Cleveland Park Chic

We have some creative minds here in Alexandria, Virginia - including that of designer Susan Nelson. Love the colorful yet traditional touch she put on this Cleveland Park home in the District.

That lavender rug is wonderful. Let me talk to you about gray - I'm not a fan. I know. It's a darling, but it never sings to me. But here, it's working. With the doses of lavender and rich wood tones, it feels so classic and serene.

And who wouldn't want to come home to that Chinoiserie lantern in the foyer?

Check out more of Susan's work here - great use of color in classic spaces.

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Putting the Blue in Bluemercury

Let's stay on a blue theme this week.

Loving this Bethesda, MD sunroom designed by my girl Sally Steponkus Roche and home to Bluemercury founders Marla and Berry Beck.

Photo by Gora Kosanovic for The Washington Post

The particular shade of saturated blue on the walls is the perfect anchor for all that wonderful natural light. And the chippendale chair + table combo is right up my own alley. Also loving those oversized lamps.

I know I say this every time I write about her, but Sally is so charming and delightful. Really. And her work is always tailored, elegant, and refined. She's a great DC area talent.

Sidenote: You should check out the full Washington Post article here because they have one of those awesome 3D tours of the house - you can literally use your mouse to walk through the various spaces. If you don't know what I mean, you should really try it - such a great use of technology.

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Movin' and Shakin' (In Someone Else's Shoes)

Friends, Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar were in town. So I had to meet them.

I would like to think that I live the life of a chic design blogger, jetting off to hip events every week - and though the invites are plenty (because I'm on every PR email list known to mankind), I rarely find the energy to attend.

But this duo is behind so much tabletop, design and styling that I LOVE...there was no way I could miss it.

And as you can see, I'm pretty thrilled I went. I got to connect with many design/blogging friends that I haven't seen for years. Literally years. It felt so good to catch up.

That's the money shot of the evening - Terri Sapienza, me, Liz Levin, Eddie, and Lauren Liess - solid group right there.

And a special thank you to Liz, who let me borrow her shoes. Because at the 11th hour I realized that the sweater-legging-boots getup I wore to work that day would be woefully casual so I ran into H&M to grab that dress and earrings...and Liz came to the rescue with black pumps.

Get your hands on Eddie and Jaithan's book, Modern Mix. It's bananas and literally the perfect Christmas gift for any design lover (or newlywed or single professional) in your life:

Huge thank you to hostess Lynni Megginson and Baker Furniture for the wonderful evening!

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New Work from Sally Steponkus

The Leontine Linens event last week was lovely, I hope you went. I'll have some pictures tomorrow...but the major bonus for me was catching up with Sally.  And she informed me that there was some new work to enjoy on her website so I'm doing my public duty and reposting some of my favorites here for you:

All photos by Angie Seckinger

Sally's talent (in my opinion) is her ability to edit a space. She really lets architecture, subtle color, form, etc, do the work. You won't see a hodge-podge of tchotchkes in Sally's spaces. She's too tailored. And when you see her rooms they are so lovely and pleasing as everything quietly works together - falling into place to create a gorgeous room.

And though her work may be crisp and tailored, Sally is SUCH a personality. Not that those traits are mutually exclusive, but I think she's a breath of fresh air when you meet her. And when I see a space like the one below, I see Sally's twinkle coming through:

Check out more of Sally's - and her whole team's - work over at their website...

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Victoria at Home

There is a new shopping destination in (my) town that you absolutely must know about! I had the immense pleasure of visiting designer Victoria Sanchez's new storefront located in Old Town Alexandria this past week. If you don't know Victoria, you should - remember this drop-dead awesome room?

I knew Victoria's shop would not disappoint...but woah. This place is a slice of heaven:

The shop is light, bright, and cozy all at the same time. And I love Victoria's mix of stock - light fixtures, pillows, small accessories, furniture. A great place for a gift or for larger purchases for your home. And her style is amazing - loads of Chinoiserie mixed in with more traditional and more modern elements. I was a happy lady.

You know who else was a happy lady? Ana Claire...she enjoyed the visit.

Make sure Victoria's shop is on your list next time you are shopping in the DC area:

Victoria at Home

1125 King Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

703.836.1960

You can also browse the shop's inventory online and give them a call to order anything of interest.

