10 Timeless Patterns - No. 3

Number 3 | Dazzling Damask

 

You can't miss this beautiful bold pattern anytime you see it in a space. I personally love this print and have used it many times. Damask has a floral motif that is raised on a neutral background. It's meant to be very ornate and eleborate. The thing about true damask fabric is that the pattern is visable on both sides. Ideally, there are two colors in a piece of damask and the majority of the time they are visial. Sometimes, you'll see damask that is barely visable, like in the second picture of the black bedroom. My favorite application of damask is on the wall. It's a pattern that isn't too busy and it works well with other patterns like stripes. Damask can be used in all applications: walls, flooring, upholstry, window treatments, and decor pieces.

 

 

My high school bedroom:

 

 

This entire bedding set is for sell if you are interested. Email me for questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Timeless Patterns - No. 2

Number 2 | Handsome Herringbone
 

Don't let this print confuse you with Chevron or Zig-Zag. The difference is the way the lines come together. Herringbone lines do not meet and are slightly off in connection. Here's a close up view.

You can see the black touches the white; that's the difference.

Most people associate herringbone with men's clothing, and while it is wildly attractive, it looks just as good in interiors. It's a classic print that's been around for centuries.

I through in this shirt because I found it on Pinterest and am in love with it! It takes the heavy, masculine feel and adds a soft cashmire and sequin Peter Pan collar. Proven fact that it can look just as good in a girly space too!

Herringbone has made it's mark in the fashion industry; I'm ready to see it more in interiors. I think the custom black or brown herringbone is so traditionally goregous, but seeing the yellow and other fun colors is really exciting. Herringbone hardwood floors are absolutely amazing and the tile insert in the fireplace is such a clever idea. Add a little herringbone into your life!

Still to come - damask and houndstooth. Check back soon!

10 Timeless Patterns - No. 1

When I was taking materials and finishes, one of the big projects we were required to do was a materials and finishes book. There were 100+ fabrics that we defined and explained. We listed proper applications for each piece and where it would most appropriately look. There are ten patterns/textures that I believe will never go out of style.

 

Number 1 | Eye-catching Ikat

 

Pronounced: e-cot

Definition: Fabric made using an Indonesian decorative technique in which warp or weft threads, or both, are tie-dyed before weaving.

Appropriate interior use: wallcovering, upholstery, or rug

 

 

Pick up any Interior Design magazine and you'll find this print in almost every one. Definitely a favorite of mine, these vibrant colors add an extra flare to any space, whether as a decorative pillow or an elaborate wallcovering. This pattern dates back to the 7th-century and is still around today. I don't picture Ikat going away for a long, long time.

 

Stay tuned for Damask!

 

 

HGTV Dream Home

Have you entered for a chance to win yet?

 

 

I would be packing my bags in a heartbeat to move to this beautiful home in Charleston, South Carolina. I wouldn't even think twice! The colors, textures, styles, decor - everything about it.

 

Plus you get a brand new SUV and an extra $500,000. Bring it on!

 

You have to take the virtual tour. It's unbelievable.

 

You can sign up twice a day every day until Feb. 15! What's stopping you?

 

If you win, though, I better be invited to come stay! ;)

 

 

Geese, Firetrucks, and Rap Music

What do they all have in common? They keep me up at night.

Two downsides of living off of a very busy highway (280, for those who are familiar): geese and firetrucks.

I live near quite a few bodies of water and at least twice a day I hear geese honking as they fly over my apartment. It's one of the things I had forgotten about since I moved out of my parent's house. There, I was used to seeing/hearing/feeding them every day. My parents lived by a small lake and they were always in my front yard. Our geese were super domestic so it was fun to mess around with them. But they need to fly during the day when I'm not asleep!

Sirens are the worst, though. A firetruck or ambulance races past my apartment more than four or five times a night. The station is literally five seconds down the street. It's a good and bad thing. Good if I ever need them, annoying when I don't. Hopefully, my ears will get used to them and I won't keep waking up at night. There's a hospital that is relocating out here on 280 and the new building is basically right out my back door. So I better get use to it!

As far as the rap music goes: the people/person that live down and over one from me like to bump their music early in the morning. I'm still wondering whether they like to twerk in the mornings or if they are working out or something. It's still unclear. I'm debating on taking cookies down there and begging that they wait until 10ish in the morning before they start their jam session. We'll see...

So far, I'm loving my new apartment...granted, I haven't paid bills yet. I'm nervous to see them when they come in. I already dread getting the electric bill. The weather here is hot one day and cold the next. I wish I could just keep the temperature on normal for a couple of days!

I hope you have had a successful and fulfilling week. May your weekend be just as great!

See you next week!

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Celebrating a Birth: Remembering a Life

 

 

Let us all celebrate the life of a man who stood up and changed the face of our nation forever.

