Southern Home - May/June 2018 

We are thrilled to be able to share this fabulous home with you that we worked on from the ground up in Gadsden, Alabama!  The clients were so easy and fun to work with -we not only designed a beautiful home for them but built a relationship that Talena and I absolutely cherish. That is one of the greatest aspects of our business. It's important to connect with your designer so your home can reflect you.

...Of course the outcome of this fabulous home was a huge bonus!  

We were fortunate enough to have this home featured in Southern Home magazine for the May/June issue.

Rett Peek is the amazing photographer 

Just a peek into the feature! 

Lets start from the beginning... with the Foyer

Foyer peeking into The Study

We had custom Iron railing through out the house that was done by Red Mountain Ironworks ... Just look how it creates that extra layer.. 

Foyer during construction

Foyer during Install 

We added a finish to this Currey & Co. Chancellor Chandelier for the foyer. It was so hard to find a larger scale fixture but this one was a perfect fit. 

Foyer Chandelier 

Looking into the Formal living from the Foyer 

Stepping into the Study / Nursery 

Study 

The home owner knew she wanted a herringbone wood floor in the study.  The floor people did an amazing job with the cuts. This is authentic reclaimed wood floor is absolutely fabulous! 

Thought we would share some other inspiration we've seen with beautiful unique wood floors. This detail can be used in a small space or larger area of your home - either way it will make a huge impact. 

Image via Things That Inspire Me... Flooring by: Olde Savannah Flooring

Image Via Things That Inspire Me... Photo By:  Blayne Beacham, from a home listed by Beacham & Company REALTORS.

Image Via Laurel Home .... Nicolas Buisson Photography - Interiors - L'Hotel des Tailles

Chevron on left - Herringbone on right 

Because of its warmth, beauty and timeless quality wood has long been the material of choice not only for floors…But walls as well, We love the character it can add to your walls and so decided to incorporate this element into the Gadsden Study.  It was the icing on the cake! 

Paneled walls & Finishes...

Image Via Trouvais French Interiors ... Nest Déco Spécial magazine - Belgian Villa Rozenhout 

We loved the idea of using this one of a kind paneling like in the Belgian Villa Rozenhout .. what an absolutely fabulous mansion with so much detail its hard to not be inspired. Trish at Trouvais did a whole post on this treasure if you're interested in digging a little further. 

Image Via Segreto Style 

The Study Finish 

When we were looking at finishes this Segreto Style cover was one of the first things I gravitated towards. 

Image Via Lefevre Interiors

Image Via Lefevre Interiors

 My long time friend and fellow blogger Greet Lefèvre of Lefevre Interiors  has such a beautiful home which also inspired this room. 

Study Mantel completed

This mantel was one of the key pieces in the Study. The contractor hand cut each brick and used a sloppy mortar joint to replicate antique brick. 

After a lot of looking for antique mantels that were never the right size - you wont believe I found this one from Wayfair that we refinish in a wonderful Mahogany/Walnut blend stain. 

The Deauville Fireplace Mantel Surround from Wayfair:Click to shop

Fabric Options / Trim Options for Study draperies

Study Draperies completed

The Draperies were one of the things in this space that we wanted to keep soft and classic. Talena found these beautiful fabrics and tapes from Brimar. They hang so beautifully in the study! 

Escaping into the Formal Living 

Formal Living Room - Iron Coffee Table by Iron Paws

There's so much work that goes into every project - just these shelves alone were a task.

Formal Living Room during Install 

Lets start Brainstorming ideas for the Mantel ...

Our client wanted a grand limestone fireplace with over mantel. They had been shopping vendors in Atlanta for custom new pieces. My research led me to Tony with Ancient Surfaces out of New York. He became an important resource for this home. He not only supplied the living room mantel but we worked with him on the kitchen hood, carved sinks for the powder room, butler pantry and ancient stone for around the pool, all patios, and driveway. 

The mantel in the living room was hand carved in Europe and a copy of an older piece in their inventory. 

Formal Living Room

Next for the built-ins from beginning to end we wanted bookcases filled with beautiful antique books and little else. We hand selected over 1,500 antique leather books to fill the shelves.   

I found an antique crown from Reborn Relics in Little Rock and had them make the mold for two matching pieces to build into the top of the book cases. 

Aric and his team with Phinality Design from Little Rock created the perfect finish to complete the look.

Formal Living Room 

Below: I just loved this gorgeous mantel...  I've done a lot of  work with Antique Surfaces and this mantel looks just like the one I envisioned.. it couldn't be more perfect for this space. 

