In Good Taste: The Buzz...

We're so happy to Carolyn and Cynthia from The Buzz with us today! Their gorgeous designs with a botanical twist inspire us daily and we adore their store, Diane James home, where you can shop by flower or color. Isn't that a fabulous idea? We are so thrilled that they are introducing us to another lady with wonderful taste: Jenny Blanc. Thanks for being with us today!  

When you see Jenny Blanc’s Caribbean interiors, you’d expect to find out that she’s been designing homes in Barbados and the Turks & Caicos throughout her 25 year career.  

 But she only started working internationally a decade ago, having opened her high-end design practice and lifestyle showroom in West London in 1986.

 Jenny’s first project happened to be Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, in partnership with her husband, the celebrated chef, Raymond Blanc.

 She’s also credited with conceiving and managing the first boulangerie/patisserie Maison Blanc (of which there are now 14 locations.)

 Nowadays, Jenny spends her time between London and Barbados, where she’s opened a second showroom with her daughter, Emma.  Between projects, Jenny has found the time to create her own collection of outdoor furniture, perfect for the verandas and terraces she designs for her island clients.  

What we love about Jenny’s comfortable and elegant aesthetic is that it translates so beautifully across many different projects – whether a contemporary townhouse in London, a family farm in Surrey or an exclusive retreat in the Grenadines.  She’s definitely a designer with good taste!

Segreto Finishes

If there's anything we love, it's a gorgeous coffee table book. So we were so excited to find designer and decorative painter Leslie Sinclair's new book, Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors. Through her work, Leslie proves that fine finishing can transform a room.

 The designer stumbled upon this paneled look on a trip to France.

The gorgeous finish on these cabinets is sealed so it is more durable than paint. That's always good in a space where things tend to get a little messy!

The plaster finish on the walls and cabinets is finished to enhance the old world charm of the room.

 The stencil inside these coffers was created using brown paint and a tea stain.

The finish on these cabinets beautifully complements the 17th century stone countertops.

Simple plaster with no other finishes can be so starkly lovely.

The metallic stenciling over the plaster here dresses up the look. We're loving having Leslie's inspiration for our Monday morning. 

Segreto is available on Leslie's website or on Amazon if you want to delve deeper!

Happy Memorial Day, friends! We feel so blessed today remembering all of those who lost their lives fighting for this wonderful place we call home. Thank you to everyone who serves our country!

Fashionable Friday: Pearls

classy in the city

From black tie to black jeans, we think pearls are the perfect accessory with any outfit...

Bourbon and Pearls

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Bourbon and Pearls

prettyness

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pretty stuff

prettyness

prettyness

prettyness

Speaking of perfect accessories, Mom won this FABULOUS cuff on a giveaway from Marsha at Splenderosa! So, yes, I'm wearing it first. But isn't that what daughters are for? Thank you Marsha! We're obsessed. (Please excuse my poor iPhone self photography!)

And the winner of our Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway is.... drumroll please... Tammy from Beatrice Banks! Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

Things We Love: Statement Lighting

One of the things we were most pleased to see when we went to the High Point Market last month was the unbelievable array of statement lighting. Who wants fixtures fade into the background? After all, isn't light supposed to shine?

Brooke Giannetti Design

These awesome fixtures give balance to this room that is all about symmetry. We try to be cool and stray from it now and again, but, honestly, is there anything better?

Erin Martin Design

This reading nook is defined by this fabulous fixture. It adds a touch of whimsy to the space, and the gold inside is so beautiful! Plus, can you think of anywhere you'd rather have good lighting? (Well, okay, maybe in front of your make-up mirror...)

Erin EverAfter

I don't really need to say anything about this one. Amazing.

hautemama
We're really into three fixtures over a table right now. That's the look we're wanting in dining room our latest beach house contender.

Lynn Morgan Design

This room just proves that a lighting doesn't have to be overwhelmingly large to make a statement. Aren't those beams just fabulous?

Boxwood Home and Interiors

Pretty pagodas. Love, love, love!

McAlpine, Booth and Ferrier

 Could a garden setting be any prettier and the light fixture... fabulous.  McAlpine, Booth and Ferrier always get it right!

Friday is the day for our dress giveaway. If you haven't entered, there's still time to get you're name in the hat!

