28 March 2013

PARADISE FOUND.

So, I don't know about you...and your current whereabouts...but I'm in a part of the country that's been all-too-friendly with winter for far too long, and I am really super over it. You know the notion "out of sight, out of mind?" It must work with seasons, too...right? Well, I'm giving it a try. Winter, we are done. And I will no longer think about you, or see you for that matter. So here's to spring. And here's to summer. And here's to lively colors, bold prints, sunny shoulders, teenie bikinis, and a late spring vacation to Latin America that I can hardly, hardly wait for:


Yep, in preparation for vaca, I'm going bottoms-up on citrus-infused, pretty-hued beverages, and channeling thoughts of Marysia Swim's geometric bikini, luxe turkish beach towels, Mara Hoffman's lively coverups, ethnic-inspired textiles paired with ocean-hued paint, a clutch that's worthy of Latin America, pretty in peach Nars blush, chic leather sandals, and thoughts of lounging amongst this insanely chic poolside.

What about you? Just as ready for warm, beach-beckoning weather as I am?

HAPPY WEDNESDAY.

26 March 2013

DESIGN ICON: LISA FINE.

If you're enamored enough with design as I am, then you're probably in a constant state of self-education...incessantly absorbed in all-things design...fervently on the hunt to find more, see better, and therefore do better. And, if you know me at all, you know that I love spaces that aren't overly contrived, or "designed." In fact, that's sort of my design mantra, to wrap rooms in a "collected" aesthetic, full of furnishings, artwork, and accessories that are representative of you, your family, the places you've been, the sights you've seen, the things you most love, and all those stories you tell.

Perhaps no one does that better than the uber-chic Lisa Fine.  One glance at her home--and her interior design--and you feel like you know her. She's obviously well-traveled, well-cultured, and well-educated--with an air of sophistication, balanced by a casual ease. See what I mean?









Feminine, yes...but well-balanced by dark and sultry tones, hard lines, and bold contrast. The rooms are all exuberant, but grounded by an informal ease. And don't they all tell such amazing stories? I could just sit in each one, and be so easily entertained...imaging all the lands she's ventured, the sights she's seen, and the faces she remembers.

And there you have it, my career aspirations: to be a savvy world-traveler and collector of storied things, and to bring those sights and that education back to my clients and their homes, to help them achieve their own collected, storied spaces. Such amazing inspiration, that Lisa Fine is!


22 March 2013

RED.

So, any designer will tell you that we all have these so-called color crushes. They can be fleeting, and happen out of absolutely nowhere, but crushes they are...none-the-less. And mine is red. (Okay, one of them is red...as I have a lot going on at the moment). But seriously...give it to me...and all of its goodness:










See? Just glorious...I know. Red is just so chic when it's executed tastefully. And the above photos are the perfect evidence of that!

So, with that said...and an amazing dose of red...

HAPPIEST FRIDAY.
Go get you some weekend! 



18 March 2013

LIFE + DESIGN, LATELY.

Happiest Monday morning, my amazing readers. Hope your weekend was relaxing, inspiring...and of course pinch free. I can't even believe its mid-March, and that spring (I hope, I hope) is just around the corner. This year is flyyinnng by, but perhaps that's because I'm busy, and we all know there's no complaining in that book. I, for one, love to be busy. And last week was just that, hence the lack of blog posts. My design biz had me traveling, and occupied by all sorts of other happenings, so here's a little peek into my "lately" :

 Maple and I have been exploring our new downtown territory, and loving every little bit of it. Especially this electric purple door. Risk takers. I like my neighbors already.



We've been busy, so work has been creeping along at the cottage. But this is the 'before.' Whoever had possession of this place sure loved them some Christmas. Red painted brick exterior, with (you guessed it) green trim. And a red interior. With dingy brown. Come on people. She's a gem. Give her some love!


Which is precisely what we've been doing. Still a mess, still a work-in-progress, but much better than Father Christmas, I think. And don't judge. Lighting needs to go....and fast. Trim was painted yesterday--the most delicious greige. And doors will be painted this week. And kitchen is on its little way. All-in-all, she's nearly inhabitable.



And this deliciously orange cart can only mean one thing: the Home Depot Patio Challenge has me being a busy little bee! Work has commenced. LOTS of it. Because our courtyard was well ignored...for years. But we've been working hard to give her some love, too.


Sort of the before
It even looks better here than it did. It was bad.


And here's proof that I can (sort of) operate power tools. And construct things. Very easy things, nonetheless.


God is cool, and knew we Maples needed a vacation, so He made it happen. I somehow WON a FREE trip to MEXICO. Yes. Cray. So I took a break from our crazy week to book this girl and her hubby a week on the beach. 


My vehicle is big. And she loves to eat gas. And I always say that I'd love to downsize. And I really don't think that could ever, ever happen. And here is the proof, as this is my norm. At least I get to be surrounded by pretty things, even if they are en route to my clients and their homes.



