Showing posts with label Ballard Designs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ballard Designs. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Luxe Decor: Shagreen

Shagreen, or shark skin, is a beautiful and typically very high end design application.  Regardless if it is a faux or real skin, a piece of shagreen furniture can make a huge impact in your home, but also in your wallet.  This design element is pure luxury and adds great texture to a room.
photos via my pinterest

Recently, I've come across some great, affordable faux shagreen accessories to incorporate into your home without the huge expense.
LUXE PICKS
I absolutely LOVE these trays from C. Wonder.  The colors are amazing and the gold rim make them look much more than they they are.

I love the neutral colors of these shagreen boxes and tray from Ballard Designs.


Martha Stewart has even come out with an office accessory line in the luxe finish.  Super chic for a home office!


Friday, November 2, 2012

Designing the New Digs: Chinese Chippendale Dining Chairs

Even with a townhouse full of furniture, there are still a few key items I have been looking for for the new house...one of the being a set of dining chairs.  Ironically, the day we were moving, I got a call from a friend with a lead on some dining chairs for sale.  After texting me a photo I was thrilled to see they were one of my favorite vintage chairs and even more thrilled to discover they were selling for $50 each! Without hesitation I told her "I'll take them!"  Thank you Fran!
I plan on relacquering them and reupholstering the seats but they are going to look amazing in our new dining room!

Chinese Chippendale chairs are classic, yet very current.
Here are my chairs used in design layouts...

And here are some other variations of Chippendale Chairs
photos via my pinterest

While it is a vintage style there are a couple current options on the market right now.
Jonathan Adler does a great chippendale chair

But check out the look for less at Ballard Designs!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Luxe Lifestye: Pool Cabanas & Exciting News!

Christin here.  Remember when I said, "I have a feeling there are some pretty exciting things in store for the year ahead"...well, it's only a month into my thirties, and already it is ringing true!...No, we're not having a baby...Yet! But my husband and I DID buy a new house!  We are beyond excited!  We got married in April, and have been pretty consistently looking since we got back from our honeymoon.  It started out just for fun....driving around our favorite neighborhoods, pointing out the pretty houses.  But we started to realize it really was a great time to buy and our hobby became a little more serious.  We became familiar with nearly every house on the market and went to see at least a dozen in person.  We saw a lot of beautiful homes...and we began to notice a pattern.  We would view a house, the next day it would sell!  We felt like a good luck charm...for everybody else buying homes.  We really started to feel the urgency!  Finally, we found a house that we fell in love with!  An absolute dream house.   We were prepared to make an offer, but when we called our realtor to do so, we were faced with the devastating news that it had gone under contract!  We prayed and crossed our fingers that the buyer would back out during the inspection period, but sadly that didn't happen.  We were heartbroken!  Everybody told me, "Something better will come along", but if you saw the house, you would have found that hard to believe too.  A couple weeks went by and after feeling a little discouraged with nothing new coming on the market, we received a call from our realtor.  He had gotten a heads up that a house was coming on the market, but not listed yet.  We were able to get a sneak preview...and would you believe, we DID find something better!  OUR dream house...for real this time! And the most ironic part, it's directly next door to our first love the original house!  But in my opinion, we got the better house!  God was saving it for us all along!
We close October 15th, so you can imagine that I am chomping at the bit!  
As The Nursery Diaries wrap up, I am exciting to begin and share with you my journey into making our house a home...in the new Luxe Report series, Designing the New Digs!

We are currently living in a great town house, which I have owned for six years.  It has served me well, but the biggest downfall has been the lack of outdoor space.  This became a huge priority for us while looking for a new home.  I'm delighted to report our new dwelling has a beautiful outdoor space, complete with a pool, that I am so eager to get my hands on!  

Nothing says luxury outdoor living quite like a pool cabana!  And I think we can all agree with that after looking at these amazingly inspiring photos!


 My inspiration mood board for our new pool area
Pool Cabana

A custom cabana can set you back a few thousand dollars, and since we are going to have a lot of other priorities, I was lucky to score this great back & white striped cabana on sale from Z Gallerie (and just in the nick of time, before it was discontinued!).  I also, already own the white resin coffee table, elephant side table, gardens seats and lots of lanterns!  The biggest investment will be the furniture.  With all the components it sure adds up! And there is a real lack of good looking, affordable outdoor furniture out there.  But I am loving the Ballard Designs Suzanne Kasler Directoire Collection.  In addition, I will introduce other small accents of the black & white stripe, along with tropical palm leaf patterned pillows on the loveseat.  The final touch will be beautiful, tropical potted plants and landscaping!
With the closing being 41 days away, I'm trying not to get ahead of myself...but who am I kidding?? It's too late for that!  I've started my new house binder (in lieu of my wedding binder).  And despite having a full house of furniture, I have still managed to create quite an extensive wish list!
Stay tuned for more ideas, progress, renovations and designs on Designing the New Digs!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Luxe Decor: Leopard Rugs & Runners

Anyone that knows me, knows I love me some animal print! Whether it's in my wardrobe or my home, it's such a fun print to add a little personality and attitude! But just be aware, not all leopard prints are good and if not used correctly can be "very New Jersey housewives" (as said by my husband, Joe)!  The exotic print can be easily incorporated in your home through pillows and upholstery, but currently we can't get enough of it on the floor...area rugs, wall to wall carpet or stair runners!  For such a bold print, it really reads as a neutral.  As you can see from the photos below, it can be used in any setting.  It's a great statement regardless if your taste is more traditional or modern, laid back or formal!



Check out some of the great, affordable options on the market right now!



Overstock Rug & Runner

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