Shelter Loves...

Hi! It's been a long week..I've had lots going on and needed a little bit of a mental break from blogging. I think it's important to unplug and recharge once in a while.

I'm in a somewhat neutral mood today. Here's what I'm loving! Have a wonderful weekend. I am off to dinner on the beach with five kids!

1. The huge Nordstrom sale ends in three days! They have some great Fall boots on sale. These would compliment an array of outfits and now is the time to snap them up. Buy them here.
2. I ADORE Chloe bags. This one is also part of the sale. It's hard to find camel bags, this one is fabulous....
3. My new office location is changing. I'm not setting up shop with Matty anymore, I've decided I would prefer my own working space.... I do however have a lead on a little space in town! I will be sure to keep you posted. I enjoyed this entire tour of Marysia Reeve's home! I love how clean, warm and neutral this space is.
4. Little leather jackets are a go to for me when the weather gets cooler. I'm loving the color of this pretty bomber.
5. Have faith.......
6. When I'm tired and need comfort, the first place I usually head to is my bed. This bedroom is so inviting and pretty. The pillow is available here. 
7. I usually gain a few pounds in the winter and drop a few in the summer. It's been 90+ all week...I don't have much of an appetite when it's hot out. I could survive on yogurt, water and fruit! This layered ice cream cake is beautiful.

Shelter Loves (a rare Monday edition)

HELLO, HELLO. I am back! I ended up getting struck down by that damn stomach bug on Thursday. So I honestly could barely get out of bed on Friday. What's worse than "that" bug? I say not much! It's been kicking my butt since I was a kid......

Here is what is making me happy today!! Cheers to a fabulous week. I could certainly use one, how about you!?

1. Have I mentioned I live for the beach? Pretty much everything about it is my therapy. The water warms up here in August, so I am looking forward to going swimming. (this is not me ;)
2. And this suit?? Kiini is the label and Ipek Irgit is the designer.
3/5  Lee Kleinhelter does it again!! Her new amazing home is featured in this month's Atlanta Home's magazine. Look how fabulous her closet is!!! Wonderful job Lee! I also adore her store Pieces too. ( I wish my bedroom looked as chic as her daughters)
4.  This is pretty much a staple look for me. I would however like to know where this shirt is from. I like how the sleeves stopped the stripes 3/4 of the way up.
6. So True! (I'm gonna bold this one)
7. Isn't this a pretty little number??

Talking rattan

rat·tan

rəˈtan/

noun

1. 1.

   the thin pliable stems of a palm, used to make furniture.
2. 2.

   the tropical Old World climbing palm that yields rattan, with long, spiny, jointed stems.

source

Rattan furniture comes in an array of shapes and sizes. My parents have a rattan sofa in their basement that I plan to use on my three season porch. All it needs is a set of cushions and it will be ready to go! I love the look in a room of the natural textured palm mixed with painted pieces and a dose of color on accessories. There are both vintage and new pieces available to purchase. One of my favorite sites for vintage rattan is Circa Who. Serena and Lily introduced this beautiful sofa to their line this Summer. Find it here. 

Insta-Peek

Holla!

I wanted to share some bits with you today! Here's my insta-Wednesday of the week! All the details are below! xx

1. I've been working on a great job with a fabulous client for quite some time (Buckminster project - large jobs don't happen over night ;) ). Here is a little peek of the family room. It's basically done but I don't want to spoil the fun until I have it professionally photographed...(which should be happening this Fall). I'm loving the striped rug and the Danish chairs together. I had the cushions covered in a pale aqua felted wool..It's yummy. I also have another pair of pillows on the way for the sofa and a camel or grey leather chair to add to this room. We re-vamped the entire space. I don't divulge all the sources out of respect to my client.
2. This room is almost done. I have a pair of gorgeous lamps on order to place on top of this and another table. I had this rafia table custom built because I just could not find what I needed! I'm loving the texture and can't wait to style this room. The light blue octagonal table is also a custom design. Feel free to inbox me for pricing or to have a special piece designed for your home. We love custom furniture here at Shelter. 
3. A peek of me lounging in my new bathing suit and sun hat! Similar bathing suit here. 
4. I went boating with my parents and kids last evening. I love this time of year and try to soak as much of it up as possible.  This photo was taken of an area known as "the spit". It is the view my parents see from their home and I appreciate every minute I spend in that area. Being on the water is so therapeutic.
5. I finally broke down and bought Birkenstocks. I was never really into them but I kept thinking about the white ones and how practical they are plus they look really cute they with white jeans and a little tank. Purchase them here, they are comfy but need a little break in time! I am also so happy with my new crushed shell walk ways!!

