Wouldn't Take Anything For My Journey Now...

Ahhhhh...it feels so good to be back home!  Well, back in the "home office"!  The Inspiration House wrapped Sunday evening and I experienced mixed emotions of it coming to an end.  On the one hand, I am so glad it's over because it's been such a long journey.  On the other, I met some of the most talented and wonderful designers that will forever have a place in my heart and my memories!  I want to mention William Mclure (Bill Ingram Architects), Sherry Hart (Sherry Hart Designs), and Lori May (Lori May Interiors, LLC).  These three were my compadres on the lower level of the house and we had the best times together!  I don't know how I'm going to get along without them!  Everyday spent with them was like spending it with long time friends.  We talked about everything under the sun.  They totally made my first show house experience one that I will never forget!

Sherry Hart, Lori May, William Mclure

  

 

You've just feasted your eyes on images from Sherry and Lori's feminine Stone Room!  Why Stone Room?  Because the space had these stone walls that were just begging for the two of them to come in and make them amazing!  Oh, and get this, they added wood planks to the ceiling!  The juxtaposition was just so beyond!

 

 

William and Bill Ingram of Bill Ingram Architects did the Hearth Room, which is just a doorway away from Sherry and Lori's room.  Upon first glance, one would think that both rooms were done by the same designers or that the designers collaborated on their plans for their spaces.  Not!  William and Bill's room is such a comfortable masculine antithesis to their space of cozy femininity.  The painting is the creative genuis of William!

 

The boys from upstairs, Jonathan Gonzalez (Petite Maison) and Bryan Alan Kirkland (Bryan Alan Kirkland Designs), became quick pals of mine too. Bryan designed the living room and kitchen in the attic apartment and Jonathan designed the bedroom and the bathroom. Their design aesthetics couldn't be any more different! Polar opposites actually! Bryan's use of color in an Art Deco inspired space is so refreshing and energetic. Jonathan's French inspired interiors were very lovely and lady-like, but not so much so until a gentleman wouldn't feel comfortable. The one thing that the lower level had in common with the upstairs attic is that both levels had to undergo renovations in order to get our spaces to a workable blank canvas. Maybe this is why we all felt an immediate connection? Hmmm, probably not! The six of us all have this amazing energy that just worked and the last week of the show, you could usually find us huddled together doubled over in tears of laughter that resonated throughout the main level of the house!

 

Jonathan, Me, Bryan

 

Jonathan's French inspired Boudoir and bath; so feminine and lovely!

 

Bryan's Art Deco pad takes away your blues immediately!

 

Jonathan and Bryan's spaces are polar opposites, right???  That's one of the wonderful things about show houses; there's something for everyone.  Even if it's not your taste, you can still have an appreciation for the aesthetic.  If you've not ever toured a show house before, I certainly hope that after seeing these incredible images, you will!  My new designer friends are totally talented and truly fantastic people!  You would love them all if you had an opportunity to meet them!  You would!  Really!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*If I'm not mistaken, my blog title is from one of Maya Angelou's books.  If you know, please send me an email so that I can give proper credit! :)

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More Pictures from the 2013 Cathedral Inspiration House

Here is a little more of what you can expect to see at the Cathedral Inspiration House!  

Brooke Merrill (Brooke Merrill Home), Foyer

 

This handpainted mural is so incredibly amazing!  You have to see it first hand to really be able to appreciate the artistry and intricate details that went into creating this!

 





Karen Ferguson (Harrison Design Associates), Gentleman's Bathroom

 

Karen did a fantastic job in this bathroom!  If you could have experienced the before, you would be wowed at the transformation!





Summer Loftin (Summer Loftin Antiques), Library

 

Yes my friends that is a real giraffe and spider monkey on the globe!  There are so many interesting taxidermy elements in Summer's library!  It is layered to perfection and truly a room to behold!

Dayka Robinson (Dayka Robinson Designs), Apartment Entry and Stairs

 

Dayka pushed the envelope and made a wonderfully modern statement in such a small area!  Her design just proves that you don't need a lot of room to make an impact.

