Got the Blues? {And Another Giveaway!}

You're probably tired of reading about my passion for purple, so I thought I'd give it a rest and talk about another favorite... pops of blue.  While I was brightening my family room decor, I worked in a fair amount of celery green because it blended so well with the upholstery and wall color I already had.  But I also found myself adding a few fun touches of blue:

Like this flea market find!

I like having the flexibility to go heavier either toward the green or the blue accents.  As spring approaches, I'm craving just a little more blue.  So I started browsing online to see what was out there.

Blue Sky Lotus vase from World Market

Maren Collection from Pottery Barn

Sea Urchin platter from Pier One

Lotus Garden Stool from Ballard Designs



Some good options, right?  I love seeing just a pop or two of the blue against a sea of neutral, don't you?  Today I got a delivery from Willow House-- a product I'd ordered to place in an upcoming silent auction.

Our Santorini Urn... I'd never seen her up close before!  Notice how she found a spot on my mantle...

She looks right at home, doesn't she?

I'm in love...



I started looking at houzz.com for some inspirational photos for using blue accents in neutral decor and pulled some wonderful ones for my Blissful Blues Ideabook.  Check it out by clicking here.  All those gorgeous images only reinforced how much I love this product.  In fact, I love her so much, it's going to be hard to part with her for the silent auction!  I may have use some birthday funds to garner another. :) 

And so, because I have to share the love, my THIRD Mondays in March Giveaway is one of these gorgeous Santorini Urns!

Here's the lowdown on the contest:

• Comment here on where you need a pop of blue in your home. {1 entry}
• Tweet about the giveaway (mention me @heidimilton) and come back leaving me a comment that you did so.
• Visit the Facebook post (Willow House with Heidi Milton) and leave a comment there. {1 entry}

Contest remains open until 7pm EST on Monday, March 21st.  Winner will be chosen via random.org.

Like the Willow House products you're seeing?  You can order directly from my website anytime by clicking HERE.  Or earn products for FREE and HALF-PRICE by hosting your own online catalog show.  Contact me for more information.

Happy Decorating and Good Luck!

Dream Home 2010

From HGTV and it is dreamy!  First of all, you know I'm a sucker for a contest or giveaway, but I have to admit my love affair with the HGTV Dream Homes goes back several years.  In fact, it's something I look forward to during the bleak days of January... curling up and watching either the on-air special (click HERE for the schedule) or scrolling through the videos and pictures on hgtv.com.  Either way, I'm transported to inspired interiors where I can glean a few ideas for my own projects... and some serious decor envy.  This year's home does not disappoint.  Set in the mountains of Vermont, it will sweep you off your feet and make you long for a winter getaway to the snowy hills.  Enjoy these sneak peek pictures and then don't forget to click HERE to enter to win.  Enjoy!



Mudroom... I love the clean look of the cabinets; gotta store skis and whatnot, after all!



I'd have to linger over dinners with a view like this!





Spacious, open, perfect for entertaining crowds.

Gathering room... right off the kitchen and dining room.  The fireplace treatment is a winner!

Annex... spectacular view.  This is where I'd be!

Master... coziness in the mountains.  I love the bedcurtains!

Balconey off master...enjoy some hot chocolate out here!

Master bath... open yet private.  I'd soak for hours.

Downstairs living room-- love the colors and the barn door! 

Terrace-- check out the hot tub and the view!

Ski dorm bath room-- 3 showers, sinks, etc-- perfect for the kids.

ski dorm...sleeps eight.  How fun!!



Guest room... who do you know that would love to visit?

All photos from hgtv.com

Divine Retreat

Last weekend, while travelling in Newport, R.I., I had the pleasure of brunching at Castle Hill Inn.  The inn itself was constructed in 1874 as a summer retreat for the Swiss scientist Alexander Agassiz.  He was intent on studying marine biology on the beautiful coast but ended up hosting many of the "thinking sorts," such as Thornton Wilder and many of the so-called "naturalists".  The interior of the inn still exudes 19th century seascoast luxury, with beautiful views, rich hardwood floors and woodwork throughout, housing 4 dining rooms, 9 guestrooms, and the kitchen.  The grounds are as spectacular as the inn with views of the harbor, Narragansett Bay, and the original Castle Hill lighthouse.  The large lawn sweeps all the way to the water's edge and is dotted with groupings of adirondack chairs, perfect for sipping your morning coffee or an afternoon cocktail.  Some of these photographs are my own, some courtesty of Castle Hill's website.  If a stay at Castle Hill Inn is not in your budget, pay a visit and take in brunch or dinner.  You will feel as though you've been transported back to a simpler more civilized time.

