sweet home charlotte

The Sadie Chronicles: From Baby Girl to Preteen Dream

2016-07-05T14:16:00.002-04:00

Sadie's Room Age 7-10

After a disaster of an attempt to have a day bed made for a then 2 1/2 year old Sadie, I begged and begged Scotty for the custom pink dreamy day bed (above)from a local high end children's store. So when we moved three years ago, the bed was the one thing I didn't even ask to change.

For the last three years every girls sleepover has evicted Cooper from his full size bed and into our king size. We call it The Presson Shuffle.

Cooper's Room Circa 2014 - Haven't Done a Thing to it since.

So in leu of the fact that Sadie's legs pretty much touch the end of the bed we are giving her room a preteen upgrade. She begged for a surprise reveal, but who am I kidding with the summer packed full of camps and vacations, it's going to take a miracle to pull that off.

Heres the Plan:

1. Cover the back wall in Schumacher Queen of Spain in Black Wallpaper.

2. Im saying NO to high end beds that will no doubt be tagged in stickers and sharpies, so insert this great bed from World Market.

3. I am loving these Restoration Hardware Teen sheets, keeping her linen Euro Shams and adding a turquoise Mongolian Sheepskin Pillow.

3. I'm keeping the rattan hour glass side tables (not on the design board but in above pic) and hardwiring sconces above the headboard for late night study sessions to come.I like these from Schoolhouse Electric but haven't committed 100% just yet.

4. We are keeping the black Moroccan rug I imported just for a little bug, West Elm parson's table, vintage rattan chairs, vintage etched Victorian mirror and Ikea bookcase.

Stay Tuned For The Final Reveal, Lesson's Learned and Changes to SHC Branding!

SWEET HOME CHARLOTTE: Bananas for Banana & Palm Leaf Prints

2016-04-30T14:11:00.000-04:00

Image: Bliss Blog

The design diva's from Laurel & Wolf asked me to give my two cents and a Trend Forecast for Banana Leaf & Palm Prints. . .Uhmm, YES Please!!

Image: The Decoist

My home designs almost always start with a neutral color palette because I am so ADD that I need to be able to switch things up on the fly. Some new curtains, new pillows and a few accessories and viola a whole new space. This summer I am digging adding a whole new vibe to my sunroom and kitchen style with some over the top Banana Print accessories.

Image and Design Credit: Furbish Studio

I am 100% my sunroom would be even more divine with a pillow refresh and some more 70's goodness with a few Banana Print Pillows. I am over the top dying for these Palm Beach Pillows from Furbish Studio.

How about these killer outdoor poufs from Etsy shop Square Fox Designs. For under a $100, they are a steal! Any takers on a white washed screened in porch, some fresh outdoor white curtains and a few of these for some extra seating and design goodness.

Image & Source: Makeup By Tiffany

Make a traditional bedroom fun and fresh with fun pillows like the one's used in this room by Makeup By Tiffany

Design Credit & Image: Not 100% but would LOVE to know!!!

Be BOLD with Palm Print Wallpaper like this designer! A statement wall like this is all a glamour girl needs. Well that and the Hermes blanket!

Hello, best scene ever from the cult classic Troop Beverly Hills. The Beverly Hills Hotel, home to the iconic use of Banana Leaf & Palm Prints.For the record, that's about my idea of camping as well.

SUNDAY MUSINGS: GRATITUDE

2016-04-10T12:08:00.000-04:00

Moments of clarity always come to me when I am the least likely to be open to it. Last September 10th, on my way to West Point for the last of many funerals, and after delayed flights and a car rental experience from hell, I found myself stuck on the Major Deegan Expressway at rush hour. Starving and exhausted, I looked up from a dead standstill to see a billboard sign hidden in the dark sky, one word in bold type, GRATTITUDE. Misspelled (like every word I spell) with an extra T and a backwards E, I couldn't help but smile at the irony.

Gratitude: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation and kindness.

How is it that such a simple word with such a clear definition, can be so hard to practice in my own life. Yet, there it was, my lesson for the day, staring me down from above, so that I couldn't possibly miss it. GRATITUDE. I was grateful that day, to be going to my Great Aunts Skippy's funeral, on of all days 9/11, thankful for her life and her lessons that she left to all that loved her. Practice gratitude everyday, even in the dark and in traffic, and you will find happiness. It's not complicated at all.

As if my Great Aunt Skip would have had it any other way, her funeral was a clear celebration of life, we laughed we smiled, we shared only the good times. Afterwards, we jumped in our cars, drove up and down the Hudson River Parkway and celebrated on the water with great food and wine and basked in the sun light.

CLIENT G.L.A.M.O.R.O.U.S

2015-12-02T13:39:00.001-05:00

Meet Client Glam, she's is blond, beautiful, young, fun and lives on her own. Not tied down by a resident second half, she wants it all. Her adorable apartment in Elizabeth is in need of a brand new luxe overhaul. To make the project even more fun, I called in my favorite designer and partner Lizanne Shaver to bring in some super fresh ideas.

