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Discover Ballard Designs

Several years ago, a friend was visiting my home for the first time and she commented that it reminded her of Ballard Designs catalog.  At the time, I had never even heard of Ballard Designs (shame on me). 

Today however, it's one of my favorite retailers.  It's very much my style and I realize now what a compliment that was. They have an excellent mix of homey items with a cottage vibe plus lots of custom upholstered pieces and accessories with that "collected over time" look.  I also like the fact that it's a southern company based in Atlanta, GA. 

On a recent trip to Atlanta I had a chance to visit one of the Ballard's Backroom locations, one of my favs.  On one side of the store is the outlet merchandise, and on the other the regular retail items are available.  Outside of the good deals I typically find, one of the best things about the store is the merchandising.  I love how well they do displays. 


Just when you thought those wooden letters were out of style.  What a creative use adhered to an office bookcase.



I've been keeping my eye out for some of these wire baskets at antique shows and shops.  I love the idea of using them for storage in my home office.


While I'm not a huge fan of the actual headboard, the wall hung curtain has my wheels turning....



I own one of these dining chairs (I use it as a desk chair) and I love it.  Just goes to show you that you don't need to buy a dining set.  In fact, for a designer look, I encourage you not to.



How many times have I passed baskets like these at yard sales and Goodwill.  Hind site is 20/20?  I won't pass them up again.

We all know how I love a sunburst mirror, but I never thought of hanging one above a set of paintings.  I could totally see that in a room with high ceilings.

Ok, I'm not really feeling the duck, but the burlap covered vases are cool. 

So what did I get?  Well, I've been stalking these numbered glasses for months.

Ballard Designs

I love them because they're super functional for everyday use and they even eliminate the need for those cutesy drink charms that identify everyone's beverages.  They were such a great deal that I got a set of the drinking glasses and the wine glasses.  The drinking glasses are a gift for someone who's probably reading this post.  : )

So, if you haven't checked out Ballard's, I'd highly suggest it.


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"Mini Project Reveal - Part 2"

As indicated in the Bathroom Basics:  Mini Project Reveal post, I've been working to get a client's temporary house a little more like a temporary home. 

Again, I'm hesitant to show the pictures, simply because they aren't all that dramatic.  Since it's only her home away from home, it seems silly to invest in non-essential pieces of furniture and accessories.  So, I've done as much as I can to bring at least a little taste of home to her current dwelling. 

As a courtesy to my clients I typically don't share sourcing info on project reveals, but I wanted to share with you some of the great pieces at Rooms to Go Outlet.  We began with this Pemberton sleeper sofa.  It was great because of it's form and function.  Her kids come up often so the sleeper was a must have. 

 
Rooms to Go




I was sold when I found out that the matching ottoman was available.

Rooms to Go

I  knew it would make the perfect coffee table, that could double as extra seating.  We got it at a great price, and used it as the jumping off point for the entire room.  The client really seemed to be gravating toward green, so I went with it, and put this inital idea board together. 




So here it is....

 BEFORE




AFTER




And on another note, I'm so excited that Chelsea is back and working with me.  She's the best intern EVER!


Have a great day!

Happy Memorial Day!


In honor of the holiday, here are a few ways to do red, white and blue the right way.  It's not an easy look to get right, as evident by the fact that it took me FOREVER to find even three spaces that I actually liked.  Nevertheless, if patriotic is your thing, it is doable. 

Coastal Living


House Beautiful


Coastal Living

Wishing you a very happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend! 

"Craigslist Coast to Coast"

I've been doing a lot of buying and selling on Craigslist lately.  As a matter of fact, my evening ritual seems to now include an end-of-day search through the local furniture listings.  But, I'm amazed at the number of people who don't use it as a source for finding all sorts of things including furniture and home decor. 

For those of you who aren't that familiar (and there are more of you than I realized), Craigslist is an online garage sale of sorts.  It's the go to place for sellers who have items that they need to get rid of, often very quickly.  Their storage/moving/money dilemma becomes your shopportunity. 

I love just browsing at all of the great finds and seeing how cheaply you can get everything from china cabinets to headboards.  It really is insane.  Don't believe me?  Well, I did a quick search from a few areas where I know I have readers.  Here are a few of my favorite finds in your area.

First up, Charlotte.  My local listings are great, but the market is competitive.  So if you see it, get it.  DO NOT DELAY.  Trust me, I know first hand.


This bamboo dresser is $50.  If only I could think of a place to put it, I'd have it at my house by the time you read this blog post. 


It has star quality.  Need convincing?


Flights of Whimsy Blog
Told you.  How cute would this be in a teenager's room?  Heck, I'll take it and I'm way past teenage. 

Next up, Greenville/Spartanburg, SC.  Let's just say if your live in this area, run (don't walk) to Easley, SC because someone there is selling an awful lot of swoon-worthy chairs.  I came across these show stoppers....

$210
 

$125

$145

I'm sure I don't need to show you how lovely these would look in a space.  I love the bright and fresh patterns on the traditional lines of the vintage chairs. 


For all of my "peeps" at home in Gulfport/Biloxi, I found a few things out there for you too.  While I admit that the selection is not as great as some of the other metropolitan areas, there are still some deals to be had.
Like this bamboo shelf for $25.....

Gulfport

Think I'm crazy?  Well, check this out.....



Junkin Junky blog post

Love it!

Hands down, Atlanta takes the cake.  As you can imagine with such a densely populated, largely transient population Atlanta boast some killer Craigslist deals.  It's a bit overwhelming, I find.  But nevertheless, I couldn't leave them out.

I looked FOREVER for new French Provincial dining chairs.  High and low I searched, and where do I find them today?  Atlanta's Craigslist listing for Kennesaw (suburb). 


