Bahamian Brilliance

Now that it's summertime I often find myself daydreaming of white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and a slight breeze blowing in the air. I can just feel my toes in the sand now!

The good news for me...it won't be too long before mine really will be! I am headed on a vacation to the Bahamas soon, and while researching design in this part of the world I came across a few gorgeous island homes and started drooling! No, not really, but I think I lost my breath for a moment or two! The spaces are truly stunning.

I hope these pictures offer some relaxation to the end of your weekend and the beginning of your week. Just take a deep breath and daydream for a few moments...you deserve it!

Have a great week, and I'll be back soon...

First 3 photos: Bahamas home designed by Robert Kime

Images from Architectural Digest

Joe Tilson artwork above a butcher table - fabulous!

Footed tub=my favorite!

Next 3 Photos: Bahamas dome designed by Lubrano Ciavarra Design

Images from Architectural Digest

  

These shutter doors give a sleek and modern

feel in an otherwise traditional setting.

Last 5 photos: Caribbean home of designer Piet Boon 

Images from The Style Files

A punch of color :)

Look at those views!

Rubber Duckie, you're the one...

My niece, Elleigh, is turning one and had her first birthday party today. The theme: "Rubber Duckie." Joanna (AKA-my sister and Elleigh's mom) worked hard to get everything together and had her home looking fabulous and festive for the party. Everyone had a great time celebrating, and I am so happy I got to share in such a special day. I am blessed beyond belief with great family and a precious niece :) 

Happy Birthday, Sweet Elleigh! I love you!

Me and Elleigh

Party Favors = Rubber Duckies and Bath Bubbles

Party Table

Birthday Cake - my favorite!

Banner with a photo of Elleigh from each month (birth-to-1 year)

Me and Joanna

Invitation design and watercolor by Joanna. 

Visit her stationery company, Unink Design.

In other news, I just purchased these swimsuits for my upcoming trip to the Caribbean! They are both from Target...one of my regular "go-to" stores :)

Loving the one piece this year, and yellow is my favorite color!

Wild Blue Yonder

After reading the most current issue of Luxe Interior+Design magazine that featured Mary McDonald's blue guest house living space (first photo below), I couldn't help but fall in love with this classic, stately color all over again.

What are your feelings on blue? Have you used it in your home or projects? If so, I would love to see how you have incorporated this noble color!

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Images from 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Using dark blue for your interior can create feelings of:

1) Relaxation

2) Enthusiasm

3) Organization & Order

4) Strength of mind

Some tips when using blue:

1) Good for working zones as it creates feelings of organization.

2) Using light blue on a ceiling can make a space seem more spacious and expansive.

3) Not recommended for rooms where the windows leave to the east and west. This will make your space seem dark and gloomy.

4) Paired with gold = magnificent and noble.

5) Paired with yellow = pleasure.

6) Paired with grey = warm and cozy.

7) Great for children's spaces as it creates a high-tech, modernist space.

Lamps, Camera, Action!

For my birthday this past weekend, Collin (AKA-my sweet husband) gave me just the gift I had been wishing for...a Nikon D3000 camera! I wanted a more "high-tech" camera that has all of the settings and gadgets I can use to create better quality images. Now, I've just got to pull those college photography lessons out of my brain and remember how to use this super cool piece of equipment.

In other news, I purchased 2 new lamps for our home and took some photos of them with the new camera. Both lamps are from Arteriors and neutral in color - bringing a more contemporary twist to our living room and keeping room. I just love them!

Needless to say, I am one happy woman with my camera and lamps! This is the stuff dreams are made of, right??

(Below) Living Room

(Below) Keeping Room

(Below) The camera!

And the winner is...

I didn't attend NeoCon this year so I was especially anxious to find out which products won the coveted awards.

For those of you that are not familiar with NeoCon, it is a world's trade fair that is held once a year at the Chicago Merchandise Mart and features over 700 showrooms and exhibitors (corporate, residential, healthcare, hospitality, etc) that debut their newest products for the year. It is absolutely amazing to see the floors and floors (25 to be exact!) of different products, and the showrooms themselves are pure works of art! As the event website says, "It's where the design world comes together" - other than through blogging of course :)

Here are some of my favorite winners from this year:

Pluto Bench by Leland

Benches: Silver Award

The Notan Collection by Milliken-Constantine Carpet

Modular Tile Carpet: Innovation Award

Kids Glass by Skyline Design

Architectural Products: Gold Award

DR Desk by Jofco

Casegoods: Editors' Choice

Ronarte Collection by Knoll Luxe

Upholstery: Gold Award

Very Task Chair by Haworth

Conference Seating: Gold Award

Element by Humanscale

Task/Desktop/Furniture Lighting: Silver Award

On a side note: Thanks to all of you who have been reading and commenting on my blog, and a special thanks to all of you who have become followers! I appreciate the support very much...it means the world!

India Inspired Goodness

Fabric! It's an obsession of mine, and I've recently become acquainted with Malabar - a trade company (with distributors worldwide) that has dynamite patterns as well as a line of paint colors and China Grass wallcoverings that are all inspired from west India traditions. They offer damasks, cut velvets, embroideries, sheers - the list goes on and on. I'm telling you - it's out of this world!

Ooh la la! I would love to hear from you on some of your favorite fabric lines :)