Not a stranger to this blog, Lizanne's previous house was featured here in May of 2012. After reviewing some pics of her to die for space, I knew she was the right one for the job, and I was lucky enough to score her as my Design Assistant for client Glam's luxe space.

Check out Lizanne's Living Room at her previous residence!

The plan is to finish up what her previous designer started and get the walls painted. Her previous designer installed beautiful lavender grass cloth panels in the family room. We painted the walls in the main living room, hallway and floorboards Benjamin Moore's Gunmetal. The ceilings in the mid-century apartment are fairly low, so we painted the ceiling and all of the trim Benjamin Moore's Silver Lake. We actually used the (light gray) Silver Lake in place of traditional white.

The Living Room in Mid Construction

With the basics in place, (ALWAYS PAINT FIRST) we turned out attention to the creating the perfect boudoir for the woman who has it all. The previous designer had installed the main wall with a charcoal grass cloth that we are definitely keeping, so tying the color scheme's together became our challenge. Lizanne and I originally came up with this plan:

We ended up going a different direction with the room, which is the part of the creative process that I love! I do love this crazy sick wallpaper from Candace Olsen. We are wallpapering the closet and creating a little nook, so we looked at a million wallpapers.

A no go, but I still love.

Back to the drawing board Lizanne and I went, and by that I mean we made a bee line to Karen Saks to do some some serious homework. After several hours and a few cups of coffee we came up with this little luxurious gem of a fabric plan.

Check out the fabulous fabrics we picked!!

Design board number two was a major hit! The plan is to paint the walls a metallic silver with a little warmth in it. We decided to use the crushed velvet from JF Fabrics on the Euro Shams. Through out the house we replaced traditional white with light gray, so why not do the same on the bedding. I like the pin tucked version from West Elm. Staying in the room are the existing mirrored bedside tables and purple glass lamps. Front and center in the new room will be a new upholstered headboard, we are looking for one with a shelter arm that will give the bed the built in feel she loves. Thrown at the end of the bed, a over the top luxe faux fur blanket of course!

One major point of interest will be the Kelly Wearstler Channels print in Periwinkle and Oat. We plan to use the fabric on the roman shades that will define the corner pair of mid century windows. Also in the works is using the same pattern but in wallpaper in the closet. We took off the doors and are creating a fun little niche for hiding an ottoman and floating shelves.

Stay tuned for more updates and fun progress as this project pulls itself together!

Creative Fraud: Designer Code Of Ethics

2015-10-16T06:59:00.000-04:00

Two and a 1/2 years ago, we sold the home that started this blog. The home that we renovated twice in the SEVEN years that we lived in it. We added a front porch and completely renovated a dilapidated screened in porch, turning it into a 8 window sun room full of light and stuffed it full of children. Indeed I left some of the original renovations to the kitchen and upstairs bathroom, but with out a doubt the house was completely transformed. Every room was designed by me, window treatments, furnishings, accessories, art work, all by me and with help of some other very creative souls. At the time we hired Allen Brooks with ALB Architecture to work with us, we had to go through the Historic Committee and get a variance from the City of Charlotte. We then hired and worked with Concept Building on the construction of both porches.

When we sold our house, the women who we bought the house from in 2006, hunted down our real estate agents photographer and unethically purchased the photo's we used when we listed our house in June of 2013. I found this out when my daughter was doing a project on Historic Dilworth Homes and we searched Pinterest and found my house with her design credit.

Seen Above are pictures of our bedroom, my children bedrooms and my office.

Since then, I have tried everything I can, including suing her, to make her stop. While what she is doing is unbelievably not illegal, it is most definitely unethical. When designers and artists put there heart and soul into the creative process, it is a labor of love, every brush stroke and every individual accent makes it ours.

Seen above is the side and back yard entrances. Ironically, we were never able to do the back renovation.

This morning, while searching for images of my old living room, I found yet another (she has taken the websites down) website that Dawn Mathews created for herself.

Her newest website is http://www.dawnmathewsdesign.com/DawnMathewsDesign/Home.html

Please help stop this type of creative fraud by getting the word out, and by stopping her and other people from claiming design work that is not their own.

Reno Take II: House Stalking

2015-09-26T14:42:00.004-04:00

It's Been FOREVER since my last blog, and I almost decided that public ramblings were the most unnecessary. But then I had a change of heart and felt the need to put my private thoughts back out in the public eye. . . FOR BETTER OR WORSE. . .

It has been two years this Halloween that we moved upstairs after the lengthy renovations that I thought might be the end of me. But just like childbirth and many bad boyfriends, apparently the amnesia has set in and I have the construction bug all over again.

Ever since we bought the house I new I was going to remake the exterior of the house. I did it to our last house and I couldn't wait to make the ugly duckling the bell of the ball again. It took me about six months of what on earth will I do to come up with a plan.

With an arch similar to this in mind( I have no idea where I found this pic and I am sorry about that!), I enlisted my good friend and architect Ray Sheedy of Sheedy Watts, to help make my vision a reality.

