Home Updates, Accessories & Tours

Ideas for a New Couch

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Okay, there is nothing wrong with the couch that I have now in my sitting room but I have been wanting something different for so long now.

This is my sitting room now. It is a hodge-podge of items and honestly I like it. I don’t like to buy “uniform” or living room sets. I think buying items separately and buying different items from all over the place takes creativity and imagination. 

I do like my blue and white with my brown couch but honestly I am just sick of brown furniture. You guys remember our gray sectional that we got last year (see here if you missed it). That was just the beginning of my brown furniture purge. 

This whole weekend I have been watching Hallmark movies and commercials for Wayfair just kept coming on. Honestly, I have never really paid much attention to them until I saw a black and white couch on the commercial and I thought hummmm, why don’t I just take a look. 
I found this beauty. It is called the Barryknoll Standard Settee. They have it in several different colors but I really like the gray and for $250 why not! They also provided a video for it. How wonderful is that? 
The next couch that I saw was this. It is called the Versailles Sofa. We can see that I want another gray sofa with tufts and studs. I just think that it is classic. 
The next one was this Menyauthe Settee.
These are just a few of the couches that I am interested in. I am not sure which one I want but I will update everyone on the blog if I end up purchasing anything. It is always fun looking for new furniture pieces. I just want to find something that I will love. 

(Photos via Mrs. Shockley and Wayfair.com)

My Summer Porch

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I posted the photo below on my Instagram page. I talked about how I put a vintage run on my front porch.

I love the way it looks. I didn’t intend on putting a rug on my front porch. I actually washed this rug and just left it out to dry. I figured the summer heat would take care of that. 
But once I saw how it looked on the porch while it was drying, I soon began to love the texture and the idea of having a place to put my feet. So I decided that it would stay. I do love sitting on my front porch with my husband. We always have a glass of wine while we relax and talk. 
I am going to enjoy my porch this summer with my husband. Go out and enjoy yours if you have one also. 
Enjoy!
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

A Recent Project…

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A few weeks ago husband’s company had a weekend project. It is rare that they work on weekends because my husband believes in spending time with family but this project had to get done.

My husband knows how much I love decor and interiors so once the project was finished he sent me a few photos of the home that they were working at and I just could not believe that this home is located in my city.

Isn’t it magnificent? I love the details in the archway and the pillars look so stately and grand. Take a look at the floors. There were so many attributes. Now this is a grand entryway. 
My husband said that they had art all down the halls. He said that he felt like he was in one of the Smithsonians in Washington again. Looking at this I can see why.
Do I spy blue and white? Of course, a home like this has it. It is elegant and timeless. But take a look at those beautiful sconces. Now aren’t those impressive?
This was one of the bathrooms in the home. They have marble walls and just look at the mirror and chandelier. My goodness….. I was just in awe with the entire space. 
Okay, this is the outdoor space that I dream of! Blue and white lamps outside. Genius! The fireplace looks cozy and did you notice that they have a mirror above it? Wow, I would not have thought of that. It’s just beautiful. 
When my husband sent this photo I just stared at it. The stairs alone are a work of art. And speaking of art do you see it all around on the walls? I wish I could have been there on sight at this project.
I think I would have been driving the owners nuts asking questions about the art, the marble, and all of the features of the home. It’s just splendid. 
I was so happy that my husband shared this pictures with me and so happy that he got the opportunity to work in such a beautiful place. It was truly an honor. 
(photos via Mr. Shockley)

A Chic Entryway

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I mentioned a few weeks ago that I am reading a book called Home Sweet Maison. I am still at the beginning of the book. I was recently reading the section about entryways. I love entryways. I believe that they can tell a story about you and your family.

They can give hints and clues if one is paying attention. The author Danielle Postel-Vinay shared how the french like to use their entryways to tell stories.

