Mountain High

Kitchen by Dan Carithers

As the temperatures rise here in the South (as, I imagine, everywhere else), it makes me think of a tradition held in some parts of the country of retiring to higher ground for the summer, where the air is crisper and even a few degrees cooler makes all the difference in the world.

Foyer/hallway by Kim Winkler of Westbrook Interiors

I think a mountain house can be warm and inviting - and atmospheric in a rustic sort of way - without being cliche or overbearing in its presentation of theme. (Although a few antlers here and there are to be expected!)

Great room by Kathleen H. Rivers

The room above is from a house located in Cashiers, North Carolina. Cashiers and its close neighbor Highlands (covered by Southern Accents some years ago) are two hot spots for escapees from cities across the South (such as Charlotte, Atlanta, Charleston, and even Birmingham).

I think this room is a great example of tastefully rustic design, which Rivers says was inspired by the mellowed, layered look of English country houses. Southern antiques and handsome fabrics mix beautifully with exposed wood beams, weathered stone, and exotic tribal rugs.

Paneled bathroom by Westbrook Interiors

As you are probably beginning to see from my selection of photos, there are certain fabric patterns I favor for a rustic, mountain or lake house setting; gingham, ticking stripe, and crewel being the front-runners.

Dining area by Jane J. Marsden Antiques & Interiors

I love all the fabulous rugs used by these designers. Whether tribal or traditional oriental, rugs can really complete a room, don't you think?


Bedroom by Jill Morris



Vignette by Phoebe Howard



Guest house living area by Marshall Watson and Jeffrey Kilmer

What a beautifully eclectic room! I love how it has crewel and gingham, a fabulous mix of antiques (Swedish, Italian, English), flashes of gold accents, and those perfect lanterns. A lot of thought was given to the wall treatments, as well, where a combination of beadboard (around the fireplace) and multiple layers of pigment and glaze, applied by decorative painter Judy Mulligan, was used.

Porch by Myra Hoefer

You've got to have a place to take in the cool mountain breezes, too!

Bedroom by White Webb

When paired with a simple iron bedframe and unfussy furnishings, the crewelwork becomes the star of this elegant room.

Living room tableau by Elaine Griffin

We are finishing off the post today with a picture that, I think, perfectly exemplifies sophisticated mountain style. With a deer-head chandelier, neutral fabrics on classic furnishings, oversized hurricanes, and a grand oak-leaf arrangement, this room perfectly illustrates a theme done right!

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend (for my Stateside readers) and I hope for a great week ahead for everyone!

Baby Boom

Design by Melissa Ervin

It must be that time of year (or just my age), but it seems like everyone around me is pregnant! I am so happy for all those expectant mothers out there (my own sister included!), but, today, I want to focus on one friend in particular who has enlisted my help in her nursery design.

Like many mothers-to-be, she has a lot of different ideas of what she wants the nursery to look like: spots and stripes, animal themed, gender neutral, little boy blues all the way, etc. One design idea that she had was to do a Charleston beach-themed nursery (since she has a large family of in-laws from that lovely city). This is the idea that I immediately loved and ran with....


Design by Melissa Ervin


The first thing I did (as usual) was to gather inspirational pictures to guide me. One designer I came across early in my research was Charleston-based Melissa Ervin. Her designs were perfectly suited for this project and instantly gave me ideas for the color-scheme of the nursery: blue and green.

Paint by Benjamin Moore


I then set out to find the perfect shade for the wall color. I stumbled upon the color above, Sweet Bluette by Benjamin Moore, while perusing the Pottery Barn website for baby furniture. As the name says, it is such a sweet color: calm and soothing and perfectly suited for a baby's room.


Mahogany Etagere from Mecox Gardens


I am pretty sure she is using white baby furniture, so I felt the accent furniture in the room should provide a bit of contrast (otherwise you can end up with a washed-out look). Mahogany and other dark-stained pieces, like this gorgeous etagere from Mecox Gardens, give the whites and blues of the room a beachy Colonial look that ties in nicely to the Charleston feel. Plus, the shelves on an etagere provide extra space for baskets, blankets, books, and anything else that needs to be easily accessible.

Unknown designer

The pictures above and below are additional examples of rooms from which I gathered inspiration. I love the blend of wicker, wood, sailcloth drapes, ticking stripes, and rope above, while the photo below displays a modern, yet coastal, vignette that I found very pleasing.


Vignette by Jennifer McGee



Capiz Sconce by West Elm


Good lighting in any room is essential, but, in a nursery, it is especially important to have a variety of lighting sources that can provide a range of brightness: from soft (for bedtime) to cheerful (for playtime). Overhead lights can be so harsh, so I prefer to use lots of table and floor lamps, as well as sconces. I like the West Elm sconce above for its diffused light and beachy vibe from the strings of capiz shells, and the driftwood lamp from a local antiques store (below) because of its texture and, again, beach feel.

