Planning Ahead This Year

I have a Facebook friend who's been posting Christmas holiday stuff that has been appearing way too early on the shelves - even eggnog if you can believe it!  However, it reminded me that this year I don't want to wait until it's too late to get  The Original Starry String Lights  and a Bag-O-Frosted Topiaries Trees so I can make the shadowbox I wanted last year (this inspiration one is from Terrain)

Is there a Holiday project you've been wanting to do but always seem to run out of time for?

Concealing a TV In Open Shelves

Want to make your TV less noticeable?  These designers prove you don't need cabinet doors or moving panels - you can "hide' them out in the open if you limit the contrast from the tv to the surrounding shelves.  Designer Bryan Patrick Flynn  ( HGTV Remodels) proves it with horizontal and vertical stacked books and Capella Kincheloe shows the way with dark painted shelving backing.  

Pattern on Pattern!

Pattern on pattern in this bedroom designed by Cathy Kincaid for the 2010 Ft. Worth show house.  The wallpapers and fabrics are original designs by Sister Parish and Albert Hadley.  (images via Houses Gardens People)

Here's a few more from her portfolio.  So gorgeous.

Ikea Discontinues Akurum Kitchen - Hello Sektion

Have you heard? Ikea is discontinuing the AKURUM cabinets that have been around since 1995 and switching over to their new system, SEKTION, starting Feb 2, 2015.  I'm thinking Sektion is slightly easier to pronounce than Akurum, so that's good.  What's the difference?  Ikea says that Sektion is a more modular system which will offer new opportunities to use the interior space inside each cabinet. Looks like the wall mounting rail will also be used on the base cabinets, not just the uppers,  and their will be a new system for integrated lighting.

Now for the big question - Is the new system compatible with Akurum? No, and Ikea goes on to say if you want to add to your AKURUM kitchen or purchase replacement parts (that wouldn’t be covered by the warranty), you should do that by February 1, 2015. IKEA will continue to honor the 25 year limited warranty on AKURUM kitchens.

So what are the new cabinets going to look like?  They haven't released any photos of Sektion that I've seen but here are some pics of  Metod - a new system that's been available in Europe for the last year+ and said to be  a good indicator of what Sektion will be like. From what I can see, it looks pretty good.

The integrated lighting

Yesterday was Week 4 of Linda's  One Room Challenge and these bloggers are turning out some amazing rooms!  Can't wait for the reveals.  Be sure to check out the ORC Linking Event too!

glassybaby here in DC October 24th!

If you're in the DC area, good news!   glassybaby is making a stop here on their glassroots tour  - bringing glassybaby to cities that don’t have brick and mortar stores. 

WHEN & WHERE:
Friday, October 24, 2014
2:30-5:30pm
Conservation International
2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500,
Arlington VA 22202
10% of all sales will be donated to Conservation International to support their mission to protect nature for the benefit of everyone on earth.

The first time I heard of glassybaby was when a friend, originally from the Seattle area, gave me one as a hostess gift. Instant love. Founded in 2001 by three-time cancer survivor Lee Rhodes, glassybaby has focused on giving since the beginning. 10% of the revenue from each glassybaby goes to causes dedicated to hope and healing. so far, glassybaby has donated more than $2 million. every glassybaby gives.

my glassy baby - Hudson

If you don't live near any of their tour stops, you can shop for your glassybaby here.

White Kitchen Love

Love this kitchen!   My three favorite elements are the molding on the soffits, the gorgeous bone white color of the cabinets and the beautiful Ocean Blue antiqued limestone on the island counter.  Design by the Canadian firm Style de Vie Design, more images here. 

Fessing Up Over at LBD!

Today I'm over at Little Black Door for Fess Up Friday. Thank you to Elizabeth for including me in the fun!  Above is a clue - any guesses?  Also be sure to head over and check out Elizabeth's great news - her charming and beautifully decorated home is featured in Better Homes and Gardens Refresh magazine!    Hope you have a great weekend. Michele

Sarah Richardson's Book & New Releases!

How did I not know Sarah Richardson's first book, Sarah Style, is about to be released!  I know, hard to believe this is her 1st book considering her amazing career and huge fan base.  It's out Nov 4th and is currently priced on amazon for only $18.30.  Can't wait for mine to arrive.

Erin Gates is currently on an 11 city tour with her first book, Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life.   I was all set to go to her book signing this past Friday and then something came up.  Love that her book includes not just beautiful designs but poignant as well as funny insights into her life as well.  Also absolutely love this foyer!

Just realizing the theme continues with first books with Nancy Braithwaite's just released Nancy Braithwaite: Simplicity and Markham Roberts Decorating the Way I See It.  This is shaping up to be a great fall for design reads!

Artful Frames & Mirrors: P.H. Miller Studio

While at the Waterford Festival the other week, I came across the most amazing display of handcrafted mirrors and frames by P. H. Miller Studio, formerly of CT and now recently relocated to Berryville, Va.  I only wish my photos did these pieces better justice.  The mirror above is a beautiful combination of modern and antique and I'm in love with the two simple gold wire sconces that flank each side.  Peter H. Miller, the artist and craftsman behind these pieces, creates period appropriate and historically inspired hand made, carved, water gilded artisan frames for paintings and mirrors in the same spirit and techniques used by American frame-makers in the early 20th century and their European predecessors. Here's a close-up of a custom frame he was working on during the festival.  He mentioned to me that there are only a few people in America working with these same techniques.

Right now P.H. Miller Studios is in the selection process for Chase's Mission Main St Grants program that will award twenty (20) small businesses with grants of $150,000.   Hope you'll help Peter make it to the next round by VOTING HERE - they're just a few votes short of the 250 needed.  Voting ends 10/17.

Heads Up: 50% off Cross Bottle Guy Sale

Just in case you haven't heard, Artie Vanderpool of Color Outside the Lines - aka the Cross Bottle Guy is having a big sale on his Cross Bottle Collection. His bottles are beautifully made using an  antique copper foil stained glass method and, along with crosses, he creates other unique bottles too. Here's my coral and shell ones that I love.  

All bottles are 50% off and would make perfect holiday gifts!  Be sure to check it out starting at 9 am  October 11 - 13.  

The Cross Bottle Guy