My Pink Ribbon Post

In Honor of my Mom: A Breast Cancer Warrior

Mom and Me

As we enter Breast Cancer Awareness month, I just want to honor my mother, who has fought breast cancer into remission twice in the last thirteen years. I have watched her bravely face the traumatic diagnosis, a radical mastectomy, a stem cell transplant, radiation, chemotherapy, and all the other sickness and fatigue that comes with this horrible disease.

Because I know that cancer can wait in the wings for the rest of her life, I prefer to use the word warrior instead of survivor. It is a battle that she has fought alongside so many other brave, strong women. I hope everyone will support efforts to find new treatments and, quite possibly, a cure.

A Peek into a Current Project

What I've been up to lately!I guess everyone thinks I have disappeared! No, I am just working on a very large, whole-house project, which these days are few and far between. The family has moved out and our crews are busy at work. I will keep you up to speed on the transformation I promise.

Monday Musings

My husband and I decided to take a drive up into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this weekend. Since we live within a half-hour's driving distance you might think we do this often. We don't. Because of the beauty and majesty of our mountains, it is one of the top vacation destinations in the country. We locals are proud of our mountain heritage and it is the rare East Tennessean who takes the privilege of living here for granted. That being said, most of us rarely visit our precious National Park because of the traffic and the tourist-trap kitsch.

But we decided to take advantage of a beautiful late summer afternoon and headed up with a small picnic. What a blessing! The cool air and curvy roads brought us back to why we are so proud of our mountain home. As we rode with the sunroof open and the wind in our hair, we laughed and talked and made plans for the future just like we did so many years ago. Life is far from perfect but it is still good.

photo credit: flickr/ben pierce

Southern Chateau Evolves

I love my blog. I really do. But lately it seems that somehow it was not completely relevant to my life. Design is a huge part of my life, there is no doubt about that. But it is just a part. I often feel that to just report on decorating and design trends was not representative of me as a person. I am a designer, yes, but I am also a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, and a daughter. Real design is this way as well. It does not exist in a vacuum, as many magazines and blogs would suggest. It is part of a greater whole, which is life itself.

As a result of much thought, I have decided to let my blog reflect me more as a person, not just as a designer, because my craft as an artist and designer springs forth from my inner self. I always appreciate my readers and especially my commenters because then we are connecting! Please hang with me. This blog will bring design and decoration thoughts, but my human experience as well.

Thanks to all who read.

Carol

photo credit: flickr

Happy Labor Day!

Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee


So sorry to be MIA for so long! I have a very large project I am working on which involves not only decorating and design but demolition and renovation as well. I spend so much time there I'm thinking of taking a sleeping bag and saving the commute!


Anyway, I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend and I will try to post again much sooner.

And before I forget, GO VOLS!!

Weekend 1st Dibs Picks

Did a little shopping over the weekend, so I thought I would show you my finds.

Pen and Ink Drawing of Madonna and Child $3175



Swedish Commode $12,500




French Gilt 1940's Sunburst Mirror $1800

Set of Twelve Antique Vellum Books $8900

Early 19th c. French Duchesse Brisee $18,900

Set of Six Architectural Landscapes $650 each

French gilt iron Nesting Tables $2900

French Louis XVI barometer $2600

Curved Swedish Bench with Carved Detail $7580

c. 1890 Set of Six Restored French Os de Mouton Side Chairs $6980

c. 1780 Pair Italian Gilt Wood Sconces $9800

Rare Collection of Framed Intaglio Seals $1320 each

19thc. Dutch Canal Scene $12,900

19thc. Nautical Scene Along a Mountainous Coast $895

19thc. Louis Phillipe Mirror $2900

18-19th c. Delft Urn $4250



Hey, a girl can dream can't she?

The Classic Style of Joy McLean

As you know, I am in Atlanta fairly frequently since it is the nearest design hub for me. I do at least a couple of buying trips a year, as well as the yearly design show at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center. And when I can, I like to tour the Decorator's Showhouse in Atlanta. Regional showhouses feature many of the same area designers almost every year, so we all usually have one or two favorites that we look forward to each year. Joy McLean is one of the designers that I always look forward to. Her style is very classic and clean.

Her use of antiques and beautiful reproductions is something that draws me to her work.

I like the way she keeps her signature look evident here in this sunroom. It still has that edited, traditional feel, but comfortable and casual as well.

A beautiful vignette in an entryway. The mirror reflects a clean-lined window treatment and gorgeous crystal chandelier.

This looks like a keeping room. Elements I love here are the lantern, comfy chairs, and the curved banquette.

Joy McLean uses beautiful blues a lot in her work. Very serene.

Here again she anchors the room with classic furniture and adds tailored window treatments in pretty fabrics.

A warm and inviting library.

Another soft and pretty bedroom.

I hope you have enjoyed this quick little tour of some of Joy's work. Her rooms are even prettier in person. Classic furniture and soft, livable colors always endure.