white wave design

moving...

2011-04-25T14:18:00.000-04:00

i've decided to move to a new blog...
one that is more personal and one that will be easier to keep up with :)

i would love for you to join me there
http://www.1058lookout.blogspot.com/

escape {part one}

2011-04-03T20:48:00.000-04:00

last weekend, mom, sister & i escaped to charleston for a 3 day weekend of perfection

the weekend was filled with delicious food, a carriage tour, warm weather,

plantations & gardens, walking & shopping,

and most importantly escaping reality & catching up

disappearance

2011-03-29T22:13:00.000-04:00

oops... didn't mean to take such an extended break from blogging

work has been busy

life has been tiring

and i've been traveling

i've been to nashville and charleston in the past month and had a blast!

best buds since 3rd grade - not the best picture but the only one i have from my visit to nashville

beautiful charleston

coming in april : : consistant blogging!

picnik & southport

2011-02-17T07:25:00.001-05:00

i love editinig with picnik on my photos...

i also love a day in southport with mom & sister

{sisterly love after coffee}

{delicious lunch at Moore Street Market}

{eclectic mix of chairs, artwork, antiques, etc for browsing at market}

{a trip over new oak island bridge}

come back soon momma & sister!

a modern surprise

2011-02-16T09:47:00.000-05:00

before Christmas, when mom, sister & i visited ashville

i picked up the latest carolina home & garden which featured modern homes and elements

i dont tend to love modern homes but i do like some modern elements here & there

but this little modern space tucked back in the woods and built over a stream did catch my eye

Sculptor Dave Taylor's home in Black Mountain, NC

He envisioned the main living space as a bridge, encased in glass to create the sense of being outdoors. “The house gets narrower and taller right where the stream is, so you feel like you’re spanning the waters,” Larson (architect) notes. To amplify the immediacy of the streambed — and satisfy Taylor’s desire to view it — three rectangles of double-pane, half-inch tempered glass are inset into the bamboo-clad floor.

i love that you can look below the living room and see the stream of water and

this fireplace is also one of my favorite features

but the best part of the interior of this home would have to be the red kitchen...

mixed with ghost chairs and the antique victrola which acts as a liquor cabinet

this modern beauty definitely caught my eye...

i could live above water instead of beside it :)

i broke my spending hiatus and some recent additions...

2011-02-10T07:23:00.001-05:00

i had to go out for a few things for work yesterday

and i came home with two things for me

this mirror

which will soon be a chalkboard with painted frame

and this herb grow kit... which says it is guaranteed to grow

we will see how it goes...

and this pillow recently arrived

and i love the pops of color it has

i can't decide whether to keep it in the bedroom or living room

and another recent addition

beautiful tulips, my favorite flowers from the husband

i love that they brighten up the kitchen since its been a dreary couple days

i'm ready for spring & brighter colors all over!

little red cabin

2011-02-08T07:47:00.002-05:00

i love a cabin in the mountains or a cottage by the sea

the feeling upon walking in is so cozy and intimate

and something that makes me feel immediately at ease

this little red cabin was featured in carolina home & garden last year but i've just stumbled across this image

perfect for a valentines getway weekend

i love the combination of red, pine flooring & rustic headboard

may 1st

2011-02-07T08:01:00.002-05:00

you will find me at target

where calypso st. barth will have a line!

i've admired these clothes for awhile but never purchased any because of price

the line at target will be much more affordably priced - $1.99 to $79.99

and will include clothing and accessories for women and children and home goods!!

i'm very excited to see this new partnership just in time for summer :)

tuesday thoughts...

2011-02-01T14:41:00.000-05:00

its february 1st and i'm starting a 2 month spending hiatus
before my spending hiatus, yesterday i treated myself to two new pillows for the master bedroom, i can't wait to see them - hopefully add the punch of color i am looking for!

ikat border pillow cover

water splash pillow cover

i'm still in simplify/clean out mode. at least five items leave my home every month.
i made myself a spinach monster shake today - yum!! sister told me about them over the weekend
i'm excited for tuesday ritual tonight which involves a workout with friends & then homemade soup
i'm loving the new spring line of stella & dot - two of my favorite pieces

revival tassle necklace

medina bib necklace

and last... i'm trying to think of a fun place for a mini vacation for this spring... any suggestions?

happy tuesday all!

weekend wrap up : : 78th birthday

2011-01-31T07:11:00.003-05:00

steak. homemade coconut cake. homemade ice cream.

family dinner. lots of hugs.

a 78th birthday to remember.
a very happy birthday to the man that started and has always encouraged my love of homes

:: red ::

2011-01-27T13:28:00.000-05:00

the color red

i usually stick to cool colors in my own home

but lately i am loving red

with valentines day coming up, its the perfect time to add a little red in my home

i had a few minutes and used what i had to put together a simple, fun table setting for valentines day

i added a bit of chocolate brown to the classic red & white colors

fiesta scarlet dinnerware

milk bottles that sister and i collected growing up filled with red glass baubles & coffee beans

napkin rings featuring coral pieces

textured place mats with eyelet napkins placed on top

i love the pop of red color

an element of surprise

word of 2011

2011-01-25T07:41:00.000-05:00

january is usually a time for cleaning out, organizing, etc.

this year it has been extremely cold out & i've spent more time than usual inside

this has led to cleaning out my closet, cleaning out my kitchen cabinets,

cleaning out my "storage" closets & reorganizing those areas

this has also led to the front room in my house looking like this & worse

a pile for consignment and a pile to donate.
i finally dropped off the stuff to donate yesterday.

