Chandelier Shopping

I have been talking about giving our dining room a refresh for quite some time. And I am starting to feel motivated for some reason. It is hilarious how you can live somewhere for years and put things off for so long. But I always tell clients, better to really live somewhere for a bit before you dive into projects. So I guess I am taking my own advice. This is the dining room currently. Boring. ha

All the furniture was Matt's great grandmother's (chairs new, buffet and breakfront not pictured) and those random things all over the mantel were from the holidays (old photo). All this place needs is a bit of paint (dark navy above chair rail), some additional moldings (under chair rail all painted white), a new light fixture, a great mirror for above the fireplace, and a big piece of art for over the buffet. Lighting is probably my least favorite thing to choose because like rugs, I torture myself with the decision. I actually love the fixture we have, but it does not go with the style of our home or the furniture (If interested in buying lmk). I have narrowed down the field for a replacement and thought you might be looking as well, so here are the options...

Some simple, but pretty pieces...

1. Really loving the lines of this Thomas O'Brien $735 (four finish options) 

2. Just enough curve on this one by Barbara Berry $945 

3. Simple but such a statement maker Anthropologie $1750

 Some more feminine, but not too ornate options...

1. Really love the rope like feel of this E.F. Chapman $895 

2. This is such a classic shape and I love the star One Kings Lane $1195

3. Not sure I want to do a shade again, but this is pretty. Bloomingdales $1170

4. The scrolling is so pretty One Kings Lane $1155

 And some other shapes that I love...

1.Such a unique shape, a little modern, but cool One Kings Lane $1399

2. This is the lantern everyone wants, always a good choice One Kings Lane $629

3. The round shape and shades feel very grown up One Kings Lane $1155

Clearly this is an investment, so I want to choose correctly. I will keep you posted when something gets put up. As for paint, that might have to wait until this Fall. Some fun projects to come that I cannot wait to share. 

xo

Erin 

ShowsToppers

I think every girl feels like they have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear sometimes. And it is probably not true, but things can feel tired or lame. Most likely you have great pieces that can work again and again, but maybe just need something to spice it up. Enter the statement clutch and statement earring. These babies can make you feel like you have a whole new look with something you have worn again and again. And they work for any occasion. Maybe with your favorite jeans/blazer combo for dinner or with that ten year old LBD for a holiday party. Even things that are splashy and fun can become a classic in your closet...

1. How perfect is plaid for the holidays? Also in black/white Kate Spade $228

2. Gold stars and suede Claire V. $215

3. Own this and wear it with absolutely everything Claire V. $275

4. An investment piece you would never regret. Comes in pink too Valentino $1545

5. This glitter number would amp up any look Rebecca Minkoff $95

6. Love the material and lip print DVF $328

7. Love this update on an animal print Claire V $235

8. Soft leather and so pretty Fendi $890

9. Obsessed with this emerald Victoria Beckham $750

10. The calf hair and tassel combo are killing me Anthropologie $228

11. The red lipstick of clutches Valentino $547 (on sale)

12. Velvet with embellishment is so pretty Kotur $280 (on sale)

13. Cult classic that comes in many colors YSL $1150

14. I love the scale of this leopard print J. Crew $375

15. Fringe couldn't be more on point right now YSL $495

1.  Modern take on semi precious stones Elizabeth & James $245

2. Love a tassel. always Vanessa Mooney $45

3. Cheeky little evil eyes Lulu Frost $225

4. Huge crystal flowers are perfection Oscar de la Renta $325

5. These crawlers are gorgeous Dannijo $370

6. Love these black and white Alexis Bittar $145

7. Love that these pearls drop behind the ear. Kate Spade $58

8. The color of these cabochons are so pretty Kenneth Jay Lane $45 (on sale)

9. This celestial pair are perfect for the holidays Bauble Bar $36

10. These have a great vintage feel Ben Amun $120 (on sale)

11. A modern take on pearls and crystals. Slay Elizabeth Cole $87 (on sale)

12. Simple dress and these would be gorgeous Elizabeth Cole $121 (on sale)

13. Beautiful shape and love the lilac and lemon combo Bounkit $255 (on sale)

14. These turquoise drops are amazing Kenneth Jay Lane $45 (on sale)

Have the best weekend! 

xo

Erin 

Affordable Lighting Options

Lighting can be one of those changes that completely changes an entire space. The problem is that it can also be one of the largest investments in a space. I have been helping people not only with fashion styling services, but also home styling lately, (email me!) and most people just need a few pieces to tie their rooms together. Lighting options are usually one of my first suggestions. In an effort to keep everyone's budget in tact, I have rounded up some of the best lighting options that would be wonderful in so many rooms. 

