Style Week Providence 2012

Last weekend during our snowstorm, I ventured out of the house for a hair appointment at a new salon on Federal Hill.  Not only were the results top notch and professional, but I left happy and confident. (Priceless)  The experience I had made Salon Bianco my official salon of RI!  The owner was very easy to talk to and totally cued into the fashion and runway side of her industry.  Long story short, she invited me to Style Week Providence where Salon Bianco styles the hair for each of the designer's model's, every night-all week long.  I gratefully accepted and reserved my spot for closing night.  

Here's a quick peak into my night of fashion!

Installation by Marchesa during Cocktail Hour

Third row seats!!  This truly was a performance with the lights, the music and the models.  

What a fabulous events job this would be. 

For those of you new to the runway fashion scene as I am, Style Week Providence happens every August and January featuring up and coming designers, some you may have even seen on Project Runway.  The production recieves a ton of support and even features a RISD Student night for its future fashion designers.  Can you spot the  Bravo celebrity style couple?

 

For more details and to view professional photos, visit the Style Week Providence facebook page.

Wing Chair Inspiration

 A friend of mine recently found a great pair of traditional Wing Chairs in the basement of her new home.  They are in great condition besides the dated fabric, so I thought I would pull together some inspiration for her.  Her living room has a mocha accent over the fireplace wall and being the great gardener she is, there are plants everywhere.  This Nantucket residence designed by John Willey incorporates the natural tones and demonstrates how layering fabric can create a room.

 

 Choosing to reupholster your furniture can save money, reinvent an old frame and allow you the chance to create something custom.  Consider a modern fabric application like below by selecting a large scale pattern for the outside back with a neutral or solid inside.  Use your accent pillow to introduce a new color or balance out the room.

Chair Photo taken from Design Sponge

The fabrics shown here are from China Seas and Schumacher, but you can swap them with similar concepts found at your local fabric store.

Saturday Snow Day

This is what I've been waiting for... the first real snow we've had since I moved!  Looks like the perfect day to bake, organize a and stay warm by the fire.  Happy Saturday!

Color Look: Peach and Light Blue

I was online last night and came across the spring photo preview for one of my favorite NC boutiques, Vestique.  One of the first introductions I saw was this gorgeous combination of a one shoulder peach dress and light blue multi-layer necklace.  The colors feel very soft, feminine, and almost vintage when paired together.  It's been very cold here lately and I can't help but think this outfit with some nude pumps would be perfect for a southern summer soiree.  It's available on their website Friday... I have the necklace and nude pumps, but I think I need the dress!

After a little more image browsing, I realized this color combination is more than just a winning outfit.  These hues make up some of favorite room inspirations and home accents.  Read on...

 

This cozy dining space was featured in Southern Living's 2009 Texas Idea House.  If you haven't seen the whole article you can look it up on their website.  I remember flagging multiple pages of this issue for the open, eclectic feel and natural light.

 Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue 

Did you know that in the Southern Low Country, it's tradition to paint the ceiling of your front porch blue?   The superstition is that it wards off evil spirits or 'haints' which is why it's often referred to as 'haint blue'.  There is no actual Haint Blue color, but BM Palladian Blue would do the trick.

Apparently the light blue and peach combination is so natural that even food stylists use it!  

This image is so clean and refreshing; I have a soft spot for good food photography.

My very good girlfriend in Lexington, NC is planning a nursery for her and her husband's first child, a baby girl.  This 'Ben' crib set from Serena and Lilly reminds me of her color scheme.  They are going with an all over white with pops of bright pink and aqua, and added textural accents of glass, silver and flokati.  I can't wait to see it!

Currey & Company Hedy Chandelier

Macoco II from China Seas

Quadrille Fabrics is a great resource for modern and chinoiserie prints on linens. You may have seen their fabrics, they frequently grace the pages of House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Veranda, Traditional Home and Coastal Living.

My Nautical RI Life

Change is never an easy thing, especially when that change means leaving the place you've called home for eight years.  Two months ago I packed up my house in North Carolina to make the biggest self sought change of my life...  I moved to Rhode Island.  Its mind blowing and almost scary to find out first hand that if you want something bad enough eventually you will get it.  With the holidays and my new job I'm just now getting a chance to sit back, relax and take it all in.  I knew Rhode Island was small, but in the midst of planning I never stopped to think about what that meant.  

It means that in the summertime, I can drive just half an hour to the beach with a girlfriend.  My days of laying in the back yard hosing myself down to beat the southern heat are over.

It means that seafood (my absolute fav) is readily available, fresh and oh sooo good!  We drove 10 lobsters home for Christmas Dinner in Vermont that were caught right in Narragansett.  My brother Ian is holding the 4 pounder in his left hand.  I'm pretty sure in this outfit he could land a spot on Deadliest Catch.  Not a bad idea for him.

 

The other perk to moving somewhere new close to the ocean, I now actually have an excuse for a nautical design scheme.  Where before it might have been weird designing a Coastal Living inspired room three hours inland from the shore, I have free reign to go ocean without being tacky.  We have selected an oh so perfect deep royal blue that makes white trim stand out beautifully.  My sisal rug found a new home under the dining table, and my asparagus ferns purchased as a prop for the October High Point Market are thriving in all the natural light.

Moving is an event that forces you sort out the things you haven't used in years.  Some items you can trash, some you donate and some you just can't bring with you because there's no room... so sad!  But the whole process prepares you to start fresh, start organized and fine tune how you really live.

This fabulously nautical accent was brought home to me as a surprise found on Craigslist one December evening.  Have you ever seen a lobster pot coffee table?!  I loved it right away and I'm convinced if marketed to the right company could be the next big thing to graze the pages of Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn.

In case you are wondering, yes that is a tape measure foot.  I need to re purpose some wine corks to make a new one.  Restoration Hardware wouldn't have this problem. 

The last thing I want to share is the beautiful Christmas tree we were able to have.  The house is built in cape style and has the most amazing skylights in the pitched roof of the living room.  This ten foot tree somehow fit on my car and in the door.  I've had a turquoise and silver tree for the past three years, but this year with some help the red, silver and gold balls looked magical against our blue walls.

It's been a busy two months, but we made it.  Welcome Home.

- Amber