update on projects & winner of Ikat fabric!

Here are some fun pictures of a few updates on some projects.

I say fun...but I know that decorating online was more fun for me than for Katie and her husband in Mobile, Alabama.  They worked their tails off to make this space a comfortable, beautiful and practical room for their girls.

Here is what it looks like now....

And before the custom built-ins, the cushions (so easy to wipe clean!) and pillows

(the little sweeties were a little cramped)

Now they have a place to study, play and watch movies.

Katie already has some crazy good skills, though.  I was really only someone to bounce ideas off of and to help source furniture and fabric.  She knew what she was doing!  

She said the girls are loving their new space.

And we have had so many ideas that we have moved throughout the house...

to the breakfast nook...

(I have posted this before--the addition of the fabric to the back of this cabinet)

To the living room:

moving things around and Katie bought some fabulous new pillows...

To the entry...

instead of spending a fortune, we (I say "we" lightly) repurposed the bench she had (and disliked a lot) by giving it some sanding, priming, and high gloss white paint.

all new fabric, too...

Her chairs were given new life with some new chocolate linen...

(sconces will most likely adorn both sides of them)

And the dining room light got a face-lift...

(All Katie!)

Next we are working on some new bar stools for her kitchen...perhaps something natural, rustic and modern like these:

(her kitchen is almost all-white, so wood really adds some warmth)

Lighting adds warmth, too--and here is the new Arteriors pendant in my client's kitchen:

(yes, just phone pics)

The matchstick blinds replaced the wooden shutters, and new cotton panels add a little softness to the nook.

Okay, and since I'm on a project theme, I just have to share how much I think our basket light that Chris and I reworked looks like the one from Mrs. Miller's home from House Beautiful.

Don't you think it is close?

I also found it quite similar to this one from Candelabra

(but this one is close to $400)

You have been patient!  The winner of the three yards of fabric is:

#5--Abby & Her Boys!!!

Have a great Monday....Julie

no shame: a selfish post...

So I have two favorite local stores:  South of Market and Pieces, Inc.  You know you have heard of Pieces before, readers--Lee Kleinhelter's store.  This is my attempt at winning (because I have no time left to Facebook or Tweet).....Who knows, maybe if I win I'll share the love and give it right back to ya!

By the way, you readers who are bloggers....do you also network elsewhere...or are you like me and can only handle blogging?

Is your weather beautiful where you are?  Atlanta is so lovely today...

Julie

this is why I like being a decorator & giveaway winner & hodge podge

(another long one--thought it was going 

to be short but I was wrong)

....because our environments do affect us.

I am too tired to dig up a before...but we are just in the middle stage so this

isn't worthy of a before and after yet.  The paintings will be picked up today

(black industrial gallery above the banquette), we need to get two new chairs

and move these iron babies outside 

We need a new switchplate, too!

I love Thonet.

(Vienna side chair  Crate & Barrel--we

wouldn't do white, though)

 (Tolix, my fave, bentwoods, 2 cafe chairs...we're not

there yet.  We're also doing a window treatment here. 

I really do think purple Tolix will be the best--a risk, yes, but

her pops of color throughout are violet.  I think it would be killer!

Before, their kitchen was a dark red and they rarely used the area where

there is now the banquette.  They trusted me with Navajo White walls, this 

indoor/outdoor zebra slipcover for the benches (there are three...if you 

call Ballard's Backroom after the truck arrives you can find one...or 

three...for a great deal!)  This fabric, although light, just wipes clean.  

And if kids really rub-in some peanut butter and jelly, you can throw it in 

the wash.  The table is my knock-off Saarenin tulip table (from IKEA) that

I sold them.  I think the real one with a marble top is worth the investment, though.

Yes, it is the ubiquitous chalkboard paint.  She was so eager she

went ahead and ordered the Hudson brand I posted about

(by the way...you know you can find less expensive

brands now.  But they were really impressed with this

paint.  She got to painting last night after dinner and the 

kids went to town immediately.  

It couldn't make me happier that life is now going on in 

a previously-unused area!

We also ordered some cool organizational things from Aidan Gray (again,

the industrial look...but they love it and it sooo fits their home).  We also

have a funnel-shape capiz pendant on the way.  Can't wait!  (I think

she wanted my help specifically because of our capiz in the kitchen.  We had

to find a home for one in her home!)

(Her capiz is quite similar to this--BH & G image)

Anyway, isn't this what it is all about?  Practical beauty.

Speaking of beauty:  the winner of the Milk and Cookies

beautiful pillow is A House and Home!

Milk and Cookies

(more ADD writing for you this morning...)

The online client in Mobile, AL, Katie...has a mom with

serious style.  Check out her mom's sunroom!  

She said her lucite table is fifteen years old!

Katie has serious style, too.

She really loved this:

Domino

So we have a diagonal version going on here...

Okay, sorry if I said this before, but don't you think people

who hire decorators usually have great style already.  Just

like my therapist says..."Usually the healthiest people hire

therapists."  

More hodge podge...

My copy of this arrived yesterday.  Can't wait to read it...

an excerpt found in Country Living

Oh, and a movie I saw a few weeks ago with

great interiors:

If you haven't seen The Switch, go see it.  Total thumbs up

from me.  I couldn't find any good stills, but the decor is so

good, too.  (Look at this dreamy blue moulding!)  Disclosure:  my friend

just thought it was okay, though.  I think it was directed by

Juno's director.  So good!

Yes, that is what you think it is.

Don't you love Juliette Lewis?  Big fan.

I was so looking forward to The Backup Plan.  I

couldn't even finish it On Demand.  So bad.  (Still 

love you, though, J Lo)  Decor was good! :)

more news...

Chairs are sold.  Thank you!

(Amanda, who bought four, is the sweetest ever.)

Yesterday I got to go and shop (well, look, anyway) at

South of Market It is an experience, not a store.

I went here because I need a few more items for the home (hint)

because someone important is coming to look at it (another hint)

on the 24th...

When you have (possibly) exciting news...do you share?  Like

when you would meet a great guy..and you thought he was

the ONE...did you tell or just keep it to yourself?

I want to say something but I can't count my chickens until

they hatch.

Other news...

I am writing an interview for Rue Magazine this week.

I haven't been this busy since I had a newborn!  So 

grateful for it....business that is a dream come true.

I won't be around much, but I know I have one post for ya this week:

I do have an interview with the beautiful and talented

artist, Kate Dukes (with her husband, Adam).  You know she

has to be good:

1.  Because she is friends with Anisa Darnell

2.  She got her BFA at UGA (where my sis 

went to art school!)

Don't you think she needs to show us more of her home, too?

thanks for hanging in if you're still here....Julie

Giveaway, etc.!

You know, it is hard to beat Etsy for pillows!!  I love the

selection at

Etsy Store: Milk and Cookies

fitting name for a milk & honey giveaway!

Please check out her selection of beautiful pillows.

Simply comment about what chore you hate the most.  I'll start:

putting on fitted sheets!  You have until this Saturday morning to post.

(sorry...only for you in the US and Canada)

Okay, this is the total opposite of a giveaway, but I thought

one of you may want these chairs before I sell them

elsewhere.  

I have six of them, and I love them, but I really don't have need for

them now.  They are antiques and have been painted in Heirloom

White paint, distressed a little, with great blue zebra fabric on seats!

$50 each....take one, two, three, whatever.  (email me if you want

them.  I live in the Atlanta 'burbs  julie(at)milkandhoneyhome(dot)com)

the same chairs you see here:

Ashley Putnam's dining room in Lonny Magazine via

Green Street Blog