0 style icon: alexa chung

Alexa Chung is one of those "IT" girls that you cannot really pinpoint what it is that makes her so cool. She seems like she's been here on Earth before, and she collected all the "cool wisdom" in her previous life. On top of that, she makes it look so easy! I adore her mix of feminine and masculine, and she knows how to make retro current. I imagine her home would look like a well edited collection of unique but classic pieces from high and low.

Can't get enough of Alexa's style? There is a Tumblr dedicated to this stylish muse. Check it out!

1 technical difficulties

I haven't had internet access today until now... posts coming soon!

6 wishful designing

A month or so ago, I posted about my inspirations for an office space of my own. Since then, I haven't done any real world work towards creating an office space. But, this week I thought it might be fun to create a design plan for my hypothetical future office, so here's what I came up with! I created a 3d model using Google SketchUp and added in a few key pieces.



My personal style is very eclectic; I love to mix it up with color and texture so I would love to have an office that reflects that. I found this amazing eco-friendly wallpaper at Mod Green Pod and that was the inspiration for the rest of the room! I would only do one wall in this paper though, as a whole room of it would be overwhelming. I'm also an avid thrifter, so the sofa that you see is just a visualization of what I would create using a sofa I find at one of my favorite second-hand stores. I'm determined to own a Louis Ghost Chair at some point, so why not include it in my hypothetical office? Check out the rest of the details below.

Like what you see? You can buy these items here: Frame, Desk, Bookshelf, Rug, Chair & Lamp. Of course, if you'd like me to design a space just for you, feel free to email me at hello(at)nikimcneill.com. Hopefully by the end of this year I'll have my own space and will be able to make this design happen. Until then, I'll keep wishing!

Have a great weekend,

0 artist spotlight: carly waito

I always find it fascinating when artist can find the beauty in small things and magnify it. That's exactly what painter Carly Waito does in this super realistic paintings of stones.







The intricacy that you can achieve with oil paint always amazes me. Gorgeous stuff! For more of Carly's work, check out her blog!


Found on Greedmont Park

3 nate burkus for HSN

Last night I was channeling my Aunt Rutha and watching the shopping networks. Yes, I admit it; I was sucked in by that counter on the bottom of the screen streaming the number of items sold, the exuberant sale tactics of some perky lady with bad shoes, but most of all by the adorable man that is Nate Burkus. I've been a fan of his since I first spotted him on Oprah, and even though I haven't purchased his book (Home Rules), I thoroughly enjoy browsing it at Barne's and Noble. :)

His new line for HSN doesn't disappoint at all! Check out my favorites from the collection (which you can purchase for 4 easy payments of blankety blank ninety nine!)





For more on Nate, check out his website and if you'd like to see more of his collection, tune in to HSN or click here!

6 beacham series launch party

Last night I was fortunate to attend the launch party for the latest issue of The Beacham Series. I met Blayne, the Creative Director for this magazine, at the CRAVE event I attended last week and we instantly clicked! She told me about this project that she'd been working on for months and I wanted to come out and support! I fought the (ridiculous) Atlanta traffic to make it to Buckhead for this party because I knew it was going to be amazing and it was totally worth it! It was great to meet more fantastic Atlanta natives and see this beautiful home. The pictures I took don't really do it justice, but I'll share anyway!


Claire (of High Gloss Blue) and her beau checking out the beautiful entry way.


Blayne & her brother - great hosts! ;)


Kitchen


Formal Dining


I loved these chairs....


... and this settee! I would never sit on them though. Ha!


Hey! There I am :)


The master bedroom had a great way to hide the TV; these antique window frames lined with mirrors were perfect.


More of the master bedroom, which had a sunroom over looking the courtyard.


And last but not least, THE CLOSET! This closet was bigger than my current bedroom and bathroom combined.


Can you imagine?


Afterwards, I enjoyed my copy of The Beacham Series with a little coffee from Atlanta Bread Company while waiting for Armon at the airport. It was great to tour this gorgeous home and hang out with my blogging buddies Claire & Blayne. You can view The Beacham Series magazine online here, and please visit Blayne's blog to let her know what you think about it!


Happy Friday!

1 artist spotlight: merab gagiladze

One of the artists that I saw during the Castleberry Hill Art Stroll was Merab Gagiladze. His work was tucked away in a corner of the gallery we were in and my friend Lo & I were blown away by his paintings. Born and raised in the republic of Georgia, his depictions of ordinary life are filled with color and intricacy. These photos don't really do the paintings justice! They were so layered and complex, you really have to see them in person to take it all in. For more on Gagiladze click here, and check out some of his paintings below!







If you'd like to see them for yourself, check out the Besharat Gallery on Peters St. in Atlanta. Photos via Besharat Gallery.

3 castleberry hill art stroll

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Castleberry Hill Art Stroll in downtown Atlanta. It was really cool to tour some amazing art galleries and the weather was perfect for it! If you're in Atlanta, you should definitely check out this monthly event. Some months they have themes, but they always have a great mix of art from incredible artists! The best part about it... it's FREE.

Here are a few pictures I took while we were there
(with my iPhone, sorry for the bad quality!)

Lo & Beasley outside of Sage, a really cool natural beauty store. And a mural from the unfinished building that house a pin-up!


Life-sized multimedia art + another shot of the pin-up...


...and me! Admiring some amazing oil paintings.
Lauren, notice the coffee mug. :)

Check out these photos from Atlantan magazine of some of the gorgeous galleries of Castleberry Hill. My favorite was the one in the first photo, with this dramatic glass staircase in the middle of it!



The Art Stroll was a great way to spend a Friday evening. Hope you all had a great weekend too!! I have a What I Wore sketch coming up later today, stay tuned!

5 in living color

Legends of the past live in these vibrant color portraits.









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