Stop and Smell the Lilacs

Spring finally arrived this week.  Cherry trees, dogwoods and lilacs are blooming in my neighborhood.  My absolute favorite flower smell is lilacs, we had them growing up in the front of our house in all colors and to me, this smell is spring.  I have one bush and my neighbor has a few that happen to fall over the fence into our yard.  I don't think she minds that every year I trim off her tree a bit!

Even spooky likes to smell the Lilacs.

  

 What's your favorite smell of spring?

Front Doors: Historic Philadelphia

I've been traveling to Philly for work lately, and last week I finally got a chance to get out and explore more than just the shopping in the area.  During an evening carriage ride through the old residential district, we learned that the color, construction and even transoms of your front door held different meanings.  If you saw a home with white, double front doors, that meant it was the residence of a doctor.  You could even identify the religion of a household by the color of their shutters.  Here are some of my favorite doors found while walking through the city.

 

Homes with a wooden carved pineapple displayed by their door meant they were a sign of welcome for overnight guests.  Those homes would offer you a place to stay even if you were a stranger.  A pineapple placed at the foot of the bed the next day meant that you were welcome to stay another night, if there was no pineapple, it was a polite was of asking you to move on.  Throughout colonial America, the pineapple has been a symbol of hospitality.  Headboards or bed posts incorporating the carved pineapple motif, have the intent to carry the message welcome to their guests.

This entryway offers the symbol of hospitality through a black and white pineapple wallpaper.  Repined from Laura Casey Interiors

Welcome Home: Foyers

 When you work hard or travel far, there's nothing better than coming home.  Design is about creating a feeling and an emotion.  When you walk through your door, your entry way should greet you with personality and a transition into comfort.  Drop your keys and leave your baggage at the door... Welcome Home.


Light & Airy from Pinterest 
I love how this designer carried the repetition of the wallpaper pattern through the ottoman fabric and the ceiling fixture.  Large windows are great and this pale palette is perfect for reflecting the natural light.

Sophistikat by FLOR

Love the console table, the art that draws your eye, the stacked orange boxes and of course these Flor Tiles.  I feel like this room is a wonderful summary of a graphic, bold, dramatic statement.

 Classic.  Pinned from The Lennoxx

A Georgian home entry way by Jill Goldberg of Hudson Interiors.

Foyer by Lauren Leiss of Pure Style Home

This foyer has served as great inspiration for many projects because of the amazing flow and placement of artwork.  The pendant and orange door are great too!

 

Pinned from Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles 

This Burlington home was transformed into a resort-worthy hall for Tommy Bahama's Road to Canberra collection by Lexington Home Brands.  I was lucky enough to help style this week long shoot while freelancing last year in North Carolina.