Monday, June 28, 2010

Refresh and Impress

Ready to cool off?  Company coming?  Our friends over at Coastal Living have gathered 21 refreshing beverages to offer your guests.  Take a peek at a few of my favorites and then click over to Coastal Living to get these easy recipes.  Your guests will be impressed!


Peach Fuzzies


Sauvignon Blanc Sangria


Ultimate Rum Punch



Picnic Sangria (love the jars!)

Photos by Howard L. Puckett, Fran Graler, and Jennifer Davick


Friday, June 25, 2010

Beach House Bliss

Since we're rolling into another hot, hot, HOT weekend, I thought I'd send some cool images your way to contemplate.  View the entire selection at Elle Decor



photos by William Waldron, Roger Davies, and Karen Radkai

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Trowbridge Gallery at One Kings Lane

Don't miss this spectacular collection of fine art and antique prints from the acclaimed Trowbridge Gallery over at One Kings Lane.  Here's a sampling of their stunning offerings.


Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Serve It Up

For your summertime entertaining, a beverage server makes sense.  Here's a few of my favorites... they make even the simplest drink look beautiful.

Beehive Drink Dispenser from Bed Bath and Beyond.


Glass Beverage Servers from Pottery Barn.

Triple beverage dispenser with spigot from Neiman Marcus.


Acrylic beverage servers from Pottery Barn.


Mason Jar Beverage Server from Pottery Barn.


Del Sol Set of 2 Beverage Servers from classichostess.com


My very own Savannah Beverage Server from Southern Living at HOME.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Mix It Up

One of my favorite websites, Elle Decor, is partnering with Olympia Paints for a great giveaway.  Win two free gallons of paint -- you pick from over 1200 colors, though I'm mad about the blue pictured here!  Entering is a snap:  click here and fill out the information.  It's that simple.

Which room in your home will you repaint with your freebies?

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bravo for This Show!

Not so long ago, I swore off reality TV, but Bravo's new reality show "Work of Art" has made a liar out of me.  Fourteen aspiring artists compete to become the "next big thing" with the winner garnering a one man (or woman) show.  This show appeals to me on a couple of levels.

I am all about bringing art to the average person.  I have studied art off and on for 25 years and believe strongly in its value-- and I don't mean material value.  Art can inspire, comfort, provoke, or simply appeal to our sense of what's beautiful to us.  And it's different for everyone.  But everyone has some type of art that they enjoy-- pottery, sculpture, photographs, watercolor, architecture, or installation pieces.  This show is a wonderful way to bring art into living rooms all over the country and start a conversation about art that might never have taken place otherwise.

On another note, one of the three judges of the show, Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, fascinates me.  She is a Vasser-educated art historian and accomplished art consultant in NYC, yes.  But it is her residence/gallery on the Upper East Side, Salon 94, that captures my imagination.  She and her husband bought an abandoned orphanage and after extensive renovation, reside on the upper levels with their two young children.  The bottom floor/living space doubles as gallery space that highlights new and mid-career contemporary artists.  It's where she works and entertains.  The visual surrounding shift with each installation.  I love this idea.  So many of live where we work and work where we live in our home offices.  According to her, it's the best of both worlds for a working mom.  For some images of her inspiring spaces, head over to Habitually Chic for Heather's recent post on the living spaces.

Now that's thinking outside the box!

Monday, June 14, 2010

A-Tisket, A-Tasket

There is nothing better, in my opinion, for home organization than baskets.  Since home is where YOUR heart is, sterile bins and boxes just won't cut it.  Keep your home looking "homey" with baskets of all sizes, colors, even shapes.  Buy them in sets, or pick out your individual favorites-- you can find them anywhere: Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Target, you name it. 

Handled baskets make great carry-alls or informal totes.  Use them around the house or to transport anything and everything.  Here are two gorgeous options from Ballard Designs.

Round or oval baskets are great for storing oddly shaped items or items of several different sizes.  They work brilliantly for rolled towels in the bathroom, children's shoes by the back door, or remote controls on the coffee table. Don't forget a tall one for gift wrap and a coordinating smaller one for spools of ribbon. Love this one from Pottery Barn.

