An Evening of Collaboration

“As clothing wears, fades, stains and stretches, it becomes an intimate record of our physical presence. It traces the edge of the body, defining the boundary between the self and the outside world."

Does your closet have you feeling a little "Carrie Bradshaw pre-wedding to Big"?
Have you diagnosed your self with a closet full of nothing to wear syndrome?  Does it feel like every time you step foot in your closet you fall down a black hole of digging, tossing, and mis matching? There's no question that an organized closet can make for better dressing, but there's a distinct difference between an organized closet... and a dream closet. 

The keys to having it all in your wardrobe and the space it lives in are organization, light, and to have some fun! It's all about you and your personal style! 

Tomorrow, I'll be teaming up with Amy from W By Worth for a Night of Collaboration.. So let's get this party started! I've paired some of my favorite pieces from the W By Worth spring line and drool worthy dream closets to showcase just how much your personal style can make a difference. 

Classic, comfortable neutrals come together with a light filled faux finished wood floor. 

Glamor radiates with this chic tweed and lace slip dress and equally chic wall of mirrors. 

Take a walk on the wild side with this eclectic dressing room that would perfectly compliment this jacquard over blouse. 

Texture is key! Even small hints, like a blouse or a rug can make all the difference.

I can't wait to tell you all about what Amy and I scheme up over  Davenport Bellinis and the company of fantastic ladies. 

Sisterhood of the Traveling Bedrooms (III) ...Sweet Seventies

Every era has a defining characteristic, something that rewinds you to the days gone past. 

For me, it's a teenage girl's bedroom.  
Maybe I'm just missing having Ashley home!  


Really, if you want an accurate portrayal of the trends today,  you should just take a peek upstairs, after all aren't those beautiful babies (hardly babies ...) our future?

Over the next few weeks, Ashley (no longer my brilliant teenager) is going to take you on a journey through the decades via the bedrooms that shaped generations. 

Enjoy my guest blogger.... 
All my best,

Welcome back! 

Get ready to be accosted with bright colors and patterns galore, 

because bedrooms this week are straight from the 70's!! 

This room has everything I love about 70's decor. Pattern, texture, and bold colors! The sassy bejeweled jungle cat is just a bonus. 

Don't you just love when your dress matches your duvet?

Once you get past the bright traffic cone orange, you may notice some delish built in shelving. 

(And another bejeweled jungle cat)

This room is by far my favorite. Nothing like taking a theme and sticking with it! You can even catch a glimpse of what must be an amazing peacock rug! 

Until next week... Stay fab!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Bedrooms (II) .... Psychodelic Sixties

Every era has a defining characteristic, something that rewinds you to the days gone past. 

For me, it's a teenage girl's bedroom.  
Maybe I'm just missing having Ashley home!  


Really, if you want an accurate portrayal of the trends today,  you should just take a peek upstairs, after all aren't those beautiful babies (hardly babies ...) our future?

Over the next few weeks, Ashley (no longer my brilliant teenager) is going to take you on a journey through the decades via the bedrooms that shaped generations. 

Enjoy my guest blogger.... 
All my best,

This week we're continuing our journey through the decade with bedrooms from the 1960's..


Every decade has their shining musical stars.. Easily identifiable by their images plastered all over adolescent across the land.

Could really do without that clown in the middleof the floor though...

Communication is key. How else are you supposed to absorb your daily dose of high school gossip?

And no girl's room is complete without a couple of stuffed animals. These are sporting the classic 60's color scheme of pink, orange, yellow, and green. 

Floral gets a face lift with these mod decals adorning the wardrobe, mirror, and bed. 

The quirky furniture in this room really showcases the less ridged attitude that the citizens of the 60's adopted. A wicker elephant nightstand? Why not. 

Until next time, when we take on the 1970's!! 

Roaring the 20's Back Today!

A few weeks ago I sat in the quaint little cafe of RJ Julia in downtown Madison.  I shared a cup of steaming, hot, coffee and a freshly baked scone with my dear friend Ann Nyberg.  As conversations do with Ann, our dialog twisted and turned through a wide variety of topics and brainstorming ideas.  We talked about life, the direction of our respective industries, old fashion department stores, and lifestyles of days gone by. It is rare for me to leave an encounter with Ann and not be inspired in some way.  As I put the car in drive and zipped off to my next meeting, I tucked parts of our discussion into the back of my very busy brain.

