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Hello my dear friends I am in need of divine inspiration today on this icky ice day. My current inspiration board is getting the heave ho, as in filed away for a rainy day and new images I have collected are going up for 2011. I loved the new issue of Lonny that went live yesterday...as always, like a kid in a candy shop! A lot of great images and always a favorite is designer Hillary Thomas. Her eclectic design is something that really attracts me and stirs up my creative senses. Thank you Hillary and others including Bunny Williams for helping me get my creative mojo back this week.

Lonny

Shop Style

For your shopping pleasure I have available this week

in stock and ready to ship

Madeline Weinrib cotton rugs size 8 x 10

email for pricing and any other inquiries

2 yards of China Seas pattern Rio in color Grass on White

Perfect for a small foot stool, pillows or wherever you imagination may lead you.

Retails $180 a yard price $100 a yard

2 yards of Duralee Thomas Paul collection in color Indigo

A wonderful whimsical pattern that would make a unique space

$40 a yard

How adorable is this line of fabrics made from a local showroom. The owl pattern I just cannot get enough of. They are custom orders so you can order as much as you like and are all under $30!

Inspire Me

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Today I hope I can find the excitement and inspiration that I lost somewhere between my backspace key and enter last night after a couple good hours of working on my post...gone in 1 second, darn technology!

I was so excited about it being Wines day, Wednesday for those of you who may not know the term, maybe part of the problem. It was a gorgeous afternoon, evening, and the children were playing so nicely in the yard while I was working away outside, yes bring on fall!

My favorite mags are on the stands and in my mailbox for October... House Beautiful and Elle Decor do not disappoint after briefly flipping through.

Although everything happens for a reason... I woke today with an email in my inbox from Lonny Mag and they have introduced their website www.lonnymag.com/decorate. This leaves me with a feeling of euphoria, sheer bliss, I miss Domino so badly and Lonny fills the void creatively but I miss the magazine, in print. The new website allows you to search the archives, see rooms, and other features that the previous site did not allow you to do. Hence, Happy Day!

Lonny

I must say a visit that has made my week and fueled my inspiration was spending time yesterday with a friend and colleague, Betty Eatman Nelson in her family's showroom Eatman's Carpet and Interiors in Raleigh, NC. There is nothing more exciting than someone who shares your love and passion for interiors and all the pretty little details that make those spaces. Betty a 3rd generation Eatman is working along with her family to make Eatman's a company her grandfather established over 50 years ago one that maintains the integrity of the past but the promise and change of the future.

One of Betty's newest ventures with Eatman's is the launch of Inspire Me a blog dedicated to designers, new products, and inspiration.

Eatman's Carpet and Interiors is a great resource for designers as well as a place for the public.  I can tell you there are a few things I think that a gal needs and I left Eatman's yesterday with a more added to my list!

27 Ground by Ginna Christensen 

Beautiful custom designed sisal rugs as well as wool as seen in the July issue of House Beautiful.

Shelter Pop via Town & Country

Madeline Weinrib fabrics available by the yard and yes they are to die for! MW has some of the most gorgeous Ikats on the market and they are hand dyed in Uzbekistan through the traditional method.

Samples on the ring, yes I will take on of each...

Madeline Weinrib

Visual Comfort Lighting which happens to be my absolute favorite lighting company!

These are certainly just a few favorites to name but there are definitely more where these came from at Eatman's Have a great day and drop me a line if there is anything out there inspiring you today!

Stars and Stripes

Stars and Stripes

Independence Day is around the corner and I am getting ready for a week at the beach with my family, a 4th of July parade and hot dog celebration, yum yum, fun fun! I think July 4th could be one of my favorite holidays, we are celebrating our independence and who doesn't love stars and stripes...

Martha Stewart

Breton Stripe

Named after the shirts worn by sailors in Brittany in the 19th century the Breton Stripe is synonymous with French chic and have been seen in the past decades on the likes of Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn. This spring stripes have hit the runways and home accessories including rugs, pillows and fabrics.

2nd Floor Living

Coco Avant Chanel

Madeline Weinrib

Madeline Weinrib Cotton Blue Versa Rug

Coastal Living

Fashion Graphics

Kate Spade

Kate Spade available locally at Beanie & Cecil Raleigh, NC

Traditional Home

Stars

Martha Stewart

Stars, so beautiful, powerful and full of energy, we see them everyday without thinking of their meaning. The biggest star we see this time of year is the sun. It is the closest to our planet and outshines all the rest of the stars that we are only able to see at night because of the sun's energy. We sing our children a little song "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, How I Wonder What you Are?" 

The 4th of July we fly flags all around with 50 little white stars on each one representing every state and their independence from the British monarch in 1776.

The Estate of Things

In home decorating there is not fixture that I love more than the Moravian Star Chandelier. It adds a touch of whimsy to any decor whether you are traditional or want to mix things up a bit.

Circa Lighting is the one on the top which happen to be a favorite of mine and Anna Applegate Interiors has had a couple in her booth at Hunt & Gather and it is equally stunning.

Canadian House & Home

Like this tin Barn Star used in a contemporary child's room it can be chic as an accessory for a space. Maine Barn Star has every color, finish and size of star you would like and they come made from Amish Country Craftsman in Ohio.

Maine Barn Star

www.mainebarnstar.com

Off to packing now but here is a room posted by Laura Casey Interiors of Charlotte, NC that will leave you a little inspiration for the upcoming 4th holiday...love the pillows!

Kelly McDowell for House Beautiful

It's only Natural

I pledge to use no paper or plastic products from stores, only reusable totes or bags.

I pledge to shop at farmers markets and buy local organic produce.

I pledge to pick-up trash in my community and encourage my children and others to do the same....

but I will not vow to sleep outside tonight in a tent for Earth Day.

In honor of Earth Day this week, a very important day I am thinking about the world around me and how the decisions I make, will effect me, my children and their children and what I can do to make a difference.

Safavieh

Thom Filicia, interior designer, "Dress My Nest" is making a difference with his new line of rugs for Safavieh. These rugs are awesome and I was able to see them first hand in High Point this past weekend as well as Thom Filicia strolling down the street. How excited was I, almost blurted out in the street, I love your show...although I am sure it wouldn't have been the first! Boy am I glad I composed myself and thought better of it and kept walking.

Filicia's rug's for Safavieh are weather resistant, stain resistant and hand woven in India of 100% plastic yarns from recycled soda bottles. These are amazing, good for Thom!

Tortoise Shells

It seems when I was at Market there were a lot of natural elements out there. These faux tortoise shells from BoBo Intriguing Objects remind me of the the fabulous shells in the Tides Hotel in Miami designed by Kelly Wearstler.

The Tides

The Tides

Photos Courtsey of Urban Grace & Materials Girl Blog 

Ikat

The May Issue of Elle Decor is trending Ikat for clothing, accessories and home. I love and Ikat print and think it is a natural staple for any room and love that it has been trending for years and personally think it will never go out of style like the tribes that it originated from. Ikat is a style of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process to dye the warp or weft before the threads are woven to create a design on a fabric...similar to the way you tie dye.

Ikats vary from country to country and many symbolize wealth, status, power and prestige. For some countries the Ikat represents something spiritual.

Madeline Weinrib has some of the most beautiful available Ikats by the yard. It is hand dyed and woven in Uzbekistan using the traditional methods.

Elle Decor 2010

Elle Decor 2010

China Seas Island Ikat Outdoor Fabric

Madeline Weinrib pillow

Domino

  Laura Ashley Ikat

NC Museum of Art

I am looking forward to the Grand opening festivities of the NC Museum of Art this weekend! The museum has been closed to make way for a 127,000 sq. ft. light filled  expansion surrounded by sculpture gardens and pools. The building is not only beautiful and will house dozens of new acqusitions including Auguste Rodin but also will be responsive to environmental sustainability.

The Museum's statement is "the superb collection of The North Carolina Museum of Art will be showcased in an environmentally concious building that creates a beautiful contemplative setting, blending nature and art to create a positive experience for all visitors." 

The pictures speak for themselves and I am sure I will leave with a feeling of Euphoria. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful place in NC!

Photos courtesy of Flickr