Yankees, history and Fabric Friday

I am so glad that it is almost the weekend.  Do you have big plans?  It is the last few days of Mardi Gras and I plan to attend Joe Cain Day.  Don't know who Joe Cain is?  How about a history lesson?  Get a glass of sweet tea, sit back, and enjoy the story...be sure to read it in a slow, Southern drawl.

Did you know that Mardi Gras was originally celebrated in the US in Mobile, Alabama?  That's right, not New Orleans.  In fact, we started celebrating here about 15 years before New Orleans did. 

So who is Joe Cain, you ask?  He is the man that is credited with the re-birth of Mardi Gras in Mobile after the Civil War (war of Northern Aggression, as it were).  In 1867, Mobile was still occupied by Union troops (damn Yankees!) and Joe Cain, dressed as a fictional Chickasaw chief named Slacabamorinico, paraded through the streets of Mobile in a coal wagon with six other Confederate veterans.  The costume was a backhanded insult to the Union troops who had never defeated the Chickasaw tribe during the war. 

Joe Cain via

Joe Cain Day is always celebrated the Sunday before Fat Tuesday.  It's a day full of fun, food, processions (not parades on Joe Cain day) and debauchery.  It is sure to be a large time. 

Totally unrelated, I have more fabric from my stash that is available.  I have six yards of Brunschwig & Fils Les Touches in the Turquoise color way.  It is $70 per yard.  Email me if you are interested in purchasing.

Have a wonderful weekend.  Laissez les bons temps rouler.

And we have a winner, folks. And a loser.

Did you know that Linda from Calling it Home is hosting a "One Room Challenge Now" party?  She has asked all the past participants of the ORC to link up any changes or updates to the rooms that were featured in the past. 

I planned to participate and show the light fixture that I began working on during the last ORC in November.  But guess what?  I'm not.  And I'll tell you why.  I lost my camera battery charger and, knowing the party was upcoming and my camera is completely dead, I ordered a new one off eBay because I'm cheap thrifty.  And I got an awesome deal too.  $3 rather than the $30 that everyone else was charging.  Whoop!  Wait, what?  It's coming from China?  Oh well, there was still plenty of time before the linking party.

Crickets

Still hasn't arrived. And waiting for the charger has enabled me to procrastinate even longer on my fixture.  So, the clear loser in this situation (and blog post) is moi.  Sorry, Linda, for not being able to participate.  I suck.  I know it. 

But, in other news, a decision has been made by my clients for their master bedroom.  If you recall, we talked about their options here and here.   She was having a tough time getting her husband to agree to wallpaper or any other "huge" changes (isn't that always the way?), so we talked and talked about the options.  Their bedroom currently has a black, grey & off-white palette, so the most natural change is to add a bit of this perfection.

Elizabeth designed by Alessandra Branca for F. Schumacher

I ordered a memo of this loveliness and when it arrived at my client's house, she immediately called and squealed.  She was in love.  Seeing it in person made decision that had been tough so much easier.  We will be moving forward with this room design, and I couldn't be happier.

The Elizabeth fabric has been ordered and tape has been chosen for her existing black silk drapery. We are discussing paint colors and are sourcing the perfect rug. 

Don't you love it when a plan works out? 

xoxoK

The One That Got Away

Stupid, Kimber, stupid!  What is the number one rule in thrifting?  We all know it...DO NOT WAIT.  If you find something you love, for an unbelievable price, do not hesitate.  Buy it! 

Guess who broke that rule recently?  Yes, this girl.  Stupid, Kimber, stupid.

Behold the beauty that could have...should have been mine.

 

I'm gonna go ahead and say what you are thinking:  Kimber, you're a dumbass.

*sigh*

xoxoK

Style Icon: Victoria Beckham

I had a blog post that I was getting ready to work on and when I turned on my computer, a picture of Victoria Beckham popped up.  I, of course, scrolled through the images and absolutely fell further in love with her style.


She used to be way too Rock n Roll for me.  And she always seemed a bit, well, harsh.

 

But lately, she seems so much more effortless.  It seems to me that most women reach an age when they become comfortable in their own skin and they no longer have to force it.  Perhaps she has finally grown into her own womanhood?   Whatever it is, she looks flawless.

