That’s What Friends Are For

About this time every year I start thinking about everything I have to be thankful for. Despite the economic downturn and other circumstances beyond my control, I am so extremely blessed. I’m perfectly healthy, have a loving family and so many friends that I can’t even keep up with them all. They’ve all been so amazing through the last year and I thought the perfect way to thank them, would be to introduce some of them to all of you!

Erica is one of my good friends here in Boston is one of the most amazing photographers I’ve ever met. Seriously. She has traveled the world for work and pleasure, taking pictures of new places and people and has recently started her own photography business. She does weddings and portraits and she’s so extremely talented. She has captured so many amazing moments and any of her photos would be an amazing addition to any home.

You can find her on her own blog here and here are some of my favorite shots:

Another friend that I think you should meet is Arian. Arian and I are very new friends, but I think she’s extremely talented too. She does these amazing illustrations and is amazingly creative. Any of her illustrations would look great in a kid’s room. I can especially see this sweet one in a little girl’s room.

Below are a few of my other favorites. You can visit both of Arian’s Etsy shops here & here:

My friends Elijah and Rhonda who recently moved from the North Shore to Asheville are another couple of my extremely talented friends. They work together and create eco-friendly metal smith designs inspired by forests. Actually, before I even met Rhonda and Elijah I had a ring with one of their earlier designs and it’s still one of my favorite pieces. You can find them here and here are a couple of my new favorites:

Last but certainly not least are Tabitha and Larry. Tab and Larry have been friends for actually quite a while. They are photographers as well and have a totally different style than Erica’s, but still do gorgeous work. Tab and Larry actually photographed my wedding about 5 years ago and did an amazing job. Here is Tab and Larry’s website and a few great pics:

You’d think this would be the extent of my talented, creative friends and family but there are about two dozen more that are each talented in their own way. In fact, a large number of my friends are also amazing musicians. I’m so fortunate to have such amazing friends and am so thankful for each one of them. So, my friends, if you’re reading this, I hope you know how much I love you all and how thankful I am that you’re a part of my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

**Bets**

Monday Morning Happy!

We are upon my absolute favorite holiday of the year -Thanksgiving! I love love love Thanksgiving, even as a kid I enjoyed it! It could be the fact there is no stress of buying the perfect gift or racing against the clock to have the house decorated. I try to think of this holiday in its simplest form, it's all about giving thanks. It's a time to slow down look around the big dinner table and be thankful for good health, family and friends. The best part is since it is on a Thursday it is usually an instant long weekend which makes it even more fun!! So to celebrate my favorite holiday all posts up until the day will have to do with fall and Thanksgiving. Hopefully you find some tips to help in celebrating your own holiday.
Enjoy the week!
JUL

Happy Weekend!

Yipppeeee it's the weekend!! This week on CreateGirl revolved all around friendship, quite by accident but once I get talking about my lovely guys and girls who make my life so much better I just can't stop gushing! Actually why stop now? It started out with the adorable "Cute Picture of the week". Than I introduced you all to the lovely and talented Ms. Betsy as our guest blogger (did you see that cozy chaise she featured? Heaven!) I am so excited to have her on board, the creativity is overflowing between us! Next up was the news Cassandra from the blog Coco+Kelley which I posted about here, was added to the Decor8 blogroll. For those of you who are not familiar with Decor8's blogroll let me just tell you, it is a big deal and so well deserved!! Click over to Decor8 for the full list I am sure you will find a few new reads to fall in love with too! The incredibly talented Christy from BellaBluDesigns (who recently appreared on Martha Stewart!!!) was sweet enough to talk about CreateGirl on her own blog! Such support is truly an amazing feeling!! So I head into the weekend feeling lucky and proud to have such wonderfully creative friends who inspire me each day.
Do you have a friend who did something special for you or achieved something great this week? If you want to give them a little "shout out" leave it in the comment section!
Enjoy the weekend!
JUL

(image from Etsy)

How to Thursday - the empty room Stage 2B

Here we are at Thursday! It's time again for "How to Thursday" (I feel like I should have one of those high pitched announcer voices here....)! Today we will add to Stage 1 and Stage 2, click on either for a refresher. Our focus will be entertainment units and area rugs.

