Happy Valentines Day!

Stay tuned for an update on Miles Redd and some before and afters of some recent projects.

Cheers, Missy

Like everyone else, I love to get on Pinterest to think through an idea or look for inspiration.  I am always sidetracked by things I was not even searching for at that moment.  My main distractions are recipes and things on my to do list.  However, this week…this airstream stopped me in my tracks.

How fun would this be…I am now ready to drive out West to see the Grand Canyon.

An ideal situation…

Love the snippet of wallpaper…

A ghost chair is highly appropriate as it disappears in this tiny space.

If you are traveling by camper…what a way to travel!

Thank you Pinterest for the fun distraction and to Simply Seleta for posting these fabulous images.

Cheers, Missy

Since I mentioned the library ladder in my last post, let’s expand on the topic.  When most people think of library ladders, they envision a space similar to the Trinity Library in Dublin, Ireland.  Most people think library ladders can only be in a vast space with really high or vaulted ceilings.  I am here to encourage you that ladders look great in a variety of spaces, specifically kitchens.

Library ladders add dimension to your space, and they are not only functional but also have perfect proportions.

This library ladders gives a strong vertical presence giving weight to the corner of the living room.  Bookcases are the obvious choice for the library ladder, but the high upper cabinets in the kitchen or butler’s pantry is a close contender for placement.

The ladder in this kitchen adds to the warm patina of the wood and simply gives the space more charm.  The hardware combined with the slight bend in the ladder creates a detailed yet understated space.  The vertical nature of the ladder and the french doors makes you focus on the height of the ceiling rather than the narrow galley space.  This space is a great product of form and function.

Similar to the previous photo, this kitchen has glass front cabinets and a narrow galley.  However, the ladder creates a cool silhouette as it pops against the white cabinets and walls.

The custom ladders come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  This ladder is thinner and narrows at the top which gives it a more sculptural quality.

Warmth is a word I use over and over when discussing a room.  With all the different materials used in this kitchen, the wood elements of the library ladder, the island countertop and the hardwood floors bring the warmth needed to this large kitchen.

Remember a ladder can just be a ladder, ordinary and simple in construction.  When you add a ladder to your interior it needs a purpose.  While the open shelving in this kitchen is filled with fantastic service pieces, the ladder reminds me of a step stool.  The ladder does not have the hardware attached to it which defeats the purpose.  This space reveals that details make the difference.

What do you think, add a rolling ladder to your space or just grab a step stool from the closet?

Cheers, Missy

Sing with me….Silver Bells (Bing Crosby’s version)

City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks/Dressed in Holiday Style/In the air

There’s a feeling of Christmas/Children laughing/People passing

Meeting Smile After Smile/and on every street corner you’ll hear

Silver Bells, Silver Bells/It’s Christmas Time in the City

Ring-a-ling, hear them sing/Soon it will be Christmas Day

Just part of the lyrics for Silver Bells, one of my favorite Christmas songs.  As our house immerses fully into the Christmas mode, the Christmas music is on around the clock.

I love this festive time of year and we try hard to keep our family’s focus on the real gift of Christmas.  However, this time of year gets the best of us and while I am really excited to see my children expressions as they open their gifts…there might be just a few things on my own list.

Sources: Anne Siem’s / Glass Water Bottle / Glitter Pouch / Notepad /                   Celerie Kemble Book /  Gold Ring / Cape / Green Tea / Deborah Needleman Book

What is on your Christmas List?

Cheers, Missy

I am taking a quick break to finish client projects, to attend christmas programs, to celebrate the season with friends and family, and to wrap, wrap, wrap gifts.

I will be back next week with some fun posts just in time for Santa Claus’ arrival.

Cheers, Missy

I adore a good plaid, from a scarf to a blanket they define winter.  At the first cool breeze, I usually will have a plaid scarf around my neck.  Plaids now come in a slew of colors, materials and sizes.  Burberry and Pendleton are two companies that have reinvented the tartan over the years, coming out with creative ideas that update the traditional textile.  Commonly called tartans, the pattern’s simplicity of cross hatchings adds just enough warmth to the wintry weather.

Love the two plaids mixed together in this stylish outfit.  The pop of orange in the skirt is not bad either.  Her blog, Atlantic-Pacific, is her daily fashion diary.

Here’s a closeup and I’m loving the combination.

This simple two color plaid adds the right punch to this festive holiday sitting room.

Using a plaid blanket as a tablecloth creates a rustic tone that can be used indoors or out.

This must be the interior of a barn or tack room and the upholstered tartan chairs are great looking in this setting.

Having a plaid blanket at the end of your bed adds another texture to your bedroom.

I enjoy how this one ties all the colors together in the room while introducing a new color as well, creating the true focal point of the room.

Plaids are a festive addition to your holiday attire and home.  I will be donning my plaid this holiday season, will you?

Cheers, Missy

I have been a long time admirer of my friend Lauren Carr’s style.  She has always caught my attention with her creative and unique outfits.  She has a great spin on clothes, always original and always cool.  I was thrilled when she decided to start her own blog and wanted to introduce her here.  I asked her to do a holiday post for me on festive attire and she did not disappoint. Check out her blog and let me know what you will be wearing this holiday season!

From the Zoo House Blog:

The holidays are the time to let your festive attire shine (and be a little outrageous!). Whether you are a holiday hostess, a holiday guest or both there is always an excuse to get dressed up and glitter around Christmas.

Holiday Hostess: Sequin dress/ gold flats/cocktail ring/ gold chain bracelet/ turquoise and gold earrings    

Holiday Guest: Silk shirt/ fur vest/ black jeans/ sparkly heels/ sparkly clutch/ bracelet/ earrings 

Thanks Lauren for some great ideas!!

Cheers, Missy

Decorating my home for Christmas is on my mind this week.  As I mentally walked through my game plan, I recalled an interior that inspired me.  A few years ago Carolyne Roehm’s Aspen home was published and I could not and still cannot remember the magazine.  Well, the power of the internet led me right to the article and I wanted to share her home with you.  It’s sophisticated and rustic with an English vibe.

Her table setting highlights her beautiful collections.  How great are the antique horn and sterling candlesticks paired with the all the hues of green.  The bowl of cherries adds a fresh element to the table setting.

Loving her china for Christmas, as it is festive for the season but not overly themed.

Carolyne Rohem’s creativity with food styling and floral arranging always inspire and impress me.  The grapes, apples and evergreen clippings bring a fresh arrangement to an antique sterling bowl.

The antique horn furniture captures an Old World feel that is more reminiscent of a European home than a Western home.

This antique horn chair throne sitting below the antler plaques stuffed with evergreen clippings is the image that encouraged me to find the article.  The bright green set against the moss ribbon is fantastic.

Carolyne Roehm has published many books through the years, but her set of notebooks that goes through all four seasons are my favorite.  I bought them 10 years ago at the recommendation of a friend, and I have them memorized.  They would make a great Christmas gift.

Carolyne Roehm has an impeccable eye for furniture and design, and her approach in decorating her home inspires me this season.

What are your thoughts for decorating this season?  I think I am going to make the switch to Moss Green ribbon this year.

Cheers, Missy

*images courtesy of La Dolfina