SingleBubblePop // Art + Design Inspiration Blog

happy friday

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

image found here

Hope your weekend is filled with fun & COLOR! For those that are wondering, we have a new Design Talk video coming soon! Tricea & I have both been sick this month in addition to getting back into the swing of things after the holidays, which has delayed us from filming. Hang tight!

Have a great weekend,

putting myself back into the blog

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:04:00 +0000

Hey y'all. How are you? Lately I've been feeling like I took myself out of SBP a bit. Remember when I used to share peeks into my life? I would give you my goals & progress on those goals. I practiced my drawing while showing you what I wore. I've been writing this blog for nearly 5 years; can you believe it? And it started out with just me speaking to an anonymous, invisible audience. As time went by and the blog grew, I've found myself holding back a lot. My daily posts have little to no reflection of my daily life. And that's not how I want the blog to be!

So let me reintroduce myself for 2012, because so much has changed! I'm Niki, a blogger, designer, music teacher & fashion lover. I'm still in the building phase of my company, hence, I work a part-time job to make ends meet. I teach piano AND guitar lessons now to 10 students and I adore them. Helping them discover music let's me fall in love with it even more. In between all of that, I work with web & graphic design clients from my tiny studio. I'm not working with any interior design clients right now, but I'm looking forward to new ones!

Are you tired just reading all of that? Ha! Some days I ask myself, "What are you thinking Niki? This is just too much!" But you know what? Through it all I still find the time to keep blogging. Because I love it! I'm not perfect. I miss deadlines, I sometimes do just enough to get by, and sometimes I don't do what I need to do at all. Thanks for bearing with me & I really appreciate each and every one of you. I'm vowing to put myself back into the blog, so look for more of me in the posts!

trends: do you watch them?

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

As an interior designer, it's my job to stay on top of what's hot in terms of color, pattern, shape; everything that makes decor well designed. I'm curious to know, as a consumer, do you pay attention to trends? Just like you make sure you're not wearing out of style clothes, do you take care about the trends in your home?

I just registered for High Point Market Week, so I was excited to see this video of some of my favorite designers talking about trends at the Fall 2011 market. Can't wait to be in the mix in April!

loving lace

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Get yourself some lace!

Anthropologie Lace Dolly Rug

Rebecca Minkoff Lace Shorts

SABO Skirt Lace Skirt

having a red moment

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

What is it about red that is so mesmerizing?

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happy friday! + go see Red Tails

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0000

I'm going to see Red Tails tonight and I hope you will too!! This movie means so much to me because I had the priviledge of knowing and loving a former Tuskeegee Airman named Dr. John Driver. He was such an inspiration to me & his widow, Mrs. Lavonde Driver is one of my mother's best friends till this day. To see their story illuminated on the big screen by such a dynamic producer as George Lucas is amazing!!

Have a great weekend!

jason wu for target

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:17:00 +0000

As part the Brizo Fashion Week event I'll be attending in NYC next month, I get to see Jason Wu's Fall 2012 runway show! Meanwhile, he's debuting his collaboration line for Target on February 5th. Here are a few of my favorites from the preview images.

Love this trench!!

And I would wear this Carolina blue skirt all the time...

In case you didn't know, Jason Wu rose to fame after FLOTUS Michelle Obama wore the chiffon gown he designed for the Inauguration Ball in 2009.

couture carpet

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:37:00 +0000

I'm loving these amazing textures from carpet designer Malene Barnett. Her luxurious line has expanded so much since I first blogged about her beautiful home almost 2 years ago.

Check out the rest of her line here, and see her bright, colorful home HERE.

don't be afraid!

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

image via atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com

When it comes to color mixing, it seems that many people are afraid of mixing it up. Don't be! Personally, I love to pair unexpected color combinations together. As long as the colors are similar in saturation (brightness or darkness) & tone (grey or bright) they shouldn't clash. Try mixing colors without a neutral in your wardrobe or home!

image via styleathome.com

thank you

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Thank you MLK! For making little Black girls like me believe in dreams. And showing us that you're never too young or poor or oppressed to demand & fight for what you deserve.

happy friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:40:00 +0000

Whoa! This week flew by... It'super cold her in the A today but I couldn't be happier to see Friday again. I wanted to share a photo I posted on Instagram & Facebook earlier this week with you. I write affirmations & words of encouragement on my bathroom mirror with a Sharpie to stay focused! It's so easy to do and really works for me. This weekend, try it for yourself!! And tweet me a photo, I'd love to see what you choose to write.

Until next week,

latest pins

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:15:00 +0000

Just a few of my latest Pinterest finds...

Kelly Wearstler

via Lonny Magazine

I need this skirt!

Magazine strips > sculptural art.

