OUT SHOPPING.....

FUN... FUN..... AFTERNOON

The other day, Patti asked when I was going back to Senoia! GREAT QUESTION!

This morning, MC and I thought today was a perfect day to venture to our favorite little "village"!


We arrived in time for lunch. When we go by ourselves, we like to "dine" at Senoia Coffee & Cafe! Great coffee, food and delicious sweets. I had their famous cinnamon bun, and MC had what I call REAL FOOD......a sandwich!







Then down Main Street to browse the fun shops!

TWIST ON MAIN

Twist On Main is one of my favorite shops. They have fabulous treasures.....











LOVE THIS STORE..... A LITTLE PRICEY, BUT THEIR MERCHANDISE IS SO APPEALING AND THE DISPLAYS ARE EXTRA ATTRACTIVE. LOVE THE PLATES..... THE PRETTIEST SHADE OF WISTERIA I HAVE SEEN!!!!

THE FOLLOWING SHOTS ARE FROM A STORE, DON'T KNOW THE NAME! FOR YEARS I HAVE CALLED IT "THE STORE WITH THE DOOR MATS"!

NOT SURE ABOUT THIS ONE!

MY FAVORITE PIECE IN THE STORE, AND HAS BEEN FOR THREE YEARS!!!...... MANY, MANY ITEMS GO ON SALE.....NOT THIS CHAIR!!! IT'S $325 NEVER A PENNY LESS!!!!!
ONE DAY IT WILL GO ON SALE...
I JUST KNOW IT WILL!

Proof.....these items are on sale!!!!

NOTE THE STORE... "BEYOND THE DOOR" .... THE ONE WITH THE AWNINGS

THIS CHEST CAUGHT OUR EYE.....IT WAS SO, SO, OVER THE TOP!!!!......I SNAPPED A PICTURE AND THIS NASTY, MEAN, WOMAN APPROACHED ME AND SAID: "I DON'T ALLOW TAKING PICTURES IN MY STORE!"
SO.....MC AND I LEFT, WITH PICTURE OF UGLY CHEST AND WILL NEVER RETURN! I USED TO LIKE THAT STORE!!!! NASTY MEAN WOMAN!!!!

THIS GUY WAS IN THE BACKYARD OF AN ANTIQUE SHOP.....$275!!

IT'S STILL THERE IF YOU WANT IT!

CYDNEY'S ALLEY, IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITES. WE HAVE BOUGHT A NUMBER OF THINGS HERE, INCLUDING OUR WONDERFUL PAINTED CHEST!

MC DOES SIT HERE......

WE BOUGHT ONE THING THIS AFTERNOON. THE "CHARACTER" GOT ME....AND THE PRICE....$18! PERFECT PIECE FOR MC'S NEW TABLE

FROM CYDNEYS ALLEY

SENOIA IS FAMOUS FOR BEING THE "HOLLYWOOD OF THE SOUTH". NUMEROUS MOVIES AND TV PRODUCTIONS ARE FILMED THERE. HERE ARE A FEW OF THE "TILES" IN THE SIDEWALK NOTING THE FILMS




THIS COMING JUNE, THROUGH DECEMBER," THE SOUTHERN LIVING IDEA HOUSE" WILL BE OPENED FOR VISITORS.
THE DOLCETTO-ANS ARE PLANNING A TRIP. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT DAY WITH A WONDERFUL MEAL. MANY, MANY RESTAURANTS TO CHOOSE FROM

WE HAD A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON AND HAVE THIS TREASURE AS A REMEMBRANCE! SO PRETTY ON MC'S TABLE!!!

COLOR....DO NOT FEAR!!!!

PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF …COLOR!

Recently I have been asked to help with color choices with paint and fabric choices in some of my neighbor's homes. I am writing this Post to help with some of their questions.

To begin with, I am not a “Designer”, nor am I formally trained in design. I don't intend to instruct, teach, or preach with this blog. My purpose is to share my ideas with everyone. If at the end of the day, someone better understands the facets of design, or desires to try something new or different, my purpose has been fulfilled

Color, in my opinion, is the most important element in design. Color is everywhere. Color sets a mood. Color tells the world “Who you are”........ and Color is FUN! YES... FUN.........

Think of the colors in your home the same as you do the colors you wear. Use colors on the larger surfaces that look good on YOU. When you are surrounded by colors that compliment you …... you will feel GOOD, COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY!

The preceding thought is the reason we choose Silver Strand for all the walls in our home. I wanted a soft "effect" with light floors, and white ceilings and trim. It is a soothing blue-gray. I feel comfortable in the hue. If it were a strong color, as red, I would feel out of place! I can't wear red, or most other strong colors, and I can't live in them! If strong colors look great on you....USE THEM. You will be a happier person surrounded by the colors you love.

Believe it or not, the largest surfaces in your home are the floors and the ceilings......everyone forgets the ceilings! Then the walls! If these three are colors that make you feel good, you have mastered the puzzle! And.....they hardly ever are the same color! They contrast each other or blend ...doesn't matter. In an open floor plan it does “help” to have the colors compliment each other or be different strengths of the same color. Gives the entire space a flow!

Texture plays an important role in all of this, but that's another Post! Basically textures add interest and keep spaces alive! Again, it helps with the three important surfaces, floors, ceilings and walls, to use complimentary or similar textures. Your eye then moves smoothly through the space.

The furnishings, seating and tables, come next. This is where you can inject different colors! Mixing warm colors with cool colors, creates a good “marriage” …..keeping your home balanced. Keep in mind that the woods and metals in your home also play a part. Generally woods are warm. Metals are more flexible. Silver and chrome are cool and modern, while the golds are warm and lean towards the traditional. Again, my object in my choices were the warm of the wood tones with the hint of cool in the wall color. I have thrown in all metals......a good balance of both!!!!

IT MIGHT SOUND HARD, BUT IT ISN'T ....YOUR EYE WILL TELL YOU WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU!!!!

What about PATTERN ! Along with COLOR.....PATTERN is the next BIG fear! It has been my belief that it's easier to have your largest seating pieces with as little pattern as possible. You will not tire of it as quickly and you can add POPS of pattern in smaller seating pieces and with accessories! In addition, the TRENDS that come and go in the world of pattern can date your room. If you can change your upholstery every five years or so, then it doesn't matter......but not all of us live in that world!

Choosing the colors and patterns need to take one important factor into place....LIGHT! What amount of natural light is in the room? All color relates to the amount and manner in which light enters the space! Which direction is the room facing? Will you have the sun in the AM or the PM....makes a difference. When choosing your colors make sure the person helping you knows these facts.

My final thoughts:

USE the colors in your home that speak to YOU. When you wake up in the morning, the first thing you see is color. Wake up HAPPY!!!!

THE MOST IMPORTANT HINT I CAN PASS ALONG......

THERE ARE NO RULES

ABOVE IS A SMALL CHAIR WITH A "BANG" OF PATTERN. IT IS SURROUNDED BY LOTS OF TEXTURE IN THE GOLD PATTERN DRAPERY AND THE BLACK SHAG PILLOW. THE PURPLE LAMP AND MIRRORED TABLE ADD MORE POP!

NOW .....GO....HAVE FUN.....PUT SOME COLOR IN YOUR LIVES!

THE PERFECT COCKTAIL TABLE.....

AND.....MC BUILT IT!

For over a month I have been working in my "studio" designing the best solution to create a "Conversational" arrangement for the Great Room. The scattered seating areas didn't work. The key ... A large cocktail table. For balance and function, it needed to be 4' x 4'... centered in the room, directly under the large chandelier. Once it was in the space all the seating magically feel into place!

MC has built a beautiful table. Notice the detail on the sides! We decided to paint it black. We went back and forth on the color, but in the end, black won out. Now that it's finished and in the room, I feel confident it was the ONLY color!

MC is beginning to scare me. This "project" took less than a week!

We have to thank John Groth for the use of his truck. The 4' x 4' top would never make it into our car!!! Thank you John!!!

IT'S OK TO MIX!!

....YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO!!!!

At one time, you either had gold, silver, or another metal in one space....never more than one! Never, ever could you mix the elements!!!!!

The other day I read that today's approach is to MIX. I am so relieved!!!! Now I can have all my different "metals" without breaking any design rules! I am a happy girl! Don't tell, but I have been mixing for years!!!

It works so well. Incorporating both in one space is a great marriage of feminine and masculine! The warm of the gold compliments the cool of the silver. In addition, gold "feels" traditional, while silver sends a modern and sleek look!!! Using both, TOGETHER, creates elegance that is not stuffy or serious, and a gracefulness with a little sparkle!

Here I have used glass, gold, silver, lots of mirrors, and white wood tones . The legs of the bed are a black wood and opposite the bed is a black parson table. These elements add warmth and ground the room. The wall color keeps the room calm.

The nest of tables are made of zinc! I love them....they have over 100 uses (outside and inside)... in all different sizes. The legs are interchangeable .....What fun! I have hung the antique Family Christening Dress, framed in gold, over the tables....Gold accents with the black dining table and chest are seen in the adjoining dining room. The mixture of all the textures, painted woods and metals keeps the rooms fresh.

Perfect example of the warm and cool of silver and gold! The mirror is framed in chrome and faux leather. It reflects all the golds .....How Grand!

One of my favorite pieces. A lamp from the Flambeau Collection, Flambeau Lighting, New Orleans Style

It has silver, gold, black and taupe....perfect blend!

SO GO .....MIX IT ALL UP .....AND HAVE FUN.... LOTS OF FUN!!!!

LOVE AFFAIR WITH TUBS!!!!

WOW...I NEED ONE OF THESE.....

Where have these tubs been hiding all my life ????

I am a "Shower" Girl!!!


I thought if I ever had the opportunity, I would tear out our standard, builder tub and enlarge the shower! That has always been my plan!

UNTIL

I saw these TUBS!!!!! They are GORGEOUS!!!! Every time I open a new Traditional Home, Veranda, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles or any of the other leading magazines, there is one!!!! and.....many of them have been photographed by the fabulous photographer I met, Emily Followill!

