Designer Feature Sally Markham

I was enjoying brunch on Sullivan's Island the other Sunday with some wonderful friends and the discussion turned to the island's Art and Chef walk. The walk features food, art and all within fabulous beach homes across the island. So, three of my favorite things...Sullivans (where I lived for a short time), FOOD and Art. I didn't attend it last year and have been kicking myself ever since. Hence, I now have it on my calendar for this fall already! Anyways, the conversation turned to the ONE house they couldn't stop talking about. Turns out it was decorated by Sally Markham and featured in House Beautiful and photographed by Thomas Loof. Sally loves uncluttered, simple rooms...mostly monochromatic light walls with pops of color in her accents. Here are some pics of the house and other Sally Markham creations:

Photo by Amy Neunsinger (design by Mark D. Sikes and Michael Griffin).

Photo by Pieter Estersohn (design by Sally Markham)

X Marks The Spot

I love small X benches. I don't have room for them anywhere, but love their utility for seating, table surface and pairing for a space. Here are a few good looks:

One of my all time favorite groupings!

Love this grouping. Go with this painting on Etsy to make your own console table super chic and pretty. 

Simple and pure. 

Love the use of X benches at the end of a bed. 

If you don't have room for a desk chair, this is perfect to slide underneath to save space. 

Now, a few great picks!

The STEAL find at under $100! Found here. 

X Bench Picks by gildedmint on Polyvore

A Gilded Mint Party!

January is such a lull in festivities, that I felt the need to put a little 'party' theme out there just to tie us over until the birthdays, Valentine's Day and baby showers begin. Here are a few gold and mint inspirations to have you say "Cheers!"

A Martha Stewart Creation.

A fabulous compilation by Confetti Daydreams. Can you believe that vintage brooch bouquet? It's from Zoe Grace Blooms on Etsy. AMAZING!

Gold and Mint garland from PenelopeandLala on Etsy.

Just a simple gold charger plate dresses up any party. Just add some turquoise or mint!

Tara Guerard of Soiree here in Charleston is THE wedding planner currently (think Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds). I love the seagrass tent lining with touches of mint, white and gold chairs. 

Adding a little pink sets off the mint menus!

Love these little gold lanterns. 

Mint on top of gold. Perfect accent. 

Ringing in the New Year

My last post was all about luck. Well, if it's anything like weddings and rain on your big day, then our NYE was full of luck. My beau and I traveled to Spain to ring in the new year and take in some architecture, art and history. A little Flamenco, lots of walking and lots of traveling in just 7 days. Just 10 minutes before the clock hit 12, it started to rain. Now, not such a big deal if you are inside, but we were on a rooftop taking in the well lit Cathedral across the street...quite the view and quite the experience when the bells tolled. It didn't matter; we still enjoyed every minute!

Our view at midnight on a rooftop in Seville! 

Well, it must have been a sign of good luck because my art has been flying off the studio floor these last two weeks. Almost 30 paintings and a growing commission list has taken all my mornings and evenings to fulfill. The picture below has been my life since I returned....packaging and shipping, but I love it!

I won't bore you with tons of pictures from our trip, but here are just a few highlights:

My handsome beau giving a cheers to a New Year!

Our NYE meal was top notch.

The Mezquita in Cordoba was an elaborate, massive site mixed with Islamic and Catholic extravagance. 

Edvard Munch's painting right before he produced The Scream, which sold for almost $120 million last May--the highest recorded art sale in history!

One of our best meals sitting on glass overlooking Roman ruins in Cordoba. We were serenaded by a wonderful flamenco singer and guitarist. 

Just a view of a quaint street from our hotel balcony. 

Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia...still under construction since 1882. Completion date...another 80 years. His plans were grandiose, wouldn't you say? An unbelievable masterpiece with touches of Gaudi's whimsy. 

Alhambra, Granada, Spain.