tyler florence kitchen of the year

September 12, 2011

The latest issue of House Beautiful found its way to my mailbox this weekend and my jaw dropped the second I saw Tyler Florence’s kitchen of the year feature!  Charcoal cabinets, white subway tile, chrome lighting, four-inch thick countertops, black farmhouse sink, a gleaming pot rack above a 17-foot island….just another gorgeous example of an…

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black and white kitchens

August 30, 2011

There’s something about black and white kitchens that make me weak in the knees.  Whether it’s white cabinets with black countertops, or black cabinets with white Carrera marble, the look is clean and classic.  Dark walnut hardwood or Brazilian Black slate floors add a beautiful contrast and beadboard, tile and fabulous drawer pulls complete the…

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bookshelf inspiration

August 29, 2011

As my living room built-in bookshelves get closer to being completed, I’m chomping at the bit to style them!  I love built-in shelving; it’s are a great way to add character to a room, use up negative space (like the corner in my living room) and show off your favorite photos and collections.  There’s no…

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designer love: john jacob interiors

August 16, 2011

Thanks to a very close friend of mine who grew up in Johannesburg, I have a newfound appreciation for many things South African (especially their wine!).  At the top of my list is interior designer John Jacob, based in Cape Town.  While his work runs the gamut from glamorous to earthy and rustic, it’s his…

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only things i love

August 11, 2011

One of the best parts about blogging is all the wonderful people you “meet” online!  After finding her blog last week, I emailed Karen from Only Things I Love to introduce myself and see if I could post some pictures of her gorgeous new home.  Lucky for me (and you!) she gratiously agreed.  Her style…

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framed sea fans

August 8, 2011

I scored these two 27-inch sea fans a while back for $20 a piece, with the intention of dying, framing and hanging them in my master bathroom.  Here we are, months later, and I’m finally getting around to it.  This is a super easy and inexpensive way to add texture and elegance to any space…

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british colonial done right

August 1, 2011

India Hicks, daughter of famed interior designer David Hicks, is probably best known for her amazing home, Hibiscus Hill on Harbour Island in the Bahamas.  Her book, Island Life, was the very first interior design book I purchased years ago and I still resort to it for inspiration for myself as well as my clients. …

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tiny boxwood

July 18, 2011

In my online quest for square wooden planters for a patio I’m revamping, I came across these charming pictures of Tiny Boxwood, a small cafe in Houston. Inspired by the South of France, this 15-table lunch hotspot is actually part of an upscale garden center and nursery that also houses a home decor shop.  From…

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the charm of charleston

July 15, 2011

I have a love affair with the city of Charleston.  I posted my extensive collection of photos of window boxes here and gave a little tour of one of my favorite shops, South of Market, here.  Every time I go, I spend 99% of the time wandering the cobblestone streets, taking pictures of gardens, driveways,…

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designer love: jackye lanham

July 1, 2011

When I saw these images of a beach home in Stuart, Florida in Southern Accents magazine a couple years ago, I couldn’t flip through it fast enough to find out who the designer was.  (Sorry for the grainy pics-my scanner’s not working, so I took some quick shots of the magazine). Since then, I think…

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