It's Fall, Y'all!

One of the many advantages of living in the South is being able to enjoy the beautiful, fall foliage. This time of year is a wonderful opportunity to bring the rich Earth-tones of the outside into the home. During Fall it is as if time begins to slow down, and Thank the Good Lord the temp cools off somewhat!

All of my friends no, I absolutely loathe being hot!  I'm certain this is why the Lord didn't have me living during the age of no air conditioning - I truly wilt! 

During the deadpan heat of Summer, I spend a good bit of time outside, but it is in short spurts; however, when Fall comes along, my deck becomes an extension of my living room. It's like I move out onto the deck and piddle my time away in the yard. I had a ball this week on my days off.  With the cold front that has come through, following one of these who-knows-what-it-will-do-storms, the outdoor thermostat has been quite nice and cool!

Yesterday afternoon I rode around on our family's farm with my grandparents. Looking at some of the foliage that is already starting to change, feeling this cold front's subtle breeze, and listening to my grandparents tell stories was truly a relaxing afternoon.

While riding around one of the ponds, I had to get out and pick a few up some dried curly willow, limbs, and pampas grass shoots. These are perfect to add to arrangements to give them some height.  We also spotted some Chinaberry trees growing around the pond's bank.  So you know what happened next....we had to stop the truck.  I've been wanting one of these, so we all helped dig it up to transplant down at my river home.

As soon as I got home late yesterday afternoon, I got right to work! Mixing the tall, airy pieces with shades of burnt orange and rich rust colored, golden mums, and bountiful magnolia greenery, all combine to create gorgeous arrangements inside and outside of the home.

"These groupings would work from September to Thanksgiving. Use fall foliage along with berry-laden branches and seasonal fruits on the branch and mix them with fall flowers. For the large arrangements, I choose cattails, pomegranate branches, crabapples, ornamental peppers, olive branches, dill, pyracantha, and a lotus seedpod," says Monica Buck of Southern Accents.

Susan Hall, of Southern Living,suggests, "This season's perfect front porch decor is only minutes away. Pair painted terracotta pots with fiery-hued florists' chrysanthemums to create a hospitable entryway."

This afternoon I filled an old tin container with ivy plants, cut magnolia, gourds, pumpkins, and some random leaves. I also added some of the airy curly willow for height and some fun small scarecrows for a whimsical touch to the container. I placed this on an old Hoosier cabinet I have on my deck that houses my stereo and serves as an outdoor bar for parties.

This piece of furniture catches your eye as soon as you start climbing my stairs, so it's only natural that I make this piece the focal point for Harvest decor. I prefer to make small arrangements and scatter them like this than doing a traditional piece like a wreath - it's just a fun spin and more unexpected!

Hall continues to suggest even the use of a croton plant in containers and arrangements. "Although it originates in a land without autumn, its extravagant costume of yellow, orange, and red exhibits the season's signature colors."

Now an important preceding note to all decorators is to clear out indoor or outdoor clutter before gathering beautiful foliage. Store faux arrangements and trim down on accessories, so that no items will take away from the lively seasonal creations.

For example, in regards to the Hoosier cabinet, I took down by decorative buoys and nautical accents to make room for Fall decor! I bet you that my chickens came up and down the stairs 10 TIMES wondering what I was doing....they thought I had gone all out of my head....completely lost my mind.

Whether a home contains a fully accessorized, personal feel or a modern, sleek, minimal design, all homeowners should pull back on the accessories somewhat in order to make the harvest arrangements and décor the truly divine focal points of a space.
Better Homes and Gardens writer Dana Joseph illustrates, "No matter where you live, there's something turning -- some species of tree or shrub reacting to the lengthening nights and the cooling temperatures -- and putting out colorful leaf pigments to hail the changing of the seasonal guard."
Joseph also suggest for decorators to enjoy a leisurely fall drive, with the family, to take-in the full spectrum of hues and to allow nature to serve as inspiration and ideas. She states, "When the scenery cooperates with a showy display of color, so much the better."

We all pull inspirtation for creations from somewhere!  Cruise around with some friends and see what inspires you!  If you see an idea somewhere, borrow it!  Take something and add your own spin to it to give it a more personalized, one-of-a-kind look!

