High Gloss Blue

Painting The Ceiling: A Before and After

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:50:00 +0000

The timing could not have been more perfect when Olivia at 3M asked me if I would like to try out 3M's ScotchBlue Painter's Tape with Edgelock and write a sponsored post on my experience. Renovating the new house, I knew one of the very first items on my to-do list was painting the ceilings, walls and interior doors. In the 1940's house we bought, the project list gets a little daunting. What better way to get a feeling of accomplishment than the near instant gratification of fresh paint! Plus, the more work I can do myself, the more money I have to spend on things like marble slabs and light fixtures. For marble slabs and light fixtures, I'll happily roll up my sleeves.

When relying on painting tape before, I always get that feathered edge.

Not any more.

I am happy to report that The ScotchBlue Painter's Tape with Edgelock left me with perfectly clean, sharp edges, despite my best efforts to slather on the paint. We used the 1.5" tape and that was wide enough to protect the moulding. The tape was easy to apply, going up in about 10 minutes. Less than 30 minutes after we finished painting the ceiling, Adam pealed back the ScotchBlue Painter's Tape with Edgelock as I captured the results on my iphone.

VOILA - instant sharp lined gratification. Thanks Olivia - I have an entire house of ceilings that will benefit from your product!

Valentines Day Wishes + Big News

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

On this Valentine's Day, I want to thank all of you for reading this blog, for each and every one of your comments, and most of all - for your continued kind support.

Next month, on Friday March 9th at 1:00 PM, catch me on HGTV's Design Wars. Please tune in. It would mean the world.

Enjoy this Heart Day, Glossies! You deserve it!

Monday Inspiration via Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Inspiration House

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:23:00 +0000

design by Lindsey C. Harper

design by Laura Walker

by Hammersmith / Mimi Williams


by Jason Todd Bailey Hope you all had a great weekend! Mine was spent finally hanging the first of our refinished doors, painting a ceiling and sanding yet another door. So...today I'm bringing you beautiful pictures of other people's work. If you didn't make it to tour this year's Cathedral Antiques Show Inspiration House presented by Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles and Hammersmith, then mark your calendar to go next year. I toured the house 2 weekends ago with my mom and was absolutely smitten with the abundance of color. The impactful rooms designed by a plethora of Atlanta talent illustrate the magic possible with creative freedom. Particularly alluring to me was the lighting system in the kitchen designed by Hammersmith. The subtle uplighting made the room feel full of sunshine and only when I looked up did I notice the scheme. If you've checked out my Facebook page, you know that I have a big announcement to make. The details will be here tomorrow, if you can wait that long! Have a fabulous Monday, Glossies - make your dreams come true!

From The New House: Painting Interior Doors

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:31:00 +0000

Happy Tuesday! I love the look of painted interior doors, the block of color should be an easy punctuation to any space. Unless you buy a house built in 1942. My love for painted doors is being tested by the antique doors in our house that have been painted about 7 times - each. For the last week, I have spent every single extra hour of my time stripping and sanding the interiors doors in the new house and I am no kind of avid (or especially competent) DIY-er. I'm on the bathroom door now - so that helps speed the process along. So far, I have one door completely stripped, sanded, primed, sanded again and painted. I have another door almost stripped. I believe that counts for a completion of about 1.25 doors. I am so happy with how the finished painted door looks, I could sit in the work shed and stare at it all day!

Any guesses on the color?

Oh So Easy Dinner Party Decorating

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:18:00 +0000

Have you had a chance to visit Inman Park's One Eared Stag (top image) for dinner or lunch yet? Tucked away in the fabulous historic neighborhood that I am lucky enough to claim as my own, The One Eared Stag offers a stylish and cozy atmosphere without any pretense in addition to super yummy food. When I visited a few weeks ago, the table had a simple line of pears down the center. Nothing more, nothing less. What a stylish, cozy, unpretentious way to adorn a table, not to mention inexpensive and effortless! Hey this idea has my name all over it.

Fast forward about a week to my next dinner party when I smartly did what any gal searching for table decor ideas would do. I borrowed theirs and made it my own by adding in a few votive candles. (center image) (bottom image)

Being me, I like to tie everything from the decor, to the menu to the invite together when I entertain. Because I was serving a low country boil (high brow, I know) I decided to go with lemons. Really, you could use anything colorful. Last summer, I saw the One Eared Stag use tomatoes of various heirloom varieties down their tables. I'm kind of itching to try artichokes or eggplants myself. Be sure to check out a few of my tips for decorating with produce below!

