guest blogger: mari of design shuffle

Hi all! It's Mari and I write as guest blogger for Design Shuffle, a fantastic social networking site for interior designers, architects, design professionals and enthusiasts to upload their work and receive lots of exposure. I love my work because I get to explore the beautiful world of interior design every day and then write about it, along with the great decorating ideas I discover along the way.†I'm so excited to be here at The Willows {blog} today. As you know, there's always something very interesting going at The Willowsóand everyone feels so welcome.

Let's talk about a subject near and dear to the hearts of many of you--vintage suitcases. We're already hooked and can't get enough of these intriguing pieces. They carry with them tales of yesteryear and bygone travel adventures. From our admittedly biased point of view, they add a historical feel, a sense of mystery and simply "belong" in any room. See what you think. We hope you enjoy these beautiful ways to decorate with vintage suitcases.

First Lady of the House (via)

Stacked to the ceiling in the corner of a traditional living room, this is an enviable collection of vintage suitcases. A great conversation starter!

Eclectic Revisited (via)

Vintage suitcases also work well in pale Swedish or French Country rooms. Don't they look wonderful next to the grouping of hatboxes beneath this antique work bench?

French Larkspur (via)

Small pieces can also be used to great effect with other found objects and a bouquet fresh of flowers like this one casually arranged in a galvanized metal container.

Vintage Junky (via)

Another fabulous stack of vintage suitcases reaching almost to the ceiling looks really stunning in this entry and hallway. Think of all the extra storage they provide. Good looking decorative element and great functionalityóa perfect pairing.

Decorology (via)

A stylish display of luggage is an inspired choice to go with this "world traveler" vignette. Perhaps a bit more modern than many of the rooms we're looking at today, but definitely one of the living room ideas to remember.

A Beach Cottage (via)

Regardless of which direction your bedroom design is going, vintage suitcases just might fit right in. White painted luggage makes a unique and functional bedside table in this eclectic bedroom.

SF Girl by Bay (via)

This totally personal and unique collection of cases is as eclectic as its surroundings. Think of the fun someone had searching for and finding those vintage treasures.

Design Happens (via)

And one last stack of vintage suitcases reminds us that the bedroom is always a great place to show off such a collection. And yes, they do seem to "belong" in this cozy and inviting room.


This post comes courtesy of Design Shuffle, where you can find top tier interior designs from around the world ñ from New York interior designers, Los Angeles interior designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.

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Sadly Neglected

Is it just me, or about this time of the summer season, no matter what you do container plants seem to whither up and die?

Witness, the two container plants by my front door.

Well, I will admit, that they were not watered for a week, while I was in Florida helping my niece paint her cabinets.  They were sadly neglected :-(

Since we have two more months of summer weather here in NC, I decided to replace them with something new.  Not quite fall like, but the taller grasses will blend in with mums later, in October.

Much better, don't you think?

Welcome Home,

Penny



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Sadly Neglected

Is it just me, or about this time of the summer season, no matter what you do container plants seem to whither up and die?

Witness, the two container plants by my front door.

Well, I will admit, that they were not watered for a week, while I was in Florida helping my niece paint her cabinets.  They were sadly neglected :-(

Since we have two more months of summer weather here in NC, I decided to replace them with something new.  Not quite fall like, but the taller grasses will blend in with mums later, in October.

Much better, don't you think?

Welcome Home,

Penny



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Behind the blogger...meet Amy from Martineau Vermillion!

Good morning!I Very happy to present Amy from Martineau Vermillion design blog. I was so excited to get to know the uber talented Amy from Martineau Vermillion designs. She is such an interesting, kind and intelligent person. Amy, who has been a designer for 18 years is based in Charlotte but her amazing projects take her all over the world.  When she isn't traveling the globe and designing private planes (she has done her share and has shared those incredible projects with us on her blog), she is working on other fabulous projects through her namesake design firm. I met Amy through blog world and so enjoy visiting her blog knowing that I am guaranteed to learn something, see something inspirational or be totally engaged in whatever random subject she might be posting on. She has a unique way to combining the history of something, and making it current and interesting and captivating. Her intelligence and insight shine through loud and clear in her blog. I so enjoyed her interview and getting to know her a bit better, these interviews allow us to see the person behind the blog and she did not disappoint and in fact I am more in awe and impressed with her than before I did this! Do stop by to say hello to Amy if you aren't already a fan. 
Thank you Amy for participating, click on header below to visit Amy's blog!

