Blogger Treasure Hunt

Do any of my fabulous readers know a retail or wholesale provider for these beautiful wicker dining room chairs? 

Tuesday: Inspiring Spaces by Pierce and Company

If you've been watching HGTV Design Star, you've probably also been watching all of the great new design shows that HGTV has on the Fall line up. It's so refreshing to know that we'll be able to see more than Realtors and their clients looking at houses in areas from Denver to Brazil ... fun as that is. One of those shows, (probably the one I'm most looking forward to) is Interiors, Inc..

Interiors, Inc. shadows the designers of the high-end design firm Pierce and Company, and their wonderful design gallery, an eclectic mix of modern lighting, Asian antiques,custom furniture, art and accessories in Historic downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

Jonathan Pierce, the owner and lead designer has built a wonderful reputation while establishing a collection of designers helping to create amazing portfolio work like you'll see below. He also had quite a wonderful recording career in Christian Music for those of you who may find his name familiar. For more photos or information, you can contact them on their website: http://www.pierceandco.com/#!__portfolio

CDLV - What it Means

If you read the blog often enough, you might read CDLV in random posts relating directly to our home. CDLV, simply, is the acronym for Casa de la Vanderdogan. It was the easiest, and most creative, way to give our home a name. Casa, the Spanish for Home/House, de la, (of the) Vander (the first two syllables of my last name) dogan (the last two syllables of Scott's last name).

Confusing? Now you know why I simply say CDLV. {smile} I've never thought to write it all down, but there's quite a story to CDLV, after all, it was built in 1922, and has a host of stewards before us. If you're interested, let me know! I'll start working up the post!

And the winners are ...

Congratulations to:

#29:  stacythemagnificentmommy @ http://crazygreenmommy.blogspot.com/

#48: Jake @ http://atozeclectic.blogspot.com/

Winners were picked using http://www.random.org/. Thank you to everyone who entered, and please, don't forget to check out all of the wonderful decals and the AMAZING prices at http://www.wallquotes.com/.

Happy Labor Day!

GIVEAWAY - $100 to TWO lucky READERS!

That's right! What a wonderful day for a giveaway? One of my sweet, sweet sponsors: Belvedere Wall Quotes at www.wallquotes.com wants to give two of my readers, might I say, two LUCKY readers, a $100 credit to purchase anything they offer on their great website. (And with prices like theirs, $100 might knock down 1/2 of your Christmas list!)

On their facebook page, Belvedere Wall Quotes has lots of photos submitted from purchasers of their product after they installed it in their own homes. This one, in the hallway of a home, is too cute! Why not let the decal say it all for you, right?

And how many of you have one of these? I drive a considerable distance daily, and I have to tell you I see more of these than I can count. I always wondered where they bought them, and how exactly they'd include other pets besides the requisite dog and cat. Well, Belvedere Wall Quotes answers both those questions! You can have anything custom printed, and they'll be happy to make one that stretched the width of your rear window if necessary!
I loved this, too. I think it's a great way to dress up builder boring back splash (hows that for alliteration?) tile in any kitchen.

Oh to have a creative space so lovely. But I loved this, too. And the quote: Do Something Creative Everyday. Isn't that what feeds the soul? Why not have a little reminder?

And I have to tell you that I love the idea of the wall decals as a headboard! They even have monogrammed versions (like the first photo) that are even more elaborate. What a great way to give bedroom some wow-factor, right?

How would I use them you ask? Well, I happen to have a teenage girls bedroom I'm in the middle of finishing and we're at a standstill with art! We've painted the walls black, and I couldn't be happier. I think a collection of Belvedere Wall Quotes chandeliers in bright white or metallic would be amazing:

Click image to go directly to purchase site.

Or maybe even these great postmark decals in different colors

Click on image to go directly to purchase site.

Now, I know you're all so excited, and want to know how you can win. EASY! Just leave a comment here letting me know where you're going to put your wall quotes decal. For a bonus entry, follow me on the left sidebar, and if you're already a follower, leave a second comment letting me know! I'll announce the winner this Friday.

Need some inspiration while you anxiously wait for the winners to be announced? Check out their inspiration blog http://www.belvederedesignsblog.com/ and soak up some of the cool ways others have used these fantastic wall decals!

Skirting Inspiration ...

Now that I moved the secretary into the dining room to act as a bar,  I had a lack of flat surfaces in the foyer ... an important element, given the amount of mail I bring in daily (along with keys, cell phones, wallets, magazines ... you get the picture, right?) So I started looking for inspiration, and voila.

The wonderful thing about a skirted table in the foyer is the sheer versatility of it. In a pinch you could use it as a server, a bar, a desk, (and if you have a blog - they make great blog posts! tehehe) so I figure it was time for Casa dela Vanderdogan to have one too. I've made the table (an archaic blend of 12" pine and 2x2 firring strips) but now it's time to make decisions on fabric. Any ideas?

TUESDAY: Inspiring Spaces by Marshall Watson

I first came across the portfolio work of Marshall Watson when a home he designed in Long Island appeared in the July 2009 Veranda. Focused on creating interiors with an understated elegance, Watson has been creating awe worthy interiors since starting his firm in New York City in 1985. A trained actor, Marshall (who is originally from Kansas City) ended up in New York after getting booked on the now cancelled soap opera: As The World Turns. After a few episodes, Watson went on to be a very successful Broadway actor, but ended up eventually being the Marshall Watson we get to enjoy the portfolio of today. Published in Veranda, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful ... and the list goes on and on, Watson is no stranger to positive reviews, so I hope that his spaces inspired all of you - and get you thinking about how to introduce a little color, and perhaps some understated elegance in all of your rooms. Enjoy:

Dishin' it on The Skirted Roundtable

I was elated when Joni Webb of Cote de Texas, asked me to be a part of the Blog Radio show "The Skirted Roundtable" with Linda and her for a recap of Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators. You all remember that I recapped my thoughts on the show here on the blog, and I was happy to dish out my two cents on the show.

Click over and take a listen, and a big thank you to Joni and Linda for asking me to be a part of it!

A Picture is Worth ...

Dining Room Bar - Our Home

My good bloggy friend Joan, from the amazing blog for the love of a house, has a series on her blog called "snapshots". They're pictures she takes of vignettes, furniture, flowers, even the light and shadows as they pass through the many windows of her home onto her gorgeous interiors. No real commentary, just a picture ... worth a thousand words.

Inspired by Joan, I decided to start a similar series called "A Picture is Worth ..." All pictures of CDLV (Casa de la Vanderdogan) as I see it. I know that I haven't been sharing much of our house, and there are too many reasons to list. I know that a lot of you read the blog for the writing I do about other designers, and the collection of inspiring photos by one designer in one place ... but there are others, the tried and true, who know what CDLV is all about and long for a reminder every once in a while.

Thank you to everyone who reads, and especially to those of you who leave comments on the blog. I know it takes some extra time ... and I sincerely appreciate it. This blog wouldn't be worth doing if it weren't for all of you. Enjoy: