Cottage Love #22

I took a quick business trip to Chicago last Friday for my Ace Hardware design expert gig! We filmed a short studio segment. It was fun! I always take the opportunity to catch up on some magazine reading while I am traveling.. Like you, I'm tiring of the frozen tundra that I call home!  I rely on a bit of escapism to lift my spirits.

I was thrilled to see in the March issue of HGTV Magazine, an article featuring home owner Natalie Lea's colorful Houston ranch. Natalie worked closely with designer Bailey McCarthy on the project. The overall inspiration of Natalie's home pays tribute to her mother, who passed away of cancer. Natalie's abode brightened my day. I hope it does the same for you. Just look at all the beautiful design details! Natalie's interior designer, Bailey McCarthy, is also the creator of Biscuit Home. - be sure to check her great shop and bedding line out! xx

This front door and wall paper are fabulous. I need a front door with so many glass windows. It's a great way to add more light to your home.

After seeing this, I am so happy I ordered brass pulls to my kitchen design!!

Photographs by: David A, Land

Chocolate + Caramel

If I can't have a chic getaway this winter then I'm craving warm, cozy + rich...I love the idea of caramel, cream and chocolate anything at the moment..layer old and new elements with lots of texture to perfect this look. The chocolate cupcakes are filled with a salted caramel. Yum. Find the recipe here.

Kelly Wearstler

LBD

or Little Black Desk! Well in this case, not all the desks are "little", I decided to go with the title anyways. I'm currently eyeing black desks. You can't really go wrong with a high gloss black finish in almost any piece of furniture or cabinetry. These desks would all steal the show in any room. You can't drop a ton of money? Look out for vintage desks at flea markets and on the side of the road. A few cans of high gloss paint, work wonders for tired furniture!

I've had my eye on this little Regency, bamboo number ever since spying it in Lonny in 2010 (Christina Murphy Designs - image two). Find it here, by Hickory Furniture's Mark Hampton collection.

Win: Ace's Merry Paint Makeover!!

As one of Ace Hardware's three design experts I'm so excited to announce our holiday contest, Ace's Merry Paint Makeover. Simply, like Ace Hardware on Facebook, then submit your photo and story to win the grand prize of a $10,000 room makeover by one of Ace's design experts! The contest runs November 14th - November 26th, 12pm EST! Hurry and enter now, myself or one of the other designers may be redesigning a room in your home if you're chosen! Best of luck to you!! For more details and information on the runner up prizes please see Ace's website and Facebook page.

inspired: winter white

Although the temps have been in the 60's (LOVE it) the past few days, I know what's right around the corner. As I said last week I'm all for embracing the seasons right now. I read a great quote the other day, here it is: I'm trying to appreciate today and make the most of everyday. Okay enough with the Buddhism. One thing I really appreciate about the winter is a fresh coat of snow and the concept of warm, cozy white shades. Below is some winter white inspiration. I'm big on color, just look at my work, I love it but I can also appreciate a neutral interior. My new place (still figuring this out) will incorporate warm whites, gilded gold and lots of texture. I just adored Mark D. Sikes home in this month's Lonny Magazine!! And that small cottage kitchen pictured in shades of cream is classic and fresh. The custom white hood and cabinets that extend to the ceiling are beautiful. I've also included all the links for the winter white outfit inspiration. The Stella McCartney scarf is so pretty and has gold flecks. (a bit out of my snack bracket unfortunately) Have a great day and cheers to a great week! xx

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november

It seems right when November rolls in the temperature in Boston drops 20 degrees. It was 65 in October now it's 40, but I've decided instead of complaining I'm going to try and embrace the cooler weather this year. If you can't beat it, join it kind of mentality. I've pulled together some inspirational images and positive points of the cooler weather setting in..I also love using a color palette of amber, camel, rich grey and cozy browns with brass/golden accents this time of year!

The gorgeous necklace pictured is by Elva Fields and would be perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday fete! I live in my hunter boots during Fall's rainy season, I'd love to get a second color maybe even the trending red shade pictured. Find them and more colors here.

Plum Yum..

It's funny how quickly purple comes and goes, but I'm loving this color moment for Fall and Winter of 2012-2013! Buying a small item like a scarf or a throw is a great way to mix this hot shade into your home/closet!

The black and white of it....



I will forever be drawn to this sharp color palette of contrasts! It's wonderfully perfect when thrown off with another color like camel, blue, green, pink, gold..etc. etc.



On a side note: I am DYING to go to Europe soon!! I'm so inspired by their street fashion and how amazing pinterest has been at bringing the images to my home/laptop

"White" again...

So I mentioned this week that my house hunt is officially "ON".  It's pretty exciting actually. I think change is a constant and that is a good thing! I'm not sure where I will land yet but I guess the fun part is that I'll need to get creative either way because I of course have a budget buying this place solo. I looked at one home last week, that is truly a cottage, and I don't mean that in a charming way at the moment. It has wood paneling on the interior, I would change some out but would also need to retain some of it. I think wood paneling looks clean painted a crisp, warm white shade. It may seem obvious, but it just works so well. I also love that you can mix virtually any color with it. I thought this beach home designed by Joel Snayd was sweet. Isn't it?

Okay, this is a great beach shower idea and I may just have to use it. I've always wanted an outdoor shower!

The open second floor concept is beautiful here as is this little bedroom below with the built in twin beds and shots of lemon yellow. I adore lemon yellow with white. The pictured bedroom images illustrate nicely how "big" always isn't better. These rooms are small but still look adorable! The only downside of a small house is that you need to get creative with your storage ideas, because let's face it we all have "stuff" that needs to be tucked away.

Designer: Joel Snayd, images via Houzz.