Best. Snowboots. Ever

Uggs Snowpeak Boots. 

Waterproof + Warm + Comfy + Cozy + On sale + Free overnight shipping =  BLISS.

A Modern Family Room

My sister lives in Atlanta and is beginning the process of revamping her family room.  She and her husband live in a really fabulous turn-of-the-century house in a quaint Atlanta neighborhood.  She has just hired a decorator to help her with the “heavy lifting” and she and I have been bantering ideas back and forth about the aesthetic of the room.

She is looking for a modern, comfortable, easy, clean vibe that can accomodate evenings with her toddler, as well as after-dinner drinks with friends.

Here are my quick thoughts:

For paint, they have chosen amazing gray by Sherwin Williams.  They saw that cool bird’s nest pendant (upper left corner) over the weekend (as found here from Lightology) and fell in love.  I also really like the industrial vibe of the iron lantern from Shades of Light (upper right corner). 

Because of the shape of the room, which is a large square, my sister and I agree that a sectional is going to be the best choice for seating.  I love the idea of a simple brown or black leather sectional.  The one pictured above in the middle is from Pottery Barn. 

To balance out the gray and brown, I chose a bright yellow, cheery rug from Anthropologie (pictured bottom left), and some fun yellow and gray pillows from Etsy (floral on left and damask on right above). 

To complement the modern light fixture, I chose some sleek stainless steel side and coffee tables from Crate and Barrel.

My sister made her own inspiration board and we exchanged them only to find out that we chose the exact same rug, except her choice was in the red color palate! 

What do you think?  I will keep you posted as things shape up down there in Hotlanta.  Good luck, sissy!

Buy This, Not That: Looks for Spring!

It’s been a while since I have put together a “Buy This, Not That” post.  I am featuring Boden today because I was so inspired by their Spring catalog!  This company, founded in the UK, is my new favorite source for versatile clothes with great quality and good value.  Boden’s Spring look reminds me of Kate Spade meets J.Crew, for less….

LOVE THIS?

{Bali, Kate Spade, $198}

BUY THIS!

{Strappy Wedges, Boden, $138}

LOVE THIS?

{Grosgrain Plisse Priti, Kate Spade, $355}

OR THIS?

{Flutter-Flower Clutch, J. Crew, $128}

BUY THIS!

{Fabulous Clutch, Boden, $98}

LOVE THIS?

{Connect Four Reina Dress, Kate Spade, $395}

BUY THIS!

{Must Have Shift, Boden, $148}

LOVE THIS?

{Regina Metallic Leather Ballet Flats, J. Crew, $278}

BUY THIS!

{Embellished Flats, Boden, $118}

LOVE THIS?

{Watch Hill Zippered Darcy, Kate Spade, $295}

BUY THIS!

{Patent Stripe Tote, Boden, $228}

LOVE THIS?

{Bettye Muller, Heirloom, Piperlime, $220}

BUY THIS!

{Colourblock Wedges, Boden, $148}

Check it out!  There is so many more fabulous spring items at Boden right now.  Happy bargain hunting and come on Spring!

P.S.  As I write this, a foot of snow sits on the ground and we have two more snow storms on the horizon this week.  Before last month, we didn’t even own a snow shovel!  Sooooo, as an understatement, I am desperate for Spring!

Doppelganger Game

Are you playing the Doppelganger game on Facebook?  You know, Doppelganger: “In the vernacular, the word “doppelgänger” has come to refer (as in German) to any double or look-alike of a person.”

I have been told by a few people that I resemble the character Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girls.  I have never seen ths show and don’t know much about Ms. Leighton Meester. 

A friend posted this cool site on Facebook to help people find their true Doppelgangers.  It uses facial recognition technology to find your celebrity look alike.  Flattery is the fastest way to increase your internet popularity, right?  My celeb twin……..wait for it:

Maria Menounos!  That facial recognition stuff is pretty forgiving, and they obviously didn’t use cleavage recognition techonology….  But, I’ll take it!!

So who’s yours?

Yes Please.

If I wear these sunglasses, will Spring come any faster?  Pretty please? 

