Inspired Mrs. Stevens

It's An Urban Cottage Because...

2012-01-27T06:00:00.002-06:00

It combines natural, rustic materials with modern lines and colors.

Designer Tools of the Trade

2012-01-26T06:00:00.006-06:00

With this being my last semester at UT, I feel like I've got a pretty good grip on knowing what I need for design classes and being a design major. So I thought I would share this great knowledge with you lovely readers and give you one interior design student's list of "Tools of the Trade."

This may not look like much, but it is definitely the most used. Especially the Easy Mac, that's key!

A quick breakdown:

1. Macbook Pro: Okay I'll admit, I don't yet have this lovely specimen. It's going to be my gift to myself when I graduate. Macs are definitely the winner as to what kind of laptop you should get if you're going into design. I bought an HP when I first got to college because only 3 short years ago many design programs had to be run in Boot Camp on Macs. Nowadays there are enough Mac betas out there that you should be able to run almost all design programs on a Mac without Boot Camp or Parallels.

2. Wireless Mouse: Please please PLEASE don't try to do heavy-duty design with your track pad. If nothing else it's not comfortable but also consider that many design programs like AutoCAD and Revit have special commands linked to the center scrolling button on your mouse and it is incredibly annoying to try to execute them with a track pad.

3. Adobe Creative Suite: This lovely little set of software will save your designs time and time again. Sure, I use a variety of other programs like AutoCAD, Revit Architecture, Rhino 3D modeling, etc. But this guy makes everything I create in those programs look 1000x better.

4. External Storage: The amount of work you create and have to move back and forth between computers is astounding! Get a flash drive for quick document transfers and an external hard drive to back up your designs so they don't get accidentally deleted or slow down your processing speeds as much.

5. Moleskine Sketchbooks: My all-time favorite things to take notes, make sketches, or just generally keep ideas in. There is something to be said for great design in small packages, and these little beauties are so gorgeous in their simplicity that you can't help but feel good drawing in them...even if your sketches leave something to be desired ;)

6. Micron Pens: Similar to the Moleskines, Micron pens just look and feel great to write with. You can definitely find some cheaper options that will serve your purpose, but for something I use every day without fail, I'm willing to spend a little extra for beautiful design and function. (Also, I linked the colored ones, but I mostly use plain ol' black.)

7. Good Quality Camera: There is nothing more frustrating than making some beautiful model or plaster cast and not being able to get a decent picture of it! Enter my newest love, the Canon T3i. Any of Canon's Rebel line are favorites among me and my classmates, although any DSLR is a great investment as it will make your portfolio look a cut above the rest. I didn't get my Canon until this last year, so you can definitely survive with a point-and-shoot camera, but if you are really serious about design I'd go ahead and invest in a DSLR.

8. Sustenance : Coffee and microwavable stuff are the main food groups of any design student. Late nights in studio cannot be avoided, best to just accept it and be prepared. This Keurig single-cup brewer is on my wish list. If you have a design student in your life rest assured, this is the best present you could get them EVER.

This list is really just my quick hits of what I need/love for design. We use a huge variety of materials, software, and machinery, but that long list can be saved for another day. For now you can feel prepared knowing you have the basic survival kit to any design major.

-Rachel

Rococo Tea Party Snippets

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

I think I'm getting used to photo shoots with inanimate objects...like decor, pies, cupcakes, tableware, etc. Props styling is really super fun! But last Sunday, I had the most fun working with a whole team of fashion stylists, videographer, photographers {not one but two}, make up & hair stylists & yes, models! We did the set styling for Diya Liu's Rococo Tea Party at Mayfield Park here in Austin. She is the amazing gal behind the blog, In Her Stilletos and who by the way won the Marie Claire Front Row College challenge. Woot! Way to go Diya!

We're releasing the "real" pictures soon. In the meantime, here are some snippets....

After the shoot, I seriously thought every gal should have a tufted gold ottoman!

And a turquoise chaise for that matter.A teacup set is a must!

And pale pink roses properly fluffed should be everywhere! Here's Rachel making the petals camera-ready. She, by the way makes the most awesome paper crepe rosettes. See them here.

I hope you enjoyed this little behind-the-scenes first look of this photo shoot project! And by the way, these vintage shops rock! Thank you so much The Vintage Laundry & Gypsies Antiques.

Pretty Pulls

2012-01-23T06:00:00.003-06:00

Happy Monday everyone! Last year, me & the hubs visited Italy for the first time. Aside from little mementos we got from the trip, one of the most memorable artifact we bought was a handmade door knocker from a quaint, little shop in the streets of Venice. Sadly, our little condo has no place for one of those but we can't wait to use it for our urban cottage soon!

I do get pretty obsessive with the details...well, because it creates the big picture. I fell in love with the door pulls above by the talented artist Eduardo Garza. Gilted base, precious gems, I'm seeing these amazing creations in a Kelly Wearstler room for some reason. A little {or a lot} pricey, they are on my "If I had a Million Dollar List." Ok, they're not for our urban cottage but maybe for that posh condo we have at Gramercy Park. A girl can dream, right?

Austin Modern Home Tour 2012

2012-01-20T06:00:00.032-06:00

It's that time of the year again Austin! For some reason, I get so excited when events like these happen. Could it be that I love design? Well, that's no brainer. So, here's the WHAT, WHERE, WHEN & HOW....

WHAT: Austin Modern Home Tour. It's only $20 if you buy it now or $25 at the door. It's a chance for you to see & explore Austin's Modern Homes and get inspired about sustainable living.

WHEN: Feb. 4, 2012 Starts at 11 am & Ends at 6 pm. There's an after party from 6-8:30 pm with an architect panel.Whoa! A chance to meet Austin's most amazing modern architects.

WHERE: All over Austin. Get your tickets in one of the homes.

HOW: To get there? Hmmm, any kind of vehicle I suppose, with one or 5 of your friends. Here's how I'm doing it...

1. A girl must have her snack 2. And water! Gotta be hydrated always! 3. Possible outfit --- something real relaxed, a satchel for the multiple print materials I'm going to get, flats, a scarf & sweater | blazer optional...this is Texas! 4. My trusty iphone --- how else am I going to FB & Tweet these gorgeous homes? 5. A map which they will provide 6. My Nikon DSLR camera {which I still don't know how to operate} and last but not the least 7. Business cards, tons perhaps? It's time to meet new people in design.

The event was founded by the GoodLife Team & produced by Launch 787. See my blog journal from last year. Here's a sneak peek at some of the homes.

And for a little definition of what makes a Modern Home...take it away, Rachel.

A modern home these days usually means something very sleek, angular, and minimalist. It focuses most of its design efforts on materiality, so you tend to see more natural woods and stones alongside polished concrete and sheet metal. With sustainability becoming such an important factor in design, things like skylights, tree shading and other attempts to incorporate nature into the home can frequently be seen. Large window walls play double duty, contributing LEED points and also maintaining a decidedly post-modern style. Interiors are generally minimalist, focusing more on singular specific pieces than a collection of object. The "art gallery" home is very popular in design. Color palettes usually stay within a neutral range of hues, although it is very trendy right now to do pops of bright colors against an otherwise white interior. If this is done, usually the pop of color is a consistent accent color and sort of becomes a theme throughout the home.

House designs and styles can vary widely within this definition, but I think this will give you a sort of general heads up as to what you can expect to see on the Modern Homes Tour.

Umm. should you get your ticket now?

SugaPlump Photo Shoot Snippets

2012-01-19T06:00:00.002-06:00

We've been working on some amazing and fun photo shoots lately, and today I wanted to give you just a few quick pictures of the SugaPlump Valentine's Day shoot.

