Afternoon Loveliness

What could be better than a bouquet of summer loveliness? Pink peonies from Costco (Costco flowers rock!) and purpley-blue hydrangeas from the generous hydrangea bush in the backyard. Perfect. Now all this afternoon needs is a pretty stemmed glass full of sparkling lemonade, a big comfy chair, and a classic to read. (Too bad housework and some client work is calling my name...)

Hope your Tuesday is going great!
Kari

The Pillow Post:

It's nearly 4th of July, a time that leaves me (Kari) feeling particularly grateful for the beautiful country I live in. I won't completely get on my soapbox here, but I will say that the 4th of July should remind each and every one of us to stay informed, interested, and involved in what is happening in our country's government (locally and nationally). We are so, so, so blessed to live in the United States and our freedom came at great cost and it is worth continually fighting for.

I have lived in California my entire life but I have always loved to travel. Usually, though, that travel happened from the West Coast to the East Coast (skipping that big part of U.S.A. in the middle where all that corn grows...) or to a different country. Being married to my midwestern-bred hubby, though, has afforded me experiences in much of the Midwest, too. I've been to fabulous places that I never gave much thought (for instance, I have fallen in love with Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Stillwater, OK) and it has reinforced strongly that our country is uh-amazing. The U.S.A. isn't perfect, but it's pretty darn great.

This summer, I am loving these pillows from StatePillows.com that celebrate the different parts of the ol' U. S. of A. There are pillows for each state, pillows for major cities, and pillows for regions...The only problem is choosing which one or two to purchase!

California---my home state and where our current address resides

Indiana---the hubby's home state

New York City---because it's my favorite city ever and both the hubby and I enjoy every second we spend here. Wishing we could get our NYC apartment from the summer of '08 back...

Oklahoma---my husband is an Oklahoma State University Alum. (Do NOT call him a Sooner!) He spend a lot of time in this state and loves it dearly.

Paris. Yeah, I know. This isn't an American city. Sorry---I couldn't help it! I love Paris! It is a city that embraces weird creative people, so I always feel at ease here. Plus, any city where it's easier to get a glass of wine than a glass of water is alright by me! Last summer, I spent two weeks in Paris with a friend taking a class. For two weeks, we tromped all over Paris and drew. It was pretty darn great.

There appears to be no pillow for Philadelphia, so I had to choose the Pennsylvania one. My hubby spent a couple of blissful years in Philly at Wharton, getting an MBA. He has a lot of good memories that go along with Philly. Plus, have any of you ever been to Le Bec Fin for dinner? The hubby took me here a couple summers ago and it was a truly memorable meal---enough to have me love Philly almost as much as he does!

San Francisco---a very Californian city. I'm not a Southern California fan as much as I am a Northern California fan, so San Francisco has always been a special place to me.

Telluride---the hubby and I had a favorite vacation here and we are always scheming on how we can get back to duplicate it! Telluride is great in the winter for the snow, but we are actually summer Telluride fans! The hiking, clean air, Telluride festivals, great food, and gorgeous scenery...it's perfect. (By the way, if you are going to Telluride, we can't recommend staying at the Capella Telluride enough. The beds are made of clouds and the service is amazing!)

What pillows would you choose and why?

Dreaming of a Farmhouse Table:

We love a good farmhouse table! Being raised on a farm in combination with having a mother who loves furniture with "personality and history," the two of us girls were destined to fall in love with the rustic workhouse of a table dubbed "the farmhouse." We like that a true farmhouse table will look better the more beat up it is so it's never too precious of an item to live real life around. A great farmhouse table can take a toddler beating it with a toy as well as it can offer a beautiful backdrop for a glamorous dinner party. We must say it again: We love a good farmhouse table!

Here are some lovely farmhouse tables in some lovely rooms:

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

Canadian House & Home

Houzz

Houzz

Houzz

Houzz

We really love the very rustic line that Restoration Hardware has out right now. (We are both suckers for a little rustic paired with a little modern or funky---rooms with a mix of styles and a dash of wit make us happiest.) This guy could come home with either of us, if either of us had $2,725 to spend on a new {old} table:

Anyhoo, we think maybe we'll just follow the lead of Ana White from Knock-Off Wood and create this gorgeous rendition of Restoration Hardware's Farmhouse Salvaged Wood Rectangle Table:

Ana spent ten bucks making this table! And, since we are both fairly handy with power tools, enjoy making things for ourselves, and love a bargain, we might have to get to work on this. Now, to find some discarded, weathered wood...

Hope you all are off to a great start to the week!

---Jill & Kari

Residential Interior Design

Residential Interior Design - How To Keep It Simple
By Wade Robins



One of the major setbacks in a residential interior design project is not seeing eye to eye with the interior designer. There are homeowners who just don't know when to step back and allow the professionals to take charge of the project. Still, there are others who seem to give free rein at first but rant about the details when the project is almost done.

