"Market Inspiration"

Hope you guys had a great Father's Day weekend, I sure did. 

I realized recently that I never really shared my experience at the High Point Market on the blog.  In April, I had the opportunity to travel to High Point to my very first Market.  Convening every six months, The High Point Market is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world.  Anyway, there was lots going on that week and I just never had the time to sit down and sort through all of the photos I took to share with you a few of my takeaways.  While I'm not here to do a total recap today, I did want to share some of the inspiration that I came across. 

You know I love a furniture transformation, so my eyes were peeled for great ideas on how to spruce up vintage and budget friendly finds with creative upholstery.  Thankfully, there was NO shortage of ideas to "borrow".

I had Baity's Custom Upholstery on speed dial texting back and forth about whether we could do something similar.  For example, I loved this ottoman.  I'm pretty sure my upholsterer could custom make this piece.  I love the fact that it has storage underneath and brass nails for days. 

 

While it's not the best photo, I snapped this shot because I thought adding an embellishment with nailheads was a fabulous idea, especially on an upholstered console/desk.

 

This Ambella winged headboard was the coolest I've EVER seen.  It literally enveloped the bed and the bedside tables too!  Genius!  Sure it's large, but not at all difficult to create. 

I often have clients who need to utilize some of their existing furniture pieces due to budget constraints. I thought this simple detail did wonders for a simple Parsons chair. 

We've actually done the racing stripe before, but not on a Louis chair. Definitely filing that one away in my inspirational Rolodex.

These reminded me of the custom ottomans in my Master Bedroom Makeover. 

 

There was lots of trim and brass nails.  How clever is this simple addition of leather trim tape and brass nails used as a border on this sofa. 

 

I MUST, MUST, MUST use this idea in a project.  Large brass nail trim applied directly to the walls is the perfect finishing touch.  I'm think it would be perfect in a study or dining room.

 

 

Last but certainly not least, I fell in LOVE with these chairs for a number of reasons, but mostly fore the Greek key design. 

It looks as if it's the wood trim at first glance, but upon further inspection you can tell that it's actually fabric and contrasting welt.  I mean, WOW!

 

Let's just say I left with more than a few great ideas.  You can expect to see them in my projects real soon. 

 

Until next time...



"Overcoming Designer's Block"

Hey y'all!!  I'm back....

I have to say, while it was nice to not have to worry about blogging, I kind of missed you guys.  And of course, wouldn't you know the ideas for posts started to flow immediately after I announced that I was pulling back a little. 

Today, I thought I'd share with you what happens when I hit a creativity block.  Yep, it happens.  Sometimes, thankfully not often, I find myself at a complete loss for ideas.  Unfortunately, I experienced this past weekend I pulled together the final pieces of a living room design plan I've been working on for a client.  The more I worked on it, the less I liked it.  It's not that it was a bad plan, it just didn't excite me. And  I knew that if it didn't excite me, it would be a hard sale to the clients.

Needing to break away, I decided to go to a place that often provides me with the greatest inspiration for projects; the fabric store. 

 

Yes, I have sample books at home and of course there's the web, but I was in desperate need of a change of scenery.  I hit the road one afternoon and boy was I glad I did.  In a matter of moments the juices were flowing again. 



I don't know what it is about fabric that gets me, but I can just see rooms jumping off the vibrant prints and patterns.



Even walking through the notions section gets me day dreaming of ways to dress up standard pieces.

Within thirty minutes I had an entirely new direction for the project.  I totally scraped what I was working on and used a fabric swatch that I purchased to build a completely new plan. 

 

 

I'm putting on the final touches now, I'm loving it.  I can't wait to share it with you once it's approved.  I'm praying they like it as much as I do. 

It just goes to show you that sometimes you have to go back to the drawing board.  That's  hard for my left brain, more analytical side to understand, but I'm learning that creativity truly is a process.  Not to mention, one that often takes time.

Wish me luck! 

Color Inspiration: Navy and Coral

I hit the pavement this weekend heading to yard sales and estate sales.  Fun! Scored some great deals.  If you follow me on Instagram, you've likely seen several of them, if not I'll be sharing the a little later.  Today, I'm gathering inspiration for one of the projects I'm about to begin. 

