And so Happy Christmas

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~ Norman Vincent Peale

To me this time of year is full of excitement, tradition and love. This post will be short and sweet and full of a few of the things that bring me joy this time of year!

Some of my Favorite Things...

Photo from MacKenzie-Child's website.
I've been a fan of MacKenzie-Childs for awhile now but I've recently discovered their ornament collections and..... I'm obsessed!

I saw these at Saks!

This photo is from St. Jude's website.
Each year St. Jude  sells ornaments inspired by St. Jude  patients artwork. 100% of the proceeds benefit St. Jude . Not only am I a huge fan of St. Jude  but I love children's artwork and think these are some of the happiest ornaments!

Also, some years I can find St. Jude  wrapping paper! I couldn't find any this year but the wrapping paper also shows off the art work of the patients with the proceeds going to St. Jude

John Lennon's, So This is Christmas and Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Cannon are my favorite Christmas tunes!

Photo my own.
Christmas tree shots have such depth! All trees are different but the varying shapes, colors and textures add such warmth and cheerfulness to the room.

Happy Holidays everyone!!

Hardware - cabinet jewelry

If a face lift for your kitchen or bath is among the items on your wish list this holiday season, consider new hardware....

Photo from Top Knob's website.
Can we say BLINGGGG?!

Hardware is a quick and effective way to liven up your kitchen or bath. Whether you are replacing existing hardware or adding hardware to cabinets that had none, pulls and knobs can really set the stage for the style of your space.

For example, take the two kitchens shown below. Both feature white cabinetry but notice how the hardware choices made each space undeniably different.

Photo from google search.
The long sleek handles add an industrial contemporary feel to the space.

Photo from google search.
While this kitchen is still sleek the cup pulls and simple knobs add a shaker vibe to the space.

When it comes to hardware there are tons of choices in all different shapes, sizes and colors plus you don't have to spend a fortune on it! Visit your local kitchen and bath showroom to see the latest trends in hardware or visit stores such as Restoration Hardware, Target and Home Depot for more affordable options.

Things to consider:

• If you are updating cabinets that already had hardware it is important to be aware of your existing hole placement. A knob is typically an easy fit but pulls can get tricky. Pulls come in a lot of different sizes; the size you are most concerned with is the CC or center to center dimension. You CAN fill existing holes with putty and drill new holes but this is not advisable; it's time consuming and more times that not the hole can be disguised but is not completely gone. 

• Like jewelry to any outfit it's important the hardware compliments the other elements in the room and does not fight them.  Consider the style and finish of the surrounding fixtures particularly the faucets, lighting and sink. 

Styles I'm digging right now:

Photo from Top Knobs website.
Latch pulls are cool because they add interest to a cabinet while complimenting a lot of different styles.

Photo from Richelieu's website.
These are just so fun, funky and fabulous!

 





Photo from Hardware Resources website.
This pull has great lines and is pretty transitional in style.





Tis the season for giving so why not give your space some bling!

Heat up your space with personal warmth

If it's happened to me once it's happened to me 100 times - I walk into a house or a room and really love the space but can't put my finger on the exact reason. The space speaks to me but I don't know why.

Recently I read a quote from Vogue's Book of Etiquette which states, "Personal warmth is the most appealing element in any room and nothing--elegance, drama,enormous expenditure--can take its place...it is the sum total of many things, all of which indicate that people really live in a room, and do not merely pass through it."

This really made sense to me. Personal warmth IS the ingredient that sets a space apart. Whether the room or home is your personal style or not doesn't matter, personal warmth enables a room to evoke feelings of happiness, contentment and appreciation.

So, I started thinking....if personal warmth is the goal, what better time to get started on this approach in your own home than right now. The holidays are the perfect time to add and experience personal warmth.  This time of year homes are filled with warmth and personal touches almost without even meaning to be.

Here are some examples:

This is the living room at my parents house.
Please notice the SEVEN stockings on the mantle, one for every human family member and one for the two dogs and a bird!

 It is the personal and sentimental elements that contribute heavily to a rooms personal warmth. In the photograph above it's hard to see but the coolest elements in this room comes from what's ON the tree....

Homemade ornaments. Some of which date back over 20 years!

This tree is at my Grandma's house.
My cousins and I made almost every ornament and decoration on the tree by hand. It's the most cheerful thing in the entire room bursting with thoughtfulness and love.

A closer look at some of the homemade ornaments.

....

They say love is in the details and I believe this is true. It's not about how much money you spend, sometimes the most beautiful, warm and intriguing spaces are full of those things that can't be bought.

All photographs are by Lori Foster

Spotted - Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine

Check out this month's issue of Atlanta home improvement magazine , I'm featured along with the other 2011 Calla Award winners on page 15. Too cool!

Also on page 15 is a write up about Mariel Hemingway's appearance at the Cambria Color Launch Party. Great event - Models walked the "runway" between the new slabs of Cambria wearing dresses inspired by the new colors.

Photo from my phone.

Me and fellow designer Holly Hill Floyd with Mariel Hemingway.