Big Changes to this Little Blog

I've been blogging here since 2009 (with about a year-long hiatus after baby #1 was born while I juggling that and a full time job).  I love having this blog as a creative outlet.  I love it even more when people contact me because they enjoy reading something I've written about or an image I've shared.  And mostly, if I could, I would eat, sleep and breathe interior design.  Okay, well, I love food too much so maybe just sleep and breathe interior design but still cook yummy food.  And drink delicious cocktails, duh.

And while I can get around on a computer fairly well from a business standpoint, I am by no means great at graphic design or web design.  Hence why my blog still looks like it is from the late 90's (okay, maybe early 2000's??).  So, I've enlisted some help and hope to be able to reveal the new look (along with some other exciting updates) in the coming weeks.  My goal is that my blog be a better reflection of my actual style.  If you've been reading my blog for a while, you can probably get a gist of what that style is but I thought it would be fun to put together a few images that really speak to me from a design standpoint.

A long time ago when my Pinterest obsession began, I started a board called My Style.  It doesn't get as much play these days however, I went back through it and there wasn't much on there that I didn't still agree with.  If you look at it, you'll see a lot of animal print (namely leopard), a lot of classic black and white, and a lot of mixing patterns and styles (ie traditional and contemporary).

via Dimples and Tangles

This space has ME written all over it.  I love how bold and fearless Jennifer's designs are yet at the same time they have very classic elements.  Note the more traditional coffee table and silver urn that the orchid is in paired with bright, colorful patterns...and of course a little leopard for good measure.   

Amber Interiors via Chic Geek

I'm a sucker for anything Morocco, anything with textured wood grains or bamboo, and of course a good, colorful print like these suzanis and ikats here.  I love how the space feel so well-traveled (something I like to think I used to be!).  While we are on the subject of style, Amber is pretty much a God in the design world.  While  her style tends to be a little more minimalist and muted than mine, I love, love, love every space she does!  She definitely has the mixing old/new part down to an art.

pinned via Amber Interiors

This mix is everything!!  And I adore day beds in general.  I can't wait to get one (I'm thinking maybe my daughter's room down the road) and fill it with soft, elegant pillows (in an awesome mix, obvi).  

 via La Bonne Vie

This might quite possibly be the sexist chair I've ever seen in all my life.  End of discussion.

via Flickr (original source unknown)

Vintage glassware and a beautiful glass vase.  Awesome, eye catching side table.  Pattern on pattern in a traditional, comfy updated wing back chair.  And books galore.  I could definitely see myself spending time in a space like this!

via A Daily Something

Peonies are for sure my favorite flower.  They are simply stunning and one day I will have a cut flower garden with peonies galore.  And handwritten notes?  I'm a true southern girl who knows the importance and appreciates a good handwritten note.  Neither of these two things will ever go out of style in my book.

via House and Home

I love being organized!  Having children has made that ever so much more difficult but I still strive for organization in my life.  And who says organization has to be stark and boring?!  Look at this beautiful display of fun baubles in pretty little dishes.  I love the mix of colors, textures and rich jewel tones.  Old and new are perfectly married in this little vignette.  I've loved this image for a long, long time.

So, there's a little overview of some important style elements in my book.  Design truly is so personal and that's what I love about it.  Stay tuned for updates to Adorned Abode coming soon!

xo,
Cameron

Jenny Wolf Interiors

I read about Jenny Wolf Interiors in the latest issue of Traditional Home and was immediately intrigued by the tagline to describe her - "home as autobiography".  This is my favorite type of design - one that incorporates cohesive design planning but doesn't strip a home of all of its personal assets - things the home owner loves, cherishes and makes their home unique.  I try to channel this type of design in my own home - from incorporating family heirlooms and treasures from my mom and grandmothers and incorporating my own, slightly more contemporary taste along with the antiques.

So, when I searched through New York-based designer Jenny Wolf's residential portfolio, I fell in love immediately.  Apologies for the number of photos but they were all too beautiful...and this is just a sampling - visit her residential portfolio for more greatness.  Look how each space tells a story of an individual homeowner and not the just the designer.  Enjoy!

Designer Scott Meacham Wood

I'm a big fan of Scott Meacham Wood's work.

A little dash of leopard, a heaping dose of antiques, freedom with prints, color, texture and art.  The man's got serious style!

I also love the nod to the Brits with the tartan and the flag.  It is formal without being pretentious and stuffy.  Lots of pillows and soft furnishings for comfort.  And layer and upon layer of visual interest.

Images from here.

Liz Caan Design

My husband gives me a hard time because he says my favorite thing to do when I read magazines is to rip the pages out.  He's right, I do.  I just love looking back through images that give me inspiration.  Lord knows, at over 10K "pins", I do love digital inspiration but there is something so much more tangible about flipping through the colorful pages of design magazines.  And colorful this image was that caught my eye:

I love everything ab out this space designed by Liz Caan...mix of old and new, the colors, the brightness, the hints of gold, the pattern mix, art mix, lamps...you name it, I love it!

Her spaces are bold, fearless and full of bright colors.  Most spaces have an overtly feminine feel which is something I feel like my house is lacking now.  Here are some of my other favorite spaces designed by Liz Caan:

Akseizer Design Group

Every day when I get home from work, I take my dogs for a walk.  99.9% of the time, we take the same route (I'm exciting that way) which takes us past this:

I have been meaning every day to look it up because I know the sign said "design group" but I couldn't tell from my window stalking if it is commercial or residential or architecture or what.  I finally remembered to look for it today and my curiosity if piqued.

I found their website which has a beautiful picture of an interior and nothing else.

I did a little more searching and found a blog called DC by Design (um, I hide out under a rock, I tell you! How did I miss this?!) who recently did a post on the new office space.

ADG stands for Akseizer Design Group and they do in fact do both commercial and residential design.  The principle designer, Jeff Akseizer, was recently named one of DC's Design Stars by Washington Life Magazine:

This is definitely one design firm I'll be keeping a look out for in the future!

(photo credits here)

Elizabeth Bauer Design

I first read about Elizabeth Bauer design over on one of my favorite blogs, The Zhush.  The Zhush also happens to be one of my favorite online shopping sites to get great gifts (check out the online store here).

I love Elizabeth's mix of traditional with the more modern and always sophisticated.  It gives all of her spaces a collected-over-time, lived in feel.  Just my style.

See all of Elizabeth's work on her site here.