I found this house in our adjoining neighborhood of Foxcroft, I love the cut out shape on the front entrance and the southern plantation doors. My goal for the house it to have it take on an old Charleston plantation/carriage house feel. Well that mixed with a bit of 70's Rock and Roll.

Driving around town one day I found this amazing house and obviously stalked it. While the house is totally different from ours, the arch that I have been admiring from just about every blogger/designer/builder was right in front of me.

Ray and I spent hours standing in my front yard to come up with this little scheme. . . and then he turned my vision into a reality with these CAD drawings. My favorite part about the new entrance is the "To Be Built" custom bi-fold planation doors. The are going to open and pivot to reveled the front door, but the focus becomes these the custom doors, arch and over OVER SIZED Gas Lanterns.

I found this little beauty on Pinterest this morning and it reminded me why I love to blog and of the color scheme for the house! So here I am again agonizing over paint colors and color schemes and remembering why it is I miss this so much.

Stay tuned for TMI on paint, brick, shutters and nonsense's. . . .

What Keeps Me Up at Night: Bring Back The Warmth

2015-03-25T18:10:00.003-04:00

Bring Back The Warmth

Photo Credit to Chris Court

I know it's spring, but the this color palette is warming me up like the perfect sun tan. I'm talking spun natural linen, chalky whites, buttery leather and chocolate brown mohair. Create color harmony by mixing white walls, and gray accents with luxe brown accents.

Architectural Legs

I fell in love with trellis legs a long time ago and I am seriously psyched

that they are back. I have been waiting on these bad boy bedside tables since last October, and they should be here soon enough.

#labordispute #1stworldproblems #designerdrama

Our Master Bedroom is just like the rest of our house. . .a mix of time periods from past to future. My Dad gave me my Great, Great Grandmother's antique dresser and a few other newer pieces (1920) from my Great Grandmother. To make it all feel fresh and modern, my friend Erin from Chancery Designs, custom designed an amazing double layer, over sized, King Size Headboard. These bad boys are going next to the bed and facing the dresser, adding yes, architectural interest.

Olive Green Cabinets

If you haven't been wearing Army Green all year, you have been in a mommy time warp. It actually makes me look like death but you know I'm over it, I've been sleep deprived for 8 years! Good thing the color makes this kitchen. . .well...bitchin.

Source: Mazen Studio via Pinterest

This little beauty popped up on my Pinterest feed and I couldn't resist the urge to love it, pin it and post it. Paired with all my favorites; floating shelves, subway tile, Bostonian Sconces (NOTE: IN BRONZE) it hits all of my designer lust-worthy checklists.

Industrial Doors

I love what is going on with windows and doors right now, black and urban bronze finishes are getting the spot light in modern doors with bold, clean, grid lines.

French Doors

Source: Unknow/Pinterest

Exterior Doors

Source: Elle Decor

SHOWER DOORS

Source: Unknown/Pinterest

Scared of the cost but want the look? Check out this DIY blog post by Blesser House. Wanna start from scratch but looking to stay in budget? I found this deal on Wayfair. Don't quote me on it directly, but it looks like it starts at $347 and ships in 1-2 two weeks.

Legend Framed Swing Door in Oil Rubbed Bronze

Tastemaker Windi White: Anthropologie 's Personal Stylist's Spring Must Have's

2015-02-16T20:02:00.000-05:00

MEET: WINDI BAUGHMAN WHITE

PERSONAL STYLIST @ SOUTH PARK'S ANTHROPOLOGIE

WHY: THIS CHARLOTTE TASTEMAKER DOES FASHION THE RIGHT WAY!

WHAT TO WEAR: SPRING 2015

1. BYRON LARS PIECED BROCADE DRESS

Just to be clear: You NEED this dress. You actually really NEED any one of Byron Lars dresses, but this one just won't stop screaming Spring Couture 2015.

Hitting the red carpet in Byron Lars with my Art With Heart committee member and friend Rachel Busby. Styled By: Windi Baughman White

2. Austral Peasant Blouse

Spring Concert Series Must Have

At the top of both of our fashion must's is this beaded and embroidered peasant top by Floreat. Pair with everything from skinny ripped jeans to cut off jean shorts.

3. AG STEVIE SLIM CUFFED JEANS

Windi swears by these jeans. Why? Because they are made of the softest of soft denim...perfect for warm spring nights.

4. KORK EASE BERIT WEDGES

Kork Ease makes the most amazingly comfortable shoes ever; and my flat feet told you so! Comfort plus sky high heels in the perfect worn in leather. . .SOLD!

5. MIRABELLA STITCHED PONCHO

The scalloped hem and sexy side slit make this light weight poncho a must have for women of all shapes. Say goodbye to boxy and hello to a flowy silhouette.

6. ALIVIA PANT

The statement pant is HUGE this season. I love that everyone can wear this pair. Curves not a problem. . .boyish frame....all good. Rock these with everything from a sweater to a basic tank.

6. ARCHER WRAP BELT

Not your Momma's belt. Create shape, cinch your waist and transition between skirts and blouses with this bohemian leather wrap.

