Signs Of A Busy Week!

Hello my beautiful, wonderful, amazing friends!  I'm just popping in to check on you; to make sure you had a great weekend?  I so hope that you did!  Remember what I always say..."Make it AMAZING"!  Anyhoo, this week for me, is going to be tight and busy.  I may miss a couple of days here and there, but will try to post on the go via my iPhone if I can't make it back to my computer.

 

 

I am so glad that I hang on to magazines!  Southern Accents and House & Garden were two of my favorites that are no longer in publication!  I don't have every issue, although I do have more than I showed in the above pic.  I definitely have enough to reference back to in times of inspiration starvation!  I guess that was a bit extreme!  No inspiration starvation here; it's just great to be able to go back and become re-inspired by designs that were done a while ago and see how relevant they are today.  That is the sure sign of good design!  I have a couple of projects that I am working on where I need some classic design inspiration. 

 

 

Okay, so this week I am working on a presentation that I am submitting for an Inspiration House that will open early next year.  When I was initially told about it, my initial reaction was I wasn't interested in doing a show house.  I was completely and totally fine with just participating as a blogger once the show house is ready to open.  But I have two nagging friends that kinda wouldn't get off of my case about it!  I am very grateful to them because I said to myself this would be the year that I would do something that scares me!  This would definitely qualify!  I'm so not a shoe-in for this.  I have to submit my design plan and then a panel of judges will determine if my plan fits in with the scope and direction that they are looking for for the Inspiration House.  I will probably go into panic mode if selected!  Yikes!  If not, I would have totally enjoyed the experience of knowing that it's truly not that bad.  Besides, as a model, I dealt with a lot of rejection for things that I could just not change (hip size, ethnicity, etc.)!  And so, I am quite prepared for what may lie ahead, whether it is acceptance or rejection, for I have been well trained for both!

 

 

 

 Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

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Into The Darkness: Sweet Sweet Slumber

Whenever the weekend rolls around I always think about all of the rest I'm going to get.  I think about sleeping in and rising when I feel the urge to do so.  Well, not this weekend my friends!  Saturday will be filled with work, work, work!  It's okay, since I love my work and the people that I work with, it's a pleasure and more times than not, fun! 

 

 

You have to love the tall embossed leather headboard!  The black on black on black is sexy!  This bedroom is a great marriage of masculine (headboard) and feminine (bedside table).  The addition of the white bedding and gold accents adds a wonderful "POP"!

 

 

I love twin beds!  This bedroom is totally one I can see the little girl (my daughter is fondly called this by her dad), wanting in a couple of years!  It is a casual, disheveled glamour.  The headboards are a beautiful color and in soft velvet, no less.   The lighting and bedside table truly brings it all together.

 

 

The rhythm between the wall covering and the bed sheets works.  No the patterns aren't exactly the same, but it's just the right scale and strikes a nice balance.  I like the introduction of the toffee wood finish of the bedside table.  It changes the personality of room, giving it a bit of warmth.

 

 

So chic, so glamorous, so luxe!  What else is there to say about this room?  I love the moss green!  I love the velvet upholstery!  I would love to do a wall like this!

 

 

The navy wall makes the silver, red, and green jump right out at you!  Can I tell you how much I really like the plaid with the paisley!  So unexpected and so not something I would have thought to do, but looks incredible together!  I'm crushing on the red lamp base and silver shade!

 

 

I can imagine reading a great novel, wearing my eye glasses (yes, I wear glasses, but only when driving at night or when it's raining), as I linger for a while in this gorgeous bed!  Every element here is fantastic alone and doubly so together, creating a modern and elegant bedroom.

 

 

A very smart and traditional bedroom.  My favorite elements in the room are the lamp and the etagere.  I've always loved a classic brass column lamp with a pleated shade.  Using an open shelf like this one for a bedside table is a lovely way to display items that need to be handy.  It encourages you to be more thoughtful in how you place them; or at least it should!  Having a pretty or handsome tray makes those necessities nice to look at.

 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

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Today's Office: Rustic And Modern

One very cold and dreary weekend back in winter, a designer friend of mine Tavia, my assistant (and 7 year old daughter) Gillian, and I set out to find wonderful treasure at the Scott Antiques Market that's held every second weekend here in Atlanta.  It seemed that everywhere we turned we saw antlers of every size and variety.  I'm not much of an antler or taxidermy kinda gal, but I will tell you, I was really consumed by these very interesting elements and wondered what project and what purpose could I use these! 

