pauline french

Plaster walls in the Master Shower

2012-03-10T19:27:00.000-08:00

After reading a post by Brooke Giannetti on Velvet & Linen (a must read) about the idea of plastering shower walls as opposed to tile or other options, I decided to post the not yet finished, but almost there results of our master shower.

Due to budget restraints, and a lot of research we used a mix of Portland cement, marble dust, and Lyme. The walls were given 3 hands to get the desired smoothness, and it came out beautiful.

Are any of you thinking about plastering your shower? If so, what are you planning on using?

Design Crush: Estee Stanley

2012-02-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

We were re-arranging our playroom yesterday and my daughter started to play with the stickers in my old, insanely treasured collection of Domino Magazines one of them happened to be an issue where Estee Stanley a hollywood stylist turned interior designer was featured. I have been so inspired by her for years now, that I have decided to share some of her beautiful interiors today. My style is a little bohemian, a little natural, a little glamorous and just enough casual to be insanely comfortable, so Estee's interiors really resonate with me.

Jute

2012-01-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

This house by Jute home is so serene and beautiful. I love natural, organic looking spaces and this really fits the bill!

The livingroom is so well done. I'm partial to the sheepskin pillow, but the chair and the lamp are absolutely spot on.

Really loving this playroom, but in particular I love the jump rope with the changeable art work, so cute!

The leather chair reminds me of a old catchers mit. In particular that gallery wall is really drawing my attention. I like how they unified the colored and black and white photos with mismatched frames by using the white matting. Looks relaxed but well thought out.

The stool, the chair, the woven baskets and linens, I would be sitting there quite a bit!

What a beautiful concrete tile back splash, so cheery!

I hope you enjoyed the Jute home tour as much as I have!

Atlanta Ballard Design Inspiration

2012-01-19T11:25:00.000-08:00

Excuse the short post, my downtime while Isla is napping has been dedicated to designing the bedrooms and bathrooms we are finishing up, which has been a blast and you will be seeing dribs and drabs of in the upcoming months. Until then here is a bit of eye candy for you that is inspiring to me.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T11:47:00.000-08:00

Just a quick hello to say thank you to all of you who have been so supportive. This year has been an amazing one for us, full of new beginnings that are finally wrapping up, and I can't wait to see what happens in 2012. The blog will be taking a turn, for the better, focusing on the story telling of homes and I'm so thankful to all of you for reading and helping me discover what I am most passionate about. The Happiest of New Years to all of you!

Tis' the Season: A Toddlers Christmas Activities

2011-12-21T19:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas is nearly here, and I'm definitely on the ride! We have been having such a fun time with it, visiting Santa Clause:

Cutting down our Christmas tree in the snow packed Pecos National Forest:

We also cut one for my brothers restaurant, The Hollar. It's such a fun tradition to start with your family, and the forest service encourages the cutting of trees to help manage forest fires!

Why do those trees look so much smaller in the forest? We totally went overboard, and had to cut some of our tree off to fit it inside, even at the highest point of our living room... nearly 12 ft. but it is beautiful. The leftovers are making some really beautiful arrangements.

We had an amazing snow day, just in time for a beautiful white Christmas:

Isla and I stayed in and baked Christmas cookies, and once I got the hang of doing it with a toddler, it was a blast. They surely weren't pretty:

But Isla had so much fun, and that's all that mattered. To help all of you parents out there who might be attempting this, pretend you are playing with play dough! I ended up giving Isla a large piece of dough, and she just played with the cookie cutters and chocolate chips:

It was truly a disastrous mess, but a lot of fun especially since she had a fever and a little cold!

Today we went on a sledding hike and built a snowman (notice he has a belly button, Isla's creative input):

She had a great time decorating him!

It's been such a fun season so far, look for a post this weekend on the house decorations and a toddler Christmas party we are throwing here tomorrow! I baked for hours today!

DIY: Christmas Advent Calendar

2011-12-08T11:35:00.000-08:00

We're pretty into Christmas this year, I think it has something to do with our 2 year old getting excited about it, so I really wanted to make it special for her. The house has been decorated, and we are going to cut our tree this weekend. My parents always made the holidays really special for us, and an advent calendar was always part of the season.

As a little girl, my brother and I would look forward to the beginning of the Christmas season when our Mom, the day after Thanksgiving, would pull out all the beautiful, sparkly decorations and hang the count down to Christmas advent calendar. Ours was different then the one I decided to make for our daughter, but the idea is the same. Mom hung ours right by the front door, and I have vivid memories of leaving for school and moving the quilted present to the next day, getting closer and closer to Christmas, on the way out the door in the morning.

