Candice Olson Eye Candy

I'm spending the week away from home, stuck in a hotel for a four-day meeting. Fun! So this won't be long. Just some quick pretty design rooms from Candice Olson. LOVE her. She was one of the first "celebrity" designers I ever fell in love with. I'm super picky for sure, but she's someone who is able to wow me even when the design isn't MY style. Now THAT, is the sign of a fabulous designer in my book.

Enjoy!

Lovely Lucite

If I had to describe my personal style I would say it is: Mostly classic. Traditional with a touch of contemporary. A little galmour. Sophisticated. Trendy but also timeless. Clean Lines. Coordinated but not matchy-matchy. Somewhat unexpected. Whatever terms I use to describe my style, I wouldn't ever call it "modern". BUT, I do like to throw in a modern piece of furniture or accent here and there. One thing that does the trick is LUCITE and it has hit the design world full force.

Who doesn't love a Ghost chair (or two)??

(both images via Decorpad)

I was introduced to Ghost chairs years ago in the wedding business. Everyone either has ghost chairs or chivari chairs at their events these days, but what I'd really love to do at an event is the Lucite Chivari chairs - the best of both worlds! Can you imagine how good these chairs would look in a color-washed room?

When it comes to home decorating, here are just a few of my favorite uses of this lovely lucite:

 Lucite and Brass Coffee table (via Elle Decor)

This lucite coffee table is an unexpected addition to this otherwise contemporary traditional sitting room.

  (photo via Decorpad)

 This version, the peekaboo coffee table, is available at CB2 for a reasonable $249

I love Lonny and I love this trunk used here as a coffee table.

I always love to have coffee table books on display but they take up so much space!

What a great (but expensive) solution - (nearly $3000!)

Luckily, Plexi-Craft has a very close alternative for $377.

 

This desk is gorgeous:

(via Decorpad)

And I have to say these barstools are pure genius.

They are a feature in the room but don't take away from the beauty of the kitchen.

(via Decorpad)

PS - I definitely want these Capiz drum shades (from Oly Studio) too!

So, now you know what I think of Lucite...any thoughts from the peanut gallery?

Laundry List

Where do you focus your decorating energy in your home? We all know "kitchens and baths sell houses" (unless of course you are a super-talented DIYer who wants beat up bathrooms and kitchens to remodel yourselves!) so they tend to be decorated to your liking first. Most people answer with any number of the rooms that guests spend time. Others focus on the rooms where they spend the most time themselves. But what about the laundry room? Many of us spend way more time than we would like to admit in our laundry rooms (unless you have a rockstar husband who does the laundry!). Many of us have our washer and dryer in a mud room where everyone enters the house. So, why should you treat this room with any less decorating savvy than all the rest?? Besides, it could make a less-than-fun chore, a little more bearable!

Here of some of my favorite droolworthy laundry rooms:

all images via Decorpad

And last but not least, my FAVORITE one:

I love the color of the washer and dryer, I love the style of the cabinets, I love the wallpaper, I love the hangers, I love the stairs, and I love love LOVE the chandelier! I got the pic from Decorpad but I believe this beauty actually belongs to a fellow blogger, Saucy.

Okay, now you've seen the beauty so it's time for me to complain for a minute. The one thing I cannot STAND about all of these laundry rooms (unfortunately) is they all have front-load washers. It's totally the fault of my father's brainwashing but I am not a fan of the front-load washers. I always get the water going and add detergent BEFORE the clothes go in so I'm not sure that's a habit I can kick. I also have a habit of needing to add another shirt or a random sock I left behind once the washer has started going. How are you supposed to open a door filled with water?? My Dad also taught me that front-load washers are bacteria breeders. It's TRUE, and it causes a moldy SMELL if you're not careful. Thif youere is a product you can buy called "smelly washer" that will get rid of the smell but I couldn't tell you if it helps the actual mold/bacteria problem or not. Have any of you tried it? Does anyone out there agree with me??

And if you don't have a huge room or a lot of money to spend, here are a few great tips:

• Paint the walls (or use wallpaper or a stencil for added interest)


• Hang a picture, a small piece of artwork or a sign


• Replace wire metal shelving with inexpensive cabinets from a hardware store, or use solid wood shelves and storage bins that match


• Replace your light fixture with something more decorative


• Buy a pretty ironing board cover and display it instead of hiding it away (try Etsy)


• ORGANIZE

This room is less extravagant but equally as beautiful!