To make the residential interior design project a smooth and hassle-free one, you have to clearly delineate the roles from the very beginning. How much control do you want to wield? How much freedom are you willing to give your designer? Would you trust him with his own set of contractors?

Individuals who hire a professional for residential interior design must make it clear from the start how much freedom they're willing to give the designer in terms of decisions and relationships with contractors.

One common problem that arises with a number of residential interior design projects is that owners can't help but put in their two cents' worth once the contractors step in, and this may somewhat be distressing on the designer's part.

The owner should also agree with the designer on a reasonable time frame for the residential interior design project. It should be made clear that the plan is well laid out before actual work takes place and that budget limits are clearly set beforehand.



It is also important to set aside a portion of the budget to provide for contingency expenses. In addition, if the owner requests changes that were not initially included in the residential interior design plan, he must be ready to shoulder the expenses involved to carry out these modifications.

Why Space Planning Is Important

In residential interior design, space is a crucial factor because a space that is too large or too small may drastically limit the possibilities of a desired residential interior design. Even existing doors and windows greatly affects the planned renovation, and covering these up or constructing new structures again involve an adjustment in time and budget.



Generally, residential interior design [http://www.1interiordesign.com/Interior_Design_Bathrooms/] project would involve furniture and fixture selection, color, space planning, and the more complicated plumbing and electrical wiring. It is, of course, easier to plan a residential interior design project with an empty room or house, but this isn't always the case.

In summation, undertaking a residential interior design project can be a very fulfilling task if guidelines are set down at the start. You will also be able to enjoy a more harmonious relationship with the designer if you spend time to consult with him and give him as much information as possible on the kind of outcome you are
targeting for your residential interior design.

Weekend Shopping List...

Do you ever just feel the need for retail therapy? (If you didn't answer that question with a "YES!" so loud that your neighbors heard you, it's quite possible that you have nothing in common with us...) :)

Even if spending the cash on pretty things isn't in the budget, isn't it fun to window shop, just a little? The two of us have a pretty solid love for anything turquoise or robin's egg blue. The following are some pretty things that I (Kari) have on my "I-really-like-this-and-think-it-should-come-home-with-me-but-I'm-pretty-sure-the-hubby-will-question-why-I-needed-this-and-I-don't-want-to-have-to-explain-that-I-can't-tell-the-difference-between-need-and-want-so-I'll-just-ogle-this-online-instead" list. Do any of you have a list like this? :) If so, I wanna know what's on it! (My list changes weekly, by the way. Another reason why I should just window shop and not buy---because I am very fickle!)

Super cute turquoise shoes from Seychelles.

A really pretty necklace from Anthropologie. I have seen this on someone and it's beautiful!

A perfectly oversized and girly flower corsage from Emerson Made.

The most perfect summer dress in the most perfect hue from J.Crew. (This one might actually end up in my closet. I NEED it. Don't tell the hubby...)

A really fun statement piece from Stella & Dot, for when I need to dress up jeans and a t-shirt.

Enjoy your weekend, shopping or not! :)

Another Darling Shower...

Need some Friday eye-candy? Check out this DARLING baby shower as posted by Hostess With The Mostess. Seriously, so sweet! The colors, the details---we love it all. Oh, and that chair---what a great way to dress up a chair! Seriously, it kinda makes us want to do all our dining room chairs that way, just 'cause...

Happy Friday!

----Jill & Kari

Interior Design Painting

Painting a house differs as Exterior Painting and Interior Painting. Exterior paint nowadays has arrive a lengthy way and has all sorts of fungicides and UV protectors in it to withstand the harsh onslaught of continuous heat through the sun. Exterior paint also has to stand as much as other climate problems for example heavy rain, storms, cold and winds, so interior design painting.

All kinds of houses could be painted even timber ones. Should you have an old-fashioned brick house it could be loosely transitive that is within the type of cement depiction that could be painted or make interior design painting. So regardless of whether your home is timber, difficult plank, fibrous cement or brick it can all be painted and also the roof can also be painted.

Interior Design Bedrooms

Include your kid in making his interior design bedrooms. It is dependent a great deal on child's age and degree of growth yet even a little contribution can cause larger suggestions. Colors, themes or style of furniture could be selected very easily by even a 4yr old child. An older child could be completely included in all of the procedure of preparing and assortment.

If preparing to decorate without having any theme of interior design bedrooms, use most recent trends obtainable within the marketplace. Drawing a mural about the wall or utilizing a wallpaper to produce focal point is really a great concept. You will find numerous shops that sells economical wallpaper murals along with other merchandise of children interest.

A Really Good Site...

Let's face it: there's just a lot of junk on the internet. It can be downright tricky to sort through all the information out there, can't it? Every once in awhile, however, we come upon a site we really, really like. We thought we'd go ahead and share one of those sites that we are pretty much in love with...

