Pull Up a Stool

A Ceramic Garden Stool, That Is

Ceramic garden stools are a quick update that can add a pop of color and some practicality to your living space.  Used indoors and out,  they can be found in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors within a large price range (antique stools being more expensive).  They are versatile -- used as either a small table or a seat (albeit not the most comfortable seat in the house, no doubt, though technically a seat).

Check out these possible uses…

Photo Source:  Houzz

Where can you find a cool ceramic garden stool for your home?  If you're not looking to spend a fortune on an antique garden stool, head to your local HomeGoods store.  They'll likely have a couple different styles for you to consider.  Other great sources include Horchow and Wisteria.

Happy hunting!

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino

Associate ASID

A Thought for Your Monday

I LOVE PEOPLE WHO

MAKE ME LAUGH.  I

HONESTLY THINK IT'S 

THE THING I LIKE MOST, 

TO LAUGH.  IT CURES

A MULTITUDE OF ILLS.

IT'S PROBABLY THE

MOST IMPORTANT THING

IN A PERSON.

--Audrey Hepburn

I agree!  I hope you're sharing this Monday with someone who makes you laugh.

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino

Associate ASID

Happy Easter!

From my home to yours!

That's one happy little "honey bunny."

Check out more Easter memories on Little World of Chic blog.  Lily Kate's own blog.  Because every nearly six year old needs one, right?

XXOO

Little Chic Easter Fashion

He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino

Associate ASID

#easterbunny
#chocolatebunny
#eggcellent
#honeybunny

Little Black Book of Beauty Secrets

Product Review:  Redken Powder Refresh 01

No, I do not wash my hair every day.  My favorite product to make it look like I do?  Redken Powder Refresh 01

So what does it do?  It provides great texture.  Texture that's light enough for fine hair (which I have) and full-bodied enough for courser, thicker hair (which I wish I had).  It's an aerosol powder that quickly absorbs your hair's natural oils without leaving a trace of powder residue visible to the naked eye.  Simply spray it on dry hair and enjoy the volume and texture it creates.

It provides such great texture on Day 2 that I've started using it right after washing and drying my hair on Day 1.

Where can you get your own can of this magic?  Find your nearest Redken certified hair stylist or on-line at Redken.

See also this great related article:  Five Surprising Uses of Dry Shampoo (via LifeStyle Mirror blog).

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino

Associate ASID


#redken
#redkenpowderrefresh
#dryshampoo

Celebrating Easter

A Seat at My Table

Before any special meal, I like to "set the scene." 

Creating a tablescape that matches the mood and menu is a key element for entertaining.

Easter is a time of renewal with new growth and blooming color.
Reflect what the season means to you and your family on your Easter table.

This Easter, I want to use my new asparagus motif plates I discovered on a recent antique shopping trip for clients.  (Remember, last week I shared my obsession with china.)

I found these flocked bunny placemats at HomeGoods, mixed with cheerful pink napkins and flower napkin holders from Pier One.  The lettuce leaf placemat adds an additional layer of texture and color.

Organza bags hold candy treats at each place-
setting.  Six bags for $1 at Dollar Tree.

By now,  you know I like to use ordinary objects

in extraordinary ways.  For the centerpiece, 

I filled a crystal Kate Spade ice bucket with plastic 

Easter eggs. The Easter eggs add a festive touch 

and help keep the flowers in place.  For the flowers, I 

gathered an assortment of fresh flowers in a pastel palette.

The buffet holds dessert dishes (Kate Spade for Lenox) beautifully displayed on a white hobnail milk glass cake stand.  Easter egg colored hydrangeas are arranged in an antique lidded silver ice bucket.  Some bunny wants dessert!

For more Easter decorating and
entertaining ideas, see my 
Pinterest board.


What did we do before Pinterest?

Dress:  Alice and Olivia, Lillyanne Puff Skirt Mini Dress; Purse:  Rebecca Minkoff, Mini Affair Diamond Quilt; Statement Necklace:  Bauble Bar, Desert Flower Bib; Shoes:  Jimmy Choo via Saks Fifth Avenue, Addison Leather d'Orsay Pumps

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino

Interior Designer, Associate ASID

#positivelychicblog
#rebeccaminkoff
#jimmychoo
#aliceandolivia
#saksfifthavenue
#easterbrunch
#eastertablescape
#baublebar
#statementnecklace

Everyday Elegance

Table Top Edition

A Few of My China Patterns

I have a problem.  My name is Paula Chamblin and I am an avid collector of dishware.

Why is this a problem?  It's two-faceted (at least):

 (1.) I am running out of storage space, and
 (2.) I don't use the dishes nearly enough.

Given this situation, I have made a decision (two actually):

(1.)  If I can't use the dishes as they were originally intended (I am assuming to serve food.), I will discover other ways to use them.
(2.)  I will host more dinner parties (to actually use the dishes as they were intended to be used).

Decorator Tip

Have you lost or broken a piece of your treasured china?  

Replacements, Ltd.

Decorating with Dishware

If you're not setting the table with your dishes, try decorating with them.  When placed on the wall, they can create a visually interesting art installation.  

Photo Credit:  Houzz

Dishes…not just for the dining room.  

Photo Credit:  Paula Chamblin Interiors, Inc.

Likewise, when grouping a collection of similar style or color…the impact is artful.

Here is a display of my personal collection of hobnail milk glass. 

The first piece collected was a hobnail milk glass plant container which my mother received as a gift when I was born.  The collection has grown from that one piece over time.  Each time I see a "yard sale" sign, I try to stop for a minute to see what piece I may be able to add to the collection.

Yes, I brake for yard sales.  

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino

Interior Designer, Associate ASID