wednesday white

White styled shelves.  Not one little bit boring.

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Doesn’t have to all be expensive. Here is a shelf filled with all Target items – you probably recognize this image from the their threshold line, I saw this image and was smitten so I saved it.  It’s interesting and fun.

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But how do you make a white shelf with white accessories not look boring, plain or clinical?  There is an art to it.

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My formula for a good white shelf mix:  10% quirky, 10% modern, 20% classic, 60% white.

Collections of anything white make for some fun.  Just be sure it’s not all the same shade of white!  Because that would be B-O-R-I-N-G.  Vary your shades – cream, pale tan, white.  Different shapes are great too.  In this picture, the designer has a few quirky shaped pieces, a few modern (clean-lined) pieces, and the rest classic.  It totally works!

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This grouping is far more classic.  But notice how that crystal perfume bottle throws in a mod feel with the sharper lines.  Just enough to keep it from feeling 100% traditional.  It’s great to try and throw a surprise accessory in the pile to keep things from looking too serious or maybe worse, granny-esque.

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I’m always on the hunt for white things to place on a shelf or next to a pile of books.  And I’m always changing our vignettes around.  Getting your accessories from many different sources (in different styles and price points) makes for that “collected over time” feel.  I’m also fascinated with finishes that aren’t quite “perfect.”  Maybe a vintage, tarnished trophy.  Or an overscale bright white ceramic bird in a funky shape.  Crusty painted wood with a few peeled paint layers?  Very cool and interesting.

My favorite places to find white accessories?  flea markets, TJ Maxx, Target, antique shops, thrift stores, and yes, ebay.  I find the places like TJ Maxx, etc. don’t offer the really cool, aged pieces.  That’s where the flea markets and thrift places come in.  But you can count on the TJ’s and Targets to provide the fun white glass accessories that are affordable and over scale.

If you do collect a lot of one particular thing, be sure to group them together for impact, like the cake stand picture above.

Cheers to a day filled with some funky white.

By Seleta | 3 Comments

the winner!

Congrats to Kate, commenter #85 – you have won a one year subscription to Southern Living magazine and the beautiful coffee table book, Houses with Charm, straight from Tracery Interiors.  That’s a nice Southern helping of design inspiration! Email me so we can get your gifts on their way to you.

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I loved reading everyone’s answers and noticed many of us love a good mix of antique or vintage with modern elements.  Also noticed we had a pretty good mix of night owls and morning birds.  I’ll admit I was secretly giddy that random.org selected a fellow night owl.  Go team Night Owls!!  Ha ha h, just kidding ; )  One day maybe I’ll be a better morning bird?!?

Tomorrow I have a pretty full plate so I’m advancing you some white here in just a minute…

Thanks again to our gracious giveaway hosts, Tracery Interiors and Southern Living magazine!

By Seleta | Leave a comment

garden chick

To say I am preoccupied with beautiful gardens would be quite an understatement.  I could print a hefty coffee book from all the beautiful images of English gardens and landscapes I’ve pinned.

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Digitally, I’m a garden enthusiast.  Realistically, I’m the least capable person on the planet for planning, planting, and maintaining beautiful foliage.  Just ask the dozens of plants in my life who have fallen to their death over the last 15 years.  Don’t judge ; ) I try to care for them, but don’t seem to have a developed green thumb.  If I had a dime for every time I was hunched over a plant apologizing and asking in desperation, “how can I resuscitate you?!?” I’d be a rich girl.  But that won’t stop me from continuing to try!

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When we moved to the bay house we were told it had not been lived in for seven years.  You cannot imagine the weeds, debris, and pure craziness going on the yard, so bad it was almost comical.  The improvement plan we hope to instill will take a lonnnnnnng time.  For now I’m thinking of potting some flowers and planting a hydrangea garden in a visible area.  Here are a few of our fine feathered helpers Saturday morning.

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Sidenote: We lost our sweet little chick, Lucky, to a neighbor’s dog…so Peter built a cute aviary to keep future chickens safe.  I’ll show you that in another post.  A few of our newbies in above photo from left to right:  Miette, Pouffe, Pirouette, and Chapeau.

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These little ladies are such a hoot and always keep us entertained.  If anyone is curious, their breeds are Sultan, Silkie and Polish.  Because of the fancy feathers, they’re considered ornamental chickens…and not exactly the best egg layers.  At least they look pretty running around the yard.

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In sheer gardening optimism, I picked up the cutest Danny Seo shovel set at T.J. Maxx and got busy emptying our pots of not-so-alive plants.  I love the retro look and comfy feel of the bamboo handle.

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Sounds silly, but I don’t like to have a garden tool unless it looks pretty on display.  Blame it on images like this (which regularly haunt my husband).  I really do believe beauty and organization go hand in hand.

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Oh and in case you haven’t met Danny Seo, he is the poster child for all things green.  And my gardening hero.  Maybe one day I’ll be like him and hold healthy plants in my pimped out potting shed…

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Back to the yard.  While researching plants and landscaping, I learned that English gardens are typically more square in shape.  Lovvvvve that.  Won’t even go into how obsessed I am with all things English.  So if we do any landscaping, my goal is something inspired by an English garden.  Hope to have topiaries, boxwoods, herbs, and maybe some pea gravel!

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I’m equally fixated on window boxes.  That’s another goal.  Baby steps.

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The chicks told me they would love a fancy place to leisurely lounge and fluff their feathers.  I think they would appreciate a scene like this.  Clearly my very favorite garden image of all time.

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Feel free to cruise around and see more of my le jardin pics over here.

Hope you’re off to a great start this week!  xoxo

By Seleta | 10 Comments
  • Simply Me

    SeletaI‘m Seleta, a city girl living the beach life with my husband, fabulous four offspring, happy horses and frisky fur babies. A former TV personality turned Designer, I love to share the sparkly side of life. Read more here.
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