Not only are these gorgeous, they're already recovered.  I'm wiping away a tear as I type.  And if that weren't enough, they are priced at an unbelievable $200 for SIX!

And, just in case that doesn't impress you, Atlanta-based retailer Ballard Designs is selling a similar one...


Ballard Designs

....for $413 for just one measly little dining chair. 

If that's not enough to convince you to check out Craigslist, then I don't know what will.  For the rest of you, Happy shopping!

Did you like this blog post?  Let me know by leaving a  comment.  I'd love to hear from you.  
NOTE:  Reading via email?  Simply click on the Dwell by Cheryl logo located at the top of this email or below to be redirected to the website


Link to Website


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"Flower Power"

Yesterday I came very close to purchasing my first orchid.  I stood in Lowe's for quite some time talking to one of the sales associates about how to properly care for them.  As you probably know already, orchids are among the most temperamental tropical plants. 




 Honestly, I've never been the biggest fan of them.  I'm more of a down-home flower kind of girl.  Exotic just really doesn't appeal to me all that much.  But lately, I've been feeling the interior design pressure to incorporate one somewhere in my dwelling, since they seem to be all over the magazines and design sites.  I have to admit that they do look pretty perched atop a stack of books....


Sweet Something Designs



 Or as just the right accent on top of a console table.....


MR Architecture


Or as a focal point on a coffee table....

Photo Source


Meridith Baer


They even have the power to add color to an otherwise monochromatic room.....


via Decor Pad


I admit it, they do look pretty lovely as a design element.  I guess my only hesitation is that I'm afraid I'll invest in one (they aren't cheap) and then it'll die on me.  I heard one of the secrets to success is to only give it two ice cubes per week.  Sounds easy enough.  Right?

Got any orchids tips of your own?   I'll take all the help  I can get.  I have a feeling owning one is in my future. 

Did you like this blog post?  Let me know by leaving a  comment.  I'd love to hear from you.  
NOTE:  Reading via email?  Simply click on the Dwell by Cheryl logo located at the top of this email or below to be redirected to the website

Link to Website

...and click on the "COMMENTS- CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION" link at the end of today's post.

"Bathroom Basics: Mini-Project Reveal"

A friend of mine has recently relocated to my area due to a job promotion and has found herself in a temporary housing situation.   She and her family permanently reside in a nearby metro area, but she's set up shop here during the week.

I'm working on making her place a little more "homey" with the understanding that this is merely a home away from home. 

I actually hesitated to show you the before and after pictures because they aren't all that dramatic.  However, I decided that it may be a great example of how just a few simple things can make a big impact.  The result may even provide just the inspiration a college student or recent grad needs for decorating a dorm or first apartment. 

No photographer on this one, just my sad little snapshots.  So, here they are.....

BEFORE








AFTER






Just goes to show you that a little can go a long way.  More mini-project reveals to come....


Did like this mini-project?  Let me know by leaving a  comment.  I'd love to hear from you.  
NOTE:  Reading via email?  Simply click on the Dwell by Cheryl logo


...located at the top of this email to be redirected to the website and click on the "COMMENTS- CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION" link at the end of today's post.

TGIF!

I know I've been M.I.A. this week.  It's been a super busy.  Thank God it's Friday!





I've been running like a crazy person.  As of this week, I officially have a client waiting list.  Pretty unbelievable, huh?  What a ride.  I'm having a blast.  Exhausted, but having a blast.

Believe it or not, I actually had a post almost completed, but I ran into some technical issues.  I'm finally giving up and calling it quits.  Perhaps I'll have better luck tomorrow.

In the meantime, if you haven't checked me out on Houzz, you can do so here.

And if you're on Pinterest, be sure to repin some of my designs.  You can find them on my Portfolio board. 

Have a great day!

"Special Delivery: Bath Sneak Peek"

You know the feeling you get when you order something online and you eagerly anticipate it's arrival at your front door?  You find yourself looking out the window each time you hear a truck approaching, hoping it's the Fed Ex or UPS delivery person with your package.  Well, today as I rounded the corner onto my street I could see from a distance a medium sized box...




.... just the size of the pendant light fixture that I ordered last week. 

Home Decorator's

Needless to say I was extremely excited and made a beeline to my master bath, where the current lighting situation was shameful....



In less than 10 minutes (and that includes going to get my ladder).  This sad pot light became this...



I love it!  You probably noticed that I've also switched out my shower curtain.  You may also have noticed that it's at the ceiling.  I had this one made and apparently I got a little over zealous with the fabric, because not only is it tall but it's so wide that I'm going to need two packs of shower curtain hooks (pay no attention to the temporary ones I'm using). 

The funny thing is, I really like the height with the pendant.  As it would turn out, I may have really been on to something.  Check out these great examples....


Refresh Restyle (great article here)

Tobi Fairley (one of my favs)


Atlanta Design Works/ Charlie Cannon Photography


It makes the room super tall, something I'll need to consider in my wall art selection.   The natural look of the pendant's shade has me thinking about  the adjacent window.  A natural roman shade probably makes more sense than my current blinds.  This one from Lowe's might work.....


And then there's the rug.  Right now it's a toss up....


Grey/White Damask Floral?



Natural?

Photo Source
Chevron?

Photo Source

Decisions, decisions, decisions.... It's a work in progress.  As always, I'll keep you posted.

Lastly,                                        
Congratulations to
April Morton
of
Charlotte, North Carolina

Winner of the the April/May Dwell by Cheryl Giveaway! Thanks April for your great organization tip you shared in a comment on this post.



Did you enjoy this blog post?  Let me know by leaving a  comment.  I'd love to hear from you.  
NOTE:  Reading via email?  Simply click on the Dwell by Cheryl logo


...located at the top of this email to be redirected to the website and click on the "COMMENTS- CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION" link at the end of today's post.
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