 

via House Beautiful

 

Well, here ya go folks!  Isn't it lovely?  Yes lovely!  Although the library table, Louis XIV chair, layered cowhide rugs, and of course vintage European antlers make this office very rustic; the curved iron legs holding the table top, the finish of the frames, and the delicate modern lamp make for a simply lovely, rustic and modern office!  My hat goes off to designer Betsy Brown for creating such a beautiful place to work.  Who says antlers are so yesterday?

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda 



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A Fashion Cause For Pause

No, it's nothing serious!  I'm just devastated, simply devastated!  Not that I thought I would be able to purchase the dress of my Fall 2012 dreams, but gosh golly, I can't even afford to dream about it anymore!  I pinned this incredible Gucci dress to my Pinterest Fashion board back in May, and it has been one of my most pinned pins here in recent weeks!  It is phenomenal and pardon me for being so, hmm...forward, but it would look amazing on me!  Well, a very good friend of mine, who works at Gucci, informed me that the dress is $6,900.00!  He continued to tell me that they could order it for me and have it delivered to the store.  Really?  How nice of them!  Obviously, I told him I would have to get back with him to let him know what I've decided!  Right!  He and I both had a mad laugh at that one!

 

Gucci Fall 2012 via Pinterest

 

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Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda



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What Does It Mean To Further A Theme?

I really love the images of Ivanka Trumps Upper East Side Manhattan apartment featured in the October issue of Elle Decor.  Ivanka collaborated with Kelly Behun to create the comfortable "warm modern" home she shares with her husband, Jared Kushner and new baby girl, Arabella Rose.  The apartment overlooks Central Park and only blocks away from her office.  Talk about having your cake and eating it too!

 

This is by far my favorite of all the images featured!  I am so in awe of this foyer!  The driftwood table was designed by Behun and has an amazing mosaic glass top.  Don't you just love the contrast of something so rustic and something perceived to be as fragile as glass?  I adore branches of any kind and to have these sitting atop the table in silver glass vases with their voluptuous silhouette, leaning towards the mural that was handpainted by muralist Bob George Studio is nothing short of striking!  I am struck by how the mural looks like the shadows of the branches on top of the table!  I love it! The narrow bench (although beautifully upholstered and properly scaled for the space) isn't much of a perch to sit on and enjoy the room, but I suppose it would do for a bit!  While this isn't your typical spot in a wooded park, it does bring the outdoors in in the most glamorous way! 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 



*Image via Elle Decor



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Making A Statement with Bookcases, Shelving, and Etageres

    I'm always so interested to see how people live with books, treasured collectibles, and random pieces.  Long gone are the days when bookshelves were used to store books only.  Homeowners are now embracing shelving and cabinetry of all kinds as apart of the interior decor and using them to make a statement.  Some of the statements are very deliberate and some totally random; but the mix, whether eclectic or traditional are adding a lot of interest and telling a story like only they can.
 

Used as a room divider and styled to further the contemporary theme of the home, this open shelving in the same finish as the floor, continues the open and airy feel of the two spaces.

 

 

 What an eye-catching way to bring color into the room and transform the contents of the etageres from being ordinary to something you now want to take a closer look at.
 

 

 Surrounding a doorway with built-ins is a great use of space that truly enhances this intimate seating area, which now becomes a great place to curl up, relax, and get lost in a good book.

 

 

The headphones on the chair would suggest a place to listen to music, read, and even watch movies.  What a creative way to have all of these items handy, than by having them become apart of the decor and easy to find at a moments notice.

 

 

 What I love most about this built-in is the charcoal gray finish.  How clever are the frames mounted to the outside of the shelves, and the random placement of books and objects.  A wonderful example of perfectly imperfect living at it's best.

 

 

 I believe this to be a Barry Dixon design.  What a wonderful designer and a great use of classical elements.  Although the contents of this cabinet, along with the cabinet itself is gorgeous, what a very lovely idea to hang draperies along the wall to frame the cabinet and add softness.

 

 

 Taking note of how books and objects are arranged on shelves; some horizontal, some verical; adds interest and makes it become more of an artistic statement.   Isn't this just so much better than just an arrangement of books?