after all this cleaning out, i'm truly hoping not to bring all the extra stuff into my house this year
i'm going to continue to clean out and reduce
and SIMPLIFY.

i've read a lot of blogs that have listed a word for the year versus new years resolutions
and while i have my resolutions for 2011
i have a word now too
SIMPLIFY

finding color

2011-01-24T07:05:00.001-05:00

i absolutely love the new master bedroom wall color

but now that i have removed the blue walls, i need to add some color

one area i can add color is the rug under the bed

i love flor's carpet tiles and i am considering a few of those:

ins & outs in leaf

this is pretty bold considering the rest of the room

i like that it has orange in it & pulls the colors out of the canvas over the dresser

sophistikat in palm

i like this because of the larger scale pattern

and the color is great

needlepoint in laurel

all these colors perfectly blend with the other colors in the bedroom

it would work... but it would be predictable

bold? larger pattern? predictable?

where you find inspiration

2011-01-17T07:43:00.003-05:00

i find it so interesting where a room or concept comes from. where it begins.

it's much easier to start a room when you have a piece of art or a fabric that is a starting point - an inspiration

but when you have a completely blank slate and there are so many options, where do you start?

i recently started with a blank slate and i coudn't figure out where to start - it was a combination kitchen, dining area & living area - all three areas open to one another but still very small area overall

then of all things, i found a countertop that sparked my imagination and i started a plan with it and i really liked it & i couldnt wait to see the countertop installed

then there was a change of plan and there were two pieces of furniture that had to be used in the living room,

the only two things scratching my blank slate

and while i didnt hate the furniture, i would have never picked it myself

so i said goodbye to my countertop that wouldn't work with the furniture and welcomed my new inspiration ...

and it was a slow start

but once i gave it some time things started to come together in my head and now i'm really excited to see it all come together

and now a few rooms that are inspiring to me

instead of a traditional headboard, i love the combination of wallpaper and two panels on the wall

chalkboard paint may be a little over done but in reality - its practical... for lists & for kids to draw on

i love that this chalkboard paint is above the beadboard

i also love the single pendant above the table

this picture was my inspiration for my eclectic arrangement above my nightstand/desk in our master bedroom

love these lamps & styling/arrangement of bookshelves

where do you find inspiration if you have a blank slate?

evolution of a room {part two}

2011-01-17T07:07:00.011-05:00

happy monday all!

a little bit of work happened in my own home this weekend and im so excited about it!

as seen here - the slow progression of my master bedroom

as mentioned in the post from last july, the master bedroom is my least favorite room in our house

but big changes happened over the weekend

friday, husband and i painted the room

prepping for paint

and new paint color!

Sisal by Martha Stewart

after painting, i didn't put back some of the artwork that was originally there

and replaced it with art that was more personal to us

its amazing what that small change did

we placed three small tiles my dad brought my mom back from a trip on one wall

above the headboard we put a porthole mirror i found at a local antique shop

and above my desk/nighstand is the beginning of an eclectic arrangement i've been wanting to start for awhile

the only artwork that came back into the room is the canvas my husband

brought back from kuwait from before we were married

my next steps are painting the frames around the three tiles so they stand out more against the wall

& adding color with pillows and maybe a new rug...

live where you live...

2011-01-11T09:06:00.000-05:00

did you see the "live where you live" post at jones design company yesterday?

amazing! this post is exactly what i've been feeling for awhile and it was perfect timing too!

after reading emily's post, i'm tackling three home projects i've been thinking about for awhile

and they are happening this weekish

one kitchen project & two bedroom projects

my kitchen circa 2007 when we first moved in

good morning sunshine

2011-01-06T06:41:00.000-05:00

i'm really not a morning person

i hit the snooze button a lot

i've been trying to be better and get up on time so i dont have to rush to get ready

i've been thinking if i had a bright cheery kitchen maybe it wouldn't be so hard to get up?

most likely not but sounds like a good reason for new furniture?

it would be so nice to see something like this when sitting down to breakfast in the morning...

everything above it completely out of the norm for me

i'm not usually drawn to the color red but my inspiration was the red table:

Walker Cherry Red Table

and I've always loved the chairs:

Vienna Chair

and wouldn't any morning be better using this shiny cup and saucer?

Avery Bombe Chest

Gray Runner

Masai Rug

Starburst ceiling mount

Cherry Blossom art

snow day

2011-01-05T07:28:00.000-05:00

...on the day after christmas

fun in the snow, beautiful trees, cousins, dominos & lots of snacking

current obsession : : eclectic kitchens

2011-01-03T19:27:00.000-05:00

i'm also loving pieces of furniture in the kitchen

adds interest & storage!!

house?

2011-01-03T11:30:00.000-05:00

wow!! what changes 2011 might already be bringing to my family...

husband put in an offer on a house this morning

and

this

the

kitchen

and my head is already filled with ideas upon ideas

of what i could do to this kitchen

i want to get started right away... and the house isnt even ours :)

sorry for bad quality photo - from MLS listing

cheers 2011

2011-01-01T22:01:00.000-05:00

happy new years all!

here's to hoping 2011 is better than 2010

{sister & i showing excitement, july 2010}

i just looked back to my 2010 new years resolutions to see that

i definitely accomplished 5 out of my 10 resolutions and sorta accomplished 2 more...

