Ruthie Sommers: Eclectic and Fabulous

I always wonder what I could call my style, and I never come up with an answer. I need to take more chances, and think outside the box. If you want a breath of fresh air Ruthie Sommers is a cool blast of energy! Ruthie Sommers has such a fun, inviting, and whimsical sense of style. She designs with confidence, and it shows through in her work. If I had to pick one friend who her designs remind me of, Sarah is definitely it! I might start a bi-weekly post showcasing designers, and which friend they remind me of...thoughts?

I mean have I mentioned how much I love zebra. Animal is my go to neutral.

She makes this beautiful antique secretary, young and hip.

I could see myself being very productive in this home office.

Amazing mix of prints and textures.

I didn't think I was a fan of this paticular pattern, until I saw it on this sofa!! Love!!

images via in style, house beautiful, domino, ruthie sommers

Amanda

I Am Loving Skirted Console Tables!

I am so into skirted console tables right now!  I think it has something to do with my southern roots.  Every house I grew up in, or frequented had a skirted table.  Typically most skirted tables are round, but the rectangular console is a new spin on a classic.  I posted a few of my favorites below...is it just a coincidence that Palmer Weiss and Phoebe Howard are featured!  I have asked Paul, my boyfriend, to build me a base, and then I have recruited my mom to make the skirt!  I cannot wait.  It is either going to go in my living room, or dining room...not sure yet?

I love the graphic David Hicks fabric in this Palmer Weiss photograph.  I also love the the turquoise gourd lamp!  
These tables are also great for hiding junk.  Our new house could have a little more storage, so this is a perfect solution.  I love the thick grosgrain trim that creates the Greek key detail.  
I remember the first time I saw the above entry way.  It was in Domino...tear.  Palmer Weiss was featured as an up and coming designer.  Look at her now!  Famous!
The perfect Phoebe Howard.  Refined and classic.  I am a huge fan of antique Windsor chairs.  They are such a piece of Americana!
This is an example of a more formal skirted table.  The box pleating is beautiful, especially the silk banding at the bottom.
This photograph really caught my eye.  What a great idea for a dining room table.  Especially f you are on a budget.  It is tailored and perfect for a growing family.  If your fabric is pre-washed, just throw it in the washer and dryer, viola!  

images courtesy of Palmer Weiss, Phoebe Howard, Southern Living, Decorpad

The Color Quiz

On every blog I read these days I see the House Beautiful color quiz. I thought it would be fun to take it, and see what it says about my color preferences...here we go!

1. What is the first color you see when you wake up in the morning? While I am on hiatus at my mother's house, I am in my old room. Benjamin Moore Gray Cashmere, it is a green-gray-blue that I had in my kitchen at my old house. I love this color. It is perfect for any room!

2. What color are your eyes? They are technically brown,, but really are more the color of my hair which is red...so a coppery, reddish, brown?

3. What color do you wear most? I am pretty diverse, but I definitely lean towards black, white, navy, and denim...that is a color in my book! I wish I looked like her in my blazer and jeans.

4. What color do you never wear? Fuchsia, if you look at my picture above, it is pretty clear why I should stay away from that color.

5. What color do you wear to feel sexy? Black. It is never boring, but always classic. The dress below is understated and womanly. Those two traits are sexiest to me.

6. What color gets you the most compliments? Lavender, but I don't wear it that often...maybe I should.

7. What color is your lipstick? Bobbie Brown Peach Brightening Lip gloss, and Bobbie Brown Lip Shine, in Claret. I usually just wear the peach gloss, but the Claret is the best red! It is not in your face, but still makes a statement!

8. What color was living room growing up? Uggghhhh, brick red. Need I say more?

9. What color are you sheets? White. Clean, fresh, and it makes me feel like I am in a hotel. My bedding is all white too, I like white sheets, and white towels.

10. What color was your favorite crayon growing up? Blue-Green, or Green-Blue.

11. What color is your car? Green Gray

12. What color was your prom dress? Mint Green

13. What is your favorite gemstone? Emeralds, like the earrings Angelina wore to the Golden Globes, or was it the Oscars...who cares! Look at those amazing emeralds!

14. What is your favorite flower? Peonies, the are full and fragrant. My absolute favorite!

15. What color makes you happy? Apple, Pear, Lime, I love fresh spring greens! I have always admired the room below. Is it just me, or does this room make you smile?

16. What color depresses you? Mauve. This room is sad, sad, sad. Moving on.

17. What color calms you? Soft gray blues. Any room Phoebe Howard does calms me. This is Benjamin Moore Glass Slipper, one of her absolute favorite colors.

18. What color makes you grind you teeth? Bright YELLOW! I hate it.

19. What color would you like to try but are too scared too? Dark navy blue, like the color in Windsor Smith's kitchen. Actually the picture below makes me much less scared, it is fabulous!

images courtesy of House Beautiful, J. Crew, Elle Decor, Nordstrom, Bobbie Brown, Benjamin Moore, Southern Accents, HGTV.com, and sorry if I missed one or two, this was a long post! Whew!

Sketchy!

So I know I have been M.I.A. lately, but it is probably gonna be that way for a few more weeks. A lot is going on right now, and I am trying to keep my head above water! I do promise to come back with a vengeance! Hopefully a pretty post here and there will pop up and surprise you! Thanks for reading and keep checking in! you never know what you might find!

xoxo,

Amanda

p.s. Above is a pretty picture to send you off into the weekend, hope you have a nice one! Picture courtesy of the always fabulous Eddie Ross. I wish I could just hang out with him for one weekend...don't you love the apple green grass cloth!?!

She can do NO wrong!

Phoebe Howard has done it again! The bedrooms below are all from the same Island House! She has such an amazing eye for color, sophistication, and still keeps all of her designs approachable. If you are a follower of MrsHowardsPersonalShopper.com, like I am, you will see she is about to open her third shop in Charlotte! If anyone reading this post lives in Charlotte...you are very lucky! It is going to be 11,000 square feet! According to her blog, Phoebe hand picked everything, from the paint on the walls to the tiniest accessories. I cannot wait to see pictures!

images courtesy of Phoebe Howard

I am obsessed with Madeline Weinrib!

Since I mentioned Madeline Weinrib in my last post, I had to do a little blog post about her amazing line of pillows and rugs! She pretty much brought Ikat back! I dream about owning some of her pillows...especially the bolster at the bottom...$900.00 retail! Whoa, maybe in my next life!

OMG! I love this designer! MMR Interiors!

I was checking out Erin's blog, Elements of Style, and saw the designs of Melissa Ruffy, MMR Interiors. A New Orleans designer to drool over! Her use of colors and ability to layer is unbelievable! She has an uncanny ability to make traditional southern design look cutting edge, but still looks timeless! How'd she do that! I pretty much posted every picture from her website! Here are some of my favorites.

I mean come on, what a fabulous room. I love the totally southern family portrait mixed with the Madeline Weinrib pillows, and bold patterns!

Perfection, gonna try and make my foyer look like this! I will try to post pics of my mini-makeover this weekend.

This room leads to my favorite room, the dining room! I have never been a cobalt blue kinda gal, but I think I am now!

Ok, so this is the dining room of my dreams! I looooove the cream walls with the bright chartreuse drapes! And don't even get me started on the animal print dining chairs! Mark my word, when we get our new house my dining room will look like this...sorta!

Toile in New Orleans never looked so good! I think I spy some Leontine linens in a few pics!