Decorating Style in One Picture

From the Right Bank has thrown down a challenge... Define your decorating style in one picture. This was difficult for me. My design crushes change frequently. But for right this minute, this is mine. Can you hear that? (Boom, boom, boom... That's my heart pounding!) I love the super high ceiling, the exposed beams and the wall of windows flanking the room. I think the neutral walls and furniture is nothing short of dreamy! What you can't see is the view of the ocean out the right side windows. Let me explain my obsession a little... I am a girl who grew up right on The Great Lakes in Michigan and spent a great deal of time vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This is where my never ending love affair with large bodies of water and great rooms with a view began.

SO DARN BEAUTIFUL! Don't you think?

Image via Costal Living.

The Man Cave

Does the guy in your life have a "man cave"? You know, that sacred spot he's carved out for himself in your home, the one outfitted with the ugly recliner he can't live without and the other dubious furnishings you've banned from the rest of the house? Yeah, I know. Well, this post is in honor of our guys on Father's Day.

All righty then... let's just get right to it. Men are not your "typical" decorators. (At least the ones I know!) They don't care about window treatments, paint colors or nice accessories. But if you give them a little of their own turf.... they will come up with decorating ideas galore. These "manctuaries" come in all shapes, sizes and themes. The one thing they all have in common is tons of testosterone.

I personally have trouble understanding why the XY's in our lives need their own space to watch sports and drink beer or whatever it is they do in there. And I certainly don't understand why the "bro-zone" should be where the wagon wheel coffee table goes to die; after all, isn't that what craigslist is for? (I'm just sayin'!) I really think they ought to pitch the threadbare recliner and put the collection of baseball caps or hockey jerseys in the attic. Call me crazy, but clothing is meant to be put on the body, not hung on a wall... right?

(I must confess that somewhere, deep down, I secretly like the idea that men can perform all the Cro-Magnon like offensive behaviors in there and come out when they want to rejoin the civilized, 21st century. I'm a walking, talking contradiction...)

To keep it all straight, these retreats aren't ordinary recreation rooms. Au contraire. These are rooms that fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the man of the house. In other words, NO GIRLS ALLOWED! But not all man caves are created equal. They cover a huge range of themes and styles. But they all span the ingenious depths of drinking, debauchery and self-indulgence. And some include such man-tastic features that you will have to see them to believe them.

Let's start with with this hockey themed man cave. Not too bad. Huh?

How about a little virtual golf?

Or for the Harley enthusiast...

Or the NASCAR fan.

This is a little bit crazy... looks like some kind of militia weapons cache.

Or his own personal temple packed with his favorite junk. ( I mean treasures.)

There always seems to be room for just one more piece of memorabilia… or maybe not.

And now for a couple of man caves gone terribly wrong...

I have no words, no words what-so-ever...

I can practically smell this one from here... eesh!

Now, if us girls had anything to do with it, the man cave would probably look something like this...

Or this...

Or even this.

I do think men get nervous when we get involved.

I think that they think we'll want to join them in there if it's not repulsive, stinky and uber masculine.

After all, that would defeat the whole purpose... yeah guys, we get it.

Man caves are so popular now; they even have their own TV show, cleverly called "Man Caves" on the DIY channel. The Man Caves team has renovated and built some spectacular caves and any guy would drool at the prospect of getting this team into their basement or garage. Check it out here.

The bottom line... you fellas aren't cave men. You’re just guys who haven’t shaved in three days. Now, go wash off your Pleistocene funk, turn off the football game, step away from the kegorator and for heaven's sake, stop grunting.

Does the guy in your life have a dedicated space of his own? I'd love to hear all about it!

Oh, and Happy Father's Day!!!

Graduation Season 2010

I'm back... feeling better and getting inspired. Thanks to all of you for asking! Well, graduation season is in full swing and that means parties, parties and more parties! And that's just fine with me because I love, love, love to see different decorating ideas and theme set-ups. This year my God-daughter, Melissa graduated from Sweet Briar College and her brother, Richie graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School. My big sis put a lovely party together this weekend for her graduates. I'm so proud of my niece and nephew! They really are awesome kids!

Little Richie

Sweet Melissa

Beautiful garden party table set up with flowers cut right out of the garden.

And another...

And a tent shot...

Congratulations Graduates!!!

BTW, did anyone see "Design Star" last night? I DVR'ed it and haven't watched yet... was it any good?

In Search of Inspiration...

I've got nothing. I am right in the middle of a huge slump. I'm feeling uninspired and a step behind the entire world. I've been here before, and I'll snap out of it eventually. But in the mean time, I'm going for a walk down the street. This is where I live. And this is where I go for some quiet, peaceful time.

Isn't it beautiful?

The above photo was taken on Lakeshore Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods. That's the G.P. Yacht Club in the distance.

This one was taken by the lakewall on the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate, in Grosse Pointe Shores.

OKL and Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Ok, let me start by saying that I don't know how I got so into One Kings Lane.... Oh wait, yes I do... Fran! This site is kind of like those potato chips that you can't eat just one of. It's addictive! (You've been warned!)

Here's a little description ripped right from OKL... I think this description of his work is absolutely lyrical! (If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it!)

Look at the color in this room... so vibrant!

How about this pair of custom drum lampshades?

Or this cobalt biscuit barrel.

Sultan Suzani pillow.... gets me every time!

Green Étagère, to die for!

And for the piece de le resistance... The MLB "Cher" Sofa!

Now, if I only had some $$$$$!

Dream on, ME! Dream on!!!

All images via OKL.

And The Winner Is...

Number 16... Erin from Skoots and Cuddles!

Who said... "oooooh! i love yummy candles!"

Erin, I couldn't agree more!

This giveaway was so much fun for me. Thanks to everyone who stopped by my little blog!

Don't Forget!

Don't forget to sign up for my first giveaway.

If you have ever strolled through Anthropologie, you know of that wonderful scent that permiates the entire place. That incredibley yummy smell comes from their awesome candles! These candles are formulated to burn for hours with an enduring fragrance. The natural essences and cobalt containers crafted from recycled glass add something special to every room!

-100 hour burn time.

-Paraffin-soy wax blend, fragrance.

-5" H, 4" D.

-24 oz.

-Made in the USA.

*Tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons and limes, with light notes of exotic mountian greens
I will be randomly drawing the winner on Friday, June 4th. If you're feeling lucky... leave a comment!