And this was the bulk of my week. Working on the install of a gorgeous, glass-walled condo in the center of an amazing southern city. That black and white trellis pillow you see is sitting on the most gorgeously luxe leather sofa. And I'm rather in love with that parquet coffee table. And I think our gallery wall turned out pretty swell. More work to do, but she's almost there.



And here is me. At another little business happening. It was a big week for Hannah Maple Studio, and this was the Friday afternoon Skype call that topped it all off. So here I am, hanging at my hubby's (amazing) exposed brick and beam office, and I owe a huge thank you to the guys at The Livery for getting me all setup, as my own studio is very much 'under construction').

So there you have it. A peek into what's been going on in my world. And now it's Monday, and such a wonderful feeling it is to start the week uber-excited and ready to delve into my work. I am so incredibly grateful. Hoping the same stands true for all of you.

HAPPY MONDAY. 
Go and be inspired.


12 March 2013

BUSY, BUSY.

With my travel (and work) shoes on.




Hi friends. I'm traveling this week...working on the install of a project...for an amazing, amazing client, in an amazing, amazing city. Feeling rather lucky that I get to do what I love, spend time with incredible people, and discover the curiosities of insanely cool cities.

So...peace out, y'all. I'm off and running, hustling to get this condo outfitted to perfection...or dang near it. I'll update you on the happenings of this so-called-life when I'm back in my little office in my own little city.

HAPPY TUESDAY.


08 March 2013

WORDS OF WISOM:

And the pursuit of perfection:

Well-said, Salvador...well-said.

CHEERS TO FRIDAY!
And, the pursuit of imperfection.

graphic via Note to Self.

07 March 2013

PAINTED FLOORS: FOR MY STUDIO

So, y'all know that we moved to good ol' Kentucky...to our little historic cottage that's so full of charm and potential. But, did I mention I also have a new studio space, for my ever-growing design biz? A serious dream come true. What's more, it's actually attached (a fairly good sized addition) to our little living space. Another serious dream: wake up, drink some coffee, cook some breakfast, and walk next door...to my downtown studio space. Close up shop, and walk back...next door...for dinner...and wine (duh).

Anyway, my studio is a light, airy space, complete with exposed beams (no, not the cool raw wood kind) that's just begging for some love. Right now it's an empty shell that's in desperate need of some spackling and a paint job. But, speaking of paint, we removed the eyesore that was commercial-grade carpeting, and the sub-flooring lurking below is (sigh of relief) in relatively good condition. And what have I always wanted to do with good-condition sub-flooring? PAINT IT. And I am so. very. excited.  I'm thinking a geometric pattern that's not overly modern and is relatively classic and gender neutral. Like:

My favorite. But perhaps too complicated for this girl to execute? 


 Gorgeous. But again...looks intimidating.

 The scale is too large for my tastes (smaller-scaled patterns date themselves less quickly in  my book), but I'm of course liking the idea of a David Hick's inspired pattern. Can't go wrong there.


The amount of coffee I drink mixed with this pattern could equal bad news (umm...dizzy much), 
but that doesn't change my unrequited love for it.

Second favorite. Thank you, Miles Redd. 
The perfect colors. And perhaps the perfect pattern. Could I do this?


 We intend for our kitchen flooring to be exactly this, so I was wanting to mix it up a bit in the studio.
Perhaps throw in a different color? This would by far be the easiest solution.

 And, oh...I do love this. Fairly classic in my eyes. But oh-so-interesting.

Whatever we do choose, I'm gravitating towards this gorgie color palette.


Any and all options considered, I'm just a little excited. Or...a lot.
What do you think? Which is your favorite?

HAPPY THURSDAY.


05 March 2013

THINGS I HAVE MY EYE ON LATELY:

As you know, I pretty much always have design on the brain. I go to bed thinking about it (usually curled up with my iPad and pinterest)...dream about it...and wake up more than ready to face the day doing what I absolutely love. So, here's a few of those design-related things that I've really been eyeing (and thinking, wishing, dreaming about) as-of-late:


Red velvet sofas..nearly as delicious as their confectionery counterpart. 



Molten hot chocolate...in super white cups and saucers. A perfectly pretty afternoon spread, no?
Oh how I love my own from Fish's Eddy. Seriously. Best dinnerware buy ever.

 Black and white tile. Our love affair will never end. 



Paneled interior shutters. Perfection...in every way.
Hoping to adorn our cottage windows with a pair that are just the same.


Give them to me.
Please?

If they weren't all a million dollars, I would use one as my headboard.



A-typical, super-plush window boxes that are spilling over with gorgeous blooms.


Stunningly simple wallpaper that's muted...and textured.
Why yes you may live in my new hallway. Like, now.


 Gorgeously-hued (and patterned) jackets, mixed with acid washed jeans and chic heels.
Leave it to Zara to always do a number on me.



Perfectly simple and classic facades. 
This girl's been dreaming up all sorts of similar combinations
for the exterior of our little cottage...and my studio.


All perfectly pretty, well-designed things...no?
Inspiration. It really lives everywhere.

HAPPY TUESDAY, FRIENDS.
Hope yours is just as inspired.

P.S. if any of the above photos aren't linked to a source, you can find them here.