black & white (and a bit in between)

For Christmas this year, Celerie Kemble's latest design book, Black & White, found its way under the tree and I was surprised to see how many of the images that I had squirreled away in my inspiration files over the years were showcased in her book! With fabulous examples of ways to infuse a little black and white into your home decor, there's something for every style and taste in this book, from the neutral enthusiast to the bold, lacquer-loving decorator.

Black is a great color to accessorize with...whether it's a lamp shade, doors painted a glossy black or a grouping of photographs and art in black frames, a little bit goes a long way.  And for those willing to go a little more bold, walls bathed in black paint can also create elegant, neutral and comfy spaces.  Here are some of my favorite images that really show how pops of black can completely transform a room:

Carolyn Espley Miller

Lonny

via

Traditional Home

Coastal Living

Nannette Brown via Elle Decor

via

Habitually Chic

Cottage Living

Hudson Boston

Lisa Sherry Interieurs via Lonny

#7

Happy seventh anniversary to my wonderful hubby...

...I am one lucky girl!

gallery wall goodness

After taking down all our Christmas decorations yesterday, I got to rearranging some artwork and photographs and before I knew it, I was re-doing an entire gallery wall!  If you're working on a tight budget, like I usually am, pictures of friends and family is a great way to add interest to any space and keep your treasures front and center for everyone to see.  Mix in pieces of art, initials, postcards, anything that holds personal meaning for you for even more drama.  If you follow me on Pinterest, you know I love a good gallery wall.  Here are some of my favorites:

Abode Love

House and Home

Elle Decor

India Hicks

Little Green Notebook

The Lettered Cottage

Lauren Leiss

NY Mag

Urban Grace

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Steven Gambrel, via Elle Decor

Kate Spade via the Selby

Pottery Barn

Country Living

Renovation Style via Marianne Simon Design

Tracery Interiors

Traditional Home

paperwhites in bloom...finally!

Last month, I posted how to force paperwhites in time for Christmas and I'm so excited that mine are finally in bloom! My first blooms popped out a few days before Christmas and they are still bright white and super fragrant.  A stick of bamboo and jute twine keeps them standing tall and graceful. 

Happy Thursday!

dream office

Right now, my office at home consists of a desk and a ginormous corkboard in an unused bedroom that also doubles as a dumping ground for anything that hasn't yet found a home elsewhere.  (Don't judge me-everyone has one of these rooms...don't they?)  Atlanta interior designer Barbara Westbrook, however,  gets her creative juices flowing in a beautifully restored 1940's English cottage where a neutral color palette, natural textures and French antiques reign supreme. 

Pale walls, dark floors, charcoal-painted doors and a Belgian secretary welcome guests in the entry:

Built-in bookshelves create a sense of order, while baskets keep necessities handy, yet out of the way under a gorgeous antique Baker's table:

A huge antique window gives a glimpse of the conference room...

I can honestly say I've never seen such a gorgeous work space!  Warm gray walls and trim, covered Parson's chairs, an antique table and an oversized lantern make this seem more like an elegant dining room than a conference room:

Framed photographs add a pop of color and a lot of interest to the light, bright workspace, which runs the length of the entire cottage:

A sleek galley kitchen and a powder bathroom add extra storage:

To read more about this gorgeous office, click here.  Here are my picks for creating a similar look:

Mansard stool

Benjamin Moore paint in Davenport Tan

Greyson dining table

Bailey baskets

slipcovered Parsons chairs

Glass pendant light

Stanyan lantern

Seagrass rug