3 are still out there untouched

for my 2011 resolutions, i'm keeping it simple:

1. run a 10k

2. go somewhere i've never been before

3. cut back on spending $$$

4. shoot interior pictures for portfolio

5. cook more at home

6. simplify.

christmas eve.

2010-12-28T20:07:00.000-05:00

pretty much a perfect night of christmas trees, desserts & family

i love this picture of my grandparents with all four grandchildren :)

a most fabulous gift

2010-12-27T20:39:00.000-05:00

my sister gave me a fisheye lens for my camera!

tons of fun for me in the future :)

what was your favorite gift?

ladies trip

2010-12-26T23:25:00.000-05:00

a few days before christmas, mom, sister and i escaped to asheville, nc for a little trip

much needed & a perfect getaway

1. drinks at the stable cafe at biltmore house

2. entrance to the biltmore house

3. breakfast at tupelo honey cafe

and not pictured but also enjoyed:

a visit to the grove park inn,

a stay at hotel indigo,

shopping at grove arcade and downtown asheville,

and a stop at tops for shoes - a most fabulous shoe store,

and more shopping in black mountain, nc on the way home

the perfect getaway for this time of year with family :)

christmas at home {the details}

2010-12-13T13:03:00.001-05:00

what i'm loving...

2010-12-10T12:08:00.000-05:00

1) today is Friday! & a weekend of whatever i want to do is ahead :)

2) all my Christmas shopping is done. complete. YES!

3) i found a martha stewert living magazine in my mailbox yesterday -

someone bought me a suprise subscription?!? excited to check that out this weekend

4) that i got a new telephoto zoom lens for my rebel this week

5) this illume candle smells amazing

happy weekend to all :)

my christmas table & i've lost my mind

2010-12-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

i haven't done as much christmas decorating as usual,

but i did change things up around my house this year

i love using the same things but arranging differently

the past three years i have done pretty much the same thing over and over

because i didnt have the time think about it

this year i did a simple eclectic winter table setting instead of a really christmas-y table

the place setting uses my husbands grandmothers china,

a simple white dish & my great grandmothers china

i love family pieces

i love the combination of blues & greens

and silver & golds

and as for the "i've lost my mind" portion of the title

i just realized when i was looking at these pictures that there are no glasses or stemware

and my table has been like this since thanksgiving

guess other things have been on my mind...

hows everyones holiday decorating going?

december 1st

2010-12-01T12:59:00.000-05:00

it's december 1st and i've found something for my christmas wish list...

this stunning kitchen in CA

although i don't spend a great deal of time in my kitchen,

i hope to one day and this would be the perfect kitchen to spend all day in

those windows & the view

the butcher block top island

a built in banquet!!

and very spacious

i also love the rustic table at the end of the island with all the books

oh so cozy

found here

merry december to all!

a day of thanks

2010-11-26T13:14:00.000-05:00

our day of thanks was spent at my inlaws farm

we spent some time outdoors

my father in law taught me how to prepare a turkey

we spent time together

we brought home a set of my husbands grandmothers china

we enjoyed ourselves

and ate a wonderful meal, of course!

hope your day was just as perfect as mine was!

my front door

2010-11-24T10:46:00.001-05:00

just popping in to show off my new front door

it recently got a little make over in preparation for holiday decorations

and because i was tired of the old color

previous color here

i love the color green and this was perfect shade to soften up the front of my home

and the perfect place for a christmas wreath with red accents!

thankful on thursday

2010-11-11T12:32:00.002-05:00

today i'm thankful for traditions

i'm headed to charlotte, nc today for an annual tradition, the southern christmas show with family

this day is so tiring but oh so much fun

last year we started with a ladies breakfast at ihop & followed it with walking and more walking

for some early christmas shopping

this event always gets me in the christmas spirit! i cant wait!

some of moms decorations 2009

october in pictures

2010-11-10T21:31:00.000-05:00

a little late...

but a great month

1. beautiful sunset at dinner with grandparents

2. a sweet sweet cousin celebrates her happy 13th birthday

3. family brunch at terrace cafe & a photo shoot at the fountain

4. dock sitting & wine sipping on a friday afternoon

5. amazing weather at a local craft festival

l.o.v.e.

2010-10-28T14:50:00.000-04:00

i say i love a lot of things.

and i really do.

i love this image featured in this months coastal living magazine

and i want to recreate it

in my own home with a twist of course...

i love the simplicity of the artwork and the texture on the table

coastal living magazine

labor of love

2010-10-27T12:53:00.000-04:00

i was hoping this cute ranch would be our next labor of love

unfortunately, someone saw the potential before husband and i did

i was excited to work on this tiny kitchen
i already had a little plan worked up in my mind

and i loved this fireplace - it was going to get a paint job real fast

the yard had lots of potential for the husband to work on

but not everything works out like you want...

ill keep looking...

for my sister

2010-10-26T10:58:00.001-04:00

green & lipstick pink crochet dream catcher

to cheer up a blah day.

