Vanity Fair

via Harpers Bazaar

via Inspired Design

via MadeByGirl

via Luna and Chloe Style

via Rose and Rust

via Rue Magazine
  

via House To Home

 via Material Girl

 via Style At Home

Mornings would be so much more fabulous if I had one of these!

Old Places, New Faces

If you haven't noticed already, HSHA got a new face over the weekend.  I had the opportunity to go through some old photos while designing a blog header for a friend, which inspired me to create a new image for my own blog.  Included in my new header is a Greek revival-style house or as some people call an "antebellum" home.  Characterized by what I deem quality craftsmanship, painstaking attention to detail, and absolute grandiosity, antebellum homes are the epitome of fine southern living.  You can find them all over this region- in historical districts of large cities, small counties throughout Alabama, in the Mississippi Delta, and in swamp lands if you are in the Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana areas.  And did I mention that I LOVE them?!? 


So, while I was m.i.a. last week, we drove to Montgomery and I took some pictures of the city's Old Cloverdale District which features, among many things, Greek revival architecture. To give you a little background on Cloverdale, Tim Burton filmed "Big Fish" there in 2003, and during the Jazz Age, it was the home of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.  Other celebrities have also called it home at one point or another including Danny Devito, Ewan McGregor, Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi, Glen Howerton, Billy Crudup, and Albert Finney.  Pretty cool, huh?   (I was actually very surprised to learn that not one, but two "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" stars lived there!)


Anyways, Old Cloverdale District really is a hidden jewel and I wanted to share some of its beautiful homes with you today.  (In advance, sorry about the photo quality, I didn't get a chance to edit them.) Here goes:

(the Fitzgerald Home)

I know they aren't all Greek revival style, but they are gorgeous nevertheless.  Don't you think?

  

Decorating Style 101

After yesterday's post, I thought it would be appropriate to share with you an awesome article from shelterpop.com about beach chic design and how to achieve the "coastal living look" in your own home. 

Decorating Styles 101: Modern Coastal

Happy reading!

A Guest of Honor

Hello everybody, and Happy Friday! Today, I am totally pumped to introduce to you HSHA's guest of honor and my very best friend, Ashley Studyvin.  Ashley and I first met when we were 14 years old and after realizing that we had many common interests - including interior decorating - we have been “besties” ever since.  Ashley is creative and has always had a great eye for design.  When she emailed me pictures of her latest project, I took one look and just knew I had to have her guest blog.  So, please welcome Ashley as she shares with us how she created her beautiful, DIY tufted headboard…

I grew up on the East Coast of North Carolina.  Summers meant frolicking along the sandy shores of places like Myrtle Beach, and, if I was lucky, Charleston.  To this day, Charleston is still one of my favorite cities.  The historic row homes that run along cobblestone streets near the water, better known as "Rainbow Row," always tend to take my breath away.  So, it should come to no surprise that our first home, although in Alabama, would be in a cheery, Charleston-esque cottage:

Given the overall look of the home, I knew I wanted to bring the beach to us.  "Coastal chic" is a rather new design phenomenon where you use natural and casual textures paired with contemporary features to create an elegant space that is reminiscent of the beach. In this home, I have used watery tones such as seafoam and aqua, contrasted by pops of coral.  (Turquoise is my favorite color and it is used somehow in almost every room in our home.  I am convinced that Erin of House of Turquoise and I would be best friends!)  Creams and whites are also used throughout the house, giving it the airy, breezy feel of the eastern shores.

With that being said, I recently noticed our master bedroom was one of the most abandoned rooms of our home.  (Design-wise that is!)  We have been sleeping on a large, king-size mattress with no headboard.  So, when we woke up last Saturday, the Husband and I were inspired to embark on a weekend long project: "The DIY Tufted Headboard." 

First, we researched DIY tutorials and ended up using this one from Centsational Girl.  After printing the instructions off, we set out to various stores to gather all the materials. **My advice to any that choose to do this project is to gather the materials well before the day you are going to make it, because we somehow lost half a day trying to gather everything.** We stopped at United Textiles in Bessemer, a “diamond in the rough” discount fabric store, for our fabric.  I was immediately drawn to a crisp white linen fabric, appreciating the fact that it is a casual yet classically chic fabric.  And, because we knew we wanted our headboard to be pretty large, we purchased 4.5 yards.  


While working on the headboard, I made sure to keep some of these inspiration photos close at hand:  

Meredith Heron Designs via Decorpad

via Studio Ten 25

The last piece of advice I would give about this project is to have one person hold down each button while another staples the tuft underneath.  This creates a deeper tuft, and keeps it from looking cheap.  Otherwise, it will look like you just simply glued a button on a board of fabric and will have no depth.  The overall cost of the project was $180, which is nothing compared to purchasing one- similar headboards would cost us upwards of $800 or more. Anyways, after two days of hard work, we are pretty darn pleased with the results!!

Ta-Da! Now for the rest of the room... :)

Some Good Stuff

I decided to do a bit of a different post today.  Hopefully, you will find it helpful (and enjoyable)! 

As some of you may know, the Hubs and I just celebrated another anniversary.  We are still newly weds, having only been married a mere two years, but even so, it takes a LOT of work to keep our relationship going strong.  Lucky for me, I came across this pin while on Pinterest the other day, and  have found it to be extremely great advice:

 

1. Initiate great sex.

2. Send him an email. Example: “Praying for you today. Thanks for being so courageous in [insert specific area].”

3. Give him one night on a regular basis to do something he loves.

4. Consistently mention ways you see him growing to be more like Christ.

5. Ask him about his “bucket list.”

6. Give him a book, audio CD, or ticket to learn about something he loves doing.

7. Ask him about some dreams he has — and pray about them together, evaluating them. Then ask how you can help him go after them.

8. Text him. Example: “REMINDER: I BELIEVE IN U.”

9. Make sure he feels respected by you.

10. Leave sticky notes in his lunch, on his steering wheel, in his briefcase, etc. “So proud of all you’ve been doing with ___.” “You are so great with our kids.” “You are my dream come true.” “You are an incredible lover.”

11. Suggest that he take some time to go pursue a hobby.

12. Leave a message on his voicemail: “Thanks for going to work every day to take care of our family. You are so good at what you do.”

13. Ask him how you can pray for him at work. Later on in the week, ask about his prayer requests again.

14. Be proactive about doing something together that he really enjoys: make a date, get him excited, and share his enthusiasm!

15. Tell him areas he’s gifted in. Don’t stretch the truth; be honest so he can trust you.

16. Pray for him.

17. Initiate great sex.

18. Start and keep a “Dreams” binder with him. Include some travel brochures or whatever gets you excited. In the back, make sure you have a “Dreams turned reality!” file.

19. Talk with him about setting aside a small part of the budget to pursue the ways God has created him — through education or through sheer enjoyment.

20. Post on his Facebook wall: “I love being your wife! See me tonight regarding this.”

21. Gently communicate with him about what you like in bed, and respond encouragingly to his attempts.

22. Remember a dream that he had a long time ago. Talk with him about whether it’s still a dream — and still a possibility.

23. Ask God to open your eyes to the ways He has made your husband and to give you wisdom about how to maximize that workmanship.

24. Have your children write him notes or letters about what they love about their dad.

25. Initiate great sex.

26. Ban yourself from any nagging, the Great Life-Sucker.

27. Ask, “If I could do one thing I’m not already doing that would really empower you and inspire you, what would it be?” Listen — resist being defensive (the hard part) — and follow through.

28. As you think of them, remind him of specific times and areas he has impacted people’s lives: “Hey, I was thinking the other day about all the time you invested in that Cub Scout troop. Wonder what those boys are doing now. It was so cool to watch them grow with you as their leader.” “Our son has grown so much in encouraging people lately. He gets that from you; you are such a good example for him in that.”

29. Buy him something small to stoke the fires: a journal for a writer; some carpentry pencils for a woodworker; some grilling tools for the master chef. Add a sweet note: “Just because I love the way you’re made.”

