There's a new sheriff in town...

...and she's got 12 arms! Say hello to the latest addition to our family and hear the wild and wonderful story on how she came to be.

Last September my husband and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. We tossed around all kinds of grand plans to commemorate it but the reality is we don't have anyone to watch our kids for ten days while we click around Greece or the South of France thinking we're all that.

So we settled on a quick flight to New Orleans for a three day weekend in style. We'd tried this once before when our son was old enough to stay with family. You know that first big trip away after baby? We survived! We're still ourselves! Party! However when departure time rolled around -surprise, surprise - I was blessed with our second child and my usual ill first trimester. Needless to say my first foray in the big easy wasn't quite what I had envisioned so thank goodness for second chances. New Orleans take two!

Little did the big man know, his evil wife was scheming and making calls behind the scenes to the lovely and beautiful Tara Shaw Antiques. You see I've had my heart set on this chandelier from her Maison line since its launch years ago and this was my chance to finally see it in person and what better excuse than our ten year to ask for it??? See other favorites here.

When we walked in it was love at first sight (naturally). I was determined she make it back to Atlanta with moi and my great guy husband said "sure, here you go little lady" and handed me the ever important wallet. Months and months passed and finally she was in stock ready to ship. She had to be completely wired and the only game in town to leave that tall task to is the fine folks at Lamp Arts. They are the dream makers.

A close up of their work. Tedious job but seamless nonetheless.

My dining room went from this:

To this:

I lost the rug because first and foremost, I'm always a student in this life, especially to those I admire like Joni over at Cote de Texas. I can hear her saying "custom cut seagrass is best" even though we've never actually met. My Ballard Design version wasn't cutting it so we edit.

Prior to install, I had all sorts of plans for this room but once up, I was completely satisfied with the impact she had on the space. My dramatic and oversized anniversary gift had done the trick. I like to break the rules from time to time and you can do that in a dining room. It's a great room to experiment with. Go large!

My wall color is Appaloosa by Pratt & Lambert and has been for five plus years now and I'm tired of it. It could be construed as that trendy gray color and somedays its a little doom and gloom for sunshine girl. I'm considering painting it Almond White (an old Duron color you can find at Sherwin Williams) like the majority of my house. I wanted to layer on a very bold and graphic stencil on the walls in two muted colors perhaps or a beautiful wallpaper. I'm still dreaming of this. Just taking it slow. My ceiling is painted a blue green color by Pratt & Lambert (I can't believe I forgot the name. Coos maybe?). I love it and hopefully always will.

I purchased this piece from a friend of mine at Lakewood Flea Market never intending it to be used here but for now I dig it and it works. I've filled it up with glassware, white dishes and silver (that I refuse to polish because I like the tarnished patina and really who has time for that?) and some John Derian for Target boxes for my dinner napkins and the kids art supplies because real life happens here. Let's not kid ourselves. My dining room never looks this good and functions as a craft room most days.

My wedding silver. I like mixing crusty with fancy so I display it in a wicker basket because a. I love my wedding silver and I like to look at it and use it. So many keep it boxed up and away for special occasions. Life is a special occasion! My husband's Grandmother Genevieve had the pattern first (la scala by Gorham) and I fell for it when I was setting the table way back when. It causes me to pause, admire and run my fingertips over the pattern. The one off piece is Mom & Dad's cake knife from their wedding day with the date and initials engraved. Love it and it loves me back every time I glance by.

One of Mom's great antique finds. They remind me of Oliver Twist. More porridge please...

Just in case our cousin decides to build another boat we'll forever save our wine corks. The footed compote was a gift from my Mother-in-law. She gave the best gifts.

An old silver bowl found at the Goodwill filled with old buttons, wooden spools, and an old French bouillon tin that Mom hand picked. The "S" stands for super girl. Ok its Schoenberger. You got me.

And I'm not sure why I love this shabby ole theater seating chart but I do. I think it's because I picture the opulent theaters our nation has preserved, restored and saved from ruin like Detroit's Fabulous Fox Theater, The Detroit Opera House or The Gem Theater. These all came to light while I was growing up Downriver Detroit. Part of the slow but steady renaissance we pray comes to fruition for the Motor City. I have it propped up here and slightly tucked behind for added texture, charm and the reminder of their exquisite interiors.

