​To say it is hot here in Texas is the UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE DECADE=;( On days like this I yearn for the North. Cooler temps, fireflies dancing at night, and savoring the long summer days. Hey...when you know it is 80 degrees in November you don't exactly embrace July in Texas.  Well...maybe my kids do as school is right around the corner.  Hallelujah! Back to the blog!  

​My new Walpole Outdoors catalog arrived today and it made me dream of charming Cape Cod style homes, times at the Jersey Shore and the sublime beauty of Kennybunkport, Maine in early August. Sigh.... Since the next time I will see the North it will no doubt be 30 degrees, I am going to linger on these summer shots. 

For those not familiar with Walpole Outdoors (formerly Walpole Woodworkers) this company flies under the radar but needs to be discovered for those that love making their outdoor space sing. 

I have purchased a number of products from this company including a mailbox I am still grieving the loss of...I hope the new owners of my last home love it the way I did=;) To me WO embodies all of the beauty of the North and a life filled with a true appreciation of fleeting warm-weather days.  Here are a few of my favorite images from Walpole Outdoors.

​While the company started in Massachusetts, WO products are now widely used all over the country.  This pergola comes with all the needed materials and is assembled onsite.  You will note a cover for rain and sun and electrical can be run as well for fans.  The columns are gorgeous!  This piece fits perfectly with the hardscapes in lovely this Bucks County, PA backyard.

​Is there anything better then the juxtaposition of crisp white trim offset by a dark color? The light post can be sold with or without an accompanying light.  If you choose to use WO, they have a number of attractive lights to choose from on the website.  They also offer companion lights. 

​This one has Jersey Shore written all over it!  The fence and gate are perfection! 

​Walpole Outdoors offers a number of retail sites in New England.  This charming barn style shop is located in Westport, Connecticut.  The website and catalog are very robust and offer a solid shopping experience for those not located near a WO shop. 

​Ahhh...summer days!  This post has the added detail of a lantern with a sign bracket.  Walpole Outdoors also makes beautiful custom signs with lettering and numbers.  

​The sweet shed (She Shed please!!!) is one of many that Walpole Outdoors makes and can send to anywhere in the country for onsite installation.  The cupola, fence, and flower boxes all make this shed an enchanting addition to any backyard.  

​When folks wonder how to gain curb appeal, this is a great example of where to start.  Outdoor lights that are large enough to ground the space on either side of the door, hearty shrubs such as boxwoods that don't require a lot of maintenance and ground cover mixed with a welcoming hardscape...this is it!  The cost of the Walpole Outdoors lantern pole is not that expensive and will add loads of charm to the front of your home.  

​I hope you have been inspired or at least enjoyed the view=:)  Walpole has an endless bounty of outdoor treasures.  Take a trip to the website and/or request a catalog.  The inspiration pictures are stunning.  I suspect you will find room in your budget for a few items!  
 
One final reminder, Walpole Outdoors ships throughout the US and Canada.  Arrangements can be made to ship to the Caribbean as well as Hawaii and Alaska. 

​It has been a long summer here in Texas.  Holy hot!!  I hope everyone is keeping cool and enjoying the lazy days of summer.  It has been a while since I have blogged, but decided it is time to fire up the engines again.  There is so much in the design world to see and share.  There is also a tremendous amount of design activity in Texas and specifially in the Houston area. On that note, I bring you a little slice of heaven located here in Southeast Texas....True Blue Home! 

​In the time since I moved to the Houston area I have done my fair share of travel for not only design related expeditions (Round Top y'all) but alas...I have been all over this state for competitive soccer. That is another story! 

For 4 weeks this past April I blazed a trail from The Woodlands, TX to Brenham, TX every weekend for soccer.  One of my absolute joys was passing by and visiting True Blue Home in Chappell Hill, Texas.  Oh the sweet joy this little shop brings me.

