Midwest Farm Wedding

The Latest Wave + A Fave Thing

You may have heard about the bubbling controversy over the spread in September's Vogue Italia issue. A fashion shoot set amidst the oil spill. Even if you've had your fill of hearing about the oil spill... I still want to ask what your thoughts are about the tragedy being used in this way? Good or bad?

{BTW, my sis, Julie Blackmon is featured in that same issue.}

While we're on the subject of the earth....I have been thinking about the use of globes and maps for a design project. Maps, globes, and blueprints have always intrigued me. They've been gracing a lot of design magazines over the past few years...but I still never tire of them!! To me, the ones that get me are the maps that are enlarged or used in mass collections. Ever seen a globe collection en masse? They look so stunning and don't you just love how they evoke a sense of great adventure?

I'd like to try a different take on the traditional globe colors {as in a painted mural}. I have been fixated on the idea of painting a mural of just the black and white globe, but thought it might seem too "oil-spillish" and dark for an interior. I still might create the b&w for my own Halloween costume using an old sheet and draping it over my head. Maybe pull out the hot glue gun and glue the Vogue Italia cover girl onto the waves too. I always wanted to be a cover girl. *Sigh

Do any of you collect globes and/or maps? If you do, I love you. Seriously, I do. I think globes and maps, especially globes, are one of my fave things to see and touch. I don't really like dusting them, though.

Hope you're all having a wonderful week!

xo
sharon

Doors, Bells, and Whistles!

It's Monday already! I have a story or two for you, but before I get to that, here's what fun I had yesterday: We had a mini-get-away with the whole fam {me, Will, Eleanor, Louis, Charlie, and Syl} yesterday.

Now that the older kids are teens and pre-teens, it's a rare thing to have all the kids loaded into the van for a full day of hanging together. They usually have their own social agendas. We went down South to an outlet mall and bought school clothes for all the kids. School is not far off. I can't believe how fast the summer has flown. Can you?

Well...let me tell you what we booted out the door, over the weekend. It was a wild Friday. Was there a full moon, or something???! We shook out a few naysayers, robbers, and some designer-project glitches!!! Friday started out great, with an amazing feature we had on Style Me Pretty, but by 5 o'clock Friday, I was dealing with movers who didn't show up to pick up a 13 foot counter top {that seriously HAD to be out that day. Period.} and then my child had issues with a mean naysayer. And then, come Saturday morning, my brother's family, who lives next door to us, was robbed! Everyone is fine, thank goodness! They took all electronics, and tried, unsuccessfully, to rip their large flat screen out of the wall.

By Sunday, we needed a REAL good/God day. Thank goodness for the strong likelihood of hard days/things being followed by really amazing days/things. I read a cute quote just yesterday..."Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present."

And then, here's a really good one I found for my son and naysayer {and heck, everyone!}..."One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." ~Helen Keller

How's that quote for a jump start to your week? I'm hoping a cup of coffee and that quote will at least get me to the grocery store.

Project Notes: Two BIGGIE chandeliers have been painted in a hard coat industrial paint, and will be hung this week!! Cannot wait to show you some pics!

Choosing a door this week {Theft Proof fully in mind}. How do you like a painted door? I think they are so welcoming and cheery! Did you know Lowes carries this Dorothy Draper styled door???!! {pictured at top} I love it. Of course, I'd paint it a color, and put a snazzy door knob in the middle of the routered circle.

Final decisions made on custom made drapes for the dressing room. Love the oppulence of puddled drapes.

That's about it. And if you've made it thru this whole post without falling asleep, I'm really feeling happy!

Have a GREAT week, everyone!

{images found via Plush Palate, Miles Redd, Tobi Fairley}
xo
sharon

Under Construction/New Ownership: Jellybeans

With a little over a month til opening, here's where we're at on the new construction for "Jellybeans" {a baby/kids clothing store}.

New owner, Meghan Chambers, asked me to step up to the plate for this design project. Thank you, Meghan!

Found this cool shelf yesterday while out flea marketing. It's from Riverside Inn. It held the wine there. Do you love that it will gain new life in a baby/kid shop? I do!!

I probably won't be posting pics until after opening. So, wish me luck, as we're diving in! And be sure to tell all moms, kiddos and babies out there, that they are in for a jellybean of a treat.

xo
sharon

Inspiration

Where do you find decor inspiration? People ask me where I get inspiration. I don't know the answer to that. I guess from the game of life. You?

The other day I was at Tuesday Morning, and I was inspired by the packaging on a Bentley's tea cannister. It was a glossy, pale teal blue, with black and white classic type writer setting, white embellishments, and a gold crown. So cute!

Today, it rained and it poured. And metaphorically, my shopping jaunts were filled with amazing things all over me. Lucite, over the top large mid-century light fixtures, and old shelving recovered from Riverside Inn {locals and some of the elite alike know this place well}.

So, now that I've emptied my pockets for all these goods, I guess you could say "Now that the house reigns, it's pockets are really poor."

I hope you'll enjoy your week and hopefully enjoy my a.d.h.d posts.

{images via kelly wearstler, and marcel wanders}
xo
sharon

Havin a Potty on Pickwick

I am so random, but I thought I'd mention that in the midst of our string of birthday bashes and weddings, we've also marched in a few parades. And, not only that, we have begun the potty training, here on Pickwick St. ...AND we're still pottying!!

Wanna join in with us in celebrating? Come eat some cake, and look at some cake with my dream host, David Stark. He breaks all the molds when it comes to his super cool installations. I LOVE him.

I hope you are all having lots of fun this summer! Spill here, what you're doing/celebrating, OR share some of your faves...For example: Back porch reads? How many flies you caught over the weekend?
Inspiring People/Quotes? Outdoor Movie night suggestion?

xo
sharon

A Really Sweet Thing

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Ending the first week of my very first commercial interior design project for a retail store, here locally. {excited} I'm in the initial stages of painting the canvas {selecting all of the flooring, lighting, and paint colors}. The fun part is just about to begin! I'm equipped with an inspiration folder about six inches thick and a floor plan of 2300 hundred square feet of space.

Next up: I'm planning a road trip to buy unique, one of a kind things.

In designing the cash wrap, I'd love to make it over the top fun/different. Classic. This one has me drooling. Clean, simple, and filled w/elegant french goodness!

image via lushlee