Design on the Half Shell

Large clam shells are popping up all over the design world. 

My husband recently surprised me with a real one! 

They have become so popular that they are now

being produced in resin. They are ideal in any room,

even if you don't have a coastal feel. They are perfect

to offer texture and make ideal holders for a variety 

of items or can be beautiful all on their own!

Beverage holder

So sit back and enjoy all the uses I can show you.

If you can think of another way to use a clam shell, please leave me 

a message in the comments below! 

Orchid Planter

Used as a sink in a casual, nautical inspired powder room.

Or in a very formal powder room, as a vessel sink, on top

of a mirrored console.

They make beautiful seasonal containers. This one is full of Spring Flowers!

In the Summer they are perfect for succulents.

You can use a shell instead of a Cornucopia for Thanksgiving!

What a beautiful Christmas arrangement! 

They are especially beautiful filled with shells. 

Hydrangeas are another type of flower, that are beautiful placed 

in a clam shell. 

A great idea to fill up a fireplace that you don't use.

They are also great used as a stand alone accessory in a fireplace. 

(This picture is in Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoules's living room.)

What did I do with my clam shell? We have a large collection of all types, sizes 

and colors of shells and coral. I have mine full of shells and in our bay window,

for now. But I have lots of other possibilities in mind for it!

If you would like to know more about the clam shells....

The giant clam, Tridacna gigas, is one of the numerous clam species that exist in the coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian oceans. As the name suggests, these are huge clams, so much so that they are regarded as the largest extant species of bivalve molluscs. Owing to the fact that they occur in marine environment, the giant clams belong to the family Cardioidea, to which all the other saltwater clams belong. These creatures were first documented by an Italian explorer, as early as 1521. Since then, the giant clams have been studied in great detail

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/interesting-facts-about-the-giant-clam.html

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Click on the title of the post in Blue (at the top) to view this post online. You can see recent posts, other blogs I like, my archives and the links I post on the right sidebar. Some things do not translate as well in email. If you see there is a problem just click over. It is a more enjoyable reading experience. Thank you so much for following my blog. There is also a sign up link available to receive this blog by email and another one to sign up for my newsletter Southern~Design~Style..

source: El Decor, House Beautiful, Coastal Living, Pinterest

Designers just want to have fun! (and learn)

I do believe that things happen for a reason. During

the holiday season of 2002, I attended a lovely designer luncheon

at the Madison Gallery in the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center.  

I was by myself and started to look around for a place to sit. 

I saw one empty seat at a table and decided to approach the group 

and ask if I could join them. I sat down next to a very 

lovely lady named Gail. In listening to their conversation, I realized that 

all these designers seemed to be part of a group. Gail leaned over 

to explain that they belong to an organization called

the Atlanta Designers' Network. She asked me if I would

like to visit a meeting. Business cards were exchange. After the holidays,

I wondered if she would follow through with the invitation.

About the middle of January 2003, I heard from Gail and in February 

I attended my first ADN membership meeting. Little did I know what 

a wonderful adventure I was starting. This fabulous group of designers

has offered me rewarding friendships and excellent networking

opportunities. We meet every month, except July, and have had some 

excellent programs. Over the years I have served on the board 

of this group as Marketing chairman, President and this

year I am the Program Chairman. I would love to take credit for 

our November program, but many hands were involved in 

putting it together. We had such a great experience, 

that I want to share it with you.

We went to Pirch! What/Where you ask? 

Pirch is located in the heart of Buckhead, across from Phipps Plaza, 

at 3535 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Georgia.

It offers a carefully-vetted array of premium lifestyle products for the home, 

from indoor- and outdoor-kitchens and laundry appliances, 

to personal wellness systems, bath fixtures and decorative plumbing.

We entered from the upper parking deck. To your left is

a beautiful LaCornue stove in turquoise. Straight ahead is the

welcome area, where you can get fruit infused water or coffee.

What a beauty!

Our tour guide was the lovely Michelle McGuire, 

the Director of Marketing and Development for Pirch.

She walked us around the showroom and answered 

our numerous questions. 

To our right was a group of lovely bath accessories.

We saw groups of washer and driers. Along with a...

a steam closet! 

Most of the sinks, tubs and showers 

are actually plumbed. 

We were like little kids, 

turning the water off and on! 

You even get a chance to meet the Stones! 

Don't you just love this tub!

We then turned a corner and there was the Sanctuary. 

The Sanctuary is in a separate room 

that has draperies that draw across the door (no windows).

The reason for the privacy is because you can schedule

a time to go into the Sanctuary in your bathing suit or 

birthday suit! to try out the showers!

