Can't. Even. Wait.

Although I love the usual backyard bbq with friends and family followed by a beautiful fireworks show over the St. Lucie River, I'm uber (did I say that?!?) excited about this particular 4th of July. Both sides of my family made other plans for this holiday weekend, (one to the Appalachians and the other hundreds of miles off the coast sailing!) so my man and I were responsible for our own festivities this year.

After several friends backed out on a short trip to the Keys, I was sure I was destined to celebrate the 4th doing something ridiculously fun, like the much needed cleaning out of our garage. I had a revelation, however, and decided that our countrymen did not fight for our freedom so that I could spend Independence Day in garage bondage.

Enter, lastminutetravel.com.

The garage can wait - I'll be whisking my man away for a mini (surprise!) stay-cation at this gorgeous hotel just a couple of hours from home. I'm looking forward to relaxation and quality time with my man, but I'm sure I 'll return with loads of inspiration from this Italian palazzo full of Mediterranean architecture!

Do me one favor this weekend: celebrate!

Get the Look - 6.30.10

As I flip through magazine and blog photos, more and more I'm finding products that I have in my shop. I thought I'd do occasional posts for inspiration that that you don't have to hunt for - 'cause they're right here at petite surprise. :)

First up, a long farmhouse table. The one in my shop is about 7' long, solid teak and it's beautiful - just the right amount of rustic with elegance. I love how they paired it with all white here - it really makes the table shine.

Next, these metal bar stools. I have a set of 4 - but they are silver, not red.

The Greek klismos chair. I have a pair in a yellow and green geometric print.

Nesting tables - I have a set of 3 of these in a shiny gold finish with glass top - adorable!

Vintage suitcases. I have 3 of these right now - a pair that closely resembles this one, and then a brownish leathery one as well. The pair stacks great for a unique coffee table.

Hurry in before they're gone!

Simplicity vs. Hodgepodge

Simple...

Hodgepodge...

What's your style (or maybe personality is more like it!) - do you like a bit of everything, or does each item in your home have its proper place? I'd have to say I lean more towards the simpler style, although I can handle a bit of organized chaos. If I had this spiral staircase in my house though, I would totally pile books on every step too.

I can't get enough...

of this vintage hotel

of painted brick walls

and of Rifle Paper Co

(which, lucky you, can be found at petite surprise!)

happy weekend!

Write the Future

Given my background of years playing soccer coupled with a degree in advertising and marketing, I just couldn't help but post a commercial from the World Cup. Well done, Nike.

I'm sad our USA boys are done, but am excited to see the rest of the tournament!

Guest Room Makeover Part 3 - Finishing Touches

To finish up the guest bedroom, I threw the pillows on the bed and hung the valences, added a live orchid (one of my favorite accessories!), hung a few paintings, and made a bulletin board with extra fabric.

I stepped back to view the big picture, but something wasn't right. Something was off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I thought it had to do with the window treatments. That's when my Mama Dukes suggested I try taking the valences down. Voila! Room complete.

I'm one of those people who has to see it to know if its right. Unfortunately, that creates extra work sometimes - rearranging the furniture six times, sewing two valences that you don't end up using, etc. Oh well, you live and learn, right?

Enjoy the photos!

My favorite part of the room? This giant mirror's reflection that makes this tiny space feel roomy!

As with the rest of our house, I'm sure this bedroom isn't completely finished, but it was nice to have a welcoming space for our guests this past weekend.

Guest Room Makeover Part 2 - Implementation

Inspiration: papaya.

One slight problem: our current guest bedroom will hopefully be our nursery one day.

Although I looooooove that perfect shade of papaya, I knew as soon as I went crazy with color in there, the man and I would have a little baby boy, and we all know boys don't like papaya (at least I hope ours won't...in his bedroom). I feel the need to clarify - there is NO baby on the horizon, but let's be real, stranger things have happened. :)

Ok, back to the guest bedroom. Yes, I didn't want to commit with the papaya color on the walls, so I decided to go for a neutral background with pops of the papaya. Gender neutral, if you will.

PAINT: I went with Latte walls, a nice creamy tan.

FLOORING: The floor in the guest bedroom is a light yellow vinyl terazzo - not the most beautiful floor you've ever seen. Mission: cover it up. I fell in love with this rug from Macy's - and it's only $2,999.00!

But then I went to HomeGood's and found it for $299, but to my delight it was on sale for $200! They had the rug in different colors, so I got the olivey-taupey shade. Gender neutral, remember.

CURTAINS: I had a bolt of some great linen fabric that I wanted to use for the windows. Refined, yet casual is what I was looking for, so I hung the curtains from the very top of the wall and swooped them to either side.

FURNITURE: I just so happen to own a furniture boutique, so I got to cheat a little here. I had been eyeing some dark wood pieces in my shop for quite some time, so one night I packed up the truck and took a load home. :)

BEDDING: All white. White sheets, white skirt, white pillows, white everything. I love a fresh bed!

Neutral paint, furniture, rug and curtains - it's time to get some color in the room. I needed some fabric for throw pillows and valences. My inspiration was this Carleton V fabric. Love, love, loveeeed it - the color and geometric print are to die for, but it is $69/yd. (I've been told a time or two that I have "champagne taste on a beer budget." :/ )

I found this print below at Calico. Not the exact color, but it still had the geometric print and it was a remnant, so it only cost me $8/yd! The texture doesn't hurt either...

I'll post the final photos tomorrow!

aaaaaand we're back

Sorry lovies - it's been quite the loooong weekend full of festivities and fun and family.

I did a little of this....

...a LOT of this...

...and even some of this.

Hope your weekend was full of fun too!

The Good News is...

...I've finished my guest bedroom just in time for the arrival of my dear aunt and cousins tomorrow! The bad news is...I have no time to post about it. :/

With all of the preparations for my brother's wedding this weekend, getting the shop ready for its first shop sitter, and trying to meet a pressing deadline for a graphic design project I'm working on, I've been spinning lots of plates. I'll be sure to post more on the Guest Room Makeover after this crazy weekend - I can't wait to show you pictures of the finished product!

Until then, here are some window treatments I found while getting ideas for our guest room. Do you have a favorite?

I love how these curtains start above the windows - you get the visual interest without blocking any of the light.

Loving the unexpectedness of the valence behind the panels. And that little pop of black lining at the bottom of the panels is a great touch too.

Would totally use this sweet little scallop if I had that view and those windows (and someone to keep them clean!)

I'll leave you with this:

Don't weddings just make your heart happy?! Let the festivities begin!