P.S. Thanks for all your sweet comments and emails about my return to blogging!

A few tips for decorating with produce:

Pick one seasonal vegetable or fruit that relates to your menu.
Over buy - if you think you need 5 eggplants to go end to end on your table, you need 25. The goal is to make a statement.
Use a coordinating runner to set the produce off from your table.
Use your produce the next day - lemonade anyone?

From The New House : Next Time I'll Wear Safety Glasses

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:53:00 +0000

I decided to paint another ceiling blue. I had a small accident.

From The New House: Updating The Bath

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Check out that lime green in the before picture! Would you believe that in college I actually painted my bathroom that color on purpose. Yep. I wanted it to feel like Key West. Hmmmm. In the new house, there are 2 bathrooms. Both are in need of varying levels of renovation, so we started with the one we do not have to immediately re-tile. Before I could tackle those neon green walls with some fresh white paint, we had to replace that tiny vanity and tiny toilet. Because the space is fairly petit (typical 5', 8' bath) and will eventually serve as a guest/hall bath, I elected to use a pedestal instead of a new vanity. Storage is not a priority here and I like the small footprint a pedestal offers. Plus, pedestal sinks can be a great place to save some dough, as there are not any moving parts. The pedestal I chose is by Aquasource (available at Lowe's) and with its clean lines resembles Kohler's slightly pricier Memoirs model. We did go with a Kohler toilet. Because the faucet is not a place to skimp - all moving parts, we selected this one by Delta. Next up, the walls received a few fresh coats of BM's White Dove. Then we switched out the old exposed bulb fixture above the mirror (how did such ugly fixtures get so popular?) with a new 3 - light fixture from The Home Depot. I hung a shower curtain in lieu of the old shower door with some Thomas O'Brien for Target hooks. So while the walls are still naked and I have a few punches left up my sleeve, it is amazing what a difference new fixtures and paint make in updating an old bath!

Remaining to-do list for the bath:

Paint the ceiling light blue and door a dark navy
Select pictures for frames
Hang artwork
Purchase bath mat and towels
Replace existing towel bars

From The New House: Pictures Finally!

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:26:00 +0000

Welcome!


Annabelle making herself at home in the freshly painted living room.


BEFORE: The formerly -aqua- living room and mantle (with nasty tile) before my sister-in-law painstakingly stripped it.


FOR CONSIDERATION: paint colors for the walls, trim, ceilings and interior doors.

The old HVAC system before getting hauled off by R.S Andrews.

Attacking the aqua with the warmth of Benjamin Moore's White Dove. This shade will go on all the walls and trim. So far, I have 4 rooms down and am really happy the hue.

It's been quite a while, Glossies! Between work, the holidays, and all the projects over at the new house, I've neglected the blog quite a bit. Starting now, I'm committing to posting pictures throughout our renovation as often as I can. Feel free to pipe in with any questions and I'll respond as soon as I can. As you can tell, the house is a huge work in progress and there is still much work to be done despite our massive progress. We've had a great deal of help from family, friends and Thomas down at the Benjamin Moore across from The Wren's Nest. Since moving in on News Years Day, we've already replaced the entire HVAC and electric system, painted rooms and trim, rewired light fixtures, patched drywall, pulled out and even re-plumbed a vanity, toilet, disposal and (you guessed it) the kitchen sink. I'm enjoying every day of changes (though extremely grateful to be able to return to my still very in tact apartment during the progress). I have big plans, y'all and I look forward to sharing their fruition with you. In fact, stay tuned for progress pictures of the bathroom renovation coming tomorrow!

McAlpine: "American is a dream sewn up in cotton..."

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:27:00 +0000


McAlpine via Pinterest


Darryl Carter via Pinterest


Ina Garten's House via House Beautiful

unknown via Decor Pad


Robert Stilin, LLC

"American is a dream sewn up in cotton, it's not silk or wool or stone or anything else. It's sewn in a common material that is provincial and it's lovely because it's so pure of heart. Maybe a little lacking of resource, maybe a little lacking of background, or credential, or bloodline or whatever. But there is something lovely about it ... it's loveliest architecture shows up through the naivety of it's natives." architect Bobby McAlpine via Architecture Tourist

Flipping through blogs today, I started thinking about mantles. After falling head over heals for the scale and subtle beauty of the fireplace in the first image, I googled its well-known architect, Bobby McAlpine, hoping to find more. Instead, I came across a quote by Bobby over at my friend Terry's blog. I stopped looking for more images. Bobby's words defining American style are too good not to share.

