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Friday, July 31, 2009

Boo II

We had a great time on the Walking Ghost Tour last night. Except for the part when our guide said he didn't feel well and went off into the bushes. Oh, it's part of the show, right? I bet he is coming back dressed as a pirate or a ghost. Nope, he really was sick. That is one ghost tour my kids and their cousins will never forget. Me? I'm trying to forget...

Speaking of ghosts, did you enter the contest for the Philippe Starck Baby Ghost chair? If not, go here.


Decor Pad
People either love the Ghost chair or hate it. Me? I love it.

Elle Decor

I have two in my dining room at either end of a farm table. The other chairs are very traditional so I love the mix of the lucite.



Atlantis Home
I have had them for over three years and they still bring me joy. My mother-in-law helped me get them for Christmas one year.


Style Redux
I ordered them from Germany and they showed up in giant boxes crammed in the back of the mail truck. Truck may be too big a word for what the mailman drives.


The City Sage
The mailman wasn't nearly as excited as I was. I was jumping for joy. He was huffing and puffing. Sometimes I don't think he likes me very much.


David Netto

For the first year I lived in fear that a bill would show up from the customs department saying I owed a duty tax. I don't worry as much now. Certainly if there were a tax they would have billed me by now. Right?


Domino
Since I already have the Mama and the Papa chair I would love to add the baby chair to my home.

Domino
It would be perfect for me...I mean Butterball. And if he should grow tired of it, I could use in the entrance hall with a stack of books or in the bathroom with some towels.....

So what about you? Love it or not so much?

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Boo


Tonight I am taking my children and some nieces and nephews on a Ghost Walking Tour of Wilmington, so this seemed like the perfect time to tell you about...


This great give-away over at Adventures in Renovating A Brooklyn Brownstone. It's a baby Ghost chair. How fabulous is that?


Go here to enter.

Good luck!!! If I don't win, I hope you do!!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Eddie Ross Make Over

Saw this make over from Country Living posted on Eddie's blog yesterday and had to share. I also had to rush right out and buy the magazine. It's a keeper. For any of you who have ever doubted the magic of Eddie Ross take a look at this...



Dated living room
Can't you just picture Carol and Mike giving Marsha a lecture on that sofa?



A little inspiration, a little perspiration, a whole lot of discount shopping and..




Ta da!! Can you even believe it is the same room?



Recognize the lamp? Brooke from Blueprint Bliss blogged about it several months ago and I loved it so much I rushed over to Home Goods that day. Sadly, no luck. Now they seem to be haunting me and popping up everywhere!

I don't want to give away all the secrets but Eddie got the sofa, arm chair and ottoman at a thrift store for $225. All he had to do was give it a good cleaning. (That reminds me, I need to give my sofa a good cleaning.) I'm thinking maybe the thrift stores he goes to are better then the thrift stores I go to...



Chaise from Target. Yes, I said Target.

For more info and to read the article go to Country Living. And don't forget to check out Eddie's blog here.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Out of the Closet


I cleaned my closet out last Thursday. Why? Well, one it looked like a tornado hit...and two my sweet husband told me as he was leaving for work that the telephone repair man was coming. That morning, sometime between 8 and 12. What does this have to do with my closet? All the cable, internet, and phone connections meet in my closet. I don't know why. I don't really care. Except for when a strange man is going to be in my closet amongst my clothes and shoes and bags and well..other stuff too. Then I feel a mad need to straighten, clean and put things away. Far away.... from strange men.



Domino?

And when I was done it looked good.



House Beautiful

It was all clean and straight and looked... nothing like these closets.



Domino

Nope, not even close.


Domino
My kids leave their shoes all over our den but it just doesn't have the same style as this room. Must be the wrong shoes....wrong furniture...wrong house.


Laura Turner Seydel
I have a walk-in closet but I swear this fabulous lighting fixture would take up the whole closet. Maybe I should call it a step-in closet.