 

all images via

 

 

And, honestly, in my opinion, this look is far more sexy than the over-sexed starlet look. 

 

 

Confidence is sexy.  Class is sexy.  Contentment is sexy.  And, dare I say it?  Age is sexy.

 

 

Do you have a style icon that you favor?  Do tell.

 

xoxoK



I had an epiphany

So last night I was lying in bed daydreaming about paint for my dining room-turned office.  You do that too, right?  Of course you do.

If you recall, my dining room-turned office is adjacent to the formal living room and foyer in the house.  I was considering painting the walls Brinjal by Farrow & Ball.

Then I thought about a charcoal gray. 

The formal living room has Chiang Mai Dragon curtains in Alabaster so I'm trying to coordinate the office...that's when the epiphany happened.  It hit me like a ton of bricks.  Like a freight train.  Like...duh.

 



Why the heck don't I wallpaper the dining room in Chiang Mai?  Hello!?!  Really, Kimber, you never thought of that?  Well, cost is an issue, of course, but I can save my pennies.  I will have to move some art around, but I think I can make it work.  What say you?  I think this may be the stuff that dreams are made of.

Fo shizzle!

xoxoK

Deal Alert!

Hello Sunnies.  Just dropping in today with a deal alert.  Remember when I shared about Scalamandre's Outlet site, The Third Floor?  Well, they have some new additions and one name caught my eye "Pagoda Paisley."  Y'all know I cannot pass up anything with a pagoda on it.

There is no photo yet, so I decided to do a search to see what I could find.  Here she is.



Scalamandre Pagoda Paisley  image via

Keep in mind the fabric in the outlet is for the RED colorway, not the green shown above.  It is regularly over $140 a yard but is on sale for $34.95.  Are you willing to take the gamble not seeing a photo?  Imagine it in a Chinese red.  This could be so, so good...

Be sure to let us know if you nab this fabric. 

xoxoK

Floral Belles

Hello Y'all.  Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope that your hearts are filled with love each and every day. 

What are you getting from your valentine?  My valentines are a 13-year-old girl and a 12- and 10-year-old boy, so I will likely only be getting sass. 

I am, however, dreaming about getting flowers.  No, not the typical Valentine's red roses.  The flowers I want are magical.

Crane & Canopy Floral Belle

Crane & Canopy.  Flowers not your thing?  Fear not, they have a style to suit every taste.  These  folks are bedding geniuses, y'all.  Look at all their beauties to choose from. In. Serious. Lust.

xoxoK

all images via Crane & Canopy

Client Bedroom Update

Hey Y'all.  Thank you for all your help with the sofa dilemma.  I am leaning toward the 97" MGBW because it has everything I want rolled into one.  Since is it more than I had planned to spend, it may be a few month down the road purchase.  In addition, I'm still waiting on swatches to arrive.  I'll be sure to keep you posted.

In the meantime, do you remember the client that was interested in wallpapering her bedroom in my tipsy eBay Nina Campbell Paradiso purchase?  Her husband likes the room a lot but wants to see other options, so I thought I'd share some of the things I'm working on right now.

  

This was the original design we discussed.  They both loved it but were hesitant about changing out their nightstands. 

So we looked at something that had bedside tables similar to theirs.  The husband still wanted to see more options.

I love this design.  The star of it is Alessandra Branca's Elizabeth fabric for F. Schumacher (available through me).  It did not show up well on the design board, so you don't see much of it.  However, it would be a duvet cover and accent pillows.




Elizabeth by Alessandra Branca for F. Schumacher
 

And lastly, we have this fun design featuring Manuel Canovas' ever popular Pagoda fabric (also available through me).   

Pagoda is a stunning fabric that is so intricately detailed.  I am still in love with how Ruthie Sommers used it on the doors in her black lacquered foyer.  As seen in Veranda circa December 2012.




via the UBER chic Tilton Fenwick
 



Manuel Canovas Pagoda
 



Do you have a favorite?  Which would you choose?

xoxoK

On the hunt

Hello Sunshines.  How y'all doing?  Are you freezing?  Me too.  Damn groundhog.


