SCENES FROM OUR COTTAGE.

2013. I can't even believe that it's over. What a whirlwind of a year it was...filled with amazing, unfathomable happenings and blessings. I have this tendency to wish time away. I'm always, always looking forward to the future: planning, dreaming, trying to make my life happen (the curse of the creatives, it seems). I'm forever trying to change things. And this house. Can we talk about this house? It's in a constant state of disarray. Living in a construction zone can be chaotic, at best.

So as 2014 commences, I want to start anew...with the old. Appreciate what I have. Be grateful for everything in my life...yes, even the moments of limbo/chaos/confusion/what have you. Because isn't that where we find true happiness? Relishing in our 'haves' instead of furiously seeking our 'have-nots'?
And yes, my house is still chaotic. Don't let me fool you. Who knows when this reno will boast serene surroundings...but at least it's on its way. But today I decided I would appreciate what I have...and the way things are...and start really living in this house...and enjoying it. So here are some scenes to prove that I am doing just that:

So, there you have it: objects, furnishings, updates, vignettes, works-in-progress...and things that make me happy...in and around my house :)

Happy New Years Eve, my dear friends!!! I hope you spend every moment rejoicing over the moments of 2013, and relishing each and every new minute of 2014! I hope your New Years is nothing but extremely blessed!

HAPPIEST 2014.

LATELY.

Yes, I've been bad on the blogging front again. But, for good reason (or, so I think). So here's some of those 'why's', and a bit of what I've been up to lately:

I hopped a flight down to inspiration-filled Austin...

(I die over this front stoop tile!)

...for a girl's trip.

(yes, we have lots of good stories to tell, and a few pirate tattoos to show).

Austin, of course, is amazing...and I came home incredibly refreshed and inspired, especially by beckoning restaurant patios such as this...

...and so many other well-designed patios, businesses, food trucks, and things in general.

I ate my weight in tacos...

And brought home a shipment full of antique and vintage goodies.

(Keep your eyes peeled, people...as these goods will soon be for sale.)

And, in the meantime, a client's very boring brown bathroom went from this

(that's the unpainted paneling we installed)

...to this.

I am happy. They are happy. We are all dang happy.

And, this show-stopper was installed.

Good lighting makes all the difference in the world. Especially in a looming entryway.

The contractor thinks the dark blue /gray canopy looks like a hole in the ceiling.

But he's a guy. And I think it's perfection.

Furnishings are being delivered, so now comes the fun part: making them our own. 

And creating the perfect backdrop for such loveliness with amazing wallpaper.

...it's coming along...

So there you have it...

my lately.

Hope yours has been perfection, as well!

WEEKEND RECAP:

I love this city we live in. It's full of the very best things (well, to me...at least): friendly people; quaint coffee bars (where long-haired hipsters and tortoise-shell glassed, seersucker-suited men convene over slow-roasted beans; epicurean food, uber-pretty buildings/sidewalks/streets/gardens/piazzas/people, the rivers and the sea, incredible antiques/architecture/art; and sunshine.

Maple and I made it a point, this weekend, to enjoy all of the above:

Pretty downtown Charleston: Lower King Street. 

The antique district.
Therefore, my favorite.

You had me at "antiques."

And the orange and gray staircase.

The staircase to heaven did not disappoint!

Rug. Antelope. Haint blue ceilings.

I need you three...

Coffee date at City Lights.

Love the name.

Love the coffee.

Love the ham and cheese croissants.

And their chocolate brownie chess pie.

...Did you know I love food?...

Mostly too much.

The best gems are hidden.

In this case, my favorite antique store.

Unpretentious. Bold. Eclectic. Somewhat modern.
And just look at that view...

Art deco doors.

Art deco transom.

Both mirrored.

Both impossibly cool.

(It's also quite sad how much this photo excites me...

design is definitely my calling, no?)

My weekend uniform: 

messy hair (not at all intentional...merely a sad fact of life), 

hot pink lips, my beloved gray hoodie, and leather.

Pretty brass baubles.

Black...and pink.

Another revered Charleston shop of mine.

Same store. Stellar candlesticks. 

Definitely digging the black beeswax, electric blue, 

marbleized pyramid, burled wood credenza, 

extra-large bust, and round stone lamp. 

Need I go on?

There are no words...

except...

perhaps...

I need you. Or, you complete me? My office?

Yes, my office needs you.

Charleston's streets are infinitely captivating, 

but so is our home.

And...errr....our incessant yard work.

But...our azaleas are stunning.

And see that Maple? He just planted two hydrangea shrubs for me.

Don't look too closely. Our facade still needs a lotta love.

And speaking of love, say hello to my newest ebay purchase.

She makes our front door quite pretty.

All in all, it was a superbly-had weekend.

Hope yours was just what you needed it to be...and more.

HAPPY MONDAY.  

Light it up.

A crucial component to executing a successful design plan is knowing where to spend your money. I'm a firm believer that good design doesn't have to be equated with a scary high price tag, but there are certain details that are well-worth splurging on. Lighting is one of those. It's essential to highlighting the architectural bones of your space, and the biggest factor in creating ambiance. And by splurge I don't necessarily mean big dollar signs--you could find an incredibly inexpensive lamp with loads of character--but the shade you don it with can make or break it's influence in a room (what I mean is--spend the extra few buckaroos and get yourself a well-made shade that doesn't show big seems and cheap construction).  A word of advice: have fun with your lighting. Don't be shy. Take a risk and go bold. It's such an effortless way to flank a design with that one-of-a-kind, custom aesthetic:

 Love these as reading lamps in a master--juxtaposed with crisp white bedding and simple nightstands.

 Emerald and gold. These would make the perfect jumping off point to an entire design scheme.

I'm totally into the regality of brass at the moment--so these naturally make me happy.
Also finding myself drawn to the clean architectural/geometric details.

They're crazy--I know. But how cool would these neon sconces be

in a traditional-modern space? They'd be the perfect accent to simple art hung

 above a dining room buffet.

These shades are doing the cork-wrapped bases any justice. How amazing would malachite shades be? Hmm...will have to look into that :)

Candelabras can be tricky. This modern, tailored one does the trick :)

I'm loving this mid-century chandelier and would kill to see it in a marble-walled bath.

 Masculine. Tailored. Regal. Yes, please. 

They'd be a stunning addition to an entry console. Those first impressions matter!

How fun would this french chandelier be above a kitchen island?

Loving the arrows and that green, antiqued sphere. 

You really couldn't go wrong with these french feather sconces...especially flanking

the mirror of an elegant, simple master bath.

Like I said: be bold, take risks, and have fun with your lighting. 

It makes all the difference in the world and goes a long way in making a space look original.

Thank you, firstdibs, for being crazy amazing. (The above lights all hail from their site.)

On another note:

TGIF.

Enjoy that weekend of yours.