 

 

 Again, taking the time to be deliberate in how items are grouped; keeping in mind their color, size, and theme; and placing them as collections is a wonderful way to tell a story an advance and idea or theme. 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images via my Pinterest board "Elements" 



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Where Did The Week Go?

  Seriously, where did the week go?  It's all a blur!  I literally think I spent all of my time dropping the kids off at school and picking them up!  Can I vent for a moment?  Thank you!  My alarm goes off every morning at 5am, but most of the time my feet will not hit the floor until 5:30.  My schedule is so tight.  I have no room to meander about, because from the time I get home from dropping my son at school, until I have to be in the carpool line to fetch the little girl, I have four and a half hours to get the brunt of my work done; go to meetings, source, etc. 

 

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Once I get dinner on the table, whether I cook it or do take out, get homework done, and the kids off to bed, I try to get more work done. I typically get into bed around midnight. Where was I going with this...hmmm, anyhoo! Oh yeah, I'm pretty spent by the time mid-week rolls around, so you've got to know that I am so looking forward to the weekend when it comes! Although, I'm not going to be able to unplug completely like I did a couple of months ago when I turned off all electronic devices, I will be catching up on some reading and living life so that I will have interesting stories to share with you!  In the meantime, here are a few new online mag releases for you to peruse at your leisure!

 

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Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda



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The Complexity of "The Words" with Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana

 

 

I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed The Words!  Bradley Cooper, in my opinion, can do no wrong, and maybe that's why I found the movie to be wonderful!  Meanwhile, the friend that accompanied me to the movie, sat through it asking questions, sighing heavily, and rolling her eyes because she felt, what many of the critics felt...bored and confused!  The Words has such a wonderful cast which includes Zoe Saldana, Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde, and Zeljko Ivanek. 

 

Even though I write this blog, I still don't consider myself a "writer".  I don't know, when I think of a writer, I think of someone that has a magical way of transporting the reader to a particular place, in a particular time, and experiencing the story in the most vivid and palpable way.  The writer forces the reader to become the characters; to think how they think, feel how they feel, and see how they see.  This is what I love about the power of words!  They can build up, tear down, cut like a sword, and heal like medicine.  Isn't that amazing?  That's exactly how I walked out of the theater, thinking life is amazing and I am so glad that I am able to live it, experience it, and be in the moment to appreciate all that it offers!  Was this feeling of euphoria because of the content of the movie or because I saw what I wanted to see in the movie?  Hmmm...

 

I saw the plight and anguish of Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper), an aspiring writer who struggles with composing a story that publishers can embrace, feeling confident that the buying public will understand and read.  After traveling to Paris on his honeymoon with Dora (Zoe Saldano), she purchases for him a briefcase that he later finds contains a typed manuscript that was written a number of years ago about a young man in the service.  He reads the manuscript and was utterly taken by the words of this young serviceman.  Well, as the movie continues, the manuscript is published as Rory's own and there ensues the moral dilemma of which the movie is centered around.  To read more about The Words click here.  To read critical reviews click here and here.  In the end, was the movie a bit scattered and not nicely wrapped into a neat ending that most can feel good about...um, yeah, that's pretty accurate!  However, if you can follow the journey of the characters and be transported by their story, Rory in particular, I feel that matters more than the actual destination. 

 

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you have come to see that I think everything is what you make of it and how you want to experience it.  Sure, there are those things that make you see and feel them in the way they are intended, but then there are others that are not so convincing; hence the power of words!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

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Back To Work: Monday's Office and It Is Gorgeous!

Everytime I go home to visit and go into my dad's office, I look around and shake my head! He has such a great space and I can see doing wonderful things with it. He has files everywhere. They are on the floor, the credenza, the bookshelves, the chairs; everywhere! He's pretty funny!  Everytime I mention he needs to let me do something to make it more organized and handsome, he let's me know "This is where work happens.  I know where everything is and that's all that matters"! Besides, he does have a very nice conference room to meet clients, so they never get to see how the magic actually happens!

 

 

  Anyhoo, even my own work space is crowded with files, books, catalogs, drawings, fabric swatches, yada yada.  All of the things that I need to do whatever it is I am working on at the time.  It may seem like clutter to everyone else, but to me it makes perfect sense and I know exactly where everything is.  Well Daddy, I get it!  So going forward, I will get my kicks from pictures of well styled office spaces, because we all know that at that particular moment, when that picture was being taken, no work was happening there!

 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

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Social Media: FOMO or No Mo!

