Sometimes we just can't get it all done..........

 And today is one of them.  I have my post almost finished but now the kids are up and I am leaving soon to take my husband on a birthday overnight.  Does anyone have a tree that grows in the backyard that will give you more hours in the day.......kind of like a money tree (oh and if you have a money tree, I want that too!).  Anyway, check back in on Sunday because I will finish it up then.  See you Sunday and have a great Friday!  Jenny

Stripes......don't ya' just love em'!

I could post for days about stripes!  They are one of my favorite visuals in design.  Different color combinations, sizes, installations, all so different and fun. 

This is an example of perfect stripes.  Now does this make you happy or what.  If it doesn't I really don't know what would.  This might be a lot in a large room but in this little bathroom with a white pedestal sink and white hexagon floor, it is the best!

I have never seen a painted striped floor that I did not like.  And to contrast the floor, I am sure you have all seen this famous "Domino" picture of the nursery with the painted striped ceiling.  There so many great things about this nursery that are unexpected.  First the black accent wall and black furniture.  But then you have this great ceiling that lives the whole thing up.  I don't know if I would have ever put this together but it all just works.  I have always loved this picture. 

Striped rug!  Gotta have at least one!

Jay and Lily's little art stool. 

This is another swimsuit from "Marysia", the local Charleston, SC swimsuit designer.  Now don't come knockin' unless you are rockin' this swimsuit. 

Talk about bold and graphic.....I am talking about both this black and white horizontal striped hallway and the "White Stripes".  Both pictures really make a statement and I just LOVE it all.....psychedelic

I think these pink and white striped chairs are super cute.  But the little girl in this room is really the cutest thing in the space.  There are a lot of things I love about this room.  Little girl, striped chairs, vintage rug, and the white walls with that pink African head dress are to dye for!!!!!

And this guy.....Well he is just plain groovy!

Stripes on little boys are really cute.  And I know you all know how wonderful the "Mini Boden" catalog is.  Jay has a couple of pairs of these pjs in different prints and he wears them every night.  The longer shorts make him look like such a big boy. 

The ultimate in femininity is this first "Domino" magazine picture.  If I was a single girl this is what I would have.  Now the picture of this room turned into a closet with the great grey and white striped rug is just flat out a DREAM.  Aaaaaah........

 This is my all time favorite picture of my children.  This Madeline Weinrib Atelier rug is wonderful too!

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.  ~Marc Brown

Vegas Baby!

Headed there this weekend for my best friends 40th birthday.  Heather Tiller is Lily's godmother and an amazing artist.  She makes jewelry and is the one that always has the amazing vintage chain.  We are leaving early and I still have so much to so, this week will be short but super sweet to me.  Here goes.......

Here is my pretty girl Heather in her store. You have to check out her website.  here are a few examples of her work.........

This or......

This........These are both earrings that she has designed.....the second pair is another example of the old Chanel chain just used as earrings.....couture recycling, right!....so which one should I wear in Vegas......Ahhhhh

Like my day says..."The Best is Yet to come".......look out H!.....Forty is Fabulous......

My mother in law and father in law saw gave me this as a gift......it is really fun.....another of my favorite words......We are going to do alot of this, this weekend.......ha, ha ha, ha, haaaaa,  ha ha ha!.....my belly hurts already....

This birthday weekend rules..........

Lily says......"Mommy, stay out of trouble".......she already has that little look in her eye....Shush, never tell her I went to Vegas.......I promise next week will be more about design, J

"Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas, Viva, Viva Las Vegas......." ---- Elvis Presley

Why I Love White.........

There are so many reasons but I think when you love color as much as I do you can see how much it pops when placed with white.  This bedroom is the perfect example.  The reds and pinks are so vibrant mixed with the white walls, sheets and trim.  Even the red striped rug makes a statement on the white painted floor.  And where in the world did they find those vintage white sconces.  I want them!

Ok now this is the perfect example of color popping.  First of all I have to have that little abstract painting.  And the orange, corals and yellows all against the white white is so fun.  What a playful little vignette.   

I love a white house because all the outside foliage looks so nice against the white.  You can get the idea here with Lily's white dress.  The greenery looks so crisp and lush next to white.  There is really nothing more classic than a white house. 

