sneak peek

Between packing for my move (The truck arrives bright and early next Thursday -eek) my little ones and my business I'm running like crazy right now. In fact I'm heading out the door for a meeting right now but before I left I wanted to share a little peek at a wonderful project I just finished up. The clients were an absolute pleasure! Sorry I can't show more of this job, I had it photographed on Monday! You'll see the entire room soon enough! Have a great day, rain and all!

sneak peek - kitchen

I have three great jobs I need to have photographed right now! This being one of them. It's a kitchen design...more to come when the job's been shot! (I'm thinking of investing in a nice camera - do you have a favorite digital, my 35mm was the canon eos rebel)

Cheers!

ps. thanks to my client for sending this photo along.

checking in...

I've been running around all day. I had two client meetings and a few other work related stops I needed to make today. Here's a sneak peek of two different (unrelated to today's stops) jobs I have going on. 

These are just a few of the fabulous fabrics I'm using for a great project. The clients have wonderful taste! I just love it when that happens. And below is a painting I just proposed to a client. It's by my amazing sponsor, artist,  Yangyang Pan. I love the energy of her work! I actually may end up having her commission a job for my client. 

Sneak Peek - Shelter Project

Hello, hello. It's been a busy week. Sorry for the late posts..I had an install this morning! Installs are always a bit nerve wracking of course because I want everything to turn out perfectly. Here's a peek (I quickly snapped these with my i-phone) at an amazing job I've been working on! These clients are a pleasure. I need to finish the project up with accessories and artwork but we're almost there. A number of the items were custom designed by SHELTER. The rug was a custom size (it's a Kelly Wearstler pattern) as was a number of the furniture pieces (ex: the family room ottoman), the window treatments and of course the pillows! I'm going to have it professionally shot soon and will surely share those photos. (but only after they've been submitted to a publication first!). Happy (almost) Friday! xx.

Joss and Main - Shelter's Curated Collection

I was both flattered and excited when Joss and Main approached me to curate a collection of items for your home from their vast and wonderful collection of housewares, furniture, lighting and accessories!! So be sure to head over to the Joss and Main site tomorrow am, 2.28, to view and shop my CASUAL LUXURY collection. I'd place each and every item in my home! Happy Shopping!!

A Peek

Hello, hello. Here's a little peek at a project I'm wrapping up. I love this client, I've been working on their house now for a couple of years. We choose one room to work on at a time and run with it!! Hope you're having a great week. It's been a busy one for me!

Before

In a perfect world I would have waited to find the perfect faux bamboo cabinet to repaint, but I really wanted to find and finish a piece asap. Here's my Craig's list find, it needs a lot of love, but that's the fun part!! I love the fret work detail over the glass windows. I will share the after shots. I do know this, I'm definitely painting it a high gloss white and I'm either going to wall paper or paint the interior {possibly a coral pink color}! I'll be sure the share the after shots with all of you. In the meantime here's a bit of interior inspiration.

I adore this one!
images: pinterest, lonny mag. elle decor, coastal living

searching for...

My 15 month old daughter is a climber. Currently she's taken to climbing the open shelves in my kitchen, so I need to make a change quickly. It's not safe for her or my dishes. I'm on the hunt for a "find". The perfect piece would have a {Chippendale - esque} feel and with glass front cabinets. I would love to line them in something similar to the Griffin and Wong paper pictured below!! {as you've most likely noticed I love green and this paper is gorgeous!} I actually found a piece on Craig's list last week. I even traveled to see it but it needed quite a bit of work. I'm not sure I have the time to cut new veneer pieces. I'm most likely going to paint it, so If I'm thinking about that particular piece in a week, I'll call them back. It looked very similar to the second image but it was a cabinet not a secretary. I'll be sure to share my final find and the before and after photos.

 Images: Windsor Smith, Ruthie Sommers, C. Bell, Circa Who, Griffin and Wong

Inexpensively done!

I adore one of a kind pieces of art, the only issue for me is the budget. Would I love to scoop up every piece of art at my favorite gallery? You bet, but that's not an option right now. {I'm saving for my bungalow by the sea, remember?}. It will be an amazing feeling when I can buy an original but for now I get creative.

Here are some of my favorite ways to inexpensively incorporate art into your home.

1. Image one: Purchase from a budding artist

The adorable dog photo is my newest piece. The students at Endicott College recently had an art show. I fell in love with that dog and I knew my son would too.  I bought this photo from an art student, students are always up for selling their pieces.

The top image was purchased from a street artist in Saint Tropez. I always try to purchase at least one original piece when I travel. Besides taking photos it's the perfect way to preserve the memory of your trip.

2. Image two: #3 - Paint your own work of art.

This was originally a four that I had painted back in September. One of the first things I did after my break-up in October was to change it to a three! I actually like the three better. I will keep this forever as reminder of my crazy and unexpected journey in 2010. Seven months is a relatively short period of time, but I'm a different person today then I was last Fall!

3. Image three: Frame children's artwork - It's loose and free, I love it.

 A snap shot of my art wall. This wall is a mix of pieces, it includes two paintings by my three year old son!

4. Image four: Frame a piece of block printed wrapping paper or any other found graphic you love.

I've always loved the organic quality of Faux Bois. I purchased this paper with the intention of wrapping a gift, but I decided to frame it instead. p.s. Ikea sells a number of inexpensive frames, that

is what I've used in this photo.

5.  Image five: Shop on Etsy for art. It is an amazing online resource.

I blogged about this print a couple of months ago. It's from Siiso via Etsy. She will also make custom prints on canvas. 

Images: 2,3,4 -by Bellini Photography

Decisions, decisions

Isn't this a great idea?? If you have the extra space {or closet} why not convert it into a dressing nook? I would also add drawers for all my baubles, bags and scarfs. I love the framed couture fashion bags too. {which I'd better frame, because I can't say that I can afford much from Hermes or Prada.} How cute would this look painted a light shade of pink or better yet wallpapered in something simple but glamorous. I've been slowly transforming my bedroom into a feminine retreat. I can't wait to share the finished shots but for today I have a question. I have a white lacquered tray, and plan to collect my perfume and creams in it.  I usually only own one or two fragrances at a time. I'm looking to make some fresh changes in my life, so buying a new fragrance seemed like a no-brainer to me, {especially because my husband gave me the one I currently use} turns out it isn't. Here are three of the contenders below. I actually wear Hanae Mori now. It has a very clean scent. I know fragrances are quite personal but I'm stuck, and thought who better to ask then my fabulous readers, so what is your favorite fragrance? 

Burberry - Sheer

Top Image via: Moth Design

The hanging or "swing" chair

I have a great on-going project I'm working on. The client is a dream, and so easy to work with. We are in the process of finishing up her daughter's bedroom. The daughter's last request for her room: a hanging chair! Here are a few inspiration shots and ideas I sent over to the client! I think a white rattan version could work well in the space. They aren't easy to find and I don't really feel like having one painted. My fear is it won't wear well.

above is the egg chair by Danish designer Nanna Ditzel. This version costs upwards of $3,000. ouch.

The lucite bubble chair by Eero Aarnio (1968)

More rattan versions, the one above is from the Home Port Collection! I'm sure this is fairly priced.

and the steal of the day, a hanging chair from IKEA. I've seen this in person, it's fun and could work. I would add a plump pillow and maybe a sheep skin throw to the seat!

We'll see what they like!

images: House Beautiful, Domino, British House and Garden, getty, Lonny - Lee Klienhelter's home,