Charleston Style Then and Now...

New book from eBay! 

Charleston Style Then and Now, 

written by Susan Sully, 

published by Rizzoli.

The Nathaniel Russell House

The Nathaniel Russell House

Chinese-inspired...china

This has been my everyday china for years - Johnson Brothers Blue Willow.

I love this colorful floral design...Castleton Ma Lin by Ching-Chih Yee, a contemporary 

Chinese artist. I found this plate @   Second Chance Consignment in Nashville.

 I have ordered a few additional pieces from eBay.

This pattern is Aynsley Pagoda. I am considering this one - I really don't need more china!

Royal Crown Derby Blue Mikado

New mirror...

I live in a small town. Podunk. I visited this mirror for a while before I bought it for....$35!!! It was in a 2nd hand store...if you look hard enough, you can find treasures anywhere!

Ginger Jars....

Blue & white ginger jar vases provide a nice touch to the kitchen of antique dealer Todd Merrill. In my experience, these are pretty hard to find @ a reasonable price. I never find a pair @ HomeGoods, only one...

Iris Apfel in AD...

Iris Apfel, businesswoman & style icon, of course has a fabulous apartment in New York City. It was featured

in the June 2011 issue of Architectural Digest. I love this mirror (18th-century English gilt chinoiserie) and the Italian console underneath - fish, blackamoors, & lots of books!

Entra...Online Design & Architecture Magazine...

The more the merrier...this one is launched by former staffers of Architectural Digest and will feature a paid subscription of $12 a year for six digital issues after the first free issue. Check it out here.

Tortoise Shell Mirror...

What a beautiful mirror...it's big - 30" x 52"...$1600...available here.

Best-Dressed at the Royal Wedding: Miriam González Durántez

Ms. Miriam Gonzalez Durántez is the wife of British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. She is from Spain (duh). I love, love, love this outfit - the turban, the splash of color in the corsage, the mesh overlay and LOOK @ those shoes!!! Perhaps she forgot the Spanx but this is so different from most of the outfits seen @ the wedding. Very chic! More images @ Getty.

"a suit by designer Miguel Palacia, with a hat by milliner Conchitta, and shoes by high street favourite Zara. The only nod to her adopted home of Britain is her super-foxy Aspinal of London leather gloves."

Alex Butt - Grazia Daily

Image credits: PA, Crushable, GETTY via The Telegraph, Reuters.

A Beautiful Affair...

I didn't get up early but I did watch the wedding on BBC America.It was lovely. The queen looked like a yellow Easter peep, the Beckhams looked sharp, & Miriam González Durántez, the wife of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, won my vote for best-dressed guest.

Happy Easter!

Trad Home...

Traditional Home has partnered with Lonny to launch an online digital magazine that is updated & geared for a younger audience. Check it out here.

Chippendale Mirror...

Cooper Classics Chippendale mirror available @ WALMART (and many other places).

Kohler Imperial Blue Sink...

Image from Fig Studio.

Asian bathroom design by Portland interior designer
Fig Studio Interior Design
Love this Kohler Imperial Blue sink. It comes in several styles (here) & is available on the internet at a discounted price if you search. The Kohler Website says it "was inspired by a porcelain vase created during the Yung Lo reign of the Ming dynasty."

New Old Things...

Things have very busy around our house. Sadly, Jim Bob had to empty out his parent's condo as they have both moved to a nursing home. He did bring home some nice items that I will share soon. We also got to take a quick trip to Atlanta. I went antiquing while he had meetings. We stayed downtown. The homeless people around our hotel were very friendly. HA. We had dinner with friends @ Maggiano's one evening. YUM.

I found this gold koi candlestick @ the Historic Roswell Antique Market which was just about my favorite antique store there. Lots of dealers and beautiful displays. It was $7.50. Most items were pricier but worth it. The preserved boxwood ball is 6" in diameter. It is supposed to last with a once-a-month misting. It does have an odd odor which I am hoping will fade. Purchased from Bella Marie. I tried several different ball sizes from Sweet Boy's toy box to make sure I bought the right size.



My next purchase was the dark wood bamboo-style table with a brass tray on top. Looks like Bombay Company to me but there are no markings whatsoever. I will use it as a coffee table when needed. It is very light-weight and can be moved out of the way when the grandkids are here, which is almost every day. The table came from GasLamp Antiques in Nashville. Great place, lots of dealers, not too much junk.

My favorite Oscar dress...

This Brazilian beauty is Camila Alves, actor Matthew McConaughey's significant other.

I LOVE this look - simple, elegant, fabulous.

The dress is by Kaufman Franco.

Photo from Justjared.com

Grrrr...

I really want this lamp by Laura Ashley. However, it is not suitable for use outside the UK. Wonder if I could have it rewired?

Archer Gold Leaf Lamp

John James Audubon Creole Cottage in the French Quarter...

I was clicking away the other day & found an wonderful article on the newly restored French Quarter retreat of designer Jon Green. He opened his Houston studio - Indigo Interior Design - in 1993. The cottage was used as a studio by John James Audubon & was built in the early 1800s.

I didn't post all the pics of the restoration - not a fan of the burgundy trim used in some areas, but I am IN LOVE with the bedroom. Love the wallpaper, the Aubudon print, the headboard - nailhead trim on what appears to be velvet fabric, the owl pillow, the feather print throw & the framed de Gournay panels.

We lived in New Orleans for 23 years and I have walked the streets of the Quarter many times, passing nondescript-looking cottages like this one. In many cases, the buildings are restored inside and fabulous, but some are still in need of some TLC.

Images from Antique Shops & Designers Vol. 5.

Antique Shops & Designers

One Kings Lane....& Biggs Powell

So I finally bought something on One Kings Lane...some plants - ivy ring topiaries, actually. I love the classic look...hope they live! Jim Bob will be skeptical...

OKL's current Tastemaker Tag Sale is designer & antique dealer Biggs Powell of Memphis. I am always thrilled to find Tennessee-based businesses & this one doesn't disappoint. There are over 200 items in the sale. Find his offerings on 1stdibs here.Wonder what Mr. Powell will buy now that he has sold all his furniture? ;-)

French Empire Walnut Commode - early 19th century

1960s Chinese Chippendale dining chairs with green crackle finish

White Alabaster Tables Lamps

Walnut English Late 19th Century Queen Anne Dining Chairs

Late 19th Century Gothic Armchair

Vintage Glazed Lamps

Bronze Laurel Eagle Wreath Mirror

Late 19th CenturyEnglish Pine Corner Cabinet

Writing Desk...

This beauty is headed my way from eBay. We are converting Sweet Baby's nursery to an office for Jim Bob. :( Kinda sad - no more babies for a while I suppose - Son#2 & Son#3 do not have children yet. Future plans are for this to be a dressing table for me - with an antique shaving mirror in the middle.

Matchbook: New Online Magazine

I'm always delighted to learn of new online magazines. Matchbook launched January 25, 2011. Their tagline is "Field Guide to a Charmed life". Not so design-heavy - more lifestyle articles. Price points on featured products are in line with the tough economic times - i.e. reasonable! Lela Rose, Jemma Kidd, Miles Redd, & John Derian are just a few of the people featured. Check it out!

Matchbook

UPDATE: High Gloss goes live Feb. 1, 2011. The home of I Suwannee blogger Jamie Meares is one of the featured homes.

Also, Horchow has a new (two issues) online magazine called Horchow @ Home. It of course features their fabulous products & homes of employees of Horchow/Neiman Marcus.

A Touch of Spring...

We are supposed to have more snow tonight in Middle Tennessee. I love snow but I think I'm done for this year! These spider mums remind me that things will be green and pretty in a bit...

Pretty Pink....

I love this Bon Bon Satchel by Valentino available from Neiman Marcus. It retails for $1,295.00, so I hope someone knocks it off!


Image from NM website.

SNOW!!

A Hurried Christmas...

Snow on the Cumberland Plateau...

Son#2 & Son#3 & wives traveled this Christmas to Oklahoma & Texas, respectively, to visit with their wives' families. Son#1 stayed in K-town with his family, so we had Christmas Eve dinner with OnlyD & her family. I bought a honey ham from Project Graduation. It was delicious as usual and EASY. On Christmas Day we jetted to Knoxville in the snowy weather to see family there. We came back Sunday due to work obligations this week.