"In his name the nations will put their hope.” - Matthew 12:21

Christmas Crafts; This year I got my dad a cornhole game set for Christmas. There was no other option in a theme, but UGA for him & Ben. I painted this bulldog on one board, & a red & black chevron pattern on the other. I was quite proud of the bulldog. It has taken a LOT of practice to get to them to this level! ha

I just realized I never posted my pictures from Peru...

I'll get on that.

This is my favorite feature of my basement back home. 250 wood shutters were constructed to be the ceiling cover to accomidate the low HVAC. The HVAC was painted to match the natural finish as well as new constructed wood lighting boxes.

This project is still in progress.

Creating Compelling Combinations –

Adam Straus, 2011 July/Aug. Lonny Mag.

1. Don’t be afraid to mix modern & mid-century pieces with traditional furnishings.
2. stick to a palette; color can unify an interior with a range of styles.
3. Coordinating fabric tones and wood and metal finishes create a cohesive look.
4. Vignettes offer terrific opportunities for combining various styles.
5. Balance elaborate pieces with those that boast simpler lines. Use one ornate piece per space to create a clear focal point.
6. Less is more. An edited uncluttered space will feel composed and focused.

With some recent changes in my life, Nellie will also be undergoing some modifications. From design to travels, Nellie Peppers will no longer be just design advice, but more of lifestyle blog.

House Beautiful's Decorating for a Small Space

1. Organize furniture into mini rooms.
2. Choose furniture that do double duty.
3. Float Furniture in the middle of the room.
4. Create hidden storage.
5. Use all available space.
6. Select multi-purpose children's furniture.
7. Match furniture to the wall color.
8. Try nesting tables.
9. Add closet space with an armoire.
10. Create additional entertaining area.

11. Choice an open console.

House Beautiful's Splurge on the Details: The Big Advice

1. Too many chairs and table legs can make a room "nervous." A skirted piece or two will make it feel "grounded."

2.One pair of pillows always looks skimpy. Use two pairs, in contrasting patterns, colors, and textures.

3. The most indestructible fabric for dining chairs is leather or vinyl. Especially if you want white.

4. The fastest way to make over sliding closet doors is to wallpaper them.

5. Love your closet. Paint them, paper them, hang pictures in them to inspire you. And definitely light them.

6. Small scale furniture only makes a small bedroom look smaller. Try a high bed and a tall headboard. Your room will grow.

7. Curtains are like runway dresses. The taller, the better.

8. If your room is big, create a cozy human scale with high-backed sofas and a tea-height table between them.

9. Brackets can bring order to a large collection or odd shapes.

10. Use a rug instead of a bath mat. It was made to withstand a lot more wear than the occasional wet foot.

11. You'll never get tired of a white room.

12. Mix up the seating at your dining table. You wouldn't have eight identical chairs in your living room.

13. Two large mirrors will completely change any room.

14. A four-poster bed will take the chill out of a modern bedroom.

15. The most versatile coffee table you'll ever own is an ottoman topped with a tray.

16. Colors that are in your face, too bold, can look flat and harsh, esp. after a little wear and tear on the room.

17. Gold is back in a big way. A few accents will really warm up a room.

18. Dark walls do the opposite of what you'd expect: They make a small room feel bigger.

19. Keep throws under control. Fold them lengthwise, then in half, then tuck them into the cushions.

20. Every room needs a little tuft.

21. Four lamps are better than two. You need ambient light for mood and direct light for reading.

22. There is no rule that a living room has to have a sofa.

23. An open armoire is more interesting than a closed one. Let people into your secret world.

24. Don't be afraid to paint a vintage piece. Every piece of furniture can't be brown.

25. Nothing softens a lonely corner in a big room like a potted tree.

26. Thanks to a new fabrics and finishes, you can create just about any room under the sun outdoors now. Live large!

If you were to check out my pinterest recent you will notice multiple pins from Lost in America. It has quickly become a tumblr I check daily for inspiration. Check it out.

South Design Guides

10 Ways to get Southern Style - Southern Living

1. Offer a well-set Table
2. Inherit (and hand down) heirloom silver
3. Make the old new again with Family Portraits
4. Add elegance and sophistication with stacks of books
5. Paint with luminous color
6. Choose monogrammed linens
7. Express your personality with fabrics
8. Ease into comfortable upholstery
9. Showcase (and revamp) a well-woven piece of furniture
10. Finish with Fresh Flowers
    

25 Tips for Celebrating the Soul of the South - Southern Living

1. Welcome Friends with a Beautiful Table
2. Enjoy the Blues
3. Write a Charming Thank You note
4. Savor Savannah
5. Build with Barn Wood
6. Smoke Like a Pitmaster
7. Keep it Sweet – Southern Sweet Tea & Peach Iced Tea
8. Float a River
9. Put up Pickled Okra
10. Partner Up - Texas Two Step
11. Partner Up - Carolina Shag
12. Partner Up - Appalachia Flagfoot
13.  Rediscover Mr. Faulkner
14. Celebrate Small Town Mayors
15. Grow an Heirlom Bounty
16. Gather ‘Round at Galatoire’s
17. Bring Back Old-Fashioned Storytelling
18. Plant your Family’s Tree
19. Pass Along your Garden’s Best
20. Visit the Shrimp Docks
21. Catch a Break in Music City
22. Make a Perfect Apple Pie
23. Homemade Apple Pie
24. Honor the Queen
25. Count Your Blessings

Libertine Rules to Live By - Elle Decor

1. Invest in ONE GOOD ANTIQUE to anchor a room.
2. Always have an extra case of CHAMPAGNE on hand.
3. Read REMEMBRANCE OF THINGS PAST for inspiration – but only 13 pages a night, so you don’t get burned out.
4. It’s a given to have FRESH FLOWERS around; keeping them monochromatic is the easiest way to have a major impact.
5. Check YOUR MOTHER’s & FATHER’S CLOSETS. Way in the back, there’s always a jewel – even old slippers.
6. Plan a trip to Paris, just for the FLEA MARKETS.
7. A COLLECTION doesn’t have to be accumulated over time. Sometimes it’s fun to buy the whole thing at once.
8. Forget about purebred dogs; ADOPT A MUTT.
9. A framed DRAWING OF YOUR PET by a friend can be more meaningful than the most expensive Matisse.
10. MAKE A COLLAGE ON YOUR REFRIGERATOR of museum stickers, invitations, funny notes, and every time you reach for something, you’ll be reminded of how lucky you are.
11. CLOSE YOUR EYES for 30 seconds at least once during the day, to be quiet and grateful.
12. Buy your FAVORITE BOOK IN HARDBACK – that’s one thing you’ll never grow tired of.
13. Always have enough NEGATIVE SPACE in a room, so the eye has a chance to relax.
14. Don’t throw away old clothes, furniture or knickknacks – drop them at GOODWILL.
15. MONOGRAM AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!! It shows you care.

Very Southern, high vaulted patios.

 

Once again Celerie Kemble shows off why she is top on my list from favorite designers. This is a frame from her home featured in the November issue of Lonny found at http://www.lonnymag.com/. I have always been a huge fan of framing things special to the heart that aren't necessarily photos of friends or family. Several examples of alternative ideas are framed comic strips, like the Seay's have down their hallway, sketches, children's letters or colored pictures, love letters, or even a photo of an outside chalk drawing. I recenlty had 4 of my first hand-drafted floor plans done, and they are some of my favorite items in the room.

      Louisana Longing...

 

 

I found these amazing photos while I was planning our trip to New Orleans.