Oprah Abandoned Us, My Other Favorite Holiday Gift Guide

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:26:00 +0000

This holiday season there will be no crazy screaming during the 4 pm time slot. No nutso tears of joy streaming from the eyeballs of do good women hand picked to sit in an audience in a Chicago studio. No televised coverage of such immense happiness I'm driven to dvr the stuff just to re-watch on a down day.

For this gaping hole in my holiday season, I blame Oprah. Did you, like me, pick up the December issue of O Magazine, headline blaring "The Favorite Things Issue" only to feel jipped, as in this is all we get?

Though I always enjoyed seeing the gifts Oprah and her staff selected, that wasn't really it. It was the joy she, along with her very lucky sponsors, supplied to the season during her annual reveal. So, today as a small consolation of knowing my very favorite place to look for gifts of any kind, NY Mag's Shop-A-Matic.

With items ranging in price from $3.00 on up, I always find something truly unique for everyone on my list. Need enticing? Here are just a few I'm eying, but be sure to check out the whole list at NYMAG.com.

Mrs. John L. Strong Stationary Holiday Stationary Set, $45.00; Uncommon Goods Whiskey Stones, $19; Ettika Custom Glitter Bracelet, $45; Apt 48 Hobnail Bowl, $98; Laduree Holiday Box, $25.

The Voice of The Designer in Social Media : Digital Atlanta Presentation Notes

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:01:00 +0000

Digital Atlanta is a huge week long event celebration of Atlanta's social media community consisting of panels and seminars off over town with every industry represented. The event, sponsored by social media giant Vitrue, attracts over 5, 000 attendees. When Susan Barry of Hive Marketing asked me to speak at ADAC alongside my friends Kyle of She Told Two Friends Communications and Ally of From The Right Bank, needless to say I was completely honored and all in. Also on the panel were Russell Sauve who does social media for the famed Fox Theater and Kimberly Ward of Pink Eggshell.

After a panel discussion on social media in interior design, we broke into groups to share our unique areas of expertise and experience with the attendees. I really enjoy talking to other designers about social media, as well as hearing about their businesses and I also feel like whenever I present on these panels, we always seem to overwhelm audience members with information - so I've recapped my presentation here. Thanks again to Susan for having me, Vitrue for the sponsorship and Terry for always showing up. Ok, off to a new client meeting. Wish me luck.

10 Things I Believe

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:46:00 +0000

Today, I'm sharing 10 Things I Believe over at A Curated Lifestyle! Please do go check out my list and a big thanks to Capella for having me!

In Stitches : Jimmy Kimmel Halloween Candy Video

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:18:00 +0000

Watch the whole thing - you'll feel guilty at first, but the kids at the end are hilarious. Happy Friday.

Halloween Here, Houses and Some Photo Styling Pics

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:32:00 +0000

Halloween Flowers!

Between styling photo-shoots every day last week (a few pics from behind the scenes below), catching up with my own clients in the evenings and mindlessly backing into a concrete pole on my way into my parking garage Monday evening, I some how did not find the time to land here with you all.

Now, I'm back and better than ever on this Halloween day.

View On Set: A Cottage Bath In Progress - Photo Styling By Claire Watkins Interior Design

Funniest part of all the chaos?

My insurance agent asked if the post was stationary. After I shattered the entire back window of my hatch back, I had tears streaming down my face while on the phone with her frustratingly describing the "incident". Her question - meant in all seriousness- got me back to smiling as a imagined the pole shaking around taunting me to ram my Honda into it - which I did rather solidly, stationary or not.

View On Set: Living Room + Equipment - Photo Styling by Claire Watkins Interior Design

Luckily, I was just coming home from dropping some rugs off at a client's in Candler Park (Hi Ashley!) after my shoot that day, which really beats the scenario of delivering the rugs with the load of shattered glass that could have come with them had my timing been reversed.

View On Set: Living Room Close Up, No Equipment Showing - Photo Styling by Claire Watkins Interior Design

So, now I'm back to the subject you perhaps really want to read about- the status of the houses we were considering putting offers on last time I posted. In favor of the location, the architectural details and frankly the possibility of a major renovation, we put an offer on the bungalow. It had been on the market 6 days by the time our offer was in and we lost it to another buyer.