I really did not go on safari this week.  I know it looks like I killed a polar bear but that is actually the white cow hide rug in my office.  I did loose the red toes from last week and go white.  This weeks polish is called "Fit for a Queensland".  Whatever that means.......but while I was on my flight to NYC with my son I saw this cute girl wearing these cool gladiator sandals.  I asked here who made them, I thought she would say "Coach" or something, and it turns out the are "Madden Girl" by Steve Madden.  I tracked them down on line and they were so inexpensive.  This line is probably geared for teenagers but they have some really great inexpensive shoes.  Regardless, Joe says I look tough when I wear them.  I wore them with a really feminine dress yesterday and it really did toughen up my look! Comfy too. 

I realize that it takes a lot of time and energy (oh and money) to make a bookshelf look like this.  But isn't it worth it!!!!  Here is another example of how good color can look with white.  Arranging these books by color on this white lacquered bookshelf gives order and creates a design.  It is almost like a piece of art, kind of like color blocking in a painting.  Now go out and by some books!  Not to read of course,  just simply to look at.  And make sure you find some in your favorite color. 

The Moroccan poof is great in every color.  Lily's white poof goes great in her colorful room.  Jay has an orange one in his room and we have a cream one in the living room.  Black is next! Time to redo the house....Ha

Everyone has seen Suzanne Kasler's house.  She always starts with white walls and goes from there.  I love this space because of the white everything, brought out with subtle pops of color.  I especially like the white curtains and the white painting above the mantle.  So soft  but still strong.  Don't you just love her style. 

Here we go again.  These two pictures are from a Southern Accents show house that Suzanne Kastler did.  We used to call this issue at my old office our bible for design.  The way the turquoise pops is so crisp.  I would never get tired of this kitchen.  It will always be one of my in my designer hall of fame. That Ann Sacks blue glass backsplash is like water and if you didn't already know, my favorite stone selection is and will always be, white marble.  This white Calcutta Gold is perfection! 

This is our summer snack.  Popcorn with Brewer's Yeast and Bragg - Liquid Aminos.  It is so delicious and really good for you.  No salt or butter and the best flavor.  I had it for the first time at a bar in Telluride CO and could  not stop eating it.  My friend Meghan told me what they used to make it taste so good and now my whole family is hooked.

"White...is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black...God paints in many colours; but He never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so gaudily, as when He paints in white." --G. K. Chesterton

And the Home of the Free............

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jay.  His eyes are as blue as the Superman shirt.  So everyone has an exciting weekend coming up.  Happy 4th of July to all!

"Freedom is never given, it is won" -- Anonymous

I really like this house from Coastal Living done by Interior Designer Amanda Nisbet.  I have a client who wants to do all poppy red, true blue and cream in her beach house.  Amanda's house here uses these primary colors in such a modern way.  Her use of color gets me excited to work with these strong colors and it changes my whole attitude toward red, white and blue!  Stars and stripes here I come........

"Ravishing Red", well this is not really the name but I have had such a crazy week I could barley fit in this polish change and then forgot to look at the name.  Maybe "Red Hot Mamma" would be a better name, although I am not really feeling like one right now.  I cannot wait for this weekend, I really need a day off.  Oh and I got these groovy little blue flip flops in Mexico.  They are called "Havaianas".  Who forgets there flip flops on a trip to Mexico?  Well it is a good thing I did or I wouldn't have these guys. I wear them all the time. 

Isn't this the coolest. I wonder how many of these will be sold over the weekend.  Nice marketing.  I love this can. 

I bought his light, that I call my "Spritzer", from a dealer at market.  I love vintage lighting and I could not leave without this little guy.  It still does not have a home but my "Spritzer" also looks like a "Firecracker" so I thought I would show it to you now, just in time for the 4th of July!  I hope you get to enjoy fireworks with the people you love, where ever you are this 4th......hee hee

Courage is grace under pressure.
Ernest Hemingway

My good friend and designer Cortney Bishop told me this novel idea!  She said that a great thing to do with all the bags you get with shoes or clothes are great to keep collections of toys in.  Especially toys with lots of little pieces and parts. They are just perfect for puzzle pieces and Legos.  Sure does beat plastic bags and it is a great way to recycle these great little bags.    

"Free speech carries with it some freedom to listen" -- Bob Marley

"Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom" -- Albert Einstein

Have a fun and safe weekend, Jenny