Bryan A. Kirkland (Bryan Alan Kirkland Designs), Apartment Living and Dining Rooms

 

Bryans design is filled with Art Deco and whimsical pieces.  The lacquered finishes and bright bold color and patterns marry to create a modern and comfortable way to live.

Lance Jackson (Parker Kennedy Living), Living Room

 

The deep pink, navy, and white throughout is vibrant and stunning!

Jennifer Reiner/Robert White (Reiner/White Design Studio, Boardroom

 

No detail was overlooked in this room!  Upon entering it grabs you and pulls you in to wander and see all of the interesting and wonderful ways to feature collections of all kinds in your own home!

Warner McConaughey (HammerSmith), Kitchen

 

Okay, this kitchen is a small galley style that demonstrates again that a lot of space is not needed to have great style and impact!

Sherry Hart/Lori May (Sherry Hart Designs/Lori May Interiors, LLC), Stone Room

 

I could totally curl up in this lovely space with a nice glass of wine and get lost in a great novel!

William McLure (Bill Ingram Architects), Hearth Room

 

With a nod to the masculine persuasion, this room is beautifully executed and comfortable for the fairer sex as well!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

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Sorry I'm so late, but...

Don't you hate it when people say that!  Well, I am sorry!  For the last couple of weeks I've been in the depth of show house oblivion.  Of course, I've thought about you and have missed you considerably!  I'm back now and I vow that going forward, I will let you all know when I will have an extended absence.  As my very good friend Deirdre says, I am overwhelmed by opportunity and I am trying to find that balance that I am going to need to get me through this new year!  I do hope you hang in there with me and come along for the ride!  I think this year is going to be one filled with many adventures.  Next on the list of adventures is my trip to Paris in March!  More on that in a later posting!

 

My bestie, Tomeko and I at the Cathedral Antiques Inspiration House premiere party.  Bless his heart, he came immediately after leaving work.  He stayed for quite a bit while I was greeting people, talking about my space, and posing for pictures like these.  All without so much as a grimace!  I love him, I do!  He and I have been friends for many years.  A friendship that began while we both worked at Louis Vuitton.  He has since moved on to the almighty Hermes; yes my friends, you read right,

H-E-R-M-E-S!  I can't wait until he decides to focus and publish his first novel!  It is going to be an amazing read, I promise!



 

Jacqueline Glover and I at the premiere party.  Jackie is the pro sales manager at Floor & Decor, Southlake in Morrow, Georgia.  She is the driving force behind not only securing flooring for my space in the Inspiration House, but also the counseling center for the Cathedral of St. Philip.  She and her team at Floor & Decor are one of the corporate sponsors of this years Inspiration House!  Their very generous donation has made all the difference in the appearance of the center and everyone is so excited and couldn't be happier!  

 

Renae Walker and I at the premiere party.  Renae is totally fabulous, and a fellow designer (to be)!  She is completing her formal training at the Art Institute.  I can't wait to see what she has in store for the design world!  Renae is truly a great person, and is as tall as I am!  That is pretty rare around these parts!  I'm always so much taller than everyone in pictures (in a room), so this is so refreshing!  I had such a ball with her at the party at the house and afterwards, when she joined me, my great friend Deirdre, and a few of my designers friends for a mini celebration of our own.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life!  It was so nice to be supported and celebrated by such a dynamic and successful group of women.

 

Railroad ties with real bird nests and bird nest paintings hung above by local artist Janet Gannon.  Janet is a very talented artist who does beautiful oil on canvas paintings.  This composition is located in a hallway that has extremely low ceilings, so being creative and simplistic was a must.  It really complements the elements that can be found just beyond those doors. 

 

This vignette is in the stair hallway that sits atop an oak coffee table/bench that is finished in a liming wax.   