Entertainment Units have changed drastically over the last decade. Gone are the ENORMOUS armoires which screamed my tv is in here. They have graciously been replaced with scaled down unassuming units to compliment the flat screen television. All I can say is hip hip hooray, I never enjoyed having to design around a big hunk of wood.

Depending on your budget and size of your screen there are many options! Look around your home and find an existing piece of furniture which can be used as a tv stand. Do you have a bookcase or small chest you can use in a new way? It's great to be unconventional when trying to blend a piece into the room.

I love using an every day piece of furniture in a new way. Like this sideboard, it is perfect to blend into a room scheme without screaming here is the t.v.

Another nice option is working the flat screen into another functional piece. This acts as one complete unit, great storage and the tv is seamless in its place

Area Rugs: For me there are a few rules of thumb when I am using an area rug with a sofa, I set the sofa so at least the front legs are on the rug. It is my preference to never have the entire sofa on the rug, if it is, it usually means the rug is too big. An area rug should work as an "anchor" to the furniture in the room, especially if your furniture is floating in the middle of the space. By having each piece connected to each other on the rug you create a cohesive unit. This will also encourage a conversation space. When choosing a rug take into consideration how you will be using the space. Do you have kids who love to sit on the floor and play video games if so you would want a plush rug so it is comfortable for them (think shag!). If you never see yourself sitting on the floor and just plan to use it for an aesthetic purpose and to create a grouping you could go with something a bit more "flat" as in a sisal or woven cotton rug. Color will also play into the selection, as we talked about in stage 1. If you have selected your big pieces to be of a neutral pattern/color the rug will be the perfect opportunity to bring in a fun pattern or just a pop of color!
Let's get to a few examples!!

Basic "flat" Cotton Striped Rug. Neutral furniture and the "pop" is in the rug!


Great POP of color to the neutral sofa. This rug begs for attention!

Hope some of these tips helped in pulling together your empty room. If you have questions please leave a comment.

(images from Crate and Barrel, Living Etc, William Sonoma Home, Ballard Designs)

Wall Decor Impact

I just came across this picture on Living Etc. and needed to share! Mostly for the wall decor on the far wall, how striking is that? I love when you walk into a room and are hit by an image which than dictates the rest of the space! It's simple but makes such a statement. She looks like she has a great attitude and is quite stylish. Of course the large floor to ceiling windows in this loft only add to the impact.

Go to Store: Pillows and Throws

Have you been to the website Pillows and Throws yet? No? Oh let me show you around it is Fantastic! This is one of my "go to" stores for pillows, bedding and a few other items! They have a great range of designers, colors and styles. I love being offered an across the board selection in one place, it makes the scouting so much easier! They also have great sales, you know how I love to spread the word on a good sale! Check it out here. Below are just a few of my current favorites, you can see they range from a fun purple pillow for a teens room to the sophisticated Yellow Silk Dandelion from Urban Silk.












































(images from Pillows and Throws)

That’s right, I’m a virgin…

... blogger, that is.

(I know, I know; a little misleading. You were hoping for some really good dirt, weren't you?)

Thanks to my good friend Julieann, and her kindness and generosity, I'm making my blogging debut and I couldn’t be more excited! Julie and I have been bouncing ideas off each other for the last few months and we’ve both realized that it’s been great to have another set of eyes, another opinion and a different perspective. Thanks so much for your faith in me Julie!

Speaking of a different perspective, that’s what I’m going to try to bring you through my continued posts on CreateGirl. Julie is amazing at what she does, is so extremely talented, and has great taste, but it’s always fun to change it up every once in a while, right? That’s where I come in. Hopefully you’ll enjoy reading these as much as I already enjoy writing them!

Before I go, I wanted to let you in on how I experience the fall season. See below for how I’m dying to spend a chilly November Saturday.





























throw, candle, chaise, wine, votives, sweater, flickr wine image)

Have a great week!

**bets

Collaboration and Guest Bloggers

(Betsy and I collaborating...or is it telling secrets, you pick!!)