Jocelyn Harris-Leffall is the fabulous owner of SugaPlump Catering and Pastries, and let me tell you from personal experience, her stuff is DELICIOUS. Seriously, whether you have a midnight craving for something sweet and delicious or are planning an extravagant event and need the cake to be just right, she's the one to call.

If you're wondering just what a pink champagne cupcake tastes like, the answer is heaven.

And this is just a bit of the decor we made for the shoot. I actually handmade a good number of those rosettes, but tragically they don't work too well as a garland :(

Just a little bit of vintage love and desserts to brighten up your Thursday!

-Rachel

Beautiful Campus Spaces

2012-01-17T06:00:00.002-06:00

Today is the first day of my last semester at the University of Texas. I'm feeling a little nostalgic, but mostly I'm dreading even one more semester of assignments, projects, and homework. However, I did manage to get a little excited for my return to campus because of two beautiful spaces I see on a daily basis thanks to my design major: Battle Hall's Reading Room and the Goldsmith building's courtyard.

Battle Hall Reading Room

Goldsmith courtyard in bloom

Aren't those magnolia blooms gorgeous?? Hope you're having a wonderful Tuesday!

-Rachel

A Taste of Morocco in the Attic

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

Fresh from a romantic, Rococo-styled, a' la Marie Antoinette photo shoot this afternoon {see a sneak peek here}, I finally had the chance to read the newest issue of House Beautiful magazine. I usually start reading from the back cover to the front, my daughter think it's weird, but I look at images first then read the articles I really liked.

I had to take a second look at this spread. Moroccan flair is all about an abundance of colors {like Turquoise & Tango with some Pinks & Golds} and maximalism which strangely does not look cluttered at all. I must say, I will most likely keep areas in my home open to the public aka guests more muted than this. But in the attic, the loft or the sky parlor? I'm very open to being more wild...with decor that is! In that way I can "Rock the Casbah" any time.

Don't worry, you can join my party anytime. Happy Monday everyone!

It's An Urban Cottage Because...

2012-01-13T06:00:00.002-06:00

It features a romantic color palette and accents with modern, minimalist furniture.

Ok, I might be cheating here just for today since this is more of our InStyle Weddings project...but I just LOVE this picture! And I think it works for an urban cottage right? Except you might not want to put branches somewhere you're planning to sit, haha :)

so much love, Rachel

InStyle Weddings Event Prep

2012-01-12T06:00:00.003-06:00

Remember those exciting things I mentioned yesterday? Well here's a little peek at some of the decor prep I've done for our InStyle Weddings event!

We started with some awesome white branches. Beautiful, but not quite as opulent as we would want so naturally....

WE GILDED THEM! Just a quick coat of metallic gold spray paint, which I will now refer to as "chic in a can," and you're event ready!

The lamp shades got gilded as well, and with the addition of a few paper pom poms (made with the help of Maureen's tutorial)...

Viola! Even though I'm not 100% done yet, I LOVE it!! A few more pom poms and some extra pink chevrons on the vase and we'll be good to go. I'll update you later today with some pictures from the event.

Let us know what you think, we love to hear from you! :) Rachel

Excitement Ahead

2012-01-11T06:00:00.004-06:00

We at The Inglenook Decor have a lot of exciting stuff coming up this month! Photo shoots, events, projects, and new products! But I won't lie, working on all this awesome stuff has me a little at a lost for what to blog about today. So for your sake and mine, I'll simply leave you with a few GORGEOUS images of this month's Veranda Magazine cover story, which is to die for. Seriously, not paid promotion at all, but you need to go buy this month's issue because the Haute Hues article on Kelli Ford's Dallas abode has me drooling over the fabulously colorful rooms.

