A Few Of My Finds At Market

If you follow me on social media, you saw some of the pretty pieces I found at the Atlanta market last week.

The marketing team at the Merchandise Mart asked me to be a style spotter for them, and honestly, I had the best time. It was a great way to document my finds and I loved all of the new people I met because of it.

I have been to market in Atlanta quite a bit over the years, but there was something really special about this one. As always, the existing showrooms did not disappoint. The overall energy was incredible, and I loved the addition of more boutique showrooms at the show. I picked up a few new lines, some from showrooms that had never shown at the Atlanta market before, which is always exciting to me.

I also noticed more showrooms are carrying antiques or one of a kinds, which in my opinion, makes a market feel a little more high end and custom. As a designer, this makes our job easier in creating a special room with unique finds. Sure- the staples are always needed in every project, but if you can mix in a couple of crusty, old pieces, it makes the home that much prettier.

Maybe I am a little partial because I am a southerner, but I love seeing the MerchandiseMart thrive and grow. Atlanta is easy to fly or drive into, and word on the street is they are adding a valet service, making it even easier to shop.

But…. Before I close, I have to share a picture of my assistant for my time there.

I always try to bring one of my girls along with me to summer market, and this year it was Ann’s turn. It’s good for them to be exposed to what I do, and selfishly, I treasure the one on one time with each.

Ann has a great eye, and I think I am going to hold on to this picture for the day we are headed to market as design partners versus mom and daughter.

Hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my finds,

Dana

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Living Well

What A Fun Week- Part One

Hi Everyone,

What a great time Jeff, Grant, and I had last week as Tastemakers for the 2013 Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Antiques at The Gardens show. So much time, preparation, and work went into creating our space that I couldn’t decide if I was sad to see it end or ready to move on.

So how did all of this come to fruition?

After agreeing to serve as Tastemakers for the show, Jeff and I met several months ago and came up with the theme, “Fireside Chat”. During a meeting one afternoon to see how we envisioned the space, Jeff drew this on a random piece of paper as our inspiration…

Sorry for the quality being so bad, but it was copied a few times over the course of the project. Apparently, Jeff is known for sketching out some pretty incredible things on a napkin or two. If you haven’t seen where some of his sketches have turned into reality, you can visit here.

Once we had the dimensions of our space and a vision we wanted to achieve, it didn’t take long to pull it together. We tried to create an authentic space while watching what we spent. Honestly, since this was for a charitable event versus a client, this is where the challenge came in. It is easy to choose what I see in a space for a client-paid project, but to create a high-end look for a charitable event is a little more challenging. Fortunately, several companies, vendors, and friends helped by lending us pieces, giving us special pricing, etc…

Thanks to Grant’s planning, move-in day went surprisingly smooth. It didn’t take us him long to put together the structure of the room.

Jeff and Grant filled the fireboxes ever so perfectly. We had lots of comments about how nicely the wood was stacked, so their attention to detail paid off.

This is how we ended the first day moving in…. Structure is up, curtains are hung, and tomorrow is the installation of the fireplace surround, upholstery, case goods, accessories etc….

Stay tuned for pictures of the final reveal…..

Have a great day, everyone-

dana

Living Well

Memorable Monday…… It’s Here!

Hi Everyone,

It’s here! I am so excited to see all of our hard work finally come together this week for our space in the Antiques at The Gardens show. I feel like I have been pregnant for nine months, and it is finally time to birth this baby. The anticipation is mounting, making it today’s Memorable Monday…..

As much time as we have put towards creating our space for this fundraiser for The Gardens, I think I am going to miss working on it ~~a little~~. Jeff Dungan is an amazing architect and his creativity never ceases to amaze me. Not only is he super-talented, but he is a really nice guy.

And Grant Trick???? Grant and I grew up together in Tuscaloosa, and believe it or not, I used to babysit him. Yes, I am that old….. With Grant’s talent of creating beautiful window treatments/upholstery and his past experience in designing window fronts for stores in New York, I think he was heaven-sent. No joke. Grant is extremely organized and not afraid of a little hard work.

While I cannot show any pictures of what we have planned just yet, here is a little glimpse…… Do stay tuned this week to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc… as we will post pictures as progress is being made. Or better yet, stop by and see us. The show opens up Thursday at 1:00 and closes Sunday at 3:00.

Hope to see you there!

Dana

Living Well

Floral Arrangements for the Shoot

One thing that made the photo shoot I mentioned in my previous post so much fun — and the rooms that much more exquisite — were the beautiful flower arrangements created by Chris Carter of Christopher Glenn. Take a look…

Living Well

How Layering Takes a Room From Drab to Fab

In my previous blog, “From Blah to Beautiful in a Few Easy Steps,” I mentioned the importance of layering a space and softening the hard surfaces in a home. The last thing you want is for your home to look like it was bought off of a showroom floor, and layering prevents this by creating a sophisticated, collected look.