Saturday night that little coffee klatch came rushing back as I sat in a movie theater and watched the previews for The Great Gatsby.

 The fashions, the architecture, the cars... Life in the roaring 20's.  Our country exploded with prosperity and was in the height of creativity. Music was fresh, a touch racey and starting to break away from tradition.  Automobiles were no longer for only the wealthy, mass production made these modern day marvels available to the middle class.  Fashion shed the severe, stiff, corsetted, Victorian styling and started to show more skin.

Art Deco also made its grand appearance. Art, architecture and interior design cast off overly ornate and heavily carved traditions for sleek, clean lines. I've often wondered what it would have been like to experience those exciting break throughs.

As I prepare for my trip to High Point Market next week, I'm finding I might not be the only one who is  taken by the The Great Gatsby craze!


I can't wait to check out these inspirational pieces in person......

ART Furniture Harper Sofa 

Sarried Shipping Trunk Chest of Drawers 

John Richard Beaded Elegance Lamp

Bernhardt Barnsley Table 60" round 

.... May 10th, The Great Gatsby premires in theaters .... I'll have a front row seat..

What do you say Ann, want to join me?

Oscar's Green

It was the biggest night of the year for Hollywood. Heck, its a big night across the country! Oscar commentary lit up the facebook and twitter threads all night long. The comments on Nichole Kidmans wowza sequenced dress, Seth MacFarlane's (eh em) hosting skills and of course poor Jennifer Lawrence and her graceful entrance to receive best actress.

While the gowns are to die for and the hair and makeup are breath taking, there's a little gem that the general public never really gets to appreciate.

The Green Room 

Architectural Digest Oscar Green Room 2013

This years Green Room was designed by one of Architectal Digests AD100 designers, the lovely and oh so talented Madeline Stuart!  Madeline has her share of Hollywood glitz and glamor running through her veins!  Her dad was famous director Mel Stuart and Madeline herself had a little big screen moment as an extra in her dads 1971  Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory .

Madeline Stuart created a throw back environment reminiscent of the 1930's.  Completed with fine furnishings from Baker Furniture, fabrics from Schumacher, rugs from Feizy, and lighting from Urban Electric she has created a master piece!

Here are some highlights of some of the pieces used to dress the awesome space 

Lafayette Double Wall Sconce Urban Electric Co.

Josephine Chair Baker Furniture 

Rill Bunching Tables Baker

It was a spectacular night, made even more spectacular when the guests where gathering in a space that was glamorous but not to stuffy, classic, yet  cutting edge, and most of all inviting.  

Madeline sewed it all up in an amazing package for the guests! 

Bed Head

It's Hump Day, which means we're at the crest of the work week. I'll admit, I had a heck of a time getting out of bed this morning! It was just so darn warm and cozy under those blankets.  As I hit the snooze alarm for the second time, I contemplated today's blog, the heck with writing about 2013 color of the year, or the amazing fabrics I reviewed yesterday. Lets talk beds!  After all, it certainly was on my mind this morning!

With 20 years of designing interiors under my belt, I have stumbled upon some amazing beds. I'll bet waking up on Hump Day in one of these beauties would make it impossible to get out of bed!

The New Traditionalist Bed No. Twenty One 

The New Traditionalist ........

A Connecticut Company!

This amazing handmade bed  is constructed with North American Black Walnut and Maple. 

Shown here with Bleached Walnut frame and a Dusty Beige Shearling upholstered headboard,

the turned posts feature plum leather detailing. 

Can I just say O.M.G.!

Somerset Bay Frenchtown Bed

Somerset Bay...
Can't you just see yourself curled up in this beauty?
Of course, my linens would be sprayed with Lavender Linen Water from In O'Scents of Madison!  
I just love Somerset Bay, their pieces have classic lines with modern hues.  All their pieces are available in an array of unique finishes.  Here's the best part, all the finishes are 'flavors'!  This amazing bed's finish is Key Lime Pie. 
Yum!

Theodore Alexander Kalahari Panelled Bed 

 Theodore Alexander 

This ebonised and Kalahari panelled, with its the curved head and footboard, surely could have been piece found in the Belvedere in NYC.  

A master piece with its inlaid with faux crocodile skin panels, stainless steel mouldings, mounted on stainless steel feet, is simply a work of art. 

Perfect for an Art Deco inspired Design. 

Visit my Pinterest Page for more fun beds!

Here's to Hump Day!