Didn't I tell you? To die for! :) Rachel

Painted Dresser Love

2012-01-10T06:00:00.042-06:00

It has recently come to my attention that I love painted dressers. Okay, so I may have stolen that opening line from the Chloe Sevigny series on YouTube, but seriously though, these dressers are gorgeous. Although I'm generally not one for painting over beautiful wood furniture, there's something whimsical about painted dressers. They bring to mind my mother's own dresser from my childhood, in which I would dig for hours, trying on scarfs and jewelry, before moving on to her shoes in the closet. For me, these dressers still hold secrets of some beautifully stylish world that I long to be a part of.

A slightly Asian-inspired hand painted side table, beautiful and intricate (and that lamp isn't bad either!).

A modern graphic dresser, which plays to my love of Art Deco decor.

A more traditional painted dresser, with an air of French country style about it.

A gorgeous minimalist dresser in pale grey blue. Love the styling in this photo as well!

I am in love with this one! Elephants are my favorite animal to use in decor and give this dresser a subtle Indian influence.

This, however, is my favorite of the group. Simple and elegant, with just a touch of natural whimsy...why isn't this piece in my apartment already?!

So what do you think? Love or loathe painted dressers and cabinets? Let us know!

See you soon :) Rachel

Indigenous, Sustainable, Chic!

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday morning everybody! So, I'm still on a high after my Philippine trip...so much to see, so much to do and yes, so much inspired design! At the same time I also got connected with this fabulous gal who designs furniture for this shop, where else? On Twitter of course, with the introduction by Leslie of Kaleidoscope Partnership. A designer after my own heart, her work is described as having "a dash of eclecticism, a bohemian quality with a delicate touch, subtle harmony with distinctive intricacy." Ummm, I think they're describing me in my dreams! She is among the artists and designers at Snug Furniture who uses indigenous materials from the Phillipines.

So, let's just look at a few of the designs at this shop:

Inspired by Aboriginal Art. They look almost agate-like and the faceted presentation is a scene stealer!

A must in every resort, lanai or veranda we believe! This lounge chair is made of steel and sustainable woven fibers.

The Scoop Stool, we want one please in every color...or flavor for that matter. Made of cane slivers with a shiny, almost lacquered covering.

The Martian Stool

The Lo-Rider

They're both appropriately named, don't you think? These designs is made of coconut twig and rattan core.

These artists and designers are using their creativity to develop innovative designs that embraces today's modern world, yet always thinking about the environment. Sustainability is definitely chic!

It's An Urban Cottage Because...

2012-01-06T08:35:00.000-06:00

It features romantic eclectic furniture against a neutral white background.

My Philippine Trip | In Instagram

2012-01-05T06:00:00.002-06:00

Holidays 2011 was filled with loving {and lasting} memories with Mi Familia in the Philippines. I visited my Mom after having a bout of illness. She's all better now albeit because of prayers and hard work! Here's a few snapshots of my trip via Instagram, of course!

1. The Philippines is filled with gorgeous churches, this is just one of them!

2. Capiz Lanterns are everywhere during the holiday season. May I just say they're utterly gorgeous!

3. A Bahay Kubo | Nipa Hut at Subic Bay, monkeys were out galivanting around us.

4. A parol, the Philippine Christmas Lantern at a relatives house.

5. My daughter's legs and feet enjoying a fish spa.

6. Street food well, were out in the streets! My fave, the taho, bean curd with sweet syrup.

7. Nothing like buko {coconut} juice in its shell!

8. Gorgeous banig or weaved pillows at a local home decor store.

9. French Macaroons are everywhere, even in the South Pacific, these ones are courtesy of Bizu.

10. My Mom and me enjoying an afternoon snack at Mary Grace.
11. Tiangge or the Flea Market at Greenhills is open until Midnight.
12. My daughter & I bought matching ribbon rings for a whopping $2!

Hope you enjoyed it!

