of our Love List items.

If Money Were No Object.....

2011-03-23T07:53:00.001-04:00

I just had to show you these images of Paula Deens "Dish Pantry".

The term "butler's pantry" has always come off a little pretentious to me. Unless, of course, you actually have a butler. But this large room-turned Dish Pantry is everything I dream of. Lots of space, antique-inspired shelving and cabinetry, rolling ladder, large windows.
Wow. Just. Wow.

Source: Cooking with Paula Deen

So True.....Mr Hadley

2011-03-21T08:01:00.000-04:00

"Design is coming to grips with one's real lifestyle, one's real place in the world. Rooms should not be put together for show but to nourish one's well- being."

Albert Hadley

Image via House Beautiful

Love List Friday

2011-03-18T08:42:00.001-04:00

On the Love List today is this gorgeous Gothic-inspired table from Bliss Studio. Just love.

The Time It is A-Changing

2011-03-12T09:34:00.001-05:00

Happy Saturday!

We spring forward this weekend and to me that means spring is almost here. It has been a rather grueling winter here, so I have never been more ready. I have many decorating projects in mind for my house, as well as some cool displays for my shop.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I will keep you posted on my goings-on.

Love List

2011-03-09T11:52:00.000-05:00

Two of these are sitting in my shop right now. Trying to resist the urge to take them home with me!

Black-Eyed Peas and Love

2011-01-01T13:10:00.001-05:00

Here in the South New Year's Day means black-eyed peas. Even if you don't particularly care for them, you eat a few anyway, just for good measure. Kind of like knocking on wood. You know it's a silly superstition, but what if Mama was really right? I have a little pot on the stove right now. As I stood and stirred them, watching them gently roll around in their hot soup, I thought about all the New Year's of my past eating black-eyed peas at the tables of the wonderful cooks in my life.
Particularly I think of my mother-in-law, who always called on the morning of January 1st and said, "Come by when you can today. I have a pot of black-eyed peas, a mess of greens, and some cornbread. You need to eat a bite for good luck". And we always stopped by.
And you know what? Some years were better than others, but we've always had pretty good luck.

Now she isn't able to cook the peas anymore, but I will take her some today and feel blessed and hopeful for the New Year.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T11:56:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to You All!!!

May 2011 Be the Best Year Ever!!

A New Baby in 1985 and the Elusive Tree Ornament

2010-11-07T16:16:00.001-05:00

In late November 1985 I became the proud new mother of my second child, a sweet baby boy. Needless to say, Christmas shopping had already been done to the best of my hugely pregnant ability. But the one thing I never managed to pick up that holiday season was the very important Hallmark Baby's First Christmas ornament for the family tree. A couple of family friends sent gifts with little ornaments attached, but the main Hallmark ornament just never got purchased. Fast forward to 2010. The aforementioned baby is now almost 25 years old and well on the road of his life. But every year when I decorate my Christmas tree, complete with the Baby's First Christmas ornaments of his older sister, born in 1983, I feel just a little pang of regret that one little detail got overlooked that year.
Well, my internet surfing skills continue to improve little by little. I now even can add Ebay to my repertoire of online shopping haunts. And I can even proudly boast that I sometimes have some killer bidding skills when the item of my desire appears on my screen.
This afternoon I jumped on Ebay to look around and decided to search for that elusive baby ornament. As if by divine intervention, there it was at the very top of the computer screen. A vintage 1985 Hallmark Baby's First Christmas Carousel lighted ornament. No box, but hey, no biggie to me. NINE minutes left in the auction. I think I hyperventilated a little. I quickly logged in and the bidding war was on! First bid, "you have been outbid, please try again". Second bid,same bad news. Next bid, "you are the highest bidder!". Okay, now the gloves are off. It has to be mine. A young mother's regret has to be avenged. One more click; the countdown begins. One minute and counting down. "You won this auction." I felt victorious and silly all at the same time.
But I'll tell you one thing, when I hang that little carousel on my tree this Christmas, I will revisit the joy I felt twenty five years ago rocking that baby boy in my arms.

Carol Raley Interiors in At Home Tennessee!

2010-11-05T10:21:00.002-04:00

Check us out in the November issue of At Home Tennessee magazine where we give tips for creating inviting holiday tablescapes. Here is the link to the digital version of the magazine. We are on page 59.

http://issuu.com/athometennessee/docs/november-2010

Some Updates Around the House

2010-10-11T09:33:00.001-04:00

I've been absent for a little while around blogland, occasionally checking in on some of my favorite blogs, but in general just taking a little break to regroup. Since finishing the large project we worked on for close to a year, I have turned my attention back to tweaking a few things around my own house. We also have been invited by a regional magazine to share a holiday tablescape, and I am sharing a few of our own photos of that little project as well.

Here is a shot of the dining room dressed for the holiday tablescape shoot. I just had to build the design around this huge silver tray and meat dome I recently acquired!