 

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

 

Happy Hump Day

A lot has been going on with me recently. I started back to school taking online classes for the first time. Introduction to Psychology and English Composition II are my two courses. I started Monday trying to finish all of my assignments so I could focus on the rest of the week. I also am a part of the team that is decorating a room for Decorators' Showhouse here in Birmingham. This is the house:

Very traditional, very Georgian. Not exactly my cup of tea, but the experience will be worth it!

So I'm moving into my new apartment Saturday. i.e. I have a lot of work to do. I've started the packing process but I feel like I haven't made much progress. I've gotten the kitchen, bathroom, and majority of the living room done. My room hasn't been touched and it's probably going to stay that way. I have too many shoes and clothes to deal with!

 

You can tell I'm very eager about this.

 

If you don't know by now, the Birmingham area has rained and rained and rained for a least a week now, I suppose. It's very frustrating and cold. Either my mother needs to buy me those Hunter rainboots I want, or the sun needs to get out from under a rock and shine again! Needless to say, I'm ready for Spring Break. I hope all of you are having an OK start to your week. Be happy; the Hump is over! Have a great weekend!

 



CasaSugar House Tour: Sheridan French

This post is brought to you by:

It's no surprise that designer Sheridan French's Texas home is infused with the same layered prints, exuberant colors, and exotic influences that her collections are synonymous with. After spending years as a student and model in Europe, Sheridan landed a job at Prada's London Press Office but continued to create her own collections on the side. It wasn't until Sheridan returned to her hometown of Fort Worth, TX, to raise a family that her lifelong dream of developing her own label, Sheridan French, came to fruition.

'Never do this, never do that,' and then sure enough, you come across a room where leopard and tartan are combined beautifully with some chevron thrown in that just works. So never say never! I think everything can go with everything if you put the right spin on it. Perhaps not trying too hard is key.

As a line previously dedicated to fashion – think shift dresses, tunics, and shorts with a luxury resort twist – Sheridan French now carries equally exquisitehome goods. We asked the Southern style maven to let us peek into her vibrantly decorated home to get a sense of how she melds fashion and interior design, both professionally and personally.

For the full interview with Sheridan and CasaSugar, check out the post here. 

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A beautiful house, right? I love her unique style and the way she's added those exotic, worldly pieces to her design. The global influences that she's brought into her home are so aesthetically pleasing. I love the way she threw in bright, fun colors into her home. In one room, you see a bust of an animal on the all and in another you see orange patent leather chairs. I think my favorite room in the tour was the kitchen. Wow, is all I have to say about that. The ghost chairs around that natural wooden table - big thumbs up. She has a successful balance between classic, vintage, old-world and girly, chic, and contemporary. I don't know how, but it just works. Very adventurous and bold. I'm in lust with his home! What did you think?

From Drab & Dreary to Bright and Airy: Dorm Decorating 101

School has just started back for the majority of Birmingham. Most of the students at UAB live in the dorms. I, personally, have never lived in the dorm, but I have lived in a Cracker Jack box. If you're entering in dorm life for the first time or have just leased your first apartment and you don't even know where to begin as far as making it your own, you've come to the right place.

Anyone who's ever had to decorate a small apartment or dorm room, one of the things that's the biggest issues is painting the walls. A room's atmosphere can be altered in a second through paint. Most apartments and dorm rooms don't allow painting or at least you have to paint it back, so what's the next big thing? Wall decor. The best way to upscale your tiny space is through artwork and abstract pieces.

Depending on your style and personality, a sleek bookcase can add a lot of interest to your space while taking up some wall space at the same time. You can display some of your collectibles,  books, and baskets. Over cluttered bookcases make you look like a hoarder. Use balance and harmony when filling your bookcase. For more added interest, add your own spark and try painting or wallpapering the back panel. The possibilities are endless.

If you have a lot of vintage artwork that you'd collected over the years, now is the time to display those. Create an abstract feature wall using old frames and pictures. This will give your space an eclectic look and allow you cover up some of that white washed wall. It also allows you to pull colors out of the pictures and add them elsewhere in your home. 

Depending on your wall type, whether you have a stucco finish or flat finish, you can add a large wall decal. Decals, like the ones you put on your car, are easy on and easy off. I've seen quote decals at all of the major department stores, but finding a really cool and much larger one would be fun too. Another great way to add color and interest to your space. 

Shadow boxes are really cool because you can change them out depending on the season, or if you have new knick-knacks to put in them. A great way to use things from vacations, concerts, birthdays, and more. You can hang the boxes on the wall or prop them up on a shelf. Both are going to allow you to bring in color to your walls. 

I hope you got some inspiration and you're not ready to give it quits on your new space. There are other options to cover up your walls such as large posters, tapestries, window treatments, mirrors, and more. Don't get frustrated when it comes to decorating your space. Use what you have and just spice it up a little. Pinterest is a great tool when it comes to DIY wall decor crafts and dorm room ideas. 

If all else fails and you're planning on staying in your apartment for a year or so, go ahead and paint, but choose one wall, not all four. Create a feature wall with some of my suggestions above. Good luck with school and your new space!