Warm Woods Mixed With High Gloss Color

Spring really is here, we just don't know it yet. Lovin these painted chairs/tables mixed with the warm woods. Organic + Modern + a sign of

I just realized it yesterday when my sister, Julie, pulled me out of my indoor rut. She grabbed me to go for a drive to look for fresh, pliable grapevine. Yes, you heard that right...grapevine...I took on a job that I wished I had not.

I agreed to make grapevine valances for a dear old friend who loves Victorian decor. I thought it would be simple, fun, and give me a change of scenery for a day or two. I purchased my supplies at the wholesale floral shop, came home, and began trying to unravel the store bought grapevine wreaths. Utter crackly mess!! I got in a bad mood. A real bad mood. Will even tried to tell me to talk me out of my bad mood...he said to go on a drive to look for it, just like my mom used to do. I told him I didn't want to waste hours looking for grapevine in my whiny voice. {Sorry, Will. You were right.}

Julie came by and picked me up, in my Wellies and clippers.

We had fun driving down alleys thru all the huge, muddy, pot-holed puddles. We remembered the good old days when mom would take us to find grapevine and then we'd make loads and loads of grapevine wreaths to sell on our street corner. Mom was ahead of her time and so creative. People snatched those wreaths up as fast as we made them.

It didn't take long for Julie and I to find an abandoned old property in the center of town. The house sits on a property that has been zoned to be torn down due to a flood that continually rips thru that flood plain. We ventured onto the large 'countrified' property and discovered a sweet little pond with a momma and papa duck sitting quietly {A real sign of spring}. AND...Sitting next to it, a sweet patch of honeysuckle w/pliable, green centered vines + grapevine! We pulled and tugged just like mom. Took all of an hour to feel invigorated and restored.

Spring has sprung. What new things are you doingthis spring?

{images via Skona Hem, Coco and Kelley and Elle Decor}

Happy Spring, darlings!

xo

S

Little Lunalu

Hey, moms of little ones...What are your favorite kid/baby sites? Nursery Decor blogs? Do share.

I love the adorable and stylishly hip Little Lunalu. I saw this picture of a little hamburger joint over on her blog...It's in the UK, where the mom/author lives and operates her own little shop. I think T'would be so fun to sip a milkshake while sitting on one of those barstools. Don't you?

Little Lunalu has asked me to share the finished nursery I've been working on. I will hopefully be wrapping that up in the upcoming weeks. Meanwhile, I'm busy planning for Easter Tablescapes, and Kid's tables for all of the upcoming spring weddings I've got going on. I've decided to create a "BE LOUD" table for the little ones. Doing the Dont's, I know.

Hope you are having a lovely week, loves!

xo~S

The Secret Garden: Robert Shapiro

Without a doubt, I think everyone and their next door neighbor's dog is ready for spring, and gosh darnit... I wish I had this garden!! I just nearly flipped when I saw this article in May 2009 Elle Decor Issue.
In the heart of bustling L.A., Richard Shapiro has created a paradise. 700 boxwood ago, this property was just another Southern California back yard with a manicured lawn, some palm trees, and a 1950's swimming pool. The image of the pool situated in front of the Roman Style temple {portico} nearly took my breath away. The pool has been painted algae green and the stones have been distressed. A stunning recreation.

Definitely could've fooled me. I thought this paradise was set in Europe. Did you?

Mr. Will has been itching to ready our North side yard up like this one. We went to a green house auction last weekend and came home with lots of evergreen trees and bushes. Some of the trees are half dead, but if anybody can bring 'em back to life, Will will. That's his name.

So, What are your spring plans? Any garden projects?

Images by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Happy week to you, darlings!

Sharon Taylor Designs is featured on Hostess With the Mostess

I know a lot of you have seen the images from this baby shower, but

I just had to share the blog love we just received from Jenn over @ Hostess With the Mostess. She featured the vintage circus baby shower that photographer, Janae Hardy captured for us.

Jenn made us look and sound so great with her complimentary words and wonderful text. Thank you Jenn and Jenn S!! To read the feature, click here.

I'll be working on the Staxx Windows this week. Spring Skies is the theme. Deadline for installation is Tuesday at high noon.

Have a wonderful day, darlings!!

xo

s

Pal + Smith Design Crush

Melissa and Marc Palazzo of Pal + Smith have the coolest house ever! Cool and Genius. Their whole house just oozes with eye candy...and this bedroom and everything in it, starting with the oversized turquoise lamps and colorful rugs are really taking a huge, huge tug at my heart. P.S. They have a really clever website too.

{images via Ruby Press}

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. I took on a wonderful old client {friend} that wants grapevine valances plus oodles of fake fruits and ivy. Waiting for the motivation to zap me.

Have a wonderful week!

xo

sharon

...More Canopy Love

The same day I had the nursery pelmet/canopy installation, I popped over to Tobi Fairley's blog.

Tobi is an amazing designer I've been following for a year now. She's based in Little Rock Arkansas. Anyway, back to what I was saying about popping onto her blog that day...I was so happy to discover all these beautiful gems that she had posted on her Day 24 Things She Loves. I can't decide which one I like the best. What about you?

Images from Phoebe Howard, Kelly Wearstler, Mary McDonald, Katie Ridder, Palmer Weiss, and Windsor Smith {Some of my all time fave designers} Hope you all have a dandy weekend!

I will be working both days this weekend. Another portion of the installation @ the bebe nursery on Saturday, and then a pink baby shower on Sunday {in the panoramic wallpaper dining room of my client's}.

xo

sharon

Canopy Love

I haven't posted in a while. I've been so busy that I can't keep up with basic e-mails and phone calls.

Here's an update on my client's bebe nursery. It's finally starting to come together. She's due any day, and we still have yet to put the finishing touches in place. The pelmet/Canopy turned out exactly as I imagined it to be. The whole installation took two hours to set firmly in place. I still need to steam press some of the wrinkles out.

I've been anxious to show you this amazing chandelier that my friend, Joann, an antique dealer, discovered at an estate sale in K.C. a couple of years ago. How do you like it against the kilkenney green striped ceiling and lemon twist canopy?

I'll be posting another post today as well. We've got a special capri blue slip covered {thrift store} rocker that's due to be finished tomorrow. Can't wait to see this sweet mom-to-be rocking her sweet little one in it soon and very soon.

I hope you are having a wonderful week! I'll be back later today with a special update.

xo

sharon