Beyond Inspiration

This inspiration board from Diane Bergeron makes me want to study it endlessly - I even spy some Rubie Green fabric on there!

Thursday Rooms du Jour: Kate Spade

Kate Spade's adorable banquette in her small but functional kitchen, via Elle Decor.

Favorite Looks from Tracy Feith for Target

Tracy Feith for Target is now available in-stores, and I'm a sucker for the solid dresses and bohemian prints. And in case you were wondering, yes, that is that girl from The City. At least we know she's a "real" model.

Kelly Wearstler Goes Back to School

Check out this cute piece in Cookie about Kelly Wearstler's pro-bono makeover of her sons' beloved Wagon Wheel School.

Wednesday Rooms du Jour

Image, Erin Valencich

What I wouldn't give for that John Robshaw coverlet!

Reasons to Adore Paul Costello

Ho hum. The long weekend is over. To cheer you up from the Monday-on-Tuesday blues, some of my favorite shots by the incredible Paul Costello. Enjoy.

Rooms du Jour: Nanette Lepore

Source unknown. Help appreciated.

Nanette Lepore's unfussy, eclectic living area is set off by a showstopping ship chandelier.

Daily Find: Outdoor Umbrella

South of the Mason Dixon, or South of France? Keep the summer sun at bay in style.
Santa Barbara Mission Terrace Umbrella, 1, 820.00

Summer Sun Dresses by Tibi

strapless maxi, caftan dress, and print maxi available at net-a-porter

Ah, sweet summer time. Happy Memorial Day! These breezy warm-weather frocks by Tibi are just what I'd like to slip into to soak up the sun in the sticky southern heat. What are y'all doing for the holiday?

Ask Kyle: Recreating Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment

Dear Kyle,
I am trying to be a good mom and help my soon to be 16 year old daughter redecorate her room. This is quite a task for someone like me who doesn’t do this kind of work, but I want to work with her and come up with something fantastic. We love the paint color and decor in Carrie’s bedroom from the Sex and the City Movie. I know it’s close to the Ben Moore paint color electric blue. Her room is a northern exposure - is this blue too dark? Her furniture is creamy white, bedding will be something new, and she has a French love seat with blonde wood trim. The cushions are a light beige.
Thanks,
Judy


Judy,
I think taking your inspiration from a movie is always a great jumping off point and Carrie’s place is no exception. Even though she has bright blue walls, the rest of the space works because nothing else competes. As you took note, the room relies heavily on creams and whites, but the key to the room is all the reflective qualities; from the vanity to the lamps, there are many mirrored textures that I feel should be brought into the room. Its a great "grown up" touch that will grow old with her. For example, I love the simplicity of these mirrored side tables because they keep it feeling youthful and not overly art deco. A great mirror is another way to bring the same look into the room, and at the same time make it appear larger.

Side table, Z Gallerie. Mirror, Burke Decor.

Because your inspiration are the electric blue walls, think about ways to give it an extra glamorous edge. Try using the same paint color and creating subtle stripes with different sheens. The process is called "Sheen Striping" or "Contrasting", and the results are beautiful. By painting the entire wall in a flat sheen and then striping it with a gloss, you get a wall treatment that I am sure all your daughter’s friends will be jealous of. Regarding the northern exposure, I think the color will work fine - with added glossy texture it will bounce light around even more.

In Carrie’s apartment, she has a grouping of frames over her bed and I think you could do something similar with mirrors and framed photos/sentimental objects of your daughter's. If you want to glam it up, think of doing a single wall decal over the bed - a bright white would look great against the blue. The idea of a chandelier decal is one I like.

Chandelier decal, Etsy: janyemacpress

Finally, the most important thing in the bedroom is the bedding. I would keep it simple so that it doesn't compete with the room. You can go for the look of Carrie's graphic rug and keep the bedding simple, or go for bedding with a bold graphic print instead. By bringing your existing French love seat to the edge of the bed, it will make the whole room come together. Throw a couple great blue pillows on the love seat to really make it pop.

Rug (yes, it's the exact one!) Marni for the Rug Company. Bedding, Dwell Studio for Target.

["Ask Kyle" appears every month on The Love List. Kyle Schuneman is a professional designer who has worked in not only residential design but also on the sets of many of your favorite design shows. To learn more about Kyle and see pictures of his work, click here. If you have a question for Kyle, feel free to ask! Email Kyle@thelovelist.net, and you may see it answered on The Love List!]

Daily Find: Grosgrain Napkin Rings

No longer just for cinching preppy waists.
Grosgrain Napkin Rings, 12.00 for 8. Also available in pink. SocialCouture.com

Font Friday: Waschkueche

Waschkueche by Peter Wiegel. [Download]

Etiquette: On Business Cards + Giveaway!

Business card design by Jessica Condatore Design Studio, email me for rates!

As a graphic designer, business cards are part of the bread and butter of what I do. Your business card is vital as a cohesive part of your brand. Whether you're operating a small business from home or a corporate conglomo, your card should project a consistent image that ties in with your logo, website, and print items as a natural fit into your overall brand identity. You want to project a consistent image that your customers can recognize, identify with, and trust.