View On Set: Styling Bookshelves by Instagram Photo Styling By Claire Watkins Interior Design

This house buying stuff is not for wimps. It is a cut throat game in in-town Atlanta right now marked by rapidly moving properties and full price offers. We're learning the ropes though and it seems every house we lose is bettered by the next one we put an offer on. Improvement is good and we put yet another offer in this morning. I told my friend Capella I wasn't writing about this house stuff anymore on this blog because it gets my hopes so high, but I can't help it. If you know me, you know that I secretly love this kind of stuff - the search, the find, the negotiation, the reflection on what could be done better and getting back at it just to do it all again.

A Little Halloween Around Here

And on my next post when I'm not telling you all about house stuff , I'm going to tell you about the rugs I was dropping at my clients.

They were custom, made not only to fit the exact specifications of her living room and bedroom, but also made in the exact colors.

The best part? We took our inspiration from a lust worthy $6500 silk and wool rug and translated that look into 2 rugs for about half the price, for both. Pretty rad, right.

And with that - Happy, Happy Halloween, Glossies! Be safe tonight and take lots of pictures of your little ones!

Cottage or Bungalow: Which Is Better?

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:31:00 +0000

Dear Glossies, I need your help. Last night I found myself marking up a sheet of graph paper with a pro con list. With the lesson we learned last time, our house hunt is continuing around here. Today, we're finding ourselves stuck deciding between two very different houses, a cottage and a bungalow. To make matters more interesting, they're exactly the same price. Of course.

Built in 1940 and completely updated, the cottage is move in ready. There's a huge, flat, green and SUNNY back yard for the dogs to run in and my vegetables to grow.

The floor plan has a good flow with the kitchen, living and dining areas adjacent to one another and the private spaces out of the way. I know good flow when I don't get the urge to start knocking down walls- and in the cottage I don't.

Located within walking distance to bars and restaurants, I feel like this could be a really fun location. Now for the negative, the master bedroom is in the finished attic. Forget to walk through the center of the room and SMACK, your head could hit the ceiling. At 5'9" this isn't really an issue for me, but for Adam at 6'6", he's concerned and I understand. Now for the the bungalow...

Like the cottage I'm contemplating, the bungalow is in a good location with a big backyard and a full basement to boot. We can't walk to restaurants from this house, but the neighborhood feels a bit more established. Built in 1930, she's well maintained, though not at all updated. While I'm happy to have the opportunity to install the finishes and appliances I want, it's the "when" that worries me a bit. After a few years and lots of saved pennies, she'll need a gut job in addition to finishes to add in closet space and another bath. Now, all that said, man does she have charm...original doors, floors and windows- the type of things that make you and I squeal.

So that's it. Tell me your thoughts. I'll get back to blogging more soon, but I've been working on photo shoots almost every day lately and every other moment is spent scouring my favorite real estate app, REDFIN, for prospects that I cross reference on my Pinterest boards. Ok, go.

Oh and thank you so very much for all your kind words about HGTV and Design Wars!

all images from Pinterest

Look who's coming to HGTV...

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:23:00 +0000

Me! I just got the official press release that Design Wars, HGTV's new series featuring yours truly is set to premier on Monday, November 21st, 2011 at 8pm! Stay tuned for my air date and details about a viewing party in the works. I couldn't be more excited... (or nervous... or excited) and grateful. I look forward to sharing my excitement with so many of you!

The Old Sears Building: A Look Inside An Atlanta Time Capsule

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:19:00 +0000

So before the wonderful folks at Jamestown Properties undertake the enormous transformation of the building that began as Sears' first retail store in August of 1926 into the planned Ponce City Market, they opened up the old brick fortress to Atlanta revelers on this past Saturday night. Living right around the corner from this deserted city landmark, I could not pass up the chance to look inside. You see, Sears closed the building in 1989 and it really looks as though on that day, they just flat shut the doors and left. Name placards are still in place, as are schedules (handwritten, of course), time punch cards (eerily littering the floor) and even an old Pepsi can. Walking through the place, I got a tremendous sense of the history there and wonder if the mice I encountered felt the same way. In the patina of the old concrete floors, to the revetted iron work on the ceiling -I really couldn't be happier that we, as a city, get the pleasure of keeping this piece of our visual fabric alive. Enjoy!

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:51:00 +0000

October 1, 2011. Mark your calendars. City Hall East is getting a makeover and local chefs and musicians are throwing a party to send the old gal off in style.

