Monday Moment of Zen

Madrid home by Isabel Lopez-Quesada

Breathe in, breathe out. Let's get through this Monday together.

BHM in BHG

I just saw this article on Better Homes and Gardens this morning and thought I'd share! This is the Birmingham home of Doug Davis, one of the two designers making up Hannon Douglas.

I was lucky enough to visit this lovely home a few years back when it was on the IPC's home tour. The pictures don't even do it justice. Plus, he is super organized so the whole place has this very calm and orderly feel, along with being so artistic and interesting. Definitely worth a look!

Also, check out the Hannon Douglas gallery where you'll see some stylistic variations of the same spaces, as well as snapshots of their other projects.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

A little blue and white... and gold.... and green....

Around the house

I was thinking the other day that I really haven't posted many pictures of the places I've lived. I've moved around several times since I started this blog, but, this past summer, I made my biggest move so far. I'm a Southerner, born and raised, and had never truly lived outside of Alabama. Well, I fell in love and followed my heart.... and ended up in Detroit, Michigan.

Antique pier table and dictionary, urn lamp from an estate sale

I'm not gonna lie; it's been a bit of a culture shock. But one thing I love about moving is getting to settle in and nest in a new place. I love the design challenges that a new space brings.

Living room wall with a large map of my home town - still working on sofa pillows

Yes, there were the challenges of combining two people's belongings. But we've got that pretty much sorted now (aka, my stuff wins) and now I'm getting to focus on the details and the palette.

Painting by my Dad, driftwood found at my great-Grandad's lake

Chaise from the house where I grew up

Can you guess what colors I'm favoring these days?

Vases from my aunt, bottles I collected in high school, my ridiculous shelter magazine hoard

I usually tend to have about ten colors to a room, but I'm trying to reign that in a bit to make a more calm atmosphere. I will always tend towards a "more is more" way of decorating, but I try to keep things looking pretty classic and a thread of blue and white throughout a house is one great way to do that.

Bedroom gallery wall - yes, I need two dressers

Can you tell I love collecting? I love this wall in our bedroom because each piece represents a memory or someone I love.... the photograph of Alys Beach at sunset by my very talented sister, a miniature oil painting that my Mom bought me when we were at an auction together, another painting by my Dad, mementos from my travels. That, to me, is what home is all about: representing you and the life you've lived and the ones you love.

Is it spring yet?

Because I am SOOO ready.

Gorgeous California patio by Chris Barrett

Porch by Andrew Law at the District Design House

Mark D. Sikes - his Hollywood Hills garden

Mark D. Sikes - another view of the garden

Tom Scheerer

Backyard at home of Jenna Lyons

Via 1stDibs

I'm seeing more and more of these encaustic tiles these days. I love them for a patio. The Cement Tile Shop has some really pretty ones like this one called "Sofia":

Patio by Hallberg & Wiseley

Landscape by Charlotte Moss

Patio by Yvonne O'Brien

Porch by Laurie Durden via Garden & Gun

Via Southern Accents

Patio by Helene Aumont

Vignette by Richard Holley

Malibu home of Richard Shapiro

Another view and a beautiful sunset....