How time flies

TEXAS - 2011

Gosh! Has it really been so long since my last post... I am sorry for not commenting sooner and welcoming my new followers - welcome, and thank you! It's been a stressful past few weeks. Who would have thought that moving almost 1500 miles, finding a house and jobs would be so exhausting.... lol....At least we found a house! It got me to thinking about all the houses I have lived in over the past 6 years. Yes, that's right.. 4 moves in 6 years! Actually make that 5, although I don't have a current photo of my parents house....It works out to be over 5500 miles in all.. Here's some photos if you are curious. Although we are still renting (for one more year) this house is by far the nicest. It's not that hard to beat military houses though.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA 2009-2011

GROTON, CONNECTICUT 2006-2009

ICKENHAM, UNITED KINGDOM 2005-2006

Great decor sites - Part I

Here's a run down of some of my favorite decor sites to go to for ideas, inspiration and advice:

Olioboard

• It's free to become a member.
• Fun (and addictive) place to create moodboards.
• Great contests with awesome decor related prizes.
• Get inspired by other peoples idea boards.
• Create a the visual for a room, without spending a dime!

 Ballard Style Studio

• Informative How-Tos.
• Decorating dilemmas - get professional advice from designers.
• See other Ballard customers home makeovers.
• Read articles from top designers and stylists.

 DecorPad

• Free membership.
• Incredible "Looks For Less" - furniture/decor that looks the same for a whole lot less!
• Friendly forum for sharing ideas, discount codes and decorating dilemmas.
• Thousands of inspiring photos for inspiration and general day dreaming.
• Listings for vendors and designers.

Houzz

• Free to join.
• Thousands of fabulous drool worthy interior, exterior and garden images.
• Links and reviews for designers, architects, contractors and more.
• Ideabooks - save and create your own idea books to catalogue your inspirations.

British Colonial West Indies Fabulous

via India Hicks

I thought I would share some of my favourite British Colonial style images. Sit back, relax and imagine a cool breeze.. I know I am!

via Martin Lawrence Bullard

via Apartment Therapy

via decorpad

via Houzz

via Coastal Living

via Peabody

via The Lennoxx

via unknown

Glam Vanities

Olioboard

I saw this beautiful mirrored console from Layla Grayce and instantly thought - Glamorous Vanity! I can imagine it paired with with some pretty, delicate accessories such as two of these sparkly sconces. The circular patterns in the console, sconces and rug all relate well to each other, and combine to create a cohesive room.

Here's some more Glam Vanity inspiration... if only I could be so glamorous!!

Hourglass and Crystal drum sconce - Shades of Light

All images via decorpad.

Trunks

Trunks are such a fun and unusual piece of furniture, maybe I like them so much because they are reminiscent of the BWI style. They make a great alternative to a regular console, nightstand, coffee or end table. As you can see from these images (all courtesy of decorpad), trunks can be used in a variety of decorating styles. They add some unexpected interest to a room, and provide great storage. I particularly like to see them used as nightstands, for a casual, well travelled and collected feel.

Restoration Hardware - Mayfair Steamer Chest

Frontgate - Boswell Copper-etched Trunks

Grandin Road - Lanceford Trunks

Rooms by State - Louisiana

Olioboard

I wanted to put some ideas together for a Louisiana style sleeping porch. I used cool greens and blues in contrast to the hot and humid climate. I love the old wrought iron beds and their casual elegance, I thought that simple white/cream matelasse bedding would look crisp and cool, perhaps with a few complimentary throw pillows. I can imagine that this icy blue star lantern would be a nice addition to the starry nights sky which you could view from the comfort of the bed. I thought that a few strings of paper lanterns would also give a nice soft glow and create some ambiance. And, of course you have to have some hanging ferns to complete the picture!

I found a few great inspirational images whilst surfing. I would love to have the pretty blue bead board ceiling (Southern Living) to complete my sleeping porch, totally Southern! Eddie Ross gives some great ideas on his Blog, I hadn't noticed, until posting, that his porch includes the same Dash and Albert rug that I had used for my sleeping porch. I can imagine the the decorpad swinging beds would work equally well on a sleeping porch. They would be a nice place to drift off to sleep under the stars.. Finally, Pottery Barns interpretation of a sleeping porch... the perfect place for a kiddies slumber party.

Southern Living

Porch - Eddie Ross

via decorpad

via Pottery Barn

Rooms by State - South Carolina Marsh Bedroom

Olioboard

Well.... I know, it's been a few days since my last post, but we are finally in our new house! Yippee!! Although we are living off of the floor for the next few days, things are finally coming together. I am so grateful to be here in Round Rock, Texas. Despite the heat being in the triple digits, the people are wonderful and friendly and I feel at home.

Anyways... on with more bloggy related subjects! Here is my second board for the 'Rooms by State' segment.... I tried my hand at South Carolina this time. To me, SC is all about the stunning marshes and the inspiring wildlife. With this in mind, I found items that captured the marshy vibe. I began with the top right floral fabric by Waverly, it made me think of misty-morning-marsh-grasses (try saying that after happy hour)!! From there I added some traditional furniture, but items less stuffy and more relaxed. The rug is a sisal herringbone from Ballard Designs, I loved the subtle texture and pattern. Then the finishing touches, with some pretty fern prints and a casual take on a sparkly antique chandelier. I wonder what the lovely people of SC would think??

Waverly Fishbowl Cavier

Ballard Designs - Parish Fabric

Source unknown