Carry some summer!

These Kate Spade bags just feel like summer! Maybe it was my people watching this weekend and admiring all the fun bags people were carrying, but I am in the mood to switch out my leather bag from one light and airy!



(images from Kate Spade)

Monday Morning Happy!

Here we are, another new week! How was your weekend? My weekend was very relaxing. I spent some time down by the water with great friends, lounging, reading magazines and of course people watching! Which can be so fun and amusing on a warm spring day. Sunday was full of cooking for an early supper and lazily reading the paper. I have been thinking of the type of flowers I want to plant for this year. Dahlia's are my favorite so when I came across this picture I thought it would be the perfect way to start a new week and to keep me somewhat focused on planting!

(image from CondeNast/Alexandre Bailhache)

Glass and Steel = a warm house!

Take a look at this 60's inspired space I just saw over at Veranda! Isn't it nice to see a single level house? The floor to ceiling windows are just gorgeous, effortlessly begging the outside to come in. The homeowner was down sizing and "longed for uncomplicated, practical interiors but with high notes of elegance." I would say the architect, Richard Zingale and designer Sandra Chancey succeed. Each room blends seamlessly into the next with its subtle but rich fabrics of silk, linen and suede. This is a great example how clean lines and neutral fabrics can still provide a warm and inviting atmosphere.

These Holly Hunt Chairs are striking with the contrast of warm wood and bright white leather

Every bath should have a Caboche Chandelier hanging over it, just a little mood lighting!

The home design was inspired by Pierre Koenig's 1960's "Modernist glass-and-steel-frame houses"

(images and quotes from Veranda)

How To Thursday - Painted Wallpaper & Wall Flats

It's Thursday which means another "How to Thursday" post!! This is a "How To" personal dilemma. How to create interest in a room without using just a flat paint or the usual wall decor, decals, shelf etc. For months now I have been going back and forth on painting my bedroom, for some reason I just can't commit. Then I came across this idea of painted wallpaper. There is something about painted wallpaper which intrigues me. It could be the embossed quality, texture or the idea I can use any color in the paint deck. I am almost sold on the idea of taking the large solid wall in my bedroom and just wallpapering the center of it. A thick 3' flat painted border around the paper would act like a frame. In my mind I can see it and like the affect. It would add texture and dimension to this one wall drawing you into the room. This type of paper would also be a great solution to the question, "How do I add texture to a front hall or small pantry nook". An area which might not be large enough for wall decor. Let's look at a few options shall we?




The photo above is a fantastic way to get that tin ceiling look, like those found in older New England homes. Any of these patterns would help even out the surface of a horse hair wall also found in older homes. If only I had this as an option in my first apt...horse hair walls can make for bare walls especially when a picture hook falls right to the floor!

Another option are these wall flats above from Inhabit. They are available in 18" x 18" flats. I would alternate them vertical and horizontal as I hang them. It's nice to have options!


What are your thoughts on painted wallpaper and wall flats? Where would you use it in your own home?

(images from Graham & Brown and inhabit)

A Fashionable Fire Hose

Browsing the magazine aisle yesterday I came across this Vogue cover and it stopped me straight in my tracks! To be honest most covers blend right into the next but not this one. It is stunning. Perfectly clean, crisp and elegant. I will even say, fresh!! The tone of green they have chosen quietly yells spring!





Take a close look at her red belt. Fashionable? YES. Unique? YES. Green? YES!! It is a recycled fire hose, scrubbed down of all soot and made into a slim, beautiful belt. I love this idea! Natural Collection, a UK company collected hoses from London firehouses and 50% of the profits from the belts go back to the LFB Benevolent Fund. Even better. There is one special firefighter in my family....not sure if he will like the picture of Cameron Diaz or the idea of a fire hose belt better. Though I think I might know the answer!





(images from justjared and natural collection)

Just a little Oldies

Forgive my bad photography but I wanted to show you a few pictures of a little scouting trip we took. Oldies sometimes referred to as the "Big Red Barn" is a gem of a place in downtown Newburyport, MA. It is open year round and has amazing pieces from furniture, to glassware to fun vintage signs and trinkets. Years ago I purchased a fantastic slipper chair from Oldies for only $90! I absolutely love it! There were 2 and at the time I only had room for one but now I wish I had purchased both. Has that ever happened to you? Years later you are still thinking of what you should have purchased when you had the opportunity? Below are a few of my other fun finds from the Red Barn.

