Boho Chic & Justina Blakeney

Howdy.

In case you haven’t noticed the Bohemian style, or “Boho Chic," is everywhere in fashion and interior design.    We saw the revival of the 60's and 70's mid century modern, it was only fair for the carefree spirit of Bohemian to join the party.

"The Bohemian design draws inspiration from the world traveler, combining East with West, vintage with modern and shows an eclectic blend of patterns, textures and colors. This is a relaxed style featuring fringed throws and curtains, a pile of pillows, macrame works, oriental accents and potted plants which bring the nature inside.   Surprisingly, this mixture creates a unique, harmonic atmosphere in the room as if you are in an everlasting vacation." - perfectly said by this featured designer, Amanda Barnes.  Take a look at one of my favorite "pins" and a great example of boho Chic in my opinion.

Photo credit: Alyssa Rosenheck for Amanda Barnes Interiors

Boho, or Bohemian means one thing only to me.  Collected.  The elements are pattern filled, texture filled and have a sentimental value, almost romantic.   I personally like the neutral Boho vibe and recently posted a room with that feeling. (here).   Love the tone on tone collection look, similar to these from my files.


 . . . and my office

. . . and my home !

But no one does this look better than Justina Blakeney.  Known for her wild bohemian style, fabulous blog the Jungalow and New York Times Best Selling Book The New Bohemians.

As she put it "Cool & Collected Home," and it is chocked full of just that.  One of my favorite books - it shows chapters on Modern, Earthy, Folksy, Nomadic, Romantic, and Maximal.  A great read on a lazy vacation or Sunday afternoon.


I am most excited about her new book coming our in October !




 My style shifted to a more collected boho look in late 2012.  I retired the more serious look in my home to something more casual filled with different patterns, colors and textures.  Better Home & Garden did a shoot at the house around that time (here) and (here) and I was thrilled to be in two of their publications.  Color, color and lots of casual pieces. The kids were young and it suited our life style.  I felt it had a boho feel to it and over the years I added to it and even tweaked it but the art of collecting and layering has stayed with me - just toned down in color !

I first found Justina several years ago on Instagram.  Her link  @facethefoliage (here) caught my eye and that of my daughter Kate.  Thanks to Justina's imagination and creativity, our dining centerpieces have never looked the same ! 

I then started following her  @thejungalow (here) for all sorts of inspiration.

I soon realized she did a line of wall paper for one of my favorite vendors and then all of a sudden I saw her name and collaboration with one of my rug vendors !  She's killing it.  

Take a look at a few of my favorite offerings in wall paper, textiles, art, rugs and now paper goods and furniture !

You are hugely talented, Justina and someone I would love to hang with for sure !

Happy Weekend !

Install of the Day !

Hey There

Boho chic, still love the style but as of late I have toned down the color and am working more with the blacks, whites and neutrals.  This room update for longtime client Amy Boardman was designed for her daughter Sophie who wanted a more sophisticated look to take her through High School !

Just a few tweaks did the job.  I re purposed her a bookcase I placed all those years ago on one side of the bed and kept the vintage white one on the other.  New bed, bedding and windows along with the perfect rug did the trick.  Take a look !

The focal point - a black, white and tan juju hat.  Still not tired of these !

Who better than to channel my boho chic vibe than the inspiration of Justina Blakeney.  You know her !  Her book, The New Bohemians is filled in inspiration.  

Her site is filled with great accessories, furniture and textiles.  We love her.  She has streamlined many goods from many of our vendors all in one place.  

Another source of ours, Lindsay Cowels finished the look with two must have pillows.  Love this pattern and cannot wait to use it in an upcoming install as a full wall of wallpaper !

Love seeing our boards come to life !

all photos by mekezie loli

Sweet Dreams to you too Sophie !

Swedish Boho Chic ?!

Hi There . . . 

It's day two, camped out at Casa Shank for her big, big install.  We have so much going on that being on site to supervising all the painting in various colors, all the wall paper, lighting, furniture and delivery simultaneously for 4 big rooms.  I am most excited to meet Traci back at her abode on Thursday night to give her the big tour of her complete re-vamped, made-over first floor.  I love that she checked herself in a nearby hotel to really see the full effect when we are done, as oppose to in progress.  I designed a few things that really went outside her current look, and I know she is nervous, so being gone will calm those nerves and walking into the finished product, way more exciting.  We are painting virtually every surface, adding splashy paper and changing her furniture and accessories from a mixture of the traditional she started with, and a few mid-century pieces (her new love) to a more cohesive eclectic look (if there is such a thing as cohesive eclectic).  I am so excited !  She has been waiting a while to do this, her style has changed and she and her husband decided to completely face-lift as oppose to moving . . . good idea.  I've said it once and I'll say it again.. paint and paper can change everything.

But camping out, watching paint dry and paper go up, can be a long day feeling like I'm not doing anything.  So with lap top in hand and access to her wi-fi I finished all the design boards for Megan Orell, owner of Scout & Molly's here in Charlotte. 

First of all Megan's shop is on my short list of the three women's clothing stores I would shop in, Sloan and Boris & Natasha's being the other two.  Megan and her husband (and two dogs) have built an amazing home in my neck of the woods - Plaza Midwood.  The build is amazing.  New, open, modern, yet with a slight craftsman edge (in the trim work mainly).   Gorgeous windows, full 4-panel sliding doors that open - pocket style - completely letting the living room and kitchen spill out onto the back porch.  It's not huge, but the 9 1/2 foot ceilings and open floor plan make it seem really big.  This house, I would live in in a skinny minute.  I was thrilled when she contacted me to help her pull it together.  

Now Megan, who has great style herself, and loves to shop has ordered a lot of pieces.  Every single one I love and would have chosen myself, so helping has been easy.  She definitely has a modern, eclectic, slightly gypsy vibe in her choices and her clothing is very telling (and yes ladies who know Megan - her closet is amazing).  I initially started with layering tons of patterns and textures, colors and styles in my plan, but the more we talked about it and looked at things together we both realized she is a little more simplistic in her true loves.  A look I am equally in love with for it's calming effect.

I started in this direction . . . big pops of pattern and wall papers.

Her open living space with all white walls and clean lines punched with a mix of chic meet tribal, meet vintage.

. . . and her master,  I went the darker, cozy direction.

Ever watch Emily Henderson and that test she gives her clients where she lines up 5 different picture frames, 5 different fabrics and 5 other weird things and has her client simply pick their favorite?  Then she gives their style a name - I totally get that and it really tells a lot.  Megan is "Swedish Boho Chic." and this is my definition of that....

We started messing with the design boards together and I quickly realized she was pointing out items with much more streamlined attributes and like colors.  It's funny, when I meet with clients I will look at all sorts of inspirations with them.  The choices they choose are very telling.

We changed direction to a more minimal , tone on tone look, yet still having the infusion of a little glitz, whimsy and slight funk.

The biggest direction change is the master.  All shades of white and cream.  As with the other style, this direction is equally soothing but in a completely different way !

I love this space.

Stay tuned . . . this will be a gorgeous photo shoot.

Scout & Molly's is having a big, big SALE - be sure and stop by !!

Time to go check on the boys in the other room, I think Traci's dining room paper is done.

So excited.