ARCHITECTURAL WINDOWS + DOORS.

So, I've been a pinning fool as of late, and there seems to be an underlying theme: expansive windows and doors. And not just any windows and doors, but insanely gorgeous, masculine, simple, classic industrial iron windows and doors, filled with rows and rows of crisp glass panes. That's one of the two reasons Maple and I knew we had to have our house: the windows were giant, and they're the insanely cool aluminum-gridded industrial windows that crank open. I'd love to replace them one day, as the 1950s wasn't the most energy efficient era, and when we do, they'll resemble these beauties:

I'm especially taken with this bottom photo...which is pretty much my dream. How I'd love to knock out the back of our house and replace it with floor-to-ceiling industrial glass, and move our kitchen so I can spend any and every bit of my free time staring out those stunning windows.

So, thinking of replacing windows and doors of your own in the near future? Think outside the box a bit (if you're willing to splurge, of course). You don't have to go with the contractor's special, as I like to call them: white, plastic-paned windows with upper and lower sashes. Look into industrial windows, like those shown above: these days they're manufactured just as energy efficient as those everyday cheapies you see in big box stores.

HAPPY TUESDAY.

SCENES FROM AROUND THE HOUSE.

So, our house is constantly evolving. We've owned this little casa for a year and a half now, and we had high hopes and giant to-do lists, only to have them both blundered by a lack of time and money. No one told me homeownership was expensive?! Kidding...kidding...they ALL did. Anyhow, Maple and I have made a tiny bit of progress (remember the befores?...scary.), so I thought I'd give you a little glimpse into how are little abode is coming along. It's an eclectic little place, filled with treasures we've picked up from our travels, pieces of furniture we happen upon, and family heirlooms...but it's super warm and cozy, and totally suited to me and my Maple:

A corner of our sofa...and therefore our living room. The bertoia chairs were my dad's, the lamps my grandmother's (same for vintage photo on wall), and the lasso was Maple's dad's. See the little ivory and black clay vase? I picked it up in Argentina on our honeymoon.

The entryway console is topped with little treasures, but perhaps my fav is the burled wood humidor I had engraved for Maple. It's gorgie. And that iron horse head tray came from an antique shop in Asheville--one of our favorite, well-frequented cities. The books are all vintage, and family heirlooms...and they're held together by gold horseshoe bookends I found at an estate sale. The artwork is a fav piece given to us for our wedding (it will get hung on wall, I just haven't done it yet), and the mirror behind it was a wedding gift to my grandmother in the 1940s.

Ahh, my beloved peacock chairs. They were purchased for the outdoors. I fell in love.

 I had to keep them in.

A corner shot of our dining room...and the other peacock...in all of its glory. That window will someday be french doors, as it goes right out to our *future* patio. The vintage Kilim rug is an absolute favorite find, and my Maple built that amazing farmhouse table you can sort of see.

Our dining room is long and narrow, so we constructed a built-in banquette for super-cozy eating.
That gorgeous cotton painting was an amazing gift from Maple's mama, and the horse shoes (kind of a thing of mine...long story) were picked up in Brooklyn, on a rendezvous to NYC.

A favorite painting pops off sultry, navy blue walls in the den/TV room.
Coveted books and treasures fill the built-in nook to the left. 

And lastly, a little peek at our kitchen...the very reason I fell in love with this house. It's fairly big (there's an entire wall of cabinets you aren't seeing), and the huge picture window and terracotta tile floors vaulted it to perfection in my book. We painted the cabinets a rich, bronzey-gray, and outfitted the plain-front doors with simple bronze hardware. She still needs some love, but she's getting there. Friends tell me it reminds them of an Italian-countryside kitchen. I kiss them when they tell me that. 

So there you have it...the slow (but sure) evolution of our casa. Our to-do list (more like renovation list...eek), is still four miles long, but I've learned to enjoy the process...and more importantly, be completely happy with where we are in that process.  Hmm...a life lesson, perhaps? :)

HAPPY MONDAY.

xoxo. 