Tickets are a little pricey at $90 each, available here, but it's going to be a great evening.

The number one reason I'm not that upset about our house deal falling through? Historic City Hall East, right around the corner from where I currently live, is about to get a huge makeover courtesy of the same folks behind New York's Chelsea Market and Atlanta's White Provisions development. I really cannot wait to watch this transformation occur!

Visit Party on Ponce for more information or check them out on Facebook.

Sunsets on Folly Beach Weekend With Friends, Irene Not Invited

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 22:31:00 +0000

Sunsets. Folly Beach, SC. Last weekend, as the wake of Hurricane Irene passed through Folly Beach, SC - I snapped a few pictures of the intensely, colorful summer sky.

Earlier that day, ignoring warnings of well intentioned weathermen, my girlfriends and I packed into my Honda FIT and headed straight for the low country island just of the coast of Charleston. We, dear friends, had a bachelorette party to attend and Ms. Irene was not invited.

Around midday, as we drove east past Augusta, our guest of honor called to say the bridge to the island was already out, not to mention the island's power, so maybe we should take our time at lunch to postpone our arrival.

Well the bridge did get fixed, but just on the other side of that freshly refurbished two lane concrete structure were the biggest waves I have ever seen in my life.

News crews and countless cars lined the road and crowds formed on every pier just to watch the waves. Frothy crests framed the narrow strip of asphalt leading down the center of the island. I began to seriously question the intelligence of my decision.

Oops there's a surfer switching his drawers...

Surfing the waves and the wind...

And just as one storm passed...

another came right on through.

Ironically, I'm writing this in my bathroom as the Atlanta area is getting pounded by tornados. Craziness. Thoughts to those affected last week by Irene and my Atlanta neighbors right now. Hoping it's not as bad as the news is making it out to be!

House Hunting: A Lesson Learned

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:33:00 +0000

source

I learned a valuable lesson in buying a renovated old house today. Adam and I have been looking at houses. We live in an area just east of downtown Atlanta jam packed with the original homes upon which this city was built. The history and the character of the area make it impossible for me to consider living elsewhere.

Atlanta house for sale

To all of y'all seduced by original hardwoods, lit up by bubble glass windows and charmed by that tall, tall ceiling height, this one's for you...

Atlanta house for sale

A month or so ago, we found a house that fit all my our criteria, namely all those things I listed in my previous sentence, in addition to a yard adept for growing tomatoes. I like tomatoes and I like sunlight (I wrote about the claw foot tub in the house here). After a few rounds of negotiation, we were raking through the contract with a very fine comb when we noticed a clause that the seller would not be responsible for fixing anything.

Atlanta house for sale

That's fine, but it led us to want to double check the quality of work put into the house since it is a completely renovated 1920's home.

Atlanta house for sale

We asked the seller's agent for the contractor's information. Adam called the contractor and he assured Adam all permits were pulled and the work was up to code. Next Adam called the city, the city had no record of any permits being pulled on the house (which means none of the work was ever inspected). Then Adam went back to the contractor and asked for copies of the permits (you know, because the city screws stuff up all the time). After 4 phone calls the contractor admitted he lied, no permits were pulled, the "renovation" was never inspected.

Atlanta house for sale

This place was pristine and I would never have thought of this. Whether or not calling the city to double check a home's permitting is a common practice, I am not aware. But now I'll always remember to just call the city, pull the permits, and double check what's under those refinished hardwoods and behind that fresh drywall in the places inspectors can't always check.

So, enlightened, the hunt continues!
C

Note: Houses pictured are eye candy only and in no way relate to my experience.

Claw Foot Tubs

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:25:00 +0000

Even in their simplest element, there's something so glamorous about a tub as the focal point of a bath. Doesn't a claw-foot tub all but demand to be the central focus of a room... Well, Adam put an offer in on a house today and the house has a black claw foot tub. So, of course, I've been looking at pictures and dreaming. I like the idea of antique (ish) mirrors as tiles, as in the image above. The mirror tiles look great it the small space, no need for a full length mirror, and I'll bet they look ever better with age.

There's something about a clawfoot tub that inspires me to pair it with something equally quirky, like the Scalamandre Zebra wallpaper Kate Spade used in her clawfoot tub bath (image via the Peak of Chic).

How about slapping a little "Best In Show" on the surrounding walls like Erika did in her client's bathroom above on the left or painting the walls with an Amanda Talley-esque swoop like in this foyer that I spotted on Pinterest? Tempting, huh.

