Beach Combing: Inspirations from Coastal Carolina

view of the sound from our porch

Last weekend I tossed a few items into an overnight bag and drove five hours south for a much-needed girls' trip at the beach.  We were six friends gathering to celebrate the upcoming wedding of one of my oldest, dearest friends. Her fiance's mother has a towering, airy summer house on a narrow strip of North Carolina coast and lucky for us, they opened their home for our getaway. Situated next to the Wrightsville yacht club, across from the picturesque beach, and facing the deep blue waters of the sound, I immediately felt the stresses of the week melt away as I unpacked my belongings and sipped a pineapple mimosa freshly juiced by the bride-to-be.

Lumina Station store fronts

Between long conversations in rocking chairs on the porch, sampling delicious local food, and drinking our fair share of champagne, we spent Saturday afternoon exploring the shops of Wilmington's Lumina Station.  Most of us found a few pieces in Monkees, known for its bright bold dresses and trendy, affordable accessories. Of course I was more interested in taking home the preppy print bench or the set of blue and yellow upholstererd chairs, than trying on the pink ruffle Milly dress waiting for me in a dressing room.

Two other home stores we found inspiring in Lumina Station were Arlie Moon and Paysage. I wove through Paysage's showroom snapping pictures of furnishings and accessories that caught my eye. The soothing beiges, browns, oranges and whites had a tranporting effect, perfect for a beach house palate. Arlie Moon was a treasure trove of vintage inspired pieces from colorful sea glass bottles to crystal bauble chandeliers.

zebra square at Paysage;
unique idea for additional seating in a living room

coral rug from Paysage

Airlie Moon couch and throw pillows

vintage chandelier from Airlie Moon

Arlie Moon dog beds in fun prints



Swatches from Airlie Moon
(I would love to cover an occasional chair in the brown fabric)



Sea glass bottles from Arlie Moon

Returning home on Sunday I was filled with new coastal inspirations for my Norfolk Nest. My proximity to the river and ocean will be an inspiration for design. Creating a sense of escapism with interiors can be hard to achieve, but something I will strive for in decorating a few of the rooms in my first home.

Secrets of a Stylist

Since beginning the house search in Norfolk I've become a self professed HGTV addict.  I can't go more than a day without watching at least one episode of "House Hunters," "Selling New York," or "Design Star."  This Saturday night debuted Design Star winner Emily Henderson's new show "Secrets from a Stylist" (Saturdays 9pm ET).  Emily really listens to her clients and then pinpoints their individual tastes.  Armed with an acute understanding of what her clients want, she sources unusual pieces and shares her secrets for repurposing, refinishing and rethinking to create original spaces.  In the first episode, Emily effortlessly marries two styles: "Hollywood regency with country club chic" to update a 1920's LA living room.  Personally, I prefer the singular Hollywood regency look, but I really admire the way she pulled it all together and blended the couple's design tastes.  Emily posses such authentic artistry; it's a fun and fresh way to decorate.  Here are some pictures of the room transformed in the first episode.  My DVR is ready to capture the entire season of Emily's design innovation.

The "Before" picture: Emily's eye is MUCH needed



I love this room, especially the Lucite chandelier and the mocha
velvet wing chairs; this was "layer 1" (the Hollywood regency look)

 

Then Emily added "Layer 2" (the country club chic style).
She repainted the walls with a gold okra, re tiled the fireplace and replaced
the wing chairs, among other alterations, but she did keep the chandelier
and the Chinese silk prints on the walls

 

The final accent pieces on the coffee table; her clients loved it

 All photos from HGTV's website.

Un Reve Parisien



(newark1.com)

Today is already good day.  Despite staying out late last night with friends, I awoke before my alarm bright eyed and ready to charge. I put on my new grey Calvin Klein dress and admired how my hair actually obeyed the round brush this morning, flipping out quite nicely. Walking out of the house I'm staying in Washington DC this week, I was greeted  by a cold, crisp temperature and glowing sun.  Hands jammed in my pockets, I clipped along making record time from Kalorama to Dupont Circle.  The white glow of the walking man welcomed me to cross as I arrived at every street corner along Mass Ave and I reached the door to my favorite Belgian patesserie finding no line at the counter.  As I ordered my ususal soy latte and tried to bring some life back into my numb fingers, I heard the voice of the French chanteuse Edith Piaf over the speakers.  La Vie En Rose. Today did seem quite rosy.


Edith Piaf
(penhittingpaper.com)

I listened to the music and thought about my upcoming trip to Paris.  My husband and I are going to Europe for just over three weeks this summer.  It's an optimal time to get away between his business school graduation and starting our new life in Norfolk.  Our itinerary is as follows: Santorini, Crete, Rome, Tuscany (where we'll meet up with his parents and stay at their villa for four nights), Florence, Venice and then (we've saved the best for last)..a week in Paris.  One of our favorite world traveler couples are flying over from NYC to join us in the city of lights where we've rented a two bedroom apartment on Place des Vosges in Le Marais district.  Marais is one of the most centralized part of the city for art galleries.  I'm looking forward to exploring as many of them as possible. 

Place des Vosges; our apartment is in this building
(subwayhotels.com)

With winter refusing to release its grip and give way to spring, I'm especially dreaming about l'apartement a Paris en ete.   So voila.... I am posting some pictures of gorgeous pied-a-terres.  Our first house will definitely have Parisian influences like a crystal chandelier and gold scones in the dining room and a gilded mirror above a tufted chaise in the bedroom.  Eventhough there are images online of the place we're staying this summer, I'll wait until I can capture them with my own camera.

This apartment is on Place des Vosges and I love the green couch and tiled flooring
(parispalais.com) 

I love this flower box of pink geraniums against the dark and delicate wrought iron
(rentalapartmentparis.com) 

A lot of furnishings and accent pieces works with this neutral color palate
The French have never shied away from excess!
(elledecor.com)

I wonder....could I make a pink chaise like this one work in a small Norfolk home?
(farm3.static.flikr)

Couldn't resist including this...
I think she's saying "Take me to Paris or lose me forever!"
(etsy.com)