THANK YOU ATLANTA MAGAZINE!

More press for Room Service Atlanta! Dayka and I had no idea that our little vision for Atlanta's homeless community would receive so much attention and so soon. Nevertheless, we are VERY grateful and hopeful for the continuous support this Fall! If you subscribe to Atlanta Magazine or can it purchase from your local newsstand check out the feature on page 58.
Thank you friends, both near and far, for your prayers and support as we press forward in enriching the lives of those who have fallen on hard times.

Love,
Erika

PAINTSTICK EZTWIST GIVEAWAY WINNERS:

I pray everyone had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. The time away gave me an opportunity to refresh myself for the week ahead, but enough about me....

Announcing the winners of the HomeRight Paintstick EZTwist:

Rashon C.
Rachael W.
Vannessa N.
Nancie N.
Sydney85
Rashida H.
Elizabeth S.
Bobbi O.
Courtney Y.
Tonia G.

Thank so much for everyone's participation! Happy Decorating!

MG+BW ATLANTA HOSTS ROOM SERVICE ATLANTA

Last night Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Atlanta graciously hosted Room Service Atlanta (RSA) in their Buckhead showroom for a soiree that brought awareness to our organization, revealed the work we completed at Nicholas House, and informed party goers about opportunities to participate in the Room Service Atlanta shopping event. Now through May 29th, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams will donate 20% of all full priced purchases to Room Service Atlanta when you mention our name. How awesome is that?

Dayka and I are pictured with MG+BW Atlanta's Manager and Owner, Jonathan White and Ben Collins, respectively.

Dayka and I with MG+BW team, Hayley, Claudia, Abby and Jennifer [not pictured]

Pictured with Dennis Bowman, Executive Director of Nicholas House

Just when I thought I was really excited, my husband [Chris] arrived! Thank you Sweetheart for always supporting me!

Erin and Arvo Kasari

Renae Moore, RSA Participating Designer Lori May, Rhoda Montgomery, and Heidi

Lori, Heidi, and I all happened to be color coordinated. Coral for Spring!

Evelyn Mims [Producer of Atlanta and Co.] with Kelli Flournoy [Kelli Flournoy PR]


Supporter and friend, Rashon Carraway aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting caught in engaging conversation


Interior Designer Clay Snider and Actor Kaira Akita


Pictured with RSA Participating Designers Anissa Darnell and
Julie Holloway [Milk and Honey Home]


(l-r: Interior Designers April Moseley [April Denise Designs] and Chandra Thompson [Liv Luv Design]; Robin pictured with RSA Participating Designer Kimberly Ward [Kimberly + Cameron Interiors]


[l-r Dorothy Burke; Niya McIver [Candy Cake Company] with Rashon Carraway]

Caught up in the excitement I forgot to get photos of the dee-licious food [by Three Sisters Catering] and dessert station / cake pop heaven [Candy Cake Company].

We can't thank everyone enough for their ongoing support of Room Service Atlanta and look forward to serving another deserving shelter in the Fall. We are currently scouting locations and a team of designers to assist us in the upcoming months. Please feel free to email us with suggestions! If you are a designer and looking to take on a space give us a shout!

IT'S PARTY TIME!

I'll be running around today preparing for our Room Service Atlanta Wrap Party sponsored by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Atlanta. If you haven't RSVP'd there is still time. Simply send an email to: hayley@mgbwatlanta.com. See you there!

ADD OLIVE TO YOUR COLOR COCKTAIL

Olive. Sure the thought makes you crave a r-rated beverage, but I'm talking about fabrics, furniture, and fascinating color combinations. Olive alone may sound like a drab hue, but within the right context it can quickly become one of your favorite colors. Why not give it a try...

For the best in olive decor inspiration, click here to check out my lastest article for houzz!

GOD + DESIGN

Carson Poetzl, Inc.

I pray you are having an enjoyable Sunday!

SPRING PILLOW SALE!

Happy Weekend Loves!
Just stopping through to offer some of my overstock from the Atlanta Baby and Child Expo held last weekend. Please email me if you are interested!

SOLD
$35/each + shipping! >> 2 Pillows in Dwell Studio Vintage Blossom Citrine. Reverse side in off white duck cotton and flat edge piping in the same color. Invisible zipper enclosure.

Size: 18"x18" | Fabric Content: 100% Cotton | Cleaning & Care: Dry clean only.
Pillow form included

Coordinates with Dwell Gate pillow in Charcoal

*Due to pattern repeat, pattern layout or appearance will vary slightly for each pillow. One pillow will have the bird motif and the other will have flowers and branches.

