The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas season is officially upon us!  The tree is up, and I have finished my wreath for the Festival of Wreaths.  We went to Raleigh for the Holiday weekend, and found a North Carolina Fraser Fir we just couldn't pass up.  In all our excitement about finding the perfect tree, we failed to put any thought into the logistics of getting an eight foot tree home in a 5 Series BMW.  Let's just say there were a lot of stops, including one at a Food Lion in small-town North Carolina where string from the butcher counter was used to secure the tree again.  It's laughable now, but not really that funny at the time!  After the roughly seven hour car ride, the tree made it with plenty of needles intact, and it is now standing tall in the living room. 

But first, here is my wreath, "Yuletide Eucalyptus", temporarily hanging on our front door.  The fresh Eucalyptus smells amazing and the bow was fashioned out of Schumacher's "Caribou Embroidery" from the new Luxe Lodge collection. 

Behold our tree!  The house smells of Fraser Fir, and I love it! It feels so cozy in the living room now, and of course, I love the furniture arranged better this way.  Now, when the tree goes down, I'm going to have to find something to put in that space, so I can leave the furniture this way.  Go figure! 

As I mentioned, there was quite a bit of shifting and rearranging pieces of furniture.  One chair was moved into the kitchen, and I didn't think its pink velvet was quite the right look, so of course that had to change.  I quickly recovered that chair earlier today, and am really pleased with the outcome!  I love to move pieces around the house for this very reason - keeps things looking fresh!

While in Raleigh, Boyfriend's Mom and I took a trip into Chapel Hill to visit South, a shop I have mentioned on the blog before.  Look how fabulous and festive the seating arrangement is that greets you as you walk in the doors of the shop!

There were so many gorgeous items, and an incredible selection of holiday candles, which are always a favorite of mine.  I caved and bought myself one of the NEST candles, and even some for gifts (great gifts by the way!).  Look at the gorgeous collection of NEST red velvet and gold boxes on display above.  Below, is the candle that I just couldn't resist.  If you are looking for the perfect pine scent, search no more!

And I have to show off this gorgeous decanter.  I love decanters for the bar, and I have recently started a collection.  This is random, I know, in relation to decorating for the Holidays, but the boyfriend's Mom gave this to me while we were in town.  She had mentioned to a friend that I was starting a collection, so her friend picked this one up at an estate sale with matching glasses.  How sweet was that?!  (Thank you Julie!)

I hope all of you had a nice Thanksgiving as well! 

I would love to see your Holiday decorations, so send them my way.





Festival of Wreaths

The Holidays sneak up on me every year.  November seemed to fly by and here we are, the day before Thanksgiving!  This month evidently flew so quickly for me that I forgot my obligation to make a wreath for this year's Festival of Wreaths at the Charleston Place hotel.  Each year a handful of local Charleston designers put their talented design efforts into making a wreath for the annual Festival of Wreaths, which are then auctioned off at the cocktail party.  However, they are due in November so each one can hang on a door of one of The Shops at Charleston Place to be on display for a couple weeks.  I completely forgot that they were due last week, and now I have to create some wondrous masterpiece of a wreath ASAP.  So yesterday I thought I would go take a sneak peek at the other wreaths that are now hanging.  My aplogies to the lonely store that doesn't have their wreath on Black Friday because of me!  I didn't get photos of every one, but I got shots of quite a few and they are all super original and amazing!  It's interesting to see each designer's style present in their wreath.  Oh, and the other part about the wreaths in this festival is it has to have a theme, whatever you like, but it has to have a theme and a title to go along.

Look at the gorgeous detail of how this wreath hangs!

Now the hard part - figuring out the design for my wreath.  I have my work cut out for me over Thanksgiving!  Stay tuned for photos of mine.  I will post as soon as I finish.

Also, if any of you are interested in attending this fabulous holiday cocktail party and auction, here is the link for info and tickets.

http://www.charlestonplace.com/web/ocha/festival_of_wreaths.jsp

And lastly, I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday, and hopefully these fabulous wreaths were a nice little dose of Holiday spirit for you.  I always need something like this to jumpstart the Holidays for me, which is why I enjoy designing a wreath for this event (that is, if I can remember). 

LUXURIES: What Are Yours?

My November issue of Elle Decor arrived in the mail last week with a cover that caught my eye, dubbing this issue "The Luxury Issue".  Wondering what Elle Decor considers "luxury", I immediately opened flipping until I found the Editors letter (the only editors letter I read religiously every month), and found a very pleasing explanation of his idea of luxury.  Everyone has their own definition, but Michael Boodro, Editor in Chief of Elle Decor says "luxury has to do with comfort, and that stems from being at ease with oneself.  Luxury can be expensive, but it is not defined by wealth or how much something costs.  (And certainly spending a lot of money is no guarantee of luxury-or taste.)"  I couldn't agree more and I couldn't have said it better myself!

After reading this and scouring this excellent issue, I've been thinking a lot about what I consider luxuries in life and how I live.  Realizing that many of my luxuries are small things in my day to day, I thought I would share some with you in hopes that it may inspire you to take a moment and think about the things in your day to day life that keep you smiling and feeling happy.

First things first, I love my french press coffee in the morning!  Best way to start the day!  I grind my own beans, boil my own water and even take my sugar out of an antique crystal server.

via DesignSponge

A perfectly made bed with clean sheets!

