Friday Crush

Design by Kathy Abbott

Love the juxtaposition of these bright chairs sporting Quadrille's Jacaranda with the natural-toned elements in the room. I think when you fearlessly mix in whimsy like this, it ups the luxury factor of your space. 

Have been fighting the onset of a cold all week...I'm ready for a break. Hope you have a fabulous weekend...see you next week!

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Country Kitchen

We just booked our first getaway to the country for the year...we'll be headed to our beloved Blue Ridge in a couple of weekends.

And no doubt during this getaway, like all the others, I'll be thinking about that Mountain House I want...particularly so I can create a kitchen like this one:

Design by Olivia Brock of Lacquered Life

I must have butcher block counters. Must. I refuse to have it any other way. And all that white is just fine with me. Our Mountain House is going to be awash in an absence of color. (I say this now...) 

But what I loved most about this small kitchen was the clever oil paintings with their picture light - they elevate the space in such a simple way. 

What does your vacation home kitchen look like?

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Modern Minis

At 4x4, these little works by artist Emily Brown pack a tee-tiny modern punch.

Love the colors and movement achieved on a small scale. Perfect for collecting (@ $65/each) and displaying in a series of minis. They are works on birch, so they would provide dimension on a wall.

I love pretty much everything put out into the world by the Charleston Artist Collective. If you are not familiar, do check out the site if you love affordable pieces by Southern artists. The bonus is that 10% of sales go to local Charleston charities.

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Friday Crush

Speaking of chairs, I l-o-v-e Windsor chairs - especially when there is an exaggerated back involved. This pair of black ones is super stylish and only $130. For the pair. Perfect as a symmetrical set to flank a fireplace. Or maybe a buffet in a dining room. I'd love to see one in the corner of a black and white bathroom. Basically, they will work anywhere. And for that price...

Hope you had a fantastic week and are looking forward to some weekend downtime as much as I am. See you next week!

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Mystery Chair

Who is going to fill me in on this chair?

I can't find it anywhere. Only thing I know via Pinterest is that it was originally pinned from Joss & Main, but it's no longer there. But seeing that it was on Joss & Main to begin with is a signal that it can be purchased retail.

I really like it. It's like three chairs put together. And I can definitely see that seat reupholstered into something dazzling. Retail side chairs usually make me fall asleep, but I woke up for this one.

If you have details, please share in comments!

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Talking Heads

Sometimes you need a simple, fetching piece of modern art to set off your traditional space (see: design tension).

If fetching modern art is your goal right now, check out Etsy artist BorianaM and her incredible collection of abstract head silhouettes:

I love how the artist has framed them for her shop listings - I would mimic this framing style if I purchased one. And since most are prints (though some original are available), prices are affordable.

Any of these would be the perfect punctuation mark in a space. Especially juxtaposed in an otherwise classical or traditional space.

Check out the Etsy shop here...

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Friday Crush

image by LB Originals

Blerg. This busy week got away from me and thus no blogging. I hate it when that happens.

But I have been dying to repost this image from Instagram account LB Originals. This Etsy seller (keyword seller - you can buy her creations) is a MUST to follow if you like preppy, color, and Chinoiserie. Isn't this table setting fulfilling all of your valentine dreams? I would like to dive into this setting and just live in it. Move right in. It's so refreshing and sweet.

Ana Claire and I have a Galentine's date to see Disney on Ice this weekend while the boys hang back and do bro things at home. I have gotten such a kick out of seeing Valentine's Day through Ana Claire's eyes and her collection of valentines from school - they brought back so many memories of how thrilling this holiday was with the cutesy notes, candy, and decorated mailboxes. Hope you have some fantastic plans with the ones you love. See you next week!

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Friday Crush

Decor and image by Ranger 911

This is genius on so many levels.

1) Vintage dollhouses are gorgeous

2) But you may not want your kid to actually rip one apart play with one

3) And the best place for one is usually the floor, but then no one can see how pretty it is

So why not put one on a wall shelf for all to see and enjoy? And yes, your precious child will likely ask over and over to play with it and you'll let them, but putting it back on the shelf will give it some prominence in their little mind/heart/soul that will hopefully make them think twice about decorating its walls with a black Sharpie.

(Sidenote: Did I tell y'all that Ana Claire took to our WHITE kitchen cabinets with a BLACK sharpie marker several months ago. Like ALL over our lower cabinets. And granite countertop. Let's continue...)

I love how the gorgeous colors of the dollhouse inspire the space here...eBay is a great place to look for dollhouses. I could definitely see myself doing this in our imaginary Mountain House.

Big C and I have an epic weekend ahead...a babysitting double header...adult plans both Friday AND Saturday night. This never happens and I'm pretty excited about it. Hope you have a great weekend! See you next week!

