Off to see LA & Thom

I had planned to do a post on my recent visit to And Beige - a terrific design store but have run out of time! Leaving very early tomorrow for LA (that early flight seemed like a good idea at the time) and hope to bring back fun pictures. With a last minute hotel change I'm staying at the W Los Angeles which I understand was decorated by Thom Filicia. These photos have nothing to do with LA or Thom but I loved the colors. (first image via Jenny Bova/Traditional Home. Second image of the former Hotel Monaco in New Orleans by Visual Vamp)

Australian House Love

Last summer I noticed Porchlight Interiors had posted on some amazing houses in Melbourne. Here are just a few pics from some incredible Australian homes I came across via Marshall White & Co.

To see more of this gorgeous home go to Hampden Road - you won't be disappointed!



Amazing how much these green drapes add to this room.
Look out the left window - love that house covered in ivy!

Love the black lattice and the circular window in this courtyard. (image via Porchlight Interiors - Vogue Living)

Mulcahy or Robshaw?

Which do you favor, Mary Mulcahy's Les Indiennes stylized, simplified take on Indian textile motifs or John Robshaw's colorful and occasionally complex patterns? For me, it's both. If budget were no object, I'd love a room mixed with patterns from both lines.

Les Indiennes now offers upholstered furniture - love these daybeds and chairs.






Gorgeous pillows from John Robshaw. I think the Spring 09 collection is one of the best yet with lots of happy pinks!

A cave, a view & a dream

A very interesting email arrived... "I too was a management consultant for 20 years but left it all behind to renovate a couple of caves on the cliffs of Oia-Santorini." It ended with Wave from the cave~

Renovate a couple of caves? Leave the corporate world behind? You see Michael of Oia Santorini had a dream that spanned over 20 years, a dream to wake up each morning to a spectacular Santorini view. Above is one of the two cave homes he and his family are renovating. Love this blue door. Below is the spectacular view of his dreams.

His blog, Oia Santorini, is about "adventures, trials & tribulations, sheer joy, wonder, frustration, inspiration and self discovery..." Below is a picture of the mules who move away the dirt and the rocks, bag-by-bag.

A special application of plastic and mesh prevents moisture problems that can cause the interior paint to peel away in the winter.
I'm looking forward to following this blog as the renovation continues and to vicariously enjoying these incredible views along the way.

Cheers to dreams, to paths contemplated, to journeys taken!

(all copyrighted photos posted with permission, Oia Santorini)

StaceAge - Fearless Color!

Before my second trip to Atlanta, Things to Inspire reminded me to head over to Lewis & Sheron Textile Co. and I'm so glad she did! Along with an expansive fabric selection, it is home to the spin-off StaceAge. Created by Stacey Sheron, it's a joyous celebration of vibrant, colorful custom fabrics, trim, wallpaper and furniture. What else can I say but WOW!!





Here's just a small sampling of the fabrics designed by StaceAge.

Atlanta's Savvy Snoot

This last trip to Atlanta I wanted to visited stores I hadn't been to before. Savvy Snoot - whose tag line is "making consignment shopping cool", did not disappoint. The store is a mix of unique pieces along with designer furniture, including pieces I even recognized. Love all these artfully arranged busts - reminds me of one of my old posts, Busted.
Beautiful bureau and artwork.
Here is the Hickory Chair Invisible table by Mariette Himes Gomez that I've seen in stores currently for $640 - $780. These were priced at $300 a piece.
Vintage cans converted into light fixtures. If you don't live in Atlanta, there's DIY potential with these.
Loved this iron bench. If I lived there I would have bought it on the spot.
One of a unique pair of lamps. Savvy Snoot has a second store in Alpharetta. Maybe on my next trip...
Couldn't resist taking this photo below.
It's the hip bathroom in Star Provisions, a market/restaurant near Savvy Snoot. Love the acid lemon walls, the leather bench and hexagonal tiles. The food was terrific too!

DC Designer Series: Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey

I'm very happy to feature Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey of SCW Interiors in this week's DC Designer Series. A few weeks ago Shazalynn let me photograph her very popular child's bedroom at the Washington Design Center's Spring Design House. Visiting her website only revealed more great interiors. Ranging from hip to traditional, they all eminate comfort, style and an appreciation for the energy color and pattern can bring to a room. This entry really makes a statement - look carefully and you'll see an upholstered bench in the same pattern as the walls. I didn't notice it at first because the patterns are so carefully lined up! (images posted with permission)

Love this mod office and the patterned carpeting. The glass desk keeps it center stage.

This upholstered bed is so fun! Love the tiled accent wall below.

It's amazing what a difference the addition of a simple detail like gold edging can make to a chair or other piece of furniture.



More details that make a statement - the multi-colored trim on the curtains pulls in all the colors from the upholstery.
How could you not be happy in this room?
For many more images of Shazalynn's work, visit here. Happy Monday!