Merry Christmas!

I'm off to NC to spend Christmas with my family. I'll be back after the new year!

Inspiration on a Snowy Day

We've have about 13" of snow here today, and it's still snowing, folks. The Mister and I have decided to stay in and watch Christmas movies, bake cookies, and get the rest of our present wrapped. We love our cozy hobbit home, but this is where the fireplace I posted about a few days ago would be the cherry on top of our snowed-in day. One day....

I also wanted to direct your attention to this fabulous idea from Erika of Urban Grace. In a client's dining room, she has hung several glass lanterns of similar design across the ceiling. The lanterns will hang above a sideboard. I love this idea, and kudos to Erika who is such an amazing and talented designer. Take a look behind the scenes as to how she came up with this original idea!

(image via Urban Grace)

Ledbury

In light of Christmas shopping and what can sometimes be a daunting task for finding a gift for the guys in your life, I wanted to share a new line of men's shirts that recently launched, Ledbury. The brother of a friend of mine just launched this new company, which provides English quality tailored shirts for men here in the US.

The genesis for the company began while he was studying at Oxford, and upon his return to the states during school breaks, he realized the need for good, quality shirts for men in the US. I can attest to this because the Mister is long and lean, and most "slim fit" shirts here in the US are not a true "slim fit" (possibly because of the obesity rate in the US, but that is a post for another day!). You can read the rest of his story on their site, but I am thrilled to finally have a great, reliable resource for men's shirts! They are planning to open a brick and mortar store in the near future, but for now I invite you to peruse their beautiful website.

Washington Post - House Calls

I was excited to have the opportunity to participate in the Washington Post's weekly column, House Calls. I was given a challenge to find a solution for a local family that lives in a 2-bedroom condo and expecting their first child. They were wanting to use the second room as a guest room, nursery and office. It is a common issue in DC where homes are expensive and small, so you have to find a way to maximize your space. However, I love the the problem-solving element of interior design, so I was up for the challenge! You can check out before and after photos here.

If you are in need of interior design help, I would love to put our heads to together to figure out a custom solution!

Happy Weekend!

I'm headed to NYC this afternoon to spend the weekend with friends and take in all the Christmas sights. I'm also excited to have the fortunate opportunity to visit my friends Tracy and Zack and their new son, Miller, who made his debut this morning!

All I Want For Christmas...is a fireplace!

The Mister and I are currently house hunting, and we are trying to be wise and list our top priorities in what we would NEED for our first home...and well, I NEED a fireplace. If it were up to me (and there were no such things as limitations), I would have a fireplace in the living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and backyard. All of them would also be lit from September to April!

In Latin, "hearth" means focus, and I'm not surprised. A fireplace creates a wonderful focal point in any room, and it encourages community, great conversation, good food, good wine - you get the picture.

I've pulled some of my favorite images of fireplaces just to prove what an asset they can be!

Custom Christmas Cards

I found this wonderful Etsy vendor that will create 20 custom cards in beautiful script, and all you have to do is send her 20 of your favorite quotes! Wouldn't these make beautiful Christmas cards?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm leaving on a jet plane in a few minutes to head out to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my in-laws. I'll be back in a week!

I HEART Ikea

The Mister woke up in a funk yesterday, so I thought a trip to Ikea would knock that funk right out of him (and much to my surprise he was willing to go)! I've had my eye on getting the Docksta table for our dining nook because I love the clean, simple shape and have been wanting a round table. For $150, it's a no brainer!

I also came across two new fabulous rugs that I wanted to share with you.

Chevron-like Runner:

Geometric Flat Weave (I want this one for my bedroom):

If you haven't picked up on it yet, I'm a HUGE fan of Ikea, especially if you are young and just starting out and/or have little rambunctious ones running around fisted with crayons or markers. I know I will be an Ikea-lifer mixing it with higher-end pieces down the road.

Double Take - Land's End

Wow! Whenever I hear the name "Land's End," I conjure up images of turtlenecks, "mom" jeans, and loose fitting conservative clothing with an outdoor flair. I know - I'm sorry to all those loyal Land's End fans out there.

However, I had to do a double gander when I saw their new brand Canvas. It's a mix of J. Crew and Gap thrown in with a great price point. Although the site doesn't have a ton of options yet, I definitely have my eye on a few things:

Dandy Days

This past weekend, DC hosted its first inaugural recruiting event of the District's newest social club, Dandies and Quaintrelles. On Sunday, the H Street area was swarming with folks dressed in their best tweeds and toppers while cruising around the city on vintage bikes. The reason? Read it here.