Houzz is an amazing website dedicated to (um, obviously) houses. It's an incredible resource for anyone needing a home-related design idea. And, if you create a log-in, you can save photos that you really like to your own "ideabook." If you are a design professional, you can upload your portfolio to Houzz. If you are not a design professional but are a dedicated stalker of all things design-related, you can browse portfolios to your heart's content. The site is super-organized, too, so you can hone in on the type of room or type of project that you want to check out. And, if you are not necessarily focused on gleaning ideas to implement, you can use the images on Houzz as delightful eye-candy and a refreshing way to avoid housework. :)

The Beauty of Wood

©Davis Frame Co., Inc.Beautifully crafted ceiling beams have an artful appeal that has all the graceof old barn beams plus the excitement of modern architecture.

While the location is a rare treasure, interior elements can be found in every part of the country. First, the plain white walls and barnlike exposed beams are timeless. The white kitchen is enlivened by interesting counter stools and playful lighting. In the larger dining area, oak furniture is sleekly styled yet enduringly warm.

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/

Inspiration from Hotel relais La Corte dei Papi, Italy

Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Tuscany, bordering Umbria near Cortona, Hotel La Corte dei Papi, a prestigious 4 star relais, welcomes guests within the heart of Tuscany's countryside in refined elegance.

The antique countryside villa has once again turned to its hospitality tradition thanks to the skilled restoration effort that renewed it to its original form. La Corte dei Papi now welcomes guests in to a luxurious atmosphere of charme.

The restoration of the antique period dwelling and surrounding land placed special care in maintaining the original decorative elements, terracotta floors, exposed beams of the vaulted ceilings, while enriching the rooms with all the modern comforts. Each room's decor includes antique furnishings and luxury detailing.

http://www.lacortedeipapi.com/

Interior Design Schools

Interior design schools assist to train candidates to produce a high quality atmosphere close to them. At Interior design schools, students are taught research from material that's computer-aided to draw and style, to solve difficulties, to research the background of interior designing and architecture, room preparing as well as 3-d imaging. The assist from the visual media allows these institutes to teach the art interior deigning and also the associated difficulties.

An additional essential detail to maintain in thoughts may be the preference from the customer and also the spending budget. The designer can give recommendations for that customer to believe about interior design schools and approve. Points for example furniture, color scheme, lighting and fixtures should also be kept in thoughts along with a rough layout ought to be ready.

Shabby Slips, owned by Renea Abbott

Right in the middle of the store is this limed table with these stunning shell chairs! What a find! When Shabby Slips first opened, the focus was on slip covers, but that has long since changed. Today, the focus is on the finest antiques for the younger set. To be sure, the store is still stocked with wonderful slipcovered furniture and there are beautiful pillows tossed about, but the antiques take center stage now. The trendy new lamps and accessories mix in with the old. The chandeliers and mirrors are exceptional, and there is a large selection of them to choose from.

Shabby Slips is owned by Renea Abbott, a much in-demand interior designer with several Veranda covers under her belt. She recently repainted the walls going from dark to white and the effect, along with all the mirrors and crystal chandeliers is stunning – the store absolutely sparkles! The ceiling is filled with the crystal chandeliers and the Venetian mirror shown above has to be the prettiest one I have ever seen! Shopping here is such a treat – a true eye candy experience.

http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/02/houston-shopping-bissonnetkirby.html

The Southern Accents brings a taste of the English countryside to Texas

With a nod to 1930s Art Deco glamour, Minton used a cool palette of pastels in the master bedroom. The simplicity of the canopy-style bed frame and its dressing lends a modern feel, and the pearlized woodwork reflects additional light throughout the room. “It just glows,” says Minton.

Inspired by tiger-stripe and paisley linens, Minton limited himself to a completely neutral scheme of gray, beige, taupe, and white for the guest suite. “We wanted the drama of no color,” he says. The stenciled pattern on the walls, played down by the choice of muted tones, gives an exotic but not overpowering feel.

From the Siamese figures flanking the center archway to the tomato-colored French chairs, the living room reflects the layered look typical of English design. “The British brought back many different cultural influences from their colonies, so we didn’t just stick to one type of furniture or style,” says Minton. “We created a look that made it possible to easily move a piece of furniture from one room to another.”

With an arrangement of antique Chinese and Japanese porcelain and English-style furniture, the entry hall is an inviting ode to eclectic English design and designer Joe Minton’s classic aesthetic.

For more pictures and credits:

http://www.southernaccents.com/architecture/showhouses/2009-showhouse-riverhills-texas-00400000057150/

Lifestyle of the rich

NYC: Located on a unique private gated cobblestone street off Sutton Square with it

s own parking space. This private renovated townhouse features river views from all rooms. This apartment is perfect for entertaining with a library, family room, private keyed park back garden, eat in kitchen and roof deck. It also feels spacious with 4 bedrooms and English basement with staff apt and separate entrance.

Available for a mere $15,500,000

See more at the link.

http://www.trulia.com/property/photos/1087296356-3-Riverview-Ter-New-York-NY-10022#item-0