I looked on etsy to buy one and they were way out of my price range (I now understand why), so I decided to make it. I looked around for some material, and came across a used painters tarp (we're in the middle of a huge building project so I have lots of stuff like that hanging around). The first step was to decide the size I wanted. I made this one 30" x 41" and then decided to make the pockets 2 1/2" x 4".

As far as sizing goes I would decide that after you choose what figure you want to use to count down the days. Isla choose a very cool felted Santa head.

I then cut out 25 rectangles to turn into pockets. You could do 26 if you want so you end on a 0 instead of a 1, but the spacing worked out better for me this way.

Then placed them together and trimmed them to make sure they were equal sizes.

I then used my fabric pen (that disappears with water) to write the numbers on each pocket.

After I wrote all the numbers I began the process of embroidering the numbers. I alternated red and green, every other number.

After the numbers were finished, I laid the 25 pockets on the sheet of fabric and got the spacing perfect and began attaching the pockets 1 by 1.

This was a great project to work on with my toddler. Isla loves to help and be a part of the process, so I safely taught her how to embroider. She loved it, and did a great job!

After the pockets were attached and the spacing was figured out, I drew a Rudolph the red nosed reindeer scene on the top and a house with a chimney on the number 1 pocket, to represent Santa coming to the house, and then embroidering it the same way as the numbers.

I choose Christmasy colors. Red, green, white, brown, and baby blue. You could use all sorts of colors. Another combination I thought might be nice is using an old white sheet as the fabric and then navy blue and red embroidery thread with pops of gold. The ideas and scenes you can create are endless. I choose something a two year old would connect with, but a manger scene would be beautiful as well.

After the embroidery was finished I decided to attach a red ribbon across the top to help with fraying and allow the piece to be hung on the wall.

Hang it on the wall...

and there you have it!

It's such a fun, easy (time consuming, I'll admit, I have about 10 hrs. into it) project, and a really great memory to create with your loved ones. Enjoy, and post your results here when you are done!

Happy Crafting and Merry Everything!

Neutrals? This is for you Meg.

2011-10-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

I'm not afraid of color. Our last 2 houses were full of it, and I loved them, but as time has gone on, I'm really beginning to love and appreciate neutrals, with pops of color. Here are some examples I have found really inspiring.

I love how people are warming up modern, clean spaces with natural elements, and those grey bookshelves are amazing! I would have styled them out with some color, but the neutrals really work in the space, and the pop of orange in the fruit bowl is just what the space was calling for.

Again, neutral chalkboard paint, with the graphic striped rug, punch of orange and the natural wicker basket. Really pretty.

I'm really into turquoise at the moment! This space speaks for itself.

Gotta love that yellow door. I have my brothers house all planned out whenever he'll let me re-do the exterior! :)

I really like how neutral, natural elements are the pop off of a black wall.

A collection of vintage textiles can be just what a room needs. I love this.

Love how she hung the picture on the textile.

White as the pop of color!

The orange and blues still seem neutral in this space, but add a lot of warmth.

The fluorescent in the very classic space are really attractive.

This space really speaks to me. The antique armoire reminds me of a Chinese red one I have, the desk and placement of it are beautiful. All the stars placed throughout, and of course the pops of color are just lovely. I might throw a punch of color on the floor. Such a beautiful space.

Nice dressing area!

I hope you enjoyed a look into how neutral doesn't have to be boring!

Blackbrid Letterpress

2011-10-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Really excited to see Blackbird Letterpress based out of Louisiana featured on Design*Sponge today. They printed our wedding invitations over 5 years ago, and her new 3D work is just amazing!

You can purchase it right here on their etsy shop.

I love seeing talented southern women doing there thing!

Congratulations guys!

Get your hands dirty...

2011-10-01T11:23:00.000-07:00

I love this new interactive art poster via Roland Tiangco for quite a few reasons. I love the message, and if you click on the link you can see how the poster comes to life. But I love hands, my little girls hands are so sweet and say so much about her day, and as she grows older, her life. My husbands are worn and rugged from his willingness to get his hands dirty. I could go on and on (I won't as to not seem ridiculous), but I love hands whether it is a surgeon or an artist they are all beautiful and contribute so much to our lives. Thanks hands, for all you help me do! :)

Small Magazine!

2011-09-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

I am always excited when a new edition of Small Magazine comes out. These photos are particularly beautiful, and the little girls expression is great. I love the antler headpiece combined with the silk bow. I'll have to keep this in mind for a costume when my little girl is older. Very Narnia to me.