Sadly, we were out of town and missed this event, but I wish I would have been there to ride around on my new vintage Hercules bike the Mister gave me for my birthday! Maybe next year....

Loving...

these ruffle curtains!

Found here.

The Look for Less....

I know, I know....where have I gone to? Well, between fighting a nasty cold and knee deep in a big project, I have not kept up to speed on my posts. However, as I was hunting for rugs, I came across this:

(image via Habitually Chic)

A vignette for Thomas O'Brien at the High Point market (notice the rug)!

A great compromise from Target or Tar-gé, as I often pronounce it!

Sneak Peek!

I'm currently in the middle of a FUN project using this fabulous fabric from Brunschwig & Fils...

I can't wait to show you more pictures once the project is complete. Stay tuned!

Art for Christmas...Yes, Please!

Christmas is not too far away, so I am beginning to think of gifts I need to start getting for friends and family. I know I want to order a few of these for gifts for friends this season, and if anyone needs help with gift ideas for moi, well here you go:

While perusing through the fabulous Lonny magazine, I fell in love with the watercolor artist Caitlin McGauley. Her fresh take on every day items is definitely worthy of framing and hanging on a wall.

(images via Caitlin McGauley)

(image via Lonny)

Caitlin's work also reminded of the very talented Anne Harwell who sells her works of art on her Etsy shop, Annechovie. I think a grouping of art from both Anne and Caitlin would be fabulous and inspirational too!

It Cracks Me Up Every Year!

I always look forward to perusing the Neiman Marcus Christmas book each year! The fantasy gifts just get better and some stranger! This year, they went "green" by offering the catalogue online. So in case any one is needing some gift ideas for me, I think I'll be asking Santa for the customized cupcake car:) And I know the Mister will be asking for the Maker's Mark experience!

(images via NM)

Dear Scarlett Johansson, I'm impressed!

Taylor Deli on H Street

The other night the Mister and I grabbed a bit to eat down on H St. at the new Taylor Deli. Now let me provide you with a bit of context. The NE area of H St. has traditionally been a dirty, crime ridden area. However, in the past few years DC has pushed for the revitalization of this area through a jump start program called Great Streets Initiative. This initiative offers chunks of cash to local businesses on H Street in hopes of turning the area around, and I think it's working!

When we stepped inside, I felt as if I had been transported to an über cool eatery in Brooklyn, NY. I was instantly attracted to the design of the place. It's very much industrial chic meets Eco-friendly. The space is filled with recycled wood and steel, and I LOVED the reclaimed wood paneling all around paired with the exposed brick. The other cool part of this place, is that the owners, Casey Patten and David Mazza (friends since middle school), live above the store in their respective apartments. The deli also caught the eye of Dwell Magazine who did an article on them. You can check out the article and slide show here.

This place is inspirational! Now, does anyone need a designer for an urban, industrial home???

(all images via Dwell Magazine)

It's Here! It's Here!

As I woke up this morning and checked my email....Christmas had arrived in October! The new Lonny magazine, the brainchild of Michelle Adams and Patrick Cline, is now live on the web. The Domino shaped hole in my heart has been filled, and this online magazine contains page after page of eye candy. Because the magazine is virtual, there are no page limits. So lucky for us readers, the first issue takes you through at least 4 different homes plus pages filled with new products to file away in our design files. This is definitely going to create a delay in my work day today! Enjoy!

Living Room of Kate Townsend

French Dehors

The Mister and I took a small hiatus a couple of years ago and traveled to Europe for 2 months. It was the most amazing trip, and we both came back inspired by the European lifestyle. I think we took over 1,ooo pictures, and most of the shots were captured the architectural beauty of our surroundings.

Of all the places we visited, I must say France was my favorite...I know, it's so cliche, but the French must be doing something right for everyone to fall in love with them! I love so many types of design styles, but I'm always pulled toward the simple, effortless style of the French. Whether it's food, fashion or interiors, the French always look pull together but in a "grab a glass of wine and let's sit and chat" kind of way.

I wanted to share a few photos I took while in France to visually explain what I mean, I also want to share with you a new resource I found while perusing one of my interior magazines:

Authentic Provence

They sell reproduction and original French planters, spouts, statues, fireplace mantles, lighting, and much more. Their products are the most authentic garden antiques inspired from country manors to chateaux.

They also offer wonderful lighting and flooring that is reclaimed from old buildings around the country.

Last, here are a few photos I shot that are filed away in my decorating files for future use!