Meet Delores

 Meet Delores! She's brand new to our formal living room. 

Note: I intentionally set out to NOT do any home design projects this Summer until after school started ... I did 3 rooms that were not even on my list. I am my mother and am constantly redecorating rooms, often spontaneously! 

Our den (reveal coming soon) went through a total transformation which then resulted in some changes to the formal room with the additional of these etageres, removal of the tv and Delores.

With the etageres now flanking the mirrored console, art was needed on the wall. Because this room is traditional, I wanted art that's modern and interesting but complemented the current color palette.

In scrolling online I found this portrait. I named her Delores. I find her elegant and also mysterious. She an unexpected piece bringing interest to the room. 

When I added the grasscloth wallpaper to this room several months ago I realized the windows needed formal dressing. I decided on long drapes in a rich golden yellow color.  To me, they were the perfect finishing touch. 

Adding a jewel tone to the soft muted colors really added depth to the room!

BEFORE

AFTER

'Delores' Art Print - Etageres - Drapes - Drapery Rods & Finials 

I encourage you to be creative in your living spaces and add fun art!

Dress Your Home Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Patio Party

 

Come on back and sit for a spell! Our patio is where we spend the most time together.  

It's shaded throughout the day giving us a pleasant place to enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and beautiful backyard views.

This year we added a sectional sofa and coffee table for this very reason.  We wanted something super durable, comfortable and it had to be pretty.  We made a significant investment into quality pieces so that we would enjoy many years of use. 

Note: We also purchased covers that we use each night to protect them from the elements.

I'm very minimal when it comes to Vivian's things beyond her room but since we play the most outside I wanted her to have things to enjoy.  This playhouse and picnic table were both past birthday gifts that she absolutely adores! It's also great when other children come over to play.

Before the party lights ... clearly they add the perfect twinkling touch!

Our little garden off to the side.

Vivian and I enjoy time together caring for our plants and harvesting delicious vegetables.

It's so much fun to host our friends.

And to celebrate all the blessings life has given us!

We do all things from share meals, read, afternoons playing and splashing, hosting friends and even date nights. Anything we can take out under the Carolina blue skies, we do!

Dress Your Outdoor Space Beautifully

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Conservatory Sunroom

Welcome to our sunny space. Walking to the back of our home you'll find what we like to call, our little piece of paradise. Our first home and now our second and forever, are both mid-century traditional designs having enclosed sunrooms off the back. It's our favorite architectural element and room. 

This room allows abundant sunlight in and beautiful landscape views all while providing comforts of the indoors.  It is such a happy place to enjoy the sunrise with a cup of coffee, curl up with a good book, fellowship with friends, play games with Vivian and even a sweet date night.

This room didn't look like the classic conservatory that it is now when we purchased this home. Now it doesn't have a glass ceiling like a European conservatory but it does have lots of windows to make it bright. I brought the traditional design elements of a conservatory in with a black and white diamond patterned marble floor, dark palm printed fabrics and all my special plants.

I completed this room in December and here's a look at the transformation ...

I love that our late sweet Scragley is in this picture. It was his favorite room too.

We removed the door leading into our home once he passed.

I started by white washing the brick wall that's a part of our home's exterior.  

I prefer this over painting as it allows for the texture and various colors of the brick to remain.

Then I painted over the concrete mosaic floor.

While this truly lightened the room this was not practical.  This is the room we enter and exit our home through and it could not withstand the traffic. And it showed every single spec of dirt and dust. 

By adding porcelain tile and new fabric the room is complete!

I chose this porcelain floor that resembles marble for durability.

I kept the classic rattan furniture and just replaced the covers.

This room allows me to prepare meals in the kitchen and other tasks inside while providing clear views of Vivian playing out on our patio. 

My plants bring me great joy! The palm is over 30 years old, a gift from my Mamma, the fig 6 and Lilly nearly 5. 

Dress a Sunny Space in Your Home Beautifully

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Decorating with Monograms

 Here in the South we have a saying ... more like a belief:

In my 20's I put my personal touch on just about anything with my initials (clothes, jewelry, bags etc.) Then, when Ryan and I were engaged came our married monogram on things for our home.

Fun Fact: my monogram didn't change after I was married as both my maiden and married last name begin with an 'H'! Thank goodness b/c I had quite the investment. 

I've shifted over the recent years to monograming less for myself and more for gifts, home decor and darling Vivian. 

I believe, like in most things, that moderation is key. The way to do that is with intention.  Rather than having everything stamped, choose a few special pieces so that it's more personal rather than 'branding'. You're a person, not a business.

Here are my favorite ways to add a monogram in your home ...