A close-up of a place setting using red and white transferware from my collection, as well as vintage silver baby cups and tiny hand-blown glass ornaments.

Here is another shot of the table. I love this little vintage cup with the key!

Another close-up of the table.

This is a Lucite console I placed in the dining room because it takes up so little visual space. Here I placed a few transferware berry dishes on a distressed gray pedestal, along with my 1950's vintage coffee urn and (yes another!) darling little dome. A tiny vintage coffee creamer looks sweet in this vignette I think. The large crystal drink decanter gets a lot of use during family get-togethers year round.

I had the headboard recovered in a pale tiger-stripe fabric I had languishing in storage and added a french stool and needlepoint pillow at the foot of the bed. Silk curtains were also fabricated out of more fabric from my "going-to-use-this-someday" inventory. The walls have been this color for a few years and I would really like to change them, but I guess I'll hold off a little longer.

I paired this sweet little French ladie's desk with a modern leather and nailhead stool that I think has a sort of Morrocan flavor. An original antique etching hangs above it. I didn't want anything too big there that would take away from the desk.

I also had this bedspread made out of some really inexpensive linen and I like the way it looks with the headboard.

I updated the living room a little bit with some large Bliss Studio pillows on the sofa and a tall mirrored tea table.

I brought this gilt Louis chair down from its previous home upstairs to brighten the room up a bit and added a grain sack rug under the tea table.

Here is a tighter shot of the chair. I have the matching sofa, also, which will have to continue living upstairs!

The little antique secretary is a piece that we bought years ago when we were first married.

The other side of the living room which includes a tall skirted console, sepia-tone landscape prints, and family photos.

I'm not big on a lot of accessories in my kitchen because I really cook and I need the counter space, so I leave out my food processor and stand mixer all the time. I did add a recent find of a sweet little flow-blue platter.

This burled wood trough planter is pretty as well as useful. I like to place little ferns, herbs, fruits, and vegetables in it.

There is nothing prettier in the kitchen, in my opinion, than real fruit displayed in a pretty container.

These little white linen slipcovers are great on the counter stools! Just throw them in the washer and hang to dry!

I hope I still have a few readers out there! If so, thanks for coming back and reading!

My Sentiments Exactly

2010-07-24T10:17:00.002-04:00

"I have spent my life obsessed with houses and the beautiful things that go in them. Not for the false glamour of having “things”, but for the art and story behind the homes—the designers and the craftsmen and the ingenuity of it." Haskell Harris (Garden and Gun magazine)

I could have written these words myself. I have always, as long as I remember, been obsessed with houses, too. So many people think that working in this business means that you are into what Haskell calls "the false glamour" of it all, but I know, for myself it is just as she feels; it is about the family who lives there and their story. Even the stories of those before them.

Maybe it's just a Southern thing.....

http://gardenandgun.com/blog/love-first-house

Sweet Summertime

2010-07-14T18:53:00.001-04:00

In the South right now, and really all over the country, the heat is oppressive. Here are a few images that make me feel a little cooler.

If we can't take a real vacation, a small virtual one helps!

More Before and After

2010-06-29T20:00:00.000-04:00

A Peek at Where I've Been

2010-06-23T17:41:00.000-04:00

I realize it's been a while since I've written here. It's been a whirlwind of work lately, and still is, thankfully. Just thought I would post a few pictures of some of the things we've been working on.

The daughter's bedroom.

Another shot.

The master bath.

Kitchen window treatment.

The dining room.

The dining room from the foyer.

The lady's office.

Dining room.

The kitchen.

None of these photos are styled at all. I just wanted to do a quick post and update everyone on my whereabouts. I will post more as I have them.

More Atlanta Excitement

2010-05-14T07:56:00.001-04:00

Atlanta Decorative Arts Center

In my last post, I wrote about my experience at Design ADAC 2010 last week and the thrill of seeing and hearing design icon John Saladino speak about his work. I felt privileged to be in attendance. But the trip proved exciting for me in other ways, as well.

First off, while sitting and waiting for a session by business coach David Shepherd to begin, I thought I spotted the author of the popular blog "Things That Inspire". After the session I went up to her and introduced myself. Holly was as charming in person as she is on her blog. I regret that I didn't get a photo with her, but I was very happy to meet her.

After the talk by John Saladino, I purchased his book, "Villa", and proceeded to an upstairs showroom to to meet him and get my book signed. Here is a photo of the book signing.

While in line, I turned around to see none other than Suzanne Kasler waiting in line behind me! I was excited about my good fortune and introduced myself. Suzanne is so warm and friendly. I admire designers such as these who have reached the pinnacle of success and yet retain such a grounded and real persona. My husband Steve snapped this photo:

Later that day we drove over to Buckhead to tour the Atlanta Symphony Decorator's Showhouse. I always try to visit when I can. The house was great and we lingered in every room taking it all in. I was impressed with how many designers were present to meet and greet in their respective rooms. When we reached the Master Bedroom, we were greeted by the designer, Patricia McLean. I have followed her Showhouse rooms for many years. I found her Southern charm so engaging and her room was fabulous. Here is a photo of Patricia and me in front of a 17th century Venetian secretary worth a mere $700,000! She was so sweet and gracious.

