Reviving Charm - a new blog and new adventure

If you read any of the previous posts then you already know that it was started around one of the darkest hours of my life.  I have had a lot of life changes...adjusting to a new normal, in a new home and with new adventures. Life is getting back on track.  With that being said, I have decided to close down this blog. With so much of my life "starting over" I decided my blog also needed a fresh start. My new blog has a new name, a new look and a different perspective focusing on charming style related tidbits related to design, architecture, food and travel. 

Thank you to my followers. I do hope you visit my new blog, "Reviving Charm" and join me on my new adventures at:  www.revivingcharm.wordpress.com

I'm up to something...

                                   





This roller coaster of a year has really made me reflect on life, love, family, and friendships. I posted a while back about how I was pondering the direction of this blog. I have to admit, I have never really been happy with it. I knew this blog wasn't the best it could be.  It wasn't going in the right direction. I could easily try to amp it up, change things, get it back on track but I realize that this is not where my heart lies. Due to circumstances, my vision was clouded and my blog neglected.  But I want to say thank you to the readers who stuck in there with me. I appreciate it more than you will ever know. 

I have always been a creative person. In love with all things design related: fashion, interiors, art, etc. Over the past few months I realized that I will always need a creative outlet in my life. I have something planned, a huge transition of sorts. I will still be maintaining a blog, but it will transition into something so much more. Get ready, I'm up to something, and I hope you will follow along with me.

I absolutely love the new logo that was created for my new endeavor. It's modern, fresh, and feminine.  And it features my favorite color magenta (isn't is a happy color?!) and my real initials. No more hiding behind the mysterious "Mrs. B.".  The "B" actually stands for my married name, had I actually changed it! So, I'm coming out of the closet, so to speak, to let you know who I am and what I will be up to. It will be fun, creative, and beautiful...so stay tuned. In the meantime, I will still continue to post here, albeit sporadically, until the new project is ready to be unveiled in the next few months.

A Private Moment....

I had my first hug from Mr. B since March 1.
It was heavenly....
And when I started to pull away he said "come back", hugged me again and kissed me.
I rested my head on his chest as he lay in his hospital bed and let him hug me again.
He melted my heart....

Today was a wonderful day....

*****************************************************************************
I want to say thank you to all those who have shown me so much love and support while Mr. B has been in the hospital. The calls, emails, and personal visits have meant so much...thank you, my dear friends. It means more than you'll ever know...

Retail Therapy

As you can imagine from my previous post, to say that I am stressed is an understatement.  So after leaving my daily visit to the hospital this evening, I stopped off to grab some Chipotle take-out for dinner and headed into the HomeGoods store across the parking lot for a little retail therapy. It was well worth the trip because I scored a fabulous Ralph Lauren tufted ottoman from the Avalon Collection.  I am giddy with excitement. It retails for $879; I paid $299.  I have a perfect place for it in the living room which is the next room I will be working on after I finish the bedroom. I have a plan for it already in place!

I obviously wasn't planning on buying any furniture tonight so I kept my fingers crossed hoping that the darn thing would fit in the front seat of my BMW.  It barely fit.  If it were one inch larger, I probably would have had to tie it to the roof of the car! The pictures look pathetic, I know, but I had to use my camera phone.

On the Ralph Lauren website the Avalon Cocktail Ottoman is shown in two colors: the soft blue/grey (which I purchased) and a beautiful sunflower yellow.

I interrupt this program....

Sorry for the silence, dear readers. When I started this blog I had good intentions. Really, I did. Please keep reading....because I have a challenge for you!

Several years ago I started a separate blog that focused on travel, home decor and fashion. I loved it. And my readership and subscription level was successful by my standards.  My day job is rather uncreative at times and the blog was the perfect way to let my creative expression shine through.  Sounds cliche, but true.  However, the blog turned into a lot of work. The dreaded four letter word "WORK".  Sourcing images and coming up with new and creative topics can, at times, be challenging particularly with a full-time job and a two hour daily commute. After much thought I decided to stop that particular blog to relieve myself of the added stress it became. I wanted it to be fun not stressful. 

