Honeysuckle Pink?

Yep, you heard right. Pantone's 2011 Color of the Year is Honeysuckle - a vibrant shade of bubblegum pink! Am I the only one who immediately envisioned a warm shade of sunshine yellow when Honeysuckle was announced as this year's hot color? Either way, we get 12 months of a confident, happy color that is sure to brighten any room or outfit (although it may be hard to convince some of you.) 

Here are a few spaces that respond well to this color. And although it may not be the most practical hue for your home, there are more subtle ways to incorporate it. Now, be inspired!

Moises Esquenazi

 Country Living

Eileen Kathryn Boyd

 Bierly-Drake - How serene is this?

 

You can never go wrong with Peonies!

Monday at the Mart

I was very inspired by the new pieces I saw at the Mart in Atlanta this week. I purposely made the trip on a quiet Monday so I could take my time, avoid the crowd and find exactly what I was looking for. Luckily, I found more than I anticipated! But isn't that to be expected at America's Mart??

My favorite new vendor find would have to be Gabby Home by Summer Classics. This reclaimed wood line is shabby and French inspired, but not too French. And on top of that, they are based right out of small-town Alabama, just 15 minutes north of my hometown! Gotta give props to Clanton :)

Here are some photos from Gabby and a few other lines that I will be sharing with my clients...I can already see them in place!

From Gabby Home

Urban Globes

Gold Leaf Side Table - Adorable!

Recycled Wood Cabinet, perfect for the "washed" beach house.  

And finally, the coolest footstools seen this year! 

Thanks Interlude Home!

Sea Sponge Decor

Sea Sponges as decor

(photo by Pottery Barn)

Sponge Docks

Sea Sponge Vase

Waterfront Stores of Tarpon Springs

Just recently, I took a trip to the quaint city of Tarpon Springs, FL which is the largest Greek community in the U.S. It is notably famous for it's sponge docks and Greek cuisine, which I must say, was beyond delish! As I walked around the waterfront I was completely captivated by the thousands of sea sponges overflowing from baskets in every store, inside and out. Buckets full, nets full, even boats full! 

I'm sure it's hard to believe a lifeless sponge could be so intriguing, but there were many reasons for the admiration. First of all, I never knew there was such an industry as this. Sponge divers have spent decades of their life growing and harvesting these very affordable treasures. Then I begin to notice the abundant shapes, sizes, and uses for these sponges - wool, natural, soft. They even have sponges vases! All the while, my mind's eye was envisioning every possible way to incorporate these into my interior designs. So, as a designer, I have decorated spa-inspired bathrooms with sponge-filled glass jars (did Pottery Barn steal this idea from me??). As an amateur artist, I have used them for the perfect texture for oil and acrylic painting. And as a blogger, well, I just write about them to share the charismatic find with you. 

Natural Wool Sponge

Watts Up?

Lighting is not my forte. I have never been afraid to admit that. But recently, I was so impressed with a few collections I stumbled upon, that I am quickly trying to redeem myself from all the neglect I have shown to my lighting designs! The simplicity, geometry, and golden goodness of these fixtures are irresistable. Kudos to Troy Lighting, Moth Design, and Worlds Away.

Take a peek:

Color of the Year

Turquoise! How I love thee.

I am happy to post some inspiring photos that use Pantone's Color of the Year for 2010! These are all reminders of how impactful and dramatic a little splash of color can be. So I'm encouraging you and myself to add happy spot of color this year!

Massucco Warner Miller

Domino Magazine

DecorPad

From Made by Girl

Marsh Hall, Boston University

Oh So Busy

Dear Blog...I am so sorry for neglecting you. Please forgive me and help me redeem myself with a new, interesting post.

Despite the economy, the last few weeks have been busier for me than the past year combined and I am thankful! I am very excited about the loft space in Birmingham that I will be furnishings next month and even more excited about the clubhouse in Chattanooga that I am working on from the ground up.

Some of my favorite inspiration pieces are below. I will be including them in my new spaces!

Oysters, Anyone?

For about the last 4 years, I have been admiring these two plates proped on the mantel at a friend's house, all shiney, in shades of pink and white and blue. Every time I visit her, I just have to give them a stare (as if I'm window shopping or something) because they are gorgeous! Turns out they are reproduction oyster plates - a gift from a friend - from a well known home accessories line. Well, I'm not a big fan of oysters and I wasn't much of an antique shopper back then so I didn't even know there were special plates for oysters! Now that I'm older and wiser (ha!) I am well aware of these treasures and I love them. Only thing is, when you find the real deal...they are pricey!

So, although the month of July isn't a month with an "r" in it (for those of you who may not know, that is how you determine the best time to eat oysters), I am dedicating this post to some of the most beautiful oyster plates I've come across online. Note that I only browse online because there is no way I could ever shell out $1500 for a plate! I'll just admire from a distance...