Entry of the inn

Turret room

Hydrangeas and mums-- my new favorite combination

Hydrangeas along the terrace-- fading blooms all the way into October

Castle Hill Lighthouse

J'Adore the New Adore Magazine

Yet another fabulous online decor magazine to bookmark:  Adore Magazine.  This Australian online publication, the brain-child of designer Loni Parker,  is jam-packed with inspiring ideas and tidbits.  I had to get past the "Spring Issue" tag to realize that it's spring down there right now, but found loads of great home office ideas (think Mom Cave), designer profiles, travel and lifestyle features, plus fresh new finds in furniture and accessories. Resources and products are found by a simple click. Make sure you check it out, but set aside plenty of time-- you won't want to miss a single detail!  Happy reading!

Just curious: What are your thoughts on online magazines?  Are they an easy-to-read solution to the stack-of-magazines problem or do you prefer print magazines?

Ideas Abound in the Coastal Living 2010 Idea House

Exterior of 2010 Idea House

This year the editors and designers of Coastal Living magazine take us to scenic Seabrook, Washington for their 2010 Idea House.  This house is packed with fabulous ideas, so I'll be posting more than once about this treasure trove. 

The first bright new idea that caught my eye is the use of windows and natural light in the bathrooms.  If you think about the dilemmas of large windows in the bathroom-- lack of privacy, use of needed wall space-- most would be tempted to shy away from such a feature.  CL's clever design team, determined to maximize the abundant natural sea-reflecting light, navigated these issues by mounting the bathroom mirrors in front of the windows.  Check out this clever trick in three of the home's bathrooms.

Light diffusing shades for privacy without sacrificing natural light in the master bathroom.

Guest bath with shades that can lowered behind the mirror for additional privacy.

Guesthouse bedroom and peek at the bathroom.  Again, some light diffusing shades for privacy behind the mirror.

Photos by Lisa Romerein via coastalliving.com

Arrangement Assistance

So, you've begun your collection of art and photographs, purchasing those pieces you love and framing your treasured photographs, but you're stumped on how and where to hang them.  Sound familiar?  How about hanging a piece or a group of pieces and deciding something's not quite right?  Believe it or not, art placement is an art in and of itself.  My Museum Studies seminar in graduate school spent a great deal of time on where to put what, exploring how to create a mood, hanging in multiples, dramatic effects, and the intent behind your display.  In other words, hanging your art collection is no simple matter.

David Hassel of ILevel
image from nytimes.com

Rather than leave your treasures propped up against your walls or in the closet, get them up, but maybe get some help in doing so.  NYTimes.com cast a spotlight on David Hassel and ILevel, his art arrangement and installation consulting company, showcasing one of his most recent projects and quite a challenge at that.  What I found most surprising about his company is how affordable their services really are, so affordable that the article appears in NYT's "On The Cheap" section.  For a few hundred dollars (on average) clients are provided one or two consultants, face-to-face meetings, and actual installation (hanging) services.  When you consider what you may already have invested in your art collection, the professional touch could be the answer to doing it justice.

Google art arrangement or installations companies in your area.  I found Axis Fine Art Installation here in Atlanta, but don't let the name fool you.  They are just as happy to help arrange and install your family photographs as your they are your $3000 fine paintings.  For as little as $145, Axis will send two skilled design consultants to take care of you.  Additonal trips to your home will cost a bit extra, but if your project is small solo consultants are available for an even lower rate.

If you still can't wrap your head around paying for art arrangement services, take the do-it-yourself approach seriously.  Search websites for art arrangements that you find appealing, consult design or decor magazines for images of successful arrangements, dig through books on the topic.  My go-to guide is The Art of Showing Art, by James K. Reeve, available on Amazon.com.  Reeve discusses everything from protecting your art, installing your pieces, and documenting your investment.  After all, your collection is an investment, and should be treated as such.

September To-Dos: Inspect and Refresh!

