Room of the Week

With the beginning of cooler weather, I thought I'd share one last outdoor space.  Wouldn't you just love to to have a dinner party out here with the view of the water?  So refreshing.

{Image courtesy of Black Eiffel}

National Stationery Show

A few weeks ago, Southern Weddings Magazine featured two posts on the National Stationery Show.  I was so inspired by the photos of invitations, stationery kits, and how the lines were displayed at the exhibit that I decided I just had to do my own post about the event.

Here are just a few things I love about these photos:

-The graphic design of all the logos and brand names

-Display technique: In a 3-Ring Binder to flip through

-Display technique: Silver Magnetic board to make it easy to change out

-Display technique: Within an old picture frame

-Small 2011 calendars to slip inside a notebook or display on your desk

-The large colorful patterned letters: great for absolutely anywhere!

Watercolor Wednesday

This is a watercolor I painted in high school at one of my first watercolor workshops.  It was a great exercise in negative space, and the principle's I learned during the workshop have stuck with me.  Can't you see the similarity between this and the blog header? :)

Coconut Coffee Shake Recipe

As a part of Walking Around's Summer Menu Friday, Sarah shared a recipe for a Coconut Coffee Shake that sounds delicious.  I vow to make this sometime this week!  Until I do, I'm sharing it with you so that you can make it when you get a free moment.  Doesn't it sound so yummy?  Let me know how it turns out for you and I'll do the same!

Kitchen Goodies at Anthropologie

We all know Anthropologie has cute clothes and adorable accessories, but lately I've been noticing all their gorgeous kitchen gadgets.  When you walk into an Anthro store, you are surrounded by measuring cups, plates, pots and pans, and other cooking accessories.  I've lately indulged in these measuring cups, and I can't wait to bake with them.  And what a great gift idea all of these unique finds would make!

Florist Measuring Cups, $48

Shell Measuring Spoons, $12

Buttoned Lace Apron, $28
Spring Mix Pot Holder, $12

Birder Dishtowel Aqua, $24

Room of the Week

Robin's egg blue cabinets pair perfectly with a dark chocolate island in this cottage kitchen.  The black pendant lights add a vintage feel without making the space look too rustic.  I love the caramel colored stone on the island to set off the dark wood.

{Image courtesy of Delight By Design}

Wedding Flowers

Hydrangeas? Peonies? Poppies? Vases? Jars? Old flour boxes?  Choosing wedding flowers is such a hard task because there are so many options.  There are so many things to know about flowers that I don't even realize that I don't know them!  Wedding blogs have been a great start for me to pick out styles and types that I like.  Here are a few that I've found...

{Images courtesy of Paul Johnson Photography & Stye Me Pretty}

Watercolor Wednesday

I traveled to Hawaii a few years ago and visited a black sand beach.  One of my family friends took a beautiful picture of the curved palm trees on the beach, and I decided to recreate it in a watercolor.  

Herman Miller: Nelson

Have you seen Herman Miller's Nelson products?  I am in love with the clean lines and slightly bowed metal legs.  This line could work perfectly in a personal office or in a corporate environment.

PaperSource

While shopping with Cherye earlier this summer, she took me to a Paper Source store in Reston.  I had never even heard of it before, but as soon as I walked in I started getting that excited feeling in my stomach!  The store's four walls were covered floor to ceiling in note card sets, scrapbook paper, journals, invitations, and all things stationery.  Around the store high stainless steel work surfaces were set up with scissors and paper just begging you to start making something.  They even hold occasional in-store workshops on everything from Girls Night Out DIY Wedding Invitations to Kid's Classes. If you've never been to Paper Source store you must go, and in the mean time you can visit their website where you can shop online, locate the nearest store to you, and print out templates and how-to's.  Check out their blog for a little daily inspiration.

{Images courtesy of The Life Poetic & Paper Source}

Room of the Week

This cool and refreshing breakfast room looks light and breezy.  The clear acrylic table allows the sunlight and windows to take center stage, while the table accessories look fun and a little funky.  My favorite part about the room are the roman shades that give the windows just enough ornamentation without being fussy.

{Image courtesy of Coco & Kelley}

The French Window

The French Window Restaurant in the International Finance Center of Hong Kong has received rave reviews for not only its food, but its interior design.  Winner of the Fine Dining Restaurant Category of Hospitality Design Magazine's 2010 HD Awards, The French Window's interior invites you in to stay a while.

Don't you love the warm woods & vertical architectural elements?  I love how the glass panels are all various sizes and framed by the dark wood.  They provide just enough privacy for the individual tables while still allowing the diner to see movement and daylight through them.

From an Inspiration to a Rendering

So remember this post?  With this picture?

Well my friend Molly loved this image so much that she decided to re-create it in Sketch-Up.  Drum-roll please.............

Um...can you say spot on?  I love how she re-created the vines cascading down to really bring the outdoor space alive with plant life.  The texture of the stucco wall is amazing, and the sketchy lines overlayed on the rendering make it inviting and casual.  Thanks Molly!

Want to see more of Molly's work? For her Multigenerational Home, click here; and for her Corporate Office work, click here.

Happy Monday!

Today kicks off the last week of my internship, and basically the last week of summer.  I've enjoyed every moment, and savored every ounce of relaxation and every ray of sun.  Now I think I'm ready for fall festivals, apple cider, and football games.  Here's a little inspiration to get your Monday off to a great start and help you savor the end of your sweet summer.

{Image courtesy of Paul Johnson Photography}

My Style

When my cousin, Cherye, asked me a few weeks ago how I would describe my style for interiors, I told her "warm contemporary with comfortable textures and antique finds".  Then, when I saw Sheryl Crow's Manhattan Loft, I knew I had found an interior to sum up my style.  I love the exposed brick, warm wood flooring, natural sunlight, and the unique, eclectic mix of treasures scattered throughout.  Check out Elle for more images of her loft.

What do you think?

A la Plage...

One of the few French phrases I remember from French Class...a la plage...means at the beach.  That's where I am this week, so sorry I've been M.I.A.  I promise to return in full force after these next two weeks, and until then I will leave you with a few beachy photos and interiors for inspiration.

{Images courtesy of Gingerella, House of Turquoise, Cris on Flickr, & Walking Around}