​Located roughly 90 minutes from Houston, this little gem of a store started off on a quiet street in Chappell His, Texas. It has since moved a mile or so and is now on 290 which a lot of folks use for travel between Houston and Austin.  This is also one of the few roads that can get you in and out of Round Top for those that go on the annual or bi-annual pilgrimage. 

This charming shop immediately grabs your attention.  Once inside let the lovefest begin.  It is design love at first site.  Rich with textiles, art, stationery, and modern farmhouse accessories, your eye doesn't know where to land first. Did I mention the second floor.  Gah...my heart! 

​The second floor has a display bathroom ripe with candles, soaps, the MOST heavenly diffusers, towels, robes, and even divine lighting.  Every inch of this shop has been tended to with thoughtful detail.  The diffusers that True Blue sells have become a signature hostess gift of mine. The aroma is fresh and enchanting and I haven't been able to find anything like it anywhere else.
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You really need to take your time in True Blue Home. Give yourself at least an hour to linger and visit the cafe.  The sites and scents immediately draw you in.  The styled rooms, mirrors, cashmere throws, pottery, candles, and well appointed furnishing will sing to you!  

​The photo above is just one of the gorgeous Visual Comfort lighting pieces that is on display.  There is actually an entire wall of Visual Comfort lighting to view.  The charming Visual Comfort sconces can be seen throughout the shop.  This Moravian Star has always been on of my favorites.  I have seen this chandelier dressed up or, in this instance, anchor a shabby chic
farmhouse with shiplap and a tin ceiling.  The floor lamp is also Visual Comfort. 

The cozy room continues...the opposite side features art, signature blue chairs with ottomans and more Visual Comfort lighting on the side table.  Don't you want to grab that nightgown, a book and a glass of wine and curl up for a long read? 
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​While the house is a generous size, so much bigger than the original shop, it is filled to the brim with linen furniture and shades of blue in everything from rugs to lamps to pillows.  

​The shop lives up to its name.  Shades of blue envelop you as you enter the store.  If you are
a John Robshaw fan this shopping experience will equal nirvana!  Oh...his pillows abound!

This venue is tailor-made for hostess or housewarming gifts.  AND GUESS WHAT??? AMAZING NEWS!!! True Blue Home is in the process of finishing its online store.  So for those of you who won't be making a trip to Houston or Round Top in the near future...there is still an opportunity to experience this gracious little retreat's wares.  Hint, get the diffuser=;)

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​Last but certainly not least...you must try the avocado and toast sandwich with a cappuccino at the attached Honeysuckle cafe.  Sink into the oversized chairs or pull up a seat either indoor or outdoor for a sandwich and a sweet tea.  Texas is calling y'all. 

Okay...full disclosure, I am lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan and I am BEYOND excited that they are in Super Bowl LII!  With that out of the way, my personal social media accounts have been a sea of green.  Ahhh...divine inspiration for this blog.

