Comeback Trend

Since I began attending Interior Design school, I have been asked many times to reflect upon my own style. I have been given quizzes and questionnaires, and participated in many activites which are conducted to help one figure out what area of the design specitrum they would fit in. Most of my results yeild that I have an "eclectic" design style, meaning I draw from many (if not all) areas of design. One of my instructors says that means I am a "big ol' mess". :) However, I think that it means that I have a very open-minded approach to design. My projects won't always completely express myself, but rather the styles of the clients that employ me as well. Which, if you ask me, is what working in residential design should be all about. (Probably a revolutionary thought to some in the industry, I have already found!) However, if I was asked to pick my NUMBER ONE, ALL TIME FAVORITE STYLE (can you tell that I am SUPER excited about it?) It would be........drum roll please...................

ART DECO!

Luckily, art deco is making a huge comeback this season, so I thought I would do a little blog to give all 8 of my followers a heads up on this amazing, historic trend.

Art Deco is an artistic design style that originated in the 1920's in Paris and continued on until after WWII. Art deco employs geometric shapes and vibrant colors (usually emerald green-probably another reason I love it so much). It is often described as an ecletic form of stylish and elegant modernism. Some of the most intriguing pieces to me during this time period are the chandliers and lighting.

Inlaid wood pieces were a big trend during this time too. Below is a replica of an Art Deco pop-up bar. The piece that peaked my initial interest in the Art Deco direction was an original Art Deco bar circa 1920, brought over from Paris by the owners of the Carlton Dailey Antique shop on King Street in Charleston. In my opinion, Carlton Dailey Twentith Century, is the BEST antique shop downtown Charleston! I stop by and visit this piece below from time to time....all I can do is visit, because I will never be able to afford it.
It is probably completely unnatural for someone to love a piece of furniture as much as I love this bar, but it truly is remarkable. :)

I have noticed this season, that not only is the art deco style returning for the decorating industry, but also for the fashion industry as well. Here are a few art deco pieces that in style currently.

J. Crew LuLu Frost Vintage Deco Sunray necklace: $128

Banana Republic has an entire line of "deco" jewelry this year. These earrings are currently in Santa's sleigh on their way to yours truly :)

Casadei makes these gorgeous gold Art Deco inspired sandals: $1,590

Love these two BCBG Art Deco inspired dresses


Left:Metalic Lace Cocktail Dress

$198

Right: Sequin Pattern Dress

$498

Well, there is your lesson for today in the area of Art Deco design. Keep your eyes peeled in the stores this season for this awesome comeback trend!

The Continuation

It has been nearly 3 months since my last blog post! I know, I know...I am terrible at this! But I promise to make an effort to get better about posting. I have just been so busy with traveling, and school, I haven't been able to find the time to breathe, much less blog.

I have decided to take a new direction with my blog, since I have already reached the one year anniversary of my time here in Charleston, it is no longer a "New Chapter". So I have titled this continuation of the "new chapter", La Bella Vita. Translated from Italian, meaning, "The Beautiful Life". I thought it was fitting since learning to speak Italian is on my bucket list. I feel that a beautiful life is what we are all trying to achieve in one way or another. And it seems to me, Italians truly understand the meaning of leaving beautifully. They indulge in happiness, celebrate relationships, and understand "Ah, dolce far niente" (the art of doing nothing). Which to me, doesn't necessarily mean doing absolutely nothing, but rather truly enjoying, and savoring what you are partaking in for the moment.

So, the new direction of my blog, will be about truly enjoying life. I figure that if I blog about the things I love, friends, food, and interior design, I will remember to savor moments, and hopefully by the end of my life I will be able to look back and say, "Wow, La Bella Vita". Cheesy, but true.