Incorporate the simplicity of nature and take advantage of these inexpensive accessories. These tips are quickly performed, but the effects are much more lingering:
-Fill baskets and open containers full of pine combs and gumballs.
-Use twigs and branches to heighten bare vases.
-Allow simple river driftwood to display itself among console or cocktail tables

-Take to the fields and patches with family and friends, gathering an array of pumpkins, corn husks, wheat, and cottonseeds to grace the dining table.

Pottery Barn makes the best miniature pumpkins. With these I like to place a neutral pillar candle in the hurricane, then fill the space around the candle with the mini pumpkins!

I'm actually doing some of these on my cousin Patsy's dining table. We're going throughout her home tomorrow night and doing just what I'm saying - removing some of her everyday decor and making a home for her seasonal accents! Again this is an unexpected accent that when done as a pair make a great centerpiece for an outdoor dining table or sitting area.

Buck further states, "Autumn signifies the slowing down of new growth, as plants and leaves leisurely find their way back to the earth, but it's also a time for rejuvenation. A walk through the woods in crisp, fall air will yield a number of surprises: a cluster of twigs, a clump of moss, a riot of color in the trees."

By allowing Mother Nature and her elements inside, a simple house in transformed into a home through the use of stunning, warm colors and earthy textures.

I have accomplished a lot of "to do" tasks on my days off this week. And so, this afternoon I climbed in my swing to relish the fruits and harvest of my labor. I grabbed my new book "Porch Lights" and read for well over two hours! My dad gave me this swing for Christmas, and it is truly one of the best gifts I've ever received!

This is a rarity for me - and was an awesome treat! Seeing me just sitting around convinced Mr. Bockers and Gertrude that I truly had fallen off the wagon....and they just went to clucking away!  By the way - I highly recommend any of Dorothea Frank's books, especially this one!

I did feel like the scarecrows were staring at me though....the jury is still out on them!  They might have to go! 

South Carolina is home to some of the most beautiful foliage along the southern coast, and I'm beyond blessed to live in this riverside Heaven!

Become advantageous -- go enjoy a slow afternoon drive down a country road or a casual stroll along the river bank stopping to take-in the pleasures of Fall.

I did it My Way...Oprah!

There's nothing better than a nice relaxing day off...and if I ever have one of those again, I will certainly be the first to relish every moment of the time! 

I'm always a phone call/email away from my clients...which is a great thing most of the time. I had a busy day planned yesterday, and my work was completely off my mind...or at least that was a goal. I can't help it though...knowing I had clients getting deliveries yesterday peaked my curiosity. So I initiated a call with a few of them to check on things.  As I did I could hear my friend Jill just tell me I was "gluttin' for punishment!"

Normally this would've been fine, but I was trying to get my home ready for a dinner party at 6pm. What was I thinking? Or was I even thinking?  Apparently not. Once I opened the client can-of-worms, we became overly chatty.  I should've focused on what I needed to be doing - getting my home ready.  But ever since I read that article in Oprah's magazine a few weeks ago about "multitasking," I've tried to make the most out of every spare minute. 

So I begin picking-up and tidying my home, getting out items needed from the pantry, turned the radio on to 94.9 The Surf for some beach music, and dialed up my client in Calabash, NC to see if she received her pair of chairs yet.  She did and exclaimed they were beautiful!  We chatted on endlessly, laughing, and cutting-up, until I realized we had been on the phone for 22 minutes. Heavenly Father!

I hung up with Calabash and quickly shot an email to an ongoing client in Grand Dunes.  He replied almost as soon as I sent the thing!  This went back-n-forth for what I later realized had turned into a half hour!  So much for multitasking! I walked right over to my magazine rack, searched for the "O" magazine, and properly placed it in the trash!  Clearly Oprah and I see things differently.

So back into the kitchen, I started focusing on my meal for the night!  The menu: Shrimp Creole over white rice, cornbread, roasted asparagus, and a pound cake for dessert - ALL HOMEMADE!  I had a lot to get cracking on! 