Fast forward to late Fall 2010. I was walking along the beach with Mr. B one sunny morning and we were discussing blogs. He has always been so supportive of my blogs...and any other crazy endeavor I come up with.  He is absolutely my biggest fan. And it was during this time together that I decided I was going to start blogging again. However, what I soon realized is that timing is everything. Shortly after I started my new blog, Dining and Decor, I had minor surgery. Once I recovered, I cared for my mother who also needed surgery. Then Mr. B became critically ill. From that point on my blog came to a screeching halt. Actually, my entire life came to a screeching halt. No exaggeration.  Although I have taken a long pause from blogging, I continue to sit at Mr. B's beside with pen and paper at hand. Old school, I guess.  But I began to journal the ups and downs of his ordeal and what my daily life has become as he lay in the hospital fighting for his dear life.  He has been on death's door on more than one occasion.  His ups and downs are my good and bad days. And my little green spiral bound journal is a good way to capture those moments of time while sharing the darkest hours of our lives together.  Throughout this ordeal, I have had a tremendous amount of support from family and friends. My relationships have grown deeper and fonder with my loved ones.  And with some, I have had to break off relationships spanning approximately 20 years. An easy decision, really.  Because what I realized during this extremely difficult time is that I need to be surrounded by emotionally healthy and supportive people who can give a little of themselves to help a friend when they most need it. Enough said.

What I learned through the bedside journaling is how therapeutic it has been. And for some odd reason, it made me think of my blog.  Do I discontinue it and forget about blogging? Maybe take it in a new direction?  Maybe not?  Do I just start over from scratch? A clean slate so to speak.  

This entire ordeal has forever changed my life. And something good will come out of it. I just know it...

Have you gone through a life altering ordeal? Have you had to break off friendships? Have you taken another fork in the road by circumstance,  chance, or by conscience decision? Dear readers, I have a challenge for you...chime in on today's post or email me. I dare you.  And I challenge you to forward this to those you know.  I would love to hear your thoughts...

Planning a Nursery

Babies are precious.  I love their fresh scent, and their adorable little fingers and toes.  They are a gift.  And when my best friend is told that she has been blessed with a gift times two, it's time to get the nursery in order. And this isn't just any nursery. I'm talking about a nursery for twins: a boy and a girl.  Talk about hitting the baby jackpot! Trying to design a nursery for mixed sexes is challenging but I think we are off to a decent start.  We have to work around freshly painted yellow walls and dark wood furniture from Pottery Barn that was inherited. Not too shabby! Nothing "cartoon-y" was the request, but chic with a modern flair is what the soon to be parents are looking for. I thought it would be a challenge to find something that fit the bill but I immediately thought of Serena & Lily.  Their nursery bedding is nothing short of fabulous.  And I love the fact that they offer matching paint colors and fabric by the yard for any extra coordinating pieces you may need to have made.  

It will be interesting to see how the room comes together....

Do you know of any great on-line vendors for nursery bedding and accessories? If so, do tell....

Baby photo via Serena & Lily; Sample Board by Mrs. B.

It's all about details

Did you read the recent post over at Beach Bungalow 8? The post is about a chair with a rather unique detail- the ring pull on the back of the chair. And maybe not so unique anymore as this detail is seeming to pop up more and more frequently. I first fell in love with it a few years ago when Italian architect Michele Bonan designed JK Place Capri. Both photos are Bonan designs and this little detail seems to be one of his signatures.



JK Place (Capri, Italy)



Hotel Vendome (Paris, France)

The question posed to readers on Megan's blog was whether or not you like this particular chair detail. The comments were a mixed bag. Here is how I responded:

Megan's post got me thinking in general about details in design.  Details are very important to me and I will fret over the smallest feature. I never overlook them because they can make all the difference. You know, the difference between "wow" and "woooow". 

Here are a few design details that I absolutely love. From these photos you can see how they add interest or in some cases actually make the piece.

Ribbon and nailhead trim.  The space between the nailheads shows off the pretty pink ribbon.



Button detail.



Contrast welting.



Drapery detail in my office. I added a Windsor Smith fabric ("Purpose") to a pair of off-the rack drapery panels for a custom look.



So, my dear readers, I will leave you with this quote from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe:

"God is in the details." 

Weekend Entertainment

It's been way to long since I have been to movie theater. Seriously. I'm talking years. But "The Tourist" tempted me.  The beautiful costumes and the breathtaking backdrop intrigued me.  The majority of the movie is set in Venice, Italy so how could I resist?

