Ashton South End

While I was in Charlotte at the Custom Home Furnishings Academy I stayed at The Ashton. It is a luxury high rise in the heart of the historic South End district – an unprecedented $2.3 billion mixed-use redevelopment. A vibrant and emerging pedestrian, yet transit-friendly neighborhood. South End is home to Charlotte’s most desirable galleries, design studios, boutiques and restaurants, and just minutes from Uptown’s Bank of America Stadium and Time Warner Cable Arena.


Ashton mixes classic design with upbeat modernism. It’s an emerging “it” spot – the ideal locale for the urban sophisticate who thrives on energy and seeks out the unique and intriguing.


The kitchen was gorgeous. We made a fabulous dinner complete with corn on the cob Paula Dean style, slathered in mayo and rolled in parmesan cheese..... yum !
The dining room looked out over downtown. It was really pretty at night.

Custom Home Furnishings Academy

This weekend I attended classes at the Custom Home Furnishings Academy in Charlotte, NC. www.CFHacademy.com It began as a drapery school 10 years ago and now offers classes in sewing, upholstery, installation and business classes.

I took these photos of samples window treatments at the school while I was there. Adding trim and fringe can make such a difference in the look of a valance.
This one had all the bells and whistles..... The top is arched and goblet pleated. There is bullion fringe on the bottom and as you raise the shade the bottom arches as well. They had hundreds of samples on display, these are just a few. Enjoy ! I ran across this poem and thought it was cute...

A Well Dressed Window
By: Christine Trebendis

Many Clients want advice
To cozy up their home.
And often all it really needs......
A well dressed window to set the tone.

It frames your view of the outside world
And will impact the room's decor.
For many a dramatic focal point.
The "wow" when you walk through the door.

So many styles to choose from;
Whether valance, swag or jabot.
To be combined with panels, shades or blinds;
Beautiful together or even alone.

Layers upon layers of fabric;
Blanket your home in warmth and style.
Your room will have that finishing touch;
To sit down and stay awhile.

If you're lacking in the talent
To create this on your own.
Check out the internet or yellow pages.
It's time----pick up the phone.

Tree Wall Decal

Well, 6-7 hours later we think we're finished with the cherry blossom tree decal. There are about 700 individual flowers stuck on there. The first pic has the flash on and the second has the flash off. The last pic is the other side of the room, I'm trying to decide if I should put a chocolate brown fluer de lis between the windows. They sent one in with my order...... I guess they knew it was my birthday ! What do you think ?

Wall Decal

I had a wall in my bedroom that desperately needed something. I thought about getting some canvases and unleashing my inner artist but I decided against that. So, after searching the internet I found this cherry blossom tree at Dali Decals. I received my birthday wall decal in the mail yesterday and we went straight to work after dinner. My sweetie helped me with the installation, it is a 2 person job.
I choose a matte chocolate brown for the trunk and a metallic silver for the flowers and leaves. You can have it made in any color you like. This is not finished yet because it only has about half of the 500 individual, yes I said individual, flowers and leaves. Tonight we will finish putting the rest of them on and I will post the final pic tomorrow. I am loving it so far !

How to make a fabric headboard

I love making headboards upholstered in fabric. These headboards are in a house in Palm Beach that I did last summer. You can make them tailored, feminine or fun and funky depending on the fabric and the shape.

1. Once you have chosen your fabric you can decide on the shape and height. I always make them 2" wider than the mattress.
2. Get plywood and cut out the shape you want.
3. Cover it with 1" foam and then a layer of batting.
4. Start in the center at the top and staple.
5. Work your way to the outer edges stretching as you go.
6. Go to the bottom and pull tight and staple, work your way out to the sides.
7. Repeat the same for each side.
8. Make your self welt by cutting fabric strips on the bias. Then attach another 3" bias strip so you can wrap that around the back.
9. Cover the back with lining and gimp.
10. Attach to the wall with a french cleat or have legs on the headboard and attach to the metal frame.
    

Birthday Dishes

Monday is my birthday and my Mom took me shopping today to pick out my birthday present. I have a thing for dishes and felt like I needed some more. haha I picked out these green glazed stoneware dishes that are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. As soon as I got home I washed them and put them on the table. I've never had square plates before, they are so stylish ! The bowls are my favorite part, I can't wait to eat ice cream out of them.

London Shade

This is my landing going up to the third floor to my workroom. The London shade at the window is workable and has a beautiful 3.5" cotton bullion fringe on the bottom. London shades are mostly flat across the top but have two pleats near the corners. I love the way it drapes and swags in the middle and has tails on the sides. It has about 12" extra in the width and the bottom 3 rings are permanently tied up so it is full even when lowered.