Design Perspective - Cantley and Company

I've wanted to feature this uber talented husband/wife team for quite some time.  This wonderful duo has created a very special company of custom bespoke cabinetry in Birmingham, Alabama.  Their custom designs can be seen in some of the most prominent homes in our area.  They've also been featured in numerous magazines and show homes over the years. 

Interestingly, they do not have a website, only a Facebook page.  The reason - they don't need a website.  Their work is the only advertising they seem to need.  So, I'll do the same here with just a sampling of the awesomeness simply known as Cantley and Company.

Marble detailing around a sterling silver sink (yes, I did say sterling silver).

Ceiling - need I say more.

Here is a cute picture of Keith Cantley doing what he does best!  

What a fabulous place to serve a drink.

 The details in the kitchen below simply blew my mind.  Most kitchens you see these days are all tripped out with marble, including the focal point area behind the stove.  Look closely here, the area is made of plank boards and gorgeous detail trim - all done in wood.  Talk about a price savings, and it's lovely.    
Here's a close up.  This is a very clever way to save some money - also the perfect pairing with those oversized rustic wall sconces with linen shield shades.

One other clever detail.  Notice the upper cabinets - not unusual to see glass fronts on cabinetry.  But it is unusual to see glass wrapped around the sides.  It gives the cabinets a completely different look and feel.  Amazing how such a small detail can transform a kitchen.  Simply love this.

One last view of this kitchen (sorry it's blurry), notice the open shelving and cabinetry near the door (to the right).  It gives this kitchen a very eclectic (I dare say modern) element.  Just love it. 

In the image below, I would never have thought to use the old fashion school house blinds in this kitchen.  But it gives the perfect amount to dark color to tie in the lighting and the stained wood island.

Another detail (in the image below) which really makes a huge difference - notice the stained wood trim between the two windows in this image.  Your natural instinct would be to paint that trim out the same as the cabinetry.  But by choosing to stain it the color of the blinds, the window reads as one large window rather than two small windows.  The color again helps to tie in all the other dark brown elements in the space.  Perfect solution. 

I wanted to include this one to remind you that custom cabinetry is not just for the kitchen.  Look at the lovely curved tub and furniture detailing on the base of the built in cabinetry. 

 

More goodness.

I really think this family owned business has a very special thing going.  Such Wow factor is very difficult to achieve, and they pull it off effortlessly.  M.

Christmas Stocking Tutorial

Earlier this week, I promised to share with you how I made our Christmas stocking last year.  It was a fun affordable way to get a custom look.  I hope you try it for your own home! 

image via Mandi Smith T Interiors

Step One: I took some leftover suede fabric (I used it to make lumbar pillows for chairs in my family room), and had it monogrammed with our names.  I chose chocolate for the lettering just to keep it neutral.  For those local, I had these done at Smith's Variety.

Using one of our stockings from the previous year, I created a pattern from leftover wrapping paper (see all that red in that paper - told you!).

Using the pattern, I cut out one linen "back" for the stocking.

Then I folded down the header of the pattern and cut out one linen "front" for the stocking.  If you want to make this easier, you can simply cut out two linen pieces of the same size and simply overlay the monogramming on top of it.

Then using a liner fabric (I used a thick cream cotton), cut out two liner stockings.  These will be inside the stocking and help to finish all the edges nicely.

Once you get your monogramming complete - with same sides together, sew the bottom of the monogrammed piece to the top of the front linen stocking.

It will look like this (and yes, I did make one for our cute dog, Lottie).

Then using a wide satin ribbon, pin it to the stocking (making sure to center it on the seam you just created).

Then top stitch the ribbon to the stocking on both edges.

Place your pattern on top of what you have sewn so far and trim off any excess fabric.

You now have the finished front of the stocking.  It will look like this.  Just an aside, it would have made the sewing so much easier if I had not rounded the top of the stocking.  A straight line across the top and down the sides would have been much, much easier.

Now it's time to attach the liner to the linen pieces.  Place one liner piece on top of your finished front.

Also place a liner piece on top of your linen back stocking piece and pin these together at the tops only.   Once pinned you will sew these together just at the tops on both pieces (this is where it would have been easier had it been a straight seam.  Then you will open them up to reveal this seam.

