Tuesday, December 28, 2010

I'm still here!


As my Grandmother would say..."I'm just resting my eyes".  
Recharging my batteries for a few days after a crazy busy few months.
I'll be back very soon....maybe after my nap!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Monday, December 6, 2010

Christmas trees…..Neiman Marcus Style!

Everyone has heard of Neiman Marcus, the original luxury shopping experience.  Now, any designer who is anyone has their own store on 5th Ave or Rodeo Drive (oh, and by the way, here in Texas that is pronounced RO’ dee O, not ro Day o, but that’s another story).
But Neiman’s was the first, and some say, the best.  Christmas in Dallas just wouldn’t be Christmas if you didn’t go check out the Christmas decor at Neimans, Downtown.
Well, I haven’t been there yet this year, but I took pictures of last year's trees, and I thought  you might like to see the creativity of the Neiman’s design team.
These trees greeted us when we came in on the ground floor.
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Stars were a theme on one floor.
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I love how they stuffed these in horizontally instead of hanging them.

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These “Sputnik” trees were in the children’s department.   How fun are these?
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Squares were the theme for these trees.
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Check out how they incorporated the ribbons into these trees.  What a unique look!
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Lots of lights and glam!
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I can’t wait to see what divine decor Neiman’s has done for this year! 
Sally J. Designs helps you to LOVE your home.
Contact Sally J. Designs for personal and online consultations and design services.

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas!

 White seems to be the favorite color for Christmas this year.  Sometimes it’s the little things that bring a festive feel to your holiday table. 

Love the little details!  Nothing too difficult here, but they all bring a little sparkle and punch! 

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Did you get a new idea?  My favorites are the wine glasses turned upside down to live anew as candle holders…aren’t they fun?

Sally J. Designs help you to LOVE your home!

Contact the team at Sally J. Designs for personal and online design consultations.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

25 Days and Counting

I have deliberately waited until today to post about Christmas. As you probably know, I love the fall.   I love Thanksgiving.  I love all things autumn, and while I love the Christmas season equally as well, I just like giving the fall it's "due". 

But it's December 1st, and I've moved on.

Up goes the tree and the decorations. 

Here's my holiday table.  I love to fill it with Santa's and glittery things, garland and greenery. 





Merry, Merry!!

Sally J. Designs can help you LOVE your home! 

Contact Sally J. Designs for personal and online consultations, design services and to-the trade only products.

Monday, November 29, 2010

A “Hurry, Hurry, Ding, Ding” Project!

I thought yall might like to see one of the projects I’m working on this week….and working quickly, I might add.  One of my favorite clients asked me to redo her guest bedroom BY CHRISTMAS !  But hey, where there’s a will, there’s a way!
The project is a guest bedroom.  The client has requested a blue and brown color scheme for the bedding.
I pulled together several fabrics….thought I had a beautiful selection ready to do.  And then I checked stock only to find the signature fabric that pulled the whole look together was backordered until mid January.  Since I’ve been charged to have this ready for Christmas (yikes!), that wasn’t going to work. 
So I’m on to my second set of selections.  Starting at the top and going clockwize:
Candice Olson for Kravet (those dots are actually little crystals ) #9573/6, Highland Court 800233H/273, Duralee 15107/54, Kravet 29504/115, Highland Court 800227/563.
fabric collage 1
Inspiration for the headboard is this picture frame headboard.
Beautiful Interiors in Colour or Monochromatic by Lisa Caldwell Flake and Mary Ruth Caldwell
These Euro shams in different fabrics, designed by Sandra Morgan, showcase your favorite fabrics well.
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I’m also planning to use a lovely matelasse coverlet on the bed with a tailored bedskirt.

I like a fun “tootsie roll” pillow too.
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Tall lamps to balance the high headboard would look really great.
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A beautiful piece of art is on the list….maybe a Rothko! (well, maybe a print….)
Mark Rothko
So….I have 24 days to pull this together……eat my dust!

Sally J. Designs  helps make you LOVE your home!
Contact the team at Sally J. Designs for personal and online design services and consultations.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanks Y'all !

In my first year as a design blogger, I've met some of the most wonderful friends and fellow bloggers.  I've recieved so much more from this experience than I ever expected, so I want to take this opportunity to say a very special THANK YOU to all my fans, followers and friends.

Have the best Thanksgiving ever, y'all!


Sunday, November 21, 2010

I’m Inspired!


I must look at hundreds of images every week in preparation for writing DivineDistractions.  I keep a massive image file on my laptop, and whenever I need inspiration, I go peruse a file or two. 
That’s what I’ve been doing today, and I thought it might be fun to share some pictures today of things that are inspiring me.

