Speaking of Black & White

Thanks for all your feedback on my chair fabric. I am definitely going with the Joonas. And speaking of things that are black and white, this sweet girl is a big reason I've been missing from the blog world lately . . .

Our 2-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, Coco, has some mysterious affliction that has sent me back and forth from the vet's office over the last several days. We think she'll be okay, but it's been stressful especially since my husband's been out of town. She's now resting comfortably at the vet's office. 

So, I'll get back into the world of interiors soon. There's some fun stuff on the horizon. Stay tuned.

It's Black and White

If you've read my blog over the past year, you've probably seen this chair.

As per usual, I have waffled back and forth over which fabric I should use to recover it. I thought I had settled on one. I ordered the fabric, and it sat neatly folded in my bedroom for months. I just couldn't pull the trigger. Something was holding me back. Recently, I painted the chair's legs black and threw the fabric over it to get an idea of what it might look like.

Premier Fabric's Chipper in black and white.

I like it, I just don't love it. Something was bothering me. It was guilt. You see, I have feelings for another. I might actually like him more. Here he is. Don't judge. 

I know it may sound crazy, but I've been loving this Marimekko Joonas fabric for quite some time. It's been in my inspiration files on some very similar chairs, as a matter of fact.

Christina Murphy

Elle Decor

And then, more recently, I saw that the ever-stylish Christine at Bijou and Boheme recovered her bergere chairs in Joonas.

And just the other day, when I posted this photo of my foyer with the chair in the corner . . . 

I got a nice comment from Nelya at Head Over Heels informing me that she used Joonas on a sofa and loves it . . . 

That's her littlest boy a few years ago. Isn't he a cutie? Even kids look good on Joonas.

I must say I'm a little obsessed with Joonas now. Maybe it's my Finnish heritage (Marimekko is Finnish, and I'm a quarter Finnish -  my Finnish maiden name has double vowels and all!) or my more modern leanings these days, but I think the answer is clear. There are no shades of gray on this one. The answer is in black and white.

Are you as taken with Joonas as I am?

Love Me Knot

Today I ran some errands with my daughter who is currently on spring break. I think she was my lucky charm because look what I found while out with her . . .

Forgive the weird shade on the lamp. It needs to be replaced. Black maybe?

This huge knot mirror from Kirkland's, of all places. Now, let me back up and share the background on this. A couple of months ago, I spied this mirror on Aesthetic Oiseau. I made a mental note that I should scout out our local store. No luck. The only thing I got was a noseful of potpourri (I think they pump it in through the air system). Then, I saw it again on Angela's blog and was once again reminded of how I longed for it.

Angela's mirror.

Today, we were in the neighborhood of our local Kirkland's, so I thought, why not give it another shot? After showing a very nice saleslady the actual photo from Angela's blog on my phone, she said, "Oh, I think we've got that in the Clearance section." No sweeter words were ever spoken. I got the mirror for just over $60. What I didn't realize was how huge it is (40 inches wide), but I still think it works in the entry. Goes with my new black door.

So, what do you think? Is it a keeper? They said I could return it even though it was on clearance. See my chair? That's a discussion for another post.

If Tom Scheerer Comes to Town . . .

I'll try to be as brusque with him as possible. Confused by this statement? Let me explain. Tom Scheerer is a renowned interior designer whose work I've long admired.

So, imagine my delight when I realized a home he designed in Maine was featured in the new House Beautiful. The room above is not in the home featured in HB; I found it on Scheerer's website (I was too lazy to scan in photos). However, this very same sofa and rug are in the Maine house. Same homeowners maybe?

Anyway, of course, I soak in the photos but then I go back and actually read the interview. I like to see what motivates and inspires the designer . . . their thought process. I got some of that, plus a little insult as well. As the writer was asking Scheerer about designing a house in Maine, he posed the question, "Are Mainers straightforward to the point of bluntness?" 

Here was Scheerer's response: "They can be a little brusque. It's easier when people are brusque." He could have left it at that, but felt the need to add, "I prefer it to that Southern thing that drives me crazy - everybody being nice to each other all the time. Takes too long. There's not enough time in the day."

Hmm. Guess I've been wasting my time being nice to people all the time. That explains it. I guess I should just take a cue from Mr. Scheerer and save myself some precious minutes. Being rude is SO much quicker apparently. Thanks for that valuable gem, Tom. Sorry to vent, guess I'm just a sensitive Southerner.

Source: Tom Scheerer

Thinking of Japan

Please remember those in Japan and give from your heart.

Fan of the Fan

Fan chair. Peacock chair. Whatever you want to call it, I've liked them for a while now. A friend of mine commented once that they remind her of Fantasy Island (if you don't get the reference I'm sorry, I'm obviously dating myself).

Be that as it may, I found this one on Craigslist the other day and promptly snatched it up.

My plan is to paint it white, change the cushion to a fun fabric and put it in Meg's room. She actually likes it which is a bonus, not that I'd ever let that stop me. Just kidding.

I realize fan chairs might be so 2009 (or 1977), but I don't care. I need a little unexpected something in her room so it doesn't look too traditional. Gotta mix it up a little sometimes. When researching fan chairs, I couldn't find a lot of shots of interiors containing them. I know they're out there, but I got lazy. Anyway, I did find one Pieces sold a while back for $1850!

I realize this one is a little different, but still. $1850? I'll take my $15 Craigs find any day.

Here's a much more reasonable one from H&H Home for $395 (did you detect the sarcasm in that statement?).

I'll be sure and post some after shots of my fan chair once I actually paint it and get a new cushion.

So, are you a fan of the fan? Or do you think it should have been retired when Fantasy Island was canceled?

