Shelter Loves....

Happy Fri-yay!! I had a great design meeting today with a client I have worked with in the past! A big part of my business involves building relationships. I love watching my clients lives evolve and their families grow. The personal connections I make through my job is one of the most rewarding aspects!
I was working away on quite a few projects this week so my brain is in need of a day off.. Here is what caught my eye in the process! Peace out, have a relaxing weekend!

1. I designed a nursery yesterday. I love creating spaces for children that they can grow into. Designer, Nick Olsen did just that with this beautiful nursery design. Image via Veranda.
2. I'm kinda digging the platform wedge shoes that are out right now. They are stylish and comfy..A win, win in my book!
3. God, don't we all know this!! I've got to learn to move on a bit better.
4. I've decided to finally finish my personal photo wall in my home. I loved this mix of images and the simple framing used here.
5. + 6. My wonderful client and I walked through her new home today. It is a beautiful house with so much opportunity. We talked about injecting her home with moments of black and white stripes. The classic combo is perfect when done right! This Dorothy Draper designed floor is a great example of the look I adore! I'm also loving this moto jacket layered over a summery striped dress. Find a similar dress here.

White Juju

I adore the sculptural quality and texture of African Juju hats, especially in creamy white! How fun is this little boy's room? via Adore Magazine. Purchase Juju hats here.

Second row, left image via: Lonny Magazine

for the kiddies

I'd love to say that I was up watching the Golden Globes with the rest of my girl friends...but instead I was dealing with a 3 and 5 year old and their latest bedtime sleep dramas. I finally got to sleep at 10:45 p.m. knowing that my 5 year old would be waking me up in the middle of the night because he wants me to sleep with him. This is a new phase (let's hope it's a phase) and it's going to put me over the edge if it doesn't end soon. Simply put, sleeping issues suck. I'm a pretty patient mama but you start messing with me during the night and I'll lose it. Plus I know I can't give in and climb into my son's bed every night because it will become a ritual, one that I'm sure will be tough to break. Don't get me wrong I'm okay with comforting my children when they have an occasional off night or scary dream but every night?? NO THANK YOU. Sorry, you'll have to get the Golden Globe goodies round up from some of my other besties here: 1 + 2 + 3..This post is dedicated to my terrible (soon to hopefully be better) sleepers!

1. I love the bedding style of the coverlets in this classic, European style bedroom.
2. My daughter Emerson's 3rd birthday is on the 21st of this month. I was told she wants a princess cake! I thought a design like this adorable one would work perfectly...I wish I had the time to make it myself.
3. My son will wear just about anything except collared shirts. (unless I plead with him days in advance). I love this little check number from Crew Cuts. He has a few and I see them maybe three times a year on say special occasions such as Easter... available here
4. I adore the gorgeous feminine details in this space
5. I dream of having a creative space like this for my kids to play in someday!!
6. I'm wrapping up a navy nursery. This tween bedroom is layered and fun!
7. I CANNOT wait to finally design and finish my daughter's room when I move. I've always wanted to use a forest meets the garden concept with bunnies and deer and flowers etc.. This watercolor print is precious! (I'm working on the source)
8. The simplicity and natural of this nursery is cozy, calming and inviting.


OKAY, on a quick Golden Globes note. I have yet to peruse the fashion blogs but I did see this dress and absolutely have to say I LOVE it on Kate, she looks stunning and fits her perfectly. ( I couldn't resist)

Inspired: New Home

image via

Hello loves, So I've sort of put my house hunt on hold for a few reasons; one being that everything in my price range in the towns I want to live in are absolute DUMPS. Holy shiz it's depressing. I'm trying to stay positive, but this single mama can only afford so much if I want to keep my sanity. I need to maintain a bit of a social life! Yes, in a perfect world I'd just stay in with my hubbie and sip cocktails as we painted walls after the kiddos have drifted off, but that's not the case and TRUST me right now I'm okay with that. I'd rather lose a creep of husband early on than spend twenty miserable years with him. I mean don't get me wrong I wasn't a fool, I didn't marry a creep (he had us all fooled), some guys just can't keep it together after you have a family. They stray and become detached in every way possible and that's precisely what happened to me. So in all honestly if Santa could bring me anything in the world it would be a charming little house at a reasonable price. I'm OKAY with a little elbow grease I just can't buy a money pit nor can I live in a money pit with two kids under the age of six. Anywayyyyy onto my post! :) I've shared this top photo before. (My apologies because I don't remember the source, but I'll find it and link back, promise). A little cape like this would be perfect, I'd even be open to a little house that I could eventually add on to. I love the glassed room off of this home and adore the classic simplicity of the black + white facade and the beautiful bucolic approach. This would be my little dream pad. See??  I'm not asking for much am I? A little pretty like this would cost quite a bit in the Boston area. I've been collecting images via the web and started a pinterest board, new home, it's full of a bunch of dis-jointed goodies, but I guess they all make sense to me. I've assembled a mini-inspiration board below showing the overall feel of the space. It'd be fairly simple with graphic details, patterns and pops of brownish-grey, pink, tan, cream and white. And of course splashes of other accent colors like emerald green, brass and yellow. The agate stone was really the impetus and inspiration around the color palette. I love it! I like fresh clean kitchens and bathrooms, and am undecided on white or black cabinets but I guess I have some time to think about that!

This marble wrapped counter, brass hardware and glass door cabinet are beyond amazing! I will absolutely have ALL of these in my kitch! image via 

A little sunny, happy banquette would also be perfect and makes such efficient use of space in a small home. I'd switch out the fabrics and colors and would plump up that seat cushion a bit but you get the idea!

I'd love to have comfy seating area and a lounge worthy sofa like this!

My daughter's room will be a mix of pink, yellow and charcoal and no matchy, matchy concepts here.

I can envision my son's room but I have yet to find a photo that comes close to my vision. A little reading nook like this would be dreamy though! I read multiple stories a night to my children, they love it. I think it's one of the most important things you can do for your child besides smother them with hugs and kisses!

I can't deal with a big yard but I would love a small garden path and patio area for outdoor cocktails and alfresco dining. 

Anyway, that's all for now, it's way past my bed time.... I just wanted to keep dreaming...and share my thoughts and ideas. I'll make this all come true and promise to share it with you all on my little ole' blog! 

xx

Inspired - Ruthie Sommers

There's no doubt that Ruthie Sommers is one of my favorite designers, so when fresh, new images of her work pop up in a magazine I'm a happy girl. Here's a recent article in Veranda magazine of Ruthie's advice on being a decorator/interior designer. Her design details are feminine, unexpected, colorful and perfectly executed! 

 All images by Francesco Lagnese via Veranda magazine

kiddie quarters

Hello, hello. I hope you're having a great week. The weather has been amazing in Boston, as the summer slowly creeps by I need to re-group and refocus on the "home search". I'm moving this October. eek, it's quickly approaching. It's sort of a bitter sweet move for me. I have many fond memories in this home and so many great friends in this area but I'm ready to move on and start fresh someplace new! (and of course I'll keep all of my friends) Sadly, my life sort of imploded when my daughter was only 9 months old so I never got to truly finish her room. It's about half way there, so I'm really looking forward to finding the perfect little home for all of us. I'm not there quite yet (and luckily have a wonderful place to stay while I look) but I do know that I'm pinning away and am full of design ideas, and color inspiration so hopefully I'll get to put those to use soon enough! Right now I'm drawn to green and yellow..or better yet, green, yellow and aqua. It's kind of unexpected and (clearly) cheerful! And if you have any packing tips and tricks please to share them. I need to get going with the packing and purge!

Top image via: Martha Stewart Living

Pixie Dust....

One of my favorite bedding, personalized pillow/ poofs, and burp cloth sites for the kiddies, Pixie Dust is having a fabulous Daily Candy deal!

Just visit their site, make a purchase and you will receive 25% off you entire order! {enter DCDEALS at the checkout before mid-Sept.} As my earlier post today mentioned, nesting time is here, so get going! and speaking of kiddies, I can't wait to share Emerson's nursery with you all this Fall!

on a side note, Stacy the talented and sweet owner of Pixie Dust always shares her seasonal inspirations..here's a peek at Summer..I'm sure Fall will be just as good..{I'm with her on the Harrison Howard prints. I've used a few before on a project, they're beautiful}

I know you've seen it...but I LOVE it..

I know these two spaces are all over blog world today...but Betsy Burnham's design sense is so up my alley, her attention to detail is crazy-good!
_

{and on a side-note..I've been reading Albert Hadley - The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer. It's a very entertaining read..i guess for the design obsessed like myself} I love so many of his textile and wallcovering prints; especially his "fireworks" line above, I would love to use this on a project soon...

Images via: Decor Demon

Double Take..

Yesterday I was flipping through the June issue of Coastal Living when the nursery photo's of swimsuit designer Marysia Reeves baby's room stopped me in my tracks..I couldn't believe how many elements were similar to my son's room that I designed three years ago. You may have seen the shots of my little guy's room featured on La Dolce Vita - May 09'.

- zebra rug, the horizontal stripes, the lamb, the white canvas drapes, the crib design

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not implying anything here, I just thought it was a strange coincidence..I guess great design minds sometimes think alike!

Here are some other photos of Marysia's "surfer chic" {one of my favorite styles} home!

I absolutely love the turquoise interior of these cabinets!

More beach friendly design moments from this month's Coastal Living!

And also a home designed by Sasha Emerson

LOVE designer Sasha Emerson's collection of Madeline Weinrib rugs! Swoon!

Images: Scanned by Shelter via Coastal Living