Before & Afters

Oh how I love them! This closet and dresser transformation are totally inspiring me to get to work this weekend. I (should) have some Before & Afters of my own to share next week...but for now...won't it be nicer to wake up to the room in the after pictures for these clients?

Flatweave Rugs

I really like the look of a more casual, flat weave or no pile rug. Even layered over sea grass or sisal, they can add a dimension of color and pattern. I've had several friends inquire about the different types of flat weave rugs and I found a great explanation on House & Home's website:

What is a flat weave rug?

Flat weave describes flat pile or no-pile rugs known for their durability and strength. They are made on a loom rather than knotted. They are considered less formal than oriental or Persian rugs. Their bold colours, geometric patterns and low cost make them perfect for casual living, cottages and brightening up floors for the summer. Standard sizes are 3' by 6', 4’ by 6’, 4’ by 9’ and 9’ by 12’.Different types include Aubusson, Dhurrie, Kilim and Soumak.

Aubusson rugs, like the one below, are typically more traditional with lighter colors and floral motifs.


Dhurries can be made from cotton, wool or jute and are usually inexpensive with a simple design.


Kilims are characterized by their rough wool, bright colors and geometric patterns and are reversible.


Soumaks tend to be higher quality wool rugs and therefore more expensive. They are made with an embroidery technique that loops around a cotton or wool foundation. Wouldn't this one make a gorgeous runner?

Spooky Decor

We spent time decorating our home for Halloween this weekend. It's one of my favorite times of the year...visiting the pumpkin patch, hanging up spooky spiders and ghosts and watching my daughter squeal with delight. Easy centerpieces for this time of year are small pumpkins in a bowl or a pie pumpkin surrounded by small gourds. Of course Martha's got tons of ideas to inspire.



This is my favorite compote-style bowl from WS for a center piece.


And wouldn't this Halloween Gingerbread House from Williams Sonoma be a great activity...I'm not sure how long it would last in our house, though.

Sweetly Scented

How do you scent your home...with fresh flowers, candles, diffusers? Or do you prefer no scent? Whatever you choose (as long as it's not one of those plug in fragrances) can be fun and seasonal. Gianna Rose Atelier's version of ceramic diffusers, above, looks heavenly, especially for a beach house guest bathroom. This scent is orchid and honeysuckle. Blissliving Home's Kafir Lily Diffuser would make a great gift and it's nice and small so it could fit anywhere. The ceramic diffusers work by emitting fragrant essential oils from porous ceramic pieces so it's subtle and pretty. You can also find similar diffusers locally at One Eleven Main. I'm on a wait list for mine!





I love the little gourd shaped vase that these Palm Beach scented oil diffuser reeds come in (below) by Jonathan Adler. You can find them at the fabulous store Pieces in Atlanta.



Now that fall is here, I love to scent our kitchen with Mulling Spices from Williams Sonoma. Right now they're having a special, two for $18. These are great for spicing up cider or wine or just simmering in a little water on the stove. Your whole kitchen will smell like fall.



And my very favorite candle is Votivo's Red Currant, love their new packaging! You can find these locally at Denkers. It is a rich, warm scent that's great for the holidays and one of my favorite gifts for clients and friends. How do you make your home smell sweet?

Some Days...

I really look forward to a little quiet and solitude, with my favorite bath crystals and great magazines. We all need a little down time, don't we? This combo of Burts Bees for Mommas is magical and very restorative and discounted right now on this great website.




And then it's fun to sit down and catch up on my favorite blogs. Have you read Blond Design's Blog? It's one of my favorites.

The Scent of Fall

Have you noticed a sweet, fragrant almost citrus-like scent lingering around this time of year? It's the delicate flowers of the Osmanthus shrub or Tea Olive Shrub, as it's more commonly known. I first noticed its scent in Charlotte in early October but never identified it until I moved here and found one blooming in our back yard. I took a piece of it to my neighbor and garden center owner, Pete Gulley. Tea Olive shrubs grow nicely around here and require very little maintenance. You can keep them in a container (right by an entry would be ideal as a sweet greeting) but you have to water diligently. Right now is a great time to plant Osmanthus because it can establish a root system during the fall and winter months.

Queen City Living

I lived in Charlotte during design school and for several years afterwards and one of my favorite places to visit for inspiration was Circa Interiors & Antiques. I've been following their blog and keep going back to a previous post on this condo, designed for the Symphony Guild Desinger Showhouse. Created by two of Circa's designers, Catherine Walters and Patrick Lewis, this condo feels young and modern. I'm sure it's a small space but I like how they used over scaled accessories.