High Point Market 2013 - Some of my Favorite Finds

Market is like Disneyland for designers. Or should I say Vegas for designers? We spent 8 hours in the same building that had no clocks, no windows, and bartenders constantly offering free cocktails to entice you to spend more money. And it was AWESOME! It truly was a blast and I loved finding great products for my clients. Below are some of my favorite finds, broken down into categories. As always, my photography skills are lacking and these pics in no way do these items justice.

ART - I'm an art junkie, so most of my time at market was spend in those showrooms. I was in heaven.

First up is a new introduction of framed minerals from a high end art company. I'm giving myself mad props because I made my own version of these almost a whole year ago! What can I say, I'm always ahead of the trends :) And no, humility is not one of my virtues.

Abstract art is one of my favorite styles, so those always capture my attention for a while. I checked this one out specifically for a client:

I'm also loving the nod to angel wings. Trend alert! A lot of wings and feathers happening.

 

Wings of Love by Natural Curiosities

I stopped by the Natural Curiosities showroom because they use a lot of gold leaf and I haven't seen anything quite like what they do. I couldn't walk away from these one of a kind feather silhouettes on natural paper. Had to have one. I purchased the pink and silver version, of course. But here's a close up of a red/orange one also:

Feather Monoprints from Natural Curiosities

And I loved watching an artist create pieces on site. Did not want to leave that place.

LIGHTING

I have a huge love affair with lighting. 

My favorite ceiling fixture I saw was this huge lacquer drum pendant, appropriately named the "Penelope" (that is my sister's name!). I'll take one in every color please.

Loved these looks also:

FURNITURE

What can I say? Love love love it all.

Cocktail table with bone inlay

Awesome console tray table - it's huge!

 

The above chairs are quite possibly my favorite pieces. Not only are they gorgeous (AND in gold, AND black, AND navy blue), but actually so comfortable I didn't want to get up.

 

 

This hot pink cocktail ottoman was my last stop for the evening. As you can see, my wine glass was empty and while talking with the VP of this furniture company, I told him I was "born and braised" in Charlotte. It was time to go!

My Latest Look for Less - Sunburst Mirror

I've been drooling over sunburst mirrors for months and months before pulling the trigger on one. I just couldn't get what I wanted for my budget. Until I found this little beauty. I used it in my own master bedroom and it looks awesome!

I wanted the look of this Horchow mirror, but the one below is $395 plus a $50 delivery fee. Uh, nope. Check it out:

Instead, I found this one from Home Depot for around $40.

I love finding the look for less! Have you found an awesome deal lately?
Let me know your latest score ~

Chevron Floor Poll! Please Give me your vote

Ok friends, I need your opinion. I'm finally refacing my U-G-L-Y original 1960's powder room. I love a fabulous powder room and feel it's a place to go bolder because the space is small and separate from all the rooms in your house. Ideally I'd wallpaper it, wire it for sconces and a chandelier, and put new flooring down. But as usual, I have to do it on a very small budget so all that awesomeness is out.

Here's my plan:
- Keep the vintage sink and cabinet (already put new faucet on) and just give it a fresh coat of high gloss black paint. Everything else will go.

- Replace the cheapola chrome vanity light

- Replace the mirror over sink

- Paint the walls a fun color

- Add some fabulous funky art

- And here's the big change and DIY project: White and gold chevron painted floors!! Currently we have 1960's laminate. I'm going to attempt to paint it with porch paint. So please let me know, love the gold chevron floor or is it too much? Is chevron here to stay? I'd do it in a heart beat except this is not our forever house and I am a little skittish on my funk factor when the time comes to sell this house. Gloss chocolate quatrefoil kitchen backsplash, gold chevron floors? You hear me? So I need your opinion!

Here's what it looks like now. Yuck!

Here's a little room board of my plan to give you an idea:

Please let me know what you think about the chevron floor!!

Thanks,

Margaret

My Homegoods Score of the Week

I'm addicted to Homegoods. It's my happy place. And this week, I needed a pick-me-up. It is always hard to walk away empty handed from that place, but I try not to buy anything unless it is truly awesome or truly a good deal.

Previous scores have included a set of turquoise foo dogs, a pair of huge Chinese ginger jars, a black bow front dresser (the one in my master bedroom), and pickled wood sconces. Those are some of my best ever scores. 

This week it's pair of gorgeous orange and cream pillows. I could NOT walk away from them. I love the color and love the modern abstract print. The print is reminiscent of a flame stitch, which was hot in the '80's and is making a comeback today. The best part? Each pillow was $24.99 and included a down insert!

Check them out:

I found the same pillow online for $219! What!?

I also found these other fabulous items featuring flame stitch print:

Arm chair from Fab.com

Pink, orange, and black fabric (one of my fav color combinations)

Custom artwork from Jennifer Morman on Etsy (this one has been floating around on Pinterest a lot). Love it!

Tell me what you think! Flame stitch: love it or hate it?
~Margaret

How to Display Toddler Art

I love my daughter's precious artwork from preschool. I can't wait until she's a little older and brings home some pieces I can permanently put in some chunky gold frames. I tell a lot of clients to rock that look - it mixes in well with photographs and other "real" art. But for now, her art is a lot of popsicle sticks, plates, and other three dimensional pieces. So, how do you display it creatively? 

