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.

This week I had a customer order two of these beautiful high-backed Griffin Chairs from CR Laine Furniture. While the nearly 48 inch height gives them an incredible presence in any room, my client was brave enough to shift the stripe from the usual vertical orientation to a more fashion-forward horizontal presentation.  This kind of detail is what really separates the men from the boys, so to speak. 

I tell people over and over again that having interesting, personalized pieces are worth waiting for. It's only 8 weeks after all. To know that the chair was made especially for you, gives you a greater sense of ownership and it makes your interior distinctive.  Don't be afraid to express yourself...you'll be glad you did.

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!

It's been a wild and wonderful opening weekend for us at Home at Last.  To tell you I'm not tired, would be a total lie, but I am buoyed by the good energy you've all sent this way. If worse comes to worse, you may find me cuddling up on this little beauty!  Redin Park Bed by Bassett. Ramala, Varkala, and Montego Stripe bedding by Pine Cone Hill