A little more on antlers...

     Yesterday, after my husband read what I had posted, he was inspired!  

Look and see what he created!

 

     Isn't that just fabulous!!!  He killed this deer in Texas last year.  It was mounted on a piece of drift wood, which was nice looking, but a little too masculine.  Over a year ago, I bought two of these copper "shields" at a great store in town called Preservation Station.   I had no idea what in the world I was going to do with them, but I knew that I loved the way they looked.  I had thought about turning them into sconces--but I love this so much more!  Rivers spied them yesterday and had the brilliant idea of using them as a base for his mount.  We put it in our breakfast room, which is covered in pecky cypress paneling.  We will enjoy looking at it everyday! 

Here is the Black Forest Deer I mentioned yesterday located in the kitchen.

     Above the mantel in the dining room I have four small mounts.  Three were picked up in an antique store and one is resin.  It's hard to tell the difference---I had to look closely to see which was one was not real. 

Decorating with Antlers

     As deer season winds to a close,  I am inspired to write about how we can use what our mighty hunters have brought back from their adventures in the woods to enhance our home.  I really am a fan of antlers and mounted animals, if they are done tastefully (and treated humanely--not killing for the sake of killing.)  My favorite is the European mount, with its beautiful carved wood plaque.  I am most happy hanging those all over my house.  One of my most prized possessions is a German carved deer head with real antlers from the Black Forest in Germany.  I think it dates back to the 1800's.  I admired him for several years at Scott's antique market and finally decided to take the plunge and buy it.  I have never regretted it.  I enjoy it daily.  My boys are hunting now and have both killed deer.  I am very proud to hang their trophies in our house!  If you don't have a hunter in your house,  antlers can be purchased easily on the internet or in antique stores.  Also, if you object to using real antlers, there are ones made out of resin that look authentic.  

via Elle Decor

   

via littlebluedeer.com

 

via hgthecountess.blogspot.com

via cactuscreekdaily.com

via Vårt Nya Hem

via patchworkharmony.blogspot.com

PS--You can also use feathers--especially pheasant tails--to enhance your decor!

via Eve Smith

via fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com

A New Favorite Hotel!

     Our oldest child left for college this fall.  I really can't believe that we finally reached this point in our family.  It is one of the saddest things we have experienced.  She is happy, though and in a wonderful place, which makes it a little more bearable for us.  The only good thing about her being so far away is a little boutique hotel just a few minutes walk from her dorm.  It is called...  The Carolina Inn.  I put it in bold and italics, because it deserves it!  Oh my goodness!  And when you say it, it must be with a southern drawl.  (You might as well read the rest of the post that way.)  It is perfection.  I love everything about it.  The rooms are just beautiful-- the bedding is luxurious and the bathrooms make me want to redo mine! The restaurant is divine--especially the fried oysters; Everyone there makes you feel like they might have known your grandmother.  But, the best thing of all, Maggie is only two minutes away.  I already have my reservation for this May when we pack her up and bring her home for the summer!!

  

photos via The Carolina Inn

Parents' Weekend Fall 2013

Wood

I love wood.  If I could, I would panel every wall in my house and the ceiling, too!  There are so many options for wood walls.  Beadboard, tongue and groove planks, wainscoting, etc…  It all makes me very happy!

via McAlpine, Booth, and Ferrier Interiors

via thefoodogatemyhomework.com

via houzz.com

Ali Rutherford Interiors

 One of my favorite products is a tongue and groove plank that you can buy at Home Depot.  It comes in packs of 6--eight foot planks that can be painted or stained.  The great thing about this wood is that it is thin and can be placed on walls with existing trim.  I have used this on multiple projects.

Ali Rutherford Interiors

 In this client's bedroom, we ran the planks vertically because we needed the illusion of height.  

Ali Rutherford Interiors

For this project, we placed the wood horizontally in the nook on either side of the fireplace.

Window Treatment

What do you think about using exterior style shutters indoors?  I think it looks amazing and I would love to use them somewhere!

Source Unknown

Darryl Carter

 thingsthatinspire.net

Caldwell Flake Interior Design

I have two windows that are in need of some form of treatment, mostly for privacy.  I don't want to cover the transom with roman or bamboo shades--it's too pretty and drapes would  just not be right.  I might have found my answer.  

Twins

I have a thing for twin beds.  I am drawn to bedrooms that feature them.  Maybe it is a symmetry thing or maybe a sentimental thing.  My sister and I slept in twin beds until I turned 16 at which point we got our own bedrooms.  Funny thing is, I don't have any twins in our house.  I guess I'll just enjoy photos of them.

Circa Interiors

via mydesignchic.com

via thibautdesign.com

via designsponge.com

via opaldesigngroup.com

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