Translate

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Moving Into a New Home

After eight years of thoughtful planning, the Miller family finally moved into their dream home last Saturday!  Many more weeks of fluffing and puffing will be occurring, but I wanted to share with you some snippets of the progress so far.  

 
Three weeks ago- no lights. no copper details and no drive-way!  
 Last Friday, July 16th- the big day!  Lights, copper details, and drive-way. And the big thing-
A Certificate of Occupancy from the county!
The moving truck arrives Saturday!


 
Entering the impressive foyer, a hand forged railing is noticed. 
While still waiting for it's final
paint application, it is still a beautiful work of art by a local craftsman.

 
Entering the twenty foot high living room, one cannot help but look up at the impressive beams.
 
 
The tall stacked stone fireplace with it's limestone surround isn't too shabby either!

 
And as the furniture begins to roll of the truck, the muted warm gray color scheme comes to life.
Everything looks gorgeous on the muted antique white rugs that we purchased at Scott's last weekend!


Last week, Jill found these Designer Guild pillows at a fabulous Asheville store called Porter and Prince.  They add just a touch of a teal gray blue to the room.  Perfection!
 

 The newly upholstered sofa looks great on the rug also.
 
 
The artwork gets uncrated and the lamps get plugged in!  It really is starting to look like a home.

 
The massive master shower awaits it's first inhabitants- while 
 
 
the new mattress gets dressed with Designer Guild and Bella Notte Linens.
 
Notice the lux cut velvet bench at the bottom of the bed- a real steal that we found at a fabric
outlet in Greenville!   Should have been mine, but it sure does look great here. 
 
 

I can't wait to see this bedding on the Ebanista four poster bed that is arriving shortly.
 

 Notice the beautiful embroidery on the Bella Notte satin pillow.
 
 

 
Moving down to the lower level, a different vibe is happening.  I love the black and brass
 
chandelier-  It is so pretty when lit as the inside of the shade is brass.


 
 Peaking in the bedrooms, a linen tufted bed is dressed in gray velvet Bella Notte. The cow rug
adds a bit of tough love to the feminine setting. I love the contrast.

 
Another room- dressed in lace trimmed linen sheets, grey and red and black tartan.

 
Look at this adorable black and white plaid settee in this bedroom.

Same fabric on a comfy chair for the downstairs family room.
 
 

 
Now back upstairs to my favorite space- the kitchen, dining  and keeping room.
Gray and white with quartzite countertops, this kitchen is a dream space for a cook.
 
 
And while one should be putting things away and getting organized,
 it is impossible not to putz, place, and play with little vignettes. 
 

 
The keeping room with a swivel chair ready  to enjoy the fireplace.

 
And taking a look back from the fireplace, the dining area takes your breath away.


 
Soft grey walls and dark gray trim compliment the rustic pine buffet and white linen chairs.
 

 
The menu, from Jill's daughters wedding last May, looks amazing over the buffet.
I like the addition of the dark black in the room. Our friend Laurell created this menu board
for the wedding and it brings back lot's of great memories.  It's perfect for this space!


 And of course, the putzing, placing and playing with pretty things just happens- even though there are millions of boxes still to be opened!  It's how we roll!
 
 



Wonder what's in the next box to play with?
 
Everything seems new again in a new house!
 
There are still lot's of things missing, but it is starting to look like a home. 
 So much more to do- the landscaping, organizing, drapery, cleaning,  What will we do next year?
 


Saturday, July 16, 2016

Sea Shell Artistry

In this day of "same old same old" shopping experiences, I am delighted when I find a shopping experience that gets me excited!  While shopping at Scott's Antique Market last week, I happened to find the most incredible sea shell artist. Her name is Mary and she travels to Scott's from Jacksonville, Florida only 2 times a year.  What  a lucky find for me!  I immediately called my friend who has a beautiful old home in Florida and sent her pictures on my phone. These little exquisite works of art were perfect for her home.

The first thing that caught my eye was this incredible large bust, completely covered with stunning shells.



Somehow she achieves an antique effect on the shells and they look as though they are truly antiques.
 
I love the color combinations of the baby blue and orange shells.

 
Much attention to detail with the intricate pattern of shells.

 
We could not resist this little monkey made into a candlestick.

 A dark wooden box - looks antique doesn't it?
 
 
A shell encrusted frame


For another room, I chose a lighter palette of shells- mother of pearl and baby blues.



 
The beautiful hand mirror with the charming porcelain cherub insert.
 
 
I cannot wait to see these in my friend's home.  One of a kind truly special pieces.
So much eye candy!