Let There Be Light

These are pretty diverse and not antique but all are fun looks. I especially love the last one. There were three and would look great over a bar or island with an old style light bulb. I bought a small, iron chandelier with circles all around it that was a great buy and so cute but the picture was hard to see so I didn't post it. Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn have many of these looks right now. Too bad I don't have time to go back and look for crystal chandeliers. Interesting lighting really adds to a home. Just be sure and exclude the fixtures you love if you ever sell! Better yet, remove them...and THAT is your Realtor tip of the day!

Pictures by: Julie Webber

Rugs to DYE For

Normally, I am not a big pink person but I went crazy over this one. Imagine white walls, charcoal gray trim, white furniture on top of this great rug. It's like having a spectacular pair of shoes.

This rug is over 100 years old. It does have some stains but it is meant to be cut up and made into pillows or something. I love the colors.

This turquoise is great but also notice the patchwork one next to it. You can make your own design.

Sample colors you can have for your dyed rug.

These are rugs that have been "saved from extinction" as their card says. They buy rugs that are soon to be thrown out, shave them down and then dye them. Incredible! Think how great it would be to dream up whatever color and size you want but also have an antique patina to add richness to the room. I love this idea! They can cut them to your size so whether it's a runner for the stairs or whatever, it can be done. They are selling these in ABC Carpet and Home in New York City as well. You can bet they are ten times the price there so order yours online. Isn't it time to cut a rug???

Pictures by: Julie Webber
www.nomadictrading.com
919.413.5966

Round Top, Texas All Week!

A friend sent this picture to me and said it reminded her of me. I saw it in person the next day and of course LOVED it! The Texas person's disco ball! I can see this in a modern house as a statement piece. Obviously I am not the only one because they had received offers of $700.00 and up.

Old feed sacks to be used for pillows or whatever - very French. This is more fun than buying them new in a catalog.

I love these vintage soda bottles. Great colors!

This chest might seem like an odd choice but it reminds me of something Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan would have in their New York apartment. This is one of a pair and could be great with the right furniture. The lamp was bought by my friend and I love that too!

I should have moved the pillow because I really wanted to show the chair. Look past the pea green color and imagine a beautiful fabric. This was also one of a pair. They were small and would look amazing in a hallway or almost anywhere.

For those of you who don't know, this is an antique show in the fields around Brenham, Texas (around an hour and a half west of Houston). The main show is in Round Top and starts this Wednesday. It has gotten so popular over the years that tents in surrounding areas have opened and people come from all over the United States to sell and shop here. It is a mixture of garage sale type things and fine antiques. I love the hunt and covet getting a good deal on a unique treasure. Some of my favorite things haven't been the oldest or the finest but they still add value to a house if you love it. I will be showing things I saw on Sunday (in side shows) but I'm not sure if I will have time to get back to the actual Round Top Show. If you get bored of this topic I'm sorry to say it will be a long week! There is too much to see to cover in one day! Happy hunting and keep an open mind on some of these things!

Photos by: Julie Webber
www.roundtoptexasantiques.com

Not Your Average Snapshot

All of these photos were taken by Jack Potts of Bohemian Photography. He is SO creative and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. A couple of my favorite shots I am saving for another time but Jack likes to get into the mind of his clients and really bring out what is special about them. You have to trust his vision because he is more of an artist than a typical photographer. His work consists of fashion shoots for magazines, ad campaigns, unique weddings and distinctive portraits. Jack completely inspires me when I am working on a creative project but the best thing about him is his kindness and generosity. It's no surprise he is amazing at capturing the heart and soul of people. www.bohemianphotography.com

Fly Away...and not on a Broom!

The Airbus 380, owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, cousin to the Saudi Arabian king, is the first private owner of the largest luxury passenger jet on the planet. No biggie! The Airbus A380 can travel 9,000 miles nonstop, without refueling – from Chicago to Sydney, Australia. It has private bedrooms, a fully-equipped interior office or board room, a curvy cocktail bar which boasts a super-size TV screen and even a gym with a Jacuzzi and a Sauna. He’ll also need a flight crew of about 15 staff to operate it. Edese Doret Industrial Design are rumored to have got the job, and released a number of mock-up photos.

Love the shiny backs of these chairs. For the lamps, I would have done something different.

Love all the white with a little green. It's very sleek without being too "George Jetson".

BMW Group Designworks USA’s Boeing 787

Note the BMW under the blue glass floor!

