White Beauty

I have always loved bougainvillea, to me they are synonymous with Summer & Sun, though the ones I have been drawn to have been hot pink or magenta… 

Now… well, look at these white versions in all their glory, how pretty are they???

Happy summer, y'all!

Natasha

Images via Northern Light Design on Pinterest

One more… to Adore

It's here… the new Adore Magazine, Perth edition! Lots of color and cheerfulness to brighten anyones day :)

Natasha

Image via Adore on FB

Happy Weekend!

Just thought this image was so Happy and Cheerful, I had to share :)

Natasha

Image via Pip Boydell on Instagram

Work in Progress!

Lately I haven't been working a lot…The main focus these days is Baby Lilly, but when she is not on my arm, I do squeeze in a little work :)

I have been mid-way in a project (Dining / Living room & Master Bedroom Re-do's), and needed a chair that was comfortable, deep enough to curl up in, yet interesting from all angles… Introducing the Spindle Chair!

Not exactly a new design, but sometimes it's not about reinventing the wheel, so I tweaked it a little. For the above mentioned project, I selected a slightly darker version, Limed Oak, and since we were going for the beach look, I reupholstered the chair (cushions etc) in crisp, hardy, white denim. Easy to clean, easy to bleach, easy to throw in the washer whenever kids & dogs had had their way :)

Now… well, I have just ordered two more, but in white, and for a different client. This time I am upholstering them in Oyster colored washable Linen / Cotton, super soft! I can't wait till they are done. I love a good before & after, don't you? Stay tuned!

Natasha

Image via Northern Light Design on Pinterest

Snuggle Alert!

Yep, there is actually such a thing as a Snuggle Alert :) … at least according to the weather man down here in Florida. The term is used when the temperature dips below 60F! For us it's cool, not always cold, but cool & we break out the sweaters.

From my days in retail (read cold air conditioning), I have a lot of sweaters, and any chance I have to bring them out is a welcome one!!

I went shopping with a friend the other day, and she summed up my style pretty well… 

Split Personality!! - I am not kidding! 

Truth is, she is partially right :) I kinda have two styles going on in my closet; One is what is left over from my retail days… lots of black, sweaters (to battle the cold a/c) and beautiful knits, just because I love knits and cool, crisp fall clothing. Once we get in to having to wear a jacket, well, then it's just too cold for me. Two is where all the white, and preppy pinks come in. The latter part of what is in my closet is actually way more practical as I live in this warm / hot tropical climate. Sooooo, what's a girl to do?? I have been going through and cleaning out / organizing my closet many times, I guess an other round is in store as my body has changed a bit from being pregnant, so I see this as my chance to start a fresh clean style! What do you think? Any of you have a fabulous Pinterest Fashion Board I should check out for inspiration?? LMK

Natasha

Images via Pinterest

Faux or Real?

OK, so if you follow along you will know that I am a lover of Flowers! Almost all kinds of flowers, though I admit to having my favorites, such as the classic Hydrangea. Orchids are pretty much always found all over my house, and that's mostly due to their longevity, but also because I don't have a cutting garden… 

I am torn when it comes to the faux variety … I have been known to use a few of these faux blooms in different clients homes, but really, my heart is with the real kind! However, when you have a busy household these come in handy, so I was happy to see this sale on One Kings Lane this evening.

I really like this Cymbidium Orchid in the Blue & White pot! Imagine it on a tall side table in the living room, or a table in the foyer, perhaps arranged with a few books & a candle …

So, are you into Real or Faux Flowers? Can you really tell the difference? 

Natasha

PS. Follow Northern Light Design on Instagram and you will be witness to my love of flowers...

All images via OKL

(End of the year) Morning Java

The year is coming to an end, and what better way to say good bye than with a good cup of java, a healthy bite and gorgeous white roses??

… I received the most beautiful flowers from a client (now also a dear friend) the other day, for a peek, check out Northern Light Design on Instagram (or see the very bottom of this page).

Natasha

Image via Pinterest

Snowflakes

Snowflakes of a different kind!! Gingerbread cookies are just so yummy! When cut like these & dressed in sugar and frosting (pun intended), who can resist?? 

Perfect for the last Sunday in Advent! Enjoy…

Natasha

Image vie Pinterest

A little greenery...

… goes a long way!!

This is about the simplest decoration I have seen this season, so easy to do & so pretty !!

Natasha

Images via Pinterest

Baby Update.

Just wanted you to see a few images of Baby Lilly. 

She is growing, both in size and personality, so much fun to watch!!

Hope this puts a smile on your face today :)

Natasha

All images NHH for the Northern Light Blog

Northern Light Design Work, Sneak Peek!

Yesterday was fun!!

I worked with a dear friend of mine, who happens to also be a photographer, as we photographed a Design Job I finished this past summer in North Miami Beach.