I've found that getting started and the actual installation are the most nerve racking parts of the design process.  I think the issue with getting started is the fact that there are SO many options.  I like to start by perusing Houzz for inspiration.  My last project....

 

 

Was actually inspired by this one....

 

 

 Contemporary Spaces by Melbourne Interior Designers & Decorators Camilla Molders

 

Some times it's the smallest thing that get my wheels turning and in this case it was the green,white and black color combo and the sofa fabric.  Now I'm back at it again and I'm really feeling navy and coral. 

Transitional Living Room by Washington Interior Designers & Decorators Zoe Feldman Design, Inc.

 

 

Traditional Living Room by Santa Ana Interior Designers & Decorators Darci Goodman Design

I'm sure it doesn't hurt that the two are complements but I love the rich navy with the vivid orangy hue. 

Mediterranean Bedroom by Dallas Interior Designers & Decorators Astleford Interiors, Inc.

 

I'm also liking the idea of a navy sofa.  The color is dark, which is great for families with young kids, but not nearly as harsh as black. 

Society Social

Anyway,  just starting to collect my thoughts.  I can't wait to show you what I come up with.  Stay tuned and Happy Monday! 

Homearama Recap (and an announcement)!

Happy Monday all!  I hope you had a great weekend.  I was able to attend the HomeBuilder's Association of Charlotte Homearama this weekend and take in a little design.  I thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite spaces, but before I do I have a little announcement. 

  

This afternoon I'll be on the Stretching Your Dollar segment with Maureen O'Boyle on WBTV News (Charlotte).  I'm so excited.  If you're local, be sure to check it out on the 5:00 p.m. newscast.  We're shopping the Habitat ReStore for great home decor deals, ideas and inspiration on a budget.   I'll recap the experience here a little later, but for now, let's check out some great spaces.

Bear with me, there are a lot of pictures, but who doesn't like looking at pretty design photos.

 
According to the website, "HomeArama homes encompass the latest styles and materials for living areas, kitchen and bath design using cutting-edge, energy efficient products."  The tour featured six innovative homes on beautiful lots.

The homes this year featured lots of color, and we know I do like color.  I loved the use of coral here.

I also noticed lots of graphic print drapery, which made me feel pretty good about the most recent update at my house (tell you about that later).

After seeing so many interior doors painted, I was convinced that I'm going to start making my way through my house painting mine. 

We saw loots of fun laundry spaces.  It's an often overlooked area, but I think that may be changing.  How cute is this? I love the red tile backsplash.

 

This next home featured a good bit of grey mixed with pops of color.

  

I loved this little nook and the Moroccan inspired fixtures.

 

Each home featured a great outdoor living space.  I liked that this one linked so well to the adjacent family room décor.

Another space with a great use of color.  This purple and green was perfection.



But even better than the color scheme was this awesome ceiling. The herringbone design is to die for.

I love decorating kid's rooms and I thought some of the kid's spaces featured offered some great ideas.  I like the use of abstract art in this boy's room.  Not exactly something I would've thought oink of doing until now. 

There is just something about a room with twin beds....

Most of the homes featured common areas like this one.  Great spaces for kid's to do homework.

Needless to say, they had me at Ikat in the soothing guest room.

I noticed this window treatment in several homes.  It's a faux roman shade but such a modern alternative to the traditional valance.  You WILL see this again.

There were lots of cute mudrooms.  I photographed this one because the bench was such a unique piece and I love me some contrast piping.

This space actually reminds me of my latest client project.  I love the coolness of the blue and green.  Not sure how practical those stark white sofas are, but they're pretty nonetheless.

Another open concept family room that spills out into the outdoor space with hideaway pocket glass doors. I love how this completely connects the two spaces. 

Another beautiful ceiling...

My favorite home was actually the one I have the least photos from.  However, I did manage to capture this eat-in kitchen area.  I love the juxtaposition of the classic tufted upholstered dining chairs and the modern metal chairs. 

I also fell in love with these orb fixtures in the master bath.  I was completely intrigued by the rolling metal cart between the vanities.  I'm not sure what cause you to need to move a cart around the bathroom, but I do like the idea of having that option. 

