Fall Nesting: Foyer Displays

by Details Blog

Good morning!  🙂  I hope you’re having a great week so far.  Temperatures have been dropping here in the morning and evening, and it’s basically Fall Watch 2016 in our household.  Any excuse to be outside, right?

If there is one decorating-related thing that I have loved about living with my in-laws during this season of our lives, it’s the versatility of the foyer.  There happens to be a pretty large one in this house, but I know that some of us have smaller entries — really more like drop-zones — that we want to decorate, too!  Grey and I will be lucky if we have anything like that in our first home.  😉  But I really feel like a foyer or an entryway sets the tone for the rest of the house — they are a great place to create a feeling.

There are so many non-holiday decorating ways that we can talk about foyer design, but today we’ll focus on…Fall!  I know, I’m relentless.  Whether you’ve got a large entry table with pumpkins and greenery, or a small console table with a place to drop your keys and display a couple of gourds, it makes no difference.  Your entry is just another place to showcase your style, to preview that feeling that the rest of your house has.

Take your aesthetic and vignette it — are you an orange pumpkin person?  Are you a modern white, glass, greenery Fall decorator?  Are you more classic and traditional when it comes to this season — opting for creamy gourds, silver, and lots of layered texture (that’s me!)?  Showcase your style and create that feeling!  Tell a story with your space.

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.46.15 PMVintage Finds

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.47.09 PM
Karen Hill Photography

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.47.52 PM
Better Homes & Gardens — Favorite Fall foyer of all time!

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.48.27 PM
Maison de Pax

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.49.15 PM
Savvy City Farmer

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.50.06 PM
Original Source Unknown

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.50.42 PM
Our Foyer Display — Last year!

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.52.25 PM
The Cottage Journal

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.53.15 PM
Honey We’re Home

First Day of Fall

by Details Blog

Good morning and Happy First Day of Fall to you.  🙂

For me, like so many others, I associate Fall with a feeling.  Living in Arizona for my whole life has not provided a great view of changing seasons, falling leaves, etc.; but instead, it is a more gradual change that we experience, beginning with cool mornings and ending with light jacket weather.  But the feeling that I get when Fall is in the air… that is something that I will never take for granted, and it is something that I experience each year.  It can only be described as a true internal warmth that just makes me feel so cozy and hopeful.  There is the promise of the Holiday season, which always proves to be special given my strong familial connection, and then there’s just the anticipation of it all — the belief that it can only get better from here.

I hope you have a wonderful day and that you experience a little bit of Fall today wherever you are.  These photos are a representation of what Fall feels like to me.  What does Fall feel to like to you?

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.37.27 PMBakeaholic Mama

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.38.20 PM
Original Source Unknown

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.38.55 PM
Home Stories A to Z

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.39.50 PM
Joy Tribout Interior Design

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.40.37 PM
How to Decorate

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.41.27 PM
Camille Styles

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.42.20 PM
Williams-Sonoma

Sweet Salvage: Wicked Faire

by Details Blog

Guys, I had the most amazing experience over the weekend.  By chance a Facebook event popped up on my feed last week referring to an event called Sweet Salvage: Wicked Faire.  I am usually not one to respond to these or even go to an event advertised on Facebook for that matter, but knowing my love for Halloween and my husband’s incredible love for Halloween, it sounded like something fun we could do together.  We ended up going with my in-laws, too.

Sweet Salvage is a 4-day market experience once a month in the Melrose district of Phoenix, and I am not kidding when I say that even if you intend on buying nothing, it’s worth taking the drive just to see the incredible displays.  Think a giant vintage shop with everything random and beautiful you could ever imagine, all displayed in the most artful and detail-oriented way that you can dream up.  I literally walked through the entire store for the better part of an hour with a giant goofy smile plastered on my face — it was that good.

Next month is their French Market show and I can’t wait to go to that, too.  Then I think during the month of November they will have a holiday-related show.  I’ll let the pictures do the talking for the rest of the post.  🙂  There is so much inspiration to be had here for your own Halloween decorating!

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.28.55 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.29.27 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.29.56 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.30.29 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.30.57 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.31.23 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.32.46 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.33.17 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.33.58 PM

Have a great Wednesday!  🙂 

Around the House

by Details Blog

Good morning!  This past weekend was an awesome one for me — just the right amount of time spent with family, lounging, shopping, eating, etc.  It was pretty epic as far as weekends go.  🙂

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.21.09 PM

I was perusing a blog I love, The Enchanted Home, on Saturday, and the author Tina does these Sunday round-up posts where she writes about things that she’s got on her mind that week.  AND…she grabs inspirational Instagram photos and curates a collection of pretty accounts to follow.  This one is literally me right now.  I got a good laugh.  Can anyone else relate?