This dining room was designed by interior designer, Antonia Hutt.
Antonia Hutt ID 
I just made the comment in the studio last week that I was really tired of the blue and brown color scheme, and then I saw this room!  I love that she took a risk and painted the walls this rich, deep brown, and then she balanced it with these icy blue drapes.  I think the effect is just luscious, don’t you?  The white on all the woodwork and in the background of the rug join with the beautiful light coming in to make the space feel bright and cheerful. Adding in the neutral gold as a third color creates a beautiful balance.  The pink tulips provide the perfect, unexpected element to the space. 

Could this inspired you to go dark with your walls?

Kathryn Scott Designs Parker Summer house NJ
This room by Kathryn Scott Interiors, inspires me to remember to think about symmetry when I’m designing a space.  Check out all the multiples that are balanced throughout the room…..matching lantern chandeliers,  vases on the mantle, small sconces in the windows (which seems interesting to me anyway?), matching chairs facing one another, pillows on the sofa….all pairs that draw your vision to the incredible color in the art over the fireplace.  

 Surely, this art piece was the inspiration for the whole room, don’t you think?

Tom ford's apt in Manhattan
And then the masterful, Tom Ford, show us how an asymmetrical arrangement can work to draw the eye around the room as well.  Don’t you love his advice at the top of the page?  This photo inspires me to think of new and interesting ways to draw attention to the focal points in a room.

vicente wolfs home as in Lonny mag
This photo from Vicente Wolf’s home inspires a couple of ideas for me.  If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I am more Team Color than Team Neutral, but I don’t know if it’s the playfulness of the gallery wall or the amazing shot of yellow-gold in the sunflowers, but I’m liking this all white space!  I know…shocker!  I love the way the art is framed and grouped….so random, and yet SOOO planned! I’d love to have my morning coffee here if I wasn’t so afraid of spilling it on all the white!

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This must be the smallest powder room on the planet, but interior designer, Stephanie Marsh-Fillbrant, has created beauty and interest as well as functionality in a space no bigger than a closet. I’m inspired to consider difficult spaces as opportunities to think out of the box and create something that delights.  What a cool little space!

Barbara Barry
Here’s another small space bursting with personality!  The wallpaper designed by Barbara Barry (you can see it in person at my studio!) is just fun!  I love that it takes this bathroom to a whimsical place, yet it is tailored and modern and oh, so sophisticated.  I’m inspired to think of the smallest details….the ribbon over the seams, the skirt which allows us to focus on the wallpaper rather than plumbing parts, the shape of the basin which mirrors the shape of the mirror frame, the retro design of the fixtures and those tiny, precious wall sconces.  Just a very complete space!


I love a round dining table.  I love this one from John Saladino because it so represents the kind of dinners I love to have…..casual, yet elegant, mixing the simple linens with the beautiful tableware…lovely carafs of wine, comfortable seating in a majestic setting.  I love the intimacy of sitting at a round table where talking across the table is encouraged, and lingering is the order of the evening.  Delightful!!

Well, I could go on and on with inspiration photos, but the real world calls with a list as long as my arm!  I hope you enjoy taking a few moments every once in a while to just be inspired!  I hope you always find inspiration here.


Sally J. Designs can help you LOVE your home. 
We provide personal and online interior design and decorating services, so email us at Sally J. Designs for help with your home projects.


Technorati Tags: inspiration photos,interior design,dark walls,symmetry,asymmetry,balance,focal points,art,wallpaper,details,dining tables,Dallas interior designer



 

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Friday, November 12, 2010

Just one more to share....

I'm just extending my Black and White post from yesterday a bit, and offering for your viewing pleasure, a great tablescape for the season.

Have a Fab Friday, everyone!

Country Living

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Black and White – A Neutral Every One Can Love!

I was quick to ditz neutrals on the blog the other day.  It was a case of “open mouth- insert foot”  I guess!  It’s not that I hate neutrals.  I really appreciate them and love monochromatic rooms.  I just think SOME color is more interesting…..just me!
However, there is a neutral combination that always works for me because it’s a classic, fits into any trend and always looks fresh and new……..
Presenting!!!!!
BLACK AND WHITE
(I know Kathysue is doing the happy dance!)  Check out her blog and see what I mean!
Just thought I’d share some fabulous uses of black and white with you today and prove that I can see great design without a lot of color! 
Photo by Melanie Acevedo,
Photo by Melanie Acevedo

Caldwell  Flake 4
Caldwell Flake Interior Design
Diane Bergeron
Diane Bergeron, Interior Designer
Lisa Martensen ID paper  by Studio Pintworrks
Lisa Martinsen, Interior Designer
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Caldwell Flake, Interior Designers
Allessandra Branca
Alessandra Branca, Interior Designer
romo's simonii in linen.

Caldwell  Flake
Caldwell Flake, Interior Designers
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 Robin Bell Design Inc_
Robin Bell, Interior Designer
Practice what I preach…..Here’s one from us.
craig black and white
Sally J. Designs
Sally J. Designs can help you LOVE your home! 
Call or email us for personal and on-line consultations and interior design services.