Are you hibernating?

P-Doodle napping in my office on a cold winter's day.

These cold, rainy, snowy, icy and dark winter days often find many of us hibernating inside our homes. Nicki was the inspiration for this post as she was curled up in my home office the other day. Normally she likes to sit at my front storm door and look outside and watch anything and everything that goes on in my neighborhood. But on this particular chilly day, she decided to just take a nap instead - after all, there couldn't be anything outside that trumps a nap on a warm rug!

Now that you are spending more time (or shall I say hibernating? We Virginians don't tolerate the cold very well!) inside of your home, what creature comforts are lacking? What design projects are on your new year's resolutions list?  Let me know...post a comment here! I'd love to hear your ideas so that I know what topics to blog about in the coming months.

Honolulu Confidential

A great example of Hawaiian decor.

Happy New Year!  I'm turning over a new leaf and vowing to update my blog more often in 2012.  I'm starting with a link to a Traditional Home article on Honolulu.  Having just returned (and still coming off my jet-lag) from a trip to the Big Island and Oahu, I can speak to how amazing this 50th state is.  It's January... and the low temperatures were in the high 60s, low 70s and the highs were in the low 80s each day.  There was sun, sun, sun and more sun!  Literally the perfect place, weather wise, let alone the stunning sights.  I'll be sure to post some of my own photographs and share my thoughts on this unique place in my coming blog posts, that is, since I'm turning over a new (palm) leaf and posting more to my blog more often.

** Note, all photos used in this post are taken from Traditional Home, "Honolulu Confidential."

Traditional Home - Honolulu Confidential

A view of Diamond Head Crater from the roof of Royal Hawaiian.

A beautiful breezeway at the Royal Hawaiian.

Nicki, the Spokesdog, Says Hello

While I was in the great town of High Point, NC this weekend to attend the Fall 2011 Furniture Market, I saw a black standard poodle all dolled up with bows in her ears and painted toenails.  She was serving as the spokesdog for a furniture company!

When I told Nicki about this, she was very jealous and insisted on getting some face-time here on my blog.  She said she hadn't been well represented recently.  And I agree!  So here's a cute picture of Nicki to start off your work week. 

And be sure to check back later this week when I post pictures and commentary from my travels to High Point...

Falling for More 2012 Color Trends

Benjamin Moore just posted 4 color trends for 2012, so I thought I'd piggyback on last week's post and share them with you! 

Falling for Fall Color Changes

Now that fall is officially in full swing, nature is beginning her annual change of colors.  There is nothing like the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of leaves turning on a gorgeous, sunny fall afternoon!

Recently, while in Pittsburgh, PA (my home away from home) picking up a gallon of Pony Tail (#315-4) paint for a client, I was browsing the PPG Pittsburgh Paints display at Rollier's Hardware.  I always welcome design inspiration as well as insights from my favorite vendors as to the upcoming trends, be it furniture, fabrics, lighting or, in this case, paint!  I picked up a fabulous little brochure entitled "Wow Color Now; Color Trends 2011/2012."  This brochure features 4 color schemes that Pittsburgh Paints chose to say "color is back in a big way!"  They go on to explain that "we are rediscovering the joy, beauty and optimism that we need to overcome adversity, and our color choices for home will reflect that.  We see trends gravitating towards deep, bold and bright colors to invigorate the greys and beiges of past years.  The headwind of color enthusiasm will encourage us to make highly charged personal choices like lipstick reds and azure blues, setting the stage for a vibrant 2011 and 2012."

Below, I have featured their 4 schemes - Instinct, Glamour, New Bohemia and UpCycle - below.  Which is your favorite?

P.S.  Nicki says "hi" and sends her love as the Inspired Interiors official "spokesdog."  You'll be hearing more from her soon.

Nicki, The Amazing Supervisor

 

Nicki and I think it's time for you to start some fall remodeling projects around your home.  In fact, Nicki's parents have been doing some late-summer remodeling of their master bathroom, thanks to an awesome wallpaper found by Inspired Interiors (see below).  Throughout it all, she's been a great supervisor.  For instance, while the vintage 1987 wallpaper was being stripped with a steamer, Nicki-Noodle enjoyed coming into the room and stealing a piece of glue covered wallpaper as a tasty snack.  Later, as her dad was doing some minor repairs to the drywall in the skylight over their soaking tub, she hopped up on the gang plank (aka 2" x 10"s) and dove into the unfilled tub below!  After a swift rescue by the Coast Guard (aka her mom), she posed for this picture to remind you just how much fun a remodeling project can be....especially when Inspired Interiors and Nicki, the amazing supervisor, are handling all the sticky details for you.

A gorgeous Albert Van Luit wallpaper!

Fun with Fabrics

Woah, August already?!?  Wasn't it just Memorial Day?  I hope you are enjoying your travels to wonderful locations.  Nicki sure has enjoyed all kinds of fun Inspired Interiors outings this summer, especially since my mom has been off from teaching school and has been able to lend a hand "dog sitting" while we drive around town and pop in and out of stores.  This is a picture I shot of her contemplating some fabric selections while I was picking up some fabric for a client's soon-to-be reupholstered settee yesterday.  I think the bright tropical patterns and colors were really "speaking" to her.  WOOF, WOOF!