I always enjoy my trips to Atlanta and I love the design energy and vibe I get from being there, but this trip was even more special as a result of meeting such design greats who are such warm and wonderful people as well.

Sitting at the Feet of a Master

2010-05-10T07:56:00.001-04:00

I just returned from Design ADAC 2010 in Atlanta and my batteries could not be more recharged. I saw many wonderful things; fabrics, furnishings, rugs, etc. The biggest take-away though, was from listening to John Saladino, the design and architectural icon, speak about his latest book and his villa in California. Speaking to a standing-room only crowd, he received a standing ovation as he walked into the room. After the applause died down, you could hear a pin drop as we, decorators and designers from near and far, many of world renown themselves, waited for him to speak and teach. We were not disappointed.
His talk was based on his career, but mainly on the loving and painstaking restoration of his villa in Santa Barbara California. He spoke about and taught how ancient cultures and civilizations have influenced his designs and his architectural point of view. It was so inspiring to see such a legendary designer who is so humble. I won't try and discuss and illustrate all his work, because blogland is full of such posts, but I will say that to see and hear him in person was very moving for me. I think I will probably look at design in a different way from now forward.

Cover Girls!

2010-05-02T08:22:00.000-04:00

A wonderful Mother's Day gift! So proud to work with my sweet daughter, Shana.

Derby Day

2010-05-01T08:15:00.005-04:00

Mint Juleps...

A huge spread...

Hats and more hats....

And they're off!

( Do you have a favorite horse? I don't know much about them, but I like the name "Looking at Lucky") !

Seeing the Derby is on my bucket list!

Before and After

2010-04-27T18:18:00.001-04:00

Here are a couple of update pictures of the kitchen in a current project we are working on.

After

Before

This kitchen was totally designed by me and my husband, Steve, who did all the CAD design and specifications from which they were built. I think it has turned out beautifully and the client is thrilled.

A Sweet Gift from a Reader

2010-04-21T08:26:00.000-04:00

Blogging is usually work for no pay, but sometimes it has its perks. A sweet reader, Anne from queenannesplace, sent me this beautiful Treasure Linen Keeper. It is an acid-free way to store all your tabletop items such as napkins, table runners, place-mats, etc. You can even use it to store photos. It keeps things from turning yellow and brittle. Mine is the Lady Lydia I design and I love it. Anne has several collections which include toile, damask, stripes, and polka dots, to name a few. Head over to her site here, http://www.queenannesplace.com/ and see all the lovely things she carries.

A Little Vendor Love: Currey and Co.

2010-04-15T08:10:00.003-04:00

I just thought I would give you a peek into the biggest project I am working on and pay a little attention to one of my favorite vendors, Currey and Co.

This is the Epitome chandelier that I placed in the foyer. So simple and elegant at the same time.

The Zara Pendant Chandelier in the lady-of-the-house office.

The Belmonte Wall Sconce. So elegant!

The Zara Wall Sconce on the staircase.

Another view of the Zara Wall Sconce.

The pair of Belmonte Wall Sconces on the panelled walls in the dining room. I love these.

The Salzburg Chandelier in the breakfast area. Tiny austrian crystals adorn this chandelier and catch the light. Very pretty!

Another view of the office Zara where you can see the new coffered ceiling treatment and bookcase we added.

Just a quick look at a current project using some of my favorite lighting designs from Currey.

2010-04-14T09:05:00.000-04:00

These are a few photos of a sweet little acquisition I made recently. A complete set of "Asiatic Pheasant" dishes by Burleigh. I love the color, a soft periwinkle blue. My next dilemna; eat off of them or display them. I need to compromise somehow. They're too pretty to hide away in cabinets!

Hitting the Road in Style

2010-04-13T06:59:00.000-04:00

Is this 75th Anniversary Airstream cool or what?! I would absolutely love to restore and redecorate one. This is my idea of camping!

Monday Motivation and Inspiration

2010-04-12T07:25:00.000-04:00

(A lot easier said than done!)

RIP Dixie Carter

2010-04-11T07:37:00.000-04:00

I was so saddened to get up this morning to the sad news that beloved Southern actress Dixie Carter had passed away. I believe her character, Julia Sugarbaker, influenced a lot of us designers and decorators. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

MyRecipes

2010-04-10T12:14:00.000-04:00

I think this will be on the menu tonight!

MyRecipes

Formal + Funky = Exciting

2010-04-06T08:20:00.003-04:00

One of my very favorite design styles is dressed-down elegance. I love dressy, glamourous furniture and decorative objects, but these things can make a room take itself too seriously. The best way to have your cake and eat it too is to take a formal piece of furniture and dress it down with a more casual or even funky fabric or paint color.