I am so excited to introduce you to my first Guest Blogger, Betsy. She will be contributing to CreateGirl a few times a month. Betsy has just moved into a great new house just outside of the city with her hubby. I have asked her to let us in on her home decor finds and also share her struggles in finding the perfect pieces. I have a feeling we might be hearing about a certain wallpaper for the front hall in the coming weeks! As you might know, Jace Interiors, my design company, is all about collaboration. Between myself and my clients and also between myself and other creative people. It's always nice to bounce ideas off someone else, especially when you are working on your own. The same goes for the blogging community, it is a great support and an amazing resource for all creative people! Betsy has come to be one of my fabulous collaborators!! So please give a warm hello to Betsy, she might just be a tad nervous and what could make her feel more welcome than a few comments to settle the nerves?!
thanks, JUL

Monday Morning Happy

Happy New Week!
The weekend was full of work but I was also able to make time to visit with some good friends, ones I have not seen in months! There was a night filled with 2 friends who I just adore, both incredibly creative with energy that could only be described as contagious and positive! Another part of the weekend was spent hanging out in a friends kitchen. Isn't it funny how there can be dozens of seats around the house and people find the kitchen island to be the most comfortable? I love that, I feel like it is always a compliment to the home owner! It was fantastic to catch up with them and their 15 month old, who is as sweet as can be, just like his parents!!

The Cute Picture of Week and quote comes from a flickr account I stumbled upon. Noreen is an exceptional photographer, if you have a minute check her out here. The photo is a sweet story of 2 little girls who had never met, yet seemed to immediately become friends. What is better than having a friend who will help you up all the steep stairs in life? Just precious!
Enjoy the week and I hope you are able to take some time out to reconnect with new and old friends.
JUL

What's in the jewelry box?

When I am looking for some quick costume jewelry for a last minute night out, I take a peak into JCrew and Banana Republics jewelry boxes! Here are a few of my favorite picks for fall!

From Banana Republic:A great statement to go with a simple black outfit! Cabochon Studded Bracelet $39
The Peacock Faceted Glass Ring and the Smokey Pave Dome Ring,
spectacular at $39ea!
The Luxe Bib Necklace $198


















From JCrew:

The very fun Crystal Garden Ring $68
The Burgundy Stone Bead Ribbon Necklace $55 and the Double Crystal Citron Bangle $28

I enjoy how these classic stores have introduced jewelry into their offerings. It aligns with their style but if you make the right selection it can create great interest! Especially those fabulous, large bauble rings!

(images from J.Crew and Banana Republic)

What Sunday does for me

Friday...... How I love the day! Actually, Sunday is by far my favorite day. My ideal Sunday is going to brunch, reading the paper, if it's fall watching football while flipping through cookbooks to decide what will be for dinner and if time allows go for quick walk after dinner. In my house I like Sunday dinners to start at 3 and last until 6. They should be a leisurely event, filled with friends/family around the table and yummy home made food. I can smell the aromas filling the house as I write! Ideally it would be great if every Sunday was like this but with the hectic schedule it's not always feasible. When I do have the opportunity for a BIG home cooked relaxing Sunday I treasure it and feel energized for the entire week.
What is your favorite day of the week?
Enjoy the weekend!

(images from Domino Magazine)

It happens

My apologies, "How to Thursday" got a bit derailed this week. Some people have writers block, well I apparently had a creative block. So it will return next week, maybe I just need a good Sunday dinner (see the weekend post)!
thanks, Jul

Watch it, Frame!

During the day I sometimes need to give myself a "time out". During these mini breaks I tend to hop on the internet and let it take me wherever it may. For instance today I started on Cottage Living's website, which took me to this fun, modern site called Trendir. Look what I found, this VERY cool tv stand. I am loving it!!! From Emmei comes the Teatronuovo Swivel Stand which encompasses a flat screen in a frame like stand. It almost looks like it is floating until you see the shelf which stores the cable box. The swivel base is also a nice added option. The sleekness is refreshing and the style unique. Personally I like the black version and could see it used in many styled homes. It is also available in white and the silver bronze which might be a bit strange as it gives off a mirror feel. Imagine actually watching yourself watching television? Not sure about that, but to have a tv stand like this I could make it work!



(images from Trendir)

Inspiring Jackie Books

Since it is election week I thought I would keep on topic! I have a huge collection of "Jackie" books and on a night of hope, change and a new beginning I would love to share a few of my favorites with you. She was so graceful, classy, sophisticated, stylish, intelligent and beautiful. I often flip through my books for inspiration and always come away feeling motivated and encouraged. Isn't it amazing how books can do that for you?

