raving over raffia

my love of raffia and/or grasscloth started with Phillip Jefferies!! it has so much interest to your space with lots of texture. it is also a great item to add to your spaces for summer.

photo via House Beautiful

chair form Oly Studio

tray from west elm

side table from oomph

ottoman from oomph

bench from vangaurd

raffia covered beds from Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper

a scouting i WANT to go!!

this is SUCH a fantastic idea from a little town called Charlottesville, Virginia!

this is issued every few months by a local shop owner to advertise fellow local businesses. here is what they are all about:

Definition SCOUT:

Lookout: a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

A Boy Scout or Girl Scout

Someone employed to discover and recruit talented persons

Explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody

Someone who can find paths through unexplored territory

My goal is to promote local business and help to maintain Charlottesville as a unique and interesting place to live.

WE MUST SHOP LOCALLY if we want to keep Charlottesville unique.

I hope to open up the doors to the small artist studios and inside information around town that will inspire you to shop at home. We can make a difference.

Thanks for your help.

-Susie Matheson, your local shopping scout

coffee talk!

when arranging a nice mix of items for coffee tables, I often reach to items such as these for my clients. multiple textures, colors and heights...this creates a collected look. how will you ever decide??

something green (living plant or fresh flowers)...orchid, fern, peonies, hydrangeas, etc.

candy jar...love this one with a modern monogram!

i could see some bright lemon drops for summer!! found this one at the crystal shop.

a tray makes all these items feel important and neat...i love these items but not clutter!!

this raffia covered tray is genius from west elm.

coffee table books...a group of three is best! this one is just my style...great images and who doesn't love a man's best friend.

big candles...these are wonderful to have around so if company just stops by or you want to enjoy it all by yourself...you can light them up! this one is found at anthropologie. I have one of this in my home and love it!!

and of course have an element of curiosity, such as an antique) or from nature (crystal, rock, etc). this lovely box is from karen roberts collection. it has color, texture and a great hiding spot for tv controls!! hope you found these ideas useful and have been inspired to refresh your own coffee table!

fill'er up

seems like i get the question often: "what items do enjoy accessorizing with?" to that i respond with BOOKS!, candles, trays, fresh flowers/live plants, odd found pieces (old print block, shell, etc.) vases and of course vase fillers! here are a few of my personal faves to use...hope you find them useful!

fresh or faux fruit - pottery barn is the best source for faux

cranberries are festive for the christmas season as fillers in vases and your drink!

pottery barn

shells are a great way to incorporate a little bit of nature in your space

during the hot summer months!

squash and gourd add subtle, monochromatic scheme for the fall.

ceramic alphabet or number balls are wonderful year-round

as are these colorful moss covered rocks

going banana's over balloons!!

In honor of my little monkey's 1st birthday party being featured on Amy Atlas' blog and Kara's Party Ideas. I wanted to post about where the balloon wreath idea came from: how does she? Wonderful step-by-step instructions on how EASY it is to put together. (pretty certain i ended up using more than 144 of those little guys tho and had a sore thumb to show for it) You can always change the colors you choose to coordinate with your party's theme. enjoy!!

the bold and the beautiful

the epitome of "tradish with a twist"...traditional furniture lines and lots of symmetry with a modern and oh so fresh use of color...tobi fairley interior design!! a force to be recognized in the world of interiors. she has a remarkable eye and an approachable style that makes her designs so inviting and easy to obtain.

I have been inspired by her "InBox Interiors" which offers a easy to follow design plan for home owners, like yourself. the idea is simple - you provide measurements, photos and your design style desired for a particular space, then let you designer provide you with floor plan, budget and where to get all the pieces to pull it together. No face to face meeting it's just all via email and the final product arrives on your door step. It's GENIUS! Rates vary depending on size of space and how difficult to complete (i.e. Hallway $400, Kitchen $1800) Please email (courtneyadamsdesign@gmail.com) when you are ready to begin!

all images via redo it design and traditional home

might she be the cutest designer you've ever seen! precious!!

i recognize an adorable floor lamp from stray dog designs!

tobi with her daughter ellison...lucky girl!

i want to be just like tobi when i grow up!

creative canvas

these two images are of baby showers i have thrown for two friends that i painted these canvas to not only serve a decor during the shower but to be a gift for them to use if they would like in their homes. i would like to offer this to others who may be interested. just shoot me an email and we can discuss all the details: courtneyadams81@gmail.com options of design and colors are endless!!

groovy grosgrain

via domino

via domino

via domino

via gervasoni

via gervasoni

love the different uses for grosgrain ribbon!

please send me more if you have some favs...

nutty for nailheads

i am in love with these nailhead ideas...so unique whether it's the application of the zebra on doors from Paul Costello, the pattern on bed from Shine Home or the square wall upholstery pattern for this room (not sure which shelter magazine?). would love to use each of these in my own home!!