There are certain pieces in every space that dictate the spirit of a room. Whether it be a bold rug or a bazaar sculpture, interesting rooms are opinionated, sometimes irreverent and always unexpected!

While in the first stages of our kitchen remodel, Tom and I took a field trip to Euro Treasures in downtown Salt Lake to see if we could find something unique and found! As we walked deeper into the old, spacious (and semi decrepit) building, we stumbled upon such a piece. She was a stunner! Beautifully carved and fairly substantial – but what was she? Where had she been and what on earth was she used for? All I knew is she was placed in my path and I had to take her home with me! She would be my island! This 300 year old something from India would be my kitchen oasis!

When we had everything planned out in the space, we took her to the salon and our amazing cabinet maker, Scott Brown, got her all dolled up with three drawers on one side and a door on the other. I can’t show you complete after shots yet but let me tell you, this girl is smokin’! Without her in the space, it would feel ordinary, flat and less than special but I do declare, she is breathing a whole new life!

I don’t know what she was before being reincarnated but I’m happy to call her my own found curiosity!

- Suzanne

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Collections – We’ve all got them and sometimes feel as though we should be on an episode of “Hoarders”. Fear not my dear, there so many ways to put these collections to use. We always say that you’re decor should speak to you, it should be a reflection of who you are. These little collections are how we will tell the story.

RULE #1: Group like objects together. Repetition is important. Collections should be kept together, on a shelf, on a wall, on a coffee table.

RULE #2: There should be some sort of balance within each collection. In the first photo with the antler plaques, they are balanced out by the lamp, creating a very asymmetrical and interesting design. But in the above photo the antlers are very organized and carefully placed.

I love fashion and interior design magazines. Domino was one of my favorites and I have a whole archive of them… but for awhile they sat on a closet shelf. They are so colorful and interesting that stacks and stacks of them make a great coffee table display.

Souvenirs from vacations should be displayed. These items make the home feel well-traveled and intelligent. A collection of masks can be hung on an office wall. Or little sculptures and treasures can be displayed on shelves, mixed in with artwork.

This collection is definitely one of the favorites that I’ve seen. Kate Spade has these little gold boxes displayed on her coffee table.

What kind of collections do you have? And how do you display them?

[photos from Rue, Lonny, and The Selby]

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Strong, confident, interesting and unique. The root table is a cocktail table to be desired. With it’s organic shape, it brings the feeling of life to a room. Each root is unique and all of the shapes, sizes and colorings vary. Add it to any room for a strong and masculine feel.

$1,550

See it done two ways -

Used in a more contemporary setting in Metropolitan Home, it provides elegance and doesn’t seem rustic at all.

If drama is what you are looking for, this root has been lacquered black, making this room more contemporary and dramatic.

Stop by and see the root in person!

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I just bought this new book, Colin Cowie, Chic, from legendary lifestyle expert, Colin Cowie. It’s a handbook for living well in the twenty first century. I love the sentiments Cowie shares throughout the pages of his book. I have to share! It’s made me think differently about how I live!

He writes, “My home is my refuge, my playground, my base of operations, my pride and joy. I use my living room sofa, my dining room table, my very best china, my crystal stemware, and every single one of my favorite things as often as possible – And I do so with pleasure and gratitude that they are mine. The people who created the beautiful objects we have in our homes did so in order for us to enjoy them. (Just think of the stories vintage silver would tell if it could!)”

I can’t count the number of residences I’ve walked into that have no essence of real life or welcoming energy, no feeling of who lives there, no sense of joy or communion. Very often flat lifeless, picture-perfect shells to be admired rather than lived in and savored. For me, that’s completely missing the point. We all deserve to live well and live our very best life possible.

We recently went to check in on a client of ours. Her home is nearing the end of completion. It was so rewarding to see her really living in her spaces. To see her newfound lifestyle paying off. Her home was inspiring to us – and we did the design! It fits her like a glove. She uses her spaces! And they look even better now that they’ve been broken in. You could flop on any of her upholstered pieces and just be.

She offered us a bottle of sparkling water. I could smell her luxe Voluspa candles burning. I enjoyed so much seeing proof of her in the details – Her beautiful shoes near her dressing mirror, her photos in the frames, fresh fruit stacked high on a pedestal plate near the kitchen window.

We met about the last layers of her home – draperies and art. We can hardly wait to share the photos of her home with you all once it’s complete… Here is a sneak peek!

In Colin’s closing statements of his book, he writes, “Life is not, and should never be, about doing things “perfectly”. Your best is more than good enough, so as long as you do it with uber-amounts of generosity, humility, grace, passion, style, glamour, fabulousness… and of course fun!”

- Jessica

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“A house is an idea, a house is a thing, a house is you, a tangible embodiment of your dreams and desires and interests. Your house has its own personality and continuity and unity. Its parts come together as your home.”

- Mariette Himes Gomez

I love this quote and concur with Ms. Gomez as I truly believe a house isn’t a home until it starts speaking to you! It’s in the walls, the books, the images, even the fragrance! It’s in the emotional response that one gets when walking into a space that says, “This is so you!”