Photography by Steven Visneau

A Playful Twist!

2011-09-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

We are a young family, so I'm constantly inspired by people who have a playful sense of design. What I mean is, using... say, one of your favorite ceramic bowls to put a bunch of match box cars in on the coffee table. I really like this designers take on incorporating kids spaces throughout this house. I would love to grow up in a space like this!

I'm not sure our little one would ever leave the house if we had that hanging bubble chair, but then again, why would we want to!

All of the wallpaper choices in this house are so fun!

The sculptural tricycle is great in combo with the vibrant rug and patriotic wing back!

This room is fantastic! We have this Stokke Crib, but I love the way they painted it. Great idea!

Nice collection of unusually placed mirrors!

What kid wouldn't be an avid reader with these jewels displayed in the bedroom!

I hope all of you wonderful mothers (and creative Dad's) out there who are creating an environment for your children to grow up in are inspired by this "playful twist"! Use a favorite wooden toy as a sculptural piece in a grown up space. It makes for such a warm and inviting gesture for the 18 month to 18 year old occupants of the house!

All images via Lonny Mag.

Design*Sponge at Home

2011-09-11T11:51:00.000-07:00

Seriously enjoying my new copy of Design*Sponge at Home. Buy yourself a copy here.

Gypsy Chic

2011-09-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

I'm loving everything a bit disheveled right now, and this fit's the bill. My family can't live in a photo shoot, we just aren't picture perfect. One of the things I love the most about well lived in houses is that even with a moderate amount of "mess" they are always beautiful, sometimes even more. I love the magazines, but just like fashion models, it's unrealistic. That's why I love European magazines, there's a really nice selection of unpolished, and it seems the French do it the best! What do you think?

I love this family gallery wall and the collection of chairs to stare at them from.

Mint green sink! ooh la la!

all photos via journal de la maison

The Love Story of an Alabama Cottage

2011-09-03T21:50:00.000-07:00

This is an emotional sneak peak into the beautiful beach cottage of my wonderful mother and father in law. We were home in Alabama for his funeral, after a heroic battle with cancer, and this was his final piece of art work which they so beautifully created together. The story of their life is a book on its own, but the story of this house is amazing in its self.

Years back the main house, pictured above on the left of the deck, was gifted to them from a dear friend. Being as adventurous as they are, they bought a stunning piece of property 150 yards. from Mobile Bay, and simply explained, cut the house into pieces, put it on a "trailer" and slowly and carefully rolled it down the road. They then raised it 14 ft in the air and created the most beautiful stilt house.

Once that was done they added a guest house (to the right of the above picture), and a crows nest (pictured below). The end result, a beautiful home that portrays the most ultimate journey and story of their love.

After walking up the grand entrance steps and through a beautiful front porch, where some pretty fantastic hammock swinging and music playing went on:

You enter into the

LIVING ROOM:

and are greeted by this hand carved wooden alligator

Heart pine flooring, passed down wicker couch, and a woven teak rug.

As you can tell, they were both well traveled. She was an importer from Indonesia, store owner, and is a sail boat captain. He was from South Africa and sailed around the world on a boat he made. The house truly reflects their life stories.

To the left of the fire place is the

MASTER BEDROOM:

The headboard is an antique Balinese screen with an assortment of chenille and linen super comfy pillows.

the MASTER BATHROOM:

Vessel sink with salvaged Heart Pine counter top.

Heart Pine shelving and a beautiful collection of bath salts, soaps, and oils from around the world. The hand carved wooden dancing women were designed by my mother in law.

When you walk out of the master suite and beyond the living room is the

KITCHEN:

Where some pretty amazing meals happened.

Fresh Gulf Shrimp, caught that day from Billy's Seafood

and of course Cynthia's amazing cheese grits (thank you Kell and Cynthia for the wonderful love filled meals).

Granite counter tops, original white painted cabinetry, and the wood work above the pass through is salvaged railing.

The bar is made from salvaged Heart Pine paired with bamboo bar stools.

A beautiful vignette on the bar of sea glass, shell and black and ivory candles.

As you walk through the kitchen you are lead into the

FAMILY and DINING ROOM:

I love the family room, it is so cozy and collected. The piece above the sliding glass door is actually tree bark in a full circle, skinned from the tree in one continuous piece.

Again, this was designed by my mother-in-law.

The man himself.

The mirrored bar made even more alluring by the wooden mermaid!

Even the doors they hand made!

Vintage suitcases used as a coffee table topped with glass.

Teak dining table with shell candle holder.