Business card design by Jessica Condatore Design Studio

Your business card should have, at the very least, your name and business name, your title, and at least two ways to contact you. If your company has a professional website, I would put that on there too - at the very least, you should own a domain name for your company. Think ahead about what you're projecting with your email address. Does alexismneely2845@aol.com make you sound professional? Yourname@yourbusinessname.com is far more professional.

Business card design by Jessica Condatore Design Studio

Elena Brower of the International Etiquette Center in Hollywood, FL says to "make sure that when you hand your card out, hand the person a clean, un-smudged card and put it directly into their hand - do not put it on the table in front of them." Alternatively, when you are being handed someone else's card, Brower notes that "you should always look at and read the card before tucking it away. Do not fold it, handle it with care. Make a comment on the card's design, the location of their office, or other small talk that encourages professional conversation."

Business card design by Jessica Condatore Design Studio

Most importantly, be proud of the card you hand out. Ask yourself - is it attractive? Does it stand out? Does it reflect you and your business' identity? Is all of the information current on it current and correct? If not, it may be time for a new set of cards.

Business card design by Jessica Condatore Design Studio

GIVEAWAY! UPrinting.com and The Love List have partnered up to do just that. Wer'e giving away 1000 free business cards and 500 brochures printed by UPrinting.com with free shipping. To enter the drawing, leave a comment below and tell me what you would use a new set of cards for. If you'd like an extra entry, link back to this giveaway on your blog and let me know about it in your comment.

The Best Southern Cookbooks

1. Pines and Plantations : Described in Town and Country Magazine as one of the best regional cookbooks, it is now in its 14th printing with almost 55,000 copies sold. This wonderful cookbook showcases Plantation menus and recipes with some of the best game recipes passed down from generations of Southern households. Available from Kevin's in Thomasville, GA & Tallahasse, FL.

2. The Special Taste of Florida : One of Florida's bestselling cookbooks and a special selection by Williams-Sonoma, Neiman Marcus and Disney Marketing, "The Special Taste of Florida" celebrates America's most exciting cuisine with 400 delicious recipes. Hard to come by, not available online except at Kevin's.

3. Gulf Coast Cooking : If you live near the Gulf Coast, you know our shrimp taste better than any other shrimp in the world. No contest. Take your rock shrimp and your scampi and, well, stuff them. It won't matter how you prepare them; they won't be as good as golden batter fried Gulf shrimp. And life doesn't serve up any finer taste than fresh Gulf flounder, cooked until just barely done, whether it's fried, grilled, baked, or broiled. That is, unless life offers you Gulf trout, or redfish, or snapper. Virginia Elverson has skimmed the cream of her own recipe files and those of other cooking professionals from Tampa Bay to Tampico and all points between. This might be the first cookbook anywhere based on the unique resources of a specific body of water and gleaned from the cooks who live along its shores. Available on amazon.com

4. Wild at the Table : A fascinating history of the development of North American wild game and fish cooking from colonial times to contemporary. Featured are the same freshwater fish, seafood, venison, small game, and game birds that gave rise to regional cooking customs, traditions, and cuisines. Available on amazon.com

5. Bon Appetit, Y'all : The playful title of this Southern-French cookbook belies its studious attitude to cookery. Willis, a chef who has cooked for the White House and stars like Aretha Franklin and Jane Fonda, grew up in Georgia and Louisiana, absorbing her mother's and grandmother's repertoire of grits, casseroles and gumbos before developing her professional skills at French cooking academies. The result is a hybrid cuisine she calls refined Southern, which applies traditional French technique and lighter ingredients to produce new versions of Southern staples. Available on amazon

6. Southern Cakes : Taste the chocolatey goodness of Mississippi Mud or marvel at the extravagant elegance of the Lady Baltimore and there will be no doubt that Southerners know how to bake a cake. Available on amazon

7. Screen Doors and Sweet Tea : Born and raised in Mississippi, Foose cooks Southern food with a contemporary flair. Filled with 150 original recipes from the executive chef of the Viking Cooking School. Includes humorous and touching tales, as well as useful information on ingredients, techniques, storage, shortcuts, variations and substitutions. Available on amazon.com

8. Frank Stitt's Southern Table : Saving the best for last, Frank Stitt is sost well known for his raved about restaurants, the Highlands Bar & Grill of Birmingham, AL. Its big, full of beautiful color photographs and fabulous recipes. From southern traditions such as Hoppin John, Fried Okra, Corn Pudding to exquisite salads, entrees and desserts. I LOVE this cookbook. Great foreword by Pat Conroy. At amazon.

Summer Reading: Pretty Penguin Classics

Image from Design * Sponge

I love lazy summer days spent reading in the sunshine - my favorite reads (aside from my magazines, of course) are classics penned by London, Faulkner, Capote, and great romances in the vein of Wuthering Heights or Pride and Prejudice. Usually, these books can be scored for a few bucks used - a paperback is great for poolside sitting, but what if you want a particular favorite in your library for a lifetime? These Penguin Classics, designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith, are a special set to immortalize and commemorate your favorite reads.

