Smitten by...Barrel Shade Chandeliers

"When you know what you want, and want it bad enough, you will find a way to get." - Jim Rohn

I'm usually not one for trends, but every now and then I will be totally captivated by the latest craze. My newest design crush...barrel shade chandeliers. It was love at first sight, or as my cousin would say "I had to clutch my pearls!" The perfect marriage of contemporary and traditional design, these beauties can blow a modest budget in a New York minute.

To obtain the high style you desire, you need to have the TIME or the MONEY. Since right now most of us have more of the former than the latter, click here view instructions on creating a barrel shade chandelier as seen in the image below.

I saw an amazing shade this past weekend (similar to the above) in the wine cellar of the Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle's Christmas House. I was so tempted to take a picture with my camera phone, but unfortunately photos were not allowed. Extremely disappointed, I searched for something to bring to you as a souvenir. AH&L did provide guests with a list of paint colors and techniques used in the show home. The image is a bit fuzzy, but if you are interested in receiving a clear copy, just email a request to: erika{at}blulabelbungalow{dot}com
*Just in case you are wondering, when you spell your entire email address it decreases the amount of spam emails to your inbox!

Tastemaker Tuesday: David Jimenez

When it comes to setting the table, David Jimenez truly sets the standard. The images below are from three different DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) Dining by Design Events. On his website, he explains the inspiration behind each display and provides a few insider tricks for achieving this look.

The candle-lit glow creates such a romantic ambiance. I can only imagine what a wonderfully magical experience it must be to host your closest friends and family in such opulence. What would you guess is on the menu?

UPDATE: The 2009 AH&L Christmas House

This Saturday, November 21, the Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles 2009 Christmas House will be gifting guests with more than just the most memorable show home tour. Beginning at 11 a.m., a series of special events, free to Christmas House ticket-holders, will include book signings, holiday craft classes and party secrets that you don’t want to miss. Visit atlantachristmashouse.com for ticket information and a complete listing of Saturday’s events. Be sure to check out this year’s first-ever holiday tabletop spectacular, “Entertaining by Design,” located in the garage.

11 a.m. - noon

Comfort Living for the Holidays with Christine Eisner

Let 2009 be the year that you really enjoy the whole holiday season, not just the last few hours of it! Discover how to create a season-long celebration that emphasizes inner priorities and meaningful experiences. Author and lifestyle expert Christine Eisner will share her back-to-basics ideas on how a “Comfort Living” approach to the weeks ahead can ring in a higher pleasure and lower stress celebration of the small moments that make up this special—yet challenging—time of year. This will be the year you create experiences that focus on the journey, instead of merely the finish line. Eisner will also be signing copies of her new book, Comfort Living—A Back-to-Basics Guide To a More Balanced Lifestyle. For more information, visit lifestyledesign.org or comfortlivingbychristine.com

2 - 3 p.m.

The Art of Entertaining with Jennifer Boles of ThePeakofChic.com

What is the secret to a successful party? Are e-vites replacing RSVPs? Learn the answers to these questions and more from design blogger Jennifer Boles, author of ThePeakofChic.com. Covering everything from cocktail hour to calling cards (yes, they’re making a comeback!), Boles will discuss the art of at-home entertaining, both easy and elegant. Along with her personal insights, Boles will share anecdotes about—and tips from—some of America’s most illustrious hostesses of decades past, including Elsie de Wolfe, Dorothy Draper and Dorothy Rodgers, as well as party secrets from today’s top tastemakers. Don’t miss this one-time opportunity to hear from one of America’s most famous design bloggers.

Pausing for a Moment of Reflection...

I've decided to take the week off for a bit of reflection and preparation for what's to come. Thanks for your understanding. See you next week!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I celebrate my 30th birthday! I am so grateful for the years past and lessons learned.

I am thankful for new experiences, new friends, and for your readership and support! See you on Monday.

BLB Atlanta Edition: The 2009 AH&L Christmas House

I wait with great anticipation for the unveiling of the 2009 Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Christmas House! Located in Atlanta's premier Buckhead Community, this year's house benefiting the Alliance Theater for Children is expected to be the most successful Designer Show House ever!

Just check out the impressive floor plan complete with a Guest House.

Suzanne Kasler, one of my favorite Atlanta designers, is one of the many talented designers featured. Here's the interview she gave to the magazine regarding her signature style, her rooms, and Atlanta Design.


AH&L Magazine has also provided a Product Showcase list for the Christmas House. I quickly spotted a few of my personal favorites. These retailers are excellent sources for design inspiration, too! The Christmas House opens on November 14th and goes through December 6th and is available for corporate and private party rentals! I can't imagine what the cost would be to rent that place. Are any of you planning to check it out?

Evolution of My Home Office - Part 2

Here's a quick update on the evolution of my home office. If you missed part 1, click here to get caught up. I spent the better part of my Sunday afternoon spray painting like a mad woman. Prayerfully, the fumes didn't fry too many of my brain cells in the process. I'll explain in a minute...

My first priority was to take inventory of items I currently own and figure out how I could work them into the design plan. First up, an outdated lamp that previously belonged to my grandmother. I'm sure in its "hay-day" it was a fashionable piece. Without some sort of makeover, she (the lamp) and I surely could not coexist.

I picked up a can of Rustoleum Professional Grade paint in Safety Red from Lowes along with a trigger attachment and gave the old gal an extreme makeover. I also used Wipe-On Poly when the paint dried to add a high gloss.


I'm currently shopping for a new shade. I really love the clover shade on this lamp.

Candidate #2 was an Eiffel Tower lamp I purchased years ago from a consignment shop. I'd just returned from my first trip to Paris and was enamored by all things Parisian! The lamp was silver, but like Granny's lamp it had a date with destiny. I spray painted it with Valspar Metallic Gold paint and gave it a new home on top of my bookcase.


Armed with gold paint in hand, I gave this letter tray from the Ikea Dokument series the solid gold treatment.

...then glammed up these magazine files with more gold spray paint.


By now, with my affection for turning everything into gold, my husband began calling me "Queen Midas." To his good fortune, I ran out of paint.

I then wrapped a couple of mini paint cans with pretty paper I purchased from JoAnn's.
The only items I've purchased so far are these Merete curtain panels from Ikea and a curtain rod from Target. With the curtains hung high and wide on the picture window, it now brings attention to the ugly mini-blinds purchased by the previous owners.


I contemplated purchasing a new desk, but my current desk is both functional and very sturdy. Maybe a coat of paint in a high gloss black will do the trick!

Feeling like buying a can of spray paint now? Why not? It's the perfect time for outdoor DIY projects. What's on your "to-paint list?"

EWI Project - Avondale Estates Counseling Office

Here's a project I completed for a very dear friend who opened a counseling office in Avondale Estates. The exterior of the building was a well-kept Tudor-style design, but the interior left much to be desired.
The space consisted of two connected rooms. The first room was the counseling space and the other designated for her office. Dark and dingy, the space begged for us to uncover its charm. With its large windows and beautiful trim around the doorways, the rooms did have a lot of potential.

And voila...with lots and LOTS of primer, neutral paint, and new carpet this once dead space came to life. We could hardly believe the transformation. The space appeared much larger and provided a more home-like environment. The bamboo roman shades were hung for privacy and light control and like the seagrass rug, added texture to the design. The coffee table was a Goodwill find and was refreshed with a bit of black spray paint. The floor lamp, wall mirror, and coat rack came from the owner's home and the microfiber sofa was a floor model on clearance for $250! The pillows were purchased from Ross while the accents on the arm of the sofa are actually placemats!

The photos below are of the second room which was transformed into her office space. The wall art and armoire was purchased from Target, the Gustav desk from Ikea.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this chair at Target which matched the sofa perfectly. The window behind the chair houses an unsightly air conditioning unit which we covered with a cafe curtain.


This space, once intimidating and uninviting, was transformed into a comfortable and welcoming environment.

Honest Scrap Award

The lovely Tamstyles of Get It Girl Style so kindly gave me this Honest Scrap Award a few weeks back. Thanks Tam! I immediately began drafting this post upon receiving the award, but somehow it got lost in the shuffle. Anyhoo, let's get on to the rules of engagement:

The Rules

• Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award
• Share "10 Honest Things" about myself
• Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me
• Tell those 7 people they've been award HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving

10 Honest Things

1. Although my mother is a master hair stylist, I absolutely HATE going to a salon to get my hair done.
2. I once posted for O Magazine (May 2003) in a swimsuit.
3. When I get dressed in the morning, I put on an imaginary Superwoman cape. At the end of the day, it's tattered to shreds but I'm still standing!
4. I truly believe that you CAN have it all and I'm out to prove anyone who disagrees wrong!
5. I grew up wanting to be an architect. Though my career started in a different path, I'm not an architect but still in design.
6. My husband is my best friend and a wonderful parent. I always tell people he can do everything I can do except breastfeed!
7. I've had the same cell phone number for 10 years. I'm really bad about checking my voicemail.
8. I'm a master of turning lemons into lemonade.
9. I believe I am one of God's favorites.
10. I would love to get to know my readers better and do appreciate their support

7 Bloggers

Viv @ Ish and Chi
Sarah @ White Blossom
Diedra @ Noir Mommies
The Broke Socialite
Yakini @ Th Prissy Mommy Chronicles
Kelly @ Color Sizzle
Ashley @ Decorology

Thoughts on Displaying Family Photos

While eating breakfast one morning, I stared at a blank wall in my kitchen and brainstormed about ideas for creating a family wall. Here are a couple pics currently in my inspiration file.

The image on the left from Metropolitan Home is one of my favorite displays of family photographs. Very clean and classic, black and white images can make an inexpensive frame job look custom. The image on the right is simply adorable with its children's art display among other family favorites. What a great way to encourage your baby Picasso!

I recently pulled this sketch of the kids from between my car seats. A street vendor outside of the zoo created this quick sketch for a donation of $15. Don't be fooled into thinking they were still the entire time. One of the kids was in full tantrum mode. I am surprised the artist could remember what he looked like without the scowl on his face.

I decided to play around with a few stock images and frame my rowdy bunch on a virtual family wall. On that blank wall in the kitchen I think I will include our traditional birthday photos. On their first birthday, each of our kids has had their own birthday cake to dig into. It makes for a great big 'ole mess, but also some great photo opps!

I also have their first chalk drawings and may even throw in that random sketch from the zoo.

{photos by Katlyne Hill Photography}

Here are a few more inspirational photos to get you on the road to creating your own family wall.

Do you have a family wall in your home? Which photos do your cherish the most?