Totally Tortoise

When at Scott's Antiques this past weekend with the best friend, I saw some tortoise shell jewelry boxes that made me drool. Similar to this:

Tortoise shell, gold medallion, and filigree cutouts? Mmmkkk. 

Thank goodness I didn't bring my wallet in or mama would be in trouble! What, you may ask, would I put in my tortoise jewelry box? Well of course, I won't leave you hanging..

But, tortoise shell isn't just for sporting on your wrist. Take a gander!

I would love to use this as a print/series someday

Midcentury Modern yummy chairs! 

Inspiration!

Yes, yes, yes please. 

Tabletop accessory--rare albino turtlies! 

Love the shape/distressing on this mirror from 1st Dibs. 

Stacking tables from Hollyhock, 1st Dibs

Beautiful serving tray from Tres Belle, 1st Dibs

My conscious also starting growing heavy as I found these beautiful images, so leave it to me...

...I found out that "In 1973, the trade of tortoiseshell worldwide was banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).^{[1]" via Wikipedia.} 


 So unless you're rocking an antique, you are most likely sporting a material that merely mimics the gorgeous shell (like Tortex.) Yay, conscious clean!

Have a fantastic Monday, ya'll! 

Design Dissection: Ms. Carrie Bradshaw

If you know me at ALL, you know that I'm obsessed (understatement of the century) with SATC. I have been watching marathons on TV lately, which prompted me to want to watch the movies again. It got me thinking about design...big surprise. When it came time for Carrie to move back into her old apartment and make huge changes because he who shall not be named ruined her life (for the moment), she employed a personal assistant who performed nothing short of a miracle to transform this:

into this:

Okay, I'll admit, not everything is perfect in the Carrie 2.0 room. Just because it looks a lot better, doesn't mean it's the best. The miracle was probably more-so about how "St. Louise" came into the mix: fixing up her apartment, hiding everything that reminded her of Big conveniently in a folder for her only to rediscover later, and forcing her to continue her life as a remix.

Some improvements you ask? Here I go:

1. Bedding always sticks out to me, and I personally think this brown is hidddeeouusss, plain, and totally unCarrie. Yeah, that's a word. In this case, you can't go wrong with all white! Maybe even bring in a pop of orange or pink in a Missoni inspired blanket at the foot of the bed?
2. That rug is SO 2005. I can't even deal. I thought it was the color, but it's not. I love that it's not a boring tone on tone, but come on! 
3. I am over a mirrored table. This isn't really a rule-of-thumb in every scenario, but this coffee table has been done and redone, and it's just not wowing me. 
4. I wish she had a taller nightstand on the left side, or at least something that added some height. Maybe a leaner mirror? Or a table with an interesting bust painted with a lacquered, bold color?
5. Desk, desk, desk! I love the chair, but I think a better desk would have a little more storage, and definitely a wider/longer surface. I probably would have chosen glass so that it wouldn't weigh that side of the room down. The size that is present looks great, but is in no way practical for her as a writer. 
6. I couldn't find a picture or remember exactly what was in the new entryway, but I'm thinking they took out that huge built-in bookshelf. If so, miiiisttakkkeee. With a little paint and new hardware, those existing built-ins would be DELISH! I'm a sucker for books+accessories, so this is an obvious win for me. 

Things they did right: 

1. I love her new living area! The old one was bland as ever [check out that old Motel 8-looking fabric on that chair. and blahblah rug.] Items that could have been repurposed are those cool lamps with new shades, both chairs could be recovered with a graphic pattern, and the sideboard and coffee table are great pieces as well! I'm glad they switched it up completely, but this room could have had a major makeover with what's existing! This new space is beautiful, however, with a twist-on-traditional feel. That bench seating under the TV is the perfect way to make it more casual. I mean...really..how often do we see Carrie lounging around watching television? Hardly ever..she's too busy being fabulous! So this TV shouldn't the main focal point in the room, at least not by itself. 
2. The rounded tables in the threshold between the bedroom and living room. The tables are a great shape and the correct scale, and so are those beautifully understated lamps. I love some symmetry-  and this is symmetry done well. Just that small detail visually separates her bedroom from her living quarters, which is necessary in an open space this small. 
3. The wall color is FAB! 
4. The gallery wall behind her bed is just perfect. Well done! 
5. Curtains-simple, chic, flowy, and clean. 
6. The built-ins around the tv are great to add more symmetry, storage, and interest to that wall. See the books above? : )
7. I really like the new nighttable/console to the right of the bed, but I will always find something comforting about her oldschool phone sitting on the radiator.  

As we know, Carrie always wins at the end: 

blue sofa, gold painting, symmetrical chairs, accessories. and she got away with a pink rug?! grawwwrrrrr!

now this desk is business!

love the lighting group and beautiful fresh flower arrangement
symmetry again!

why not let the midcentury-modern look takeover the kitchen rather than chunky appliances?
who cooks anyway?

 that wallpaper? that mirror? those lamps??? cloche?? favefavefave. 

Happy Wednesday, be fabulous!

Forever Missed

To live in hearts we leave behind

is not to die.

Thomas Campbell

Alan Crawford will be forever remembered in our hearts. His memory will serve as a reminder to each of us to never take one moment for granted, and to love everyone around us like crazy. 

Wear Your Room

I believe in doing the thing you feel is right. If it looks right, it is right.