Windi crushes it in her own Byron Lars dress with her favorite girls from Anthropologie.

CALL THE STORE @ 704-442-9454 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH WINDI.

LOVE WINDI AS MUCH AS I DO? VOTE FOR HER FOR CHARLOTTE MAGAZINE' S BEST OF THE BEST BOB AWARDS: BEST STYLIST.

From White to Bright: Chairish Designer Challenge

2015-02-11T10:37:00.003-05:00

If you haven't already discovered Chairish.com , this is your chance. As part of a designer style board challenge I created a style board based around one of their vintage rugs. So you know I couldn't resist!

The Challenge: Pick a Rug from Chairish's awesomely curated rug collection. *Check out all the rugs here.

Hand Woven Black & White Rug

from Chairish

Take a Room From

HERE'S MY PLAN

"First thing first". . .we were given a handful of rugs to choose and because I am obsessed with the drama of it all, I picked the black and white hand woven rug from Chairish.

WRAP...The room in a bright coral paint like Benjamin Moore' Coral Reef. GLAM it up and paint all the trim work (in my made up room of TONS of trim) in a high gloss lacquered version of the same color.

ADD... A white, couch in a bright room. It grounds the room, ultimately allowing for more color and more out of the box thinking. This one from Chairish has the clean lines I love with nubby texture and vintage elegance.

LIKE... These killer his and her tufted chairs in the perfect shade of lagoon blue.

HANG...

Me & You, 36" x 36" by Linda Colleta

This pretty piece of art goodness...

HUNG JUST SO OVER...This masculine burl wood and brass dresser

Topped... With my very favorite Culloden Lamps by Aerin for Visual Comfort.

FLOAT... A Brass and Glass table like this one over a bad a$$ rug. . .my favorite part? The circles!

SUSPEND...A beaded chandelier like this one from Ro Sham Beaux.

WHY...Chairish.com is the top online marketplace of choice for designers, a place where vintage and used furniture and accessories are curated and sold to people LIKE...YOU & ME.

Nursery Reveal: Ben & Gus's Excellent Adventure

2015-01-28T18:24:00.004-05:00

Sometime last June, my bestie Eleanor Rodway let me know that she was expecting. . .not one, but two (more) baby boys. After I picked my jaw off the floor, we got straight to work designing the nursery of her dreams.

OUR ORIGINAL DESIGN BOARD

From the original design board, we kept the Crate & Barrel glider which was recycled from Big Brother Max's room. Eleanor and I searched and searched for the perfect rug and finally found it at shades of light. Originally we had hoped to get the IKEA Hektar pendant to work but the ceiling height was just a tad bit low and the fixture just a bit to large for super tall Dad to walk under. We re-grouped and found this tin fixture at at Shades of Light. We were able to keep the look and use the Hektar standing lamp over the glider. It workes perfectly! Eleanor's father added the wooden blanket ladder, a hand made addition to the nursery built on love.

Over Ben's crib hangs a North American Map (Super Dad Jamie is from Canada) and was sourced locally at the Map Shop on Moorehead St in Charlotte, NC. Eleanor's father built the reclaimed wood frames for both the boys maps. The airplane mobiles pay homage to our great state of North Carolina. . . .obviously!!

We layered black-out bamboo roman shades with recycled cornice boards (a total score) that we recovered in a earthy moss linen fabric. The room has shaded light, so the walls originally intended to be a Benjamin Moore's Winter Green were changed to a custom blended (Eastway Paint) lighter shade of Benjamin Moore's Harbor Gray. Eleanor's mom found the herringbone fabric at Mary Jo's in Gastonia, and made the twins bed skirts, just for them.

Eleanor found the monogram letters (her own stylish intuition) on esty.com and hung them on the corresponding cribs. The awesomeness is ridiculous. . .period.

Eleanor and Jamie's builder Todd Albee had a few (GREAT) ideas of his own and built the reclaimed wooden hanging shelves. The rustic wood adds the perfect element of "boy" to the room. I wish I had a better picture of the suspension shelving, but I promise more on that later.

The adorable animal heads were a baby gift from "me to them" and are available in many varieties at my favorite shop on the corner Home With Heart. We styled them on the shelves but the intended location is just above the cribs on the wall. They are "two of a kind". . .of course. . .

Ben and Gus's Excellent Adventure continues, well at least I am betting on a sequel. A big boy sequel, in three to five years!

Get MINTed: Curate Gallery Walls with Indy Art

2015-01-11T13:16:00.001-05:00

Lookin Good, Amy Schwager

As always, when does something, they do it with the perfection and creativity that individualists like you and me have come to expect. The company's mission is clear:

"Our purpose in life is to uncover exceptional design from all over the world and bring this to savvy consumers who won't accept anything else."

Made famous by it's stationary (Can you do holiday cards any other way?), the company has expanded it's horizons to include art and home decor. My new favorite? The art prints by indy artists from everywhere. . .

