defining LUXURY

"I love luxury. I am convinced that luxury is part of what makes us human, that it brings beauty and pleasure...it is inspiration and aspiration, something taught, something learned--an evolving appreciation of good, better, best." (Jeffrey Bilhuber)

                                                       Inside of Jeffery Bilhuber's book, defining LUXURY you will find:

Wingback

I recently purchaced a wingback chair that just HAD to be recovered! I thought about trying to do it myself...somehow Pinterest make you feel like you can do anything! Well, I decided against that and turned to the great Carlos Turco @ Belle Epoque Upholstry to turn her into a beauty! 
So now I am just going back and forth on fabric options.
At first, I really just wanted to play it safe and go with a natural linen...which would be great b/c then I can add crazy pillows and not be stuck with something I just can't live with.

But there are so many other great fabric options out there!I love this updated wingback! And of course you can't go wrong with a Trina Turk for Schumacher fabric. 

I'm also a fan of the lavender Ikat Wingbacks...
here
Love the fabulous slipcover wingbacks...
here

Ahhh....what to do?!


Oh, the wonderful world of Pinterest!

 This week on Pinterest I have learned how to clean my sterling silver in under 30 minutes without lifting a finger,
I have found at least 12 different ways to wear my denim blouse,


I have undoubtedly come across the best recipe for cooking Fried Green Tomato's

...and remoulade sauce


What in the word did I do before  the wonderful world of Pinterest?

See what else I've been pinning HERE!





Textile Designer Obsession...

I will forever be oohhing and ahhhing over John Robshaw Textiles. My most recent obsession is with his Kite Card Stationary; what amazing colors!
I am also thinking that I must have a few of his Block Print Drawings


I can picture myself waking up with these beautiful hand embroidered sheets and cases:


and living with his unique collection of decorative pillows:

found here: JRT
I

A Dream Desert Oasis

Let me take a moment to share with you the things I absolutely love about the Southwest - the luxurious resorts!

Specifically, the Amangiri - Aman Resort.

"Amangiri (peaceful mountain) is located on 600 acres in Canyon Point, Southern Utah, close to the border with Arizona. The resort is tucked into a protected valley with sweeping views towards the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument. Built around a central swimming pool with spectacular views, the resort blends into its dramatic surrounds where deep canyons and towering plateaus create a raw landscape of immense power".

Apparently it is a huge celebrity hide out, can you blame them? This just made it to the top of B and I's southwest bucket list!

Quick thoughts on a Mediterranean Remodel


The Exterior needs some major TLC, I say keep the stucco and give her a fresh coat of paint. Love the colors below, also think the windows need added trim to reflect the style below. I think the columns can become a stone color like the image below.

I would like to see the front door become a large wood door as seen below: so that there is now a stucco band b/t the door and window above.

new colors:

I would love to clean up the entry to the dining. I am not sure why that wall steps back, but I would like it to do something like this:


 adding wainscoting to accentuate the entry:


Then you have to decide if you want to do a natural limestone floor (above) or hardwoods (below)
Bring back the mantle! I would love to see some small alcove built in to each side of the fireplace like this:


Ok, so budget permitting we gut the kitchen cabinets! I am not a fan of the step down in the countertop...or the pine cabinets or those small little lower cabinets!
something more like this: New lighting over the island, 

I guess if you absolutely had to keep the cabinets you could just refinish them in a darker stain/paint
Or, you could go with a painted scheme, like this...
Or traditional white
For the bar area i would really like to rip out the "L" shape and have something like this along the sink/window pass through wall. That way the bar does not encroach on the living room, and I would rip out the corner cabinet unit, then this becomes more of a sitting room.

 PAINT! All of the columns in the house should go back to a softer white...

What is this room?



I would love to tear out the above vanity, with those strange angles and install a clean vanity like this:

Laundry, we've got to get rid of the peach! We need something that says, clean!

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Not sure where this is:
?



This space definately need some sprucing up! Hardwoods and wall color...maybe a little nailhead detail like this:

Pinned Image




 Other Exterior Options: