Recent Design Boards

I have been so busy with local clients this year that I don't do as many design boards as I used to.. but I thought I would share a couple that I have done recently..... it's been a while since the last time I posted any!

A Very Special Family Member

This past weekend my husband went up to Virginia to help his grandparents pack up their house along with all his aunts and uncles. They are downsizing and were dividing up everything to all the kids. Matt's mom couldn't make it, so Matt was there in her place.

He brought back lots of great goodies.. it was like Christmas for me because, you probably know by now, I LOVE old things.

The most wonderful piece he brought back was this antique cabinet:

It's cliche, but it's true what they say, they don't make things like they used to. Look at these hand carved details:

This piece was purchased at an auction in 1935 by Matt's great-grandfather. This man was a very, very special man and I adore him even though I have never met him!

He was actually and artist, and get this, an interior designer! He designed the interiors of churches.

Here is something that is truly amazing (but really frustrating). His original portfolio is currently listed on eBay, and Matt's family has been trying to get the seller to give it back to the family but he/she won't. They say they will sell it to the family for $2,000. I am just appalled... it should be in the family, and these people just want to make money off of Matt's family. Very, very bad karma.

This man was so very talented. Check out these pictures from the listing:

The first picture are of rooms that he designed (I'm assuming since this is his portfolio). You can't see them too well, but from what I can see they are AMAZING!!!!! The second picture is final sketch of a stained glass window (on the left) and the real window (on the right).

I seriously cannot believe this man was the great-grandfather of my husband, I am so honored to be "in the family". My dreams of having an interior designer son are closer than I thought ;)

Matt also brought back some of his great-grandfather's paintings:

I am bringing these two to my framers THIS WEEK.. They are so beautiful, they need to be professional framed asap.

Anyway, back to the cabinet... this cabinet is very special to Matt's side of the family. Matt's mom claimed stake on it, but since they live in California, it's staying at our house until they move it out there. So I'm a very lucky girl to be able to "borrow" it :)

 I am planning to hang a large abstract painting (TBD) above the piece to offset it's ornate details. I also may be moving that chair that's sitting next to it (it needs to be upholstered anyway) and find a more modern chair.

Friday Find

If you're not sick of ikat yet, this is a great Friday Find for you!

This Etsy shop, Eastern Home Decor, sells CRAZY inexpensive Ikat pillows (I'm talking 2 for around $25). They ship directly from Uzbekistan, but shipping is still only $10.

The only "catch" is that the majority of their pillows are 15x15" because the fabric is only 15" wide. But they do have some 20x20 (pictured above) and some cool lumbar pillows:

 

 And speaking of, are you guys sick of Ikat? I feel like I'm teetering on the edge... but then again I see a room like this and I love it: 

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