From Our Archives: The Home of Suzanne Boyd as Featured in "O at Home" Summer 2007

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I want to thank everyone who came out to the ADAC/ASID panel discussion on marketing your design business last Thursday.  It was so much fun meeting you and hearing about your journey into social media.  I promised to re-post this article about journalist Suzanne Boyd's home, which first appeared in O at Home, so here it is.  I've kept it in my archives since 2007 and cherish it as one of my favorite spaces of all time.  My hope is that as you read it, you're inspired to examine your life and find the things that make you special and share those gems with the world.

"The Objects of My Affection" 
Published in O at Home Summer 2007
Photographs by Simon Upton
Styling by Sacha Dunn

"A Visitor to my Manhattan Apartment may wonder why I find it such a calm place to be.  There is not a blank wall, bare surface, or any of the other minimalist trappings that experts say provide the most soothing environment.  I've instinctively used my disparate experiences to influence how I decorate my apartment.  Every item was bought, every design choice was made not because I thought it would go with the others but because it spoke to me on a visceral level.  As a result, I've ended up with a home that, for me, has innate harmony."


"My home could come to life in it's own way, through memories and impressions of different times and other places and from fashion, where I have worked for years as a journalist and where bold statements of personal style are the norm."

"As I got deeper into the decorating process, it became difficult to pinpoint a single inspiration.  Initially, the ideas swirled in my head, but they eventually flowed into one another organically, just as each stage of life transitions to the next."

Stylish People, Stylish Homes - Monica Ross

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The older I get, the more I cherish what's possible in life.  I like thinking that I know and then later finding out that things are totally different, often bigger...better.  When I asked for reader submissions, I had no idea that the response would be so great.  My assistant printed out all the emails and we quickly started to sort through them.  You guys are so talented and I appreciate you sharing your homes with the rest of our readers.
I have to admit, I hadn't considered guidelines for the submissions outside of the basics.  So let me take a moment to say, I truly appreciate all of the submissions.  I'll do my best to share them all here, but can only post items that fit into the design and aesthetics of the site.  Nevertheless, I am thrilled about the feedback and how things are going.Thank you for your time and please, keep the submissions coming!Our first Stylish People, Stylish Homes feature is Monica Ross from Richmond Virgina. Her home which was recently featured in RHome, the Richmond Magazine, is a lovely mix of neutrals, antiques, and the perfect touch of luxury.
Just take a look at the living room.  Absolutely stunning!  I love her furniture choices and one can't miss the clever use of the animal skin rug that makes the space more modern.  Great color and great balance combine to make this space appealing on several different levels.  And to think, Monica Ross is only on her second design project! 
Her first venture into design came on HGTV's "First Time Design", the show that calls for viewers to get off the couch and try their hand at designing a real space for a real family.  Monica's kid-friendly living space was a hit and gave her the confidence to take on a much grander project, her family home.
As I flipped through image after image, I remember thinking how well-appointed her home truly was.  I'm the type of designer that is anal about the details.  Everything has to be perfect, every book aligned, every pillow fluffed.  I could tell that in Monica I'd found a kindred spirit with an eye for precision.  I found it impressive that Monica was able to create this space filled with visual drama while using a limited color palette.  A true sign of a good designer!
Equally impressive is that Monica was able to create this space even though she is legally blind.  I love this fact because I admire how brave she was to take on such a huge project.  I know her family is excited to be able to call the space home and can feel the love that she poured into it.

I love the mix!  Again, such a smart use of antiques and modern pieces.  I am now secretly coveting that sofa and the chairs in the master.  What do you think?  Don't you just love it?Images Richmond Magazine RHomePhotography Todd Wright

