Sista...sista...

I'm baaack! Jeff and I are home from our trip to Chicago and Indianapolis. Though I have never left the kids for that long, we had fun! My sista is in Chicago and we got to visit before J & I headed to a wedding in Indy.

While we were there, I had to snap a few pics of my sista's VERY ECLECTIC COOL HOUSE! She loves color, art, layers, Buddha, photos, books... you'll see!

This is the view from her foyer... color, texture, art EVERYWHERE!

Don't forget your window sills! If there is a horizontal surface, it is an opportunity for something! I am diggin the wooden heads especially when you can see them from outside.

The bar is our great grandmothers tea cart. My sistas southern roots show through all over the house. The booze sits on a pretty silver tray while a turkey platter from my grandmother fills the bottom shelf.

Buddha, a bible, some random relative, our great grandmother's  mink stole, and longhorns all live in harmony in her bookcase. Less is more is not welcome here. I love her ability to layer. Don't you think it all works?

I spy... the leather chair from the barn sale!

Her dining room is simple and pretty. Though she is DYING to replace the light fixture, the craftsman vibe of it seems to work. The room is anchored by cow hides (see, we are related) while photography from some the greats line the walls...

Her cabinet is filled with china and crystal. When we have wine, I get to pick my glass... She always asks  if I want to be one of our Grandmothers or great Grandmother... (I like drinking from my great grandmothers glasses!) The pheasants were always on my grandparent's mantle and I have the matching lantern from my Grandmother.

Beth's (Elizabeth to some) house is fun and filled! Her house is a perfect reflection of the fun family with in! (I'm not biased) I loved being with them and can not wait to show you more of her space... stay tuned!

Happy Tuesday

Bye, bye birdie.

~A

Bargain Round up

I've been working on some projects and shopping for great deals. I wanted to pass some of them along, because I can't keep them all to myself!

 This lounge chair is on sale for $280.99 at Home Decorators. It comes in 3 finishes (black, gray and antique blue). It's hard to decide which I like better!

 I love this image from Matter's of Style and a Parson's bookcase can go anywhere.

 Imagine this $173.99 version from Home Decorators filled with books/statues...anything!

And flank it with these. They are to die for and no, they are NOT a good deal. They are on One Kings Lane right now, but could so easily be recreated. Buy a pair of wing backs on Craigslist and reupholster them. Aren't they yummy? I may just have to recreate them...

 These Vincent dining chairs from Ballard Designs are $269.99. FOR THE PAIR!

These bar beauties are from, drumroll please... Target. Oh yeah, and they are $99. 

I've been searching high and low for affordable lighting. Isn't this a great flush mount fixture? It's $159 on One Kings Lane and could spruce up any room.

What about you, have you seen any good deals lately? Pass them on...

TGIF

bye bye birdie,

~H

credit to: One Kings Lane, Matters of Style, Target, Ballard Designs, Home Decorators

A New Old Ranch...

Thursday and Friday the girlies and I hit the road for some mother daughter bonding. We headed to my college friend, Laura Lynn's house in Chapel Hill. She and her husband recently purchased and gutted his childhood home. It was an average 60's ranch in a beautiful green rolling Chapel Hill setting. With a toddler, they wanted a more open concept family friendly home. I literally got there the day after they moved in so I promised not to show all the rooms (I promise a before and after post later!)

So come on in...

Wish I had the before... seriously, this was a ranch!

Of course I couldn't come with out painting something! Pale blue and grey zig zags make the mud room fun!

 (I love the light fixture they found... AND the old door leading to the laundry room)

For them, it was all about the details and bringing in the natural light...

Enter the Master bath...

marble floors, claw foot tub, I so wanted to take a bath but thought asking might be a little awkward!

Opposite the tub are his and her vanities. I spy with my little eye... barn wood! Yes, Soundside carpentry made some beautiful tops that look amazing next to the old pine doors. Love the old glass in the transom above the doors!

 I told my husband Chad and Laura Lynn now have my dream kitchen... simple and pretty.

The cabinets are a light grey while the island makes a statement in a greyed out teal...

If that was my new gas range I would definatly cook more. (Jeff, are you reading this?)  The range is now located against the old garage wall. Laura Lynn had it painted white and used a white subway in a herringbone pattern on the other 3 walls...

Apron front stainless sink (does it get any better?) You can never go wrong when industrial meets farm...