In the galley kitchen, I selected tumbled platinum hard ware with a ribbed texture, Calacata Oro Marble counters with a slight olive streak (for a top view, check out this image on the NLD Pinterest board) and long brick Thassos backsplash, set in a very light grey grout. 

Super pretty!!

Prior to the shoot, I picked up fresh flowers and other accessories. So much fun to be at the grocery store, selecting flowers for color and springing for those beautiful peonies, you normally would leave… I went for pops of color, as well as my trusted white hydrangeas! The design project itself is very calming and "non-color", it's all about the view!

… This image I took with my phone, as we were preparing to shoot the dining room properly. I just LOVE this Oly chandelier, not only does it look great straight on, but the shadows it casts on the ceiling are almost equally amazing!!

This is the other side of the dining room, also a cell phone shot. The art is my favorite here…

Not only are the colors muted, but the lacquered texture is amazing! Looks like water has been splashed on the painting itself, very cool :)

Stay tuned for more images on this project, I will share them with you soon!

Natasha

Images #1, #3 & #4 NHH for Northern Light Design, Image #2 by CHB Photography

Black & White Cuteness!!

Since the birth of our baby girl, Lilly, we have been the lucky recipients of the most adorable baby clothes!! Needless to say, the majority is one shade or another of PINK! A few very generous gift cards were received as well, two were to Baby Gap, bringing me to the Baby Gap website... these few pieces caught my eye! So cute! 

Miniature makes everything cute, don't you agree?

... and I read somewhere in the Fashion Pages (don't ask me where) that a Pink Winter Coat is a must for everyone this season...? Well, I found this one, super cute but we're not quite there yet, as it's only been a month since Lilly was born.

Natasha

Images via J.Crew Baby & Baby Gap

New on the Virtual Newsstand... (kind-a!)

Truthfully... you can't really go wrong with the tired and true Blue & White color scheme!
These beautiful images are from the new Matchbook Magazine, and they had me at "Jewel Box"... You'll see, turn to page 40.

I guess this is what happens when you go to the flower market, and is unable to make up your mind! - you just get one of each ;)

In the - fairly - new rue magazine, you can find a beautifully photographed country house and a delicious dinner party, perfect for the upcoming holiday season! I especially loved the cell phone tray, great idea!! ... a small platter set out for everyone to park their cell phones on, only to be picked back up upon leaving the dinner party, perfect conversation starter & perfect for dinner conversation :)

Happy reading!

Natasha

Image #1 & #2 via Matchbook, Image #3 & #4 via rue

... and Baby Makes Three!

She's here... A few weeks early, healthy & so super sweet! Our little girl's name is Lilly, and we feel so lucky to have her in our life :) She arrived last weekend. We are now all home, settling in to our new life and routine. Feeling better everyday, we are enjoying spending time with Lilly, appreciating all the text, emails and house visits from friends and family!!

I will be taking a little time off from blogging - I think - so please bare with me, as I learn to balance everything! 

Natasha & Lilly

Image NHH for the Northern Light Blog

The Nursery

The time has come, after many, many requests from friends and family near and far, to please share Baby L's room decor with everyone... So here we go, these are the elements of the room; When I have a quiet moment, I will take some actual images of the Nursery. 

It was my intention to do an all white nursery with pops of Coral, absolutely no pink! I was even considering blue... Turns out there really is not a whole lot of Coral baby stuff out there, at least not while I was trying to get this together, in between client projects. I found some super pretty fabrics on my travels, but that just meant that I would have to have everything custom made... and that's was not happening! 

SO, Hot Pink it was, all the while still sticking to the "All White" and I am happy with the outcome!

We registered for this Pink Hearts Crib Skirt and Blanket from Land of Nod, and was lucky to receive it quite early on, it set the tone, and I think it's darling!!

A comfortable chair is a must, I hear! I selected this Wing Back Chair from RH baby & child, it glides / rocks & swivels, has a slipcover, so it's easy to wash. It's one of the first things that arrived, and I just LOVE it, so comfortable.... well, ask me in a month or so, if I still think so... ;)

Got to be comfortable and spill proof, so this leather pouf just had to come home with me... I have always been wanting one, and this was my chance! + the added benefit; no hard corners and the right height for Baby L to climb :)

The dresser / changing table... Long story short; This was a VERY nice Baby Shower gift from two Clients, however, the price for these things are crazy - and I am in the business - sooooo, I found a floor model, in a not so pretty cream-ish yellow color with round wood "country" knobs. Needless to say, not what I had in mind, but the slightly modern lines of the dresser legs spoke to me, so I sent the dresser to my furniture re-finisher, who finished it in High Gloss White, and now I LOVE how it looks.

These Glass Knobs I had put on the dresser, rather than the round wood ones it came with...

