Tuesday, October 25, 2011

More Staffordshire Dogs



Designer Todd Klein has a staffordshire dog on the book shelves of his New York apartment.  Image from here.





A pair of antique staffordshire dogs on the mantle.  Image from here.




Staffordshire dog lamps in the guest bedroom in Bee Cottage featured in House Beautiful.





Have you been following the makeover of Bee Cottage in House Beautiful?  Pretty cute.  Image from here.


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Staffordshire dogs looking right at home in a more modern setting.  Image from here.





Black & Spiro window display.


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A pair of dogs on the mantle.  Image from here





Absolutely Beautiful Things





Christine Dovey who writes the blog, Bijou and Boheme, included a pair of staffordshire dogs in her Tastemaker Tag Sale on One King's Lane.




A cute staffordshire dog on a parson's desk.




Another cute dog on a parson's desk.

To see  more staffordshire dogs, go here.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Autumn Necessities for the Home

1. A Fall candle



This candle smells so yummy. When I light this candle I feel like I need to put a sweater on, even when it is 89 degrees outside.  I found mine at Target.


2. Faux fur throw

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I can't say this is a necessity just yet, but once the weather cools off it will be nice to snuggle up with this blanket while watching a movie.


3.  Cornucopia




When Fall arrives, the blue and white ginger jars come off the dining room table and the cornucopia goes on.  I fill mine with faux glittery white and black pumpkins, gold acorns, lots of leaves and moss.  This Thanksgiving, I think I am going to try to make Martha Stewart's candy cornucopias for the kids.  So cute!


4.  Opi fingernail polish in Siberian Nights

Siberian Nights OPI Nail Polish

I know this is not for the home, but I can't live without this color for the fall.  My super stylish neighbor was wearing it a couple of years ago and I had to find out what color it was.  I won't keep it a secret.


5.  Chili Pie



A Southern staple.  Chili, cheese and Fritos.  Must be Fritos.  Not nutritious, but so delicious.  Tastes great on a crisp, cool evening.  Go here, for a great recipe.


What are your necessities for the Fall?

Monday, October 17, 2011

Autumn Inspiration



I look forward to wearing outfits like this one that Jill is wearing.  However the weather in Texas hasn't been cooperating lately.  Too hot!

It makes it hard to decorate for Fall.  However, these pictures inspired me and I finally dug out my scarecrow, bats, spiders, and other Autumn paraphernalia.  A trip to the nursery for mums and pumpkins helped too.

For those of you who have not yet turned your house into a Fall wonderland, here is some inspiration.






















Decorating Step-by-Step: Wreath of Pumpkins

Go to Southern Living  for instructions on making that wreath.







Love this!

I have been using the Rustoleum Metallic spray paint in gold for painting pumpkins and acorns and they look magical!









If you need some more ideas, go to Country Living for some fun Halloween templates.

All images found here.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

DECORATING CLASSICS #5

The Parsons Desk.

Why?  The shiny lacquered finish.  The clean lines.  What's not to love about the Parsons desk?  The Parsons style was created in the 1930s in Paris and is a classic in mid century modern design.  The Parsons desk is very versatile.  It looks great in a modern setting, but can really jazz up a traditional room.   It can be used as a desk of course, but also would look dazzling in an entry way or even as a bedside table.


West Elm sells the parsons desk in a variety of colors and sizes.  The price for the iconic piece is very affordable.   I got a great deal on mine because it was a floor sample.


Parsons Desk with Drawers


The West Elm version in yellow.





West Elm now carries the parsons desk in metal, which looks really chic and industrial.



But if glamour is what you are after, West Elm sells a version that is mirrored.




Perfection!  The parsons desk is much more interesting when paired with an ornate chair or bench, like in this picture.  Love it with the mirror too!  Image from here.




Can be used in an entry way.  Image from here.



A black desk in a funky modern entry.






Works next to a desk, paired with a modern lucite chair.  Image from here.



Looks pretty in a traditional, girly bedroom.





It looks really good paired with a ghost chair, another icon of design.  Image from here.





I love the way it looks in a more traditional setting with a traditional chair.  Image from here.





As you can see, it fits in well in a traditional room.  Image from here.




The parsons desk doesn't have to be stuck in an office.  Bring it into the living room!





Jazzing up a traditional vignette.  Image from here.


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I LOVE the palm beach chic vibe Camila from Effortless Style has created.  To read about her awesome chair find, go here.



Glamour abounds! Image from here.





My favorite color of all, classic white.  Image from here.

So there you have it, finally!  The top 5 decorating classics.  Do you have any of them in your home?

To read about the other decorating classics, go to #1#2#3#4.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Decorating Classics #4





Chinoiserie


 Designer, Joe Nye who was featured on the blog Chinoiserie Chic had this to say about Chinoiserie:

"It is gorgeous!!  It is a timeless decorating motif that has endured years of design in furniture, fabrics, scenic wallpapers.  It is still as popular today as it was years and years ago."  Enough said.


Go to thrift stores, estate sales, and even Homegoods to get great deals on Chinoiserie.  Also check out ebay.


Go here if you want to read more details about Chinoiserie, including how to pronounce it!


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A beautiful Chinoiserie chest in the home of Lynn Von Kersting, owner of the famous Los Angeles restaurant The Ivy.




I love that brightly colored Chinoiserie wallpaper in this office designed by Betsy Burnham.






Great pagoda lamps in this colorful bedroom by Betsy Burnham.





Meg Braff always incorporates Chinoiserie in her interiors.






Gorgeous Chinoiserie wallpaper from Meg Braff!





A piece of de Gournay framed.  Gorgeous!!





More de Gournay wallpaper.  Love this color combo in this dining room from the design team Massucco Warner Miller.






I love this room from Mary McDonald!






Blanc de Chine can often be found at estate sales.





I am keeping a lookout for a Chinoiserie coffee table like this one at estate sales and the thrift stores.  One of these days I will have one!


Chinoiserie is a decorating classic that is here to stay, and I am so glad!