{found here}

monday morning happiness

2010-10-25T09:45:00.000-04:00

i found this image over at the estate of things awhile back and had it saved on my computer

saw it this morning and made my monday morning a bit happy

love me some pattern.

happy monday!

out of control

2010-10-20T11:54:00.000-04:00

this morning i woke up to my cell phone ringing - husband calling

& then all of a sudden i realized how often i would see my husband in the next month

which is not a lot

then i was in a horrible mood

ever feel like life is a big out-of-control hurricane?

never know what i should be doing

if im doing the right thing

so i went to work in a horrible mood

and i trudged upstairs to get coffee

and my boss gave me the latest issue of fine home building

and i drank my coffee, ate my pumpkin muffin & looked at the magazine

and all of a sudden i remembered why i love houses

and the capability to be creative with my job

and that realization came at the perfect time

i wish i could always remember my love of design & homes & creating a welcoming and cozy space

a few pictures from fine home building magazine
i know they are horrible quality but its what helped get me out of my mood...

weekend wrap up : : its been awhile

2010-10-18T12:45:00.000-04:00

pumpkin spice latte. smores french toast. red velvet waffles. a family brunch.

beautiful fall weather. & 2 new pairs of boots.

inspired by fall

2010-10-05T07:59:00.002-04:00

darker colors

cooler weather

yes please!

its probably a bad thing...

2010-10-04T21:42:00.000-04:00

that 24 hours ago this canister was completely full.

my new favorite snack: pumpkin seeds, chocolate chips & cranberries

september in pictures

2010-09-30T21:39:00.001-04:00

20+ inches of rain in the last 4 days of september

surfers have fun with waves from hurricane earl

catch up with a college suitemate & her family

searching for property with the husband

delicious attempt at a more healthy life

spending time with baby ryley

taste test : : frittata

2010-09-28T07:31:00.005-04:00

I saw this recipe over at Lilac & Ivy back in the spring and decided to try it.

It was easy and turned out great so this time I modified it just a bit for a different taste...

Orignal Pizza Frittata

6 eggs

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1/4 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup bell pepper, diced

1 small tomato, seeded and diced

12 to 14 pepperoni slices

1- Preheat oven to 350*.

2- Whisk together eggs, salt, pepper and cheese.

3- Add bell peppers and tomatoes and mix together.

4- Top with pepperoni.

5- Spray a 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mixture into dish.

6- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until egg is firm.

*Feel free to add in onions, chives or any other vegetable you like. Just make sure there is enough egg to hold the frittata together.

Yield: 4

From: Susan Chard

and my mexican version...

uses fresh tomato from a neighbor,

pico de gallo,

and a bit of cheese, salt & pepper

so so easy & perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner

enjoy!

lets go to france!

2010-09-27T10:05:00.000-04:00

i've been wanting to visit europe for awhile now

most recently i've been thinking of france

then i stumbled upon these french inspired interiors

from canadian house & home

and now i'm really ready to book to plane tickets...

and last, my favorite picture...

happy monday all!

fall.

2010-09-17T07:19:00.001-04:00

love this room. its perfect for fall.

and inspiring for an outfit...

lacey top

caper flats

five points camille bag

dream studded cardigan

slub cotton scarf

alexa fringe necklace

fall love : : amber

2010-09-16T07:02:00.001-04:00

gearing up for fall & loving amber for the home and wardrobe

organic carved circles bedding

stafford wine glasses

eva glass lamp

tiers of fields floral top

if i was allowing myself to shop

2010-09-15T21:20:00.000-04:00

this would be in my closet for fall

love the black and gold

and details in the back!

heritage shell

high hopes for september

2010-09-02T10:04:00.000-04:00

i have declared september a month of continuous editing.

therefore i will not be buying anything for myself or home. starting today.

yesterday i was at the mall and wandered into the limited.

not somewhere i shop often but i had a great discount coupon.

i found 3 great tops that i loved, tried them on, purchased and was on my way.

i got home and wanted to show a friend so i found them online to send.

not cute.

if i saw these online without seeing them in person i would have NEVER bought them.

pictures can be so deceiving.

bought this in gray... super comfortable and goes with jeans or dress pants

bought this shirt. will never wear it off the shoulder like this.

bought this cardigan. i don't know whats wrong with it here but it looks a lot better in person.

i was really disappointed in limited's styling & pictures.

note to self, do not shop online at limited

moving on:

this month i am also starting crossfit.

i've heard lots of things about this.

i've heard it will be brutal.

it's what i need to get me motived to work out.

i lost all momentum with working out in june and haven't done a thing since.

its also my first month as a stella & dot stylist

i'm very excited about this new venture.

i love. love. love. the jewelry

should be a great month.

happy september!

constant state of edit

2010-09-01T07:45:00.000-04:00

twice a year, usually around the changing of seasons

from winter to spring

and then from summer to fall

i want to clean out everything

in my closet

in my office

in my pantry, etc.

the summer to fall change has yet to happen but im already in a constant state of edit

i wonder when this started because i used to save everything. everything!

simplicity is what i crave at these times

rooms like these

rooms that are pleasing to the eye but don't have any extras, unnecessaries around

i'm off to clean out a closet now...

playin it safe

2010-08-31T07:16:00.001-04:00

i play it safe a lot. in life & in design.

i wish i took more risks. in life & in design.

its a goal of mine.

i love when i walk in a room and am surprised by something

i'd call it a risk... but also a wow factor and i. love. it.

a few rooms with unexpected pieces that i have fallen for...

