{memorial day}

I hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend. Our family is at the beach spending some much needed together time. I am thankful today for those heros have given their lives for our beloved freedom. Happy Memorial Day!

{gwyneth's nashville nest}

Those who know me well know that I am a huge Gwyneth Paltrow fan. She is a dedicated mother, has great style, speaks the most beautiful, fluent Spanish, and best of all she is married to Cold Play's cool-cat Chris Martin (sigh). I have seen all her movies and faithfully watched her NPR Spain: On the Road Again series with legendary chef Mario Batali.

When I heard Gwyneth was coming to Nashville to film the independent film, Love Don't Let Me Down with Tim McGraw, I was thrilled. Of course while she was in town, my dear friend reported two face to face sightings and I never once got even a glimpse.

While filming, Gywneth and her family needed a place to call home. In record speed, Atlanta based photostylist and producer, Annette Joseph, transformed a loft in the chic, urban Gulch area into a beautiful and comfortable modern living space.

The living and dining room furniture were sourced at budget friendly places such as Mitchell Gold, Overstock.com and Hobby Lobby.

The dreamy bathroom was outfitted with a gorgeous free standing tub. I can only imagine how much fun her children had taking bubble baths in this space. Ceramic "Marble-like" tiles gave the space a spa-like feel for a fraction of the cost of real marble.

The master bedroom is clean and modern with a winged Yates bed from Mitchell Gold that takes center stage.

Apple and Moses shared purple bunk beds from Posh Tots. The chalk-board accent wall is a great kid-friendly addition to the room.

The kitchen is my most favorite space in the loft and it is where I imagine Gywneth spending most of her time. It has a great sleek industrial look, perfect for an extended stay.

Given that this entire space was built out and furnished in just 10 days, I think Joseph did an amazing job. Now that the filming is over and Gwyneth has moved on, I wonder what lucky Nashvillian has moved in? If you are reading, I would love to come for dinner!

Too see more Gwyneth's Nashville nest and to get more great budget friendly ideas for modern living spaces, check out her news letter at GOOP.

{on set: sex and the city 2}

The truth of the matter is, this has been an exhaustingly busy week. My husband is traveling on business again and we the children and I have been bouncing from one end of the year activity to another. Come tomorrow afternoon, I am checking out of this crazy routine and escaping with a group of girlfriend for dinner and a movie. After a margarita (or too) we will be sitting down (that sounds dreamy about now) to see the take in the highly anticipated film, Sex And The City 2.

Honestly, I could care less if the movie is any good or not, I am just excited to see the fashion and design (and to have 2 hours of uninterrupted time to myself!) The film promises to feature fantastic furnishings with one of Carrie's lines being, " I have been cheating on fashion with furniture." From what I can tell, the set director, Lydia Marks, has done an amazing job.

Carrie and Big's living room is dramatic and glamorous, as is to be expected. The room reflects it's inhabitants well with a mix of handsome and feminine furnishings in the space. The sofa in this space is from Montauk Sofa and is upholstered in the most beautiful blue fabric from Donghia.

Carrie and Big's dining room is equally as chic, with an oxidized steel chandelier and dining chairs upholstered in Lee Jofa's Belgravia fabric. I have a feeling we are going to be seeing a lot more of this print now that it has been showcased by Carrie!

We all know closets play a major role in the Sex and the City phenomenon and the sequel promises not to disappoint. Carrie and Big's closet, seen below, is divided into his and hers with a sleek masculine wood trimmed side from him and a sophisticated, well lit, painted side for her.

Charlotte's Park Avenue kitchen is built for a growing family with it's fresh white cabinetry, industrial appliances, and large island. The making of perfectly iced cupcakes in an unstained apron I can't much relate to. Trying to talk to a friend with a screaming baby on my hip is more my speed. I love the grey and white harlequin floors but in reality they would be a nightmare to keep clean in a kitchen with kids!

Be sure to check out more great interior images from the film on Elle Decor and if you get a chance grab some girlfriends go see SATC 2!!

All photographs courtesy of Craig Blankenhorn

{pool party}

The temperatures in Nashville are getting down right hot we are all looking for a place to cool off. With Memorial Day just a few days away, the pool season is upon us. The smell of sunscreen and chlorine are already wafting through our home. These chic images are getting me in a summer frame of mind. Are you ready for a pool party?

{images: 1, 4, 8 slim aarons, 2- michael kors, 3- paul costello, 5- ashley whittaker, 6- francois halard, 7- elle decor}

{well said}

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;

for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness;

and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

Audrey Hepburn

Happy Weekend!

{map it}

Have you been searching for that perfect, inexpensive piece of art to fill a blank wall? Maps are a creative and inexpensive solution to the bare wall syndrome most of us face. Maps also allow you to add a personal touch to your home as well. Why not hang a map of your favorite city or country or a map that represents some part of your heritage?