MASTER BEDROOM PILLOW SHAMS

Our Shams

These were the first thing we purchased for our first home. The appliqué monogram makes a formal and bespoke statement on our grand four poster bed. It's our room together and where we as husband and wife end our days (even if Ryan climbs in most nights just a couple of hours before I'm up). We both love Carolina blue and it can be found throughout our home.  It also is a great color to compliment a variety of bedding. I like to change out our duvet cover.

NURSERY

When designing Vivian's nursery, I went with the colors lavender, pink and a pop of orange. A unique palette only found in her special room. Her name is significant as it is passed down from me, my mother, my grandmother and my great grandmother all of whom are first born and have the middle name 'Louise'. Having the baby's monogram displayed is a sweet & specific way of making it special. 

I chose a linen down filled pillow for her rocking chair.  It will transition perfectly to her big girl bed. 

Note: She's 3 1/2 and still happily cozy in her crib. I can NOT imagine my darling girl out of it or not rocking her twice a day in this chair. #tears

ACCENT PILLOWS

I had these silk pillows embroidered with our joint monogram when we were engaged.  I was just sooo excited to be together (still am!).  They've lived in 4 different homes and reflect us, the family that lives here. I'm not typically a 'brown' person but they are neutral and compliment nicely. I love that they can and have moved from our couches to accent chairs throughout. 

Note: A married monogram is the wife's first initial, the last name initial followed by the husband's first initial. 

COCKTAIL NAPKINS

These add a special touch when hosting guests.  They aren't just something you pick up at the party store and can be utilized all year long for any occasion.  I'm not one to purchase decor for each and every celebration.  They also convey a sophisticated touch without being a true linen. 

These make a great wedding gift!

BATH TOWELS

 

Pictured: These Towels

Ryan & I received monogramed bath towels as a wedding gift and have loved them but after 12 years they've been retired.  I love the ones above and often gift them at bridal showers. They add an elegant touch to your bathroom and also a potential pop of color.

Engraving is another way to personalize and create sentimental treasures.  That's another post :)

Dress Your Home Beautifully with Monograms

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Tuesday Transformation: Bye Bye Blinds - Hello Roman Shades

Last Tuesday I started this series on updates we've done to our home that are fairly quick and easy as we await the big renovations.  I believe this is important for many reasons.  Everyone wants the magazine pretty/HGTV home reveal but in reality that takes time, resources and so much money.

There's also endless design options available so it takes a great deal of searching and deliberation when deciding on finishes. I have stacks of magazines and several inspiration boards on Pinterest with examples of things I like.

We're focused on the downstairs as it's where we spend most of our time, needs the most shine and is shared with others. Thank goodness the  majority of the upstairs has been renovated recently. 

The bones and character are outstanding in our mid-century colonial (that's why we bought it) but it needed some fine touches.  The hardwoods, one of a kind moldings and large scaled layout are all details throughout that they just don't make anymore.

Windows are impactful features from the inside and out of a home.  How you dress them is equally as impactful. Our downstairs windows and doors were covered in blinds.  I detest blinds, so they had to go. Most of the blinds that were removed in the back portion of our home on the French doors and windows I'm not replacing as the unobstructed light is stunning!

Before ... Bye Bye Blinds

Blinds have been the standard window fixture for function and form for decades and while they do in fact block light and provide privacy, they're not for me. Made of plastic they appear cheap and collect dust. I prefer upscale fabrics. One of the things I miss greatly from our previous home was the beautiful custom plantation shudders.  I'd love to have them in this home however they are a significant investment and I'm not sure they would be a best fit for function and the design plan I have for our current home.

Super Easy to Install

I chose roman shades to replace the blinds and gracious what a beautiful difference!

I started in the formal living room as it's in the front of our home and where we spend a majority of our time.  The rug is a family heirloom and the foundation for the entire color palette of the downstairs and because it has such an elaborate print I needed to keep the shades simple.

Ta-Da!

I love that you can adjust the coverage of the shades

I take window treatments seriously and almost always prefer custom creations.  This can be pricey as  I would have chosen a printed fabric with trim but in this case I was able to save money opting for a solid shade with a neutral trim therefore no need to go custom. 

They balance the room with a clean and complementary look. They also darken and provide privacy but in a prettier way!

Note: Donate your blinds - while not my favorite aesthetically, they serve a very helpful function.

Every morning I wait to open the windows with Vivian so that she can look out and watch for puppy dogs to pass on their morning walks.

The morning light is so much prettier - but it's always been fun with this gal

Roman Shades  - Sofas

Dress Your Windows Beautifully with Roman Shades

XOXO Sarah-Louise