It All Began With This

My love for the Porter chair began with this photo. At the time, I had just began becoming somewhat interested in interior design.. figuring out what appealed to me.. what I thought was fabulous. It was this room.. by designer Smith Boyd.

Actually, I just discovered, today, the name of this designer.. thanks Kimberly Ward!

I believe this was one of the very first photos in my inspiration folder. I love so much about this room but it was the Porter chair that stood out. I loved that tradition was turned on it's fabulous ear and the chair was covered in a beautiful chevron-esque fabric. I still don't have my beloved Porter chair but I will!!

And can I just say I'm totally smitten with the luxe layering and texturizing that Smith Boyd imparts into all of his designs. I love how he mixes multiple styles so seamlessly...

This bedroom has changed my entire idea of how I want my dining room to look. It's glam, has a Chinoiserie vibe and has color. LOVE IT!

I wish he had a book, a class at the Learning Annex, a pamplet, SOMETHING that could break down his design process..give insight into how he sees design.. But for now, I'll just keep him on my radar and look out for more fabulous design from him.

Living Room Update

I'm currently working with a fellow blogger on my living room. Although, I love what I have in there so far, I felt I needed assistance with pulling the finished look together. I didn't want to shop for something I loved only to return it because it didn't "work" or "fit". I wanted off the return, shop, return, shop, return roller coaster.

So, I've forwarded over everything she needed... photos, measurements, my "wants" and "needs" for the space as well as my style.. well in my case, styles..because I love a bit of everything.

My hope is that she's able to cull through all of my ca-razy and provide me with a room that's "Veranda" worthy.

I just hope she doesn't ask me to paint. Ugh, you KNOW how much I hate painting.

A Lttle Of This And A Little Of That

I'm still working on the kitchen. So much so, I'm dreaming about it, literally, every night. I will begin tackling the DIY rustic work table/island, probably next week.

However, I still feel that there are other areas in the kitchen that need filling. Let's take a look at what I'm envisioning shall we?

There's a blank space near the range that I want to put a rustic industrial shelf, like this:

via

I want open shelves to store my dish collection... to look sorta like this:

via Pinterest

Next up, the floor. I need a rug. I have been hopeless in this area because I haven't seen a single rug that I like.. NOT ONE. I thought I wanted something worn and a little frayed but for some reason, it just doesn't fit "me". 

Then, I finally came across two rugs that I really like. The first was a grey Ikat type rug from Ballard Designs:

Sorry for crappy phone pics. Although the color reads blue.. it's really various shades of gray...very pretty.

And the second one is a comtemporary wool rug that has a pop of yellow, which is the accent color I want to use in the kitchen.

Home Decorators

I'm leaning towards the gray Ikat because it's a neutral and I can add a pop of color with accessories (less pricey items).

Oh yeah and I would like to add lighting over the island so I'm deciding amongst these few:

Orb 6 Light Chandelier

Hicks Pendant in Polished Nickel

Julia 5 Light Chandlier
Because I need a little glam...

Still have no idea about the windows.. I guess it's because I like them bare. I love letting the natural light in and how as it changes throughout the day, so does the "feel" of the kitchen. So they may stay bare.

Anyone have any suggestions on a rug and/or lighting? I'm all ears.

Color Injected

Love this!

via La Dolce vita

 I would totally do yellow Tolix stools.

I LOVE that this kitchen is pretty neutral but has these brilliant pops of yellow. I've been annoyed with myself for wanting color but not commiting and pulling the trigger on colorful items. But this design illustrates how easily I can get my color fix by adding a just few colorful tangibles of flowers and fruit.

I'm also dying because this design includes a little Chinoiserie.. and I have those Double Happiness jars. They are so going in my kitchen.

It's In My Closet

Hubby surprised me with a really cute gift.

via

It's so fab! It has a tailored fit and the leather sleeves gives it the right amount of edge. Thank you, Hubby!

Oversized Art

Lately, I've been obsessed with finally committing to putting some art on my walls. I have two pieces that are going to be installed at the end of the month. I can't wait! Those pieces are going to go on the walls that are flanking the window seat on second floor landing.

I need to add a window seat cushion and some fab throw pillows. It's such a great little spot.. it needs to be comfortable.

I LOVE this!! The size, the composition and being placed on the dark wall... it's perfection. The hubby thinks that we should do this in the dining room. I concur.

Small House Updates

The kitchen and butler's pantry are finally painted.

Before:

 The kitchen had dark brown walls and cream cabinets with this brown glaze treatment.. done poorly.

After:

Still no window treatments but I'm getting there.. compiling fabric swatches. (don't mind that unpainted drawer.. it's been painted since this the time of this photo)

These cabinets are so old but they look pretty good painted a glossy white. I used Rustoleum White Gloss enamel paint.

I'm going to replace the faucet. I found a great vintage-y one on Overstock. I also have to put some mineral oil on the Soapstone counters.. it will make them a deep black instead of the gray-ish black that they are now.

LOVE the gray on the walls. The color is BM Stonington. It's a perfect true gray. It makes the kitchen look and feel so much more spacious.

Before:

Bad glazed cabinets and awful brown wall paper.

After:

I am loving the black cabinets. Again, used glossy enamel by Rustoleum.

 

The butler's pantry looks great from the front of the house.. it's such a punctuation to the mostly white interior of the house.

Also, did you notice the new sparkling light?

Crystal 3-Light Chrome Chandelier

I'm so happy with this chandy. I bought it from Overstock and received it within a couple of days. It was packaged extremely well and even came with cotton gloves to handle the crystals.. that was a thoughtful touch.

It's such a little jewel in the space. I'm so glad that I took a chance and got it because the photo on Overstock does it NO justice.

I still have to add a few more things, like new hardware, a rug and window treatments, of course. I think that's where I will add a punch of color and pattern. With that said, I'm loving how things are coming along.

Lastly, wanna see my mostly Dollar Store Christmas dinner table?

The only items that are not from the Dollar Store are the mercury glass candle holders (tallest holders), the plates and flatware... oh and the flowers. Everyone really loved the table, especially the reindeer place holders.