unlikely but perfect pairing...

I spent last weekend at the wedding of one of my very best friends... hence the lack of postings (packing before, recovering afterward). Now don't get me wrong, I am happy for all of my friends- but from the very first time I met her now husband, there has been something about them as a couple that I just love. She is one of the most important friendships I have so I frankly didn't think anyone would be good enough for her but she found her one- they are the perfect balance for each other; her dry wit is countered by his sometimes over the top silliness and they bring out the best in one another.
So when she said they were getting married at the yacht club I knew it would be the perfect wedding for them. The old gray sand battered yacht club got swathed in gorgeous greenery that made for the most fitting color story for them...
Green tends to symbolize life, nature, fertility and well being
Gray tends to symbolize security practicality and maturity. Native Americans associate it with friendship...
This combination is them perfectly!
This unlikely pairing of colors also happens to make the perfect palette for your home... Gray is the ultimate neutral- it can go masculine or feminine, it can be bold or subtle, it can be modern or traditional. Green is possibly the safest color on earth to use- when in doubt go green! Green goes with virtually any color- don't believe me- go take a walk outside and see what good ole' mother nature pairs it with...

grayish green cabinets paired with stainless steel make for an unexpected yet extremely cozy kitchen

ok- so this isn't so much gray but there are definite gray undertones to this eclectic work space

Soft greens and gray can create an ethereal romantic feel

soft bluish gray is the perfect background for a bluish green giving just enough contrast while still lending a monochromatic feel

bright pops of green make this open space feel young and fresh

I love the gray tones of worn wood

The traditional bottle green on these modern chairs is kept in check by the neutral gray walls

acid green and gray are popping up in fabrics and trims everywhere

so this is way more a greenish yellow but still...

I adore painting the insides of cabinets- it is a fun surprise and it looks great with glass front cabinets when you have white dishes

did I mention green and gray can be traditional....

Steely green plants like olive trees and lavender can create an uber romantic feel in a garden and look amazing with the worn wood of a well used deck

my sweetest downfall...

My itunes library is possibly the most random thing ever- it is ADD's finest collection of obscure music and one hit wonders- it pretty much sums me up perfectly. Driving with my sister last weekend I was amazed at some of the things I found on my ipod... regardless one of my go-to songs when I need to be inspired is Regina Spektor's Samson (if you look on the side bar to the right- the pink ipod has it on there) there is a line in the song where she says: you are my sweetest downfall...and while she is clearly singing about a person it always makes me think of my favorite things- my sweetest downfalls... (in no particular order)

The ever classic Barcelona chair! and a well balanced mix of classic modern and vintage eclectic 

Jay Z's new blog Life & Times my latest internet time vampire

Getting mail that isn't a bill or mass mailer

a broken in chesterfield sofa- like a good pair of jeans it goes with anything!

pink peonies- yes I am a romantic at heart but not a red roses romantic

Color! and fearlessly using it!

Chuck Bass- well he's not real but oh well- a guy in a smokin' hot suit that fits perfectly- really guys- it isn't that hard to go to a good tailor. Clearly the dress code from high school has stuck with me that I am still a sucker for a well dressed man

the random eclectic accessory

hello Louis! no other luggage can be described as art in my world

like I said before- high school obviously stuck with me as I am still a sucker for all things preppy! My closet contains way too much pink and green for any one person but I just can't say goodbye- I am sucker for Lilly!

Balls to the walls crazy light fixtures!

a tutu should be included in every girl's wardrobe- that and pearls and a tiara... 

Paris and all things French- from the food and wine to the fashion

vampires- from twilight to Vampire Weekend- yes I swear I am not 15 years old!

my family- and yes that includes my friends and my dog!

a comfy bed with good pillows- must have good pillows!!!

white tee shirt and jeans- the classic go to!

