Mixed metals and new tables

I love to mix fun things in with unfun things. Who doesn't, right?

Well, I had the occasion to brave summertime 95 traffic, albeit on a Monday morning, to take my daughter to her college orientation and then make the roundtrip again on Tuesday.

A quick stop at the nearest coffee shop on Monday had me peering into the window of Random Harvest. I knew the Old Town Alexandria location but this section of Arlington, while unfamiliar, is now a favorite.They were not yet open at that hour but I knew my Tuesday trip might just be timed right for a visit. The visit proved worthy. It is a lovely mix of old and new and quite affordable for a place of that quality, I thought.

Most of my furniture is vintage.

 

It's funny how changes happen to a house and it's decor. Things got shuffled about for painting this room and adjacent ones and I discovered things I wanted in different places. I needed a table next to this chair, which is my perch for the rare occasions I watch TV. We tried a few we already have and I got a feel for the correct size. I was positive I would find something online or at Homegoods and my impatience almost won. Mr. Designdumonde had the winning words with , "I don't care what kind of great deal it is, I don't want any furniture that we don't love and intend to keep." Wise indeed.

Nesting tables- Random Harvest

This fantastic set of metal and stone tables was indeed a deal at $295 for the pair but one I will not tire of anytime soon and I feel comfortable that they could move to other rooms in my house..or next house as the case may be. 

As I photographed these I also noticed how much I loved the casual feel mixed metals can lend to a space. 

Table  from CB2

 The polished chrome of this table and the polished steel of my original vintage Brno chairs mixed with the brass accessories and the legs of my mid-century console really keep the room interesting to me.

 

 

 I also love the high-low mix and it happens to be the only room we allow toys in. 

Toys? What toys? It was a great laugh that I was able to photograph this with minimal tidying and still keep the pink Lego box out of the shot.

 

 

If you are local check out Random Harvest at one of their 4 locations and on Facebook

My week in pictures

I gave you all a sneak peek of this painting in progress and it is now on the mantel in my family room.

It replaced this.

My husband and I often indulge in a bottle of Moet with pickled ginger to nibble on as we sip. 

Maybe you saw all of this on Instagram. It was a two bottle week.

Wednesday I got 8 inches chopped off my hair. I am not loving it. Photos below.
Thursday, I removed all of my canvases from Etsy and updated my site overall with a cleaner look.

Friday was all about D.C.

Lunch at Loi Thai's incredible house with Nancy and Bethany was a wonderful treat.

Then it was off to Northern Virginia to return the bar stools to Kristen. :(

Then I joined hundreds of thousands of other people in an episode of "Epic Friday Southbound Summer Traffic" in which I took many selfies.

This one was in a silly little holdup for some police motorcade.

What normally takes an hour took three and a half hours. Seriously. 31/2 hours!

Its so absurd that I find it funny...today.

This was around two hours in

 Its all good. Its just practice for my 9/10 hour drive on Thursday to get Guitar Hero off to college.

How was your week?

Feelin' Chintz-y

Thibaut- St. Antoine

Well folks, I am off to the D.C. Design House today but I wanted to spend a little time on something that I think about often. Chintz. Floral chintz to be exact. Chintz is actually any glazed cotton but its name has become synonymous with these classic florals.

I almost used a floral chintz in my living room but it would not look right in my house. It would read "silly in suburbia" instead of "eclectic, classic estate."

Nicky Haslam

I have several ideas for when I win the lottery and buy a grand estate in horse country.

Colefax and Fowler fabric

Home of Tory Burch

Honestly, I had an inspiration board all planned out in my head but try to find a chintz chair for sale. Seriously, try and tell me where you found it. I looked but if you read yesterday's post you know I looked when I should have been doing something else.

Would you risk looking "Granny" with a floral print?

Stop by tomorrow for Design House pictures.

Who is Kelley Proxmire

I was recently gabbing with a friend about design stuff and mentioned DC area designer, Kelley Proxmire. The name did not ring a bell for her but I assured her that some photos would.

This bedroom has been in my inspiration files for sometime and my bedroom is, in fact, pale blue.

You'll never guess the wall color in this bedroom.

Black walls like these would create the coziest cocoon.

This is the Dc design house room that Kelley Proxmire did. 

See those X-benches? Target. Yes, they are from Target just repainted and reupholstered. That makes her my hero.

Here are a few more colorful spaces by Kelley.

 Are you a fan of Kelley Proxmire?
Follow her on Pinterest HERE

DC art exhibits with art I am loving

Thomas Burkett

Thomas Burkett

These two artists, Thomas Burkett and Clyde Fowler, will be exhibiting at LongView Gallery in Washington DC later this year.

I really love abstract art and have been stalking DC gallery sites looking for artists that I like.

LongView has many.

Clyde Fowler

Clyde Fowler

Clyde Fowler