Shield Back Chairs: New Version!

With each days delivery of the mail there is excitement and perhaps too much expectation. Like many of you I look forward to receiving favorite catalogues to see what new items they will be showing off to welcome the fall season. But, what I want most is to find that one fantastic thing that gets the wheels churning with ideas and inspiration. Well so far for me, it has been page after page of mostly a sigh...no, make that a yawn. Until last night. This amazing new tole version of the shield back chair from Pierre Deux required 2 Tylenol PM to block it from my thoughts!

Your authentic French details are calling me!

A definite decorative coup for any room!

Enjoy your weekend, perhaps obsessing over your latest find!!!

Back to School with Aqua & Orange

If your kids aren't already back to school, today's the day! It's sort of the unofficial start to fall, which always turns my attention to warming up things both inside and out. I can recall so many years when my children's teachers would ask students to draw a picture using favorite colors. I remember once it had to be their 2 most favorite colors. I have plenty of aqua in my home already, and I keep finding myself drawn to orange. Maybe just a throw or a few toss pillow will suffice.

Some of these pictures have just a hint of the colors and for others, it's a really bold gesture! But,  I have saved them all as favorites. Enjoy my "pictures" using orange & aqua!

Aqua paint on an iron table

A winning kitchen combo

Just a hint on the trash can

Vibrant and so inviting

Bold and traditional

The perfect seat

George Clooney: Foxy Inspiration?

Pier 1 Imports was my go-to store when I had my first apartment. It was close to where I lived and cheap! Fast forward 20+ years and some things haven't changed. Except the go-to part. I will still pop in every once in awhile looking for glasses, storage baskets or some other odd thing and I do like to go in around the holidays and check out their ornament selections. Not long ago I had to hit 3 different locations buying up all the $4/bags of robin's egg soaps for a client. Not kidding. Otherwise I would have had to allocate $20/jar plus shipping for the same thing. Money I needed to spend on other items!

I never look at their catalogue. Yesterday I did. For one simple reason. Foxy George Clooney was on the cover. Okay, it wasn't really him, more like the thought of him. Alright, it was just the sound of his voice. See......

If I lost you, it just means you haven't seen "Fantastic Mr. Fox". Worth renting. George Clooney is the voice of Mr. Fox.  I've seen it 3 times.....don't ask.

Anyway, I  liked the lines of the settee he had his foxy tail on. The fabric, uh...not so much. But this is the sort of piece if I could score a great fabric at a rock bottom price, I would consider recovering it for the right project or room!

I perused the whole catalogue. There were some other decent pieces amongst a whole lot of crap. Each page was an over-accessorized riot of color that required 2 Advil upon completion. Some of the vignettes I swear are from one of their 90's layouts and I am convinced they have stylist's on staff who are on crack.  See for yourself:

Warning: these are not even the worst pages. But, in all fairness, the front of the catalogue does say "Creature Comforts". So if you keep the theme in mind and Advil handy, incorporating a unicorn and a goose into your interiors makes perfect sense. Kind of takes the focus off some of the accessories.  Except for this last image. There are signs of crack use all over it. How do Goldilocks & the 3 bears fit into this???!!!  It seems none of the Pier 1 beds were just right.

Hope everyone has a fantastic long weekend catalogue browsing, renting movies, playing outside or just hanging out!!!  

Fall Planting...What to do?

I have such admiration for all landscape designers. I truly find such pleasure visiting the landscape blogs. Of course you all are very skilled at creating curb appeal, selecting just the right plantings that are suitable to the style of our home and the climates we live in. But it is truly so much more than that.

The beauty and artistry of what a landscaper or skilled gardener creates is a huge component of our stored memories. I can recall very specific moments with friends dining alfresco, tossing the ball to dogs I've owned,  pushing my kids on the swing set, and laying on the cool lush grass. It is much the same way interior memories are stored. Where you may associate a certain sofa, lamp, fabric or artwork with a specific memory, the same can be said about a beautiful tree in your yard, the scent of honeysuckle, or the potted flowers on your front porch.

I am not a gifted gardener. In fact for a time, nearly the opposite was true. For awhile, killing plantings became one of my specialties! However, my deep love of flowers and greenery as well as the need to constantly bring fresh cuttings indoors hasn't stopped me from experimenting. Over the years, I have learned to seek out the help of those who are knowledgeable, teach myself by reading whatever I can, and pay for services when I know I am clearly out of my range of capability. But, for the smaller tasks such as seasonal pots, I still enjoy having a go at it every season.

Since discovering double impatients, I have  used them quite a bit, with and without other plants in various pots. They look like miniature roses, love the shade and have proven "kill proof" with good soil and water. But, the fall sometimes gets me stumped. Often, I just shove a bunch of branches in these iron pots... never a shortage in our backyard! But, until it is time for pumpkins, I am hoping dear readers, you may have some suggestions and fresh inspiration?

All photos courtesy of A&A

Designer Dog Dishes!

I've have a bone to pick. It drives me a bit nuts when I am visiting a beautiful home and there are hideous dog dishes lurking out in the open.  Especially in the kitchen! When I renovated my kitchen, I considered integrating them into a bottom cabinet. Out of the way and out of sight.  In the end,  my kitchen just wasn't large enough to justify giving up storage space. I am seeing this trend more and more. I would definitely suggest it to a client if space allowed.

Thankfully, there are some fantastic web sites offering super attractive dishes for inside and outside! So whether your poochy dines in the kitchen, laundry/mud room, or on the patio...there is an attractive option.  I think it's worth the splurge to try and buy dishes that are in keeping with the style of the room they occupy space in. Mine are raised iron and are kept in the laundry room.  And, now after doing research for this post my favorite may need a dish set for the deck too!!!

Doggy dining never looked so good...

English Garden

Rustic Retreat

Colorful Urban Country

Retro Rover

Stately Mansion 

Modern Loft

Country Manor

Treats too!

Iron Suburban

French Fleur de Lys

Royal Le Jardin

Italian Villa

Images via Calling All Dogs, Trendy Pet, In The Company of Dogs, Frontgate and Spode

Full disclosure...I made all the names up based on the style!  But, you can buy these feeders at the above sources.

Fabric & Wallpaper: Gone to the Dogs!

I became completely smitten the first time I saw this fabric by Eric Cohler in 2006 aptly named, Unleashed! I tore these pages out and slipped them right into plastic sleeves the moment I came across them.  I love the fact the design is appealing for both young & old!!! I've yet to come across a dog themed fabric I like better!

Red

Blue

Orange

And, the selections in canine inspired wallpaper are giving a case of puppy love! I think it's so wonderful when good design doesn't have to be too serious!

Osborne & Little's Best in Show-black

Peter Fasano's Maxx

Peter Fasano's Calvin & Lewis

Peter Fasano's Bow-Wow

Thibaut's Best in Show-aqua

Tuesday Tip

Barking inspiration! The Dog Days of Summer are upon us. Those last few days of August. Many of us are changing gears and revving up for new projects and the anticipation that a new season is just around the corner. It's no secret I love dogs...especially mine! So this week's posts will be dedicated to dogs in design & decor. There is a place for canines in every room!


On a special drawer





In the kitchen



On the walls



On the table



On the bookcase




In the laundry or mud room



By the door





Everywhere!!!



Sources: Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Pierre Deux, Ballard Designs, Hugo Guinness from John Derian Co.