Design Inspiration * Cynthia Aiken

If Charles Faudree is the "Godfather" of French Country Style then

Cynthia Aiken is definitely the "Godmother!" 

Cynthia Aiken is the quintessential southern designer.  Atlanta is her hometown but the North Georgia mountains is her playground.  Big Canoe, a mountain resort community is the lucky recipient of her presence and style.  Traditional southern living is mixed with french country style and offers a cozy yet sophisticated design.


Her design and use of color makes my heart flutter and keeps me dreaming at night of how to interpret her designs into my home.

I love the green on the walls and ceiling with the relief in color found in the crown molding, drapes, back splash and island.  The green is tied in with the bar stools, pottery and other accent pieces.  The mix of wood tones all blend seamlessly.

Both rooms are inviting and livable.  You can picture a family living in this space.  Adding patina to each piece of furniture through actual use.

This mans study is stately yet comfortable.  I love how the style almost contradicts itself.

The pickled oak paneled walls and coffered ceiling are the perfect contrast to the green paint.  The two visually take the tall ceilings down to a more livable scale. 

Perfection!  It amazes me how she was able to fit rustic and feminine together.  What girl would not love to stay in this room.  I don't think to many men could find a whole lot to complain about either.

The contrast of the dark brown walls and white furniture is devine!

I love the fact that you just know that this is room is meant for a boy with out toys and other typical cliches.

Classic, calm and just gorgeous.  This room is relaxing and stylish.  Oh how I wish I had those barrel ceilings!

All photos are courtesy of Cynthia Aiken's Rate My Space postings. 

To see more eye candy and read all about Cynthia's design philosophy please visit

Cynthia Aiken Interiors.

You will not be disappointed.

Who is your design inspiration?  Is there a particular go to blog that you can't get enough of?

I can't wait to hear!

Now that I have revisited her amazing designs, I have lots of ideas and plenty of changes that must be made!

Keep coming back to see what this may lead to!

I Am Going Green

Well really my china cabinet is going green!  I purchased this china cabinet 3 years ago on Craigslist for $100.  Originally I loved the yellow color.  But what I was really dealing with was a nicotine yellow cabinet that someone had cleverly put glaze over to disguise the color.  The outside did not bother me that much but I did feel that it was getting lost in the paint color of my walls.  The inside however tortured me every time I looked at it!  So the entire cabinet got a makeover!

Nicotine Yellow interior!

Can you see the smeared glaze?

This project basically cost me no money.  I used a sample size of Valspar in La Fonda Jalapeno and I used Minwax liquid stain in dark walnut as a glaze to give it more depth and an aged look.  The interior is a creamy white that I had on hand.  I love the result and the impact of color it adds to the room!

Let me know what you think!

I am linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!
A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesdays

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
DIY Project Parade
http://thelifeofloulou.blogspot.com/
Southern Savvy Style for Befores & Afters
http://the-inspired-nest.blogspot.com/2011/01/pottery-barn-inspired-decorative.html



We have a winner!

And the winner of the Moen Mirrorscape Giveaway is;


Sherry at No Minamalist Here!
True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 51
Result: 30
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Sherry said:
"Hi Lacy, I just found your lovely blog and I have been browsing through the archives. I am now your newest follower."
xo,
Sherry


Thanks for the nice comment and congrats!  I know you will enjoy this product!  I can't wait to see it on one of your mirrors!


Thanks to all who left the sweetest comments and took the time to visit my blog!  Each and every one of you have brightened my week!

Mirrorscape Giveaway!

Don't forget to get signed up for the Moen Mirrorscape Giveaway! 

Click on the link above to read my review of this great product!

"30 minutes to make a statement that lasts a lifetime"

You don't have to live with boring mirrors.  Moen enables you to frame your plain Jane mirror with this simple kit!  It really does make a statement!

Before:

After!

Click here to get entered!
I will be drawing a name on Sunday!

It's Finally Fall Ya'll!

The weather has been absolutely perfect in Florida this week.  My windows have been open allowing the cool fall breeze to chill my toes!  I love, love, love fall! 

Last weekend I decorated my front porch for the season.  I have been wanting grapevine garland for a while now, but didn't want to spend the money.  So I went to a friends house and cut down a bunch of vines.  I should have wrapped them up right after I cut them down and let them dry.  But I made it work.  I also used a ton of pine cones and berries that I found in my yard.  Gotta love shopping the yard!  The flower bucket was put together with remnants of old wreaths I have had along with some more organic finds from the yard.  A few feathers were thrown in for good measure.  The best part is that I only spent $9 all together and that was on the fall leafy garland!

