Flying in and out

Sorry to have ignored the blog last week but things are literally flying out the door. {and I am not talking about our big winds yesterday}  A piece comes in and a piece goes out!  Not complaining, just explaining!  Here are a few photos of items that are here today....

{an awesome screen that could be an unusual headboard or focal point for a large space}

{vintage oak buffet, remove the mirror and it becomes a modern media center}

{a Ballard Design cutie, slip covered in a vintage modern linen}

Fake or Real?

It seems like most people fall into one or the other category when talking about using faux flowers and greens in their home. Those who like real are usually very vocal about their desire for only live authentic plants. The other camp is usually less vocal, but know they kill every live plant they buy. They prefer the ease of knowing they will always have a pop of color in their vase.


I used to be in the live only camp. I really had not been exposed to really good artificial greens and flowers so my opinion was based on my slim exposure to anything nice. I have since developed an understanding of both sides of this issue.

Here's how I look at it. In buying a live plant what is the harm if it dies if I haven't over invested. If I want a pot of ivy and it only cost me $10, then no big loss if it dies. If I want something that is always presentable then I might opt for artificial, but this is one place I won't skimp. Cheap flowers usually look cheap. The higher end fakes are sometimes so well done that they sometimes fool even those who would never faux anything.


What do you think of these beauties? Fake or Real?
 
 

Loving our town

Edit, Edit, Edit

Customers tell me they are striving to get "the look" in their home.  I believe what they are talking about is what you see when you open the pages of any great decorating magazine; a room that is visually appealing as well as functional.  You could call it "decorated or staged"; but what I like to call "the look" is edited. 

Editing doesn't mean you can't have a lot of stuff.  It means you have been thoughtful about what you want to display and use, you have thought about it's visual appeal and you have narrowed down what is really important to you right now.

The easiest way I have found to edit is to take everything out of the room and then begin the process of bringing it back in paying attention to your goal of "the look".  Don't they do this on every HGTV show?  Yes, they start with an empty room.  Maybe you don't have to empty the whole room, just empty that mantle or that table you are working on, so you can start with a clean slate.

Then before you bring things back evaluate how you want the space to look and feel.  Think about how you interact with the space.  Is it just for visual appeal (the mantle) or is it an area that needs to be functional too (the kitchen counter).  Try to imagine in your minds eye how you want the space to feel. 

Begin bringing back the "necessary" items (the lamp and remote).  Place those items first (think about hiding that remote in an antique box) because you know you need them!  And then add other items that appeal to you.  Maybe it is a favorite book (that happens to be the color of the couch), a ceramic planter filled with a live green plant and an antique candlestick that your grandmother gave you.  If you don't have the right things take a walk around your house and find forgotten items that could be recycled into your design.

Spend some time playing with the placement of your items.  It is often interesting to use different heights, textures and colors when putting a design together.  What will give you "the look" is your attention to the details and your thoughtfulness in using items in a way that is visually pleasing. 

If you follow this strategy in each area of your home you will soon find you are left with only things you love.  The extra clutter has been edited out and your spaces have "the look" you want.  

And of course you can always bring your edited items to REfind! 

Hand-Poured Soy Candles

Eco-Friendly soy wax, cotton wicks and awesome fragrance is MixtureVintage candles!  Hand poured in the USA, what could be better?  The vintage modern packaging makes these candles a winner in every way.

Great Girlfriend Gifts

"Mangiacotti is a light-hearted luxurious collection of beautiful personal care, homekeeping and home fragrance gifts. All our gifts are adorned with the signature Mangiacotti Girl who captures the whimsical essence of our company and is illustrated on the products as carefree and fun loving while performing everyday activities. The collection includes eight fragrances: Pomegranate, Clementine, Lemon Verbena, Ocean, Green Tea, Lavender, Holiday and Eden. The product line includes top selling premium liquid hand soap, shea butter lotion, surface cleaner, shea butter bar soap, soy candles, room and fabric spray, bath soak and air fresheners."

So excited to find this on my travels to Atlanta.  These products make the perfect girlfirend gift.  The packaging makes them extra special and the products smell and feel great. 

Adelyn Mae had a Birth Day!

{Adelyn Mae born on February 4th in Panana City, FL}

Where in the World is Vienna, VA?

and at REfind the owner hoards globes!  Having fun today trying to figure out the age of some of these beauties.  Thank goodness we have had a fair number of history buffs make their way through the door today.  A fun conversation pieces to add to your home office!

Sensing a Theme around here



Someone is already thinking about Spring!  Botanicals, Birds and Bugs....Awesomeness!

Breathless Cards

I am just beginning to get some of the new items from my trip to Atlanta.  Breathless Paper Company was one of the new companies that impressed me.  The company is owned by a young couple from Atlanta.  He is the designer and she runs the business side.  Their card line has a fun vintage appeal with a modern sensibility in the delivery of the message.  Many of their cards had people standing in their booth laughing out loud.  Here are a few of the ones I chose, you will have to come to REfind to see the rest!

Love having all of the boxes arrive.  Next up is a new Aspen Bay candle that I predict will be as popular as the Capri Blue Aloha Orchid candle that I usually have burning in the store.  Can't wait to burn the first one and see if you agree.