Two Weeks of Chic, Fresh and Modern !

Hi There . . .

I am resting up today.   With a major out of town install and two local ones this past week, I and laying low, catching my breath.  Taking the kids and Keith to Oakdale Nursery to pick out the last details for our back yard and hitting the comic book fair . . Lucy's request.  Need to just spend a day goofing off before Monday hits.

I have two weeks ahead of me filled with installs that I have been reeeeee-ally looking forward to.  Each of these rooms are 100% me and my aesthetic.  I have four clients who want fresh and modern.  Four clients who are completely game and trusting.  They are willing to let me choose all the pieces in the room.   In each meeting with all four I gave them an overall vision of the look I was going for, but the actual pieces, layout, colors and details will be a surprise and revealed the evening they come home.  I love that !  As with the Atlanta job, coming home to a completely finished project is fun for all.  A ton of work and major orchestrating, but the outcome is why I love what I do.

My first install actually happened this past Friday.  My client comes home Tuesday to see the finished product.  She will probably see my post and Mekenzie's pictures before she even gets home !  I can't wait for her to come back from a long weekend to a fresh, new, completed look . . .

My second install is starting this Tuesday at the Freemans.  Yep, back again to complete the main living space which will compliment the other rooms we have done.  This home will now be complete with each space having a clean, modern and eclectic vibe.  So excited about all of the elements I am bringing in, each one unique and very artistic.  I chose to do the most amazing accent paper and a custom mirror installation.  Stay tuned for the photo shoot.  I cannot wait.

The third, home of Jill Pleune and her family of boys.  Jill was the ultimate in wanting to be surprised.  I am not sure if I even showed her anything prior.  I am filtering in so many unique finds and a wall of box woods, something I have wanted to do for so long . . . It  just needed the right person, and she was the one.

Lastly in my two weeks of craziness will be a trip back to Miami, we have 1 day to install Lindsey Heitman's living room and nursery.  With a large crowd coming in for her baby shower, we are on the clock.  This install includes getting it all party ready, inside, as well as out around the pool  Myself, Bree, Mekenzie and Keith will all be there for this one (only because there will be a chef making Paella and lots of booze).

So yes, planned it all accordingly to conclude my 2 weeks with an extra day in Miami.  You better believe we will floating on rafts in the W's pool, cocktails in hand, when this is all done . . 

Stay Tuned, it's Game On !

Charleston

i head down to charleston about four times a year. this past weekend was the most beautiful weather! i had a mini-vacay with a few girl friends, and we had a blast! check out the beautiful sights we saw. so much character in the buildings and trees, so much color and vibrance...

queen street grocery got my vote for the cutest storefront in town!

recognize the riviera theater? a scene in the movie the notebook was filmed out front.

hymans seafood

south of market was my favorite window shopping.

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some locals told us hanks seafood restaurant was THE place to go for the best seafood.

planters inn is such a beautiful hotel. i follow them on instagram and enjoy the daily photos. find them @plantersinnchs.

all photographs by mekenzie france

if you've got a couple days to skip town while the weather is warm, it's only a few hours away! (if you drive slightly over the speed limit like me..)

passez une bonne journée!

Install of the Day !

Hi There . . .

My client, Mary Frances Parker and her family recently moved to Charlotte from Nashville and I was both intrigued and excited about working with her.  She loves intense color... really intense.  She's not afraid, and when she requested a black dining room I knew this job would be a fun one.  We got together and created design boards for her first floor to include that black dining room, pure white family room and kitchen with major pops of saturated colors like hot pink, lavender and lime green.  I took a good look at her collected art and knew she wasn't kidding about loving color.

At the same time she was moving in she was a month away from her second baby... so we needed to hurry.  The nursery, like the other rooms, was a great eclectic mix of things which I love.  It has lasting power.  I have always liked doing a baby room where the crib goes out and the bed comes in, no big expense when it comes to the next phase.  We installed the other day and with only a few days until her due date, were were hustling. 

The nursery is amazing, this baby's older brother is through the jack and jill bath and is in need of a few fun things to get his game up to baby.  Take a look at the design board and finished product . . .

I love the F U N sign and all the mix of patterns .  The furniture is simple and sleek.

A fun and easy art project for over the crib.  Will seems happy !

The downstairs is well underway.  All the rooms are painted and we are now filtering in some of the goods.  The kitchen and family room are a bright white - a dramatic difference from the murky green/grey it was.  Painting ALL that trim was a bit of a battle, but three coats later, its a much brighter, and welcoming space.  Her pieces work beautifully with the new colors.  We added splashy curtains, rugs and a new kitchen table and chairs.  Take a look at my inspiration . . .

Yep, that's right, black walls, white - white trim.  She fell in love with these curtain panels and while I have used them in teenage girl's rooms before - look how fun they are in a living space.  Her art is perfect with these color.  We chose white vinyl "kid friendly" chairs mixed with a large round, distressed wood table.  The mix in of the wood keeps it from looking to young and too "slick." We are working on replacing all the lighting, but it's not bad for now!

I brought in a Liora Manne rug.  These are great.  Indoor / Out, they are easy clean and the patterns and colors are endless !  The thin pile is great for under high traffic kitchens with crumb dropping kids !

Nearby and open to the kitchen is this great eclectic family space.  A little reading, a little T.V. and a lot of game playing.  The bright white walls are the perfect backdrop for their eclectic art collection.

Great Jonathan Adler coffee table and a new shag rug.

The front office is a continuation of the great mix of art, textures and fabric . . .

And take a peek at the new black gloss dining room walls !  Really makes that art pop, does it not !

Stay tuned for that finished product.

F. U. N project !

Thanks Parkers !