armoire redo

I have recently inherited a gorgeous armoire; however, it doesn't quite fit my personal style.  I would love, love, love to take a hand at refinishing it, but two things holding me back. 

1) I really don't want to mess it up and ruin a beautiful piece of furniture (I have never refinished furniture before)

2)  I come from a family where it is an abomination to paint wood (even though I totally disagree with that!)

I also thought my husband would be on board with my armoire redo and he, surprisingly, wants to keep it the way it is.

Ok so here is the piece as it is right now.

And here is a little lay out of some ideas of changes I would like to make.

 

I would like to paint the body a beautiful soft gray.  I am leaning toward the 2nd paint color "Crushed Ice" by Sherwin Williams.  Then for the insets on all four doors I am leaning toward a nice textured wallpaper.  I will also need to replace the knobs.  Here are some ideas of knobs I like and think would accent the piece very well.

Any ideas, advice, encouragement are appreciated!

unique & original photography

So today I have to brag on local photography/stylist duo Ashley Roy & Brittany Dixon at Three Seven Studios.  This team is one of the most creative photography collaborations I have seen in awhile.  I love how they actually create "sets" with random objects they have on hand to create unique and personal photo shoots.  They also have the ability to put you at ease during shoots which we all know is important when you have someone with a camera in your face!

three seven studios

{pictured on the left is stylist Brittany Dixon & on the right is photographer Ashley Roy}

This is a set they created for a shoot they did for holiday greeting cards.  I love the creative, organic nature of this set.  It really is so simple, yet very beautiful.  They have this amazing ability to create beautiful settings that still allow the people to be the focus of the shot.  Which is how it should be. 

kaci & camryn

baby london

 Here are some stunning examples of some mother/children shoots.  This is a perfect example of what I mean when I say that Ashley and Brittany are able to create adorable/sweet sets using objects that they have.  I love the simplicity of the sets yet they exemplify favorite mother/child activities: reading books, tea parties, and even sharing cookies.

janese & dominic

kris & krista

They also do beautiful engagement/couple shoots.   I've included some shots from my own engagement shoot since I was so beyond pleased with the results. 

kris & krista wedding

And of course I had to add some of their wedding work!  This pictures are from my very own wedding on October 10,2010.  I could not image having a better photographer.

{Funny story:  We did my bridal shoot at Westhaven in Franklin and let me say it was quite the adventure.  Not only was I chased, in my wedding gown, by geese, but we had people taking pictures of me on their cell phones as we were doing the shoot.  It was so much fun and we had such a great time laughing about all of that.  It really made the experience, not only more fun, but very memorable.}


Check out their website and go get some photos done!  There is always an occasion for a photo shoot!

bare minerals

For any of you who are constantly on the lookout for the perfect foundation look no further than Bare Minerals.  I have been using this product for years and I will use it for the rest of my life! 

Bare Minerals

{This is not an ad}  I was raised in a family where my mom wore no makeup and my sister was sort of a tomboy.  So growing up I had no one to show me how to wear makeup and/or the importance of buying quality makeup.  Even to this day in my family it is unfathomable to spend money on makeup alone, let alone buy anything that doesn't come from wal-mart. gasp!  Ok, my mom and sister do own some mary-kay.  I need to give them some credit! 

So for those of you out there who are like me and maybe didn't have makeup/hair guidance growing up I will share with you what I have learned. 

When I first started using bare minerals a few years ago I was tan so I really didn't noticed much of a difference. (my complexion is pretty even and clear when I am tan) so I was like 'this stuff doesn't work' and I stashed it away in my, much too large, makeup drawer.  Several months later I went to a friends house and noticed that she wasn't looking as good as she normally does and I thought maybe she just wasn't feeling well.  However, once she put on her makeup (she used bare minerals) she looked just as pretty and perfect as she always had. So at that moment I knew that bare minerals really did make a difference and I pulled it out of my drawer and have been using it since.  (not the same tub of course:)  Now that I'm not tanning anymore I defiantly notice the difference in the tone and clarity of my complexion.  The other awesome thing about it is it truly does feel like your not wearing anything at all, which I love.  I also don't worry about foundation lines anymore!  (I used to have a problem with that in high school.  So embarrassing!)

That said, I urge everyone not to buy an imitation, splurge for the real thing.  A tub cost $25 and one tub will last me about 6 months so that is $50 a year for clear, flawless, beautiful skin!  You deserve it!  

You also need to invest in the kabuki brush. (this is the brush you use to apply bare minerals to your entire face, using a circular motion). 

Kabuki Brush

You also need to invest in the Maximum Coverage Brush.  (you use this brush to cover specific problems spots.  I also use it to add extra concealer below my eyes.)