I found the solution while designing a toddler playroom for a client. I created a gallery wall of empty frames! Keep a roll of painter's tape hidden nearby and tape up the art inside each frame (roll the tape under each corner so you don’t see it). When new art comes in, just pull the old down and tape up the new. Without the glass you can display so many more things. And I don't know about you, but I'm a slacker about changing out pictures once something is framed and put up on the wall. Taking away the glass and backing of the frame eliminates the hassle of replacing pictures.

As usual, my pictures do NOT do this justice.  Here’s a close up of the gallery wall.

My client’s daughter loves art also, so I focused on this art wall the most. Circle chalkboard decals are at her height to doodle. We also stored art supplies in cute plastic containers up on the bookshelf. A drawing table and chairs completes that side of the playroom. I love doing children’s rooms! 

Here's the before:

 Here are some afters:

    

Hollywood Regency is HOT!

Home decor is always in flux, but I think some elements are here to stay: luxe fabrics, mirrored furniture, and lacquered accent pieces. These are some hallmark staples pulled from the Hollywood Regency style. Hollywood Regency originates from the 1930’s and is making a huge comeback these days. I’m currently working with a client who loves this style and I created this Regency inspired home office for her.

The desk and slipper chair are both curved, which I think is a great way to bring the Regency feel into your house in a subtle way. The lacquered sideboard serves as great storage behind the desk and is flanked by silver bamboo floor lamps. A touch of Asian influence is also part of the Regency look – think Gingko leaves, bamboo, and fretwork. And of course, you have to have bling! This 9-light chandelier with round crystals fits the bill! Add some velvet drapery and this room is done.

I heart this room.

What do you think of Hollywood Regency – love it or hate it??

Master Bedroom Makeover 3 - Partial Reveal!

I'm almost finished with our master bedroom makeover and I'm thrilled with the results. It matches the image of a luxe cocoon I had in my head that I've always wanted. But you know the drill, the bedroom is the last place in your house that guests see, so you drag your feet on it. In fact, I'm STILL working on the accessories and replacing the lamps with swing arm sconces. I wouldn't hold your breath on seeing a picture of that anytime soon! I've been so busy with client work (yay!), I've neglected the details I want for this room. Having a photographer come take a good picture is another of those details on the back burner....SO to keep you in the loop, here's the latest picture from my phone. What you can't tell from it is the gorgeous deep gray of the walls, the geometric print on the cream sections of the drapery, the slight snakeskin print on the floor lamp shade, and much more. Again, hope to have better pictures and more changes up to show soon!
M

Master Bedroom Makeover 2 - The Chair

Here's another little peek into my master bedroom makeover. I was so inspired by this fabric it became the color story of my room - gray, coral, cream, navy, and white. Can't wait to see how all those colors come together, right? Me too. I'm slowly getting there!

I love to have at least 1 chair in a bedroom and I desperately needed a new one for mine. In the spirit of the Pinterest/DIY craze, I decided to find a vintage one and repaint and upholster myself. Here's the before and after! I'm sooooo in love. Let me know what you think!

Copy Cat Design

If you are a fan of interiors blogs, then you already know that “copy cat” designs are a hot new topic. If you haven’t seen these yet, copy cat rooms are when a designer takes a high end room from a showroom or magazine and recreates it as they see it and for real people. When I say real people, I mean people like you and me that want the look of this room but don’t want the high price tag that goes with it!

And this my friends, is really what I do – getting the look for less. So I’ve created my own Copy Cat Room.  I was super inspired by the cover of the May 2012 issue of Southern Living. The key to this room is FABRIC - lots of it and lots of mixing colors and patterns. Shopping for fabrics is one of my favorite things to do! Let me know what you think!

Here are the images from Southern Living:

And here’s my room:

     1.Maxime Fuchsia Fabric - $27.98 / yard
        The original drapery fabric is to the trade only = big dollars. It’s printed to  
        mimic traditional Chinese ink and brush and is reminiscent of bamboo. My 
        version keeps the bamboo look at a fraction of the price. 

     2. Blue Cloud Vases from ZGallerie - $14.99

You cannot beat this price. One of these would be beautiful on a little gold cocktail table.

     3.Ballard Designs Auberge Chair - $649

        Ordered in the most affordable fabric, this chair is only $649. At that   
        price, you can afford to custom upholster in the below fabric.  

     4.Covington Belami Jacquard French Vanilla - $15.98 / yard

        A graphic print looks even better on a very traditional style chair. This     

        fabric also brings in that beautiful gold color of the original room.

     5.Magnolia Fabrics Kipling Kiwi - $33.98 / yard

        Lime leopard print fabric is so fun! Perfect for pillows.

     6.Annette Tatum Bohemian Ikat Diamond Teal - $8.98 / yard

        This ikat print adds another pop of color.  Again, perfect for pillows.

     7.Blue Octagon Geo Ceramic Garden Stool  - $320

        I wanted to bring in a little more of the blue.  Wouldn’t this look awesome   

        up against the white couch?

      8.Throw pillow - $45

         This pillow is made from Sunbrella outdoor fabric. It is a great option for   

         families with children and pets because it resists moisture and stains. Just 

         because it’s called “outdoor” doesn’t mean you can’t use it inside!

      9.Oscar Sofa - $1300

         I love the tufted settee in the original room. But something that size isn’t    

         always the most practical. This ZGallerie sofa is huge and has the tufting 

         on the seat to mimic the original sofa.

     10.Sterling Industries Distressed Gold Three Bird Table Lamp - $157

         The figurine lamps on the console in the original room are antique. This   

         gold bird lamp gives the same amount of interest and also brings in a  

         different finish.