Ruthie Sommers
This, to me, is a normal closet that has been decked out. Love it!!
We could all do this, if Ruthie would come to play!!


Barrie Benson for Domino
For real, is this a closet? Or a guest room where they hung some clothes. It gets better....


Barrie Benson for Domino

Yep. part of the same "closet".


This looks like a closet that might be in a gypsy caravan. Crazy and colorful.
So my closet may not be huge and fabulous but you know what? At least it's clean...for now anyway.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Caitlin Wylde

I love all kinds of design. Some sleek, some rustic, and maybe a little traditional. But my favorite is a home that has some personality with treasures the home owner has collected. I like pieces that tell a story. Especially if it is a cheap, flea market story. That is why I love the L.A. home of artist Caitlin Wylde. Check out the whole article here.



Most of the items in Caitlin's home came from flea markets and didn't cost a fortune. I don't like a home that is too shiny and new.


With a little imagination and some paint she has turned this desk and chair into a fabulous little writing corner. She purchased both for $100.


The settee was bought at a flea market for $50 and recovered in linen. The lamp was an old vase that she had wired for $20.


She has great textiles. Pillows, wall hangings, bedding etc.


Caitlin painted the stripes herself and had the stained glass added to her door for more color. I am not usually a red person but I love it in this entryway.


Caitlin Wylde in her studio. Wouldn't you love to poke around in there? Sharon, this made me think of you! I had a hard time finding info on Caitlin's work, but I did find one web site where I got this studio picture. Check it out when you get a chance here.

All pictures from Glamour Magazine except last studio picture from Caitlin Wylde

Friday, July 24, 2009

Changes

What do you think? Do you like my new look? I am very excited and have two people to thank. First is Jenny from My Favorite and My Best. She had a new blog banner designed for her website and I loved it which led me to Elizabeth Surette and Salt Life Designs. It was funny (to me, I am sure not to Elizabeth), but in her post about designing the new banner Jenny talks about how she kept changing and tweaking things. I thought "Oh no, not me. I am going to be so easy to work with. We will spit this right out." Well, not so much. Guess who was a big pain in the fanny? Yours truly. I have to give it to Elizabeth, her patience is endless. Must come from her background in Real Estate. I know because I used to sell Real Estate and dang, people can drive you crazy!!





Make sure you check out Elizabeth's Etsy shop here. And her blog here. Did you know Elizabeth's sister is Anne Harwell from Annechovie? Pretty talented family, huh? Elizabeth, thank you again!! I promise I am not as crazy in person as I probably sounded in my e-mails!


Now, I have a few other things I need to take care of..

1. I did a post and mentioned my favorite new magazine Canadian House & Home and forgot to link back to their site. I love the magazine and want to support it as much as possible, so when you get a chance check them out here.

2. On Tuesday I did a post about camp and had several people who wanted to join me for my trip to Thom Filica's lake house. I haven't heard back yet, but I am sure he is just checking his schedule. I will let you know as soon as I have a date. We will have a blast. Can't wait to meet you all! So far I have: Tarheel, MB, Kara, Design Esquire , Urban Sardines, Delightful and Delovely and Blueprint Bliss. Did I miss anyone?

3. There is another Big South Auction this weekend. Sunday July 26th 12-6. If you live in Wilmington stop by and check out the great deals. Here are a few items that caught my eye.




Hope you have a great weekend!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Story of a study

Thank you to everyone for all your support and encouragement. Because of you, I have decided to go for it and spend my hard earned money on totally too expensive, but fabulous, fabric. To justify this purchase I decided to tell you the story (Carrie you know this story) behind my husband's office/study. There is going to be some nice fabric in a pretty humble room.

