Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Jamaican harmony
Bringing the outdoors inside.
Seaside Antiques
Mirror by Currey and Company
German 17th century commode
Chairs in Bergamo cotton
Master Suite. David Hollingsworth bed
Sferra linens
Sofa in Osborn and Little Cotton
Antique French bed
Dining with books.
What a wonderful room this is!
Antique Syrian mother of pearl inlaid table.
Mottahedeh porcelain bowl.
Crystal lamps by Visual comfort.
Antique Swedish Consoles.
Guest Bedroom.
Wouldn't you just love to be a guest here?
Back to back sofas in Schumacher Ikat and armless chairs in Duralee fabric, by Thayer Coggin.
Colefax and Fowler stripe on Louis xvi chairs.
Crystal lamps and throw: Ralph Lauren.
Old Dutch painting.
Come to my tea party!
This was so pretty, femine and full of fun that I could not resist it.
It was from an ad campaign of Domayne Furniture.
Enjoy!
With Gratitude
The Joy of Snail Mail
Yesterday, I (Kari) received a delightful surprise. A lovely, hand-written card in the mail from a good friend, just for me. It was a simple note---it probably took less than five minutes to write it, address the envelope, stick on the stamp, and put it in the mailbox----but it made my day, nonetheless.
I've been busier than usual lately. I'm stretched thin between client work, house repairs, business travel with my husband, and regular life "stuff." My friendships have been put on the back burner on more than one occasion---it's sad when life's too busy to grab a cocktail with a girlfriend, isn't it? Yet, I have a handful of awesome friends who understand. They get busy, too, from time to time, and we aren't in the habit of keeping score and holding it against each other. (This isn't the case with every friendship. There are friends who take it personally when you disappear for awhile due to busy life. They give the silent treatment, waiting sullenly for you to realize you miss them and call them---but they refuse to make the first move. You can tell they are angry by their terse emails and the deafening silence on their end. Any of you out there have friends like this?) I'm lucky to have some girlfriends who would never give me the silent treatment. Friends who love spending time with me, but who understand that sometimes life gets crazy. And I give them the same understanding. (Interestingly enough, these gracious women are the ones that I have the deepest friendship connection to. I love them and can't wait to giggle with them over a glass of wine and a recap of how crazy things have been in our lives. I really, really need these women and know they are gifts in my life. It's hard to have a deep connection with a friend who keeps score and holds it against you when you are busy and things fall through the cracks.)
Anyway, this lovely note I received in the mail simply told me I was loved by this friend. So sweet. Receiving a nice note in the mail reminded me of two things.
First, I have a handful of awesome girlfriends. We are all busy, but we still have room in our lives for chats and laughs and catching up. I need to make some appointments with girlfriends today.
Second, getting a note in the mail rocks. It's not the same as email. I need to be sending more handwritten notes! They take but minutes to scrawl out and drop in the mail. Of course, having pretty stationery helps, doesn't it? If you need to add to your stationery collection in an attempt to inspire you to send out some handwritten notes, check out these offerings from Paper Source:
And, if you have some girlfriends who make you smile even in the midst of crazy schedules and life's responsibilities, take some time to drop a note in the mail to tell 'em how much you appreciate them!
Decorex International 2011 preview
I will be arriving from holiday just before Decorex International 2011 starts and I must say I am not looking forward to coming back to a pile of work & thousands of emails; that’s the worst part of arriving back from holiday…But the quid pro quo is that just a few days after landing I get to go to my 5th event in a row and this year have the added incentive of becoming Decorex’ live blogger.
In September, London will be buzzing with people from all over the world here to see the latest design trends and collections. Decorex is an unmissible world class event with a number of high-end exhibitors and extremely well attended by interior designers, retail buyers and homeowners looking for style inspiration, all eager to share experiences and insights. The show takes place annually and features the most innovative, inspirational and highest quality products.
You will not be disappointed; it will be a jaw dropping event that will excite from the minute you walk in; through the vast range of products on show from the Sloane Square Lobby (designed by Nicky Haslam and Colette van den Thillart from NH Design), to the Champagne Bar (designed by Martin Hulbert). Add to that a plethora of amazing seminars with inspiring speakers such as Tara Bernerd, Tim Gosling, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Mark Woodman and Holly Becker to name but a few and you can see why I am eagerly awaiting this year’s event.
It gives me great pleasure to see that Decorex International 2011 is supporting Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres and you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to hear from Piers Gough and Nicholas Chandor on Monday 26th September where they will give an insight into the unique design of the new Maggie's Centre in Nottingham, due to open later this year.
Take a peek of some of the amazing new collections appearing at Decorex 2011:
From Alex Ramsay’s new contemporary silverware collection combining silver with hand blown glass…So creative and unique (below).
I am so enjoying the new collection of furniture and lighting by Pinch. Check out the Brody high back armchair, the Anders lighting and Clyde side table; each piece is a definite classic (below).
With so much bespoke creativity and innovation under one roof even the most discerning of attendees will find their demand for individual pieces and designs satisfied. To those of you attending Decorex International 2011, enjoy...
For more information www.decorex.com
Pictures via Decorex International 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Charming bathrooms
The size of a bathroom should not stop you from making it a comfortable and pampering room to escape to.
For me what makes the room relaxing to be in isn’t the size of the space, it is some of the following attributes:
For me what makes the room relaxing to be in isn’t the size of the space, it is some of the following attributes:
- Sparkling Clean
- Fresh Scent
- Yummy Smelling Soaps
- Fragrant Candles
- Big Mirrors
- Fluffy Towels
- Personalized Accessories
- Pretty Storage Containers
- Warm Robe & Slippers
- Music & Books
More Succulent Love
It's no secret we love succulents. There are like mini works of art that can be used to create larger works of art (does that make sense...?). So, here's another succulent photo that is inspiring. We love, love, love this idea: it's a living table runner from Tend! Such a pretty way to set a table for a party. The simplicity of the rest of the table really lets the runner take center stage, as it should. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
P.S. We hope you are having a fabulous Monday. For all our East Coast readers, wishing you a quick return to life as it was before Miss Irene.Friday, August 26, 2011
Chic Embroidery
It's Friday! Don't you just love the start of the weekend? The weekend is full of opportunity. You can sleep in late, take a last minute road trip, see a movie, head to the farmer's market, or work on some fun projects. Speaking of projects, how about one of these amazing embroidery projects that we've tagged on Pinterest? If you want to see more or check out a how-to, you can always click on the link below the photo that interest you. Then, gather up some embroidery supplies and get started!
Source: junebugweddings.com via Kari on Pinterest
Source: flickr.com via Kari on Pinterest
Source: french-knot.tumblr.com via Kari on Pinterest
Source: craftster.org via Kari on Pinterest
Source: rosylittlethings.com via Kari on Pinterest
Source: annilygreen.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest
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