SIMPLE PLEASURES

have a beautiful (Labor Day) weekend


xoox
catherine




image found: here

ADJECTIVES

Someone told me the other day that our living room felt soothing. It was a perfect word to describe how it feels when you step from the chaos that is the kitchen/family room into our living room. It is truly a sensory shift. Like a soft creamy cocoon. I was so excited that someone used a word like that to describe how it feels. Rather than 'pretty' or 'beautiful' it was 'soothing'. That is exactly what we strive for in Canvas Interiors. Make you home a place of feeling and the beauty will follow.

Here is our living room piece by piece. Yes we have kids and yes these pieces are white. Slipcovers are a beautiful thing with kids... pop them off and throw them in the laundry.



We mix silver and bronze pieces for a not too matchy matchy feel. The herringbone rug echoes the subtle pattern on the pillow. Thats about as exciting as it gets folks!  And thats how I like it. 

In addition to what you see here I have a huge vintage mirror I scored at a flea market 25 years ago and painted...you guessed it... white, and a lucite and brass console table I picked up on 1st dibs. When you start with a simple canvas you can add vintage pieces from different eras and it all works. 

You can find all of these pieces on our website and we are having a sale so that cute little brass occasional table above? It is marked down to $379.

SHOP THE LOOK:


Visit  canvas interiors  to see our entire collection and Labor Day Sale items.

A LITTLE BIT OF MUSCLE

I am loving the muscle tank right now. It is a look I have subscribed to with my ripped boyfriend jeans and of course have a collection of white, grey and black.  I think they are super sexy in a tough girl kind of way. I like to soften them with a pointy toe shoe or a big chunky jewel of a bracelet. 

Give it a leather pant, off duty model ease, or add a ladylike pencil skirt. It is the perfect change of pace for end of summer, early fall.  Throw a blazer over it on a chilly night and you are good to go. 





 Shop the look:

L to R:  add this one to a leather pant |  wear this grey one for laid back cool | or this wild tiger for a little attitude | and this ladylike version would make a pencil skirt look ladylike tough.

Love the look? Find more here:









streetstyle images found:  1 |  2  |  3  |  






CANVAS INTERIORS LABOR DAY SALE STARTS WEDNESDAY

Is it Labor Day already?!  Check out the Canvas Interiors sale starting tomorrow. Floor models and lots of goodies on our website marked down.


We are getting ready to refresh our collection and add a third store to the mix. Making room for new and lovely goods arriving soon. Two shipments arriving to us this week! 

Local friends come visit and if you are reading from afar you can visit us virtually and we can ship it to you.


sale section: check it out! 




THE HOME FRONT

Back to school time brings with it the time to focus on our home. Gone are the summer camp art projects strewn all over the house, the piles of half finished drawings/crafts/projects, random swimsuits and piles of flip flops everywhere. The school shoes are front and center, socks all paired up. I tuck the special art creations away in a box, the others... well, you know. I 'file' those. 

There is again a small sense of order. The kids' desks are cleaned up, sharpened pencils at the ready for homework. Which allows me the mental space to look around and regroup on the home front. I love that feeling. 

Here are a few pieces from Canvas Interiors to get you in the mood to feather your nest for fall. 


We love the little details and revel in the subtle touches. Shells, nailheads, wicker texture (those nesting baskets are really large btw - great for storing blankets)

You can find these items on our website to start your fall nesting ideas. Start a pinterest board, 'keep' it, dream it. 

direct links to the pieces above: chandelier | bar stool | chair | baskets 


ps: if you haven't found 'keep' yet, check it out. its like pinterest with direct shopping links. follow me HERE


images: ©canvas interiors

BACK TO SCHOOL

In high school the words 'back to school' were not that exciting in the fashion department for me. Those words meant getting new black Oxford shoes and making sure my kilt didn't still have staples in the hem from the year prior when I was trying to make it shorter. Did my hunter green knee socks still have enough elastic in them to get me through another year? Where was that damn plaid tie anyways?  

