Outdoor spaces | Lori May Interiors

November 19, 2012

Our home in the AJC

A few weeks ago, I was thrilled to be interviewed by Linda Jerkins of the Atlanta Journal Constitution about our home remodel. The story was in the paper today and to say I was honored was really an understatement.

What a wonderful way to start the holiday week. I’m incredibly thankful for the past year, for my work and for my beautiful family. I’ll be spending Thanksgiving with my extended family and I can’t wait. It seems that the older I get the more I treasure these moments. We’ll all be together, the cousins will play, the parents will reminisce and I’ll try to take in each moment with a thankful heart.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank all of you who read this blog faithfully. You’re continued support and enthusiasm means the world to me.

Thank you.

by Lori | Filed Under: Family, Holidays, My Home, My Projects, Outdoor spaces | 8 Comments

September 12, 2012

Suzanne Kasler in House Beautiful

My absolute favorite part of the space. The photos are simply stunning.

Have you seen Suzanne Kasler’s latest project in the new issue of House Beautiful? It’s in Kenya. Can you imagine that phone call? Hi Suzanne, we’d like for you to do a project for us…in Kenya?? Now, of course, I realize that many interior designers complete projects all over the world, but the logistics of this one seems a bit more daunting. Not for Suzanne Kasler, in her classically refined style, she has transformed this cluster of huts into a beautiful, relaxing home for an Indiana couple.

If you have seen these photos, bear with me, I just had to share these with those of you who may not be HB subscribers. I love to study other designers work and this one is a classic example of restraint in design. Less is so often more. Let’s see what we can learn from this project.

This project could have been taken quite literally considering the setting, but the materials chosen were soft and relaxing, no hides and overpowering leather pieces here.

The textures are so wonderful in the entire space, but especially here in the bedroom. Very reminiscent of those fabulously over the top safari tents. Love the touch of blue as well.

This is the master bedroom sitting area. The mantle is stunning. There is no need to cover every space on your mantle, 3 pieces are sometimes enough. Any more would be distracting. The focal point becomes the beautiful chairs in their vintage floral fabric.

The master bath.

How about this for a outdoor shower? What a view!

These are the outside shots. The home is completely open to the outside. It’s amazing, but I have to say that these are some brave homeowners. They are able to watch elephants, zebras, and lions wander by the completely open floor plan.

How would you like to come home to this little guy sleeping on your sofa? In this home, this could be a daily occurrence.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of Suzanne Kasler’s Kenya project. For a great interview with Suzanne about this home, head over to House Beautiful.

Have a great day!

by Lori | Filed Under: Bathrooms, Bedrooms, LIving Room, My Projects, Outdoor spaces | 4 Comments

August 23, 2012

New blogger friends, a mountain show house and a bit of thrifting

If you’ve read this blog for any time at all, you know that I’m not a big thrifter. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it, I just tend to hoard items with grandiose plans and no actual completion. This past weekend was an exception, however. Why, you ask? Because there is no way to not enjoy thrifting and come home with a few goodies when you find yourself in the NC mountains with new and old (not old, old, you know what I mean) blogger friends.

Edie, Lisa, me, Sherry and Rhoda

The main reason for our trip, (Oh, who am I kidding? Who really needs a reason to go hang out in a beautiful cottage, talking about nothing but design with 4 other women who feel exactly the same way…) I sure don’t, but we did actually go up to see this year’s Cashiers Designer Showhouse.

It did not disappoint. They don’t allow photos inside, but here are a few of the outside. The inside was just as beautiful and the view was to die for.

I can really see myself sitting here, a glass of wine, the kids playing in the yard…Then I remember the $5,000,000 price tag. Oh well, it’s fun to dream.

Once we’d gotten our fill of $5,000,000 fabulousness, we moved on to the things we could afford.

Our first stop was the Tobacco Barn, which really was a tobacco barn for years, until the thrifting craze took over. If you follow me on instagram @lorimayinteriors you saw this and a few more photos on Saturday.

Here are a few of my finds.

Don’t you love the color of these? They were super heavy, but I’d love to see them on a bookcase or one as a door stop.

