Sofa and Pillows and Privacy

My new Kivik Sofa!

Sorry for the lack of posts, with the new studio, I have gotten out of my " normal" routine and into a new one. The time I used to be in front of the computer writing in the morning, is now the time that I actually TAKE a shower and get ready for the day...my hair has been blown dry more in the past 2 weeks than in the past 5 years!  It is kind of nice having a place to go in the morning, but I miss my time writing and styling photos, and will try to get better and find the perfect time to get back on a schedule.  Always a work in progress:)

Speaking of work in progress, out studio space is coming along...that is why I want to spend so much time there, it just makes me happy.  My studio mate has been gallivanting the countryside of Argentina this past week.... and with no one to sit with and have our morning design pow wows,  I have been sprucing and zhushing while she has been away.  (maybe I could have been a better blogger during that time, hindsight:) 

So, back to the point of my post....My new sofa and Pillows! Last weekend, I gallivanted myself up to Charlotte and went to IKEA.  I have been dying to get a sofa for the studio and couldn't stand it any longer.  The space needed some weight, the room was feeling a little leggy!   I definitely wanted white!  The Kivik Sofa was the perfect match.  It has weight, is comfy, and can be modified from a sofa into chairs.  I am not a huge fan of the blocky arms, but luckily you don't have to use them!  And at $170 per chair and $29 per slipcover it was a no brainer!  And talk about easy to put together.

this is what it all looked like before!

AND I got my favorite go to RITVA curtains for the much needed privacy.  I love our 3 windows, but talk about a fishbowl.  So 3 sets of those were put up as well, and now I can dance around like a looney tune without anyone knowing...shhhhh, don't tell anyone:)

Serious bang for your buck...no excuses for no curtains....at $30 per pair they are perfect!

After my ikea IKEA trip...I stopped by Post and Gray in Charlotte.

Had me at Gray and a green door!

It was my first trip, and it was WAY worth it.  Not only are Kelly and her Husband more than gracious...they have tons of great, affordable pieces from a carefully selected group of vendors.  So....true to form, I picked up a few remnants of fabric for my pillows AND a piece of artwork.  Really, if you are in the area, you must stop by and see them.

My artwork holding court on the shelf.

There you have it.  I havn't dropped off the face of the earth!  Now, I must get to work!

Coffee Table Books are a staple...even better when signed!

My newest Coffee Table Books!

I really love coffee table books, especially Design Books.  Many times this is what I turn to for inspiration for a design project (and my coveted collection of magazines, but that's another story!) When I was in Atlanta at Market, I made sure to sit in on a couple of talks and book signings.  One was with Brooke and Steve Gianetti from Velvet and Linen.  They just published a book called Patina Style, the photos are AMAZING.  and Steve takes most of the photos himself. This dynamic Duo was just a treat to listen too...and I of course got my book signed.

The second talk I attended was with Christiane Lemieux founder of Dwell Studio, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan cofounder and CEO of apartmenttherapy.com, and Heather Clawson from Habitually Chic blog.  It was a great talk on the power of blogs and business, where technology is taking us in the design world, and how you can embrace technology and make your business better.  Christiane and Maxwell both have new books out.  UnDecorate by Christiane is just that...don't worry about "decorated" spaces, make them uniquely yours...and Decorate like you live. And Maxwell's is Big Book on Small, Cool Spaces....has such great photos and ideas on how to design a small space. So I of course got mine signed, and was a little star struck and chatty when it was my turn to get my book signed....a total dork. They couldn't have been nicer, and down to earth.  Maxwell and I had a really nice chat. (which puts us on BFF status, in case you were wondering...HA!)  And I think Christiane couldn't be any more inspiring, founding/creating/ and running DWELL and having a family...she is a rockstar.  And Heather is in the midst of writing a book that will be out this fall.  We chatted a little about her process, etc.

Here I am with my starstruck grin.... thank you to the kind strangers that used my cameraphone to snap these photos. 

How shiny am I??

Total Dorky smile...I am in awe by her, she is just an amazing talent.

Have  a great week.