One of my fave things is this piece of furniture that they have had forever. It looks like they designed the space around it. It makes for great storage and is much better storing cookbooks and platters then blood. Yes, it is an antique blood bank out of a hospital. I have always coveted this piece!

Can't wait to show you more... Thanks Chad and Laura Lynn for letting us spring break at your new old house!

Don't ya love??? Whats your fave part?

Happy Tuesday

Bye, bye birdie,

~A

credit: Soundside Carpentry

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! You may remember a guest post we did last year on House of Turquoise. See here.

We wanted to share this Spring Table with you (again) and wish you a very Happy Easter! 

Remember Ann's beautiful mural? For those of you that wanted to know, it is not wallpaper. Ann painted this!

Have a wonderful day with friends and family!

Bye bye birdie,

A&H

My old new desk....

I'm not going to be jealous that Hooper is still at Bald Head... I am happy for her... really, I am. My vacay is next week- Jeff and I are flying to Chicago to see my sis and fam and then on to Indy for a wedding. Alone. We are leaving all 4 kids here with friends and fam and blazing. We have never done that... ever. Check back in next week and see how I'm doing.

Anyhoo, While my girlies have been off this week (poor Jackson didn't get the week off...) I have been spring cleaning rearranging.

I finally got my secretary in my living room and my computer in my sun room. It's starting to feel like a grown up house

Remember this? See here.

and the winner is....

the lucite shield chair!

 

Remember these? See here.

I had lots of interest in these lamps BUT in the end we couldn't part. I've never had 2 lamps on my sideboard before. I'm not one for symmetry however I love these lamps so much -they both made the cut! Thinking about a DIY cork shade project- (I'll keep you posted)

Moving furniture and vacuuming  really took a lot out of me sooo I think today I'll go relax on the beach...

Happy Wednesday!

Bye, bye birdie,

~A

Moving on to the dining room...

My favorite house - TOUR

You can only imagine my reaction when I took a tour of our close family friends' beach house. The interiors were designed by her incredibly talented niece, Caroline Brackett of CBB Interiors, and every inch of this beautiful home reflects the family that lives there. Caroline nailed the homeowner's love of color (and mine)! This house takes my breath away so I wanted to take you on a tour.  

Have you ever seen such a beautiful aquarium? It is living art -- bringing the outside in. Literally.

Speechless, right? All of the upholstery is done in white Sunbrella. It just feels so fresh with the bold pops of turquoise. I adore the Oly Studio coffee table because it adds great texture to the space. 

Note the dining room mirrored wall and fab art work.

  I could curl right up and read a book. 

 It is hard to pick a favorite bedroom, but this one is up there for me. The high gloss white wood floors are crisp and lovely. You know how I adore a painted floor...

 And painted walls...

The tile in the kitchen is stunning and perfect...

 right down to the very last detail.

 And, did I mention the view?

 The master bedroom is so peaceful and beautiful.

 It's truly difficult to pick my favorite room in her house because I love them all. Each is like a jewelry box, accented down to the tiniest detail. 

Isn't it exquisite? Even as a child, I loved her brightly colored spaces so when she and Caroline took on this project, I knew it would be phenomenal.
Bye bye birdie,
~H


Credit to: Wrightsville Beach Magazine, CBB Interiors

Spring Break 2012

When I was a little girl, we spent the summers at Bald Head Island. It was quite the adventure back then (we won't say how long ago). No phones, TV's, no stores, shops, restaurants. It was good old fashioned fun. We spent the days looking for shells, alligators, catching turtles, swimming and exploring. Now it has the convenience of a grocery store, clubs, pools and planned activities and we try to take our children as often as we can so... Spring Break... here we come! I have gotten in a very bad habit of selecting a vacation rental based on decor. Not sure this is how most (including my hubby) would go about the process. Price, location, proximity to the water/golf/attractions. Not me. Check out this completely remodeled villa where we will be spending Spring Break!

 They had me at the Egg chair. 

 Hello! How long have I wanted a swinging bed (ok that sounded bad). 

 Driftwood mirror AND and amazing outdoor space? My husband saw the TV and that's all it took.

 West Elm zig-zag... 

 I love how they did the built-in bunks -- perfect for all of my kids. 

Isn't it just divine! I can't wait to tell you all about it! 
Bye bye birdie,
~H


credit to: Tiffany's Rentals, Villa 28