Room Redesign.

I decided to redecorate my bedroom at my parents house in Hayesville, North Carolina. I have been staying there a lot lately and decided it needed refreshing. I did not even think to take before pictures,I was just so ready to get started on the project! I had Chinese red lacquered walls that took days to sand down. Then I added several coats of primer and three coats of Sherwin Williams Aloof Gray. The bedding is from the Martha Stewart Trousseau Collection. Next I got out to hit the local consignment, thrift and antique stores. Here are the results so far.


I found a great yellow ceramic lamp at a thrift store and added a black fabric shade from Wal-Mart. The commode came from the Reach thrift store in Hayesville. All it needed was a coat of paint. Sherwin Williams Caviar.

I found this great frame also at the Reach thrift store. It got a quick coat of white gloss spray paint. I loved my apple and rose arrangement so much, I created one for my bedroom.

I found this awesome chandelier at a consignment furniture store in Young Harris, Georgia. Third Time Around. I left the shade distressed and yellow, but painted the lighting portion a matte black.

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I got this great little black table at Wal-Mart as well. The concrete planter came from the Antique Tobacco Barn in Asheville, North Carolina. The topiary was a great find at the local Ingles Supermarket. The floor to ceiling gauzy white curtain panels came from Ikea and the simple black rods were also from Wal-Mart.

My room was starting to have a very Parisian feel. I really love the herringbone pattern hardwood floors, famous in so many french apartments. I decided to recreate this effect in some art. I hand painted the pattern in yellow and dark grey, then added a crest and monogram to add some personalization. I think the result was very Lavish.

I found this great mirror at an estate sale. It only needed a new mirror insert, the frame was in amazing condition. The candle sconces were another thrift store find. I purchased a white crocodile tray to keep all of my objects in, and a bowl from my great-grandmothers Chinese porcelain collection serves as a catch-all. I added a simple table lamp, from Wal-Mart. It is set off by a carved gazelle my grandparents brought back from Africa, and my childhood silver piggy bank. The prints, by Gustav Klimt, were just brought back to me from my parents trip to Austria.

I found this amazing dresser at Christian Love Ministries thrift store, in Young Harris, Georgia. It was already black and distressed and for thirty dollars, was my favorite find!

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I needed some simple art for the wall opposite my bed. I found these great frames also at Wal-Mart, kept the mats, and then attached sheet music to black poster board to frame inside the mats.

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And lastly, to pay a little respect for the city which I started to draw inspiration, I found these great framed prints of Paris at Molly and Me, one of my favorite stores in Hayesville. They have great ornate frames and the simple greys, greens, browns and brick tones really add a simple touch to finish off my room.

A true Lavish affair.

While working for Dutchmans Designs, I was able to help create many Lavish affairs. One of my absolute favorites that I was able to do a lot of the floral work for, was Joy Duongs' wedding. It took place at The Farm at Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, North Carolina. The wedding was featured in Elegant Bride Magazine. It was a romantic botanical theme in green and yellow. Photography by Lacour.

The center pole in the tent was flanked by two of Stephanie's wrought iron trees. The trees were strung with twinkle lights and, flowers and votives were suspended from the branches. Huge yellow paper lanterns were hung over the dance floor and yellow drum shades provided a modern elegance over the individual tables. The cords of the lighting were wrapped with cream and yellow silk fabric that was easily stapled to create a cord cover.


The problem with a huge tent, is the main pole in the middle, often times, stands out. Our solution was to weave grape vines from the top to the bottom and then weave in dried hops to create a hanging garden effect. It was this day I discovered I was allergic to hops and scared of heights. Hanging from a twenty foot ladder on your tip toes to wrap a pole can really help you learn this very quickly.

The tree was hung with tons of votive candles and white dendrobium orchids. It created a beautiful and enchanting centerpiece for the whole tent.

One of my favorite projects was creating the initials for the barn doors. We took oasis foam and placed in tiny stems of hydrangeas to create a J and C (for the groom Charles). These simple initials had a huge impact on an otherwise looked over area, the barn doors leading out to the tent.

The centerpieces were so stunning. Roses, Phlox, Freesia and Viburnum create a beautiful harmony in yellows and green.

