5 Versatile Pieces for Every Home

Furniture for a home can often times be a big expense.  There are definitely deals out there (thank you, Craigslist and estate sales), but sometimes you just need to invest in a good, solid piece that can live in your home for years.  It's even better when that piece can function well in many rooms in your home...especially if you're like me and like to change things up every now and then without making any new purchases.  

Here are a few items that can be used for years to come (and rooms to rearrange) in your home.  I know because I have them in my own home and have used them and moved them around for years!

1. WINGED CHAIR
These can be used in a small seating area, living room, dining room (as head chairs) or even as a desk chair.  This particular one is available at Ballard Designs in a wide variety of upholstery to fit any style.

2.  SETTEE
My husband and I purchased one of these when we first got married and picked out a new sofa.  It was an easy decision because it was on major sale but looking back, it would have been a great buy even if it wasn't.  We've used it at the foot of our bed in our first tiny master bedroom and now it sits on the wall next to the bed.  It's a great spot for reading, laying out an outfit and holding all of the decorative bed pillows at night.  Eventually, I might move it to the dining room for extra table seating or possibly even the entry.  I love versatility!  Make sure to choose one on the small side (like this one) for maximum use in different areas.

3. SMALL WOODEN STOOL
Mine in particular is a short (17") dark wood saddle stool that's been great in a small bath, pantry (as a stepping stool), side table in a seating area and a small end table for a low-lying sofa.  You don't have to go the saddle route, though.  Any small stool with a classic design will work.  I'm particularly loving this teak one sold at All Modern. It would be a showstopper in any room.

4. SHORT CHEST OF DRAWERS
Perfect for an entry table, storage in a living room, side table or hallway these guys are a great piece to have.  This one sold at Soft Surroundings has a great transitional style to fit many spaces.

5. TOPIARY
Okay, so obviously this last one isn't a piece of furniture BUT it's still a great buy that can be used throughout your home.  Topiaries instantly bring life to a space whether that space be a bathroom, kitchen, entry, mantel or bedroom.  They bring in texture, height and greenery--a must in every home.  Pick up one at your local nursery or buy one here at White Flower Farm.

So there you have it--five versatile pieces that can work in every home!  Do you have a favorite?

Until next time...

Designer SOS : Alternatives to granite countertops

Today's question is one that I am glad we are getting asked more frequently.

"Are there options other than granite that you would recommend for kitchen countertops?"

Thank you for asking!

Working in real estate, I constantly hear the request for granite countertops. I don’t get the obsession. It is overused, dated, and many buyers do not realize as a natural stone it requires some maintenance.

Two things to take into consideration when selecting countertop material: maintenance and budget. With that said, here are a few great alternatives:

Marble

Marble is elegant, timeless, and generally a relatively inexpensive natural stone.  Stands up to heat and because it is naturally cool, it is ideal for baking. However, marble is a softer stone and porous which makes it susceptible to staining. It needs to be well-sealed. A honed finish can help hide scratches that can occur.

Image via Houzz

Via Decorpad

Quartz

If you are looking for something that has the look and feel of stone but without the maintenance, then consider quartz.  Quartz is an engineered stone comprised of 93% ground quartz combined with pigments and resins to create a rock hard surface. In some designs, small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks are added to the mix. There are even some designs that look like natural stone.

Via Good Life of Design

Butcher Block

Butcher block another timeless material that adds warmth.  Durable, biodegradable and affordable, particularly compared to granite or quartz. Bi-annual sanding and oiling is recommended to protect the wood.

Image via Ikea

Via Eat Well 101

Concrete

Concrete offers the ability to really customize a look. It can be created into any shape, finish, and embedded with objects. Concrete is porous so requires regular sealing. Because of the labor involved, it often is not cheap.

Via Local Noir

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a great option but usually comes with a hefty price tag. It is very durable, easy to clean, and reflects light. It can scratch easily, but for many, it just adds to the patina.  

Via Decoist

Via Coco Cozy

Porcelain Slab

A European product gaining popularity, porcelain slabs are more durable than granite and are stain resistant. It can be used outdoors as it stands up to rain, snow and sun without deterioration. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Via Casalinea. This porcelain slab replicates well the look of Calcutta marble.

Via ArchiExpo

These are just a few options of the many alternative countertop materials. What type of counters do you have in your home, and how do you like them?

Anthropologie Deals

If you are design-minded in the least little bit then there's a good chance you've done what any normal person might do when passing by one of Anthropologie's glorious window displays.