Shades of green have really stepped out of the design shadows as of late. Furniture, accessories...sure...but I am talking about deeper commitments.  Bathrooms, offices, even kitchens are boldly going where few designers have gone before. I think it is gorgeous!  Above Studio McGee anchors this lovely room with a green velvet sofa.  This is layering perfection! 
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Shiplap has officially taken over the world (shout out to JoJo).  This bathroom takes the trusted trend a step further with a gorgeous hunter green paint.  Kate Marker married the green with a soapstone farm sink, black/white cement tiles and an oak vanity.  Yes please!
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Sasha Simon (a.k.a. Lola Rio Style) has a fun fashion inspired Instagram site.  Her emerald green coat goes perfectly with a black Antigona Box Leather Satchel.  I spy Sam Edelman pumps.
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Bring the outside in with florals. Creating a gallery wall with botanticals has become a very popular trend. Above is the NYC home of Vera Wang president Mario Grauso. He pairs the prints with a cozy grass green sofa. For similar prints, visit ​​Birch Lane. 
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Yep...another Studio McGee image.  I have a small obsesion with this new design firm (hint...blog coming).  For the Vineyard Parade Home, Shea was able to take some chances with a deep, rich green paint for the floor to ceiling cabinets.  The contrast of light floors and countertops makes these cabinets sing.  The light oak hardwood floor pairing is a favorite of mine. 
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The above is a GORGEOUS bone inlay chest of drawers in emerald.  This versitale piece could be used to dress up a basic entryway.  It is also tailor-made for a nursery or child's room. Of course, given the price point of bone inlay items, I would put it in a prominent spot.  It is too pretty to hide.
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Sarah Richardson has forever been one of my favorite designers.  I love that her jumping off point for any and every room is a bold fabric.  She set the tone in the above bathroom with a vibrant  green fabric that dresses up the space and draws your eye to the outside view.  It pairs so nicely with the sublte mint paint and marble flooring. Sarah slays as always!
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Dress it up or go causal with hits of green in accessories or even a signature dress. 
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​Go big or go home! This Celerie Kemble Schumacher Hothouse Flower fabric has always spoken to me.  Call it an updated 80s flashback...but I LOVE THIS pattern!  The above bedroom, done by designer Tobi Farley, was featured in Traditional Home.  This image shows the amazing versitility of green.  Various shades, within the pattern, work perfectly with a soft pear green velvet ottoman, cream-colored shiplap, dark hardwood floors, and chair legs. Bold and beautiful!

​And then there is Natalie.  This dress is stunning! Enough said...
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This image demonstrates that even a few accessories can dress up a space.  The moss and chartreuse colored decor elements give the space a pop and pair beautifully with neutral furniture pieces. The chest of drawers is drool worthy as well. 

I hope you are inspired to test the waters with your own hits of green in your home and closet! 

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Couldn't resist...FLY EAGLES FLY!!! 

Welcome 2018!  I am shaking off the road dust from 2017 and committing to blogging more and finally getting some of my client's finished projects up on the site. Last year was BUSY but successful.  Many of my clients have entered the final stage of their projects and I am excited to share them!

For now, I have some beautiful images to share with you of Drew Scott's newly remodeled California home.  It is stunning!  I must admit I find the boys from Property Brothers a bit hokey with some of their schtick, but I have come to appreciate their style.  Hey...not sure how well Jeff Lewis would play on HGTV! Plus with the departure of Chip and Joanna on Fixer Upper, I feel like HGTV has been running nothing but Property Brothers marathons.  Okay HGTV...I will watch PB!

I put the boys' new show on my DVR and finally found some time to watch the new series "Drew's Honeymoon House".  Wow!  I came away thinking...oh snap...that is what y'all would really do with buckets of cash on your own project.  Impressive...tell me more.  

Let me set the stage for you.  Drew and his fiancée Linda have purchased a $2.3 million home in LA's tony Hancock Park/Windsor Square.  Drew then enlisted his brother Jonathan to complete a full gut and remodel in an absurd 12 week timeframe.  Spoiler Alert...Jonathan gets it done replete with outdoor living space that includes a pool and fire pit.

Truth...I started to devour each episode and walked away grabbing a number of design ideas.  The boys nailed it.  The first image, the kitchen, is an absolute beauty!  The conservatory windows (hmmm...that looks a lot like the Nate Berkus NYC kitchen) is a total show stopper and sets the stage for the masculine, high contrast vibe for the entire home.

​Pictured above, a converted front room now serves as office space that shows off some insane millwork, a rich paint color and a retro, yet mod vibe.  Oh those pocket doors!  

Details matter!  The living room above was outfitted with lovely hardwoods laid in a chevron pattern (Jonathan loved that install...not). While you might not appreciate it at first glance, the crown molding was a work of art.  The old moldings were crumbling and had to be replaced.  To keep the integrity of this almost century old home, Jonathan worked with an interior designer to create new moldings (FINALLY...they outed themselves and acknowledged that they use a designer and a team for installs).  A series of stacked wood trims were used to create the above look.  The fireplace, windows and opening to the dining room were all given a facelift as well. 