Roman and Williams for Waterworks

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Good news for those of you looking for the latest in design for two ofthe most important rooms in your home; the kitchen and the bathroom.Waterworks, the luxury bath and kitchen company, proudly introduces anew collaboration with renowned design firm, Roman and Williams. The powerhousecompanies have come together to form R.W. Atlas Fittings and District Tile.The R.W. Atlas line is a first time collaboration for these companies.Considering the the reputation Waterworks has for quality and the high profileprojects Roman and Williams has been a part of, this partnership is nothingshort of exciting.“We are very proud of this collaboration and the design possibilitiesit affords our clients,” says Peter Sallick, Waterworks’ CEO. “Together withRoman and Williams, we went to great lengths to create fittings and tile thatcombine function with a profound sense of beauty and refinement.”The introduction of R.W. Atlas includes over 30 new styles of bathfittings, fixtures and accessories.  Each piece of the collection wasmeticulously designed and engineered by Roman and Williams and Waterworks.  Acommon theme in the line is brass offered in several finishes, includingBurnished Nickel and Carbon.The line will be available in Waterworks Showrooms nationwide in lateSeptember 2012.  However, it can be viewed in its entirety online here. 

VH1, Celebrities, and the Simco Lifestyle

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Things are heating up at the Simco Lifestyle Atlanta showroom.  Not only can you find Atlanta superstar designers like Michael Habachy and Michel Boyd there picking up items for their latest project or showhouse, it's also the place to find hot local Atlanta celebrities.  Just last week, we caught a glimpse of the showroom when "Love and Hip Hop Atlanta" stars, K. Michelle and Erica, stopped in to find pieces for Erica's new digs.  Ray J popped by to host the grand opening and many others have come in to look around and get inspiration.

K. Michelle and Erica from VH1's Love and Hip Hop Atlanta

Look to find glamourous chanderliers, cool art collections, and an array of unique accessories.Their sleek, clean-lined offerings are perfect for the ultimate bachelorpad, as well as your cool downtown condo.  Simco Lifestyle specializes in luxury home furnishing that are available and installed within two weeks.  Can anything be hotter in design right now?

Kelly Wearstler's Glamorous Take on Black and Bronze

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Love. Love. Love the custom stair rails! Love the use of patterns!
The stair rails in this library are my favorite! They were also custom designed by Wearstler.  Love!I love everything about this space. Love the floors. LOVE the ceiling. Love the chandelier!  
 Love the use of bronze in the kitchen. Did I say love in this post already?Love this idea!The Home of Lara and Jeff Sanderson Designed by Kelly WearstlerImages ElleDecor.com

House Beautiful Design Tips Continued

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Circa 2009 Interviews By Christine PittelOur Favorite advice. Our favorite designers. From the House Beautiful archives. Right here every Wednesday until we get to 101.

Image Elledecor.com
Paint your baseboards a contrasting color such as Spanish Brown or dark gray.  It's like applying eyeliner-it will make the wall pop. Plus, it won't show scuffs.
-Thomas Jayne

Buy a bunch of those battery-operated LED Everywhere lights for only $8.99 each. They're like little hockey pucks, with adhesive on the back. Put them under a console table, on top of a bookcase, or use them to back light some interesting object on a shelf.-Libby Cameron
Slipcover a sculptural chair in gauze. You'll see the form in shadow. Very intriguing.-Susan Ferrier
If you want to accentuate the height of a room, apply braid, tape, or trim to the leading edge of the draperies.-Barry Dixon
Purge, edit, and organize your closet.  We love beautiful linen-covered boxes in different sizes, shapes, and colors to respond to the different categories of your possessions.  Buy all new hangers. Add a personal accent, like scented shelf liners.-Elissa Cullman

Life Beautifully Illustrated

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I've always been very open and very talkative. I grew up in a large family where there were no secrets and always someone to talk, share ideas and laugh with. My friends like to say that I never meet a stranger. Maybe that's true. I enjoy meeting people and value the stories that make up our individual lives. My life is enriched when we can share experiences.  I love it when you hit me up and ask questions. And yes, despite being busy, I do visit your blogs and websites.  
I love social media for this reason.  It's a natural fit for my personality. The interaction moves me.  It challenges and inspires me. Case in point. Over the past few days, I've been interacting with Annette Wright of OD 360 Design.  She's new to blogging and from what I can tell has a lot of great ideas to share.  I fell in love with her illustrations and can't wait to talk with her about partnering up on my newest project.
 I would have never met her without a social media presence. 
Above are some illustrations by Annette. Great stuff right?  Please visit her blog and show her some love. Let her know the universe appreciates her venturing into the unknown and living by faith.
Illustration by Annette Wright of OD360 Design