Matters of Style

Friday Vignette

2013-05-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

Timeless design from David Hicks

And check out this chair I have for sale on OKL- so much like the David Hicks room! Off-white with emerald green trim.

I can make you a DEAL... Email me at mattersofstyle@gmail.com if you are interested!

MoS Obsessions: Ashley Whittaker Designs

2013-05-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

NYC designer Ashley Whittaker is no stranger to major design publications or the blogosphere, but each time I look at her rooms I notice details that make me fall in love all over again. Her designs are warm and fresh, with a touch of chinoiserie or Palm Beach, but she is careful to balance such pieces with traditional antiques. Her love of color and pattern evidences her Florida roots, but she shows restraint by using only two main colors in a room. The rooms below are timeless and classic- I would happily live in any of them!

Check out more of her beautiful designs on her website, here!

Friday Vignette

2013-05-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday! Patterned sofas on my mind as I stare day-in and day-out at one I want to recover...

via Pinterest

Love Languages and Some New Earbobs!

2013-05-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

Before we got married, our minister required pre-marital counseling that included reading Gary Chapman's 5 Love Languages. At the time, I was in the middle of law school exams and the thought of reading a mandatory marriage book was low on my list of priorities. However, fast forward a few years, and I realize how valuable that book is in understanding how to make your spouse feel appreciated. My love language is receiving gifts (shocker I know), so in the middle of this tricky time of sleepless nights, my husband asked me if there was anything in particular I had my eye on.

During a late-night web-surfing session, I spotted these turquoise earrings and fell in love. The stones are smooth but imperfect, as they are natural stones.

They are from an estate and were made in France. I love the gold settings- I'm going to have a jeweler add posts so I don't risk losing them.

The earrings are a good size- I am so tall that I can't wear anything too delicate.

These are just the pick-me-up I need! Do you know what your love language is?

Monday's "Hip" and Funny

2013-05-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

One of the joys of a new baby is having plenty of time during late-night feedings to catch up on online reading. I was looking through the NY Times Style section (for the first time in ages) and found this hilarious satire on the making of a hipster.

Check out the link below for a good laugh!

How I Became a Hipster

image via nytimes.com

In the spirit of full disclosure, my husband now often sports a beard, skinny(ish) jeans, and boots, while riding his longboard to visit our neighbors who have a chicken coop, listening to Mumford & Sons. His socks are not local. Say what you will, but I find it to be a big improvement over the pleated khakis and tassel loafers of yore.

Tuesday's Chic and (Relatively) Cheap

2013-04-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

If you've ever sourced lighting for a home, you know that decent looking fixtures aren't cheap. Visual Comfort is one of my favorite sources for lighting, as their styles are classic, and the quality is good. However, it comes at a pretty penny, with most fixtures being in the $400+ range (and that adds up fast when you are buying multiple fixtures).

I just spotted this flush-mount fixture at Ballard, and I am in love (or at least in like)! The Greek key detailing is fantastic. It could only be better if it came in a truer gold rather than bronze (typical Ballard- they don't get anything *exactly* right), but for the $199 price, you can't beat it.

Sorry for the infrequent blog posting. We aren't really in a routine yet, so I'm just taking things day by day and enjoying time with my children and new baby. Thanks for being patient!

Friday Vignette

2013-04-26T10:46:00.002-04:00

Perfectly traditional.

via

What a Week!

2013-04-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

We welcomed baby Margaret to the world last week! Everything went well- she is healthy and happy and adored by her big brother and big sister. It has been so heartwarming to see how B and S have loved her. 3-year old B wants to be a big helper, from carrying her in from the hospital (below) to kissing her over and over and telling her how much he loves her. S, who is extremely attached to her blanket and won't let anyone else get near it, immediately takes her blanket to baby M when she is crying. I know things are going to get more chaotic as baby M is awake more and more, but we are so thankful for this special new addition to our family.