Driftwood lamp from Urban Suburban

So, without further ado, the following photos show my idea board (aka, my computer screen) with a collection of pieces for the nursery.

I know it is hard to make out everything in such a small picture, but I will try to describe it as best I can...

The picture above shows the curtain panels (Audry Chenille Dot in green from Pottery Barn), the driftwood lamp that would sit atop the etagere (maybe with some straw baskets below and a palm or fern plant on top), the white crib with crib sheet (Jungle Friends Crib Sheet from Pottery Barn), and green gingham bedskirt (Gingham Ruffle Crib Skirt also by Pottery Barn.... what can I say, they have awesome baby stuff!).

Again, I apologize for the poor picture quality, but, until I can figure out a better way, this is how a technologically-challenged person like me puts ideas together! The pic above shows a gorgeous palm painting by Carol Tokarski, the West Elm shell sconce (one of each would hang on either side of the painting, above a changing table that would probably also be in white), a precious little sea-creature mobile (NoJo Sea Babies Musical Mobile from Babies R Us), a comfy chair from Mecox Gardens (a must-have in a nursery), green ticking stripe fabric to cover the chair, a dark wood, barley twist table from Etsy, a nautical star floor lamp (Star Motif Floor Lamp from Mecox Gardens), and a sweet and colorful little book to read to baby at bedtime ("Mister Seahorse" by Eric Carle), all set against the Sweet Bluette wall color in the background.


Cole and Son "Palm Leaves" Wallpaper - another fun pattern that could work in this room


Obviously, there are a million more things that can be done in this nursery, but I think you can get the feel of the room from the items above and begin to imagine the soothing space it could be. I think this room shows that if you want to do a "theme" (like my friend's Charleston beach look), it doesn't have to end up looking theme-y. It can still be classic and serene, while still sweet and perfect for Baby.

I look forward to seeing what my friend actually does in the room, and I can't wait to meet her little bundle of joy, too!

Have a great week everyone! 

This girl just wants to have fun!

Living room by Jenny Keenan

I was walking by my copy of "William Yeoward At Home" just now, and it reminded me that decorating is meant to be fun. It is not brain surgery; there will be no casualties from it. (Unless designer and client come to blows, I suppose?... Ha!)


Living room by Jennie Keenan


So why not play with color, pattern, texture? Why not collect random things, just because they speak to you - whether high end or low brow?


Bedroom by Amelia Handegan

I think, in these times when so many people are burdened with hardships, it is good to remember all the wonderful things with which we are blessed (whether it be family, friends, a roof over our heads, or the pretty decorations we pour over).

Home of Christine d'Ornano of Sisley

So, as you and I look at these colorful spaces, we must remember to be confident in ourselves, be brave, and - most of all - have fun!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Walk the Line

Bedroom design by Peter Dunham

One pattern that keeps catching my eye recently is striped. I love how many variations it comes in, and how, even when saturated with color, it can still provide such a solid base for a room.


Bedroom by Peter Dunham

Ticking stripes are a popular option right now and I love the casual charm they possess.


Living room by India Hicks

Note how the lines of the wall panels are mimicked by the ticking on the cozy sofa, creating a tidy, but comfortable, look.

Carolina Herrera takes stripes in a much different direction, creating calm and order in her very elegant living room. Note how the vertical stripes on the wall really accentuate those soaring ceilings!

Bedroom by Tobi Fairley

I love how playful stripes can be, as well. Despite the boldness of the colors on the bed above, it still remains orderly and refined.

Design by Tobi Fairley

Alternately, in this sophisticated color palette of red, white, and blue, this foyer still feels fun and energetic.


Living room by Jay Jeffers

Don't those chair pillows look just like candy?


Pic courtesy of Pink Wallpaper blog


I love this very simple, yet quite lovely, dining area. The color and width of these stripes is, to me, just perfect!

Design by Chad Eisner


Chad Eisner uses a similar wide-stripe style above, but in a much more traditional setting. I love that etagere, painting, and the plaid window shades paired with the reserved stripes.


Bedroom by Katie Ridder

I love how Miss Ridder carried the smaller stripes all the way up the vaulted ceiling and then used bolder, more variegated stripes on the rug. Love those ikat drapes too!

Our last photo of the day is from the fabulous Mr. Gary Spain. His designs are so original and innovative, bold and engaging. (You must look at his website.) I get so much inspiration from looking at his designs! Anyone that can use Bertoia and Biedermeier, French country and modern, all in one space (and so beautifully) has my heart!


Living room by Gary Spain

I want to call this chair stripe "Venetian" although I'm not sure why. I guess it just seems to have that playful European style so embodied by Venetians!

Have a great day!