She talked about her friend and how she used fragrances in her entryway. That is one of my favorite things that I like to introduce people to when they enter my home. A fragrance……
She also discussed her in-laws entryway.  She said it told a story about them. They had shelves of packed medical books, a human skull, a collection of 18th century beakers, medieval pharmacy jars, phrenological markings, a few old microscopes, and other countless objects. So what did that entryway tell you about her in-laws? That they were interested or were professionals in the medical field. 
I found that to be so fascinating! It was so interesting reading that. How they shared their lives within their entryway.
She shared other tips on how the french decorate their entryways. 1) Your entree should look like no one else’s entrance. Use objects to create a map of your tastes, your interests, and your life. 2) Choose books, artworks, or objects that tell your personal story- objects from your past, present, and even future. Don’t be afraid to dream. Use objects that express hopes for your future endeavors, such as my father-in-law’s typewriter. 3) Create a place for shoes, and coats. I love a big, old-fashioned wooden coat-rack, which is a staple of many of the French homes, but hooks on a wall, an armoire, or a coat closet will also work. 4) Choose a case, bookshelf, or cabinet to display your own memory theater. This will showcase small curiosities and give your guests a glimpse of the microcosm of your life. 
And lastly, place a natural home fragrance, perfume, incense, diffuser, or candle in your entrance that offers a scent to which you have a personal connection. 
These are some great tips and I may “open” up my entryway more and tell a story of my own. 

(Tips from Author Danielle Postell-Vinay, photos via Pinterest)

Rug Runners in the Kitchen

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Adding small details to my home gives me joy. Even if it is something small. A new vase, curtains, pillows and some blue and white ginger jars, whatever I find buying for my home always gives me such great happiness.

I was on Pinterest recently looking at kitchens and saw how some people had put rug runners in their space. I thought that was a great idea. It took me awhile to find one that I liked and one that my family would tolerate but I found this small runner at HomeGoods a few weeks ago.

This is my kitchen. Now this looks like a normal size rug but it isn’t.

It is a blue, white and gray runner that I found at HomeGoods. I paid about $40 for it. 

I do like the way it looks and my husband has not complained about it at all. 
Some inspiration that I found on Pinterest…..
Love the farmers sink and how the island is blue and the kitchen cabinets are white. 
I do like how some homeowners take risks. Sometimes it turns out great!

Now I must admit I do love the color of these cabinets with the gold hardware. It looks so chic to me!
Oh sorry forgot, the runner looks great too!
I do hope that you enjoyed this post and are inspired to take a second look at rug runners. One in your kitchen just might give it that extra pop of color or texture that you are seeking. 
Enjoy!
(photos via Mrs. Shockley & Pinterest)

Dinnerware at Pottery Barn

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Last week I mentioned the new dinnerware collection from Monique Lhullier (see here). On the website it looked absolutely stunning. We only have one Pottery Barn here in my city so before I headed to South Carolina last week I had to get there to take a peek.

Walking into the store and they have all of these faux flowers for sale. Isn’t it picturesque? 


Botanical Shop
Very pretty dinnerware

The salad plate 
Dinnerware collection

I really like these plates!!
But of course I had to walk around. I saw this collection which is called the Chinoiserie Dinnerware Collection.

Another collection that I saw was the Sophia Dinnerware Collection. Beautiful for the blue and white lovers!
Beautiful black and white napkins. I tried finding these online. No luck!
My husband and I looked at a few more things. Like this K. Hall Blossom collection which smells so good! Oh gosh, it is in my shopping cart online now! I wanted to purchase some of the tea towels from the Monique Lhullier collection but they were sold out. So I will order those online as well. After walkin around I decided to stop at Anthropologie.
I normally don’t like the clothes but the home decor and scents are always good. That is where I found this colorful vase. It is called the gardenshire pitcher and it is just lovely in person. Can’t you see this on your dresser with a bouquet of peonies? I know I did as soon as I saw it. 
Well, I hope you enjoyed these finds and check out your local Pottery Barn store. And always live elegant everyday!
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

My Starburst Mirror

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In 2015 I wrote a blog post about my starburst mirror that I found recently at Pier One (see here). I was very happy with that purchase but I must admit that it wasn’t what I truly wanted.

I wanted a big one! A starburst mirror so bit that it would speak for itself. Well I finally found one at Hobby Lobby.

I am so pleased with it! It is called the Gold Starburst Metal Mirror and it is on sale now at Hobby Lobby. If you are interested move quickly. It is quite lovely. Not to big and not to little. 
It took me 2 minutes to hang it. I hope that you enjoyed this post and that you are inspired. Enjoy!!

(photo Mrs. Shockley)