Ready to BOO! *with cupcake update*

We're just about ready to roll with tonight's festivities.  All my girls have their costumes...

Been doing a lot of this...

...and this

...and still need to attempt this...

Source: tumblr.com via Alison on Pinterest

I'm not the best baker, so wish me luck, and have a safe and Happy Halloween!

*UPDATE*  OK, Done.  Sometimes, I surprise myself....

Feeling confident now...onto these...

Source: notquitenigella.com via Alison on Pinterest

Hacked by Hague

Well, it only took me about a month, but I can finally say I'm finito with the hack of my old, Ikea media cabinet.  Thanks to the generosity of Kathy from My Interior Life, who sent me a color-match of Hague Blue,  I was able to have my own Brazilian version made.  The paint mixer here was so "impressed" with my obsession dedication to having it just right that he renamed my custom color "Azul Americana." I'll take that as a compliment. ;)

I also subbed in the same gorgeous, brass pulls we used on my sister's hack.  They play very well with Hague.

The space above the odd-height cabinet will be earning some new artwork from Miss Jenny. 

 

Loving that reflective finish SO. MUCH.

...and since we're starting Halloween weekend, I'll go ahead and show you the Before again - it's kinda SKEEEERY!

Have a Spooktacular weekend, Peeps!

Market Picks

Were any of you at High Point Market this week?

Yeah, me neither.

Something about living in Brazil...

It doesn't matter, though, because a handful of other bloggers and designers got their Instamatic on, and gave us all a glimpse of what we can plan to see in the coming months in terms of furniture, and accessories.

There were some fresh things I was happy to see on the horizon, but a bit surprised that some trends (framed coral?  rustic/industrial?) still seem to be having some time in the limelight.

Here's my pics among the iPhone images,  remember, "Going to Market" is about inspiration...

A tufted, tangerine leather sofa.  Crazy love.

Source: dcbydesignblog.com via Noir on Pinterest

Punch-colored throws over masculine chairs.  Divine.

Source: houzz.com via Susie on Pinterest

Mary Macdonald's line for Robert Abbey lamps - I'd use a pair with a more curvy, traditional console.

Source: Uploaded by user via High Point on Pinterest

I sort of sit and stare at this desk.  One of the few glimpses of chrome I saw in a sea of brass and gold.

Source: Uploaded by user via High Point on Pinterest

Can you tell I'm drawn to accessories with graphic statements these days?  Ottoman by Barclay Butera.

Source: Uploaded by user via High Point on Pinterest

The peacock-blue velvet of the sofa won my heart, but I'm also crazy about the somewhat manly take on the tufts.

Source: mimiandmegblog.com via Dana on Pinterest

Clearly, hides (and even more now) skins are having a moment.  Get thee some.

Source: Uploaded by user via High Point on Pinterest

Awhile back, I snatched up a malachite box and lighter for a song.  I doubt the going rate on this amazing tray is quite so kind, but if I were designing your room, you can bet I'd be trying to talk you into it.

Source: Uploaded by user via High Point on Pinterest

...and finally, for all of you who loved and commented on the light fixture in this post, here ya go:  The Meri Drum for Oly Studio

Source: Uploaded by user via High Point on Pinterest

Living Vicariously: The New Furbish Store

It's pretty amazing when the opening of someone else's boutique gives you heart palpitations.  But that's exactly what I'm experiencing after seeing Honey + Fitz's pics from the new Furbish store in Raleigh, NC - the brainchild of decorative artist extraordinaire, Jamie Meares.

I'm more than delighted to live vicariously for a few moments as I virtually go through the store and pick out what I'd take home.  Although, it'd probably be easier to select items I wouldn't want to buy.

The entrance:  the yum factor is just getting started.

A bubblegum sofa. "Oh, I couldn't."  Um, oh, YES I could!

One of my favorite vignettes:  layering art upon large, graphically-enhanced walls.  Brilliant.

Evidence that I need a bit more animal in my life:  leopard bowls...

...and cheetah rugs

Headboard: to die for.  Ms. Meare's ability to layer and mix patterns: OFF the charts.

I'm working with someone who's guest bath is screaming for one of these custom, ikat shower curtains.

If you're into subdued/neutral and subtle.  I dare say Furbish is not your place, but everyone's space needs a jolt of some sort.

I'm due a mommy getaway trip, and I'm seriously considering a mecca-like pilgrimage from Brazil to Raleigh.   Anyone wanna meet me there?

*All pics courtesy of Dina of Honey + Fitz *used with permission*

It's Saturday: Making and Doing

It's Saturday, and I have two things of note:
1) Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins. Make Them. Trust.

Follow the recipe at my food blog - here

2) Still have this going on....and oh, it is SO good!

Have your Hide

Following-up on yesterday's post which featured this room, and its out-of-this-world awesome, Moorish-patterned hide rug...

Source: flickr.com via Alison on Pinterest

A little bird (thanks, Anita!) clued me into the work of Kyle Bunting. Based out of Austin, Texas (which, by default makes him rockin' to me), this designer takes hides, laser-cuts them to perfection, and voila - turns out show-stopping takes on the traditional hide rug. Can you say quatrefoil, greek key, and chevron in hide? Yeah, I know.
By the time I went through all the patterns, there was a puddle of drool on my keyboard. I think the genius is quite obvious.
I'm partial to the nuances of color and texture in the neutral styles....

...but imagine I could be easily persuaded to work a bolder pattern into my own home.

Do we even want to know the price points? Probs not...but I've got an inquiry placed anyway. ;)

Inspired by October

Now that October is in full swing, I feel I have permission to begin seasonal sprucing around our casa. I don't go all-out for the holidays in general, but I do love Halloween. This month, I'm playing hostess-with-the-mostess for a couple of small soirees, so I'll probably go a bit beyond my usual.
Avery is dying to decorate pumpkins, and I need a new centerpiece, so I'm thinking some blingy pumpkins might be a fun projecto.

Source: stylelist.com via Alison on Pinterest

..but otherwise, I think a subtler approach - maybe a hint at glossy black goodness, or a speck of harvest orange might be enough to set the mood just right.

Source: None via harim on Pinterest

High gloss black doors can do no wrong in my book.

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Whoever said dark walls retract space clearly never saw a powder room this grand.

Source: thedecorista.com via Jen on Pinterest

However, an all-white kitchen benefits from a shot of color

Source: bystephanielynn.com via DL on Pinterest

Making a huge mental note on the pumpkin detail of the bookshelves amid the slate-y walls. And wait! Is that a cowhide? Cut to mimic Moroccan tile? I die.

Source: flickr.com via Alison on Pinterest

New Trad goodness. Stripes never fail.

Source: janiemolster.com via Lacey on Pinterest

There's just so much gone right in this reading room, but I'll go ahead and note the orange leather.

Source: stylebyemilyhenderson.com via Virginia on Pinterest

So, go on. Let some orange and black do the talkin'.

Ghetto or Genius?

Upholstery Fabric Spray Paint... from here

Gets decent reviews. Would you do it?