I wish I had a better picture to show you of this chair. It has great lines and is actually very comfy!


My "Oldies" chair before reupholstering. $90, what a bargain!

Monday Morning Happy...

This really needs to be a Tuesday Morning Happy! How was your long weekend? Did you have some creative fun? Fill me in!!
We had a great time scouting for my sister's September wedding. The space she chose for the reception is absolutely gorgeous, the perfect intimate space for a family wedding. It is an old church which has been converted to a restaurant and reception room. I don't want to share pictures just yet as I know a few of her guests read this blog and want them to have that "WOW" moment when they walk in.


One picture I will share is this one above. The cathedral ceilings and original stain glass windows are dramatic (as you would expect in an old church). The walls are painted a warm coral color and the space is filled with incredible light! Instead of a traditional chair rail they have applied a gold pattern painted around the perimeter of the room. It brings the eye down and creates a warmth you would normally not have in such a big space. I also love that they have combined 2 patterns to create this interesting border! I thought this to be a great idea especially for loft spaces or older Victorian Homes.
I hope you all have a great new week!
jul

Enjoy the Sunshine Weekend!

Hi All, I am going to sign off a weee bit early this week and actually take the entire weekend off from ALL work! My little sister is coming back into town to plan her September wedding. I am calling it the "Wedding Planapalooza Weekend" since we are going to pin down every little detail in 3 days. I love when someone asks me to help plan any event and a wedding, well that is even more fun!



I hope you all have a great long weekend (if you are in the States that is) and I will see you back here on Tuesday. Thanks so much for reading, I appreciate each and every one of you and have loved getting to know you through your comments/blogs!
jul

(image from PartyPerfect)

My new beach house....sort of...

If you have been reading CreateGirl for a while you know my style has a very wide range. You never know what I will be into day to day and I am sure that has to do with my Jace Interiors clients all being very different. So when I came across this GORGEOUS beach house in Malibu I just about fell over. This is the epitome of my beach style. Clean, crisp and without much fuss. The real color comes from the sand and water outside the windows. Yes I am daydreaming and can see myself lounging on one of those amazing chaise lounges just outside the living room. The iPod is playing fun beach music and there are many pitchers of fruity drinks. Oh and of course there is a STACK of magazines for me to peruse. Notice the absence of any laptops, Love it!





Look at this kitchen! Big enough to have a great gathering, see the people jumping from beach chair to kitchen stool to living room sofa! Ahhh take me there now! Hope you also have some beach time this long weekend.

To see larger pictures click on over to Room Service Home. Many of their products are featured in this Celebrity Beach House!

(images from RSH)

Any weather wall decor

Take a look at this, outdoor, yes outdoor wall decor from Ballard Designs! Artist, B.J. Shonberg has created these fantastic vintage signs on weather resistant aluminum. I really like the idea of outdoor wall decor, after all it is an extension of the house and deserves the same attention.







Available in 3 sizes 12", 24" or 32". Perfectly fun!

(images from Ballard Designs)

Color Burst on Nantucket

Since Memorial Day is just a few days away I thought I would share this sweet Nantucket Cottage with you. Every inch of the 600 ft sq cottage is bursting with color; Turquoise, Sharp Tangerines, Grass Greens and Sunlite Yellows! This is not a common occurrence for a Nantucket home, which makes this small space even more unique. The strong colors become an interesting contrast to the serene landscape you see out the windows. I love the accents interior designer, Deborah Timmermann added, every single piece has a purpose which maximizes the space. She has created a house with a joyous, comfortable feeling, a place I would want to spend a nice long weekend! Enjoy the tour!

















More information can be found at Country Living here.

(images from Country Living online)

Scouting Small Table Clocks

Lately I have been looking for bedside table clocks. I am not sure I have found the perfect one yet but I thought you might like to see a few I have found. A great combo would be the croc style mixed with the PB Charleston, it would be a unique piece!

1. Restoration Hardware Greenwich Enamel Clock
2. Sundance Time Test Clock $38
3. Pottery Barn Retro Hexagon Clock $24.99
4. Westclox Big Ben $25
5. Pottery Barn Charleston Vintage Clock $39
6.Williams-Sonoma Home Croc Clock $145

Do you have a favorite?

Monday Morning Happy!