Yes, more chairs. I’ve decided I have a chair problem. But, just like this one that I wrote about a few weeks ago, I didn’t come home with these either. Really love the shape of the one on the right…

This lovely almost came home with me, but I decided it was too big (and too heavy). Lisa picked it up though, so if you shop her booth at Scott’s, it could be yours…

I’ve decided I need to do a post on horses. I just love them and I’m not sure why. It all started when I saw these gorgeous photographs at Scotts. I can’t seem to stop thinking about them. I really think I need one. (Not a real one, way too much trouble.)

And last, but not least, the things I did come home with, a box o’ books! Yes, that’s what it said on the side of the box along with the ridiculously low price tag. The marbled papers are so pretty and I do have plans for them. Hopefully, I’ll get to them and they won’t go into the thrifting graveyard that is my garage. I’ll keep you posted.

by Lori | Filed Under: Artwork, Getaways, Outdoor spaces, Shopping | 12 Comments

June 13, 2012

5 easy ways to give your home a beachy feel

It’s always bittersweet to come home from vacation and get back into the swing of things. I love the beach and I’d love to have a home there someday. While that’s not in my near future, I started thinking about ways I could add some of the things I love about beach decor to my own home. Here are 5 easy ways that we can all have a “beach” home no matter where we live.

1. Color Palette

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Blue and white reminds us of the sea and the sand.

2. Texture

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This space is almost void of color, but what it lacks in color, it makes up for in texture. Add a sisal rug, a wicker chair and bamboo blinds for a natural, casual beachy feel.

3. Driftwood

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This is the most literal way to add a beachy feel to your home, but driftwood is one of my favorites. You can easily collect it on beach trips or purchase pieces online. Driftwood can be placed on bookshelves, made into wall decor or furniture.

4. Bamboo blinds

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I love to add bamboo blinds to my clients homes. They are not only affordable, but can give a quick update to any space. They aren’t exclusive to beach homes, by any means, but they are an easy way to add the texture that I love about my favorite beach retreats.

5. Palm fronds

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Palm fronds are my current favorite beach accessory. I love to use real ones, but you can find amazing artificial options as well. They add another layer of texture and color.

What do you think? Have you added things to your home from your favorite vacation destination? I’d love to see how you add subtle beach decor to your home.

by Lori | Filed Under: Bedrooms, Dining Rooms, Kitchens, LIving Room, My Home, Outdoor spaces, Tips/Tutorials | 6 Comments

June 8, 2012

An instagram tour of Charleston

Okay, so I know I promised a different post for today, but we took a surprise trip to Charleston yesterday and I wanted to share my instagram photos with you. If you’ve never been to Charleston, you should certainly put this on your bucket list. It has some of the most beautiful homes that I’ve ever seen. And not to mention the food, which is where our tour starts…

Toast was our first spot for a delicious brunch.

Charlotte was thrilled with her breakfast favorite!

Next was a carriage ride tour of the city. This is where the fun begins! (My sweet nephew Jeremiah was less than thrilled with the ride, but he and Charlotte soon fell asleep and missed the majority of the ride.)

Love all the architectural details and the beautiful blue paint color.

The porches on the sides of the homes were once used to receive guests, especially during the heat of the summer.

Many of these doorways are “false” doors. They open up to the sitting porch of the home.

Gotta love the blue ceiling. They are everywhere in Charleston. The blue is called haint blue which was used by the early residents of Charleston to keep the evil spirits away.

I loved these shiny red doors. The windows were so clean that they look like mirrors.

One of Charleston’s quaint hotels.

These morning glories were so blue that they almost didn’t look real.

There are so many amazing churches. These gorgeous columns are actually brick covered with smooth stucco and painted to look like marble.

Another wonderful place to visit are the many old cemeteries. It’s fascinating to read about the people buried there.

I know this picture is a little wonky, but I had to lean out of the carriage to get it. I didn’t want to miss this gorgeous pink home.

This home was under going a major renovation. It’s so different from all of the others. It felt so sturdy, yet so beautiful.

And, last but not least, this is the most photographed home in Charleston. It sits right on the water. People were lined up to take photos of it. Can you imagine living here and having people look into your windows day and night? I can’t, but I guess that’s just part of living in one of the most beautiful homes in one of our most beautiful cities.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my instagram tour. If you’d like to see more photos, be sure to follow me on instagram at @lorimayinteriors. I love to take photos when we travel, but I also share photos of my daily shopping adventures for clients and of course, myself.

Have a great weekend and I’ll see you back here on Monday!

by Lori | Filed Under: Entryways, Getaways, Outdoor spaces | 2 Comments

June 6, 2012

Hilton Head tour of homes

Hi all, today I thought I share a few photos of the homes around our place in Hilton Head. There are many different styles of homes, all beautiful. The color palettes fit perfectly into the landscape. Here are a few of my favorites.

This home may not be as fancy as some of the others, but I love how they took the existing structure and added all the windows.

This was a stunner. The attention to detail was amazing from the iron work to the beautiful brick wall.

This is the side of the same home. Love the iron gate.

This is the style of home that I think of when I think of a classic Hilton Head beach home.

This is the tree in front of the home. That’s me on the bike! Eric took the picture.

I think this one is my favorite. I love the cedar shake and the dark stained garage doors. Add in the brick driveway, wall and copper accents and you have the perfect amount of texture.

Love the fountain.

Couldn’t resist taking a picture of this gorgeous bougainvillea.

Such a welcoming entry. I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour. I’ll try to have more pics for you soon! If you’d like to see more, be sure and follow me on instagram and my Facebook page.

by Lori | Filed Under: My Projects, Outdoor spaces | 4 Comments

June 4, 2012

Hello from Hilton Head!

Hello there friends. Yes, I’m on vacation, but I feel like I’ve been neglecting you all so much that I wanted to pop in and show you the view from our gorgeous home here in Hilton Head. We are here with our extended family and looking forward to some rest and relaxation. Don’t worry, though, I’ve got a few things planned for you as well.

On Wednesday, I’ll take you on a tour of the beautiful neighborhood near our home here in Hilton Head and on Friday I’ll show you how to add a chic beach look to your home without it looking like The Salty Dog.

Have a great day and I’ll see you back here on Wednesday!

by Lori | Filed Under: Family, Getaways, Outdoor spaces | 2 Comments

February 3, 2012

What I found this week #4

What a great week this was! Not sure what the weather’s been like where you are, but here in Atlanta, it’s been amazing. I actually worked on this post, while sitting outside on my porch. It was 72 degrees yesterday in February! Who knows what the next few weeks will bring? Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow today, so we are in for another 6 weeks of winter. But, if this is the way it’s going to be, I can handle it.

Enough about the weather and on to my weekly finds. Let’s start with Lewis and Sheron, a wonderful fabric store here that is open to the public. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Atlanta, but if that’s not an option, check out their extensive selection on their website. I was on the hunt for a fabric for my husband’s office chairs. Of course, I found much more.

These pinks and oranges were so striking. The top two are my favorites.

Would you believe these are vinyl? Fabulous for a fun outdoor cushion or for a kid’s craft room.

Another vinyl. Maybe for Eric’s chairs? The texture of the shagreen felt very high end for the price.

I’ve always waned to use this fabric in a project. Aren’t they wonderful? Can you see the paper doll fabric near the bottom?

I couldn’t leave Lewis and Sheron without a quick peek at their fabulous outdoor fabric selection. Doesn’t it put you in the mood for spring?

How about those chairs? Staceage is a funky fabric boutique inside Lewis and Sheron. Definitely a must see!

And finally, my favorite stop of the week was to the Jonathan Adler store. I would challenge anyone to walk into that store and not come out smiling. The happy colors, patterns and textures are so inspiring. Here are a few shots. Enjoy!

Love the new blues.

My youngest thought this was the perfect room for her!

This is not your grandma’s needlepoint!

I soooo wanted to take this sofa home with me.

Of course, I had to include some of Mr. Adler’s famous ceramics. Love the orange and pink combo. Wouldn’t the owl salt and pepper shakers make the perfect hostess gift?

Wow, that was a lot of pics, but I hope you enjoyed it! Have a great weekend and see you next week!