a lovely new look

Hello and welcome to the new and improved Something Lovely! It was time for a fresh look and I couldn't be more pleased with how the new logo and blog design turned out. With the new layout, a few of the older posts may be awkwardly sized of cropped. I am still making a few tweaks so please bear with me while I tie up the loose ends.

Branding is one of those things that can be a labor of love. It’s easy to help others redesign or rebrand but when you’re doing it for yourself it’s a whole other story. With so many inspirations and options out there making a “final” decision for yourself can be challenging. Lucky for me, I’ve had a great group of people to help. A big thanks to Andreea of Sweet Lemon Grey Designs, Jenny, Max, Kate and Mom for all of your input, suggestions, and support.

I am so happy with how the new look turned out and I hope you are too. Take a look around and as always, thanks for following along! 

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The Oxford Exchange

A few weeks ago I met up with my best girlfriends for a girls weekend in Tampa. (We had the best time!!!) My sweet friend Maggie moved there last Fall and we were so excited to see her new stomping grounds. Our first stop was The Oxford Exchange to catch up over some coffee and breakfast. Maggie knew this place would be right up my alley. I was immediately blown away by the beautiful interior and overall concept. The OE is made up of individual spaces, each with its own distinct purpose and personality : the restaurant, the shop, the bookstore, the coffee shop, the tebella tea company, and the commerce all inspire an open exchange of ideas and lure you to linger.

Interior designer Mary Beth Courier and Atlanta’s very own Smith Dalia Architects used striking architecture and beautiful interior details to celebrate the historic character of the building and capture the timeless aesthetic of London shops and the Oxford University dining hall. Vintage + modern pieces, marble flooring, brass accents, leather seating, iron detailing, and an incredible retractable glass-roof in the conservatory all create an environment that is timeless, sophisticated, and inviting.

“ The Oxford Exchange is a space that not only welcomes the person, but also the soul.” 

– The Oxford Exchange /Interior Design

Learn more about The Oxford Exchange here 

and follow along with the latest happenings on their blog

// all images via The Oxford Exchange.com //

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Goodbye, McMansion. Hello, historically accurate New Old Houses

There was a great article a while back in the Wall Street Journal - "Looking for a New Old House?" by Dale Hrabi. It turns out McMansions are out and the new old houses are in. Finally someone's speaking my language! There is nothing worse than the new construction neighborhoods with overwhelming scale and hodgepodge architecture. Today, it's more important than ever that architects and designers focus on creating livable homes with authentic architecture that leaves a legacy.

According to Amy Albert, editor of Custom Home, a hankering for authentic traditional residential design is one of 2014's big trends. "People aren't seeking exact replicas of historical houses, they want architectural purity in the elevations and the details, but inside they want connectivity and open floor plans." Discerning homeowners, she said, are demanding that custom builders bone up: "Mixing a Palladian window with a Craftsman column is not going to cut it. Even if people don't have the vocabulary to articulate why it's wrong, they instinctually know it is."

As a designer and someone working in the home building industry, I am so excited to hear that the pre-fab way of life is no longer acceptable and homebuyers are demanding more. Read more on the new old house here: Goodbye, McMansion. Hello, historically accurate New Old Houses 

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