So....... what inspired you to start blogging in the first place?   I've been an interior designer for 20 years (I started when I was twelve- wink) and friends, acquaintances and clients have always told me they would love to "come with me" on my travels, jobs and weird adventures.  Bravo hasn't called so I blog instead.  (You know I'm kidding, right?)   HGTV called (for real) but I couldn't get away.

How did you come up with your blog name?  Well, it's my business name...Martineau Vermillion Interior Design, because I thought that would be pretty self explanatory.  Don't think I didn't want something snappy like, "Design Meringue- a Little Extra on Top" because I did.  (I was advised against it- dang!)

Do you have a favorite all time movie?  I've been asked this a million and one times and I can never answer with authenticity.  I have a favorite drama, a favorite comedy etc.  I know...just give us an answer AMY!  Anything directed by Frank Capra makes me smile...."You Can't Take It With You" is pretty great.

You get to spend a month in the European  countryside.....is it Italy or France? I'm assuming I get to pick the part of the country too.  So I pick the Amalfi Coast/countryside in Italy.  The light there is transcendent, the piccoline olives are alone worth the flight and the water in the Blue Grotto (Capri) simply cannot be that color, really.  

Favorite meal? If we are speaking to a specific meal....L'Antica Trattoria (Sorrento, Italy 2005) and Stella (New Orleans 2010).  Both were 7 course tastings with my husband and the evenings were magical.  Lots of laughter.  We love to explore new foods together.

Tell us as little or as much as you want to about your family.  I am married to a seriously great guy (Mr. V) and we have a funny, joyful three year old daughter who I refer to in my blog as Sweetbeans. I could NEVER run at the pace that I do (traveling with clients, late nights in the office etc) without Mr. V.  We have a terrific partnership and he truly is my port in the storm.  Without his sense of humor and my Sweetbeans' tight hugs I would lose it some days.  I have a beautiful, old girl named Digby who has been faithfully sitting at my feet for over 14 years.  She has kidney failure and cancer but still likes to chase squirrels and eats like a champ.  

If you could have any career what would it be? I am blessed to say I have it.  Interior Design has been my thing since I was a kid and I always knew I wanted to be a designer.  I used to rearrange my doll house with odd items that weren't doll furniture...A souvenir globe filled with green water and floating seahorses from the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago was used for my dolls' cocktail table.  So my parents knew I would either own a pawn shop or be an interior designer.  I have a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and am a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, ASID.

Favorite design style?  Umm, do I have a favorite?  No.  Terrible answer.  I love a lot of things from different periods. If I say I like Art Deco then all of the sudden people get nervous thinking their whole house is going to be a Jean Michel Frank rip off with accents of Miami Vice. That being said, I like to mix a sleek lacquered table with an 18th Century commode. I like layered interiors that look good on the client.  The biggest compliment I ever received as a designer (besides "thank you") was when a potential client told me she had been to dinner parties at two of my clients houses and they looked nothing alike.  She couldn't believe I had worked on both projects.  Yes, she hired me.  She said, "I can't wait to see what mine will look like!"    

If you could only live in one color what would it be? At the moment---a warm greige.  Light stone is infinitely appealing to me...it's calm and seems to work with everything.  Sometimes I need a color break after being surrounded by it all day.

Spring in the South- It's not stifling and the breeze is almost always scented with something blooming...confederate jasmine, cherry blossoms...It's enchanting..  

Design icon? William Haines, Celerie Kemble, Suzanne Rheinstein, Jan Showers, Alexa Hampton

One place you haven't been that you want to visit- Thinking about India...My twin brother lives there and the Taj Mahal is on my bucket list.  We are going to try to do some hiking in Nepal in the Himalayas.  Anyone who knows me is laughing right now.

What's your number one pet peeve? Lying and mean people.  I guess that's two.  They seem to go together.