Can we please discuss sofas?  AGAIN...  Yes, I know.    But this shizzle is tough.  It's a big commitment.  It's like marriage.  And, to be honest, I don't have a great track record with that...ahem...


What am I looking for, you ask?  A tight back English roll arm sofa with down cushions.  For next to nothing.  Oh and I'd love it in either apple or emerald green velvet.  Or leather.  I'm not sure which.  Not too difficult to do, right?  Let's take a look at the usual suspects.



Lee Industries 3278-32
 

First we have Lee Industries.  This sofa features three castered front legs, down cushions and can be customized in a variety of fabrics and leathers.  It is 87" wide and costs $2519 for COM (customers own material), plus $225 for the feather cushions, plus fabric.  This is my most expensive option.

Mitchell Gold London Sofa

This Mitchell Gold Bob Williams sofa is a beauty.  I love that it comes in an extra long 97" width.  It costs $2395 in a slubby linen blend fabric but can be customized in other fabrics and leathers as well.

Rowe Markham Sofa

This is the Markham Sofa by Rowe, measuring in at 83" wide.  It costs $1699 and can be customized in various fabrics and leathers.  I saw it at Barrow's Fine Furniture in Mobile, AL.  I am including it because it is like sitting on a cloud.  Seriously, it is delicious.  But it has back cushions, which I vowed to stay away from since Lady-Gate.  You  remember that, right?

 

Finally, we have the least expensive gal in the bunch.

 

 

Haverty's Melody

 

 

Haverty's Melody sofa.  It is our smallest option, both size- and price-wise.  She comes in at $799 (on sale from $899) and measures in at 81" wide.  She is available in multiple fabrics, but most of them are ugly.  I really do like the fabric that she comes in.  The color is great.  She is not uncomfortable with non-down cushions, but she isn't like sitting on a cloud either.  Plus there is the size issue.  She isn't large enough for my whole family to sit on, but at that price I could get two!

 

 

Do you see my conundrum, dear friends?  My mama thinks I need to get a leather sofa because 1. dogs and 2. messy kids.  But leather just doesn't feel like me.  Although Lee does offer an awesome green leather.  Would I be crazy to buy a sofa in green leather?  Especially with that much of a financial commitment?  I know that Lauren Liess from Pure Style Home has an apple green Lee Industries sofa that I have always admired. 

 

 

 

Lauren Liess

 

 

 

But she seems way too cool to have decorating ADD like I do.  Dare I commit to something outrageous?  Would it be a match made in sofa Heaven?

 

 

So, what say you?  And don't even get me started on chesterfields.  There are just too many fish in the sofa sea. 

 

xoxoK



Pagoda Mirror Bargain Alert

Hello Loves.  I hope that y'all are having a fantabulous week so far.  Recently while perusing a furniture store, I stumbled upon something awesome.  Let me set the stage:

There I was, perfectly coiffed and dressed to the nines.  I breezed into the store with an air of sophistication...okay, I cannot even go on with this mumbo jumbo.  Reality time:  I was in yoga pants that feel like pajamas, a sweatshirt and my hair in a pony.  It was rainy and cold so I was trying to stay comfortable and warm.

Back to the story...

I have been, as you undoubtedly know, on the search for a tight-back English roll arm sofa with down cushions for a good price.  Basically the holy grail of sofas.  I had found a contender online that fit many of my qualifications and hoped to see it in person, so I went to my local Haverty's to check it out.  I found the sofa easily enough on the sales floor and sat down to try it out.  In doing so, I glanced to the right and saw this:

Chippendale Mirror

Determined not to be distracted from my sofa mission, I waited until I finished speaking with the nice sales lady before making a beeline to this beauty.  I was sure that she would be at least $750, if not more.  I was sure I would be disappointed in the quality. 

I.  Was.  Wrong.

This beauty is $479.  Yes, you read that correctly.  No, I did not type it wrong.  $479.  Run, don't walk to get yours.  The quality is exceptional...from Mirror Image Home.  Seriously, the least I've ever seen this is for $669.  