For a little bit of the unexpected, I found a similar Antique Elephant Garden Stool, she is so darling and she makes me smile... (Our Elephant is White all over, has a broken trunk that has been reattached - part of the charm - and where this one has blue flowers, ours has pink flowers.) My husband on the other hand, after carrying it ever so carefully up to the room, was not so happy with my purchase to say the least... "You spent what ?" & "We need an Elephant ?? Really ?" is what comes to mind. Now that it's all together, I think he gets it, but would never tell me ;)

We were in desperate need of a light fixture, and just picked up the Floor Lamp version of this lamp. I chose to show you this one, as I really like the lines and detail... the all white, with the "brass" hardware and Black & White Fabric cord.

As for Art... I am awaiting a large piece back from the frame shop. A very similar image of a white orchid, only it's hot pink inside. I selected an 8 ply matte (thick) and about 4" wide, with a High Gloss White simple modern gallery frame. Can't hardly wait to see it done!!

Many years ago we purchased a series of color photographs, all white roses while on vacation in New England. I had them re-framed with white mattes and white frames, but have not hung them in the room yet. Have not hung any of the art yet for that matter...

The Crib...

We were the lucky recipients of a crib that has been with my husbands family, similar to this one, right down to the color... yep, not happening! As you have probably picked up on... White is the theme, so off to the re-finisher it went, came back High Gloss White, and now it's no longer the Ugly Duckling, it's super pretty!! It's one of those beds that turn into a toddler bed, and a twin bed later on, so I didn't mind spending the extra monies on having it sprayed! 

It's been interesting getting this Nursery together, playing with both High & Low priced items, resisting the urge to go crazy, working with different styles (I know... we got everything under the moon here, but it actually works!!), and trying to make it "ours", trying to find some unique items that will have staying power, not just buying "the room" and calling it a day. Trust me, there were times when I was just going to order everything from Serena & Lily, cute as it is, and call it a day...

I will post images of the actual room at a later date, so come back and check in!

Natasha

Resources and Links below:

Crib Bedding, Pink Hearts - Land of Nod

Wingback Swivel Glider w/ Slipcover, White Cotton - RH Baby & Child

Moroccan Leather Pouf, White - RH Baby & Child

Dresser, Refinished in High Gloss White - Young America via Bellini - No Longer Available

Antique Elephant Garden Stool - No Longer Available

Floor Lamp, White, Ranarp - IKEA

Orchid Photograph, Similar, Custom Frame - Art Addiction

Crib, Hand-Me-Down, Similar - Target

Baby Shower!

Today is the day!! 

Sharing with you all, for the first time, that we are expecting a baby girl in early November :) and today is the very first celebration, a baby shower hosted by my dear friend AGE! 

Inspiration for the shower via this gallery...

I am not big on games and gadgets, so I respectfully asked that non of the traditional themes be "used"!! 

I have been SOOOOOO looking forward to just getting "the girls" together, for me that was the most important aspect. I asked another dear friend CHB to bring her camera, so I will have some wonderful images to keep, and possibly share with you.

So, for now, this little bit of private information is all you get :) .... it might also explain why I have been posting so infrequently for a few months, just needed to wrap my head around what was happening; New baby on the way, work, play, future etc. etc. etc.

I will do my very best not to turn this into a Mommy & Me blog, that does not mean you won't see an occasional cute baby pic or two, so bear with me as I learn to balance everything to the best of my ability.... 

Natasha

Images via style me pretty

Morning Java

Yep, this is pretty much what is happening right now... Computer open, Coffee in my cup, Breakfast half way done, and any minute I need to be out the door!

Have a busy day scheduled today... Furniture and accessory shopping, could be fun and fruitful, could be a lot of running around, but hopefully we will find at least some of what we need :)

Natasha

Image via Flickr

Wednesday Inspiration

Crisp, white, bright, lots of natural light, fresh white orchids and a good mixture of interesting accessories...

I am on a mission to "lighten & brighten" my clients homes, and so far I have a few "converts"! Yesterday a client of mine said "I am so happy you came in to our lives. Now I see the light....!"

What more can I ask for??!

Natasha

Image via Domaine,  Meridith Baer Staging

Mirror, Mirror on the...

Just came across this image of a Venetian mirror, and I just LOVE how it brings sparkle and femininity to an otherwise raw space, filled with natural materials!

... this was the "sister image" and - to me - equally beautiful!

... and that brings me to this mirror at a clients newly finished condo. While the entire space was re-done, a few of my clients "old" things were kept and re-purposed, cleaned or re-upholstered. 

(I just snapped this image with my cell phone, so please no judging on the quality of the image. The shadow-y finish is due to the fact that the image was taken "through" the mirror)

The boarder of the mirror is so beautiful! While I didn't immediately have a plan for the mirror, I just knew I had to keep it. The style was nothing like what I was going for, but sometimes (ok, most often), I find that working in a beautiful old piece, is what gives the space character and life!!

Are you a fan of these mirrors, or have they seen better days??

Natasha

Image #1 & #2 via Skona Hem, Image #3 NHH for the Northern Light Blog

Summer...

Does it get much better than this?? Hope you enjoy the last days of summer :)

Natasha

Image via Bo Bedre