Interiors // Heidi Merrick's (girly/not-so-girly) home

Just the other day, as I was perusing Glitter Guide's Style at Home archives, I came across Heidi Merrick's gorgeous abode. Even though I've seen it before and those beautiful shots have floated around Pinterest ever since, seeing it in its entirety let me view it with fresh eyes. And so I fell in love with each and every crisp, eclectic space all over again.

Monday Blues // 13

Happy Monday, peeps! How did the weekend treat everyone? We finally got our tree up and all is looking quite festive. I need to fill in some serious holiday decor gaps (I finally purged a lot of hand-me-downs despite the extreme guilt), but that may have to wait until post holiday sales ensue . . .

Today's Monday Blues shots are kind of awesome in more ways than one. First, Señor Robshaw is supremely talented. I dare one of you to tell me you aren't obsessed with his fabrics. No seriously. You probably can't because I adore his fabrics and you're here so therefore you must love his fabrics. It's the law of physics or something. Well, his Manhattan apartment is beyond. You can find the whole thing in this month's Elle Decor.

John Robshaw as seen in Elle Decor

Let's not leave out his kitchen and those sic custom cabinets. I mean, please.

Elle Decor

But wait. Then there's his office.

Elle Decor

Interiors // Nuevo Estilo dream

Dear God, can you even imagine how spectacular this place must be in person??!

Giant stained glass windows? Moody walls? Tiled floor? Check. 

Insane moldings? One of a kind furniture and art? Check.

Also proof that you can do a lot with a little.

Please stop it with the floor. Every room? Really?

 

At first glance, not sure I would ever go for the kitchen...But being there might convince me.

And one to grow on.

Nuevo Estilo

Nuevo Estilo, you never fail.

monday blues

so perhaps that little build-up on friday wasn't such a good idea. may or may not have left me frozen in indecision yesterday, trying to concoct the most riveting and dynamic comeback post you've ever seen....which i'll be doing none of. let's ease back into this, hmmm?

i have to admit that it's hard to get back to my regularly scheduled program after an amazing whirlwind weekend with my college roomies. it's been years since the four of us have been able to get together without an alterior motive, so this trip back to the alma mater was long overdue. and even though my arms don't appreciate the delayed sunscreen application from a day of football tailgating (holy lobster), my heart is full. i miss everything about seeing those ladies everyday. there's nothing like the friends with whom you can pick up right where you left off, am i right?

feeling a little bit of the monday blues as i gear up for the week ahead...i figure they might as well look good.

miles redd as seen in architectural digest // branding by september industry

man, that particular shade of blue kills me!

what's not awesome? taxes.

honestly. i'd rather be contributing to a cig collection than dealing with this time of year.

artist jeremy zini's home via an afternoon with... (which is incredible, btdubs)

raise your hand if you get down with doing your taxes.

truth is, i used to do my own. and i took great joy in the challenge.

one year i even did my own and then took them somewhere to make sure i was as awesome as i thought.

i am was.

but then came along a husband (they complicate everything).

and a legitimized partnership (love you, jess).

and last year damn near gave me a permanent disorder.

more extreme hilarity

so this year i'm determined to maintain zen.

of course, i haven't had my appointment with my tax man, so my left eye isn't twitching yet.

i do tonight, though.

wish me luck.

 <<< happy place happy place happy place >>>

traditional home

decor || basketweave

hellooooo, 2012! hope everyone had a great time ringing in the new year! we celebrated with friends by treating ourselves to an amazing meal and then going back to the house for games and one too many glasses of bubbly. in true form, my year was off to a slow start yesterday. but it's always worth it, right? :)

i'm also coming off quite a long break from routine with a few fun bits to show off around the house. so stay tuned for a little bit of that soon.

because i don't have said photos for you today, let's just talk about wicker, shall we? my mom has always had a thing for wicker, and i'm not going to lie (sorry, mom), i'm not sure i really had an appreciation for it until more recently. but it's turning my head more and more these days. i like the texture and warmth it brings to a space. plus, it's relatively easy to come across and often inexpensive, so you don't have to fret over ruining a piece by painting it. because what's better than a piece of furniture that you can repaint over and over again? not much.

exhibits:

1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 || 9

what do you think? do you get down with a little bit of wicker?

interiors || turquoise done right

okay, okay, so i said i'd be gone. but this could not go without mention.

feast your eyes on all that is right about going rustic with turquoise and black (i'm still drooling):

photos by erica jones dines for atlanta home & lifestyle, design by benjie jones

spotted via house of turquoise

how's that for a little holiday inspiration for ya?

house guest || veranda interiors

hey, all! apologies for the silence yesterday. too much fun over the weekend + a lot to cross off my list yesterday left me a bit crunched for time. but i'm making up for it today (well, indirectly) . . . my last house guest for the amazing guester series is melissa of veranda interiors. i'm a broken record at this point, but i never miss anything melissa says. or shows. because it's always ridiculously chic. plus she legitimately knows a thing or two, and i like knowing people that are smarter than me. this is especially true when it comes to kitchens, my immediate association with melissa and her mean talent. so that's what she decided to focus on today, and i am pumped to see what advice she will bestow on this new kitchen of ours . . .

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Hey everyone, my name is Melissa from Veranda Interiors, and if you don't know me one thing you need to know is I am addicted to kitchens. When Tobe asked me to participate in this series I was so excited and honored! I thought it would be perfect to do up her kitchen for her if it were my own. Now she already has a great space, but how can we update it, make it her, without breaking the bank? Well follow me for a little journey...

 {1} White subway tile to replace the existing backsplash, but take it one step further by carrying it around the window above the sink, also around the the entry to the right of the fridge, from floor to ceiling, it will be nicely framed by the crown at the ceilings and the casing around the passage way.

Since there are great Absolute Black granite counter-tops already installed lets bring it together by using a black grout rather than the typical white/cream grout, make that tile POP! The images above are great examples of that.

{2}   Next up is the fridge, kinda obvious in the image above. It appears to be a standard depth fridge (35" deep) which can really encroach in the the space, so I would love to see a new counter-depth (24" deep) stainless steel option replace it in the future. One of my favorite brands for a good 'bang for you buck' is Kitchen Aid, something like the Counter-Depth French Door one below would be perfect!

 {3}  Next up is new hardware, an easy way to update the cabinets without forking over a large chunk of cash. I would love to see a beautiful polished chrome replacement for everything. And no, it is not hard to keep clean, I went with polished chrome throughout our home and even with 2 little boys it is just as easy as a brushed finish to maintain.

{4}

So with 3 simple changes in the kitchen I know it would bring it up to date and it will reflect a style that Tobe would love. But...I can't forget about the 4th thing, the fan that is above the kitchen table in this image below.

While it may be practical lets face it, it isn't a WOW fixture, and this is something that a stylish lady like Tobe needs. Here are a few of my favorite picks for a light in this area.

So, Tobe, when can we get started?? I don't know about you guys but I am thrilled to see this talented lady put her mark on this home...it is going to be stunning! Mel xo

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melissa, i am pretty obsessed with all of these calls. i've made some very similar assessments, much to the chagrin of the hubs. i am most certainly down with the subway tile (hadn't even considered dark grout, which would be both beautiful AND practical); i've already started scoping out a new fridge; the knobs aren't terrible by any means and would probably be last priority but i do believe that a little bit of glam would go a long way; and eric was not the happiest when i said that the perfectly good fan would be departing. because it's gotta. but i need a wow chandy in that dining room first!

i hope you guys have enjoyed my house guests as much as i have.
i highly recommend stalking visiting each of their blogs as regularly as i do.


now you'll have to put up with me again :)