random thoughts on a sunday night

2010-08-29T21:42:00.000-04:00

bright, sunny living room via house beautiful

life is busy. but i like it that way.
i want to live near an ikea. i could eat there a lot. (& shop too)
spontaneous trips to surprise family are fun.
wine & cupcakes are a great snack for blog reading & tv watching.
i'm thinking about canceling our cable. do i need it?
husband has been gone like 4 out of past 6 weeks. way too much.
family coming intown this weekend for labor day! excited!
i love small town living but i'm missing a city these days.
i listened to a christmas cd on the way home today. too early for that?
had my launch party for stella & dot jewelry last week, success. ready to spread stella & dot joy everywhere.
my sister has the cutest dog ever. i almost brought her home with me today.

ready for a great week & husband being around more :)

weekend wrap up : : productivity

2010-08-16T07:19:00.000-04:00

these chairs

now look like this...

and this...

for two different guest bedrooms in a beach cottage
(pillows yet to be finished)

i now have new stools

husband did tons of yard work and i got fresh blooms inside

new artwork got hung

old artwork got moved

old family chair got recovered

and my house got cleaned

it was definitely a very productive weekend

how was yours?

great minds think alike

2010-08-12T22:08:00.000-04:00

i saw this kitchen on house of turquoise last week

and thought it was interesting that i just finished helping with an old cottage remodel

and the kitchen looks like this

sunny yellow walls are perfect next to blues and greens and turquoise

love.

surprise in the mail

2010-08-10T07:16:00.001-04:00

got the new vivaterra catalog in the mail last week

i was pleasantly surprised to find many new things that i loved

butaca chair

meadowflower rug

moroccan hanging lamps

hello moroccan metal stool

flowing script chair

silver armoire

ikat dinnerware!

i'd like a few of these for my own space and a few for other spaces i'm working on this fall...

i love unexpected finds

eight.

2010-08-09T21:16:00.000-04:00

its the 8th month of the year

and here in the south, that means its super hot

i'd love to be spending august at a cute bungalow like this on vacation

but august seems to be another busy month

in fact, i've declared august my "finish up lots of ongoing projects" month

which is part of the reason for my absense for more than a week now

i've got two long term design projects going on and one of them will be finished

& photographed before the end of the month

another short term project will be finished & photographed before the end of the month

i have a chair thats been in my family for years and years that i've been meaning to

paint & recover and it will get done this month

i've got two new pieces of artwork in my house ready to be hung but they continue to sit on the floor

and they will be placed and hung this month

now i have already made progess this month...

i've had these two cute chairs at my house since march i think

they have finally been painted and reupholstered for a client

(pictures soon)

september will be a month of new beginnings for me,

i've got two new things planned that i am very excited about

so i'm also excited to wrap up a lot of big & small projects this month

friday home feature : : fireplaces

2010-07-30T07:49:00.001-04:00

more importantly... white fireplaces

love them

want one

heres a few favorites

life.

2010-07-29T21:59:00.000-04:00

its been a bit busy lately.

summer always passes way too quickly and this summer is no exception

the past week has been filled with

a trip to charlotte.

a trip to atlanta.

exploring around atlanta.

8-5 work.

decorating clients.

family in town.

a trip to cherry grove.

a few atlanta memories:

honey from a local market

first night

great motto for life

sister found a prom dress

i spent some time with audrey

chateau elan

gelato trio

downtown atlanta

next weeks plan - slow down & get back to blogging!

finding storage

2010-07-22T14:28:00.000-04:00

a common feature in kitchen design is to have a corner cabinet with a glass door

or a pair or two of glass doors to display your pretties

i like glass doors, i like to show things i find

but my kitchen is a bit on the small side

and that corner cabinet is valuable storage!

i was cleaning out and found some old old old textured wallpaper

i decided to try it in the glass door and left it for a couple days to see if i liked it

the wallpaper color is actually close to the color of my countertops

and i loveeee the texture it has!

if i leave it, i gain so much space...

i'm still thinking on it, what do you think?

my thoughts exactly

2010-07-21T07:11:00.001-04:00

the theme of the july/august house beautiful is

is small the new big?

the magazine features a 450 sq. ft. studio, a 650 sq. ft. guest house, a 390 sq. ft. one bedroom,

a 1400 sq. ft. cottage and a 1200 sq. ft. beach house

i could study these pages over and over because i completely agree with the idea of living in less space and enjoying it

when i was younger i wanted a "big house" when i grew up & i was a complete pack rat... never threw anything away

now i really don't want anymore square footage than i have now (i would like to rearrange it)

and i hate clutter and am constantly getting rid of things

the idea of older, smaller homes filled with character and nooks and crannies makes me so happy

mcmansions work for some people but its just not something i want

the challenge of making a smaller space work is something i look forward to & makes you keep only what you need

and now inspiring photos from small spaces featured in the july/august house beautiful issue

that arent what you typically expect in small spaces

first two pictures from the 390 sq. ft. one bedroom

i love that bold colors and patterns are used throughout the space

the banquette and chandelier totally make this room

next two pictures from 450 sq. ft. studio

the chandelier and dark trim work are what first caught my eye

also i love the grouping of various pieces of furniture defining particular areas

i love the oversized mirror in the small office

next picture from the 650 sq. ft. guest house

LOVE the very large headboard that takes over the entire wall

not something many rooms can pull off but i think this is amazing, its a beautiful piece

and last three pictures from the 1200 sq. ft. beach house

love the light and airy colors & feel throughout the house

these built in shelves are the things i dream of in older homes!

the use of white walls & ceilings with lots of bold colors in furnishings & accessories is perfect here

it doesnt even feel like a small space

i love small spaces full of challenges but also lots of potential!

weekend wrap up : : celebrations

2010-07-20T12:42:00.000-04:00

havent done a weekend wrap up in awhile...