The costumes and the scenery did not disappoint.  In fact, it made me long to be back in Italy.  I was in Venice last year so I  couldn't help but say to myself during the movie "I've been there" or "I've seen that" on more than one occasion.  I also fell in love with the classic modern style of Jolie's character, "Elise".  It turns out that Ferragamo designed the beautiful nude "Elise" shoe for the movie two heel heights, as well as with and without platforms, depending on the scene.  If you want to take home your very own  beige suede and/or  black leather versions of the "Elise," complete with metal heel, they are being sold in limited release in select stores worldwide coinciding with the launch of the film this past December. You  better hurry though....I just might beat you to it!

"The Tourist" Movie Trailer



The scenes in the lobby of the Danieli Hotel was actually a set. But I can tell you it was just as gorgeous as the real thing.  And the featured Doges Suite is actually in a different building! Ah, the magic of the movies!

I can't think of anything more magical than a coctail or late night dining on the Grand Canal.



Is it meant to be?

Several years ago I fell in love with a photograph in a magazine. I wish I would have scanned that picture.  It featured a beautiful dining room with an oversized antique balance scale prominently sitting on a sideboard like a precious sculpture.  I can't explain what the allure was but it was  love at first sight. Every time I walk into an antique shop I keep my eyes peeled for a beautiful balance scale ever since seeing that picture.   I have seen a few since then but not many. And none that took my breath away as the one in the picture did.

While Christmas shopping a few weeks ago I walked passed Z Gallerie.  Their window display stopped me dead in my tracks.  There it was- a beautiful modern balance scale. It made my heart swoon. I chose not to purchase it due to its grand scale (29.5" wide by 37" tall). The scale is actually a good thing. But a statement piece such as this needs to be in just the right place.  I don't think I have a spot in our home that would do this piece justice.

Fast forward to this afternoon. I was thumbing through the January 2011 issue of Real Simple and there was an article that caught my eye.  This was the title:

"Love it but not sure what to do with it? Armed with know-how and a bit of courage you can make even the most intimidating objects...blend seamlessly into your home...".

This article automatically made me think about the modern balance scale.  Was it meant to be?

Drapery Walls in the Bedroom

Can you see a trend in my posting these last few days? Bedroom design is on my mind.

Windows in a bedroom can sometimes be tricky. It's typically unorthodox to place a bed in front of a window. But what happens when this is the only wall where it actually makes sense to place the bed? This is the case in our home. I have been considering doing wall-to-wall drapes, a small departure from what was specified by KD Space where shades are also incorporated.  Our room is fairly small and I think the wall-to-wall look will be very theatrical. But not in an over-the-top kind of way. I think it will make the room feel like a cozy cocoon. 





Photos via Desire to Inspire, Adela and Tessie, Patricia Gray, Vanessa De Vargas, and some unknown.

If you have sources information, please let me know.

Using On-line Interior Design Services

I really can't go any further posting about my bedroom design without saying thanks to Katie of Katie Denham Interiors. Katie has a delightful blog called Katiedid and offers KD Space, an on-line interior design service.  If you are in the Sacramento area she also provides traditional design services.

You must know that early last year I solicited KD Space for my bedroom re-do. I gave Katie a few requirements:

(1) Work around a fabric I love (shown on the drawings as no. 13).
(2) Incorporate lots of storage.
(3) Provide options for a non-upholstered bed.

Katie put 2 designs schemes together for my bedroom.  Although I love each of the 2 options she presented me with you'll notice as the room comes together that I am using her designs as inspiration. That's what I love about using an on-line design service. You can put your room together identically as the designer specified or use bits and pieces. You have tons of flexibility. Now a days, there are many designers offering similar services but Katie was a pleasure to work with. She was quick to respond and her fee was very affordable. Most importantly, I love her creativity. If you ever have considered using an on-line design service I would highly recommend it. Working with a designer is a collaborative effort. They can help you put together a cohesive design and prevent you from making some costly mistakes.

 

Option 1:


Option 2:

Floorplans and Elevations:

Inspiration boards and drawings by Katie Denham Interiors.

Bedroom Makeover

Have you heard the phrase "It gets worse before it gets better"? A water leak prompted us to move up our bedroom re-do to the top of the list.  A blessing in disguise? I would say so. 

I hate picking paint colors. You can pull together the most beautiful fabrics and finishes but if the basics, like paint, are not right it can throw off the whole look of a room. Like you missed the mark. Not a good thing. After testing six Benjamin Moore paints, I actually decided to go with "Latte" from Restoration Hardware.  It was actually the first paint sample I put up on the wall.  I always tend to circle back to my first choice. And it drives Mr. B crazy (sorry!). I guess I like to see all my options before making a selection so I have no regrets.  

