Project Monday

Book Shelf Styling

New year, new ideas, wanting to change things up.  

Do you ever look around and think, 'how did 'that' get to look like that?

It was after reading a few of my 'go to' blogs that I enjoy that I started looking at the bookshelves in my family room and thought; those need help. I did what most do and started dropping things on them.

This is what I looked at...

First off, I'm not crazy about bookcases flanking a fireplace. I painted them the same as the walls (SW Crushed Ice) to help them blend in. There's no getting around the 'box', and wires and cords are one of my biggest pet peeves. I acquiesced to the MR's desired to mount the television over fireplace a couple of years ago. 

I removed everything and started over.

I used to do commercial display and our homes should reflect us not look like a store. Odd numbers are good for grouping, try to find things that are meaningful to you and your family. The plate on the stand is commemorative of when I played my 'cello in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles celebration when I was in my 20's. The antlers are all from the MR's hunts.

Bring different textures and elements into your displays, for example glass, metal, iron, etc.  Short and tall, hard and soft. I am not good with keeping plants alive but these natural dried hydrangeas work well as I'm not crazy about silks or fake. I'm also a nut for clocks.

I do like to add a few photos to my shelves.  

The Sid Dickens tile in the middle is part of my collection hung on a different wall. (another post!)

World Market has fragrant mixtures of potpourri's like this.  I got the silver/pewter basket at the Paris Flea Market years ago. It has found rest in many different places in our home.    

A couple of years ago I changed out the silver knobs for these from Anthropologie.  

Another place for fun knobs is World Market or Hobby Lobby.

Thank you Mary Ann at Classic Casual Home

and

Sherry Hart at Design Indulgence 

for the inspiration!

♥

Moore Designs is ready to help you make your house a home!

E-Design services available.

Project Monday - All Time Favorite

Black Doors

I was really surprised to see that this post generated the most traffic on my blog ever! Crazy.

I would love to have tall beautiful doors with a gorgeous finish but it's not so right now. July of 2011 I decided to paint all of the interior doors in my house black. You can see the details here.  It took me a week and several coats but I was very happy with the results.  I found great inspiration on Pinterest, here are a few that got me to get to it!

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As I said in the original post I tried a Behr paint that is sold as a primer/paint all in one. I used that in my bedroom which has a total of 6 doors including entry, bath and closets and built-in vanity that I also painted. 

After 2 1/2 years the doors had chipped quite a bit. I just re-painted with the Sherwin Williams Black Magic All Purpose Enamel (green label), that I used on all of the other doors in the house plus two vanities. The paint is a little spendy but well worth the extra $$$.

Paint - the best 'face-lift' for your home.

Before

After

And after again...all walls are SW Crushed Ice.

 The Sherwin Williams paint has not chipped and still looks great. I will say that the black shows all dust and hand prints so lots of wiping down comes with the great look!

Even if you are not in your 'forever' home as we aren't, go ahead and make your nest uniquely yours.  If you don't own and rent, most landlords/homeowners are happy to let you paint if you pay for it and they approve color etc.  Being a military wife for many years I always made our house a home and left them better than when we got there, the rented ones too!

♥

Moore Designs is ready to help you make your house a home!

E-Design services available.

Weekend Fun at the Mart

This past weekend was the Atlanta Market for retailers and designers. I had a mission - find outdoor furniture for my own residence. Of course that was for 'later'. I went on a zig zag course to 'get to' the outdoor floors.

The very first showroom was one I have wanted to visit for quite some time.

I was thrilled when I got to meet Ms. Tara herself. We had fun dropping names of some mutual friends!

Oh my goodness I NEED one of these Italian grisaille. It would be beautiful in my LR! Note those gilded iron cachepot's.   

There are so many lovelies. A definite stop when I travel to New Orleans later this year!

The bed and this chest from Modern History.  All hand crafted with dovetailing and beautiful detail in antique reproductions. 

Bobo's Intriguing Objects

Brooke at Velvet and Linen did a give away along with Mark Sage, Bobo's owner of this Brickmaker's table.  See here.

Of course I like clocks, but don't forget to take in all that is in this corner like the horse heads and the lamp post!

Well I like mirrors too....

These food covers are quite nice and heavy too, I lifted one of the middle ones and it had to weigh 10 pounds!

Love these pewter sugar bowls...

...and silver napkin rings,

how about these hot beverage pitchers?

For some reason I have a thing for round pedestal tables.

Every good girl needs a crown!

Fun glass lamp.

These are old drafting tools...thought of my architect friends.

Across the hall...Bliss Studios.

One of my favorite stops when I go down to the Mart.

Not only pretty furniture, but great textiles too.

 Time to move on...

Four Hands Showroom

Told you I had a thing for round pedestal tables!  Too bad someone's handbag and a drink was on the table.  Just didn't think I could remove them!  Ha!

Great drafting table.

Like contemporary? Something for all tastes.

I had to snap this for my friend Valorie the Visual Vamp.  See her Union Jack armoire here.

Move on down, move on down the road.... 

to Tritter Feefer - another of my 'must stops.'  All made right here in Georgia.

Hmmm. I think my fave pedestal!

Southern Accessories

I see game room here. 

 Always have to check out Barbara Cosgrove lamps. 

 She always has interesting finds. 


I said I was on a mission for outdoor furniture, failed to take pictures.  Finally got there the end of the day and I was 'over it'!!  Pooped.


Friend Kathryn and I playing around with my ipad camera first thing in the morning!

Fun couple of days...sensory overload!

Would you like your house to be a beautiful home?

Contact MD!

♥