Foyer Thoughts

Remember this foyer from Bailey McCarthy? Did it stick with you like it did with me? It's serving as one of the first bits of inspiration for the new house.

Our move is not finalized but I (obviously) have prelim thoughts on decoration. Like the look of the foyer we might be creating. As in, there is no actual foyer right now. But there IS dead space around the entrance that is begging to be walled off to create a proper entry space. A proper entry space that I can wallpaper.

*Cue the angels singing*

I actually arrived at said wallpaper first, before the inspo pic.  A serendipitous eBay search brought me this vintage Schumacher number:

Terrible pictures, but you get the idea. I didn't hesitate for a second.

Then I started opening my cerebral filing cabinets because I knew there was some inspiration somewhere I had tucked away that would be perfect for how I could use this paper...and I recalled McCarthy's foyer. And it just all made sense.

I don't have tons of this paper, so the wainscoting will help keep the amount I need to a minimum. And you know I love painted molding. The colors in this paper are really lovely, so I have several directions I can go with it. All TBD. All exciting.

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Friday Crush

Photo by Thomas Loof

The jaw-dropper of the week, likely the month (at least). Designed by Miles Redd. Not surprising.

I can't tell you how I've been turning this color scheme around in my head for a couple of weeks. I have a pair of what are essentially light blue curtains with tiny touches of some darker colors and I just decided that to make them pack a punch, I need to pull out the olive green in a big way. And then this image popped up on Schumacher's Insta  and I was done for. Serious perfection. 

This space is in NO way near what I'm working with (#understatement) but boy is it inspiring. ALL the shades of green with varying shades of blue anchored by black, white, and gold. Thank you internet!

Fall. Hallelujah. Though we'll be struggling with some high 80s until next weekend, but I see the end in sight. I'm already hoarding my pumpkin candles but I refuse to light them until our weather holds steady at least in the 70s. It's my annual ritual. Enjoy your weekend. See you next week!

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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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Friday Crush

Photo by Emily Gilbert for Luxe, who knows the designer?...

I will never ever tire of the combination of green, black, and white. I especially love a good aloe green...like this lacquered ceiling (Benjamin Moore's Parsley Snips, FYI). 

Sidenote: I think a ceiling is a great place to take a risk. Maybe you don't want to deck your walls out in a wild wallpaper...but you want some zing. Paint your ceiling something fun. Like this. 

I am also digging the oversized, scalloped lanterns...hung in a "too many" fashion. If this was your home, and the designer said "Oh, I think we should hang three large lanterns in this teensy hallway!"...you would probably question them. Because three big lanterns in a small hallway doesn't make sense. But don't listen to yourself. Listen to your designer. Because designers know these things. 

I'm also into the black doors. Ok, I'm done.

Happy weekend! See you next week!

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Traditional Twist in Richmond

It's rare that I post photos from an entire home. But this home 100% deserves it. Because every single space is fantastically fetching.

And, bonus points, it's located in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

Designed by Charlotte Lucas, it's true to Virginia tradition with a striking nod to modernity.

Photos by Laurey Glenn for Southern Living

Every space nails it. The wonderful mix of color, the touches of brass and gold, the wall treatments, the floor coverings...it's all so balanced and so mixed and so everything.

And let's talk about the lighting which is phenomenal - the mustard lamp pair, the acrylic chandelier, the glass foyer pendant, the brass kitchen pendants...literally the lighting alone makes me love these interiors.

Can you tell I completely dig this house? Do you like it as much as I do?

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Friday Crush

Exuberant design from Jeffrey Bilhuber. No, these patterns do not "match". I wouldn't even say they necessarily complement each other, but they work regardless. When one person thoughtfully puts things together that they love, there is a je ne sais quoi that unifies it. Style is your own and disparate pieces will naturally combine if you are the one curating them. That combination may not be pleasing to the eye of another, but if it works for you, it works.

This was a lovely birthday week and thank you for the well wishes. This is my absolute favorite time of year so I'm positive I will enjoy this autumn weekend...I hope you do too. See you next week!

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Light Blue, FTW

Design by Lynn Morgan, photo by Keith Scott Morton for Connecticut Cottages & Gardens

Light blue is doing all of the work here...successfully. That lantern hanging from brass is pure perfection paired with the same baby blue on the door...and it looks as if the ceiling might be painted blue as well? Gorgeous. And the pastel story is picked up with the soft lavender bench.

I love seeing simple elements come together to make an impact with color. If that door was brown wood, the lantern was black, and the bench was beige, this would be a pretty entrance but I wouldn't be blogging about it. Color makes it special. Remember that...if you just have a couple of simple things to work with, think about how color can be the focal point (it's usually a high bang-for-your-buck fix).

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Pink Stairwell

I'm having all of the good feelings about this pink stairwell currently featured on Design Sponge:

It's the Maine home of Ayumi Horie and Chloe Beaven and it's spectacular. A very traditional home full of delightful, cheerful touches. My favorite of which is this stairwell. You would think that painting a stairwell pink would result in a shocking display of color but can we agree that this looks very natural and fresh? Effortless style.

I can't get enough of old homes that just teem with character - it makes my soul happy. This entire home is a must-see - check it out here...