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Thibaut Luzon Wallpaper

This is how I can get behind neutral. Thibaut's Luzon wallpaper in this bathroom. Exquisite.

Image via The Enchanted Home on Instagram

The silvery glow of this bathroom must be beautiful. And that wallpaper is just bananas.

Speaking of bananas...that are yellow...Thibaut's wallpaper also comes in this ridiculous colorway:

I am bookmarking this. Imagine a black and white checkered bathroom floor with this paper on the walls. So, so good. Chinoiserie wallpaper, FTW.

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Strawberry Wallpaper

I am completely enchanted by this strawberry wallpaper. If Ana Claire had her own bathroom, this would go up on the walls immediately.

It's by Spoonflower artist thislittlestreet....which means that it also comes in fabric. This could be ridiculous as bedding, wallpaper, and window treatments in one of those rooms that picks a pattern and uses it everywhere. Do we like those rooms? Sometimes I do.

Anyway, those strawberries are everything. I am very loyal to the combination of red and pink, so this pushes all of my buttons.

In other news, this seller also has this little number that is equally fantastic if you are a cactus lover:

But I'm still eyeing those strawberries. #love

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Friday Crush

Photo by Rustic White for Waiting on Martha

Are your buns actually intended to go in those hands? Or is it sculptural in the look-don't-sit kind of way? That is a real question.

Regardless, I am enjoying this entry vignette. My tastes usually don't skew this modern but I'm liking those hands. IRL, I would probably have some upholstered bench situation under that console and nix the gold objet for some blue and white porcelain but let's be clear that this 100% works for me as-is.

Arrangement is art, folks. And this would be a killer entry to your home.

My social calendar is busy this weekend with my gal pals and I'm excited for some girl time. Hope you have a great weekend. See you next week!

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Southwestern Runner Under $100

I have been waiting for a project to come along where I can use this runner (that also comes in a rug version). I've seen it floating around various places on the internet but I just spotted the runner on Overstock for $87.

So time to share it:

THE PINK ONE. RIGHT???

And the brown one.

The pattern is crazy good. And it's WOOL! I love wool. I've gone with the fakey rugs before to get a good price and they are not my jam. Wool can be a little scratchy but at least it feels substantial.

And back to the pattern. It's so lovely. Every single colorway is calling my name - I could definitely do full spaces based on these rugs. And these are just four colors of six.

You need to get in on this and then tell me how you are using it.

In other news, we have dug out of the snow. But now my week feels all out of whack. I'm hoping February is real calm-like.

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Friday Crush

^ I believe this is Miles Redd + Gil Schafer ^

As the impending snow approaches, I wouldn't mind being holed up in a sumptuous country mansion like this one. I like that apple green, turquoise, and animal print are made to feel so fancy in this space.  And I love the black fireplace mantel (is that granite?) Wouldn't be the same if that was white painted wood. 

There will be plenty of fires in our fireplace this weekend, albeit not as fancy as this one. We are stocked with wine and food so as long as we keep our power, we should be good to ride out the blizzard. Hope you stay toasty, safe and warm this weekend. See you next week!

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Fabric Find: Brunschwig & Fils Treganza Chintz

This ridiculous chintz by Brunschwig & Fils called Treganza (I think) is for sale on eBay for some great prices - 5 and 6 yard pieces for around $200. I SO wish I had a chair that needed upholstery.

The blue colorway is listed here for $210 for 6 yards.

The yellow colorway is listed here for $175 for 5 yards.

Those are some good deals for such a vibrant fabric. Look at all of those colors! I would upholster a small club chair in either of them (though, if this is your plan, definitely check that's enough yardage as I imagine that pattern is tricky).

If a whole chair won't work, dining room chair seats would be bananas. Enjoy!

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Design Tension

Years ago, I dragged Carter to a talk by designer Michael Smith at the Corcoran Gallery.
Michael had many gems of wisdom to share but the key take-away that stuck with Carter Shuffler (and me) was his thought on "tension".

Michael preached that every space should have some sort of tension - something that isn't quite right to, in a way, throw the room off and engage the eye.

Image via Quadrille, design by Charlotte Barnes

Like this lamp. I think in the land of "perfect" design, a gold or white gourd lamp would be great, yes? But taking this black/gold/gray vignette and adding a blue and white porcelain lamp with a boho lavender pleated shade make the space come to life. A lamp. That's all it took to take this space from lovely to spectacular.

This though has stuck with me (and Carter) for years now and I think it's such a great little piece of advice...just as you wrap up a space, ask yourself what your tension is. If everything feels perfectly placed and in harmony maybe you need to edit something to give it some gusto.

p.s. That is Quadrille's Zebra Embroider fabric on the chair and it is a new favorite! I'm such a huge fan of black and white. I think this pattern on a chair would work in almost any room as a neutral. And the wallpaper is Quadrille's Persia Wallpaper.

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