Vintage Furnishing Finds | with Chairish

Friends. Have you heard of Chairish? It's an amazing vintage goods shopping site that's making huge headway amongst the marketplace...and they've definitely caught my eye. So much of what I do revolves around shopping, and seeking out one-of-a-kind (often vintage/antique) finds that lend my clients' spaces an unmatched amount of interest. After all, my design aesthetic is very much 'collected' -- meaning nothing hails from the same vendor, storefront, era, or patina. It's counter-intuitive, but an immense amount of work goes into the 'casually evolved' room, which means I'm incessantly scouring online shopping sites and local antique dives. So...here comes Chairish...and suddenly my hunting days are easier...and yep, my wallet less full.

So many of my designs evolve into a relatively neutral palette, so I thought it would be super fun to pull myself out of that realm and into one that's more colorful and playful, yet still uber-refined and chic. Bold...but with an air of classicism. So, thanks to Chairish and their well-stocked inventory, these bright yellow mod beauties served as my jumping off point. And yes...they are crazy. So how do you incorporate such a statement-making find, and keep the space from overwhelming the eye and dating itself too quickly?

You surround these babies with simple, serene furnishings and accents, and incorporate classic lines, textiles, and decor:

And that's the key to executing a super-bold piece--it's all about the balancing act, and anchoring the statement with paired down pieces. In order to do just that, I toned down the canary-hued upholstery by incorporating a lavender gray-hued French Provincial sofa that complements that yellow and soothes the eye. And, the sofa's classic, elegant lines offset our statement chairs' modern shape and busy tufting. The next item introduced is an antique Turkish rug--it's gorgeous, classic pattern and neutral colorings anchor the furniture in such a calming manner. And, the charcoal threading allows the sofa's coloring to really 'pop', but also make sense. And from there I simply filled in with more clean-lined and neutral accents and artwork: the brass hardware on the wall sconces mimics a toned-down canary yellow, providing that key element of repetition to the design. Graphic, modern artwork is offset by simple sketches and a classic oil, and I just couldn't resist that emerald-hued Scalamandre throw pillow--the perfect addition to that European sofa.

So there you have it! My statement of a design board, thanks to Chairish and their amazing vintage goods, and those fabulous canary yellow accent chairs.

Happy shopping! Happy Thursday. Hope you're feeling uber-inspired.

LATELY.

I'm not sure where time goes these days. Life seems to be incessantly hectic. I always think it's just a phase--that things are going to slow--and I'll be able to drink every day in and really enjoy it--but that pretty much never happens. But busy is good. And we've certainly been busy! Here's a little glimpse into our lately (in no particular order):

The amazing team at Home Depot asked me to participate in another patio style challenge (remember my courtyard update from last spring?). This time it was a 'patio redux'--reusing the same furnishings, but freshening things up and adding to the mix. Here's a little glimpse at the photoshoot -- my friend and photographer, Geneva, and her insanely cute shoes.

Backyard bliss...again...thanks to Home Depot. 

I'll be sure to blog the link when my patio redux goes live! 

Maple and I spent a week beach-bumming it with my family. The solitude and salty sea air was everything and more that we needed...I tried so hard to relish every ounce of it!

It was bebe's first trip to the beach (ha!). Here we are...5 months along...just starting to show. You know...that point where everyone on the beach wonders if you ate too much ice cream for lunch (and yes, I did).

Hubby and I broke away from the oceanfront, and reminisced in Charleston for a few days. We paid homage to our favorite fooderies (made up word...yes...), and a few newbies that we were dying to try, like Leon's. It was nothing short of amazing, I tell you. I ate there twice...in two days...

And as if the food isn't enough to draw you to Leon's...just look at that decor. Simple and perfect.

Sweet tooth had to be satisfied by my favorite gem of a bakery, of course. 

And, back in Lexington, design projects are rolling right along. This one's taking shape as a dapper dude office space/bachelor pad studio. I snapped this pic right after cabinets were installed, but so much has taken shape since! Flooring is in...counters are on...appliances are installed...furnishings are arriving...and a custom concrete vanity gets installed this week in the bathroom. Can I move in? 

Umm...speaking of moving...Maple and I bought our third little casa. You see, the downtown cottage where we currently live was purchased as an investment property (it's actually zoned commercial). We said we'd live in it for a year or so until it was ready to be rented. Well, bebe came along this winter, and suddenly this one bedroom building on a super noisy street was no longer cutting it. It was a hellacious process (aka we are both self employed aka banks hate us)...and I recommend you never step foot into a for sale by owner without a realtor (so worth their fees, people), but we finally, finally closed! And this charming bungalow in the downtown neighborhood of our dreams is where Maple, Poppy, and girlfriend now call home. And it feels dang good.

Well...we almost call it home. Of course this girl wanted to make a few minor changes, so we are painting (and painting...and painting)...reworking a few ceilings and a bathroom...and refinishing those floors back to their 100-year old glory. And then we will move...and it will all be worth it.

Meanwhile, the bump is steadily progressing...

Into a full-fledged seven-month baby belly. And I couldn't be more thrilled. I never really knew if I'd like being pregnant...it always seemed so foreign and I honestly rather dreaded it. But, friends, it's been so fun, and I am already super sad that we're rounding third base and nearing the home stretch. Must relish these last few months! 

And there you have it. 

Our little lately. 

HAPPY TUESDAY.

MORTON JAMES BOUTIQUE | HANNAH MAPLE STUDIO.

Friends. Readers. Fellow interior and wardrobe aficionados. I finally have a recent project for you to behold. Admittedly, I've had these photos for a while (thanks to the ever-amazing, photographic genius Tiffany from Offbeat and Inspired), but I guess I was waiting for the new year to roll around before debuting them.

Anyhow, I was commissioned by the owners of Morton James  to create an interior that would house their amazing wardrobe offerings and match their biz mantra: a well-curated men's and women's clothing boutique offering sophisticated, edgy apparel that's both style and quality driven. 

The project was a dream. The owners were a dream. And the photos are a dream.

So there you have it! Morton James...my most recently installed project...and even a little photo of me in the mix :)

And now you have some homework:

GET to this boutique. Their goods are amazing. Seriously, Halie and Julia (the savvy style gurus behind MJ) have the most impeccable taste.

Follow Morton James on instagram...you certainly won't be sorry.

And, take a peek at my good friend and photographer's style-laden blog: Offbeat and Inspired. That, too, you won't regret!

Happy Friday.
HAPPY WEEKEND.

VACATION.

My Maple turned 30 last week, and we were fortunate enough to celebrate such a momentous occasion at our favorite house in the world, and with a handful of our dearest, most amazing friends. It was the trip of a lifetime, and it could not have been any more perfect. And perhaps the highlight of the entire occasion?  Bahamian 80's Day. Yes--for Corey's birthday--we surprised him by appearing for breakfast decked out in 80s garb. And then we hit the beach in...you guessed it...80s swimsuits. And then we had an 80s outfit change for lunch. And of course the night cap was our 80s dinner attire. It was nothing short of amazing. And if TSA had ransacked my suitcase they would've have been wildly confused by its contents. But it was hilarious, and perfect...and, as Maple so eloquently put it...the very best day of his life. Success!

Do you spy the unfathomable interiors work of the Tom Scheerer? He decorated the club at Lyford Cay in Nassau, and each time I visit I find new and noteworthy design elements to drool over.

And, do you spy some amazing 80s attire? If you look closely enough, you may just catch the glimmer of some relatively famous gold shorts...

HAPPY THURSDAY.