Roberto Cavalli... OMG!

painted love

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:32:00 +0000

Over the weekend I picked up (and dusted off) my paint brushes to take something that I'd been rolling around in my head for months onto a canvas. I actually painted over a painting I'd started last year and didn't like. I wanted something modern & fun above my bed and really large scale since I don't have a headboard yet. I'm in LOVE with this piece. Something about that segmented heart on all that bright white negative space does it for me! You can't see here but the perimeter edges of the canvas are painted back, so it gives the illusion of a frame.

I snapped a close up photo with my iPhone so you can see the heart & border...
I love that the texture of the previous painting shows through!!

Do you love it??

sarah withdrawal

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Anybody else missing Sarah Richardson on HGTV? Apparently Season 4 of Sarah's House has aired on HGTV Canada and I'm dying to see it! The videos are online but restricted to Canadian residents. Boo!! :( Here are a few clips of Sarah & Tommy talking about this season.

Did you catch the clips of those beautiful rooms? If not, don't worry... I did it for you!

So HGTV.... when can we see all this fabulousness on our TV screens in the states??

follow me!

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:22:00 +0000

Are you on Instagram? I'm addicted to this photo app! I think I may check it more than Twitter & Facebook because everyone I follow posts beautiful and fun pictures. It's a great way to show a peek into your life without giving too much away. Follow me to see what I'm up to when I'm not posting on the blog. Here are a few of my favorites from the last month:

My outfit yesterday; herringbone, stripes & cheetah!

My baby cousin Amaya & I chatting it up on Christmas with Raven (the poodle).

Jennine from The Coveted posted this funny pic from my old stomping grounds in Florence, Italy!

And currently I'm doing the #janphotoaday challenge - posting a photo each day according to this list!

TIP: If you can't get enough of it on your iPhone/iPad, you can view your feed, like & make comments at www.ink361.com!

Hope you're having a relaxing Sunday!

happy friday + BIG NEWS

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:35:00 +0000

photo source
This morning I tried to sleep in, as I've been fighting off a nasty cold all week. My voice is sounding froggy and I hoped that a couple extra hours would help alleviate my DMX-esque sound. BUT, I was too excited about the day and this awesome news I have to share to stay in bed!!

Next month, I'll be in NYC for three daysand I'm so pumped about it! Brizo, the faucet brand for the fashion forward, invited me to New York to see its newest products and attend an exclusive design-focused event during Fashion Week. It's always been a dream of mine to attend Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and I'm thrilled that Brizo has included me in their fab event. I'll be attending Jason Wu's Fall 2012 runway show, and spending 3 days networking with other designers, bloggers & architects. I hope that I can connect with some of my NYC friends and family too while I'm there! Needless to say, this is an unbelievable opportunity that I'm so thankful for. Of course, I'll be sharing more details about it as the event nears, and tons of photos while I"m there! Now what am I going to wear??

Have a great weekend y'all!!

Disclaimer: As a guest of Brizo, my airfare and travel expenses have been/will be comped.

baby it's cold outside

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0000

The temperature has dipped below freezing here in Atlanta and one of the things I don't like about living in my tiny studio is NOT having a fireplace. Nothing is better than the crackle and pop of a wood burning fireplace, in my opinion, and I certainly miss it! I actually create a makeshift "fireplace" with candles at the center of my living area at night. It doesn't warm the place in temperature but it definitely makes me FEEL good.

My little faux fireplace

While snuggling under my blankets last night I was thinking about what my ideal fireplace would be. I found some great examples of contemporary & transitional styles that I LOVE on Houzz.com.

contemporary living room design by dallas interior designer Abbe Fenimore Studio Ten 25

Love the airy feel of this contemporary fireplace!

mediterranean bathroom design by austin architect Cornerstone Group Architects

Who wouldn't want a fireplace next to their garden tub?

modern living room design by san francisco general contractor Camber Construction

My dream house has a two sided fireplace, and the mosaic tiles around this one are so chic.

contemporary living room design by austin general contractor Four Corners Construction, L.P.

And lastly, I LOVE the chimney design in this modern home. Not sure what the material is surrounding it but it looks like leather...

Hope you're staying warm where ever you are!

all photos via houzz.com

about those resolutions....

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:44:00 +0000

Do you make them? Do you keep them? A lot of people have been chatting about it on Twitter & Facebook this week... I, for one, don't necessarily wait to the beginning of the new year to write down goals, but I do have a bi-annual tradition of updating my vision board! Right now I'm filling a bulletin board with words and images representing the things I want to focus on for the first 6 months of 2012. Check out this infographic on the reality of New Year's resolutions.

infographic via Vashtie's blog

What about you? I'd love to hear some of your resolutions or lack there of...

hotness

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0000

image source

How fierce is this girl? Despite the fact that she has a perfect face, those sequins just jump out at me and I LOVE her nail color. The cool periwinkle blue could be a really chic wall color for a cosmopolitan style living room. This design features furniture from ZGallerie, Mythic Paint & Nicole Miller throw pillows!