Windows are everywhere in our homes, and for good reason — they let in natural light! When windows need to be softened, curtains are a beautiful and easy fix.

Take a peek at this design from one of my favorites, Susan Ferrier:

She actually uses the curtain as a “wall” and wow! These panels soften the room’s hard corners while providing depth, dimension, and character. Notice the layered cowhide on top of the rug as well.

I will always sing the praises of banquettes and built-ins, as I cannot help it. I just love them! The high back on this custom seating I designed for a client’s foyer is an eye catcher and sets the tone for the rest of the home.

jeanallsoppcot08 — another client's kitchen. photo courtesy of jean allsopp and puppy courtesy of homeowner.

: great balance here! (from pinterest — materialgirlsblog)

Notice how this banquette softens the stairwell and hardwood floor? They also receive bonus points for their practicality by allowing for more people to sit around a table.

Here’s a nice example of layering with custom seating AND drapes. Accessorizing with pillows is also a must!

Mixing the old with the new is a great way to create a room that looks like it has evolved over time, even if it was installed in one day. In this TV segment from Daytime Alabama, I provide ways to mix the two.

Look what the talented Vincente Wolf created in this room. He pulled up uber-modern chairs to a table made to look old, and it’s amazing!

storper-13-958x1024 — old and new = divine

To sum up, here is a picture of where old and new, soft and hard, come into interior design harmony bliss:

fiona-weeks-4-x — the home of designer Fiona Weeks

Living Well

Love the One You’re In

Do you walk into your home and go, AHHHHHHH, this space just feels so…soooo…right?????

If not, what is holding you back?

Many times clients call because they cannot pull their home together and they need major help. STAT. They aren’t exactly sure what is wrong, just that something is definitely not right.

cluttered-house — what's wrong with this picture????

The next time you think knocking down a few walls is the answer to your home-woes, try the following tips first. If you still aren’t ahhh-ing when you come home, give me a call.

1. Get Rid of It! Yes, it is okay to part ways with a family piece you do not love. I give you permission, so get rid of the guilt, and let it go.

imgres — ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com. if you don't love it, don't keep it.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The rocking chair from my daughter’s room was her great-great aunt’s, but because she has outgrown the need of one, it is about to go into storage as well.

carnaggio pictures of me doing things 014 — teddy bear's seat was my child's great-great aunt's rocker

Just because it is a family heirloom or your aunt gave it to you for your wedding doesn’t mean it belongs in your home. So many tastes are out there, and I bet you can find a home for it (your sister? your niece? your neighbor?). So do it. Pronto. De-clutter. Keep only what you love and use…and you will definitely see and feel a difference in your home immediately!

2. Every Thing Has A Place. Every single thing in your home should have a place. Pencils. Phone accessories. Cucumbers. Summer hats. Screwdrivers. Blush brushes. Every thing. Whether it is in a specific drawer or in a particular closet, it has a home.

6698451_UDXbm7De_c — yes, cheese graters can act as pencil holders... sometimes

This recalls the de-cluttering process mentioned above. As a designer, I can find a home for any loved piece, but if you do not love it, repurpose it or get rid of it.

don't the objects here just FEEL loved? by Nate Berkus

I have had many clients in my career who simply cannot let go of things, for fear of perhaps needing it “one day.” Let me tell you, take your chances. Ask a friend who has a discerning eye to help you decide what should stay and what should find a better home (including the garbage can or Goodwill). If there is something you absolutely cannot part ways with, box it up and put it in storage. Chances are, after a year of having it out of your immediate experience, you’ll have an easier time saying farewell to it.

3. Assess the Function of Each Room. Yes, each room should have a function. It does not matter whether you have a 1,500 or a 15,000 sq ft home, every room should have a purpose. The goal is to utilize every square inch in your home, and love it! Is that extra bedroom a study, a guest bedroom, or a workout room? Or is it just pretending to be all of those things when it’s really just storage? Give each room an identity so you can organize and decorate accordingly.

4. How Do You Want Your Home to Feel? Do you want your home to be a retreat from the crazy world we live in…

lMary McDonald — so serene from Mary McDonald

…or do you want it to reflect your bold personality?

show the world your personality! by Jan Showers

Whatever you decide, make sure each room flows from one to the next. A retreat space will have more muted colors and softer furnishings, while one that is more bold may have pops of color. Figure out what you need when you are at home. Perhaps you need quiet time, but your home feels loud and busy. Perhaps you need a little more energy in your life, but all your furnishings are heavy and dark-colored. All of these things make a difference!

lighten up and keep it simple... by Thomas Filicia

Your home can make you feel inspired and at peace, or it could possibly be draining you. Start by applying the above tips before doing anything long term or drastic. You may be amazed how donating a few things and making a trip to the Container Store can make you fall in love with your home again.