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.21.50 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.22.23 PM

 On Saturday morning my mom and I went over to the Kiwanis Marketplace in Carefree where they have a gigantic collection of everything from antiques to junk, and it was so much fun to look through everything carefully and slowly.  I took these two pieces home with me and I am so excited.  My mother-in-law has an impressive collection of silver and I want to start some little collections of things I love of my own, too.  Silver is one of them.  I love using her pieces for decorating and I think they are just so versatile.

The Marketplace is awesome because all money is donated back into the community.  🙂

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.23.06 PM

 On Sunday, me, my husband, and his parents went to the most amazing flea market called Sweet Salvage.  This is just one of the many inspirational vignettes and I will do a full post about it later this week because, trust me, it warrants its own post.  They had their Halloween market going on and it was absolutely incredible.

After the market, we went to a new restaurant called Toasted that did not disappoint.  They call themselves a Grilled Cheese Gastropub.  Need I say more?  (If you go, the Raspbrie is your go-to).

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.23.49 PM

 Silver was the theme this weekend.  😉  This piece followed me home.  I love the gorgeous shape!

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.24.24 PM

Of course, no Around The House post is complete without a picture of my fur-baby.  He loves to sunbathe and this is just one of his favorite spots.  🙂

I hope your week is off to a great start! 

Fall Nesting: Pale Pumpkins

by Details Blog

Good morning and Happy Friday!  🙂  It’s been a very busy week for me but I am grateful — things are picking up at work now that the Summer is coming to a close and I’m enjoying a more bustling workflow.  I hope you had a great work-week, too!

We’re in full-on Halloween mode around here (I can’t wait to start showing you around!), but I know some of you like to invoke just a little bit of Fall decor in your space first before bringing out all the spookies for October.  I went through my Fall Pinterest board and discovered that I seem to LOVE the look of decorating with pale pumpkins!  I wanted to do a little spotlight on ways to decorate with this variety of gourd today.

I think what I love about these pumpkins is that they are softer on the eyes than traditional orange pumpkins, so using ’em is a nice way to sort of ease into the season.  I think that you really can use them in any decorating style or color scheme, but they seem to look especially beautiful in neutral, traditional, or transitional interiors.

Mix these pumpkins with all of the organic elements and textures you can find — dried flowers, leaves of varying hues, baskets, moss, pine cones…  You really can’t go wrong.  🙂

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.08.46 PMThistlewood Farms

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.09.40 PM
Common Ground

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.10.29 PM
French Country Cottage

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.11.19 PM
A Thoughtful Place

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.12.20 PM
Original Source Unknown

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.12.58 PM
HGTV

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.13.49 PM
French Country Cottage

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.14.46 PM
Stone Gable

Have a great weekend!

Alma Thomas

by Details Blog

I am, admittedly, the daughter of a former art teacher and not at all art savvy.  But every now and again I come across an artist whose work resonates with me and evokes a feeling within me, and so I then feel compelled to share.  🙂  This happened while perusing July’s issue of Vogue when I stumbled upon a small article written about Alma Thomas, a late but prominent artist who was born in Georgia in 1891, became an art teacher, and didn’t start painting full-time until after retiring — proof that it is never too late to fiercely pursue a passion.  I love that.

She is the first African-American woman to have a solo show at The Whitney, and she has a beautiful work showcased in the White House dining room.  Seemingly inspired by Matisse and her mother’s profession as a dressmaker, her works contain abstract shapes and patterns in energetic colors.  Bright, happy hues are expressed with dabs of paint that speak merriment and vibrancy.  I think you will feel the same thing, too.  Her pieces are fun to look at, fun to study, and just make me smile.

Images via The New York Times & Artsy

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.03.37 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.04.02 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.04.25 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.04.49 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.05.12 PM

Fall Nesting: Seasonal Desserts

by Details Blog

Good morning!  🙂  It’s official — I was outside this morning and get this… I was wearing… a jacket.  It was chilly, guys.  I’m giving all the heart eyes to the fact that Fall is officially upon us, so — let the Fall baking ensue!

I love baking and making seasonal desserts.  I’m relatively good at baking but do have a knack for taking the baked good out of the oven just a few minutes too early.  😛  There have been many a deflated, gooey-centered banana bread.  I’ve just got to practice more, and what better way than to whip up some sort of Fall treat?