{Keeden Sunglasses, Kate Spade}

Last Day of The Big Window Challenge

If you haven’t checked out The Big Window Challenge, you should!   Three designers competed head-to-head to design rooms for the windows at the Bloomingdales flagship store in New York City. 

Of course, my fave is Eddie Ross’s creation for the Modern Woman — a media mogul and mother of two:

I love Eddie’s use of color — the blue splatter wallpaper, the modern orange print, the colorful ikat pillows, the bright pink throw blanket:

And the details are divine.  This modern woman is home from work, sheds her heels and peruses fabulous fashion and shelter mags to wind down:

While sipping a glass of wine wine from a pink, crystal glass:

And popping an after-dinner mint or two:

Be sure to click over to check out the other two designs and vote for your favorite!  I am pulling for Eddie!

Currently Coveting

These fresh and preppy gray and white striped scoop back chairs from West Elm for my kitchen table:

I can think of nothing else.  $99 a piece, or $396 for the set.  Oy.

Design Crush: Paul Corrie

If you do not already know him, please allow me to introduce Paul Corrie, interior designer extraordinaire and my friend.

Paul is the founder of Paul Corrie Interiors and has received numerous accolades for his fabulous design.  He has been profiled by Home & Design magazine and was named one of Metropolitan Home’s favorite young designers.   His work also has been featured in the DC Design House, Washington Spaces magazine and HGTV’s “Small Space Big Style”.  Most recently, Paul was named asone of Traditional Home’s top 20 young designers to watch! 

I am so lucky to know Paul personally!  He and I were good friends in high school.  (I was going to scan some old photos of us (circa 1993) but I will spare us all.)  Paul has always had a great eye for design and fashion — he was always dressed to the nines in high school!

I love the way Paul combines textures and design genres.  His aesthetic reflects his attention to scale and detail.  Paul always achieves a timeless yet fresh look.   

To help us get to know him better, I asked Paul to participate in a fun and quick Question & Answer.  I also blogged about Paul’s favorite things last year.  Isn’t he a good sport?!

1. Describe your style in five words or less.  Traditional with a modern twist.
2. What is your favorite paint color? Benjamin Moore’s French Canvas.
3. If you could design for anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?  Great question…and difficult to answer! My Grandmother…She has always loved and taken pride in her home…Had I been able to do what I do now 20 years ago, I could’ve given her the dream interior of a lifetime.
4. What is one current trend that you think will be timeless?  Neutral palettes…You can always add to them to alter your surroundings.
5. What is your favorite piece of furniture?  I’m in love with these new dining chairs that I recently purchased…They’re Italian, circa 1930s, and they have the most gorgeous patina and finish…The paint has chipped off in some areas, which only makes them look even more fabulous!
6. What is your next travel desintation?  I would love to return to Greece…It’s one of my favorite destinations ever!
7. What color is your kitchen?  White, of course!
8. What is your drink of choice at Starbucks?  Grande Soy No Whipped Mocha.
9. Who are your interior design icons?  Albert Hadley, Jed Johnson, Miles Redd…those are just a few…I like to keep some just to myself…
10. What is your least favorite color?  Red.

See, now you have a new design crush too!  Pretty please go vote for Paul HERE in Traditional Home’s Readers Choice and you will be entered to receive a personalized room design from one of the 20 designers, plus Duralee fabric (up to a $5,000 retail value).  You can vote once a day through March 23rd. 

Be sure to add Paul’s blog to your reader and go peruse Paul’s gorgeous work!

{All images courtesy of Paul Corrie Interiors.}

Mini-Update on Hallway Facelift

I just purchased two of these flush-mount ceiling lights from Overstock to replace our crappo, builder-grade, shiny-gold disasters in the hallway (previous posts on the hallway update here and here). 

I can’t wait for the console to come in, so that I can officially pick the lamps.  It’s hard to envision the appropriate height of the lamps when the console is not yet in the space.  

I keep forgetting to take “before” pictures.  I will try to post some in the next few days.  Check out the updated inspiration board!

Crazy Sexy Good

Last night we made this cake:

named Better Than Sex from Paula Deen’s Savannah Country Cookbook (recipe pretty much like this one).  Lemme tell ya, it almost lives up to its name.

P.S. Here is another variation by Paula on the same theme with pineapple and coconut.

{Image from Yumsugar}