Balinese wooden Camel table made of imported German wood.

Gotta love the whimsy!

Even the

LAUNDRY ROOM is great:

My families clothes would never be dirty if I was working in this space!

The GUEST BATH is just so whimsical:

Hardware on a vintage shutter.

The BEDROOMS:

This is a house with a story behind every detail. You can feel the love, work, care and passion it took to execute such a beautiful space. This took sacrifice, and it does not go without notice. Even the deck boards were salvaged after a hurricane from blown away boat docks.

The walkway was another salvage put to beautiful use.

When I look back at these pictures I'm amazed at the personal detail that has gone into this house. Every board hammered, every window placed, down to the art work designed, was done by two of them and a few friends.

This post is first and foremost dedicated to the creators of this beautiful space, but it is also dedicated to all of you hard working couples out there who share a dream for the land you bought together and went for it by building a home with your four hands. It gets hard, you sometimes wonder if it's worth it, if you will ever finish, but when you sit down at the end of the day you have something no one else can truly ever understand except the two of you, and THAT is a love story.

Isla's reading nook.

2011-08-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, we had another family tragedy and are headed to Fairhope, AL. for a week. Since I will be gone, here is a little sneak peek until next week:

So our little one's room is a true labor of love for me. I have put so much thought into what she loves and would inspire her. A few days ago we made those pink tulle pom poms and created this little reading nook out of her old crib. She just loves it and is so proud. We have all been sharing one room since she was born and are finally separating into two. For now we are just moving into the office, as our bedrooms to be look like this:

As exciting as her big girl room is, it's a bit emotional for all of us, so we want to make her room uniquely her. Matt is working on a bed inspired by this one via Milk Magazine:

He is really talented, and Isla has some specific requests, so I can't wait to see how it turns out!

I'll do the full toddler room post when the room is completed.

Should be back in the swing of things the week after next.

to be continued...

2011-08-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

Even though the house isn't anywhere near finished (the living room addition is 95% done construction wise). I've decided to post a few progress shots to show you where we are headed and give you an idea of the space I'm working with. So, keep in mind most of the house is not decorated, and I'm an awful photographer, seriously awful!

The kitchen is nearly finished, we just have to install the backsplash and a very little bit of cabinetry detail above the fridge as well as open shelving flanking the vent hood.

FYI the Marble is Bianco Venatino, polished.

This is the south wall, we still have to install the woodburning stove where those 2 leftover cabinets and the pile of construction hodge-podge is stored.

Living room area is the north west corner of the house which I haven't even attempted to decorate at this point. The list is too long to describe in this post. For you design geeks out there I'll be doing a whole seperate post on this.

Sink is from Vintage Tub and Bath and all the appliances we bought scratch and dent through Elite Appliances.

Lights are from Anthropologie.

Restoration Hardware counter stools.

I adore our stove, our kitchen in general. I fell so blessed to walk into the space every day! We are putting open shelving all the way to the ceiling on both sides of the vent hood.

This lamp was a local thrift store find along with the little sail boat, and the porcelain storage containers were a gift years ago from my best friend.

Again, book ends were a thrift store find that my husband picked up along with the brass whale paper weight, and the other trinkets and books have been collected over the years while traveling. The hand blown glass vase was a gift from my dear friend and owner of Metallo Gallery, Cassidy.

I have to say I LOVE our kitchen desk! The painting above was given to me for my birthday by the very talented Nigel Conway.

I'll be posting the play room, our daughters room and the 1/2 bath next week, as well as the progression of the bedroom addition we are in the middle of building.

I would love to hear your opinnions, suggestions or anything else you have to say.

Kid and Parent Bathrooms

2011-08-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

pic. via remodelista.

First, sorry for the break. I had a family emergency and was away for the past 4 weeks. With that said I'm getting back into routine and in a few weeks I'll be posting the kitchen and living room outcomes! So stay tuned...

We just started designing both the kids and parent (hate using the word master) bathrooms. So I've been sorting through hundreds of inspiration photos sourced from various blogs. The challenge for me (as with the rest of the house) is balancing our current likes with that which we will grow into on a major budget. With bathrooms (and kitchens) it can get out of hand so fast. I don't want it to be too trendy but I also don't want it to be too elegant (which is not us at all). So, something to grow into is the idea..

Let me know your thoughts, and I would love to see any renovations your working on!

The above vanity is on major clearance at Restoration Hardware for 24 more hrs FYI.

This is one of my fave bathroom remodels featured on Design Sponge. Above and below.

Too much Marble for me, but pretty. I'm really liking those thick sinks.