30. Do something fun and unexpected together: paintball; laser tag; on a spring day, have a picnic, blow bubbles, and bring the books you’re reading; swing; go to a drive-in movie, bring popcorn, and instigate a make-out session.

31. Think about a way you’ve been hurting him, annoying him, or not “seeing” him. Apologize, and work hard at showing true change.

32. Initiate great sex.

33. Go to a home improvement store to plan a small, doable project that energizes both of you, even if it’s just painting a room or fixing up some landscaping. (Hint: Make sure it’s something by which he won’t feel burdened.)

34. Do something from his to-do list for him — something that he’d rather have you do anyway.

35. Find a mutually enjoyable activity you like doing together on a regular basis — even if it’s playing the Wii together.

36. Create a cheerful atmosphere when he comes home.

37. Design a date night that will help him to de-stress and have fun.

38. Discover his love language and become even more fluent in it.

39. Pray about and pursue at least one dream of your own, talking with him about it.

40. What’s hard about his life right now? Pray for his endurance, and encourage him specifically. Galatians 6:9 is a great start for both.

41. Organize or clean something in your home that you know he finds messy.

42. Send a snail-mail love note to him at the office, affirming him in his work.

43. If there’s something on his “Honey Do” list at home that he finds overwhelming or has a hard time finding time to do, talk with him (respectfully and gently) about the possibility of having it hired out. Make sure he knows it’s not because you find him incompetent, but that you want to free him from a burden.

44. Initiate great sex.

45. Be a student of your husband. Does he feel inspired if he’s got all his ducks in a row? If he’s got a creative space to think? If he feels verbally affirmed?

46. If he’s into dressing nice, go with him to shop for clothes in which he feels confident.

47. Let him overhear you speaking well of him on the phone, among friends, or in public places.

48. In his area of weakness, pray about how to subtly and gently step in and help him.

49. Tell him what a great dad he is. Be specific.

50. If and when he messes up, respond with the kind of grace, compassion, and mercy that God gives us. Respond in a way that communicates, You’re safe with me — and I’m not going to rehash your failures. This is a secure place for you to grow … and I love the journey with you.

Isn't that some good stuff?!?  The author is Janel Breitenstein, and this is the link to her original post.  The website that Janel's work is featured on is chock full of articles re all aspects of female life, so it may be worth exploring - even for you solo gals! 



Designer Crush: Megan Young

I have recently discovered another great designer in the blogosphere. I mean, I am totally in love with Megan Young!  Her style is super sophisticated, very vibrant, and classic without being too stuffy.  Check out this eye candy from her North Carolina home...

via Google

In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I die."  This space is absolutely killer!  I want need that carpet, and those green silk drapes are absolutely beautiful!  And just look at all the little thoughful details, like the upholstered headboard with the matching pillows, the trim on the drapes, and the green piping on the zebra print throws. Everything references another item, creating unity in an otherwise eclectic bedroom.

via Google
Here's the genious herself in her lovely LOVELY  living room.  Of course, the show stopper here is that peacock blue arm chair.  But there are also some other great pieces featured in this one space: the antique asian cabinet, the barrel back chair with gold rope trim, the cabana-striped silk curtains, and then that humongous diamond patterned sisal rug.  I'll take it all!

via Southern Living

Her breakfast nook is a little more modern but I still think it blends seamlessly with the rest of the home.  You can see that she made sure to repeat the natural fiber textiles and cool color pallette to ensure aesthetic flow as you travel throughout each part of her abode. 

via Southern Living

Here's the other side of her breakfast nook and part of her stunning kitchen.  I love the classic nature of the subway tile and simple white cabinetry.   It's so crisp and clean - the ideal surface for cooking.

via Addicted Design blog

Finally, here's a colorful yet tasteful vignette she created using a mix of design styles.  Very pretty!

Can't get enough Megan Young?  Here's some more of her portfolio sans my commentary:

To read more about Megan Young and her designs click here, or to see more of her portfolio, visit her website here.

Have a Happy Hump Day!!