Entre Nous.

Neighborhood watch

When I moved into my 4th floor walk up on Jones St. in Savannah, I didn't realize at the time that my townhouse was sourrounded by interior designers and artists. My next door neighbor turned out to be Lynn Morgan and next door to Lynn was Rethink Design. My neighbors eye for design extended beyond their homes and spilled into their courtyards. Out my back window I had the vantage point of being able peer down upon well manicured and smartly edited courtyards. As a visitor to Savannah, unless you are invited in by the owner of a historic home, or the home is open to the public for a tour of homes, you are likely to miss entirely the beauty and charm of the courtyards of Savannah. Joel and Erika Snayd, of Rethink Design, showed a glimpse of their courtyard in a Southern White Christmas photo shoot with Savannah Magazine. I love the way the indoors was cleverly brought out of doors as only those who live in temperate climates can do during this time of year. 

 

 

The boudoir

   
 
While living in Savannah, my favorite room in the spacious (plus side) 4th floor walk up (down side) apartment in the historic district would have to have been my bedroom. There was something about the natural light from the generous windows compounded with the astounding view of the treetops and the rooftops of surrounding historic buildings that helped to create a serene environment. All of the furniture in this room was purchased from businesses in Savannah, antique shops and home decor boutiques. One of my most beloved, yet inexpensive pieces, is the telephone desk I used as a nightstand. Taking something outdated and re-purposing it as something useful is extremely gratifying. The tiny accompanying chair served its own purpose in the bathroom as a place to set magazines or pile towels. The NO-OP fireplace (which you only get a hint of) was another element I adored about the room. There's just something about the use of a mantle, as a place to perch art or a mirror, that really completes a room and becomes a great focal point. I packed the interior of the fireplace with pillar candles to add another source of light when called for. The lingerie chest set between the two windows is another favorite piece of mine. It was actually part of a set that was broken up by the current seller. There is a time and place for a matching set of furniture, but in this instance I chose to just stick with this one statement piece from the set. The room was already painted green when I moved in, at first unsure of whether to keep it, I grew to quite like it actually.

 

Savannah Sources: Circa Lighting, Jere's Antiques, One Fish Two Fish, Habersham Antiques, No. Four Eleven, The Corner Door Antiques

Island life

Apologies for the lack of consistent posts since April. I can't believe such a long length of time lapsed between posts. The cause of said lapse is that my life is in a bit of transition. I officially made the decision to leave Savannah in May, yet made the actual move less than a week ago. After 3 1/2 glorious years in the city, with a lovely home in the heart of the historic district (Jones St. to be exact), some really incredible friends, and a job from which I was learning a great deal about anituqes and the business, saying it was difficult to leave is an understatement. Although, I must admit the fact that it had been between 100-120 degrees (with the heat index) for June and July made extracting myself from the city a TAD easier. Where am I now you might wonder. I've decided to get a house on the island that I grew up on in Washington State for 4 or 5 months, while I figure out a game plan. Then it will be on to either Bellingham, Seattle, or...? Right now 1/2 of my belongings are in a storage unit here in Washington and the other 1/2 are making their way across country from Savannah. Everything will be reunited next week. I'm extremely eager to unpack everything and decorate my new abode. Next comes the daunting job search. Yes, I did what they tell you not to do, move somewhere without a job lined up. But I do have a business venture in the works, which I'll disclose if it comes to fruition. To life!

Now smell this

I've decided the scent my home shall be adorned with this season is Okeanos, part of the Aegean Sea collection of diffusers by Anthousa.  "The Aegean Sea Collection is inspired by the picturesque landscape and fresh scents of the waters of the Aegean.  Okeanos transports one to an azure-lined shore, amidst a salty sea breeze, inhaling the crisp sea air.  Sea Grass, cactus water, lime leaves, and green clover blend with ozonic sea notes to create the fresh perfection in Okeanos." Not only is the scent sublime but the bottle is stunning.  Next on the agenda, a whiff of the real thing. 

Madame Chrysanthemum

                                          

Today I purchased my first piece of art by a Savannah artist.  The piece is by Mary Hartman, a SCAD graduate.  The medium is pastel and charcoal.  I'm so smitten with the piece, but I have to be a patient girl and wait until the show is taken down the first of August before it gets to adorn my living room wall.  Isn't it sublime?

Take a seat

When I moved to Savannah I put all my furniture and many of my belongings into a storage unit in Bellingham.  Upon arriving in Savannah at the end of December I had ten, days right around Christmas, to fully furnish my apartment.  I found most of the basic furniture I needed at various antique shops around Savannah.  But there were still a few pieces I was on the look out for to fill up space in my fairly large apartment.  At work on Thursday my boss brought this chair out on the floor and I was instantly smitten.  Typically when it comes to purchasing furniture I need at least a few days to rationalize the purchase.  But I knew the chair would get snatched up quickly if I debated over the purchase another day.  So I went ahead and bought it, and with my employee discount I got a great deal on it.  The chair is double caned, pale blue, and French in origin.  I think more than anything I was taken with the scale of the chair.  It's almost reminiscent of the seating in the Mad Hatter's tea party and it suits my bedroom perfectly.