About a year and a half ago I was driving down my alley when I saw my neighbors had some chairs out by their garage (not by the trash and they did not look abandoned). I thought "Oh, look, M & H must be getting those chairs recovered. That is exactly what I need for Bill's office." Later that day I saw a Salvation Army truck picking up the chairs. What? Should I run after them and try to buy them off the truck? I was weighing the embarrassment of chasing a charity donation truck against the thought of a good deal. Surprisingly, pride won. I raced inside and called the Salvation Army to find out where that truck was going. The nice lady told me and the next day I was there bright and early to buy the chairs for $50 each.


What's even funnier, I found out a good friend of mine had these chairs in her den growing up so I know they came from a nice home.

The fabric is not bad it just didn't match my decor. I drug out an old ottoman and I was set. Next I had to find some new fabric and with my Decorating A.D.D. I had a hard time committing, but finally decided on a pale blue linen/cotton.



Not this pale. The blue looks so washed out in the picture. I promise there is more to it in person. I think the fabric was $10 a yard and I had slipcovers made for $150 each. I inherited the game table from my grandmother and I love it. It reminds me of Nana.


I already had some pillows made with the Alan Campbell yellow Zig Zag fabric that I bought for $7.99 a yard. I think it goes great with the new Kathryn Ireland fabric.


Little bit closer view. So although it is a work in progress (I need something on the walls!), I think it is coming along and the pillows will add the pop of color the room so badly needs.


That is what impresses me about decorators. They pick all the fabrics for a room before they get started. Sure makes it easier. But not me. No. I like to pick a random fabric and 6 months later throw something else in and two years later find the one fabric that ties it all together....exhausting but fun!

(Nothing like a photograph to show you how lame your room really looks. I am sure it 's not me. Must be the camera.))

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Big Love

Lately I have been loving big, colorful artwork. Sadly, big love usually comes with a big price tag!

picture from Elle Decor

What can I say? This room is just about perfect. Change out that bowl of oranges for some Orville Redenbacher Simply Salted Popcorn, get me a Diet Coke and the new House Beautiful and do not disturb!


picture from Annechovie


picture from Delight by Design ( Elle Decor)

Those planters would be perfect for my back door. Except painted black. With ball feet...O.K. maybe they are not perfect but they are pretty close.



picture from Made By Girl


picture from Western Interiors, Designer: Will Wick



picture from Blueprint Bliss (Coastal Living)

I wish I could see more of this painting. It may be my favorite. It reminds me of the waterways around Wrightsville Beach. I looked on Coastal Living and couldn't find any info on the artist. Anybody know who the artist is? Or where I could find something similar. I have looked on Etsy, but it can be very overwhelming. Betsy P. what do you think? Could you whip one of these up for your dear friend from across the street since 4th grade? No pressure..really!! But I need it by next week...just kidding, sort of.

Maybe I need to find a starving artist sale. Do you know of any starving artists?
P.S. I know my blog looks a little naked today, I am working on a new look. Stay tuned...

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Kumbaya


Doesn't that make you think of camp? Along with S'mores, campfires and bug juice (and bug bites).


picture from Veggy Wood

I took the twins to camp on Sunday. Just starter camp, 5 days. It was enough for them for their first time, and enough for me. Hope all goes well. On the drive to camp I was having such a good time singing old camp songs from my days at Gwynn Valley and Merrie Woode...until the kids begged me to stop. Then I just sang them in my head. I don't need an audience anyway.


Is there anything better than color coordinated bedding? Recognize the bench from here? No, I still have not fixed my decorating disaster.
I still want to spit every time I see it.



Don't forget color coordinated surprises packed away in the trunks...


Hers



His

Did I mention it was rustic? Next year I may get a more colorful blanket because I know my kids will really care.

The view from camp. Not too bad....


I know my kids are having a ball (I hope), but at my age, if I am going to camp, I would prefer it be at Thom's place.


Thom Filica. His lake house is awesome.

And from what I know of him, from Oprah, Dress My Nest and People Magazine, he seems just about nice enough to let a strange girl from NC stay in his house. Thom, if you are reading this, e-mail me. We can coordinate dates.


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