So I got everything out I needed to do Paula Deen's "Mama's Pound Cake," after finding the right page in my little cookbook.  I was having a great time cooking, listening to Nantucket's "Need A Ride to Raleigh," and thankful to have a good air conditioner on such a hot day!

Something caught my eye out of my kitchen door.  My poultry pets had come up on the porch: Mr. Bockers, the rooster, and Gertrude, the hen.  I mean they came right up to the glass door, and they have never done anything like that since I've had them.  Like a sack of bricks it hit me: they know I'm about to use their fresh eggs to make this cake, and they're pissed about it!

Well I just shut the kitchen door right in their beaks.  I mean I certainly had lost enough of my morning without feeling bad about using fresh eggs!  After I got my cake all mixed up, I threw it in the oven and began on my shrimp creole sauce.  By noon, I had everything ready: the sauce on the stove, my shrimp defrosting to add later, asparagus marinating, and the cake baking. Uh oh - The cake!

When I opened that oven door, smoke came pouring out like I was at a disco club.  Lawdamercy!  That cake looked as black as a Carolina midnight with no stars!  Well so much for that!  I walked out to the driveway and threw the cake to the chickens, as I was sure they had worked some kind of root or hex on me!  They wanted the eggs, so they could have them!

Oh well...you can't win them all.  At least my creole sauce was simmering to perfection.  I decided to make myself feel better about the cake fiasco that I'd reward myself with a movie. 

I love old black and white movies.  I think the acting and plots are much more authentic and better performed than the current technological effects.  I turned to the TCM channel and "Suddenly Last Summer" was just beginning.  This was based on a Tennessee Williams play and has some great, legendary actors in it - Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Liz Taylor.

Afterwards I felt much better, and I had just enough time to "fluff" the house and change my clothes before having to set the table. 

5 o'clock means two things to me when I'm off and at home: 1).  Happy Hour & 2). "Fluff" the house.  I'm total OCD about my home and it's daily functions.  All of my house guests notoriously tease me because they've noticed my 5 o'clock rule by monitoring my actions without me ever saying a word.  I just like things orderly, neat, pillows fluffed-up, and lamps on at 5pm.  Yes I know it's crazy.

I quickly changed clothes and started to dress the table as well.  Low and behold, another client call!  I decided to fore go answering Litchfield - I mean everyone needs a little "off time."

I did not plan to "go-all-out" as I sometimes do for dinner parties, but I still wanted to set the table nicely...without it getting too fussy or formal, so I left out the charge plates and more formal accoutrements.  I will say that when the table was dressed and done, it did look beautiful even if it was more simple.

My guests arrived, I turned the phone on silent, and the evening started.  The creole tasted delicious, "Smooth Steppin Papa" by the Holiday Band was blaring on the radio, and the heat had cooled just enough to be quite relaxing.  Nothing is more fun or relaxing to me than to entertain my friends in my home and have a great time. 

The evening went on for a few more hours of cocktails and nonstop laughs after we were done eating.  I walked away and left the dinner table full of dirty dishes to sit and enjoy my friends.  Oprah can multitask if she wants to, but I was going to enjoy my company while I could!

The Birthday Princess

Last night was certainly a great evening, a rare event, and a short-lived trip to Charleston all rolled into one soiree.

My good friend Andrea's birthday is approaching on Sept. 6, and our friend Lindsay planned the perfect party and evening for all of us to gather a celebrate.

"Our group" is really wonderful about rallying together to celebrate each other's birthdays, and Charleston was a great central location!  Of all my friends birthdays, I certainly cannot miss Andrea's.  We've been friends and like siblings for well over twenty-some years. 

I worked yesterday at my design studio in Myrtle Beach until 6, and then I quickly scooped of my friend Emily in Murrells Inlet on the way to Charleston.   We had "Big Mama" in the wind, hoppin' & poppin', and that accelerator laid down.  We had just enough time to drop our luggage off at Emily's family townhouse , change our clothes, and make it to the restaurant for an 8:30 reservation. 

I pulled in the unloading/loading zone of Printer's Row, and Emily and I raced up stairs to do the quickest changing of clothes EVER.  The entire time we were getting ready I silently prayed that "Big Mama" was not being towed away.