Each year I do these sort of round-up posts of all of the awesome decorating, cooking, etc. ideas from the blogosphere.  If you’d like to see lots of other fun Fall ideas, check out my Pinterest board dedicated to just that.  🙂

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.53.09 PMApple Crumble Cake

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.54.03 PM
Roasted Apple Butter + Apple Crisp Ice Cream

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.55.06 PM
French Apple + Cinnamon Tart

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.56.00 PM
Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Whipping Cream

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.57.01 PM
Brown Sugar Pumpkin Pie with Honey-Sweetened Meringue

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.57.57 PM
Apple Pie Biscuits

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 11.00.25 PM
Oatmeal Pumpkin Pie Bars

Around the House

by Details Blog

Early Fall Greetings to you!  🙂  I am so excited for the cooler weather, Fall drinks (of which I have already had a couple!), and lots of cozy time with family.  Halloween decorations went up over the weekend so I’m looking forward to showing you around the house in the coming weeks.  My mom-in-law does NOT kid around.  😉

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.47.12 PM

There hasn’t been much creativity going on from me lately as we are in major last-minute money-saving mode for our house hunting next month, but these little dahlias did follow me home from Trader Joe’s a couple of weekends ago.  They didn’t last long at all, though!  Anyone else have trouble with these blooms?  It was sad to watch!

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.47.50 PM

This creepy toad has been hanging out by the door to our casita for the past couple of weeks — just in time for Halloween.  😉   He’s very large and quite slimy looking.  I don’t love him but I’m thankful that he will hopefully nab some of the moths that have been gathering by our door every night.

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.48.26 PM

I snapped this photo of an early evening Fall sky — I love the moon just peeking out through the trees.  It’s getting darker earlier, staying darker later in the morning — just one of the many great things about this time of the year!

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.49.00 PM

 Have you ever seen a fake Banksy?!  A friend showed this to me after brunch one morning and I thought it was real but went home and Googled it and got a good laugh.  The message is very Scottsdale, though.

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.49.34 PM

 And finally, I never really do these Monday update posts anymore without a picture of our Shiba, so here he is, enjoying a nighttime snooze on a fancy rug just because he’s awesome.

Enjoy your Monday!

Fall 2016 Trends: Graphic Black & White

by Details Blog

Of course mixing black and white in graphic prints is nothing new to the interior design (or fashion!) world, but we’re about to see a whole lot more of it this Fall.  Everything from carpets and rugs, tiles and backsplashes, accessories and soft goods, wallpapers and artwork will be getting graphic, and we have incredibly creative and innovative designers like Kelly Wearstler to thank for that!  This classic ‘color’ scheme will be making its way into all of our homes this season, whether it be with a Jill Rosenwald vase or Fornasetti wallpaper.  Or, in my case, a trip to HomeGoods for something a little less expensive.  😉

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.38.50 PMArchitectural Digest

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.39.42 PM
Ivory Lane

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.40.34 PM
Arkpad

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.41.16 PM
One Kings Lane

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.42.03 PM
Home Bunch

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.42.50 PM
HGTV

Around the House

by Details Blog

With the changing morning weather comes a new season of my life, one that I have waited for for many months.  Life has been challenging and staying present and not riddled with anxiety and sadness has been difficult since, really, April, when my grandmother passed away.  Lately I have felt more connected with her than I have in many years as dementia took hold and swiftly, yet slowly, took her away from us.  I feel a calm and comfort that I know comes from her, and my faith, and am grateful beyond measure that I feel happy.

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.33.09 PMSour Cream Banana Bread

This has been a tough year for everyone in my family.  2016…the year of change and evolution and even death.  We’ve all experienced it.  I am excitedly looking toward the Fall months, and then the Winter, when we can close out this year with one another amidst all of our love for each other, and begin anew.  But until then, I’ll be savoring these next several months and reminding myself of the things that I used to love, before.

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.33.57 PMSeashells and silver.

Decorating and baking, reading for pleasure, sitting outside, exercising and taking care of my body, expressing kindness and positivity and reveling in all the good that God has placed in my life.  Simply put, living in a state of gratitude.  It’s been too long since I have done that.

Screen Shot 2017-03-16 at 10.34.39 PMChocolate Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Filling 

And so, this weekend, there was more of that.  Planting new life in new vessels (succulents, to be exact!), baking up a storm, things that make me happy.  Spending time with my sweet husband who loves me so; smiling.  Not just feeling happy, but being happy.