Lest I sound like it is all roses, let me tell you- I'm tired. Exhausted. Recovering from a third c-section is rough, and I don't have time to relax and recuperate with two other little children who need me. Two of our cars were broken into while we were at the hospital last week. If it's not one thing, it's another!

Of course none of that compares to what people in Boston have dealt with over the last few days. The survivors and the families of the victims continue to be in our prayers. I have to admit it was a strange feeling to be celebrating the birth of a new baby and soon thereafter hearing the news about Boston. It made me want to hold my children close, to keep them safe from the evil in the world. In the (relative) quiet of the hospital, I had time to think about what really matters in life, particularly for my children, and how I want them to know the love we have for them and the love that God has for them.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and kind words! It's good to be back!

The More, The Merrier!

2013-04-15T07:00:00.001-04:00

Today is the big day! Baby girl is making her entrance this morning! I greatly appreciate your prayers for her safe delivery. We'll be busy this week adjusting to being a family of 5, so I'll plan to be back next week.

Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. It means so much to our family!

Friday Vignette

2013-04-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

Peach perfection from Angie Hranowski

via Lonny

Gilding the Lilly

2013-04-08T07:00:00.000-04:00

As you probably heard, grande dame of Palm Beach fashion, Lilly Pulitzer, passed away over the weekend at age 81. Lilly's iconic prints and classic sheaths revolutionized the fashion industry with their signature vivid colors and patterns. Her designs first gained notoriety in the 1960's and represent quintessential 1960's Palm Beach glamour, a time and place in which I would have loved to live.

I bought my first Lilly dress for a deb party back in high school in the late 1990's- it was green with alligators, and I wore it with my first pair of Jack Rogers. I felt very avant garde wearing it in my hometown, and I think even I received a few crazy looks (from people who didn't "get it," of course).

When I went to college, it turns out my roommate loved Lilly just as much as I did. This was before Lilly started making bedding and such, so we ordered bolts of fabric-by-the-yard from C. Orrico in Palm Beach and had a seamstress make duvet covers made for our dorm room. I wish I had a picture of it or knew what happened to that bedding!

The Lilly brand has taken on many forms and iterations over the past few years after its resurgence in popularity. One of my most exciting moments with MoS occurred a few years ago. When Lilly Pulitzer Home was launching its furniture line at Market, the folks from Lilly and HFI, after seeing selections on MoS Marketplace, came to my house and basically bought my whole inventory of vintage accessories to use to style the Lilly Pulitzer Home showroom. This was such an encouraging time for me with regard to MoS Marketplace- it validated this endeavor I had spent so much time on, and it made me think about making MoS Marketplace more than a hobby.

Today, although I don't wear much Lilly, her designs are still a part of my life. In my little girl's nursery, I used vintage Lilly Pulitzer fabric swatches for this DIY "art" project.

Toddler size Lilly dresses fill my little girl's closet and make me so excited for spring and warmer weather! At the risk of sounding like my mom, and I can't wait to dress our two girls in matching Lilly dresses (at least it's not Laura Ashley like we had to wear!).

Lilly Pulitzer has made an indelible mark on fashion, and her designs have brought joy to so many lives, including my own. She will be missed but likely never forgotten!

Friday Vignette

2013-04-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the infrequent posting this week... No baby yet! But also no preschool this week, and a traveling husband, making for one busy/ tired mama...

via

Neutral Nursery Sneak Peek!

2013-04-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! We were finally all well enough to make it to church for the first time in forever, and we were able to enjoy lots of family time over the weekend.

Baby girl's neutral nursery is just about complete, with 2 weeks to spare! I picked up the crib skirt late last week. I used Jonathan Adler's "Electrify" in Alloy for the crib skirt- it is a large scale abstract diamond pattern that incorporates white, tan, and gray, so it's warm and cool at the same time, just like the Revere Pewter on the nursery walls.