The Rodger's townhouse on Rainbow Row is absolutely beautiful.  The decor is classic, timeless, and very Southern....Blue Canton porcelain, botanical fabrics, Lowcountry watercolors, and yes...a complete mural of Rainbow Row in the foyer.  I could easily move right in...no problem! 

As soon as we were changed for the party we ran downstairs, and 'Thank the Lord' the car was still in the unloading zone. Quickly we stowed car in the garage down the block and put hurried over to the restaurant!

Carolina's was a great place and beautiful venue to enjoy a good meal and a few libations for friends.  We were seated at a long table that seem to go on for eternity in length, and I was lucky enough to enjoy old friends' company as well as meeting some new folks as well. 

Luckily the people I was seated next to and across from have a strong passion for interior design, decorating, and furniture.   Needless to say we hit it off right away with plenty to talk about. 

Any entree that I saw looked absolutely magnificent - beautiful and appetizing.  I ordered the shrimp-n-grits and it was so delicious and filling!  I was so consumed in conversation and food on my end of the table that I'm really not sure what went on elsewhere, but at the end of the meal everyone seemed to have had an enjoyable time.

Settling the individual checks took quite sometime, which of course called for another round of drinks.  I still say if that server got her drawer to balance at the end of the night, then she "done good!"  And to whomever it was that picked up my drink tab, I give a big thanks and a round of appreciative applause.

Lindsay have even planned transportation in a Mercedes party bus for us to travel from the restaurant to The Trio nightclub and lounge.  We use to frequent Trio quite regularly during college...boy if those walls could talk.  The place was packed wall to wall...on every floor and even the outdoor patio.  Let's just say we had no problem getting our eyes full! 

We danced the night away...right into the early hours of the morning. As long as I've known Andrea, I have never seen her dance as much as she did last night...and everyone for that matter. 

When it was time to leave, I walked outside and Lindsay had a white, stretch Lincoln limo to take us home - a truly great ending to a terrific night! Rolling like big-shots, the limo cruised the narrow streets of Charleston to drop Emily and me back off at Rainbow Row! 

Our few hours of sleep went by even more quickly than the rest of the night had...I jumped startled when the alarm went off so early.   We got dressed, packed up, straightened the house, and headed back toward the Grand Strand bright and early.  Of course with it being Sunday morning and us missing church because of our traveling, I insisted on blasting a Vestal Goodman CD so we could get some form of religion coming back! 

To be such a short visit, I really did have a great time...saw a lot of friends and had a lot of fun! I THINK Andrea really enjoyed her birthday evening, but I KNOW I certainly had a great time!

Welcome Indian Summer

Summertime winding down is always a sad but exciting time.  I hate to see every season come to a close, but it's so much fun getting your home ready for the next season!  Summer comes to a close, kids start back to school, football season begins, and you know those holidays are just around the corner!

My design colleagues and I seem to have our homes ready for each season and holiday a little before it actually occurs.  And it is a good thing we do - because when our clients get ready to make the seasonal change, we have to start hoppin' & poppin'! 

Fortunately for us this is the busiest time of year - right up until Christmas, but UNFORTUNATELY, I only made it to two USC ballgames last year.  Oh well, you can't win 'em all!

At my home each season is more beautiful than the last.  I really love to watch the foliage on the river year round - it's true artwork! My mother only cares for the river in the summer time.  She and my sister are still avid sunbathers, and they both really enjoy coming down and laying out.  

Now you would think that when the leaves begin to fall and there is a chill in the air that my company would also fade away until the warmer weather reapproaches.  Hardly so.  I don't think my humble "hotel" has a quiet season.  Buckingham Cottage is open year round.  It might get too cold to get on the river, but it's never to cold to shag on the dock...no matter the month of the year! Besides..my chickens are happy little greeters, and Sheldon provides great entertainment!

So it is essential for me to prepare for the upcoming season early, so that I don't interfere with my clients' plans or arriving/departing houseguests.

