3 what time is it?

Did you look at your watch or clock when you read the title of this post? I bet what you looked to for your answer didn't look anything like this...







Found on Yanko Design


I wish I could find one of these for my music loving client! Anybody seen something similar on the market?

6 midtown condo living

Hope you all had a fab weekend and beat the heat! On Friday I mentioned that I am now working with a client to redesign his midtown condo living room. I'm so excited to start working with him because he has a beautiful space that deserves to be dressed in the best possible way!


Here is what the layout is like now...



And I did a preliminary sketch over a photograph of the space. This photo does not do the view from his balcony any justice - because he's on the top floor of his building, you can see the entire downtown Atlanta skyline from his balcony. For that reason, we will NOT be covering up those windows!


The owner has already purchased some great furniture, so we'll just be adding a few, but necessary pieces to complete the set. He's also in desperate need of lighting; there are currently no table lamps and no overhead light! He loves images of the city, and modern style, so I'm planning on adding in some industrial & contemporary accessories.

Look for my design plan and renderings later this week. Stay tuned!

6 a jazzy retro kitchen

In 1960, Jazz Legend Louis Armstrong and his wife Lucille renovated the kitchen in their 1910 Queens, NY home. Looks like they had decades of style; this kitchen would look great in a modern home! I love the bright blue cabinetry and the lovely floral wallpaper. Good job Louis & Lucy! ;)



The exterior of their NY home.


L& L Armstrong


They had all of this cabinetry custom made for the space in their favorite color...


...and the kitchen featured top of the line appliances for that time period. Check out the double ovens & a microwave (which was a luxury!)



Both Mr. & Mrs. Armstrong were around 5 feet tall, so this chair frequently doubled as a footstool.


I just love this wallpaper - I would put it in my home today!


I'm drawn to this kitchen so much because it reminds me of my grandparent's kitchen. They didn't have fancy cabinetry or state of the art appliances, but it definitely had that mid-century charm! I spent a lot of time in there growing up, so kitchens from this era always bring a nostalgic feeling for me. Apartment Therapy has the details on how they put together this fabulous little kitchen. Find out how they got custom cabinets made with a musical twist! (Hint: Piano hinges!)

2 more minni

A while ago I posted about a fantastic illustrator named Minni Havas. Her colored pencil drawings are amazing! Here are some new pieces from this talented lady.






Found on More Kisses

2 adding color to white wall rooms

One of the disadvantages of apartment living is the restrictions on painting your walls. For me, a person who loves color, it's always my first instinct to want to paint the walls a color, because it's an instant and affordable way to liven up a space. But, with fabric an accesories, a room with white walls can seem just as vibrant. It's just about finding the right mix and balance that creates the mood you want. Here are a few rooms that inspire me as I select finishes for my own new space; maybe they'll inspire you too!



Designer Caldwell Flake via Blueprint Bliss

With all the layers of pattern, color and texture, you don't even notice that the walls in these rooms are pretty bare. I love those chevron curtains! I have a couple of lamps similar to the turquoise ones pictures above but they are black with black lamp shades. I love them, but they need an update! I'm planning on painting them and adding new shades to give my living room a punch of color.


Designer Caldwell Flake via Blueprint Bliss

All the green in this room works well because the pieces are similar shades but not matchy matchy. Don't be afraid to mix different tones of the same color!


Designer Sarah Richardson via Elements of Style Blog

Adding a bold, multicolored rug to the floor instantly brings the eyes' focus away from the white walls. In this room, the wide blue band outlining the curtains also gives the illusion of more architecture and depth to the walls. (Adding a band like this to pre-made curtains is an easy trick if you're good with DIY!)

I'll be using some of these tips as I decorate my new place. Share some of your tips too in the comment section!

2 pippa's workable fixative

If you follow this blog you know that I love art & fashion and one of my favorite intersections of the two arts is fashion illustration. Flip through any of the big magazines (Vogue, Elle, etc.) and you will find fantastic drawings and painting interpreting the latest collections. I recently found the work of Pippa, and I love her drawing style. She has a great blog of her work called Workable Fixative, which for those who don't draw, is a spray that prevents smudging in pencil drawings. Check out some of my favorites from her blog below!








All images via Workable Fixative

And make sure you go check out the rest here! All of her work is amazing. Looking at these drawings reminds me that I haven't done a What I Wore sketch in a while... shame on me!

5 get kim's look - for less!

In case you missed it... this was posted on Chic Modern Vintage when I did my Moonlight Monday post! I want to share it with the SBP readers that didn't get a chance to check it out last week. Enjoy!
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Kim Myles is one of my favorite designers because she believes in accessible design. She knows that great design doesn't have to come from high end stores or follow rules. Her rooms always seem collected and inspired, which appeals to me every time. Last week, Kim posted the before and after of her own living room last week and I fell in love with the bright & eclectic look she came up with.


I decided to create a moodboard based on Kim's room filled with budget friendly items. For details on what Kim actually used, please check out her blog. To see what I chose, read on!


I first chose this convertible sofa from Urban Outfitters because it's a great price($588) and serves two functions. One of my favorite details of this room is the light pink wainscoting effect around the room. Mythic Paint, an eco-friendly high performance line, has a similar shade in their collection. I found a mirror similar to the center mirror Kim used at Zgallerie, however, she found hers at Home Goods, and I've seen that style mirror there all the time. Kim had a great eclectic mix of pillows on her sofa, and I think this Etsy find and West Elm pillow cover give that same look at a great price point. She received her amazing coffee table as a gift, but you can splurge on this one from Environment Furniture and get that organic (and eco-friendly!) look. Kim's yellow curtains add drama and warmth; you can get similar IKEA curtains for cheap. And lastly, Kim's amazing floral rug grounds the entire room and pulls all the color together. My pick from Target is a great option and only $379 for a 8x10 size. Kim's personality shoes throughout the room via her accessories, like the blue vases on the tables & framed mask at the center of the room. There are throws scattered strategically throughout the room giving it an inviting and cozy feel + more color. All these elements are things you probably already have in your home!


And I am so thriilled that Kim loved this post! She gave it a shoutout on her blog. If you don't follow her blog, what are you waiting on?