Award Winning, Charlotte, NC based artist Glenn Carroll

Professional Artist and Moscow, RU based

Dina Khandy

If you follow my blog and/or on Pinterest, then you know I have an unhealthy obsession with gallery walls. Though, in today's world of instant gratification, achieving the highly desirable gallery wall can be both expensive and time consuming.

Never fear, has heard our cries and are here to help. Without leaving our laptops and furry slippers, we can now collect original art, in a multitude of sizes and frames, and build the curated gallery of our "pinterest" dreams.

Follow online tips at

or search my Pinterest boards for helpful tips on where to start.

Dust off old prints, water colors and oils sitting in your basement's and attics. Don't worry about the old frames, paint them or leave them for character.

Build a color pallet like mine with mineral art from San Francisco, CA based artist

Lily Hanna.

Available in sizes from 8" x 8" to 44" x 44" with framed prices starting at $42

Need a large piece or a place to start? Make a statement with Rusty Patina, acrylic on canvas, by Artsy Canvas Girl Designs.

Get tribal, with an African Gazelle Art Print by Natalie Groves. I like it in 18" x 24" framed in reclaimed wood.

$207 with the frame, or do it yourself and scoop it up for $87.

Say Something Subtle with a You & Me tiny print by Paper Rose.

I would do it in a 8" x 8" framed in distressed indigo for $42.

Start your collection or just have fun with

SHOP THE LOOK: WITH US OF COURSE

2014-11-26T08:00:00.003-05:00

Hatch Designs@ Slate Interiors

Has The Look You Want. . .

William Sonoma Home Serpent Skin 20 x 20 Pillow Cover $165

*Insert Not Included

Hatch Designs Metallic Snakeskin Pillows $90

*includes inserts

Mid- Century Brass Tray Table

This one from 1st Dibs $3,695

Hatch Designs Tray $375

*Was most likely part of a coffee table but is now a tray

Crazy awesome pic with sick ass black and white art found

on Pinterest....unknown Source here

Thrown Oil Pigment on Canvas with Custom Frame

$575 by me

Linen Covered Mid Century Chairs, SOLD

but

More To Come Soon...

More Shop Our Look To Come Very Soon....

Come With Me Now: JWV Artists: Fall Show November 12th-15th

2014-11-09T12:56:00.002-05:00

Come and play with me this week, as I shop for client art and maybe even a piece for my home, at JWV Artists Fall 2014 Art Show. Judith Voglesonger of JWV Artists represents both regional and national artists, all of whom will have a strong representation in this weeks show.

Acrylic on Canvas

At a recent Art With Heart committee meeting at Judith's, I was introduced to the work of Austin Artist Kiah Denson.

Waiting On You, Works on Paper 30'' x 22''

One of my absolute favorite works on paper by Kiah. A too-die for figurative that reminds me of my glamorous grandmother. Currently Available $250

Works on Paper, 30'' x 22''

I recently acquired the above works on paper by Kiah Denson. It's at the framer right now, but I can't wait to share it's new location in my "sweet home" with you!

A long time personal favorite, award winning local Charlotte, NC artist Heidi Kirschner will have several pieces at the show.

oil on canvas

Heidi's signature light source, rolling hills and cerulean sky's make her work highly identifiable.

As the interior designer for this project, my client and I worked with Judith to commission the above Heidi Kirschner oil on canvas.

The moody gray walls change color at night and play with light from the chandelier.

Check out JWV Artists home page for more information on her many artists and upcoming shows.

Oil on Canvas, Paula Blackwell

24'' x 24'' $2,400

The show starts this Wednesday and run through Saturday. The gallery is located at her home at 3330 Cambria Road in the Mountainbrook area of Charlotte. Call her at 904-707-5884 or email at judith@jwvartists.com for appointments.

Oil on Canvas, Allison Chambers

See you there!

GRATITUDE: That's All Y'all

2014-10-20T22:03:00.000-04:00

grat·i·tude

ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/

noun

the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

"she expressed her gratitude to the committee for their support"

synonyms: gratefulness, thankfulness, thanks, appreciation, indebtedness;

recognition, acknowledgment, credit

Hey their lovers...are you still out there?? I know it has been forever and a day since my last blog and by that I mean WAY TOO $%^* LONG!!!

I WISH: How I look in my head.

I have been so blessed (I AM NOT EXAGGERATING HERE) by you guys, who I thought might have just been my family, but as it turns out are way more. . . I swear I love y'all. . . and whom have given me so many opportunities to be crazy creative!

Imported Batik Fabric on Custom Pillows

OMG my mind is blown creative. . .that shizzle keeps me out trouble. . .so Scotty is super happy!

Lizanne had this estate grayed out teak nine foot plantation shutter. So we put our heads together and came up with this beauty! It's for sale at Slate Interiors.

My design business is crazy town. . .You know who you are and I am dying to work with you all! It's like my biggest fears met my greatest ambitions and they faced off. Ambitions are crushing fears. . .

Rocks. Paper. Scissor. Shoot.

I even cut my hair and I said I would never do that shizzle either. . . .It's a smack down I tell you!!