For those of you who want a throw-around edition for your beach bag, you don't have to sacrifice design either. Penguin has no-nonsense paperbacks on Amazon with non-coated covers and no footnotes for a mere four bucks a pop!

Daily Find

Silver Pineapple Salt and Pepper Shakers, 100.00 from Charlotte Moss

Mother's Day Gift Wrap Inspiration

Happy Mother's Day! Here's a little gift-wrapping inspiration from Ooh La La Cadeau - she designs the most gorgeous gift packages - she's even offering free shipping at the moment.

Daily Find

In keeping with the bourbon theme...
John Masters Organics Bourbon vanilla & tangerine hair texturizer, 21.00, available at Kaia House

Font Friday

Lest we forget that I'm a graphic designer, let me remind you with my obsession with typography. Welcome to Font Friday, where every week I'll post a new font I love for download. Look for this feature recurring weekly!

Porcelain, True Type Font by Misprinted Type. Download

Summer Tables from Carolyne Roehm

Image, Carolyne Roehm

Renowned designer Carolyne Rohem has some choice tips for summer entertaining. "Mix it up." she says "I never use just one set of dishes. Using an assortment of plates, bowls and accent pieces adds creativity and fun to your design. Achieving different looks is also less expensive this way because you can buy pieces as separates rather than entire place settings."

Image, Carolyne Roehm

She encourages others to"Enjoy summer's bounty by incorporating fruits, vegetables and herbs into your centerpiece and accents. I once decorated a table with gorgeous tomatoes and gobs of basil. It looked and smelled wonderful and was the perfect way to savor the height of tomato season."

Bourbon: the Faulkner of Southern food

Ah, bourbon... there is nothing quite like it. Being the design nerd that I am, I'm always looking for attractive packaging and handsome label design - my favorites run the gamut from popular brands to the tiniest Kentucky distilleries.

"If it’s not your libation of choice, your father drank it, or your mother cooked with it, simply calling it whiskey, or your grandfather had a secret eggnog recipe calling for bourbon poured with a heavy hand." - Roy Blount Jr.

On 4 May 1964, the United States Congress recognized Bourbon Whiskey as a "distinctive product of the United States." The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits that bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn, distilled to no more than 160, aged in new, charred oak barrels, and may not be introduced to the barrel at higher than 125 proof.

"It would be a challenge to find a Southerner without a good bourbon story." - Roy Blount Jr.



“Bourbon does for me what that piece of cake did for Proust.” - Walker Percy

Any well-appointed bar includes a bottle of good bourbon for old fashioneds, mint juleps, or a simple bourbon and coke. Highball glasses are recommended for bourbon on the rocks. The debate continues on whether or not you should crush your mint leaves in a julep, I personally like them crushed.

Southern Cocktails, amazon.com. Bird cocktail shaker, Well-Appointed House. Cloth cocktail napkins, plumparty.

Sale on at Pieces Atlanta

Famed Atlanta-based interiors shop Pieces, curated by the impeccable Lee Kleinhelter, is having it's clever "5 Sale". 5% off accessories, 15% off wall decor, 25% off lamps and chandeliers, 35% off table and cabinets, and 45% off chairs and sofas. If you've been eying anything at the shop - now is the time to pounce!

Image from decor8

Pieces is a southern staple and one of the most famed decor shops in the southeast. Kleinhelter is renowned nationally for her keen eye for restoring vintage pieces and mixing them with contemporary textiles and accessories.

Images from Design * Sponge, decor8, elements of style

On becoming a designer, Kleinhelter says "I think it was obvious at an early age. I would always arrange my bookshelves and my room as a child. I never really played with toys I just organized them. I was an art history major and fine arts. I loved art, but was never a true artist. It was natural to then lead into design after college."

Images from decor8, cottage living

Kleinhelter is a prime example of the fact that southern design needn't be traditional or stuffy. I think often when we think of southern homes, we think of either shabby chic or heavy draperies and dark wooden antiques. Shops like Lee's transcend the Mason-Dixon to draw admirers the world over.

Wednesday Room du Jour

Image from Graham & Greene

A beautiful (albiet probably not so functional) vanity area for primping. This would never work for me - my fluffy powder brushes and lip gloss smears would smudge up the mirrored top and white stool pretty fast I imagine - but it's great to look at!

Wednesday Roundup: Best of the Blogosphere

Photo: marthastewart.com

- The Blushing Hostess tells us everything we'd ever want to know about Peonies, including beautiful items spotlighting everyone's favorite May bloom.

- Cassandra at coco + kelley is doing a fantastic series about wardrobes and closets - I'm loving her spotlight on Nicole from Making it Lovely.

Photo: Anders Overgaard for Harper's Bazaar

- Michelle got a sneak peek at Kate Spade's new apparel collection - it's everything you expected and then some! Love!

- Diane Bergeron found Lulu De Kiwatowski in California Style magazine. Have you seen her new line of linens yet? She also found a pair of gorgeous black laquer chairs given the Weinrib makeover...

A Little Cinco...

Fiesta-inspired invitations courtesy of printable press, found by Olivet. Happy Cinco!