We did a simple box pleat and made sure the skirt touches the floor (that is my complaint with most pre-made crib skirts- they are too short). I will have it hemmed shorter as I lower the mattress when baby girl gets bigger.

I am using the $99 Jenny Lind crib from Wal Mart. I can never justify spending a lot of money on a crib that is used for such a short period of time. I like the simple, clean lines, and it isn't too huge like some cribs that would overwhelm the rooms of our house.

Admittedly, the color scheme and fabric choices for this nursery are not girlie, but stay tuned and I will show you details in which I make it baby-girl-appropriate!

Loving Lately: Spatterware

2013-03-27T07:00:00.000-04:00

Enamel spatterware is a great example of classic Americana. Like so many women of their generation, great-grandmothers on both sides of my family collected it. I see it often when I am out "hunting," but admittedly, it reads a bit rustic/ primitive, which isn't really my style.

However, if you look at the design in the abstract, it is actually quite modern and fresh. I think the reason for its primitive association has to do with the shapes of the pieces as opposed to the pattern itself.

For instance, these plates and bowls would look so current on a table today.

On the other hand, the pitchers, coffee pots, etc all seem a bit rustic and old-fashioned.

Spatterware is made of metal coated with enamel, which I think would be very child-friendly. We actually don't own a single plastic plate- I just can't stand the thought of opening my cabinet to see a stack of brightly colored plastic tableware, complete with knife marks, gah! But I'm thinking of purchasing some spatterware as a chic, relatively unbreakable, child-friendly alternative to ceramic/ porcelain.

How cool is this set? I'm so close to purchasing it- you know I love the red and turquoise colors!

I might have to give it a try! Do you own any spatterware?

Weekend Find- What a Bust!

2013-03-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

I've always loved the look of a classical bust in a room, but finding one that isn't too stuffy has always been a challenge. As such, I've never wanted to invest too much money in a bust, not knowing how it would really work in my home.

Last week, I spotted this bust at an estate sale. It is alabaster, not too huge, and I thought the lady is pretty.

The base had been repaired, so I used that to negotiate a really fair price. I did notice an etched "A Cipriani" on the back of it, but I didn't even google before buying because the price was right, and I liked her.

Once I got it home, I was glad I had bought it. As it turns out, Adolfo Cipriani is a well-respected Italian sculptor. His pieces range from about $2,500 on ebay to over $16,000 on 1st Dibs. They are collected by fancy collectors, in museums, etc. What a surprise!

She is just the right piece to stand guard over my favorite design books.

And she adds height to the other end of the desk, balancing the lamp. I think I will keep her (for now).

Have you ever bought something purely for its aesthetic value that ended up being valuable?

Friday Vignette

2013-03-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

Brass trunk coffee table.

via

Rock Stars

2013-03-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

I've blogged before about my love for rocks. By rocks I mean agate, geode, malachite, and of course, any rocks of the gem or gemstone variety.

From geode lamps (MoS Washington made this one!):

To agate bookends (my easy DIY, giving a pair of Homegoods agate bookends a golden shell, a la Eduardo Garza but on a budget):

To anything malachite (my thrift-store-lamp malachite finial- I bought it for the finial and donated the lamp):

Recently, I spotted these stone doorbell ringers in House Beautiful. They are mounted in brass and come in malachite, turquoise, lapis, and coral. Aren't they fabulous? It is like a little jewel for your front porch!

And if you are in the market for a chic nightlight, how about this agate version? It comes in a variety of colors and is the perfect way to light up a dark bathroom or hallway at night.

Are you loving rocks as much as I am?

One Room Challenge: The Big Reveal!

2013-03-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

It's finally here- time for the final room pics from the One Room Challenge! To see how the room came together and check out my progress over the course of 6 weeks, click here.

Just for a quick recap, my starting point for the room was a rug that my granddaddy brought back from overseas years ago. I layered it over a room-size seagrass rug. I pulled the red and aqua from the rug and used that as the basis for my color scheme.

