Interior Design Minimalist

Back from two terrific events in Chicago - Eddie Ross's WOW event and the opening night party for Debra Phillips new store, SG Grand. Here I am with concrete artist Richard Taylor and Eddie enjoying all the fun. My camera is loaded with interior design & party planning eye candy but my day job is calling. ..more to come later today!
Richard with Debra Phillips
Designer and Material Girl's blogger Julia Edelmann of Buckingham Interiors + Design LLC with Eddie. Julia also has opened a terrific new store next to Debra's - more on that later too.
Me with designer and blogger Marija Stephens of Holding Court - so fun!

Back from two terrific events in Chicago - Eddie Ross's WOW event and the opening night party for Debra Phillips new store, SG Grand. Here I am with concrete artist Richard Taylor and Eddie enjoying all the fun. My camera is loaded with interior design & party planning eye candy but my day job is calling. ..more to come later today!
Richard with Debra Phillips
Designer and Material Girl's blogger Julia Edelmann of Buckingham Interiors + Design LLC with Eddie. Julia also has opened a terrific new store next to Debra's - more on that later too.
Me with designer and blogger Marija Stephens of Holding Court - so fun!

I'm in Chicago for business this week and am combining it with two terrific events - a WOW party with Eddie Ross and the grand opening of Debra of 5th and State's second store. All the details are here. I'm really looking forward to it and I'd write more if I wasn't blogging from the Apple store on Michigan Ave! (Don't like lugging a laptop but it might be time to get an ipad...)

I'm in Chicago for business this week and am combining it with two terrific events - a WOW party with Eddie Ross and the grand opening of Debra of 5th and State's second store. All the details are here. I'm really looking forward to it and I'd write more if I wasn't blogging from the Apple store on Michigan Ave! (Don't like lugging a laptop but it might be time to get an ipad...)

The other day I was visiting a wonderful blog for the first time, Boxwood Terrace, and was really impressed by her post, Virtual Renovation: A Small French Country Kitchen. (see the image above) Then I noticed in the About Me section the following, "Although my days are spent in the corporate world, I would like to create and share beautiful things with others." I could really identify with that.

It started me thinking, "How many bloggers out there are working in an entirely different field but expressing their passion for interior design by blogging?" So, this post is a shout out for bloggers who love interior design but whose work is in an entirely different field to let us know more about you and what motivates you.

Leave a comment with a link - tell us about your "day job", your passion for design and any plans/dreams you have for the future when it comes to design, even it it's just to keep blogging! After a week or so, I'll do a summary post capturing all the blogs and their links. Looking forward to hearing from you!


And since tomorrow is Halloween...

if you haven't already seen Eddie Ross's HGTV Halloween Block Party it's airing one more time, tonight Oct. 30th, 6 pm/5 c. Happy Halloween!

This is my first time participating in Tablescape Thursday and I was inspired by my recent purchase of these two vintage tablecloths while on the Eddie Ross flea market tour. However, both were rectangular and neither one was the right size for my round table. Problem solved when they are layered, one crossing over the over and each one making up for the "short side" of the other. Yeah!
The top tablecloth is the Fantasia pattern from the 70's. To tie in with the gray in the pattern, I was able to use the light gray napkins my late elderly neighbor, Mrs. L, gave me. This table is set for three - I only wish I could run next door to invite Mr. and Mrs. L over for lunch. At first I tried a floral centerpiece, but instead settled on pears in a vintage aluminum footed bowl.
The glassware is from my Mom - purchase in Bermuda in 1961.
Here are the lovely Creative Candles that were a gift from Eddie and Jaithan. Two sets of matching candlesticks create four different heights with these 12" and 18" tapers. They're Paris Gray and are more gray than they appear in this photo.

Love small bouquets - this one is made from last Friday's white flowers w/cuttings from a butterfly bush and a shrub.
After setting this table and lighting the candles, I thought to myself, "I should do this more often!" For links to more tablescapes, be sure to head over to Between Naps on the Porch for the 57th Tablescape Thursday!

Go on a flea market tour with Eddie Ross and you'll never see things the same way. Case in point: we got there early before the tour started and I didn't "see" much. Actually felt a bit disappointed. Then started the 2 hour tour with Eddie and realized all the hidden treasures and deals that were there. (plus had a lot of fun!)

Eddie and Jaithan scope out the flea market ahead of time in order to bring to life all his ideas and tips. Here we are at one dealer's booth where Eddie spotted these mauve velvet slipper chairs. To transform this $450 pair, Eddie suggested:
- Remove the skirt and the button tufting
- Reupholster in linen. Consider making your own custom striping with 2 colors of linen, broad stripes on either side.
- Add polished nickel casters to the legs. That suggestion was unexpected and I think really takes those chairs to a very high end.

In addition to tips on what to look for in terms of markings on china and silver, Eddie gave helpful advice on how to spruce up and care for your purchases. Eddie recommends:

- Gorham silver polish. Remember not to polish out all the patina in the relief.

- Don't put silver and stainless steel into the dishwasher at the same time. It will damage the silver.

- A small dab of Lestoil can work wonders on stubborn stains. Just don't use too much as the smell is strong.

- For painting furniture, use Zinsser primer to block out all stains.

Eddie also differentiated between options for higher end items versus lower end items. For example, for these high quality vintage broaches he suggests shadow box framing them for a custom piece of art. A few stalls later we came across bags and bags of lower end vintage jewelry - those can broken apart and used for magnets and decorative accents. Other great ideas:

- If you love a "onesie" buy it! Eddie recently fell in love with one glass and bought it. A few weeks later he found 5 more in the same pattern.

- Upgrade common mats you may find vintage artwork or prints in with linen and spray adhesive.

- Always look at the vintage clothing booths for great fabrics that can be used to make a one-of-a-kind pillow or for upholstery. A plaid wool or tweed coat can transform an accent chair. A brocade top becomes an awesome pillow.