So today I decided to dress my adult self for 'back to school' as if I had all the choice in the world. Here is what I would have worn to school today if it was my first day back. 


I would start with a basic skinny jean and the ever classic Frye boot.


Add an army jacket, cheeky tee (because it is my grown up self going back to school after all) and a fab tote. The best part of your adult self indulging back to school shopping urges? No homework. 



shop:  boots  || jeans  ||  army jacket  ||  tee  ||  tote 











ITS MONDAY. COCKTAILS ANYONE?

What a better way to start the week than thinking about cocktails right?  I stumbled (not really) over this post from STYLE ME PRETTY and had to share it with you. And for a bonus bit, Chef Erin from the Oxford Exchange (one of the coolest buildings ever, found in Tampa) uses her cold pressed juices in these gorgeous looking cocktails. 

Using fresh pressed juice and a bit o' alcohol these recipes are still enticing as summer winds to a close. 

Check out SMP  for the recipes  and these gorgeous images by Justin DeMutiis.  Then check out the Oxford Exchange. I am slightly obsessed with this place. 



bottoms up!



PEACE

Reflecting today. 

Taking some time to be with the smalls before they start school next week and hugging them tight.

I'm keeping summer hours today ...lazy days...a little more beach time before packed lunches and early morning routines.









SPOTLIGHT: SHAWN BROADDUS of B DESIGN

In the June issue of Atlanta Homes you will find an article called 'Carte Blanche'.  A 14,000 square foot 'McMansion' gets transformed into a stylish home for a young family. 


Atlanta Braves 2nd baseman Dan Uggla owned the home in Sandy Springs but spent most of his time in his downtown penthouse. The McMansion lacked a sense of warmth. When Dan proposed to his bride it was time to make the dated McMansion a family home. The couple gave interior designer Shawn Broaddus carte blanche to re imagine it and the result is a gorgeous, light filled home. Not a hint of McMansion here. 



Stripped of ornate moldings, dated kitchen cabinets and interior columns this home now looks elegant, fresh and current. Of course the light creamy interiors totally appeal to me. Touches of color used sparingly and an understated elegance throughout makes this a youthful yet 'grown up' home. 

I thought I would share not only the end result of this extensive project but also some insight into her job, how she got started and any advice she might have. 

Here is an interview with Shawn. I hope the questions and answers resonate with you:

1. How did you get started in interior design? Was there an 'ah-ha' moment ?

Well, I have had many people throughout the years ask to help with their homes, solely based on what they had seen at my own. About 5 years ago, I was asked to help with a high profile house in Atlanta and realized at that point, I may be on to something. I have always been into design on all levels – and this was my opportunity to do that for others! I certainly never thought I would have a career in interior design and a published home with the big 5-0 right around the corner.


2. What advice would you give someone who wanted to start a career in interior design? Would the advice be different for someone fresh out of college vs. someone wanting to start later in life as a new career path?

Don’t go into it because you think it’s glamorous - it’s  crazy hard work! To be good or above average you must live and breath design of all kinds and know what’s going on in all areas; Fashion, Architecture, Interior Design, Furniture Design, art etc.  I truly believe that the knowledge I gained from studying different types of design is what has allowed me to stand out in the crowd. Designers are a dime a dozen – you  have to have a niche.  Formal education is great, but in my opinion, not absolutely necessary if you are aware of what’s going on in the design world and able to implement that in your work. It’s all about the details.

3. What is the hardest part of your job?

Ahhh – Dealing with the things that go wrong on a project – and believe me – they do!!!  If you are working with clients who have never really used a designer it can very difficult the first go round. You are at the mercy of your subs/contractors and therefore have to rely on them heavily to get it done and get it done right.  I am a perfectionist, so that doesn’t help.

4. How do you define your style? 

My aesthetic is grounded by tradition incorporating  clean lines, architectural details, organic objects and luxurious materials.  I love art and feel a house has no soul without it. I do a lot of custom design to insure that the pieces are just right, adding to the overall detail of the space.  I look to all areas of design to stay current and hip and feel that a home should reflect the  personality of the people who live in it.


