Thinking Spring

If you're like me you didn't even realize Easter was coming up because it still practically feels like winter outside!  But here it is upon us despite the weather, so we may as well make it feel like spring inside our homes.  Here are some of my favorite traditional Easter tablescape ideas from Pottery Barn.  The essentials:  a few ceramic bunnies, some spring blooms (whether it's silk or real), and some beautiful pastel linens.  If this doesn't make you think spring I guess we'll just have to wait for those tulips to actually start blooming.  It's bound to happen one of these days! 

I'm liking how they used table runners going crosswise here instead of the long way of the table.

Antique and Garden Show 2011

I had such a wonderful time this weekend at the Antique and Garden show at the Chicago Botanic Garden.  I never knew how much I was drawn to antiques until I started checking out these shows and flea markets and have fallen in love with them!

I take after my grandmother in my love for birds!  Cast iron Japanese Cranes from the amazing Kimball & Bean Antiques

6 Chinese export painting of birds, 19th century from Phoebe Booth Antiques LLC

I'm afraid I don't have more info. on this guy but he's from Kimball & Bean Antiques

The peacock trend continues!  Even in antique and garden pieces

I truly would have loved to buy these adorable 1950s stools.  They are made tall enough to work at a table and ultra comfortable on top of being incredibly chic.  Also with original silk fabric!  You must check out more from Linda Elmore Antiques here.

Revival Chippendale in Chinoserie toile from Baker Furniture Co. Circa 1950-60.  This was shown at the Federalist Antiques booth, and if you saw this fabric in person you would see it is the most striking green.  Absolutely gorgeous.

These stunning 20th century Japanese table lamps are made from bronze and rosewood and can be found at Crescent Worth Art & Antiques

Green Moroccan glass lamps

I can't resist these things!

Rural artifact from a 19th century stable in Northern Indiana (from Kimball & Bean Antiques)

Pair of 19th Century cast iron horse head hitching posts (Kimball & Bean Antiques)

Loved this painting

A rather creepy looking couple of faces but I rather love this architectural component

Marilyn Draper from Thistle. Art and Antiques rescued this piece from a 1910 Chicago home that was being torn down.

This fabulous table was put together using springs and other pieces from antique farm equipment.  How creative is that to envision a table from those pieces.

Last but not least I have a few images from the Botanic Gardens.  FYI all of the Antique dealers I have mentioned are located in Chicago.  If you missed the show be sure to check out their websites to find out where they'll be next or to visit their Chicago showrooms. 

Hope you had a lovely weekend and happy Monday!

Dream Home 2011 is Here!

Yes folks, Dream Home 2011 is here!  Check it out at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.  It runs from April 15th all the way until December.  I love to check it out each year as it features rooms designed by local Chicago interior artists.  I apologize for my dreadful i-phone pictures.  Normally they are so much better, but came out kind of dark and blurry today.  Below are a few of my favorites.

It seems every year the foyer is my ultimate favorite.  Maybe it's because you can be really fun with a foyer and decorate it any way you please.  Last year one of my favorite designers, Summer Thornton, designed the foyer in a look that made me think of the amazing Alice in Wonderland.  This year it just happens to be another of my favorite designers, Julia Buckingham Edelman, has designed the foyer.

The inspiration for her foyer is a period Parisian apartment.  There is a major diversity of textures in this room.  The walls are covered in a leather wallcovering on top and a Lee Jofa embossed wallcovering on the bottom portion.  Plus silk chairs, Flokati pillow, mahogany sculptures, and even clam shell sconces. 

Overall the look throughout seemed to be lots of neutral colors, tons of texture, and all mixed with bright modern art pieces.  I loved it, but would have liked to see a lot more color throughout.

One of my favorite pieces is this Holly Hunt Gwaltney Abstract Art

My other favorite piece, this Tony Duquette Center Table

Love the Flokati pillow paired with this rustic bench

This beautiful vignette was designed by Michael Abrams

Again part of Michael Abram's designed bedroom

Part of the dressing room designed by Luca Lanzetta

A beautiful piece of furniture in the Snaidero Chicago designed kitchen

This is just a small sampling of pictures from the rooms.  I hope you get the chance to check it out and be inspired!

Three Day Weekend

This is what I plan to do this weekend, which is already starting Friday for me!  Just relaxing and checking out the Antique and Garden show, which will definitely have some pieces similar to what's shown here.  If only it were going to be warm enough to wear an outfit like this!  Happy weekend all.

Chicago Botanic Garden Antique & Garden Fair Weekend!

It is that time of year again!  It is beginning to truly feel like spring one of my favorite times of the year in Chicago.  It is hard to believe that I started this blog just over a year ago and had a post on the Chicago Botanic Garden Antique & Garden Fair for 2010.  You can see it here.  

It was one of my favorite events of the year and I'm still kicking myself for not buying the adorable owl planter that I found at one of the booths. 

I will be heading back this weekend to scout out some new amazing finds and maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll find that owl and get it this time!  I'm sure the tulips will be blooming, so you just shouldn't miss it!  If you have the opportunity to get there it's from 10:00 - 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.  For more info. be sure to check out their website!

Dining Room Love

This is my all time favorite dining room decor I have ever seen.  It is designed by David Bromstad from HGTV's Color Splash.  The show used to be based out of San Francisco and is now in Miami.  This episode was from one of the seasons done in San Francisco, which I personally preferred the show back then.  It was more down to earth and it seemed the crew had more fun.  The whole room was really designed around the home owners collection of antique china given to them by a grandmother.  The dishes were this beautiful coral, black, and turquoise color that was just stunning.  The wall color was a bit more pink in tone than what the picture shows.  This room really has influenced my design style immensely.  It's the first time I fell in love with the combination of rustic farm table mixed with very modern chairs.  I love the buffet table, which Bromstad bought as an antique and painted.  The chandelier mixed with the rustic brick fireplace is amazing.  I love how they built a wine rack into the nook beside the fireplace.  You can't really tell here, but the fireplace mantle he added is acrylic to tie in with the dining chairs.  The opposite side of the room had a built in shelving unit that displayed the beautiful antique china.  Best of all, I think, is the painting Bromstad did of their dog!  I really LOVE the candelabras on the table and have no idea where they are from.  Anyone know?  I believe the top portion of the wall and ceiling were painted in black as well.  I hope this room inspires you as much as it did me.  If I find a clip of the episode I will post it for you.  Happy Friday all!