hgtvdesignstarisback

HGTV Design Star is back. 

Unfortunately, the design shows aren't.

HGTV Design Star hosts (LtoR) David Bromstad,
Genevieve Gorder, Vern Yip, and Sabrina Soto.

Our current HGTV line up consists of House Hunters, House Hunters, and – for a little variety – House Hunters International. 

Okay, that's a little bit of an overstatement. There's also Love It or List It marathons interspersed between HH and HHI. At this point, we're ready to list it. 

What would make us love it? It's not hard to figure out. Where's Genevieve Gorder or Sarah Richardson?  Maybe they've moved on and you need ideas for new shows. Here are a few of ours: 

• Tommy Smythe, Sarah Richardson's trusty sidekick, needs to kick it up a notch with his own show. 
• Going Once, Twice, Sold! – rooms designed using only online auctions like One Kings Lane, Joss & Main, Gilt, eBay, Craiglists or etsy. Think of the advertisers!
• JCPerfect! – A JC Penny sponsored design show that showcases their new home store. No one would mind the corporate takeover with winning designs from Jonathan Adler, Design by Conran and Michael Graves. 
• Pantone – A show that teaches and entertains about color trends, moods, cultural influences, etc. 

Come on HGTV...bring back design as well as Design Star! 

gamechangers

Ever think about how to make your home more enjoyable?  We have. Here are a few ideas – both high and low: 
______________________________________________________________________

A CLEAN HOUSE: 
Learn to enjoy your home instead of cleaning it (or feel bad about watching another episode of RHOXX instead of cleaning it). Since guilt and enjoyment rarely live in the same house, we have two easy answers: 

          LOW: Dimmer switch          HIGH: Cleaning service               

Dimmer switches can be your BFF. The soft light can cast a clean glow over your house and...bonus...you. – OR –  If you have the bucks, spring for some spring cleaning all year long. 
______________________________________________________________________

PITCH BLACK SLEEPING QUARTERS: 
Don't dismiss the value of sleeping in a pitch black room. I discovered it recently when my neighbor discovered outdoor security lighting (aka "the sun in incandescent form"). 

       LOW: Sleeping Mask       HIGH: Blackout curtain liners        

Holly Golightly knew the value of a good mask. We love Mary Green's masks. They are light weight yet big enough to block out the strongest light. – OR – spring for blackout lining on your curtains. 

Bottom line – most game changers aren't about aesthetics. They're about comfort. They take more creativity than they do cash. Try it. You'll see the difference is day and night...literally with a good sleep mask. 

thisissouthernliving

If you've ever uttered the phrase "This is living" during a showcase home tour, a visit to Taylor, MS will have you saying "This is the Southern Living." 

In 2008, Southern Living built the Taylor Creek Idea House just outside Oxford, MS. The idea house is now available as a VRBO rental, which we had the chance to enjoy this past weekend. Check it out if you have a chance. If not, here are a few of our favorite ideas from this Idea House:

2008 Southern Living Idea House Exterior

I love the mix of brick and wood in the foyer. 

The wall of built-ins and fireplace is always a good idea.

The living room is open to the dining room and kitchen.
I don't really like red, but love the red chairs. 

For me, the kitchen is the crowning glory of the house.
The color combination of the Viking appliances, the
grey/green cabinets, and the marble that picks up
both hues is smart and sophisticated. 

A bar is tucked under the stairs. The woodwork and
built-ins throughout the house add depth and interest
to the most unassuming nooks. 

The guest bath is another example of a
 simple mix of textures. 

 The use of an old wooden dresser top at the
back entrance adds history to a new house.

As you head upstairs, the banister greets you with
an elegant curve. 

Each room greets you with old pine doors
stripped of their finish, but with layers of warmth. 

My second favorite room is the bunk house.
The simple beds are twinspired.

Dual sinks and heated floors ensures
the warmth is extended to the inside
of the master bath.

there'sanapforthat

A nap following Thanksgiving is as American as, well, Thanksgiving. With your patriotic duty on the line, why wait until the last minute to plan the perfect perch? Here are a few of our favorite carb-loaded, cozy corners: 

Perfect perch from the 2012 Ultimate Beach House
from Coastal Living in Rosemary Beach, Florida.

This tent and book combo from Something Blond blog are
as hypnotic as a turkey tryptophan trip. 

Nap Parisian style

A triple threat of quiet, simple, and the afternoon sun.

The layered mattresses reminds us of the Princess and the Pea. 
We couldn't find a credit for this room, but we think
it looks like Kathryn Ireland. She is a fantastic designer
and star of Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators.

hotfireplacedesign
The weather is turning cold which means its time to turn it up inside. Here are a few of our favorite fireplaces to help you keep warm this season.

If James Bond and Grizzly Adams were to design a
fireplace together, this would be it. The contrast of the
modern, minimal fireplace works well with the rustic stacked wood.

This fireplace is courtesy of Greige Design. There are so many things
to love about this space. One of our favorites is the stunning
repetition of shape between the fire andirons and the wall millwork. 

If Grace Kelly were a fireplace, this would be her.
Ladylike, elegant, and enviable. 

This space is by Darryl Carter. He is a master at
minimal traditional. How does he do it? If most of us
attempted this room it would simply look unfinished.
If you're interested in more design by Darryl Carter,
check out his book The New Traditional.

Another brilliant and understated execution by Darryl Carter. 

An amazing fireplace wall by interior designer Paige Schnell of
Tracery Interiors in Mountain Brook Alabama. Wow!

Last, but not least, the fireplace in the movie
An Affair to Remember. While Cary Grant and
Deborah Kerr are falling in love, we fell in love with
the fireplace in Deborah Kerr's apartment. You can see
just a hint of it in this photo. Check it out next time you run across it.