Image via Antique Surfaces

Formal Living Room during construction

Inspiration.... 

Image via 'tAchterhuis Historische Bouwmaterialen

What's more beautiful than a well done Coffered ceiling? I mean just looking at it during the building/painting phases is hard not to get excited...! Once again ...Aric and his team did a fabulous job - that's why we love working with him.. he truly is the best. 

Formal Living Room during construction

Formal Living Room during construction 

Formal Living Room 

Formal Living room TITAN CHANDELIER from Currey & Co . 

Perfect size and scale - We changed the finish to a beautiful gold. 

Getting to the fabrics and furnishings for the Formal Living... 

Formal Living - Antique Pier Mirror and Console from Eloquence  , Custom Ottomans

We wanted to find some special pieces for this space... Antique Console, Mirror, Corbels finished it perfectly

Drapes in Formal Living 

Theodore Alexander Sofa in Stout Fabric , Brimar Trim pillow

We added trim detailing to the sofa pillows.. 

Entry table from Bliss Studio

More to come.... Breakfast, Hearth, Kitchen... cant wait! 

It's your turn! Lets talk! 

Breakfast room Looking into The Formal Living Room 

Credits:

Architecture - Adam Little of Frusterio Design Group

Construction - Jim Simpson of Simpson Construction Company

Iron railing through out the house -  Red Mountain Ironworks

Landscape Design - Bob Elam of Environmental Design

Wall Color Throughout the Home is "Alabaster" by Sherwin Williams with custom glaze

Decorative paint throughout home - Phinality Designs

Rugs - Martinous Oriental Rug Co. 

Kitchen Cabinetry - Cantley & Company

Stove - ILVE 

Living Room Sofas  - Theodore Alexander upholstered in a Stout fabric

May/ June 2018

French Connection 

 Living Room - After  

We are already into summer and we can't be more excited with how our spring turned out! 

So much can change when you stop blogging it's always fun to share all of our new updates. 

We've had three published features this May/June in Southern Home, Southern Lady and At Home in Arkansas.

Let me start by sharing with you a more transitional space we did for a modern male client that was featured in the Before & After issue of At Home in Arkansas

This client is a father of 4 and originally wanted to build a home. He ended up finding this house - which was more traditional than he was used to but we knew we could incorporate his love for modern without completely taking away from the actual form of the house.  

Lets start with the Living Room....

Living Room - Before 

Living Room - Before 

Living Room - Before 

We had to get away from the heavy browns and reds..

We opted to install the same darker hardwood floor through out the home(Other than bathrooms) - Replacing the multiple materials that had been used. 

Kitchen - Before 

Dining - Before 

Breakfast Room - Before 

We decided to use the same fresh "White Dove" Paint everywhere. Which complimented the new dark hardwoods beautifully. 

Kitchen, Breakfast Room, and Dining - After 

Master Bedroom - Before 

Outdoor sitting - Before 

The Master Bedroom had a metal 4 poster bed which visually made the walls look a lot shorter ... We went with an upolstered headboard to soften the space and create a soothing retreate. 

Master Bedroom, Outdoor Sitting, Kids Room - After 

Originally The Master Bedroom didn't have the new bedding and while we were getting ready to do the shoot we put it together really quickly. Don't you love when it just works out? We sure do..  The client ended up keeping it so that was the cherry on top! 

At Home

Before & After issue  MAY 2018

We can't wait to share all of our other features! Look for our upcoming blog posts to see them!

What do you think of this before and after? 

It's your turn. Lets talk! 

 Oh how we have missed blogging and connecting with you guys...

There has been no such thing as lazy days of Summer for the Sisters...Our season started out pretty rough when Talena's husband was diagnosed with cellulitis Memorial Day weekend.  He was in and out of the hospital and it was touch and go for weeks. He is just now able to get back to work on a limited basis.  

Here he is on his birthday a few weeks ago when he still had to drag the wound vac around with him.  

We are working on seven from the ground up projects right now...All different styles.  So much fun but we really have to keep our heads in the game.  

Every single day is dedicated to tending the numerous details required to complete our Gadsden  Alabama project.  The installation is scheduled for September...

Words can't begin to express our gratitude for being the chosen designers for this incredible home.  These are the absolute best clients you could ever work with and together we have created a very special place for them to raise their family.

Won't they have fun preparing Sunday Suppers in this fabulous kitchen?  I'm in love with the reclaimed top on the island.

I hope you follow us on Instagram.  We post several times a day whats happening on our job sites and in the store.  Search #gadsdenproject for lots of images chronicaliing this project in Gadsden, Alabama.   