I had the headboards made with inexpensive red linen, piped in natural linen, and I chose a modern Quadrille pattern for the roman shade and pillows. I trimmed the shade in red grosgrain ribbon.

Sheets are from Serena and Lily, coverlets from Ikea, and the throws are Missoni for Target.

As you probably can imagine, there is no shortage of brass animals in my house, so I used a few throughout the room including these giraffes. The aqua glass lamp is a Homegoods steal!

The MCM dresser belonged to my mom when she was a little girl, and the cowboy wall hangings hung in my dad's childhood bedroom. I added a pair of modern red lamps to the dresser for maximum lighting, since this room does not have an overhead light.

Vintage wooden animals serve as bookends for B's favorite Richard Scarry books.

For art, I framed a large Gray Malin beach photograph to hang on the long wall. Over each bed hangs an Animal Print Shop animal, a giraffe and zebra.

This was such a fun project! I think it will grow with B as he grows up, but it also has some fun touches that make it perfectly enjoyable for a little boy. The colors make me happy, and I love incorporating meaningful pieces from my family into the design. That aspect is special to B, too, as he absolutely adores his grandparents.

Thank you to Katharine Fuchs for taking pictures (when she was sick. I was sick, too. We took turns lying down on the beds to rest mid-shoot!)

AND, in the spirit of full disclosure, I have two things to admit:

1. I finished the room several weeks ago, since this upcoming baby's arrival made me a bit nervous about timing, finishing, etc.

2. One of the twin beds has already been relegated to the nursery and replaced by the crib (with no sides, of course, so functionally it is no different from a bed, but to my little guy, it is safe and secure and his special place to sleep). I also brought his favorite chair and ottoman back in so we have a comfy place to read stories together before bedtime. One day that won't be important to him (the thought of that breaks my heart!), but for now, I wouldn't trade the prettiest room in the world for our special moments in his room.

A huge thank you to Linda at Calling it Home (formerly My Crafty Home Life) for organizing the One Room Challenge (and inviting me to participate!) and to Jennifer at The Pink Pagoda for designing the logos. It has been such a pleasure for me to be encouraged and motivated by the other talented ORC participants, and to make some new blog friends as well!

I'm going to do my best to keep up with blogging over the next couple of months, but I know it may be tricky adjusting to becoming a family of 5.

Be sure to check out the fabulous designs by the other ORC participants here!

Hodge Podge

Kim Macumber Interiors

the Peak of Tres Chic

the Pink Pagoda

Powell Brower Home

Simple Details

Neutral Nursery Sneak Peek!

2013-03-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

I made a little more progress on the nursery this weekend! The clock is ticking- less than a month until the baby is here! I picked up the glider and ottoman this weekend and am so excited!

I searched forever to find a glider style with an English arm (why are they ALL so large and scrolled?). It also wasn't easy to find a fabric I loved. By this point, I know how much wear and tear a glider actually gets (namely spills, leaks, etc, sorry to be gross for all you non-moms), so I wanted a good upholstery fabric, not just the standard cotton duck that looks awful after a month.

I can't believe I am sticking to such a neutral palette, but so far, I am loving it! It is a soothing room, and I feel at ease when I walk in. Let's see if that ease extends to 2am feedings...

Stay tuned for more nursery details and hopefully some REAL photos at some point. Mine leave a little something to be desired...

Friday Vignette

2013-03-15T07:20:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the infrequent posting this week. It has been one of those weeks!

via

One Room Challenge: Week 6!

2013-03-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

We are almost there! This 6-week process has absolutely flown by! This week was fun- accessorizing with art and lighting! Accessories are the icing on the cake in a room- definitely one of the most enjoyable aspects of decorating for me.

I'll start with the art!