As my husband and I embarked on a small remodel of our attic apartment, I had to really sit down and ask myself what dreams, desires and interests I wanted to reflect in my own space! We do this all day everyday and I was temporarily stumped until I started looking through photos I’ve taken over the summer. It was then that I stumbled across the below image I took at Cascade Springs… This was it! The colors, the textures, subject matter and all – This was me and Tom!!! We are total nature nerds and are constantly inspired by its raw visual symphonies! Before I show you all the before, during and after photos, here are a few teasers!

- Suzanne

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Open shelving in a kitchen can be oh-so-glamorous or a complete mess! Last week we featured the spectacular Nemrow kitchen and the shelves were perfection! So what is the trick to the well-stocked but minimal and clean shelves?

[photo by Meikel Reece]

FUNCTION – Always display things that are functional. Plates, bowls, glasses, cake plates, serving dishes… Whatever you use and is pretty, display it! Forget about the knick knacks and put to use the things that can be of use!

[photo by Ashlee Raubach]

GROUPINGS – Group like things together. Create pattern and repetition. If you have all white dishes, then it’s simple! If you have some colored or patterned dishes, mix them in accordingly. Try to keep things in categories, you want your everyday dishes to be the easiest to reach and keep the pretty cake plates and serving dishes up top.

[House Beautiful]

[Lonny]

Don’t be afraid to use what’s on your shelves. It’s no different than having closed shelving except for the fact that the dishes stay more organized and you get to enjoy their sparkle all day instead of just at dinner time.

[Elle Decor]

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Have you seen actress Keri Russell’s home that was featured in Elle Decor? It is absolutely beautiful! And this living room… So stunning with the intricate molding, fireplace and shimmering chandelier paired with more comfortable and relaxed furnishings. These chairs are the Marlena Chairs from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Aren’t they perfect?

And we have them in our store now in a lovely gray linen, and they sit oh-so comfortably. A perfect pair for any sitting area!

Marlena Chairs
$1,655 each

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Just when I think I’ve nailed down my style, a client comes along that inspires a new branch to my design tree.

The Nemrow’s are a young family with three sugar-coated lil’ girls living in a contemporary home in Pleasant Grove, and they sprouted this new style seed. In an attempt to make this home their own, they have remodeled and added areas but were stumped when they got to the unfunctional galley of a kitchen. They have a very edited yet animated aesthetic but translating that to hard surfaces in a kitchen can be trickier than to a living room or bedroom. when the Nemrow’s gave us free reign to shimmy walls and eject windows, Jess and I were elated when we began to think of the possibilities! By rotating the kitchen and allowing the eye to rest on one great focal wall, the universe was good again and a functional kitchen was born!

There is something so liberating about open shelving! it allows you to display the things you use and love everyday and forces you to edit! (I’m doing this in my own kitchen and am beyond excited to live a little more like Anjerie!)

That tile! Oh that tile!! What can I say but that tile is EVERYTHING! By taking it all the way to the ceiling, we pronounce that we just can’t get enough that tile!

This fish from Natural Curiosities is a good time! not only is the scale insane in the membrane, but he’s got a full set of teeth and we adore him!

- Suzanne

[photos by Meikel Reece]

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It’s that time again… Back to school. Fall clothes are where it’s at! Patterned tights, warm woolen sweaters, crisp clean button ups… Let yourself be inspired with youthful colors and textures when back-to-school shopping!

Shades of pinks and purples. What better way to bring in color than with a beautiful accent chaise or some colorful Warhol prints!

Navy and white stripes mixed with moss green! Perfect for the first day of school or for a funky dining area!

Cerulean Blue was always my favorite crayon color! It adds pizazz to classic khakis and tee. Use it to paint a room for a dramatic effect or just a splash with a piece of art.

Salmon makes a bold statement. Mixed with dark colors makes it stand out even more!

Why not throw in a bit of blush pink to the mix of neutrals? Add a bit of sparkle to really make the room shine!

Mmm… what a unique shade of green. This subtly says “style maker”.

This royal blue is a must to every wardrobe. Pairs perfectly with black and white. the artwork and rug give this room character.

The traditional navy, white and khaki. Classic and beautiful.

What is your back-to-school inspiration?

[photos from Elle Decor, Lonny, Rue, and Domino]

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Chesterfield’s are a always a classic. Tufted and beautiful. They will make any space more sophisticated. Take the traditional style and upholster it in something unexpected or keep it clean with a straighter arm.

Introducing, the Napa. Isn’t she a beauty.  A more transitional take on the Chesterfield with cleaner lines, upholstered in a lovely gray linen!
$3,888

A closer look – beautiful nailhead and tufting details!

If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, we have another Chesterfield in the store upholstered in a lovely gray velvet-like fabric. It works well in both a traditional setting or a more modern setting paired with the right chairs.

And guess what! We have two of these right now!
$2,833

Stop by and check these out!

[photos from Elle Decor, Lonny & Rue]

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