In the home office, look for square or rectangular baskets that can organize files, books, or paperwork.  The square shapes fit most easily on bookshelves or can be stacked on top of one another to save space.  These Havanna beauties are from Pottery Barn also, but less expensive versions are readily available at Target and WalMart.

Want a little personalization or labels?  Elle Decor has a sweet and simple project for your basic baskets to help tie everything together.  Their DIY section has step by step instructions on how to create these little gems.

If you're like me you've probably accumulated quite a few baskets over the years.  They probably vary in size, shape, and even color.  When my teenage daughter recently decided to "redecorate" her room on a budget, we collected several odd-ball baskets and she spray painted them all black, the accent color in her new room.

For a variety of unusual baskets, check out House Beautiful's collection.  Happy organizing!

Friday, June 11, 2010

More Hard-Working Decor


I stumbled upon this sweet little blog called Smitten Blog Designs while in search of new look for What's On Heidi's Mind, and lo and behold, these creative gals are highlightng some beautiful work spaces themselves!  This serene space is by West Elm (thanks for the image).  Head on over to their site and view their work space ideas AND their incredible inventory of blog design templates.  You're bound to be inspired!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Hard Working Decor

Organization challenges me daily and no where am I more challenged than in my home office.  After all, it's the hub of my home, where I write, and where I run my SLAH business.  But after many stops and starts, I've realized that sterile organizational systems are not for me.   What works for my creative and over-active mind is organization with style.  Fortunately, my SLAH business has afforded me many beautiful containers and shelves to help me along (you can check out our organization helpers by clicking here).

But I would be remiss if I didn't point you to a fabulous little website called Sorting With Style.  Created by entrepreneur and personality Sayeh Pezeshki, aka "The Office Sylist," this website is an online treasure trove of stylish office supplies at affordable prices.  Choose from patterned file folders, chic paper clips and paper weights, label systems, note cards and note pads, sticky notes, journals, agendas, and the list goes on and on.   Sign up for her daily e-blast of tips and tricks and fun new items while you're there.

Your workspace, whether at home or in the office, will be the envy of your peers!


Monday, June 7, 2010

Cool Shades

As the summer heats up, I find myself conjuring up images of cool ocean waters... and the beautiful blues and greens that soothe the soul.  What if we brought those hues indoors?  Blue is the one of the hot new trends in color this season, I'm finding.  Not only can blue make a warm space feel cooler, but it also has a calming effect that is universal.  Since the most inexpensive way to change a room is a gallon of paint, get your paintbrushes and drop cloths ready.  Benjamin Moore's Caribbean Breeze and Dolphin's Cove are two of my favorites-- check them out on BM's Virtual Fandeck.  But you will also be inspired by these beautiful blue rooms, from Coastal Living, Elle Decor (be sure to check into the LookBook at ElleDecor.com), and House Beautiful.


Coastal Living, photo by J Savage Gibson


This cool green brings a little key lime pie to mind!  Coastal Living, photo by Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn


Aerin Lauder's kitchen--paint is not just for walls!  Elle Decor, photo by Simon Upton


Georgia beach cottage, designed by Jim Howard in House Beautiful.  Paint color is Benjamin Moore's Shenandoah.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Candace Bushnell in Elle Decor...just for fun!

Ok, Friends, you MUST check out these divine digs!  The light, the mirrors, the cool and serene decor.  Ahhhhh...not to mention the fact that she's a talented writer.  Enjoy!
At Home with Candace Bushnell Photo - Home Decorating Photos-Page 11

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

June Sale is ON!!

Well, this was a surprise to me, too, but who doesn't love a good sale? Check out these 20 wonderful products, as much as 50% off! A few of these would make great Father's Day gifts, too.  Comment with your email address if you'd like to order and I will be happy to follow up with you. Happy shopping!

"https://www.southernlivingathome.com/pne/pdf/announcements/201006_SaleFlier.pdf"