The powder room....ahhhh...that wallpaper.  Drew and Linda hung it themselves.  The bold pattern and black and white contrast is GORGEOUS! The dark crown molding and baseboards draws you into the space even more.  They went a little old school with the toilet tank, but again they were trying to stay "true" to the home's age. 

In order to achieve a full en suite bathroom, the home had an addition put on the second level that enclosed a first floor porch (later converted to the kitchen).  The addition was carried through on the second level and allowed for an incredible amount of additional space.  The above again shows a masculine style with the dark wood vanities and black soaking tub.  Love it all! 

What's a couple to do with the all the space they inherited with an addition???  Well build an in-law suite of course! Drew's fiancée has a large family that lives in Canada.  A number of her sisters were featured in the show.  Couple that with the Drew's siamese twin...I mean twin brother...and space had to be made for guests.  Jonathan did an excellent job building a casual space with a fireplace, shiplap, a four-poster bed and even a dining area.  

Drew's girl Linda went a little CRA, CRA with the wallpaper and put it in almost every room on the second level.  This pattern dressed up an otherwise sterile room.

More shots of the in-law suite bedroom.  It is worth noting that Drew is total genius and partnered with Joss & Main to style the home.  The online retailer outfitted the majority of the home with furnishings, wallpaper, lighting, hardware, outdoor furniture and more, more, more! 

As a result, all of the the "looks" from each episode are captured on the Joss & Main website.  Viewers can buy the exact same item as Drew. Well...I don't think Drew bought them as much as received the items as an endorsement for said products...(hence the genius comment).  

With the addition came a third level walkout entertaining space.  This gave the couple a phenomenal view of LA.  The new pool and fire pit with seating area, on the main level, was so inviting. The final episode shows the couple's engagement party.  Okay...I am hooked!
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Even the jack & jill bathroom and updated staircase were drool worthy! Drew obviously had a heavy hand in the design process.  The rich, dark colors and heavy contrast made this home! 

The 5 episode series is still running on HGTV.  The series is absolutely worth watching.  They did an amazing job and with the Joss & Main partnership, viewers can not only pick up design ideas but can also purchase the same products!  

Do you remember those movies where a child or even an adult gets locked in a store for the night and they do a full takeover of every department blissfully rummaging through everything from toys to bedding?  In my fantasy I would take up residence in a Restoration Hardware shop.  I would select one of their insanely gorgeous flagship stores in Boston, Atlanta or Denver...dream big=;)  

I recently stumbled onto a real estate article that profiled two properties that RH CEO Gary Friedman was selling.  The properties, of which Gary has many, are located in Beverly Hills and Napa Valley.  Well...needless to say that are stunners!!!  This man had the good fortune to have a team from RH furniture.  The designers tackled every last inch of each house.  HEAVEN!  I selected some of the most stunning images to share.  I guess this is really "Home(s) of the Week".
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The St. Helena Napa Valley dining room offers a wonderful view of a gorgeous wine fault. 
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For the Beverly Hills property the walls are limited with each room capitalizing on the beautiful views of Southern California.  The lighting above the dining table is stunning! 
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This lovely bedroom offers views of the Napa Valley property. The modern take on the four post bed with embedded artwork is perfection. the side table lighting is an interesting alternative to swing arm sconces. 
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His and hers sinks never looked so good. The lighting, vanity and art work perfectly together. 
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Well...not sure it gets better than this...  The view of Downtown LA must come alive at night.  The outdoor furniture and the view of the master bedroom is beyond inviting. 
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Yes honey...grab a bag and pack for the weekend.  We are going to head up to Napa this weekend.  I will light a fire when we arrive and we can have a glass of wine and sleep in and doing nothing this weekend... again I am dreaming out loud. 
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​I hope you enjoyed the tour!  For more lovely inspiration images, visit the attached links.