A true Lavish affair.

A Lavish wedding at Biltmore Lake.

One of my best friends from college, Rebecca Redwine, was married on June 27, 2009, at Biltmore Lake Club in Asheville, North Carolina. Having worked with me at Dutchmans Designs in Highlands, North Carolina, Rebecca new right away that she wanted a very natural, and almost rustic design for her wedding. She wanted to incorporate a lot of ferns and greenery into her designs, and to really create a Lavish, simple effect.

The wedding took place right on the lake, and these shepard hooks with hanging flower arrangements, perfectly framed the ceremony. The arrangements are made from white and blue larkspur, purple stock, green hydrangeas, queen anne's lace, and plenty of ferns.

The tall vases were placed on the food tables, elevated above the buffet. The arrangements are made from cream roses, white fuji giant mums, green fuji giant mums, white alstroemeria, baby's breath and ferns.

The small bubble bowls were placed on the bars and on the high-boy tables. Hosta leaves wrap the inside of the bowls and the arrangements include white fuji giant mums, cream roses, and white alstroemeria. Very Lavish.

The Lavish table arrangements were created in a custom-made twig vase. We took PVC pipe, capped it off and sealed it to make it waterproof. Twigs were then hot glued to the PVC and saw to correct height. A simple white shear ribbon tied into a bow added a look of elegance to the rustic vase. The arrangements were made with blue hydrangea, cream roses, white fuji giant mums, green fuji giant mums, white alstroemeria, and baby's breath. The arrangements also included plenty of ferns.

Several large, Lavish arrangements, like this one on the guestbook table, were scattered. The arrangements included large numbers of cream roses and white alstroemeria.

We created initials for Rebecca and Clint out of oasis floral foam. We then wired on moss create the perfect Lavish effect in a rustic elegance. The initials hung from sheer ribbon of lanterns in the clubhouse. Many of the above photo's came from Terrie Gerolimatos of Callia Photography. Her skills are amazing and she was kind enough to send me pictures of my work to add to my portfolio. Overall it was an amazing event. A beautiful wedding on the shores of the lake and an excellent reception divided between a romantically lit tent, an amazing stone terrace, and the beautiful interiors of the clubhouse. Rebecca's wedding was a true example of how simplicity and rustic can translate into elegance. How Lavish.

Lavish Lamps.

I love to get out and go to antique, thrift, and consignment stores. You would be surprised at all the Lavish things you can find for great prices. One of my favorite stores to frequent is Molly and Me, on the square in Hayesville, North Carolina. They have an excellent selection of antiques, inexpensive home accessories, as well as a wide variety of consignment objects ranging from old and quirky to modern. Recently, while shopping, I stumbled across a great pair of antique table lamps. The lamps are a sculpted metal in a perfect green. They have superb carved details and even came with the original matching finials. No clue on the age or make, however, they scream Parisian to me.

The lamps, including the harp, stand over three feet tall.

The carved detailing is absolutely amazing and continues all the way up the lamps.

I think the natural fibers of these black, linen lamp shades will contrast well with the carved, metal posts of the lamps. All it takes is a little digging around and some creative contrast and you can have an excellent set of lamps, for an amazing price. Lavish Lamps. Sante.

Snooty brands at Savvy prices? How Lavish.

Savvy Snoot, continually voted one of Atlanta's top consignment stores, is a true Lavish experience. With an ever changing selection of furniture and accessories, and two easy locations in Atlanta, Savvy Snoot is like a treasure hunt every time you come in.


West Side Urban Market 1187 Howell Mill Road Atlanta, GA 30318 Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm 404.355.1399

Historic Alpharetta 30 North Main Street Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm 770.442.1315

Owner, Marty Mason, looks to consign great pieces from well know designers, as well as beautiful found objects. He encourages consignment pieces, and aspires a going green aspect with reusing unwanted furniture, a true adage to "one mans trash is another mans treasure." At Savvy Snoot, consignment is the new recycling.

They have an amazing website, and in addition to the consignment locations, offer design services.

Stop in to look at some great finds like these end tables I am eyeing for myself!

Savvy Snoot...how Lavish. Sante.