                     -Dorothy Draper

That Dorothy sure did know what she was talkin' about! This quote is perfect for design and fashion. People are so often scared to just do what feels right. It's almost like a catch 22 in that we think that what "feels right" is too easy, and that there must be something more. Many times, there isn't. In design and fashion, I challenge you to do what feels right and not question you're own intuition. It's there for a reason, isn't it?

Take a look at these beautiful rooms, compliments of my romantic relationship with Pintrest, and then look at the day and night looks I compiled that have similar design aesthetics.

Stunning headboard upholstery+painted white details

I love everything about this- just need a bold patterned carpet and that canvas to be framed, and this would be mine!

Who wouldn't love to eat breakfast and have homemade OJ here?! Look at those different chairs, beamed ceiling, and rounded door!

My dream bungalow room

Crisp+Clean...I dare you to find something that you don't like!

Have a beautiful and inspiring weekend!

Attn: Atlanta

Being new to the city within the last year, I still find myself getting overwhelmed with all the exciting things there are to do here. Being in the design industry, I find that each day that I'm out I discover new little hidden treasures. These places are not necessarily a secret, but if I've never seen them- they are to me! They range from beautifully landscaped parks, restaurants, and boutiques, to hotels, offices, and bars. So, I've decided to start my posts called "Attn: Atlanta" which will catalogue some of these great places.

When I was first looking to move from Valdosta to Atlanta, I came into the city for a quick interview and met with a friend at the Glenn Hotel for drinks. I had been to this hotel previously for a New Year's Eve celebration the previous year, so I was already familiar with the location in the heart of the downtown Luckie Marietta District. Because it was so chilly then, we weren't able to visit the bar on the roof of the small highrise. But lucky for me, it was warm and beautiful weather during this visit. Skylounge...open! The view of the city from this spot (and maybe the Grand Marnier) literally made my decision to move for me. I realized I no longer had a say so, I had to be here.

The Glenn is considered to be a boutique hotel, being that it is on the smallish side with just at 110 rooms and providing personalized accommodation and services/facilities. A boutique hotel is usually luxurious and quite intimate, which is one of the benefits of not going to a typical chain hotel. One thing that also caught my eye about the Glenn was it's claim to being commited to sustainability. Because of their close proximity to public transportation, their revamping of the building that had remained empty for ten years prior to the Glenn's opening, and their use of high-efficiency thermostats and insulated windows, they are making strides to be earth-friendly.  They also boast about their Southern comfort food, sign me up! Although I've yet to try their food, I've heard it's delish! Check out the Glenn's kitchen menu.

Now, on to the important stuff. Design eye candy!

Do you see those rich colors? I spy a rich onyx wall..hands down, my favorite part of the lobby.

Think this:

Oh, baby baby.

Antique key chandy in the lobby

Bedroom:

 complete with lush orange drapery, floating nightstands with pendant lighting above (thank the LORD, no tacky lamps), fresh art, crisp white hotel sheeting with orange stripes, a walk-in shower with a sexy glass window into the main room, and plenty of mood lighting

Drum roll please...

The Glenn is an Atlanta spot you shouldn't miss out on. Their excellent service and beautiful interiors will surely have me coming back for more!

In the Bedroom

So, I was innocently walking around Homegoods with no intention of buying anything about a month ago. I stumbled across these babies, and my whole bedding idea has changed from a nuetral gray and ivory to a stark white and navy scheme. Think crisp, plain white duvet cover and these as euros against my scroll headboard (sorry for the blur!):



Similar to this one...but I ran the stripes vertically

I added a little white shag rug at the end of my bed yesterday to continue the white onto the floor. Not to mention, it's shag and super comfy!

And a random but totally exciting find today on Etsy....two vintage hobnail white milk glass lamps from Tiffin of linwood avenue. They have restored fittings that are a high polished brass and are newly rewired with 8' clear wire. Umm, sign me up- kthanks.  At 12.5" to the top of the socket, they are a little smaller than I'd like. I also had to remember:

1. It's hard to find an actual pair of vintage lamps, especially with such a great shape and in great condition.

2. It's hard to find massive hobnail lamps like I would prefer! All that I have seen lately are fairly small in scale- and I just don't think I can wait it out to find anything taller. A little impatient....guilty as charged. And sometimes with the tall height I like, the lamp's width increases. In this case, I want a lamp with a thin profile so these will work great.

And after contacting the vintage queen herself, Dayka Robinson, for her advice- I was ready to make my purchase!

Here are my beauties before they are on my nightstands in a few short days:

And, then my next mistake was made. I continued to search on Etsy, double oops. I fell in love with these amazing limited edition prints. They are done by Leigh of jkldesigns from pencil, pen & watercolor, and the illustrations are then are digitally edited  I am pretty excited that they will be hanging on my sad, blank wall across from my bed along with some floating white shelves with leaning frames and other assorted accessories.

Aren't these beautiful?

Just got a coupon in the mail for Bed, Bath, and Beyond- and they have some floating shelves and cubes that I've been looking for for a great price. They are not as large as I'd like, but I think they'll do. I also have to spray them white (I think) and I will probably use these paired with some of the longer individual shelves you can buy at IKEA to get my desired look. 



One of the items on my longest shelf will have to be a picture of little Marley. I was watching Adele's music video "Someone Like You (amahhhhhzing song)," and saw a framed photo of her baby Dachshund. After scouring Pintrest... I want a photo of Marley running like this with a nice white mat and thick black frame:

Happy Thursday, ya'll!