1. This vintage lantern is so fun. Chairish $395

2. A client I helped just hung this above her dining table and it is stunning. Pottery Barn $399

3. A pair of these over an island would be so chic. Or down a hallway. Shades of Light $159

4. Beautiful shaped lantern. Shades of Light $279

5. Such a different take on the rustic look in this metal pendant. Lulu & Georgia $207

6. I have these lining my hallway. Pottery Barn $169

7. I am such a sucker for a lantern. This one has a vintage look without the huge price tag. Pottery Barn $399

8. This would look so great above a rustic farmer's table. Pottery Barn $799

9. It is hard to find a quality chandelier for under one thousand, this has a retro feel I love. West Elm $899

10. This is such a classic look and the mixed metals is fun. West Elm $319

11. Love the shape of this mid century vintage chandelier. Chairish $396

12. Worship the shape and the lined shade. Also comes in navy and gray. Shades of Light $319

13. The mix of wood and metal along with the shape makes this such a statement. Pottery Barn $399

xo

Erin 

Dining Room So Far

Sharing pictures of your home on your blog is way harder than I thought. We all look at design blogs and Pinterest all day, loving the perfectly designed and put together rooms of professional, fabulous designers. 

A professional, I am not. Not even close. 

Many of those photos are staged, just been cleaned and combed over for imperfection. So instead of sharing pictures of my "perfect" home, I would rather share ones of my ever changing, always a little messy one. And are rooms ever really "done?" Probably not. 

With that said, I will show you some pictures of the dining room so far. I have done nothing but move what we already have to the new space. 

The picture above the fireplace will most likely be moved to above the buffet. I love the idea of using that fireplace during holiday dinners. 

Those hideous drapes will be coming down. For some reason the previous owner put them up all over the house for showings. Now they are just a pain to take down, then patch and paint the wall. 

The extra built-in unit on the left was a nice addition for storage. The light fixture was from our old house. one of my favorite purchases. 

The table, buffet and break front are family heirlooms from the 20s that I was lucky enough to be gifted. The chairs are new, but I still have two of the original. I have been looking for fabric for awhile to reupholster them in, still searching.

I think one of these rugs would warm up the space and add some visual interest with a pattern since the wood floors and furniture is essentially the same color. Something in a light trellis, maybe. 

Since we live in such a rural area now, some faux taxidermy feels necessary. I LOVE this shop on Etsy. They have many different animals ($120) and it can be customized in different colors. Mint antlers seem perfect.  

The room needs paint, but I am actually kind of obsessed with wallpaper right now. I am thinking of painting below the chair rail white, then choosing a patterned paper to go above. These are my current favorites. Something traditional, yet slightly contemporary. 

I love hearing your input on what you like. Not quite ready to get after this room just yet, but I think I am on the right track. What do you think? 

xo

Erin 

Bringing Home Some Upper East Side

I have been watching more television than I would like to admit. Between being sick and the colder weather, I am well caught up on my DVR and have embarrassingly got pulled into watching some really bad reality TV via VH1. You know who you are Basketball Wives. 

Luckily, there are new episodes of some of my favorite shows waiting in my DVR box each morning. One of which is Gossip Girl. 

I have been a loyal fan from the beginning. And while the story lines are getting a bit redundant and possibly cliche, I love tuning in to see what Blair and Serena will be wearing, what NYC spot they are hitting and how the set will be decorated. 

Truly, between the fashion and the decor, there is always a ton of fun inspiration each week. And let's not forget the life lessons we learn (ie: try not to hook up with your ex right before being proposed to by a prince). 

Take a look at this snippet of set and the beautiful painting. 

Gossip Girl lets us into a fantasy world, which is why we love it. My fantasy is that I own that painting and it sits above my four poster bed in my Manhatten penthouse, where I eat macaroons in bed and online shop all afternoon. 

While we can all dream, a piece of Manhattan's elite is probably not in the cards. What we can do is look to Etsy and see what artists that we can afford might be able to contribute to our own sets at home. 

I found some great paintings...

1. afiori $30

2. EmmaWalshDesign $25

3. AustinMScott $30

4. FreeArtStudio $80

And some beautiful photographs...

1. ParisPhotographer $27

2. GeorgiannaLane $25

3. ElleMoss $40

4. PettyPetalStudio $8

5. MetOperaShop $80 (LOVE)

And you can bet your Blackberry that these price tags are ions lower than anything Lily has on her fab walls. 

Can't wait for next week's episode and some more inspiration (ie: Is Blair having Chuck's baby?!). 

xoxo

Erin 

Modern Lighting

I had the great privilege to receive my husband's grandmother's dining room set for our house. It is a beautiful set with dark wood finish, curved glass in the china cabinet, and tons of storage in the break front. It was actually her mother's and is in incredible condition. When trying to design the room around the pieces, I wanted to give it a more modern feel. I was inspired when I went to Sepia for lunch one day and saw these beautiful chandeliers covered in soft canvas shades. It was such a great way to have the elegance of a glistening chandelier, without the stuffy feel you sometimes get from antique lighting fixtures. The search took me to many stores online and in the city. Of course you can find the most magnificent fixture anywhere if you are willing to spend upwards of ten thousand dollars, which I was not. Not even close. This fixture that I found was perfect as it has two personalities. When unlit, you see just a shiny platinum shade with a few crystals hanging from the bottom. Once lit, you get the entire effect of a chandelier through a silver finished translucent shade. I found this at Lightology in Chicago, who also sells online and has a few different options in this style. Here are some more modern twists on classics that I scavenged for online.

Filament Chandelier from Restoration Hardware
Lucite Calais Chandelier from Z Gallerie
Chrome & Black Shaded Chandelier on Overstock.com
Exeter Glass Jar Chandelier from Pottery Barn
Glass Link Chandelier from West Elm

xo
Erin