Saturday, February 16, 2013

A big personal announcement!

My birthday was September 29th...Best birthday gift ever? I get Chris as a husband. Chris proposed to me on the 21st by driving down to the Outerbanks where I was vacationing with my family, showing up on the beach and writing his proposal in the sand.





Now begins the daunting part - planning! Any words of wisdom you guys can share with me will be GREATLY appreciated!  I have already ordered a wedding planning organizer and a book of budget wedding ideas and tips.  I plan on updating you guys with my ideas and progress here on Decorology.


Dreamy conservatories

Now that the weather is starting to cool down *sniff *sniff, it won't be long before it's too uncomfortable to spend any long amount of time being outdoors.  Unless, of course, you're lucky enough to have a conservatory or glass sunroom, in which case you can enjoy the feeling of being outside all the year long.  I know little of conservatory design, except for that I wouldn't mind having any of the below:


If you can't add a conservatory to your home,  this little detached one would still be amazing to have. I would put it by a pond or lake...if I had one....


 This conservatory looks to be abandoned, which adds a sort of romantic appeal to it, but you can imagine how beautiful it used to be.

I LOVE the feeling of warm sun in the winter mornings, and this window would be a great place to sit and get it.


How perfect is this?

Maybe not technically a conservatory... but still amazing.


I would sit in here and draw.

All images via Pinterest search "Conservatory" or "Glass House"

*disclosure: this post is in partnership with Sheerwater Glass

A house that combines the eclectic and glamorous

While I really like the eclectic style of decorating, but sometimes it looks a bit too "dusty" for my taste. I also really like the shiny newness of glamorous interiors. This home, by the fabulous Angie Hranowsky manages to marry these two seemingly contrasted styles.

 *swoon!  That dresser - that rug! Love them paired together





I wouldn't ever think to combine the mauve in the blinds with the lavender wall.


Love the wicker-ish bed contrasted with the mirrored nightstand.


Do you like Angie's work?

You can see more at her website.

Welcome Autumn

We spent the weekend in NYC where it was 77 on Saturday.  Now here in MD it's 56 and honestly feels even cooler.  The cloudy sky and yellow leaves only add to the atmosphere of fall.







via Pinterest query "Autumn" and "Fall"

Meet me in Austin! Time is running out to sign up for Design Camp! (And a great Austin bungalow)

I am counting the days until Oct. 24th, when I will be attending the kickoff to Design Camp in the very cool Austin, TX.

 What is Design Camp you may ask?

 Design Camp is a two-day seminar hosted by Celebrity Interior Designers Lori Dennis and Kelli Ellis, with special guests segments led by local and national industry experts in niche fields. The course is tailored for design professionals and design aficionados. Each day runs from 9AM-6PM and is broken down into 8 segments per day.

Drinks, Snacks, Lunch, and Cocktail parties included. By the end of Camp, attendees will have the confidence and ability to run successful modern-day design careers, execute magazine ready interior projects, take careers to an entirely new level, network and collaborate with local suppliers and colleagues.

 Design Camp is your destination for practical, applicable, real-life design insight you don’t get from traditional institutions. In two fun-filled days you will discover more at Design Camp, while saving time and money.

 I AM SO EXCITED!

Check out the agenda...

KICK OFF COCKTAIL PARTY

Wednesday
6pm – 8pmMeet and Greet Cocktail Mixer

Day One: Design Today
Thursday
8:00 – 8:45Registration
9:00 – 9:45Interior Design: Past and Present
10:00 – 10:45Inspiration Boards
11:00 – 11:45Upholstery
12:00 – 12:45Finishes and Trends
1:00 – 2:00Complimentary Lunch
2:00 – 2:45Kitchen Design
3:00 – 3:45Bath Design
4:00 – 4:45Green Interior Design
5:00 – 5:45Staging – Stage your Career ---> very excited for this segment
6:00 – 8:00Networking Cocktail Party --> and this ;)

Day Two: Design Business
Friday
8:00 – 8:45Contracts – Successful Strategies for negotiations with contractors, vendors and clients.
9:00 – 9:45Blueprint for Success: What your Contractor needs you to know!
10:00 – 10:45Design Blogging – What you need to know!
11:00 – 11:45Getting a Project and a Book Published (and Sold!) --> another one I'm looking forward to...
12:00 – 1:00Complimentary Lunch
1:00 – 1:45Marketing and Branding
2:00 – 2:45Social Media --> Iooking forward to learning some new tips on this one!
3:00 – 3:45How to become a Design Star, Spokesperson and Television Personality
4:00 – 4:45Awards and Closing

I see Design Camp as the second chance to get the interior design education I never got - and in 2 days! October 24th is fast approaching, and I would really like to meet you there! Visit the Design Camp site to learn more and register!

 Austin also has some great shops should you be in need of a little retail therapy. I am particularly looking forward to visiting Howl.  Howl is an amazing antique store with a mix of items from all over the world, curiosities, and glam.



Here are some photos from a cool, eclectic Austin bungalow:



 the gray walls make this sunroom soo serene!


 Love the big armchairs on each end of the table...

the lights are fab too...

images via Apartment Therapy

Zara Home now open to US shoppers!

Well, it's been out for about a week now that Zara Home is now open to US shoppers! How amazing is that!  For the last 4 YEARS I have been drooling over items on their site with dismay, knowing that I could only look. Well, now we can touch too!

Since I'm now planning a wedding, I have already started my registry wish list, and let me tell you, I feel like I could register for almost everything on this site!

Check out my favs below:



Lots of gorgeous bedding - you will be in heaven if you love whites.



 Gotta love these gold mosaic fish plates





Love this rug




Some serious drawer pull love!


You know you want to - Zara Home.

Kitchen Love

I cook a lot more in the fall and winter, so I'll be spending a lot more time in the kitchen.  I imagine that in some homes, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house.  Our kitchen is a small galley kitchen, so it's not suitable for hanging out in, but one day I hope to have a kitchen that opens up to the living room.

This kitchen is simple, but white is my favorite cabinet color, and the light is really nice.

2 above via Apartment Therapy

If you are very good at keeping your items tidy, open shelves can be really attractive, and the open backs don't hide the eye-catching backsplash.

via Hus & Hem

Talk about amazing kitchen design, all those windows would make you feel like you're cooking outside year round.

via ?

via Heart Home

via House of Fifty



I like this unique kitchen layout.

via Home Designing

*disclosure: this post brought in partnership with thegoodguyskitchens.com