Cooper left me at home for big-kid school...

Cooper went to Kindergarten and because I thought I was going to FREAK the heck out.I thought I would try and do an art wall at the cult designer favorite Slate Interiors.

This painting has over 100 sheets of gold leaf.

Turns out I went full steam ahead with an extremely talented and fabulous friend @LizanneShaver in a full blown booth!

Lizanne

"Peachied" Tom Filicia at +VanguardFurniture1 and he liked it. @Peachythemag

Stop by Slate Interiors and check out my art, our furniture re-design, lighting and just all around awesome vintage imported batik pillows and accessories.

It's all under the name Hatch Designs. . .it's a brand new day!

Our booth in September, way, way different now.

Stay tuned for more exciting news, projects and a new beginning for an ex-stay at home mom with a crazy passion for design!

Feet up. That's all.

Schooled Out: Work Spaces For the Whole Family

2014-08-27T16:24:00.000-04:00

(source)

Idea #1 Turn an old mudroom or laundry area into a family work space. Find a great piece of wood and anchor it at desk height and float storage space above it. Cant find a repurposed one, hit up ikea for floating bookcases.

(source)

Turn a hallway in to a storage/study zone by adding unique accents and custom wood details. The red runner makes the space bright.

(source)

Raliegh, NC Photographer Christy of Be True Photography turned her unused dining room into a home office for everyone. The bet part, is that they did it themselves. (DIY Planking!) PS-She listed her sources which include Ikea, West Elm and Overstock.

(source)

The creative use of this space under the stairs is genius! Before I had a house full of crazy kids I would have thought this was a little weird, but now I would just about kill for a little quiet and a hidden nook.

(source)

Just for old times sake, my old office from our Ideal Way house. The room was once a laundry room that I turned into Cooper's nursery and then into our home office. I loved that space!

What do you say? Yeah or Nay?

Back To School 2014

2014-08-20T11:02:00.002-04:00

Is it me or does August just keep getting shorter and shorter? What used to feel like the dog days of summer, now feels like a 50 yard dash.

*Line'em up, Move'em out...

In a blink, it's over.

Never mind that I haven't been back to school since 2006, I am feeling the overwhelming need to find that perfect outfit and killer accessories that bring me back to the fall of 1986.

The Backpack

Survey Backpack, $99.99

Herschel makes my favorite backpacks and the Fall 2014 Survey top's my list. Oh and this one feel fresh but reminds me of my favorite c. 1988 (old school) Banana Republic Field Bag.

Network Pouch, $24.99

While I am on the topic of Herschel, their little Network Pouches Make the Perfect Accessories for everything from pencils to lip gloss.

The Current/Elliott The Buddy Trouser, $228

Current/Elliott's Buddy Trouser tops my lust worthy, might have to save my penny's all fall, top favorite. . .Gucci Inspired, Must Have, Pants list!

Rag & Bone, $70

I would pair it now with a classic tank, like this one from Rag and Bone in Navy.

House of Harlow Jacket, $155 @ shopbop.com

$126 from ShopWhiskeyAndLace.com

My closet has a real chance of acquiring this field jacket by one of my fav's House Of Harlow. @ $155 it's a must, and if that's not enough of a sign, I actually own this Whiskey & Lace shirt.

And. . . I'm O U T. . .

2014-08-13T11:14:00.005-04:00

We Finally Made It To Fripp Island.

Think I'll Stay For A While!

See you next week.

Riddle Me... A Fiddle Leaf Fig

2014-07-29T22:02:00.000-04:00

FIDDLE LEAF FIG

1."Hit a grand slam" and add architectural and organic elements to your space.

2. Create Balance and Symmetry Without Adding The Weight Of Furniture.

3. Fill in an empty corner. . .

4. PLANT IT JUST SO

KEEP YOUR NEW "FIGGY" ALIVE AND KICKING IT

WITH:

1. SUNLIGHT

Fiddle Leaf Figs need tons of natural daylight. If they don't get enough their leaves will turn yellow and then brown and just fall right off. If you see any of the above, try to immediately move them to a room with an abundance of light.

2. WATER

The entire blogospher is all over the place as to how much to water a Fiddle Leaf Fig. When I bought mine, Jesse (Campbell's Nursery) told me to be sure and water my new ficus tree. . .that a gallon a week was about ideal. I have stuck to that philosophy and "Figgy" is still doing great. My sweet tree even made it through six months in the basement with all the light I had to offer.

3. DRAINAGE

Improve the drainage and invest in a cheap plastic tray for the bottom of the pot. Make sure there is a drainage hole in the bottom of the pot. Excess water will be temporarily stored and absorbed when needed.

4. MOSS

Top the top of the basket with a pretty lime green moss and cover the dirt.

I hope you love your Fiddle Leaf Fig as much as I love mine!

*All images above were taken from Pinterest.