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happy new year!

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:17:00 +0000

photo by kelly johnston source

Whoa! It's a new year. I hope you all enjoyed your holidays with lots of food, fun & family. I sure did! I'm so looking forward to all that 2012 has in store and I can't wait to share some of it with you. THANK YOU to every single of one of you who keep reading.

Here's to another great year!

tips for your Christmas table decor

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

I'm so excited to actually be able to spend Christmas day with my family this year & have some great food! My dream would be to host them all at my place, with a beautifully decorated table large enough to fit all of us. I found these great examples of elegant & fun Christmas tables on Pinterest and thought I'd give you some tips on how to recreate the looks!

TIP #1 Pull furniture from other rooms to create more seating! Everybody knows that when you're hosting dinner unexpected guests show up. Be prepared & at the same time create a beautiful layered look by using ottomans & chairs from other rooms.

TIP #2 Use what you have! No table cloth? That's ok! Use whatever fabric you have to create a table runner & embellish it with a holiday ornament or berry twigs as seen here.

TIP #3 Repetition makes perfect! It's not always about the grandest decorations. Sometimes using a simple classic piece multiple times can create a greater look!

TIP #4 Bring some nature in! Snip some branches off your live tree & use a sliced tree branch to add a fresh look AND aroma to your table.

TIP #5 Choose one color! It's really hard to make multi color holiday decor look chic. If you choose one color, be it red, green, purple or even gold, it looks 10 times more modern.

TIP #6 And lastly, choose a theme! In the case above, the theme was circles. You can do stars, trees, wreaths, anything! As long as they are all similar in shape & color, it will look awesome!

Hope these tips help! I'd love to see photos of your holiday decor. Send them to me via Twitter or post them on the SBP Facebook page!

home sweet home

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:22:00 +0000

I hit the road this weekend to attend my sister's graduation in North Carolina. Now I'm sitting at my favorite local coffee shop where it feels like I'm worlds away from Atlanta. Sometimes I miss this small town atmosphere where the baristas aren't called baristas, they remember your face even though it's been months, and strangers share tables as they enjoy reasonably priced coffee. Hope your week it starting off great!

happy friday + techie christmas list!

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:56:00 +0000

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Oh it's so close! Are you done with your holiday shopping? I know I'm not! I'm so glad it's Friday though because I'm headed out to NC for a WEEK tomorrow morning. (If only I can get all my work done today!) Hope you enjoy this list of a few things I know any techie would love.

have you been naughty or nice!?

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 23:17:00 +0000

You all know that i had to move this summer & finding aplace within my budget with all the thigns i wanted was such a task!! Thank God for resources like Homes.com & Forrent.com to help you narrow down the ridiculous amount of choices out there. Now, the team at these two awesome sites wants to know if you've been a good or bad one this year. LIKE their Facebook pages, tell them all about it and you could win $2,500!

The contest is "Have You Been Naughty or Nice? Well, we're not here to judge! Like Homes.com & ForRent.com for a chance to win!

How to Enter to Win the $2,500 Grand Prize:

1. “Like” ForRent.com on Facebook and fill out the entry form located on the Naughty or Nice tab on the left side under their profile picture.
2. While filling out the form refer the contest to friends using the “refer a friend” option. Referring your friends increases your chances of winning.
3. Follow @aptsforrent on twitter

Good Luck everyone! Contest ends at 12pm EST on December 16, 2011. Grand prize winner
will be emailed and announced on Facebook!

ForRent.com has paid me to review their holiday contest and offer my opinion. I only recommend companies or services I believe my readers will enjoy.

christmas book wishlist!

noreply@blogger.com (Niki McNeill) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:14:00 +0000

Honestly, I never really believed in Santa Clause. The whole idea didn't make sense to me! I knew my parents provided everything I wanted and needed, and Christmas was about Jesus.... so where did this chubby Caucasian man come into play?? With that thought process as a child, I would spend HOURS creating Christmas lists for my mom each year. Way before blogging, I'd copy & paste pictures into Microsoft Word and email them to her with prices and where to purchase.

So! This year I decided to do a few wishlists for those that are still shopping and looking for ideas!! (Or want to buy me something ;-)) First up: books for the design enthusiast

Any design lover will LOVE one of these for their coffee table collection.
Domino: The Book of Decorating. Live, Love & Decorate. Black & White . Hue.JA on Happy Chic Colors. Design Sponge at Home

Stay tuned for more wishlists this week!