InGoodTaste:ClassicCasualHome(Take Two!)

*For some reason the pictures went away on the first post, so we're relaunching!

We are so thrilled to have Mary Ann from Classic Casual Home with us today, sharing some of her good taste. Mary Ann is a fabulous designer -- and e-designer! -- whose work inspires us every day. Whether it's pictures of a fabulous remodel or a summer guacamole recipe, Classic Casual Home is chock full of yummy ideas. Thanks so much for being with us today, Mary Ann!

Thanks so much, Beth and Kristy, for having me over for your series 

"In Good Taste."

Design Chic's extraordinarily good taste is something I marvel at every day, don't you?!

To me, good taste in interior design includes:

•  Comfort

  •  Restraint

      •  Personality

                  •  Attention to Detail

Below are examples of these principles that are used by

  friends of mine with good taste.

Donna's uncluttered style (above) and artwork depicting where she was married 

show restraint and personality.

With artwork and worn leather chairs, Mercedes and Mark deliver a relaxed and 

charming beach house environment.  I like the wood siding treatment on the walls.

Debbie is an expert at the details...like wainscoting, window design and a textured stone table.

Comfortable dining chairs and minimal accessories make this room by Abby tasteful.

This image is from her Wolf-Rizor Interiors' portfolio.  Love the beamed ceiling.

Clair's kitchen shows her design personality with artwork painted by her and and
here straw hat collection.

The attention to detail with the nail head trim is great, too.

Beautiful artwork and an antique book collection make Kathryn's home 

uniquely personal.

Netta and her husband are art collectors and give their interiors a unique personality.

Janice and Billy show an attention to detail with the arched kitchen pantry doors, carved handles 

and interior leaded glass window.

  Mary Lynn, a friend of a good friend, designed 

this comfortable but edited bathroom.  The photo is from her portfolio of m. elle design. 

Claire achieves a personal style with antique store finds 

and fresh fabrics in her daughter's room.

Aren't I lucky to have so many friends with good great taste?

Thanks for having me over, Beth and Kristy.  Keep up your wonderful work!

classic•casual•home

Thanks again, Mary Ann! Still a couple days left to enter our dress giveaway... 

Hope you're all having a great day!

In Good Taste: Classic Casual Home

We are so thrilled to have Mary Ann from Classic Casual Home with us today, sharing some of her good taste. Mary Ann is a fabulous designer -- and e-designer! -- whose work inspires us every day. Whether it's pictures of a fabulous remodel or a summer guacamole recipe, Classic Casual Home is chock full of yummy ideas. Thanks so much for being with us today, Mary Ann!

Thanks so much, Beth and Kristy, for having me over for your series 

"In Good Taste."

Design Chic's extraordinarily good taste is something I marvel at every day, don't you?!

To me, good taste in interior design includes:

•  Comfort

  •  Restraint

      •  Personality

                  •  Attention to Detail

Below are examples of these principles that are used by

  friends of mine with good taste.

Donna's uncluttered style (above) and artwork depicting where she was married 

show restraint and personality.

With artwork and worn leather chairs, Mercedes and Mark deliver a relaxed and 

charming beach house environment.  I like the wood siding treatment on the walls.

Debbie is an expert at the details...like wainscoting, window design and a textured stone table.

Comfortable dining chairs and minimal accessories make this room by Abby tasteful.

This image is from her Wolf-Rizor Interiors' portfolio.  Love the beamed ceiling.

Clair's kitchen shows her design personality with artwork painted by her and and
her straw hat collection.

The attention to detail with the nail head trim is great, too.

Beautiful artwork and an antique book collection make Kathryn's home 

uniquely personal.

Netta and her husband are art collectors and give their interiors a unique personality.

Janice and Billy show an attention to detail with the arched kitchen pantry doors, carved handles 

and interior leaded glass window.

  Mary Lynn, a friend of a good friend, designed 

this comfortable but edited bathroom.  The photo is from her portfolio of m. elle design. 

Claire achieves a personal style with antique store finds 

and fresh fabrics in her daughter's room.

Aren't I lucky to have so many friends with good great taste?

Thanks for having me over, Beth and Kristy.  Keep up your wonderful work!

classic•casual•home

Thanks again, Mary Ann! Still a couple days left to enter our dress giveaway... 

Hope you're all having a great day!