i have definitely spotted a trend in the "art" of hanging pictures...it's no longer just a single picture on a wall or a small grouping of pictures...it's all about self expression and the more the better....there is no system to it; it's simply you and your hammer and whatever feels right...
to feel the void of domino closing, i went to barnes and noble to peruse the magazine section....i was hoping to fall in love w/ a new shelter magazine (but sources are limited). i love canadian house and home and was thinking of getting the subscription but it was $50+ for it to be shipped to the USA...i don't need it that much.
i know that madeline weinrib has been blogged to death but i just cannot tell you how wonderful their rugs actually are. i had a chance to see them in person for the first time in atl (no one carries them in charleston which is a sad, sad thing). i was left drooling. and the cotton collection is relatively inexpensive as far as high end rugs go. and while the store didn't have an extensive collection, they said that madeline weinrib will send you thread samples of any rug you are debating between. *sigh* i want to own one. the problem with being a designer is that you are constantly surrounded by FABULOUS stuff but unfortunately your wallet can't always afford it...so you just live vicariously through the fab stuff you put into your clients' homes!
so i have been doing a little shopping for a client of mine. they are moving into a new house and they sold everything with their previous home. so they have nothing to add character- no books, no accessories- everything is starting new. hence, me and my shopping excursions...best job ever by the way. the home has lots of bookshelves...which can seem a little daunting when you have nothing to put in them...so i have been out and about at every antique store in charleston and the surrounding areas. you know antique shopping is not always glamorous...in fact, i chuckle when i go to one of my favorite places here- a salvage yard. its hot as hell in there; there is no AC in the building and it is a place you have to dig. you really have to want it...and i crave the find! i can't picture my old boss in a place like this...digging for a client...but that is one of the things i love...and the perks of being a young, hungry designer. so here are some of my goodies thus far...i will be moving them into the home in about a week and i'll be sure to take some pics...but before that all takes place, i am off to GA again to add to my collection of goodies and dig through their piles of junk!
i would write it on a card like this.... stationery has totally become hip and classic and my fav- geometric. i adore these preppy note cards and if i was better at writing them, i'd send all of you one! jack and lulu (love the name, although i think if you put lulu in any name combo you've got a winner) make divine note cards. they actually inspired my business cards after receiving these from my sister-in-law (bet you couldn't guess what color it is). all of the note card designs are fab but i picked the lime tiles and windowpane orange and pink to share. another great place to get hip note cards is fabulous stationery. i am a huge fan of the metropolitan collection...again b/c they are bold and geometric. i adore the huge print of the trouble 2 note cards and large text block on stax makes a great statement....its like "hey, you totally just got a letter from SHANNON". ok, w/ that corny comment, i'm signing off...peace out and get yourself some hip note cards!
beware, i think this week's post may consist of "finds" from my magazine tear outs... 
some people see a small space as an obsticle but what you need to know is that you can make the smallest space a perfect opportunity to make a major design statement! one thing that you might keep in mind is going monochromatic with your color palette...too many colors in a small space may make it seem choppy and broken up. I think an all white color palette looks amazing...i love using a crisp white for everything...try Ben Moore navajo white. to create dimension use a flat sheen on the walls, a satin or semi-gloss on the trim and to step it up, try a gloss on the ceilings! this gives added depth and texture to your space. you should also try to capture as much light as possible; keep the window treatments simple like side panels which allow the maximum amount of light to enter the room. Also, reflective surfaces like mirrors, polished solid surfaces, or shiny finishes like chrome give added light. Avoid a lot of visual cutter from bulky furniture. This would be a good time to play with furniture you can see through. Another benefit of a small space, means you might be able to splurge on some lavish materials you otherwise couldn't afford...like marble countertops, or an elaborate backsplash, high end appliances, wallpaper, etc. so take your small space and tackle it with beautiful design elements...then sit back and close your eyes and pretend you are in your upper east side apartment and it makes everything seem so much grander!
can you say christmas? how great is this little diddy? what a fantastic clutch from kate! the color is awesome! happy saturday! its beautiful here and the weather is perfect...a jeans and t-shirt kind of day.
sometimes you just need a little zebra in your life and if you are an animal rights activist, a zebra skin rug just might not float your boat. but this gorgeous nina campbell throw would excite just about anyone. its a little pricey but for lambswool and for a fabulous design statement, it's worth it! hey, put it on your xmas list...let someone else splurge. and with animal prints taking a huge leap back into style, this gets you right up there with the other trend followers.
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