I really love driving up at night to see the warm glow of the lantern.  The glitter of the leaves and ribbon around the garland twinkle in the light.  I plan to work on the garage area this weekend.  I hope the weather is a beautiful as ours!

Don't forget to sign up for the Moen Mirrorscape giveaway! Visit here to read about the review on the mirror framing system and get entered.  The deadline to enter is Saturday at midnight!

I am linking up with A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Go visit Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for more fall inspirations!
Common Ground is having a Fall Inspiration Party!
Domestically Speaking for For the Love of Wreaths Party
DIY Showoff Fall Festival

Prissy Pals

Prissy Pals is a fun shop in beautiful downtown Alachua, Fl..  This store brings fun to Mayberry!  Prissy Pals offers fun jewelry, funky bags of all shapes and sizes that can be monogrammed, and lots of Florida Gator items to get you ready for the big game!  Prepare to be greeted by Renay, the owner who will call you honey & sugar (and truly mean it)!   

So why am I telling you all of this?  Because I have the pleasure of working part time each week!  I wanted to share with you what I have been up to.  Renay has given me free will in the store to decorate my little heart out.  We have also been playing with some fun wreaths and garden flags that will be offered in the next week.  Stay tuned because they are AWESOME!!! 

Only in Florida could you mix Flip Flops & Halloween!

You can see more at Prissy Pals website.  Or visit us on Facebook!

I have another very cool giveaway coming up soon!

Don't forget to sign up for my Moen Mirrorscape Giveaway here!

I am parting with Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesdays!

Moen Mirrorscape Review & Giveaway!

Have you heard of Mirrorscapes? 

Well the fine folks at Moen want to get the word out.  I was asked a few weeks ago to review the new Mirrorscape.  So what is a Mirrorscape?  This new product is a framing system designed for bathroom mirrors.  I was thrilled.  This was on my big list of things to do.  My ugly bath mirror needed some dressing up.

The kit comes with four straight pieces, 4 corner pieces and the tracts they fit into.  A template is provided for easy placement of the tracts.  Each tract has an adhesive that attaches to the mirror.

I choose the 5000 series in the Brushed Nickel finish.  The finish is absolutely gorgeous and is much better than I could have ever done.

Take a look at my kids bathroom mirror before:

You can see how badly the bland mirror needed a makeover.

The instructions were not very helpful, but the web video instructions were great.  This product is so user friendly.  The only tools needed was a measuring tape, sharpie, a miter box and saw.  I was able to frame the mirror in less than 40 minutes!

The corner template shown above is placed on the corner of the mirror.  You then place the corner tract in the curved space and remove the template.    

 Once the corner tracts are put up you put the corner pieces up.   I simply traced around the corner piece and then removed them to measure the length of each straight piece.  The straight tracts are centered and placed on all four sides.

Each straight piece is grooved in the center to pop into each tract.  There is also a padded strip to help prevent scratching the mirror. 

 Four simple cuts have to be made and then you easily pop them into the tract.

After all four sides have been put up, you just pop the corner pieces in. 

In less than 40 minutes I was done!  This was so easy to do and I loved the end result. 

Here is the before:

And the after!

I am one happy girl right now!  But the best part of this review is that I get to share a Mirrorscape with one of you!  That's right, it's giveaway time thanks to Moen's Mirrorscapes!

All you have to do is leave a comment on what you think about my new Mirror Frame. 

To get a second entry become a follower and let me know.  If you are already a follower, let me know!

To get 2 additional entries, post about my giveaway on your blog and let me know.

The giveaway will end on Saturday, October 9th.  I will draw names on Sunday.

Visit these parties with me:

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

The Girl Creative for Something I Just Whipped Up!

DIY Showoff for DIY Project Parade

My Backyard Eden for Make it yours day!

Me & My Bucket for Show us what your Workin With
Somewhat Simple for Strut Yourself Thursday
My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday
Finding Fabulous for Frugal Friday
Chic on A Shoestring Decorating for Flaunt it Friday
504 Main for Tickled Pink
The Girl Creative for New Friend Friday
Fingerprints on the Fridge for Feature yourself Friday