"JACKIE a life in pictures"

"Jackie style"


"One Special Summer" (one of my favorites)

"The White House Years"

ok I am off to watch the results come in, so exciting! Enjoy the night!

(images from Barnes and Noble)

The Grand Frank Roop!

Frank Roop is an amazing interior designer here in Boston and I am a big fan. His work is clean with a great bit of whimsy, just the type of design I am drawn to for myself. I discovered his work while flipping through Boston Magazine Home where they profiled him in his amazing Back Bay house. Gorgeous, does not even begin to describe his personal space. The way the rooms are arranged is a sneak peak into his background as a merchandiser. Like myself Roop started as a merchandiser for a Newbury Street clothing store before jumping over to interiors, yet another reason I am drawn to his style! His rooms are full of small details, which if the viewer does not take a moment to find could be overlooked. It's these small details which make his rooms so grand! Here are some dreamy rooms to swoon over!

the green fabric chandelier and glass like tile floor
are what made me stop, just lovely!

warm and inviting using tones of the same color

beautiful windows, framed with luxurious panels

this is a great example of working
with the angle of the ceiling

sometimes a simple arrangement can have a big impact

(images from Frank Roop and Boston Magazine Home)

Monday Morning Happy

Morning!
It's the start of a very exciting week! One of my favorite days of the year is Election day and Tuesday will be a big day for the U.S. I was raised in a family where both parents were involved in town politics. I fondly remember sitting around the dinner table talking about what was going on in town and the changes that were coming. During these conversations, I learned how important it is to vote and how even one person can make a change when they speak up!! Please take a minute wherever you live when there is an election to vote, you really can make a difference.

The Cute Picture of the Week is just adorable! My niece, also known as the Princess on this day, has an expression on her face as if to say "what me?" as her hand was caught in the "cookie jar".
Enjoy the week!

(image from Design-Milk)

Have a sweet & spooky weekend!

Happy Halloween!

The weekend has arrived! Enjoy the tricks and treats, of course the treats are what I am excited for!! I just want to take a minute to express a big THANK YOU to everyone who checked into CreateGirl this week. It was a big week and all the emails and well wishes really meant the world. I hope you liked this weeks posts and keep coming back whenever you have time...daily,weekly, monthly!
Enjoy the weekend and I will see you back here on Monday, after I have indulged in my fair share of candy.

(image from This Old House pumpkin contest)

How To Thursday - the empty room Stage 2

Welcome back to "How To Thursday." Last week our focus was stage 1 of how to decorate an empty room on a budget. Stage 2 usually happens when you have lived in the house for a bit of time and experience how you will use each room. We will continue with the living room, you can review the first stage here.

Stage 2 - Window treatments

Window treatments are both functional and aesthetic. We need them for privacy but they can also make a room feel complete. Have you ever had bare windows than installed a rod with panels and suddenly felt like the room was bigger and warmer? At this point you should be clear on the color scheme of the room which will help with the selection. There are many options, starting with a few questions will make it easier. How are you using the room?



Can the neighbors see right into the house? In this case I like to use sheers especially patterned tone on tone panels. With this option you can keep the sheers closed all day which helps with the privacy but still lets daylight in. The above picture shows a very bright room!



Are the windows drafty and you need a treatment which will help with the heating/cooling bill? In this scenario, honeycomb blinds from Hunter Douglas are a great option. They are available in a huge range of colors and are extremely energy efficient. I would suggest pairing them with panels which hang on either side of the window. This will make the panels your focus and not the blinds.
















If your desire is more on the decorate side but are also interested in the function of the 2 scenarios above, Roman Shades are a fantastic option. Alone they create a clean, crisp look. They can also be "built" on as time passes. Since we are talking about keeping to a budget and stages, start with romans on their own. When you want to create a different feel you can layer on side panels as shown in the picture on the right.


If this all seems overwhelming ask a designer for help or use one of the internet resources like Smith and Noble. Another "How To Thursday" post will focus on picking rods and hanging techniques!!

Next Thursday we will continue with Stage 2, selecting entertainment units and area rugs. If you have questions on either subject please leave a comment and I will answer them next week.

(images from Better Homes & Garden, Smith and Noble, Pottery Barn)