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!

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

I am head over heels in love! I have a new man in my life that melts my heart every moment I am with him... We had our first real date on Sunday; we had lunch at a charming French cafe in Georgetown, I had a delicious croque monsieur, he was such a great listener and then we went for a stroll and he was so patient while I finished up my Christmas shopping...and to top it all off- he was dressed to the nines, beautiful blue collared shirt perfectly casual-chic for a Sunday in the city...Did I forget to mention that this wonderful catch is my new nephew and only 4 weeks old? and I dressed him in the cutest little outfit and he loved it- no onsies for this guy!

While I am a total girlie girl, I do love a well dressed man and I think Mark Twain was spot on with his comment on clothes making the man, but clothes aren't the only thing...a home says an awful lot about a man and gone are the days of the gross man cave or cold bachelor pad.
If you are a more classic guy you can channel your inner Brooks Brother with their home collection featuring pin stripe bedding and silk pillows with classic tie stripes. I love these pillows- I am kind of take it or leave it on the bedding- I am a big believer in beds being sanctuary so I think going for a chic boutique hotel feel with crisp white linens would be a bit more soothing than sleeping in what looks like a work shirt.

Design mavericks like Thomas O'Brien are making the world of masculine interiors chicer and more inviting than ever with his style that has been deemed "warm modern".
When I worked for Hickory Chair I had the honor of getting to work around Thomas (he designs a line of furniture for Hickory Chair) and his fabulous visions, especially at market- he would capture the room when he would talk about what inspires him- he is truly truly the definition of style with his loyal commitment to his roots yet fashion forward enough to see where the world is wanting to go.
I have yet to see a room designed by Thomas that I don't love!

what are some of his classic tricks that you can use to turn your home into "warm modern" ??

Keep it simple, use classic lines- and clean lines!

Mix material- but natural materials, think wood, leather, wool, linen...

Consider a man's closet (a grown man-not a man/child) keep you major pieces neutral and use pattern and color sparingly in accessories...think pocket square= throw pillow 

If the man is bold and can pull off pinstripes or pink without too much mocking from his peers then chances are he can also pull off more drama in his home, with more pattern and color.

Don't forget to show his personality, use items that speak to his passions, if he loves hunting embrace it- don't go over the top but let him share it! If he loves reading, use books as decoration not just entertainment. If he is a sports fanatic- pull his favorite teams colors out for accents or find some great vintage pieces of memorabilia

Don't forget where you came from- we all have roots, love or hate your family and your family history, bring in something old. Ladies- we do it on our weddings day with something old and something new blah blah blah but treat your home the same way. Thomas has an unbelievable appreciation for antiques as well as using vintage styles as inspiration . Antiques and vintage pieces always serve as great conversation pieces as well.

photos: Brooks Brother, Design Sponge, Casa Sugar, Dwellings and Decor, Gary Spain, House and Home, Todd Romano

As much as I love a masculine room I have to say I think this men's room in  a female owned company's headquarters is fabulous... humor is always a plus in a male's space!

Rather Cheeky...

Well since the wedding date is set, I guess it is time to give up holding out hope that Prince William will casually find his way across the pond to Virginia, meet me and instantly fall head over heals in love with me and make me a princess. So instead I will find a way to pay homage to my childhood dream of becoming a real life princess. While I am not too keen on the royal wedding edition china (made in China no doubt) I do love a good British flag...there is something  both classic(the colors and history) and modern (the contrast and pattern) about the British flag that makes it an inspiring pattern to decorate with.

or maybe take a nod from Kate's new bling...

this one is my favorite favorite favorite!

But more than anything I can't wait for all the dress buzz to hit a fever! anyone care to wager on the silhouette?

photos: house and home, NewYork Estate jewelry, houzz, casasugar

Blink and you miss it...

So I am now onto reading something to enrich my mind and have started Blink by Malcolm Gladwell; the same guy that wrote Tipping Point. So far what I have figured out is that this book is about first impressions- or more specifically about a phenomenon called Thin-Slicing where in that very first impression we make snap decisions and judgments. Thin-slicing can by corrupted by likes, dislikes, prejudices or stereotypes both conscious and unconscious but it can also be extremely accurate.

It has gotten me thinking about first impressions with houses...While I really think (and tell my clients) that your first impression really begins at the drive way with the mailbox, landscaping, exterior lighting and front door- I don't feel like talking about that because you don't have as much of an opportunity to put your stamp on the exterior of your home as you do in your entry way. For the record- please please please stay true to your house with your exterior, sleek modern lights look out of place and contrived on a traditional colonial and traditional English gardens don't fit with with a minimal concrete house. But once you open that front door, you have your first real opportunity to make your statement that is 100% you.

The entry way sets the tone so don't leave it beige! You do want to consider the functional aspects of your entryway, a place to set your keys, a place to pull on your shoes, a place to get that last glance in the mirror or a place to remind you of your priorities as you run out the door...

Like powder rooms, I think, Foyers are a great place to try a bold wall paper or paint treatment because there are typically so few things to conflict with it. 

Not everyone has a tried and true foyer, so consider what the first glance is when you open your door...for many people it is actually a staircase. No reason to leave it boring- let the stairs do the talking!

Maybe you only have one entrance and the entry way plays double duty for storage- get organized! no reason coats and boots have to be unsightly!

And don't forget to look down...it might be the floor that makes the statement in your entryway

And don't forget it is also a great place to bring a little outside in...and I don't mean dirt and grime off your shoes- add some fresh flowers or plants 

or a whole tree!

So dear friends, go stand at your front door, thin-slice it! If you don't like what you see then it is time to do something about it- the visiting season is fast approaching! Foyers are one of my favorite things- let me know if you need some help!

photos:DecorPad, ApratmentTherapy, YourHomeOnlyBetter, CocoCozy, HausofStaging, Harmony Interiors, Veranda, House and Home, HGTV, Inhabit, MaterialGirls

Not just another pretty dress

 What started as a shift to camouflage juice stains from her fresh juice stand has started cult like following for the grand Madame of Preppy Chic, Lilly Pulitzer. And today is the birthday of the goddess of pattern. The clothing line has expanded from the classic shift into a full line 5 season collection for women, men and children. Having stayed true to its roots for 50 years it has carefully added bedding and accessories and now it is going further to create the ultimate Lilly lovers dream come true...a furniture line!

Lilly Pulitzer has teamed up with HFI Brands and launched the line last month in High Point at the furniture market. *Don't get too excited- the way the furniture world works- you will not see this stuff in stores until spring 2011* The over 200 piece collection is fantastic, it is exactly what you expect a Lilly room to look like, complete with collection names like, Country Club, Breakers, Kennedy and Colony. It is a smart and whimsical collection that includes 4 bedroom collections, 4 dining collections, assorted occasional groups and unique accent pieces like shoe poufs!!

And it is not just a bunch of furniture with Lilly's signature fabrics slapped on it, the details of the pieces are impeccable, just like her dresses!

Hello Shoe Pouf! Ottomans are so big, why not use them for storage???

So happy Birthday Lilly! and congrats on another brilliant idea! I already have my wish list...

photos: HFI Brands, W magazine, LillyPulitzer, SophiePyleStyle