{fifth wall}

When it comes to giving ceilings in the home a special treatment there are generally two camps: those that love it and those that don't. To be honest, I am not one that usually goes for the look unless a subtle contrasting paint color is used and even then only in certain rooms and spaces. Unless a ceiling is vaulted, a fussy ceiling often brings the height of the room down. That said, I have amassed a collection of images some of which might just cause me to change my tune.

Reed Krakoff used a high gloss lacquer in the living room of his New York apartment. I love that the ceiling is still white which give the space an airy feel, but the glossy finish adds glamour and dimension to the modern space.

J. Crew's President Jenna Lyons, used bold yellow stripe to add a handsome, fun flair to her son Beckett's nursery. I think a child's room is the perfect place for this sort of ceiling treatment.

John Willey used a pale green and graphic trim to tie this bedroom's palette and structure together.

Kelly Wearstler took this room to the next level by covering all five walls in this trellis paper. It definitely makes a bold, graphic punch but it may be a bit much for me. What do you think?

Steven Gambrel used a yellow lacquer in this striking, modern study. The glossiness of the paint reflects light which helps to balance out the dark color palette of the room. I am really loving this lacquered look, how about you?

Bunny Williams used intricate wood work to add dimension to the fifth wall of this dining room. A dining space is a great place for ceiling treatments as so much of the activity in the room remains at eye-level. An interesting ceiling draws the eye up-ward. That said, this look is a bit much for my taste.

David Netto used paint to give this dining space architectural interest. Instead of coffering the ceiling with wood trim, he just painted "coffers" in a geometrical grid.

The raw wood planks applied to this kitchen ceiling definitely add an element of warmth to the architecturally clean space.

Suzanne Kasler knocks it out of the park in this beautiful entry with a wallpapered ceiling. It helps that the ceilings are quite high and there is plenty of natural light.

Do tell, are you a fan of decorating the fifth wall? Do you have a ceiling in your home to which you have applied a special treatment?

{images: 1- via courtney giles; 2- via vogue.com; 3- via habitually chic; 4- via house beautiful; 5- via kelly wearstler; 7- via steven gambrel; 8 - via bunny williams; 9- via david netto; 10- source unkown, sorry!; 11- via suzanne kasler}

{made good, indeed}

I just can't get enough of the elegant and eye-catching furniture and accessories from Made Good. Aren't their pieces fabulous?

{porthault for a pennies?}

D. Porhault, purveyors of the world's most coveted linens, is one of the brands on sale today at One King's Lane. Portahult's clients include star studded style icon list that ranges from Coco Chanel to Jackie O. I would love to snatch up a luxurious hand towel or boudoir sham. How about you?

{images: 1- rita konig via domino magazine; 2- via todd romano; 2- via habitually chic}

{skin care secrets for fall}

You might be surprised to know, that if I could only indulge in only one luxury in life, it would not be a wonderfully decorated home. No, if I had to chose only one, it would be great skin/skin-care. Give me a clean, glowing, radiant complexion over an antique chest any day.

My friend, Karee Hays, a medical esthetician, is my go to girl here in Nashville when it comes to keeping my skin looking its best. She works in the offices of Dr. Carla Retief, Nashville's top dermatologist. What I love about Karee is that she does all of my research for me when it comes to effective skin-care. If it doesn't work, I don't want to waste my time or money! There are so many expensive creams and potions on the market that have minimal results. Karee only recommends what works and often it can be found at my local drugstore.

I asked her to share some of her favorite products to keep our skin looking its best for fall and here is what she had to say:
(BTW: Comments from the peanut gallery -that's me-are in red:)

In my job, as I evaluate the changes in skin, one thing I have continually noticed this season is congested skin. That could be due to humidly, heat, heavy sunscreens and perspiration. A lot of my clients pull back from their routines of chemical exfoliation for fear of sun damage.

As we approach Fall, I give my clients a serious summer tune up with a mini series of peels, deep cleansing treatments and some facial vacuuming. Yes, I said facial vacuuming. There is not one clogged pore once I finish with you. The skin can breathe and now better absorb products because the pores are clear.

At home, you can start with the Walgreen's Brand of Alpha Hydroxy and perk that skin up. Used with some Retin A or Retinol at night, you can be on your way to better skin. Remember to see your skin therapist each season to have your skin evaluated on its condition and get professional recommendations on percentages of treatments, Glycolics and Retin A’s.

I always notice a difference in my hair when I change up my shampoos and conditioners. That goes the same for your skin care. The skin will eventually plateau out and not respond the same as it did at first with some of your creams and lotions. It is good to change them out depending on the condition of skin. I may use Oil of Olay Regenerist one month and then Cetaphil Lotion or Cream the next and go back to Oil of Olay after a period of change.

Beauty Must-Haves for Fall:

Jemma Kidd tweezers, they are hands down my favorite (here, here! they get those stubborn small brow hairs and never get dull!)

Shu Uemura lash curler (add a little heat from your blow dryer to get curly lashes)
Instead of doing Obaji for 6 months with many steps to get dark spots off I use Skin Rehab once a week or every two weeks for three nights and poof, they disappear. It is prescription strength magic in a jar. NO JOKE! I have not put one person on this that does not RAVE about their results. Caution! You will be super glossy and radiant. $150.00 (I'm raving! This product is only available through Retief Skin Center)

For my hard-core skin folks I like the Counter Clockwise Peel MD for the really stubborn spots and great for Melasma. I can hardly keep this product in stock because people love that there is hardly any down time and no laser required. $600.00 The price includes a complete kit of at home products and a post treatment facial. (Again, this also can only be purchased here in Nashville at Retief Skin Center)

I love Therapy Systems Better than Cover concealer and Bobbi Brown’s eye corrector.

