Chignons and Red Lips

For years, I've piled my hair on top of my head out of sheer laziness. Blowdrying my long, thick, frizzy hair, quite frankly, sucks. More often than not, I say heck with it & all the heat protectors, straightening and moroccan oil, and just twirl it all up on my head.

As I near my thirty-ninth (that's a long word to type) birthday, I've realized that I actually like how it looks. Maybe I've just done it for so long that it feels like "me."
Call it a chignon and now it's "effortless chic!" Lately I've been pairing it with a bright lip with just a swipe of mascara.

As I near 4-0 and am now noticing a bevy of loooong grey hair amongst my dark brown locks, I've starting pondering how "gracefully" I want to grow old. Do I start dyeing my hair? highlights to  camoflouge my Christmas tinsel hair? Botox? Fillers?

I can't tell you how refreshing and inspiring this lady is.  She has given me a new outlook on things. Such a chic, elegant lady who is showing the world how to do it.
I particularly love how she flippin' ROCKS a bright red lip, often paired with a chignon.
I want to be her when I grow up! Just kidding. I want to be the best version of my self that I can be;)

Linda Rodin.  If you're not following her on Instagram, you must! @lindaandwinks

None of these images are me. But I like to pretend this is how I look. Ha!

Bright lips can be tricky. I like that this color chart gives some good options as a starting point to pick your shade.

Happy Friday Friends!

Charlotte

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Throwback Thursday - Bill Blass

Bill Blass

New York 1970s

Some people are born with timeless classic style. Bill Blass certainly was.

Lauren Hutton wearing a red hankerchief georgette dress by Bill Blass.

Photo by Richard Avedon

Vogue US 1971

Beautiful Island Home in Sweden

This home on the island of Skeppsholmen in Sweden is classic, comfortable and peaceful both inside and out.

There are so many great details in this kitchen.

The wood counters and exposed brick add such character and warmth. 

TWO ranges in the kitchen...yes please.

The lighting throughout is beautiful. I love their use of minimal directional lights in lieu of recess cans. 

I love the depth of these window openings and sills.

Classic color palette of crisp white paired with warm wood tones throughout.

Aaahh, this bathroom is fantastic! Beautiful details on the cabinetry, black & white floors, handmade white tiled shower, perfect chandelier!

Top it off with a fabulous view of the water from the rooftop terrace! What a lovely retreat!

Images via

If you would like help creating a home you will absolutely love, contact me  for design services.

Super Sized Banquette - Too Much of a Good Thing?

Dining benches and banquettes have become wildly popular over the past couple years. 

 I have a bench at my own dining table and it works well for 2 -3 people.

BUT....these are so long. If you're one of the 4 people stuck in the middle, you are trapped. That's a lot of butt-scooting to get in and out of that sucker!  If you need to use the restroom, everyone has to get up so you can get out. OR, you're exiting under the table!

These spaces are beautiful, but this may be a case where function has to take the lead. 

House Beautiful

Peter Dunham

I think this is a great solution. Using two smaller tables provides an escape for those in the middle of the bench. 

Maybe as a host, I worry too much about these things. What do you think? No big deal or something to consider?

If you would like help creating a home you will absolutely love,  contact me for design services.

Color Saturated Kitchen

There's so much I love about this kitchen. 

The glazed moroccan tile IS PERFECTION!

The green cabinetry flowing into the backsplash color is dreamy.  It has the perfect amount of blue to tie in the range hood element. 

Notice there are even small forest green tiles in the sink cabinet doors. 

The graduation of blues from the range backsplash to the hood to the crown moulding and continuing on the ceiling just works. 

I even love that the range is tinsy. It says, "I cook a little. But really, I just look fabulous standing in my fabulous kitchen." 

But mostly, I love the grandeur of this space. The ceiling height looks to be about 16 feet. I'm 5'10", and any kitchen that would make me feel tiny is a place I could hang out in.

If you would like help creating a home you will absolutely love,  contact me for design services.

Weekend Eye Candy - Swedish Palace

Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish royal family.  Here are a couple of my favorite rooms.

Not a bad place to hang out.

A Reminder to MIX IT UP!

Don't forget to hit your local thrift shops, Goodwill and consignment shops for treasure.  They're the key in creating unique, collected spaces that show who you are. 

And it's fun. 

Happy weekend! 

Now go shop.

If you would like help creating a home you will absolutely love, contact me for design services.

Throwback Thursday - Cape Cod 1965

Halprin House 

 Architect: Hayden Walling, Cape Cod 1965

Lumbar Pillows for some Zing!

Charlotte Skinner Design

Lumbar pillows have long been one of my favorite ways to add color and pattern to a room. Their small size adds just the right amount of Zing for even the most fearful of color!

Charlotte Skinner Design

Charlotte Skinner Design

I love oversized lumbars too. This red silk velvet one is about 4 feet long!

Charlotte Skinner Design

A  more neutral iteration of the above red velvet lumbar. 

**busted for one of my guilty pleasures...love my Andy Cohen and Watch What Happens Live!

Charlotte Skinner Design

One of my all time fave combos...emerald green and leopard.

This blush velvet and silk lumbar is a perfect touch of romance in this beautiful bedroom.

This small lumbar is made from a vintage tapestry remnant. Looks beautiful on this cream linen wingback.

Still love Ikat! 

The lovely Suzanne Kasler uses a pair in blue on a cream settee.

I've never been one to adhere to the What's Hot/Not lists. I'm still a fan of Ikat. Especially when they're silk velvet. Available from  etsy.

This has also been one of my favorites. Dana Gibson's leopard lumbar available from  Zhush in several colors.

If you would like help creating a home you will absolutely love, contact  me for design services.

Writing Desks in the Living Room

I love a writing desk paired with a unique chair in the living room.  It's unexpected and makes the room somehow feel warmer. It makes me want to sit and pen a letter on pretty monogrammed stationary! 

If you would like help creating a home you will absolutely love,  contact us for design services.