Designer Spot Light.....Elaine Griffin

It's still Black History month and I am spot lighting another African American Interior Designer today. Today I would like to Spot light  Elaine Griffin. A Harlem based Interior designer and author of "Design Rule", she rules. A Yale educated native of Georgia she studied postgraduate at New York school of Interior Design. After working as a publicists in New York and Paris for nine years she switched gears and began her career in Interior Design at the office of architectural behemoth Peter. She is ranked as one of House Beautiful's top 100 American Designer. She has also appeared on design segments everywhere from the Today show to ABC's family bachelor pad, she even designed the Good Works Makeover for Oprah's O at Home. With all this work and experience under her belt she opened her own firm in 1999. I ran across a blog entry that Elaine wrote for Home Goods and became an instant fan. I'm dying to get my hands on her book design rules for a few pointers that you would never learn in school. In my eyes she is one of the best designers I have ran across. I'm really intrigued by the colors and textures she uses in her design pallets. Simply Beautiful.

Images courtesy of :Elaine Griffin

Valentines Day Fun......

Heart Candles and Message in a Bottle

Chocolate Wrapper with a Love Note

 Heart-Felt Bag

Cockscomb Valentine Wreath

Conversation Piece

I have to be honest and say that I'm not a big fan of Valentines Day. As a kid I loved it because you got to exchange cool cards with your friends at school, and maybe even get a balloon and teddy bear from one of the cute guys on campus. As I got older the hype kind of faded, when I became single the hype was just flat out gone. Maybe one day someone will revamp the joys of Valentines day for me. As for now I use it as a time to craft fun thing for the kids in my sons class. This weekend is your last chance to grab or craft up those last minute Valentines Day gifts. Over at Martha Stewart.com there are tons and I mean tons for great gift ideas to choose from. Martha pretty much has you covered for Valentines Day from A to Z. I actually saw a few dinner recipes that I would like to try. If you can't decide what to get that special someone, or just maybe a friend or family member Martha has plenty to choose from.

Images courtesy of : Martha Stewart.com

For You Shy Guys.....

A lot of people feel a little intimidated by color when it comes to decorating ,so they shy away from it. Well lucky for them Neutral colors are trending this year big time. Not that they have or every will go out of style, but they've gotten a nice make over. The easiest way to achieve a calm and sophisticated look is to use a neutral colors scheme . They tend to make a space feel clean and minimal. What are neutral colors exactly, well the consist of white, beige, taupe, and natural fibers. On the darker side of the family you can also go with different shades of brown, rust, and blacks. Neutral colors are great for mixing it up when you add in some texture. Every room in your home does not have to scream out I love color "like mines". If you are one of those cool, laid back, take a load off kind of people you can still achieve great design with minimal color. Here I give you a few great examples of just that.

Images courtesy of : Amdivia, Modize, Niken, On Home Design, Gullu.

Designer Spot Light.....

It's Black History Month and I want to take some time out every Friday this month to spot light an African American Interior Designer that I follow for inspiration. Today I would like to introduce you to Kim Myles of HGTV's "Myles of Style". I first learned about Kim while watching HGTV's "Design Star" as she was a contestant on the show. She went on to win the contest and become the first black women to earn her own show on the network. I was so excited for her when she won. I could not have been in the studio when they called out her name. I'm pretty sure I would have been politely escorted out for over excitement. So the back story on Kim is what really inspires me and keeps me motivated on my path to great design. As an adult she moved to New York city where she became a hairdresser and makeup artist. Her career took off and she decided to explore another passion of hers which was interior design. With no formal training she used her cities surroundings as inspiration  in her design style, which she would describe as "global urban elegance". You can catch Kim over at Essence.com giving out the best design tips on their Life, Style, and Design segment. 

Images courtesy of :Kim Myles.com

For the Wine Lovers, aka ME!

Im in the crafting mood today. While online looking at some very cute craft projects I ran across this one over at Under the Table and dreaming. How freaking (and I stress that's not the word I really want to use but it'll do for now) cute is this wine bag! If I have not said it enough I am a self proclaimed Wine-o and this adorable keepsake is right up my ally. I plan on making plenty of these little bags as gifts to give when I visit family and friends, because I always bring the wine (Don't judge me). Anyway if you are feeling a little crafty yourself there is a short tutorial on how to make them, just click the link above. I think I'll make a few to match my kitchen for some extra cute decor and handy wine holders. Happy Crafting everyone.

Peach Palace Preview......

Last weekend I flew out to Atlanta GA, to help one of my best friend in the whole wide world get a jump start on decorating her new place. The Peach Palace is what we have deemed it. When I walked in it was definitely a decorator dream, a blank canvas. Our goal for the weekend consisted of making the place feel a little more like home. We wanted to vamp up the bedroom with a bit of color and bring a warm welcoming feel to the space. "Hello"! The Living room area is such a large space that we are doing that a little at a time and she was leaving the country the very next weekend. On the top of her wish/to-do list was a work space. As a writer, she needed a work space that she would feel comfortable in for hours on end. "Live, Laugh, Love" is the model for here new Atlanta Home. Starting over in a new place (in life that is) sometimes you need to be reminded as to what it is all about. Why you are where you are in life at the time, and what you want out of it. The wall decals are located in a place where they are visible from almost every angle in the home. Okay, Okay, Okay I feel like I've already given up too much. Stay tuned for the big reveal once it's all said and done. 

An African Influence.......

Seeing as today is the start of Black History Month I thought I do something wild. This style of decor actually became popular around the 1890's when the British explored the Continent of Africa while on safari trails. While traveling they were impressed by many elements that now are key pieces to the style. The natural  elements, lush landscape, the big game hunts, and the unique tribal patterns were elements of design they had yet to experience. Being excellent craftsman they Incorporated natural element such as wood, bamboo, stone, leather, hide, and fur to created furniture pieces, candle stick holders, picture frames, artwork, and sculptures when they colonized in East Africa.  And a new design mixture was born. Today this style of decor is very popular and adored by those who have a love for nature and the African influence. I've always been a fan of the color scheme that ties it all together, the browns, tans, oranges, and yellows work really well together. The tribal patterns in the pictures above have definitely sparked my interest.


Images courtesy of: Home Design Zone, Patterns and Textures, Passion Decor,Zimbio