A PERSONAL NOTE: BIZ, DREAMS, + SKINCARE

Happy Monday Morning, y'all. Hope it's off to a more than perfect start! It's raining here in Charles, which to me is perfection. So I'm sitting here, sipping my morning coffee, making a plan for my busy, work-filled week, and feeling super blessed that I've been given the chance to pursue my biggest, wildest dream of owning my own design business. I'm not sure I'll ever stop pinching myself :)

It's rare that I get this personal on Maple + Shade, but I wanted to share a little something with you. And stay with me, as it may not seem entirely relevant...but for four years I've struggled with acne. Somehow, someway I got through high school and college with not a pimple in sight, only to turn 22 and suffer an infestation (ok, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic) of pimps (as I like to call them...yes, sadly, we're that close) on my chin (could there be a worse place?!) Anyway, after countless prescriptions and dermatologist visits, I've finally found a product line that actually works, and after 2 weeks of using the regimen, my acne is completely under control. And get this...it's not a prescription.You have no idea the excitement this instills in me. And my mirror is happy, as it's no longer being neglected.

I'm also worried about aging, as the pool just-so-happened to be my babysitter growing up. And yes, I probably have sun damage galore. I've recently learned that genetics is only responsible for 20% of our aging...the rest of that 80% is entirely up to us, and the decisions we make regarding our skin. Isn't that crazy?!

So, enter Rodan + Fields, the anti-aging skincare line that was created by the same two doctors who developed Proactiv. Yes, Proactiv. That, to me, means R + F is nothing but legit. So I thought I'd give their 'Unblemish' regimen a whirl, which is exactly the product line that cleared up my acne in no time. I've also been using their flagship 'Anti-Age' line, which is working hard to fight those fine lines and hints of sun damage I'm starting to see. So, not only do I have bump-free skin now-a-days, it's soft and 'glowy' (more so than it's ever been) thanks to the ahh-mazing Anti-Age creams.

Now, how is this relevant to the blog, you might wonder?  Well, I've actually decided to partner with Rodan + Fields  as an Independant Consultant. Not only will this allow me to help other women change their skin into everything they want it to be (and therefore boost their self-confidence), it allows me to work part-time from home and collect a steady (healthy) income as I do so. In essence, by working with Rodan + Fields, I've been given the chance to continue the pursuit of my design dreams, and run that design biz. Y'all don't know this, but I was on the verge of shutting Hannah Maple Studio down, succumbing to an overworked/underpaid full-time job, and give up on my dream. And then R + F entered the pic, and the rest is history: I'm currently in the midst of designing an entire house (my biggest project yet), with several interior projects going on as well. Life is good, and I'm more than ecstatic to take on this business venture with the founding dermatologists and other amazing men and women behind Rodan + Fields.

So, thanks to R+F, Maple + Shade will continue to be published, and Hannah Maple Studio will continue to design. On a side note, if any of you lovely readers are intrigued by any of Rodan + Fields products, or interested in earning some extra income, pay a visit to my facebook page or feel free to send me an email at hannahmaple@me.com.


And cheers to the pursuit of your very own dreams. I absolutely hope they come true!

FOR SALE: TWO 18" DESIGNER PILLOW CASES.

You know how I'm totally cleansing my over-cluttered closet? Same goes for my office, friends. But hey--you totally get to benefit! See these two gorgie 18" square ikat pillow cases? Aren't they just lovely in all their tan, orange, and aqua glory? They're leftover from a last-fall design project of mine, and yep...I've finally decided I don't need them. But you totally do!!

They're now for sale. 

$80 for the pair (does not include inserts).

hannah@hannahmaple.com if you're interested!

You want them.
You need them.
You know you do!!


xoxo
HAPPY FRIDAY.

CLOSET REHAB.

So, I have a little problem. It's called hanging onto crappy clothing that I. don't.ever.wear. Yes, even things with holes in them, and yes...I still have clothing from high school (that was well over 10 years ago), although may it be noted that my favorite pair of jeans are a worn, holey pair from Abercombie (...gasp!) that I bought in 9th grade. And yes...I still rock them.

Okay, back to my point. My second problem is that we bought a 1950s house. While it does have more closets to be expected for that building era, they are...umm...on the small side. But, I have this amazing friend Jane, who's sort of an organizational whiz (does it for a living, if you local Charlestonians are interested!) and she's totally inspiring me to deal with my closets, and perhaps my unhealthy attachment to hideous clothing.

So, here's my plan:

1. nonslip velvet hangers in black  /  2. Alexander Wang classic Tee (the perfect everyday basic that won't get holes in it)  /  3.  A gorgeous basic dress that can transition seasons and easily be layered  /  4.  Fun but classic jewels to spruce up those basics (would be gorgeous with that Tee!)  /  5. The perfect leather tote and everyday carryall (#1 on my wishlist!)  /  6.  Neutral (and the most comfortable) summer wedge sandals  /  7.  Perfect (and again...uber-comfy) wedge booties...everyone needs these!  /  8. Super pretty faux-bois organizational boxes  /  9.  Simple natural baskets for housing loose things



-Purge our master closet of all the mismatched plastic and wire (eeek) hangers that occupy too much real estate and replace them with slim, non-slip velvet beauties in black.

