7 paris recap 1

As promised, here's a proper recap of my recent trip to Paris! The first day we got there, my friend Courtney and I had a bit of drama trying to find our friend Tonii in CDG airport with no working cell phone. Long story short, make sure you have a backup plan for your original meet up plan! Haha But, we worked it out just in time to get to the hotel, regroup and head out for dinner + a little night time site seeing.



Kelli (on the far left) had these cute tshirts made - so we could be cheesy tourists! It was so good to see these ladies because we all live in different cities and only get to hang out a few times a year.


We had dinner across the street from our hotel at a little cafe called "Hippopotamus" - go figure! Apparently it's a chain because we saw them everywhere in the city.


My sister joined us - and was probably telling us not to embarrass her with our obviously American behavior. ha!


After dinner we hopped on the metro into the city to hopefully get a peek at the Eiffel Tower at night.


Me capturing the moment. I have to tell you, the Paris metro system, although efficient, is pretty gross! Nevertheless, it got us into the city quickly and we were too excited to be there.


We hopped off the metro, walked a few blocks and what's that peeking through the buildings? Oh yea, it's the Eiffel Tower! We actually didn't walk all the way to the tower this night, because we needed to be back at the station to catch the last train to our hotel. But the butterflies I felt when we first got a glimpse of the tower twinkling I'll never forget!


The streets of Paris are so beautiful at night, it's almost surreal. It's remarkably clean to be such a big city, and there isn't a ton of activity outside of the bars & cafes. Walking along the avenues was really peaceful & serene. I totally understand why they call it the City of Light now!


After a bit of wandering around marveling at everything, we headed back to the hotel....


....but not before popping a bottle of champagne to celebrate on the walk back! ;)

Next up, our first day in Paris!

2 beach inspired living room

My latest interior design clients are a couple whose home is the cutest bungalow but they really LIVE for the beach. After meeting and talking with them during their consultation, I just knew that I had to bring a sophisticated beach feel to their space.


They're small living space already had a beautiful cream herringbone sofa, and woven ottomans, but needed some color + light! The husband also wanted a recliner, but they wanted one that fit their self-described "Pottery Barn" style. This beautiful sunburst mirror will go above their mantel, and that lime colored lamp will be used for reading on the sofa!. I'm excited to start the next phase: shopping + installation!

Do you need help creating a beautiful space that works for you? We're accepting new clients for June!

0 artist spotlight: yves klein

Yves Klein was an early modernist artist from Nice, France. Notorious for his exclusive use of the color blue and provacative installation art, Yves was a pioneer in the Nouveau Realism movement in France. His works left the viewer asking many questions; and that was his exact intention, to provoke thoughts and feelings.

This is the painting he is probably most famous for:

Throughout the mid-50s Klien would show many monochromatic canvases like this, with much confused reactions from his followers. He felt that no one would ever understand these works, so he moved on to installations.

My favorite of his installations is the work he did with women's bodies as brushes. It's a brilliant way to show the beauty of the female figure in an interesting and artful way.



Notice the band in the back? He put on a great show!



What do you think about Klien's art? I'm hoping to catch on of his pieces in person while in Paris. For more on Yves Klein, click here!


Images via 1.2

1 abstract in motion

How beautiful is this painting in motion?


Just a little beauty to start your Hump Day.

2 dreamer's digest: week 11

Last Friday, I traveled a little over an hour from Paris to Giverny to visit Claude Monet's home and gardens! The weather was perfect this weekend in Paris so the visit couldn't have came at a better time. Monet found the Giverny area after viewing the little town on a trip on the train. He later decided to move there and rent out a house and the gardens that surrounding the house. Monet lived in the house still on the property until his death in 1926. The property and house was really well preserved.. I really felt like I was walking through a painting! Take a look!






And of course, I promised birthday pics! My birthday was quite enjoyable. My friends and I went to L'as du Falafel to grab some of THE best falafel in Paris. Unfortunately, Berthillion is closed on Tuesday, so we grabbed gelato from Amorino's instead. We met up later on to have dinner at Tribeca, as planned and ended the night with a stroll on Champ de Mars!