We couldn't be happier with our move and our store is doing great!  We have been so thrilled with the number of blog followers that have traveled to Arkansas just to come and shop with us.  You are all invited and we hope to meet even more of you in person.  

We have added a "shop the look" feature to our site.  If you've not visited for a while be sure and check it out.  You can click here to view.  

Sister and I have been on the low carb train as of late but have certainly not been starving ourselves...Sunday Suppers have always been our most popular posts and we have some catching up to do.   We have some really good new low carb recipes to share.  

This weekend I made a delicious chicken and veggie casserole that we always enjoy for breakfast lunch or dinner.  

The Recipe

One cup diced cooked chicken (I added a bit more)

4 ozs sliced fresh mushrooms

3 green onions chopped

1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese (I added  a bit more)

1 can diced green chilis

1/2 cup mayo

6 eggs

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp of ground cumin

Mix together all ingredients and pour into a casserole dish.  Top with grated parmesan cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until starting to brown and bubbly.

Yum!!!

For dinner I added a chopped romaine and blue cheese salad.  Was out of tomatoes.  The plate would have been much prettier with that spot of color.  Ha!

And one last update...Luci is doing great.  She was diagnosed with liver shunt and will have surgery in October...but for now she is on medications and running around and playing and making our world a better place.  

It's going to be a very busy week so I had better get back to some of those lists.  

Until next time...It's your turn.  Let's talk!

Blush Pink is popping up more and more. It seems like every new magazine we look through, or every time we open Pintrest we are seeing this awesome color, and it has us so inspired. 

When we came across these blush pink pillows we new we had to design an entire vignette around them, they are that pretty!

As you may have noticed we have gone through a complete website overhaul, and expanded our online store. It is still a work in progress but we are so proud of it and excited to be able to offer some of our favorite things online!

One of the new features of the website is our Get the Look page. A new one will happen every three weeks and it allows us to bring a completed vignette from our store or clients house "to life" online where you will see the photos, get a little bit of a glimpse as to what was in our heads and why we chose certain pieces, as well as being able to shop each look!

Check out our newest Get The Look for details on the above Blush Pink vignette, as well as being able to shop the look. Let us know your thoughts on this new feature as well, and if you haven't checked out the new items in our online shop swing by there. New pieces being uploaded all the time!

It's your turn. Lets talk! 

Lot's of work going on in Alabama...Exterior lighting is being installed...it reflects beautifully off the water at night. 

Just completed the finish on the garage doors... gas lights to be installed next.

Beautiful coffered ceiling being finished to match the reclaimed hardwood floors...

Ancient stone arrived from Europe and they have begun installing the back patios.  This stone will grace the driveway all porches and around the pool.  It is simply gorgeous...

Cabinets are being installed...

Interior tile being laid...

Sinks installed...

And so so much more to do.  Keep coming back.  We will keep you posted.  

It's your turn.  Let's talk!

Hands down this is the most popular light fixture we have ever carried.  The Park Hill Savannah pendant.  It has a rusted iron finish and four candle bulbs.  At 24" round it is perfect over a casual breakfast table or place two over an island .  This fixture would work in a foyer or rustic powder bath. Place it in a small living area or also perfect for a boys bedroom.  Priced at just $595 plus shipping it's a really versatile fixture...

Click here to view the details in our online store.  

It's going to be a busy week!

It's Your Turn.  Let's Talk!

We are so excited...Tomorrow Thursday May 5th from 11-4

 we will have G. Spinelli in the store with all kinds of new wonderful designs for Spring.

Please join us for this fabulous Trunk Show Event.  

If you can't come in you can still shop our online site to order 

G. Spinelli Designs with Free Shipping!

In fact you can start shopping online today!

We don't want you to miss a thing...So tomorrow we will be taking pictures of the most outstanding new pieces of jewelry and posting them here on the blog...Instagram...and Facebook.

Just because you live out of town doesn't mean you have to miss this event.

Treat yourself!

Click here to start shopping now!

Ok it's the first post in our Behind the Design series.  I think you will like it...We are going to start sharing with you what really goes on behind the scenes.  Little snippets at a time.  

We haven't had the time to do any updates on our Alabama project here on the blog.  If you don't follow us on Facebook or Instagram you should.  We post several images daily because it doesn't take much time...

The image above is the back of the house.  Can you imagine?  So beautiful.

So...We have an awesome hearth room off the kitchen that has absolutely no place to put the television but above the mantel...

We are still under construction...here is the room...

So you are getting our drift...no wall for a television...

