Institute of Classical Architecture and Art

Christy Gatchell, the General Manager of the Dallas Waterworks showroom called me this last fall and invited me to participate on the steering committee for the ICAA Dallas-Fort Worth Texas Chapter.  First of all, I LOVE Waterworks.  I even applied for a job with their DC showroom when I lived there 5 years ago.  I was so thrilled to get a call from Christy since I follow her on Pinterest here and am obsessed with Waterworks.  

ICCA is the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.  When I learned more about this wonderful organization of learning and networking with those who have a love for classical design I almost couldn't contain myself - yes I get way too excited about design!  The ICAA is a nationwide non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting the classical tradition through the arts, architecture and urbanism.  It's a fabulous educational resource for artists, designers, architects, planners and the general public.  I highly encourage you to look at their website and see if their is an organization you can join near you!

I want to share with you some of the venues I have been to so far starting with the first one we had this year.  It was a social night to educate and promote the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter ICAA.  Held at Aria Stone Gallery in the Dallas Design Center, it was the perfect venue.  I had never been to Aria so I was completely taken with the showroom and the entire concept of showing stone slabs in an art gallery setting.


Here you can see the stone slabs at Aria hung like artwork.  It was fabulous!


On the left is Alan from Talebi Rugs and on the right is Aria Stone's owner, Vinny Tavares

The other great thing I've found with the ICAA is its sponsors are top of the line.  For instance, this events sponsors were Talebi Rugs, Luxe Interiors and Design Magazine, Waterworks, and DeVance Electronic Lifestyle.  The title sponsor was Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty.  Everyone left with an amazing gift bag full of fabulous goodies from the sponsors plus a handful of people received out of this world door prizes like a rug, a stone slab, a Waterworks bath robe, a JBL Flip speaker and more.

She won the Waterworks bathrobe (I was jealous).

 

From Left to Right: 

Shanan Koschak with Luxe Magazine

Amanda Reilly from Aria Stone

Christy Gatchell the Dallas Waterworks General Manager 

Interior Designer Margaret Chambers

Mark Matthews Director of Planning and Urban Design from The Beck Group

Interior Designer Elle Cole

Larry Boerder of Larry E. Boerder Architects introducing the ICAA

Valerie Wood (co-planner for this event) and Christy Gatchell selecting the door prize winners

Lots of people came to the social

Mark Matthews of The Beck Group

John Sebastian of Sebastian Construction

Interior Designer Dana Barritt and Architect Tom Holifield both with Larry E. Boerder Architects

Tom and I are working on the November event in Fort Worth!

Christy from Waterworks and Shanan from LUXE Magazine along with James Edwards (the Photographer who took these amazing pictures)
Thank you James!
James Edwards Photography
AND
Thank you Valerie Lazear and Shanan Koschak for organizing the entire event!

Here's the link to the ICAA website: ://www.classicist.org

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Craigslist Finds

We have just moved and I am starting to search for furniture.  I am looking quite frequently at the Dallas/Fort Worth Craigslist because I want a great mix of old and new.  I love how you can search for antique dealer's furniture and find some amazing pieces.  It just takes some time and patience.  Thought you might enjoy what I'm seeing right now that I think is really great…

(The link to each picture is in the description)

English Georgian Chest of Drawers

$1895

Pennsylvania House Gray Linen Nailhead Queen Anne Wing Backs

$950

English Bamboo Dresser

$600

Horchow Cameo Wall Plaques

$40

Cane Back French Style Settee

$175

Edwardian Secretary 

$595

10x14 Hand Knot Rug

$1680

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Pristine University Park Home

3432 Purdue Avenue

University Park, Texas

3,468 Square Feet

4 Bedrooms 3 Baths

Listed by Molly Hurt with Briggs Freeman Sotheby's Int'l

I'm in a rush this morning but stumbled upon this darling house in University Park and had to take the time to share it with you.  Love how each room has something special about it and the subdued color palette is so calming and elegant.  I also love how the kids rooms in real estate pictures are always full of character and say something about the child living in them.  

Great house and it's brand new on the market!  

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BEAUTIFUL HOMES OF CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Good Morning!  

I mentioned at the beginning of the year wanting to collaborate with other bloggers.  Well, I'm proud to announce my first guest blogger is the fabulous Lucy Williams from Lucy Williams Interior Design.  I discovered Lucy through Pinterest and felt an instant connection with her style and taste (not to mention her Virginia roots) and have since followed her not only on Pinterest but through her blog.  Lucy is amazing at transforming spaces and always has great before and after shots on her blog.  She has an eye for details and selects the best textiles and furnishings for each project.  Oh, and she is a talented artist, too!  I was super excited when she said she would do a guest post and she put together some amazing images from her trip to share with you today.  

Thank you Lucy!

Don't forget to check out her blog at Lucy Williams Interior Design HERE.  If you want some great pins to add to your Pinterest boards then follow her on Pinterest HERE.

