If I have a spare moment, you can most likely find me leafing through magazines or design books in search of inspiration or furthering my professional education.  Often I can get through things pretty quickly but every once in a while I find a picture that stops me in my tracks.  Sometimes, I stop because there are key elements I'm drawn to, sometimes it's because there is nothing appealing and I stop to improve it in my head.  Rarely though, do I find pictures that inspire me in total...not so with the shot above.  I was immediately hooked.

What do I love about his room, you ask?  Here we go:

• Blue velvet tufted sofa...I imagine the sofa has been in the family forever and was recovered in this sumptuous color a few years back.
• The combo of the window pane fabric on the chairs with the floral accent pillows reminds me of a sports coat and tie...I'm a sucker for menswear.
• Two rugs...traditional wool knotted rug over the textural sisal creates a beautiful high-low moment.
• Accent fabrics are colorful and unrelated...I often wish I had to courage to do this in my own home but I have a hard time relinquishing control.
• The architecture of this room is shown off proudly...only one window is adorned with drapery.
• And how about that wall sconce?  The room is more traditional and then we get this rustic fixture on the wall, yet another high-low moment.

I'm going to continue to study this room and believe me, one day I will adopt a devil-may-care attitude toward throw pillows.  I promise I'll share when I do.

In case you haven't noticed, all hues of blue are taking center stage in décor.  While some would say that it never really left, others will remember its last hey day was about 15 years ago.  My experience with blues has run the gamut, from loving it as a kid, to not even allowing any blue in my first shop 10 years ago. But what I've come to realize since that self-imposed ban is that blue should play a role in everyone's life.

Blue is calm, classic, moody, and electric.  It conjures up the sea and the sky and is the keystone of ethnic patterns from China, Holland, and Africa. Simply put, blue is not going anywhere. So while it's surging, I recommend you find a way to bring it into your own home. 

While all shades are beautiful, I recommend you take a look at a true navy and a medium turquoise. They are the work horses of the blue family. Both are neutrals that will compliment and coordinate with practically any other color you pair with them.  Gray, coral, yellow, black...you name it.  They will make a stunning combo.  Just look below to see how beautiful the two are together.  Who'da thunk?

From a textile perspective, is there anything prettier than a blue velvet?  I don't think so.  Combine it with a rustic leather you'll have a perfect high-low combination as you can see in the photo below.

And just look at how much pattern mixing is going on below, yet it feels calm and restful.  Blue, you are a miracle worker!  So, am I blue?  Absolutely, and I promise to never ban you again!

I believe the key to beautiful design is combining the components of a room to create a cohesive whole.  That whole is part cooperation, part tension, part fun, and part drama.  The process can sometimes be bumpy, but with patience and communication, you can achieve a perfect union.  Sounds just like marriage, doesn't it.

I came across the picture above while browsing Facebook (although I can't remember who posted it) and I think it epitomizes that perfect union.  Notice the crustiness of the cast iron fireplace surround sitting directly across from the sleek acrylic cocktail table.  Look to at all the fresh live greenery in contrast to the wicker chairs and native stone walls.  The complimentary blue and green absolutely sing. There is texture upon texture, like the brick floor, sisal rug and patterned rug and rough hewn side table.

Take a lesson from this picture.  I think you can learn a lot about creating the perfect combo in your home.

This phrase can apply to so many things in our lives.  It could be a small tweak in your golf swing that starts producing that straight shot you've been after.  It could be a correction to your eyeglasses that clarifies everything you see.  It can even be a shift in your attitude that clears away the clouds and lets the sun shine.

Regardless of the situation, change is a real and necessary part of life. 

Since opening a month ago, I've been troubled by the north third of the shop.  It felt like a dance floor, wide open, no interest.  I put some thought into it and on Memorial Day my sister and I did a little rearranging.  The minor changes we made have had a major impact. 

Bye-bye dance floor! Hello cozy, comfortable vignettes.  I'd love to show you a few before and after photos, but I'd rather you come in and experience the space for yourself.  See you soon!

I love putting together a room whether it's in a real house or it's smack dab in the middle of my showroom.  The process for me is the same, regardless of the location.  I start with fabric...finding the perfect palette to fit the mood and then I begin to layer those colors in area rugs, artwork, accessories and lighting.  Some might consider this backward, but my fabrics selections have rarely led me down a bad path.  Add some texture, some visual interest, some personality and your room will sing.  Don't worry this sounds overwhelming, I've got complete Rooms To Go on the floor, and I'm more than happy to visit your space and develop a scheme specifically for you.

A few years ago, at home, I switched to a neutral palette for my upholstered pieces.  What fun it's been to throw colorful pillows like these on my sofas and chairs.  Get tired of one color scheme, find a new pillow and create a brand new look.  Don't underestimate the power of a 20" square piece of material.  It can be transforming!