This is more like an afternoon happy as I am getting a rather late start today! How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun? I was finally able to do something I have been wanting to do for MONTHS. I enlisted the help of a fantastic photographer friend to take shots of a beautiful Victorian house project I had just completed. To say I was a nervous wreck the last few days would be an understatement. I wanted every single detail; pillow, vase, picture to work perfectly in the space. It all came together seamlessly and I could not have been any more excited! It's also a great reminder of how important a supportive friend can be when you are in the midst of a big project and need someone to say breathe everything is great!! Now I can't wait to see the pictures so I can share them with all of you!!

The photo above is one I saw over at Kodak. It is such an amazing shot and one that marks the end of my beloved Celtics Basketball season here in Boston. Now I am looking forward to next season!
Hope this is a fantastic week for everyone!
jul

(image from Kodak.com)

Following up...

Marni over at Style Carrot posted about all of her fun Brimfield finds. Thought you might all enjoy the pictures, pop on over here!! Notice the very fun yellow letters and door knobs! Oh how I hope I can make it this week, if not there is always the summer!!



(image from StyleCarrot)

How To Thursday - Brimfield Transformations

It's time for this weeks "How To Thursday" and since it is the week of Brimfield I thought we would look for some inspiration! A piece which looks hopeless can be transformed into a fantastic item with just a little work. Below are a few great items to keep an eye out for while you are scouting the fields or any other market this coming season!

A shutter painted a soft white and used as a memo board. The bull clips are a great accent. Just be sure to look out for one that is non functioning!

This is a great storage cabinet, one which I could really use in my office. I hope it is one of my finds this year! I would paint it a really fun color and add hardware which would work in the room.

I saw this a few months ago over at Knack. Isn't this fun? An old spring (sanded down in the rough spots) and used as a memo board! How creative would this look on a wall with a bold color paint or a solid fabric behind it?

There is always the hope of finding a really great accent chair with beautiful lines! One which may only need a bit of sanding, new finish and some reupholstering....just a few things to make it uniquely yours!



Here are 2 more FANTASTIC finds!! I would love to create both in my bedroom. The trellis headboard is here and the radiator jewelry organizer here.

Enjoy your time at the antique markets and please share your purchases with me! I love good inspirational finds!

(images top to bottom: House to Home,VivaTerra, Knack Isabelle Halling, Homegoods)

Scouting - Photos of Country Dreams

This week I have been scouting for Nature Scenic Photography. While searching I came across the Etsy Store of Country Dreaming. What a sweet name which perfectly describes the Ohio artists photos. I feel drawn into the landscape as if I was standing right there. I just Love when that happens with photography!! Just Beautiful!

Here Comes the Sun

Come On In

Smoky Mountains

Tennessee Cattle Farm

Snowfall Symmetry

(images from CountryDreaming)

Goodbye City PB

It's so disappointing to see home stores vacating their city locations. Today I read Pottery Barn on Newbury Street will not be renewing it's lease. First Restoration Hardware went out and now PB. What's going on? Having these stores downtown makes it easy for city dwellers to shop. Now don't get me wrong I hope this means more business for the smaller non chain home shop owners but I feel there is room for everyone. I am a girl who likes to touch and feel the items especially before recommending them to clients...research is important, it's just not the same shopping online.




(image from Boston.com/Wendy Maeda)

Monday Morning Happy!

Did you have a fun weekend? My weekend was fantastic! It was full of creative brainstorming with my great friend Fernando and some retail therapy at Grand. I am one of those girls who gets really excited when I find a good buy and want to share it with everyone! Do you want to see?


This is my favorite new platter by Danica Studio. I have been looking at this for weeks and finally purchased it. I love that it is a bit oversized so I might just use it in a vignette I have going on in my kitchen (more to come on that later). I also bought an amazing scented candle, coriander & star anise, fantastic!



Take a look at this chair which was propped in a corner of the store. This is a good "keep in mind" as you scout all those flea markets this summer. A simple dining chair painted white with a funky faux seat cover can create fabulous from something ordinary! Nice job!




We both stopped right in out tracks as we entered the store and saw this creative chandelier. It reminded us of the old Skwish Toys. It's as if you could expand and contract it to create the size you wish! I love the simplicity of this piece.

You can find many more items at their webstore! As for me, I am taking a shopping break!

(images by Fernando Neves)