-Detach myself from ALL the things I NEVER wear. Which is most of my closet. It's so much easier to get dressed everyday when you limit yourself to good-quality, basic pieces that can be mixed and matched....and when you can easily see those favorite wardrobe staples. That, friends, is the key. De-cluttering so you can see what you have!

-Stay true to my personal style and only buy gorgeous things that I love (and are also quite versatile)

-Install some sort of closet system with drawers and shoe organization! (yes, shoes are my undeniable weakness)

-Accessorize and organize with super pretty boxes and baskets! Your closet should be a good dose of morning inspiration...and therefore excitement.


So, what about you? Are you happy with your closet?
Or are you finally ready to plunge into that overall? Feels mighty good, I must say :)

THE LYFORD LIFE:

My last week was spent in absolute paradise. Truly...my favorite place in all the world: Lyford Cay, in the Bahamas. Maple's insanely chic grandmother has an insanely chic house, and how blessed we are to congregate there as a huge, amazing family, and lose every care in the world for the sand and sea-filled time being:

So now we're home...to a very different beach (missing that calm, crystal clear bay)...back to work (big projects going on!!), back to life, back to all that's both wonderful and familiar. 

But still, I find myself reminiscing of that salty Bahamian air, and pinning all-things beach chic:

/ crochet dress / kelly wearstler cabana / driftwood lamp / turkish striped beach towel / rattan high back chairs / agate pillow / sculptural concrete chair / black and tan beach hat / 

lucite and palm leaf pumps /

Happy Tuesday, my friends!!

Excited to be back in the states...

and back to blogging.

xoxo

FEELING BLUE:

For all the right reasons:

Hope you're feeling blue, too...in only the most fantastic of ways.

*all photos can be sourced here.

I SPY: MY FAVORITE INTERIOR FINDS.

As a designer, it's pretty much my job to incessantly hunt down insanely cool finds. The second half of my job is to infuse them in a space in ways that clients would never, ever think to do. My mind is always reeling with new design schemes as I happen across amazingness, like these beauties below:

1. Sleek, square, marble end tables. Need I say more?  //  2. A pretty, unexpected palette of throw pillows. They'd be gorge on an outdoor sofa!  //  3. Tom Dixon rocks my socks...and so does his cobalt side chair.  //  4.  Brass wishbone table lamp...I heart you.  //  5. How bright and fun is this citron-striped bed for a kiddo's room? Or, to to add a light twist to a clean, masculine palette of gray and black. In fact, I'm loving it paired with the marble side tables and that simple black lamp.  //  6.  Head over heels for this black floor lamp. It's uber-simple, but I'm loving the dainty base. Would be perfect next to a neutral chaise.  //  7.  The perfect trim tape? Why, yes.  //  8.  This vintage, tie-dye Kantha would be stunning on the end of a neutral bed. 




HAPPY THURSDAY.
I'm headed out on a date with the hubby, to this ahh-mazing exhibit. Unreal!!

GET ZESTY.

So, this steamy Charleston weather has me channeling all-things tropical as-of-late. It's only May, so the summer is bound to be brutal--as these temps are already anything but tepid. So why not just roll with it? There's really no way to 'beat the heat'--you simply have to soak it all in. And I can definitely get on board with that if there's a stunning canopy of hot-hued citrus trees for me to sip an afternoon cocktail under! And don't relegate these beauties to the outdoors, either: placing one in a sunny indoor spot is such a simple way to amp up your interior!

I snatched a little pair of fast-growing orange trees from Lowe's a few weeks ago, and I've yet to put them in a pot...but how much fun they will be...in the backyard...next to our lovely Loquat tree (yes, his name is Lonny. So fitting.). Can't wait to purchase the perfect planters and get them happily situated. I'm loving the juxtaposition of a soft citrus planted in a rough-hewn, industrial pot--much like the corrugated concrete above. We have a long way to go with that backyard of ours, but it's assuredly coming along. And potted orange trees will be the perfect addition to that future gravel patio of ours :)

Alright, friends...

HAPPY TUESDAY.