 

The drinks cabinet is by Grange and can be found at Steve McKenzie's.  The painting is an original, painted by Steve McKenzie himself!  Steve and Jill are the most incredible couple.  Their sense of humor is infectious and they are a riot to be around!  Their shop is filled with wonderful furnishings, accessories, works or art, and fabrics that are also designed by Steve!  Can I tell you how much I adore these two!

 

One of my absolute favorite vignettes and I cannot wait to have it professionally photographed!  I can only show you snippets for now because Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle magazine will publish pictures from the Inspiration House later this year and we want you all to gasp at the loveliness of each and every room!

 

Oh my gosh, I got a lot of comments about the books being turned this way!  My response to that is I didn't want people seeing some of the smut that I read!  Ha! Nah, it's not too bad...hmmm, just bad enough!

 

 

I love this view of the outdoor entry from inside!

This bird cage is a faux bois concrete!  Psych!  Everyone thinks it's wood!

 

Okay, so that's what I've been up to for the last couple of weeks...pulling my space at the Inspiration House together!  My space had to undergo construction because it's the lower level hall where the Cathedral Counseling Center is located, and I needed to install temporary walls, baseboards, replace the flooring, build a cabinet (in an elevator opening), etc., etc., etc.  By the time the other designers began work in their rooms, I had already been there weeks earlier!  But boy let me tell you what a difference it has made!  Sooo, am I forgiven?

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

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Another Great Time At ADAC!

I have made a commitment to get from behind my computer and attend more design events that are held, it seems as though daily, here in Atlanta!  In doing so, I have made many new friends and have been inspired by their stories!  It is so comforting to know that we share the same concerns, challenges, and thoughts on things that are not only industry related, but personally as well!  It is difficult, at best, to balance work, family, friends, and interests that have nothing to do with either!  I truly thought I was in the exception of those that had to carve out time to relax enough to be inspired!  In case you didn't know, inspiration is hard to come by when you're exhausted!

Anyhoo...Bunny Williams was the featured guest speaker this morning at ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center), followed by a delicious luncheon at Ainsworth-Noah.  I did get Ms. Williams to sign my copy of her Scrapebook For Living book and we chatted for a bit about the importance of designers getting from behind the computer and out into the stores and showrooms to touch, feel, sit, and experience the items that they are selecting for their clients.  She acknowledges that so much is available online, however nothing can replace knowing an item will be appropriate for the application before it is ordered!  As a designer trying to create that special environment for a client, nothing is better than peace of mind!

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

P.S.  Thanks Dad for reminding me to proofread!!!  :)

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AN EVENING OF DESIGN, FURNISHINGS, AND FRIENDS...

On Monday evening I had the pleasure of attending an event to celebrate the winning design project by two Savannah College of Art and Design students, sponsored by SCAD, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Magazine, and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

The design project vignette featured two of the Chester collection sofa's back to back on a raised platform.  The design concept was based on the car in the movie Driving Miss Daisy.  The raised sofa's were inspired by how cars were showcased during that time at car shows.  On the wall was a presentation that highlighted scenes in the car that focused primarily on certain elements, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, and seats.

Winning Project Design Vignette

Design Concept Board

Rhonda Peterson, Tavia Forbes, Jonathan White (Store Director at MG+BW), Tammi Kim

I had such a great time catching up with old pals Tavia, Jonathan, and Tammi.  We all once worked together at Pottery Barn at Lenox Square, at the time, the largest store in the country.  We all credit working at Pottery Barn with helping us to realize our "true" calling!  We are definitely "cheerleaders" for one another and are there to support each other in any way that we can!  I love this bunch!  It was a successful night Jonathan, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Love the color and pattern!  Faye armless chairs in an oversized chevron pattern; Dexter sofa in warm brown leather; Cedric cocktail and side tables; Potter table lamp.

Dickson platform bed with Hair-on-Hide Wintson Cube Ottomans.

One of my favorite MG+BW lamps, the Donut table lamp, sits atop the Manning three-drawer side table.  An amazing piece by itself with smooth ash veneers, polished stainless steel, and white glass!

 Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Fall Collection 2011

Thanks for stopping by!

Rhonda

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