I Love Nateday!

Happy Nateday! If you don't know what I'm talking about go to Twitter and find all the bloggers writing about the amazing Nate Berkus. I found out about late in the game but I want to play along anyway. Here is one of my favorite posts from 2008..Yikes!! I think you'll understand how I feel about that Nate:)

Of course, I mean Nate Berkus. Elle Decor features the redesign of Berkus' personal home this month. It looks so wonderful I just had to take the opportunity to declare my true love for Nate. He has won my heart for a couple of reasons. First, the use of very eclectic accessories and furniture. Second, because of the amazing striped rugs. I don't know what it is with me and the stripes.

Any other Berkus fan club members, out there?

Livin' La Dolce Vita

Photo via So Ninion

I'm very excited today! The lovely Paloma of La Dolce Vita invited me to be part of her "10 Things I Can't Live Without" series. This couldn't have come at a better time, because I've been in such a blogging funk. Sitting and writing about what really matters to me is a great way to get my creative juices flowing again. So, check me out here! 

A Woman's Home Is Her Castle

Now THIS is real estate shopping! Last week Remodelista mentioned this home only in passing but I had to investigate it further. Wow! As it turns out there is a CASTLE for sale here in Texas. I can say I've never heard of a Texas castle, but now I know there is one in where else but Austin

The living room/lodge blows me away. I guess this is enough space for dining parties, no?

Finally, I could rule over my own little kingdom...even if I'm the only person who believes in it:)

On The Quirky Side

Hello everyone! For those of you who may wonder where I've been, I apologize for the long silence. Life's been kind of crazy lately and my blogging has been paying the price. Well, I did want to post this unique and quirky loft in New York. Designed by Bohl Architects, it uses plenty of fun and off-beat details.

Ha, ha! This detail really cracks me up. I mean, if you want a random blue eye staring at you; why not have one, right?
(I have a feeling this photo may cause some controversy amongst readers)

As a designer, I've always found it frustrating that so many people will only live with things that others approve of! I can't say how many times I've heard the words, "I need to know if my sister likes it" or "My mother", "My neighbors"...etc. Why?! If its your home and your place to live and rest, why can't it just mean something to you? I look as a home as a sanctuary and as a place that feeds your inner self. So shouldn't it be a true representation of yourself? Ahhh, this has been my soapbox for many years. I hope at least a few people will stop and consider my words and take true ownership of their environment.
Don't know why I seem so bossy today.

Happy "Dream Home" Year!!

OK, HGTV...you finally got me. You actually went and built my dream home!!! Wow! Oh what a way to start the New Year, dreaming about a modern adobe house set in New Mexico...ahhhh! I have to admit that although HGTV's "Dream Homes" are always nice, I never really gave them any thought. It never occurred to me to think about entering or anything... but This One? I'm going to do it! I know it sounds ridiculous to think I might win, but this really is the home Mark and I have imagined over and over for years! Having grown up as West Texas kids, who often traveled to New Mexico, we can't get the landscape out of our systems and y'all know how I feel about Santa Fe!

Waking up to a wall of windows overlooking the grounds, is definitely part of the dream:)

Well, I've already set my DVR for this! On the first day of a new year, it always feels like all dreams are possible, right?

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Winter Wear?

So the oddest thing has happened here in Houston, Tx...its been like winter time around here! Last week we had actual snow! Yeah, SNOW!!! Supposedly, today is going to get cold again. The funny thing about living on the Gulf Coast is that when cold weather appears, everyone is scrambling to find something to wear! We don't exactly keep winter coats and gloves on hand. So, I'm taking this opportunity to share an online store I'm loving right now called Old Town Clothing. I find it satisfies two of my deepest (usually unmentioned) desires. 1. To dress like I came out of an old movie 2. To wear men's clothing (yes, I have confessed to this before).

Honestly, I would have liked to post every photo on their website...I love everything! Sometimes I try to talk Mark into wearing these type of clothes, but he won't ever go there. Oh well.
Thanks to Ancient Industries for introducing me to this site:)

White Elephant Antiques

Well, guess what...North Star Antiques was CLOSED!!! Yeah, I made Mark drive all the way over there, just to find they weren't open. Ughh! Just to be clear, I did call a couple of days in a row, but no one responded. Maybe that should have been a hint. Oh well, far be it for me to give up on a shopping trip. Luckily, I did find White Elephant Antiques was open. I'm sure many of you have read about this great place. Its really incredible! I lost track of how long we walked around, because every booth was so great. 

I'm crazy about this display! A board w/ chalkboard paint and the tiniest little hand, holding up music for an automated piano. It a total statement piece!

So, my plan didn't exactly work out the way I imagined, but it was still a blast! I actually have quite a few more photos on my Flickr site HERE. You didn't think I would keep it down to only 8 pics did you? 

Come Hither

You know when you watch a scary movie and the main character walks up to a creepy building or room. Most of us think "Don't go in there!" Why do they always go in?! I always think, "I would NEVER walk in!" What if you walked up to a doorway that looked like this? I think I would take a chance on facing my doom, just to see the rest of this place:)

Via: Marie Claire Maison?

A Creative Hero: John Saladino

Via Saladino Style

As I was scrolling through the 1st Dibs' site this morning, I found a great article written about John Saladino's most recent book; Villa. In it he describes the arduous but heartfelt process of renovating an amazing Italinate villa. For all die-hard design lovers, this is a book that must be seen!
Saladino holds a very special place in my heart. He was the first designer I knew by name as a teenager, and his work awakened my true love of design. The photo above in particular stands out in my mind. Its been published many times over, I know; but its so timeless and beautiful. The color palette, mixture of textures, and use of antiques in an otherwise minimalist space influence the way I think about design almost every day. Ahhh, I could go on and on; but maybe the photos speak for themselves;)

Via 1st Dibs

A Must-See Open House

You're probably thinking I'm going to say this is some far off tropical island or something, right? Actually, this home is right in the middle of good ole' Houston. I had to do a double take and make sure that was right. Its so serene looking, who knew? If you are here in H-town, you can go see this beautiful place tomorrow (Sunday).

All the wonderful white is so alluring. Oh, I only need a little more than 1 mill and it can be all mine:)