A wonderful canape from Cote France. Not your grandmother's brocade here. A large-scale modern floral brings a timeless piece into now.

The Francine Sofa from Anthropologie.

The Hollandaise Commode from Cote France. Classic with a punch of turquoise.

Louisa Settee from Anthropologie.

I love this so much. Reverent of the past and so irreverent at the same time.

Formal tea table from the oomph line.

French fauteil in chartreuse patent leather.

Traditional tufted chair in pink leather from E.J. Victor.

Tradition with a twist is fresh and exciting.

Monday Motivation and Inspiration

2010-04-05T07:25:00.000-04:00

Don't design for everyone. It's impossible. All you end up doing is designing something that makes everyone unhappy.

Leisa Reichelt

Happy Easter to All!

2010-04-04T07:51:00.000-04:00

Kluge Chapel, a private chapel which overlooks vineyards on an estate in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Happy Easter!

Buttery Herb Cheese Basket Recipe for Easter

2010-04-03T08:33:00.008-04:00

Here is a pretty appetizer for your Easter table. The link to the recipe is below.

Buttery Herb Cheese Basket

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1820978

Fabulous Dressing Rooms and Closets

2010-03-31T07:30:00.004-04:00

Barbara Barry

A lot of my posts revolve around whatever I am working on and researching at any given time. I am working on a bedroom/dressing room area for a young client and have been looking at images pertaining to this subject. Here are a few of my favorites:

Hollywood glamour can be over the top in some rooms, but in a dressing room it is perfect.

Jackie Kennedy's dressing room in the Kennedy White House; still fabulous today.

Mariah Carey's dressing room, designed by Mario Buatta. Pure diva, but still not in bad taste. I love the floor.

This is my absolute dream closet! Just beautiful!

Elton John's closet containing his collection of glasses.

A masculine dressing room designed by Mario Buatta. Very Napoleon with the tented ceiling.

A closet in a newly redesigned historic home in Savannah.

Ralph Lauren's personal dressing room.

This closet is so my style. I might be more of a morning person if this was the first thing I saw every day!

Aerin Lauder's dressing room.

You could catch the morning news in this well-outfitted closet.

Dressing room in a Kip's Bay Showhouse.

No post would be complete without a photo from the Something's Gotta Give house. What a beautiful closet/dressing room.

After all this great inspiration, I'm ready to get back to work!

Will Design Blogs Make Us Get Too Homogenized?

2010-03-28T11:50:00.001-04:00

I was thinking today. (A dangerous thing I know.) I was thinking about the blog phenomenon and the effect it is having on design in this country. It is a very different effect than magazines have. Magazine design was always lofty, somewhere "out there" in an otherworldly, often unobtainable place. Now, with the explosion of design blogs, we have access to each other every day, minute by minute. We are in each others' kitchens and bedrooms whenever we want to be. We can watch the real-world evolution of so many bloggers' design ideas come to fruition, backstage photos and all. We share our sources and tips. We educate each other on color theory and decorative arts history. And we certainly opine freely on what is trendy and what should never, ever be seen.
Which brings me to the big question. Is this a good thing, or will it eventually make interior design in America so blended that a uniqueness that was there before will forever be gone? You know how back in the day you could travel to a new city and it was so completely different from your hometown? But now you exit the interstate and the first thing you see are stretches of strip malls full of the same Pottery Barns and Targets that you see back home. As a result, we all now wear the same clothes with same accessories in the same colors. It depresses me sometimes.
So now when we are designing a room, will we hop on the web and travel around to make sure we are aren't making a huge design faux pas too uncool for blogland? Will we freeze in our tracks with the thought, WWJD? (What Would Joni Do?)
The big challenge for us all is to reap the benefits of the camaraderie of Facebook and blogging while retaining our own unique viewpoints and styles. Sort of like art class when we walked around and viewed and appreciated each other's work, and sometimes felt even a little intimidated. But we ultimately walked back to our canvas and put our own brushstrokes down. We have to challenge ourselves to be true to our own style while appreciating others' work. Not easy, but if we support each other, it is possible.

The Glamourous Dog

2010-03-18T08:15:00.000-04:00

Pink and feathers

Purple and Metallics

Leather for the Ralph Lauren look

Masculine Murphy bed

Satin and leopard print

Pink velvet and rhinestones

I found these pictures the other day and had to do a quick post on them. These are all so adorable and I couln't help but notice how their design follows current trends.

(Murphy bed from Solutions, Leather bed from Uttermost, all others from the Glamour Dog Store)

A Saturday Recipe

2010-03-13T13:48:00.000-05:00

Here is a nice Saturday recipe for cucumber tea sandwiches from Southern Lady magazine. I'm thinking of spring and Easter and showers.

Southern Lady Magazine Featured Recipe

Real Talk: DIY is not Duplicate It Yourself!

2010-03-12T13:09:00.000-05:00

Check out this great discussion over at Decor8.

Real Talk: DIY is not Duplicate It Yourself!