Don't know how to incorporate such a statement mirror into your décor?  Let me show you the way.

via thedesigndaredevil.com

via designmanifest.com

The sofa was pretty good too.  But that is a whole 'nother conversation.

xoxoK

A birthday and my new favorite store

Hello Sunshine!  How's your week so far?  Mine has been pretty darn good.  But not as good as my oldest son Rudy.  He is turning 12 today.  T.W.E.L.V.E.  He was born yesterday.  I love this boy so very much I can hardly breathe.  He is funny, stubborn, and smart as a whip.  He is kind and compassionate and keeps me on my toes.  I could not be more proud to call him my son. 

Happy Birthday baby!  PS - You're my favorite.

Love this boy!

And guess who else has a birthday today?  My sweetest girl, Ruth.  The first time I saw her I was dropping my daughter at a friend's house for a slumber party.  Her friend's dog had just had puppies, a personal weakness of this girl.  I walked Lauren up to the door and the puppies came running out.  I immediately fell to my knees to welcome the kisses.  Ruth, a big, fat ball of fur with hazel eyes climbed into my lap and licked me right on the nose.  I said, out loud, "You must be mine."  And, with that, she was.  Happy 3rd birthday Ruth!

 

 

And in completely unrelated news, I now have a new favorite catalog. 

Yes, you read that right.  You know the one.  That catalog that comes in the mail called Touch of Class but has incredibly tacky items (no offense if your home is decorated entirely with Touch of Class stuff...).  Anywhoo, I got their most recent catalog and decided one night during a particularly annoying bout of insomnia to give it a shot. 


AND I'M SO GLAD I DID! 


Want to know why?  For this, of course.

via Touch of Class

Your eyes are not deceiving you.  They have return-style curtain rods, including a brass version.  And the best part?  The price.  They range from $34.99 to $49.99, with the most expensive rod ($49.99) measuring up to 144".  Awesome deal!  Bravo, Touch of Class!


This got me to thinking. Maybe I misjudged them?   Perhaps there were other hidden gems ripe for the picking?

via Touch of Class

 

 

Perhaps not.  I think I'll stick with the curtain rods.

 

 

xoxoK

I made a decision...kind of

Hello lovelies.  Do you remember when I blogged about the backs of my pagoda shelves?  Yes, you know, one of the last times I blogged a few weeks ago?  Sorry for that.  My son had to have an emergency appendectomy and then Mobile had an ice storm that shut down the city and county.  You know how they say that The Lord only gives you what He knows you can handle?  Well, He must have a ton of faith in me. 

Back to the shelves.  They are in my family room here at #ProjectLemonade.  I painted the vintage Weiman cabinets a custom blue black color that looks amazing.  I did nothing to the backs of the shelves because I was lazy waiting on inspiration.  Crickets.  Months passed.  Nothing.

 

*Speaking of lazy, do you notice the vast amount of paint on the glass of the cabinets?
What about the dust?  My mama is so proud.

So, I asked you lovely folks via the blog and Instagram what you think.  Boy, y'all have some great ideas! 

Last weekend, pre-appendectomy and ice, I was driving home from my daughter's volleyball tournament and had an epiphany.  I remembered seeing somewhere an inexpensive faux grasscloth available at Lowes.  Taking the chance that my dumb store had it, I pulled into the parking lot to the collective eye rolling of three children.  And guess what?  I found this goodness for $20 a roll.  Yes, you read that correctly.  $20 per roll.  At that price, who cares if I hated it.  "YahnahImsayin?"  (Have you seen We're The Millers?  It was so hilarious and I am now addicted to saying that.  Terrible, I know.) 

I hate my granite. I hate my granite.  #FocusKimber

 

 

I immediately got to work when I got home.  I simply measured the back of my shelves and then marked the measurements on the back of my wallpaper. 

 Then, using a straight edge, I drew a line connecting the marks.  Then cut it out.

Because I have commitment issues, I decided to not permanently attach the paper to the back.  Instead I used this stuff.
 

Yes, I realize this picture is upside down.  Blogger of the year, that's me.

I added strips of the mounting tape around the edges of the back. 

I started from the top and removed the backing off of the tape as I rolled the paper downwards.

Here she is all Purdy-like.

And with her shelves back in.  I added a few blue & white pieces but plan to add much more. 

I promise I will take better photos soon.  Plus, I'll be sharing more on my #ProjectLemonade family room soon.  TTFN!

xoxoK