Happy Wednesday! the week is almost over- what's more inspiring than that on a rainy day! xoxo

All roads leading South...

in the next 10 days I have something like 24 hours of driving in my future...and I couldn't be more excited about it because all roads are leading back home to good ole' North Carolina for two weekends in a row to see family and friends and witness one of my very best friends tie the knot to the man that couldn't be more perfect for her! So yeah all that driving kinda stinks but oh well...you can now buckle up in style with the "seatbelt chair" released this week from the Phillips Collection. Or if you are one of those hopelessly bad with directions people you can always find you way home by lighting it up with a compass inspired light fixture...

Visual Comfort

Cyan Design

Visual Comfort

But really what could be better than North Carolina? Home of the Tarheels,  barbeque's best, krispy kreme donuts,  and of course FURNITURE! in a world where we create very little stateside- North Carolina is still home to a few furniture manufacturers including my favorite- Hickory Chair. Yes- I am biased, I used to work for them-but I really have never hated a job more than being a sales rep- amazing company, horrible job. Hickory Chair has been producing fine furnishing in North Carolina for 100 years!!! this market was their big anniversary and so in that honor they introduced their new 1911 collection. They looked to their oldest catalogues  for inspiration and classic pieces that could be updated for today's world and the result is nothing short of amazing- for a company that continues to be a major draw at market and continues to out do itself, has done it again- this collection is classic and elegant and above all else- timeless.

Their variety of finishes allows a classic piece to decidedly chic in Ash with Antique Bronze hardware

and as always- having top of the line fabric to choose from never hurts 

twin beds! yes canopy twin beds- a classic but yet so amazingly modern

being made in NC with actual real live people doing the work you get flawless case goods that really show off the beauty of the simple curve front of this mahogany chest

So yes- I am biased- I love the company, their designers but more than anything that such an amazingly fashionable and elegant company is still making over 87% of their line right here- in North Carolina!

I mean really- little ole' Hickory NC is looking mighty chic these days- you would never know from just driving through!

Aunt Becky ala Ikea

Much as I hate to admit it- I have turned into Aunt Becky- taking over the "Penthouse" I struggled with what to do with my loft space. I really wanted a TV free space as I love reading- I love books and magazines and my kindle is never far from my grasp. plus I wanted a place to play with my nephew that was cheerful and sunny and  with the best view in the house, this seemed like the perfect space.
I was so excited for my sofa to come- a wonderfully cozy sofa that might as well be a bed...except when it was delivered it wouldn't fit through the front door! so needless to say there was no way it was going to get up to the top floor if it couldn't make it through the front door. Epic failure for a girl who believes in measure twice, cut once.

So I had to re-group in a major way and thank goodness for fairy god-mothers and mothers! My wonderful fairy-god-mother/aunt was downsizing, well actually upsizing but with lower ceiling so she bestowed a painting on me from her fabulous collection that I have long coveted and so I finally had a new starting point! And with a hand-me down sofa from mom and a trip to Ikea it finally came together.

a row of climbing moonflowers creates (or will create until it is warm enough to put on my balcony) a bit of a privacy screen to the open loft area.

Did I mention I love books? I sacrificed a few to create floating shelves to help set the tone of the room and using the books as pops of color- as if the electric blue isn't enough color!

With such intense wall color I limited it to two walls and used crisp clean white on the rest- yes white, not builder beige. and kept things as white as I could- fashioning a slipcover out of ikea bedding to cover up the lovely pattern that was on the sofa.

the painting that started it all- the blue was pulled from the painting- and I love it- my aunt had it against red and it looked amazing but I wanted something cheery and fresh so blue it was!

I always need a few pretty things- some sparkles to catch the light

One of my most exciting purchases in a long time... these litte LED reading lights from Ikea- and you know I am a huge lighting snob!- these suckers are bright! and they are so tiny and non-descript that they are perfect for anywhere- I serioulsy can't believe I am endorsing lighting from ikea but they are amazingly bright and great color!

Second favorite ikea purchase..the Ludvig shelf- the front flips up to hide all the computer gear and the wires feed up through the bottom and there is a hole on the top too- for the lamp and phone to plug in. Yes another I love ikea moment- seriously hate computer components so this shelf is nothing short of sheer genius!

But the best accessory of all I could never buy at Ikea...

clearly my book choice was stellar! nothing puts him to sleep faster than The Giving Tree!