I'm sooo excited for my sister and family to arrive in Paris next week!!!! In the mean time, I'm studying for my final exams..wish me bon courage (good luck!!)!

--Adrianne

2 graphic plastic

These rug runners all all made of plastic foil! How perfect for those high traffic areas in your home? I'm thinking about buying two and placing them side by side under my dinner table; you can sweep off all those crumbs and not worry about stains from accidental spills. Buy one (or two) HERE.

3 dining al fresco

Tis the season for warm days and cool nights; the perfect combination for outdoor entertaining. Here's some inspiration for dining al fresco in style!


Love these tin chairs paired with an elegant table setting!


No need for a complete patio set; mixing different chairs can create a beautiful eclectic feel.


No patio? No problem! Use pillows a easily movable benches and table to set up a dining room right in your yard. Hang decorative lamps above the table to mock the feel of a chandelier.


For a bold look: Use tile to add color and pattern to your patio. A cost effective way to get the same look is to paint your patio!


Don't dismiss the power of lighting! If you're serving dinner at dusk, why not light up the scene with affordable holiday lights? It takes a simple set up to a magical space.


Need assistance getting your outdoor space ready for spring & summer guests? Contact me today about creating a plan for your home!

Photos via 1.2.3.4.5.

4 nesting newbies issue 5

It's here! Remember when I said that Nesting Newbies Magazine would be releasing their newest issue soon? Well I was keeping a little secret! I was fortunate enough to right an article for the magazine! Working with Jodi & Lea was such a great experience and I learned a lot. I had fun with the theme and I hope you love it! Click here to see the entire new issue. It's FABULOUS! So bright, colorful and FULL of great recipes and interior design inspiration. A peek at my article below:



And don't forget about the BlissLiving Home Giveaway!! You have time to enter to win $1200 worth of goodies.

3 dreamer's digest: week 9

Today is my 22nd Birthday!! Not only am I in disbelief that I am turning 22 today today, but I can't believe I'm able to celebrate my birthday in the beautiful city of Paris! Bringing in a new year of life with new friends in a new city is no ordinary birthday and I'm beyond grateful!



Celebrating this birthday is a little bittersweet, because I'm also coming to the realization that I only have 3 weeks left here in Paris. As you can see by my lack of blogging last week, my friends and I have been doing everything we possibly can to enjoy our last month here. Almost every day last week, I left my house at 11 in the morning and didn't return until about 10 at night! We are making sure we are seeing everything we want to in this amazing city, and of course, spending as much time together as possible.



Today for my birthday, I plan to visit Berthilon for a few scoops of their world famous ice cream, have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Tribeca and hoepfully take a night stroll to the Eiffel Tower!

By the time you all will be reading this, I'll probably be half-way through my birthday so Birthday pictures next week :)

20 deserving design delivered

I'm so happy to share with you all the makeover I did for one resident of the Nicholas House as a participating designer for Room Service Atlanta.


After shot:


Before shot:

The original orientation of the bed didn't allow for the best flow of the room, and the dresser that was in the room literally was falling a part.


That's April Denise - a God send - working on the awesome credenza she generously found & donated. It was a crucial piece in the room! You can also see the paint colors that I chose in the room clearly in this shot. I wanted the room to feel taller and brighter so I added this sherbet orange to the area above the chair rail, and a warm grey to the bottom.


I spray painted the shade you see in the background with a faux ombre effect. It didn't turn out exactly how I wanted, but it fit perfectly in the room!


We added tons of storage; and I even took the extra efforts to sort through and put away some of my residents clothing and linens. I felt that it wad the least I could do, being that I couldn't put a ton of expensive things in the room.




April & Sonja (above) were both huge helps to me, and I'd never met them before last week! They gave their time, money, skills & muscles and im so grateful! Also Lakeitha of Home to 3 Duncan Boys shared her donations and much support. Thank you! Lastly, but certainly not least, Chandra was there with me on the first day, scrubbing down the room, moving that HEAVY furniture and painting the walls. Thank you so much. I really couldn't have done it without these ladies and those that donated as well, like Mustard Seed Collective.

This experience was so incredible because it was such a challenge and a lot of hard work but instantly rewarding at the same time. I know that the residents appreciate everything that we were able to do and I can't wait for the next project!