A vintage framed map of the United States is the focal point in designer Jeffrey Bilhuber's dining room. The map belonged to Bilhuber's great-aunt and has become a meaningful family heirloom.

L.A. designer, Peter Dunham filled the "big dead space" above the headboard in this guest room with a 1960's map of Africa he found at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

A collage of maps can create an eclectic wallpaper in a bathroom (as seen at top) or a bedroom. In the bedroom above, designer Kerry Joyce used maps from the California Map and Travel Center.

If you are extra ambitions you can give your old furniture a face lift by decoupaging them with maps.

I found this Paris Map wrapping paper made by Cavallini at The Paper Source last summer for $4. Being that Paris is one of my favorite cities, I had the map framed and hung it in my little girls' room. On occasion my girls climb up on their dresser to get a closer look and together we discuss all the sights this chic city has to offer. I cannot wait for the day the three of us can travel there together!

There are so many great sources for maps both new and old. Travel centers and museums are a worth a look as is Ebay. Cavallini has a great assortment of excellently priced reproduction vintage maps that can be found on Amazon. If you are looking to cover an entire wall with a map, Hammacher Schlemmer and National Geographic are good places to look.

{images: 1 - via Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People; 2 & 4 via Elle Decor 3- via House Beautiful; 5- via Better Homes and Gardens; 6 - via Paper Source: 7- author's own}

{film: the lazarus effect}

I am sure most of you are already familiar with the ongoing RED campaign that partners with brands such as Gap, Starbucks and Apple to raise money to fight Aids in Africa. RED's latest effort is The Lazarus Effect, a documentary that details the transformative effect that anti-viral drugs can have on people who are HIV positive in Sub-Saharan Africa. The documentary will be airing on HBO, YouTube and Channel 4 (UK) on May 24th.

Along with the documentary, there is an moving Public Service Announcement that was directed by renowned French celebrity and film photographer Brigitte Lancombe. Lancombe has celebrities reel off a list of items that can be purchased for 40 cents, which is the cost of an life saving anti-viral pill. Check out these Lancombe's beautifully captured celebrity portraits as well as the PSA below. And be sure to watch the Lazarus Effect May 24th.

{style chronicle in new york: the carlyle}

While in New York a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of staying at the iconic Carlyle Hotel. Named after Scottish Essayist, Thomas Carlyle, this luxurious New York landmark has been in operation for 80 years.The hotel has housed many high profile and stylish guests over the years including French Vogue Editor Carine Rotfeild, Roger Federer, the late Princess Diana and Mr and Mrs. John F. Kennedy. It is rumored that Marilyn Monroe was escorted through the hotel's service entrance to visit the president after her famous "Happy Birthday" performance at Madison Square Gardens.

A walk through the elegant lobby makes it quite obvious why this hotel has reached it's iconic status. Decorated in the Art-Deco style, the black and white marble floors and sleek yellow upholstered pieces come together to create a breathtakingly glamorous first impression. It is a must see if you are in New York!

In true old-schooled manor, there are uniformed elevator operators that work around the clock to usher guests to and from the luxurious rooms, decorated originally by Dorothy Draper and later updated by the equally legendary Mark Hampton. The rooms are comfortable and relaxed with an understated chic vibe.

The food and drink at the Carlyle are not to be overlooked either. The famous New York watering hole, Bemelman's Bar is housed within the hotel. A storybook of a room, it's walls are covered in murals of wondrous central park, which were painted in 1947 by French artist Ludwig Bemelman, who is best known for the Madeline children's books.

The swank Cafe Carlyle is a New York mainstay for jazz and cabaret. It's walls are swathed in musical murals by French artist Marcel Vertes.

And the Carlyle Restaurant, designed in the English Country house style by Mark Hampton is stimulating both for the palette and for the eyes.

{images: 1,2,4,8 & 9 courtesy of the Carlyle Hotel, image 7 via vanity fair, all others are author's own}

{knock, knock}

Who's there? It's me! I am back and loving these magnificent mahogany internal doors.

The doors inside the home are often forgotten and neglected, but given the chance, they can be powerful design elements.

Why not add nail head trim to give plain doors architectural interest?

Or adorn your most special doors with some beautiful new hardware?

Take a page out of the playbook of legend, Albert Hadley and add a shiny coat of black lacquer to a set of doors.

It will make quite a statement.

White doors are classics. A fresh coat of paint, finely milled encasement, and well chosen hardware can take a door from non-descript to unforgettably elegant.

{images: 1,4,8,9 via gil schafer; 2- via tory burch; 3- via house beautiful, design by miles redd; 5 & 7 via habitually chic; 6- via elle decor}