Let's Play A Game: Get The Look

2014-07-18T20:45:00.003-04:00

LET'S PLAY: GET THE LOOK

(I WANT THIS ROOM)

#Found on Pinterest Here

#1: Source eBay for Oriental Rugs like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181446853572

Amazon.com Widgets

#2 Score a killer white sectional for less than a $1,000 at Ikea

#3: Paint it all White: We'll add a hint of Gray like Benjamin Moore's Decorators White

*Found here on Pinterest

#4: Panel The Room in White Curtains on a dime like these from Ikea

#5: Crush It : Add A Timeless Staple Like This Carrara Topped White Saarinen Style Tulip Coffee Table

#6: Light it Up With A Black Pharmacy Lamp From World Market For Under a $100

#7 Spotlight On This LED Lamp From House of Troy

#8 Go Dutch by Sourcing The WWW To Find Chairs Like These Danish Hans Wegner Inspired Chairs on Ebay

*The Pair is Running Around $400. **Don't even scare yourself by looking at 1stDibs pricing.

ADD YOUR OWN SPECIAL PILLOWS, ACCESSORIES & ART & MAKE IT YOUR OWN!!

Shop Mila: Curated Pieces From Around The World

2014-07-07T15:09:00.001-04:00

Based on their global travels, mother/daughter duo Claudia and Camilla Zapata teamed up to create Shop Mila. Traveling the world, they are working with local artisans from countries including Columbia, Guatemala, Peru, Morocco, South Africa, Mexico, Ghana and Nicaragua. The curated shop includes international jewelry, home and fashion accessories.

Shop Mila is a local source for the coveted Moroccan Wedding Blankets!

As a shop girl and local blogger, I love following House Account. The iPhone App is the brainchild of Capital & Poole Shop owner Laura Vin Root Poole. After following Shop Mila on it for several months, I couldn't resist an old school road trip to their local Mathews showroom.

I was originally fascinated by there couture bags from the Colombian Wayuu Tribe. Each bag is hand woven and takes between one and two months to weave. Although slightly pricey, the bags are beyond gorgeous in real life! A total splurge, I ended up taking the turquoise/orange and red geometric one home with me.

I brought my friend Erin along to control the shopping damage, but since almost all of the pieces are one of a kind. . .we both snatched up what we could.

Erin fell hard for the hand woven bracelets.

With my big purchase already decided, I was bound by the wallet to exhibit some sort of self control. Though, I wish I had grabbed one of the Shibori Oversized Wraps!

Ever see a baby gift, and wish you had a baby to give it too? These little booties won my heart as well!

Lucky girl, Erin has two little one's at home that can wear this number. One Chiapas hand woven embroidered gauze dress came home with her that day.

Also on my must list are these awesomely priced African Elephant Straw baskets. At $30, they are a total steal!

Check out Shop Mila on their website at http://www.mila-amor.com or down load the iPhone App House Account.

Ben & Gus's Excellent Adventure: A Nursery Built For Two

2014-06-23T17:07:00.002-04:00

When one of my best "besties" found out that baby number TWO, was going to be not one, but TWO more boys, we had a serious call to action. With the summer pushing forward, we have just enough time to execute a master plan in time for an early fall due date.

Mom Eleanor is a global marketing executive and a local Charlotte, NC media heiress. Her father was WSOC-TV News Anchor David Hains and her little brother is the nationally recognized hip hop artist DJ Complete of Styles and Complete. Father Jamie Rodway, is a Canadian national, Charlotte transplant and present day entrepreneur. After twenty years in racing, most of them as an executive at Roush-Fenway, Jamie started his own excellent adventure, The Rodway Company.

Although their three year old son Max was next in line to the larger guest bedroom, Max will now get a "big boy" room makeover in his existing nursery; and the present guest bedroom is in the process of being converted into a nursery built for two.

The large room, the homes original master bedroom, has two windows and plenty of wall space, but just one closet. With storage as our number one priority, Eleanor and her contractor worked to design a custom built-in with tower wardrobes and a connecting changing table/dresser. Standing in my kitchen, we decided to add floating built in shelves to make room for baskets and collectibles. The built in and floating shelves will be painted a dark mossy color. Most likely Benjamin Moore's Cos Cob Stone Wall , which takes it's name after a favorite New England spot of mine.

Eleanor's contractor just happens to be a master craftsman, so we are using him for custom everything, even the cabinet hardware. Basic pipe fitting will be cut to size in order to create the oversize cabinet pulls for the wardrobe doors.

The surrounding walls will be a lighter almost "putty" version of the cabinets. The spindle like Jenny Lind cribs, a gift from the grandparents, will face each other on opposing walls. Neutral bedding and a textured crib skirt will lend to the northern rustic theme. An existing glider from Land of Nod will find itself on a new adventure in the twins room. Updated with a cozy sheepskin throw, it will make the perfect resting place for rocking the twins to sleep.

An ode to Mom and Dad and the overall inspiration for the room will be the (hopefully vintage) Canadian and North Carolina Maps hung respectively above the cribs. The rest of the color scheme will find it's inspiration in the hues of the maps.

We have lots more to do, so stayed tuned over the next couple of months, because Ben & Gus are expected to start their excellent adventure soon enough!