Richard Frinier and his Fabulous Outdoor Collections

2010-03-08T09:07:00.001-05:00

With Spring just around the corner, my thoughts turn to outdoor living and the furnishing of outdoor spaces. Some clients of ours, for whom we are just finishing up a complete whole-house remodel and decorating project, have also asked us to oversee the addition of a new swimming pool and pool house area adjacent to their home. Furnishing and decorating this area will be a fun project, especially coming in the spring like it is.
How fortuitous it was that I met the preeminent outdoor furniture designer, Richard Frinier, through mutual contacts, on Facebook. I went and viewed his site and found a large body of design work, starting with his first collection for Dedon in 2001. In an article written by William Kissel, I learned that Richard's first piece for Dedon, the Daydream bed, was to become one of the most copied pieces of outdoor furniture ever designed.

It was said that Richard imagined Alladin floating on a magic carpet, loose and free, not taut like an umbrella.

This is part of the Hemisphere collection, also for Dedon. I think I have seen this design knocked-off many times as well.

Richard's newest collection is for Century Furniture and it definitely does not disappoint. Classic and clean, simple lines yet so elegant. This photo highlights part of the Andalusia Collection.

Also for Century, the Archipelago Collection reminds me of a plantation; dark woods and shutters.

I love the Kyoto collection. So modern and classic at the same time.

Here we see part of the Gulfstream Collection. The polished finish is so current and works with so many design styles.

This may be my favorite of Richard's collections for Century. The Orient Collection; I love the bamboo motif and the design is also reminiscent of Chippendale to me.

The Plenair Collection is extremely versatile in style. It could go from rustic to modern.

Richard Frinier also designs outdoor lighting. This floor lantern is from his Andon Collection for Currey & Co.

A table lamp from the Nusa Collection for Currey.

The Shinto floor lamp

The Todai table lamp.

Here we see part of the outdoor fabric collection Richard designed for Sunbrella. He is such a versatile designer and designs for the whole outdoor cohesive look.

The talented Mr. Frinier. Go check out his designs at http://www.richardfrinier.com/ and at http://www.centuryfurniture.com/.

White Hot Bathrooms

2010-03-03T07:28:00.002-05:00

I really love the clean look of a white bathroom. Mirrors and polished fixtures shine in these rooms. Here black-framed art and black-and-white fabrics bring a graphic look to the room.

This is a very pretty bath with the palladian window being the focal point. White marble floors and counters bring a cool continuity with the only color coming from the rug. I like the little french chair holding towels.

This is a spa bath with all white and dark marble floors, which really shows off the pedestal tub. I like the open shelving with baskets holding towels. They give texture to all the smooth surfaces

This bath combines white and cream tones very effectively. The built-in cabinets bring a lot of function to a small bath. I like the mirrored accent doors here.

This is my favorite bath in this collection of images. I love the black-and-white marble floor and the vintage tub. Again, a fabulous little chair holds towels and offers a place to sit if needed. This room is classic and would never seem dated.

I see a pattern developing here! White marble and french furniture. My favorite architectural element here is the mirrored window over the tub, which visually expands the room and brings the outdoors in.

I really like this arched niche for the tub. The simple window treatment adds just enough softness.

Architectural elements offer the only color here, which makes them really stand out and shine. A great example of how classic pieces used with restraint are ageless.

Not Your Grandmother's Wallpaper

2010-02-25T07:43:00.001-05:00

Ronald Redding

Candace Olsen

Ronald Redding

Nina Campbell

Wallpaper is still a wonderful decorating tool. These looks illustrate how wallpaper brings an element to design that no other medium does. Used judiciously, not covering every surface like we did in the 80's and 90's, it can introduce pattern and color as well as set the tone and define a motif for a room. I never stopped completely using wallpaper in my work and I am really excited about the new looks out there. New and improved substrates make hanging and stripping easy, but my advice is to let a professional do it if possible. Next time you are surfing design sites or reading magazines, look closely. Wallpaper is making a comeback.

Put Some Romance in Your Bedroom

2010-02-19T07:57:00.000-05:00

(Canopies, people, we're talking canopies!)

Being a more-is-more kind of girl, (as hard as I try to reform), I am really drawn to fabric and the liberal use of it. So canopies over beds are a natural fit for me. I just think nothing is more sensual and romantic. Here are a few images for your enjoyment.

It just doesn't get any prettier than this.

A soothing and relaxing retreat.

A slightly more tailored look.

An interesting and unique design.

A tent canopy.

Dramatic twin canopies.

More twins.

Just a short synopsis of one of my favorite design elements. I've never met a canopy I didn't like.

Winter Blues

2010-02-16T07:47:00.000-05:00

Here in East Tennessee we are blessed to have the joy of the four distinct seasons. Usually all four are fairly mild and temperate. Not so this winter. It has been rainy, snowy, gray, and really cold. We're out of salt and snow days. Green grass and daffodils fill our dreams. As an escape, I compiled some beautiful rooms showcasing the color blue.