Like many people, I have fallen in love with the modern interpretations of Slim Aarons- style beach photographs that are popping up in galleries, magazines, and on blogs. Christian Chaize and Maison Gray are both talented modern photographers who take fabulous beach photos. While it may seem crazy to spend a considerable part of my budget on a photograph for a 3-year old's room, I wanted to get him a piece he can keep forever, take to college, hang over the sofa when he gets married (haha), etc. After looking and looking, I decided on this piece by Maison Gray. I love the turquoise and pops of red in the photograph, and it takes me to a happy place every time I look at it.

After the photograph arrived, I decided to get it framed at Art Aspects here in Charlotte. They do a superb job, and for a piece you want to keep for a long time, I highly recommend them.

I went with a glossy white wooden frame (all of their frames are made of solid wood), and after a lot of back and forth, I decided not to mat it. I think the photograph looks more modern without the mat, especially since the photo is signed and numbered. They bubble wrapped it for me to bring home.

And up on the wall! It's hard to tell out of context, but it is quite large (44x32) and almost has the effect of adding another window to the room.

Since the Maison Gray photograph is a more mature piece, I wanted to add a touch of youthfulness with art as well. Somehow this cowboy wall hanging that was my dad's when he was a little boy has survived through the (60+) years. He gave it to me when B was little, and it adds such a meaningful vintage touch to his room. B loves it especially because "It was granddaddy's when he was a little boy!"

I purchased a pair of Animal Print Shop photos to go over each of the twin beds. They are so cute and affordable. I especially love that the photographer, Sharon Montrose, specifies which standard frames will fit each photo. It makes it so much easier!

B loves the zoo and loves giraffes, so I knew he would love these photos (and he does! The one change he actually likes!).

I ordered the giraffe

and the zebra.

Thanks to Sharon's trusty advice, I picked up two Ikea Ribba frames- they are the perfect size. And they look great with the white frame on the Maison Gray photo.

These frames with mats have such a custom look, and I think they were around $20 each.

I'll wait and show them on the wall during next week's big reveal!

And on to lighting...

We don't have an overhead light in this room, so good lamp light is essential. To go on the MCM nightstand between the beds, I wanted to use a more modern lamp. I love vintage lighting, but as with anything, it's all about the mix. If I use a vintage piece of furniture, I like to accessorize it with modern lighting. Or if I am using vintage lighting, I will place it atop a modern piece of furniture.

The Caprice Aqua lamp from Arteriors seemed like a good fit. It's modern, pretty, not too feminine, and the color is perfect.

I had already contacted Arteriors and was in the process of purchasing when I thought, "Maybe I should just check Homegoods, just in case they have something." Deep down I was cringing at the thought of spending upwards of $200 on a glass lamp for a 3-year old boy's room. So I ran over to Homegoods, knowing it was a shot in the dark.

Look what I found. For $40.

The dimensions and scale were identical to the Arteriors version. The base was made of textured glass just like the Arteriors version. It came with a drum shade, just like the Arteriors version. The brushed chrome finial isn't my favorite, but I will work on that later.

B's long vintage dresser has plenty of room for a pair of lamps, which is perfect since the room does not have overhead lighting. Safavieh's Evanna lamp is one of my favorite lamps, a classic, affordable gourd-shaped ceramic lamp which comes in a myriad of colors. Since I had used turquoise for the nightstand lamp, I decided red would be a good choice for the dresser.

After taking some quick measurements, they were just the right size for the dresser, so I ordered a pair.

And without showing too much of the room, I think they are just right- one on each end of the dresser. They add a tremendous amount of light to the room.

We are almost there! Be sure to check out the progress of the other ORC girls, and stay tuned for the Big Reveal next Wednesday!

Hodge Podge

Kim Macumber Interiors

the Peak of Tres Chic

the Pink Pagoda

Powell Brower Home

Simple Details

Friday Vignette

2013-03-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

The perfect sunroom, by Ashley Whittaker. Isn't the trellis detailing on the walls amazing? Proof that a beautiful sunroom doesn't have to look like a Lilly Pulitzer ad.

via House Beautiful

Thursday's Cheap and Chic

2013-03-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

I flipped through the new Anthropologie catalog the other day, and I loved their new line of beaded clutches! To be honest, it is very rare that I carry a solo clutch instead of a giant tote these days. But, I do love keeping a small clutch inside my tote to keep the giant pit somewhat organized.