And it probably looks a lot like this:

Followed by narrow squeezes through displays, filled with professionally-contained excitement, as you delicately pet, examine, and admire everything inside. 

Especially in the decor half (well, that's a lie--the whole store is incomprehensibly amazing, but I'm not here to talk about their sundresses at the moment).

Until you flip over a teacup and turn to the person next to you and whisper, wide-eyed:

"Let's get out of here right now before I spend my life savings." 

Now, don't get me wrong. I love and appreciate and admire Anthro (as it's cool to abbreviate) as much as any good person. But let's be honest: if you're a savvy shopper, it won't be your first place to stop. It's best left for those really unique pieces that are worth the splurge. Or a gift to someone you're really trying to impress. 

Even so, some of their housewares and decor DO eventually go on sale. And some things just come in at a better-than-expected value for how cool the item is. 

I've done a small round-up of buys worth the money at Anthro right now. I hope you love them as much as I do! Take a look: 

1. tassel kantha pillow - $29.95

2. sonora cocktail napkins - $6 each 

3. minimalist gallery frames - $34.95-44.95

4. dotted velvet pillow - $29.95

5. savannah story bust - $68.00

6. lagoa towel - $39.95

7. woodshop monogram letters - $22.00 ea

8. hexagon printed coasters - $8.00 ea

9. concha garden planter - $20.00 - $40.00

10. equestrian hardware - $18.00 - $22.00

I did have a thought-out, explanation justifying why each of these is a great purchase. But it got lost sometime between me finishing the whole thing and publishing it to the site. So you'll just have to take my word for it :( 

So the next time you're resisting the urge to dance between displays at Anthropologie, remember that some things aren't so out of reach! And sometimes in-store mark-downs are better than the ones online, should you be so lucky to live near a store.

Happy shopping friends! Until next time...

A Spring Affair

We've finally busted out of the low temps and are embracing the 70's nearly every day for the next coming week.  Spring has sprung here on the coast, and it has me ready to be outside.

With the warmer temps, comes more visitors (a perk of living by the beach), and I am excited.  Spring and summer are the perfect time for hosting guests and gatherings...especially outdoors.  As you may have noticed, design for us don't stop in the home.  Pillows and furnishings are great, but we love a beautifully done shower setup or tablescape too.  Here are a few images that have me inspired and ready to play hostess in my home...or backyard.

I love the idea of a brunch gathering or shower.  Especially one that involved a pancake "cake" like this one featured on Camille Styles.

Here's a great idea of using a runner (either fabric or kraft paper) as an entry sign like seen here on 100 Layer Cake-let.

Make inexpensive mylar balloons shine with a metallic paint pen and a beautiful script (tip: recruit your friend with the best handwriting) shown here via Hello May.

Switch up your normal table decor with changing your white tapers to gray ones.  This has bee a favorite I've seen lately.  Image via Southern Weddings

Think small.  Even a small gathering can have a big look if you make everything mini--like these desserts at Desiree Hartsock's wedding shown on Inspired by This.  Think mini cakes, mini banana puddings, macaroons, etc.

One thing to always remember when trying to create a stylish and cohesive design is the color palette.  Here are a few favorites for spring.

Cheers to new gatherings and memories made at the table!

Backyard Update

The last couple days here on the Gulf Coast have been so lovely.  It is starting to feel like spring and with spring comes sprucing up the yard.

As some of you may recall, our back yard has been an on going project. We have cut down some trees and removed a few structures left by the previous owners, but now we are at point where we need to bring in professionals to re-grade the yard.

After meeting with Executive Landscaping  here in Pensacola, we will have a new patio and grass in a just few weeks! Wahoo! Excuse my excitement but for the past few years we have had a backyard full of dirt, weeds, and unpleasant views.  It will be so nice to finally get to enjoy our back yard.

The entire project will have to be broken down into two phases.

Phase A is to re-grade the yard, transplant a couple Crype Myrtles, lay a new paver patio, and sod the remaining yard.

Phase B will consist of building an outdoor fireplace (will also act as a privacy screen) and bringing in plants.

Drawing by Executive Landscaping

We hope the end result will be a beautiful space that can be used for entertaining. Some of the elements I would like to bring in are a dining area, an area for kids to play, a couple potted citrus trees, and a few raised beds for growing herbs and veggies.

Originally inspiration board.

Here are some inspirational images I have been collecting:

I like how they incorporated a raised bed with a trellis. It adds privacy while being functional too.