Carpet selected. Check. Paint selected. Check. Next up are fabrics. I decided to go with a rather monochromatic look and here is a sampling of some of the fabrics I considered.  Not all of these will be used.  And there are a few not included here. You will have to stay tuned to see which were selected and which didn't make the cut.

The morning after....

The story behind the photo goes like this.  Mr. B. and I stayed at The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara, California last New Year's weekend.  We were up bright and early on New Years Day to take a walk around the property and surrounding neighborhood.  It was a cold, foggy morning. And it was quiet and so very peaceful.  It was on this walk that we spotted this party hat; a remnant of the previous night's festivities.  It  looked as if someone took great care in strategically placing it on top of a tall hedge.  I hope whoever it belonged to had a great year.

As we start this New Year I wish you all the very best. I hope your 2011 is filled with love, joy, peace, prosperity, friends, and family.  Let's make 2011 the best yet!

Happy New Year.

I hope you have a fabulous 2011.

A Farewell Toast to 2010

At the stroke of midnight I will be raising a glass to bid farewell to 2010. I raise my glass to you, dear reader, as well. Thank you for stopping by. 

Don't forget to check out THIS post about metal champagne caps.  After you go through those many bottles of champage at your New Year's Eve festivities you may want to start a collection of your own!

Reflecting...

"May last year's best be this year's worst." - unknown

The Fall of 2009 and 2010 were not the best times of my life.  It was a very complex time for me.  Seeing this pillow yesterday put a huge smile on my face. And its available in orange, red, and black.

Although the phrase embroidered on the pillow struck a chord with me, I definitely realize that when all is said and done I have a lot to be thankful for. I really am blessed...



Affordable finds

Open any design magazine or browse thorough almost any design blog and you will most likely see some version of the starburst mirror.  I have always been a fan of the starburst mirror. And when I found this beauty with  a convex mirror a few months ago at Homegoods for only $30 I couldn't pass it up. So, I followed the advice of many: "If you love it you will find a place for it".

The mirror is patiently sitting in my  home office on the floor underneath my desk. The installation will be a bit tricky because it will not sit flush with the wall.  The mirror will actually be layered over the corners of four pictures already hanging on the wall.

I went to Homegoods today and here are a few other things that caught my eye.  Unfortunately, none of them made their way home with me. But it was fun shopping. The hunt is always exciting!

What are your favorite affordable finds from Homegoods? Do any of these catch your eye?



A great desk at a great price (only $199).  I'm loving the hardware.



Silver and horn frame and tray.



I really was tempted to buy the genuine white onyx canister.   I love the shape of the black and silver covered dish but the crooked finial was a deal breaker for me.



I would love to see this side table painted a high gloss black.  There's that onyx canister again!



A trio of gorgeous lamps.



Another great pair of lamps.

A Belated Christmas Greeting

Although it is technically past Christmas, I want to wish you and your family a very wonderful holiday season.  I hope St. Nick was good to you this year!

 

Avia Hotel

Last week I checked into the Avia Hotel in Long Beach, California, a new addition to the City as it is only one year old.  I absolutely fell in love with the modern design of this boutique hotel. If you are looking for a simple, yet stylish boutique hotel then the Avia is the perfect alternative to the corporate hotels in the City's downtown.  With respect to amenities, the hotel is simple: no valet parking, no room service and no luggage assistance. I am assuming that they can keep their room rates competitive by not providing these services.

There is a beautiful restaurant and bar on-site.  The restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner and there are literally dozens of restaurant choices within a 5 minute walk of the hotel.  You won't go hungry here!  The roof-top pool is an amazing feature of the eight story hotel available only to hotel guests (key card access) or non-guests for a fee.  It boasts amazing views of the Long Beach Harbor including the Queen Mary.  Another plus is that it is conveniently located to the convention center if that's the reason you are in town. 

As much as I loved my stay at the Avia, and as much as it pains me to put this in writing, there was one downside to my stay and it has to do with providing a consistent level of quality service.  Several staff were outstanding and went above and beyond while others provided me with wrong or inadequate information that left me feeling a little frustrated.  But overall, I had a wonderful stay in a comfortable suite and would not hesitate to stay here again.

All photos are original by Mrs. B