Design Sherpa Conest Entry

A while back, like back in June, I entered a contest with a chance to win a trip to Paris. My entry was chosen as one of the top 100 from the first round. This meant that I had the opportunity to submit another entry as part of the next round. I did, which you can read here. I'm a little disappointed to say that I wasn't chosen to progress to the third/final round of the contest.

But I did get to have my original entry published on the Design Sherpa website. You can read it there. It's pretty fun to see yourself published somewhere other than your own blog. But, I've also included it in this post. It's also fun to go back and take a look at something you've written to see how your perspective has changed. I still love the room in the picture below. I'd love to see our house have this much personality. Though somehow I doubt that turquoise lacquer walls and a gold leaf ceiling are really the big guy's thing.

There are a few things about this room that really stand out for me. I love the luxe feel of everything from the zebra rug on the floor to the turquoise finish on the walls. I tend to gravitate towards pieces that give the room a distinct feeling. I think that inspiring design elicits an emotional response and tells a story. There’s a character that comes together once the room is complete. There’s boldness in the room that comes from the combination of materials and colors. It’s adventurous and really speaks to the person/persons living in the space.

It would have been great to win that 10-day trip to Paris complete with tickets to an international design trade show, really great. But, it looks like it wasn't in the cards. C'est la vie. So now I'll just have to shift the focus of my Parisian daydreams to a different trip. One without the bragging rights of being a contest winner.

Completed Goal: Goal 97

Three days in and I already have a completed goal. It wasn't hard, but it was a lot of fun.

Goal 97: Define our (me & the big guy) design style

Here's how I checked this one off the list. I was one of many people watching and waiting to see who would win HGTV's Design Star. I love everything about the competition and this season did not disappoint. I was especially happy when they announced the winner and it was Emily. I love the way she combines finishes and time periods with colors and patterns to really give a lot of character to a room. I also love her blog. She's funny and kinda goofy and totally the type of person I'd want to hang out with.

So naturally when the first episode of her new show, Secrets from a Stylist, came on this past weekend, I was there. And by there I mean on my couch, remote in hand ready to watch something awesome happen. One of the things I really like about her approach is the combination of styles. By defining three styles that really work individually for the person, you get a lot more to look for and combine to really get a personalized design for the home.

After watching the show we talked a little bit and picked three styles that we really like and that we want to pull from as we continue to decorate and finish getting our home the way we want it to be. I say we, but really I mean me. The big guy is interested, but I won't push him too far. Here's a peek at what we decided we like. (All images found via Google Images.)

1. Modern: clean lines, geometric patterns, chrome/steel, bright colors, minimalist style, think CB2

2. English Manor House: traditional pub style, worn leather, chesterfield sofas, dark wood tones, books/libraries, crystal

3. Hollywood Regency: metallic/mirrored finishes, high end fabrics, light & airy colors, black & white, feminine lines

Now that we've defined our style, the easy part is done. The hard part will be figuring out where & how to mix them. But it'll be fun too.

The Inspiration Files: A Calming Influence

I love this image. I think it speaks for itself.

You can see this and a few more, here. I originally saw it on Elements of Style, here. I would love this above our bar.

The August/September Issue of Lonny is Out!

The newest issue of Lonny has hit the virtual newsstands. Enjoy

The Inspiration Files- Orange Table with White Chairs

So what are The Inspiration Files? Simple- it's a folder in my email where I've been filing pictures and links for things that I really like. Things that I would love to find a way to do in our house. Will they all happen? Probably not. I might wind up driving the big guy crazy if I tried to find a place for all of these ideas. Ok, I would definitely wind up driving the big guy crazy.

So rather than keep them all hidden in my email where I forget about them, I'm going to work through them here on the blog. Really I should have given this more thought sooner. I've got 145 emails to sift through.

Let's start with one that would make even a Monday morning feel cheery. I saw this eating area designed by Susan Jones, featured on The Little Green Notebook. The post is about mirrored walls, but what I love is the bright orange table with the white chairs, the dark walls, and all that sunshine!

It's  a fun mix of traditional and modern that feels homey. I could totally picture some breakfast, soem tea and a newspaper spread across it. Not a bad way, or place, to spend a morning.

Design Sherpa Contest Entry

Several weeks ago, I entered a contest hosted by Design Sherpa. The "What Inspires You" offers the winner a $10,000 plus a 10 day trip to Paris plus admission to the Maison et Objet design trade show. Sounds amazing, and I've made it past the first round! The first round was submission of a picture and 100 words about why that particular image is inspiring. They're featuring the top 100 submissions on their site, and one of them is mine! I'll link back to it as soon as it comes up, unfortunately I didn't save it before hitting submit.

Yesterday, I submitted my entry for round 2. Round 2 is 350 words about a design/architecture style that speaks to your design style and showcases a little bit more about your writing style. Here's what I sent in:

There are so many design and architecture styles to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming to choose just one. Like so many people, my tastes change. The styles that appeal to me most now are different than what I would have chosen five years ago and will continue to evolve over the years to come. For so many reasons, I like that.



I like the challenge of finding elements that will last over time. I like finding the basic components of a design or style that are at the core of that connection that makes someone say, “I like that” or “that’s me.”


I’ve always been drawn to prairie style homes. Growing up just outside Chicago, I see the connection between the low clean lines of the landscape and the sprawling layouts of the houses. There’s something about that style, with traditional craftsman details, that I find welcoming and comforting. It makes me feel at home, wherever home may be. I’m drawn to the natural woods. I’m impressed by the attention paid to the details and all the finishing touches that make a prairie style house a home.


Often when designing a home, Frank Lloyd Wright would include designs for the items that would fill the house; furniture, artwork, even dishes. It’s as though through the construction of the home, he was constructing a story about the people who lived there.


I think that’s an important element of interior design. Aside from the aesthetics involved, we all want our designs to be lived in. It’s more than just color choices. It’s a peek into personality. Are the homeowners art collectors with a vast collection they want to display? Are they animal lovers with three dogs and four cats, all allowed on the furniture? Are they newlyweds, still defining themselves and their style? (In case you’re curious, I fall into that last category.)


There’s a deeper story to be told through the design of our homes. When someone walks in, I want them to instantly know a few things about us. That’s something good design can help us do.

Keep your fingers crossed that I make on to Round 3! I'll keep you all posted as the contest unfolds.

Domino Magazine is Back!

One of my all-time favorite magazines, Domino, has gone the way of so many wonderful magazines and become just a fond memory. I was so sorry to see it go that I even bought their book. I keep it on my nightstand. Yup, I'm just that much of a geek. (Here's a link to the book in case you're interested.)

But I'm happy to say that I've read two blogs today announcing that at least part of the magazine is finding its way back!

Brides.com has acquired all of Domino's online archives. SQUEEEE!!!!

Check out the updates I read at La Dolce Vita and CasaSugar. Such exciting news for a Monday. :-) I think I may have to go home and read my book for the umpteen-millionth time.