I always think of September as not-quite-fall: more of a transistion month.  And it's the perfect time to get your game face on for holiday decorating and entertaining (yes, it's right around the corner!) without going whole hog.  Here's a few tips from my own To-Do list this month.

• Inspect all of your outdoor pots or containers, patio furniture, and outdoor dinnerware.  Will they be good for next season or is it time to replace?  Now is the time to take advantage of sales on those items.  Toss any broken pots or containers and be ready to start fresh for your fall plantings.  Click HERE for my recent post on transitional plantings perfect for September.
• Try to extend the life of any potted plants that still look good for the next few weeks.  Water them throroughly and give them a little extra TLC until you're ready to completely redo your containters for fall. 
• Inside, give your walls and woodwork a good once-over.  Mine tend to take a beating over the summer with my family crashing in and out!  Old Reliable for me is a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to take care of handprints and grubby places.  Don't forget around doorknobs and doorjambs.  Will you need to repaint, or will a touch-up suffice?  Do it now, whatever it is; in a few short weeks the holidays will be knocking on the door.
• Pull out your afghans and see if they need to be dry-cleaned or washed.  Swap out throw pillows, either between rooms or pick up a couple of fresh ones from your local discount store to freshen your look for awhile.  Target usually has great deals on two-packs of solid color pillows. 
• Trade out your pillar candles for fresh ones and nestle them in either coffee beans (lighter colored pillars) or unpopped popcorn (darker colored candles).  Easy, fresh, and inexpensive.

• It's too early for pumpkins and gourds for me, so I turn to apples, pears, and pinecones for the next few weeks.  Pile them on a creamy platter for your coffee table or line them up along your mantle for a clean modern touch.  Click HERE to check out my Simple September Centerpiece that will go the distance until October.
• Whenever you can, open your windows!  Breathe in the fresh fall air and give your home a chance to breathe, too.

What's your on your September To-Do list?

Provence Paradise by Michel Biehn

Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by a magazine cover?  This is exactly what happened to me in the airport a few weeks ago, when I caught sight of the August issue of Veranda.  I splurged and picked up a copy for my flight and I've been repeatedly engrossed ever since. 

The images of this stunning Provencal villa restoration are captivating!  The result of a ten-year collaboration between designer/antique dealer/author Michel Biehn and the American owner of the villa, the renovation became as much a restoration as anything.  Uncovering windows that had been covered for centuries and stone walls dating back as early as the eleventh century (the house began as a defensive tower back in the Middle Ages), opening up ceilings and doorways, rebuilding collapsed structures that connected different additions to the house were only a few of the challenges this dynamic team faced.  "The main family came in the thirteenth or fourteenth century...Each generation seemed to open windows but close others, create a staircase or build a tower.  Parts were destroyed in the Middle Ages.  There was a fire in the nineteenth century, and the other tower was destroyed.  The property is like an encyclopedia of French architecture," explains Biehn.  Not only is the finished product structurally magnificent, but the interiors are an inspired combination of antiques, modern touches in rugs, artwork, and fabric, and vintage finds that are the hallmark of Biehn's work.

Take a look at these magnificent photos that capture this labor of love and tell me you aren't longing to spend a weekend in Provence.

This is the image that "got" me. :)

Quite possibly my favorite space.

Can't you picture yourself enjoying your morning coffee here?

Interior Design by Michel Biehn

Landscape Design by Michel Biehn, Jean-Claude Appy, and Marco Nucera

Photography by Peter Vitale

Article by Jean Bond Rafferty for Veranda, August 2010

Emily Giffin at Home

Imagine my delight to find my FAVORITE author Emily Giffin showcased in her home by the fabulous Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles!  I have adored EG from the beginning with her first novel, Something Borrowed (now being filmed for release next summer!!) and to hear her thoughts about life in the ATL and see glimpses into her home is beyond bliss for this book/decorating junkie.

Her "reading nook"... I love the simple lines of the white chair with the graphic pillow and throw.

Simply elegant... dinnerware by Match, the "Convivio" collection.

My bliss :)

"I view my home as a sanctuary filled with memories-- and decorating as the ultimate form of self-expression."  ~ Emily Giffin to Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.

How true!  Make sure you pick up her latest book, Heart of the Matter.

Photos by Erica George Dines for Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles