Client Project (before & after)

Over the weekend, we did a little photoshoot at a local Philadelphia client's home that I had completed a couple of years ago.  Since finishing this project, the client has become a very close friend of mine.  And every time I visit, I feel like she needs to kick me out because I want to stay forever.  Every room is comfortable and welcoming, while still feeling polished and put together.  It was important that the furniture be functional for a young family.  Yet, it needed to be sleek enough to entertain.  I'm very happy with the way the space turned out-- it reflects the style of the family that lives there.  And even years later, it still looks terrific when you walk through the door. 

Photographing the completed spaces was LONG overdue.  But after a very busy day of shooting, we came back to the office with some great shots.  Since everyone loves a good "before & after," I thought I would share some of the pictures with you today...

living room, before.

 living room, after.

The living room had a unique configuration that presented a challenging layout.  But, when we placed the television over the fireplace, we were able to balance the space, add plenty of unique seating, and create a more organized flow throughout the room.  The pair of ottomans double as extra seats when entertaining.  The Baker parlor chairs (which the client already owned) complement the pair of antique Jean-Michel Frank chairs that we found in a local antique shop (we had the caning restored and they are still some of my favorite vintage finds to date).  The leopard upholstery mixed with Peter Dunham "fig leaf" is great.  And, I love the mix of unlacquered brass...

 (love these chairs!)

And, here are a few additional shots from the rest of the house...

 

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We're LIVE (so, we're celebrating with online & in store SALES)

Our online store got a makeover, folks.  And as of last night, the new look is LIVE!  Finally!  I hope you guys like it as much as we do.  The new layout is cleaner and brighter and easier to navigate.  We've incorporated a ton of new features to make shopping a whole lot more fun.  And, our mobile shopping experience is easier too (which was so important!).  

To celebrate the big reveal, we're hosting a huge sale-- online and in store!!  Take 20% OFF all orders starting today 4/17 and ending at midnight on Monday 4/20.  If you follow us regularly, you know we don't really host sales very often (only during the holidays, mostly).  So, this is kind of a big deal for us.  This weekend's sale is STOREWIDE and that includes furniture (although, it excludes lighting).  Just use code: NEWLOOK

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Sneak Peek (new HSM website!)

Would you like to see a sneak peek of our new look?  Like I mentioned yesterday, the online store is currently getting nipped and tucked, and she's starting to look pretty good.  :) What do you think?  It's still technically "under construction" but the overall look is bigger, brighter, and more organized.  The navigation is easier, the pictures are better, and the new platform will allow us to perform better for our customers (think new promotions and sales).  There are a ton of new features (that we've worked so hard on incorporating)... I can't wait to launch this baby this month.  It's been a lot of late nights and overtime for work for us.  So, we're pretty excited about it.

Here's a screen shot-- things might change between now and the actual launch, but I'm loving the progress so far.

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Store Happenings...

We've been really busy in the store this last month.  So many new products have arrived for spring, and we are prepping for two exciting events happening in April.  :)  First and foremost, we are in the midst of totally redesigning our online store.  It's been waaaaaay too long since the site had a facelift, so we've been working hard to incorporate some great new features (hopefully, to make shopping a lot easier and more fun for our customers!).  It's involved a lot of late nights, so I'm pretty excited about launching the new look (yay!).  The second thing happening: we will be hosting some in-store events during the second half of the month.  Lots of vintage sales and in-store sales.  We'll have refreshments (wine) and a "Girls Day Out" event (sale, desserts, and more wine).  It should be fun.  So, stay tuned for news on that, and if you're in the area, please stop in and say hi!

For now, here are some recent pics of the store and some of our new products...

(lots of chic new white ceramics-- vases, faceted boxes, and urchins)

(a shot of our gorgeous Helena sofa in the studio.  Did you know we sell custom upholstery?  We do, and we're really proud of the partnership we've made with our custom manufacturer.  Everything is made in America and the quality is top notch-- find the collection of upholstery here.  Also, everything ships for free!)

 (new Burlap covered vases, just arrived for springtime.  They also make chic candle holders for those al fresco dinners happening this summer)

 (our new white faceted vases)

 (hammered ginger jars)

 (again, our white urchins...  and those chartreuse Cherry Blossom Pillows are on major sale right now-- small and large)

(and my favorite Modern Mint candle burning in the studio-- it's the best scent ever.)

Also worth noting (if you're interested!), we have started some Instagram Giveaways on our Instagram account (we gave away 11 free gifts last week!).  Just follow us to participate.  We honestly have the greatest customers on the Internet, so we love hearing from you guys on such a fun and interactive platform.  So, let's link up over there.  :)

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In the store: 25% OFF all hardware

SHOP NOW >

Sale includes all of our vintage pieces as well.

Happy Weekend!

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In The Details: Drapery

Currently obsessed with this particular design detail.  Love the modern pleating and absolutely LOVE the metallic trim.  It's good.

via my Pinterest page

and found here

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Current Inspiration: Landscape

Spring is here (tomorrow, officially) and that means revisiting my love of landscape renovation.  Do you feel like that too?  March gets here and we are blessed with a handful of warm days, and all I can think about is gardening.  I wish I could get out there and start digging up plants and putting down brick pavers, like I've done in years past...  but, my enormously growing belly is telling me that strenuous gardening ain't gonna happen this year.  With a baby due in May, I think the majority of my "gardening" may be regulated to Pinterest.  We've done SO MUCH over the years, and our yard is still a disaster and nowhere near finished.  I'm okay with that though.  You can't do everything, I realize this.  But, I would love to finish it someday before I die.

For now, here are some gardening ideas that are totally inspiring me this year-- and maybe they will inspire you too.  Please indulge me...

This precious picket fence has my heart a flutter.  A few years ago, I'm not sure I would have swayed this way.  But, time has changed me.  Our backyard is pretty big, so I would love to enclose half of it between the carriage house and the backdoor.  Not for privacy, but something to contain the children and maybe a dog someday (did I just say "dog"?  These days, I can hardly keep my head on straight and I'm thinking about a dog?  Yes, let's get a dog.).  This simple yet classic picket fence is my inspiration.

To go with my new picket fence, I'll take this lovely gate and arbor, thanks.  :)  Is this not idyllic?  I can imagine parking my car in the carriage house, and then walking through this gate to the backdoor.  That would be lovely.

I would also settle for something like this.  :)

If I get my fence and my gate (and my arbor), I'll need a new walkway from the carriage house to the back door.  So, I think we'll need some brick.  You might remember a few years back, we repaved our front walk with reclaimed brick.  I still adore the look of it and I want MORE.  I spotted this chic pattern awhile back and have saved it as inspiration for future hardscaping.  Isn't this great?  Thank you, Ruthie Sommers.

 And, while we're at it, let's throw in a swimming pool.  This picture has been my go-to for years now.  I'm obsessed with it and would die to have anything that remotely resembles this someday.  Love the complete privacy with those thick evergreens (I think that might be my favorite part)...  and the rectangular pool, modern furniture, and potted plants.  Wrapped it up and ship it to me.

This is also fabulous. 

 

And, this.  I mean.  Hello, gorgeous.  Pea gravel, black planters, stacked rock, perfectly green lawn, potted boxwood.  Perfection.

Happy last day of winter, everyone.  :)

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Our new candles are here!

Our new candles have arrived and they are divine!  I only wish you could smell them through this blog because they really do smell fantastic.  And, the packaging is awesome-- we've brought in polished copper tumblers, and mercury glass vessels...  not to mention the classic blue candle pots and faceted glass.  Over the last week, we've been testing out a few lines in the studio and the fragrances are so calming.  I didn't expect that.  So now, I like to have a candle burning whenever I'm at work.  The smell just makes me happy.  Isn't it funny how such a simple thing can affect your mood in that way?

This past weekend, I photographed each new candle for the website and was so impressed by the quality.  I know you will be too.   And, to celebrate the new line, we're offering everyone 20% off the entire collection now through March 17th!  Just use the discount code SPRING20.

 

click here to shop all candles

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If you would like to join our newsletter to be notified of future sales and High Street Market news, please sign up HERE!

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Cheers!

Happy Friday!  I hope you have lovely plans for this weekend.  It's finally warming up here and it feels heavenly.  :) 

We did a photoshoot in the store this week, promoting our new Moscow Mule Mugs (which are really fun to use), and I've attached the pictures from the newsletter below.  We also shared our favorite Moscow Mule recipe with our email list.  I thought I would share it here on the blog, too.  Just in case any of you are interested in making one, try this recipe first-- it's my favorite.  If you ask me, the Moscow Mule is a perfect springtime cocktail (and it's easy to make into a "mocktail" for the non-drinkers or pregnant mamas, like me-- just substitute non-alcoholic ginger beer and add soda water). 

Have you ever had a Moscow Mule?  I recommend chilling the mugs in the freezer for awhile before mixing up a batch.  That will help you get the ultimate frosty glass.  :)  Cheers!

Happy Weekend!

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My new favorite maternity jeans...

Now, in the 7th month of my second pregnancy, I can surely no longer wear regular pants (believe me, I've tried-- that elastic hair band can only stretch so far).  And, when my trusty GAP maternity jeans ripped in a place that only reinforced my growing size, I reluctantly went on the hunt for a new pair.  After ordering--and returning--a whopping seven pairs online, I finally found these.

In case you are pregnant, or know someone who is pregnant, I thought I would pass this revelation along to you.  I LOVE these "Jimmy Jimmy" jeans from Paige Denim.  Stretchy and cute.  I actually like the distressed look here.  The best part is the expanding waistband and NO belly band.  So, after the baby is born, I can throw on a belt and wear these like regular jeans (this is the plan, and thoughtful justification for the price point). 

the jeans made a cameo in this High Street Market instagram shot 

(I think I can legally write these off as a business expense now, right?)

and, since some kind people asked for a belly shot-- here it is!!  Wrapped up at 7 months.  

Baby girl will be here in May.  :)

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Current Inspiration: Sun Faded Style

I've got a couple of new design projects on the horizon that are beachy and coastal-inspired.  And, THANK GOD for that because, outside my office, my car is covered in ice.  And, we're getting more snow tomorrow.  So, dreaming and scheming about summertime is just what the doctor ordered over here.

Here are the images that are covering my desktop this week.  And, to me, they scream WARM WEATHER.  I am so drawn to using mercury glass this year.  But, in tiny doses (think bud vases, a chic table lamp, and mercury glass candles).  Also, copper.  The rosey cousin to brass.  Are you guys liking this new trend?  Again, I love copper in small doses-- perhaps a tiny table lamp, a collection of bowls, or hit of copper hardware.  Both of these fresh metallics are coming to the store this month-- I've been really jazzed about it. :) 

Also on my radar: anything that feels like it's been faded in the sun.  Think heavy woven textures (like rope), sun faded colors (like misty blue, minty green, and washed out denim) and crisp whites.  Always crisp whites.

all images pulled from my Pinterest page.  :)

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