Do you have a favorite saying or quote? To thine own self be true

What are the two best things about blogging? I research things that interest me and I blog about them.  Whether it's a book, a time in history, a specific architectural style, cultural phenomenon etc, I like to find "stuff" out.  Also, I get to post some behind the      scenes aspects of my projects.  Some projects and clients require discretion…the photographs are never shown or blogged about unfortunately.  I have also "met" some lovely people and have made some connections with new clients and vendors.

 You get to have a private dinner with any two people in the world, they can be from the fashion, design world, literary world, Hollywood, politics,etc....your choice. Who are the lucky two? My great grandfather who was the window dresser and interior designer for Marshall Fields on State Street in Chicago.  Anyone familiar with old Chicago remembers the tradition of going downtown just to see the amazing window displays at Fields and Carson Pirie Scott. The design gene must run in my blood!  And my grandfather who was the libel lawyer/lead counsel for Time/Life magazine, the Chicago Tribune and Standard Oil among other companies…he was a genius litigator and a brilliant guy. Both of their insights about their professions and their lives in incredibly interesting times in Chicago would captivate me.  It makes me realize how truly important it is to pass down our family legacies and stories!

Most overrated trend right now? Well, I hate the contrived, merchandised, plastic look that seems to be creeping up everywhere- Hollywood Regency gone bad.  It looks like the bad design genie blinked it into existence from one store.  Ick.

Reading anything interesting that you want to share? This will be a total nerd alert for you:  I'm reading a book out of the Everyday Life In America Series, "Victorian America: Transformations in Everyday Life 1876-1915" by Thomas Schlereth.  It is pretty fascinating.  I think to be an effective interior designer, one must really understand how people live... historically as well as today.  This book is a snapshot of one of the most compelling times in American history...The Civil War was over, time zones were established, the industrial revolution "revolutionized" the way we do almost everything today and yet it was the beginning of people feeling overwhelmed and stressed over the pace of their lives.

You are 18 again. What do you do? It would be so much easier to tell you what I wouldn't do!  I was a bit of a wild child artist type for a bit.  Hey it was 1985!  All kidding aside, I'd like to go back in time and tell me to be a little kinder to myself.

What are your plans for the summer? I just returned from a beach trip with my twin brother, my sister and our families.  I needed a week to stick my toes in the South Carolina sand and be silly.  Also, I will be traveling to Florida to install a client's vacation home and of course working on projects here in Charlotte.  I have several photo shoots coming up.

In ten years I will be....................old...sort of.  Hopefully still designing and living this pretty cool life with the people I love.

If you could live anywhere on earth and money was no object where would you go? I'd have a house on a coast...probably South Carolina, I'd have a brownstone in Old Town, Chicago (my hometown) and I'd still live here in Charlotte.

Best tip or two for any new bloggers reading this.......Be yourself.  What is your unique perspective?  Doing posts strictly on what you think people want to read isn't necessarily going to make blogging enjoyable or successful.

Blogging to me is......._challenging   and  a surprising way to "meet" some really neat people!

Give me four words that describe your personality.  Creative, fun, loyal and thoughtful. 

And now a little recap on all about Amy.......

So how interesting does Amy sound? I was fascinated to learn more about her incredibly exciting life, and it seems she has such a contagious zest for living.....gotta love it! Do visit her blog if you aren't already familiar with it! Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a wonderful day!

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Sunday Showhouse, and you're invited!!

Happy Sunday to you! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Ours I must say has been pretty relaxing, so I am not complaining other than I wish we could press a pause button for summer. Anyone else feeling like its going by far too quickly? Right now it is pouring cats and dogs, but I am loving it, makes the perfect excuse to be inside and relax! On a side note, several left messages and emails about asking for a basic mood board tutorial(since I bragged in yesterdays post about finally being able to make one though it was super basic). Like you, I was intimidated and totally at a loss of where and how to begin. But I found a way, and the bigger surprise was that it was ridiculously easy! I would love to take more credit though so feel free to give it to me:) I will be posting a short how to on my Tuesday post, so stay tuned!!To me, summer getaways are the best, going near the water automatically transforms your mind, body and spirit. Today is all about escaping to dreamy vacation homes on the Northeast coast, think Bar Harbour, Nantucket, you get the picture! Gorgeous lake and ocean views, soft soothing color palettes, big open welcoming kitchens just begging for a dinner with family and friends, open and airy bedrooms with expansive views. Understated, getaway elegance at its best. Sound good? Yes to me too! So, sit back, relax and lets get away!
BAR HARBOUR, MAINE. This fabulous home was built to take maximum advantage of the water views from virtually every room.  I wish I could click my heels and be there right this very minute. It is perfection in my book, and the interiors do not disappoint. It is done so elegantly in a timeless understated fashion, but one that beckons you in, it feels so comfortable and livable. The setting is just incredible, with its own private beach, it is truly a small slice of heaven. What do you think  of this " as pretty as a picture" home?