Image via Pizitz Home & Cottage

Kourtney Kardashian's patio for Domain Home.

Via Domaine Home

Hope to have some progress pics to share in a couple weeks.

Have a happy Hump Day!

Project Files: A Bachelor Kitchen

A friend of my husband had his small river house flooded last year when our region received a record amount of rain. Even on 10 foot pilings he had enough water damage to have to gut the entire place and start over. When it was stripped down to the studs and subfloor, he invited my husband and me over to take a look at his plans. 

The cabin had great bones--a loft bedroom, beautiful herringbone wood paneling. It wasn't just a cool bachelor pad--it had great potential for anything. With the help of several dedicated friends it is now rebuilt, but way back in the beginning, it sparked a little "for fun" project for me while my husband lent his professional opinion architecturally. We weren't hired by them or anything like that--just some friends throwing out ideas. 

Based on what I knew about him, and a few of the ideas he expressed implementing, I came up with a few ideas for the kitchen. He and his fiance (now wife) wanted to keep the overall nature-inspired feel of the space by using blue-stained plywood floors, pebble backsplash, and keeping as much of the wood as possible. If you're thinking "blue plywood??" you'd be surprised to know this is being done quite a bit. Plywood is an inexpensive and sturdy subfloor material, so someone out there had the idea of just sealing and making that presentable as the actual finished floor. In the right setting, I really like it. Because it's not an expensive finished floor, you have creative license to do whatever you want, and then change it up after a few years if you so please. Here's a few examples: 

Farmhouse Entry

Contemporary Closet by Marina Del Rey Interior Designers & Decorators Amy DeVault Interior Design

Farmhouse Kids by Hershey Photographers Amy Renea

So anyway, I was playing around with ideas one night, and here's my take on the space, as far as planning goes. Most of the appliance and plumbing positions stayed as-is for ease of installation, and although the kitchen is tight, it had a well-functioning "triangle"--that is, the traffic pattern created between the three major zones: sink, refrigerator, stove. 

Forgive the hairiness of my linework. Like stated, this was only for fun so it never got beyond pencil on graph paper. I tried to up the contrast as much as possible, but all-in-all, you get the idea: 

The space beyond the stove was getting opened up to a pass-through for a small bar counter on the other side. Optimally, there would still be some cabinets since storage is limited by the size of the space. The french doors open up to the porch that overlooks the river. I get majorly jealous thinking about that aspect. I think overall I'm jealous of the space! Well, minus the whole 100 year flood possibility...

Moving onto the materials I came up with:

I won't go into detailed sourcing here, because a lot of it is just for inspiration and can be sourced many different places. The wood paneling in the cabin (as I stated) is beautiful. But it was a little dark and they agreed painting it was a very real option. I have to be really serious when it comes to painting wood, as I tend to be of the "natural wood" crowd, but in this case, I thought a distressed white wash would work well.

It was also their idea to implement the beautiful raw-edge wood shelving. I thought a dark cabinet finish and stainless counter would be a great combo to give the space a masculine and modern edge to go with the raw wood finishes. 

But here are a few specifics for curious minds:

Caged Wire Pendant and Copper Pendant - Urban Outfitters

Antique Drawer Pull - Vandykes

Cabinets and Pot Racks - Ikea

Antique Kilim Rug - KayaKilims (my recent obsession--if you're not following her on Instagram you should be: @kayakilims. A lot of the most beautiful rugs she posts are gone before they even have a chance to list for sale. I've really had to practice self-restraint because if I had the money, I would certainly be talking myself into finding a place for one of her rugs in every room).

The title of this post is probably a little misleading considering I said he's now married ;) But I assure you she's certainly not one for a feminine kitchen. And really, I could have this kitchen in my house! Although it's meant to tailor towards a masculine dweller, really I think it appeals to anyone liking gender-neutral spaces. It could work in a city loft, a small apartment, or even a renovated older home (so long as it keeps with the design of the rest of the house). The blend of materials really creates a moody, inviting feel that would, in my mind, make a great gathering space. It certainly would not go un-noticed by guests! And I love a kitchen with personality. 

I really should have shared this sooner, but since it wasn't a real project I sort of forgot about it until I was organizing all my project files. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did creating it! Sometimes I tend to go a little conservative when implementing a client's personal design style. While this creates great structure and guidelines for a project, sometimes it's fun just to let my mind go where it wants without having to impress anyone but me ;)

I think that holds true for a lot of professions--it's good to do things just for fun sometimes. It really helps you get back to the love of what you do! 

Until next time,