White Hot

There is something so refreshing about a white kitchen.  So crisp, clean and classy.  I am in love with this look. Its like a canvas and its subject a home cooked meal.  It is a great backdrop for special features like black rimmed glass doors, dark hardware, carrera marble and nickel accents.  The Kitchen is fast becoming a room you want to spend more time in, hence the upholstered barstools and chairs.  Here are some of my favorites.... 

*images via House Beautiful, Traditional Home and decorpad

Console Me...

I think everyone needs a "home base" in their house - Command Central.  A place where you can drop your keys, bag or mail.  However, it can sometimes be a place in the home that is overlooked...Not anymore!  Make your entry a bit more special with a chic console and dual table lamps.  Also think about using a patterned wallpaper or wall texture to enhance this area.  Since a Foyer or entry hall can be a smaller room or space, a pattern on the wall can add fabulous interest.  Here are some of my favorite looks from Schumacher...

*all images from www.fschumacher.com

Runway to Room

Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places.  Perhaps its no further than your closet.  This is my language and one I consider myself very fluent in.  Fashion speaks, as does the feel of a room.  Here are a few fabulous looks from the Fall 2010 RTW collections of some of my favorite designers.  I hope you find inspiration the next time you put on your favorite outfit.

This look from Fendi is sweet and feminine, which translates into the look of this serene home office designed by Sarah Richardson.  The bright yellow pattern is the backdrop for comfortable neutrals and only a splash of dark accents.  Cozy!

This bold brick red shift dress from Elie Tahari is offset by the newest neutral on the block...Grey. The look is tailored and sophisticated and so are the elements in the room photo.  The color combo makes for a gorgeous sitting area that probably makes you feel as so.

 

One of my favorite looks for fall comes from J.Crew.  This look {and all things J.C.} ooze classic cool.  Basic casual pieces like a checked button up shirt is combined with fancier items like a brocade skirt and finished off with a cozy sweater.  This room photographed by Emily Jenkins Photography has almost the exact same components.  Camel and navy couldn't be more chic.  Hip, cool and oh so effortless!!

I hope you enjoy this post as much I did putting it together.  Happy hump day!


*images via style.com, decorpad, sarahrichardson.com

The Barbie House gets a Star!!

 Well, its the start of a brand new week and the weather is gorgeous.  Temperatures are in the low 80's and the sun is shining.  Bryan returned late last night and we stayed up watching our Sunday shows on the DVR.  If you haven't seen Bored to Death, it is so good and funny.  

Needless to say, I was dragging a bit this morning but thrilled to receive this good news.  I did a model a while back for McMillin Homes in San Antonio.  The market was a first-time homebuyer / single woman so we went with pink and green.  We called it the "Barbie House." It just won a Texas Star Award for Best Interior Merchandising $125,000-$175,000.  Yay!!

*images courtesy of McMillin Homes

Lazy Sunday...

Well it wouldn't be a lazy Sunday without a lazy snooze from Sir Wesley.  I think he is the only other living thing that loves pillows as much as I do.  He really is a cushion connoisseur, a pug after my own heart! 

While Wes napped, I was busy trying something.  My good friend Lindsey told me about how her mom used to make iced tea in a coffee pot.  Awhat!?  Sweet tea is my favorite drink and I was sold.  We used to have an iced tea maker growing up and it was the best thing to have fresh tea everyday.  I had to try this method for sure.

It was super easy.  I poured in the water as usual {enough for 12 cups of coffee} and put about 4-5 tea bags in the pot.  No filter just let the water run through and in minutes you have a full pot. Let the tea bags steep for a few minutes and add sugar {if desired}.

*images courtesy of K. Ellis

Happy Weekend...

Hello and Happy Weekend!  

After such a busy week, I am happy to have a low key weekend.  Bryan is in Tampa for the weekend so I am catching up on lots of errands.  Laundry, grocery shopping, The Nanny marathon...and I'm thinking about wearing heels to do it!! :)

*image via Olivia Graham Photography

Order Up....

Hello and Happy Monday to all!  As I start the week and head to my office down the hall, I am reminded of the work that has been piling up.  Right now I am in the process of doing an Office spruce up {really all the rooms in my house are constantly being "spruced up"} and first on the agenda is to get things organized.  Of course, I needed some motivation so I went in search of some happy inspiration...  

Have a wonderful week!!

*images courtesy of marthastewart.com & realsimple.com