Get to know an Interior Designer: Miles Redd

Miles Redd is a residential interior designer who originally studied film at NYU.  After studying in France, working as an antique dealer, and working as an assistant designer, he became creative director for Oscar de la Renta Home.  His layered style combines flea market antiques with polished lacquered pieces, rich fabrics, and jewel colors.

{Info and Images courtesy of Miles Redd}

Room of the Week

This space is clean and open, and the white walls contrast well against the dark woods.  Texture takes precedence over color in this room.  The light pouring through the windows makes this small space seem so much larger.

{Image via Pink Wallpaper}

Basic Recipe for a Southern Wedding

While browsing through wedding blogs, I have come across some great ideas for outdoor receptions.  It's neat how the most simple, creative, handmade gestures are the ones that create that comfortable, southern, hometown feel.

These handmade signs are a must.  With an old piece of distressed barn wood, painted with a white wash background, a beautiful sign could direct guests towards the reception.

Hay bales turn into comfortable lounge seats when accessorized with oversized bright pillows.  I can also envision large colorful quilts scattered across a green lawn as a place to sip a cocktail and have a quiet conversation during the reception.

I don't know if I'm willing to go this casual, but picnic tables can be dressed up with simple white linens and colorful sunflowers.

And of course...candles in simple glass mason jars create elegant centerpieces when paired in small clusters.

Another great centerpiece idea is to place beautiful flowers in a monochromatic color scheme in small wooden boxes.  The dark wood contrasts well against the crisp white tablecloth.

These inexpensive ideas are simple little gestures that can really create a mood at a southern outdoor reception.  Its those little details that can make your wedding a personal reflection of you and your relationship.

Something beachy to get our minds away from this cold...

With all the rain, wind, and cold temperatures we've been having lately, I thought it would be a nice escape to feature some photos of beautiful island homes.  The breezy, comfortable elegance is perfect for a relaxing retreat.

{Images courtesy of Coastal Living Magazine}

Handmade Valentine's Day Cards

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, these cute handmade card ideas will get you inspired to make a crafty card for that special someone.  I love the clean simplicity of all these ideas, and how they use found objects, such as fabric & ribbon scraps, buttons, and magazine clippings.

{Images courtesy of the purl bee, kwerner Design Blog, Martha Stewart}

Bold Geometric Prints

I am still hunting for a large scale, inexpensive, bold, geometric print for reception tablecloths.  Here are some patterns that I've found that I like...the problem is that I don't LOVE any of them.  I need one that comes in navy and white, too.

{P. Tree Textiles}

{Mood Fabrics}

My favorite print is the Imperial Trellis by Kelly Wearstler.

I also like this chair fabric, but I do not know where to find this print.

What do you think?

Room of the Week

I love the casual ease of this room.  It is simple enough to be created in a college apartment, but elegant enough to be in a New York Loft.  I love the small details, like the window cove painted with a glossy black, and the overhead lamp above the table solid white with a hint of bold pattern on the inside of the shade.

{Image courtesy of Patricia Gray}

Resolution: To Be More Organized

These planners and agendas are perfect for anyone who resolves to be more organized this new year.

Jane Street Large Debra Organizer, Kate Spade, $195

6x8 Tribeca Agenda, Coach, $198

Erin Condren 2010 Planner- Candy Lace, Target, $39.99

Personalized Journals, Neiman Marcus, 2 for $60

And my favorite...a Kate Spade digital agenda for ipod touch and iphone...

FREE from the iTunes app store

Recycled Products

I love the idea of taking used magazines and newspapers and creating something beautiful and useful with them.  Trash cans, baskets, picture frames, and coasters become chic "green" accessories when made out of recycled paper.  These would make great gift ideas, and most of them you can make yourself!  Check out the links below each image for how-to's or where you can buy them.

Made by Craft Stylish

Made by Craftster

Featured on This Next

By Pier 1 Imports

Featured on Fototiller

Featured on Re Nest

Featured on Worsted Witch

Featured on Re Nest

Song of the Moment

India.Arie's 'A Beautiful Day' is a perfect song for a fresh new year and a fresh spring season.  This song could transform any bad day into a beautiful one.

{Image courtesy of Sopheava de Lumiere}

Photography by Sopheava de Lumiere

Photographer Sopheava de Lumiere has a clean abstract style.  She takes unusual settings, like graffiti-ed walls, exit and movie signs, fences, and lights to create beautiful contemporary compositions.  Her website features an entire archive of her photography, and here are just a few of her images that caught my eye.

Wedding Inspiration Board

I am so excited to share this post!  I have been searching through wedding blogs and magazines searching for the perfect images for an image board for the wedding.  Southern Wedding Magazine and Snippet and Ink Blog have been so inspiring! So far, here is what I'm envisioning...

So...what do you think?  If I had to put it into words I would say its a clean, contemporary nautical style with fresh accent colors and bold geometric prints. I would love a round table with white chairs for the reception, just like the bottom right photo.  As a tablecloth, I was thinking a bold, oversized geometric print, with a hint of nautical, like the navy and white fabric swatch in the top center.  A poppy/coral/salmon color would be a great accent with navy, paired with white hydrageas. Contemporary grey strapless dresses would look great with black tuxes and a white dress.  There are two things I have definitely decided...1.sweet tea will be served sometime during the event! and 2. Sparklers would make a grand exit from the reception!

Unique Business Cards

While I've been working on my own business cards, I've been looking up images of other cards for inspiration.  Here are just a few that I've found that have that amazing graphic punch that catches your eye.  My favorite are the ones that really show what the business is without even having to say the name of the company.

{Images courtesy of All Graphic Design, Drooling for Dollars, All Free Lance, & idsgn}