Needless to say I've started packing up my Spring & Summer wardrobes, leaving just enough glimpses of my seersuckers, plaids, linens, and whites to get through Labor Day.  Oh I know people say you can wear whatever anytime and that these "funny old rules don't apply anymore," but if I sported some white slacks after labor day, my Grandma would snatch me up bald-headed!

Brian, another designer in our studio, will sport white 365 days of the year.  I think he dons his "winter white" just to get a reaction from me.  And yes, I realize it's 2012 and there is such a thing as "winter white!"  But this color is definetely a little off from a true white.  "Winter white" is not wearing your summer slacks in November and calling them a different name.  There is a difference.

I think people just have to go with what they are comfortable with, and for me, I'm most comfortable following the rules I was brought-up with....and of course in my personal opinion: "The Right Way!"

Homes are just as subject to the seasonal changes as personal wardrobes.  Next week it will be time to roll up the light, woven Summer rugs, and pull the oriental carpets from the attic.  The brightly colored, seasonal accessories will be replaced with more subtle, Indian Summer tones and colors.  Vibrant beddings is switched for something more subtle and in Earth-tones.  Just the words "Indian Summer" or "Harvest Season" paint an illustration of warmer and more rustic colors.

I am not as in-a-hurry to change over my home for the season as I am my wardrobe.  I usually take the month of September to make the home transition, trying to hold-on to Summer as long as possible.  However, when it comes to my clothes, I'm very "old school" and will not be caught dead in white after Labor Day.

When it's all said and done, I think you have to go with what you're most comfortable with doing.  For me I welcome the seasons and the changes...I just don't know what Sheldon and the chickens think about all this excitement though...oh well!

A Random Little Monday

The economy has to be improving...because my phone has not stopped ringing.  Surely things are picking up in the world if the demand for interior design is increasing.  My percentage of business from July 2011-July 2012 was up 166%....now I would like to think it is just a demand for me, but that is highly unlikely!

Techincally I'm "off" today, but I've been in two different homes working this afternoon.  Don't get me wrong, I will gladly sacrifice any "time off" in order to make some money...you know, it's like HoneyBooBoo says "A dolla makes me holla!"  God please forgive me for quoting HoneyBooBoo!

Anyway, I'm very blessed to have small projects to work on along the side to keep me busy.  Otherwise I get in too much trouble at home.  There's only so much time in a day I can dote on my pet chickens.  Luckily, tomorrow, I have two more appointments...because today I cleaned out my pantry and fridge, feeding the chickens three times before lunch today!

So later this afternoon I caught up with a old friend, while helping her with the floor plan of her new home.  We went through room by room deciding what pieces to keep, to trash, to paint, and to recover.  The good thing about buying a new home is beginning with a blank canvas....you can do whatever you'd like.  And she really is going to have a lovely place when it is all said and done....well we were having wine while we were working, so I hope it turns out close to lovely at least!

I've also been drawing up some plans for my aunt to remodel her kitchen these past few weeks.  Even though I work in the design industry, I'm still simply amazed at all of the possibilites, options, and upgrades you can do with a kitchen.  We've really worked hard at maximizing her storage and creating a decorative but functional kitchen.  After all of the rushing to complete my sketches, I'm not waiting for a contractor.....hurrying up to wait.  I think that's the story with most contractors though.

All in all both appointments were elated with my work when I left their homes today.  And in the grand scheme of things, isn't that what it's all about?

And now that the chickens are in their roost, Sheldon & I are going to catch up on some tv, maybe even a good book, and of course a little wine.  We all know how much my little dog enjoys his wine.

Laughter thru Tears is My Favorite Emotion

My best friend Madison is taking off for the west coast tomorrow afternoon...I can only imagine how excited she is getting.  I have to admit though - I'm not looking forward to her leaving.  It has been so nice having her back in town this week.  We single handily cleaned the Piggly Wiggly out of Pinot Grigio, and yes we made our pilgrimage to Wal-Mart too!

When I moved down to the river it did not take Maddie and me long to become best friends.  Not only has she been a wonderful pal, but she and her parents have really welcomed me into their family.  It's nothing for Maddie to call and for me to be having dinner at the shop with Papa Wheeler & Niecy.  And buddy if she comes down to the beach, well you can just bet I'm sitting there with bells on at Niecy Oceanside Villa...eagerly awaiting with my wine cork in hand!