Beautiful shade of blue on the sofa.

Some combinations of blue and brown are getting tired, but this one is stunning.

Blue and white is so crisp in this dining room.

Blue walls with all-white bedding and upholstery make for a soothing bedroom escape.

An interesting placement of blue and white temple jars.

Eye-catching blue dining chairs pop in this neutral setting.

Blue and white checks become the fous on the bench and headboard in this bedroom.

A favorite image of mine.

So serene.

Blue and white with a coastal feeling.

Blue and white is classic and clean. Always current and well-loved.

Monday Inspiration

2010-02-15T09:15:00.000-05:00

To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.
Joseph Chilton Pearce

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-13T07:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

(I love this image, but don't have the source. If you know, please let me know.)

Home Sizes Fall as Builders, Buyers Embrace Economic Reality (Jody White) « Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty Blog

2010-02-07T15:52:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to an interesting article:

Home Sizes Fall as Builders, Buyers Embrace Economic Reality (Jody White) « Atlanta Fine HomeSotheby's International Realty Blog

Trend Alert: The Bird Motif

2010-02-04T07:55:00.000-05:00

A huge trend I spooted at market is the bird motif. I saw it in lots of places, but two of the most recurrent were lamps and pillows.

I really love the black and charteuse combo here.

A lot of the pieces have a botanical, Audubon kind of feel to them.

Here is a triple-trend; the bird motif, charteuse, and the uber-hot turquoise color on one pillow.

A very airy fern and bird lamp shade.

Again, bird+turquoise

Being a designer, I really like the partial chandelier and bird design.

This is one of my favorites.

A bird in the hand....

I like this shade with the green-turquoise coloring, the bird motif, and the slim horizontal shape.

(For pricing, contact me.)

A Lesson in Modern History

2010-01-31T11:18:00.002-05:00

Gustavian Painted Bookcase

I recently came across an ad for a furniture company based in High Point, North Carolina called Modern History. I am a big proponent of classic furniture styles, whether they be antique or good quality reproductions. I was curious about the line so I went over to their website and took a look around. I fell in love with some of their pieces.

Inlaid half-moon console

This line is a wonderful collection of reproductions with a modern, updated feel.

Leather-wrapped Server

I can see all the pieces in the collection looking fabulous being mixed with other more clean-lined upholstered furniture and modern art.

Japanned half-round cabinet

Many of the case goods in the line are chinoiserie-inspired painted pieces. The finishes are beautiful.

Painted Gustavian Chest

A problem with many companies who manufacture reproduction type lines is the fact that their entire lines are often a boring parade of brown-stained pieces. Modern History, on the other hand, has a very nice mix of stained, inlays, painted and distressed, and japanned designs to offer.

Classic Regency-style console

You can never go wrong with a clean-lined classic look like this.

Japanned Concave Chest

This chest would be a beautiful statement piece for a foyer or entry.

Scandanavian-style painted console

This painted console would be great mixed with so many of the gray-washed pieces on the market right now.

Painted Gustavian-style concave bedside table

This liitle bedside table would be at home in so many different styles of rooms.

Modern History is definitely on my favorites list now.

Go over and check out their website, http://www.modernhistoryhome.com/.

Money Doesn't Always Equal Taste

2010-01-28T08:09:00.000-05:00

These are a few shots I have collected from luxury real estate sites. These rooms are all in houses worth at least twenty million dollars.

Waverly much?

Anybody live here?

Rooms To Go their designer?

Just bad.

There. That should make us all feel better!

A Little Something for Myself

2010-01-24T17:40:00.002-05:00

photo by a la parisienne

I just had to show you this beautiful hand-made brooch I ordered for myself from Mandy at http://www.a-la-parisienne.blogspot.com/. Mandy's beautiful blog is on my blogroll and is a must-see treat. She is a beautiful young mother who has several creative endeavors going, including photography and blog design. I purchased this beauty from her Etsy shop. How satisfying it is to own something so unique and lovely.

Her brooches always are designed with such feminine details and colors. Mine is adorned with this pretty vintage blue pearl. When I opened the box, it was wrapped in fancy tissue paper and tied with an ecru ribbon. Mandy even included a hand-written thank you note and care instructions. Such attention to detail! Be sure and visit her.

Now....I have to shop for an outfit pretty enough to wear it with!

Time Out

2010-01-22T19:50:00.000-05:00

Time for a little break.....

Building, Renovating, Redecorating: Should You Hire a Designer or Do it Yourself?