I JUST RETURNED FROM CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA AFTER MEETING THE ENORMOUSLY TALENTED INTERIOR DESIGNERS LISA MENDE AND TRACI ZELLER. BUT MY VISIT WASN'T ALL BUSINESS! MY SISTER LIVES IN CHARLOTTE AND OUR COUSIN SURPRISE VISITED US FROM NEARBY CHARLESTON. WE ALL HAD A BLAST, AS WE ALWAYS DO!!!! AND WE HAD A GREAT TIME ADMIRING THE STUNNING HOMES OF MEYERS PARK YESTERDAY MORNING…..THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS UNBELIEVABLE. THE POPULATION OF ABSOLUTELY STUNNING HOMES IS NEVER ENDING. I COULD HAVE DRIVEN AROUND FOR HOURS…BUT WE ONLY HAD ABOUT 30 MINUTES…HERE'S A SAMPLE OF WHAT WE SAW……I THINK WE ARE ALL SUFFERING FROM HOUSE ENVY!!

AND SOME FRONT DOOR FABULOUS……

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"Monster" Smoothie

Monster Smoothie…what?  I've run across a lot of green smoothie recipes and came up with my own concoction. We call it a "Monster" Smoothie so my son who loves "monsters and Jesus" would hopefully drink it.  It works - he drinks it and loves it.  He also tells me he only likes happy monsters.  

This is a yummy green smoothie full of vitamins and "super powers".  I've had spinach smoothies before and ended up throwing them down the drain but this one I've become obsessed with. 

 I love the combination of the sweet and tart pineapple, banana and apple and hint of coconut that completely over power the large amount of spinach I throw in there.  I am actually having one almost everyday and am running out of spinach fast!  

Hope you enjoy this healthy and delicious treat!

MONSTER SMOOTHIE

(makes one tall 16 oz. smoothie or two 8oz. smoothies)

Juice of 1 large orange

1/2 cup Lemonade

1 small Red Apple or Gala Apple cut up

Large Handful of Fresh Baby Spinach

1/2 cup of frozen pinneapple

3 ice cubes of Coconut Water 

Ripe Banana

Dash of Light Agave Nectar

Optional

Sprinkle Chia Seeds on top

Add Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

Toss in Wheat Germ

Mix all in a blender and serve

~Enjoy~

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Hamptons Houses No 38

6 Calf Creek Court

Water Mill, NY

$11,950,000

7 Bedrooms 9.5 Bathrooms

6,800 sq. ft.

Listed by Gary DePersia with Cocoran

James Michael Howard does it again and this time it's in the Hamptons!  

I just recently did a blog post on his work here if you want to check out more.  When I stumbled across this home, I knew this one was a good one but didn't know how good until I saw that James Michael Howard is behind this stunning, one of a kind work of art.  Called The Linden House, this residence is detailed and finished with fine craftsmanship and the best in finishes and materials.  The furniture alone, which is included in the price, is a fine mix of contemporary and traditional.  Classic and casual with a lot of sophistication. 

Corcoran has amazing full screen views that I urge you to check out in the listing agent's link above.  You don't want to miss seeing the details close up.

The floor pattern and material is amazing.  Check out the subtle but glamorous lacquered ceiling.

The window treatments and soft color scheme make this room soothing.  I love the ceiling and windows.

The floor is wire brushed quarter sawn white oak.  The gray color scheme is the perfect backdrop to the chrome and stainless steel finishes.  I think the floor, fireplace and dark wood finishes warm this room up.  Look at the lighting - he doesn't miss a beat.

Upholstered walls in a graphic pattern jazz this room up.  Feels more like a New York penthouse to me but the blue brings us back to the beach.  Gold metallic ceiling and chandelier is a great match for the wood tones in here.

In the close up on Corcoran's website you get a better view of the built-ins flanking the fireplace.  The mix of furniture and upholstery is such a unique combination.  Everything invites you to sit and stay awhile.  The travertine fireplace is my favorite in this room.

I love the bedding in this room and the views with what look like remote control window treatments.

Look at these tile patterns and the gorgeous fixtures and moldings.

This is a favorite room of mine because of the timeless furnishings and monotone color palette.

Tile again and fixtures are amazing and what a great place to put a mirror.  Look at the great window details and treatments.

I love the headboard fabric and chest.

You might miss this at first but look at the mirror hung over the window and how the window trim out and sink details are similar.  

Ok, this is a great room.  The pattern layering in here is so great and I love once again the mix of furnishings.

Love the shower trim detail and seamless glass with the lucite towel bar. 

This room is full of nailhead trim but it just works when softened with traditional molding details.

The lighting and fixtures are perfect.  Lacquer and the tile selection go hand in hand.

What a fun take on a game room.  That pool table alone is so unique and the mix of woods, materials and furnishings make for a casual atmosphere.

The way he repeats fabric in a room makes it very inviting.

There is something about that chair, the duvet at the foot of the bed and the light fixture that just work.  Very unorthodox with the credenza and yet so refreshing.

Once again, the stone selection and fixtures are knock out.  I even love the wicker accessory tray.

Another view.  Don't you feel like you're visiting a hotel?

So incredibly well done and amazingly creative.  

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