I spotted this painting at the Queen of Hearts Antique Mall. I fell in love with the lady in the pink hat dining solo and I just love outdoor cafe scenes in general. I really wish we all wore more hats.

My husband painted this for us. He paints and writes poetry too. He's a catch. ;-)

Moving over to my window treatments, a simple Robert Allen linen in "Snow". I've contemplating customizing these many times. Maybe running a tape across the bottom or down the sides or adding a second color panel to the bottom but I keep coming back to letting them be. The shabby chic patio chairs were a find from my late mother-in-law Jan and I recovered them in my favorite ticking stripe fabric.

The pillows were two fabric samples that Grandma Jan had eye'd and they mean a lot to me because she chose them as part of her vision for her dream house on Torch Lake. She had an incredible eye and was a fabulous designer. I can't wait to tell you her story someday. My stellar friend made them into pillows for me. Again not really where I intended they'd land but for now enjoying them here.

Another view of the room. You can really see my blue ceiling color here. The two shell urns were a Homegoods find. I styled them here but scooped em up with the intention of being wired for a stunning pair of lamps, complete with burlap shades.

She's just as grand lit up at night too, maybe even better. I hope this goes without saying but it's imperative you have dimmers installed throughout your home, especially here. Change your lights, change your life.

And now for the best part of the story. Saved the best for last and couldn't wait to share this with you all.

I hadn't really considered putting chandelier shades on her but I recalled buying a big stack of them years ago at the Goodwill for something like $2.68. I know how quickly shades can add up and thought for sure they'd come in handy someday so in my cart they go. Fast forward to me frantically digging them out and counting one...two...three...hells bells there are only ten!

So I searched and searched and searched on line, in all the stores, finally found a pair on line that were the exact same dimensions but when they showed up, all wrong. I was staring ordering all new ones in the face but I was stubborn in that they were the perfect shape, style and color, darn it.

I made one last ditch effort at this obscure lighting shop in a neighboring town. Once again, no go. Ticked I walked out and thought well I came all this way, might as well peek inside the Goodwill next door and make the trip worthwhile. I said to myself what are the odds? No way but yet I had that feeling when you know this could be good. Well low and behold I walked in and shazam!

TWO! Exactly like it. Can you stand it?! I had to take a picture because no one will ever believe me?! Really? Not one, not four, just the two I needed - all for me. I raced up to that check out line sharing my story and wouldn't you know the nice lady gave me a discount to top it all off. I ran out of there with a big ole smile on my face, drove fast in my car, windows down, music blaring and sang my heart out like I was singing back up for Aretha! All the while thinking if that's not Mom saying hello than I don't know what God and Heaven is friends. It was a great day and a great end to my lovely new light fixture. Thanks for allowing me to share it with you. Peace out.

THE END

xo

White Oak: What I've been up to...

Hey all! Thought you might enjoy a sneak peek of one my projects a.k.a. pride and joy. I've been working on this complete overhaul/renovation for months now for a wonderful growing family that are just an absolute joy to work with.

Meet "White Oak" lovingly named by its new owners (I can already picture a beautiful "WO" monogram on the dining room chairs). White Oak was a bank owned property that sat by itself for a few and needed a bit of work. It is a classic Southern elevation complete with four gorgeous Corinthian columns imported from the city of New Orleans. Anyone who knows me, knows I love that town because of its MAD style and we're taking a few queues from the region throughout the design process.

To kick things off some structural improvements took place.

When you entered the master bath suite there was this wide open space, sort of like a sitting room, but in the bathroom, ahhh not so much. We borrowed enough space from the room to create a walk in closet for their eldest daughter's bedroom on the opposite wall and framed in this gorgeous dual head shower.

I love how it's completely encased in ivory stone with built in bench and niches on each side, out of sight. Notice the separate shelf for soap and product. Details loves. Details.

Here is a shot opposite the shower. Previously a huge sunk-in tub was to the left with these grand steps to get in (hello, the eighties called they want their tub back). It literally came out a good three, four feet into the main room and threw off the traffic flow and symmetry. We're replacing it with a simple under mount tub like the photo below. Sconces shown are from the previous owner.

I apologize but I cannot recall where this photo came from. If you know, holler. It's a beauty!