The best part of this blog is exploring the decadent side of life. Something tells me these people have never experienced the same things I have. For example, there was the trip to Florida in the new Suburban where on the final day of visiting a friend, my young child walked in (when the car was running and ready to go) and announced that his head really itched. He had gotten lice from school the week before and we had spread it from Texas to Alabama. That's the gift that keeps on giving...a really nice hostess serendipity. After treating everyone's head, the house and the car, we continued on to Florida where the baby got car sick almost immediately. Nice. The good ole days right? These poor private plane people probably don't have any good stories like that...bless their hearts!

Pictures from: http://blog.luxuryproperty.com/luxury-real-estate-private-planes-jets/

Absolut Creativity

Absolut Bloody

Absolut Twist

Absolut Lemon

Oddly, I read trade magazines about advertising from time to time because great advertising can be very inspiring. When I did event planning, I often got ideas from award winning packaging and self promotion pieces. I love this campaign!

As an evolution of its ongoing “Drinks” campaign, TBWA\Chiat\Day New York and Absolut Vodka have brought bus shelters to life on the streets of Chicago. This was created by visionary photographers, Ellen Von Unwerth and Amanda De Cadenet. Isn't this so creative?!? They did an excellent job of making a memorable impression while also making us thirsty. I'm absolutely buzzed!

Pictures from www.commarts.com

The Girl Rocked the Rocks!

So...everyone will be blogging about Elizabeth Taylor today but you have to love those jewels and her iconic beauty of the earlier years. I don't know who would be considered a true star today. It's almost impossible to achieve lasting star status since people are over exposed and often seen taking out the garbage. Even Elizabeth had some questionable looks in her later years. I may not ever be a star but you are welcome to buy me jewels and PLEASE make sure I don't have that big bald spot in the back of my hair where I slept on it and couldn't see to fluff my hair there. If you don't know what I am talking about, one day, you will be standing in line behind a woman at the grocery store and say to yourself, "Ahhh, THAT is it!"

Life Through The Lens of Slim Aarons

You have to love these pictures by Slim Aarons. The bright colors, big hair, tans without a smidge of orange around the ankles, modest breasts and not one tattoo in sight. I wonder what his lens would see if he were shooting today? We won't really have accurate pictures of this time in life because everyone has been surgically and digitally altered! I guess there is nothing wrong with that but personally, I like a little mystery. Wouldn't you like to know what happened after this party? Today, one of the Kardashian's would have tweeted, Facebooked, texted, or mms'd someone immediately - of which millions of Americans would watch at length on TV, followed by some stupid t-shirt saying, "Team Kim" or something. No thank you. I'll concoct my own story. Even if something crazy happened, they probably sent a hand written note thanking them for the invitation. As my friend's mother always reminded her before walking out the door, "Remember darling, pretty is as pretty does!" Indeed.

The Bar Is Open

Monday is not a typical day to highlight bars but since I organized all weekend and challenged myself to find unique ways to make the best use of space, I was drawn to these images. Living in a smaller house with less storage has forced me to look for ways to make mundane items enjoyable to see. For all the wine connoisseurs out there, show some love to the bar. Put on some Frank Sinatra, gather your swizzle sticks and don't forget a good cocktail napkin. It will be swell. Ching, ching my friends!

Pictures by: Thom Filicia's Bar - House Beautiful, www.thekitchn.com
Domino Magazine and From The Desk of Lola

Color My World

I never thought I would like a purple room but this looks great. The dark chair and lamp make it look more sophisticated and less "my 7-year old loves purple."

I know it seems as if I have overdosed on green after the St. Patrick's Day post but I like this picture because it shows how great it looks to use different shades for contrast. I LOVE the light fixture!

This is a bold look for sure but I really like those two colors together and the way the artwork is placed. I'm thinking only one person lives here or they never use that door. One can't make a dramatic exit (slamming the door) if there is art attached. I'm just sayin...

I never tire of horizontal stripes. This color is so restful and pleasant. What a perfect look for a beach house.

High gloss, high drama! I am yearning for a high gloss room but my house was built in 1929 and people over the years have done really bad updates like textured ceilings. Consequently, I have to decorate to minimize that element. One of these days, the paint fairy will drop some extra cash for me to get rid of that feature and you can bet something will be done in high gloss at Casa de Julie.

I've talked enough now! Have a great day!

All pictures from Canadian House and Home

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Viceroy Hotel decorated by Kelly Wearstler

Also The Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, Ca.

I've always had green somewhere in my house. It always looks fresh and clean when paired with simple white. According to feng shui philosophy, green is the color of renewal, fresh energy and new beginnings.

So drink your green beer, eat your Lucky Charms or however you celebrate St. Patrick's Day! Good luck!