Is this picture perfect or what? The setting is as pretty as a painting!

Here is where we would devour our nightly lobster dinners

Part of the elegant pantry in the kitchen, love the floors the cabinetry color

The views from every room are out of this world! Some fierce scrabble and chess games would go down here......

Love the openness of all the spaces

This is a room I would spend A LOT of quiet time in, reading 

This entrance is the ultimate welcome to a beautiful weekend on the water

The setting is majestic, pure and simple

Private, secluded, and serene......I will take it!

NANTUCKET, MASS. This fabulous enclave needs no introduction. Love the way this incredible home is situated on the water but has the luxury of a nice sized yard complete with beautiful pool. Every conceivable luxury is to be found here, but it is done in the low key Nantucket style for which they are famous. Windows for the most part are treated with simple window treatments to take full advantage of the water that surrounds them. A soothing palette of soft blues and whites dominate the house.  A great home for living and an even better home for entertaining! Come on in......

Love how the house is situated

Beautiful pool with waterfall on far side of the home

Your own private walkway to the beach.....

Pretty gleaming woods and lots of blue and white, perfect for this house!

Crisp, light and airy

An office with a view.....work wouldn't seem so bad from here

Casual light and airy open kitchen

Cozy TV room made for late night movies and midday matinees!

Simple but fresh and welcoming and the views brings it up a few notches!

Big open bathroom with lots of space and distant water views

This could come in handy!

And let me present the art gallery room, filled with all kinds of interesting sculptures (yes I know what an exercise room is, but that's how foreign they are to me..lol)

Beautiful vistas from the rooftop deck

MARTHAS VINEYARD,MASS. Last is this incredibly charming vacation home on the picturesque island of Marthas Vineyard. The interiors were done by Twanette Tharp, who resides in this charmer. This actually is two homes which she purchased and completely renovated soup to nuts. Perfectly perched right at the mouth of the harbor, this home gets the added bonus of getting to watch the ships, yachts and boats cruise in and out all day long.It is above all else, so relaxed looking.  Done in  a laid back but elegant nautical style, this is a home I would be happy to get away to!

Charming and understated

Ahhh, I can hear the seagulls and feel the rush of the harbor breeze now!

What a perfect spot to have your meals!

The two houses that comprise this charming compound

I would plant myself in those comfy chairs for the entire day with a view like that!

This to me, personifies elegant beach living

Three beautiful levels of outdoor spaces make this so wonderful, love the al fresco set up!

I wish I was packing my bags to head to one of these beauties now! Have a personal favorite? The first time I saw the first one, my heart skipped a beat. I couldnt' have it for a vacation house because I would never ever want to leave! So the third one would be a perfect little vacation place, not too big, really charming, amazing location, beautiful views and looks like it would be fairly low maintenance. The second one however is so light and airy and that view....hard to make a decision here! There is not a bad choice amongst them..all fabulous! How about you? Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!!

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An Evening With Smokey Robinson

Last night was a wonderful summer evening.  We went with friends to the Biltmore Estate to see Smokey Robinson perform.

We arrived a couple of hours early around 6PM and sat on the upper lawn in front of the estate and had a picnic of wine, cheese, salads and baguette.  Looking at the Chateau style home, I almost felt like I was back in France!  In the picture above at the very left you can see the stage structure that was put up in the South Terrace for the event.

Waiting for the concert to begin.  It was a little overcast so it is hard to see the mountains in the background.

Then the next thing you know, Smokey strolled out on stage looking very sexy (he is 71 years old!!).

He sounded just as wonderful as always and the show was amazing.

We are going back to the Biltmore Estate for another concert at the end of the month to see the Beach Boys.

Hope you are having a wonderful Summer Weekend!

Welcome Home,

Penny

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