Sources: Pieces, H&H Home

Scott's and More

I returned late Saturday from my whirlwind trip to Atlanta. So much fun and shopping crammed into a day and a half. First, my friend Becky and I met up with Sissy from Blue Hydrangea on Friday morning at Scott's Antique Market. We shopped and talked and had a ball . . . like we had known each other for years. We ran into some other bloggers along the way, like Jenny from My Favorite and My Best . . .

Me, Jenny and Sissy. Don't we look angelic in the sunbeams?

Let me just say, that Sissy does not mess around. She is a woman on a mission and because of that determination found some great stuff. She has a great eye and went after the bargains with zest. I felt like I'd found a kindred spirit.

Sissy working the bargain table.

There were so many beautiful things, but I was so busy running my mouth that I forgot to snap photos of a lot of them. Here are the things I did manage to photograph . . .

Loved this mirrored Greek key coffee table. It was sold not long after we first saw it.

Cool mid-century lucite chairs.

Great rattan hanging egg chair.

 

I know I have an obsession with faux bamboo Chinoiserie chairs but these were nickel. Awesomeness.

I so should have bought this pretty watercolor. Loved the colors and the brass frame.

And the find of the day! Sissy got four of these fiberglass chairs for a steal. I'm sure she'll blog about it. Just had to share how cool these are.

 

 

In the afternoon, I met up with Angela from The Painted House at Scott's and shopped for a bit. She was so sweet and charming, just like she is on her blog. I also had the pleasure of meeting Sherry from Design Indulgence (who has been so kind and helpful during my blogging experience) and Emily from Emily A. Clark. Everyone was so nice and fun. Design bloggers are a great bunch to hang out with.

So, what did I buy at Scott's? A yard of this geometric maze/Greek key velvet fabric. I love it so.

Later that evening, we even got the opportunity to meet up for dinner at JCT Kitchen. Yum. Such a fun night!

Angela, Sherry, Sissy, my friend Becky and me at dinner. Sherry, sorry I got you blinking.

 

 

The next morning, we hit IKEA.

Becky scored some loot. I just bought a couple of things. The main thing was this light fixture for Meg's room. It's too cute.

Unfortunately, the lucite chairs I wanted were out of stock. Boo. Maybe another time.

Then it was back to Nashville and reality. I hope everyone had as great a weekend as I did!

Sources: MIL and IKEA

Atlanta Bound

Road trip! I'm thrilled to be heading to Atlanta later today. It will be a girls trip as my friend Becky will accompany me for what girls do best . . . shop. Specifically, shop for "stuff" at Scott's tomorrow.

A little chest I spied last year at Scott's but regretfully did not buy!

I'm even more excited about meeting some of my blogging friends down there as well . . . finally, in person, after adoring their blogs from afar. I feel a bit like a stalker, but hopefully it will be a blog lovefest. I'll try and take lots of photos to share later. 

Since I may not be back to blog until Sunday or Monday, have a wonderful weekend, and if you're anywhere near the Atlanta area please come join us!

Seeking Console Counsel

One of the Craigslist items I was interested in worked out. I'm now the proud owner of a $25 Parson's-style console table.

Doesn't it resemble one Kelly Wearstler used in this interior? I still need some X benches to go under the table.

I love it and think it's the perfect style to reside behind my sofa. However, I'm not sure about the laminate finish. From far away, it looks nice and has a nice burled wood effect. Close-up, well, it looks like this . . . 

It's got that textured 70's effect. Hmm. Not so sure. Some people think it looks fine as it is. I agree to some extent, but I always thought I wanted a grasscloth covered console table. Once again, that brings up issues. For one thing, my sofa has fabric that resembles grasscloth. Plus, there is already a lot of brown in this room. I need some contrast. 

Then, I had a brainwave. Maybe colored grasscloth?

Not necessarily black, but maybe a saturated blue? I've run across a few online. Some are quite pricey.

Or maybe some faux crocodile?

Or, I could always paint it. Oh, decisions. Any suggestions? Are you digging the current laminate or do you think a makeover is in order?

Sources: Kelly Wearstler, Inc., DOXA Design Group,  Lumpreor, Burke Decor

Only in Tennessee

Sorry, not trying to be a traitor to my state, but I found this today while scrolling through Nashville's Craigslist and had to share.

At first glance, it just looked like a generic leather sofa. No big deal. 

But then I took a closer look.

Oh yes, you saw that right. Those are Jack Daniel's Whiskey barrels that make up the back of the sofa. This is not an optical illusion. Or a joke.

I guess the title of the listing should have been a clue, "Jack Daniel's Living Room Set." And the best part? The set is just $3900! Really? Wow, what a bargain. Oh, wait, it's a set . . . I've forgotten to show the chairs. Oh yes, there are matching chairs in case you were worried what would go with your new Jack Daniel's sofa.

Yet another view.  Classy.

In other Nashville Craigslist news, some lucky so-and-so got this sofa for FREE! 

A 1970's Ethan Allen blue velvet sofa in pristine condition. Can you believe it? I saw it a few hours too late. Not that I needed this, but still. Free?! How can you pass that up? I hope it went to a good home.

I hope to report I'm the owner of some great CL finds in the near future. If the owners will ever email me back. Sometimes Craigslist gets on my nerves. There should be a code of ethics.

Birthday Girl

Do you remember where you were 9 years ago today? I'll never forget. I was giving birth to this beauty:

Last year, I wrote a little birthday tribute to her that you can read here. I just wanted to take a moment to bask in the glory that is Meg. I am forever grateful that she is mine. 

As a sassy 5-year-old

And now on the cusp of the double digits.

Happy 9th Birthday, Meg. I'm so very proud of you and love you more than you'll ever know.