These are some of the shower heads that are available in the Sanctuary.

Here are some of the many faucets you can choose from.

These can be lifted off the display and moved to your choice of sinks.

They have a large selection of unusual vanities. 

and toilets.

This style you just wave your hand across the top 

and voila, it opens and shuts all by itself!

Beautiful vessel bowls of all shapes, sizes and materials.

Scattered around the showroom are quotes that 

speak to you... 

and detail information about their products.

This kitchen had a wine refrigerator and to the right 

of it is a wine dispenser. 

A number of brands of appliances are shown with a 

knowledgeable team to answer your questions.

I am sure there are some Tennessee fans that would love

a big orange range! 

With all of these kitchens we saw, we were starting 

to get a little hungry! 

As we neared the outdoor kitchens, we started to 

smell something good! 

One thing the ADN members love to do is eat! 

We were treated to a magnificent meal. Rumor has it

that if you visit Pirch around lunchtime, you will 

be invited to sit and have a plate. 

It would have been wonderful to sit and stay for awhile. But

business calls, so as hugs are exchange and goodbyes said,

the designers scatter to find new fabrics, furniture or search for that

perfect something for their clients!

We know we will get together again next month! 

Source: Debbie Jacobs Designs

So many Designer Showhouses! So little time....

There are so many Designer Showhouses each year 

and so little time to see them. Let alone think about

blogging about all of them! 

Southeastern Showhouse 2016

I have been saving pictures and information on some of 

the best of 2016. So I thought I would go through and 

choose some of my favorite rooms to share with you! 

Artist Rendering - House and Gardens

This year was the first I can remember in a very long time that 

Atlanta did not have the Symphony Decorator Showhouse. But they 

definitely went BIGGER with the Southeaster Showhouse. 

This was one of the largest Showhomes I can remember. It was very 

well done and worth the time it took to explore each and every room! 

Here are some of my favorites! 

Rivers Spencer Interiors - Upstairs Living Room 

 Phoebe Howard - Master Bedroom 

 Parker Kennedy Guest Room 

Lisa Mende - Side Porch

Back and pool area of the Alabama Decorator Showhouse

One of my favorite Showhouses takes place 

in Birmingham, Alabama. This year it was on Leeds Road. 

We have close friends that live there and we always

enjoy going to the Showhouse with them and learning

about the local history of the homes. 

Living Room

Dining Room

Downstairs Guest Bedroom

 Kitchen - Cyndy Cantley

Laundry Room - Cyndy Cantley

Here is a Showhouse I would love to attend. It is the 

Hampton Designer Showhouse. It is only fourteen years old. 

Which is young in showhouse years. This is where you will find

some of the most familiar names and stars in the design world!

Dining Room - Mendelson Group

Covered Dining Porch - Erin Gates

Bunk Bedroom - Dodson Interiors

Each year, celebrated interior designers transform a luxury Manhattan

 home into an elegant exhibition of fine furnishings, art and technology. 

This all began in 1973 when several dedicated supporters of 

the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club launched the Kips Bay 

Decorator Show House to raise critical funds 

for much needed after school and enrichment programs 

for New York City children. 

Foyer staircase

Dining Room - Alex Papachristidis

Kitchen/ Bar Clive Christian

Master Bedroom - Drake and Anderson

Welcome to the 2016 Southern Living Idea House! In honor of their 50th anniversary, 

They picked five of the South's best designers –Mark D. Sikes, Lauren Liess, 

Margaret Kirkland, Ashley Gilbreath, and Amy Berry – and set them loose 

to decorate this beautiful Mt Laurel cottage. Designed by architect 

Bill Ingram, the space is a fresh take on traditional Southern style without 

sacrificing any of the charm.

Dining Room - Margaret Kirkland

Pajama Lounge - Amy Berry

Last  but not least, I want to share this link with you

that shows the rest of the 2016 Cashiers Showhouse. 

Thank you to Savvy Southern Style for her post 

on the "tiny house" at Cashiers this year.

Go here to see the " Not That Small!" house

There are so many Showhouses with so many rooms! You can google 

each of these Showhouses and find more picture available on each one. 

I hope you enjoyed our tour and this was just the East Coast! 

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Click on the title of the post in Blue (at the top) to view this post online. You can see recent posts, other blogs I like, my archives and the links I post on the right sidebar. Some things do not translate as well in email. If you see there is a problem just click over. It is a more enjoyable reading experience. Thank you so much for following my blog. There is also a sign up link available to receive this blog by email and another one to sign up for my newsletter Southern~Design~Style..