Pool Days.....

If I ever move from this house, my next home will have a pool! (a girl can dream)

We spent the day yesterday at Matty's parent's pool. Be it a pool or the ocean, there is nothing more refreshing than a dip in the water on a muggy, hot day. Today, is a different story than yesterday.... I am working from home with another child (poor girlie) with the stomach bug!!  I only have ac in the bedroom so I'm taking the opportunity to dream with this post! These images combine what my dream pool would look like. Aerin Lauder's entire property is of course drop dead gorgeous. I would however like some kind od tasteful surround around my "dream" pool. I hope you enjoy this escape as much as I did! Keep cool + always dream! xx

This pool house is perfection!!

I love the idea of boxwoods and comfy furniture around the pool! A blue and white scheme and stripes would also be my choice!

I love a clean lined pool with a simple surround.

Shelter Loves

I'm always pretty happy to see Friday roll around! It was a busy week and yesterday my poor son had the stomach bug...so I spent the night scouring my house. 

I've got a number of cool projects happening on the design front, so I've been focusing lots on those. Here is what caught my eye this week!!

1. I love Amber Interiors work. She beautifully transforms dated, dark and in this case a man cave to wonderful, bright and open spaces. Check out her latest inspo here. I adore this entire project. I especially was drawn to the children's bedrooms. They are perfect. I love color balanced with neutrals. This image beautifully balances both. Amber also sells amazing finds on her website here.
2. A pillow from Amber's site. Most of her pillows are made from vintage textiles. I'm a big fan of this look!
3. Nordstrom's huge anniversary sale is going on now. Don't miss out on all the goodies and pre-Fall merchandise before they sell out!! I love this bag, it's a great price!
4. Very True.
5. I adore an all white look during the summer months. The scarf adds the perfect finishing touch. (how cool is the floor?)
6. Pretty stacked bracelets are perfect everyday staples. They are also on sale!
7. I'm working with a lovely client and we've been communicating quite a bit about her window choices. The final choice made was black windows with minimal details. I can't wait to see them installed. They will look very much like these! I may personally choose different furniture for this space but isn't this kitchen fabulous? via Ann Decker Architects

Have a perfect weekend!

Arranging vignettes: Do you know your design letters?

 Are you challenged when it comes to arranging  accessories? Do you look at details in  decorating magazines and marvel at how everything  looks just right? Many people think the final touches are the most difficult part of home decor, but they don't have to be.  There are all kinds of tips and tricks of the trade. 

One of the simplest design tips I can offer is the use  of  letter formations to organize interesting accessory vignettes. I'm calling on my background in visual art and floral arrangement to offer you this advice.  Other decorators may have different ways of describing their approach. 

The most useful letters for designing vignettes are ....  A, V,  O, C, L, and M.  

Here goes...

A

Niche Interiors

This is a very tight A line of design.  The visual height is always through the middle and the base is wider, but the bottom width can vary.  My eye wants to see something slightly taller than the dish - a sphere  would be lovely here. Perhaps the owner is like me,  always looking for just the right object to finish a room.

source

Another A with a tall vertical.  Because this is a monochromatic scheme the overall A shape is more evident.  Are you noticing how the height is usually a piece of art?  It  could also be a sculpture, a mirror,  a  tall vase of twigs or flowers or photos hung on the wall.  The base can also  be much wider and the height much less than these examples. 

