Off to the Coast

India Hicks Coastal Living

to hang in the surf in the sand, see ya in a week!

Love for the Dragon

My love affair with Schumacher "Chiang Mai Dragon" began a few years ago when Domino featured designer Barrie Benson's Charlotte home and she used it on her kitchen chairs with a vinyl covering to protect it from "kid slop."

It had me from hello...

The fabric has since been on countless blogs, shown in magazines and used for everything from chairs, window treatments, wallpaper, pillows, tissue box covers, stationary, and I have even seen custom stockings for Christmas if you love it so!

Clients adore it, sometimes husbands not so much but there is no denying the power of the dragon.

Images courtesy of Domino, Style Court, Pink Wallpaper, Revival Home and Garden, Dempsey and Carroll, and The Desk of Annie

Schumacher

Thirteen and South

Schumacher with a little mix of Lee Jofa

I do have a certain affinity for F Schumacher fabrics, they are the tried and true staple I can always count on to please everyone. Current designer collections include Celerie Kemble and Trina Turk which are both out of sight! Quality and price point are right on and they have an awesome website that is easy to navigate when I need samples and can't get to the showroom. This week Schumacher announced their entry into the blogging world which makes me doubly excited to learn the inside scoop on inspiration for fabrics, how there were made and what designers are using where. Right now check out Trina Turk and her interview with Elle Magazine, Sara Richardson of HGTV's "Sarah's House", and the inspiration behind their "Cloisonne Weave" print.   

whatsnew.fschumacher.com

 

Trina Turk and her collection of Indoor/Outdoor Fabrics

Celerie Kemble's collection for Schumacher

Images courtesy of Elle Magazine for Schumacher, Belle Maison 23 and House Beautiful

Tips and Trends

I had the honor and pleasure of being interviewed by furniture company Drexel Heritage last week for their new blog Tips and Trends by Drexel Heritage. I will definitely say talking about interiors, fabrics, and all the other subjects that the lovely interviewer Dana Hughens and I talked about were first nature but video taping another story. I am not not sure if it is ever easy for anyone to get used to seeing themselves on camera, I think I have heard actors and actresses who never watch their own movies and I can definitely see why...kudos to those who do! I would encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and do something you are not comfortable with, it was definitely worth it and now I have this accomplishment behind my belt. Below is the link to the interview and their blog!

http://furniturebrands.typepad.com/drexel_heritage/2010/08/interior-design-blogger-spotlight-elizabeth-goodwin.html

Of course I jumped at the opportunity to speak with Drexel Heritage. Growing up in Western North Carolina, the company has been a name to me since I can remember. Started in 1903 when a bedroom suite made from oak was sold for $14.50 wholesale, the company has evolved into a brand known worldwide for its quality, sophistication and timeless look.

Here are a few signature chairs that can be customized to suit your fancy.

http://www.drexelheritage.com/

 

Bamboo Signature Chair

Drake Chair

Clair Chair

Christelle Chair

Tis the season

Pink Wallpaper via Sanity Fair

I am off today to the coast to celebrate a wedding and an engagement, yes 2 parties in 1 night, fun times ahead! 

Have a wonderful weekend and I hope you are able to do something or be with someone you love. 

Tastemaker's Tag Sale

Don't let the weekend get away without checking out One King's Lane Tastemaker's Tag Sale. The featured designers today are Elisabeth Weinstock and Michael Polenske and their treasures for sale are unique not to be missed!

http://www.onekingslane.com/

Rooms from la la Land

This week I have seen some of the cutest babies and stylish pregnant ladies in town. When you are not expecting it always seems as if the rest of the world is. My 3 babies are growing up fast with the oldest starting kindergarten, middle almost 4, and the baby turned 1 in June.

I have lovingly planned each of their rooms with eager anticipation of their arrival. Each room is very different, capable of carrying them into the next stage of their lives and seemingly fits their personalities. Although with my oldest, a girl we are now on her 3rd room, 3rd paint color! In her new room she participated in the decorating process even helping me paint the antique tole chandelier hanging over her bed which is one of my favorite touches.  

This adorable nursery belongs to Charlottean Laura Vinroot Poole's daughter Fifi as featured in Domino magazine. It is a vintage meets contemporary nursery featuring a metal bamboo chandelier, Dick and Jane posters combined with a Jonathan Adler table and modern crib.

   

Here is Fifi's room a few years later shown in Charlotte Magazine's Home and Garden with a big girl bed and a few feminine touches added. Fifi is so stylish she has a beautiful Mexican Otomi on her bed too!

House of Turquoise featured this chic nursery by Lucas Studios for the Stately Homes by the Sea show house in New Jersey. I just can't get enough of these images, very sophisticated yet peaceful and serene for baby.

House of Turquoise

Tamar Mogendorff

One of my favorite vendors for whimsical accessories is New York artist Tamar Mogendorff. She just posted that she is working on the "Unideer" which is extremely exciting! I can't decide if I would like one for myself or my daughter, doesn't every gal love a unicorn at some point in their life? All of her lovelies are hand stitched from linen, mohair wool, vintage fabrics, pashminas and incorporate vintage buttons, beads, threads and ribbons.

I have a client who has Tamar Mogendorff's white swan in her nursery and it adds a unique, fantastical touch.

In my son's room I incorporated the deer and it sweetly looks over him.

There are wonderful fish and bird cages that would dazzle any baby or child.

 

To see the rest of Tamar Mogendorff's collectibles visit her website

http://www.tmogy.com/

Available through designers.

La La Land

I have a collection of children's rooms I love from Susanna Salk's, Rooms for Children, Lonny, Living Etc. and other misc. resources I hope you find inspiration in these if you are looking. Happy Friday! 

Images courtesy of Rooms for Children, Lonny Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Living Etc. and House Beautiful

Simple Settings

What's for dinner? The question that lingers throughout the day around my house. This evening we are having company over so I am heading to the Farmer's Market for some fresh vegetables and fruit for a yummy summer supper. I do like company always a fabulous reason to set the table and it actually might be nice enough this evening to dine outside!

On my menu...

 cucumber salad with tomatoes, red onions and dill

corn on the cob

grilled chicken

peach cobbler

This video recipe for cucumber salad from chef Tamara Reynolds on Daily Candy is helpful and easy!

                              Perfect Picnic Recipes from Tamara Reynolds All Cities - DailyCandy

Lovely Settings

Photos courtesy of Living Etc, Caitlin Creer, Elle Decor, Chinoiserie Chic and Martha Stewart