Reverse side of vintage mustard color bird and branch pillow

SOLD
$35/each + shipping >> Square pillows in Dwell Studio's Gate Charcoal. Both sides are printed. Invisible zipper enclosure for easy cleaning.
Size: 18"x18" | Fabric Content: 55% Linen 45% Cotton | Pillow form included

$30/ea. Super cute with black piping. Great for adding a jolt of color to a neutral living space OR girls' room! Invisible zipper enclosure.
Size: 18x18 | Fabric Content: 100% cotton | Pillow form included.
Additional pillows are available if needed.

SOLD
$30/each Fun striped pillows. Versatile for adult or kids space. Invisible zipper enclosure for easy removal.
Size: 18x18 | Fabric Content: 100% cotton | Machine Washable
Additional pillows are available if needed.

$30/ea. More fun with stripes! Cute nautical theme or pair with slubby oatmeal linen fabric! Invisible zipper enclosure for easy removal.
Size: 18x18 | Fabric Content: 100% cotton | Machine Washable
Pillow form included
Additional pillows are available if needed.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING, EMAIL ME:
erika [at] erikaward [dot] com

TRY THIS AT HOME: PAINTSTICK EZ-TWISTS

It isn't everyday you find people who not only ask you to review their product, but they also fly in to show you how to use it. That's what happened when the great folks at HomeRight introduced Room Service Atlanta [and the 12 amazing designers who partners with us] to the PaintStick EZ-Twists. A HomeRight representative from Utah flew in dressed and ready to get dirty. Somewhere along the way we recorded this video demonstrating how easy it is to use this product.

Here are the results from using the product:


Now here's your chance to receive a PaintStick EZ-Twist of your own! HomeRight has offered BluLabel Bungalow readers the chance to win 10 PaintSticks! With 10 winners, your chances are darn good!

HERE'S HOW TO PLAY

1. Post a photo of the room you want to paint on my facebook page saying "This room needs a PaintStick." (www.facebook.com/blulabelbungalow)

2. Follow me on twitter @ErikaAtBlulabel . Be sure to tweet me so I can follow you back!

3. Join our mailing list so you never miss a post! Click link here

So essentially you have 3 chances to win!! Please leave a separate comment below telling me how you entered. The winner will be chosen on Friday, May 27, 2011. Good luck!

WHAT TO DO WHEN PAINTING IS NOT AN OPTION

Apartment Dwellers: Your white walls are a blank canvas! Create something beautiful. Here's a great idea for adding color to your walls: Paint picture frames to coordinate with your home's decor! Would you try this at home?

via Marcelo Brito

Looking for more bright ideas like these? Be sure to check out my latest ideabook for houzz.com!

ATLANTA IS TALKING ABOUT JANICE PALMER

Text and Photography by Erika Ward


May 8th concluded the Atlanta Symphony Associates' 41st Annual Decorators' Show House and Gardens. Each year, the creme de la creme of the Atlanta design community create gorgeous spaces to inspire visitors and to raise funds for the Education and Community Engagement Initiatives of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. This year was especially significant to me because it was the first time a Black interior designer was showcased as a lead designer. Before the final curtain call I was fortunate enough to interview the designer everyone was buzzing about, Janice Palmer of Y Design International.

Her assignment, The Young Lady's Room, was one of the most talked about spaces on this year's tour and for good reason. Palmer's design cleverly encompassed multicultural influences mixed with the love of travel, fashion, and music.

Every design element in this space exudes luxury even down to the sumptuous fabrics [from Designer's Guild and Osborne and Little] on the floor pillows.

"The inspiration behind this design is a a fictitious 20-year old renaissance woman named Malina. She is a music student at Juilliard," as Palmer tells the story. "....And her love for fashion is a close second to her passion for the cello. If she [Malina] could have a dual career it would be as a top notch cellist who designs one-of-a-kind clothing with the flair of Marc Jacobs and Rachel Roy combined."

Fashion-influences are distributed throughout the room both in subtle and more literal references. Such is evident in this signature piece--a mannequin draped in luxurious silk designed by Travis & Company.

As I toured the room, I noted the subtle Middle Eastern influence as seen in the shape of the custom headboard designed by Palmer's assistant, Manisha Kulkarni, as well as the room's color palette.

As opposed to referring to the rich shades as colors, Palmer thinks of them as spices. A warm blend of vibrant fabrics draw their hues from spices such as saffron, marigold, cinnamon, white pepper, lemon peel, lime peel, red wine and dark cacao. "I decided to build on a neutral foundation to allow the plush fabrics and spices to really pop," Palmer explains. "Simultaneously, the backdrop [Benjamin Moore's AF-155 Weimaraner] creates a soothing, airy atmosphere. Take a look around. In this room alone there are a total of 6 windows where we see the sky and treetops. It's like a bedroom in a treehouse."

