Show Time

Sorry for my recent absence. I traveled to my hometown of Memphis over the weekend for my 20-year high school reunion. I never know what to think about reunions, but I really enjoyed seeing the girls I went to school with two decades ago (I went to an all-girls Catholic high school). I could still recognize everyone which means we couldn't have changed that much - a reassuring thought! Anyway, I'm now getting ready for my older child to start school tomorrow and my younger one to start kindergarten next week (they do a staggered start for the kindergarteners), so I've been a little preoccupied. However, I have some interiors to share with you from The 2011 Memphis Home Showcase a couple of weeks ago. My sister was kind enough to go and take photos for me.

The first house apparently didn't have a lot of redeeming qualities, so Susan only took a couple of photos.  Here they are . . .

That's my mom walking in the back of the room. Not a lot to love in this room, pretty ordinary, but I focused in on the French doors. These are like the ones I want.

This bedroom seems a little under-decorated, but sometimes simplicity is a good thing. I really liked the small loveseat/settee at the end of the bed.

 

The second house had an entire floor decorated by Amy Howard so it was more appealing overall. Although, as is the case with many showhouses in my opinion, it looks like they just threw some furniture in the room. This is especially true when one particular furniture store/manufacturer designs a space. There's usually much more variety when individual designers can draw from multiple sources. But, there's still some nice eye candy.

I, of course, was drawn to the art and asked my sister if she knew who the artist was. "It's Anton Weiss. Isn't that who painted the piece in your dining room?" she asked. Why, yes, it is. No wonder I like it.

This room lacks personality and looks like the undersized coffee table was an afterthought, but individually I like the pieces.

Looks like an Amy Howard showroom. Hard to see but the mirrored console is pretty.

I've seen this art before; can't remember the artist. Interesting sculpture on acrylic/lucite base.

Nothing new here . . .

or here.

I'm liking this coffee table.

Nice chairs.

A little too perfect.

Now, this, I like. At least they went out on a limb with the lighting.

Close-up of the floor lamp.

Pretty bed and bedding. Keeping this in my file for an upcoming post on bedding options.

Like the table, but not the styling.

This vignette has some personality.

Overall, some pretty pieces but nothing out of the ordinary. Well, we're off to the pool on my daughter's last day of "freedom." Hope you're enjoying what's left of your summer.

Arm Candy

I'm taking a little detour from interior design today to share a great bracelet DIY I recently ran across on another blog. I know, crazy - I like to live on the edge. I apologize if you've seen this before . . . sometimes I feel like I'm the last to know things. It's a do-it-yourself Chan Luu-style bracelet. Surely, you're familiar with the Chan Luu wrap bracelets sported by celebrities and just cool people in general . . .

 

Very cute, right? Most of them are in the $245 range, so not exactly cheap.

Never fear, here are the DIY versions . . . 

Go check out the entire tutorial here. It sounds pretty simple (famous last words). I think I'm going to give it a whirl. I'll let you know how it turns out. Would you give it a shot?

Sources: Chan Luu, Honestly . . . WTF

Check Out . . .

my new online shop! As I mentioned in my last post, I ended up closing the antique booth I had at the Downtown Antique Mall. It was worth a shot, and you never know until you try, and a bunch of other cliches my mother always told me.  Thanks to everyone who left such kind and encouraging comments. The good news is that I'm selling some of the smaller items on my blog, so now you can have your very own, hand-picked piece of awesomeness. Like these beauties . . .

Please check out the rest of the items in my store here (there's a new tab under my header that says "My Shop"). These are all things I would have in my own home, but I've got to stop somewhere because hoarding is not attractive. 

And stay tuned for details of a Pop-Up Shop/Tag Sale/Mini Flea Market coming in the near future. You won't want to miss it!