As sad as I am for her to be on the complete other side of the country, I'm so excited for her as well.  She and Alex have found a beautiful home in Washington...right on the golf course.  For me to say the home is attractive is a great thing, but this home is truly beautiful...full of upgrades and nice features.  And what more could I ask for they a nice view when I travel over to visit with some wine!  A golf course means wine-time cruising on a golf cart.  Maybe Alex will invest in one by the time I go out that way!  I haven't been on the west coast since 2007...it's probably recovered from my last visit!

Of course when she was showing me the pictures last week, I was giving her my unsolicited advice as to colors to use, how to arrange to the room, and where to place accessories.  The designer in me never truly rests. I personally think the picture of us and Meg is mantel worthy...just a thought.  And Maddie, with those high ceilings and wall space, you could order one much larger....a true portrait size would be lovely! 

As you can see, Madison is use to me just chiming in at the drop of a hat though.  She's the Clairee to my Weezer.  Oh Maddie, "you know I love ya more than my luggage."



I'm going to miss my partner-in-crime, but I am so looking forward to traveling to the West coast to visit her and Alex!  I got to thinking about it on the way to work this morning, "Lean on Me" came across Big Mama's radio, and I just about lost it!  Boy Meg is gonna have her hands full with me now that Madison is gone. Maybe I'll venture down to Murrells Inlet this week and slumber on Meg and Katy's Jouch (Jean-Couch), up in their loft apartment.  I'm telling you my friends are going places.  First Meg's moved up into an in-sky apartment like Weeze Jefferson, and now Maddie is heading to the west coast.  I guess I'll stay in the Lowcountry, and hold down the fort!  And besides they can keep me updated via twitter! haha! Oh @madwhee, you know that's right!

Bon Voyage Clairee...get out there and find a good place to "get your roots done!"

Revamp & Refresh

What a great thrill I get when I take an old favorite and give it a new spin.  It's the best of both worlds for a designer to take a piece he or she loves and revamping it into a new style.

Don't get me wrong...usually there's nothing wrong with the piece in it's original form, or it may be that it was once great but is becoming a little tattered.  Either way if it is a sentimental piece, family heirloom, or just an old favorite, never be afraid to revamp and refresh it. 

I remember when I first moved into my home at the river.  Like any young twenty-something I was full of champagne taste on a beer budget, so I had to get creative.  For weeks I searched thrift shops, EBay, Craigslist, and online auctions. 

Finally I found this pair of caned barrel-back chairs.  I looked past the chipped cream paint and the dirty mauve fabric on the seats, and loaded them up in my car.  When I got the chairs home and began cleaning them up, I realized not only was all the caning intact, but the legs had great carvings and details. 

I stripped the old paint off the chairs and repainted them in a shiny, black lacquer.  I also replaced the dated, stained mauve fabric with a fun, vintage botanical print.  For less than $100, I've got a great pair of matching chairs...full of character and detail.  They're truly my creation - which I love because I'm not going to see them in someone else's home!

I love pieces like these.  In fact, the majority of my favorite pieces were someone else's junk and now my treasure.  Don't get me wrong, I have invested in some nice, new bookcases, a dining table, and custom sofas, but it is the vintage pieces where my creativity and design talents have truly had the chance to soar.

It is just like last week when I went over to my friend Jackie's after work...We started talking and decided to rearrange and redecorate her den at 8pm.  A little before midnight we finally finished, and I do have to admit: her room looked awesome. 

The more the wine flowed, the more we got done. I really think they should think about offering me wine at work....I could really get creative with some wine juice! We totally rearranged the entire floor plan and layout, making her room look twice as large and open. 

With Jackie's permission I took one overpowering piece out of the room, and yet we brought 5 more pieces into the room!  The result was a very happy friend....the only problem is trying to get her to leave the house and hangout now. 

I can empathize though...after 8 years in my home, I can honestly say I'm quite content will my little cottage on the river as well.  After all, out of my entire portfolio...it's the best reflection of my true self!