My husband is an insanely talented craftsman with an impeccable artistic eye, so I'm toying around with the idea of something like this for the kids bath, but a single version. Not quite as thick and more like the first pic posted via remodelista.

This wooden tub ain't happenin' but I just think it so beautiful.

I love the look of claw foot tubs, and it's a possibility for our bath room which will have a separate shower stall, but for the kids bath we are doing a drop in tub with a shower. There will probably be a concrete surround, and in that case we need some pop of color to kid it up, I'm loving this orange.

via popham design.

This is such a unique layout and beautifully executed.

CUUUUUUTE!

I really like the idea of using art lighting above the mirrors.

Transport me please. I like the use of wood and concrete.

This is really nice and doable with a talented husband and a budget.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Geronimo Balloons!

2011-07-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

I just came across this great company called Geronimo on Camille Styles blog and fell in love with the site. Now to have a party where we can use the fabulous balloons! the kids would really go nuts!

Online Magazine's

2011-06-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

Ok Ladies and Gents,

Due to the death of print magazines it has left me searching for all sorts of design inspiration, and today I found an online magazine out of Australia that I am just giddy about!

All I have to say is page 23 has me wishing I was lying in that bed! Check it out: http://www.adoremagazine.com/#!

Living Room Inspiration...

2011-06-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

This is a challenging room for us. It is an odd space connected to the kitchen with an 18 foot long window, and a few other hurdles. So layout has been difficult. We have a sectional that we have to use, which throws a wrench into it, and other furniture that wasn't purchased for the space, and due to budgeting constrictions, and not wanting to be wasteful it's going to have to be a collaboration of old, very little new, created (I've started a small textiles Co.) and collected over the years. Which, when I think about it, is exciting. Here is some inspiration I'm pulling from:

I love the mix of graphic patterns.

The pop of turquoise on the couch is brilliant combined with the rustic coffee table.

Sea green, moss and yellow, who would of thought it would look so serene!

I have to say, this space just makes me swoon, I love it. The ikat, settee and graphic print curtains... oh how I miss Domino Magazine!

I know my family, and this space would be grey in a day from our Santa Fe dirt, but I admire the design, and the sectional placement is exactly how I have to place mine.

I'm not sure my husband would go for the pink and eggplant velvet, but it's so cozy looking.

I love the art placement and combination choice.

Above and the next two photos are from Nancy Meyer's Movies, who always has the most impeccable homes in her films! I find myself hardly following the movie (which are always fantastic) and going crazy over the rooms!

It's Complicated

Something's Gotta Give

I just bought this bean bag cover from pottery barn for our playroom (Isla thinks it an Owl???).

I really like the pops of color and metallic choices.

I LOVE THIS SPACE! If only I had an amazing picture of our little one like that!

This Brooklyn Home is truly creative and beautiful, it really inspired our kitchen design and bookshelves/fireplace we just built.

Serene

Hope you enjoyed and found a bit of inspiration as well!

tulle pom poms!

2011-06-10T18:09:00.001-07:00

After some brain storming about Isla's room and the playroom, I finally came up with the design and organization I want, here is a pic. of a little installation I'm going to do in the cove of her bedroom. I went to Joanne's fabric, and bought some tulle (and bonus it was on sale for$8.00) I hope she finds it magical! Stay tuned for the transformation over the next few weeks. Now on to the living room!

Image via. design sponge

Toys, Tents & Teddy Bears

2011-06-09T19:54:00.000-07:00

So right now I'm at a holding point on the kitchen and living room remodel, so my decorating mind has been going to play rooms and little girls bedrooms. I know, it's a fun place to be thinking about decorating. I have been so inspired by colorful, whimsical rooms. Here are a few pictures I've collected over the years.

P-A-R-T-Y

2011-05-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

I'm not quite sure what my husband and I were thinking, well, yes I do... we were thinking we would throw our beautiful 2 year old a proper, wild birthday party. Which means, everyone wanted to see the new house, and of course we wanted to show it off, but it wasn't anywhere near ready. So after 3 knuckle busting, late, late nights, and not even beginning to cook for the party which started at 1pm until 1:30, we pulled it off. All I can say is thank GOD for our friends and the guys who are helping us build the house. Well, it was crazy all right, and never again will I buy balloons and whistles (seriously, what was I thinking???) but it was the best party ever. Isla was just so happy!

break through

2011-05-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

I took Isla to the pool today and came back to a new house! My goodness it is looking great. We broke thorough the old part of the house to the new addition. They started building the bookshelves, they measured for the marble and our counter stools were delivered! Fun!