Guest Blogger: Hooper & Ann from Birds of a Feather Design

Hi, we are Hooper and Ann visiting from Birds of a Feather Design. We are so excited Erin asked us to guest blog while she is away. We are interior designers from Wilmington, NC and just finished a master bedroom that is covered in Erin's favorite hue. Of course, we try to work in a little turquoise every chance we get, but wanted to mix it up by pairing it with emerald and gold.
The inspiration started with a Christmas candle that I got last year.  I have been wanting to use this color palate ever since!

Lucky for us, we had a client who loves all shades of turquoise and was willing to give us free reign.

 The custom headboard and cornices were made by a local work room. Together, they add so much height and interest to the room.

 The green and white "Xu Garden" bedding is by Legacy Home and the ikat shams and bed skirt are custom.

 We added in a touch of charcoal zebra (because you need a little zebra in every space) and more touches of gold in the sitting area.

The pale aqua glass lamp and Safavieh marble table add new textures to the space.

We love the gold Nate Berkus (for Target) hammered bowl. 

 The artwork is from one of our favorite local shopping spots, Crabby Chic.

 The client had these amazing quartz lamps and the green mid-century side tables were a Craig's List find! Would you believe they were already painted in the perfect color?

 The client wanted storage and a place to hide the TV and components. We chose this limed oak, World's Away cabinet....

 ...and added a little bling.

 The ivory silk drapes flank the windows and peek out from under the cornices.

 We embellished the drapes with a green trim to add a little extra detail.

 The gold chandelier is from Home Depot (yes, as in "more saving, more doing"). It's beautiful in person.

 We hope you love it as much as we do -- don't be afraid to pair an unexpected color with turquoise. As Erin has shown us, it works with everything! Happy Thanksgiving and please come and visit us over at Birds of a Feather Design. We'd love to have you!

Bye bye birdie,
Ann and Hooper

Rachel Reider Interiors + Chapman House

I have quite the obsession with all things Nantucket, so imagine my delight when I saw this! The chic boutique hotel was designed by the Boston-based interior designer Rachel Reider, and I have to say I've never seen such a cool hotel, a hotel so up my design alley, in all my life...forget that it's even in Nantucket! Chapman House was built in 1717, but Rachel recently gave it one heck of a facelift. Public areas and each of the 11 unique guest rooms, captured here by Rare Brick, are brought to life with fabulous fabrics, bold colors and yummy prints, not to mention way-cool lighting, furniture and floor coverings. I love that there's still a coastal vibe (it is Nantucket after all) but not a whale to be seen! Get all the info on the hotel right over here, and see more images and learn about the project over at Rachel's website!

So happy it's Friday! This weekend Chris and I are headed off on a road trip to Montana! We're spending next week in a tiny little cabin in the middle of nowhere! We will get to see some great national parks though and hopefully a ton of wildlife. Feel free to follow me on Instagram! (May not be a whole lot of turquoise this trip....but I'm always on the lookout!) I have some guest bloggers ready and waiting to share some really great projects with you guys though, so keep on coming back while I'm away!

Frosted Robin Cupcakes

It doesn't get much sweeter than turquoise and pink! Ok...maybe if there's cupcakes involved! Sheree Harrison, the owner of Frosted Robin Cupcakes, chose the captivating combo for her delightful and delicious cupcake cafe in Seaport Village, San Diego. (She was actually inspired by photos on my blog!) I'd say the wall color she used inside is darn right perfect...so of course it has to be custom! I can tell you though that the yummy doors and windows are painted Dunn-Edwards "Teal Me No Lies". Other than the color scheme, I love that Sheree instilled a home-away-from-home vibe in her cafe, inspired by childhood family gatherings in the kitchen. That's a place I want to be–the cupcakes are just a bonus! Learn all about Frosted Robin Cupcakes right over here! (Don't blame me if you're hungry afterwards!)

Caitlin Wilson Design

Caitlin Wilson has long been a favorite designer of mine. Just looking at her fantastic Philadelphia penthouse apartment photographed by Courtney Apple, I'm sure you can see why! Known for her fresh use of color and bold patterns, and an incredible textile line that incorporates both, Caitlin successfully mixes high-end with bargain finds for a look that's unexpected and unique. I love every element from her home–where she also runs her business, from the bold colors (the foyer painted Key Largo Green by Benjamin Moore!!) and patterns to the eclectic mix of pieces collected from their life and travels abroad. You can see lots more from Caitlin and learn the sources of things above over at Design*Sponge and her feature in Matchbook Magazine. Definitely don't miss her always-inspiring blog either, as well as this post here with my favorite project of Caitlin's!

Lane Homes & Remodeling

White kitchens are my serious weakness, especially when paired with turquoise! I was excited to learn the owner of this beautiful kitchen designed by Lane Homes & Remodeling out of Richmond, Virginia was actually inspired by my blog when choosing the color palette for her new space. (How happy that makes me!) There are so many great details, all captured here by photographer John Magor. I love the mix of tile on the backsplash–especially the quatrefoil pattern, and the glass cabinets on top and their cool design. So glad they included some open cabinets as well, no better way to show off that lovely turquoise dinnerware! Head on over here to see the 'before' pics, as well as many more inspiring spaces!

Paint Color: “Madonna Blue” 69-7 by Martin Senour

What Weekend?

I had big plans for doing stuff this past weekend.

Among the plans: to rearrange the furniture
in the Parlor, and hang more art on the walls.

Surprisingly, paintings and mirrors are not at their best

leaning up against baseboards and mantels.

The Parlor on Friday:

The Parlor on Monday:

Look familiar?  Looks identical, as a matter of fact.

Even the dust is the same.

This is squarely my fault, as I took a pain killer

on Saturday morning, and slept away most of the rest of the day.

I only woke up to eat, like a hibernating bear.

On Sunday, determined not to spend the day studying the insides

of my eyelids, I skipped the pain meds, and Howard and I

motored down to Somerville Center Antiques,

to add some furniture to my booth there.

The booth has its own blog now, at That Old Stuff.

 And now I'm heading back to Somerville, because there is

a price on my head.  There are WANTED posters of me,

because (hangs head in shame) I am a criminal.

I bought a piece of display furniture yesterday from another

dealer for $30, and forgot to pay for it.

Slipped right out the door to the getaway minivan,

with my accomplice, Howard, at the wheel.

YIKES.

We took the scenic route home and stopped at farms for
apples, corn, and zucchini.  I understand that
Bonnie and Clyde used to do this after their capers.

Have a lovely Monday -- it's gloriously sunny, breezy, 

and just the perfect day to kick off October.

I'm off to make an honest woman of myself.

Others have tried, but maybe this time's the charm! -- Cass

Barcelona in 2012

Las Ramblas, Barcelona 2012

 Roof of Casa Mila, Barcelona, 2012

 Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, 2012