Celebrating the Small Stuff

I know in the scheme of life, decorating is "the small stuff" but it brings joy and is a cause for celebration at my house! I thought I would share with you that I have been working on my living room and dining room for a few months-(in baby steps- a little bit at a time). I don't know about you but for myself when selecting furnishings for my home, I like to take my time and live in the room and let it evolve. Well, for the last couple of months we have been without window treatments in these 2 rooms and I feel relatively sure the neighbors have grown tired of seeing us on display! This past weekend the window treatments arrived and were installed and we are thrilled as are the neighbors! If you are familiar with Kelly Hoppen Home: From Concept to Reality you will have seen this style. I just loved it and wanted it in my home so I selected it for the living room. I just wonder if she had as much fun tying the knot as I did!




These are the silk panels in the dining room- (still have to get the wrinkles out) but I find them lovely!




Do you celebrate "the small stuff"? If so, please share!!

Hooked on Birch

Gold Birch Vases just came in and I am hooked. They are Bold and Beautiful and what a statement! I'm loving them!

To see more "Hooked On" - visit Hooked on Houses as others share what they are liking this week!

India Flint - EcoPrint

India Flint is from Australia and is a modern day pioneer woman! She creates the most beautiful material using a fabric dyeing process that she developed called the EcoPrint. She uses small quantities of plant material which comes from her farm and the cloth is woven from the wool of her own flock of sheep! She uses a water based method of applying the plant coloring to the cloth in a recycled dye-bath. What a resourceful young woman! Aren't her fabrics wonderful?

Living Beautifully

Melissa from The Inspired Room asked the question:

Was your home a beautiful place to be this week– not just on the surface (although that is great too), but in how it feels?

Well, my answer is a resounding YES ! I was thrilled to receive my new shelf and to have it hung on the wall in the dining room. I love it when a plan comes together- even if it is a simple one. I find it to be one beautiful feeling! Don't you?

Want to see more beauty? Check out The Inspired Room's links today!

The Shell Game

This home designed by Kotaro Ide of Artechnic is a wonderful weekend home for a family in Japan and is called The Shell. The tubular construction is so unexpected but yet it just seems to fit in the woodland setting. Also of note, no trees were felled in the building process.


Here is a view at night.


I love all of the textures used: wood, steel, glass, and concrete. These materials were chosen specifically due to the area being very damp and they required less maintenance.


The sensuous curves are so inviting.

This shot is just stunning!


I find the clean line details of the deck amazing!


I think I must be so awe struck by the shape of this house because I just had a custom shelf built that is based on this same premise. We just hung it in the dining room last night and I will share a shot of it later after I have finished placing all of the accessories.

Hooked On Fridays - Bocci Lighting

For those of you visiting from Hooked On Houses - This is what I am hooked on- Bocci! I am looking for a lighting fixture for my entryway and found these Bocci Pendants. I am swooning, but alas they are far too expensive for my humble abode and a little too modern. But a girl can dream, can't she?




For those of you who haven't been yet- check out Julia's Hooked on Friday Blog Party!

House Envy

I know I am not supposed to be envious of others but just look at this house. I just can't help myself! It is a big Wow for me!

The kitchen is covered by the green roof.

The color palette of grays, browns and greens marries perfectly with the natural outdoors. The living area looks to be floating in the pool.

Love the custom walnut cabinetry and the walnut ceiling of the sunken kitchen.


Photographer is Joe Fletcher
Architect Marmol Radziner and Associates

Design Inspiration

When you go on vacation do you long to have that same look and feel in your rooms when you get back home? If you are like me, you do. Although there are some things that you just can't duplicate, there are many touches that you can replicate that will give your space that same vibe. This 1st room is the Penthouse Suite at the Cove Atlantis in Paradise Island Bahamas and was designed by HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates with interior architect Jeffrey Beers. The second is the Presidential Suite. There are many designer touches used in these rooms:

• Floor to Ceiling Window Walls
• Bisazza Mosaic Tiles
• Swarovski Crystals
• African ebony macassar woods
• White Calacatta Marble
• Bold Window Treatment
• Repetitive Rhythm
• Custom Artwork of Handblown Glass
  

Touches that can be replicated from these relaxing and harmonious spaces:

• Neutral color scheme with minimum accent colors
• Use of repetitive accessories -like the 3 vases in the room and the 3 pillows on the sofa
  
• Furnishings of dark walnut wood juxtaposed with light fabrics and walls
• Cove lit recessed lighting
• Handblown Glass Vases