Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Returning an American Bungalow to its Southern Roots :: THE BIG REVEAL

Many of you are probably wondering what has happened to me as it has been much too long since my last post.  Well, my friends, you are in for a treat.....what is that saying?  

"Good things come in good time..."

I try to keep this in mind often, and it is also one of the most challenging things in getting a client to realize when working on any custom project whether it be custom drapes, upholstery, pillows or even and entire interior design project - which is exactly what we have done for this American Bungalow located right in Historic Athens, Alabama.

Without further adieu, it is now time for THE BIG REVEAL!

American Bungalow :: Historic Athens, Alabama {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
EST 1915  {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Front Patio {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Nothing says Southern like a gorgeous monogramed cushion...I also love the pops of blue + white.

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Front Patio {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Here we removed the warped fan and replaced it with a large palm style fan perfect for breezy afternoons on the porch.

I also love how the client has trained the vine, which she found overgrown in the back of the house, over the swing with white lights.

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
The client added this brass Virginia Metalcrafters Moravian Star to the mailbox - what a lovely and appropriate detail!

Front Door {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Another detail added to the front door is a vintage, brass mechanical bell seen on many of the historic homes throughout the surrounding Historic District.  How gorgeous is it on this bold purple door?!

{Living Room}


Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
 For the living room, we installed custom drapes in Cotton + Quill's Cuckoo pattern in a custom turquoise color way (to match the velvet on the sofa).  The client found this gorgeous sofa which needed to be reupholstered.  We selected this gorgeous aqua velvet for the upholstery of the cushion and seat back, and then we used the same cuckoo fabric as the drapes to upholster the back of the sofa.

 Sofa Detail {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
The client also collects these Italian Florentine Trays which are the perfect accent atop this lacquered chest.  

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
A bar cart is appropriate in all interiors - currently LOVING this vintage brass one the client scored. 

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Another detail that was worth the extra expense were the plantation shutters added in the front rooms of the house.

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Living Room  {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

{Front Bedroom} 

Front Bedroom {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
For the front bedroom, we kept the paint color the same since it directly joins the living room and can be seen when first entering the home.  A traditional four poster is balanced with a luxe metallic cowhide rug & a pair of contemporary lucite chairs.  

Custom draperies in Cotton + Quill's Koi pattern in Flax dress up this guest bedroom.
Drapery Detail {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
A goblet pleat with hand-sewn covered buttons add a tailored touch to the custom panels in Cotton + Quill's Koi pattern in Flax.

Front Bedroom {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
The soft greens and blues are picked up in the watercolor of the client's daughter hanging over the mantle....can you guess who that little girl is?

Front Bedroom {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
More personal touches and details added to the front bedroom include a pair of clogs from Holland. 

{Dining Room}

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Other than the paint color, I have to give all of the credit for the design in this room to the client.  I adore how she hung various plates and platters in one corner of the room - such a unique and interesting way to display all of these beautiful items!

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Dining Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar} 
Dining Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
I love all of the door knobs found throughout this home - and what a nice touch to add this silk tassel!

{Master Bedroom} 


{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
For this bedroom we painted the walls a little darker and installed custom drapes in Cotton + Quill's Bambusa pattern in Mint - this pattern was created from a series of Chinese paintings the designer created while studying abroad in Taiwan.  

A pair of framed silhouettes offer a personal touch to this cozy retreat.

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar} 
{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
A lady's bedroom isn't complete without a dressing table - wouldn't you agree? 

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Another one of these beautiful old fireplaces graces this room, and I absolutely adore this brass peacock fire screen.

I hope you have enjoyed the tour! This is certainly making me want to do a few little updates of my own...what about you?


Thursday, May 29, 2014

Jib Doors.....

.....a not so modern mystery

Jib doors have been around for hundreds of years, once to hide secret passageways or rooms, but are making a big comeback in modern interiors as well.  While the jib door may still be used to hide a secret room or passageway in today's interiors,  it has taken on a new use to blend in without disturbing the aesthetic of a space - such as if you are fortunate enough to have the luxurious hand-painted wallpaper of de Gournay grace your walls and would hate to take away from its beauty by having a door right in the middle.

Here are a few of my favorites I am currently swooning over.....one day
Photo credit unknown | Image via forpilar
Photo Credit unknown | Image via belle vivar
Photo credit unknown | Pauline Rothschild peering from jib door
Photo Credit unknown | Image via forpilar
Photo credit unknown | Image via belle vivar




Now typically I would certainly leave installing a jib door to a professional, but if you happen to be pretty confident in your craftsmanship skills involving building and woodwork, then I have found a source for you to attempt to do it yourself here.

I would love to hear how you have used a jib door or would plan to use one in your home - I am definitely adding this to the wish list for a future abode!

Happy Thursday!



Wednesday, May 21, 2014

What's in your beach bag + GIVEAWAY

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and I am certainly hoping to be celebrating it in sunny Florida along 30A - where are you planning to celebrate?  If you're headed to the coast too then here are a few things you must have for sunning on sugar white sand!

Seagrove Beach . FL | 30A
Seagrove Beach . FL | 30A
Alys Beach . FL | 30A

Now that we have gorgeous scenery - we can't forget our beach essentials....my picks for this weekend are

  
Cotton + Quill | Cotton-Voile Scarves
 These scarves from Cotton + Quill are the perfect accessory for breezy beach days - find them here

   
Cotton + Quill | Beach Bags
 These bright bags are also from Cotton + Quill and are the perfect size for toting all your beach necessities - find them here

  
Tilley Hat | R2 Women's Raffia
Also on my list is one of my favorite hats not only for their chic look but also for their excellent sun protection - this little beauty offers a UPF of 50+ which is the maximum sun protection rating...but don't forget to pair it with a little SPF as well!
Purchase here

Mary Kay Andrews | Ladies' Night
And you can't forget a good book!!  I am a true Mary Kay Andrews fan....these little books got me through the frigid winter months of living in New Jersey...I even stayed at her home on Tybee for my bachelorette weekend!!  Find her books at all major bookstores & online - get Ladies' Night here

The Breeze Inn | Mary Kay Andrews Beach Home | Tybee Island, GA
A little throwback to a mini vacation to Tybee with girlfriends - also a must place to visit and not far from sweet Savannah!

And don't forget that beach playlist!!


What's on your playlist??

AND.....since we are so excited about having a LONG weekend + much needed break, we are doing a GIVEAWAY!!  Just follow the steps below ;)



Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The Perfect Thank You...

It's that time of year again - graduation and of course, WEDDING SEASON!!  So, to all of you who may be graduating, whether it be from high school or college, or for those of you tying the knot, CONGRATULATIONS!! and... I hope you have that stationery ready because you, my friend, will be needing to write plenty of thank you notes in the upcoming months.

There is nothing more personal and meaningful than a hand-penned note, and taking the time to sit down a write a thoughtful note isn't nearly as daunting of a task as it may seem.  I am here to help break down how to write a lovely thank you and help you get through all that note writing during celebratory times like graduation and getting married.....or having a baby!


1 :: Start with a thoughtful greeting
2 :: Begin the body of the note with a thank you - after all this is a thank you note!
3 :: Reference the gift you received and how you plan to use it
4 :: Say thank you again, yes again, and make reference to seeing the gift giver in the future
5 :: End with a thoughtful closing & date!

Follow these simple steps, and you will knock out thank you notes in no time!

Now, in order to write a note, you must have lovely stationery for which to write on...here are some favorites.

For the Fashionista

Cotton + Quill | Vogue Collection :: Hot in L.A. / Coco Liner in Emerald
Get it here

For the Southern Belle

Cotton + Quill | Floral Collection :: Magnolia / Coco Liner in Emerald
Get it here

For the One Who Has it All

Cotton + Quill | Custom Notes
Inquire for Custom Notes here

Quill Notes Tip ::  For the Bride to Be....If having custom notes made for before and after you tie the knot, be sure to have two sets if using a monogram - 1. Maiden Name 2. Married Name (now don't use the married monogram until the knot has been tied...no matter how tempting - it's bad luck!)  Also, another alternative to having a monogram is to have a custom illustration of something meaningful to you - then you can use the custom stationery before and after the wedding and for many other occasions to come!

For Baby

Southern Stationery | photo courtesy of southern stationery.com
Find here

For the Luxury Lover

Southern Stationery | Letterpressed Love (photo courtesy of southern stationery.com)
Find here

Quill Notes Tip :: For the Bride to Be.....Make sure to write your thank you notes as soon as you receive a gift or immediately following a shower - trust me, it will make getting those hundreds of notes finished in record time and take the stress of writing them away!

I hope my lesson on thank you note writing will come into use!  Enjoy and go write!!