But then, classic white subway tile paired with dark gray grout and penny tile flooring always look right by me. And more and more lately, I'm drawn to pops of bold neon (front door of Atlanta boutique, Vetted). That coat of lime paint on the tub makes me smile and is low commitment when it stops. (Bath image, via DesignSponge, I believe)

For now though, I'm waiting. We shall see! Hope to have news soon. Until then, go check out the neon pink chairs Sherry got in a swap with Ally.

Cashiers Garden Tour 2011: Mountain Views in Verdant Hues

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:56:00 +0000

I grew up enjoying summers in the cool mountains of North Carolina, just a few hours north of Atlanta. It's pretty magical there - in small upcountry towns like Cashiers.

From the time I was 10, I spent every August looking forward to the following June when school would end and I could return to the rustic Y Camp with nothing but a warped Target trunk packed full of cut off shorts and sunscreen.

When I outgrew the role of camper, I became a counselor and lake lifeguard. Somehow, the responsibility of caring for 15 homesick 7 year olds just didn't have the same appeal as sneaking out of the cabin at night to meet boys in the woods, short sheeting the beds of the cabin next door or rambunctious renditions of "Capture The Flag".

Those memories are some of the very best of my entire life and I treasure hitting my family's mountain home in Cashiers. Headed up the mountain in my tiny Honda Fit with the city lights long at my back, I roll down the windows, turn up Allison Kraus and take a deep breath, as the mountain laurel scented air rushes memories through my mind.

If you have a chance to go to Cashiers, take it. The Garden Tour is Bi-Annual, but completely worth the wait. The Cashier Showhouse happens every year and starts up Labor Day Weekend. For more on Cashiers, click HERE.

Candler Park Living Room Before and After

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:47:00 +0000

The young owners of this Candler Park bungalow purchased the home in the historical neighborhood just east of downtown Atlanta in April. After picking the beautiful blue gray paint color themselves, they asked me for help in bringing their personal style into their new home.

Before

Personal touches such as local artwork commissioned specifically for the project and pillows with couture-like details give the room a timeless sense of style I hope the owners will enjoy for years to come.
After

Because the living room also serves as the entry way for the house, petit furniture ensures a fully functional and comfortable room that doesn't block off the passage way from the front door to the rest of the house. Ottomans play the role of both footstools and extra seating. A beautiful and durable wool rug in a saturated shade of blue won't show dirt as friends stop by for a quick hello.
After

Soothing blues, greens, and creme gain glamour from touches of shiny silver from the mercury glass bottles on the coffee table, to the antiqued mirror above the fireplace and the even the mirror balls in the original fireplace.

After

A chair on wheels in spotty dotty ikat can rest alone in the corner for reading a book by the window or pull up to the couch during a party....because spotty dotty does love to par-tah. Below on the left, an acrylic console holds a basket of barware for entertaining, but is just as capable for use as a small writing desk. Below on the right, a detail shot of those mercury/mirror balls in the fireplace. So that's it! I loved, loved working on this room!

If you're interested in any of the items you see here or need help with your space, please contact Claire Watkins Interior Design at claire@cwidonline.com.

After

Pretty Project Peeks

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:47:00 +0000

I didn't think I was allowed to talk about the show, so I haven't told you yet, but I am busy, busy this week gearing up for my HGTV debut. We begin shooting on Wednesday and I really cannot wait to get my designs in front of the camera. In the meantime, I love seeing my Atlanta projects come to life! Here's a little look at what I've been up to around town -

this just in! desk I designed for a residence in Suwanee

Stripes, ikat and faux bois - pillow couture!

Happily "fostering" these 2 chairs in my living room.

More on the show later. I sound silly on camera. That I know now. Oh, I also went to see a garden tour in Cashiers, NC a few weeks ago. It was ridiculously awesome. You know I took pics. Will share them soon. Posted lots to Twitter because that's faster than blogging, so do check out my tweets (ClaireatCWID) if you want to see. Will also tweet from the set this week!

4th of July

noreply@blogger.com (CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:56:00 +0000

For the casual nature of the 4th's festivities and all the friendships and food that accompany them, it really is one of my favorite holidays. To me, nothing captures that spirit more than this scene from the iconic movie about baseball and growing up, The Sandlot.

I love it. Every. Single. Time.

Enjoy your weekend, Glossies.

The Sandlot 4th of July Tribute by idolwick