Tuesday: Inspiring Spaces by Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey

So how many of you watched HGTV's Showhouse Showdown after the Design Star Finale last week? I couldn't watch it immediately after, so I had to record it, and am I ever glad I did. I've watched the recording at least 3-times, soaking up the genius work of Washington DC designer: Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey. If you hadn't watched the show, the premise goes a little like this: 2 area designers design 5 rooms in 2 identical new-build homes with a budget of ($70,000+), and the public decides who wins. The winner has their design portfolio featured on HGTV's Designers' Portfolio.

I had initially scheduled a different designer for today, but after seeing the show and falling in love with SCW, I had to share some of my favorites from her portfolio with you right away! The above bedroom was from the HGTV show, and I think, was a crowd favorite, helping to land her the win.

What's not to love, really? The Schumacher Chenonceau wallpaper is stunning. And though it comes in several different color ways, I love the fawn color SCW used in this bedroom. So enveloping, and the perfect back drop to her painted furniture, crisp white bedding, and soft green/taupe striped tester canopy. This whole room is a lesson in working with pattern on pattern, and reminds me of another fabulous inspiring designer, Mary McDonald ... don't you think? More rooms from Showhouse Showdown:

There are no showhouses like this around here, but that's probably because builders can't afford such large budgets. Still, while the high-end upholstery and wall coverings are certainly a beautiful addition, and lend incredibly to the overall luxury of the space, a lot of these rooms could be copied for less. Much less. It's the color story, the pattern play, and the space plan that I think are the real lesson here - as with any Tuesday post. Don't get discouraged if you can't afford to wallpaper an entire room in $272/roll wallpaper - be inspired, and then color outside the lines a bit. Get creative! Now that your creative juices are flowing, here's a little more inspiration from Shazalynn's HGTV Portfolio, enjoy - and remember, for her full portfolio visit her website here: http://www.scwinteriors.com/

Love this cozy bedroom, also featured in 2010 Cottages and Cabins:

This same kitchen was part of SCW's Renovation Home Fall 2011 spread:

And this beautiful vignette, part of a room featured in Better Homes and Gardens, 2007: