A COLORFUL CLEMSON LIVING ROOM

You did it Clemson. This week you are #1 - will it last? I guess we'll see tomorrow but to honor this moment in time - it's your time to shine! Gather close all your Clemson Orange and Regalia (I know you're probably already decked out in orange, it is Friday after all). This blog post is almost more exciting than that moment you got your t-shirt at Tiger Town Tavern. Almost. So what are my first impressions of Clemson? For one, I know you're rabid football fans, next I know that you live in an absolutely gorgeous state. I had the honor of spending some time in South Carolina recently and let me tell you  wow. I never wanted to leave. Those blue ridge mountains y'all. We don't have mountains here in Texas, that was a real treat. That and everyone was so, so friendly. So lets see, friendly southern hospitality, football fanatics, and fabulous outdoorsy-ness? I'm sold. This one is pretty wild - an orange and purple color palette will do that - so lets dive right in: 

1 - Since from what I can gather it seems that all of your Clemson bars close at midnight, how about bringing the party back to the house, and while you're at it, class it up a bit. These beautifully packaged small batch mixers  from Jack Rudy Cocktail Co deserve a place on any bar cart, but since their made in Charlston, South Carolina they're extra special. Drink up Tigers!

2 - These pillows from One Kings Lane and Manor inject pattern and color and help break up that great, orange, expansive couch.

3 - South Carolina is a beautifully artistic state. These pieces from Minted are a beautiful, colorful addition to the space and for me the images evoke the feelings of being immersed in the beautiful natural surroundings of South Carolina. Clockwise from the left they are Sunset Fade 2 by Kelly Ventura, Cacophonic by Kelly Witmer, and Midnight Mountains by Holly Royval.

4 - Make sure everyone who comes over on gameday cheers at 110%. This River Rock side table and planter are from a fascinating little (oh but really not at all little) shop out of San Jose - which is even better because - for those not in the know - Howard's rock was originally a gift from Death Valley, California. Fitting. Buy it and you, too, can stroke it lovingly on game day hopefully securing yet another Tiger win.

5 - The orange couch. I went for it. Clemson. Orange. You can't miss it; this couch packs a powerful, midcentury punch. Not for the faint of heart this orange couch would shout your school spirit from the rooftops of Tillman Hall and is definitely giving 110%. Not to mention that it will easily seat all your rowdy orange-clad friends.

6 - This coffee table from West Elm encourages resting your feet, drinks, and eyes (that orange couch though!). It has a rustic mid-century vibe and is big enough to hold it's own against the Joybird couch and visually heavy enough to ground the space. Style it up with a tray full of tailgating snacks!

7 - Finally a rug because I can't do a space without a soft little guy underfoot. This rug from Lulu & Georgia not only defines space but gives little nod to tiger stripes with it's subtle Moroccan inspired pattern.

Alright Tigers! I hope you liked it, it's a little wild but hey, so are you! Good luck holding on to that #1 spot this weekend! 

A RED RAIDERS DINING ROOM

My Facebook newsfeed recently reminded me of one fateful, exhausting night in 2008 where I was living abroad and stayed up until 4am watching a very stressful football game. One that resulted in me using some choice words on said social media platform involving Crabtree, fire, and perhaps a not-so-accident car accident. But thats neither here nor there right? I can put that aside for a couple hours....(but I'm not sure I'll ever truly forgive). Red and black are tough colors (for me) to work with. They're sharp and excitable and masculine. I found some inspiration for this  thinking about Spain - red matador capes, red and black dresses (think: "dancing girl" emoji), starkly contrasting tile patterns, and moorish architecture. Not to mention that all these images are also conjured up by that Zoro-like masked rider.

In case you're not familiar with moorish or spanish influenced architecture I wanted to share some of my inspiration for this room. Picture the pieces below in a dining room with white plaster walls, arched doorways, and heavy timber beams above. You really wouldn't need much with such a architecturally powerful room.

{1} These red plates from Hermes would make the perfect accent. I definitely see red as more of an accent color in any space. Red is such a strong color and definitely draws your eye no matter how little of it you use (much like that flowing red cape on the masked rider). These plates would make a big statement and add another layer of pattern with moorish influence. And in case Hermes plates are more of a "wishlist" than a "reality" I've heard Target carries a line that looks very similar.

{2} Keeping with the Spanish/Moorish theme - this is a chandelier with clean lines but definite old world charm. This beauty is pretty reasonably priced from Shades of Light (one of my favorite online resources for lighting!) You can definitely see this hanging between some big heavy wooden beams.

{3} Since we're modern Raiders here, and to keep all the mix and match patterns from overwhelming us, this table from Crate and Barrel works wonders as an anchor in the space. The wood top keeps it textural and the steel legs are super modern. Even better it's on sale!

{4} Encaustic tiles are beautiful. I really don't need to say more than that...but instead of having a rug a patterned tile floor offers a great way to bring in a little more subtle pattern. Plus I hear Red Raiders like to throw things and I figure that extends to their food as well. A tile floor offers quick clean up.

{5} Artwork! I wanted to bring in some of that Wild West, "Guns Up" spirit. This photograph from Fine Art America would look incredible blown up huge on a wall - maybe over a buffet. The large scale and black and white printing would keep it from looking too cowboy. I really can't get enough of large scale art these days too. Super dramatic.

{6} Finally these dining chairs from Crate and Barrel bring in the last, perfectly patterned piece. The upholstery would soften the hard floor, angular table, and iron accents. 

A NOTRE DAME LIVING ROOM

I've been literally dying to do a Notre Dame living room. Navy and Gold are BAE. Thats the second time I've used BAE on this blog - and funny enough, the second time I've used BAE ever. You know that it means "before anyone else" or something like that? It's an aconym, not a short form of babe, and that makes it marginally less obnoxious. But I digress. We're gonna get a little crazy with this room. I think a lot of people think of Notre Dame as a very traditional school - and since I'm all about contrast, funky and contemporary seemed like the way to go. This is the perfect room from which to listen to a chortling Lou Holtz predict another Notre Dame win.

1 | I always have to address the bar y'all. This set of glasses and decanter are from Anthropologie and right off the bat get you thinking about the Fighting Irish. Whiskey? Irish. Drinking? Irish. Impossibly shiney gold helmets? Irish. Someone give me the tiniest reason to style this set on a bar. *insert heart-eye emojii*.

2 | Surviving those South Bend winters is no easy feat but a cozy living room can make it a little bit better. And a cozy living room isn't complete without pillows! You can snuggle up with your significant other and watch Rudy for the 939,485th time. I've been drooling over The Citizenry's amazing collection of worldly textural pieces and Lulu & Georgia is always a good source...and H&M Home is without a doubt my go-to for solid pillows in any color I need!

3 | Always gotta have a rug - it ties the room together, visually organizes the space, and keeps things soft underfoot for all those little ones running around (because everyone you went to college with has long since gotten married - you know thats how those Irish roll.) I tried this scheme with two different rugs from Lulu & Georgia this one and the one I chose.

4 | This couch is from Bryght Furniture. I love the golden burnished leather on this beauty. It looks so warm and masculine but also inviting - and I can tell you from first hand experience that they make super comfortable furniture. I think this would please men and women alike - and a great piece for couples decorating together.

5 | This coffee table might be the craziest, most incredible thing I've ever seen. Not to mention it's the perfect coffee table for a house full of little rug-rats - they might put their eye out on those side chairs, but this big ol' guy would softly caress them as they fell. If this coffee table doesn't scream GOLDEN DOME you're clearly not listening - it might even become a family tradition to rub it's shining form after every touchdown. I know how you Irish love your traditions.

6 | Referencing the dome again is this Milo Baughman Style shelving unit from Charish. A great place to keep all your books and momentos and if you could get your hands on one of those shiney gold helmets it would look so good styled on these shelves. 

7 | Finally this custom upholstered chair from West Elm (that is actually very Baughman-esque too) brings in that navy punch. I would get two and have them on either side of that couch facing each other. Below is another layout I was working with that pulls a bunch of the pieces together so you can get a feel for what I'm thinking with the furniture. Floating in the middle of a generous living room....

As always I'd love to know what you think about the room and I would love if you have some Fighting Irish friends and family if you'd share with them as well. Look for a post in the coming weeks about Bryght too, if you're in the market for some furniture you should probably check it out. I just received my first order from them and I'm completely smitten.