where i've been

Hey guys - sorry for the week off. So much has been going on that I have not a second to think! Here is a peek of what I have been up to....

Remember this table I got for a steal on Ebay?

I had it sprayed the super dark purple that we talked about. I was thinking that one day I would have a big open loft like Christiane Lemieux...

I hated it in my tiny apartment. I had to be honest with myself that I might never have a big open loft space. I also didn't like the brass details on the legs standing out off the paint. So I painted it white this weekend...

Much better! Now, I just have to decide what to put on the chrome Baughman chairs - I think a rustic linen short slipcover maybe. I have to stick with greige now since I keep getting sick of color every time I do it.

Saw this jute at Pier One - do you know how hard it is to find a 6x9? Almost all rugs online jump from 5x8 to 8x10 and this 6x9 is a great price for a super chunky jute at $199...it might be the thing for me...

I also had this gorgeous photo of my grandaddy blown up and framed. I love it so much - wasn't he totally gorgeous!?

And because you guys know I am constantly getting rid of stuff, I am now selling this Beni Ourain rug! I had it shipped from Morocco and it has been professionally soaked and washed. It is about 5 1/2 feet by ten feet. It has no pattern on it, which is what I love since everyone is doing the patterned ones. It is just a simple cream. Let me know if you are interested or know anyone who could use it!

I also tried on EVERY SINGLE ITEM in my entire closet and decided to tailor, sell, or donate it. It was so exciting to weed out all the things I don't wear and just be in love with everything I have in there. Of course, it is hard to get rid of dresses that were expensive, but why do I own so many sparkly cocktail dresses when I never go to cocktail parties?? It was fascinating to see what I am drawn to. 
I hope your week was as eventful as mine - I can't believe we are almost in April!
E

pastel moment

Even though I really prefer strong, graphic, architectural elements in my wardrobe and my interiors, sometimes a soft pastel moment really gets me. Like this interior:

And like this Mason dress and Veda leather jacket:

Soft nudes, grays, and fleshy pinks with a jolt of bolder color are where my head's at today. Seems so cozy, soothing, and sexy at the same time. Happy weekend!
E

bedroom project

This past weekend my lovely clients who have an even lovelier old home here in New Orleans had me come by to install drapes and bedding on the new bed we got. With just pillows, drapes, and the new bed the room has gone from this:

To this:

Woo hoo! Now of course we need a bench and throw and bedsides and lamps. So we can do white bedside tables and a pop color lamp or a poppy colored table and clear lamps. I would love to hear your thoughts...
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Style Icon: Christine Centenera

Like my number one fashion fave Emmanuelle Alt, Christine Centenera (Vogue Australia fashion editor) picks a shoe, coat, and color scheme she loves and sticks with it. I think that is an awesome way to build a wardrobe...here are some of her more eclectic choices...
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1st Dibs Contest

Did you all see the Pinterest contest on 1st Dibs?

 It ends today so get over there and get pinning. You create a board with items from 1st Dibs that make a cohesive living room look. I went a little 70's glam crazy. Here is my look with the items I pulled from 1st Dibs:

Have fun with it!
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inspiring weekend

Hey gang - did you all see the pics of the J Crew offices that Kristin posted yesterday? They are gorgeous - I could very happily live there...here are some of them and some other pics inspiring me right now. Have a great weekend!
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Jenni Kayne - one of my faves of all time

want right now

Several times a year I fantasize about making my wardrobe all black and white....
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Zara

Kelly Wearstler

Dolce Vita

all in the family

You guys have seen all the work I have been doing for my sis in Birmingham - now it is time for my mom to get in on the act. She has been a supporter of the arts all her life, and is a serious collector. She had an antiques store at one point, and absolutely loves early American furniture and art - shaker pieces, quilts, Choctaw baskets, etc.. are all over her house. She also has tons of heavy oriental rugs and English antiques. So when the interior of her house was beige and green, it seemed cluttered and dark to me...

ooh contractor fixtures...

dark and cluttered

beautiful floors were not allowed to shine

collections spilling out

I have no words

So just the mere act of painting the ENTIRE interior of her whole house a sparkling super white has changed her life dramatically! All the walls, moldings, fireplace, shelves, shutters, kitchen cabinets, EVERYTHING went white. She is loving how clean everything feels, and the house seems much bigger! We are clearing out all clutter, doing completely new rugs and upholstery, and she is having her craftsmen friends make her new tables and light fixtures. I am thinking antiques and beautiful art popping off gallery white walls, like Daryl Carter's interiors.

new white paint next to old green on left - crazy difference!

Check out this new entry pendant, based on the famous Herve Van der Straeten bronze one that I have always lusted after:

Of course there won't be so many shadows when she lowers the wattage on the bulbs. I cannot wait to finish this complete overhaul. My entire extended family comes here to celebrate the holidays and they won't recognize this house! Will keep you updated on changes as they occur...
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Modern Chinoiserie

So excited to have finished this part of the room for my friends/clients Bessie and Joe! We still have to do a couple things on the outsides of this space, and then move over to the dining area, but I got so excited I had to take some pics yesterday. I am obsessed with this lime and Chiang Mai dragon scheme (as I have used it in two projects), but it plays so differently in the different projects. In Maddie's big girl room it is young and funky, and in this space I think it is chic and modern - especially because Bessie and Joe have so many great vintage pieces...
We will definitely have this room photographed again later, but I just wanted to show you our progress!
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the motel, the hotel, the holiday inn...

I have a great friend who may buy a really small, funky motel in Lake Tahoe and let me decorate it! This is what I am thinking, as she will be on a super tight budget (most things vintage or Ikea)...what do you think? Have a spectacular weekend...
E