I NEED ONE!

Never mind the practical side of this Dream!!!

Can you imagine cleaning one of these tubs? I'm sure I'd fall head first into the depth of luxury! MC would have to call 911....

I DON'T CARE....WE LIVE ONLY ONCE......I WANT ONE OF THESE TUBS!!!!!


Tradition Home, Designed by Colette van den Thillart, Photographed by Virginia MacDonald


Tradition Home, Designed by Lori Tippins, Photographed by Emily Followill



Deigned by Melanie Turner
scanned from Sales Brochure
Designed by Melanie Turner
Scanned from Website

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Photographed by Emily Followill



Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Photographed by Emily Followill

I JUST CAN'T MAKE UP MY MIND .....WHICH ONE WILL I GET!!!!

EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES!!!!

I DON'T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT!!!

I am now calling our home, The Bucket List House, My "Studio"!!! This is where I experiment and create!

Erica has suggested that when I have a disastrous "Epiphany" I need to share it. It serves as a Learning Tool for everyone. Well, Erica, I am sharing this "Learning Tool".......

Over the past month I have been rearranging furniture with more gusto than normal!! That's a feat in itself!!!!

My aim was to create different "sitting" areas in our Great Room. I wanted to create an inviting, comfortable feel to the room. A room like the one below!

I am in "Love" with this room, a Salon designed by Melanie. She has achieved perfection in scale, color and textures....along with the wonderful use of space! I set out to use this room as my "inspiration" to create a similar FEEL in the Bucket List House!


I CREATED A MONSTER

FURNITURE WAREHOUSE!!!!!

It took ...ONE SECOND..... for me to SEE the failure!

We had 15 people over yesterday. Everyone was falling over each other!!! No one could go from Point A to Point B! The "Pretty" wing back chair acted as a cave....the handy tables for drinks created Table City .....and NO ONE figured out my clever TRAFFIC PATTERN!!!! I think it needed a painted yellow line leading everyone through the room!!!!! As much as I love the idea of different sitting areas, I have to admit the room is just not 30' x 30' !!

I AM ADMITTING DEFEAT!!!!

BUT......DEFEAT IS NOT IN MY MAKE-UP. I moved all the chairs and tables out of the room and "started" from scratch with a NEW PLAN!!!! This is the point when I told MC that the house was my Studio......He fully understood, asked me not to get "paint" all over....and proceeded to his Library to read !

Shortly after midnight, I had my PLAN OF ACTION. Of course it requires MC!!!

My vision.....a 4' x 4' Cocktail Table, centered in the room. MC has agreed to build it!!!! It will be the same style as the Dining Table. The size will bring all the seating closer to the center. The secret of the success of this design is it's shape...SQUARE. Thus, eliminating the need for all those little tables! No more "sitting" areas scattered around! The room will be balanced and centered! Not original, but LIVEABLE!!!!!

WAITING FOR NEW MC MASTERPIECE

Once the new table is in the room I will "work" with the chairs and accessories.

BORED, ME........NEVER

MC..MASTER "CURTAINER"...

BUT....I AM STILL ON THAT CLOUD!!!!

Guess what??? More fun news!

MC HAS A NEW TALENT AND TITLE!!

MASTER CURTAINER

This past Saturday, MC and I went to OHCO Fabric Warehouse to search for a new fabric for the drapery panels. We looked at many and then found one that hit us both! Of course, nothing like we were out to find!!!!


A recap of MC's capabilities.... and mine also!!! Neither one of us knows how to sew, or use a sewing machine!!!! Nothing keeps us from accomplishing a project!

MC came to the rescue... ONCE MORE!

He would use IRON-ON-TAPE!!!

We purchased 18.5 yards of this damask silk .....with a dragon pattern.....BEING THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON!!! The price. $8.99 per yard!!!!

Monday morning the work commenced!!!

It took almost all afternoon for MC to finish one panel! I figured we were in for a long, dragged out week.

BUT to my surprise.....he did panel #2 that night in half the time. He was on a roll!! Bright and early on Tuesday he was back at the board!


We needed 6 panels. Four for the Dining Room and two for the Great Room. We moved the blue panels to the Kitchen.

Last night PANEL 6 WAS FINISHED !!!



AND HUNG....................

THE REVEAL .....FANTASTIC.......The entire space looks GREAT and.... NEW TRAD ......


THE DINING ROOM'S FOUR PANELS ARE HUNG ON A 12.5 FOOT ROD. THE BRACKETS KEEP THE PANELS "SEPARATED". LOVE THE EXTENSION OF THE ROD...THE LOOK IS SO DIFFERENT!
HUNG THE GREAT ROOM PANELS AT CEILING HEIGHT. DEFINES THEM FROM THE KITCHEN PANELS.

Did you all notice????? LOTS AND LOTS has changed! More Black and Gold....what fun!!!

WE DON'T WASTE!!!

All the white panels that we removed were added to the ones in the bedrooms.

Now the panels in the bedrooms resemble a tight belt with a very full skirt

WE REALLY HAVE FUN AROUND THE BUCKET LIST HOUSE..............