interior design

design obsession: hexagon

Ahh yes, my favorite 6 sided shape. We meet again!

Loving the Hicks Hexagon wallpaper.

Or if you’re feeling very ambitious, you can stencil it on your walls. (I was kidding – but if you are totally insane and up for the challenge, the DIY can be found here. )

Seeing a lot of hexagon mosaic tile too lately!

The above mosaic is very contemporary. But the dark tile below shows how you can use this shape in a more traditional setting.

Lovely pavers to use in your garden too! I dig it. (Pun intended. Very corny yes indeed.)

Don’t worry – there’s plenty of honeycomb shaped treasures to share.

a: embroidered pillow cover // b: mirror // c: bedding set // d: cuff bracelet // e: woven garden seats // f: rug // g: marble top side table

Have a wonderful night all! xo

(All photos link back to their original source, if known)

50’s inspired hillside home

Tomorrow is the day that I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time now. We get to hop a plane and escape to Philadelphia for Nate’s bro’s wedding! I can’t believe Memorial Day weekend is already here. (Time just flies when you are remodeling and unpacking.)

In honor of our getaway to the East Coast, I’ll leave you with this dreamy hillside home tucked in Pennsylvania’s Blue Mountains . Featured in AD, this home was designed by Peter Bohlin of the Pennsylvania-based architectural firm, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. (I’ll have you know that Peter was a graduate of Michigan’s Cranbrook School of Art. REPRESENT!!)

In the article, Peter described the client’s desire for a timeless space. I think I fall in love with the idea of something being “timeless”…that time can pass and it remains just as true, believable, and fabulous as day one. It’s such a hard concept to achieve with all of the trends in the design world. It really makes you think hard about what will withstand the test of time vs. what is a fad.

For me, what makes this home so special is the use of materials and furniture pieces that aren’t fussy or easily dated. This must be why mid-century furniture holds a special place in my heart :).

Bon Voyage! I gotta go get ready for this trip! You will hear more from me when I return. 🙂 Happy Memorial Day weekend!

(all images link back to their original source)

color story: burgundy tones

Maroon. Wine. Oxblood. Raspberry. Is it just me or are these colors everywhere right now?!

Dramatic. Romantic. Passionate. Fierce.

From the streets ….

…..to the red carpet.

Awesome chunky burgundy scarf from Lulu Love’s Etsy Shop!

Julie from the fashion blog Sincerely Jules wears it well. Love these pants.

I came across this amazing DIY home dye job. I love it, but I think I will just live vicariously through her blog post.

Red has never been one of my favorite colors, so I’m not so sure if I could pull these looks off. I think my fashion sense is too neutral and “normal” What do you think? I must not be the only one that feels this way! Maybe I need to step out of my comfort zone….

Okay,okay…..here’s something I can live with – nail polish!

OPI. Going to CVS to get this ASAP.

You may ask: How does dark red look in a home? Great. Fantastic. Wonderful. But under one condition – don’t overdo it. A little goes a long way.

This red exterior door is welcoming yet sophisticated. Painting the whole house this color would clearly be another story.

Because deep reds are so bold, first buy a rug or other accessory to “try on” the color. I love this Amy Butler rug because it uses a peachy coral and a light pink to offset the red.

Lots of red items out there, here’s my faves:

1: Amy Butler Caracas Rug

2: Mitchell Gold Beverley Banquette

3: Leaping Hare Cushion from Helcat Design on Etsy.com

4: West Elm Ikat Diamond Napkin Set (NOW ON SALE!)

5: Burgundy Squirrel via Mazerandvee on Etsy.com

6: CoachMadison Dotted Op Art Wallet in Crimson

7: Zara Long Quilted Jacket (NOW ON SALE -69.99!)

(All images link back to their original source, if known)

happenings

So here’s some life updates:

Back in September, I posted about taking the first 2 sections of the NCIDQ Interior Design Licensing Exam…and guess what? I PASSED!! So excited – and to be completely honest – sooooo relieved. Now I can take my time to relearn hand drafting and prepare for the last day of testing. Not sure if I’ll take it this Spring… we’ll see.

Today marks 9 years since my hubby & I first started dating. We were 19 then – but feels like just yesterday! Literally, we’ve spent almost a 1/3 of our lives together! Haha so weird to think of it like that. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been worth it. I love him more each day.

I’m still waiting for fall to come. I think we had one cool week so far…but then it warmed back up into the low 80’s last weekend. Even for Texas that is unseasonably warm in December! But we have been blessed with such a beautiful, warm fall this year.

This past weekend we attempted our first Christmas family photo shoot. We found this cool walking bridge near our house recently and decided it would be a great spot. It’s called the Faust Street Bridge and its original structure dates back to 1887! I love it. Most of the shots were pretty silly, but we did get a few keepers. Camera tripod = best $30 I’ve spent. Here’s a sneak peek …

PS. I’m not anywhere near ready for Christmas. I think I have a grand total of one present off my list, and no tree up yet. How about ya’ll?

eye candy: jonathan adler for kravet

The man. The myth. The legend……. The fabric line.

Potter/artist/design genius/retailer Jonathan Adler recently paired with Kravet to develop his new happy line of fabrics. The collection includes upbeat, funky patterns and bold colors that are characteristic of the designer’s signature style.