Maximum Coverage Brush

As I mentioned earlier there really is a huge difference in buying quality makeup.  It makes a difference in how it wears, how it's applied, and how it looks.  I was always one of those people who thought the only difference is the price, which I've come to find is absolutely not true. 

Sephora

 If you are interested in trying out better quality makeup without having to buy it find the Sephora store nearest you and make a trip.  You can try all of their makeups and it is a great way to try something out, wear it for the day, and decide if it is really worth your investment.  You can trust that everything from Sephora is quality.  (You can also get bare minerals there! ) 

Happy Shopping!

it's a new dawn; it's a new day

I initially started this blog to be a interior design blog, writing about designs, furniture, and accessories that inspired me, but the more I think about it the more I realize that that is only one facet of art & design that I love.  When I think of art & design I think of: fashion, interiors, paintings, sculptures, graphics, hair, makeup, photography, and even event planning.  All of these fields have related and unrelated aspects and all of these fields appeal to me.  Sooo.....I am going to start writing about any and all of these things.  I feel that it will make for a much more interesting blog and I will have more fun writing it! 

That said I already have TONS of new things that I want to write about so be looking for lots of new posts! :) 

Today I to tell everyone about Sleeveless.  If you've never heard of Sleeveless you need to read this post. 

Hook & Chain

Sleeveless is an amazing line of accessories from gorgeous leather cuffs with chain detailing to necklaces, earrings (the first pair were worn at the Golden Globes this year), and even laptop satchels.  Sleeveless is based out of Nashville  at 1201 Villa Place, Suite 101 (check out the full list of stores they are in on their website- wearsleeveless.com).  

Clockworks

These accessories  are quickly becoming a staple in a lot of celebrities wardrobes.  Kellie Pickler was seen wearing a Sleeveless necklace at the CMT Awards, Darius Rucker wore a Sleeveless cuff on the cover of his Charleston, SC 1966 album cover, Amy Grant has worn a pair of their earrings, they have also been featured in several print ads.  

Nilah (wrap)

                                                                               
I have had the pleasure of visiting their Nashville store and seeing these amazing pieces in person and I have to say they are even more stunning in person. I love love love the mix of leathers, metal, rhinestones, and sometimes burlap.  The combination of these materials is what makes the pieces to interesting!   Someday I will own a piece! :)  

Edward

So if your in Nashville be sure to check out their store to see these amazing pieces of wearable art! 

my dream home

I recently got Auto CAD back on my laptop....finally!  I was dying without it.  Now that I have Auto CAD back and no projects to work on of course I would find something to work on!  I have been hard at work designing my dream home, again.  Over the years my dream home has changed drastically in style and floor plan.  Right now I am undecided between two different exterior finishes/styles for my dream abode. 

First I must state that my absolute dream, dream home would be a historic home, which of course I couldn't design and build myself or I would lose the historic part. :)  Granted that there would be major compromises made on floor plan layout, size, and other various features  I love the idea of living in a home that has been around for centuries and withstood the elements.  They are also, in my opinion, classically beautiful. 
Here is an example of a 'historic home' that I would one day love to inhabit.

Your Home & Color Coach

Now for my custom designed home my two exterior choices as far as style and finishes would be clapboard &/or shingles.  I love the way that natural shingles weather to turn into a beautiful gray color.  I also love weathered gray shingles combined with crisp white trim.   Much like this South Hampton home.   Notice how the "natural" cedar color is starting to fade into a gray?

South Hampton Village Review

My next exterior option is clapboard.  This is, of course, a very popular choice, and very widely used.  It does has a similar appearance of siding, however, instead of being vinyl it is solid wood planks that are almost twice as wide a one piece of siding so it does give a different look.  Here is an example of a house with that material as it's exterior.

Franklin, Tn Market Report

My last dream home style, that I could never afford to buy existing let alone recreate new, is a true southern antebellum mansion!  The mansion below is the Oak Alley Plantation located in Vacherie, Louisiana.  This mansion is my idea of the quintessential southern mansion.  The strong horizontal and vertical lines of this architecture creates a stunning and impressive visual statement.  Ah this is definitely my dream of all dream homes! 

Passport Getaway

So which is your favorite style?

fabulous coffee tables

After spending way too much time perusing anthropologies’ website last night I fell in love with these three coffee tables.  The designs are so simple yet striking, which I love.   I also love the combination of wood and metals and the reclaimed barn wood look.  As you will find out in this blog I love using repurposed and reclaimed materials in my designs.  I would love to have any of these stunning tables gracing my living room, wouldn't you? 

Monarch Coffee Table

 The first time I saw it is really impressed me with how clever, simple, and striking it is.

Plank House Coffee Table

This is such a beatiful classic coffee table.  I imagine it with white canvas couches on each side,  and with some coffee table books thrown on it on one end and a single orchid on the other. 

Bello Albero Coffee Table

I love the rustic charm of this coffee table.