So above the fireplace it has to go...

And then...we found this awesome piece and suddenly it didn't matter.  

The minute we saw this piece it was love at first site.  So the wheels start turning...where can we use this?

And yes , but of course above the mantel...

Started drawing...I'm not an artist , so don't laugh...

Try to visualize this...the television will be mounted pretty close to the hearth because it will be fairly tall in a room with such tall ceilings.  We will recess the tv into the sheetrock.  Will have to cut and block a few studs.  But then the tv is close to flush with the wall and not sticking out very much.  We do this all the time.  A much prettier installation than just hanging on the wall.  

Then we will install hinged panels over the television to hide it when not viewing.  The image below is a good visual of how that will look and function...

Image via amyhowarddaily.com

Is that not awesome...???

Keep that visual because we will as I've drawn...incorporate the old architectural fragment above that piece with panels behind it as well and finish with crown at the top.  

Will be like a complete wood overmantel...just as you see limestone over mantel over stone fireplaces.  

Are you getting it?

A template of the old fragment on the wall so we can figure out all the dimensions and size of television...

Our faux artist will finish the entire thing to look exactly like the old fragment.  

Going to be fabulous!! We can't wait to share it with you when its completed.   

What do you think?

It's your turn.  Let's talk!

It's been a busy weekend in the garden...I love this time of year and have been just dying to get my hands in some dirt...

Excited to finally get the statue above moved from our old house to this one.  Had the perfect spot for her.  

It's hard to believe how much our landscape has grown and matured...

Planted boxwood, ivy, maiden hair fern and white caladiums in the planters on either side of my front door.  

Added pink blooms on the back porch.  

I have a few more pots to plant...It's nice when the landscape gets to the point that not as many annuals are needed because I truly don't have the time to care for them.  

Do you follow us on Instagram?  If you don't you should...We post pics daily of all that we are doing so you get to see a lot of stuff that never makes it to the blog.  We love Instagram and are inspired by the images posted there daily.  

It's where I got the idea for my One Pot Pasta...

I actually follow One Pot Pasta on Instagram...

This was really our Saturday Supper after working in the yard all day.  

Here is what I did...

Sauteed sliced chicken breast in olive oil with Cavenders seasoning and removed from the pan.  

Broke enough whole wheat thin spaghetti in half for 4 servings and put in the pan that the chicken was cooked in.  .

I added around a cup of  halved grape tomatoes, 2 cups of baby spinach, 1/2 sliced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, a cup of fresh sliced mushrooms,a hand full of fresh torn  basil, a teaspoon of red pepper flakes,and a bit of fresh oregano.  I drizzled a couple tablespoons of olive oil over everything and then covered almost completely with chicken broth.  

Brought the entire thing to a boil for around 8 minutes or until the pasta was cooked eldente.  Then turned down to low...added a bit more spinach just to wilt...salt, pepper and grated parmesan cheese.  

It was awesome...

So tasty!  Going to be Sunday Supper leftovers!

You could literally throw anything in this pot...Change up the pasta...add capers, red or yellow bell pepper, black olives...asparagus...

And only one pot to clean...My kind of Sunday Supper!

It's your turn.  Let's talk!

Spring has definitely sprung at Providence.  These gorgeous silk impatiens look soooo real.  

They come in three colors...white, red and fuchsia.

They are going fast...come see us today.  

Completely crazy I know that it is almost May and we are just now blogging about our March feature in At Home in Arkansas.  

But better late than never.  I'm just happy that we are this busy.  And since we are so tardy on this you are in for a real treat...because I have additional images to show you of this house.  

First we worked with this client a while back on the interior and the renovation was featured in AY Magazine.  You can click here to see that post title Pretty in Pink.   Its a real fun before and after.  It's indicative of what we are doing every day...getting the brown out.  We call it de-browning Little Rock.  Making things fresh and lighter.  

An after shot...you can see the prior post for all before and afters...

The renovation of this yard actually started last Spring and was completed early Summer.  The photo shoot was in July.  And man was it hot.  I should have saved some of our soggy selfie images.  Not pretty.  

This particular client is a real gem.  She is very creative and talented herself.  In fact I could do a blog post on that topic alone.  Penny is one of the few who hires a design team that could absolutely do her home herself and it would be fabulous. But she is smarter than that.  Se chooses to assemble a team of creatives because she knows that in the end it will be even better.  

She enjoys the collaboration and values what everyone contributes to the project.  She is a wonderful client and even better friend.  That's what we've all become as a result of working together.  

OK..On with the pretty pictures...

