SURROUND YOURSELF WITH HAPPINESS

If there is one piece of advice that I could everyone, it would be to document your favorite moments in life! Whether you use a camera, video camera, or journal, when you have the opportunity to later go back and visit those special moments, you can't help but feel happy! 

You don't have to be a professional, and it doesn't have to look perfect or written well. Just having the ability to revisit those happy times for just a moment will fill you with joy. You can keep your memories private in a journal, or share them in albums or frames. Every moment has a story and although some are not so happy, if you document the ones that are, you can always go back for a little while!

Here are some of my favorite moments. I'm no professional, but none-the-less I love these photographs as if they were. You better believe they will be displayed in my home!

Peace & Love,

Celina

THE MEANING OF "SHABBY CHIC"

For those of you who have been following my blog, you would know I've changed the name a few times, but it's pretty much been based around anything "shabby chic".  I wanted to share a meaning and history to the term. Rachel Ashwell, who came up with term "shabby chic" give an excellent definition in her book titled, Shabby Chic Style:

"Comfort, the beauty of imperfections, the allure of worn objects, and the appeal of simple, practical living... Shabby Chic Style is a revived appreciation for what is used, well-loved, and worn.  It is a respect for natural evolution and a regard for what is easy sensible."

"Europeans have embarked this style for years and years... Think of the allure of the Italian villa, English country estate or French castle... The people prefer what's been handed down by their ancestors, yet not so precious that it can't be touched"

"Maybe not everything has to match perfectly, but compliment, advocating new uses for old forms... Create a specific mood and display a personal style."

Peace & Love,

Celina

My love for white...again

Back to my love of white, artist Leah Anderson shows some ideal examples from her own home. She had a recent article titled "The White House" in Flea Market Style Magazine and I found some great pictures of her home at allthingscottage.com. I will save this article forever because the images are so inspiring. Her secrets to a "white house":

• Mix Cool and Warm Whites - "That's what adds the visual interest, the different tones and values," says Leah, who tries to simply let loose and have fun with whites.  "If you try too hard it will looked orchestrated...Spontaneity creates the magic." 

•  Focus on Texture - "White on white can be 'cold', and the only way to counterbalance that is through texture," she advises.  Bleached driftwood warms up her home; wood planked nailed to the walls and ceilings add visual movement.

• Bounce The Light Around - "I love light and movement," says Leah, who knows sunshine makes an all-white house even happier.  She uses high-gloss paint on ceilings and a satin sheen on walls, then adds mirrors and chandeliers for shimmer and sparkle.  (Quotation from Flea Market Style Magazine #116 p. 107)

 

Leah Anderson

 

 

 

HOLLIE WOOD STYLE

If you haven't had the chance to pick up the latest Flea Market Style Magazine, then please check out Designer Hollie Wood! Words cannot express how much I love her work and her talent! She is fearless when it comes to vintage finds and totally an inspiration to me. I could look at her website for hours and I will definitely be following her blog. The next time I'm in Charleston, I have to meet her and pick her brain!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just adore her and her style!! 

Pictures are from her website, www.holliewoodstyle.com

More pictures from Atlanta Bartlett

 

Don't take down your old dark wood paneling! Paint it white and freshen up the home! This will add depth and texture and give your space a warmer feel.

 

This is a great example of Atlanta's theory of mixing different shades of white. Love it! It feels just as warm as a yellow painted room, don't you think?

 

Simple elegance at it's best. Just heavenly : )

 

A simple DIY (do it yourself) example of making your house a home. Anyone can take and print black and white photos, frame them in white and USE your wall space! Voi La! A DIY masterpiece!

"I love things that are old, that have history, humor and life." - Atlanta Bartlett

Hello fellow bloggers and followers!  Sorry for the delay in posts, I've had a busy past week! Wedding planning, going to a wedding in Charleston, SC, and some minor heath issues have kept me from the blogging world.  What I did have time to do was read an article in Fleamarket Style Magazine about designer Atlanta Bartlett. If you loved my post about White Palettes, you should really read this article, or even buy some of Atlanta's design books. 

"Atlanta Bartlett.  This British Designer and book author creates relaxed spaces with vintage furnishings and paler-than-pale hues." - Flea Market Style Magazine

Why I love her!

 

A Pale & Pretty Philosophy:

 "I love things that are old, that have history, humor and life," says Atlanta, who fills her signature white interiors with recycled treasures.  Her secret to making a minimal palette memorable? "Mix different shades of white," she says... She also makes sure there is a pop of bright color to tease out a smile, like yellow blooms, or fuchsia detail on an armoire..." 

"Texture adds depth and soul...I use texture like a paint and palette.  I like to blend and mix textures.  Try mixing shiny metal with lovely rough linen, or a beaten-up armchair with woven baskets and twinkly glass."

Even if you can't afford Atlanta's products, check out her website or buy her books for awesome ideas! She may be my mother from another grandmother!!

My Inspiration!

For those of you who don't know, my mother Violet owns a beautiful Bed & Bath Boutique in Eastern, Kentucky. The name is Simple Changes and thanks to my mother being my number one inspiration, I have also been able to meet a few of my other design heroes! If you are in the Eastern Kentucky area and you haven't been to Simple Changes, you don't know what you're missing! 

1. Simple Changes Violet Elizabeth

That's my mom Violet on the right!

 

 

 

2.  French Laundry Home Debbie Jones

 

There is Debbie with the ultimate Queen of the South, Paula Dean!

 

3. Ann Gish  anngish.com

Ann seemed like a long lost northern aunt of mine!