Palmer Weiss/Traditional Home

An organized closet!  It doesn't have to be a huge closet, but having everything put away and organized makes me feel downright luxurious.

via Mr.Cee

 

Fresh flowers and candles!

via TheJewinJ.Crew

Having the pleasure of working with gorgeous velvets almost every day!

via Schumacher

I could wear point-toe stilettos and skinnies every day!  This is the outfit that makes me feel most comfortable and chic at the same time.  Comfortable + chic = Luxury 

via sweetlemonmag

A polish change (no, not a mani) on my nails. I love switching colors every week or so!  This week will be garnet for my Gamecocks.

And of course, a clean, neat and beautiful office! Nothing beats starting my day with that great cup of coffee and an office that is comfortable and makes me happy just to sit in it. 

via Pinterest

 

So, what are your luxuries???

 

Get The Look

Simple. Classic. Elegant. Easy.  These are all words that run through my mind when I look at this space.  It is of course also beautiful, chic, and all that jazz, but everyone wants simple and easy if at all possible.  That is why I want to focus on this particular look - because it represents good design that is straightforward, timeless, not too costly to pull off, and SIMPLE.   Consider this a perfect base design to leave just the way it is, or layer in the fabrics or colors you are loving at the moment.  In the cooler months when you want that warm cozy feel, throw down a chic rug or add pillows or small furs to the chairs. The brick floors do add quite a bit of character, but gorgeous hardwoods have the same effect.  This the perfect look to update a sunroom, breakfast nook or dining room. 

source: BHG

Get The Look:

Natural Belgian Linen Curtain Panels $139 per panel.  Order them here

Shades of Light Charleston Lantern, $159. 

Below, 3 table options ranging from the ultimate deal to bit a pricier! 

(It was hard to narrow it down to just one table.) 

Handmade rustic pine farm table, $400 through Etsy. Find this super good deal here

Bradshaw Kirchofer Queen Anne Dining Table, numerous color options, $1290

Available through Layla Grayce here

Love this beautiful table!  Find it here

I know everyone loves the Ghost chair.  It was 10 years ago in 2002 that Phillipe Starck designed the first ghost chair, and it has remained a beautiful staple ever since.  To me, this chair is now a classic, and it was only recently that I came across the best deal on a set of 4 that I have seen yet. 

Ghost Chair, Set of 4, $539

Available through Regency Shop here

There are two amazing accessories in this look, and I love that they are both related to nature.  Also, both of these items add a little edge or interest, which is oh so imporant!  Here are 2 excellent finds that have that same natural edge. 

Gazelle Head, $49.95.  Find at Z Gallerie here

Giant Clam Bowl, $139

Wisteria Giant Clam Bowl

Now all that's missing is you, good friends, delicious food and wine, and you'll have yourself one fabulous room!

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Well, dear readers, I just got home from an hour long trip around the block.  I left the house at noon for a 1:30 in Mt. Pleasant, knowing it would take me longer to get there because of all this rain.  I ended up abandoning my car, after only getting around the block, at the highest point I could possibly find in the Hardee's parking lot in downtown Charleston.  I then treked back home where I walked through water that flooded over my Hunter boots.  Man, do those boots come in handy up until you reach over 2 feet of flood water!  You name it, and I saw it floating down the street - sheets, street signs, cars, garbage cans, etc...  And to think, low tide was at noon today.  Wait til high tide at 6! 
Here's an image from Market Street via Twitter.

Needless to say, I am back at home, wondering when I am going to be able to get my car, because all I hear out my window is honking horns.  This is the ultimate rainy day!  With that said, I thought I would feature some spaces that are perfect places for spending a rainy day.  Enjoy! 

Atlanta Homes Mag

Luxe Interiors

 Love to spend time in a fabulous kitchen on a rainy day!

Or, I wouldn't mind being cozied up in a wine bar right about now!

Bon Appetit

Another fabulous kitchen perfect for lingering in!

House and Home

DanaWolterInteriors

Elle Decor

Now, off to see if I can retrieve my car!  Wish me luck! 

ART: It's Personal

On a recent quest to find just the right piece of artwork for a space, I found myself pulled in numerous directions about what style of art to use.  I agree with those who believe a work of art should not be bought just to fill an empty space on the wall. The style of the art should fit with the character or enhance the space.  For some, it's a way to show status or wealth. Others use it as an outlet to express themselves.  But above all, it should be something you love.  I tend to lean towards more modern or abstract art, but then again I love a beautiful, classic framed painting.  I guess you could say my broad taste in art expresses my openness to several styles.  I find it intriguing researching how people use art in a space, and I say that after hours scouring magazines and the internet.  Below, are my top picks exemplifying how art compliments, enhances, and adds the important layer of character to a room.  As for that previously mentioned piece of art I am looking for, the search continues! 

Phoebe Howard

The unique piece below is this formal room's "wild side".

Your selection doesn't have to be flat.  Three-dimensional sculpture packs a major punch!

Redmond Aldrich Design

Supersize it!

I've always loved the look of hanging frames over full bookshelves.

Elle Decor

A sultry dark wall is a dramatic way to make a colorfol piece of art pop.

Kishani Perera

Use art to create symmetry in the space.

Traditional Home

Give the room an edge with a bold statement piece.

Combine the pieces you love and create an eclectic grouping.

A collection of prints is pleasing to the eye and something you can continue to add to.

Decorpad

Don't be afraid to hang or buy the art you love for fear that it won't fit in the space.  It may just be that it needs a different frame or mat, or maybe, lose that old frame and mat altogether.