So...did I strike a nerve with anyone? Do you agree? Have you recently done a laundry room makeover in your own home? Please share!

Latest Love:Lonny

I pride myself on not being a "collector" of things. I like clean, paired down, zero chotchkies, etc. But I also have a problem with getting rid of things. I find myself saying "I might need that someday". Very annoying. But I'm getting better, I promise! One thing I can't seem to part with is magazines. My house growing up was filled with magazines and catalgoues. (*Mirror, Mirror on the wall...I am my Mother afterall*) My house now (correction: my storage unit now) is filled with magazines. Mom has a good excuse- she is a designer and she uses them for reference and inspiration. I too have an excuse: I am a wedding planner (who just got done with planning her own wedding a few months ago!) so I use them for reference and inspiration, and I loan them out to friends and clients.


It's a bad habit. or maybe a guilty pleasure?

For me, it's just another reason to LOVE LONNY. Of course, you can buy the print version of the ultra fab Lonny Magazine, but the online format *swoon* is F-R-E-E! They just celebrated their one year anniversary and it can only get better.



The latest issue has a really great spread on designer Palmer Weiss. There's a quote from her I am totally going to steal because I say it all the time! "I truly wanted a calling, not just a job"

And for all you design-loving mommys out there, check this out!

Here are a couple images I love from Lonny's latest issue.

If you haven't read Lonny before, you're truly missing out!

I'm linking up! To 6th Street Design School. Head on over to check out Kirsten's Lonny blog post and visit other bloggers' posts about Lonny.

*Lust List* ...Frameless Mirror

Remember the gorgeous frameless mirror from yesterday's post?



It's an Uttermost mirror available at stores like Bed Bath & Beyond and Bellacor for around $220.00. Pottery Barn has their own version, the Elise Mirror for $189.00. But you can also buy the same mirror by Allen + Roth for just under $80.00 at Lowes!




I can't take credit for the Allen + Roth find - all the credit goes to the ever fabulous Decorpad. They have a great "look 4 less" section of their website. Not only do they find specific items for less, but they take whole ROOMS and tell you where to find all the pieces for a low cost.

Check out this Sophisticated Bedroom Look:


And the same look for LESS:
Get all the details on this and other looks over at Decorpad!

Desperate to Decorate!

Is there a term similar to "stir crazy" or "cabin fever" but that applies to wanting to decorate soooo badly but not being able to?? I have all these ideas and see things everywhere I go that I want to buy or recreate the look in MY home, but I don't have MY home yet. I have to WAIT!!! (Clearly, I am the most patient person ever...can you tell??)



I've been holding onto this picture of a powder room from Sea Cliff Residence on houzz. I love everything about this room. I love the imperial trellis design and I think it has such a WOW factor in this small space. I don't think it would work as well without all that natural light and it would definitely be too busy and overpowering in a large room, but here it's just right! That frameless mirror is one I have wanted for a while and is a perfect compliment to the wallpaper. I love the dark hardwood floors and the thick white base boards, and I love the contrast between the two. And the sink....oh, that sink. I am not traditionally a fan of sinks without storage underneath but I am adding this one to my *lust list*. Pedestal sinks are gorgeous, but common. This sink is minimal, classic, beautiful, and I'm starting to see them more and more often...I want one!! Love the fact that the towel bars are there too which eliminates the need for one on the wall - that would cover up the wallpaper! And no artwork in this room either. The walls are art enough.

contemporary bathroom design by san francisco interior designer Niche Interiors

All Things Design

Welcome to City Southern! Why "City Southern" you ask? The name came from my girlfriends in college. On a college campus in the heart of the south, we were all Southern girls but all from big cities that don't usually come to mind when you think of small town southern charm. We were our own kind of "southern girls"...CITY Southern! I am proud to be city southern and find that it influences all aspects of my life, for better or worse - my personality, my work ethic, my wardrobe, even my passion for design.

Not only do I have a love for weddings and other event design, but interior design and fashion. This blog is especially dedicated to All Things Design. Designs of my own, designs I admire, fashion design, ideas and inspiration and anything else that may or may not be related to design.

I hope you enjoy reading and feel free to comment and contribute!