2010-01-21T03:12:00.001-05:00

There are many, many decisions to be made when you are gearing up for a large project, whether it be building, doing an addition, renovating, or redecorating. But the first thing to resolve is whether to do all the design yourself or get help. Because this is what I do every day, I have the real-world perspective on just what is involved in such a project. Here are some thoughts to ponder:

If the job is large, do have 6-8 hrs a day for weeks or months to devote to sourcing, shopping, quoting, dealing with subcontractors?
Can you relenquish control?
Can you trust?
Are you a good communicator: ie. drawings, specs, ideas ,pictures.
Do you have an eye for proportion, scale, color, etc.?
Are you handy with tools, demolition? Do you have the time and inclination to clean up every day after the mess?
Do you have a place to receive shipped goods?
Do you have access to craftspeople: ie. seamstress, plumbers, carpenters, painters, faux artists, etc.?
Are you decisive?
Can you handle problems with logistics, schedules, personnel problems?
Do you work during the day?
Do you have access to wholesale vendors, fabric houses, to the trade sources?
Do you enjoy chaos?
Can you handle everyone giving you differing opinions of what you should do?
Do have time for status meetings, phone calls, checking on shipments, project management?
Are you good at math and know formulas for determining fabric yardages, drapery fullnesses, sewing and fabrication terminology, floorcovering estimates, wallpaper estimates, etc.?
If you are a woman, can you handle working with predominately male tradespeople and installers?
Are you comfortable with people working in your home?
How much is your time worth as opposed to the money saved by doing it yourself?

When you are deciding between the two options, be honest with yourself: will you take on design and project management because you truly enjoy it and have the talents needed, or because your main motivation is saving money? If your honest answer is saving money, you should think twice. It is demanding and it is a lot of work. By the time it's all said and done, the savings alone just may not be worth it.

And The Winner Is....

2010-01-20T07:44:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much to all of you who came and commented on the blogoversary post! And now for the winner....drumroll please.....

The winner of the beautiful Charleston candle from Low Country Luxe is......

Pat from Fort Worth, Texas!

Congratulations, Pat!

(Pat commented on January 17,2010 at 12:12 p.m.)

My First Blogoversary and a Giveaway for Readers

2010-01-16T07:44:00.001-05:00

I started blogging January 13, 2009. I had no idea how rewarding it would be. Blogging has brought me to a place where design junkies like me congregate every day and bring their views and ideas to the table. It is a place to get inspired and get your creative batteries charged. There are so many talented bloggers out there who spend so much time writing and researching for their blogs for no money, just the love of design. I have a day job in the design world and sometimes that cuts into my blogging time, but I appreciate each and every person that comes and takes a moment out of their day to read what's on my mind. To celebrate and show my appreciation, I am doing a little give-away to someone randomly chosen from all the commenters on this post. Just drop me a comment and you are automatically entered to win a beautiful Low Country Luxe candle in the Charleston scent. These candles are heavenly! (Make sure there is a way to contact you! I will leave the post up until Tuesday the 19th. I will announce at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.)

Thanks and here's to another year of blogging!

House Jewelry: Polished Nickel Faucets

2010-01-12T07:39:00.001-05:00

If there is anywhere in a house that I believe you should invest in quality, it is in hardware: hinges, doorknobs, cabinet hardware, and faucets. I call these things house jewelry. Like the jewelry we wear, hardware in a home makes a very definite style statement. Unfortunately, I think we often do not budget enough when building and remodeling for this very important aspect of home design. How much can a measly little faucet cost, right? For a good quality one, more than we sometimes think.

A while back Joni at Cote de Texas walked us through her kitchen remodel and I remember her sink and marble counter being my favorite part of the room, but at the time I didn't pay close attention to the brand name she listed for her kitchen faucet. Since then, I have taken a whole-house remodel and re-decorate project and have been out shopping (a lot!). So faucets are at the forefront of my mind right now. When she posted a picture of her kitchen again for her New Year post, it jogged my memory. Here is a picture of her beautiful kitchen sink and faucet.

Joni's Perrin and Rowe kitchen faucet

The last few years a number of finishes were big on the market. Oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel and stainless, to name a few. These are still being shown in a big way in the showrooms and big box satores in my city. But the finish that I have fallen in love with is polished nickel. I'm not sure the love affair will ever end either! The best thing about polished nickel is its undertone, which is warmer than the blue undertone of polished chrome. It is classic and less trendy-looking than some finishes. It works so much better with the palettes I like to work with, which almost always have a warm undertone.

The Bistro Collection from Restoration Hardware

This photo shows that wonderful silver/gold finish that I love about polished nickel. It just can't be duplicated, in my opinion.

Jado Colonial Collection

Polished nickel heaven! Faucet and hammered nickel sink. Just fabulous.

Restoration Hardware Vintage Collection

Polished nickel with crystal on handles

Vintage bath enhanced by polished nickel

I think you can see that this finish really is almost jewelry-like in appearance. Shiny, yet warm and appraochable at the same time. Forgive me if I gush. But a newfound crush can do that to you!