Abingdon 12 | A Shop to Love

2012-01-04T06:00:00.003-06:00

So, I'm due for a New York trip again soon. This time with the hubs Winter or early Spring this year. We got us a City Pass...yes folks, we're doing the touristy spots, as lame as it sounds to some. I want to ride a horse carriage at Central Park, kiss at the top of the Empire State Building and ride the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Nothing like seeing the city again with different eyes and with the one you're spending the rest of your life with {hope he's reading this! :}. Last time, I visited ABC Carpet and Home for the first time, this time around, I wish to check the shop of the owner of this fabulous home, Abingdon 12.

via LonnyMag

This is the home of Paul Caddell, who after working in health care administration, is now the proud owner of this home design shop & gallery. His interiors looks like an art installation with a classic feel yet modern edges. From an antique mirror, warm and neutral floor and wall palette, vintage trimmings and a one-of-a-kind light fixture by Rodger Stevens. The place is a bit masculine yet utterly warm and cozy. I can't wait to see what his shop has to offer!

P is for Pies | Styling Project

2012-01-03T06:00:00.001-06:00

Ok, who doesn't love pies? Buttermilk is my current fave because it's so Southern & yea...so easy to make! So, about a month ago, I did some pie styling for a photo shoot for Time Warner Cable Media & Clicked In campaign and here are the yummy photos.

Too bad one of my resolutions is to cut my sweet tooth in half...ouch! But hey, looking doesn't hurt a thing!

Thanks to these people for a wonderful project: Chris Brock Photography & Jette Momant PR & Events. And of course a little plug, styling needs? E-mail me here.

Here's to a stylish & scrumptious 2012!

Turquoise and Tango

2012-01-02T06:00:00.002-06:00

So, who loves 2012's Pantone Color of the Year? Well, let me just say bright & cheerful is in this year...Tangerine Tango sounds like a Carribean resort to me. Way back ten years ago, our living room was this bold, deep hue. I'd like to think we were ahead of the times but truly, I was so fearful for my tamed eyes who just like everybody else was trapped in beige walls from one space to another {sadly, most people are still trapped in this old neutral}.

Tangerine Tango, for us common people, it's otherwise known as Red-Orange is a perfect complement to 2010's Color of the Year, Turquoise or Blue-Green. Yes, we know our Color Wheel! They work so well together {they're not called complementary colors by mistake!}. Here are some rooms to show you why & how:

Adore the color combo right? So are you ready to Tango this 2012?

It's An Urban Cottage Because...

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

It has rustic furniture and accessories paired with a modern minimalist architectural style.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

2011-12-28T06:00:00.061-06:00

This Christmas, my absolute favorite present I got was the new coffee table book of Alexander McQueen's exhibit at the Met called Savage Beauty.

The cover of Savage Beauty

The book the exhibit feature some of the most iconic pieces designed by McQueen and offer insight into the man behind these extraordinary looks. McQueen had an apprenticeship with Savile Row tailors Anderson & Shepard, and later went on to work at Givenchy. Of his time at Givenchy, McQueen said, "I learned lightness...I learned to soften..."

Looks from McQueen's Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 collection

McQueen was known for his acute sense of tailoring and tradition combined with romantic whimsy and fantasy found in all of his work.

The main image used to promote the exhibit at the Met.

He often played at controversial themes in his fashion shows, however he always turns the controversy on its head because his art is so undeniably beautiful.

Being Scottish himself, McQueen often touched on themes of loss in Scotland, as seen here in a dress from his Highland Rape collection on the left and Widows of Culloden dress on the right.

Two showstopping dresses. The first is made entirely out of razor clam shells, the second was painted on stage by robots as the finale of McQueen's No. 13 fashion show.

A collage of looks from McQueen's 2005 show It's Only A Game, where models lined up on a chessboard and fought each other like an actual game of chess.

So it's probably obvious my obsession with McQueen stretches farther back than receiving this book for Christmas! Still one of the best creative presents I've ever gotten.