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Gorgeous Guest Room

Take a look at this gorgeous guest room designed by DC-based designer Victoria Sanchez. So many elements are coming together to create a beautiful space:

That headboard is B-A-N-A-N-A-S. It's pink and red...and the rosette...and the piping...and the SHAPE. It's the kind of headboard that could function as the solitary focal point of a monochromatic room. But instead, Victoria mixes it with all sorts of bold elements and it totally works. I'm sure it's custom...I know Victoria pops in to read the blog once in a while so maybe she'll tell us about the headboard in the comments.

Take a look at a wider shot of the room:

I absolutely love how the headboard is unexpectedly paired with blue grasscloth walls and blush/peach tones in the (amazing) window treatments and bedding. The lucite (or perhaps glass?) night stand is a great choice because the room is so dynamic...it just kind of floats next to the bed without adding to the overall look. And the lamp is such a great choice...it a great addition to the fun and traditional vibe of the room.

I can't stop chatting about this one. I think it's so fresh and inviting. What do you think?

Check out more of Victoria's work here »

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Sara Tuttle in Southern Living

I just finished the December issue of Southern Living and, per the usual, it was good. Really, really good. I'm trying hard not to just republish the issue. But one feature did make me particularly happy as it included a local designer, Sara Tuttle, and a house in Maryland that she recently designed.

You may have seen these images before (I spotted them on La Dolce Vita) but Southern Living decks out the spaces for Christmas and, as always, Laurey Glenn's mad photography skillz really bring a space to life. It's fun to see the same space styled two ways:

Via Southern Living, Photo by Laurey W. Glenn

Image via Sara Tuttle Interiors

Via Southern Living, Photo by Laurey W. Glenn 

Image via Sara Tuttle Interiors 

Via Southern Living, Photo by Laurey W. Glenn 

Image via Sara Tuttle Interiors

Don't you love how the tree and presents look with those vibrant green curtains in the first photo? And I really like the switch over to a large, round, skirted table in the second photo...not as practical since you lose seating, but very pretty for a picture - especially the large pink poinsettia centerpiece!

And Southern Living includes a little bit on Sara (I like that touch):

Sara's interiors are fun to tour - she's a master of the color mix. Check out her portfolio here...

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Color Block

Design by Sara Tuttle, Image via La Dolce Vita

Color blocking (one word or two?) is hip in fashion and interior designer Sara Tuttle shows us that the technique can be applied with great effect to interiors. Those green curtains are absolutely wonderful in this space and I love that Sara used blocks of color over pattern to bring interest to the room. 

Could you imagine telling a client that your plan involves green curtains, a yellow couch and a red chair? I'd be interested to know how they reacted but this image shows that you should trust the professionals - Sara knew what she was doing! The key is the black and white foundation that allows the colors to work in harmony. REALLY love this space.

Happy week to you...

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Target Chairs

The chairs in this entry are from Target.

Photo by Werner Straube via Traditional Home

Tar. Get.

These to be exact. 

This entry hall is designed by and in the home of designer Skip Sroka, who is a Washington DC-area talent. 

The fabulous chest of drawers probably costs oodles, as it should. My goal in this post is not to point out cheap chairs. It's to point out the mix. "Cheap" and expensive can work together side-by-side in harmony, with unique and stellar results.

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Heather Safferstone

I am so excited to share this web design project today! You may remember a little post I did about Heather a while back...she's a lovely design talent working as an Associate Designer at Sally Steponkus Interiors here in DC.

I was thrilled when Heather asked if I could design a snazzy portfolio website so she could have a place to send potential clients to view her past and current work. I'm happy to say our project is complete and I think it looks terrific.

I love Heather's crisp, tailored aesthetic and her use of color. Her spaces always feel bright, open, and inviting. Check out some of my favorites:

All images by Angie Seckinger via heathersafferstone.com

You really must get to know Heather.  Visit her online portfolio.

Sara Tuttle

The latest issue of High Gloss Magazine introduced me to DC-area designer Sara Tuttle. And I couldn't be more pleased.

All images via saratuttle.com

To think Sara is whipping up these incredible, colorful creations in my own backyard is very exciting. Her interiors are fresh and full of personality...perfect for the young professionals that abound in our area.

I must meet Miss Tuttle.