~ The Chicken or the Egg? ~

I was catching up on my blog reading and saw this gorgeous picture on Greige.

There wasn't a source on Greige, but it has to be from J.P. Weaver.  How can I be so sure?  Several years ago, I sent J.P. Weaver this inspiration picture and asked them to design a headboard for me.

My inspiration picture

They sent me a gorgeous plan (it's a pdf so I can't attach it) that I tweaked just a little.  I wanted it to be a little less ornate than their first rendering.  Here's a close-up of the final results after it was made in Atlanta by a local artist. 

Close-up of my headboard

I have to think that my humble design plan inspired J.P. Weaver to create this beautiful wall.  What do you think?

J.P. Weaver design?

My bedroom

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery and this one has come full circle (I think, or am I crazy?).

Have a great day.

Lulu

P.S.  I loved working with J.P. Weaver.

~ Stylish Blogger Award ~

Happy Monday, everyone.  I am home from work on a snow day. 

Image via here

What fun! I was named by Maureen from Eclectic Revisited as one of her choices for the Stylish Blogger Award. What that means is that I have to tell you seven things about myself (sorry!) and pass the award on to ten bloggers who are new to me. I’m about to cheat a little because I have been following some of the bloggers I am going to name since the beginning, but since I have only been blogging for a year, it is all still a little new to me.  First, I just want to say thank you to Maureen, and all the wonderful people I have met through the blog and through my little booth in the past year. Creative people are so generous and supportive of each other. It’s been wonderful!

Here goes:

1.  I moved to Atlanta from New York State after college to escape the winter weather.  (Note to self ~ read a little more about global warming.) 

Christmas in Atlanta 2010 with Alex (nephew), Haley (niece), Jamie and Matt (their cousins)

2.  I always wanted a cat when I was growing up. Instead, I got a pug for my 10th birthday. Maybe that’s why I have six cats. They are all feral rescues (except for one stray) who showed up in my back yard over the last few years. I love dogs, too and carry a box of dog biscuits in my car to lure strays out of dangerous situations. (That’s equal opportunity crazy.)

Pretty little Lily

3. I recently rescued a little dog (who was wearing a sweater) that was running around on a four lane highway. I followed him over a grassy knoll to what turned out to be a funeral home where the memorial service was just letting out. As I wandered the crowd in my sweat pants and denim shirt, whistling for the little dog, I realized I was under-dressed for the occasion and looked like a crazy person. (It didn't help that I had just been to the dentist and was having problems whistling.)  The story had a happy ending.

He looked a lot like this.

4. If I met Finola Hughes, I would rather talk to her about Anna Devane than what I should wear. (You've heard the phrase "shop til it hurts"?  I did.)

Self portrait

5. I like reality TV, especially Top Chef and Project Runway. Beverly Hills are my favorite housewives. I love Kyle, Adrienne and Lisa. The Atlanta housewives are just plain stupid.

6. I like well worn antiques, custom upholstered furniture and chandeliers. I love designer boutiques, antique malls and thrift stores (not for clothes), but never big box or department stores for my home.

My master bedroom

7. I am a visual person. It was love at first site when I was introduced to decorating blogs.

Source unknow ~ but a beautiful blog

I love that I can get to know talented people from around the world through blogland and get such wonderful inspiration.  Now for those to whom I bequeath the Stylish Blogger Award:

1. Vicky from Room Service ~ Decorating 101 lives in Tennessee. She was one of the first people to comment on my blog. I love when she shares her pet peeves and invites comments on provocative pictures.

2. Irene from Valdirose has a beautiful B&B in Italy. I would love to visit. 

3. Leann from Fabulously French has a wonderful B&B in France.  She is living the life I was meant to live.  

4. Karyn from French Charming lives in California. She has such an eye for beautiful photos, and she inspires with her beautiful nature.  

5. Laura from Summerhouse lives in Australia. She is another beautiful, creative soul. I love her pillows.

6. Jane from Flora Doora lives in Naples, Florida. She is another creative person who finds the best things at thrift stores. I’m always jealous. 

7. Fiona from Chateau de Lille lives in Australia. She posts the most gorgeous photos. I can’t wait to see more of her jewelry.

8. Leann from Linen and Lavender lives in California. Her blog is just amazingly beautiful and shares so much valuable information! 

9. Stine from Vintage Chic lives in Norway. She has such a gorgeous style!

10. Susann from Purple Area lives in Sweden. She has a beautiful blog ~ love her style.

So now that you have been given the Stylish Blogger Award, please feel free to pass it along to ten of your favorite (new) bloggers. And don't forget to share seven things about yourself.  I am excited to see your picks.

Happy snowy Monday!

Lulu

~ All The Best ~

It's exciting looking back at my first twelve months in blogland and knowing that the best is yet to come.



Wishing you the best and looking forward to all that we will share in the new year.

Lulu

~ Elements of a Zen Meditation Room ~

This room has all the elements for a Zen meditation room!  A gorgeous chandelier, a Louis Phillipe mirror, and fabulous drapes.

All I need is a chair to relax and contemplate the view. 

Sometimes less is more!

I'm sharing my thoughts on inspiration photos this week at One of a Kind Shoppe.  Please visit me there.

Happy weekend.

Lulu

~ Essential Elements ~

Ever since I took Vicky's (Room Service ~ Decorating 101) challenge to define my personal style, I've been thinking about the essential elements that make up my personal style.

via Pom Pom Interiors

via Eloquence

These gorgeous photos all have some of the essential elements of my personal style.  Do you see the common thread?  How would you define it?

Have a beautiful weekend.

Lulu

~ Under the Cover ~

When I round the corner in the supermarket to the magazine isle, there is always great anticipation.  Will there be a new issue?  A cover that will make me gasp because it is so beautiful?  Will it have at least one feature that really speaks to me?  

When the answer to these questions is "Yes," chances are the magazine is Veranda.  That's how I felt when I saw the cover of the current issue.

With so many magazines disappearing, thank the Design Gods that Veranda is still going strong. 

These are all images from Veranda. Some are from those cover stories that made me gasp. 

All of them are rooms that speak to me. They have been around for a while, but I still like them as much as the first time I saw them.

Do you see a common thread?

How would you define it?

Have a great weekend!

Lulu

~ Signature Style ~

Last week, Vicky from Room Service ~ Decorating 101 challenged her readers to define their personal style in five words.  Here are mine:  antique, French~European, enchanting, lovely and eclectic.  Vicky is always thought provoking and inspiring.  Today she suggested that one's personal style can be illustrated by those objects that they always use or display (discounting major furniture pieces) regardless of other changes to the home.  She challenged her readers to post pictures of the things in their home that define their personal style.

Always up for a challenge, I clicked a few pictures.  These are the things that were in my old house five years ago, survived the move and a change to a lighter pallet in my new house, have never seen the inside of a closet, and (aside from my kitties) are probably the things I would grab in case of a fire. 

Here goes:

This antique dress form moved from my old bedroom to my current bedroom.

Antique linens are a consistant theme in all my bathrooms.

I love old books and boxes and have them in several rooms.

Loving all things white, I find bright whites and pops of color breathtaking.  But I tend to live with warmer whites with pops of bright white.  That's where my antique oil paintings come in.  

This coral and shell display and hand colored antique botanical was transported from my old living room to my new living room and hasn't moved in five years. 

Finally, I can't live without white dishes.  I replaced my cabinet doors so I could see them.  To me, the simplicity is so pretty.

So let me know if you agree with my five words:  antique, French~European, enchanting, lovely and eclectic; and head over to Room Service ~ Decorating 101 and take Vicky's challenge. 

Have a great weekend!

Lulu