See you soon :) Rachel

Twilight Wedding Love

2011-12-27T18:51:00.000-06:00

I know, I know, I know. As soon as you read the word "Twilight" you thought "I am outta here!" But give this post a chance. I'll be the first to admit I am not entirely on board the Twilight Bandwagon. The movies are entertaining, but the writing in the books is mediocre at best and Kristen Stewart is just so painfully awkward. When I went to see the latest installment, Breaking Dawn, with a girlfriend of mine, I was completely blown away by the wedding decor in the movie. It was beautiful, breathtaking, and a fairytale outdoor wedding dream.

The images I've found on the web so far do it no justice, it is beyond gorgeous in the movie. The dress, in my opinion, lacked a little. Just something about the way the front draped wasn't to my liking, but the back was beautiful without a doubt.

It also didn't hurt that all the wedding guests dressed in a coordinating palette...hmmmm, good call Twilight. I'm going to include a color palette in my future wedding invitations, so family members, you've been forewarned!

All in all, say what you will about the Twilight series, but this wedding is untouchable in my mind. Now if I can only figure out how to get the movie set designers to style my future wedding...

Repurposing Christmas Decor

2011-12-26T06:00:00.006-06:00

So Christmas has come and gone, and now you're left looking at all those holiday items you bought to decorate your home with and wishing they could hang around just a little longer. Well, before you put them up in your attic to wait for next year's holiday season, take a second to see if you can incorporate them into your every day decor.

Most of the reason certain items feel "Christmasy" or "Holiday Only" is the way we pair them. Think about it, that wonderful sparkly vase you bought to create a Christmas centerpiece , it's probably fine to use for a good chunk of the winter season. Simply switching out the Christmas ornaments you have piled in it for some stones or flowers changes it from Holiday to Any Day.

Silver and gold home accessories look great for winter decor, so as long as they aren't directly Christmas themed, it's fine to keep them up for a few more months.

Incorporating reds and greens is slightly more difficult because the mind tends to associate these colors with Christmas. However, as long as they aren't paired together and an editing eye is brought to the amount of the color in the room, they can look great as accent colors for winter decor.

But by far the easiest decor to transition from holiday to winter is BRANCHES! These beautiful (and often free!) pieces of decor can be dressed up or down to fit a season or holiday as needed. Simply add ornaments for Christmas and take them off for winter.

Holiday branches on the left transformed to winter (or even spring) branches on the right

The common element in all these transformations is simplicity. Buy pieces that allude to a holiday them but aren't directly holiday patterned or associated. Then buy little things that you can add and remove to fit the season. Let us know if you have any great winter decor transformations in mind!

See you soon :) Rachel

Twinkle

2011-12-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

Have the merriest of Christmas everyone!

It's An Urban Cottage Because...

2011-12-23T06:00:00.002-06:00

It mixes classic and rustic styling with a clean neutral palette.

Candy Shop | Big Top Candy in Austin

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

I don't eat salty or sour as much as I eat sweets. I honestly believe that the ratio of my sweet taste buds versus my salty, sour or bitter ones is 1000:1. I can do low carb and avoid the pasta in a chicken fettucine but I'll have 2 servings of tiramisu please...which of course kinda negate the low carb premise. Ok, that's me ranting about my taste buds. This post is really about this amazing candy shop in Soco. Yes, New York, you've got Soho, we've got Soco {South Congress}. Unique shops, food trailer treats and yes, sweet heaven...Big Top Candy. When you come in the shop, you will literally feel like you're in a time warp...the design is old-fashioned, the decor is vintage and everything is 1950's colorful. Oh, but everything is not sweet...

Who loves bacon? I do! Nothing like a refreshing bacon mint in the morning. Feeling a bit fancy? There's Foie Gras Bubble Gum.

There's all kinds of taffy, much like the ones you get from a General Mercantile. And, yes, old-fashioned milkshakes.

For some protein, you might wanna get some BBQ larvets or Sour Cream n Onion crickets. Yum!

Be sure to check out the shop when in Austin. And thanks to my budding photographer sister for fabulous images!