I can’t live without Revison Tinted 45 SPF, (LOVE this!) the color is great for fair skin and as I need more color for Fall I simply add a dab of Clinique no streak bronzer to it and wow…my Summer GLOW is back. Very soft dewy finish. I like Mac Select SPF15 if you are oily.

Frederic Frekkai dry shampoo brings movement and body to my hair with a plant-based formula free of sulfates, parabens, dyes, and synthetic fragrances, for days I just don’t have time to wash my hair but want to look great.

Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum or L’Oreal Collagen Repair is nice under concealer. (a great drugstore find always makes me smile)

Stand by favorites:

Don't toss out the coffee grounds that brewed up your morning pot of java. A handful of moist grounds (organic is preferable) make for a fantastic facial exfoliant or all-over body scrub. Not only do the grounds physically slough off dead skin cells, but the remaining caffeine also tightens and firms pores, resulting in impossibly smooth skin. For dry skin, add 1-2 tablespoons of cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil. (who knew?)

Eucerin Therapy Plus Intensive Repair Body Lotion.
This is just a must for silky legs during cooler weather. I alternate with my favorite self tanner…Fake Bakeand Voila, no need to give dry, ashy, colorless skin a second thought.

If you live in Nashville, be sure to give Karee a visit and tell her I sent you! Trust me, your skin will thank you!

Karee Hays
Retief Skin Center
615 383-6092
kareehays@comcast.net

{inspiration: ebony + white + gold}

Too tired for words tonight so here is some eye candy to fill the void. xo, SC

{images: 1- unkown, 2- via southern accents from things that inspire blog; 3 via kelly wearstler; 4-via jayson garden and home; 5- home of aerin lauder via nytimes online 6- via lonny magazine, pottery from west elm; 7- via the sartorialist; 8- via this is glamorous blog; 9 - via chronicle books; 10- scout designs via Lonny}

{divide and conquer}

Whether or not you live in a newly constructed home with an open floor plan or large great room or you live in an older home with a quirky layout, chances are you have a room that poses a decorating challenge. Our living room is sizeable but long and narrow and has has three asymmetrical doorways which makes arranging furniture quite difficult. Unlike many, our living room is a room that gets a significant amount of use. It is adjacent to our family room so family activities often spill over into this high traffic area.

In my mind, a furniture plan is the most important part of the decorating process. It determines how the room will function and how well the space will be utilized. In creating a floor plan, one must ask oneself: what will be done in this particular room? Will there be books read? Parties hosted? Games played? Work done? What do I want the focal point of the room to be? How does traffic flow? How do the adjoining rooms relate to this room?

Generally speaking, large rooms don't usually don't always require one large seating area. After all, how often do you have more than 50 people in your home at one time? And when you do have a big blow out, don't people usually break into smaller groups for more intimate conversations anyways?

When I first tried to lay out our living room, I felt enslaved to the fireplace. Afterall, it is the most obvious focalpoint for the room. But because of the awkward placement of a doorway on the opposing wall, cenetering my furniture around the fireplace did not utilize the room well.

After thinking out loud with some design minded friends, and trying to find a less obvious furniture plan, I decided to and divide the room into two smaller seating areas. I did this by pushing the seating out to the ends of the room, creating smaller, more intimate spaces.

Pulling the furniture out, however, left a large empty space in the middle of the room in front of the fireplace. The solution, I have decided will be a large, skirted table in the center of the room to divide two smaller spaces but to give the fireplace the special attention it deserves. I promise to post pictures when the room is complete.

Do you have a room that poses a challenge when it comes to a floor plan? Is there a creative solution you had not considered until now?

{images: 1- via things that inspire; 2- via jeffrey bilhuber; 3- via house beautiful; 4- via jeffrey bilhuber; 5- via a bloomsbury life blog; 6- markham roberts via house beautiful; 7- via elle decor; 8- albert hadley via house beautiful}

{furry fashionista}

Have you met this stylish blogging bunny? Her name is Fifi Lapin and she is the cutest thing ever. Don't you just love her fabulous designer ensembles? I just ordered the print below from Fifi's shop. Once it arrives it will be making its way to my girls' room wall.

{dreamy derian}

John Derian has long been known for his eclectic treasures so it is no surprise that he incorporates his passions into his personal living spaces. Whether or not you are a fan of this all out vintage, faded look, you must admit his homes have warmth and soul. To me, Derian's interiors have a European sensibility in which the "imperfect" is embraced and applauded (but that is another post in and of itself).

John Derian is most famous for his decoupage wares and eclectic accessories which are sold both in his gorgeous NYC store as well as in antique and gift shops around the world. His pieces are highly personal and have aura of days gone by. A John Derian piece instantly adds character to a "decorated" interior. Derian's pieces have been inaccessible to many due to a high price tag, but soon we all can indulge in a bit of Derian design. September 5th, Target will premiere a more affordable line of Derian's wares that will include almost 100 pieces all under $25. Can't wait, or like me, hate driving from Target to Target looking for that one sold out piece? Today at 11am Eastern Time, Gilt Group will be selling a small number of items from the charming Target collection.

{images: 1 &2 - william waldron courtesy of a perfect gray; 3- vogue living courtesy of habitually chic; 4 & 5 - courtesy of target via LA times}