Long Distance

I have never been the type of person who believed in long distance relationships. I just never saw how it was truly possible to create a meaningful connection with someone who you were not with everyday. However, recently, my theory has been proved wrong. I have realized that it isn't the distance that creates the barrier, it is one's inability to open up and share feelings and experiences that causes the true distance. I have recently become even closer to a college friend from 600 miles away.
In college, we ran around with the same group of friends, went to the same parties, and took vacations together. Yet, it wasn't until I moved 600 miles away that we have begun talking daily, sharing life experiences, personal joys and triumphs. And although, the majority of our conversing occurs over gchat, this friend has become a permenant part of my daily life and into the ranks of a Best Friend. That fact alone places a large dent in the theory of may tech critics that say our generation is becoming "disconnected" in relationships, by becoming more "connected" virtually.
A relationship, whether near or far, is nourished when you take the time to become personally invested in someone else's life. To be a true friend means to rejoice in other's successes, and truly sorrow in their pains. And if you can achieve that, well, my friend, you are ahead of the curve.
I am so very thankful for all the relationships I have in my life. Thank you, Leigh for inspiring me to blog, and also for opening my eyes in matters of love and relationships, and what it takes to be a good friend!

The Beginning of a Bucket List...

A few things that I want to learn how to do:
1. Learn to speak Italian fluently
2. Learn how to sew
3. Learn how to play the guitar
4. Travel to a list of places which includes Italy, Croatia, New Zealand, Maine, and Greece
5. Do a zip line (there is one at Mammoth Cave now, maybe I'll try that one out haha)

My bucket list is small for now, but I know it will grow into a life of it's own eventually. I figure start small to get the ball rolling. Also, publishing my bucket list on my blog will definitely push me to accomplish my goals.


Speaking of blogging, I have recently been inspired to start blogging by a good friend who has a fabulous blog. "The Travel Broad" is a very witty and informative guide to traveling and enjoying the pleasures of life. You should definitely check it out.

www.travelbroad.blogspot.com

Here We Go...

Well, this is my very first blog, and I will have to be honest and say that I am not an "open book" type person, so keeping this blog updated will be a challenge for me. But I think it will be a great way for my family and friends to keep up with me and what is going on in my life. So I really am going to try and do my very best to make my posts frequent, yet interesting! haha

I'll begin by giving you an update on my life since moving to Charleston in October. There have been many ups and downs. It has been a transition to say the least. Moving away from a group of friends who I know I can depend on for anything, and a family who is so strong, loving and tight-knit, has been extremely difficult. I miss them all dearly; but they have made it easier on me with frequent visits. My mom came down and stayed with me for an entire month, which was awesome! I miss her already, but I know she will be back for an extended stay again soon! I will also have to admit that I have made quite a few visits home myself. I can't ever stay away too long! My family and friends mean everything to me; no drive is too long to see them!

So far living in Charleston has been absolutely great! The weather is generally beautiful (although right now the heat index 110!), and there is always something to do. From going to boat parades, to concerts, to tennis tournaments, to wine festivals, to oyster roasts, to movie premieres, to air shows, to every ghost walking tour, I have definitely experienced my fair share of Charleston culture. But by far one of my favorite things to do on a Saturday afternoon is to sit at the East Bay Street Wine and Tobacco Shop downtown with friends. You can get a bottle of wine for $12 and sip on it while watching all the interesting characters that walk by on the streets of Charleston. The owner Rusty is like a personal counselor-believe me, he has seen it all! haha

One of the most exciting things that has come out of me moving to Charleston is that I believe I have discovered what I would LOVE to do career-wise. INTERIOR DESIGN. When I was a little girl I would tell my mom that one day I wanted to be an Interior Designer. I would sit for hours and hours playing with my Barbies and setting up the "Barbie Dream Home", frequently rearranging the rooms. It is funny how, growing up, we can easily lose sight of the things in life that really and truly excite us. I am currently taking classes at Trident Tech in North Charleston to get a certificate in Interior Design. So far I LOVE my classes, and it has been a really great way for me to make new friends. So, my blog will probably soon be filled with updates and pictures of projects that I will be taking on! The pictures below are of rooms designed by one of my new favorite designers, Barclay Butera. Maybe one day my rooms will be featured in Coastal Living Magazine :)
Well, there is your very quick recap of my life in Charleston so far. I will be driving back home on the 26th and will be there for an entire week! I can't wait to spend some good quality time with my family and friends!