Monday, March 22, 2010

A Few Of My Favorite Books




Some are classics, a few are just now available.
Love the gold artwork with gray and hot pink above.







We saw this museum when we were in Rio 2005-2006.
I could go on
f-o-r-e-v-e-r
about Oscar Niemeyer.

Phill, my gay husband
and decorator, introduced me to
Corbusier.



 

Libby Langdon is on a book tour right now.

If You Love Savannah, Don't Miss This Event


Savannah...so much to love about this city. 

Mercer House photo by Historic Tours of America

With a busy teenager and a husband travelling frequently for
 business, there is no way that
I can get away right now.
But if I could escape, just for one day, I know exactly where my
time would be spent:
Savannah!
March 25-28, 2010
It's time for the 75th Annual Tour of Homes and Gardens. 
Since I have to miss the tour, I'll make it up to myself with a
good book by Mary Kay Andrews and a great recipe from Paula Deen.

For those of us who will be in Savannah later on this year, there is a company
called Historic Tours of America  that offers great information on the city
and a number of interesting tour options.

Tour of Homes 2010

Cynthia Steffe and Much More Available at Gilt

I'm a shopaholic, no doubt. 
 But a shopaholic that likes great value. 

That's why I love shopping on-line at Gilt where I can
find Burberry, Nicole Miller, Kate Spade and wonderful dresses
like the one below from designer, Cynthia Steffe,  for 50%-70% off the retail price.






Hate to blog and run, but I have to get back to the Gilt site. 
The Burberry sandals are just to amazing to miss! 
Happy Spring Shopping!

Just One More Example of Jeffrey Bilhuber's Genius


Nailhead trim on the walls...love it!  His company's website is sure to inspire!



Inspiration from Maria Killam

Maria Killam's Colour Me Happy blog is one not to be missed. The room pictured below is inspiring for all of us that truly love white rooms. Decorated...not boring!

Her blog topic on the subject of why White Needs Light is a must read and her photos are gorgeous!

Image Source

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Why I Love Piperlime...3 Great Shoes for Spring 2010

                                                                http://piperlime.gap.com/
Betsey Johnson

Moschino


                                          Mystique



Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Things to Buy





I've always had a weakness for pretty linen...napkins, tablecloths, delicate hand towels like these on sale today at One Kings Lane.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Another Reason To LOVE Houston...Southampton Homes

When we were contemplating a move to Houston in 2008, I fell in love with the city
before I ever set foot there.

Perhaps it was the sleek skyline views in scenes from Urban Cowboy, or the house in Terms of Endeament with it's formal garden and perfect boxwoods, but living there appealed to me many years ago, long before I ever considered it a real possibility.  That's saying something where you take in to account the fact that I have always lived in Atlanta and never thought of moving anywhere that wasn't oceanfront property.
Houston offers something that I have never experienced in any other city.  There's a feeling there, an energy, while at the same time, a respect for the city's past. River Oaks and the highrise building both inspire me, but for different reasons.
The work of Southampton Homes is the perfect example of Houston's unique appeal.
Houston, in my mind,  was worth the move. 
 It's green and lush and huge (the fourth largest city in the nation), housing prices are fabulous and the city goes on forever thanks to toll roads and not one, but two perimeter highways.  Good schools and warmer weather...great shopping. 
What more could I ask for?
Our friend, Ed, relocated there several years ago.  He and his family love their home in the master planned community called the Woodlands.


We looked there and in Kingwood, which was originally developed for Exxon executives and is still lovely. I looked in-town and all the way north  at Bentwater on Lake Conroe. Pat is the on-site agent there and she offered  a wealth of information.


My house hunting trip was delayed a month due to Hurricane Ike and our visit to Galveston for beach property was never to happen, but we made the best of it and had a wonderful time. I found four residences; each would have been a delight to make my own with the help of Phill, my decorating gay husband, of course! Needless to say, we ended up staying in Atlanta, but if the opportunity ever presents itself for a move to Houston, I'll be the first one to start packing.

William Hodgins


This foyer designed by William Hodgins made me fall in love with the idea of painting my stairways black. 

Phill Wilson had high gloss on the railing in 2005 and we love it. The black hand railing is the only thing in the entire house that my husband has ever commented on so I think he'll love black on the stairs themselves...hmm decisions, decisions!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

The Forgotten Wall

I'm banishing my boring ceilings.
After spending hours in Home Depot looking at different mouldings, I found a wonderful website that offers even more ideas.



Wednesday, March 10, 2010

INSPIRED

Finally, I found the inspiration for my spring decorating.  These two works by Derek Gores really move me. His website is amazing and features an on-line store. 

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Things That I Love

While the snow is falling, I'm dreaming of spring...new ideas in the house and fashion for the warmer months ahead.  Here are a few photos. The Michael Kors platform sandals will be my first purchase.



Love this color!


Ned Marshall foyer in brown with a fabulous pink fabric!



John Saladino makes me love white again...now I'm thinking of bleaching
out an old bed that I have from the 1920's.



This dining area was in either Veranda or Traditional Home...if anyone comes to my house and finds every chair in my kitchen painted white with animal print fabrics, now you'll know what inspired the change!  I love the textures in this space!