Another late day posting!  My apologies again and thank you for being so patient and understanding! :)  So, I have been reading a few articles here as of late about people who are somewhat addicted to the most popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest; who have a Fear Of Missing Out!  They are constantly checking status updates, reading tweets, and seeing who has pinned what.  Hmmm, sounds like bit of a problem to me! 

 

 

I've been getting quite a few Pinterest group board invitations and decided to go ahead and join four.  One of them is really cool, named Fashion Details.  I'm thinking of deleting this board and possibly just following!  Why?  Because for some strange reason, Pinterest thinks I want to know every single time someone pins a new pin; and this board gets dozens daily!  It has close to 10,000 pins and counting!  Really?  I just don't care like that!  I have already been experiencing a little social media burnout and truly have not been engaging at all on Facebook and Twitter outside of posting my latest blog postings.  And even when I do that, I have nothing to add!  Right now, I am totally feeling like no mo(re) social media!  I know this won't last for long, but I am really in a social media rut!

 

 

I would like to close with this little bit... I know that everyone who owns a business is looking at social media as a way to increase their exposure, thereby hopefully making more money.  With that said, we are posting little tidbits of information that enhances our expertise and credibility.  Makes sense right?  Sure it does!  This is where I get a little irritated...I'm not seeing much in the way of getting to know the person (there are exceptions, always).  No, no, no, not really personally, but in a way that let's me know if I want to do business with you, buy your product, or work with you.  A client of mine made a really good observation.  They said it is not necessarily the service or the product that grabs them as much as it is the person.  Social media is just that, social!  Genuinely get to know those you follow and let those who follow you, get to know you as well!  Because when the rubber meets the road, you and who you are, is your best marketing tool as it relates to social media!

 

 

...And by the way, if you have a lot to say, Facebook and Twitter aren't really the sites to do it!  Start a blog!  I can't think of a better way to get your story out there and really give people a better glimpse into who you are.  It's your story and no one can tell it better than you!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

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Color Inspiration: Black, Gray, Orange...

My apologies for posting late today.  I am a bit overwhelmed by opportunity (as a very good friend of mine would say)!  Therefore, this posting will be brief and without it's usual story.  I'm not quite sure how I happened upon this topic, but oh my gosh, how lovely are these colors!  Fall is my most favorite season and living in an area where I am able to see the changes in the landscape, and appreciate all that it is is an incredible delight.  Have you ever driven down a tree-lined street and found yourself held hostage by the beauty of the warm, glowing, and sometimes moodiness of the colors?  Do you pause for a moment to really take in how humbling a sunrise or sunset can be?  Perfection, pure perfection.  Hmmm, maybe it's just me and maybe you need to...just maybe!

 

 

 

 

 

The source of my color inspiration.  Isn't it breathtaking!  How can one not appreciate the beauty and magnificence of all that the eyes are able to see?  It is a blessing; one not to be taken lightly, and one that needs to be acknowledged and enjoyed every second of every day!

 

 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images via Tumblr



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Seriously Crushing On All Things Brass And Gold!

I must admit, I've not really been all that crazy about polished silver or chrome.  I know that it has been the finish of choice for quite a few years and I do think that it looks amazing when used for the right application.  But then so does most everything when done right.  No?  I've always favored oil rubbed bronze and the beautiful patinaed brass found in old buildings and homes.  There's a warmth about this finish that just adds so much more interest and character than silver.  Although, I will agree that it is not always the best for every application, but I have found myself using it whenever I could.  In fact, one of my favorite lamps was a task lamp Restoration Hardware carried years ago.  I loved it.  Hmm, I think I need to visit their site to see if they still sell it!  I detest the polished brass the builder used in my home!  Yuck!  I painted my dining room chandelier a dark metallic bronze; placed shades from Restoration Hardware on it, and voila!  A chandelier I can live with!

 

 

Elle Decor via Pinterest

 

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Julie Hillman Design

 

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Houzz.com

 

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Melanie Turner Interiors

 

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Kelly Wearstler via elledecor.com

 

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So what do you think?  Is a brass or gold finish for you?  As you can see, you can introduce it into every area of your home in many different ways.  From mirrors, frames, hardware, and decorative accessories to furniture, a wall or ceiling, or an entire kitchen; the possibilities are endless!  I think you should add a little gold into your home... you'll love it and thank me later!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda 



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