Summer Loving and The Living is Easy

2014-06-10T10:11:00.000-04:00

Schools Out For Summer!!!! No more early morning panic attacks that we are late for school! No more sweaty afternoons in carpool lines, no more unpacked lunches and wardrobe malfunction mornings!!! If there were a key on my computer for an eternal exclamation point, I would hit it right now...

Here's what I am looking forward too. .

1. One of my old school favorites is coming to Charlotte, and I literally can't wait.

Scope out tickets to Beck July 11th at the Uptown Amphitheater at NC Music Factory.

2. We are Fripp Island Bound! After several lengthy convo's over the awesomeness that is Fripp Island; we decided to mix up our Charleston vaca's and head even more south bound. While Scotty tends to lean towards Team Charleston, I am a clear Savannah girl. . .We are hoping for a little of both in this small island about half way between the two. If you have any tips or fun ideas for Fripp, I would love to hear them!!

3. It's Happy Hour: Spicy Cucumber Margaritas

My favorite summer cocktail of choice is a little spicy and a little not. . .All you need to make this divine cocktail is

Fresh Limes & Lemons, Cucumbers and a jalapeno! Make Your own simple syrup with sugar and water, add tequila blanco, fresh juice from your limes and lemons, a little triple sec and chill for 30 minutes. Now you do the same...

Serve over ice and garnish with sliced cucumbers and a sliver of jalapeno.

Chill'in..

What are you looking forward too??

Lesson's Learned and Random Ramblings On

2014-05-29T21:44:00.000-04:00

1. No matter how much I try to convince myself that I am a hippie. I am not. I need good lighting, hate camping and require proper lingerie. My daughter, not so much...

Sadie Age 6

2. I will never, and I mean ever. . .live in a basement again. Not even for my next dream house. It doesn't exist if I have to live in a basement to get it.

3. I like my children between the hours of 7am and 7pm.

The hours between, not so much . . .

4. I am a chronic underachiever. I have said it before and well. . .that shizzle is still the same.

5. When comparing drawing to painting, my friend Mai Lis (a drawer) said she sees life and art "as the space between the lines." As a painter, "I see life in layers of color." Thus, I will never be a drawer or an architect.

From My New Series Street Art. . .

6. After getting pulled over for an apparent "California stop and roll" last Friday in my shorty, shorts in route to yoga and in the Sharon Elementary/ Foxcroft rush hour. . . I declared to Scotty "Every time I get pulled over it brings back bad memories of going to jail." From the back seat, I heard a "MOMMY, YOU HAVE BEEN TO JAIL!" screech come from Sadie. . .forgot that little bugger was still there. oops. . .

That is not me. . .

7. We are the loudest family alive, for about 100 different reasons. None of them are worth elaborating on. . .

I have no idea why...

8. Cooper is 5 1/2 years old. Today he learned to turn the television on. He pressed the red button. We are extremely proud.

Yeah, We know. . You know. . where he gets it from...

I SOLD A PAINTING ON ETSY. . .OH, AND I DIDNT SUCK AT IT!!!!

2014-05-23T16:13:00.000-04:00

I (used) to never sell anything. Not really. I also never sell anything with out working my butt off for it. . .ever! I bet I make $10 for ever 4 hours I work. . .pretty much. That ok, because I love to work, doing what I love to do.

*This was NOT me.

Some day I am going to do a blog on all the crazy jobs I have had. . .spoiler alert. . .I once handed out coconuts, dressed as Santa Clause, for a car stereo company on Route 7 in Norwalk, Ct. Pretty sure we made $5 an hour, stood in slush and snow and rain . . .BUT. . .I landed a gig at a radio station being a sexy Santa's helper. . .and somehow ended up at a Z100 concert in NYC! I mean seriously worth it. . .seriously.

*This was NOT me.

This morning, after a ridiculously awesome hot as blazes yoga class with my besties, I came home to a email in my inbox from Etsy. It read. . .something, something. . . CONGRATULATIONS! A congratulations you owe money bill? I read on! Nope, I sold a piece of art. . .I have been working producing art, and have been a slacker on getting up on my easy site. . .and without doing much of anything. . . I made money! Real money!! #Ialreadyspentit #pooleshop #isuckathashtags

I am so excited!!!!!!

(To my new clients, I LOVE YOU!!!! I am just beyond excited to be creating and selling my work again!)

Allison Sprock Fine Art Event THIS MORNING with Yasharel, Marcy Gregg & Cher Cosper

2014-05-20T14:37:00.000-04:00

Join me at Allison Sprock Fine Art this morning May 21th from 10:30am to 12:30 for coffee and treats. Georgia artist Yasharel will be at the gallery joined by gallery favorites Marcy Gregg and Cher Cosper.

Yasharel

Cher Cosper

Marcy Gregg

You know I love a good giveaway, so now is your chance to enter a drawing to win a $100 gift card toward any painting. First time at the gallery, there is a whole other drawing just for you!

Hope to see you soon!!