I want it ALL !

I guess those of us who go into design as a full time occupation (obsession) are going to be conflicted.  After all, if you love "design - the process" as I do, you can appreciate good design in any room style.  I have decided that I need at least 3 homes, maybe 4, to design for the schizophrenic that I am.  I have settled for being "eclectic"  because that's the only way I can live with all the things I love.  I am lucky that I have a studio space as well, and I have been able to design it to suit my more transitional tastes.

I thought it might be fun to dream about the other spaces I'd love to live in.

There's the Sally who loves a French country kitchen, resplendent with the colors of Provence...rich reds, oranges, bold yellows and pumpkin shades....filled with chic, well-loved-over-centuries-old "stuff" and even a chicken or two.

Then there's the cabin in the woods that I dream of.....just a precious place to go for a weekend to relax, do a little gardening, and maybe knit a new hat for the grandboys.  It's a place where Henry can go outside without scaring anyone and find rabbits to chase while I watch him from my hammock.  Anyone want to join me!

This one's in Vermont...a little far for a weekend retreat, but lovely!

  This is Heny, Big Dog.

When I'm feeling more "designer-y"  I go for a much more edited space.  I really love the spaciousness of high ceilings, restful colors and clean-lined furnishings like this living room designed by Jack Wettling and featured in Metropolitan Home

One of my favorite styles is really the process of design.  I love to build things, rebuild things and be responsible for a whole project. 

Take it down to the studs and I'm a happy girl.

Well, that's four, and I still have several to go....shabby chic, whimsical, maybe even a little Moroccan influence....guess I'll just have to do another post!

What's your favorite mix of design styles?  Please share because it might jog my memory of something else I love.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

My homage to velvets

It's almost the end of Febuary, and I can't believe that spring is just weeks away.  While I'm always glad to see the daffodills and tulips punch through the barren ground, I'm not ready to leave behind the coziness that we create in our homes during the winter months. 

Here in the south, proper young ladies of my day were taught that we didn't wear white after labor day or velvet after Easter, so while the temps are hovering around freezing, and there is still time to indulge myself, I thought I'd post some lovely applications of my favorite textile, and my distraction of the day......velvet.

Who knew ??? 

Velvet pile is created by warp or vertical yarns and velveteen pile is created by weft or fill yarns. 

Luxury personified! Velveteen upholstered walls, and in kelly green, no less! 

Love it !  Thank you, Tory Burch, for your incredible style and panache'!

Boston interior designer, Frank Roop, is a man after my own heart with this turquoise velveteen sofa.  I'm recovering two slipper chairs for my own house in almost the same color.

The lucious teal velveteen is going to turn these little slipper chairs into a real focal point in the room.   This rich shade of blue-green with the orange (Thomas Paul for Duralee) is my new fav color scheme. 

I think I would feel very pampered living in this vibrant bedroom created by Steve Shubel.  I love the combination of the black white and red, and then add in the richness of the velvet on the headboad and bed throw, and you've got a space that really plays to the senses.  Check out the unexpected pink throw on the chair.

OMG !  The combination of velvet with silk is textural heaven.   I could hang out on the sofa with this and watch the Olympics!

King Richard II of England directed in his will that his body should be clothed in "velveto" in 1399.

What a great idea!

Pink velveteen....I'm such a girl !

What's your favorite distraction today?   I hope you'll share it !

P.S.  I just found this picture on Ragland Hill Social blog and had to have it as a part of this post.  Be still my heart!!