B&A: guest bedroom

As I said, I have been slowly working on a reveal post for one of Melrose's guest bedrooms and I finally have all my pictures together! It really isn't that special, but I still wanted to show some before and after photos. Maybe you will think it is special! Here is the room when we first moved into Melrose ... very pink-i-licious, right!?

Can you believe I sold that fabulous fan in our yard sale for $15!?

And, here is the new room! Awhile back I hinted at a project using an ikat stencil, well, that project got vetoed once I saw these curtains. I had been eying them for awhile and they eventually went on sale - plus I received an awesome gift card from my SIL so I was sold! I think they really tie in the colors in my painting and the soft mauve on the walls. The antlers are from etsy and believe it or not, they are from Alabama!

I ordered the John Robshaw quilt and shams from One Kings Lane and paired it with a coverlet from Pottery Barn. Again, the gold bedding picks up the yellow tones in the painting above. I found this deep teal bolster pillow at World Market for a perfect accent pillow.

I love this pretty little dried arrangement from floresdelsol. It adds texture to the room, but is neutral enough to not overpower the bold, floral drapes. This etsy shop has a lot of great options and even some bright colors!

I don't even remember where I initially saw these rustic swing arm sconces, but I fell in love with them from the start. I knew they would be perfect for this room because the bedside tables are so small and don't leave much room for table lamps. Hanging them was very tricky, but they haven't fallen off the wall yet! If you are interested in purchasing some, search around on the web because I found a Nashville dealer that shipped them to me for an amazing price!

My revised work area where I create all my the good stuff designs! I love the gold picture light above my inspiration board and I hope to get a brass desk lamp to match. I posted a long time ago about this work area, but it has evolved since seeing other inspiring offices. I promise you, it doesn't stay nearly this tidy!

Some fun pictures of friends and family, calligraphy inspiration, beautiful design pieces, and my most recent project - the backyard design!

I am on the lookout for a rug to add and possibly 2 stools to sit under the large window. I feel like the window seems so empty and needs something, but maybe once I get a rug it will look more "complete". Any suggestions? Please share! 

INSPIRATION BOARDS of inspiration

I'm putting together a post of before and after pictures of Melrose's guest bedroom, I posted a sneak peek here at the end of my master bedroom reveal, and in the meantime I wanted to share some inspirational pictures of amazing inspiration boards. If you remember -- long, long ago I posted about the office space I created in this guest bedroom. It has come quite far since that post and I think you will be pleasantly surprised! Until the full reveal, here are some pretty inspirational office images.

 lilly pulitzer inspiration board via lonny mag

 via decor8

super cute office of bash, please

 via

 amber interiors' office

Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr's offices of who what wear

all other sources via my pinterest board

BLACK & WHITE FLOWERS

I have posted about my lust for black and white stripes, but now I want to share my adoration for black and white flowers. One pattern to be exact - Schumacher's Pyne Hollyhock print. I am in love with it. Ever since I saw Michelle Adams', Lonny Editor in Chief, office makeover in the May/June 2011 Lonny issue, I have been obsessed. I'm telling you now, if I have a baby girl, this will be what her nursery is based off of. It is so classic, but can be used in a contemporary way with the right decor and accent patterns. Check it out for yourself:

I guess Michelle Adams has a love for the chintz pattern as well, because she used it again in her New York apart in the recent issue of Lonny. She designed a fabulous, inexpensive canopy bed with some industrial pipe rods. I also love how she unexpectedly paired it with some leopard footstools. It is a daring combination, but it is perfect. 

New York Space's Magazine also featured this fabric in Joel Woodard's study for the Mansion in May Showroom and Gardens. His tailored curtains are beautiful in this black and white toned room. 

The Pyne Hollyhock print is available in three colors: charcoal, tobacco, and indigo. The charcoal is obviously my favorite, but I have found another alternative color-way produced by House of Hackney - Dalston Rose in navy. Another nice chintz pattern to keep for future reference! This pattern is available in a multitude of options too. 

BACKYARD PROJECT: final shots

I'm pretty much at a point where I consider the backyard complete, except for maybe hanging a mason jar chandelier from my wedding and adding black and white stripes, so I wanted to share some final pictures I took. I am more than happy with the end result, and as soon as the temperature drops a few more degrees (Alabama heat is miserable!) I will be spending every afternoon out here! And, once it is chilly enough to build a fire, I know we will enjoy the fireplace a lot as well. I'll try to snap a picture of the pergola at night, because the lighting is fabulous. 

If you have forgotten what I was working with, here are a few before pictures (pardon my iphone):

If you missed the update process, then click here, otherwise here is Melrose's new backyard!

Do you see the copper lighting in the corner of the pergola we installed? 

Do you like my boxwoods? I'm still practicing my shaping technique!

So, what do you think? Does it look like my inspiration? I can't wait 'til the entire pergola is covered with the jasmine! Mmm ... I can smell it now! And combined with the tea olives and gardenias, it should smell heavenly back here. 

If any of ya'll are interested in the sources, let me know and I'll do a follow up posts with the links. Have a great week!

BABY SHOWER INVITATION

Hi all! Here is a recent baby shower invitation I designed using my calligraphy and some watercolor flowers. The invitation turned out so sweet and dainty and the spring color palette really topped it off. 

If you are interested in custom design work, please feel free to contact me!