I have to be honest though, my friend and I were a little underwhelmed this year with the whole tour.  I'm not sure if it's the fact that I'm completely immersed in design these days and as a result have higher expectations or if it just wasn't as good as it's been in the past.  Whatever the case, I was able to leave with a couple of new ideas. 

Hope you had a great weekend!

Reminder:  5:00 p.m. WBTV - Stretching Your Dollar

"Vicarious Inspiration"

It's another crazy busy week.  I promise I do have a few projects to share with you guys, if I can ever sit still long enough to photograph them. 

I'm actually attending a nutrition conference learning the latest and greatest in dietetics this week, but honestly I really hate I'm missing the High Point Furniture Market. 

I've been checking out all of the cool Instagram posts, living vicariously through my Instagram design friends, and thought I'd share a few of my favorites posts.
For starters, Holly of The English Room posted this purple and green space from Hickory Chair.  Love the color combination. 


via The English Room Instagram at Hickory Chair

Love the pop of green (Emerald is the color of the year) that Abbe of Studio Ten25 captured here. 

via StudioTen25 Instagram

Love everything about this space posted by Cozy Stylish Chic.



via Cozy Stylish Chic Instagram at Stanley Furniture

Traditional Home had it right when they titled this post, "double trouble".  Love this sleek alternative to the sofa-loveseat pairing.

Traditional Home at Baker Furniture

I fully intend to be at Market in the Spring. So much to see and take in. It's hard to imagine a better place to get inspired.

"Cataloged Inspiration"

I get inspiration from all sorts of places, but there is something so appealing about well-designed and photographed pages that just lure me in.  I can literally spend hours flipping through the pages of design magazines and apps like Houzz, looking at the beautiful spaces.  I have a really hard time getting rid of the paper catalogs sometimes because it seems as if every time I look through them I see something new.  Such was the case with the Spring Williams-Sonoma Home catalog.  I've looked at it at least a dozen times and I'm obsessed with the products and spaces.    

For example,  I could seriously jump into any of these pages and live happily ever after. 

Williams-Sonoma Home

Williams-Sonoma Home

 Williams-Sonoma Home

When I peruse design magazines and catalogs, I'm always looking for things I can duplicate on a budget.  Here are a few things that caught my eye in this space.

1.  The ceramic garden stool. I love it as a side table.  I picked up the one I have on a sidewalk sale at Kirkland's last fall.  It was leftover from Spring/Summer and at $20, I'm kicking myself for not buying multiples. 

2. I love the HUGE Fiddle Leaf fig.  I blogged about them HERE.

3.  Do I even need to note how much I love the clean lines of the sofa above?  It almost makes me wish I'd gone tufted on my recent sofa makeover. 

4.  The flood light rocks.  It definitely puts me in mind of the pharmacy lamp I recently added to my living room.

5.  I always keep my eyes open for small metal tables when I'm out thrifting.  So cute and functional. 

In this space, I love the neutral color palette. I'm actually pulling something together for a current client that's very similar.  However, a closer look reveals a few other things beyond the color.

1.  It dawned on me that the shades on the lovely glass lamps aren't drum shades.  Is the trend changing?  Hmmm...

2.  I love that the magazines are just stacked neatly in a simple tray/basket.  This is a perfect solution for those of us who have tons of them. 



3.  The large mirror looks casual yet dramatic leaning against the wall with art layered in front of it.

Lastly, the color scheme in this space is my favorite, but I also noticed a couple other of things.

1.  The vignette on top of the secretary is so well put together.  I study things like that in photos.  I love the three different decorative items grouped together and again how the art is simply leaning instead of hung. 

2. Because I'm a thrifter at heart, I couldn't help but notice the simple (almost country) chair featured in the photo. There's nothing extra special about it, but it looks so graceful in the environment that it's in.  How many times have I passed a similar chair on one of my thrift outings? 

The bottom line is that you may need to give those catalogs and magazines a second (third, and fourth) look.  Remember, the (design) eye is a muscle; The more you use it, the stronger it gets. 

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