The 2010 Design Consumer: What They Want, When They Plan to Spend

2010-01-09T09:37:00.000-05:00

As a designer I feel the need to keep my finger on the pulse of the economy and what the design client is looking for. I subscribe to a trade publication called Home Accents Today which keeps me abreast of new trends and vendors in the design marketplace. I received my latest issue today and it included a very informative piece concerning the recession and the design consumer. Writer Dana French gives a thorough overview of how the downturn has changed the design landscape and what to expect in the coming year as well as the near future.
One of the biggest points I noticed in the article was how consumers have made lifestyle changes such as eating out less and cooking and entertaining more at home. As a result of this change, they express an interest in making their homes even more of a haven and refuge from the world than ever. Some interesting quotes from homeowners:
"The recession makes me want to make my home more of a nest since we spend more time here."
"I value my home even more now since the economy has taken a downshift."
"We take things one day at a time and one piece at a time, instead of one room at a time."
"I think it's good to invest in my home living space. With going out less often, we spend more time at home."
It seems unanimous that nesting and spending time at home with family and friends is more important to people now than ever before.
Fifty-six percent of those surveyed say they desire to purchase new home furnishings and decor right now, but 30% said they are not sure when they will actually buy them. Twenty two percent said they will purchase new items this year. Many people are retaining their newly formed habits of paying with cash, using coupons, shopping several stores before buying, saving money, and doing more projects themselves. (A good indicator of this is the explosion of DIY blogs on the internet.)
For those of us in the business of helping people with their home design, I think this is good news. The desire to decorate is there and the plans seem to be made to act on that desire in the fairly near future. The current design consumer wants the nest and the nest egg, too.

Sexy Seating

2010-01-02T11:59:00.004-05:00

Now that the new year is here, my thoughts turn to new products and designs that call my name. Sourcing products is one of my favorite parts of my job and nothing is more exciting than finding things that are new to the market (or at least new to me). I have plans to replace some seating in my own house and I am also working on a large project for a client, so I am on the lookout for pretty and functional seating. Here are a few of my picks.

Zentique (to the trade)

French Eloquence (to the trade)

Williams Sonoma

Zentique (to the trade)

Oly Studios (to the trade)

French Market Collection (to the trade)

Zentique (to the trade)

McAlpine Home

Zentique (to the trade)

French Market Collection (to the trade)

Lewis Mittman (to the trade)

Sumptuous Historic Home For Sale in Savannah

2009-12-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

Give a girl a week off and what does she do? Well she reads blogs and decorating sites and generally tries to reach the end of the internet. And, for good measure, she peruses a few luxury real estate sites, too. A visit to Sotheby's real estate site hit the jackpot for me in the first minute. I found this absolutlely gorgeous historic home for sale in Savannah, Georgia.

The home is listed for $5,500,000, which once you see the pictures, I think you will agree with me that this is a very good value for the money. It is exquisite and very well done in every way. The home was built in 1857 and was completely renovated in 2007. It was designed by New York architect John Norris, who also is credited with designing the Savannah Custom House as well as many other outstanding historical homes in the city. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places and has won an ASID award. Other awards include a 2009 award from the Georgia Trust and a Preservation award in 2006.

Beautiful, Charleston-style piazzas. I assume this is the street-level entry.

Another view of a piazza

And another

The entry hall and stairway. I love the beautiful choice of paint colors in this home. I would love to know the designer. I think with the plethora of awards he or she should at least get a mention!

Dining room and sitting room

The mouldings and millwork in the house are just beautiful and look to be original.

Sitting room or family room

Beautiful updated and modern kitchen

I love the farmhouse sink and range hood.

A lovely and soothing bedroom.

I wonder if this is the master.

This bathroom is so current and yet so appropriate for a historical house.

I love the tub, the huge custom shower, and the cabinetry.

It seems that no corners were cut anywhere in this home.

Gorgeous spacious closet

Beautifully appointed office

Manicured gardens and courtyard

The home has 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, and a 3-car garage. It includes a private elevator and guest house!

(If you have a few million and are interested, go to Sotheby's site. The web ID# is 4201277.)

The Week Between

2009-12-28T18:09:00.003-05:00

How do you spend the week between Christmas and New Year's? I try to take a little time off and just relax. When my children were still at home it was a week to just be together without the hustle and bustle of shopping and holiday decorating. Now that the nest is empty, my husband and I still try our best to put work on hold if possible and spend a little time around our own hearth. We took out the gas logs a few years back and went back to a real wood-burning fireplace. It's a fairly cold night in East Tennessee tonight with lows in the 20's. So I will sit next to this fire with a stack of design books and magazines and dream about a new year and new designs.

Cindy Rinfret in Traditional Home

2009-12-22T09:11:00.000-05:00

I don't want to be a spoiler of the December issue of Traditional home magazine, but there is a fabulous piece on one of my favorite designers, Cindy Rinfret. Her new home, designed by architect Jack Arnold, is featured, dressed in it's holiday finest and it is absolutely beautiful.
As usual, Cindy brings her signature style to her new house; classic style imbued with a cozy and warm ambience.

That's all you get from me right now! You need to run out and get a copy before Christmas, sit down in front of the fire and take a holiday tour of Cindy's beautiful and inviting new masterpiece!