Both front and back will look like the picture below.  Now it's time to sew the two long pieces to each other along the sides.  I the image below I have sandwiched the pieces together.  The bottom piece is the liner and back linen (sewn together at the tops) and the top piece is the liner and front linen piece sewn together at the top.  So, to be clear as mud, the liners are matched up on the left and the stocking pieces are matched up on the right (with right sides together).   You will pin these two long pieces together all the way around with the exception of the bottom of the two liner pieces.

Here's a close up of the one place where you will not sew them together.

Once sewn together, you will reach into the opening and pull the stocking out so that the right (or correct) sides are showing.  Much like "righting" a sock before throwing it into the wash (that never happens around here!! Ha!).

Here's a picture of me reaching inside to "right" the stocking.

I took several pictures of this because it is one of my favorite parts about sewing.  I always think - Wow, It worked!

Once you've pulled this stocking through, all you need to do to finish it is whip stitch the opening in the liner closed.  Remember this does not have to be pretty because it will be buried inside the stocking.

Now, last step!  You need a loop to allow you to hook the stocking onto the mantle.  Rather than making this hard, I decided to use leather string.  I think it adds some interesting texture too.

I cut even lengths of leather (so that all the stockings would hang at the same level), and I tied a decorative knot on both ends of each piece.

Then, using a sewing marker (which disappears when you wet it), I made two even marks on each stocking where I wanted to sew the leather strips.

You could do this part by hand, but I'm lazy and wanted to use the machine.  So to do this, you will need to select a zig zag stitch on your machine and drop your feed dogs (which will prevent the fabric from moving), and stitch back and forth in one single spot over the leather end.  You will do this for each of the two knots on the stocking.

If you look closely you can see where I did this.  I used the clear monofilament thread to make it less noticeable in the finished product.

Here are all five (including Lottie!) finished stockings.

And here is how it will hang from the leather strips.

I know this sounds like a lot of steps.  But once you get one under your belt, you can easily get the others finished.  M.

  

Turkey Day

Be thankful.

For all that you have. M.

Deconstructing the Cover

Hope everybody had a marvelous weekend!  The whirlwind is almost upon us.  Deep breaths.  I'm really hoping this early Thanksgiving will make things a bit less stressful for everyone.  Remember, we have a whole week afterwards before the month of December!!

So, today, I'm deconstructing the cover of Birmingham Home and Garden.  Most of you know my house made the cover of  the December issue of Birmingham Home and Garden (jumping for joy inside!!!).

If you didn't know, you've not been reading my blog.  Honestly, I've been talking about it incessantly.  It could be worse - be glad you're not my husband (poor thing, he's now resorted to just nodding and smiling when the conversation naturally flows back to this topic)!  In all seriousness, with the subscriptions delivered, I'm getting lots of great questions about the space.  So, I thought I would answer them here on the blog for everyone!

Artwork

First, the wonderful artwork over my mantel was done by a very talented artist from Mobile, Alabama, Ashley Terrell.  I simply adore her!  I got to know Ashley through a close friend/client who hosted a house show highlighting her work.  Here's the very first post I did on Ashley's artwork.  Here are a few of her most recent offerings. . . 

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Ashley's work has been featured in lots of galleries as well as one of my favorite shops in all of NOLA - Shaun Smith Home.   My favorite things about Ashley - Her work will add a refreshing modern feel to any space.  But it is done in such a way that it blends beautifully with traditional furnishings.  That is a tall order!  If you've ever tried to blend modern artwork in a very traditional space, you know exactly what I'm talking about here.   Secondly, her work is affordable (sshhh, don't tell), but you would never know it!  If, like most people, your home is filled with tiny treasures, now's the time for a statement piece.  Contact Ashley.  You will not be disappointed. 

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Overall Color Scheme

It was harder than I thought!  I made this snap decision right after Christmas the year before to take out all the red decorations in our home.

image via Mandi Smith T Interiors

 During the Christmas holidays of 2010, I was looking at a magazine of a gorgeous tree with no red and thought, I'm totally doing that next year.  I did not think about all the things this affects - the stockings, tree skirt, ornaments, even down to my wrapping paper.

image via Mandi Smith T Interiors

Completely changing the color scheme of your Christmas decorations is truly like changing the color scheme of your room.  It's a huge undertaking.  I loved the results and will be doing it again this year (now that I have the decorations).  But you need to really think about it before jumping in!

image via Mandi Smith T Interiors

The Tree

The most important thing about selecting the perfect fresh tree is to get the biggest one your space pocketbook will allow and make sure it has a straight trunk.  The fatter the tree, the better it will look (trust me on this).  Measure your space.  If you show up at the Christmas tree lot without a measuring tape, I'm calling you out as a rookie!  Also, if the trunk of the tree is in the least bit crooked, it will not be straight in the stand, and your results will not be the same.  