These clutches are affordable and are adorned with the cutest tassel detailing on the zippers!

The flamingo might be my favorite!

Or if you prefer a fun geometric!

The parrots make me long for warm days ahead!

They are all only $68, which I think is a great price for such a chic little clutch!

One Room Challenge- Week 5!

2013-03-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

I can't believe we are already into the 5th week of the One Room Challenge! This week, I tackled the window situation in B's room.

I had hung his striped nursery curtains in the room when I moved him over to his current room, so the big hardware needed to come down. After I took it down, the wall had several holes in it from the wall anchors. I got out my drywall repair kit to fix it up.

Don't tell my mom I *may* have used a silver butter knife to spread the spackle.

It really is easy to patch small holes in drywall. You just spread the spackle over the holes, filling them in as well as you can, and then wait a few hours for it to dry.

Then you use a fine-grit sandpaper and sand it completely smooth. The dried spackle will stay in the holes.

Then just touch it up with paint, and your walls are as good as new (although obviously I would avoid hanging something in the patched/ filled area).

So enough of the gritty part- let's talk about the pretty part!

Instead of heavy panels, I had a roman shade made with the Quadrille blue and white fabric. This fabric was a splurge, but I trimmed it in really inexpensive red grosgrain ribbon. I love using trim on roman shades when the shades are either a solid fabric or have a small-scale pattern.

When I am hanging shades for clients, I always engage a professional installer. But I have watched them do it so many times that I figured we could do it ourselves. I had the shade made to be mounted all the way up to the molding, to make the ceilings look high, and outside the window frame. I knew that the window is always mounted in studs, so it was easy to find studs in which to hang it (this is very important, since a roman shade is really functional. You don't want someone to yank it off the wall!).

My handsome installer got to work with the drill and L brackets, and he had it hung in no time!

Without showing too much of the room...

Stay tuned next week for art and accessories! We're almost there!!!

Be sure to check out the progress of the other ORC girls this week!

Kim Macumber Interiors

the Peak of Tres Chic

the Pink Pagoda

Powell Brower Home

Simple Details

Weekend Finds!

2013-03-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

I found some fab new (old) pieces that I am so excited to share with you!

First up is a turquoise ming-style coffee table. It has just been professionally lacquered and is very heavy and sturdy. It measures 40"L x 40"W x 15"H.

Turquoise Ming Coffee Table: $599

Local pick-up in Charlotte or I can get a shipping quote for you.

Next is a king-size faux bamboo chippendale headboard! It is so hard to find headboards this fabulous in a king size. It is a really nice piece, made by Henredon and has been professionally lacquered white. It is in perfect condition (the finial on the right looks shorter because of the shadow but it is perfect in real life). It measures 78" L x 2.5" W x 82" H.

Henredon Chippendale Fretwork Headboard: $599

Local pick-up in Charlotte or I can get a shipping quote for you.

This set of 4 lucite folding chairs is so amazing! They are made in Italy and very comfortable. Perfect for a breakfast room, to pair with a settee, for a small eating area, etc. One of the seats has a crack (see last pic), but it is still perfectly usable- you could easily add inexpensive colorful cushions if you so desired! The each measure 18"L x 18"W x 30"H.

Set of Italian Lucite Folding chairs: $450

Local Pick-up in Charlotte or $50 shipping

And finally, a fun accessory! This huge brass crane would be such a fab Hollywood Regency style addition to any room! He stands an eye-catching 28-inches tall and is very solid and sturdy. So fun for an entryway or to place beside a fireplace!

Tall Brass Crane: $175

Local pick-up in Charlotte or $25 shipping

If you are interested in any of these pieces, email me at mattersofstyle@gmail.com!