5. Do clients come to you for 'your style' or do they want you to curate 'their style'. Or a bit of both?

I think overall, they seem to be attracted to my style. I have had clients that are a bit more traditional than I am but when they see my work, they seem to become addicted to the  fresh overall feeling and quickly jump on board.

6. What is your favorite color and why?

Cream – it is the prefect soothing color that represents purity, nature and timeless style. It’s soft and yummy! 

7. What is the best part of your job?

The end result!!! When all the hard work is over, sitting back and taking it all in with your happy client is the greatest joy on the planet!

8. How do you handle changes/problems/difficult situations?

With a positive attitude. Life is not perfect – the sooner you realize that the better. You have to be able to "roll with the punches" in this business and keep everyone happy.  Losing your cool is just not an option.

9.  Atlanta homes -this looks like an extensive project!  How long did the project take start to finish?

Overall  about a year. I am still working on a few areas of the house; creating a space for a new baby on the way and an outdoor space to relax.  The project was huge, from construction to the final layers - it was definitely crazy.  But, my clients we’re awesome and that made it such a joy!

10. What inspires you? Where do you find inspiration? And how do you 'keep' inspiring things? Pinterest, old fashioned bulletin boards? sketchbooks?

Art, fashion and pure design – I love it all and I am inspired by all of the people who live in that world. The talent out there is pretty amazing, from interior designers to woodworkers. I am blown away by all of the people that are so good at their craft and the integrity that comes with that. I am a Pinterest freak!  I use to tear out pictures in  magazines and save them all. Now I can do that in a much more creative and organized way. I use Pinterest for my clients as a way to determine their style and understand mine.  Though Pinterest is a great tool, I still have a bulletin board at my desk filled with tactile design and inspiration that I can touch and feel.

11.  If you could have dinner with  one interior designer past or present, who would it be? And why?

You know, that’s a hard question to answer. I admire so many designers and draw from all of them but I guess if we’re talking cocktails I would have to say Nate Berkus. I’m pretty obsessed with his talent to create edgy creative spaces that always seem warm and inviting.


Thank you Shawn for taking the time to answer these questions and congratulations on a gorgeous project. 


Links:

Atlanta Homes article: here

see more Shawn Broaddus / B Design Interiors: here




JUMP

As much as I love my magic dress and maxi dresses in general, there comes a time in late summer where I am looking for a change of pace.  The jumpsuit is a good go-to for me. I know they have kind of had their fashion moment but I still love mine.

I will say that they are also a little hard to pull off if you don't get it just right. I have tried on many to find just the right proportion: not too baggy in the boo-ta-tay (as my smalls call it), hits the waist in just the right place and a balanced shape top and bottom.

Edgy, daring, classic or chic - you choose.

Shop for your perfect jumpsuit:







streetstyle images found clockwise from top L:  1 // 2 // 3 // 4



UNCLE

Uncle. I give up. Life at home with the smalls this week has taken a turn.  I wanted them to have a nice week of down time and lolly-gagging around before school started. I had a sitter scheduled a few hours a day so I could get some work done (they adore her and beg to see her). Well... the sitter is sick and so are XS and S K. 

Thus no work time for work-from-home mamma. 

Small K is on the mend but not 100%. And XS K had strep last week, got better for like, 5 minutes and is now complaining of a sore throat again. So it is back to the doctor with both kids.


I say 'uncle' to this week. Sorry for the lack of posts. I'll be back next week! 

CATCHING MY BREATH

Last night I got home from the Las Vegas Furniture Market via San Francisco.  I stopped in SF to visit my dear friends and get my fill/fix of my former home. I couldn't come that far west and not head to the city by the bay for a few days.

The furniture market was a whirlwind walking tour and we found some very special things for Canvas Interiors.  


I can't wait to share more. We are getting ready to open our third Canvas Interiors location. More on this new venture soon! 

In the meantime I must run as the Pediatrician's office opens in 6 minutes. I awoke to sweet Small K barking like a seal.  Croup greets me with my coffee and it is off to the doctor we go.  



Deep Dive

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