{anderson siblings}

{birthday kids}

{sister}

{beach house fun}

{edge of the island}

{friday night almost sunset}

july 20th

2010-07-20T05:35:00.002-04:00

happy birthday to my little sister.

besty friend.

talented artist.

funny face maker.

extremely good baker.

i never know what we will get into but its always guaranteed to be an interesting time.

love love love you lots.

happy birthday boots.

monday, monday

2010-07-19T07:16:00.001-04:00

happy monday all

a few sunny pictures to get the week started

i love this bedroom from the latest house beautiful issue,

i couldn't help but wake up cheery here!

then move to the kichen window and find these beauties

heres to hoping for a bright, sunny, cheerful & productive week...

evolution of a room

2010-07-15T07:32:00.008-04:00

i think its most difficult to design for yourself.

my master bedroom has never had a clear direction and it has changed over the past three years here and there

my master bedroom is also my least favorite room in my house & thats an awful feeling

the next two pictures are from early 2008...

matchy matchy is the only way i know to describe what is below

but i didnt know what i wanted to do

the next two pictures are from sometime in 2009

by this time i realized the matching bedding was a bit much and

began using a white coverlet with the bedding at the end of the bed

but cluter was always on the dresser

and the furniture was still matchy matchy

the two pictures below show what the bedroom looks like now

still a work in progress... but i'm slowly getting there

i honestly still don't have direction and don't ever set out to work on this room

i see random things when i'm out shopping for other projects that end up here

but the matching mirror to the bedroom furniture is gone and i LOVE that it is gone.

in its place is artwork brought home from overseas by my husband

my favorite quote is over our bed

i love the white coverlet on our bed

the desk on one side of the bed still needs major help & a lamp

and the nightstand on the other side needs a new shade

and the pillows need some variation

eye spy

2010-07-14T13:01:00.001-04:00

this lovely...

a furniture piece from restoration hardware - especially loving the weathered finish & drawer pulls

master bathroom

2010-07-12T07:40:00.007-04:00

i will soon be doing a little changing around & updating in my master bath

so i thought i'd share a few pictures of how it looks right now

the bath is an "L" shape with the shower tucked around the corner to the right

our closet is behind the vanity area

i love my soaker tub & pearl chandelier

another feature i love is the vaulted ceiling in the front of the bathroom where the tub & shower are

a little update is this week's project - using only things already in my home!

happy monday!

friday home feature : : furniture pieces

2010-07-09T07:48:00.021-04:00

another feature i like in homes are furniture pieces as vanities in bathrooms

furniture pieces come in various styles, sizes and colors and

create personality in a bathroom and can make a wow! statement

how amazing is this entire wall??

pictures 1 & 2 from coastal living

3 - 5 from house beautiful

6-8 from elle decor

my most favorite holiday

2010-07-07T08:41:00.004-04:00

4th of july

always filled with family, friends, food, fireworks, great conversation & memories

we don't joke about dessert around here

we have a great view of fireworks over the intercoastal waterway

and we finally got an american flag for the front of our home on july 4th!

obx 2010 : : part 3

2010-07-06T22:34:00.001-04:00

next up: duck & corolla

the first two pictures show what shopping in duck looks like:

a wonderful dinner including fresh fish

the whalehead club

relaxation

and driving out on the beach to capture this view

i'm ready to go back anytime!

halfway done!

2010-07-01T11:48:00.000-04:00

i can't believe it is july 1st!

half of 2010 has flown by.

with half the year gone, i looked back to see how i was doing with my 2010 resolutions:

1. go get my passport - DONE!

2. visit one place i have never been before - DONE!
3. learn to use my new canon rebel - working on it, definitely lots more to learn
4. shoot interior pictures for my portfolio - haven't even started.
5. new blog/website design - worked on but not complete.
6. step out of my comfort zone in designing new spaces
7. stop biting my fingernails. - definitely not done. must work on this.
8. complete one redesign for a family member.
9. run a 5K - DONE!
10. be more spontaneous. have fun. don't sweat the small stuff. - working on it!

i've got a lot to do before the year is over!

and last a room i absolutely love

found here

obx 2010 : : part 2

2010-06-29T22:21:00.000-04:00

hatteras activities

the view arriving in hatteras - beautiful homes!

saw & climbed the hatteras lighthouse -

two hundred and fifty some steps to the top!

and then headed out on the boat
& spent lots of time in the water

a great start to vacation!

memories.

2010-06-29T15:06:00.000-04:00

i love love love taking pictures & capturing memories.

i just bought this photo box from at west end in hopes that it will motivate me

to organize the piles and piles of pictures i have sitting in various places in my house

i love that i can change the front pictures every day to remember different moments or trips!

obx 2010 : : part 1

2010-06-28T22:06:00.000-04:00

last week was a fabulous week away from home & work - spent in the outerbanks, nc

day one's activities included catching the ferry from cedar island to ocracoke,

lunch outdoors with a fabulous view,

cute homes i wanted to rent,

the ocracoke lighthouse,

and we ended up in hatteras with another great view from the condo

& tomorrow a recap of hatteras

1,460 days

2010-06-24T08:08:00.003-04:00

happy 4th anniversary to the love of my life.

thank you for the last 1,460 days of wedded bliss.

i know the next 18,100 will only get better.

the perfect kitchen

2010-06-23T08:44:00.004-04:00

a little video sister and i stumbled upon from our mountain trip last month.

the perfect kitchen is one where you can have 7 chefs around the island at one time.

pattern play

2010-06-22T08:51:00.001-04:00

summer has brought more patterns into play.

a few recent additions to my life:

i heart pattern.

date night in

2010-06-21T08:35:00.005-04:00

friday night husband and i had a date night in.

he steamed shrimp and seared tuna.

and i enjoyed a his company and a glass of wine while we waited.

we ended the meal with tasty ice cream sundaes for dessert.

sometimes, the simple things leave you with the best memories.

happy fathers day

2010-06-20T07:21:00.000-04:00

happy fathers day to the best dad sister and i could ask for.

dad talking. typical. ;)

silly. typical.

loving all our time together. typical!

friday home feature : : banquettes

2010-06-18T07:25:00.002-04:00

i love banquettes.

i love the cozy atmospehere they create.

but they can also create a restaurant-like feeling.

banquettes can be all different styles and can be all shapes and sizes.

i love when space is used to its maximum potential and banquettes help to achieve that in so many places.

all pictures above found here

pictures above found here

i do not like butterflies

2010-06-15T21:18:00.000-04:00

but i love every single thing about this room.

house guest motivation

2010-06-09T14:29:00.000-04:00

over a month ago, i found 2 large white lamps in great condition at a thrift store for $10

with company arriving at my house very soon,

i finally got some motivation to give those lamps a simple paint job

and use them in the guest room

what do you think?

in my near future

2010-06-09T07:44:00.000-04:00

this month i will be crossing off another item on my 2010 to do list

visiting a place i've never been before

obx, nc

so so excited!

i love...

2010-06-08T15:01:00.001-04:00

simplicity

and i really love this headboard!

found here

weekend wrap up : : scenes from brunsco

2010-06-06T22:25:00.001-04:00

there are no large cities within 20 minutes of my home... so i often refer to where i live by the county i live in -

brunswick county, nc which i call brunsco

this weekend was spent at home in brunsco & was a busy weekend

i finally checked out the new art gallery & wine store

had dinner with friends at one of my favorite places & had a visit to the inlaws farm

where i got a lesson about corn

i also tackled this project

so stay tuned for pictures this week

june 1.

2010-06-01T12:18:00.000-04:00

june is my favorite month of the year.

beginning of summer.

bright, fresh & fun colors.

family & friends visit.

vacation.

wedding anniversary.

lots of beaching.

cookouts.

a few rooms that remind me of june:

holiday weekend.

2010-05-28T16:06:00.000-04:00

the perfect way to spend memorial day weekend...

with family and friends, amazing meals & beautiful scenery

found here

hope your long weekend is a great one!

use what you have

2010-05-26T07:21:00.002-04:00

my husband travels a lot for work

when he is gone, sometimes i have what i call "use what you have" weeks

this means i don't go to the grocery store and

only use what i have already have at home to make meals all week

sometimes it really makes me get creative.

on Sunday, on the way home from a girls weekend i stopped at a local produce stand and got peaches and fresh squash!

then i decided it would be a "use what you have" week

last night i came up with this summer concoction to use my fresh squash...

all other ingredients were at home:

fresh squash - steamed

diced tomatoes

can of black beans

feta cheese

italian dressing

mixed everything together then added just a touch of italian dressing!

this concoction could be a side dish or a small meal!

styling perfection

2010-05-25T07:19:00.004-04:00

when i check my mailbox and i see a FLOR catalog, i always get excited

i love the idea of their carpet squares that can be mixed and matched and replaced when needed

but even more i love how FLOR styles their pictures

i enjoy all the different styles of furniture and accessories they incorporate

i love how eclectic the catalog is

a few of my favorite images from FLOR

livin for the weekends

2010-05-21T09:32:00.002-04:00

after a wonderful weekend last week, i'm ready to repeat starting today...

lunch with husband at one of our favorite local places including amazing views of the intercoastal waterway

and then to a girls weekend with two roommates from freshman year of college.

hope your weekend is perfect!

weekend wrap up :: mountains

2010-05-18T07:25:00.001-04:00

a truly fabulous weekend full of family, nature, relaxation & of course... food

wallpaper : : back then

2010-05-17T13:41:00.000-04:00

lately i've been admiring bold wallpaper patterns...

a couple i've had my eye on:

over the weekend, i was in the mountains with family

we went in some old homes from the late 1800's and early 1900's

check out what was inside:

layers and layers of wallpaper

even on the ceiling

the last one is my favorite

it was awesome to see layers and layers of wallpaper in the homes, the details were amazing

inspired 5.5.10

2010-05-05T06:53:00.001-04:00

this month's elle decor features an article about using colorful flowers throughout the home for spring

one image really spoke to my heart

as i've mentioned, i love dishes and these are absolutely beautiful

Vera Wang Floral Leaf dinner plate by Wedgwood. Gardner Street salad plate by Kate Spade New York.

Flora Danica creamer by Royal Copenhagen. Nested Rose bowls by White Forest Pottery.

i came up with an everyday funky place setting inspired by the image above -

i love the little flower in the Misto Angela dinnerware

Anthropologie Basketweave Jute placemat

Society Dinner plate

Misto Angela salad plate

Anthropologie Tetra bowl

upcoming project

2010-05-04T07:17:00.001-04:00

found at thrift store: two large white lamps for $10 each

perfect for a little make over then to go in my guest room

as i mentioned here i've been wanting something chunkier for the lamps in my

guest room and these will be perfect after a paint job

i love these shades and the lamps were in great shape!

white door = needs to go

2010-05-03T13:29:00.001-04:00

the back of my powder room door started out like this

(my mini chandelier casts funky shadows on the walls)

then i decided i wanted to try something, so i got to work and taped so i could paint

then my husband had the bright idea to take the door down so it would be easier to paint

so i started painting...

and a few ~~days~~ weeks later, this is what it looks like back in place

love it for two reasons...

the black and white contrast and

the black paint is chalkboard paint!!

i've been trying to find a fun place to use chalkboard paint

in my home for awhile now and i love it here.

i dont have to see it everyday but it is always there to play...

and the rest of the powder room...

weekend wrap up :: perfection

2010-04-26T15:03:00.000-04:00

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend... much needed after last week

over the weekend, I...

- had dinner Friday night with family that was in town

-went furniture shopping with a client on Saturday

-bought cute new shorts from Old Navy (all shorts $15 this week)

-went to a craft festival & had late lunch on the waterway with a birthday girl

-spent Saturday night with husband running errands & enjoyed a classy dinner at Andy's

-got husband to hang a newly framed piece of art

and wash off the screen porch so it is pollen free

-on Sunday had a birthday brunch for a friend & saw people I haven't seen in forever

-got to play with cute kids & hold a new baby

-started a new project in the house

it was an overall success and I wouldn't change a thing...

spring time

2010-04-20T06:39:00.010-04:00

how cute is this transformation??

perfect for spring!

before:

& after:

story telling

2010-04-19T14:18:00.000-04:00

"Discovering that a client splurges on high-end designer shoes but economizes on

technology - or vice versa - is very telling. So is the food (or lack thereof) in their refrigerator, the drink they always order at a bar, and the items already in their homes."

-Thom Filicia in his book Style

I love how homes tell a story about their owners...

why i live at the beach

2010-04-15T13:27:00.001-04:00

its the simple things...

2010-04-07T12:52:00.000-04:00

Back in the fall, I mentioned here that I love school/office supplies.

So when my mom bought these bright file folders and pencils for me,

I was so excited...

it really is the simple things in life that put a smile on my face and keep me going every day

Thanks Mom!

kitchen love

2010-04-06T14:31:00.000-04:00

I'm not much of a cook and haven't tried much in the way of cooking in the past because:

1) I never had to prepare meals growing up and I wasn't taught the first thing about cooking

2) my husband is usually out of town... who wants to prepare a meal for one?

3) my husband would be content with eating the same thing every single day if

I put it on the table (that shouldn't be an excuse)

That being said, I've recently got the urge to try new things for meals...

A couple weeks ago I tried this recipe from Lilac and Ivy and it was easy and turned out wonderful.

The same week, I made pineapple salsa for the first time... so easy and a great addition to grilled fish!

I've found myself more interested in recipes and I love it!

The more time I spend in my kitchen, the more I think about my perfect kitchen...

it would be much larger than my current kitchen with lots of room for people to gather in.

Some current kitchens I love:

(all of these I found on my computer, I don't know the sources)

Love the wow factor of the ceiling, the open shelving, and the large window in this kitchen

Love the cabinets going all the way to the ceiling with added storage,

the pendants and bar stools in this design

Hello gorgeous chandelier!
I am also drawn to the open shelving on the wall and open space in the island

I love the shape of this kitchen, the multiple glass cabinets and the white and dark contrast in this kitchen

Love this island, colored floor and simplicity!

Looking at these pictures, it would seem that I want white cabinets which is actually not true.

I've got white cabinets now that I love, but I'm ready to try something new.

guest room update

2010-03-31T07:31:00.001-04:00

warning - very bad lighting in these pictures...

guest room before:

this was one of my guest rooms when we first moved in a couple of years ago...

i only used things i already had and didn't buy anything new

guest room currently:

it is still a work in progress but i love the artwork of hawaiian keikis

that i bought during my last family vacation before i got married,

the quilt at the end of the bed is also from the hawaii trip

i spray painted the brushed nickel lamp on the nightstand yellow until

i buy something a bit chunkier for the nightstand

and below are some botanical canvases i recently found

ill continue to update as i add to the guest room... i'm always adding and changing...

i've also got the fabric on the cushion below that i want to add in but i haven't figure out what to do with it yet... any ideas?

weekend wrap up :: road trip

2010-03-30T20:52:00.000-04:00

friday i left the beach and drove to greensboro, nc where i went to college and met up with

these lovely ladies for a silent auction to raise money for the ronald mcdonald house... fabulous night!

saturday we had a wonderful breakfast catching up and i then did a bit of fabric shopping.

then i made my way to charlotte, nc to visit some family and celebrate some birthdays

a trip to target with mom and sister and we found these cute digs that sister went home with

next was family dinner,yummy birthday cake and wonderful talks around the dinner table

sunday i had the most delicious brunch with my parents and sister at brick top's

including homemade donuts and eggs brick top's

then sunday afternoon, drove back to the beach and came home to dinner fixed by my husband

what a wonderful weekend! looks like all i did was eat...

ready for this weekend so i can relax...