Each pair of drapery panels boasts dressmaker details such as boxed pleats, crystal embellishments, and french [banding] fabric trim. Hardware with lucite finials complete this polished ensemble.

Murano glass fixtures, like this elegant waterfall Sillicate Chandelier by Baker Furniture,were a common thread throughout the show house.


This wingchair upholstered in Casamance fine fabrics, headboard, pouf, and bench are all custom pieces available through Y Design International.

Here a half-moon shaped desk by Travis and Company and Organic Baroque Chair designed by Tony Duquette/Baker Furniture echo the soft feminine curves repeated throughout the bedroom.

The oversized octagonal mirror and handsome walnut Skate server by Baker Furniture balance out the femininity of the space and keeps it from feeling too girly.



My love affair with the Young Lady's Bedroom continued into the en suite bathroom.

A touch of hot pink lends a playful, flirty feel, yet the palette is still very soothing.

I was excited to see a second Juju hat [a celebratory Cameroonian headdress] in the space. I found it to be symbol of celebration for what Janice Palmer has accomplished in this bedroom and as interior designer, and secondly as the first Black lead designer appearing in this magnificent show house. Thank you Janice for allowing me to share your inspiration and work with the world. I pray that you continue to receive the exposure and recognition you so very well deserve!

YOU'RE INVITED!

Dayka and I are excited to announce that Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams has partnered with Room Service Atlanta to celebrate our magnificent transformation of the Nicholas House. Join us for a wonderful fete on May 25th from 5-7pm for cocktails & light bites in their Atlanta Showroom. Please help to us raise awareness for Room Service Atlanta and the work we do with the Atlanta design community to create & install beautiful interiors for homeless families.

Please RSVP to hayley@mgbwatlanta.com & pass this invitation along to a friend!


Interested in partnering with RSA? Meet the us at the event and find out how you can get involved with our upcoming events for the Fall!

See you there!

ATLANTA BABY AND CHILD EXPO + A GIVEAWAY

I'm setting up shop this weekend at the Atlanta Baby and Child Expo on Saturday, May 14th from 11am-3pm. Did I mention that I designed the website, too?

Hosted by Bottles to Britches Premier Baby Planners and in partnership with TheBump.com, this extravaganza is not one you want to miss especially if you are in the nesting stages. Some of the event highlights include relaxing mommy pampering, a maternity fashion show, a baby gear runway, and a host of mom & baby goodies!

This would be my first time setting up a booth for my design services so I'm not sure what to do. I reached out to Meredith for advice and she suggested I check out the Style at Home booth from IDS 2011.

So vivid and cheerful, I believe energetic color always gets people's attention. My booth is an 8x8 section and I'm not allowed to hang anything on the wall so I'm bringing in small furniture to hold my props and pillows. So far I've purchased some fun fabrics for pillows and my workroom should have them ready by Wednesday and it's going to take willpower not to keep a few for myself. I suppose I could also loop a slideshow of my portfolio on a monitor, too... Is there anything else you think I should include?

AND FOR THE GIVEAWAY...
Want tickets for the expo? I have two. Keep them for yourself, or give them to someone as a gift! Leave a comment below letting me know the sweetest thing about being a mother! Winners will be announced tomorrow at noon EST.

THANK YOU AJC!

I was thrilled to be interviewed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for a feature entitled "Style for the Workplace." In the article they included my 5 tips for creating a functional and beautiful home office as well as two images of my space!

And as promised, I've included more images of my office. In all honesty, the place was a complete wreck before I got the call...but the request for photos gave me the kick in the pants to get it all done and FAST!! Take a look:

The side table, lamp base, and floor lamp are refurbished pieces from the Goodwill, while the settee was a Craiglist find. The upholstery fabric didn't mesh with my color scheme so I made a slipcover from a painter's canvas dropcloth.

The owl was a cool two bucks from the Goodwill and I gave him a quick makeover with white spray paint. Now he fits right in with my Jonathan Adler pottery and Ikea bud vase!

I also revived this old vanity stool and now use it for seating at my conference table.

It took me a day of working non stop to get it all done and of course it was the weekend before the Room Service Atlanta install. Thank God I didn't turn into DesignZilla!

Hope you enjoyed this quick tour. Thanks again AJC for showing this Sweet Georgia Brown some love! It was truly an honor.