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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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Friday Crush

A delightful vignette from Lucas/Eilers Design via Twitter from a home on Kiawah Island featuring Acanthus Stripe wallpaper from Celerie Kemble for Schumacher. Where would you begin here? I'm at a bit of a loss...the wallpaper is incredibly fantastic but can we talk about the patterned floor? And all of the rich wood tones? And of course the beautiful pottery that looks absolutely perfect here. I would be quite pleased if this was the entry of my lowcountry home.

Fall is in full swing and we might attempt a pumpkin patch this weekend. Hope you have a great one...see you next week!

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Friday Crush

Photo from A Country Farmhouse (now known as In the Fields)

I think know I say this ever year, but I'm ready for fall. Summer just is not my jam so I get a little impatient once August hits. I've always loved this photo from A Country Farmhouse and it encapsulates how I'm feeling right now. The big events of the summer are over and I'm just waiting for the final warm days to make way for fall's cool breezes. I can imagine myself coming down into this foyer one morning and feeling a sweet chill that sends me back upstairs to grab my slippers. Yes, these are the things I think about.

If summer IS your jam, I hope you enjoy another warm weekend doing something fun. Have a great one...see you next week!

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Angie Hranowsky: The Rucker Home

Charleston-based Angie Hranowsky is always on my short list of favorite designers. She has the magic touch - great mix of color, texture, style...and it all seems so effortless when you look at one of her finished spaces.

I was thrilled to see the home she designed for Darius Rucker and family as featured on Domaine:

All photos by Julia Lynn

Love the high-contrast, boho, art-filled spaces she created in this comfortable home. I mean, it's clearly high-end design, but it feels so warm and approachable. And I always LOVE Angie's use of rosy pinks, lavenders, and orchid. She does that color range justice.

The best part of the Domaine feature is that it's shoppable...so as you look through the many photos, there are links to key pieces that you can buy to recreate the look. Check out all the photos here...

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My Sister's Foyer

I keep meaning to share these photos with you of Adriana and Chuck's (my sister and brother-in-law) foyer using this wallpaper:

I think it turned out great! They went with a classic marble and granite checkerboard floor which provides a stunning contrast against the cheerful wallpaper. And although the wallpaper is definitely flowery, I think it looks fresh and not at all girly or fussy paired with the floor and lighting.

And they created a little entry station for keys, mail, checking your hair/makeup (how I use it), etc with this demilune table and this Moroccan mirror. It really creates a wonderful welcoming entry to their home.

My sister and I have similar taste/style but on the spectrum of this style I'd say my version is a bit more amped/glitzy and her version is typically more classic/tailored. But this foyer suits both of us just fine. I would love to replicate this look if only we had a foyer. #foyerenvy

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Happening Now

Or perhaps I should title this post "Happening Eventually" because we've had a bit of a slow start with this one...but this, THIS, is happening at our house:

BLACK DOORS, y'all! I'm so thrilled to finally be tackling this one. It's been on my to-do list for centuries but it always falls to the back burner.

But now that we've kind of reached a point where we can do the "little things" in this house, this one is up first. Our rooms have those awesome, cheapy, hollow-core doors that drive Carter bonkers. He likes his doors like he likes his women - solid. So we're starting downstairs by replacing the guest bedroom doors with sturdy, paneled situations and then they are getting a glossy coat of black paint. Followed by the bathroom, hall closet, basement, and front door! We then have three upstairs doors to tackle. The only doors that will escape the treatment are our french doors.

I know it's going to be a small change that I will be kicking myself for not having done sooner.

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Brick Foyer

Image from Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

How do we feel about brick flooring inside? Especially laid in a herringbone fashion? I like it!

Who knew brick indoors could be so chic? I know we've perhaps seen screened-in porches or maybe a mudroom with a brick floor but these home owners threw convention to the wind and floored their ENTRY with brick. Good ol' brick. 

But you know what the true genius is here? The velvet settee. That's why this works. Because the way the rest of the room is arranged makes you feel like the brick is a chic, deliberate choice that obviously pairs well with velvet. Like, duh.

And the brick goes a long way in warming up a space with really high ceilings. I love an unexpected twist to a space that makes it special. 

What do you think? Yay or nay on the brick?

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Friday Crush

Design by John Knott and John Fondas, photo by Bjorn Wallander, via housebeautiful.com

You guys, IT FEELS LIKE FALL!!!! This whole week the weather in the DC area has been nothing but crisp and delicious and I've been tempted to break out my boots. Seriously, nothing makes me happier than the transition to autumn and I came across this warm, cinnamon-dusted hallway in this spectacular Maine home featured by House Beautiful and it spoke to my eagerness for fall to arrive. And that is some amazing wallpaper - Vanderpoel Stripe by Quadrille.

Have a fantastic weekend...see you next week!

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Parapluie Five Ways

For my latest Houzz ideabook, I decided to take one of my recent wallpaper loves - Scalamandre's Parapluie - and imagine a foyer five different ways using five of Parapluie's colorways. It was an exercise in using color as a foundation for creating five various aesthetics, using the same building blocks - wallpaper, a mirror, a stool/ottoman and a light fixture.

'Twas fun. Here's a peek at what I came up with:

Same wallpaper...but I let the color guide me as to how to put it together for an entryway vignette.

Check out the combos and links here...any favorites?

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