V 

source 

 

The reverse of A is V. In a V the lowest point is usually in the middle of the arrangement.  Sometimes thinking about it as a check mark is helpful because one side is usually taller and one is shorter.  A V line of design doesn't  have the height through the middle that an A line of design does. Sometimes only these two shapes are presented in vignette discussions, but there are so many more ways to think about it.  

C

 Lucid Interior Design Inc.

source 

 You don't often find C lines of design and they are the most obvious when there's only one object banked by something that is circular as with the mirror and twigs.  Your eye just wants to make that sweep.  But sometimes it is the placement of objects that creates a C sweep with the largest object placed at the beginning of the C as in the photo above. 


 o

 Joni Spear Interior Design

 Some designers may argue this is a classic V formation but I would disagree because the mirror causes the eye to move in a circular fashion around the display.  The lamps are taken in with that sweep.

 

 Rachel Reider Interiors

 Another  symmetrical O line of design.  The base is set so broadly that your eye just wants to do the circular movement around the objects. The three rounded shapes  add to the circular movement.  

Another very strong O line of design.  It is even more obvious when you have a narrow base. 


L 

  CNW PRODUCTION

Urrutia Design


The requirement for an L line of design is a very tall object placed on the edge of the design with a broad base.  Of course you can also reverse the L.  If the hurricanes were taller I would call the  vignette above a V. 

M

source 

You don't often see the M line of design used, but it works well when you are displaying collections where you have several heights with dips in the middle and you start with shorter objects on the ends.  

W 

source 

If the shorter objects are on either end it is an M, but when you start with taller objects on the ends and it is also high in the middle  it moves into a W.  

What line of design do these vignettes follow? 

1.

2.

3.

Source 

1.This is  an A because of the wide base and the tall height through the middle. 

2.  Whenever you see a  lot of objects of similar heights spread out and starting and ending with a shorter object it is an M.  The more objects there are it can turn into a long zig zag of Ms. 

3.  Oh so tricky.  Without the curved object to the right it would be an O line of design, but your eye stops on it making it  a C. 

 

And there you have it.   Keep your eyes open when you see arrangements and observe the  lines of design  used. Then start arranging! 

Love the look!

I am taking tennis lessons this summer. I had my first lesson last night and I loved it! I've always loved playing sports but never learned to actually "play" tennis. I'm looking forward to this new venture in life. This is a sport you can enjoy for the rest of your life. 

Today I am sharing a typical tennis look, a little preppy, a little sporty. I think I need that bag and racquet!! I also paired a simple fitted athletic tank from Lulu lemon with my skirt. A tank would also complete this look.

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

Insta peek

For this week's insta-peek post I've shared a bit of what is happening around my nest along with a fun outing with Matty! Enjoy!

From top:

1. + 2. Emerson's bedroom is coming along nicely!! Taking a new print I purchased for her to have framed today!
3. I CAN-not spend lots of money anymore on entry rugs. I have tried in the past but they all get destroyed by the winter weather. I have a no shoe policy for my kids in the house. I think Matty is catching on. I found this durable version at Marshalls!
4. The July - August version of Veranda is beautiful. I enjoyed a nice glass of rose while reading it last Friday night! PS. I am loving my honed Carrara counter tops. A bit high maintenance but lovely nonetheless. 
5. + 6. Matt's family owns great season tickets for the Red Sox. So we headed to a game last week. (Thanks - Vinny + Eva)  I love Fenway park on a warm summer night. 

We stopped by Citizen Public house on the way home for some oysters and a drink! It was a hit! (no pun intended). The cocktails were delish and the decor was moody and comfortable.

Color me happy!

Hello Monday!! Everything seems a little brighter during the summer doesn't it??

I've decided to kick off this week on a cheery note...I thought this would keep the fun of the weekend going a bit longer. I've long been a fan of Anna Spiro's work. The Australian (Brisbane) designer has a keen sense of color and a fabulous eye. No one perfects blue and white quite like Anna.

Here's a little candy to start your day! See more of Anna's work on her site. (I miss her blog - it is one of the very first I started to follow back in 2006)