Here is a shot of the master closet (I know. It's bigger than both my children's bedrooms). If you look there is a door to the right and left where the light from the window is coming in. This was originally unfinished storage space and it has been transformed into his and her closets. This room will most likely be a craft room for Mama.

A shot of one of the new closets. Still almost as big as my son's bedroom, which you'll see soon.

The view walking out of the master suite into a grand upstairs hallway. Drama. Love it. And I can't even wait to show you the light we picked for this space and the sconces. A great mix.

Here is a shot of the main hall and staircase from downstairs. I love a grand main hall. Nothing like creating an entrance. Its also good feng shui to enter your home and see directly out the back. A little feng shui never hurt anybody. ;-)

Moving on to the dining room. Bless their heart. They were going for Tiffany box blue. Let this be a little lesson friends, blue intensifies once it is up on the walls. If you're debating between two shades, go for the lighter.

The homeowner has a gorgeous long dining table her Grandfather made (how perfect!) with tons of side chairs to match. They are a little rustic but I think we can jazz em up with a simple slipcover on the back or seat. We dug out a pair of old wingback chairs she had stored in a barn for the anchors. I can't help but picture huge holiday gatherings for this large and loving family. I love the light fixture we chose for in here and we're stenciling the walls above the chair rail. Below is the inspirational photo for this room courtesy of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. The beloved Samarkand fabric by Peter Dunham is our guide for a modern day stencil.

I love symmetry (admittedly some days it can be a curse) and this house is chuck full of it. There are two separate entry halls leading from the dining room to the kitchen/keeping room. Here is a shot of one with the addition of this bench, bead board and hooks where the family will come in and out most days. Precious.

The opposite hall has a butler's pantry on one side and a walk in pantry on the other. I had to take a shot of the new pantry shelves because they are tight. I'm also wild about all the transoms in this home. Character builders.

I think I might be most excited about this next upgrade. When I say this family has been an absolute joy to work with it is no exaggeration meaning I throw out a suggestion and we are aligned. I casually mention "I feel like the kitchen is missing a focal point" and draw up a quick pencil sketch for them to see.

What comes next...

the magic! I literally did a cheer when I saw it for the first time. The lines of the transoms and the lines of the hood were just not jiving with me, like it was missing its hat. There was no weight, heft to anchor the artery of the home. Not...any...more. A few other improvements include reconfiguring the countertop to accommodate bar seating for the kiddos, an apron front sink and some gorgeous pendants.

We're still discussing the back splash here and waiting to see what it looks like once the cabinets are painted. Personally I'd like to paint it. Not because its atrocious or anything but when my eye moves across the room and it gets to this point - I see static and the tones are a bit off. Maybe if I show my client this photo she might reconsider.

image via Greige

I don't necessarily want to replace the backsplash but better yet experiment with it. You can paint almost anything these days and thought it might be cool to paint all the tile one color and then add a squared off stencil pattern, like the one above, in another color. I call that big bang for little buck. And if it doesn't work, oh well, paint over it. The result is still better than what we started with. It's little details and experiments like this that make design life fun.

Next up is the study.

Here it is when the owner's purchased it. The bookcases removed and on the right you'll see a small hallway leading into the guest bedroom. Instead that door was removed now creating a closet for the guest bedroom, which brings our tally to six total. Folks you can't count it as a bedroom if it doesn't have a closet and with that one quick fix, we increased the value of the home.

Here it is covered and once again we have great symmetry on either side of the closet. BTW that closet is huge and will house most of the "techy" items to keep the room clean and clutter free.

Our new gorgeous built in bookcases. We've got big plans for this room. Below are a few inspirational shots. Mr. White Oak is an avid hunter so I'm very excited about the prospect of his wins displayed tastefully here in just the right dose.

Image via Cote de Texas. LOVE the carmel colored sofa.

The AH&L cover is more along the lines of the wall color we'll be using. We have a gorgeous desk inherited from her Great Grandfather that was a general in the Canadian Army.

I'll leave you here with a shot of the new GORGEOUS carrera marble subway tile in the guest shower and my new favorite, the basket weave on the floor.

A labor of love. The folks making the magic happen are also family. Its a fantastic collaboration and true blessing to work on this family's forever home.

I hope you enjoyed this little taste and I cannot wait to celebrate the rest with you all! Coming soon!!!

xo

Jennifer