Just going to give you a little more info and then you can just enjoy scrolling through without a lot of commentary.  That's what I really love to do. 

The pool needed a new liner...and Penny loves to entertain so what better time to build a pergola...re-landscape the entire back yard...build a new grill area and tear out the coy pond and go for a simple fountain.

Her home was origianlly rustic and we have been Europeanizing it if that is a word.  Lol.

Enjoy the tour...

Penny really enjoys her back yard...can't you tell?

We designed the back yard for both intimate parties and large crowds and to be enjoyed through the seasons...

This past Fall with dear friends...

So beautiful in January...

And then fresh and ready again for this Spring...

It's going to be a fun Spring and Summer in this back yard.  

It's your turn.  Let's talk.

Don't forget to Shop Online while you are here.  Loading more items daily.  

The sisters have been crazy busy every since the day we picked up these keys...

What a whirl wind it has been opening the new store...and by the way things are going great at the store.  Please stop by if you haven't already.  It's so pretty.  Things are moving quickly so we are doing fresh vignettes weekly.  This wall has changed like 4 or 5 times already.  

Lot's of fun design projects going.  We are starting a new post series "Behind the Design".  I'm working on a post that will publish this week for a great design to hide the television above the mantel.  You wont want to miss this post.  

We launched a new online store on Friday.  Click here if you missed that post.  The online shop is a real work in progress.  We had a few hiccups with the launch on Friday so not as much product to begin with as we thought...But getting re-loaded this week.  

We were on the cover of At Home in Arkansas in March with a huge feature and we still haven't blogged about it.  Really???

Something is really wrong with this picture...So again, stay tuned this week.  the post with all of the details is coming  

But right now I know your hungry.  We are too.  

Haven't tried it yet but this recipe from Martha Stewart is on the list...

Balsamic Skirt Steak with Polenta and Tomatoes.

Well Yum!!!

Image via MarthaStewart.com

Make it

Ingredients

Gluten free

Meat

• 2 cut into pieces 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak

Produce

• 2 pints Grape tomatoes
• 6 Scallions

Condiments

• 1 cup Balsamic vinegar

Baking & Spices

• 1 cup Cornmeal, yellow
• 1 Salt and ground pepper, Coarse

Oils & Vinegars

• 2 tbsp Olive oil

Dairy

• 1 tbsp Butter
• 1/4 cup Parmesan

If you get a chance to make this before I do email me...Would love to hear your thoughts.

It's your turn.  Let's talk!

The Sisters don't stand in one place long.  Every design project we take on is different and deserves a life of it's own.  

We feel the same way about our Retail store and online presence.  Our staff works tirelessly to help us find unique and one of a kind merchandise.  It's a real balancing act to offer all price points...From the very affordable to the higher end.

We are dedicated to creating beautiful but livable homes for our design clients. That same passion carries over into our stores both brick and mortar and online.  We love creating awesome vignettes that both encourage and inspire our clients and our customers own creativity.  

So it is with great pride that we launch our completely re-designed online shop today filled with beautiful new product at a variety of price points.  This is a work in progress.  Our goal is a well curated mix of Antique, Vintage and New.  It's the perfect mix for every home.  

We're continuing to research new items for the shop.  Unlike some other online stores we will not load complete manufacturers catalogs on to the site.  We will hand pick the items we choose to sell...just like we do for our clients homes.  

Some items can be found elsewhere while others are Providence Design exclusives.  We are currently collaborating with a couple of vendors and welcome inquiries from creative artisans.

We've added a new gift category to our site.  We will be adding lots of unique gifts in the future but for the opening we are debuting Southern jewelry designer G.Spinelli.. Her designs are sought after all over the country and we are thrilled to represent her line.  She designs both one of a kind pieces from found objects and others with a vintage look.  

Original art will be part of our new offering...

Take some time to scroll through the shop...

Call or email with any questions...And be sure to subscribe to our site if you haven't already, because this is just the beginning.  

Our one of a kind category will launch very soon.

We plan to design rooms that you can shop that have been curated by Providence Design.  Making it easy for you to "get the look" on your own.  

There will be over lap but we will have different product in our Retail store that may not be found online and visa versa...so our staff is more than happy to take your calls and emails to help you find just the right piece that you are searching for.  

A huge thank you to our own Christin Mullens who has researched and cropped and written descriptions for every single item.  You are amazing and we appreciate your strong work ethic and dedication to this project.  Today is your day to celebrate!

Click here to go directly to the shop.  

And you know we will be anxious to hear your thoughts.

It's your turn.  Let's talk!

All images via Providence Design