Wild about flocking

Adding a spectacular accent wall in your home is a fantastic way to heighten the drama of any space, large or small... Now, a bold, rich wall color is obviously the quickest way to achieve this (and we all know I'm about instant gratification!). That's where we started in our great room... with an inviting shade of deep mocha. But sometimes, you just want that extra pièce de résistance. (Are you with me here??) Enter...... vintage-inspired flocked wallpaper! These photos truly do not do the room justice... since the final transformation was utterly jaw-dropping. I love that the oversized scale of the pattern is so majestic and grand... and to top it all off, it's flocked in a most resplendent shade of emerald green, set off by shimmering metallic gold... Yummm!!

Embellishing life

Here at the studio, we're constantly on the lookout for mouthwatering ways to embellish our homes, our wardrobes...... our lives, really! This is just one more little project for you to try on... We turned this basic, inexpensive wooden frame from plain-jane into diva-licious with a few scraps of gilded wallpaper, a bit of velvet green ribbon, lots of juicy baubles ferreted from vintage costume jewels, and a darling scene hand-painted by one of our artists. (Mind you, you could insert anything here... an old postcard, a black and white photo, a child's drawing...) p.s. You know me, I'm all about the hot glue gun...... Works like a charm for this and nearly any other quick decorating fix! xoxo

Artfully inspired tulle

Okay, so this one might test your embellishing mettle just a bit... but ooohh, the end results are simply smashing!! Intricate bits of felt were traced and cut out, then hand-stitched onto pale blue tulle... The lovely scrollwork detail was embroidered using metallic gold threads... and then the entire gauzy "canvas" was stretched over a simple wooden frame, antiqued in a patina of dirty aqua blue and brushed with metallic gold. What a darling way to spruce up any nook in your home... from a powder room, guest room, foyer, hallway... you name it!

Do you ever...

* Collect old perfume bottles and other vintage tchochkes?

* Take at least five minutes (or more) to "just be" every day?

* Rummage through the cupboards when you're cooking and experiment with whatever you can find? An overlooked spice, a kicky new marinade...

* Tuck a few posies into a beautiful mug with a hand-written note to serve as a touching hostess gift, or a cheerful get-well sentiment?

* Visit your local farmer's market? Or, if you have a bountiful garden of your own... bring goodies from your harvest to share with friends, a neighbor, or an older relative?

* Skateboard with your children? Okay, so I know this probably sounds a little odd, coming from me... but with four young boys at home, I'm always open to trying new things!! Well, we recently got our boys the Ripstik Caster Board... and all I can say is, holy smokes... phenomenal! Our 8 year olds, Max and Fin, can navigate around our entire house on those things. Even John and I have tried it... such a blast!

* Hang your curtains or chandeliers from a sturdy piece of hemp rope for a more charming and rustic look?

* Use silly voices when reading to children? (Our boys just love it when John and I "get into character"...)

* Keep a gorgeous bowl overflowing with candy year-round? We do this at the studio, actually... And if I'm being totally honest, I think I probably look forward to our little afternoon sugar rushes more than anyone! Everything from sour patch kids, lollies, licorice ropes... chocolate bars...... What are some of your favorite sweet treats??