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My favorite tree for decorating is the Fraser Fir - it has soft needles (so no sticking you when your covering it in lights), and it will stand up to heavy ornaments.   With that said, I also love the look of what I call a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.  We have some dear friends who always include one in their dining room.  It is so beautiful and (believe it or not) elegant with the bare limbs and all their gorgeous ornaments.   Sort of like this one, but on a much larger scale . . . (you can see the trunk the entire length of the tree).

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As for lights, whether you do white or colored lights, buy twice as many as you think you'll need (yes, double).  I start with a thick layer on the inside of the tree first.  Then, I do the lights on the outside of the tree.  For both layers, I work in "pie shaped vertical" sections from top to bottom (not around and around).  This will make the "de-decorating process" so much easier.   Last tip here, every time I add a strand of lights, I step back and squint my eyes and look at the tree.  With this trick, you will instantly see the dark spots where you need to add more lights.  It's tedious.  Christmas music really helps!!

Last year, my son helped me with the lights; and I really don't think I could have done it without him.  Hoping he's in the mood to do it again this year! 

  One of the biggest questions I've been getting is "Where did I get my ornaments?"  After Christmas I shopped all the higher end places in town, including florists for those mega %75 off sales.  Then, at the beginning of the next Christmas season, I went to Walmart (yes, I did!) and snagged all the new great ornaments I could find (mainly white snowflakes, angels and reindeer).  I was very picky about which ones I purchased.  When you blend these in with other more expensive ornaments, they too begin to look more expensive.

For the ribbon, I did not skimp here.  I used high end ribbon in three different textures and widths - double sided satin in green, double sided satin/organza in gold, and a super wide burlap in chocolate.  Again, this will make the entire tree look more expensive.   

The Stockings

I'm saving this topic for now.  I will be posting a tutorial on how to make the stockings later this week.  So, stay tuned.

Clove Oranges

This was a fun, sweet project I did with my daughter.  Each year, my husband buys a case of oranges from a friend who sells them as a fundraiser.  They arrive just in time for Christmas.

image via Mandi Smith T Interiors

  I make lots of fresh orange juice with them.  We use them in orange things (click here for an explanation).  I cut sections and put them in salads and steep slices with other spices on the stovetop.  And we clove a few (there are a ton of them, so you have to be creative).  This is a fun thing for small children to do with you.   I buy a large jar of whole cloves, and a box of toothpicks.  Then use the toothpicks to create a pattern on the orange (this makes it easier to insert the cloves too).  Once the pattern is complete, fill in with the cloves.  It makes the room smell wonderful!  

Paper Whites
Sorry I don't have a close up picture of the paper whites.  Several people have asked me where I got them and about the container they're in.  Narcissus or paper whites are a quintessential flower in our house at Christmas.  They have the most wonderful honey fragrance that mingles with the evergreen that is unmatched by any candle!  The other great thing about these - they go with any color scheme you select for Christmas.  You can start your own now from bulbs or cheat a bit and buy them already blooming from your florist - locally I love Davis Wholesale.  I confess, I bought them blooming and tucked them into a rustic wooden container I've had for years.  I think I got it at Home Goods at some point for under $30 dollars.

Photo Shoot Process/Photographer

All the images for the magazine were taken by the talented Jean Allsopp.  She is a dream to work with on projects.  Although she has an amazing eye for the perfect angle and lighting for the shot, she is so down to earth and fun!  No stuffy photographer here.  This picture truly captures her personality!

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All images of my home in this post (except the cover shot) were taken by me after the photo shoot and simply do not do Jean's images justice.  Although my home was featured on the cover, there is an entire article highlighting a home I decorated for a client for the holidays.  A big thanks to the Agnews for allowing us to photograph it, and a big thanks to Birmingham Home and Garden for featuring it.  The article includes lots of images from the Agnew's home with how to steps on recreating these decorations in your own home - completely different from what I've shared here.  So, you need to buy the magazine to see them! M.